The first GalT gene knockout (KO) mouse model for Classic Galactosemia (OMIM 230400) accumulated some galactose and its metabolites upon galactose challenge, but was seemingly fertile and symptom free. Here we constructed a new GalT genetrapped mouse model by injecting GalT gene-trapped mouse embryonic stem cells into blastocysts, which were later implanted into pseudo-pregnant females. High percentage GalT gene-trapped chimera obtained were used to generate heterozygous and subsequently, homozygous GalT gene-trapped mice. Biochemical assays confirmed total absence of galactose-1 phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT) activity in the homozygotes. Although the homozygous GalT gene-trapped females could conceive and give birth when fed with normal chow, they had smaller litter size (P ¼ 0.02) and longer time-to-pregnancy (P ¼ 0.013) than their wild-type littermates. Follicle-stimulating hormone levels of the mutant female mice were not significantly different from the age-matched, wild-type females, but histological examination of the ovaries revealed fewer follicles in the homozygous mutants (P ¼ 0.007). Administration of a high-galactose (40% w/w) diet to lactating homozygous GalT gene-trapped females led to lethality in over 70% of the homozygous GalT gene-trapped pups before weaning. Cerebral edema, abnormal changes in the Purkinje and the outer granular cell layers of the cerebellum, as well as lower blood GSH/GSSG ratio were identified in the galactose-intoxicated pups. Finally, reduced growth was observed in GalT gene-trapped pups fed with normal chow and all pups fed with high-galactose (20% w/w) diet. This new mouse model presents several of the complications of Classic Galactosemia and will be useful to investigate pathogenesis and new therapies.

Rapid on-site IC is a useful and valuable tool for evaluating adequacy of CNB as well as providing accurate information on a categorical basis (malignant versus benign), with greater diagnostic accuracy in cases of malignancy than for benign lesions. IC provides high sensitivity with high PPV in lung, liver, lymph node, bone, and soft tissue lesions. Exact preliminary diagnoses have good diagnostic accuracy. Considering the fundamentally different diagnostic and therapeutic approach based on histologic tumor type (e.g., in lung malignancies), on-site preliminary diagnosis may allow appropriate triaging of tissue for early planning of ancillary studies with decreased turnaround times. In addition, early diagnosis may reduce anxiety in patients and expedite treatment planning.

Many melanocytic nevi contain areas similar to nerve sheath tumors (NST) and NSTs with melanin have been described. There are some NSTs with at least partial intraneural location, including neurofibromas, plexiform neurofibromas, granular cell tumors and the recently described, dendritic cell neurofibroma with pseudorosettes. We describe the case of an NST with melanocytic differentiation and intraneural location, for which we suggest the term 'melanocytoneuroma' (MCN). It arose in the skin of a 67-year-old woman with no previous history of melanoma or neurofibromatosis. The lesion presented as a papule and histologically consisted of a dermal nodule without junctional melanocytic activity. The lesion comprised an intraneural proliferation of large epithelioid eosinophilic cells with prominent cell borders imparting a 'plant-like' appearance. The cells were also seen within adjacent nerve twigs and were positive for S100, Melan-A, HMB-45, microphthalmia transcription factor and PGP 9.5. The lesion was entirely surrounded by an epithelial membrane antigen-positive-perineurial coat and the individual tumor cells were invested by laminin and collagen type-IV-positive basal lamina-like material. The lesion did not show any evidence of atypia and following complete excision, no recurrence has been documented. In conclusion, this unusual lesion represents an intraneural proliferation with melanocytic and nerve sheath cell differentiation, to which we have accorded the appellation, MCN.