bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypersensitivity of delayed type in hypertensive patients
Authors: OLSEN FINN
Published: August 2009

The agarose migration technique was used for demonstration of delayed‐type hypersensitivity to arterial vessel wall antigens in patients suffering from chronic essential hypertension. By means of this technique, it was demonstrated that the migration indices from the hypertensive patients differed significantly from the normotensive control persons, P < 0.005. The significant difference was abolished when anti‐LIF was added to the migration tests. This means that a hypersensitivity of the delayed type had developed in the hypertensive patients and the results indicated that the hypersensitivity was an autoimmunity to arterial vessel wall antigens.
Neonates and adults with special reference to tear IgA
Authors: HERRMANN BJÖRN , STENBERG KRISTINA , MÅRDH PER‐ANDERS
Published: August 2009

Tear and serum samples from 128 neonates and 122 adults with conjunctivitis were examined for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis with a micro‐immunofluorescence (MIF) technique and the results compared to antigen detection by culture, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (ChlamydiazymeTM, Abbott) and direct immunofluorescence (IF) (MicroTrakTM, Syva and ChlamysetTM, Orion) tests. From the 52 culture‐positive adults, chlamydial IgA (titre >1:8) antibodies were detected in 81% of the tear and in 62% of the serum samples, while 88% had such serum IgG antibodies (titre >1:32). The persistence of chlamydial IgA in tears and sera was related to the duration of symptoms of conjunctivitis and the antibody titres declined after institution of antibiotic treatment. In the adults, the sensitivity of the MIF tear IgA antibody test (81%) was higher than that of the EIA (71%) and the IF (MicroTrakTM 71% and ChlamysetTM 62%) tests. The specificity for the MIF test was 79%, while it was 100% for the EIA and the two IF tests. Of the 67 chlamydia‐infected neonates, 36% had chlamydial tear IgA antibodies, while such antibodies were only found in 15% of the sera. No neonates with chlamydia‐negative conjunctivitis had chlamydial IgA antibodies. The MIF test may be used as a diagnostic method complementary to culture, EIA and IF tests in the diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis in adults, but is not applicable in neonates.
Fatal septicaemia with Selenomonas sputigena and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
Authors: WESTH HENRIK , CHRISTENSEN JENS JØRGEN , BLOM JENS , FREDERIKSEN WILHELM
Published: August 2009

A 38‐year‐old man with a history of alcohol abuse developed rapidly fulminating septicaemia and died. Selenomonas sputigena and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were isolated from a blood culture. Selenomonas sputigena is a motile anaerobic gram‐negative rod rarely associated with systemic disease. Difficulties in isolation and taxonomic identification are discussed.
Age and sex distribution of intestinal type and diffuse gastric carcinoma
Authors: JANSSEN CARL W. , MAARTMANN‐MORE HELGA , LIE ROLV TERJE , MATRE ROALD
Published: August 2009

A twelve‐year series of 375 patients with gastric carcinoma has been studied. Primary tumours were classified as intestinal type (58%) or diffuse (26%), whereas 16% were unclassifiable. The relative age and sex incidence rates of intestinal type and diffuse gastric carcinoma were estimated using the age and sex distribution of individuals in Norway as the basis for calculation. There was no difference in the rates of diffuse gastric carcinoma between the sexes. On the other hand, the rate of men with intestinal type carcinoma was more than twice as high as that of women. This difference was consistent within each age group from adolescence to senescence. The findings indicate that Laurén's two types of gastric carcinoma are aetiologically different. The rates of both types increased with age up to the 70–79 age group, whereas the rates in octogenarians tended to be lower than in septuagenarians. A comparison of our data with the data of incidence of gastric cancer in Norway indicates that some of the older patients do not come for surgery.
Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis ofMycobacterium paratuberculosis
Authors: COLLINS MICHAEL T. , HØIBY NIELS , JØRGENSEN J. BERG , BERCOVIER HERVE , LAMBRECHT RANDALL S. , JØRGENSEN ELLEN
Published: August 2009

Antigenic analysis ofM. paratuberculosisrevealed extensive cross‐reactivity withM. avium; however, the number of cross‐reactive antigens found was dependent on the strain ofM. aviumtested. One antigen was shown to be the common antigen while another appeared to be iron‐rgulated in its production. A commercial polyclonal antibody toM. paratuberculosisproduced a CIE precipitin pattern comparable to that of the antibody produced for the present study. An antigen designated no. 6 was consistently precipitated by sera from cattle infected withM. paratuberculosis.This antigen exhibited complete cross‐reaction withM. aviumand partial cross‐reaction withM. phlei.Among three commercially available complement fixation (CF) antigen preparations widely used for serodiagnosis of Johne's disease, none were shown to contain protein antigens that could be precipitated byM. paratuberculosisantibodies. A commercial antigen for use in an agar gel immunodiffusion test for Johne's disease diagnosis produced 12 precipitins with theM. paratuberculosisantibody, one of which was identical with antigen 6.
Inhibition of human monocyte chemotaxis and chemiluminescence by Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase
Authors: KHARAZMI ARSALAN , NIELSEN HENRIK
Published: August 2009

The in vitro effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase on human monocyte function was examined. Mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals were incubated with various concentrations of elastase, and the chemotactic activity and chemiluminescence response of these cells were measured after washing the cells free of the enzyme. Elastase at concentrations of 0.1 μg/ml and higher inhibited the chemotactic activity of monocytes towards F‐Met‐Leu‐Phe and zymosan‐activated serum. The inhibition of chemiluminescence response was observed at as low as 0.125 μg/ml elastase. Monocytes/macrophages are known to be involved in the inflammation observed in the lungs of patients infected by P. aeruginosa. The inhibition of monocyte function by elastase may serve as an escape mechanism for this bacterium from these cells.
Congenital earpits or auricular sinuses
Authors: MOLL MERETE
Published: August 2009

Congenital earpits or auricular sinuses are defects in the development of the outer ear from the 1st and 2nd branchial arch. They are most often located in front of the ear. Six cases are described. Early surgery is recommended because of a tendency towards infection with scarring. They can be associated with serious internal abnormalities, especially deafness and kidney malformations.
Isolation of a Salmonella‐specific DNA hybridization probe
Authors: OLSEN J. E. , AABO S. , NIELSEN E. O. , NIELSEN B. B.
Published: August 2009

A Salmonella‐specific DNA fragment of the Salmonella typhimurium LT2 chromosome has been isolated. The fragment (2.3 kilobases (kb)) was used as a probe in a colony hybridization assay, where 185 strains of 93 different Salmonella serovars were correctly identified as belonging to Salmonella. The specificity of the probe was evaluated in colony hybridization assays on pure cultures of non‐Salmonella bacteria and on specimens with an indigenous flora. Sixty‐three strains of 34 non‐Salmonella Gram‐negative species did not hybridize to the fragment. By DNA hybridization to faecal samples from calves, pigs and chickens, and samples of animal feed, three samples out of 10 positive by traditional culture methods gave negative results by hybridization, 45 samples were negative in both methods, while one sample was positive only in the hybridization assay. From this sample, Salmonella livingstone was isolated by a replica plate hybridization technique. The probe therefore proved 100% specific for the genus Salmonella.

The 2.3 kb fragment may form the basis of hybridization assays for specific detection of Salmonella in food, environmental and clinical specimens.
Alterations in human lung parenchyma after cytostatic therapy
Authors: KAYSER KLAUS , GABIUS HANS‐JOACHIM , CARL STEFAN , BUBENZER JENS
Published: August 2009

Chemotherapy does not only affect the viability of the tumor cell. It may also cause alterations in normal organs. Thus, tumor‐free areas within human lung parenchyma of 63 surgical specimens of intrapulmonary metastases were analyzed to assess the extent of morphologic changes in response to previous cytostatic therapy. The material included 34 cases of sarcoma, 20 cases of germ cell tumors, 6 cases of hypernephroid carcinoma, two cases of mammary carcinoma and one case of metastatic melanoma. All patients had received cytostatic therapy in generally applied regimens for more than two years. Morphologic analysis was carried out by routine procedures. In addition to conventional staining procedures including HE, PAS, and Sirius stain, further tools were employed to extend the array of determined characteristics. To evaluate any changes in the tissue in order to specifically recognized carbohydrate structures, labeled neoglycoproteins or proteoglycans with specificity for endogenous receptors that bind to mannose, maltose, L‐fucose, lactose, N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine, and heparin were used. A monoclonal antibody binding the HLA‐DR receptor was also included in the study. As a control, sections of 20 cases with intrapulmonary metastases without exposure to previous cytostatic therapy were included. To address the further question whether cytostatic therapy may induce changes in tumor‐free lung that show similarities to the organ in question, sections from 18 cases with tuberculosis and from 37 cases suffering from sarcoidosis were similarly examined. Focal interstitial fibrosis was seen in 28/63 (44%) of the patients receiving chemotherapy. In contrast, only 2/20 (10%) patients of the untreated group exhibited this alteration. An active fibrosis with proliferating smooth muscle cells was found in two cases, dysplastic pneumocytes in 10 cases (16%) in the group with cytostatic therapy, but in no cases in the untreated group. Expression of the HLA‐DR receptor in the pneumocytes was observed in 27/63 cases (43%) of the cytostatic cohort, in 21/37 (57%) patients of the sarcoidosis cohort, in 15/18 (83%) patients of the tuberculosis cohort, and in 1/20 (5%) of the untreated patients. In contrast to sections from treated patients, binding of neoglycoproteins was low in the untreated cohort. Interestingly, similarities between the tuberculosis cohort and the cytostatic cohort were seen for receptors that are specific for fucose and lactose, respectively. The results suggest that long‐lasting cytostatic therapy induces focal fibrosis in 40%–50% of the patients, mainly via unspecific interstitial inflammatory infiltrates. A hypersensitivity reaction or direct toxicity may less frequently lead to pathologic alterations.
Identification and localization of a soluble antigen, Ag2, of 136 kDa from Plasmodium falciparum in vitro cultures
Authors: JAKOBSEN P. H. , GRELLIER P. , THEANDER T. G. , BEHRENDT N. , TORII M. , AIKAWA M. , SCHREVEL J. , JEPSEN S.
Published: August 2009

The soluble antigens, antigen 2 (Ag2) and antigen 6 (Ag6), were copurified from supernatants of P. falciparum in vitro cultures by affinity chromatography and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography. Rabbit antibodies to Ag2 were raised and characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Ag2 appeared as a duplet with molecular masses of 136 and 120 kDa when tested by immunoblotting. Immunoprecipitation experiments on Triton X‐100 extracted antigens from synchronized cultures showed that the antigen was synthesized in the schizont stage. Ag2 was located near the surface of schizonts in the parasitophorous vacuole and in clefts in the infected erythrocyte cytoplasma as shown by immunogold electron microscopy.
The effects of anti‐estrogen therapy on lymphocyte functions in breast cancer patients
Authors: PAAVONEN TIMO , ARONEN HANNU , PYRHÖNEN SEPPO , HAJBA ALAJOS , ANDERSSON LEIF C.
Published: August 2009

The effects of anti‐estrogen therapy (tamoxifen or toremifene) on in vitro lymphocyte functions were investigated in breast cancer patients. We found that the amount of DNA synthesis, with or without PWM stimulation, was decreased in all cancer patient groups compared to normal controls. The number of Ig‐secreting cells was enhanced in unstimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures but decreased in PWM‐stimulated cultures. This occurred in all cancer patient groups investigated, with or without anti‐estrogen therapy, as compared to healthy controls. On the other hand, subsequent samples with two‐month intervals showed that anti‐estrogens can increase PFC responses and inhibit DNA synthesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes in more than half of the patients. Interestingly, the enhancing dexamethasone effect, which usually causes an increase in the number of Ig‐secreting cells in PWM‐stimulated cultures, was also seen more often in anti‐estrogen‐treated patients. These results suggest that anti‐estrogens may have immunoregulatory effects in vivo.
Phenotypic changes in hepatic mast cells accumulating around the metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis in rats
Authors: ISHIWATA KENJI , OKU YUZABURO , KAMIYA MASAO , OHBAYASHI MASASHI
Published: August 2009

Staining properties, kinetics and degranulation of the hepatic mast cells (HMC) accumulating around the metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis in the liver of rats were studied. Two different types of HMC, designated as Type I and Type II, could be classified according to histochemical properties and response to compound 48/80. Type I cells resembled mucosal mast cells (MMC), whereas Type II did not. HMC, mostly Type I, were observed from day 14 postinfection (PI), while Type II were seen only from day 28 PI. On day 28 PI, Type II represented a transitional staining pattern between MMC and connective tissue mast cells (CTMC). The ratio of Type II to Type I increased gradually with the course of infection and was about 1 to 1 on day 70 PI. At this time, most of the HMC that constituted Type II as well as CTMC could be stained with berberine sulfate. While the phenotypic change of HMC to CTMC was found in the middle and inner capsular layers, most of the HMC in the outer capsular layer maintained the phenotype of MMC. The present results suggest that hepatic mast cells increased as the MMC phenotype, then showed the heterogeneity in which the transitional form of mast cells emerged followed by the appearance of the CTMC type.
Prevalence and persistence of polyagglutinable Pseudomonas aeruginosa in isolates from cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: OJENIYI B. , HØIBY N. , ROSDAHL V. T.
Published: August 2009

During the 17 years from 1972 to 1988 1010 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from sputum samples of 183 cystic fibrosis patients attending the Danish Cystic Fibrosis Centre at Rigshospitalet were serogrouped and phage typed. The patients were chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (range of duration of infection: 1–17 years). They attended the Centre monthly and since 1976 all had been hospitalized for 14 days every three months. The number of patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection increased from 29 to 123 during the period 1972 to 1988 and the number of isolates typed ranged from 14 to 197 a year. About half of the patients had one to five monoagglutinable isolates before they had polyagglutinable isolates. The prevalence of polyagglutinable isolates each year increased during the observation period (range: 24% to 88%). In all, three quarters of the patients had polyagglutinable isolates in their last typed sample. During the 17‐year period 81% of the patients harboured polyagglutinable isolates. 77% of these patients, however, were for periods colonized with monoagglutinable isolates (0–3, 0–6, 0–1, 0–2 (including 0–2, 0–5, 0–2/5 due to cross‐reactions between 0–2 and 0–5) and 0–9 were most prevalent) either alone or concurrent with polyagglutinable isolates, whereas 5% harboured polyagglutinable isolates exclusively during the whole observed period of infection. Polyagglutinable isolates with a short phage pattern were more frequent than those with a long phage pattern during the entire period from 1972 to 1988, and the prevalence increased during the period. Twenty‐eight percent of the patients had a persistent phage pattern for an average of seven years in spite of change of serogroup. Twenty‐seven percent of the patients had a persistent monoagglutinable serogroup and phage pattern for an average of eight years. The increasing prevalence and persistence of polyagglutinable strains correlate with the improved survival of the patients and thereby with the increased duration of the infection. The reason for this is discussed.
Hepatitis D in Yaounde, Cameroon
Authors: NDUMBE PETER M.
Published: August 2009

Although 10% of the Yaounde population are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive, nothing is known about hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in them. Sera from 110 HBsAg subjects were tested for HDV infection (antibody and antigen). The subjects were 43 pregnant women, 23 prostitutes, 20 patients with febrile jaundice, 16 multitransfused sickle cell children and 8 medical students. Thirty of the 110 (27.3%) had antibodies to the HDV (HDV‐Ab). Two of 91 tested for HDV antigen (2.2%) were positive. The highest HDV‐Ab prevalence (62.5%) was obtained from sickle cell children (10/16). Thus, HDV infection was found in about one fifth to one third of the HBsAg‐positive subjects we studied and the main route of transmission appears to be by blood transfusion.
Immunogenetic markers as probes for polymorphism, gene regulation and gene transfer in man – the Gm system in perspective
Authors: GRUBB R.
Published: August 2009

The genetic markers of immunoglobulins (Ig) demonstrable by immunological methods have shown their usefulness as genetic probes. The study of these allotypes originally proved that Ig production is under conventional genetic control and also established that allelic exclusion is valid for the key molecules of the immune response. The codons responsible for the Glm(a) marker and their position in the human genome are precisely known. This knowledge implies that Gm typing may be used as a convenient and reliable means of following the fate of IgG constant gene segments. Anti‐Gm's are common in rheumatoid arthritis. They appear early in the disease and may persist throughout life. The stimulus for their appearance has not yet been established. The anti‐Gm's in the allegedly autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis are commonly and apparently paradoxically specific for Gm gene products ofotherpersons. Another apparent paradox brought to light by Ig allotype research is the occasional appearence of non‐nominal allotypes in contradiction to Mendelian laws. It is proposed that a plausible explanation for these two paradoxes is Ig gene transfer between individuals with viral vectors. Reasons for this proposal and some possible consequences of gene transfer in a polymorphic species are delineated. Immunogenetics and DNA technology in combination provide powerful tools to elucidate the fate of genes. A method allowing the assignment of Glm(a+) and Glm(a‐) at the gene level by polymerase chain reaction analysis has recently been established and is briefly described.
Generation of reactive oxygen species by blood monocytes in human Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections
Authors: DUBEY M. L. , RAI S. K. , GANGULY N. K. , KALRA A. , VARMA S. C. , MAHAJAN R. C.
Published: August 2009

Generation of reactive oxygen radicals by peripheral blood monocytes was measured by luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence in 23 P. vivax‐ and 7 P. falciparum‐infected patients. The chemiluminescence index (CLI) was not found to be significantly higher in P. vivax‐infected cases than in healthy controls. But in patients with P. falciparum infection, the CLI was significantly higher compared to controls as well as to P. vivax‐infected patients. In two severe and complicated P. falciparum‐infected cases, CLI was found to be higher than in mild cases. As immunosuppression is more marked in falciparum malaria than in vivax cases, the role of oxygen radical generation in immunopathology and causation of immunosuppression in falciparum malaria needs further investigation.
Morphology of Pneumocystis carinii and activation of the plasmalemmal vesicular system in alveolar epithelial cells of the host
Authors: NIELSEN M. H. , SETTNES O. P.
Published: August 2009

Lungs from rats with dexamethasone‐induced Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were examined. The ultrastructure of Pneumocystis carinii and their zone of attachment on type I alveolar epithelial cells are described. An activation of the plasmalemmal vesicular system of type I alveolar epithelial cells was observed and is described here for the first time. The significance of this observation is discussed.
Role of the Yersinia outer membrane protein YadA in adhesion to rabbit intestinal tissue and rabbit intestinal brush border membrane vesicles
Authors: PÆRREGAARD ANDERS , ESPERSEN FRANK , SKURNIK MIKAEL
Published: August 2009

The Yersinia virulence plasmid confers on strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica an adhesive potential superior to the one encoded by the chromosome alone. We have evaluated the role of the plasmid‐encoded outer membrane protein YadA (formerly called Yopl) in adhesion. Insertional inactivation of the yadA gene (formerly called yopA), which encodes YadA, led to a reduction in the capacity of plasmid‐carrying strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis 0: III and Y. enterocolitica 0:9 to adhere to intestinal tissue, brush border membranes and polystyrene surfaces. The adhesive characteristics of the mutants were comparable to those of their plasmid‐cured counterparts. When the yadA gene from Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype 0:III or Y. enterocolitica serotype 0:3 or 0:8 was cloned into an Escherichia coli strain, increased ability to adhere to intestinal tissue, brush border membrane vesicles and polystyrene was transferred concomitantly. The introduction of the yadA gene from Y. pestis, which is unable to express YadA due to a one base pair deletion, did not change the adhesive characteristics of E. coli. Expression of YadA in the outer membrane may, therefore, make an important contribution to intestinal adherence of the two enteropathogenic members of the Yersinia species, Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica.
Lectin histochemistry of embryonal carcinoma
Authors: MALMI RAIJA , SÖDERSTRÖM KARL‐OVE
Published: August 2009

Histological tissue sections of human testicular embryonal carcinoma from 13 patients and of a xenograft tumour in nude mice, as well as cell lines of human embryonal carcinoma, were investigated with eight different lectins to characterize the distribution of glycoconjugates in embryonal carcinoma. In all cases the malignant cells showed binding with Con A, WGA and RCA I conjugates, whereas other lectins were bound to some, but never to all, tumour cells in each group, revealing the heterogeneity of the malignant cells. A polarization of cancer cells was shown particularly with WGA and RCA I labelling, which was most intense on the luminal borders of the carcinoma cells, where pseudotubular structures were formed. The sugar staining properties were retained in cell culture and in the xenograft tumour. Regardless of the germ cell origin, embryonal carcinoma cells differed from normal germ cells. The distribution of glycoconjugates was also different from that of testicular carcinoma‐in‐situ germ cells, which share morphological features and the pattern of glycosylation with seminoma cells. However, the similarities in lectin binding pattern of seminomas and embryonal carcinomas suggest the close relationship between the two types of testicular malignancy, without excluding the possibility that embryonal carcinomas were derived from seminomas. Although lectins seem to be less important for differential diagnostic use in testicular cancer, our findings showed the usefulness of lectin histochemistry for characterization of embryonal carcinoma.
The Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori‐colonized duodenal mucosa and gastric metaplasia
Authors: ANDERSEN LEIF PERCIVAL , HOLCK SUSANNE , ELSBORG LARS , JUSTESEN TAGE
Published: August 2009

Biopsies were obtained from non‐ulcerated sites of the duodenum from 100 dyspeptic patients. Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori was cultivated from 19 of these biopsies. Active chronic duodenitis (ACD) was found in 17 biopsies and more than 5% gastric metaplasia in 20 biopsies. H. pylori as well as ACD occurred with a significantly increased frequency when more than 5% gastric metaplasia was found in the duodenal biopsies. H. pylori on metaplastic tissue without ACD was, however, seen in two cases. H. pylori was cultivated from 9% and ACD was found in 5% of the biopsies with less than 5% gastric metaplasia. Gastric metaplasia in the duodenum was found significantly more frequently in patients with endoscopic duodenitis or duodenal ulceration than in patients with normal endoscopy. No association between gastric metaplasia in the duodenum and gastric pH or serum antibodies against H. pylori was seen. This study indicates that there is an established, but not exclusive, connection between gastric metaplasia and the colonization of the duodenum by H. pylori, the most important role being played by the antral gastric mucosa rather than the duodenum.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Vibrio cholerae soluble haemagglutinin
Authors: WIKSTRÖM MARIANNE , JONSSON GUNHILD , SVENNERHOLM ANN‐MARI
Published: August 2009

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against a protease of Vibrio cholerae, the soluble haemagglutinin (sHA), have been prepared and characterized with regard to their ability to inhibit different biological properties of sHA and to protect against experimental V. cholerae infection. Four fusion experiments yielded two specific immunoglobulin G1 MAbs that reacted with sHA produced by different V. cholerae O1 and non‐O1 strains but that differed in their antigen‐binding capacity. Both MAbs were capable of inhibiting the haemagglutinating and protease activities of sHA as well as its ability to nick the enterotoxin A subunit, but neither of them had any effect on the mucinase activity of sHA. One of the MAbs significantly inhibited experimental cholera infection induced by sHA‐producing V. cholerae O1 in rabbit small intestine.
Cellular localization of PNA binding in colorectal adenomas: Comparison with differentiation, nuclear:cell height ratio and effect of desialylation
Authors: ØRNTOFT TORBEN F. , LANGKILDE NIELS C. , WIENER HELENE , OTTOSEN PETER D.
Published: August 2009

The lectin Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut Agglutinin, PNA) was used to study the cellular localization of the Thomsen‐Friedenreich (T) disaccharide Gal‐β (1–3)‐GalNAcαI‐R in 22 formalin‐fixed paraplast‐embedded colorectal adenomas of varying cellular dysplasia. An indirect immunoperoxidase method was used prior to and after neuraminidase treatment. Detailed information on the cellular localization of PNA binding was obtained. In addition, morphometric measurements of the nuclear: cell height ratios were performed on staining‐filtered micrographs of crypts from all adenomas. We found 1) a statistically significant increase in the nuclear:cell height ratio with increasing grade of dedifferentiation (p<0.003), 2) a statistically significant smaller nuclear:cell height ratio in crypts that were PNA‐positive in the Golgi region when these were compared to crypts that were PNA‐positive on luminal cell membranes, 3) a decreasing number of crypts expressing PNA binding sites in the Golgi region with increasing dedifferentiation, leading to complete absence of PNA binding sites in Grade IV adenomas, 4) neuraminidase pretreatment increased the number of crypts expressing PNA binding sites in cytoplasm and on luminal membranes, whereas no changes were detected in crypts expressing PNA binding sites in the Golgi region. Our results confirm the general concept of accumulation of precursors of carbohydrate antigens in dedifferentiated cells. On the basis of the results presented, we conclude that the nuclear:cell height ratio shows a good correlation with the cellular localization of PNA binding, cellular differentiation and classic pathologic grading.
Immunohistologic separation of B‐cell‐positive granulomas from B‐cell‐negative granulomas in paraffin‐embedded tissues with special reference to tumor‐related sarcoid reactions
Authors: BRINCKER HANS , PEDERSEN NIELS TINGGAARD
Published: August 2009

Frozen and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue sections were studied concurrently in 17 cases of granulomatous lesions of different etiologies using antibodies recognizing either fixation‐sensitive or fixation‐resistant antigens. In fixed tissues, the antibodies 4KB5 and L26 for B cells and UCHL1 and MT1 for T cells gave results similar to those obtained in frozen tissues with anti‐leu‐12/leu‐14 for B cells and T‐3 for T cells. Paraffin‐embedded sections from 35 additional cases of granulomatous lesions were studied retrospectively using the same markers. The combined results from all 52 cases show that granulomas can be divided into two main “families” according to the presence or absence of B cells within the granulomas: one is a B‐cell‐negative family of lesions to which sarcoidosis and mycobacterial infection belong; the other is a B‐cell‐positive family of lesions to which toxoplasmosis, granulomatous lesions of unknown significance and tumor‐related sarcoid reactions belong.
Isolation of Pasteurella caballi from an infected wound on a veterinary surgeon
Authors: BISGAARD M. , HELTBERG O. , FREDERIKSEN W.
Published: August 2009

Comparison of phenotypical characters obtained from the type strain of Pasteurella caballi and a previously unclassified P.sp., isolated from an infected wound on a veterinary surgeon, allowed classification of the P.sp. with P. caballi. The P.sp. was isolated in a mixed culture with Escherichia coli and probably represents the first human isolate of P. caballi.
Antibiotic disk diffusion testing revisited. Single strain regression analysis
Authors: KRONVALL GÖRAN , RINGERTZ SIGNE
Published: August 2009

The standardized (NCCLS, ICS, DIN etc.) disk diffusion method is the most widespread technique for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Interpretive zone breakpoints are calculated from the regular regression line between minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of bacterial isolates and the corresponding inhibition zone diameters around the disk containing the antibiotic. Studies of the regression line has revealed marked differences between different bacterial species. A newly described equation, the single strain regression analysis (SRA) equation, can be used to determine the regression line constants for individual strains. This method was applied to ciprofloxacin and S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa, and P. maltophilia. The slope and intercept constants were determined for all 40 strains and showed a strong similarity within each species. A close similarity was also observed between the two Pseudomonas species and between S. aureus and E. faecalis. When the regression lines calculated by SRA for individual strains were extrapolated towards higher MIC values, the lines obtained for the more susceptible strains predicted the zones of more resistant strains within the species. The applications of SRA to several other antibiotics and bacterial species in earlier studies were reviewed. One exception to the predictive power of SRA has been detected earlier, H. influenzae and erythromycin. This led to the formulation of the standard curve regression analysis (SCA) equation which requires the use of two or more strains. Methodological aspects of SRA/SCA applications were presented. Three areas are particularly well suited for the use of SRA/SCA: 1. Calculation of interpretive zone breakpoints corresponding to recommended MIC limits in the individual laboratory. 2. Analysis of the effects of various disk contents of antibiotic on the resulting inhibition zones for various bacteria when new antibiotics are introduced. 3. Analytical tool as part of external quality control programmes.
Electron microscopic investigation of lysogeny of Clostridium difficile strains isolated from antibiotic‐associated diarrhea cases and from healthy carriers
Authors: NAGY ELISABETH , FÖLDES J.
Published: August 2009

An electron microscopic investigation was performed on 28 Clostridium difficile strains isolated from 15 antibiotic‐associated diarrhea cases and from 13 healthy infants. Through the use of supernatants of the cultures induced by mitomycin C (1 or 3 μg/ml), 18 of the 28 C. difficile strains proved to harbor phage particles with a different morphology and size. Most of the phages revealed belonged in phage group B1 with a non‐contractile tail. Seven of the 11 toxin‐producing, lysogenic C. difficile strains carried a defective phage structure (120 nm‐long tail with an incomplete head capsule) alone or together with other normal phages. With different C. difficile strains as indicator, plaque formation could not be detected in any of the lysates.
Grading of nuclear pleomorphism in oral carcinomas. Higher prognostic value than stereological assessment of nuclear volume
Authors: BRYNE MAGNE , NIELSEN KARSTEN , KOPPANG HANNA STRØMME , DABELSTEEN ERIK
Published: August 2009

A more objective and reproducible grading system is needed in order to give better prognostic indicators and thereby offer improved treatment to oral cancer patients. Recently, simple objective stereological techniques for cellular estimates have emerged, of which the estimate of mean nuclear volume has shown a correlation with prognosis for various cancers. We have therefore measured the mean nuclear volume in 44 invasive buccal mucosal squamous cell carcinomas and related it to the survival of patients. The mean nuclear volume did not correlate with prognosis for these patients (p = 0.25). However, the nuclear polymorphism, which is subjective even though it is based on well‐described criteria in a histopathological grading system, correlated significantly with prognosis (p = 0.03). These findings indicate that the traditional histopathological evaluation of nuclear polymorphism includes valuable prognostic information.
Immune dysfunction in multiple myeloma. Reduced natural killer cell activity and increased levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptors
Authors: NIELSEN HENRIK , NIELSEN HANS J. , TVEDE NIELS , KLARLUND KIM , MANSA BENDT , MOESGAARD FLEMMING , DRIVSHOLM AAGE
Published: August 2009

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by an increased susceptibility to infections and to other malignancies. Selected related immune functions were studied. Spontaneous and interleukin‐2‐stimulated natural killer (NK) cell activities were normal in 19 patients with MM compared with 62 controls. In contrast, interferon‐stimulated NK cells had a significantly lower increase in activity in MM than in controls. The normal improvement in lytic NK cell activity after addition of indomethacin to the mononuclear cell cultures (to inhibit prostaglandin‐mediated suppression) was not observed in cultures from MM patients. As reported for other lymphoproliferative disorders, the levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptors in serum were significantly higher in MM (600 U/ml median value) compared with controls (317 U/ml median value), P < 0.0001, and the concentration of interleukin‐2 receptors was significantly correlated with the concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulin in serum. Blood monocyte chemotactic responsiveness was significantly lower in MM patients with both zymosan‐activated serum and f‐Met‐Leu‐Phe as cytotaxins, suggesting reduced ability to accumulate at inflammatory foci. In contrast, release of reactive oxygen radicals, believed to be associated with the killing ability of monocytes, was normal after in vitro stimulation.
Phenotypical properties of Enterobacter agglomerans (Pantoea agglomerans) from human, animal and plant sources
Authors: LINDH ELISABET , KJAELDGAARD POUL , FREDERIKSEN WILHELM , URSING JAN
Published: August 2009

Clinical, animal and plant isolates, representing different geographical areas, were identified as Enterobacter agglomerans (Pantoea agglomerans) using a quantitative bacterial dot method for DNA‐DNA hybridization. The phenotypical properties of the 65 strains were investigated by conventional test methods. No strain decarboxylated ornithine. Twenty‐two strains, mainly plant isolates, showed delayed acid production from α‐methyl‐glycoside, a trait which may have ecological significance. With regard to these two properties, our results differed from the description of Pantoea agglomerans given by Gavini et al. (6); further investigations will clarify these differences. Three non‐pigmented, maltose‐negative and salicin‐negative variants were derived from yellow pigmented, maltose‐positive, salicin‐positive strains.
Reproducibility of histopathological evaluation in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Clinical implications
Authors: LUND B. , THOMSEN H. K. , OLSEN J.
Published: August 2009

An interobserver analysis of the reproducibility of malignancy grade and of histological type classified according to World Health Organization criteria was performed in 261 ovarian tumours, stages IIB to IV. All available slides per patient including metastatic tumours (16%) were reviewed independently by two pathologists. Overall observed agreement regarding type was 68%. The chance‐corrected agreement expressed by the kappa coefficient was 0.55 (95% confidence interval 0.49‐0.61). Overall observed agreement regarding grade was 41% compared with a kappa coefficient of 0.19 (95% confidence interval 0.12‐0.26). Kappa coefficients, ranging from 0.18 to ‐1.00 for associations between type categories and from 0.20 to ‐0.32 for grade categories, indicated that any suggested pattern of association could be caused by chance occurrences. A more objective approach to histopathology is needed in ovarian carcinoma before its prognostic impact can be assessed.
Decreased antibody reactivity to Epstein‐Barr virus capsid antigen in type 1 (insulin‐dependent) diabetes mellitus
Authors: HYÖOTY HEIKKI , RÄASÄANEN LIISA , HILTUNEN MERJA , LEHTINEN MATTI , HUUPPONEN TUULA , LEINIKKI PAULI
Published: August 2009

In this study, antibody levels to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen (VCA) and EBV early antigens (EA) were analysed by enzyme immunoassay in 54 newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic children and in matched controls. The patients had significantly lower EBV VCA IgG‐class antibody levels (p<0.02). This was true particularly in young patients and in boys (p< 0.005). VCA IgA‐class antibody levels were also decreased in young patients (p<0.02). VCA IgM‐class antibodies were observed in two of the patients only. IgG‐ and IgA‐class antibodies to EBV EA or rubella virus antigen showed no differences between patients and controls. The results suggest that EBV infections coincide with the onset of clinical diabetes relatively rarely. However, the abnormally low antibody response to EBV VCA in diabetic children suggests abnormalities in the EBV‐specific immune response.
Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens
Authors: SETTNES OSVALD PETER , ENGEBJERG ERIK
Published: August 2009

A case of dirofilariasis in a Norwegian man is reported. The causal agent was identified as Dirofilaria repens Railliet et Henry, 1911. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from a Scandinavian country on dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens. The infection was probably acquired in Majorca four years before it was diagnosed in Molde, Norway.
Intracellular maturation and sorting of two herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoproteinS*
Authors: NORRILD B. , NIELSEN M. H. , BASTHOLM L. , CHATTERJEE S.
Published: August 2009

Simultaneous immunocytochemical triple staining of ultrathin cryosections of herpes simplex virus type 1 ‐infected cells was carried out using monoclonal antibodies specific for glycoprotein C, glyco‐protein D and α+β tubulin. The viral glycoproteins were identified in the cytoplasm, in the Golgisacs, on the plasma membrane and on the surface of intra‐ and extracellular virus particles, but not on the nuclear membrane. The glycoproteins identified in the cytoplasm outside the Golgi region were not always confined to the membranes of vesicles, but were often located in close proximity to the tubulin‐labelled structures. The glycoproteins C and D were usually codistributed in the cytoplasm, and both accumulated in the Golgi sacs in the same membrane domains. As the glycoproteins occur in close proximity to the microtubular structures, we speculate that these might be directly involved in the intracellular transport of viral glycoproteins.
Characterization of Escherichia coli isolated in blood, urine and faeces from bacteraemic patients and msible smead of infection
Authors: BRAUNER A. , KAIJSER B. , WRETLIND B. , KÜHN I.
Published: August 2009

Blood, faecal and urine isolates from patients with culture‐verified E. coli bacteraemia were investigated with respect to biochemical phenotype, O and K serotype and P. fimbriae. In 10/16 bacteraemic episodes, the blood isolates were identical to the corresponding faecal strains. In four of the remaining infections, antimicrobial therapy was initiated more than two days before faecal samples were taken. Urine cultures revealed growth of E. coli in 12/16 samples. However, only three had clinical signs of symptomatic urinary tract infections. Eight of these E. coli were saved. Further analysis revealed that five of eight strains were identical to the corresponding isolates from blood and stool samples, two were only identical to the faecal strain, while one was different to the corresponding E. coli in the blood and stool samples. The isolated E. coli strains belonged to varying and, among previously healthy persons, normally less common serotypes. No epidemiological relationship was observed between the studied strains. The high incidence of identical strains in the blood, stool and urine indicates a bacterial spread from the faecal flora directly to the urine and possibly also, via the blood, to the urine.
Histo‐blood group antigens as differentiation markers in testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: DABELSTEEN ERIK , JACOBSEN GRETE KRAG
Published: August 2009

The distribution of histo‐blood group antigens in a series of eleven human non‐seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours is described and the variable expression of these antigens is related to the patterns of differentiation that are reflected morphologically within these tumours. The results suggest that histo‐blood group antigens of type 2 chain carbohydrate structures may be used as markers of differentiation. All the tumours contained binary 2–3 sialosyllactosamine structures. N‐acetyllactosamine and Ley‐negative tumours were the least differentiated morphologically, while N‐acetyllactosamine and Ley‐positive tumours exhibited more differentiated tumour patterns. Whether the occurrence of the latter antigens in poorly differentiated forms of germ cell tumours reflects a biological potential for differentiation remains to be proven in a larger material.
Carcinoma in hyperplastic polyps of the stomach. An underestimated possibility
Authors: ORLOWSKA JANINA , TOMECKI ROMAN , BUTRUK EUGENIUSZ
Published: August 2009

The formation of carcinoma in the hyperplastic gastric polyp is extremely rare. This paper presents two cases of carcinomas which developed in hyperplastic polyps of the stomach in a 39‐year‐old man and an 82‐year‐old man. The problem of malignant transformation of gastric hyperplastic polyps is stressed and discussed in the light of data in the literature.
Cytokeratins, smooth muscle actin and vimentin in human normal salivary gland and pleomorphic adenomas
Authors: DRAEGER ANNETTE , NATHRATH WALTER B. J. , LANE E. BIRGITTE , SUNDSTRÖM BIRGITTA E. , STIGBRAND TORGNY I.
Published: August 2009

The distribution of immunostaining in normal major salivary gland and in 12 pleomorphic adenomas was studied using monospecific monoclonal antibodies to a number of cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 14, to smooth muscle actin and vimentin. A number of these antibodies enabled a distinction to be made between structural components of the normal gland, and to relate this to the different structures of pleomorphic adenomas. In the normal gland, the luminal duct cells expressed cytokeratins 7, 8, 18 and 19. Three antibodies were of particular value for the characterization of normal myoepithelial and basal cells; while the antibody to smooth muscle actin and the cytokeratin antibody K58.12 mutually exclusively stained the myoepithelial (basket) cells and the basal duct (light) cells, respectively, the recently established monospecific antibodies to cytokeratin 14 showed specific immunostaining with both cell types. These three antibodies left luminal cells virtually unstained. Ck 13 was found occasionally in single luminal excretory duct cells. Antibodies to cytokeratins 1/2, 10 and 10/11 did not show any staining in the normal gland. In the pleomorphic adenomas, the staining pattern of the two‐layered tubular formation resembled that of the normal gland ducts: tumour luminal cells showed the characteristic, although more irregular, expression of cytokeratins 7, 8, 18 and 19; the outer cells resembled normal ductal basal cells with their anti‐cytokeratin 14/K58.12‐epitope staining and in that they virtually lacked staining for smooth muscle actin. Trabecular formations and cells in myxoid areas were reactive with K58.12 and for cytokeratin 14, occasionally also for cytokeratins 7, 18 and 19. Epidermoid cell islets expressed mainly cytokeratin 14 and inconsistently the squamous epithelial cytokeratin 13 and the epidermal cytokeratin 10/11. Vimentin was found in cells of myxoid areas. The results support the postulate that some of the normal duct basal cells act as reserve cells and can give rise to tumour formation with a primitive myxoid or trabecular pattern and a more differentiated tubular or epidermoid configuration.
Mechanisms of lipofuscinogenesis: Effect of the inhibition of lysosomal proteinases and lipases under varying concentrations of ambient oxygen in cultured rat neonatal myocardial cells
Authors: MARZABADI MASSOUD R. , SOHAL RAJINDAR S. , BRUNK ULF T.
Published: August 2009

The objective of this study was to analyse the relative roles of oxidative stress and lysosomal lytic enzymes in lipofuscin formation in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Myocytes were exposed to E‐64 (an inhibitor of lysosomal cathepsins L, D and H), netilmicin (an inhibitor of lysosomal phospholipases A1 and C) and leupeptin (an inhibitor of cytosolic and lysosomal thiolproteinases) under varied conditions of oxidative stress (20% and 40% ambient oxygen) for up to 14 days. Lipofuscin was quantified by microscpectrofluorometry. The amount of lipofuscin accumulation was enhanced by the lytic enzyme inhibitors as well as by the increase in the ambient oxygen concentration. However, the effects of enzyme inhibitors was less obvious under 40% ambient oxygen than under 20% oxygen. Data are interpreted as suggesting that, under high levels of oxidative stress, intralysosomal peroxidative changes related to lipofuscin formation occur so rapidly that lytic activity assumes a minor role in lipofuscinogenesis whereas, under low oxidative stress, inhibition of lytic activity makes a greater contribution to lipofuscinogenesis by allowing a longer period of time for peroxidative changes. The results further substantiate the hypotheses that (a) lipofuscinogenesis is strongly related to oxidative stress, and (b) lipofuscin forms intralysosomally as a result of processes involving incomplete degradation of heterophagocytosed and/or autophagocytosed material.