bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of low molecular weight cytokeratin proteins in laryngeal dysplasia
Authors: Hellquist H. B. , Olofsson J.
Published: August 2009

In twenty‐three cases of laryngeal dysplasia frozen mucosal strips were examined with four monoclonal and one polyclonal keratin antibody. The expression of specific keratin polypeptides was studied in different degrees of dysplasia with regard to the subunits expressed in normal and carcinomatous laryngeal epithelium in the same patient. An alteration in the expression of the subunits of cytokeratin in favour of low molecular weight polyeptides takes place in the transformation of normal epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma. This alteration seems to occur at an early stage and is present already in mild dysplasia. The results suggest that with a suitable antibody dysplastic laryngeal epithelium can be distinguished from normal epithelium, and also on some cases, mild dysplasia from more severe degrees of dysplasia. CAM 5.2, which identifies lower molecular weight cytokeratin proteins (50, 43 and 38 kD), is such an antibody, and can be a valuable diagnostic aid in the histological interpretation of laryngeal dysplasia.
Prognostic significance of the Ackerman classification and other histopathological characteristics in breast cancer.
Authors: Holmberg Lars , Adami Hans‐Olov , Lindgren Anders , Ekbom Anders , SandstrÖM Anita , BergstrÖM Reinhold
Published: August 2009

Survival rates during a follow‐up period of more than seven years were analyzed in 1,349 women with breast cancer in relation to the histo‐pathological classification of female breast cancer proposed by Ackerman and to other commonly used histo‐pathological criteria, including the axillary node status. The information was collected prospectively during a case‐control study. Major emphasis was placed on multivariate evaluation. In analyses based on the histo‐pathological findings in the mastectomy specimen alone, the Ackerman grouping was found to be of prognostic value, but apart from nuclear polymorphism the other recorded characteristics (histo‐pathological type, histological grading, lymphocyte infiltration, and sinus histiocytosis) did not give any prognostic information. When the axillary node status was included in the multivariate models, the presence of axillary metastases correlated well with the prognosis and the Ackerman classification provided no significant additional information. The results indicate that in cases where the histopathological axillary status is known, little additional prognostic information can be gained from traditional histo‐pathological evaluation over and above this status. However, the Ackerman classification and the degree of nuclear polymorphism separate distinct prognostic groups with the same degree of difference in observed survival rates as one discriminated by the axillary node status.
Factors influencing the biological inactivation of high protein bound beta‐lactam antibiotics in vitro
Authors: Henning Claes , Bergholm Ann‐Marie , Holm Stig
Published: August 2009

Unpredictable inactivation of antimicrobial agents may cause erratic results in pharmacokinetic studies. In this study we followed the inactivation of the high protein bound beta‐lactams flucloxacillin, dicloxacillin and ceftriaxone in vitro. The antibiotics were added to pools of human and rabbit sera, ultrafiltrates of these pools, rabbit interstitial fluid, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), rabbit albumin in PBS and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) treated preparations of human sera. Ceftriaxone was relatively stable but different serum pools varied significantly in their flucloxacillin and dicloxacillin inactivating capacity. The dominating inactivation took place within five minutes after the addition of antibiotics to serum. The inactivating factor was heat stable at 56 °C, 0.5 h, of relatively high molecular weight, and not related to albumin. The inactivating capacity could be diminished by SDS‐treatment of serum suggesting a lipoprotein nature.
Neoplasms of the central nervous system in Norway
Authors: Helseth Are , Langmark FrøYdis , MØRk Sverre J.
Published: August 2009

The Norwegian Cancer registry includes reports on 8,933 cases of primary central nervous system neoplasms diagnosed in the period 1955–1984. Before submitting this data set to epidemiological analysis, errors were searched out and subsequently corrected, and a quality control was performed. First, seven categories of neoplasm records likely to be faulty were defined. In this way 109 cases (1.2% of the total) were identified for extensive study. Minor or major errors were found and corrected in 86 cases. The main source of error was misinterpretation of data by cancer registry staff (67 out of 109 cases). The second approach was to evaluate the quality of the corrected data set by a random draw of 300 cases. Errors concerning total incidence rates and rates for main groups of gliomas, meningiomas and neurilemmomas represented 0.3% of the total, and altogether 9.3% of errors of varying severity were revealed. The series is discussed with regard to prerequisites for serving as reliable data on CNS neoplasm epidemiology. The results indicate that the data from the Norwegian Cancer Registry is sufficiently valid for a thorough study of CNS neoplasms.
Neutrophil response, serum opsonic activity, and precipitating antibodies in human infection with Actinobacillus hominis
Authors: Friis‐MØLler A. , Kharazmi A.
Published: August 2009

Actinobacillus species are usually not considered as being human pathogens apart from A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, single cases of human meningitis, septicemia, and empyema caused by Actinobacillus lignieresii have been reported in the literature. This is the first reported case of Actinobacillus hominis giving rise to pleural‐empyema in a patient with carcinoma of the lung. The function of peripheral blood neutrophils, serum opsonic activity and specific precipitating antibodies were investigated. Neutrophils from the patient exhibited an enhanced oxidative burst response measured by chemiluminescence assay. Furthermore, the opsonic activity of the serum from the patient was higher than that of a healthy control person. Several precipitating antibodies to various antigens of Actinobacillus hominis were demonstrated in the serum of the patient by crossed immunoelectrophoresis.
Toxic mussels and okadaic acid induce rapid hypersecretion in the rat small intestine
Authors: Edebo L. , Lange S. , Li X. P. , Allenmark S.
Published: August 2009

The diarrheic activity of algal toxins in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) has been quantitatively determined in ligated intestinal loops of the rat. Hepatopancreas from toxic mussels were disintegrated by freeze‐pressing, and the homogenized tissue suspended in an equal amount (w/v) of buffer or in the liquid recovered after steaming. When such suspensions were injected into ligated loops of rat small intestine a rapid fluid secretion was observed. In contrast, the liquid from non‐toxic mussel tissue homogenate was absorbed. Toxic tissue homogenates, liquid recovered after steaming of toxic mussels as well as purified okadaic acid produced maximum fluid accumulation in the loops within two hours. The maximum net fluid accumulation observed was ca 300 mg of weight increase per cm length of intestine. Within a range of 50–200 mg/cm the dose‐response relationship was close to linear (r = 0.96, 0.99). In duplicate tests the average deviation from the mean was ± 9 mg/cm (SD =± 4.9). Mussels yielding less than 100 mg/cm of weight increase per g hepatopancreas have been allowed for human consumption, a quantity agreeing with the allowed level of okadaic acid. The minimum quantity of okadaic acid which produced significant secretion in the rat intestinal ligated loop test was approx. 0.5 μg. On a body weight basis, therefore, humans are estimated to be at least four times as sensitive as the rat to enteral challenge with okadaic acid.
Seasonal, geographic and individual variation of okadaic acid content in cultivated mussels in Sweden
Authors: Edebo L. , Lange S. , Li X. P. , Allenmark S. , Lindgren K. , Thompson R.
Published: August 2009

In Western Europe the dinoflagellate toxin, okadaic acid (OA) has been the main cause of diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP). Chemical determination of OA in mussels by homogenization of the hepatopancreas, extraction, purification, reaction with 9‐anthryldiazomethane (ADAM), HPLC‐separation, and fluorometric quantification has been used for weekly monitoring of mussel growing farms and to control harvested mussels. Within a week, sebstantial rises (from 0.41 to 5.4 μg OA/g hepatopancreas) as well as great reductions (from 7.2 to 1.8 μg/g hepatopancreas) were recorded. The rapid rise implies that weekly sampling is not sufficient to ensure that mussels are free from toxic levels of OA. The rapid decrease reveals that efficient toxin clearance mechanisms exist in the mussels. Substantial OA clearance occurs also at low temperatures (1.4‐3 °C). Within a mussel growing site the OA concentrations could differ considerably between adjacent mussels (0.63 and 4.2 μg OA/g hepatop.) and even more between mussels grown at different depths along the same rope (0.63 and 10 μg OA/g hepatop.). These data emphasize the importance of sampling in studies on DST in mussels. Great differences between the different mussel growing sites were also observed. These data have been discussed with respect to the spread of the toxin by the sea, and the possibilities of reducing the exposure of the mussels to the toxic algae.
Interferon treatment of HEp‐2 cells alters the adhesive ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bukholm Geir , Bergh Mette , DegrÉ Miklos
Published: August 2009

Previous studies have shown that interferons specifically interact with HEp‐2 cells and reduce invasiveness by Salmonella and Shigella. In this study an effect of interferons on the adhesiveness of a strictly extracellular bacterium was demonstrated. HEp‐2 cells were treated with human leukocyte interferon, recombinant interferon alpha‐A or recombinant interferon gamma and the adhesiveness of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the cells was examined using a light microscopy method. A recent isolate and a variant of the same strain subcultivated for 12 months were used. Treatment of cells with human leukocyte interferon or recombinant interferon alpha‐A reduced the adhesiveness of both variants. When recombinant interferons were used a dose dependent effect was observed, whereas the effect after treatment with human leukocyte interferon was not dose dependent. Adhesiveness of the bacteria to HEp‐2 cells was reduced after subcultivation of the bacteria but was reconstituted by adding an extracellular filtrate from the recent isolate. This extracellular filtrate inhibited the effect of human leukocyte interferon on the adhesiveness of bacteria in the cell cultures. The human leukocyte interferon effect on bacterial adhesiveness was neutralized by anti‐interferon globulin. Treatment of HEp‐2 cells with recombinant human gamma interferon caused an enhanced adhesiveness of the recent isolate, but reduced the adhesiveness of the subcultivated variant strain.
Neoplasms of the central nervous system in Norway
Authors: Helseth Are , Langmark FrøYdis , MØRk Sverre J.
Published: August 2009

A population‐based study of 8480 patients ‐ 4508 (53%) males and 3972 females ‐ with primary intracranial neoplasms reported to the Norwegian Cancer Registry during the period 1955‐84, is presented. 81% of the cases were histologically verified. The peak age‐specific incidence rate in the total series occurred in the age‐group 55–64 years. Gliomas constituted the largest histological group with an age‐adjusted incidence rate of 5.0 cases per 100,000 population per year for males and 3.5 for females. Case ascertainment of primary intracranial neoplasms is reduced above the age of 60 in Norway, mostly due to a low autopsy rate. The major impact of the introduction of computer tomography (CT) in the case ascertainment of intracranial neoplasms has been a raised incidence, in patients over the age of 60, of neoplasms which are not histologically verified.
Verrucous carcinoma of the endometrium
Authors: Hussain Saqib Fazal
Published: August 2009

Curettage of a sixty‐four‐year‐old white woman with post‐menopausal metrorrhagia revealed pyometra and squamous papilloma, thought to be arising from the cervix. Presence of parakeratotic squamous epithelial cells in endometrial curettage, three years aftrer the first clinical presentation, aroused suspicion of verrucous carcinoma of the endometrium. Uterus revealed a warty tumour with a histological picture characteristic of verrucous carcinoma. Radical surgical excision was followed by a disease‐free observation period of 2 1/2 years.
Synergy between a non‐neuroleptic thioxanthene stereo‐isomer and penicillin in vivo
Authors: Kristiansen Jette E. , Sebbesen Olof , Frimodt‐MØLler Niels , Aaes‐JØRgensen Tove , Hvidberg Eigill F.
Published: August 2009

Some neuroleptic drugs of the phenothiazine and thioxanthene groups have an antimicrobial effect in vitro. This is also true for neuroleptically inactive stereo‐isomeric analogs of the thioxanthenes e.g. trans(E)‐clopenthixol (t‐CPT). In a murine pneumococcus peritonitis model t‐CPT demonstrated a slight, but non‐significant antibacterial effect in doses of 0.3‐0.9 mg per mouse, while higher doses seemed to enhance the bacterial virulence. If combined with subtherapeutic doses of penicillin, a significantly higher survival rate was obtained compared with either drug given alone. In vitro studies demonstrated a similar synergistic effect. These results indicate that at least one non‐neuroleptic thioxanthene stereo‐isomer has an antibiotic potential also in vivo. The mechanism of action is not known.
Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection by detection of the early antigen of cytomegalovirus in cell cultures
Authors: Tallgren Minna , Ukkonen Pentti
Published: August 2009

Conventional virus isolation and detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) early antigen by immunofluorescence staining of cultured cells were compared in the diagnosis of CMV infection from urine specimens. By virus isolation, 33 specimens out of 333 studied were positive, and the mean length of culturing time for a positive result was 23 days (range from 6 to 45 days). By early antigen detection, 35 specimens were positive after 20 hours in culture, but the number of positive findings increased to as high as 49 after 7 days in culture. It is recommended that, in addition to the early antigen staining after one day in culture, cells should also be stained after one week in culture, because the sensitivity is essentially improved by extended culturing time.
Surface charge and hydrophobicity of Campylobacter jejuni strains in relation to adhesion to epithelial HT‐29 cells
Authors: Walan Asa , KihlstrÖM Erik
Published: August 2009

Hydrophobicity and surface charge of clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni strains were investigated by aqueous two‐phase partitioning (one‐step and counter‐current distribution), ion exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. There was a good correlation between the different physico‐chemical methods reflecting the same bacterial property. All strains were negatively charged and exposed a hydrophobic surface, but to a varying extent. Bacteria with a high negative surface charge and a weak hydrophobic surface adhered better to human intestinal HT‐29 cells than strains with less charge and a more hydrophobic surface. Highest adhesion was shown by a strain differing from all the others in charge properties. It was also found that the tendency to aggregate was higher among the strains showing the greatest degree of adherence.
A streptococcal plasminogen activator in the focus of infection and in the kidneys during the initial phase of experimental streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Authors: Holm Stig E. , Bergholm Ann‐Marie , Johnston Kenneth H.
Published: August 2009

Strains of group A streptococci known to secrete the nephritis strain‐associated protein (NSAP), a plasminogen activator, were studied for their ability to produce APSGN in rabbits. A tissue cage model was used to monitor the secretion of NSAP at the focus of infection and histopathological examination of kidney tissue was used to determine glomerular pathology. Animals infected with NSAP positive strains exhibited NSAP deposits in the glomerular tissue by day 7 in the absence of antibody to this molecule with progressive pathology indicative of APSGN three weeks later. Animals infected with the NSAP negative streptococcal strain exhibited no abnormal pathology. The ability of NSAP to bind to kidney tissue suggested that it has unique nephrotropic properties; and its ability to activate plasminogen to plasmin, possibly in situ, suggests that much of the pathological events associated with APSGN may be initiated by plasmin activity.
Blood group related carbohydrate antigens in human fetal pancreas
Authors: Philipsen Else K. , Clausen Henrik , Dabelsteen Erik , Graem Niels
Published: August 2009

Many tumor‐associated carbohydrate antigens are related to the blood group systems. Since several of these antigens are developmentally regulated, a systematic knowledge of the expression of blood group related carbohydrate antigens during organogenesis is important. By immunohistochemical methods we investigated the expression of carbohydrate structures related to the ABH, Lewis, T and Tn blood group systems in 28 fetal pancreas, from 13th‐40th gestational week using a comprehensive set of well‐defined monoclonal antibodies, reacting with type 1,2,3, and 4 chain carbohydrate structures. The following antigens were found in fetal pancreas: Type 1 chain: Lea, Leb, monosialylated Lea and disialylated Lea, type 2 chain: N‐acetyllactosamine (the immediate precursor to blood group H antigen), branched N‐acetyllactosamine, H‐antigen, Lex and Ley; type 3 chain: H‐antigen. The T‐antigen was well expressed, whereas this was not the case with the Tn‐antigen. As expected the A‐antigen was found in 10 of 24 cases. The A‐related antigens: ALeb, ALed and ALey were only found in a few of these ten specimens whereas type 3 chain A‐repetitive was found in all of them. Since msLea, Lex, Ley and T‐antigen have been described as tumor‐associated antigens, we conclude that several carbohydrate tumorrelated antigens are expressed in fetal pancreas.
Immunohistochemical analysis of colon carcinomas applying exocrine and neuroendocrine markers
Authors: Jansson Desiree , Gould Victor E. , Gooch Gary T. , Rittenhouse Harry G. , Shin Sung Sik , Manderino George L. , Tomita J. T. , Staren Edgar D.
Published: August 2009

Eighty colon carcinomas reflecting the histologic spectrum were studied immunohistochemically; their epithelial characteristics had been established by demonstrating cytokeratin polypeptides. Paraffin sections were immunostained with monoclonal antibody (Mab) A‐80 that recognizes a mucin‐like glycoprotein related to exocrine differentiation. Sequential sections were immunostained with neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation antibodies: NSE, human chromogranin A, serotonin, somatostatin, substance P and VIP. Twenty‐one/80 carcinomas immunoreacted exclusively with Mab A‐80; these included adenocarcinomas with variably defined glands, colloid, “solid”, and linitits plastica carcinomas. Eleven/80 carcinomas immunoreacted only with antibodies to NE markers. Twenty‐nine/80 carcinomas of histologically variable patterns expressed both exocrine and NE antigens. A notable group of 19 adenocarcinomas immunostaining with Mab A‐870 included a minority NE cell subpopulation. We tentatively conclude that given a limited battery of immunoprobes, colon carinomas comprise 4 groups: 1) pure exocrine carcinomas, 2) pure NE carcinomas, 3) mixed exocrine and NE carcinomas, and 4) exocrine carcinomas with occasional NE cells. Thus, phenotypically mixed exocrine and NE carcinomas comprise the largest group while the second largest group exhibited exclusively features of exocrine phenotype. Preliminary clinical correlative data indicate that pure NE colon carcinomas behave more aggressively than their exocrine counterparts; moreover, colon carcinomas containing a NE subpopulation, even if small, also seem to behave worse than their counterparts without an NE subpopulation.
Oestrogen receptor content and cancer cell/stroma ratio in mammary carcinoma
Authors: Helle Markku , Helin Heikki , Isola Jorma , Krohn Kai
Published: August 2009

In a study of 86 human brest cancers the volume fraction of the neoplastic epithelium was estimated semiquantitatively and a significant association was found between the oestrogen receptor (ER) content and volume fraction of cancer cells of tumours (p < 0.00001). Tumours with very low cellularity could thus be falsely ER negative. When quantitative ER concentration is used to predict the response of tumours to hormonal therapy the cellularity of tumours should be taken in consideration. The cellularity was not related to ER positivity. Although a correlation was seen between the contents of oestrogen and progesterone (PR) receptors, no correlation between PR content and volume fraction of the neoplastic epithelium was observed.
The antigenic relationship between Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata and Escherichia coli (0:75, 0:163), Salmonella aberdeen O antigens
Authors: Aksoycan Namik , Erdem Birsel , SaĜAnak Ilknur
Published: August 2009

The authors described antigenic relationship between C. glabrata and E. coli (0:75, 0:163), S. aberdeen O antigens.
Human neutrophil chemiluminescence and f‐Meth‐Leu‐Phe receptor exposure in bacterial infections
Authors: FOLLIN PER , BRIHEIM GUNNAR , SANDSTEDT STEFAN , DAHLGREN CLAES
Published: August 2009

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were isolated from 12 patients with acute bacterial infections and the ability of the chemoattractant formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (FMLP) to bind and induce a metabolic response in these cells was investigated. Cells isolated from the patients showed a significantly increased metabolic response in a luminol enhanced chemiluminescence assay compared to cells, isolated and analyzed in parallel, from healthy controls i.e. the patient cells were primed. The primed state was, as calculated by Scatchard analysis, accompanied by a significantly increased number of FMLP receptors exposed on the cell surface while the receptor binding affinity remained unchanged. There was, however, no correlation between the degreee of priming and the degree of receptor upregulation. Furthermore, it was found that stimulation also with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a substance lacking specific cell surface receptors on the PMNL, gave rise to an increased metabolic response in the primed cells. These results indicate that the priming activity induced by a bacterial infection can only partly be explained by receptor modulation and that other mechanisms must also be considered. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty, University of Linköping.
Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis of Flavobacterium meningosepticum DNA hybridization groups I and II
Authors: HØIBY NIELS , BRUUN BRITA
Published: August 2009

By means of crossed immunoelectrophoresis and crossed‐line immunoelectrophoresis, antigens were compared from four strains and five strains, respectively, of Flavobacterium meningosepticum DNA hybridization groups I and II. Two reference antisera raised against the pooled antigens of each of the two DNA groups were used. The two reference antigen‐antibody systems produced 81 and 51 immunoprecipitates, respectively, and within each group nearly all antigens were common to all strains, giving matching coefficients of 0.98‐1.00. Group specific antigens were not detected. When antigens from individual strains from each group were compared to individual strains of the other group, however, 5‐15 of the antigens were not cross‐reactive, giving matching coefficients of 0.83‐0.94. The antigenic relatedness between strains belonging to the two different groups was, therefore, just below the level commonly found for strains belonging to the same species. The results thus confirm the previously published differences detected by a DNA hybridization technique.
Nasopharyngeal culture with quantitative analysis of pathogenes in chronic otitis media with effusion
Authors: HEMLIN C. , BRAUNER A. , CARENFELT C. , WRETLIND B.
Published: August 2009

The influence of different swabs and transport media on nasopharyngeal culture pathogen recovery has been studied in patients with chronic otitis media with effusion. Transport times of less than two hours have been used. Protecting the cotton wire swab with a polyethylene shealth to prevent contamination by nasal flora did not have any significant influence either on the recovery of potential pathogens or on the contaminating nasal flora. Facilitating a quantitative analysis of the nasopharyngeal culture by transporting the specimen in empty tubes gave a pathogen recovery rate similar to that with transport in Stuart medium, whereas an attempt at transporting in sodium chloride or prereduced PY broth led to significantly lower yelds of Branhamella catarrhalis (p < 0.01) and in PY broth on Haemophilus influenzae as well (p < 0.01).
Tumours in Iceland. 11. Malignant tumours of the thyroid gland
Authors: JÓNASSON JÓN G. , HRAFNKELSSON JÓN , BJÖRNSSON JOHANNES
Published: August 2009

All malignant primary tumours of the thyroid gland submitted for histological diagnosis in Iceland during the 30 years 1955‐1984, and available for review, were typed histologically according to the World Health Organization classification but also taking into account the more recent well recognized follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. A total of 480 thyroid tumours were classified with a female ‐ to male ratio of 2.8 (367 females, 129 males). The age distribution is much what would be expected, the anaplastic type of carcinomas occurring in the elderly while papillary and follicular tumours occur over a much wider age range. The incidence of thyroid carcinomas in Iceland is about 2‐3 times higher than in the other Nordic countries. This is largely due to an unusually high incidence of the papillary type of carcinoma. Overall, the papillary carcinoma accounted for 80% of thyroid malignancies. The tumours diagnosed incidentally at autopsy were about 20% of the entire material, and these tumours were only of the differentiated types of thyroid carcinoma. Even if the incidentally diagnosed tumours are excluded, the percentage of papillary tumours is 77% which is unusually high. The papillary type of carcinomas occasionally occurred in familial clusters in Iceland but not sufficiently to account for the unusually high incidence. Some of the possible etiological factors are discussed.
A comparison of the efficiency in serotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
Authors: OJENIYI B. , LAM J. S. , HØIBY N. , ROSDAHL V. T.
Published: August 2009

A well‐known problem in serotyping Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from cystic fibrosis patients using polyclonal sera is that more than half of the strains cannot be assigned to a single O‐serogroup because of the high occurrence of polyagglutinable strains and nontypable strains. In the present study, the efficiency of a set of O‐specific monoclonal antibodies in the simple slide agglutination test was compared with polyclonal sera for the serotyping of 243 isolates of P. aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients. Using the monoclonal antibodies, 213 (88%) strains were found to be typable and only 30 (12%) strains were nontypable. In contrast, when the polyclonal sera from Statens Seruminstitut were used, only 53 (22%) strains were typable. Similar results were obtained when polyclonal sera manufactured by Difco were used where only 61 (25%) strains were typable. We also investigated the consistency of each set of antibodies in typing of the same isolates on different days and found that the polyclonal sera showed higher reproducibility. The Statens Seruminstitut sera were found to have an 86% reproducibility while the Difco sera scored 81%; however, the percentage of strains that are nontypable remains below 25% despite the highly reproducible results obtained. The monoclonal antibodies were found to score a 75% reproducibility when the serotyping of the same strains was done both in the laboratories of Copenhagen and of Guelph. However, it should be noted that although the reproducibility was somewhat lower with the monoclonal antibodies, these highly specific antibodies are still clearly superior when compared with polyclonal sera used because more than 80% of the strains from cystic fibrosis can now be assigned to a single O‐serogroup.
Neoplasms of the central nervous system in Norway
Authors: HELSETH ARE , MØRK SVERRE J. , JOHANSEN AAGE , TRETLI STEINAR
Published: August 2009

All 1632 cases of meningioma reported to the Norwegian Cancer Registry from 1955 to 1986 have been studied: a) 96% appeared in patients over 30 years of age, b) 95% were histologically benign, c) 88% were located intracranially, and d) 66% occurred in females. The female predominance manifested itself in the middle age period. Eighty‐seven percent of the intraspinal meningiomas presented in females, but the ratio between intracranial and intraspinal meningiomas was significantly lower in females (5.4) than in males (20.4). Increased incidence rates of meningioma in females are revealed for the birth‐cohorts after 1930. The reason for this change is unclear so both environmental and hormonal factors should be explored. Based upon the epidemiological data, it appears that female sex hormone(s) could act as a growth stimulus in the development of meningiomas, but are neither sufficient nor necessary for tumourigenesis.
Ciliated tumor cells in an adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus
Authors: RUBIO C. A. , ÅBERG B.
Published: August 2009

The first case of ciliated tumor cells in an adenocarcinoma of the Barrett's esophagus is reported.
Prostatic‐type polyp in the bladder
Authors: HANSEN BO JESPER , CHRISTENSEN STEEN WINTER , ELDRUP JESPER
Published: August 2009

A case of prostatic‐type polyp in the wall of the urinary bladder in a 73‐year‐old male is presented. The literature concerning ectopic prostatic tissue in the urinary tract is reviewed and it is concluded that the lesion is benign. However, recurrence has been reported in two cases. The etiology and pathogenesis is unknown.
Atrophy and sponginess of the mammillary bodies with neuronal sparing: Not only inactive Wernicke's encephalopathy
Authors: LINDBOE C. F. , ERICHSEN AA. , STRØM E. H.
Published: August 2009

Two cases are reported in which old anoxic/ischemic damage to the Ammon's horns was associated with atrophy and sponginess of the mammillary bodies but with sparing of the neuronal perikarya. The lesions were unilateral in one case and bilateral in the other. The changes in the mammillary bodies closely resembled those seen in inactive Wernicke's encephalopathy but they were considered to be due to transneuronal atrophy following loss of hippocampal afferent fibres. Consequently, this condition may present a problem in diagnostic neuropathology. However, there was no reactive astrogliosis in these cases and this may serve to distinguish this condition from inactive Wernicke's encephalopathy in which gliosis is always present and often prominent.
Human monoclonal antibodies with a protective activity against tetanus toxin
Authors: TRABAUD M.‐A. , LERY L. , DESGRANGES C.
Published: August 2009

The antibodies and their protective activity in response to tetanus toxoid in man were studied by producing human antitetanus monoclonal antibodies after transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with Epstein Barr virus. Two human monoclonal IgG that reacted with the heavy chain of the toxin were obtained. One of them binds the COOH‐terminal moiety and the other the NH2‐terminal moiety. Only the NH2‐terminal specific monoclonal antibody neutralized toxin in mouse, but in doses approximately 100‐fold higher than those of a polyclonal antiserum. However, the association of these 2 antibodies was protective with doses lower than neceassary for the monoclonal antibodies alone. To replace the polyclonal antibodies used, a good protection could be achieved by mixed human monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of tetanus toxin.
Superoxide production of peritoneal macrophages in experimental Gram‐negative sepsis; influence of in vitro and in vivo supplements of zinc
Authors: SRINIVAS U. , JEPPSSON B. , BRACONIER J. H.
Published: August 2009

Although zinc is essential for the optimum function of the immune system, there is some controversy regarding treatment with zinc during acute inections where low serum zinc levels are often recorded. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of in vitro and in vivo zinc supplementation on the potentially toxic metabolic activity of peritoneal macrophages during infection. Rats were made septic by implanting a gelatine capsule containing known amounts of E. coli, and Bacteroides fragilis into the abdomen. Peritoneal macrophages were harvested by peritoneal lavage 72 hours after the induction of sepsis. Superoxide release was measured after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or serum treated zymosan (STZ). Macrophages from septic rats released significantly higher amounts of superoxide compared with macrophages from sham operated controls after stimulation with both PMA and STZ. Following in vitro supplementation, zinc inhibited the superoxide production of macrophages harvested from septic rats after stimulation with both PMA and STZ. In vivo supplementation with zinc resulted in increased superoxide production from septic macrophages when stimulated with STZ, whereas stimulation with PMA produced no significant changes. Thus, in vitro incubation inhibited the superoxide production of peritoneal macrophages in intraabdominal sepsis, whilst in vivo administration of zinc produced no such effect, and the effect seemed to vary depending on the stimuli used to initiate the respiratory burst.
Reproducibility of histomorphologic diagnoses with special reference to the kappa statistic
Authors: SVANHOLM H. , STARKLINT H. , GUNDERSEN H. J. G. , FABRICIUS J. , BARLEBO H. , OLSEN S.
Published: August 2009

Systems for classification and grading used in pathology should ideally be biologically meaningful and at least be reproducible from one pathologist to another. A statistical method to evaluate reproducibility (non‐chance agreement) for several observers using nominal or ordinal categories has been developed and refined over the past few decades ‐ the kappa statistic. A high level of observed agreement among different pathologists can either signify a high level of reproducibility, if agreement by chance is low, or express a low level of reproducibility, if agreement by chance is almost as high as the observed agreement. Therefore, the observed agreement says nothing in itself, unless it is low. The kappa value, however, indicates how much better the observers are compared to a throw of the dice, and therefore gives the real credit to the agreement which was found. We have developed a user‐friendly computer program for calculating inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement of 2 or more observers. By calculating associations between different categories and different observers, the statistic furthermore obtains a function close to the parameter of accuracy. We recommend the use of the above method before a set of nominal or rank scale parameters are used for deciding prognosis and treatment of patients. By submitting a diskette the computer program will be available at no cost.
Histological evaluation of prostatic cancer
Authors: SVANHOLM H. , STARKLINT H. , BARLEBO H. , OLSEN S.
Published: August 2009

It has been claimed that the histological type of prostatic carcinoma bears influence on the prognosis of the patient, and that different treatments have to be considered for different types of tumours. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the histological criteria for the ordinary acinic adenocarcinoma and ductal adenocarcinoma. From 85 prospective and consequtive cases of prostatic carcinoma all histological slides were examined on two independent occasions by each of 4 pathologists. The overall inter observer agreement and mean intra observer agreement were 0.69 and 0.74, respectively. The kappa coefficients of these inter and mean intra observer agreements were 0.39 (S.E. = 0.02) and 0.48 (S. E. = 0.08), respectively. Considering a dichotomous classification of pure acinic versus all other types of prostatic carcinoma, an overall inter observer agreement of 0.78 and mean intra observer agreement of 0.84 were found. The kappa coefficients of this dichotomous classification were 0.51 (S.E. = 0.03, inter) and 0.61 (S.E. = 0.11, intra), respectively. It is concluded that the criteria for differentiation between different histological types of prostatic carcinoma need to be improved.
Resistance to dicloxacillin, methicillin and oxacillin in methicillin‐susceptible and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus detected by dilution and diffusion methods
Authors: ROSDAHL VIBEKE THAMDRUP , FRIMODT‐MØLLER NIELS , BENTZON MICHAEL WEIS
Published: August 2009

A total of 54 Staphylococcus aureus strains of varying methicillin resistance were investigated for their resistance to methicillin, oxacillin and dicloxacillin by different diffusion tests. Inhibition zones were measured around locally prepared paperdiscs with 10 μg methicillin, 5 and 10 μg oxacillin, 5 and 10 μg dicloxacillin, PDM paperdiscs with 10 μg methicillin or oxacillin and Neo‐sensitabs tablets with methicillin or oxacillin. All diffusion tests were performed both with Mueller‐Hinton agar and Danish Blood agar as well as at 37 °C and 30 °C and read after overnight incubation. Differences in zone diameter under different conditions were found to be independent of the susceptibility level of the strains. Seventeen of the strains were detected as methicillin‐resistant (MRSA) by two methods including high inoculum and prolonged incubation at 30 °C. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the 54 strains was determined by a plate dilution method at 30 °C and 37 °C. A 10 μg locally prepared methicillin disc detected all MRSA strains with no false reactions either at 37 °C or 30 °C on Mueller‐Hinton agar. Investigations with oxacillin discs had to be performed at 30 °C or with a 5 μg disc in order to detect correctly. PDM paperdiscs gave reactions identical to the corresponding locally prepared discs. Methicillin Neo‐sensitabs detected all MRSA strains but also included a few susceptible strains among the resistant ones. Addition of blood increased the number of not‐detected MRSA strains. All 17 MRSA strains were susceptible to dicloxacillin by the dilution method, and the disc diffusion test showed similar results. Dicloxacillin discs therefore did not detect the presence of MRSA strains. The implications of replacement of the methicillin/oxacillin disc by a dicloxacillin disc are discussed.
Purification of a functional 40 kD human placental Fcγ‐receptor using a monoclonal antibody
Authors: MATRE ROALD , KRISTOFFERSEN EINAR K. , ULVESTAD ELLING , VEDELER CHRISTIAN A.
Published: August 2009

F(ab')2‐fragments of a mouse monoclonal antibody (B1D6) reacting with placental receptors for the Fc part of IgG (FcR) were used as affinity reagents for the purification of an antigen from placental extract (PE). The antigen agglutinated ovine erythrocytes (E) sensitized with rabbit antibodies (A) (EA), but not E or E sensitized with F(ab')2‐fragments. It reduced the EA rosette‐formation with mononuclear cells and the binding of soluble immune complexes to placental tissue. The antigen bound to aggregated IgG and Fc‐fragments of IgG, but not to native IgG or F(ab')2‐fragments of IgG. The data indicate that the purified antigen possesses FcR activity with low affinity for IgG. SDS‐PAGE and Western blot showed one distinct band of approximately 40 kD. The electrophoretic mobility did not change after reduction and the band reacted with concanavalin A indicating that the FcR are single‐chained glycoproteins.
Comparison of methenamine silver nitrate and Giemsa stain for detection of Pneumocystis carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from HIV infected patients
Authors: HOLTEN‐ANDERSEN WINNIE , KOLMOS HANS JØRN
Published: August 2009

Seventy‐seven bronchoalveolar lavages from human immunosuppressive virus infected patients with pulmonary symptoms were examined routinely for the presence of Pneumocystis carinii, using Giemsa stain to detect trophozoites and methenamine silver nitrate to detect cysts. Thirty‐seven samples were found positive with both methods, but a further 10 were diagnosed with Giemsa indicating that the trophozoite stain is more sensitive. As Giemsa stain is simple, quick, cheap and familar to most microbiological laboratories it should be used for screening of samples to be examined for Pneumocystis carinii. In cases where trophozoites are not detected by Giemsa a supplementary cyst stain may be performed in order to rule out the presumably few cases where cysts are present as the only evidence of Pneumocystis carinii infection.
Carcinoid tumor of the larynx
Authors: LARSEN LISE GRUPE , JACOBSEN GRETE KRAG
Published: August 2009

A carcinoid tumor of the larynx is reported. The tumor was initially interpreted as a poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma and treated with irradiation. One year later a laryngectomy was performed and a carcinoid tumor was found in the resection specimen. The patient died after 2 years with disseminated disease. Carcinoid tumors in the larynx are rare. In the literature 45 cases of laryngeal carcinoid tumors have been reported. The diagnosis of this laryngeal tumor is difficult but important because irradiation is ineffective. Surgical treatment should be performed.
Diagnostic value of monoclonal antibody B72.3 in detecting adenocarcinoma cells in serous effusions
Authors: LAURITZEN ANNE F.
Published: August 2009

In serous effusions, the cytologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, and its distinction from mesothelial hyperplasia and malignant mesothelioma, is still difficult. This study compares the immunoreactivity of antibody B72.3 with that of anti‐CEA, anti‐LeuM1‐antigen and anti‐keratins in 41 serous effusions from patients with different malignant disorders. B72.3 selectively stained adenocarcinoma cells in 80% of the cases and was as good as anti‐CEA and superior to anti‐LeuM1‐antigen and anti‐keratins. It is concluded that B72.3 forms a useful supplement to conventional cytomorphology in the distinction between adenocarcinoma cells, reactive mesothelial cells and malignant mesothelial cells in serous effusions.
Antibodies in sera from Norwegian multiple sclerosis patients and the general population reacting with HTLV‐I
Authors: HAAHEIM LARS R. , GRØNNING MARIT , NYLAND HARALD
Published: August 2009

By using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot and passive agglutination we have performed a pilot study involving the testing of 349 sera from the general population of 3 coastal regions in southern Norway, 230 sera from multiple sclerosis patients from western Norway, 109 age‐ and sex‐matched controls and 34 sera from patients with other neurological diseases, for antibodies to HTLV‐I. About 2% and 4% of sera from the general population had antibodies reacting with HTLV‐I in ELISA and Adult T‐cell Leukemia Antigen by agglutination, respectively, whereas about 8% and 5% of the multiple sclerosis sera had such antibodies. In the general population antibodies were more frequent among young individuals and there appeared to be some prevalent regional differences. Western blot confirmatory tests showed that in some instances antibodies reacted with the gag proteins, in particular p19. The results obtained in this study do not indicate an association between HTLV‐I and multiple sclerosis, although at this stage we cannot rule out that another retrovirus is involved.
Serum antibodies to cross‐reactive Neisseria outer membrane antigens in healthy persons and patients with meningococcal disease
Authors: MÆLAND JOHAN A. , WEDEGE ELISABETH
Published: August 2009

Outer membranes (OMs) were prepared from the Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) strain 44/76, N. gonorrhoeae (Ng) NRL 8658, and N. lactamica (N1) ATCC 23970. Paired serum samples from 16 patients with serogroup B Nm disease and single samples from 30 blood donors were tested for IgG antibody levels against the three OMs in indirect ELISA, before and after absorption of the sera with N1 OM. Immunoblot analysis was used to identify OM target antigens for cross‐reacting and strain‐specific antibodies. Most of the Nm‐ and NG‐antibodies in sera from healthy adults were directed against OM antigens shared by the three Neisseria strains. Nm disease induced antibody formation against common Neisseria antigens, identified as the H.8 antigen and LPS determinants, against LPS determinants shared only by the Nm and Ng strains and against a variety of Nm‐specific OM antigens. Very low levels of Nm‐specific antibodies characterized the Nm patients in the acute phase. Also, the results indicate that the OM ELISA which has been used for the diagnosis of Nm disease, would be more useful if antibodies against common Neisseria antigens were removed from the sera before testing.
Tumours in Iceland 12. Malignant tumours of the corpus of the uterus
Authors: BENEDIKTSDÓTTIR KRISTRÚN R. , JÓNASSON JÓN GUNNLAUGUR , HALLGRÍMSSON JÓNAS
Published: August 2009

All malignant tumours of the corpus of the uterus diagnosed in Iceland during 1955–1984 and available for review were typed histologically, using both the WHO Classification and the more recent classifications proposed by the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists. Of a total of 391 tumours 53 were excluded for various reasons. Of the 338 remaining tumours 309 were carcinomas, 17 sarcomas, 10 mixed Müllerian tumours and 2 choriocarcinomas. The adenocarcinomas were by far the most common of the carcinomas, comprising 93%. The incidence of carcinomas is similar to that found in the other Nordic Countries. A considerable increase in the incidence of adenocarcinomas was observed during the survey period and this was largely due to a steady steep rise in incidence of the best differentiated or Grade I tumours. This might be looked at as supportive evidence for the etiological role of estrogen replacement therapy which has been in constantly increasing use during the latter two decades of the study period. The mean age at diagnosis increased during the survey period. Generally, survival of patients did not clearly improve during the period but, however, increased considerably for the better differentiated tumours. Finally, we give our evaluation of the two systems of classification used in the study.
Effects of antigen and antigen concentration on serum antibody titres in chickens primed per bursam
Authors: NAUKKARINEN ANITA , HIPPELÄINEN MIKKO
Published: August 2009

A novel method for intrabursal immunization was applied to study the priming effect in 2‐day‐old and 4‐week‐old chickens. This immunization method separates the bursa of Fabricius totally from the rest of the gut‐associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and closely mimics the natural way antigens come in contact with the bursal epithelium. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Brucella abortus organisms in 4 different concentrations were used as antigens. In 4‐week‐old birds, a suppressive effect of per bursam priming on the secondary anti‐SRBC titres was recorded, an observation not reported earlier. Priming had no effect on the secondary anti‐SRBC titres in 2‐day‐old chickens. In both age groups, a positive priming effect on anti‐Brucella titres was observed. Antigen concentrations too low to induce primary immune responses in serum were still capable of causing the priming effect. A certain minimum concentration, however, was required also for the priming effect to occur. The observed suppressive effect of priming on the secondary anti‐SRBC titres suggests that bursa exerts inhibitory immuno‐regulatory functions when handling certain antigens. Important factors are the age of the chickens and the antigen concentration used, which influence both the primary and the secondary immune responses.