Protective effects of trifluralin on benzo(a)pyrene-induced tumors in A/J mice.

Trifluralin, a widely used herbicide, added to the diet before the p.o. administration of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and fed continuously, significantly inhibited the induction of lung and forestomach tumors in female A/J mice. Dietary intake of trifluralin before the administration of BP resulted in a significant increase in glutathione in lung and forestomach but not in liver and glandular stomach. Trifluralin treatment also inhibited the binding of [3H]BP to liver and lung DNA, as well as to protein in the liver. Under these conditions, the protection against BP-induced lung tumors and perhaps forestomach tumors may be due to an elevation of tissue glutathione, resulting in a decreased binding of reactive metabolites of BP to macromolecules at these sites. The results indicate that trifluralin has a "blocking" effect in its inhibition of BP-induced tumors. Our studies show that trifluralin also inhibits chemical carcinogenesis in lung and forestomach when started in the diet 1 day after the administration of BP and fed continuously thereafter. In the case of lung, although maximum inhibition of tumors occurred when trifluralin was started 1 day after BP, there was significant protection at all time intervals (0 to 7 days) against lung tumors. The finding that trifluralin protects against BP tumorigenesis when started in the diet after the administration of the carcinogen clearly demonstrates that trifluralin also has a "suppressive" effect against BP-induced tumors.

Cytology of granulosa cell tumor of the ovary.

Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary may create a diagnostic challenge in cytologic preparations. Our experience with needle aspiration material, ascitic fluid, and peritoneal washings indicates that in fluids, despite some similarity between the tumor cells and reactive mesothelial cells, a correct diagnosis can be achieved by careful examination. The paucity of the cytoplasm and an intense indentation of nuclear membrane are the most helpful features in distinguishing the granulosa cells from mesothelial cells. The literature is reviewed, and the controversies regarding needle aspiration of ovarian neoplasms are discussed.

Fine-needle aspirates of uveal melanomas and prognosis.

The computer-assisted measurement of the standard deviation of the nucleolar area from pathologic slides of uveal melanomas correlates strongly with prognosis, but the eye must be removed and examined histologically. Because it is possible to perform fine-needle aspiration biopsies of intraocular tumors, we designed a study to determine if a fine-needle aspiration biopsy sample yields the same prognostic information as the enucleation specimen. In comparing the standard deviation of the nucleolar area measured from a fine-needle aspiration biopsy sample obtained from 53 freshly enucleated eyes with the standard deviation of the nucleolar area measured from the matched enucleation specimen, we found only a modest correlation (r = 0.57) between the two measurements. A t-test of matched pairs indicated a significant difference between the two measurements (P less than .01). The fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique does not yield the same prognostic information as the larger enucleation specimen because fine-needle aspiration biopsy material may not be representative of the tumor.

The respective roles of cytology and colposcopy in obstetric and gynecologic practice.

The use of cytology in evaluating the state of the uterine cervix is well recognized and accepted in the United States. The role of colposcopy has not been completely defined although its acceptance is slowly gaining ground in many clinics. It is the purpose of this article to compare the two methods and to discuss the relationship of these methods to each other. Most attention will be directed to cytology and colposcopy of the cervix. However, the applications of both methods to evaluation of the vulva and vagina will also be considered.

Positive effusion cytology as the initial presentation of malignancy.

During a period of four years (1981 to 1984), 641 ascitic, 860 pleural and 47 pericardial fluid specimens were examined cytologically. Of these, 154 ascitic samples, 174 pleural specimens and 10 pericardial effusions, obtained, respectively, from 108, 133 and 7 patients, were found to contain malignant cells. In 7 patients, ascites, and in 18 cases, pleural effusions were the first indication of cancer. None of the positive pericardial fluids was the initial presentation of malignancy. The cytologic findings and follow-up data on these 25 patients are the subject of this study. The most common type of neoplasm in these effusions was adenocarcinoma (86% of the ascitic and 78% of the pleural fluids). Most of the malignant neoplasms in ascitic fluids were derived from ovarian tumors (5 of 7) while those in pleural effusions came mainly from lung tumors (12 of 18). Mammary carcinoma, which was the most common malignant tumor found in cases of pleural effusions, did not present initially with an effusion in any of our cases. The cytologic diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by either biopsy or strong clinical evidence. The prognosis in patients who initially presented with an effusion was poor. All of the patients with an adequate follow-up died within 29 months in cases of ascites and within 19 months in cases of pleural effusions.

Pulmonary blastoma: cytopathologic and histopathologic findings.

A case of pulmonary blastoma has been presented with a description of the pulmonary cytology and review of the literature. Recognition of the two cell patterns of the tumor, carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements, in the cytologic specimen may lead one to the correct diagnosis of a mixed tumor. Ferruginous bodies and microliths were also associated in this case.

Diagnostic pitfalls in cerebrospinal fluid cytology.

Four types of cells that may be the source of important diagnostic pitfalls in cerebrospinal fluid cytology are presented: (1) nucleus pulposus cells, (2) keratinized squamous cells from craniopharyngioma and sphenoid sinus carcinoma, (3) reactive leptomeningeal cells and (4) epitheloid cells from sarcoidosis. For each the cellular morphology is described and representative clinical, cytologic and histologic presentations are discussed.

Leprosy in Auckland.

The purpose of this paper is to alert practitioners to the possibility of leprosy by giving practical points from local experience together with a modicum of background information. Local experience of 45 patients is described in the form of a recent survey done in 1979 in Auckland together with illustrative records.

An epidemic of gastroenteritis in Auckland 1978.

During an epidemic of gastroenteritis which spread throughout New Zealand in 1978, 372 cases of nonbacterial illness were documented in children in Auckland during the months of June and July. A brief account is given of the clinical picture observed. Evidence from virological techniques suggests that some if not all cases were due to rotavirus. The severity of illness may have been greater than most observers to date have noted. From our observations we raise the possibility of air-borne spread, perhaps in addition to faecal-oral. We wish to emphasise that drugs play no part in the treatment of viral gastroenteritis, that home-made electrolyte solutions can be hazardous and that early intravenous therapy can be life-saving.