Flow cytometric deoxyribonucleic acid measurements were performed with propidium iodide on 7 adrenal neoplasms and 4 normal adrenal glands to determine how useful this technique would be in defining malignancy. The 4 cases classified histologically as carcinoma all had aneuploid stemlines of 2.7, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6c respectively, whereas the 4 normal glands and an aldosteronoma had only a small percentage (less than 10 per cent) of hyperdiploid cells (greater than 2c) at the tetraploid level (4c). A pheochromocytoma and benign adenoma had significant tetraploid populations of 30 and 18 per cent, respectively, with no evidence of aneuploid cells. Flow cytometry determination of deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy values is an accurate, objective, quantitative mean to identify adrenal malignancy and should have a role in the pathological evaluation of adrenal neoplasms.

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Saline bladder barbotage specimens were obtained from 99 patients for comparison of flow cytometric deoxyribonucleic acid analyses using fresh versus ethanol-fixed cell preparation techniques. The analyses were consistent for the 2 methods in 87 (88 per cent) of the 99 cases (p less than 0.0001, Kappa statistic for agreement). Since accurate, reproducible results are obtainable on fixed bladder washings, samples may be sent to flow cytometry centers for analysis.

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The field of Avionics is advancing far more rapidly in terrestrial applications than in space flight applications. Spaceflight Avionics are not keeping pace with expectations set by terrestrial experience, nor are they keeping pace with the need for increasingly complex automation and crew interfaces as we move beyond Low Earth Orbit. NASA must take advantage of the strides being made by both space-related and terrestrial industries to drive our development and sustaining costs down. This paper describes ongoing efforts by the Avionics Architectures for Exploration (AAE) project chartered by NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Program to evaluate new avionic architectures and technologies, provide objective comparisons of them, and mature selected technologies for flight and for use by other AES projects. Results from the AAE project's FY13 efforts are discussed, along with the status of FY14 efforts and future plans.