bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical analysis of murine CD95/Fas/Apo‐1 receptor and its ultrastructural distribution in the thymus
Authors: RAMOS PAULA , GANGI MARYANN D. , BAREN ANN , FILIPPA DANIEL , ELKON KEITH B.
Published: August 2009

CD95/Fas/Apo‐1 is a cell surface receptor that, upon contact with its ligand, induces cells to die by apoptosis. In view of the importance of Fas receptor (FasR) in immunologic tolerance, an immunohistochemical analysis of FasR expression was performed in the lymphoid and certain parenchymal tissues of normal and mutant MRL/1pr mice using a rabbit polyclonal anti‐Fas receptor antibody. FasR was expressed by immunoperoxidase (IP) in the cortex and at the corticomedullary junction of the thymus of normal mice. By immunoelectron microscopy FasR was detected on the cell membrane of normal thymocytes. In MRL/1pr mice, FasR protein expression could not be clearly detected. FasR protein expression was not detected in the heart, liver or ovary by IP, presumably reflecting the low number of receptors in these tissues.
Metastasizing sarcoma of the aorta
Authors: INGEHOLM PETER , ENGEL PETER
Published: August 2009

Sarcomas of the great vessels are rare. We report a case of a metastasizing sarcoma of the aorta. The patient was an 82‐year‐old male who presented with a subcutaneous tumour, which was initially classified as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Autopsy revealed a polypoid sarcoma of the luminal aspect of the aortic arch with metastases to several organs. By means of immunohistochemical staining, the aortic neoplasm was classified as an undifferentiated intimal sarcoma. The morphology of intimal sarcomas is very heterogeneous, and, when metastatic deposits are present, there may be considerable problems in differential diagnosis.
Comparison of two different PCR detection methods. Application to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: RODRIGUEZ J. C. , FUENTES E. , ROYO G.
Published: August 2009

The objectives are to assess the influence of the detection of the amplified DNA fragment on the sensitivity and specificity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred seventy‐five sputum samples from 123 patients were processed. Sixty samples were taken from 60 subjects without tuberculosis, and the rest were taken from subjects with tuberculosis confirmed by culture. A fragment of the IS6110 sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which was detected using two different methods, was amplified. The detection methods used were a digoxigenin‐labeled specific probe and chemiluminescent development and reamplification (nested PCR) combined with agarose gel electrophoresis. Sensitivity with probe detection was 75.65% and specificity 100%. Using the nested PCR technique, sensitivity rose to 93.04%, but specificity decreased to 96.6%. PCR is a quick and adequate way to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis in cases where staining is negative yet there is a clinical suspicion of tuberculosis, even though a standardization process and large scale evaluation are still needed to determine its true usefulness.
Serum mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) in patients with infection: clinical and laboratory correlates
Authors: AITTONIEMI JANNE , RINTALA ESA , MIETTINEN ARI , SOPPI ESA
Published: August 2009

In this study, we determined the serum levels of mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) in patients with suspected or documented infection to characterize the possible role of MBL in the susceptibility to infection. We also investigated the kinetics of MBL during the infection and correlated the concentrations of MBL with those of acute‐phase reactants C‐reactive protein (CRP) and group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2‐II) and cytokines interleukin‐1(IL‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α). The frequency of MBL deficiency in the patients with signs of infection did not differ from that of controls. In four patients with MBL deficiency, the infections were caused by common pathogens and the outcome was normal. The mean MBL concentration in the patients with signs of infection was significantly higher than in the healthy controls (9.88 and 4.48 mg/1, respectively; p<0.05). The highest mean MBL concentration was observed in patients with clinically or microbiologically documented bacterial infection. During follow‐up, the MBL concentration altered individually in different patients, but no particular change in pattern in the MBL concentration could be demonstrated in any patient group. Of the acute‐phase reactants in the circulation, only CRP and IL‐1 showed a weak, albeit significant, negative correlation with the concentration of MBL. In conclusion, the deficiency of MBL was not shown to be an independent risk factor for infection in the adult population studied. The concentration of MBL did not follow the change in pattern of other acute‐phase reactants and cytokines during the acute phase response. Therefore, measurement of the MBL concentration as an acute‐phase reactant is not useful in the diagnosis or follow‐up of infection. On the other hand, the deficiency of MBL can be detected reliably by serological methods even during an infection.
Lateral neck cysts ‐ the branchial theory revisited
Authors: REGAUER SIGRID , GOGG‐KAMERER MARGIT , BRAUN HANNES , BEHAM ALFRED
Published: August 2009

Theories regarding the origin of lateral neck cysts (LNC) range from congenital branchial pouch abnormalities to acquired salivary gland inclusions within lymph nodes. We analyzed 97 LNC histologically and evaluated their cytokeratin (CK) profile in a search for their derivation. 77/97 LNC were located in soft tissues, 20/97 within lymph nodes. LNC of young patients and of recent symptomatic presentation in older patients were lined by respiratory epithelium with scant lymphoid tissue, with expression of “simple epithelial” CK in ciliated cells and bimodal expression of “simple” and “stratified‐epithelial‐type” CK in basal cells. In longer standing symptomatic LNC, respiratory epithelium alternated with transitional‐type pseudostratified epithelium with intraepithelial Langerhans cells and lymphoid hyperplasia, or consisted exclusively of squamous epithelium. We propose that respiratory epithelium is the “native” epithelium of LNC and squamous metaplasia results from inflammation induced stem cell hyperplasia in respiratory epithelium, evidenced by co‐expression of “simple” and “stratified‐epithelial‐type” CK in all cells of transitional‐type pseudostratified epithelium, the early stage in metaplastic transformation. Respiratory epithelium predominates in early LNC, lines pharyngeal tonsils and the recessus tonsillo‐tubalis, and is a minor constituent of palatine tonsil but is not present in salivary glands. None of the LNC contained dysplasia, atypia, or carcinoma, or were associated with a primary carcinoma of tonsils or head and neck. We demonstrate that LNC arise from developmental remnants (congenital) of the 2nd branchial pouch, which may lie dormant for many years. Symptomatic enlargement, squamous metaplasia and lymphoid hyperplasia ensue as a consequence of immunologic stimulation, a development reflected in hyperplastic palatine tonsils.
Morphometric characteristics of peroxisomes in rats with chronic renal failure induced by five‐sixth nephrectomy
Authors: DE CRAEMER DIRK , VERBEELEN DIERIK , VAN DEN BRANDEN CHRISTIANE
Published: August 2009

An increased H2O2 production and a decreased activity of several peroxisomal oxidases have previously been reported in kidneys of rats with five‐sixth nephrectomy, a model for chronic renal failure. We investigated the morphological and morphometric characteristics of peroxisomes, the organelles in which an important part of cellular H2O2 metabolism is localized, in remnant kidneys 16 weeks after operation. The vast majority of renal peroxisomes were found in the epithelial cells of proximal tubules. The organelles were distributed throughout the cells. We observed a significant increase in size, perimeter and volume density of the peroxisomes as compared to normal kidneys. Elongated peroxisomes were less frequent. An inverse linear correlation between mean size and number of peroxisomes was found. In cortex homogenates, the activity of catalase, the peroxisomal H2O2‐scavenging enzyme, was significantly decreased and was inversely proportional to the mean peroxisomal diameter. The observed morphological adaptations are believed to create an unfavorable situation for the enzymatic activities in remnant kidney peroxisomes.
Streptokinase, complement activation and hypotension
Authors: PACHAÏI ANDRA , ERLENDSSON ANNE KIILERICH , BRANDSLUND IVAN
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this study was to establish whether complement activation is the cause of transient hypotension during streptokinase infusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Thirteen patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction and treated with streptokinase were included. Complement 3d (C3d) as an indicator of complement activation was assessed in venous blood and blood pressure was measured. Ten patients had verified myocardial infarction. Three patients did not. Five patients developed an increase in C3d blood levels of more than 200% within 30 min. All patients developed a transient fall in blood pressure during infusion of streptokinase. This was related neither to presence of myocardial infarction nor to degree of complement activation. The mechanism of hypotension observed following the administration of streptokinase is not through complement activation, and thus how streptokinase induces hypotension is still obscure.
T‐cell transfer and cytokine/TCR gene deletion models in the study of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: BREGENHOLT SØOREN , DELBRO DICK , CLAESSON MOGENS H.
Published: August 2009

Until recently there existed no appropriate immunological animal models for human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Today a number of models, mostly in the mouse and rat, have proved useful in the study of several aspects of IBD, including the histopathology and the disease‐inductive and ‐protective cell types, subsets and cytokines, for example CD4+ T cells, IFNΛ, IL‐12, IL‐2, IL‐10 and TGFβ. Furthermore, these recent IBD models make it possible to examine various chemo‐ and immunotherapeutic approaches. This review focuses on IBD development in adoptive T‐cell transfer models and in gene‐deleted mice.
Effects of monocyte purification and culture on integrin expression
Authors: STENT GIANNA , CROWE SUZANNE M.
Published: August 2009

Selective alterations in the surface expression of members of the LeuCAM (leukocyte cell adhesion molecule) family of integrins occur during in vitro culture of human monocytes. Such changes may relate in part to cellular maturation, but also to activation following purification and culture of monocytes. In this paper, we examined the effects of monocyte isolation, adherence during culture and endotoxin exposure on the expression of these molecules and the ligand for LFA‐1, ICAM‐1 (CD54). Expressions of CD11b, CD18 and CD54, but not CD11a or CD11c, were higher on monocytes freshly isolated by density gradient separation and plastic adherence as compared with cells labelled directly in whole blood. However, the surface expression of the LeuCAMs and CD54 on cultured monocytes was not affected by short‐term adherence to plastic for 2 h, as determined by comparisons of their expression on adherence‐isolated and elutriated monocytes. In contrast, prolonged adhesion of monocytes for up to 21 days in culture altered expression of CD11a without affecting that of the other LeuCAMs or CD54. Expression of CD11a decreased more rapidly on adherence‐maintained cells as compared with suspension‐cultured cells. Our results show that cellular manipulations required for in vitro studies of monocyte/macrophages may alter expression of the LeuCAMs.
Characterization of the lactoferrin‐dependent inhibition of the adhesion of Actinobacilllus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens to fibroblasts and to a reconstituted basement membrane
Authors: ALUGUPALLI KISHORE R. , KALFAS SOTIRIOS
Published: August 2009

Lactoferrin was previously shown to inhibit the adhesion of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and P. nigrescens to human cells. Lactoferrin was also shown to competitively inhibit the binding of these bacteria to the basement membrane protein laminin. The present study aimed to determine the type of interactions inhibited by lactoferrin. Lactoferrin binds to fibroblast monolayers and Matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane, through ionic interactions. The adhesion of A. actinomycetemcomitans to these substrata was mainly dependent on the ionic strength of the environment. P. intermedia and P. nigrescens also adhere to fibroblasts mainly by ionic interactions, while their adhesion to Matrigel seems to be mediated by specific mechanisms. Lectin‐type interactions were not found to be involved in the binding of these bacteria to the substrata. Treatment of either A. actinomycetemcomitans or fibroblasts with lactoferrin decreased the adhesion in a dose‐dependent manner, while lactoferrin treatment of Matrigel alone had no adhesion‐counteracting effect. Adhesion of P. intermedia and P. nigrescens to Matrigel was not significantly affected by the ionic strength, but the presence of lactoferrin inhibited the adhesion. Lactoferrin bound to Matrigel, P. intermedia and P. nigrescens was rapidly released, while lactoferrin bound to A. actinomycetemcomitans and fibroblasts was retained. These findings indicate that lactoferrin‐dependent inhibition of the adhesion of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and P. nigrescens to fibroblasts and Matrigel can involve binding of lactoferrin to both the bacteria and substrata. The decreased adhesion may be due to blocking of both specific adhesin‐ligand as well as non‐specific charge‐dependent interactions.
Inhibition of phytohaemagglutinin‐induced lymphoproliferation by soluble annexin II in sera from patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: AARLI Å. , JENSEN T. SKEIE , KRISTOFFERSEN E. K. , BAKKE A. , ULVESTAD E.
Published: August 2009

Annexin II (AII) is a member of a family of glycoproteins which bind negatively charged phospholipids in a calcium‐dependent manner. Annexins are membrane‐associated proteins, expressed both in normal and malignant cells, but have also been detected as soluble molecules in serum and other body fluids. Because of their adhesive properties, it has been suggested that annexins play a role in the metastatic process. An ELISA was established for quantification of soluble AII. Within‐run variation was 5.2–10.4% and run‐to‐run variation 12.4–15.6%. Soluble AII was detected in all sera studied. A strongly positive serum was arbitrarily given the value 100 AII units and used as reference serum. The mean level in sera from 20 normal blood donors was 49 (SE 5.6) AII units. Sera from peripheral blood of five patients with renal cell carcinoma and sera from blood obtained from the renal vein of the same patients contained 47 (SE 20) and 83 (SE 28) AII units, respectively. In two patients, AII levels were increased in renal vein serum as compared with peripheral blood serum. Interestingly, in both cases, and in none of the three remaining cases, phytohaemagglutinin‐stimulated lymphoproliferation was suppressed by renal vein serum as compared with peripheral blood serum. Affinity absorption of AII from the renal vein sera with increased AII levels strongly reduced their immunosuppressive activity. Addition of affinity‐purified AII to cell cultures suppressed lymphoproliferation. These data show that the level of AII is markedly increased in renal vein sera from some patients with renal cell carcinoma, suggesting that AII may be locally released in vivo. The study also demonstrates an immunosuppressive effect of soluble AII in vitro. We speculate that soluble AII released by the tumour has immunosuppressive properties. This study identifies soluble AII as a novel immunosuppressive factor in sera from patients with renal cell carcinoma. A further study including a larger number of patients is currently in progress, in order to investigate the pathological significance of this finding.
Purulent meningitis due to Rhodococcus equi
Authors: TÜNGER ALPER , ÖZKAN FERIHA , VARDAR FADÍL , BURHANOĜLU DILEK , ÖZINEL MEHMET ALI , TOKBAş AYHAN
Published: August 2009

Opportunistic infections due to Rhodococcus equi have been increasingly reported in the immunocompromised population, especially in patients with AIDS. In this report, we present an unusual case of purulent meningitis that developed in an immunocompetent six‐year‐old child through direct inoculation of R. equi.
Cefuroxime resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: SCHUMACHER H. , SKIBSTED U. , HANSEN D. S. , SCHEIBEL J.
Published: August 2009

The production of β‐lactamases, the outer membrane protein (OMP) patterns, some clinical impacts and the prevalence of resistance among cefuroxime‐resistant Danish clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were investigated. Fifteen resistant and five susceptible strains were collected from 14 patients during 1991–1994. Isolates from five patients produced extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBLs). Cefuroxime resistance was accompanied by a 10‐fold elevation of ciprofloxacin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and for some isolates by an alteration of the OMP pattern. The relationship between alterations of the OMP patterns and cross‐resistance to ciprofloxacin and the other antibiotics tested was not universal. Ten of the cefuroxime‐resistant strains had elevated MICs of cefotaxime or ceftazidime, but the MICs were still below the breakpoint for susceptibility. The MICs of imipenem were not affected. Nosocomial infection or long‐term colonization with resistant strains may be of importance since five patients were not treated with cefuroxime prior to isolation of the resistant strain, and all patients had either serious diseases or stayed at the hospital for a long period of time. The prevalence of cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin resistance among clinical isolates from Copenhagen county during 1990–1995 was 8.3% and 7.5%, respectively, but higher for urinary tract specimens. A greater consumption of cefuroxime as compared to cefotaxime and ceftazidime in this study, as seen generally in Denmark, indicated that ESBLs produced by the investigated strains of K. pneumoniae may be selected with cefuroxime.
Sulphasalazine, olsalazine and sulphapyridine induce mitogenic actions in the rat intestinal epithelium
Authors: BENNO P. , ALAM M. , MIDTVEDT T. , URIBE A.
Published: August 2009

Our aim was to study the influence of sulphasalazine (SASP), olsalazine (ADS) and sulphapyridine (SP) on the cell kinetics of the intestinal epithelium in conventional rats. Groups of rats were treated with SASP, ADS or SP for 9 days. After an intraperitoneal injection of a metaphase blocker, the rats were killed and the jejunum, ileum and colon were examined in histological sections by means of the cumulative mitotic index (MI), growth fraction and number of cells in crypts and villi. SP increased both the MI in the jejunum, ileum and colon and the number of crypt cells (p<0.05vscontrols). In contrast, SASP and ADS increased the MI only in the colonic epithelium (p<0.05vscontrols). The growth fraction was essentially unaffected. Our results suggest that SASP. SP and ADS have a selective compartment‐dependent proliferative action on the epithelium of the intestinal tract.
Ki‐67 expression in relation to clinicopathological variables and prognosis in colorectal adenocarcinomas
Authors: JANSSON AGNETA , SUN XIAO‐FENG
Published: August 2009

Ki‐67 is a protein associated with cell proliferation which is expressed in all phases of the cell cycle except Go. In the present study, Ki‐67 expression in 255 human colorectal adenocarcinomas was examined using immunohistochemistry with the monoclonal antibody MIB‐1. One hundred and fifty‐seven (62%) cases had more than 50% positive tumour cells and 98 (38%) cases less than 50%. The tumours showed a wide range of Ki‐67 expression, from 13% to 90%, which indicated a variation in proliferative activity. There was no significant relationship between Ki‐67 expression and sex, age, tumour location, Dukes' stage, growth pattern, differentiation, DNA content, S‐phase fraction or survival (p>0.05). In conclusion, the proliferative activity as measured by Ki‐67 antibody was not related to clinicopathology and prognosis in colorectal cancer.
The pathology of asthma
Authors: HOGG JAMES C.
Published: August 2009

Asthmatics respond with reversible airway narrowing when stimulated in ways that have no effect on non‐asthmatic persons. Studies conducted at the turn of this century established that the pathology present in the airways of asthmatics is based on the inflammatory process. Recent work suggests that this inflammatory response may be driven by a particular group of T cells (Th2 response) that cause an overproduction of IL‐4, IL‐5 and other cytokines that produce an excessive infiltration of eosinophils and overproduction of IgE. The structural changes produced by the inflammatory process result in an overall thickening of the airway wall with changes in the epithelium, an increase in the interstitial matrix particularly the collagen types that contribute to the light microscopic appearance of the basement membrane, the vasculature, smooth muscle and mucous glands. Contraction of airway smooth muscle results in narrowing of the lumen particularly in the bronchioles where smooth muscle surrounds the entire lumen. An increase in wall tissue thickness as a result of asthma amplifies this normal effect producing a greater reduction in the airway lumen. Computer modelling of airway function and direct measurement of airway resistance in patients suggest that the smaller airways are the site of the greatest increase in airway resistance in asthma. These new data have shifted the emphasis away from the concept that abnormal airway smooth muscle function causes asthma toward the hypothesis that inflammatory‐based changes in the airway wall act in series with normal smooth shortening to produce disease. The increased understanding of the role of the inflammatory process provides a basis for treatment of asthma with anti‐inflammatory agents.
Immunohistochemical detection of p53 in archival formalin‐fixed tissues of lip and intraoral squamous cell carcinomas from Norway
Authors: IBRAHIM SALAH O. , JOHANNESSEN ANNE C. , VASSTRAND ENDRE N. , LILLEHAUG JOHAN R. , NILSEN RUNE
Published: August 2009

We investigated the expression of p53 in 82 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded archival tissue specimens of lip and intraoral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from the period 1930–1995, by immunohistochemistry using three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs DO‐7, DO‐1 and 1801). Before incubation, sections were pretreated with 0.1% Protease® enzyme at 37°C for 10 min followed by 5 + 5 min microwave oven heating at 700 W and 425 W, respectively. Formalin‐fixed tissues of 10 carcinomas of the uterine cervix positive for p53 were used as controls. With one or more of the three MAbs, p53 was expressed in 73% of the 82 SCCs examined. With only protease enzyme pretreatment or microwave oven heating, p53 was expressed in 9/82 and 12/82 of the SCCs, respectively. Of the 82 SCCs, 60%, 45% and 23% expressed p53 with DO‐7, DO‐1 and 1801, respectively. The kappa coefficient indicated poor agreement between these results for the antibodies, and for lip and intraoral SCCs, except for p53 expression in intraoral SCCs demonstrated by DO‐1/1801, which showed fair agreement. The present study suggests that combined protease pretreatment and microwave oven heating of tissue sections improved unmasking of p53 antigenic sites in archival material stored for up to 65 years.
Association between p53 overexpression, cell proliferation, tumor necrosis and extent of apoptosis in operated pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: VIRKAJÄRVI NINA , PÄÄKKÖ PAAVO , SOINI YLERMI
Published: August 2009

In this study we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of the p53 protein in 44 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas and its relation to cell proliferation, apoptosis and necrosis, three factors affecting tumor growth. The results were evaluated against survival and other clinical parameters of the patients. p53‐positivity was found in 18/44 (41%) of the tumors. A positive p53 status was significantly associated with a high extent of necrosis (≥10% of tumor tissue) (p=0.04, Fisher's exact test), with a high immunohistochemical expression of PCNA (p=0.04, Fisher's exact test) and with a high mitotic count (p=0.05, two‐tailed t test). No statistically significant association was found between p53‐positivity and high or low extent of apoptosis as evaluated by in situ labeling of the 3′‐ends of the DNA fragments (p=0.34, Fisher's exact test). Patient survival was not associated with the p53 expression of the tumors or separately with tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis or necrosis. The results suggest that an altered p53 function, as reflected by p53 overexpression, affects tumor growth by promoting cell proliferation and necrosis, but does not show a significant association with the extent of apoptosis in operated pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Induction of hepatic egg granuloma hyporesponsiveness in murine schistosomiasis mansoni by intravenous injection of small doses of soluble egg antigen
Authors: HASSANEIN HANAA , AKL MAHA , SHAKER ZEINAB , EL‐BAZ HANAN , SHARMY RAGIA , RABIAE IBRAHIM , BOTROS SANAA
Published: August 2009

This work was designed to test whether hyporesponsiveness to schistosomal egg antigen (SEA) was associated with reduction in size of hepatic granulomas. Multiple small doses of SEA (10 m̈gx4) were injected intravenously (i.v.) into C57Bl/6 mice either at 7 or 30 days prior to cercarial exposure. Eight weeks postinfection, hepatic histopathology and granuloma diameter were studied. SEA‐induced lympho‐proliferative response, splenic cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐4 and IL‐5) and serum antischistosomal IgG were assessed. Worm burden and tissue egg load were counted. Compared to infected controls, the SEA‐treated groups showed decrease in granuloma diameter, remarkable increase in the percentage of degenerated ova within hepatic granulomas and amelioration of histopathological changes. SEA lymphoproliferative response, and levels of Il‐2 and IL‐4, were lower in SEA‐treated groups than infected controls. The levels of IL‐5 and antishistosomal IgG were comparable to the infected controls. The intensity of infection was not influenced by i.v. injection of SEA. The present data show that i.v. administration of multiple small doses of SEA induced granulomatous hyporesponsiveness with amelioration of hepatic pathology and acceleration of egg destruction.
Hyperplastic foveolar gastropathies and hyperplastic foveolar gastritis
Authors: RUBIO C. A. , ÖST Å. , KATO Y. , YANAGISAWA A. , RIVERA F. , HIROTA T.
Published: August 2009

Thirteen gastrectomy specimens having diffuse (n = 5), focal (i.e., nodular, n=6) or combined (n=2) giant hypertrophic folds at gross examination were reviewed. Of the five specimens with grossly diffuse hypertrophic fundic mucosal folds, two had at histology tortuous foveolar hyperplasia (without intraepithelial lymphocytosis) and prominent glandular cysts; they were classified as Ménétrier's gastropathy. The other three specimens with diffuse foveolar hyperplasia had serrated foveolar infoldings with marked intraepithelial lymphocytosis; they were classified as Ménétrier‐like lymphocytic gastritis. Of the six, specimens with multiple mucosal nodules at gross examination, four had focal foveolar hyperplasia with crest depression and no intraepithelial lymphocytosis; they were classified as varioliform gastropathy. The other two specimens with multiple nodules at gross examination had focal foveolar hyperplasia with marked intraepithelial lymphocytosis; they were classified as varioliform gastritis. In the remaining two cases, both diffuse and nodular hypertrophic gastric mucosa were found at gross examination; at histology, both foveolar hyperplasia and intraepithelial lymphocytosis were found. The diffuse or focal distribution of the lesions, the occurrence of intraepithelial lymphocytosis and the architecture of the upper part of the crypts (in diffuse foveolar hyperplasias) were valuable criteria in the differential diagnosis between the various types of foveolar hyperplasia of the stomach.
Expression of myogenic marker proteins in human leiomyosarcoma
Authors: MEYER THOMAS , BRINCK ULRICH
Published: August 2009

A series of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded leiomyosarcomas (n=11) was studied immunohistochemically for their expression of various myogenic marker proteins. According to their predominant histological appearance, the tumors were classified as well (n=4), moderately (n=5), or poorly (n=2) differentiated. Using monoclonal anti‐muscle specific actin antibodies from clone HHF35 all examined tumors were positively stained. Desmin was not always found in leiomyosarcomas, since positive staining could be demonstrated only in eight cases. As revealed by staining with anti‐vinculin antibodies from clone hVIN‐1 using the APAAP technique, all leiomyosarcomas with the exception of one expressed vinculin. Typically, the vinculin immunoreactivity was detected diffusely throughout the majority of neoplastic cells as well as in vascular smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Nine leiomyosarcomas displayed a positive staining for calponin, an actin‐binding protein expressed in smooth muscle cells and their precursors. The distribution of calponin resembled that of vinculin in decorating myofibrils of nearly all tumor cells. Actinin immunoreactivity was present in tumor cells of all cases, but was expressed also in nontumor cells such as epithelia. These results suggest that the monoclonal antibodies against vinculin and calponin may serve as additional diagnostic markers for myogenic differentiation in leiomyosarcomas and related tumors.
Infrared imaging of human brain sections
Authors: GÁTI ISTVÁN , PAPP LÁSZLÓ , POLGÁR TIBOR
Published: August 2009

Human brains, removed at routine autopsy, were subjected to neuropathological investigation. The usual gross morphological investigation of the brains was extended to include the detection of their infrared emissions. Fundamental structures, such as the grey and the white matter, were separated on the infrared images. Furthermore, pathological processes, such as ischaemic damage, haemorrhage, and sclerotic plaques, hardly seen on the normal photographs, gave a strong signal on the infrared pictures. These pilot experiments demonstrated that infrared detection is a reproducible method in this type of biomedical application, and potentially a very useful tool in macroscopic pathology.
Bell's palsy and herpes simplex virus
Authors: SCHIRM JURJEN , MULKENS PAUL S. J. Z.
Published: August 2009

Bell's palsy, which is defined as idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis of sudden onset, accounts for >50% of all cases of facial paralysis. Different theories on the etiology of Bell's palsy have been proposed and investigated. Various clinical studies have suggested an etiological link between Bell's palsy and herpes simplex virus (HSV). In addition, animal experiments have shown the ability of HSV to induce facial paralysis. In our opinion, the possible link between Bell's palsy and HSV can only be explored properly by studying the human facial nerve, and especially the geniculate ganglion itself. Different groups have tried to detect hypothetically reactivated and hypothetically latent HSV in the facial nerves of Bell's palsy patients and control patients, respectively. The isolation of infectious HSV from facial nerve tissue by conventional cell culture methods appeared to be very difficult, also when Bell's palsy patients were tested. Instead, modern molecular methods, such as in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could easily detect HSV DNA in geniculate ganglia. The detection of HSV‐specific latency‐associated transcripts in the ganglia of control patients provided further evidence for the hypothetically latent state of HSV in the geniculate ganglia in these patients. Recent PCR experiments performed by a Japanese group strongly suggest that the area adjacent to the geniculate ganglia does not usually contain any HSV at all, except in patients with Bell's palsy. This well‐controlled study provides conclusive evidence that reactivation of HSV genomes from the geniculate ganglia is the most important cause of Bell's palsy. Consequently, it has been suggested that “Bell's palsy” be renamed as “herpetic facial paralysis”.
Normal interleukin‐12 production in individuals with antibodies to Helicobacter pylori
Authors: DUCHMANN RAINER , SCHERER HARALD , NEURATH MARKUS , KNOLLE PERCY , BÜSCHENFELDE KARL‐HERMANN MEYER ZUM
Published: August 2009

It is increasingly recognized that the inability of the immune system to clear H. pylori infection is caused by an inadequate immune response and is associated with chronic gastric inflammation. To further investigate the cellular immune response to H. pylori, we studied PBMC from 31 H. pylori antibody‐negative and 16 H. pylori antibody‐positive individuals for H. pylori‐induced DNA synthesis, secretion of the Th1‐type cytokine IFN‐γ and secretion of IL‐12, a cytokine produced by bacteria‐stimulated monocyte/macrophages and a potent inducer of antibacterial immune responses and Th1‐type T cells. All experiments were performed using Y. enterocolitica 03 as control. Our results demonstrate that DNA synthesis, IFN‐γ production and IL‐12 production induced by H. pylori or Y. enterocolitica 03 did not differ significantly between H. pylori antibody‐positive and H. pylori antibody‐negative individuals. However, in the H. pylori‐positive group there was a tendency, although not statistically significant, to produce less IFN‐γ in response to H. pylori but not Y. enterocolitica. These results demonstrate that monocyte/macrophages from H. pylori‐positive individuals secrete normal amounts of IL‐12 upon bacterial challenge and suggest that the decreased production of IFN‐γ in H. pylori‐positive individuals observed in previous studies is selective for H. pylori and not caused by decreased IL‐12 secretion.
Hemagglutination ability and adherence to the Buffalo green monkey kidney cell line of uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: VRANES JASMINA
Published: August 2009

The hemagglutination ability and adherence capacity to the Buffalo green monkey (BGM) kidney cell line of 160 wild‐type strains of Escherichia coli isolated from bacteriuric patients were investigated. It was found that P‐fimbriated E. coli strains adhered significantly better to BGM cells than did strains in which P‐fimbriae were not detected, which is in accordance with the capacity of P‐fimbriated strains to cause unobstructive pyelonephritis and with receptor distribution for P‐fimbriae in the urinary tract. The strains which exhibited other adhesions, alone or simultaneously, showed reduced adherence to BGM cells, while non‐agglutinating strains, mostly isolated from urine of patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria, did not adhere at all or adhered poorly to the utilized cell line. The BGM cells served as a good experimental model for investigation of uropathogenic E. coli adherence; because these cells originate from the upper urinary tract, they are viable and not coated with Tamm‐Horsfall protein.
Improved ELISA for determination of anti‐diphtheria and/or anti‐tetanus antitoxin antibodies in sera
Authors: KRISTIANSEN MAX , AGGERBECK HENRIK , HERON IVER
Published: August 2009

Double‐antigen ELISAs for detection and quantification of anti‐tetanus or anti‐diphtheria antibodies in serum have been developed. The assays showed good correlations with established toxin neutralizing assays and were functionally specific for IgG antibodies. The double‐antigen set‐up allows specific antibodies to bind to antigen‐coated microtitre wells with one arm and the free arm to bind to biotin‐labelled antigen. The amount of antibodies able to bind labelled antigen was assessed by adding enzyme‐conjugated streptavidin and colour substrate followed by measurement of the colour using an ELISA reader. The double‐antigen principle makes it possible to compare samples of different species on the same plate, permitting the direct use of existing international references of animal or human origin. The double‐antigen ELISAs showed a detection limit of 0.00002 IU/ml for both antibodies and were suitable for quantifying antibodies in blood samples collected on filter paper as well as in serum. The assays required no special equipment compared to traditional ELISA.
Antibiotic susceptibility of blood culture isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from six Norwegian hospitals 1991–1992
Authors: DIGRANES ASBJØRN , SOLBERG CLAUS OLA , SJURSEN HAAKON , SKOVLUND EVA , SANDER JAN
Published: August 2009

From August 1991 to February 1992, each of the six largest hospitals throughout Norway collected 84 to 107 consecutive blood culture isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, altogether 571 isolates. The distribution of various species and genera at the different hospitals was uniform; Escherichia coli being most prevalent (57–67%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (12–18%) and Proteus mirabilis (7–11%). Twenty‐one and 4% of E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin and cefuroxime, respectively, and 11% of Klebsiella isolates were cefuroxime resistant. Five Enterobacter isolates and one Citrobacter isolate were resistant to ceftazidime, and one Salmonella isolate was resistant to imipenem. All isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and tobramycin. These results were compared with the antibiotic consumption in each hospital region. Although hospitals in the regions with the highest consumption of ampicillin tended to have a higher percentage of isolates resistant to this agent, no significant differences were found. There was no significant difference between hospitals regarding prevalence of cefuroxime‐resistant isolates.
Mice overexpressing human lecithin: cholesterol acvltransferase are not protected against diet‐induced atherosclerosis
Authors: MEHLUM ANJA , MURI MERETE , HAGVE TOR ARNE , SOLBERG LARS ÅGE , PRYDZ HANS
Published: August 2009

Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)(EC 2.3.1.43) is generally assumed to participate in reverse cholesterol transport, i.e., cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues to the liver. LCAT is secreted by the liver and transported in plasma mostly associated with high density lipoprotein. It catalyzes the esterification of cholesterol, mainly high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and produces cholesteryl ester and lysolecithin. Transgenic mice overexpressing human LCAT on a C57BL/6 background have elevated high density lipoprotein cholesterol and markedly reduced low and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma, suggesting that such mice may be less susceptible to diet‐induced atherosclerosis than isogenic nontransgenic controls. To determine if the apparent anti‐atherogenic lipoprotein profile of the LCAT transgenics reduced their susceptibility to atherogenesis, the atherosclerotic lesions developing in transgenic LCAT mice and controls when fed an atherogenic diet were compared by histology and morphometry. Histological examination of the aortas from mice fed a high fat diet for 12, 17 and 22 weeks revealed that the aortic lesions were no smaller or less developed in the transgenic LCAT mice than in the C57BL/6 controls. After 17 weeks there were significantly more “fatty streaks” in the transgenic mice than in the controls. Thus, overexpression of human LCAT in transgenic mice, in spite of their very favourable blood lipoprotein and lipid profile, does not protect against development of atherosclerosis.
The antifungal effect of lactoferrin and lysozyme on Candida krusei and Candida albicans
Authors: SAMARANAYAKE Y. H. , SAMARANAYAKE L. P. , WU P. C. , SO M.
Published: August 2009

Lactoferrin and lysozyme (muramidase) are non‐immune defence factors present in various exocrine secretions, including saliva. Previous studies have shown that both proteins, either singly or in combination, are bactericidal in nature and their combined activity is synergistic. As little is known of their interactions with Candida species, 20 oral isolates of C. krusei and 5 isolates of C. albicans were studied for their susceptibility to human apo‐lactoferrin and lysozyme, either singly or in combination, using an in vitro assay system. The two species exhibited significant interspecies differences in susceptibility to lactoferrin (p<0.05), but not for lysozyme; C. krusei being more sensitive to lactoferrin (c 1.4 times) than C. albicans. Both species revealed significant intraspecies differences in their susceptibility to lysozyme (p<0.05), but not for lactoferrin. No synergistic antifungal activity of the two proteins on either Candida species was noted. The results imply that the variable expression of the fungicidal activity of lactoferrin and lysozyme on Candida species may modulate the oral carriage of yeasts in a complex manner.
Antibodies against human papillomavirus type 6 capsids are elevated in men with previous condylomas
Authors: WIKSTRÖM ARNE , EKLUND CARINA , VON KROGH GEO , LIDBRINK PETER , DILLNER JOAKIM
Published: August 2009

Serum samples from 47 men with current condylomas, 32 men with a history of condylomas and from 205 men with no history of genital wart disease, who were attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics at two different hospitals in Stockholm, were analyzed for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and A (IgA) antibodies to capsids of human papillomavirus types 6 and 11. IgG to HPV type 6 was found among 35% of patients with a history of condylomas compared to 10% of controls (p=0.0003), but only among 27% of patients with current condylomas. Antibodies to HPV 6 and to HPV 11 showed a very limited correlation, suggesting that the antibodies are HPV‐type restricted. The results strengthen conclusions from a previous serological study indicating that IgG antibodies against HPV 6 develop late during condylomatous disease and mostly reflect previous exposure to the virus.
Optimization of a battery using nine immunocytochemical variables for distinguishing between epithelial mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma
Authors: DEJMEK ANNIKA , BROCKSTEDT ULRIKA , HJERPE ANDERS
Published: August 2009

A battery of immunocytochemical analyses, previously established to distinguish between malignant mesothelioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma, was extended by analysing the same cases with three other commercially available antibodies. Altogether, 11 antibodies were studied in mesotheliomas diagnosed by other means, using 14 different immunocytochemical parameters. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the following parameters were of importance for this diagnostic problem: vimentin reactivity in epithelial cells (1), cytokeratin (CAM 5.2) reactivity in spindle‐shaped (fibrous) cells (2), cell membrane‐associated reactivity of EMA (3), HBME‐1 (4) and thrombomodulin (5), and absence of reactivity to CEA (6) CD15 (7), BerEp4 (8) and Sialyl‐TN (9). The analysis gave an algorithm with which a specific diagnosis of mesothelioma could be made in 80% of the cases i.e., some improvement compared to the 55% sensitivity using the previous battery.
A comparison of modified cytological and histological staining methods for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Authors: RAHIMIFARD NAHID , AHI MOHAMMAD , KAHNAMUII ABDOLLAH
Published: August 2009

The object of this study was to find a suitable staining method for P. carinii. This parasite is not easily stained and clinical signs are not specific for the diagnosis af P. carinii pneumonia and therefore optimal laboratory methods for observing the organism are extremely valuable. In all, 17 new, conventional and modified staining techniques were used on lung impression smears and tissue sections of Sprague‐Dawley rats treated with cortisone (25% cortisone acetate, 1 ml injected twice weekly for 8 weeks). Of these methods modified methylene blue 1 & 2, modified cresyl violet 1, 2, 3, 4, modified Gram, modified Giemsa 2 and modified Griedley techniques have not previously been reported. After comparing readability of the slides, ease of performances, rapidity, availability and sensitivity of these 17 techniques for the diagnosis of P. carinii pneumonia, modified toluidine blue 0 1 & 2, modified methylene blue 1 & 2 and modified cresyl violet 3 & 4 are suggested as the methods of choice for the rapid diagnosis of P. carinii pneumonia.
Experimental piglet lung transplantation: Histological bioptic changes and autopsy findings
Authors: HÄMMÄINEN PEKKA , TASKINEN EERO , AARNIO PERTTI , LEHTOLA AARNO , HEIKKILÄ LASSE , HARJULA ARI
Published: August 2009

To investigate difficulties in diagnosing pulmonary rejection and to create a new model to observe long‐term histological consequences, 21 piglets were subjected to left single lung transplantation. Five of these transplants served as targets for unmodified rejection in piglets without immunosuppression (Group I), 13 recipients were treated with cyclosporin A, azathioprine and methylprednisolone (Group II), and in 3 cases reimplantation of an autograft was performed (Group III). In the course of postoperative graft monitoring, transthoracic/bronchial biopsies were obtained on days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 20, and thereafter less frequently up to 134 days. In the unmodified rejection group, grafts consolidated in one week and histologically presented perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrates, except for one case which showed vasculitis. Lymphocytic bronchiolitis and or peribronchiolar infiltrate was present in three of the four autopsied grafts. In Group II acute rejection was detected six times in three piglets, and all except one of these specimens had a peribronchiolar component. Although no incontestable bronchiolitis obliterans developed, mild to moderate chronic obliterative vascular lesions were detected in all immunosuppressed piglets (n=3) surviving more than 80 days. Contralateral lungs and Group III autografts showed mild changes related to the operation itself and interstitial swine endemic pneumonia (SEP). Chronic changes related to rejection were limited to the vascular wall. The mainly inflammatory bronchiolar changes are thought to present an incipient phase leading to obliterative lesions.
Revascularisation of human parathyroid tissue transplanted to athymic mice
Authors: ANDER S. J. O. , BLOMKVIST L. M. , SMEDS S. P. I. , JOHANSSON K. J. M. , MÖLNE J. C.
Published: August 2009

The revascularisation process of transplanted human normal, hyperplastic and adenomatous parathyroid tissue was analysed at 2 and 4 days and 1, 2, 4, 7 and 12 weeks after transplantation to athymic mice. The transplants were examined by light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and autoradiography. Vessels were detected by monoclonal antibodies specific for mouse and human endothelial cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated ingrowth of vessels from the host into the transplant and at one week numerous capillary sprouts were observed in the peripheral parts of the transplants. During the first week, peak levels of proliferation (labelling index) were observed in endothelial cells and capsular fibroblasts, and the proliferative capacity of endothelial cells was most pronounced in adenoma transplants. Fenestrated capillaries were observed in hyperplastic and adenomatous transplants, but not in transplants of normal tissue. In conclusion, revascularisation of transplanted human parathyroid tissue is enabled by ingrowth of vessels from the host into the transplant. The proliferative capacity of endothelial cells is higher and the process of maturation is faster in hyperplastic and adenomatous tissue compared to normal tissue.