Ultrastructure of adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland

The case of a 41-year-old woman with well-differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma of the Bartholin's gland was studied submicroscopically. The tumor consisted of three types of cells with different types of exocrine secretory granules: (1) Principal cells, which were the most frequently observed component of the tumor, had numerous small, secretory granules of round shape with very high electron density. These granules resembled membrane-bound dense bodies observed in normal Bartholin's duct cells. (2) Goblet-like cells had larger secretory granules with low electron density, resembling secretory granules of normal Bartholin's gland cells. (3) Eccrine sweat gland-like cells had large, irregular-shaped secretory granules with moderate electron density. This has been observed in neither normal Bartholin's gland nor duct cells, and resembles secretory granules of eccrine sweat gland cells. Furthermore, fibrillar bodies, frequently described in normal Bartholin's gland cells, were seen in a few tumor cells. These submicroscopic findings suggest that this tumor derived from Bartholin's duct cell, differentiating to gland cell and/or eccrine sweat gland cell.

Fine structure of giant hypertrophic gastritis developed in thymectomized mice

(C3H/HeMs x 129/J)F1 mice were thymectomized at 3 days of age, and their stomachs were examined by electron microscopy at 3, 6, and 18 months of age. A hypertrophic type of gastritis developed in about half the mice, the fundus being chiefly affected. In the early stage, thickening of the mucosa was attributed mainly to an elongation of the glandular part, but in the later stage it was attributed to both elongated glandular tubules and proliferated foveolar cells. Mature parietal and chief cells were preferentially reduced in number, and immature counterparts were relatively marked in the glandular portion. Thus, the proportion and grade of maturation of these cells in gastritic mice were different from those in normal mice. Foveolar and glandular mucous cells, resembling, respectively, normal surface mucus and mucous neck cells, were the major cell types of the glands. Undifferentiated cells were also frequently encountered. Hyperplasia of endocrine cells, particularly ECL and G cells in the fundic and pyloric mucosa, respectively, was also documented. These results suggest that the gastric hypertrophy of gastritic mice was triggered by the disturbances in differentiation and maturation of parietal and chief cells.

Diseases and cancer rate of AMHTS examines in the Tokai University Hospital

Studies were conducted on 10,261 subjects who had undergone checkups in an AMHTS (Automated Multiphasic Health Testing and Services) Center in the Tokai University Hospital. The breakdown of the screening at the time of the examinations was 48% abnormal and 52% borderline or normal. The disease ratio obtained in follow-up survey averaged 16% and increased as the subjects became older. There were 68 cancer patients, 0.7% of the total number of examinees, and it was found that 88% of the cancer cases definitely diagnosed as cancer within one year after the examinations received these diagnoses within three months from the day of the examinations.

HLA-DR antigens in pemphigus among Japanese

The frequency of HLA-DR4 was significantly increased at P less than 0.02 in 37 unrelated pemphigus patients (62.2%), when compared with unrelated 73 healthy controls (30.1%). This antigen was more frequently found in pemphigus foliaceus (70.6%) than pemphigus vulgaris (55.8%).

Lipid analysis of isolated plasma membranes of lymphoid cells in benign thymomas of Buffalo/Mna rats

Plasma membranes were isolated from lymphoid cells of benign thymomas obtained from inbred BUF/Mna rats (21 mo old) and from normal thymocytes obtained from young rats (7 wk old) of the same strain. The isolated plasma membranes were electron microscopically pure, and the specific activities of Na+, K+-ATPase, and 5'-nucleotidase were enhanced. The lipid compositions of the plasma membranes from these two sources were analyzed and compared. The cholesterol and plasmalogen contents of membranes from both sources were similar, but the phospholipid content of the benign thymoma lymphoid cell membranes was slightly lower than that of the normal thymocytes, resulting in a somewhat higher molar ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid. The plasma membranes of the thymoma lymphoid cells also exhibited a slightly higher microviscosity as measured with fluorescence polarization. No significant differences were observed in the phospholipid compositions of the two membrane preparations.

Argyrophil cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix with ectopic production of ACTH, beta-MSH, serotonin, histamine, and amylase

The case of a 38-year-old female with primary argyrophil cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is reported. Two years after operation the patient developed widespread metastases with typical Cushing's syndrome. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of solid anaplastic cells, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cells. The plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol were elevated. Many cells of both the primary and metastatic tumors showed argyrophilia. Almost all the cells of the metastases contained numerous round secretory granules measuring about 117 micrometers in diameter. Small rod-shaped or larger round secretory granules, measuring 250 and 430 micrometers respectively, were also found in a few of these cells. The tumors in the right lung, pancreas, and kidney contained high levels of ACTH, beta-MSH, serotonin, histamine, and amylase. This is the first report of ectopic production of these five substances from argyrophil cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

[Observation on the air-borne bacteria and ammonia (NS3) gas in laboratory animal facility with rotary heat exchanger]

The number of air-borne bacteria in air ducts and barrierred laboratory animal rooms with the so-called econovent rotary heat exchanger, were checked monthly during a year by the pin-hole sumpler method for air ducts and Koch method for animal rooms. Also, concentration of ammonia was checked with the same samples by gas impinger. No significantly difference in number of air-borne bacteria was seen between before and after passing the econovent. Those passing through HEPA filter was not detected. There were more air-borne bacteria in animal rooms, outside locker room and shower room than in the corridor, utensil storage, inside locker room and pass box. No ammonia were detected in the outdoor, but exhaust air duct after passing the econovent contained very small amount of ammonia. On the other hand, high concentration of ammonia were preserved in the supplying air duct, exhaust air duct and mice and rats rooms, about 86% of ammonia in exhaust air duct returned back into the supplying air duct. No influences on reproduction in mice and rats were recognized.

HLA-A10 in pemphigus among Japanese

The frequency of the major histocompatibility antigen, HLA-A10, was significantly increased (corrected P less than .025) in 43 unrelated patients with pemphigus vulgaris (41.9%) and in 25 patients with pemphigus foliaceus (48.0%), when compared with 60 unrelated healthy controls (16.7%). No significant correlations with other HLA or differences between pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus were observed. Both forms of pemphigus were considered to link with the HLA-A10.

Host origin of lymphoid cells in thymomas developed from subcutaneous thymus grafts in Buffalo rats

Ten out of 31 male Buffalo rats developed thymomas, 18 months after birth, from the subcutaneous thymuses grafted neonatally either from female or male litter mates. Most of them were of lymphoid cell type and contained numerous lymphoid cells within the network composed of neoplastic epithelial cells, as mediastinal thymomas. Lymphoid cells in the subcutaneous thymomas had normal diploid karyotype and were of host type with the Y chromosomes. These facts may indicate that lymphois cells intermingled in the network of neoplastic epithelial cells are non-neoplastic in nature.

B Lymphocyte Alloantigen Specificities Present on Cultured Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines

Thirty-three of 34 cultured human lymphoblastoid B cell lines have been shown to express four out of five polymorphic non-HLA specificities expressed by normal B lymphocytes. The specificities were detected by 32 alloantisera produced by absorption with pooled platelets to remove HLA activity and selected from over 400 pregnancy sera. One B group (B2) which was expressed by 23% of a panel of normal B lymphocytes was not found on any of the cultured lines tested. Four T cell lines tested and myeloid line (K562) did not react with any of the B cell alloantisera.

B lymphocyte alloantigen specificities present on cultured lymphoblastoid cell lines

Thirty-three of 34 cultured human lymphoblastoid B cell lines have been shown to express four out of five polymorphic non-HLA specificities expressed by normal B lymphocytes. The specificities were detected by 32 alloantisera produced by absorption with pooled platelets to remove HLA activity and selected from over 400 pregnancy sera. One B group (B2) which was expressed by 23% of a panel of normal B lymphocytes was not found on any of the cultured lines tested. Four T cell lines tested and myeloid line (K562) did not react with any of the B cell alloantisera.

Cardiac lymph and contractility of the heart

The transport mechanism of cardiac lymph with reference to the contractility of the heart was studied experimentally using a dye technique. An augmentation of cardiac contractility with or without hypoxia of the heart equally accelerated the transportation of cardiac lymph. The short staining time of the "cardiac node" correlated well to the augmented contractility of the heart and the long to the decreased contractility. Similar result was obtained in the dogs with surgical block and pacing at a rate of 100/min. This experiment suggests the importance of dynamical observation of cardiac lymph.

Histochemical patterns in early lesions and infiltrating adenocarcinomas induced in mouse duodenum by n-ethyl-n'-nitro-n-nitrosoguanidine

Intravillous, microcrater, and macroscopic invasive lesions induced in the mouse duodenum by N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were examined histochemically. The cells of these neoplastic lesions and the proliferative zones of the normal crypts showed similar staining reactions in leucine aminopeptidase, alkaline and acid phosphatases, adenosine 5'-triphosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. However, a slight decrease in succinic dehydrogenase activity and a slight increase in lactic dehydrogenase activity were observed in the intravillous and microcrater lesions compared to the activity in the proliferative zones of the crypts. The neoplastic cells of these lesions showed no mucus secretion. We discussed the origin of the neoplastic lesions using these and other findings.

Ultrastructure of spontaneous and urethan-induced thymomas in buffalo rats

Normal thymuses from Buffalo and Long-Evans rats of various ages, and spontaneous and urethan-induced thymomas in Buffalo rats, were examined by electron microscopy. Histological variabilities among thymomas of the lymphoid, mixed, and epithelial cell types were a reflection of the number of lymphoid cells within the network composed of neoplastic epithelial reticular cells. In the cytoplasm of these cells, development of tonofilaments and membrane-bound bodies and inverse development of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were recognized in the sequential process from the lymphoid cell type to the epithelial cell type. An important role of the development of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum for thymic function was suggested. Phagocytic activity of the neoplastic epithelial reticular cells was revealed, and some of the membrane-bound bodies in these cells, especially those with moniliform structures, were regarded as remnants of damaged lymphocytes. Evidence for neoplastic epithelial reticular cell-lymphoid cell transformation could not be established from study of the thymoma tissue. No virus-like structures were observed in these thymomas.