bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinoblastoma and p53 tumour suppressor gene protein expression in carcinomas of the thyroid gland
Authors: Holm Ruth , Nesland Jahn M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractOne hundred and thirty‐one thyroid tumours were examined immunohistochemically for expression of retinoblastoma (RB) and p53 protein. The results demonstrate that RB protein is not lost in any cases, indicating that inactivation of the RB gene is unlikely to play a central role in the pathogenesis of thyroid tumours. Eighteen of 24 (75 per cent) undifferentiated carcinomas, 6 of 32 (19 per cent) papillary carcinomas, 5 of 29 (17 per cent) follicular carcinomas, and 6 of 46 (13 per cent) medullary carcinomas showed p53 protein nuclear staining. In 46 per cent of the undifferentiated carcinomas many of the tumour cells had accumulated p53 protein, whereas in the other positive cases less than 5 per cent of the cells had increased p53 protein levels. Our results strongly suggest that p53 protein abnormalities play a crucial role in the progression of well‐differentiated to undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas.
Expression of bcl‐2 gene product in neuroblastoma
Authors: Ramani Pramila , Lu Qi‐Long 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe expression of bcl‐2 is associated with inhibition of apoptosis and prolonged cell survival. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunoreactivity of neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma tissue samples to the bcl‐2 gene product in order to see if it was related to prognosis. BCL‐2 protein was detected in all the 46 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples from 34 patients representing all clinical stages and sites of involvement. Immuno‐positivity was observed in tumours from the primary and metastatic sites. Moreover, it was demonstrated in the pre‐chemotherapy and the post‐chemotherapy samples from six cases with stage 4 disease. It was observed in neuroblasts in various stages of differentiation. A small proportion of undifferentiated neuroblasts were negative. As BCL‐2 oncoprotein was present in all the cases irrespective of the clinical outcome, it does not appear to be one of the factors influencing prognosis.
The effect of inhibition of glutathione S‐transferase P on the growth of the jurkat human T cell line
Authors: McCaughan Frank M. , Brown Alan L. , Harrison David J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractTo investigate the possible role of glutathione S‐transferase P (GSTP) in carcinogenesis and cell proliferation, ethacrynic acid (EA) was used to inhibit GSTP in the human Jurkat T cell line. At lower doses (0–30 μM), EA led to a decreased rate of proliferation as assessed by the MTT assay. This was associated with a decreased DNA S + G2/M phase population and also a dose‐dependent increase in apoptosis. At concentrations of EA >30μM, cells suffered non‐specific cytotoxic injury and underwent necrosis. The total cell number fell over the time course of the experiment. A resistant subculture of cells which proliferated in the presence of EA at 30μM was selected by continuous growth in the presence of EA. Although this had a higher basal rate of apoptosis than control cells, it also showed a significantly larger growth fraction as assessed by flow cytometry. GSTP is frequently overexpressed in human tumours and animal models of carcinogenesis, and is regarded as a marker of the ‘drug‐resistant phenotype’ of initiated cells. Our findings suggest that the role of GSTP in models of chemical carcinogenesis and in tumours may be its permissive effect on cell cycle activity and downregulation of apoptosis, thus allowing expansion of a population of initiated cells.
Expression of a nuclear envelope protein recognized by the monoclonal antibody BU31 in lung tumours: Relationship to Ki‐67 antigen expression
Authors: Rowlands David C. , Bunce Christopher M. , Crocker John , Ayres Jon G. , Johnson Gerald D. , Ling Noel , Brown Geoffrey 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe production of the murine monoclonal antibody BU31 is described. This antibody identifies a nuclear envelope protein which is expressed in some but not all cells, and which resembles statin, a protein reported to be expressed by non‐proliferating cells. BU31 was applied onto frozen sections of a series of 78 lung tumours and the staining patterns were compared with those obtained with Ki‐67. There was an inverse correlation between the proportion of tumour nuclei labelled with the two reagents (r= −0.61, 95 per cent confidence intervals −0.73 to −0.45). However, the four neuroendocrine neoplasms were BU31‐negative. Squamous cell carcinomas often showed a peripheral distribution of the cells stained positively with Ki‐67, whereas BU31 tended to label centrally situated cells. These observations are consistent with the concept that the antigen recognized by BU31 is expressed by non‐proliferating cells in these tumours.
Fractal geometric analysis of material from molar and non‐molar pregnancies
Authors: Cross Simon S. , Howat Alec J. , Stephenson Timothy J. , Cotton Dennis W. K. , Underwood James C. E. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractHistological sections from 25 non‐molar pregnancies, nine partial hydatidiform moles, and 16 complete hydatidiform moles were examined (diagnosis was taken as the consensus of seven experienced histopathologists) and the fractal dimension was measured using a box‐counting method implemented on a microcomputer‐based image analysis system. The fractal dimensions of the different diagnostic categories were normally distributed with a mean of 1.50 for non‐molar pregnancies, 1.44 for partial moles, and 1.42 for complete moles. All the measured fractal dimensions were greater than the topological dimension (1), demonstrating that the specimens had a fractal element to their structure. There was a significant difference between the fractal dimensions of non‐molar pregnancies and complete moles (P=0.0005), but not between partial moles and non‐molar pregnancies (P=0.0823) or complete and partial moles (P=0.4400). Using the fractal dimension to predict the histopathological diagnosis assigned 56 per cent of the cases to the correct category with a kappa statistic of 0.26, so the fractal dimension, used alone, is not a useful morphometric discriminant in the diagnosis of molar and non‐molar pregnancy.
Detection of specimen contamination in routine histopathology by HLA class II typing using the polymerase chain reaction and sequence specific oligonucleotide probing
Authors: Bateman Adrian C. , Leung Shu T. , Howell William M. , Roche William R. , Jones David B. , Theaker Jeffrey M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis study evaluates the use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II PCR‐SSO typing for the investigation of suspected specimen contamination in four routine surgical histopathology cases. Two cases were of patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate gland. The third case was a patient undergoing excision of a subcutaneous small cell carcinoma. The fourth case was a patient undergoing reversal of a Hartman's procedure for adenocarcinoma of the colon. Tissue was extracted from routinely processed formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded material and HLA class II typed, using a non‐radioactive polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific oligonucleotide probe technique (PCR‐SSO), using probes specific for the DRB, DQA, and DQB loci. The accuracy of PCR‐SSO typing of DNA extracted from paraffin biopsy material was confirmed by concordant results for DRB, DQA, and DQB typing in five separate control individuals from whom frozen and paraffin lymph node biopsies were available. PCR‐SSO typing was also successful in the four study cases and revealed that contamination had occurred in two cases, eliminating this possibility in the remaining cases. This study demonstrates that DNA can be reliably amplified and accurately typed from routinely processed material, and reveals a useful new application for PCR‐SSO tissue typing.
Co‐expression of M‐CSF transcripts and protein, FMS (M‐CSF receptor) transcripts and protein, and steroid receptor content in adenocarcinomas of the ovary
Authors: Kommoss F. , Wölfle J. , Bauknecht T. , Pfisterer J. , Kiechle‐Schwarz M. , Pfleiderer A. , Sauerbrei W. , Kiehl R. , Kacinski B. M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe co‐expression of M‐CSF (CSF‐1) and its receptor in specimens of ovarian cancer has recently been reported. Preliminary results have already suggested a possible influence of steroids on FMS (M‐CST receptor) expression. Fifty‐five non‐pretreated FIGO stage III/IV ovarian adenocarcinomas were studied for M‐CSF transcripts and protein, as well as FMS transcripts and protein, using standard molecular biological techniques (Northern blot, slot blot analysis) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Steroid receptor content was measured by DCC analysis in 44/55 specimens; in addition, ER/PR (oestrogen/progesterone) ICC was performed in 32/55 specimens. All tumours were shown to contain M‐CSF‐specific mRNA. Likewise, M‐CSF protein was detected by ICC in the stroma and over the epithelium in all specimens. However, while most tumours were shown to contain FMS‐specific mRNA, only 64 per cent of cases showed significant expression of FMS protein by tumour epithelium as shown by ICC. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between M‐CSF and FMS mRNA expression levels. A week non‐significant positive correlation was noted between FMS mRNA expression levels and tumour grade. Carcinomas were ER‐positive in 66 per cent (DCC) or 34 per cent (ICC), and PR‐positive in 73 per cent (DCC) or 34 per cent (ICC). A statistically significant positive correlation between ER (DCC) and M‐CSF mRNA expression levels was found. Weak non‐significant correlations were present between ER (ICC) and FMS (ICC), as well as between PR (DCC) and FMS mRNA expression. Our study supports earlier propositions that co‐expression of M‐CSF and its receptor could regulate growth in ovarian carcinomas via an autocrine loop.
Hitherto unrecognized arterioles within hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Himeno Hiromi , Enzan Hideaki , Saibara Toshiji , Onishi Saburo , Yamamoto Yasutake 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe distribution of blood vessels in human hepatocellular carcinoma was studied with the anit‐α‐smooth muscle actin monoclonal antibody by light and electron microscopy, and with morphometric analysis. α‐Smooth muscle actin‐positive arterioles were never observed in lobules or pseudolobules of non‐cancerous areas, but were frequently seen within hepatocellular carcinomas. Morphometric analysis revealed that most of these arterioles measured between 10 and 25 μm in diameter. The morphology of intratumoural arterioles differed considerably from that of conventional arteries in the portal tracts of the non‐cancerous area. The presence of abundant intratumoural arterioles can explain the angiographic hypervascularity of hepatocellular carcinoma and provides a pathological basis for its susceptibility to hypoxia and for arterial embolization as a therapeutic strategy.
p53 Protein, PCNA staining, and DNA content in follicular neoplasms of the thyroid gland
Authors: Czyz Wojciech , Joensuu Heikki , Pylkkänen Liisa , Klemi Pekka J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractForty‐nine follicular adenomas and 11 follicular carcinomas of the thyroid were investigated by immuno‐histochemistry for the expression of p53 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The DNA ploidy and the S‐phase fraction (SPF) of the neoplasms were analysed by flow cytometry. Twelve adenomas (24 per cent) and six carcinomas (55 per cent) were DNA non‐diploid (P=0·07). The carcinomas had a higher proliferation rate than the adenomas when assessed either by SPF size (median 9·9 per cent vs. 2·9 per cent, P=0·0003) or by PCNA staining intensity (P<0·0001). Some scattered nuclei in two (4 per cent) adenomas and in three (27 per cent) carcinomas stained positively for p53 (P=0·04). The two adenomas with positive staining for p53 were subserially sectioned, but no signs of invasion were found; both patients are alive and well 6 and 7 years after surgery. One of the two adenomas showing positive p53 nuclear staining was DNA aneuploid, and both were positive in PCNA staining, but their SPFs were low (2·1 and 3·3 per cent). We conclude that p53 protein expression is not confined to follicular carcinomas; scattered p53‐positive cells may also be present in histologically and clinically benign follicular adenomas. Because both follicular adenomas and carcinomas may be DNA aneuploid and their SPF and PCNA staining distributions overlap, the distinction between follicular adenoma and carcinoma should still be based on histological criteria.
Early increase precedes a depletion of endothelin‐1 but not of von Willebrand factor in cutaneous microvessels of diabetic patients. A quantitative immunohistochemical study
Authors: Properzi Giuliana , Terenghi Giorgio , Gu Xu‐Hong , Poccia Gianfranco , Pasqua Raffaele , Francavilla Sandro , Polak Julia M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractEndothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is a vasoconstrictor peptide which is produced by endothelial cells. The subcellular distribution of ET‐1 in human skin and the variation of immunostaining for ET‐1 by light microscopy in skin biopsies of diabetic patients have been analysed using immunohistochemistry and image analysis quantification. Skin biopsies were collected from 17 patients with type 1 diabetes of different durations and with presence or absence of microangiopathy in the retina; skin biopsies of healthy subjects were utilized as controls. The distribution of ET‐1 immunoreactivity (IR) at both light and electron microscopy was compared to that of von Willebrand factor (vWf), a general marker of total cutaneous microvessels. Immunohistochemistry revealed that in controls the distribution of immunostaining was similar for ET‐1 and vWf, being localized to microvessels in all areas of the skin. However, at the electron microscopical level ET‐1‐IR was localized in the endothelial cytoplasm rather than in specific organelles, while vWf immunostaining was associated with Weibel‐Palade bodies. ET‐1‐IR was observed in 4/8 (50 per cent) biopsies from healthy subjects; this increased to 81.8 per cent in biopsies of patients affected by diabetes for less than 10 years and decreased to 16.6 per cent in patients with diabetes for more than 10 years. Quantification of ET‐1 staining showed a significant decrease of ET‐1‐IR in patients affected by diabetes for more than 10 years compared with those affected by diabetes for less than 10 years (P<0.05). Also, the percentage of biopsies showing positive ET‐1 staining was lower in patients with retinopathy than in patients without retinopathy. On the contrary, vWf‐IR was observed in all skin specimens and its quantification showed no differences between diabetic patients and controls. These changes are not related to variations in the number of blood vessels, and it is suggested that they reflect a possible functional alteration of the endothelial cells during diabetes.
High prevalence of pancreatic islet amyloid in patients with end‐stage renal failure on dialysis treatment
Authors: de Koning E. J. P. , Fleming K. A. , Gray D. W. R. , Clark A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIslet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is the main proteinaceous component of pancreatic islet amyloid, which is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes. The factors responsible for amyloid deposition are unclear. Patients with end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) on dialysis treatment have increased insulin resistance which is associated with hypersecretion of beta‐cell products. Furthermore, elevated concentrations of circulating IAPP are found in these patients due to reduced renal clearance of IAPP. To determine the prevalence of islet amyloid in this group of patients, pancreas was examined from 23 non‐diabetic [aged 62 (29‐79) years, median and range] and four type 2 diabetic [aged 67 (56‐72) years] patients with ESRF on dialysis treatment. Pancreatic specimens from 30 non‐diabetic control subjects [aged 67.5 (56‐86) years] and 14 type 2 diabetic subjects without renal disease [aged 69 (48‐86) years] were used as control groups. Islet amyloid was present in all type 2 diabetic patients with ESRF and in 12 out of 14 type 2 diabetic control subjects (86 per cent). Amyloid deposits were found in 8 out of 23 non‐diabetic patients with ESRF (35 per cent), which was a higher prevalence than that found in non‐diabetic control subjects (3 per cent) (P<0.01). This may be related to undiagnosed (pre)diabetes. Elevated secretion rates of IAPP due to insulin resistance and high circulation IAPP concentrations as a result of severely reduced renal clearance of IAPP will cause high pericellular concentrations of IAPP. This condition is likely to enhance amyloid fibril formation in pancreatic islets similar to that observed in type 2 diabetes.
Interphase cytogenetics: Analysis of numerical chromosome aberrations in isolated cells
Authors: Herrington C. S. , Cooper K. , McGee J. O'D. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractProbes which recognize pericentromeric repetitive sequences can be used to determine numerical chromosome aberrations in interphase nuclei. Under appropriate stringency conditions, these probes decorate only the chromosome from which they were derived. It has been assumed that abnormalities of signal number in interphase nuclei reflect aneuplodiy rather than proliferation, but this has not been clearly demonstrated. In this paper, three alphoid probes (D3Z1, D11Z1, and DXZ1) were localized to the appropriate chromosomes and the factors governing the production of reproducible signal distributions from three aneuploid cervical carcinoma‐derived epithelial cell lines were investigated. Abnormalities of signal number represent numerical chromosome aberrations rather than changes associated with proliferation. Using four simple fules of interpretation, reproducible results can be obtained with minimal technical variation and selection bias. These results demonstrate that pericentromeric repetitive probes can be used reproducibly to determine numerical chromosome aberrations independent of cell proliferation in interphase nuclei, a necessary prerequisite for the application of this approach to the analysis of human tumours.
Combined enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural study on cryostat sections of pig heart to detect early reperfusion damage after ischaemia
Authors: Frederiks Wilma M. , Tukkie Raymond , Gründeman Paul F. , Hoebe Christine , Schellens Jacques P. M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIn cardiac surgery, recognition of peroperative myocardial infarction may improve patient selection for prolonged circulatory support. The value of enzyme histochemistry to discriminate between reversible and irreversible myocardial damage at short periods of reperfusion was studied in an in vivo model of regional ischaemia in pig hearts. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) was clamped for 45 min followed by 2 h reperfusion (group 1, n=3). Post‐mortem heart tissue showed markedly decreased activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and beta‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH) as demonstrated in cryostat sections, accompanied by massive leakage of LDH in the venous effluent. The depleted areas showed irreversible cell damage based on the presence of flocculent densities in mitochondria. In group 2 (n=6), LADCA flow was reduced to 40 per cent of the base‐line value followed by 2 h reperfusion. Heart tissue showed normal LDH and BDH activities, except for some cells surrounding blood vessels, which activity was minimally decreased. Flocculent densities in mitochondria were never observed. We conclude that enzyme histochemistry of LDH and BDH activity on cryostat sections is a useful tool for detecting irreversible myocardial cell damage as early as 2 h reperfusion after ischaemia of the pig heart. The technique has potential applications in the detection of peroperative infarction in human biopsies.
Developing diagnostic techniques: The role of magnetic resonance imaging in tumour staging
Authors: Argent Julie , Beer Trevor 
Published: June 2005

AbstractMagnetic resonance (MR) is a state‐of‐the art imaging modality which does not use ionizing radiation. It is now widely available as an imaging technique in the U.K. and is no longer confined to specialist centres. MR has now become part of the clinician's diagnostic armamentarium and is not merely a research utility.A magnetic field and radio‐frequency waves are used to excite protons and produce an image. Protons exist in many different environments but for imaging purposes the hydrogen protons in fat and water are used. The rate at which excited protons relax is described by two characteristic times, T1 and T2, which vary in different tissues. T1‐weighted images show normal anatomy, whilst T2‐weighted images generally highlight abnormal tissue. Injection of a paramagnetic gadolinium‐based contrast agent enhances T1‐weighted images by reducing relaxation times. Initially it was felt that MR would be tissue‐specific,1 enabling correlation with histopathological findings. Unfortunately, research and clinical use has shown that MR does not fulfil these expectations at present.2 Future developments such as spectroscopy may improve tissue specificity and hence diagnostic accuracy.The value of MR for imaging the neuro‐axis and musculo‐skeletal system is well established. New developments are increasing its applications in breast, thorax, and liver imaging. There has been much research into the role of MR in staging malignant tumours, particularly in the areas of bladder and lung carcinomas. The present article concentrates on this specific application.
Overexpression of the tumour suppressor gene p53 is not implicated in neuroendocrine tumour carcinogenesis
Authors: Wang Da‐Gong , Johnston Colin F. , Anderson Neil , Sloan James M. , Buchanan Keith D. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe tumorigenesis of neuroendocrine tumours remains poorly understood, although a minority, the familial multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 1 and MEN 2), are known to be of uncommon genetic origin. Mutation of the tumour suppressor gene, p53, is now known to be a common genetic alteration in about half of all types of non‐endocrine cancers. In the present study, immunocytochemistry using the monoclonal anti‐p53 antibody, DO‐7, has been employed to investigate the accumulation of p53 immunoreactivity in a wide range of primary neuroendocrine tumours. Tumours (n=109) were fixed and processed to paraffin wax according to a constant protocol. Sections were subjected to microwave antigen retrieval prior to immunostaining for p53. Positive nuclear immunostaining was obsered in one medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT), one lung carcinoid, and five small cell carcinomas of the lung (SCCL). All other tumour samples were consistently negative. As the neoplasia investigated in this study comprised a wide spectrum of neuroendocrine tumour types and ranged from minute, relatively benign lesions to malignant metastasizing disease and as there was no relationship between the presence of p53 overexpression and clinico‐pathological features, the present study suggests that p53 gene mutation may be relatively unimportant in the genesis of neuroendocrine tumours.
A sensitive staining method for NORs
Authors: Yekeler H. , Erel Ö. , Yumbul A. Z. , Doymaz M. Z. , Doǧan Ö. , Özercan M. R. , Iplikçi A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractA sensitive staining method for nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) is described, using blue toning of AgNORs. NORs are loops of DNA which are transcribed into ribosomal RNA. NORs can be demonstrated by staining with silver nitrate, since NOR‐associated proteins are argyrophilic, producing structures termed AgNORs. Normal blood lymphocytes were stained with both methods. The number and resolution of NORs increased 2–3 times by blue toning (30 mmol/l FeCl3, 11 mmol/l potassium hexacyanoferrate(III), and 33 mmol/l oxalic acid) compared with silver staining. A significant difference in the number of NORs was noticed between silver‐stained and blue‐toned cells (P<0.001). The blue toning technique thus appears to be more sensitive in detecting NORs than the AgNOR method and may prove a useful alternative for applications in histopathology.