Adenoid basal lesions of the uterine cervix: evolving terminology and clinicopathological concepts

The epithelial proliferations that are designated adenoid basal carcinoma (ABC) in the current classification from the World Health Organization represent <1% of all cervical malignancies. These lesions may be associated, and occasionally show morphologic transitions with, conventional cervical malignancies. The determination of the precise frequency with which these so-called ABCs show this association is hampered by the inherent selection bias in the reported cases. However, this frequency appears to be substantial (>15%). The biologic course of ABCs that are associated with separate malignancies is largely dependent on the clinicopathologic parameters of the associated malignancies. Morphologically pure lesions, in contrast, have largely been associated with favorable patient outcomes, as none of the 66 reported patients have experienced tumor recurrence, metastases or tumor-associated death, irrespective of the modality of treatment. Although the finding of genome integrated high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types and p53 alterations in adenoid basal lesions (ABL) argue in support of their neoplastic nature, we identified no lines evidence that suggest an inherent malignancy for morphologically pure lesions. The finding of morphologic transitions between ABLs and conventional malignancies and shared HPV types in these areas, suggest that ABLs have some malignant potential. However, the precise magnitude of this potential is not readily quantifiable and should not dictate the management of morphologically pure lesions that are entirely evaluable. ABLs continue to occupy a unique position in human oncology in which the term carcinoma (without an in-situ suffix) is applied to a tumor that has not been shown to recur, metastasize or cause death. We concur with a previous proposal that the term ABC should be discarded and replaced with Adenoid Basal Epithelioma (ABE). In our opinion, there is insufficient evidence at present time to expose patients with morphologically pure lesions to the ominous implications – social, psychological, medical, financial – of a "carcinoma" diagnosis. Morphologically impure lesions should not be designated ABC or ABE. Furthermore, given the uncertainties regarding the frequency with which ABE are associated with separate malignancies, we suggest that the ABE designation only be applied when the tumor in question is entirely evaluable e.g in a hysterectomy specimen or in an excisional biopsy with negative margins. Otherwise, the generic designation Adenoid Basal Tumor is preferable. This approach strikes an appropriate balance between the need to prevent over-treatment of pure lesions on one hand, and the need to ensure that the lesions are indeed pure on the other.     

Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: new terminology, new concepts, better choices

This article discusses 3 areas of medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that are undergoing extensive research and evaluation: 1) the use of muscarinic receptor antagonists to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with BPH; 2) the definition of an "enlarged prostate"; and 3) sexual function and LUTS. Fears of worsening obstructive symptoms or causing acute urinary retention often keep practitioners from prescribing muscarinic receptor antagonists to men who might have concomitant bladder outlet obstruction; a multicenter, multinational, double-blind study showed that tolterodine is safe for men with low postvoid residual volumes. Most urologists accept that a prostate volume of more than 40 mL is consistent with an enlarged prostate; there is more debate regarding prostate volumes of 30 to 40 mL. Recently presented data suggest that combination medical therapy might be effective for men having prostates with volumes of more than 25 mL. The association between voiding and sexual function has been increasingly recognized and investigated, and there seem to be common pathophysiologic mechanisms governing both conditions. Targeted treatment algorithms addressing both conditions seem warranted.     

Ecological profile of a Sahelian wetland: Toward understanding the need for national wetland policies

The composition and complex interrelationships among the components of a Sahelian wetland community in Nigeria are described. The hydrology of the wetland is perceived to be the major determinant of the ecological integrity of the area. Ongoing ecological changes started by periodic meteorological droughts and sustained by the effects of large-scale hydro-agricultural projects are described along with their impacts on wildlife habitats and other valuable wetland resources. Establishing national wetland policies that recognize present and potential future values of various wetland types is recommended as an important step toward sustainable conservation of wetland resources in countries of the Sahel.     

Protected areas in the North Sea: An absolute need for future marine research

There are many signals that different human activities affect the marine ecosystem on local and sometimes regional scales. There is evidence that in the Dutch sector of the North Sea at least 25 species have decreased tremendously in numbers or have totally disappeared. But what has caused their disappearance: fisheries, pollution, eutrophication, climatic changes, or a combination of causes? On the Dutch Continental Shelf, the fisheries are now so intensive that every square metre is trawled, on an average, once to twice a year. Furthermore, it has been shown that trawling causes direct damage to the marine ecosystem. This indicates that the “natural” North Sea ecosystem we are studying is already a heavily influenced system. And what is the value of data on the diversity and production of benthic animals, if the research area has been raked by beamtrawl gear an unknown amount of times before sampling? To be able to study the natural trends in the marine ecosystem, or to answer the question which human activity has most influenced the ecosystem, there is an absolute and immediate need for protected areas to be established. The size of the protected areas must be determined by the behaviour of that species characteristic for the area. In such areas, where fisheries and local pollution would be forbidden or very limited, scientific research into the species composition and age distribution of different populations should be carried out and trends should be established.     

On the concepts of biochemical ecology and hydrobiology: Ecological chemomediators

Earlier, the author published two books and some papers, in which he described conceptual foundations of new scientific disciplines — biochemical ecology and biochemical hydrobiology. These trends in research include studies of the role of chemical substances in interorganismal interactions, in communication and regulation of supraorganismal systems. Another part of biochemical ecology concerns studies of the destiny and transformation of external chemical substances when they interact with the organisms. Both natural and man-made compounds are interesting for biochemical ecology. The basic concepts of biochemical ecology include ecological chemomediators and ecological chemoregulators that have already been included in the body of modern conceptions and are used in modern ecological literature. Application of biochemical ecology to aquatic ecosystems creates the basis for development of biochemical hydrobiology.     

Chilling injury: a plea for uniform terminology

Abstract This article proposes definitions for the terms now commonly applied to studies of both the molecular and cellular aspects of chilling injury. They are proposed with the intent of increasing the precision and clarity of communications on the subject and arc based on the present understanding and current hypotheses regarding the molecular events underlying the development of the visible symptoms of chilling injury.     

Age and growth studies of chondrichthyan fishes: the need for consistency in terminology, verification, validation, and growth function fitting

Validated age and growth estimates are important for constructing age-structured population dynamic models of chondrichthyan fishes, especially those which are exploited. We review age and growth studies of chondrichthyan fishes, using 28 recent studies to identify areas where improvements can be made in describing the characteristics of ageing structures (both traditional and novel) utilized to estimate ages of sharks, rays, and chimaeras. The topics identified that need consistency include the: (1) terminology used to describe growth features; (2) methods used to both verify and validate age estimates from chondrichthyan calcified structures, especially edge and marginal increment analyses; and (3) the functions used to produce and describe growth parameters, stressing the incorporation of size at birth (L ₀) and multiple functions to characterize growth characteristics, age at maturity and longevity.     

Ecological restoration in coastal areas in the Netherlands: concepts,dilemmas and some examples

This chapter gives an overview of attempts in the Netherlands to restore coastal ecosystems and habitats, and explains how scientific and non-scientific information has been used to meet the goals. Indications for successes and failures of management measures taken so far, as well as dilemmas to cope with, are given. Up to now only small scale restoration projects have been executed, while large scale projects generally are not further then the thinking or planning phase. A special type of `restoration projects' are the large civil engineering works, particularly in the south-west of the Netherlands. Although these works were not planned and executed as restoration projects, but designed for safety against flooding from the sea, they have led to significant changes in the boundary conditions of the systems concerned. For restoration projects yet to be executed one can learn very much from these developments, particularly regarding the sensitivity of coastal systems for changes in boundary conditions and about the (im)possibilities to `steer' ecological developments. Physical, chemical and biological processes form the basis of restoration measures of coastal habitats, and this means that a thorough knowledge of these processes is essential. Coastal ecosystems are the result of complex interactions of large-scale and small-scale processes, implying a holistic approach in scientific investigations. Consequently, restoration of these systems primarily has to be realised by influencing the basic processes. This is the only way to preserve or regain in a sustainable way ecological values, such as species composition. Focusing only at one particular species (e.g. breeding terns) or a specific habitat (e.g. a salt marsh) may easily ignore the underlying processes. In general, coastal restoration should focus on the redirection of processes towards a desired status by stimulating certain process parameters. Monitoring of the results and, if necessary, gradual readjustment of the governing factors, is an essential part of this approach.     

Ecological niche modeling as a predictive tool: silver and bighead carps in North America

The silver carp and bighead carp (Cyprinidae), native to eastern Asia, have been introduced into the United States in attempts to improve water quality in aquaculture ponds, reservoirs, and sewage pools. Escaped or released specimens from fish farms have been reported in many states, and both species are already locally established and spreading further. We used the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction (GARP) to model the niches of these two carps in their native ranges using hydrologic and general environmental parameters in concert with native distributional data. The results accurately predicted native occurrence data withheld from the modeling process (P < 0.01). We then projected the niche models onto the North American landscape. Native niche range models significantly predicted known occurrence data from North American introductions (P < 0.001). Further, the models suggest that both species have the potential of spreading throughout the eastern U.S. and selected areas of the West Coast.     

The terminology problem for T cells: a discussion paper

The school of thought that owes allegiance to Ludwig Wittgenstein teaches that language conditions perceptions. When we use the term ''cytotoxic T lymphocyte'' or ''helper T cell'' we tend to orientate our own thinking processes, and those of listeners or readers, down particular paths. Part of the problem is that we are often describing cell populations by functions that may either be a property of only a proportion of those that are being assayed, or are simply inferred from the expression of various cell-surface markers. The consequence can be a measure of confusion that might be avoided if we could communicate with greater clarity. Is it possible to achieve a better terminology that will be accepted generally? The following are some examples of why there may be some value in thinking about this.     

Showercap Mindmap: a spatial activity for learning physiology terminology and location

Students struggle with the volume and complexity of physiology terminology. We compared first-year undergraduate psychology students' learning of physiological terms using two teaching methods: one verbal (control group; n = 16) and one spatial and multisensory (experimental group; n = 19). The experimental group used clear plastic shower caps to mark brain regions and affix labels to another participant's head. The control group learned the material verbally through a game. When tested verbally, both the control and experimental groups recalled more of the 10 terms immediately after the activity (+106% and +83%, respectively) and 2 wk later (+53% and +31%, respectively) than at the pretest (P < 0.0005). When participants' knowledge was tested spatially (labeling a brain diagram), the experimental group recalled more terms at the posttest (+76%) and followup (+73%) than at the pretest (P < 0.0005), but the control group who showed no improvement at either time point (+12% and +14%, respectively). These findings support the notion that spatial and multisensory learning produces improved spatial recall over time while also supporting the notion of transfer-appropriate processing.     

Organism-substrate relations: terminology for ecology and palaeoecology

Terms for indicating the relationship between organisms and their substrates are necessary for effective communication in ecology and palaeoecology. Usage of terms denoting these relationships are discussed and suggestions for more meaningful usage given. Suggested/recommended usage attempts to adhere as closely as possible to the meanings of the terms as originally proposed (e.g. symbiosis). Distinction between substrate and medium is important. Although substrate is categorized as firm and loose, detailed petrographical and/or sedimentological analyses of substrates are needed in both ecology and palaeoecology. A symmetrical classification of organism-substrate relations defining recommended terms which cover broad categories provides a terminology which hopefully is flexible and serves a useful function.     

Ecological zonation of the hyperhaline estuary of the Casamance River (Senegal): Foraminifera,zooplankton and abiotic variables

Due to a long-lasting drought afflicting the Sahel, the Casamance River has been transformed into a hyperhaline estuary, with salinities up to 170% at a distance of 210 km from the sea. Foraminifera and zooplankton populations both show a marked decrease in the number of species in increasingly confined water, the distribution of species being closely related to the evolution of abiotic variables. Our three-prong study allowed us to identify six zones, upwards from the sea. The uppermost ones are characterized by drastic conditions which considerably reduce the number of species. Therefore, the populations of Foraminifera, zooplankton and even fish become oligo or mono specific. The Casamance River appears to fit quite well into the general rules concerning hyperhaline environments. However, it shows some peculiar features which are: the large dimensions of the hyperhaline estuary (over 230 km long and over 5 km wide in the lower course); peak salinities among the highest known for a permanently open estuary (up to 170%); and water remaining trapped inside the river for several years.