Herpetic cervicitis--a histo-morphologic study

The purpose of this paper has been to find out the prevalence of herpetic cervicitis among routine surgical cervical biopsies, categorize the morphological changes and study their evolution. In a 51-month-period, 879 human uterine cervices were examined histologically, 19 percent (168) conforming to predetermined criteria for herpetic cervicitis. These criteria were typed as A through D starting with nuclear homogenization and passing through vesicle formation, bulla formation and finally ulceration. The type D lesion showed an agglomeration of Type A-C morphological changes occurring together, in addition to which focal submucosal haemorrhages were seen with severe congestion. The presence of the Herpes virus was confirmed with the Peroxidase-Antiperoxidase stain and the evolution of the bullae studied by means of the Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff stain (AB-PAS), Methyl Green-Pyronine (MG-P) stain and the Reticulum stain.

Invasive meningococcal disease: secondary spread in a day-care center

We have reported the epidemiologic investigation and subsequent control measures precipitated by the occurrence of two temporally related cases of invasive meningococcal disease in a single day-care center classroom. A review of the literature indicates that day-care center contacts of patients with invasive meningococcal disease are at increased risk for secondary spread of infection. Our experience emphasizes the importance of reporting cases to the local health department, implementing rifampin prophylaxis for appropriate contacts, and considering immunization in select circumstances. Rifampin is indicated for all cases of meningococcal disease as well.

Specific S-thiolation of a 30-kDa cytosolic protein from rat liver under oxidative stress

Thin-gel isoelectric focusing (IEF) is a simple and sensitive method of quantifying S-thiolation of individual proteins (protein mixed-disulfide formation). IEF of rat liver cytosol identified one major protein (pI 7.0) which underwent S-thiolation with glutathione disulfide to produce two acidic bands with pIs 6.4 and 6.1. The S-thiolated forms of the protein were purified by preparative isoelectric focusing. An apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa was determined by SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The 30-kDa protein amounted to 7 +/- 2% of the total cytosolic protein on IEF. The most abundant soluble protein of freshly isolated hepatocytes, with an identical isoelectric point to the liver 30-kDa protein, was modified in a similar manner in response to oxidative stress induced by model compounds. Addition of 50 microM tert-butyl hydroperoxide, 50 microM diamide [1,1-azobis(N,N'-dimethylformamide)] or 20 microM menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) initiated the S-thiolation within less than 2 min in the hepatocytes. These compounds, at the concentrations employed, did not result in cell death. Menadione produced slowly progressive S-thiolation of the protein, while tert-butyl hydroperoxide or diamide produced rapid S-thiolation that decreased quickly after 2 min.

Effects of elevated serum insulinlike growth factor-II on growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor-I mRNA and secretion

The insulinlike growth factors (IGF) appear to exert feedback control over their own production. In an effort to determine the physiologic mechanisms for this feedback modulation, we utilized a previously developed in vivo model in which rIGF-II secreting tumor cells are transplanted into immunodeficient rats to form IGF-II secreting tumors. The tumor-bearing rat have serum IGF-II concentrations sevenfold greater than those in controls (119 +/- 16 ng/mL [mean +/- SE] v 17 +/- 2 ng/mL, P less than .0001). Serum IGF-I concentrations were reduced among the tumor-bearing rats (438 +/- 42 ng/mL v 606 +/- 32 ng/mL, P = .002) and were negatively correlated with IGF-II concentrations (r = -.47, P = .025), suggesting that IGF-II suppressed the secretion of IGF-I. Increased serum IGF-II concentrations, however, did not affect basal growth hormone concentrations (tumor-bearing, 44 +/- 12 ng/mL; control 33 +/- 6 ng/mL, P = 0.96). The GH response to GH releasing factor was likewise similar in both groups. Moreover, pituitary GH mRNA level were not different in the two groups, suggesting that IGF-II does not have a significant effect on GH secretion in this in vivo model. There was no association between serum glucose and serum IGF-I or IGF-II concentrations. To examine the effect of IGF-II on IGF-I production from the liver, we measured IGF-I mRNA levels in a subset of animals. Despite these differences in serum IGF-I concentrations, the tumor-bearing rats did not have significantly lower liver IGF-I mRNA levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Disseminated human neurocysticercosis. A morphologic analysis of two cases

This study was based on two cases of disseminated human neurocysticercosis from India. The material available was examined grossly, and by light microscopy, histochemistry, immunomorphology and electron microscopy. The results showed that the parasites commonly embolized to the anatomically discernable gray-white matter junction of the brain and were located in cavities, the walls of which were dilated vascular channels. The parasite-nutrition process was through endocytosis and microtrichal activity. To camouflage themselves from the host-defense mechanisms, the parasites apparently covered themselves with host-tissue-like material. Host reactivity to the parasite was heralded morphologically by the physical anchoring of the parasite by activated endothelial cells, loss of the host-tissue-like cover and an acute polymorphonuclear leucocytic response.

CD1c antigens are present in normal and neoplastic B-cells

The immunohistochemical detection of CD1c antigen is described in mantle zone B-cells of the tonsil, lymph node, and spleen, and also in the marginal zone B-cells of the spleen. CD1c expression was observed in most cases of low-grade, but in only a single case of high-grade, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It was not detected in germinal centre cells, nor in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed or Burkitt's lymphoma B-cell lines. This distribution suggests that CD1c expression may occur preferentially in slowly proliferating B-cell populations and does not support previous suggestions that CD1c is a human equivalent of the mouse thymus leukaemia antigens.

The concept of happiness: a multidimensional scaling investigation

This study investigated the concept of happiness using multidimensional scaling analyses. Two samples were studied. The first contained 100 adult males and females, aged nineteen to ninety (M = 39.5). The second contained 126 female adults, aged twenty-six to eighty-nine (M = 61.3), all Catholic nuns. Respondents provided word associates to the words happiness and unhappiness during separate one-minute intervals. Subsequently, the twelve most frequent associates and the word happiness were used in a written paired comparison task of dissimilarities between all possible pairs. In both samples, a two-dimensional space was judged to optimally fit the data. The first dimension was interpreted as a bipolar affective dimension. The second dimension was one-fifth and one-third as salient as the first dimension in the respective samples, and was interpreted as representing personal independence. Two-dimensional spaces of young, middle-aged, and old subsamples of sample one were, in large part, similar to the total space. Three age trends were noted.

Primary pulmonary rhabdomyosarcoma in a child, with a review of literature

A cyst in the left lower lobe of the lung was removed from a 15-month-old girl and showed evidence suggesting a preexistent congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation; in addition a rhabdomyosarcoma was identified. Primitive mesenchyme and mesenchymal elements also were seen. The origin of the rhabdomyosarcoma is discussed. The findings in the present case are compared with those of all childhood pulmonary rhabdomyosarcomas reported in the literature. This report of a child with a coexistent congenital adenomatoid malformation and a rhabdomyosarcoma is the third of its kind in the literature.

Electrical stimulation versus voluntary exercise in strengthening thigh musculature after anterior cruciate ligament surgery

Twenty patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery were placed randomly and independently in an Electrical Stimulation Group (n = 10) or Voluntary Exercise Group (n = 10) to compare the effectiveness of these two muscle-strengthening protocols. Patients in both groups used simultaneous contraction of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles during a training regimen that consisted of either voluntary exercise or electrical stimulation trials five days a week for a three-week period within the first six postoperative weeks. After patients completed the training regimen, bilateral maximal isometric measurements of gravity-corrected knee extension and flexion torque were obtained for both groups and percentages were calculated. Results showed that patients in the Electrical Stimulation Group finished the three-week training regimen with higher percentages of both extension and flexion torque when compared with patients in the Voluntary Exercise Group (extension: t = 4.35, p less than .05; flexion; t = 6.64, p less than .05). These results indicate that patients in an electrical stimulation regimen can achieve higher individual thigh musculature strength gains than patients in a voluntary exercise regimen when simultaneous contraction of thigh muscles is prescribed during an early phase of postoperative rehabilitation.

Stress in nursing and intentions of leaving the profession

This investigation examined nurses' intentions to leave their profession in response to problems related to occupational stress in a national sample of hospital nurses. The majority of the 283 nurse respondents were RNs, most worked the day shift, and the mean length of practice was 15–4 yr. Occupational stress was assessed on the Nurse Stress Inventory, which assesses eight factors: Professional Distress, Patient Care and Motivation, Time and Workload Management, Personal Time Disruptions, Emotional Manifestations, Behavioral Manifestations, Fatigue Manifestations, and Physiological Manifestations. Subscale scores were summed and averaged to derive a Total Stress Score. Each of nine group analyses of variance indicated significantly stronger stress for leavers than for stayers. Six of ten nurses indicated an intention to leave the profession.

S-thiolation of creatine kinase and glycogen phosphorylase b initiated by partially reduced oxygen species

S-thiolation of cardiac creatine kinase and skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase b was initiated by reduced oxygen species in reaction mixtures containing reduced glutathione. Both proteins were extensively modified at similar rates under conditions in which the oxidation of glutathione was inadequate to cause S-thiolation by thiol-disulfide exchange. Creatine kinase was both S-thiolated and non-reducibly oxidized at the same time at low glutathione concentration. The amount of each modification was decreased by adding additional reduced glutathione, and with adequate glutathione oxidation was prevented while S-thiolation was still very active. S-thiolation of glycogen phosphorylase b was not significantly affected by glutathione concentration and non-reducible oxidation of glycogen phosphorylase b was not observed. These experiments suggest that oxyradical or H2O2-initiated processes may be an important mechanism of protein S-thiolation during oxidative stress, and that the cellular concentration of glutathione may be an important factor in S-thiolation of different proteins. Both creatine kinase and glycogen phosphorylase b competed favorably with ferricytochrome c for superoxide anion in the standard xanthine oxidase system for the generation of oxyradicals and H2O2. These proteins were as effective as ascorbate and much more effective than reduced glutathione in this regard. Ascorbate was also an effective inhibitor of oxyradical-initiated S-thiolation of creatine kinase, suggesting a role of superoxide anion in protein S-thiolation. Other experiments showed that both catalase and superoxide dismutase could partially inhibit protein S-thiolation. Thus, reduced oxygen species may react with protein sulfhydryls resulting in S-thiolation by a mechanism that involves the reaction of an activated protein thiol with reduced glutathione.

Targeting radiopharmaceuticals: comparative biodistribution studies of gallium and indium complexes of multidentate ligands

New multidentate ligands with structures similar to N,N'-bis[2-hydroxybenzyl]ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (HBED) and N,N'-bis(pyridoxyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (PLED) were synthesized. The in vitro lipophilicity, electrophoretic behavior, and the in vitro biodistribution were studied for the 111In- and 67, 68Ga-complexes of N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (Me4HBED); N,N'-bis(5-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diac eti c acid (t-butyl HBED); N,N'-bis[2-hydroxy-5-sulfobenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (SHBED); N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) -N'-acetic acid (HBMA); and N,N'-bis(5-deoxypyridoxyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (DPLED). The biodistribution of the radiometal complexes were carried out in rats and an imaging study was performed in a non-human primate. The rapid clearance of the lipophilic complexes from blood and through the hepatobiliary system was easily demonstrated; as well, the hydrophilic complexes were cleared rapidly through the urinary tract. Positron emission tomographic images were generated from a study in a primate after administration of 68Ga-t-butyl HBED. These images well demonstrate the efficient liver accumulation and rapid hepatobiliary clearance (less than 1 h) and well differentiate images of the liver and gall bladder.

Cytokeratin-specific monoclonal antibodies are reactive with tumours of smooth muscle derivation. An immunocytochemical and biochemical study using antibodies to intermediate filament cytoskeletal proteins

Formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissue from 13 leiomyosarcomas, three leiomyoblastomas, five leiomyomas and fresh tissue from one leiomyosarcoma and one leiomyoma was studied. Tumours were stained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique with antibodies to desmin, vimentin, cytokeratins and S-100 protein. Neoplastic cells in all the cases were positive for desmin and vimentin but were negative for S-100; antibody CAM 5.2 gave strong reactivity with tumour cells of 12 leiomyosarcomas and all leiomyomas, but failed to stain the leiomyoblastomas; LP34 weakly stained two leiomyosarcomas and one leiomyoblastoma. Immunoblot studies using whole cell extracts of one leiomyosarcoma and one leiomyoma respectively, showed 55-58 kd and 35-38 kd bands reactive with monoclonal antibody CAM 5.2. However, no cytokeratin components were demonstrated when cytoskeletal extracts of the same tissue samples were immunoblotted with CAM 5.2. The implications of these findings for the diagnostic histopathologist are discussed.

Transplantation of insulin-like growth factor-II-secreting tumors into nude rodents

Restricted supplies of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) have severely limited investigation of the in vivo actions of this hormone. To circumvent this problem, we have developed an in vivo rodent model in which rat (r) IGF-II-secreting cells (18, 54-SF) are transplanted into congenitally immunodeficient (nude) rats and mice. These cells proliferate and form discrete tumors that contain rIGF-II and abundant IGF-II receptors. The tumors also secrete rIGF-II into the circulation, resulting in plasma rIGF-II concentrations many-fold greater than those in control rodents (81 +/- 19 vs. less than 10 ng/ml, rats; 159 +/- 28 vs. 18 +/- 5 ng/ml, mice; P less than 0.05, both groups). There was no significant difference between the tumor-bearing and control rodents in either body weight or tail length. The tumor-bearing rodents did have significantly lower concentrations of IGF-I (296 +/- 23 vs. 527 +/- 67 ng/ml, rats; 300 +/- 26 vs. 482 +/- 70 ng/ml, mice; P less than 0.05, both groups), suggesting that the increased concentrations of rIGF-II may have inhibited IGF-I production or secretion. This animal model may be used to explore the biological effects of increased plasma IGF-II concentrations.

S-thiolation of cytoplasmic cardiac creatine kinase in heart cells treated with diamide

Two methods for quantitation of protein S-thiolation, by isoelectric focusing or by enzyme activity, were used for studying S-thiolation of cytoplasmic cardiac creatine kinase. With these methods, creatine kinase was identified as a major S-thiolated protein in both bovine and rat heart. In rat heart cell cultures, creatine kinase became 10% S-thiolated during a 10 min incubation with 0.2 mM diamide. This enzyme became S-thiolated more slowly than other heart cell proteins and it also dethiolated more slowly. Two sequential additions of diamide at a 25 min interval caused twice as much S-thiolation after the second addition as compared to the first. This increased sensitivity to the second diamide treatment may have resulted from glutathione loss during the first addition which produced a higher GSSG-to-GSH ratio after the second treatment. The GSSG-to-GSH ratio was highest prior to the maximum S-thiolation of creatine kinase, but, in general, the time course of glutathione was similar to the S-thiolation of creatine kinase. This study demonstrates that cytoplasmic creatine kinase is S-thiolated and, therefore, inhibited during a diamide-induced oxidative stress in heart cells. Implications for regulation of cardiac metabolism during oxidative stress are discussed.