Seven cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma (five low grade and two high grade) were analyzed immunohistochemically for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors. In four cases (three low grade and one high grade), these results were compared to biochemical findings. All low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas were positive for progesterone receptors using immunohistochemical techniques. These results correlated well with biochemical evaluation of progesterone receptors. The high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas were negative for progesterone and estrogen receptors by both methods. The advantages of immunohistochemical evaluation of steroid receptors have been well established in breast and endometrial carcinomas. This study demonstrates the usefulness of this technique in endometrial stromal sarcomas.

During a multicentric pilot screening program for congenital hypothyroidism a comparison between the results obtained from Urbino, an area characterized by low iodine supply and endemic goiter, and Rome, a non-endemic area, has been made. The evaluation of neonatal urinary iodine excretion in the two areas showed significantly lower iodine urinary excretion levels in Urbino than in Rome. A shift of TSH at screening toward higher values as well as a higher percentage of recall in Urbino area than in Rome was observed. This finding, which well correlates with a low environmental iodine supply, emphasizes the importance of screening for congenital hypothyroidism as a suitable index of the presence and action of goitrogenic factors in the environment.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of extraaortic counterpulsation with a latissimus dorsi (LD) neurovascular flap in a canine heart failure model. Five dogs (8‐18 kg) had a left LD neurovascular muscle flap raised. The muscle was brought into the chest through the second interspace and wrapped around the aorta. Parameters studied were heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SP), diastolic pressure (DP) pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), mixed venous oxygen saturation (MV02), and cardiac output (CO). Baseline measurements were obtained with the muscle nonstimulated and stimulated by a prototype burst stimulation. The only parameter that changed significantly with muscle stimulation was DP (55.8 ± 3.8 mmHg to 72.4 ± 4.8 mmHg, p < 0.05). Propranolol (3‐4 mg/kg) and verapamil (2‐3 mg) were given intravenously to induce heart failure. Mean blood pressure decreased from 64.12 ± 5.03 mmHg to 43.3 ± 9.28 mmHg (p < 0.05). Repeat measurements were obtained. With stimulation of the muscle flap there was an increase in DP from 36.8 ± 9.2 mmHg to 55.4 ± 19.3 mmHg (p < 0.05). Although CO increased from 8% to 18% in all animals (1.42 ± 0.33 L/mm to 1.58 ± 0.34 L/mm) this did not reach statistical significance. This data indicates that both DP and CO can be Improved by this method of cardiac assist in a heart failure model.