DNA content in primary tumours and lymph node metastases in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

In 18 consecutive patients operated on for colorectal carcinoma of Dukes' stage C, the DNA patterns were determined in multiple samples of the primary tumours and in all detected lymph node metastases. Single-cell microspectrophotometry on Feulgen-stained smears of fine-needle aspirates was used. When the most aggressive DNA pattern was considered representative, 12 primary tumours (67%) were designated as aneuploid. The frequency of aneuploidy among the metastases was almost the same (63%). In 15 cases (83%) the DNA patterns displayed by the metastatic lymph nodes were also found in the corresponding primary tumour, while in the remaining three cases (17%) the DNA pattern in the lymph node metastases was not seen in any of the multiple samples from the primary tumour. The observed tumour DNA heterogeneity may reflect either the multicellular origin of the tumour cells or the continuous evolution and progression of a neoplasm of unicellular origin, and may partly explain the dissimilarities between the DNA patterns of the primary tumour and the lymph node metastases. Biopsy samples from a number of metastatic lymph nodes are therefore required to ensure representativeness and to permit an adequate analysis of the prognostic role of the DNA ploidy status in lymph node metastases from colorectal cancer.

Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from cases of acute appendicitis and ice-cream.

Seventy (70) appendiceal specimens and 80 ice-cream samples were analysed to detect Yersinia enterocolitica using three different media. Both Y. enterocolitica and Citrobacter freundii were recovered in appendiceal specimens (17.1% and 8.6%) and ice-cream (26.25% and 18.75%) respectively. Thioglycollate medium was more selective and productive in isolating Yersinia. Y. enterocolitica was the major causative agent of acute appendicitis (11/25, 44%). It was sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole.

Colorectal carcinoma. DNA ploidy pattern and prognosis with reference to tumor DNA heterogeneity.

Nuclear DNA content was measured in 72 colorectal carcinomas using single-cell microspectrophotometry on Feulgen-stained smears. Four samples were analyzed from each tumor. Patients were followed for 41-65 months (average, 53). DNA heterogeneity (both aneuploid and nonaneuploid patterns) was present in 44% of the cases. Sixty-eight percent of the tumors showed an aneuploid DNA pattern in at least one of the samples. Patients with nonaneuploid tumors tended to have a survival advantage over patients with homogeneously aneuploid tumors and demonstrated a significantly longer disease-free survival. The DNA ploidy pattern is of potential value in conjunction with histopathologic prognostic parameters in colorectal carcinoma. Since colorectal tumors exhibit pronounced DNA heterogeneity, multiple samples are required from each tumor to permit a proper evaluation of its DNA pattern. The DNA heterogeneity may represent tumor progression and can partly explain the conflicting results reported concerning DNA pattern and prognosis in colorectal carcinoma.

DNA distribution pattern in colorectal carcinoma. A methodologic study comparing two different biopsy techniques.

DNA content was measured in 59 samples from 20 colorectal adenocarcinomas and 5 adenomas by single cell microspectrophotometry. Samples were obtained simultaneously by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and touch imprints of punch (IMP) biopsies. The results showed that specimens obtained by the two biopsy methods displayed similar DNA ploidy patterns in 46 of 59 samples (78%). The DNA patterns in six samples were aneuploid in IMP and nonaneuploid in FNA and vice versa in seven samples. When DNA patterns of the individual tumors were classified according to the most aggressive one, the two biopsy methods showed 88% concordance, with similar DNA patterns in 22 of 25 patients. The DNA patterns in three patients were classified as aneuploid in FNA specimens and nonaneuploid in IMP. The results indicate that imprints of punch tissue biopsies can be used for a reliable evaluation of the DNA pattern in colorectal tumors.

Heterogeneity of DNA distribution pattern in colorectal carcinoma. A microspectrophotometric study of fine needle aspirates.

For 50 consecutive patients with colorectal carcinoma, the nuclear DNA content in four separate fine needle aspiration samples taken from the resected tumors was analyzed using single-cell Feulgen cytometry. The DNA distribution patterns were divided into four classes according to their degree of euploidy/aneuploidy. Twenty tumors (40%) displayed a similar DNA pattern in all four samples while 30 tumors (60%) were heterogeneous, with a different DNA pattern within one or more of the four samples. None of the tumors were homogeneously diploid. These results illustrate the importance of multiple biopsy samples in the evaluation of the DNA pattern in colorectal tumors.

Identification and characterization of alkaline phosphatase isozymes in human colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Using alkaline phosphatase isozyme-specific immunocatalytical assays, the content of isozymes was determined in normal mucosas and adenocarcinomas from human colon or rectum. Tumor levels of both the tissue (liver)-unspecific and the placental-like alkaline phosphatase (PLAP-like) were elevated compared to normal mucosas of the same patients. Such elevations have been reported previously, particularly in seminomas and ovarian tumors. In several tumors, moreover, the intestinal isozyme was expressed in lesser amounts than in the adjacent mucosa. The present results indicate that the activation of two of the phosphatase isozymes, including expression of the typical germ cell line phosphatase (the PLAP-like isozyme), may occur even in nongonadal tumors. This may reflect an induction pattern of phosphatase isozymes, with implications for malignant transformation also in other tumors.

Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from cases of acute appendicitis and ice-cream

Seventy [70] appendiceal specimens and 80 ice-cream samples were analysed to detect Yersinia enterocolitica using three different media. Both Y. enterocolitica and Citrobacter freundii were recovered in appendiceal specimens [17.1% and 8.6%] and ice-cream [26.25% and 18.75%] respectively. Thioglycollate medium was more selective and productive in isolating Yersinia. Y. enterocolitica was the major causative agent of acute appendicitis [11/25, 44%]. It was sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole