CD24 is a marker for human breast carcinoma

CD24 is a small, mucin-type glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked cell surface molecule expressed by neutrophils, pre B lymphocytes and certain human tumor cell lines. CD24 has been identified as a ligand for P-selectin in both mouse and human cells. We previously reported that the P-selectin-CD24 binding pathway is important for the binding of the breast carcinoma cell line KS to platelets and the rolling of these cells on endothelial P-selectin. In the present study we have analyzed the expression of CD24 on human breast carcinoma cell lines and on fresh breast carcinoma specimens using the CD24-specific antibody ML-5. Our study clearly demonstrates that CD24 is abundantly expressed on cell lines and fresh tissues of breast carcinomas. We find a differential expression of CD24 in breast carcinomas (cytoplasmic pattern) versus benign breast lesions (apical pattern). Moreover, the intensity of CD24 expression increases with the histological grade of the tumor. Thus, CD24 expression might be a useful marker for human breast carcinoma and play a role in facilitating metastasis by the interaction between tumor cells and platelets or endothelial cells.

Segmental dilatation of the ileum: an uncommon cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction

Two cases of congenital segmental dilatation of the ileum are reported. In both cases additional abnormal segments of bowel were not diagnosed during the initial laparotomy, and further surgical exploration was required. Consideration of this entity in the differential diagnosis of neonatal intestinal obstruction may enable definition of the optimal site for bowel resection and anastomosis.

Intracardiac primary fibrosarcoma. Case report and literature review

A 58-year-old woman was hospitalized because of shortness of breath, cough, weakness, and physical signs suggestive of mitral stenosis. Echo-Doppler examination revealed a left atrial mass. This was removed and turned out to be a fibrosarcoma. Recurrence of the tumor with metastases into the pericardium, thyroid goiter, and left kidney led to the patient's death 6 months later. The clinical and pathological features of our rare case are compared with those in the literature.

[Study of pH values of uterine fluid in users of medicated intrauterine devices]

A study was made of the pH value of uterine secretion in 100 women at the age of 18-50 years and with a normal menstrual cycle (28 +/- 2 days). Fifty women had inserted medicated IUDs (Copper T and Multiload Cu 250) and 50 women served as a control group. In the proliferation phase of menstrual cycle 22 women were with the IUDs (of whom 14 had group II and 8 women group III vaginal secretion) and 21 women without any IUD of whom 8 had group II and 13 women group III vaginal secretion. In the secretion phase 28 women were with IUDs, (8 had group II and 20 women group III vaginal secretion) and 29 women from the control group, of whom 17 had group II and 12 women had group III. For the sampling of the intrauterine fluid the aspiration method and for the pH determination the colorimetric method were used. It can be seen that there is no correlation between the group of vaginal secretion and the pH of the uterine fluid, that the presence of a medicated IUD induced an insignificant change in the intrauterine pH, and that the pH value of the uterine fluid ranges from 3.0-9.0 which may be an important factor in the elucidation of certain mechanisms that occur in the uterus in the presence of intrauterine devices.

[Study of the pH values of uterine secretions in women with and without intrauterine devices]

A study was performed of the pH value of uterine secretion in 250 women at the age of 18-50 years and with a normal menstrual cycle (28 +/- 2 days). Two hundred out of the total number of the women observed had an inserted nonmedicated IUD (Beospir), whereas the remaining 50 women served as the control group. In the study the phase of the menstrual cycle and the group of vaginal secretion were considered. For the sampling of the intrauterine fluid from the uterine cavity the aspiration method was used and for the determination of pH, the colorimetric method. On the basis of the present study it can be seen that there is no correlation between the group of vaginal secretion and the pH of the uterine fluid, that the presence of a nonmedicated IUD induces an insignificant change in the intrauterine pH, and that the pH value of the uterine fluid ranges from 3,0-9,0 which may be an important factor in elucidating certain mechanisms that occur in the uterus in the presence of intrauterine devices.

[The status of sterilization in proposed legislation in Serbia]

According to the draft to for the respective law in Serbia, sterilization is meant to be allowed only on the basis of medical indications determined by a consilium of physicians and with the consent of the person in question. Only exceptionally, for persons incapable of reasoning, can be the consent to sterilization be given by their guardian with the preceding agreement of the guardianship office. In other words, the law on sterilization in Serbia does not accept sterilization as a method for birth control planning.

[Health needs of adolescent girls in the area of reproductive behavior]

Most users (64.1%) of the Counseling Unit for the Young are unmarried girls aged 17 to 24, predominantly students and secondary pupils. Although more frequent in older girls (21-24 years old), pregnancy is highly undesirable both in younger (22.2%) and older (57.1%) ones. Since they are most often nulliparae, the underlying health problems are significant. The girls are considered to be pregnant before their coming to the Counselling Unit, because afterwards 83.0% of them start using contraceptives. The health service for adolescents is encountered with two tasks: (1) to get adolescent girls coming to the Counselling Unit before they experience pregnancy in a negative sense, and (2) to observe and analyse the efficacy and side-effects of contraceptives.