These results suggest that the change in tCho concentration between baseline and 24 hours after the first dose of PST can serve as an indicator for predicting clinical response to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer.

Summary:Over the past 5 years we have recognized a new pulmonary complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) associated with fever and pulmonary nodules termed 'pulmonary cytolytic thrombi' (PCT). Retrospective analysis of medical and radiographic records and pathologic material from 13 HSCT recipients with PCT and a review of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Database for all patients with radiographic evidence of pulmonary nodules or who underwent openlung biopsy from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1998 (n = 1228) were performed. The median age of patients with PCT was 11.9 years (range, 1.3-29.7 years). All patients developed fever at a median of 72 days (range, 8-343 days) post transplant, followed by pulmonary nodules on chest CT. Eleven patients were receiving therapy for active GVHD (acute, grades I-IV (n = 10); extensive chronic (n = 1) ). Biopsy of the pulmonary nodules revealed a unique pattern of necrotic, basophilic thromboemboli with amorphous material suggestive of cellular breakdown products. This was descriptively labeled 'pulmonary cytolytic thrombi'. Immunohistochemical staining revealed entrapped leukocytes and disrupted endothelium, but was negative for histiocytes. Cultures and immunohistochemical stains were negative for infectious agents. Empiric therapy included systemic corticosteroids (n = 9) and amphotericin (n = 7). Nine patients survive with resolution of PCT at a median follow-up of 1.5 years. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 293-300. Keywords: pulmonary nodules; stem cell transplant; pulmonary complications; cytolytic thrombi Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is used in the treatment of a variety of malignant and non-malignant conditions. The procedure and associated immunosuppression are associated with both infectious and non-infectious complications. Approximately 30-60% of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients develop pulmonary complications.

GM. Inhaled carbon monoxide reduces leukocytosis in a murine model of sickle cell disease.

The 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) recommendations for HER2 testing contain a recommendation for pathologists with respect to invasive micropapillary carcinoma. The guidelines suggest that HER2 immunohistochemical staining that is intense but incomplete and would be considered 1+ may actually be HER2-amplified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Thus, pathologists should consider reporting the immunohistochemistry as equivocal (2+) and employ an alternative testing methodology. This recommendation is based largely on one paper wherein the authors tested a series of 22 micropapillary carcinomas that were considered 1+ by immunohistochemistry and identified HER2 amplification in one case (5%). In order to assess for a possible discordance between HER2 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we evaluated a series of invasive carcinomas with micropapillary features using both methodologies. As described by the WHO, invasive carcinomas with micropapillary features have small, hollow, or morula-like clusters of cells surrounded by clear stromal spaces. All cases had HER2 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization performed, and for cases with equivocal fluorescence in situ hybridization results, an alternative Chromosome 17 probe (RAI1) was employed. All assays were scored according to the 2013 ASCO/CAP guidelines. Specifically for this study, immunohistochemistry was scored irrespective of the presence of micropapillary features. Overall, we identified HER2 amplification in 21 (47%) of the cases assayed, with the corresponding immunohistochemistry being 1+ (n=9), 2+ (n=11), and 3+ (n=1). The ASCO/CAP recommendation that this morphology may deviate from the typical staining pattern is highlighted, as we found that 43% of cases with micropapillary features and HER2 staining that would otherwise be scored as 1+ were HER2-amplified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. This study supports the ASCO/CAP recommendation that pathologists should consider reporting immunohistochemistry in this morphology as equivocal and perform reflex testing using in situ hybridization.