[Description of neurocutaneous melanoblastosis]

Description of a rare case of neurocutaneous Melanoblastosis. In a 25 year-old man there was an extraordinary massiveness of the tumor in the field of the cerebrospinal soft membranes. Tumor cells, relevant for diagnosis, from lumbal and suboccipital liquor could be shown. Nomenclature and pathogenesis of the disease are discussed.

Differences in marker expression among branched histiocytic cells in T-cell areas of the lymphoreticular system and among their epidermis- and mucosa-associated equivalents

Branched histiocytic cells of the epidermis, the oral and anal mucosa, the tonsillar crypt epithelium, the thymus and of the T-cell-dependent areas of lymph node, spleen, and tonsil were examined with immunohistochemical single- and double-staining techniques. The markers used were a monoclonal anti-T6-antibody, a monoclonal anti-HLA-DR-antibody, heteroantiserum to S-100 protein and peanut agglutinin. Anti-HLA-DR and peanut agglutinin reacted with a considerable number of branched histiocytic cells, whereas anti-T6 and anti-S-100 protein only stained relatively small subpopulations. Concerning the population of branched histiocytic cells, double-staining revealed that the tissue distributions of all the markers used overlapped each other to various degrees; this was demonstrated by the different numbers of double-stained cells obtained in the experiments using all six possible combinations of primary reagents. The number of branched histiocytic cells co-expressing the markers varied depending upon marker combinations, types of tissue and microenvironment. We suggest that much of the immunologic phenotype of branched histiocytic cells is dynamic rather than static.

[Bilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis in an infant with fatal congenital AIDS]

The authors report on a baby born on August 25, 1984 with a birthweight of 1100 g. Her parents used drugs intravenously and her mother had anti-HTLV III antibody. In the clinical course an immune deficiency syndrome with pathologic reduction of T4:T8 (T-helper: T-suppressor cells) was apparent. The child had no anti-HTLV III antibody, but exposition, typical clinical course and immunological data led to the diagnosis Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In the 9th month bilateral progressive retinitis developed; it was thought to have been induced by cytomegalovirus. Complement-fixation antibody titer for cytomegalovirus was negative, but the virus was found in the urine. In the 12th month the baby died of cardiac arrhythmia caused by cytomegalic myocarditis. Macroscopic and light-microscopic illustrations of the inflammatory changes in both eyes are presented; in the retina there were large multinucleated cells which were visible macroscopically.

In vivo induction of H-2K/D antigens by recombinant interferon-gamma

B10.BR mice received i.v. increasing doses of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) on three consecutive days. Using an immunoperoxidase technique the distribution of H-2K/D antigens was studied in frozen tissue sections of thirteen organs (kidney, liver, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, lungs, heart, brain, thymus, lymph node and spleen). Class I antigens were shown to be induced or enhanced in almost every organ after exposure to IFN-gamma. This effect was particularly conspicuous for renal tubular cells, hepatocytes, bronchiolar epithelial cells, gastric mucous cells, thymic cortical lymphocytes and capillary endothelial cells in heart and kidney. Neurons, glial cells, gastric chief and parietal cells, and pancreas cells were not inducible. The findings show that i.v. application of IFN-gamma leads to strong induction or enhancement of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens in a wide variety of tissues.

Loss of HLA-A,B,C in colorectal carcinoma is related to the degree of de-differentiation

By means of immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections 100 primary colorectal carcinomas and 19 metastases were studied for the expression of HLA-A,B,C antigens. A substantial number of the tumours showed a deficient class I expression. The loss of HLA-A,B,C correlated with the degree of de-differentiation.

[Immunohistologic analysis of chronic obstructive sialadenitis. I. Changes in the expression of antigens of the major histocompatibility complex]

In the course of electrolyte sialadenitis progressing towards obstructive sialadenitis, changes in the epithelial expression of antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) occur even before morphological alterations and inflammatory cells can be detected. Class I antigens are enhanced and induced, and Class II antigens are induced. These changes begin focally. Only the expression of HLA-A,B,C and -DR in acinar epithelium is linked to the close vicinity of lymphohistiocytic infiltrates. In later stages of the disease the foci tend to fuse and antigenic changes are pronounced in areas of fibrosclerosis and parenchymal atrophy. The altered MHC antigen expression induced by chronical saliva congestion probably represents an important part of the postulated "immunoreaction in the duct epithelium" supposedly giving rise to this type of immunosialadenitis.

Simultaneous demonstration of lectin-binding sites and antigens detected by monoclonal antibodies in a parallelized double-staining technique: a highly discriminative and quickly developing technique for frozen sections

A sensitive immunoenzymatic double-staining technique is presented for the simultaneous visualization of lectin-binding sites and antigenic structures detected by monoclonal antibodies. The lectin is demonstrated by an extended unlabeled peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique and the monoclonal antibody by an alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method, which corresponds to the standard PAP technique. 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC) and fast blue BB salt serve as substrates for the peroxidase and the alkaline phosphatase, respectively. The antisera and the enzyme complexes raised in different animals enable the performance of three parallel incubation steps. The staining procedure requires three and a half hours altogether. This method proved to be highly discriminative and rather insensitive to interference by various artifacts.

Loss of HLA-A,B,C and de novo expression of HLA-D in colorectal cancer

One hundred primary colorectal carcinomas and 19 metastases were studied for the expression of HLA-A,B,C and HLA-D antigens using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against framework determinants and a sensitive immunoperoxidase technique on frozen sections. With MAb W6/32, 65 tumors were intensely stained for HLA-A,B,C; 22 showed a reduced staining intensity, in 5 carcinomas a minor or major subset of the tumor cells lacked HLA-A,B,C, and in 8 cases all tumor cells were unreactive. The loss of HLA-A,B,C was inversely correlated with the degree of differentiation. No relation was found to type, stage and site of the tumor, or to age and sex of the patients. With MAb 2.06, 58 tumors were HLA-D negative, 20 exhibited small positive foci, 19 showed a patchy staining pattern, and 3 were homogeneously HLA-D positive. There was no apparent correlation between HLA-D expression and any of the clinico-pathological features mentioned, nor was it related to the loss of HLA-A,B,C. About half of the metastases displayed the same staining pattern for HLA-A,B,C and -D as the respective primary tumors. The remainder differed from the primary carcinoma by gain or loss of HLA antigens.

Differential expression of Ia and Ia-associated invariant chain in mouse tissues after in vivo treatment with IFN-gamma

B10.BR mice were injected i.v. with varying doses of recombinant IFN-gamma on three consecutive days. In tissue sections of 13 organs, the distribution of Ia antigens and Ia-associated invariant chain (Ii) was studied by using an immunoperoxidase technique. In the control animal, Ia and Ii were shown to be co-expressed in most tissues. However, on Kupffer cells, a small number of hepatocytes, and a subset of lymphocytes in lymph nodes and in the splenic red pulp only Ii, and no Ia, was detectable. In contrast, strongly Ia+ interdigitating reticulum cells of T-dependent areas of lymph nodes and spleen were only weakly stained for Ii. IFN-gamma treatment resulted in a dramatic increase of MHC antigen expression throughout the body, with striking differences in the inducibility of certain tissues for Ia and Ii: Bronchial epithelium was clearly induced to express the invariant chain, whereas Ia antigens remained entirely absent. Moreover, in kidney tubules and colon epithelium, Ii was induced more broadly than Ia. In contrast to the induction of Ii on endothelial cells of larger vessels in kidney, heart, and lungs, no de novo expression of Ia or Ii in capillary endothelial cells was observed. The number of detectable Ia+/Ii+ interstitial dendritic cells considerably increased upon exposure to IFN-gamma. Neither neurons nor glial cells were induced to MHC antigen expression. Our data demonstrate that IFN-gamma applied i.v. is a potent inducer or enhancer of Ia antigens and invariant chain in a variety of cell types.

Differential expression of Ia and Ia-associated invariant chain in mouse tissues after in vivo treatment with IFN-gamma

B10.BR mice were injected i.v. with varying doses of recombinant IFN-gamma on three consecutive days. In tissue sections of 13 organs, the distribution of Ia antigens and Ia-associated invariant chain (Ii) was studied by using an immunoperoxidase technique. In the control animal, Ia and Ii were shown to be co-expressed in most tissues. However, on Kupffer cells, a small number of hepatocytes, and a subset of lymphocytes in lymph nodes and in the splenic red pulp only Ii, and no Ia, was detectable. In contrast, strongly Ia+ interdigitating reticulum cells of T-dependent areas of lymph nodes and spleen were only weakly stained for Ii. IFN-gamma treatment resulted in a dramatic increase of MHC antigen expression throughout the body, with striking differences in the inducibility of certain tissues for Ia and Ii: Bronchial epithelium was clearly induced to express the invariant chain, whereas Ia antigens remained entirely absent. Moreover, in kidney tubules and colon epithelium, Ii was induced more broadly than Ia. In contrast to the induction of Ii on endothelial cells of larger vessels in kidney, heart, and lungs, no de novo expression of Ia or Ii in capillary endothelial cells was observed. The number of detectable Ia+/Ii+ interstitial dendritic cells considerably increased upon exposure to IFN-gamma. Neither neurons nor glial cells were induced to MHC antigen expression. Our data demonstrate that IFN-gamma applied i.v. is a potent inducer or enhancer of Ia antigens and invariant chain in a variety of cell types.

Primary mediastinal clear cell lymphoma of B-cell type

This is a report on 8 mediastinal tumours that occurred in young adults (19-43 years, mean: 29.4); predominantly in females (6/8). Initial symptoms consisted of thoracic pain and venectasia and in only one case in B symptoms. After surgical tumour reduction, radiation and/or chemotherapy, local recurrence was observed in each case under clinical care; abdominal spread is presently suspected in 3 patients; 3 died 11, 13 and 22 months after diagnosis. None developed leukaemia. The tumours are B-cell neoplasms with a characteristic immunophenotype: leucocyte common antigen+, common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia antigen-, B 1-antigen+, surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin-. Flow cytometry revealed DNA-diploidy in 7 cases and a moderately (3.2-3.8%) to extremely high (8.0-20.6%) S-phase component. The proliferation associated antigen Ki67 was detectable in 10-60% of the tumour cell nuclei, thus stressing the considerable or rapid growth. Histopathology is characterized by a diffuse growth pattern and a clearness and abundance of cytoplasm of the pleomorphic tumour cells, which vary in size and nuclear morphology from patient to patient. Apoptoses are more numerous than mitoses. Fibrosis and focal necrosis are common, sclerosis is present in 3 cases. We suggest that primary mediastinal lymphoma of B cell type is a novel B-lymphoma variant.

[Kaposi sarcoma in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). II: Light and electron microscopic and immunohistochemical peculiarities including the cytoskeleton]

AIDS-related lymphoadenopathy is characterised by follicular hyperplasia with irregularities in the dendritic network, a loss of the follicular mantle zone and an enhanced influx of T-suppressor cells into the germinal centres. The histological features of AIDS-associated epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma are spindle-like tumour cells and a source vascularisation, which is of clinical relevance for the biopsy. Since immunohistochemical markers specific for blood vessel endothelium can not be detected within the tumour cells an origin from this cell type gets unlikely. An origin from lymphatic endothelium however can still be discussed.

Estradiol in saliva for monitoring follicular stimulation in an in vitro fertilization program

A rapid and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed to compare serum and saliva estradiol (E2) levels in patients undergoing ovulation induction in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. Serum and saliva E2 were compared in 23 patients. The sensitivity of the saliva RIA standard curve was 11 fmol/tube (equal to 3.2 pg/tube). There was a highly significant correlation between serum and saliva E2 throughout the stimulated cycles (r = 0.769; P less than 0.001). The ratio of serum to saliva E2 was constant throughout the stimulated cycles (1.7% +/- 0.3%, mean +/- standard deviation [SD]). The E2 concentration per follicle was 1548 pmol/l in serum and 23 pmol/l in saliva. Mean E2 levels in saliva (+/- SD) were 74 +/- 21 pmol/l at midcycle and 46 +/- 12 pmol/l at midluteal phase. The findings indicate that measurement of saliva E2 provides a reliable, noninvasive method and may replace serum measurements for monitoring stimulated cycles in an IVF-ET program.

Muscle water and electrolytes in relation to nutritional status in gastric carcinoma

Muscle water and electrolytes were studied preoperatively in 22 patients with gastric carcinoma. Compared to controls, extracellular water and hence total muscle water was increased, but intracellular water was normal. Muscle sodium and chloride levels were increased in these patients while potassium and magnesium levels were normal. Based on nutritional assessment the patients were divided into wellnourished (group I, n = 7) with no or minor signs of malnutrition and malnourished (group II, n = 15) with signs of pronounced malnutrition. The wellnourished patients had normal content of muscle water and electrolytes, while in the malnourished an increase in total water, sodium and chloride in muscle tissue was found. The difference between the two groups, could be explained by malnutrition alone, since tumour size, histology, metastatic spread and operability did not differ between the two groups. A negative correlation was found between total water and both albumin and creatinine-height index which further indicates a close relationship between nutritional status and muscle water and electrolytes. In addition these findings revive the interest in nutritional assessment as a simple way of identifying metabolically deranged patients.

Astrocytoma of the ciliary body. A clinicopathological case report

Gliomatous tumours are rare in the eye. A case of well differentiated fibrillary astrocytoma of the ciliary body is reported and a review of intraocular gliomas is given.

The early appearance of fibronectin in the course of metastatic tumor growth in lymph nodes

In order to study structural changes in the lymph node architecture in the course of metastatic involvement by carcinoma, 70 axillary lymph nodes of 45 female patients affected by breast carcinoma were examined. The following growth pattern of the metastasis was observed: (1) Involvement of vasa afferentia and (marginal) sinuses; (2) lysis of sinus wall and infiltration, causing replacement and lysis of reticulin fibres; (3) appearance of fibrillary fibronectin (FN) as the first noticeable sign of tumor stroma; (4) immigration of fibroblasts along these fibres, appearance of argyrophilic fibres codistributed with fibrillary FN; (5) formation of the complete tumor stroma, neovessels included. The appearance of FN is thus the first step of stroma formation and is interpreted as an "in situ" precipitation of soluble plasma FN.

Thymoma. A clinicopathologic study of 98 cases with special reference to three unusual cases

98 thymomas were assessed in respect to clinical manifestations, gross and histologic pathological findings and clinicopathologic correlations. 34% of patients were asymptomatic and thymoma was detected fortuitously. The most common presenting symptoms were related to myasthenia gravis, symptoms due to pressure on mediastinal structures were next in frequency. The symptom-diagnosis interval ranged from 0 to 120 months with a median of 4,5 months and was longer in invasive thymomas (median 6 months) than in noninvasive thymomas (median 2 months). 52% of thymomas were encapsulated and showed no cytologic atypia and were therefore classified as benign encapsulated thymomas. 26% showed gross invasion of peripheral structures and 3% were thymic carcinomas on histologic grounds. Histologically 55% of thymomas were epitheloid cell type, 17% spindle cell type and 20% mixed type thymomas. Epidermoid type thymoma occurred in 3% of the cases. 3 cases showed some unusual morphologic feature: one was localized intrapulmonal, another had an outspread like a mesothelioma, and the third was a basaloid carcinoma with unusual goblet cell metaplasia. In the three cases immunohistological methods were used as a diagnostic tool. The lectins UEA-I, PNA and HPA and an anti-keratin allowed the diagnosis of epithelioma (in 2 cases) and showed some more cellular and structural differentiations (in 1 case).

Lipoid pneumonia: an occupational hazard of fire eaters

Images

Lectin target cells in human central nervous system and the pituitary gland

Peanut lectin (PNL), Concanavalin A (Con A) and Ulex europaeus lectin I (Ulex) were chosen to map their binding sites in different regions of formalin fixed and paraffin embedded human central nervous system tissue and pituitary gland tissues. An extended PaP method was used for PNL and Ulex, whereas a direct peroxidase technique was employed for Con A. In astrocytes, the cytoplasm as well as the delicate processes were stained by PNL and Con A; the most conspicuous binding of PNL was seen in the ependymal cells and on the surface of plexus epithelial cells; in the anterior part of the pituitary gland a selective population was PNL positive. Intracytoplasmic Con A acceptors could be demonstrated in neurons, in ependymal cells, and in plexus epithelial cells. Intracytoplasmic Con A receptors were finely granular in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and in some cells in the pituitary gland. Ulex binding was restricted to the vascular endothelial cells and a selective population of cells in the pituitary gland. Our results suggest that lectins may be good tools for the evaluation of their respective target cells in the central nervous system and in the pituitary gland.

Muscle biopsy studies in patients with moderate liver cirrhosis with special reference to energy-rich phosphagens and electrolytes

Energy-rich phosphagens, water, and electrolytes were determined in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens from five elderly women and five elderly men with moderate liver cirrhosis. At the time of the study the patients were in their usual condition without evidence of deterioration of the disease. When compared with findings in apparently healthy subjects of similar age, the distribution and level of electrolytes and water were within normal limits in the female patients. The male patients showed increased contents of muscle water, and Mg2+ was reduced. The values calculated for the intracellular concentration of K+ and Mg2+ were also below normal. The pattern and levels of energy-rich phosphagens were abnormal in all but one female patient. As a general finding, ATP and the total level of adenine nucleotides were markedly reduced, as were phosphocreatine, the ATP/ADP ratio, and the energy charge potential.

Concanavalin A target cells in human brain tumours

Using a lectin-peroxidase method, Concanavalin A binding was examined on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens (n = 143) of the most frequent central nervous system tumours. The brain tumours included oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas, glioblastomas, ependymomas, neurinomas, meningiomas, medulloblastomas and plexus papillomas. In oligodendroglioma cells, only a weak granular intracytoplasmic staining was observed. The astrocytomas showed a strong reaction in fibrillary astrocytes and in tumour areas undergoing small cystic degeneration. Staining of protoplasmic astrocytes was weaker; pilocytic astrocytes demonstrated poor perinuclear staining. Intracytoplasmic Con A binding in gemistocytic astrocytes was distinct but inconstant and rather diffuse. In the glioblastomas the lymphocyte-like small astrocytes were negative. Giant multinucleated astrocytes stained strongly. In ependymomas no or at most a weak perinuclear reaction was observed, whereas the acceptor density was as high as in the normal ependymocytes in areas where the tumour was capable of producing organotypical structures. Plexus papillomas showed a strong intracytoplasmic staining comparable to the normal plexus epithelial cell. This feature was preserved in the malignant variants. In general, meningiomas and neurinomas were negative. Xanthomatous-degenerated meningioma cells, however, showed a distinct to strong intracytoplasmic staining. This feature was characteristic for the xanthomatous subtype of meningiomas. Granular cells with strong intracytoplasmic Con A staining often occurred at the border of fibrillary to reticular differentiated areas of neurinomas. Medulloblastomas were completely negative. Our results indicate that Con A binding to human brain tumours is specific and rather cytotypical than histotypical . The Con A acceptor density is probably related to the grade of differentiation. Lectin mapping of tumours leads to cytotypical binding patterns which may contribute to the differential diagnosis of neoplasias.

Myoglobin content in leg skeletal muscle in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Myoglobin was determined in biopsy specimens from the quadriceps muscle of 3 female and 15 male 48-to 78-year-old patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. The patients were examined after an overnight rest. All but 2 were slightly to moderately hypoxemic. The myoglobin level was in all but 1 instance below the mean previously observed for apparently healthy subjects of similar age. The results are in line with earlier findings of an abnormal pattern of energy-rich phosphagens in the skeletal muscle of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

Distribution of plutonium-239 in the skeleton of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) during the first 15 months after injection

The macroscopic and microscopic distribution of intramuscularly injected, essentially monomeric 239Pu, was studied in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri). Data for the first 15 months after injection are presented. About 50 per cent of the absorbed dose is deposited in the skeleton. The microscopic distribution was analysed in femora, humeri, tibiae and lumbar vertebrae. The initial bone surface activity is about 11 Bq/cm2 per 37 kBq/kg injected dose (related to a bone uptake of 50 per cent) and is similar in all four bones. At 462 days after injection the surface activity in the tibiae and humeri is comparable with the initial concentration, whereas only 50 per cent and 37 per cent of the initial surface activity is present in the femora and lumbar vertebrae respectively. A comparison with results from rats and dogs shows that at 5 days after injection the normalized endosteal surface activity is similar but marked species differences are found at 365 days after injection.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (Schmincke type) as a derivate of the tonsillar crypt epithelium

Ten tumours of tonsillar or epipharyngeal localization showing the histological picture of "lymphoepithelial carcinoma" (Schmincke 1921) were examined immunohistochemically using Peanut lectin, Ulex europaeus lectin-I and an antiserum to S-100 protein. The findings suggest a close relationship of this type of carcinoma to the normal tonsillar crypt epithelium. The majority of tumour cells are UEA-I-positive and PNL-negative, as is the crypt epithelium, while oral mucosa is both PNL- and to a lesser extent UEA-I-reactive. Tumour areas expressing this pattern contain a large number of asteroid-shaped PNL-positive histiocytes and arachnoid-shaped histiocytes reacting with anti-S-100 protein; both cell types being probably identical and representing typical elements of the normal tonsillar crypt epithelium. Consequently, the WHO-term "nasopharyngeal carcinoma, undifferentiated type" seems to be inadequate for this type of tumour.

Concanavalin A binding and neuronal differentiation. A light microscopic study on neuronal tumours

Concanavalin A (Con A) acceptors have been demonstrated in large differentiated neurons in a previous paper. In order to elucidate the correlation between Con A binding in normal and neoplastic neurons and lectin binding dependence upon the differentiation grade, 26 tumours of the neuronal series were examined using formalin fixed and paraffin embedded biopsy specimen. The neoplasms included 3 gangliocytomas, 7 gangliogliomas, 1 central neuroblastoma, 11 medulloblastomas, 2 retinoblastomas, and 2 sympathicoblastomas. Well differentiated neurons in gangliocytomas and gangliogliomas expressed a high intracytoplasmic Con A acceptor density comparable to the feature in large non-neoplastic neurons. Less differentiated neurons and neuroblasts showed a weak perinuclear fine granular binding or an absolute lack of binding molecules, respectively. Our results suggest that in a variety of tumours, Concanavalin A receptor density in neurons depends upon the degree of differentiation of the cell. Well differentiated cells have a higher density than poorly differentiated neoplastic neurons.

Lectin-binding spectra in the hyperplastic human tonsil. Effect of formalin fixation and paraffin embedding on lectin affinity of tissue components

In order to determine the effect of routine fixation on the lectin affinity of tissue structures, we used unconjugated lectins and an indirect immunoalkaline-phosphatase method for frozen sections, and the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase method for paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue sections. Fourteen hyperplastic human tonsils were used, and the results of the binding spectra of each lectin were compared. In general, the binding spectrum detected in the paraffin sections was part of the broader range of affinity obtained in the frozen sections. The lectin receptors on the cell surface were especially affected by formalin fixation. On the other hand, the paraffin sections, because of their superior morphology, showed a better localization of the cytoplasmic reaction product and discriminated the cell types more accurately. Thus, the two tissue preparations are rather complementary. In the tonsil peanut agglutinin (PNA) and periodic acid/Concanavalin A (PA/Con A) proved to be suitable tools for distinguishing exactly between the crypt and the surface epithelium. Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA) is a reliable endothelial marker with a strong affinity to the crypt epithelium. In the frozen sections, PNA regularly stained follicular-centre cells on their cell surface. PNA, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and Con A stained the histiocytic population, especially PNA which additionally stained an "asteroid" histiocyte. This cell probably corresponds to the antigen-presenting histiocyte of the T-system.

On the angiostructure of lymph nodes in Hodgkin's disease. An immunohistochemical study using the lectin I of Ulex europaeus as endothelial marker

Using an extended indirect immunoperoxidase method and the lectin I of Ulex europaeus ( UEA -I), whose binding sites in lymph nodes are restricted to endothelial cells and erythrocytes, the angioarchitecture of 31 lymph nodes affected by Hodgkin's disease (HD) was demonstrated and analyzed. Compared with the normal state, the lymphocytic predominance type has a low relative vascular density, and venular endothelium is epithelioid throughout. Mixed cellularity types, especially those rich in epithelioid cells, have the lowest relative vascular density; the venular endothelium is often flat. In the sclerosing areas of the nodular sclerosis type structurel differences between capillaries, arterioles and venules vanish. Due to parenchymal atrophy and cellular depletion, relative vascular density is markedly increased in such areas, as is the case in lymphocytic depletion types. Despite all the histomorphological changes occurring in HD, the vascular system of the lymph node, surprisingly, does not undergo profound alteration. There is a positive correlation between the degree of epithelioid transformation of venular endothelium and trans-venular lymphocytic traffic. The conditions are described under which the otherwise non-reactive sinus endothelium expresses the UEA -I receptor.

Immunohistochemical localization of peanut lectin binding sites on human brain tumors as determined by peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in paraffin sections

Peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique was selected for visualizing the binding of peanut lectin (PNL) to the most frequent human brain tumors. The randomly selected material included neoplasms of neuroectodermal and mesenchymal origin. We employed 1--5 micrometers of routinely processed and paraffin-embedded tissues. PNL receptors were detected to a variable extent on the cell surface of astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, meningotheliomatous meningeoma, and plexus papilloma. In gliomas as increase in malignancy seems to be associated with a decrease in PNL binding. Except for the plexus papillomas, neuraminidase pretreatment had neither a qualitative nor a quantitative influence on the binding behavior of PNL. Intracellular PNL receptors could be detected in "granular cells" and in the perinuclear region of malignant gliomas.

Emphasis on peanut lectin as a marker for granular cells

Peanut lectin (PNL) binding to a total of 13 granular cell tumours was examined by means of the peroxidase antiperoxidase technique. The tumours included six tumourettes of the neurohypophysis, one malignant granular cell tumour of the brain, and six peripheral tumours of distinct locations. Every tumour studied showed intracytoplasmic fine granular PNL binding; after pretreatment with neuraminidase, the weakly positive reaction was enhanced to a great extent. In all tumours simultaneous examination for the detection of lysozyme and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was also carried out. Lysozyme was negative in all cases, whereas GFAP expression could be demonstrated at the periphery of the malignant granular cell tumour of the brain. The data presented clearly demonstrate that PNL can be used as a histochemical marker for granular cells regardless of their location. The fact that the presence of lysozyme could not be proved does not support the view of a histiocytic origin for granular cells, whereas the expression of GFAP in some immature granular cells of the brain tumour examined is considered to be an argument in favor of its glial origin.

Electrolytes and free amino acids in leg skeletal muscle of young and elderly women

Electrolytes and/or amino acids were determined in leg skeletal muscle biopsies from elderly (age range 57-75 years) and young (age range 20-35 years) apparently healthy women. When compared to the young group, the elderly one was characterized by increased levels of muscular Na+ and Cl-, while the calculated intracellular concentration of Na+ was reduced. The pattern and levels of free amino acids showed only minor differences between elderly and young women. Intracellular Mg2+ and K+ showed a significant correlation with muscle levels of simultaneously determined energy-rich phosphagen compounds that was published previously.

Conspicuous enterocytic binding pattern for peanut lectin and malignant histiocytosis of the intestine

We present a case of a 33 year old male with a history of early childhood diarrhoea and more recently diagnosed gluten sensitive enteropathy, who died with active disease, ulcerative proctosigmoiditis and desquamative erythrodermia associated with toxin induced shock. Autopsy revealed a tumour restricted to lymph nodes of the mesentery and the retroperitoneum. This is considered to be malignant histiocytosis of the intestine (MIH). Immunohistological examination of the diagnostic jejunal biopsy showed a pathological binding pattern for peanut lectin (PNL) within the enterocytes. This may be an expression of disturbed production or secretion of a product rich in non-reducing terminal D-galactosyl residues.

The distribution of fibronectin in lymph nodes infiltrated by Hodgkin's disease. An immunoperoxidase study on paraffin sections

The tissue distribution of fibronectin (FN) was examined using a commercial anti-FN serum, the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PaP) technique, and paraffin sections of 22 lymph nodes affected by Hodgkin's disease. Vascular basement membranes and reticulin fibres are selectively stained and their structural changes in this pathological condition become readily visible. In contrast to the normal lymph node and to Hodgkin's disease with lymphocytic predominance, cases of mixed cellularity disease contain individual and focally grouped cells displaying intracytoplasmic FN. In nodular sclerosis these cells with fibroblast morphology are consistently numerous in the marginal zones of the cellular nodes. Strongly reacting mastocytes probably absorbed the applied antiserum non-immunologically. All the other cell types giving rise to the varying appearances of Hodgkin's lesions are consistently negative with respect to intracellular FN, including all forms of Hodgkin cells. We conclude that in Hodgkin's disease the immigration of FN-secreting fibroblasts is an integral part of the early sclerosing reaction, which in itself is a defence/repair mechanism closely related to scar formation.

Peanut lectin: a useful tool for detecting Hodgkin cells in paraffin sections

Using an extended peroxidase-antiperoxidase method receptors fot peanut lectin (PNL) can be visualized in routinely fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections. PNL binding sites are numerous in human tissue. Each tissue, however, displays its specific binding spectrum and cellular binding pattern. 35 cases of Hodgkin's disease containing all histological subtypes were examined. A prominent, constant, and characteristic binding pattern in Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg-cells was found. PNL is proposed as an aid for detecting these cells in diagnostic histology. It might turn out to be a very useful reagent particularly in identifying the early lesion in Hodgkin's disease in which Hodgkin cells are small and scarce.

The effect of physical training in elderly subjects with special reference to energy-rich phosphagens and myoglobin in leg skeletal muscle

Energy-rich phosphagens and myoglobin were determined in leg skeletal muscles of seven, 61- to 80-year-old, apparently healthy male subjects. The study repeated after the participants had been exercising on an ergometer bicycle twice weekly for 6 weeks. Before training, myoglobin and all intramuscular energy-rich phosphagens were within the range recorded for a larger series of subjects of similar age. When re-examined after training the myoglobin level remained the same but creatine decreased significantly and the ratio between phosphocreatine and total creatine increased. A slight but significant rise was also observed for the ATP/ADP ratio. It is concluded that age-related changes of intramuscular phosphagens in elderly subjects in part might be due to physical inactivity.

J-chain-producing immunoblastic lymphoma in a case of Richter's syndrome. Immunohistochemical evidence for a gradual malignant transformation of a single B-cell clone and flow cytophotometric data

A 66-year old male with Richter's syndrome died 52 month after diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The clinical course was characterized by a marked IgM hypoglobulinaemia which paralleled a chronically relapsing Herpes simplex infection. Autopsy showed a large retroperitoneal and intraabdominal tumour mass and well defined supradiaphragmatic lymphomas. Histological examination revealed a composite tumour consisting of CLL B-cell type (B-CLL) and immunoblastic malignant lymphoma of B-cell type (B-IbL). The lymphocytes bear mu-chains on their surface and to a lesser extend within their cytoplasm, the obviously defective immunoblasts produce J chains exclusively. Flow cytophotometric data seem to indicate an identical diploid stem line of the two tumours. The majority of the cells are in G0/1 phase. The CLL rarely produces mitoses, however, the IbL has a mitotic rate of 7% and a considerable proportion (33%) of cells in the phase of DNA-synthesis. This is the fourth malignant lymphoma and the second immunoblastic lymphoma to be reported that produces J chain in the absence of immunoglobulin.

Energy-rich phosphagens, electrolytes and free amino acids in leg skeletal muscle of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Intramuscular (m. quadriceps) contents of electrolytes, free amino acids and energy-rich phosphagens were determined in 12 patients (51--81 years of age) with moderate chronic obstructive lung disease. At the time of the study the patients were in their habitual condition. After an overnight rest, 8 patients showed hypoxia and five of these also hypercapnia. Compared to apparently healthy controls of similar age and studied under identical conditions, the patients had increased intramuscular concentrations of sodium, chloride and extracellular water, whereas magnesium was slightly reduced. ATP and phosphocreatine, as well as the ATP/ADP and phosphocreatine/total creatine ratios, were reduced. The ATP/ADP ratio correlated significantly to intracellular magnesium. Plasma amino acids were essentially similar in controls and patients but the intramuscular contents of essential amino acids and of the three branched-chain amino acids were slightly enhanced in the patients.

Myoglobin in human skeletal muscle

An overall procedure for the determination of myoglobin in muscle biopsy specimens by a radioimmunoassay is described. The coefficient of variation in routine analysis averaged 18%. The mean myoglobin content in leg skeletal muscle of 13 females and 18 males was 4.7 mg/g wet weight. There were no sex differences but the levels for elderly subjects (56-80 years) were slightly higher than those observed in younger persons (19-39 years).

Variable expression of familial hypodontia in monozygotic triplets

Hypodontia was demonstrated in a mother and her monozygotic triplets. The triplets and their mother exhibited considerable variation in the expression of the trait. The variation within the triplets must be due to non-genetic factors.