bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atubular glomeruli in cisplatin‐induced chronic interstitial nephropathy
Authors: Marcussen NIELS
Published: August 2009

In two previous studies on chronic renal failure in humans as well as in experimental animals a large number of glomeruli were found not to be connected to proximal tubules (atubular). Using unbiased stereological methods the purpose of the present study was to investigate and quantitate various renal structures, including the presence or absence of atubular glomeruli, in chronic renal failure induced by cisplatin. After administration of cisplatin to rats for ten weeks, the left kidney was perfusion‐fixed 3 weeks later. The cisplatin‐treated rats were uremic with an average plasma urea of 32.6 mmol/1 compared with 10.8 mmol/1 in controls. The stereological investigations showed that 31 % of the glomeruli in the cisplatin‐treated group were atubular, 37% were connected to a normal proximal tubule and 32% to an atrophic tubule. Sclerotic glomeruli were not observed and the total number of glomeruli did not differ between the two groups. The mean glomerular volume was significantly decreased in the cisplatin group, and the mean volume of atubular glomeruli was lower than the mean volume of glomeruli connected to a normal proximal tubule. Significant negative correlation was found between the plasma urea on the one hand and the percentage of glomeruli connected to normal proximal tubules, as well as the length of normal proximal tubules, on the other hand. A significant positive correlation was found between plasma urea and the volume of interstitial fibrotic tissue. The presence of atubular glomeruli and the absence of compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining nephrons might be responsible for the reduction in kidney function in several chronic interstitial renal diseases.
Pathological characteristics for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Authors: Genner JØRGEN , Settnes OSVALD PETER
Published: August 2009

The clinical records of 63 patients who during the period 1980 ‐ 1983 showed pneumocysts in lung specimen imprints obtained at autopsy have been reviewed in order to establish possible characteristics for the diagnosis of Pc pneumonia. Autopsies were performed at 2 Copenhagen hospitals, Rigshospitalet and the Finsen Institute. The 63 Pc‐positive cases included 9 with blood diseases, 27 with solid tumors, 5 with immunological disorders and 22 with other diseases. The characteristic extensive changes in the lungs in Pc pneumonia included increased firmness, dark red/brown or black/grey colour of sectioned areas, stasis and edema sometimes excessive, and foci of white/grey or red/brown areas giving the lung a marbled or speckled appearance. The content of air was always decreased. The microscopic changes reported included intra‐alveolar eosinophilic material, an intra‐alveolar transudate containing macrophages and very few neutrophilic granulocytes, dilated capillary tubes, stasis and edema, thickened alveolar septae and peri‐alveolar or diffuse fibrosis. The chest X‐rays showed no specific features, and the infection had been subclinical in all cases; the only evidence of Pc infection was the demonstration of pneumocysts in imprints of lung specimens stained with toluidine blue in combination with observations during pathology. The diagnosis depends to a great extent upon a keen alertness in addition to the information given in the clinical record.
Omental dendritic cells: la expression and relation to macrophages
Authors: Holub MIROSLAV , VĚTviČKa VÁCLAV , ŘIha IVAN , SvobodovÁ JANA , MohelskÁ HANA
Published: August 2009

Rat omental dendritic cells (ODC) occur in two forms, mainly spindle‐shaped, la“, on the surface, and stellar, Ia+ within the omentum. Like macrophages, most ODC label with W3/25 mAb and have a demonstrable activity of non‐specific esterase, acid phosphatase and ATPase. Up to 30% of ODC are actively phagocytic. The proportion of Ia+ ODC rises 7 days after ip antigenic stimulation and there seems to be a reciprocal development of la positivity and phagocytic capacity between ODC and macrophages 3 and 5 days after ip immunization. ODC contribute to the overall fluctuation of la expression in the entire omentum after immunization.

Ia+ ODC display a linear arrangement along prelymphatic spaces and may be related to the formation of new lymph vessels. They also constitute the stroma of pseudofollicles containing clusters of what are presumably T‐helper lymphocytes closely attached to ODC, scattered suppressor T lymphocytes and B cells accumulating in later stages at the immune response.
Collagen distribution in developing experimentally induced granulation tissue
Authors: Pedersen L. RYDE , HØRslev‐Petersen K. , Garbarsch C. , Lorenzen I.
Published: August 2009

Viscose cellulose sponges were implanted subcutaneously on the back of full‐grown Sprague‐Dawley rats. Seven, 14, 21, 28, 42, 60 and 90 days after implantation, groups of 12 animals were decapitated and the sponges were removed and processed for light microscopy. Five um sections were stained with Picro‐Sirius Red. Morphometry was performed on the zone of ingrowth and the collagen. The intersectional variation in the morphometrically determined collagen density within the sponges was below 20%. The hydroxypro‐line content was determined biochemically in 5 um sections of sponges implanted for 14,42,60 and 90 days. A positive correlation (rho = 0.79, p < 0.0001) was observed between the biochemically and morphometrically determined collagen contents. The morphometric determinations showed a steady increase in the granulation tissue ingrowth. At day 60 the ingrowth was complete. There was an increasing collagen density from days 7 and 14 through days 21 and 28, followed by a nearly steady state up to day 90 and a significantly higher collagen density peripherally than centrally in the day 42 sponges. The study has shown that morphometric collagen determination at light microscopical level using Sirius Red‐stained sections may add quantitative data describing the dynamic changes in collagen content and distribution within developing granulation tissue.
Two‐layer gradient separation of granulocytes for functional tests
Authors: NæSs ARE , Sjursen HAAKON , Talstad INGEBRIGT , Solberg CLAUS OLA
Published: August 2009

Two gradient separation techniques were compared with the dextran sedimentation method for the separation of granulocytes from blood. Both techniques gave adequate yield and excellent purity, and flow cytometric analysis of surface membrane markers gave no indication of subset selection during the procedure. Cells separated by the three methods behaved comparably in functional tests including random migration, chemotaxis and chemiluminescence. The gradient separation techniques are rapid and efficient methods for the preparation of near 100% pure granulocyte suspensions for functional studies.
Ultrastructure of medullary tubules in ischemic acute tubular necrosis and acute interstitial nephritis in man
Authors: Olsen T. STEEN , Hansen H. E.
Published: August 2009

Medullary tubules in renal biopsies from twelve patients suffering from ischemic acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and nine patients with allergic, drug‐induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) were investigated by electron microscopy using quantitative and semiquantitative methods. For comparison, 12 biopsies from patients without renal disease or with minimal change nephropathy were studied. The mean scores for reduction of brush border and basolateral infoldings of the cell surface were significantly increased in the straight part of the proximal tubule and the thick ascending loop of Henle (straight part of the distal tubule) compared with medullary controls, and these changes were significantly greater than the scores for the corresponding convoluted tubules in the cortex. The numbers of missing tubular epithelial cells (indicating sites of cellular desquamation) were significantly increased in the thick ascending loop of Henle in ATN as well as in AIN and in the straight proximal tubule in ATN. This single cell lesion also occurred in the collecting duct. These findings are discussed in the light of recent experimental data indicating the importance of medullary tubules for the pathogenesis of ATN.
The presence of HPV types 6/11, 13, 16 and 33 in bowenoid papulosis in an HIV‐positive male, demonstrated by DNA in situ hybridization
Authors: Rolighed J. , SØRensen I. M. , Jacobsen N. O. , Lindeberg H.
Published: August 2009

A perianal bowenoid papulosis was examined for the presence of HPV types 2, 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 32 and 33 by DNA in situ hybridization. Positive signals were seen for HPV types 6/11, 13, 16 and 33. HPV type 13 is strongly related to oral focal epithelial hyperplasia and has not been reported outside the oral cavity before.
The endothelium in early experimental contact hypersensitivity of the oral mucosa
Authors: Warfvinge GUNNAR , Larsson ÅKE
Published: August 2009

Contact hypersensitivity is characterized by an early and specific diapedesis of mononuclear cells into the site of antigenic challenge. In order to study the functional and ultrastructural properties of the endothelium involved in the recruitment of leukocytes, Sprague‐Dawley rats were skin sensitized to DNFB; and this was followed by challenge of the oral mucosa. In vitro binding of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to high endothelial venules in lymph nodes was highly specific but no affinity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to the vessels was observed in normal oral mucosa or in early contact hypersensitivity. However, 10 days after repeated DNFB challenge, occasional vessels bound overlaid peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Ultrasctructurally, we identified migration of mononuclear cells through small venules three h after challenge. The vessels involved, however, did not display morphological signs of activation reminiscent of high endothelial venules in lymph nodes. Mast cell degranulation was evident as early as 30 min after challenge, and a possible mechanism for mast cell‐mediated leukocyte recruitment is discussed.
Early response in septicemia in newborns and their mothers
Authors: Gutteberg TORE JARL , Dalaker KNUT , ØSterud BJARNE , Vorland LARS H.
Published: August 2009

Using a whole blood in vitro model, we have investigated the effect of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) on the generation of lactoferrin (LF), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1) and tissue thromboplastin (TPL) in healthy newborns at term and their mothers. E. coli (at a final concentration of 107/ml) significantly increased the release of LF in whole blood from newborns after 20 as well as 60 min stimulation, and in samples from their mothers after 60 min stimulation. A significant increase in the release of LF was observed in both newborns and their mothers after 20 and 60 min stimulation with TNF (at a final concentration of 1000 pg/ml). A combination of TNF/E. coli or TNF/GBS never gave any significant additional stimulatory effect. After stimulation with E. coli or GBS (both at a final concentration of 107/ml) for 60 min a significant increase in production of TNF and TPL was observed in newborns. In newborns a significant increase in production of TNF and TPL was observed also after 20 min stimulation with E. coli. TNF (at a final concentration of 1000 pg/ml) significantly increased the generation of TPL after 20 and 60 min stimulation in both groups. There was a tendency for a greater release of LF and generation of TNF and TPL in samples from newborns compared with their mothers, but the differences were not statistically significant. E. coli, GBS and TNF had no significant effect on the production of IL‐1.
Plasmid profiles of Salmonella enterica serovar berta isolated from broilers in Denmark
Authors: SØRensen M. , Brown D. J. , Bisgaard M. , Hansen H. C. , Olsen J. E.
Published: August 2009

Salmonella enterica serovar berta was isolated for the first time in Denmark in October 1984. This serovar has subsequently become endemic in the broiler industry. Plasmid profile analysis of 610 strains of S. berta isolated from broilers and broiler parent stock in the period October 1984 to July 1989 showed that plasmids were present in 85.7% of strains investigated, with a mean of 1.8 plasmids per strain. A significant increase in the mean number of plasmids per strain was seen during the observation period. Seventeen different plasmid sizes and 90 different plasmid profiles were identified. Plasmid profiling of S. berta appears to represent a promising tool for analysing the epidemiology of S. berta infections in broilers.
Complex formation between Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide O antigen and capsular K antigen as detected by immunoelectrophoresis
Authors: ØRskov FRITS , ØRskov IDA
Published: August 2009

Many Escherichia coli of serotypes commonly found in the normal intestine and in extraintestinal diseases, and having capsular antigens of the low molecular group called group II, will, in simple saline extracts, produce complexes between some or all of the lipopolysaccharide molecules and some of the polysaccharide K molecules. Non‐complex‐forming and complex‐forming strains with the same O and K can be found. The complexes are thermostable but are disrupted by some detergents. O‐K complex formation may lead to misinterpretation of immunoprecipitation results; one example is the counter current technique used for K determination of E. coli. In this technique O antigen lipopolysaccharide may, when complexed to K polysaccharide, mimic a K antigen. The possible implications of O‐K complex formation during the infection process, especially for antibody formation, need to be examined.
Routine semiquantitative cultures and central venous catheter‐related bacteremia
Authors: Aufwerber EWA , Ringertz SIGNE , RansjÖ ULRIKA
Published: August 2009

Semiquantitative cultures were compared with blood cultures during one year in order to see if the routine use of a semiquantitative catheter culture method (SQC) in unselected patients can detect or predict infection associated with central venous catheters. Catheter infection, i.e. ≥ 15 colony forming units (cfu) per plate, occurred in 137 of 542 catheter tips (25%), mainly with coagulase‐negative staphylococci. Catheter‐associated bacteremia occurred in 17 of 93 cases (18%) where blood cultures had been drawn. In 15 of these, the catheter tip grew ≥ 15 cfu. The predictive value for bacteremia of a positive SQC was only 21%. SQC is not a suitable method for the detection of catheter‐associated bacteremia, but may be an indicator of the standard of cental venous catheter hygiene.
Use of monoclonal antibodies for the typing of malignant lymphomas in routinely processed biopsy samples
Authors: Lauritzen ANNE F. , Ralfkiaer ELISABETH
Published: August 2009

Eight antibodies (UCHL1 (CD45RO), MT1 (CD43), MT2 (CD45R), 4KB5 (CD45R), MB1 (CD45R), MB2, L26 (CD20) and LN1 (CDw75)) have been examined for reactivity with routine specimens of normal and hyperplastic lymphoid organs (n = 6), non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (n = 62), Hodgkin's disease (n = 27) and non‐lymphoid malignancies (n = 9). In normal and hyperplastic lymphoid organs, UCHL1 and MT1 stained predominantly T cells; 4KB5, MB1, MB2, L26 and LN1 stained predominantly B cells; and MT2 reacted with a subset of B and T cells. The lineage of the neoplastic cells was correctly identified in 24 of 28 (86%) peripheral T‐cell lymphomas; and in 31 of 35 (88%) B‐cell malignancies. In two cases of lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin's disease, the Hodgkin's and Reed‐Sternberg (H&RS) cells were 4KB5+, L26+ and/or LN1+. The H&Rs cells in nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease were positive with 4KB5 in 17 of 25 cases. Antibodies UCHL1, MT1, MB1, MB2, L26 and LN1 also labelled some H&RS cells, but in a much smaller proportion of the cases. In three of nine non‐lymphoid neoplasms, UCHL1 and MB2 showed a staining of the neoplastic cells, but the staining was cytoplasmic rather than membrane‐associated. The remaining antibodies were unreactive with the non‐lymphoid malignancies. It is concluded that many non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas can be typed in routine specimens, and that antibodies UCHL1, MT1, L26 and LN1 are especially useful in this respect. The antibodies do not provide a means of distinguishing between non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease.
Blood vessels in human immunodeficiency virus‐related lymphadenopathy: high endothelial venules and lymphocyte migration
Authors: Csanaky G. , Pap T. , KalÁSz V. , KelÉNyi G.
Published: August 2009

The vasculature of 25 lymph nodes of patients with human immunodeficiency virus‐related lymphadenopathy was investigated morphometrically. The number of small vessels, the morphological features of high endothelial venules and the migratory index of the lymphocytes passing through the high endothelial venules, as well as the stage‐dependent change of each parameter, were analysed. Twenty reactive lymph nodes served as controls. The total number of vessels in the HIV‐infected lymph nodes was relatively stable. However, the small vessels with flat endothelium increased in number, while the number of high endothelial venules decreased as the disorder progressed, and the decrease in the lymphocyte migration seemed to precede the change in the morphology of high endothelial venules. The presumptive role of these alterations in the pathogenesis of the investigated disorder is emphasized.
Cellular inflammatory infiltrates and renal cell turnover in kidney allografts: A study using in situ hybridization and combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry with a Y‐chromosome‐specific DNA probe and monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Andersen C. B. , Ladefoged S. D. , Larsen S.
Published: August 2009

The generation and targeting of inflammatory cells in acutely rejecting kidney allografts are only partly understood. In order to investigate the origin of infiltrating mononuclear cells and the renal cell turnover, percutaneous renal biopsies (45) and lost renal allografts (4) from 40 sex‐mismatched transplant patients clinically suspected of developing acute rejection were analysed by in situ hybridization (ISH) and combined ISH and immunohistochemistry (IMH). A biotinylated Y‐chromosome‐specific DNA probe was used for ISH. Monoclonal antibodies against leukocytes (leukocyte common antigen (CD45), T lymphocytes (CD43), B lymphocytes (L26) and myeloid/histiocytic cells (mac 387)) were employed using a three‐stage immunoperoxidase technique followed by ISH on the same specimens. The ISH method was very sensitive when differentiating male from female cells (p>0,01). Posttransplant mononuclear infiltrates were shown to be of recipient origin and dominated by T lymphocytes and myeloid/histiocytic cells. Tubular and glomerular cells remained of donor origin even after 10 months. There was no evidence of revascularization by recipient endothelial cells.
Inhibition of plasmid‐encoded adhesion of Yersinia enterocolitica by non‐immunoglobulin fraction of human milk
Authors: Jensen OLE MARK , PæRregaard ANDERS
Published: August 2009

The inhibitory effect of human milk on plasmid‐encoded adhesion of Yersinia enterocolitica to rabbit ileal brush border membrane vesicles immobilized on polystyrene was evaluated. Adhesion was reduced to about 50% after incubation of equal volumes of bacteria and undiluted human milk, but a significant reduction was also detectable after incubation with milk samples at a final 1:10 dilution. Removal of immunoglobulins from human milk by means of immunoadsorption did not change the inhibitory effect on adhesion. Both milk fat, proteins, and factors resistant to proteolytic and heat treatment contributed to the reduction in adhesion.
Computer localization of some Gm markers on the surface of the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G
Authors: ThØGersen HENNING , Christensen POUL , SchrÖDer ASTRID K.
Published: August 2009

The surface localization of some Gm markers on the Fc fragment of IgG has been identified from previously published amino acid sequences associated with known Gm markers using the atomic coordinates described by Deisenhofer (5), INSIGHT software and a Digital VAX 11/785 computer, which together permit a study of the three‐dimensional structure of the Fc fragment. The Glm(x)‐associated amino acid residue 431, the G3m(s)‐ and G3m(u)‐associated residue 435 and the nG4m (a)‐ and (b)‐associated residue 309 are all localized in the interface between the CH2 and CH3 domains. Furthermore, it it postulated that the Glm(a)‐associated residue 356 (Asp, Glu) influences the interface formation through an ion pair interaction to Lys 439. Finally, G3m(b) and G3m(g) are associated with the interface via residues 435 and 436. The data explain why sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis are useful tools for the detection of some Gm markers and support the view that rheumatoid factors from these patients are internal images of microbial Fc‐binding proteins.
Helicobacter pylori and associated gastroduodenal diseases
Authors: Rautelin HILPI , Kosunen TIMO U.
Published: August 2009

Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic, Gram‐negative, spiral rod, the role of which in different gastric diseases has been investigated worldwide since the beginning of the 1980s. H. pylori has been shown to be the causative agent in active chronic gastritis, and it is regularly found in patients endoscopied for duodenal ulcer. The bacterium is also frequently isolated from persons with gastric ulcer, gastric carcinoma and non‐ulcer dyspepsia. Apart from cultivation of the bacterium, other diagnostic procedures include various staining methods and urease tests of gastric biopsy samples. The application of non‐invasive diagnostic methods, serology and urea breath tests, is rapidly increasing. H. pylori is susceptible to several antimicrobials in vitro, but eradication of the bacterium from the gastric mucosa is not always achieved. The best results until now have been obtained with the combined use of bismuth salts and two antibiotics. In active chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients, eradication of the bacteria has resulted in healing of the disease with permanent decrease of circulating antibodies and negative urease tests. H. pylori has been found worldwide and the infection shows an age‐dependent increase. Man, apparently, is the reservoir of the bacterium, but the exact mechanisms of interhuman transmission are still not defined.
Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the breast
Authors: Rossen KRISTIAN , Stamp INGER , SØRensen INGE MARIE
Published: August 2009

Clinical, light microscopic and immunohistochemical features of four cases of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the breast are presented. Twenty‐eight cases have been reported previously. We found that the prognosis of primary MFH located in the parenchyma of the breast is comparable to the prognosis of other MFH located superficial to the fascial level. We therefore conclude that simple mastectomy is adequate surgical therapy for MFH located in the breast. The possible beneficial effects of adjuvant therapy need further investigation.
Enhancement by a serum factor of the immunoaccessibility of an enterobacterial porin protein domain
Authors: Henriksen ARNE Z. , MæLand JOHAN A.
Published: August 2009

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) generated against the domain Po I on the outer membrane (OM) porin (Po) protein of an Escherichia coli 055 strain showed weak binding by the OM in ELISA. Human serum and sera from different animal species enhanced the MAb binding in ELISA when the antibody was incubated together with serum or the OM was pretreated with serum. Human serum also enhanced the MAb binding when coats were prepared by using OMs from various cross‐reacting bacteria. The ability of human serum to amplify the MAb binding by OMs was similar to that of lysostaphin. Amplification by serum was not observed when MAbs against three other enterobacterial OM proteins were tested. The amplifying serum factor was destroyed by heating (100°C) and by mercaptoethanol. It appeared in fractions which corresponded to an apparent molecular weight of 75.000–80.000 after gel permeation, and, after ion‐exchange chromatography, in fractions which contained a protein of 60 kD when analysed by SDS‐PAGE. These data support the notion that the serum‐induced enhancement of the anti‐Po I MAb binding was due to a previously described serum amidase (N‐acetylmuramyl‐L‐alanine amidase) which has peptidoglycan‐degrading activity. The effects of the amplifying serum factor may influence the antibody levels which are measured when OMs from Gram‐negative bacteria are used as antigen in a serodiagnostic test.
Susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria
Authors: Jansen JENS ERIK , Bremmelgaard ANNIE
Published: August 2009

The relationship between susceptibility testing by an agar dilution test and a tablet diffusion test was studied for 60 anaerobic bacteria (20 B. fragilis, 20 anaerobic cocci, 20 Clostridium species). For cefoxitin, no prediffusion and prediffusion times of one h, three h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were examined. For metronidazole, erythromycin, clindamycin, penicillin and imipenem, only 24 h prediffusion and no prediffusion were studied. Measurements were made after incubation for 24 h and 48 h. Prediffusion improved the correlation for all antibiotics tested, and 24 h prediffusion gave the best results. The slope of the regression line increased and the influence of the individual growth parameters on zone size was reduced. Prediction of susceptibility based on three zone size breakpoints to estimate MIC was also better with 24 h prediffusion. However, the variation about the regression line for many of the antibiotics was still extremely high. Measurements after 24 h and 48 h incubation times showed almost identical regression equations, except for erythromycin, where the regression lines differed.
No signs of Campylobacter jejuni/coli‐related antibodies in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Andreasen JAN JESPER , Ringsdal VIBEKE STEVENIUS , Helin PEKKA
Published: August 2009

Twenty‐two patients with active ankylosing spondylitis were investigated to assess the levels of specific serum IgG, IgA and IgM titres against Campylobacter jejunil coli before and during treatment with sulfasalazine. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used, and the results were compared with the antibody levels in 300 healthy blood donors. Three patients had elevated levels of serum anti‐Campylobacter‐IgA before treatment, and a two‐fold decrease in the antibody titre was observed during treatment. Three patients had elevated anti‐Campylobacter‐IgG titres before treatment. One of these patients also had elevated anti‐Campylobacter‐IgA and IgM titres. Elevated IgM titres were not seen in any other patient. The results do not support the hypothesis that C. jejunilcoli plays an important role in the pathogenesis of active AS.
Antibiosis between bacteria isolated from the vagina of women with and without signs of bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Nagy ELISABETH , Petterson MARGARETA , MÅRdh P‐A.
Published: August 2009

Lactobacilli from women with and without bacterial vaginosis (BV) were tested for H2O2 production. Thirty‐seven (79%) of the 47 strains of lactobacilli isolated from the women without BV produced H2O2, while only nine (23%) of the 39 strains of lactobacilli obtained from women with BV did so. Five of 20 H2O2‐producing and two of 26 non‐producing strains of Lactobacillus exhibited antibiosis against four of 12 strains of peptostreptococci and two of 10 strains of Mobiluncus spp. None of a further 41 different anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial strains were inhibited by any of the isolates of lactobacilli tested. Some strains of Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteriodes spp., Mobiluncus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp. inhibited the growth of three strains of lactobacilli belonging to different species. When the pH of the culture medium was increased from 6.0 to 6.5 this led to a decrease in the number of strains inhibited and/or the size of the growth‐inhibitory zones. Different concentrations of H2O2 did not inhibit any of the strains tested. The growth‐inhibitory effect of lactobacilli could not be related to their bacteriocin production. Increasing the iron content of the medium by adding FeCl3 (0.01 mM‐1 mM) decreased or completely abolished the antibiosis.
Immunization against serogroup B meningococci
Authors: Lehmann A. K. , Halstensen A. , NæSs A. , Vollset S. E. , Sjursen H. , Bjune G.
Published: August 2009

One hundred and thirteen healthy volunteers were immunized twice (six weeks apart) with four different doses (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg, measured as protein content) of an outer membrane vesicle vaccine from a serogroup B meningococcal strain (44/76, B:15:P1.16) complexed to serogroup C meningococcal polysaccharide and/or Al(OH)3 i.e. 12 different vaccines. Serum opsonic activity against the serogroup B strain was measured using a chemiluminescence method. A significant rise in serum opsonic activity was demonstrated in 84 volunteers (74%) six weeks after the first injection and in 97 (86%) six weeks after the second. All vaccinees with low preimmunization values (<25 mVs) experienced a significant increase in opsonic activity. A dose‐related response was most evident for the vaccines containing adjuvant, and these vaccines were associated with a maximum response six weeks after the second injection, while the vaccines without Al(OH)3 induced a peak response six weeks after the first injection. The postimmunization opsonic activity was similar to that found in convalescent sera, indicating that the vaccines may protect against serogroup B meningococcal disease.
Genotypic heterogeneity of Flavobacterium group lib and Flavobacterium breve demonstrated by DNA‐DNA: hybridization
Authors: Ursing JAN , Bruun BRITA
Published: August 2009

DNA‐DNA hybridization studies on 42 stains presumptively identified as members of Flavobacterium group lib and Flavobacterium breve indicated pronounced genotypic heterogeneity within these taxa. Three large groups highly related to the type strains of F gleum, F. indologenes and F breve respectively, and eight small groups were found. The group containing the type strain of F. breve was phenotypically indistinguishable from another genomic group, and these two groups were significantly separated from the other flavobacteria studied. The other nine genomic groups, representing Flavobacterium group IIb, could not with certainty be differentiated from each other by phenotypic characteristics, and there is no evidence indicating that these genomic groups differ from each other with respect to pathogenicity or ecology. Thus, it is suggested that for the time being the name “Flavobacterium group IIb” rather than specific epithets continue to be used for these bacteria.
Immunohistochemical detection of two small cell lung carcinoma‐associated antigens defined by MAbs F12 and 123C3 in bronchoscopy biopsy tissues
Authors: Brezicka FRED‐THOMAS , Olling SANTE , Bergman BENGT , Berggren HAKAN , EngstrÖM CARL‐PETER , Holmgren JAN , Larsson STURE , Lindholm LEIF
Published: August 2009

We have studied MAbs for their ability to detect SCLC and differentiate this tumor type from the other lung tumor histotypes in cryostat sections of biopsy specimens taken at bronchopscopy from patients with suspected primary lung tumor disease. MAb F12, specific for the ganglioside fucosyl‐GM1, reacted with 58% of the cases with SCLC (n= 19) and with less than 3% of those with non‐SCLC (n = 38). MAb 123C3, specifically reactive with NCAM, reacted with 78% of the SCLC cases (n = 23). With this MAb no positive staining was seen in the non‐SCLC cases (n = 41). None of the two MAbs reacted with tissue sections without tumor. In combined analysis with MAbs F12 and 123C3, all SCLC cases (n= 15) were positive with either and 47% with both of the MAbs. Our results show that both MAbs F12 and 123C3 are highly specific for SCLC in bronchoscopic biopsy tissue specimens, whereas the sensitivity for this histotype tends to be higher with MAb 123C3 than with F12 (P = 0.14). When used in combination, all SCLC cases could be identified. These MAbs may therefore be valuable as complements to current histopathologic characterization and differentiation of lung cancer.
Enhanced isolation of MOTT on egg media of low pH
Authors: Katila MARJA‐LEENA , Mattila JAANA
Published: August 2009

The influence of alternative carbon sources, i.e. glycerol and pyruvate, and medium pH on the growth of 33 mycobacterial strains, including MOTT (n= 18), M. tuberculosis (TBC) (n= 14) and BCG, was experimentally studied. This was followed by culturing of clinical specimens (n = 4706) on three medium versions for primary isolation of mycobacteria. The decrease of medium pH below 6.5 enhanced the growth of isolated strains of M. avium complex (MAI) and M. malmoense. Pyruvate had a further beneficial effect on half of them; it was, however, inhibitory to some strains of M. malmoense, MAI and TBC as well as to BCG. In primary isolation, 74 specimens were positive for TBC and 37 for MOTT. The number of MOTT isolates of potential clinical significance was 11 on unacidified and 23 on acidified media (pH 6.2) (p<0.05). M. malmoense and five of 11 MAI isolates were exclusively detected on acidified media. TBC was isolated in equal frequency on all media, but it was detected on the acidified versions one to four weeks earlier in 20 of 55 (36%) specimens positive on all three media versions. The results indicated that acidified media of pH 6.2 offer enhanced growth conditions for MOTT, especially MAI and M. malmoense, without interfering with the growth of TBC. The growth enhancement obtained with pyruvate for some strains and with glycerol for some others makes it necessary to use both media versions in parallel.
Long distance image transfer: First results of its use in histopathological diagnosis
Authors: Kayser K. , Oberholzer M. , WeißZe G. , WeißZe I. , Eberstein H. v.
Published: August 2009

Histopathological images were transferred by use of normal telephone lines between three pathology institutes located in three different cities in the FRG. Images were digitized using a colour TV camera and stored in a special computerized image transmission system. The stored image was transferred and visualized on a (receiver) colour TV screen after dialing the telephone number connected to the receiver image transmission system. An additional telephone dialogue was activated by use of a normal acoustic telephone, and the diagnostic difficulties of the underlying image were discussed. Diagnostic assistance was possible in all transferred cases as well as histopathological diagnosis. Resolution of the images was set at 512 × 512 pixel × 8 bit. Image transfer time was 3.2 min on average. The differences between the original and transferred image were measured by “retransfer” of the original image and by subtracting the two images from each other. No major transfer errors could be measured.
The topographic distribution of lymphocytic gastritis in gastrectomy specimens
Authors: Rubio C. A. , Befritz R. , Eriksson B. , Christensson B. , Duvander A. , Larsson B.
Published: August 2009

Forty‐eight entire gastrectomy specimens received consecutively at this Department were cut into blocks for histologic examination. Focal or more extended areas of chronic gastritis (i.e. superficial or atrophic with or without intestinal metaplasia) were present in all 48 specimens. In addition, two of the 48 specimens had a large number of lymphocytes in the surface and foveolar epithelium of the mucosa. In the literature the latter is regarded as “lymphocytic gastritis“. Lymphocytic gastritis was found in all 156 sections obtained from the two specimens. This lympho‐epithelial phenomenon was present even in areas lacking chronic inflammation in the subjacent lamina propria mucosae. From our results it would appear that while chronic gastritis has a focal or a regional topographic distribution, lymphocytic gastritis includes the entire surface‐foveolar epithelium of the gastric mucosa.
Intermediate and fine cytofilaments in cutaneous and subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas
Authors: Lundgren L. , Kindblom L. G. , Seidal T. , Angervall L.
Published: August 2009

The expression of fine and intermediate cytofilaments in 10 cutaneous and seven subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas was studied immunohistochemically. All the tumors contained tumor cells which showed a positive immunoreactivity for desmin in formaldehyde‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded sections, but none of the seven anti‐desmin antibodies used alone produced a distinct positive staining in all the tumors. A lack of correspondence in terms of immunoreactivity between tumor cells and the supposed muscle of origin was observed, especially in the subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas. In all cases, antibodies to muscle‐specific and smooth muscle‐specific actin were found to produce a positive staining in both the tumors and the supposed muscle of origin. Vimentin was detected in 8/10 cutaneous and 4/7 subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas, while the supposed muscle of origin was positive in 3/10 and 7/7 cases, respectively. Four of the cutaneous and three of the subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas contained tumor cells which stained positively for cytokeratins, while the supposed muscle of origin showed no positivity. It thus appears that a phenotypic shift in terms of vimentin and cytokeratin expression occurs in the tumor cells of cutaneous and subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas compared with the supposed muscle of origin. It is recommended that more than one monoclonal anti‐desmin antibody is used to characterize these tumor entities. It is also concluded that the immunoreactivity for muscle‐specific actins in superficial leiomyosarcomas is more constant, although less specific, than that of desmin and that the demonstration of the simultaneous expression of muscle‐specific actins and desmin is helpful.
Experimental candidosis in pregnant mice
Authors: Jensen H. E. , Hau J. , AalbæK B. , SchØNheyder H.
Published: August 2009

Pregnant mice were challenged intravenously with doses of 1 × 103 ‐ 1 × 107Candida albicans blastospores, and from postmortem histopathology it was found that C. albicans had a propensity for localization in the murine placenta. At the highest dose, blastospores, hyphae and pseudohyphae were randomly located in the foeto‐placental units, whereas proliferation of fungi at lower doses started in the rim of the placental disc, after which it spread along Reichert's membrane and/or the splanchnopleure, eventually attacking the foetal skin. These findings are analogous to our previous observations on the nature of Aspergillus fumigatus infection in pregnant mice.
Glomerular tip lesions in renal biopsies with focal segmental IgM
Authors: Thomsen OLE FRØKJÆR , Ladefoged JØRGEN
Published: August 2009

Renal biopsies in which immunohistologic examination had shown the presence of glomerulr focal segmental IgM were reviewed in order to investigate the histology and clinical course in these patients. Among 19 such biopsies, 12 had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), whereas seven had only so‐called glomerular tip lesions (GTL). GTL also occurred moreover in four of the patients with FSGS. Clinical data suggest a somewhat milder course of disease in the seven patients with GTL as the sole lesion than in the pationts of the FSGS group. The nature of GTL is at present unclear. We suggest that GTL may be an initial stage of FSGS, being a lesion that may or may not develop towards FSGS in its typical form. Regardless of its origin, attention is directed to the GTL as a characteristic histologic glomerular lesion, which may be the only significant histologic change in the renal biopsy from a patient with nephrotic syndrome or severe proteinuria.
Agarose method for the preparation of isolated glomeruli from human renal biopsies
Authors: HÖÖK ULLA , Svalander CHRISTIAN T.
Published: August 2009

We present a technique using glomeruli which are removed by dissection from human renal biopsies and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Firstly, glomeruli are dissected and isolated from the specimen. Secondly, the collected glomeruli are embedded in agarose with a low gelling temperature. Finally, the embedded glomeruli are processed in the same way as whole pieces of tissue using standard methods for TEM. We have successfully prepared several hundred specimens using this simple and reliable technique. Provided that care is taken to prevent mechanical damage to the glomeruli during collection, no severe artifacts are introduced into the tissue. Even a single glomerulus can be isolated and processed in this way.
The effect of toremifene therapy on serum immunoglobulin levels in breast cancer
Authors: Paavonen TIMO , Aronen HANNU , PyrhÖNen SEPPO , Hajba ALAJOS , Andersson LEIF C.
Published: August 2009

Estrogens and anti‐estrogens enhance the number of immunoglobulin (Ig)‐secreting cells in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)‐stimulated lymphocyte cultures. Lymphocytes from patients who have received anti‐estrogen therapy show similar enhancement of Ig‐secreting cells after PWM stimulation. In this study the effect of anti‐estrogen (toremifene) therapy on serum immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG) levels in breast cancer patients was investigated. Serum Ig levels were followed up to two years after or during the therapy. An unexpected finding was that the Ig levels decreased during the follow‐up period. This decrease was seen in patients who responded to the therapy as well as in those who did not.
Cross‐reactive Legionella antigens and the antibody response during infection
Authors: Bangsborg J. M. , Shand G. , Pearlman E. , HØIby N.
Published: August 2009

In order to define cross‐reactive Legionella antigens suitable for diagnostic purposes, we investigated sonicate antigens from two Legionella species, including two serogroups of L. pneumophila. The antigens were reacted with heterologous and homologous rabbit antisera in Western blot. Sera from seven patients with culture‐verified L. pneumophila infection and nine patients with serologically confirmed L. micdadei infection were also investigated for reactivity with the corresponding antigens. Among the cross‐reactive Legionella antigens defined, non‐specific reactivity in patients' sera with the 58‐kDa common antigen (CA) was noted. Specific reactions were observed with the Legionella flagellum antigen and with the macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) protein; with both antigens, however, the reactive sera were too few to suggest the use of a single antigen in a diagnostic test.
Pleomorphic adenoma of the breast
Authors: Nevado MANUEL , LÓPez JOSE I. , Dominguez MARIA P. , Ballestin CLAUDIO , Garcia HUBERTO
Published: August 2009

A clinicopathologic study of a pleomorphic adenoma of the breast is presented and attention is drawn to a previously unreported association with a cyst. Malignancy was strongly suspected in the light of radiologic features. Immunohistochemistry stresses the similarity between pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland and breast. A common histogenesis of the two entities is also suggested. Ontogenetic links of both glands are mentioned.
The antibacterial activity of a siderophore
Authors: Hartzen SUSANNE HARTVIG , Frimodt‐MØLler NIELS , Thomsen VILLY FRØLUND
Published: August 2009

The in vitro activity of deferoxamine (DFO) combined with cephalothin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, vancomycin, and fusidic acid, in the presence or absence of the reductant ascorbic acid (AA) was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus by a macrobroth dilution technique and killing curve kinetics. DFO and in particular DFO + AA lowered the MICs of cephalothin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, and fusidic acid for most of the strains and in some instances also the MICs of vancomycin. To characterize the interaction between DFO or DFO + AA and antimicrobials we applied the growth constants of logarithmic growth phase. Generally DFO acted synergistically with cephalothin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and fusidic acid, particularly in the presence of AA, and in some cases synergy was demonstrated with cefotaxime, too.
Comparison of 30 μg and 120 μg gentamicin disks for the prediction of gentamicin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Kronvall GÖRAN , Ringertz SIGNE , NystrÖM SIV , Rylander MARGARETA , Theodorsson ELVAR
Published: August 2009

Single strain regression analysis was performed on PDM II medium for E. faecalis with 10, 30 and 120 μg gentamicin disks using E. faecalis, strain ATCC 29212 as the reference. This method permits the calculation of zone diameters corresponding to different MIC values for different disk contents. The lack of discrimination between normal low‐level resistant strains and high‐level resistance using the 10 μg disk was confirmed. However, both the 30 μg and 120 μg disks seemed to provide a separation of the normal low‐level gentamicin‐resistant population from strains with increased resistance. Since the 30 μg disk is used routinely in some countries, there should be no need for an extra high content disk in these laboratories. This was confirmed when 96 clinical isolates of E. faecalis were analysed and the results of routine disk diffusion tests were compared with the MIC values. Two of the strains showed high‐level gentamicin resistance (>2000 mg/1) and produced no zone of inhibition. The other 94 isolates showed gentamicin MIC values between 4–16 mg/1, and 72 of the MIC results were 8 mg/1. The zone diameters for these strains ranged between 15 and 25 mm with a mean of 18.2 and a median value of 18 mm. In order to include statistical considerations of the zone size populations for setting of breakpoints, a study of gentamicin zone size distributions was performed for several bacterial species. Inhibition zone diameter values around the 30 μg gentamicin disk for 2079 clinical isolates of E. faecalis, 2268 S. aureus, 3201 E. coli and 547 strains of P. mirabilis from different years were plotted as histograms. Tests for agreement with a Gaussian distribution showed that the histograms were slightly peaked and skewed towards higher zone values. Parametric and non‐parametric statistical tests were compared and the results showed that means and medians were very similar and that parametric fractile estimations at the lower end of the histogram populations were conservative and could be used in view of a slightly lower rate of false resistance. The 1% parametric fractile of 12 mm was selected as a suitable breakpoint for the identification of normal, low‐level resistant isolates of E. faecalis using the standardized disk test of the Swedish Reference Group for Antibiotics.
Cytomegalovirus infection in classic, endemic and epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma analyzed by in situ hybridization
Authors: Andersen C. B. , Karkov J. , Bjerregaard B. , Visfeldt J.
Published: August 2009

In order to evaluate the association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) at the cellular level, four classic KS, five endemic (African) KS and 55 epidemic KS from 12 patients with AIDS were analyzed by in situ hybridization with a biotinylated specific CMV‐DNA probe. CMV‐DNA was sparsely demonstrated in the sarcomas in 10 of the patients with AIDS but in none of the classic or endemic sarcomas. The distribution and localization of the CMV‐infected cells did not suggest CMV as a major pathogenic stimulus for the development of KS but rather as an opportunistic infection in severely immunosuppressed patients.