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The relative effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen alone vs. estrogen+progestin on breast cell proliferation and on breast cancer risk are controversial. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out to examine the proliferative effects of HRT with estrogen or estrogen plus the progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate, in breast tissue of postmenopausal women. Benign breast biopsies from 86 postmenopausal women were analyzed with antiproliferating cell nuclear antigen (anti-PCNA) and Ki67 antibodies to measure relative levels of cell proliferation. Epithelial density and estrogen and progesterone receptor status were also determined. The women were categorized either as users of: 1) estrogen (E) alone; 2) estrogen+medroxyprogesterone acetate (E+P); or 3) no HRT. Compared with no HRT, the breast epithelium of women who had received either E+P or E alone had significantly higher PCNA proliferation indices, and treatment with E+P had a significantly higher index (PCNA and Ki67) than treatment with E alone. Breast epithelial density was significantly greater in postmenopausal women treated with E and E+P, compared with no HRT. Thus, the present study shows that postmenopausal HRT with E+P was associated with greater breast epithelial cell proliferation and breast epithelial cell density than E alone or no HRT. Furthermore, with E+P, breast proliferation was localized to the terminal duct-lobular unit of the breast, which is the site of development of most breast cancers. Further studies are needed to assess the possible association between the mitogenic activity of progestins and breast cancer risk.

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Health care costs are rising rapidly, and surgeons can play a role in limiting costs of operations. Of the 600,000 cholecystectomies performed each year in the United States, approximately 80% are performed with laparoscopic technique. The purpose of this study was to compare the costs of reusable vs disposable instruments used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The costs to the hospital of reusable and disposable instruments were obtained. Instruments studied were the Veress needle, trocars and sleeves (two 10 mm and two 5 mm), reducers, clip appliers, and clips. In addition, the costs of sterilization and sharpening for reusable instruments were calculated. The cost of reusable instruments was based on an assumed instrument life of 100 cases. Data from three private hospitals and a Canadian university hospital were collected and examined. Data from the four hospitals revealed that the costs of reusable instruments per case were $46.92-$50.67. The comparable costs for disposable instruments were $330.00-$460.00 per case. Theoretical advantages of disposable instruments such as safety, sterility, and better efficiency are not borne out in literature review. In addition, the environmental impact of increased refuse from disposable instruments could not be exactly defined. With the consideration of significant cost savings and the absence of data demonstrating disadvantages of their use, reusable instruments for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, are strongly recommended.

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The early detection and management of recurrence following curative resection for colorectal carcinoma can prolong survival. However, at the present time there is no consensus on the appropriate follow-up protocol for such patients. This investigation was undertaken to determine which tests and procedures are most useful in detecting recurrence and the frequency with which they should be employed. Another purpose of this study was to identify those patients at high risk for recurrence. Sixty-five patients who underwent curative resection of adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum were followed for at least two years or until recurrence. Thirty were classified as Duke's A carcinoma of the colon, 18 were Duke's B, and 17 were Duke's C. Mean follow-up was 44.9 months. The follow-up regimen consisted of clinical exam, liver function tests, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, and chest x-ray every three months for the first two years postoperatively and every six months thereafter, and colonoscopy or barium enema and proctoscopy every six months for the first two years postoperatively and every year thereafter. Seventeen patients (26%) had a recurrence; 24% per cent of these developed within one year, 65 per cent developed within two years, 82 per cent developed within three years, and 94 per cent developed within four years of resection. Recurrence was detected by CEA in eight patients, chest x-ray in five, endoscopy in three, and laparotomy for small-bowel obstruction in one patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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To our knowledge only 18 cases of ureteral herniation into the groin have been reported in the literature. We encountered a patient with crossed renal ectopia and ureteral incarceration into a right indirect inguinal hernia. Based on analysis of the presentation and management of our patient combined with a review of the literature we conclude that patients with urinary symptoms and a groin hernia should undergo preoperative urological evaluation, all hernias containing a ureter should be repaired and ureteral resection rarely is necessary during the hernia repair.

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Glycosyltransferase levels have been reported to be decreased in the tumor mucosa of adenocarcinoma of the colon. The purpose of this study was to determine if similar changes are present in the polyp mucosa of patients with Familial Polyposis Coli (FPC). The levels of eight glycosyltransferases were determined by measuring transfer of a radiolabeled sugar from a nucleotide sugar donor to a glycoprotein acceptor. The levels of four of the enzymes were significantly different in the mucosa of tumors and the polyp mucosa of patients with FPC as compared to the colonic mucosa of persons without known neoplastic disease. The changes were specific for these four enzymes and occurred to the same degree in tumor mucosa and the polyp mucosa. These changes in glycosyltransferase levels are a marker of the malignant transformation of the cell and since they occur in the histologically benign cells of FPC may serve as a key to understanding the neoplastic process.

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