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Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) has been cultivated for a long time in different parts of India and the world. This study aimed to identify the role of coriander seeds towards improved nutrition, which is essential for biological processes. The present investigation was carried on 64 coriander genotypes to identify the traits associated with seed yield and their attributes. Results revealed that seed yield plant-1 exhibited a positive and significant correlation with number of fruits umbel-1 but negative correlation with days to 50% flowering and days to 80% maturity. Almost all genotypes studied revealed diverse properties, making them suitable genetic materials for breeding homogenous coriander cultivars. Our research goal was to elucidate the diversity of agronomic, physiological and yield traits in coriander. In the present investigation, genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the phenotypic ones because of the masking effect of genotypes for the expression of characters. Seed yield plant-1 exhibited a positive and significant correlation with number of fruits umbel-1 but was negatively correlated with days to 50% flowering and 80% maturity, whereas number of fruits umbellet-1 expressed a positive significant correlation with number of fruits umbel-1 and 1000-seed weight. A positive correlation was also noted between 1000-seed weight and number of fruits umbel-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes have been synthesized by reacting vanadyl sulfate with Schiff bases derived from 4-amino-5-(substitutedphenoxyacetic acid)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and benzil. All these complexes are soluble in DMF and DMSO; low molar conductance values indicate that they are non-electrolytes and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral techniques (UV-Vis, IR, EPR and XRD) and magnetic moment measurements. The EPR spectra indicate that the free electron is in dxy orbital. In vitro antifungal activity of ligands and synthesized compounds was determined against fungi Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum falcatum and Colletotrichum pallescence and in vitro antibacterial activity was determined by screening the compounds against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacterial strains. The antimicrobial activities have shown that the activity increases upon complexation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsphere series have been synthesized by reacting zinc(II) acetate dihydrate with Schiff bases derived from 2-hydrazino-5-[substituted phenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazole/oxadiazole/triazole with salicylaldehyde. Elemental analysis suggests that the complexes have 1:2 and 1:1 stoichiometry of the type [Zn(L)2(H2O)2] and [Zn(L')(H2O)2]; LH = Schiff bases derived from 2-hydrazino-5-[substituted phenyl]-1,3,4-thia/oxadiazole with salicylaldehyde; L'H2 = Schiff bases derived from 3-(substituted phenyl)-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazole and salicylaldehyde and were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR and 13C NMR spectral data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that synthesized materials have microsphere like structure and there EDX analysis comparably matches with elemental analysis. For the antimicrobial application Schiff bases and their zinc(II) complexes were screened for four bacteria e.g. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes and four fungi e.g. Cyrtomium falcatum, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporium and Curvularia pallescence by the reported method. Schiff base and Zn(II) compounds showed significant antimicrobial activities. However, activities increase upon chelation. Thermal analysis (TGA) data of compound (10) showed its stability up to 300 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of trastuzumab in the treatment of primary breast cancer has mandated accurate and timely testing of all patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. Testing is centralized in designated laboratories across Canada with adherence to guidelines and mandatory participation in quality assurance programs. The Canadian testing algorithm recommends starting with immunohistochemistry (IHC) followed by in situ hybridization (ISH) for equivocal cases. Early HER2 testing showed that approximately 25-30% of invasive breast cancer is HER2 positive. Recent data shows that the HER2/neu positive rate in breast cancer in Canada is 17.6%. Design: The study was designed to assess the rate of false-negative HER2 tests based on the IHC-first algorithm used in 8 pathology centres across Canada. Surgical excisions with invasive carcinoma were tested using the standardized local methodology for both IHC and ISH. The cases were scored by the local breast pathologist and in 2 of 8 centers image analysis was used in the evaluation of ISH. We compared consecutive HER2-negative IHC results (score 0/1+) to the corresponding ISH (either silver or fluorescence) result. False negative cases were defined as a negative IHC with an ISH ratio of ≥ 2, since these patients are eligible for trastuzumab therapy. Results: 715 cases were analyzed by IHC using Ventana 4B5 (287), HercepTest (253), or SP3 (175), and by ISH kits: Vysis FISH (303), Ventana SISH (412). The HER2 and CEP17 counts were available in all cases. There were 4 cases with an ISH score ≥ 2 (4B5: 2/4, HercepTest 1/4, SP3 1/4). In 3 additional cases the absolute HER2 copy number was ≥ 6 but the HER2/CEP17 amplification ratio was <2 due to an increased number of CEP 17 signal ("polysomy 17") or amplification of the pericentromeric region. The overall rate of false negative cases was 0.98% (7/715). These cases had a low level of amplification (ratio 2 to 2.45) or an absolute HER2 count of 6--8. Conclusion: Our observation confirms that IHC is an adequate test to predict negative HER2 status in primary breast cancer in surgical excision specimens, even when different antibodies and IHC platforms are used. The study supports and justifies the Canadian algorithm of IHC followed by ISH in equivocal cases in view of the extremely low percentage of false negative cases observed. This reflects the strict adherence to internal protocols and mandatory participation in quality assurance programs. These results provide further confirmation that the vast majority of patients eligible for trastuzumab are not deprived from an effective treatment by using this algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trivalent lanthanide complexes of the type [Ln(L)Cl(H2O)2] (where Ln=Nd(III) or Sm(III) and LH2=Schiff bases derived by the condensation of 3-(phenyl/substitutedphenyl)-4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole with diacetyl/benzil) have been synthesized by the reactions of anhydrous lanthanide(III) chloride with Schiff bases in methanol. The structures of the complexes have been proposed on the basis of elemental analysis, electrical conductance, magnetic moment, spectroscopic measurements (IR, 1H, 13C NMR and UV-vis spectra) and X-ray diffraction studies. The spectral data reveal that the Schiff base ligands behave as dibasic tetradentate chelating agents having coordination sites at two thiol sulfur atoms and two azomethine nitrogen atoms. The presence of coordinated water in metal complexes was confirmed by thermal and IR data of the complexes. All the Schiff bases and their metal complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, Curvularia pallescens and Colletotrichum capsici., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Questions: In female patients with locally advanced breast cancer (labc) and good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nact), including endocrine therapy, what is the role of breast-conserving surgery (bcs) compared with mastectomy?In female patients with labc, is radiotherapy (rt) indicated for those who have undergone mastectomy?does locoregional rt, compared with breast or chest wall rt alone, result in a higher survival rate and lower recurrence rates?is rt indicated for those achieving a pathologic complete response (pcr) to nact?In female patients with labc who receive nact, is the most appropriate axillary staging procedure sentinel lymph node biopsy (slnb) or axillary dissection? Is slnb indicated before nact rather than at the time of surgery?How should female patients with labc that does not respond to initial nact be treated?, Methods: This guideline was developed by Cancer Care Ontario's Program in Evidence-Based Care (pebc) and the Breast Cancer Disease Site Group (dsg). A systematic review was prepared based on literature searches conducted using the medline and embase databases for the period 1996 to December 11, 2013. Guidelines were located from that search and from the Web sites of major guideline organizations. The working group drafted recommendations based on the systemic review. The systematic review and recommendations were then circulated to the Breast Cancer dsg and the pebc Report Approval Panel for internal review; the revised document underwent external review. The full three-part evidence series can be found on the Cancer Care Ontario Web site., Recommendations: For most patients with labc, modified radical mastectomy should be considered the standard of care. For some patients with noninflammatory labc, bcs can be considered on a case-by-case basis when the surgeon deems that the disease can be fully resected and the patient expresses a strong preference for breast preservation.For patients with labc, rt after mastectomy is recommended.It is recommended that, after bcs or mastectomy, patients with labc receive locoregional rt encompassing the breast or chest wall and local node-bearing areas.It is recommended that postoperative rt remain the standard of care for patients with labc who achieve pcr to nact.It is recommended that axillary dissection remain the standard of care for axillary staging in labc, with the judicious use of slnb in patients who are advised of the limitations of the current data.Although slnb either before or after nact is technically feasible, the data are insufficient to make any recommendation about the optimal timing of slnb with respect to nact. Limited data suggest higher sentinel lymph node identification rates and lower false negative identification rates when slnb is conducted before nact; however, those data must be balanced against the requirement for two operations if slnb is not performed at the time of resection of the main tumour.It is recommended that patients receiving neoadjuvant anthracycline-taxane-based therapy (or other sequential regimens) whose tumours do not respond to the initial agent or agents, or who experience disease progression, be expedited to the next agent or agents of the regimen.For patients who, in the opinion of the treating physician, fail to respond or progress on first-line nact, several therapeutic options can be considered, including second-line chemotherapy, hormonal therapy (if appropriate), rt, or immediate surgery (if technically feasible). Treatment should be individualized through discussion at a multidisciplinary case conference, considering tumour characteristics, patient factors and preferences, and risk of adverse effects.It is recommended that prospective randomized clinical trials be designed for patients with labc who fail to respond to nact so that more definitive treatment recommendations can be developed.

A new class of oxovanadium(IV) complexes with Schiff bases derived by the condensation of 5-(phenyl/substituted phenyl)-2-hydrazino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles and indoline-2,3-dione have been prepared in ethanol in the presence of sodium acetate. Micro-analytical data, magnetic susceptibility, UV-Vis, IR, EPR and XRD spectral techniques were used to confirm the structures. Electronic absorption spectra of the complexes suggest a square-pyramidal geometry. The oxovanadium(IV) complexes have monoclinic crystal system and particle sizes were found to be in the range 18.0 nm to 24.0 nm (nano-size). In vitro antifungal activity of synthesized compounds was determined against fungi Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum falcatum and Colletotrichum pallescence and in vitro antibacterial activity was determined by screening the compounds against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacterial strains. The oxovanadium(IV) complexes have higher antimicrobial effect than free ligands., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized by reacting zinc acetate with Schiff bases derived from 2-hydrazino-5-[substituted phenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 2-hydroxyacetophenone/benzaldehyde/indoline-2,3-dione. All these complexes are soluble in DMF and DMSO; low molar conductance values indicate that they are non electrolytes. Elemental analyses suggest that the complexes have 1:2 metal to ligands stoichiometry of the types [ZnL2(H2O)2](L=monoanionic Schiff bases derived from 2-hydrazino-5-[substituted phenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 2-hydroxyacetophenone/indoline-2,3-dione) [ZnL2(')(OOCCH3)2(H2O)2](L'=neutral Schiff bases derived from 2-hydrazino-5-[substituted phenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazole and benzaldehyde), and they were characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR. Particle sizes of synthesized compounds were measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyser which indicates that particle diameter are of the range ca. 100-200nm. All these Schiff bases and their complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial (Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and antifungal activities (Colletotrichum falcatum (C. falcatum), Aspergillus niger (A. niger), Fusarium oxysporium (F. oxysporium) Curvularia pallescence (C. pallescence). The antimicrobial activities have shown that upon complexation the activity increases., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new series of diazadioxa oxovanadium(IV) macrocyclic complexes of type [VO(mac)]SO(4) have been synthesized via the condensation reaction of a 3-(phenyl/substituted phenyl)-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazole (H(2)L) with salicylaldehyde/2-hydroxyacetophenone and 1,4-dibromobutane in the presence of oxovanadium(IV) sulfate in ethanol. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic properties, spectral (UV-Vis, IR, EPR) and XRD studies. The particle size of the complexes has been calculated from XRD spectra using Debye-Scherrer formula and these are found to be in 31-32 nm range. The efficacy of two macrocyclic complexes was also studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats over a period of 30 days. The administration of these complexes in diabetic rats reversed the diabetic effect due to their insulin-mimetic effects., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

New Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized by the reactions of zinc(II) acetate with Schiff bases derived from 3-substituted phenyl-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1, 2, 4-triazole and benzaldehyde, 2-hydroxyacetophenone or indoline-2,3-dione. All these complexes are soluble in DMF and DMSO; low molar conductance values indicate that they are non-electrolytes. Elemental analyses suggest that the complexes have 1:1 stoichiometry of the type [ZnL(H(2)O)(2)], [ZnL'(OAc)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (L=dianionic Schiff bases derived from 3-(substituted phenyl)-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1, 2, 4-triazole and 2-hydroxyacetophenone or indoline-2,3-dione; L'=neutral Schiff bases derived from 3-(substituted phenyl)-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1, 2, 4-triazole and benzaldehyde) and they were characterized by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and FAB mass. All these Schiff bases and their complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and antifungal activities against Colletotrichum falcatum, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporium and Carvularia pallescence by petriplates methods., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

A total of 20 novel organophosphorus derivatives have been synthesized by the reactions of O,O-diethylchlorophosphate/thiophosphate with isatin-3-(substituted benzoic acid/phenoxy acetic acid hydrazones). The derivatives have been characterized on the basis of analysis and spectral (IR and (1)H and (13)C NMR) data. Fungicidal activities of the derivatives against Colletotrichum falcatum , Fusarium oxysporum , and Curvularia pallescence have been evaluated. The screening results have been correlated with the structural features of the tested compounds. The greater potency has been observed with thiophosphates compared to phosphates, with substituted phenoxy acetic acid hydrazones compared to substituted benzoic acid hydrazones, and with substitutent Cl(-) attached to the aromatic ring compared to other substitutents. O,O-Diethylchlorophosphate compounds containing isatin-3-(4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid hydrazone) (IIe) and the compound containing two molecules of O,O-diethylchlorophosphate attached to isatin-3-(4-hydroxy phenoxy acetic acid) hydrazone (IIh) were proven to be more active than some prevalent commercial synthetic fungicides.

A series of new coordination complexes of La(III) and Pr(III) with hydrazones, derived from 1,1-diacetylferrocene and different aromatic acid hydrazides have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic moment, IR, (1)H NMR, UV-vis spectra and molar conductance. The thermal behaviour of the complexes under non-isothermal condition was investigated by TG and DTG techniques. The antifungal activity of hydrazones and their corresponding complexes were also investigated.

Five novel organophosphorus derivatives have been synthesized by the reactions of O,O-diethylchlorophosphate with piperazine dithiosemicarbazones. The derivatives have been characterized on the basis of analyses and spectral (IR, 1H NMR) data. Fungicidal activities of these derivatives against Colletotrichum falcatum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Curvularia pallescence have been evaluated. The screening results have been correlated with the structural features of the tested compounds. Organophosphorus derivatives containing 1,4-bis(4-chlorobenzaldehyde)piperazine dithiosemicarbazone and 1,4-bis(4-methoxybenzaldehyde)piperazine dithiosemicarbazone proved to be more active than some prevalent commercial synthetic fungicides.

The reactions of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) dichloride with Schiff bases derived by condensing 2- amino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole with benzaldehyde (SPT), 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (SNT), 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (SMT), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (SSTH) or 2-hydroxyacetophenone (SATH) have been studied in refluxing tetrahydrofuran and complexes of types [Cp(2)TiCl(SB)]Cl (SB= SPT, SNT or SMT) and [Cp(2)Ti(SB')]Cl (SB'H= SSTH or SATH) have been isolated. Tentative structural conclusions are drawn for these reaction products based upon elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic moment and spectral (UV-vis, IR and (1)H NMR) data. Studies were conducted to assess the growth-inhibiting potential of the complexes synthesized, and the ligands, against various fungal and bacterial strains.

The reactions of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) dichloride with a new class of thiosemicarbazone (LH(2)), derived by condensing isatin with different N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazides, have been studied and products of type [Cp(2)Ti(L)] have been isolated. On the basis of various physico-chemical and spectral studies, five coordinate structures have been assigned to these derivatives. Toxicity studies of titanocene complexes at tbur different concentrations have been carried out against snail Lymnaea acuminata. The effect of most potent compounds on the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which inhibits the activity of enzyme, possibly by the formation of enzyme-inhibitor complex, was also studied.

The reactions of mono(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) trichloride and bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV)/ zirconium(IV) dichloride with a new class of dithiosemicarbazone, derived by condensing piperazine dithiosemicarbazide with benzaldehyde (L(1)H(2)), 2-chlorobenzaldehyde (L(2)H(2)), 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (L(3)H(2)) or salicylaldehyde (L(4)H(4)) have been studied and different types of binuclear products, viz. [{CpTiCl(2)}(2)L], [{Cp(2)MCl}(2)L], ((L=L(1), L(2) or L(3)), [{CpTiCI}(2)L(4)] and [{Cp(2)M}(2)L(4)] (M=Yi or Zr), have been isolated. Tentative structures are proposed for these complexes based upon elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic moment and spectral (electronic, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR) data. Attempts have been made to establish a correlation between antibacterial activity and the structures of the products.

Ten newly synthesized organophosphorus derivatives containing substituted chalcones and substituted chalcone semicarbazones were tested for their antifungal efficacy against Colletotrichum falcatum, Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia pallescens (all sugarcane pathogens). The O,O-diethylphosphate derivatives containing 2-chlorochalcone and 2-chlorochalcone semicarbazone exhibited 70-85% mycelial inhibition against all the test fungi at 1000 ppm. The screening results were correlated with structural features of the tested compounds.

The Queen's University Department of Pathology and its affiliated hospital laboratories (Kingston, Canada) have operated a successful laboratory outreach program for more than a decade in Southeastern Ontario. The outreach program provides high quality reference testing and technical and professional expertise in laboratory medicine to largely rural and small urban community hospitals. As a consequence of dramatic cuts to the publicly funded health-care system in the Province of Ontario, the environment in which laboratory medicine is practiced has altered irrevocably. This article discusses some of the difficult internal and external challenges faced by the outreach program within the region and how they were effectively managed, not only to maintain but to enhance the program's services. The result has been a continued improvement in the quality of laboratory services in the region with significantly increased cost-effectiveness, largely through reengineering and consolidation.

Numerous studies have examined the relationship between organochlorines and breast cancer, but the results are not consistent. In most studies, organochlorines were measured in serum, but levels in breast adipose tissue are higher and represent cumulative internal exposure at the target site for breast cancer. Therefore, a hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Ontario, Canada to evaluate the association between breast cancer risk and breast adipose tissue concentrations of several organochlorines. Women scheduled for excision biopsy of the breast were enrolled and completed a questionnaire. The biopsy tissue of 217 cases and 213 benign controls frequency matched by study site and age in 5-year groups was analyzed for 14 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, total PCBs, and 10 other organochlorines, including p,p'-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the magnitude of risk. While adjusting for age, menopausal status, and other factors, odds ratios (ORs) were above 1.0 for almost all organochlorines except five pesticide residues. The ORs were above two in the highest concentration categories of PCB congeners 105 and 118, and the ORs for these PCBs increased linearly across categories (Ps for trend < or =0.01). Differences by menopausal status are noted especially for PCBs 105 and 118, with risks higher among premenopausal women, and for PCBs 170 and 180, with risks higher among postmenopausal women. Clear associations with breast cancer risk were demonstrated in this study for some PCBs measured in breast adipose tissue.

Background: During a 10-year period (1986-95), 70 adult Papua New Guineans with head and neck lymphomas were seen in the 18 years-and-above age group., Methods: The clinical information was obtained from the medical records section of the Port Moresby General Hospital. Relevant treatment modalities and the follow-up data were acquired from the National Cancer Centre, Angau Memorial Hospital, Lae., Results: Of a total of 227 adult lymphomas recorded in a 10-year period, 70 cases were seen in the head and neck region. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma constituted 56 cases, which included seven cases of adult Burkitt's-like lymphoma. Fourteen cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma were recorded., Conclusions: In Papua New Guinea, malignant lymphomas primarily affecting the head and neck region were seen in 30.8% of all lymphomas. This constitues 2.8% of all malignancies in this region. These lymphomas appear to be more aggressive at this site. Proper tissue diagnosis and combination chemoradiotherapy are the key factors in its management.

A review of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values from January 1994 to May 1997 and their correlation with the histopathology of prostate specimens was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Port Moresby General Hospital. The study has shown that this biochemical investigation has not been properly used for the maximum benefit of the patient population. Remedial measures are suggested to improve the sensitivity and specificity of PSA in a setting with limited resources.

An interesting case of a multifocal Langerhans cell granulomatosis in an 18-mo-old female child is described. The diagnosis was confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. The unusual findings at the initial stage of the disease and its possible etiopathogenesis are discussed.

Remarkably few large regional laboratory programs involving academic health centers exist in Canada. We present a model of a successful laboratory outreach program established by the Queen's University Department of Pathology (Kingston, Ontario) and its affiliated hospital laboratories. Community hospitals in small urban and semi-rural areas benefit from a diffusion of specialty expertise in laboratory medicine and technology, which enables them to increase their local testing capabilities and improve turn-around time. Testing and services of a more complex nature are referred to the academic hospitals. The result has been a steady improvement in the quality of laboratory services in the region with increased cost-effectiveness through shared services and focused economies of scale.

The clinicopathological features of two unusual cystic lesions, one arising in the nose, a calcified mucocele or a calcified retention cyst and the other in the maxillary sinus, a dentigerous cyst originating in a supernumerary tooth, are described. The literature on these two rare lesions is briefly reviewed.

Two cases of sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary in young Melanesian females are described and the differential diagnosis is discussed. Sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary is a rare benign tumour of ovarian stromal origin which is associated with endocrine activity in a few cases. One of the patients presented with signs of precocious puberty and the tumour in this patient was considered as a functioning lesion.

Intestinal infarction is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 26-year-old Papua New Guinean female who developed such a complication and underwent emergency laparotomy is described. The pathological changes in the mesenteric vessels and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

A total of 179 cases of lymphoma, both nodal and extranodal, recorded in the Papua New Guinea Tumor Registry were reviewed and classified by the updated Kiel classification. Fifteen (8.4%) were Hodgkin's disease, 39 (21.8%) probable Burkitt's lymphoma (poorly preserved), 46 (25.7%) Burkitt's lymphoma, 33 (18.4%) Burkitt's-like lymphoma, 36 (20.1%) other B-cell subtypes and 10 (5.6%) T-cell lymphoma. No case of follicular B-cell lymphoma was encountered.

Twenty years after the first surveys of liver disease were done cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were still found to be the most important liver diseases in Papua New Guinea. Hepatitis B virus appears to be the main cause of both these conditions. Data from a number of different sources suggest a prevalence of hepatitis B positivity of about 17%. The most significant new finding was grade 3 iron deposition in 8 patients. This raises the question as to whether iron storage disease may now contribute to the spectrum of liver disease in Papua New Guinea. Many biopsies in the 1960s and 1980s were interpreted as nonspecific hepatitis; in the light of recent observations, at least some of these may have been due to hepatitis C infection.

DNA isolated from biopsies of endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) from New Guinea was analysed for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences using the polymerase chain reaction. Primers were designed to amplify sequences within the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) 1 and 2 genes. These analyses detected the EBNA1 sequence in all the biopsies studied. Additional sets of primers directed against the EBNA2 gene were used in order to categorize the EBV strains as A-type or B-type (39% A-type; 50% B-type; 5% A- and B-type; 5% untypeable). These results indicated that DNA sequence heterogeneity within the EBNA2 gene region may exist in different strains of EBV. The extent of DNA sequence heterogeneity among different strains of EBV was determined by sequencing of a region within the EBNA2 gene in a number of different A-type and B-type strains of EBV originating from Africa or New Guinea. The results demonstrated DNA sequence heterogeneity within the EBNA2 gene in different strains of EBV. This heterogeneity was more extensive among A-type strains than B-type strains of EBV.

A clinical and histopathological analysis was carried out on 376 thyroid specimens removed under various diagnoses from the surgical clinics of Papua New Guinea over a period of 11 years (1980-90). Solitary nodular goitre (solid and cystic) was the most common clinical diagnosis. Nineteen per cent of the solid and 35% of the cystic solitary nodular goitres were found to be malignant. Malignant goitres were confirmed histologically in 73.3% of the clinically diagnosed cases of malignancy. The presence of amyloid goitre (1.9%) posed a significant diagnostic and therapeutic problem due to its clinical features resembling that of malignant goitre. Hemithyroidectomy (lobectomy) was the most common surgical procedure employed for all unilateral thyroid lesions and partial or subtotal thyroidectomy was performed for benign and most malignant lesions.

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the binding characteristics of eight different lectins to normal oral mucosa (11 cases), leukoplakia with varying degrees of dysplasia (five cases), and oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (12 cases) by the use of biotinylated lectins and avidin biotin peroxidase complexes. The lectins employed were soybean (SBA), peanut (PNA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ (WGA), Ulex europaeus (UEA), Ricinus communis (RCA), and Lotus tetragonolobus (LTA). It was observed that SBA, DBA, WGA, UEA, RCA, and LTA showed very strong to strong binding in healthy oral mucosa but no or very weak binding in squamous cell carcinoma. On the contrary, PNA showed weak binding to normal mucosal epithelial cells but showed strong binding to malignant cells. The dysplastic mucosa had an intermediate binding pattern. The lectin Con A was not bound at all or seen in very low concentration in the malignant cells and dysplastic epithelium, but it showed weak binding in the normal mucosa. Hence, we conclude that lectins may be utilized as probes to determine the dysplastic and malignant status of the oral mucosal epithelium.

Malignant tumors registered with the Tumour Registry of Papua New Guinea (PNG) from 1958-1988 were analyzed with emphasis on the variation of incidence with time and different regions. Cancer incidence was generally low in PNG. During this period, carcinoma of oral cavity, cervix, breast, and skin, hepatoma, and lymphoma were the most common types of malignant lesions detected. The incidence of carcinoma of the oral cavity has increased. Currently, it is more common in the Highlands region and is associated with the spread of betel nut chewing. A threefold increase in cervical carcinoma registration was observed nationally, with a sixfold increase in the Highlands region; this was attributed both to social changes and improved registration. The incidence of breast cancer has doubled, in keeping with better registration, but there is little interregional variation. The decline in registrations of hepatocellular carcinoma is artifactual. PNG is a high-incidence area for Burkitt lymphoma, but Hodgkin disease is rare. Both Burkitt and other non-Hodgkin lymphomas are uncommon in the Highlands. A decline in the incidence of squamous carcinoma of skin was observed that was associated with improved control of tropical ulcers. The incidence of stomach cancer is falling. The registered cancer incidence in PNG is low, even when compared with that in native people from other Pacific nations, such as Fijians and New Caledonian Melanesians. Preventive measures have been hitherto ineffective, with the exception of squamous carcinoma of skin.

The pathological features of cerebral malaria in 24 fatal cases are described. The cases included 18 adults aged from 16 to 45 years and 6 children aged from 1 to 15 years. All were unconscious before death. Gross pathological findings in the brain included cerebral oedema, vascular congestion and petechial haemorrhages. Little clinical and laboratory information was available on these patients. Histological examination revealed parasitized red blood cells in all, ring haemorrhages in 6, hyaline material in the wall of medium-sized blood vessels in 4, and vascular thrombosis in 4.

The occurrence of antibiotic resistance in nosocomial infections is a common problem. This case details a fatality associated with Klebsiella infection acquired as a hospital inpatient. The transfer of gentamicin resistance between gram-negative bacteria could present a considerable problem in Papua New Guinean hospitals.

In this study 302 biopsy-confirmed benign breast lesions in Papua New Guinean (Melanesian) women during a ten-year period were reviewed. Inflammatory breast disease was the most frequent type. Chronic mastitis, chronic suppurative mastitis and abscesses formed 32% of benign breast lesions and 71% of the group of mastitides. 10 cases of tuberculous mastitis were recorded. Fibrocystic disease was observed at a lower age (31.9 +/- 8.2 years) than has been reported from Black United States and West Indian populations. The high frequency of mastitis is an important finding. This is most likely to be associated with lactation. Proper hygiene during breastfeeding and the judicious use of antibiotics should reduce this high frequency. Education of women about these matters should form part of health education programs in Papua New Guinea.

A rare case of leiomyosarcoma attached to the C6 nerve root with extension through the intervertebral foramen into the spinal canal is described. Clinically and at the time of frozen section, this was considered to be a nerve sheath tumor. A definitive histologic diagnosis was made on the basis of the ultrastructural features of the tumor. Complete remission was achieved following extensive surgical removal and postoperative radiotherapy. The possible origin of this neoplasm is discussed.

A case of nodular lesion of the breast in a 37 year old female caused by filariasis is described. The case is instructive since the diagnosis was made by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

A rare case of endodermal sinus tumour (EST) of the vagina in a 1 year 5 months old Papua New Guinean female is described and the literature on vaginal ESTs in childhood is briefly reviewed.

The pathogenesis of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus infection was compared in intraperitoneally inoculated mice (n = 24, 6 to 8 weeks old) and hamsters (n = 9, 90-110 g) using histopathology and immunohistochemical localization of VEE virus antigen. Infected mice developed paralysis, and the majority died by 9 days after inoculation. In contrast, hamsters did not survive beyond 3 days after inoculation, and they did not develop any neurologic signs. VEE virus antigen, demonstrated by immunoperoxidase staining, and pathologic changes were present in extraneural organs of both mice and hamsters. There was more severe involvement in hamsters, particularly in Peyer's patches of the distal small intestine. There was a severe encephalomyelitis in mice, but pathologic changes were not well established in the brains of hamsters before death. VEE virus antigen was widespread in the central nervous system of both mice and hamsters. VEE virus was found to be highly neurotropic in hamsters and had a similar distribution in the brain as in mice, but hamsters died from their extraneural disease before major central nervous system disease developed.

A cartilaginous tumour of nasal region in a 6-year-old child is described. The problems of histological interpretation and treatment are discussed.