Alpha-Fetoprotein Subtractions in Germ Cell Tumors Identified by Con A or LCH Crossed-Line Affinity Immunoelectrophoresis

ABSTRACT: Using concanavalin A (Con A) crossed-line affinity immunoelectrophoresis and lentil lectin (LCH) crossed-line affinity immunoelectrophoresis, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) subfractions were studied in sera including three sera from nude mice heterotran-splanted with human yolk sac tumor of the ovary and three sera from patients with yolk sac tumor, mature solid teratoma, or immature solid teratoma of the ovary. In sera of nude mice bearing yolk sac tumor or from a patient with yolk sac tumor, subfractions from yolk sac and those from fetal liver were identified. Since AFP subfractions from yolk sac and fetal liver can be differentiated according to the carbohydrate moieties, our findings indicate that AFP produced by yolk sac tumor and fetal yolk sac are to some extent differently glycosylated. We also found that AFP in both mature and immature solid teratoma was composed of two subfractions ontogenetically originating from yolk sac or fetal liver. All these findings indicate that more than two different factors are responsible for the AFP synthesis in germ cell tumor of the ovary.     

Effects of Cystic Fibrosis Serum and Fibroblast Culture Medium on Ion Distribution in Rat Submandibular Gland

The effects of cystic fibrosis (CF) serum and culture medium from CF fibroblasts on ion distribution in rat submandibular gland cells were investigated by X-ray microanalysis. These effects were compared to the effects of normal serum and culture medium from normal fibroblasts, of cholinergic and adrenergic agonists, and of the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol.

Incubation of gland tissue with CF serum or normal serum caused a significant decrease in potassium and calcium concentrations and an increase in sodium in mucous acinar and serous granular duct cells. CF serum gave a significantly larger decrease of the potassium level than normal serum.

Culture medium from CF fibroblasts altered the cellular ion content in a way similar to CF serum. Exposure to medium from cultured normal fibroblasts did not affect the elemental composition of the gland cells significantly, compared to incubation with fresh medium or buffer. Hence, fibroblast culture medium is more suitable than serum to test specific effects of CF-associated factors.

The changes in elemental composition of gland eelIs caused by CF serum or CF fibroblast culture medium mimic some of the effects of the agonist car-bachol. They could, however, also in part result from nonspecific changes in membrane permeability.     

IgE antibody to Aspergillus fumigatus recombinant allergens in cystic fibrosis patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a heightened Th2 CD4+ T-cell response to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) allergens and a hyper-immunoglobulin E (IgE) state compared with cystic fibrosis patients without ABPA. The IgE serologic differentiation of ABPA from atopic CF patients can be difficult. We propose as the reactivity with purified antigens varies qualitatively and quantitatively and that the antibody response is more specific than with crude Af antigen extract, the IgE responses to purified recombinant Af allergens may differentiate ABPA from atopic CF patients. METHODS: Serum IgE reactivity to seven recombinant purified allergens and to a crude extract of Af was measured in 15 ABPA, in 23 Af skin test positive (ST+), and in 19 Af skin test negative (ST-) CF patients. Four of the ABPA CF patients were studied before and after developing ABPA. Nine ABPA patients were studied during flares and remissions of ABPA. RESULTS: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis patients had significantly increased IgE reactivity to Asp f2, f3, f4, f6, and f16 compared with the Af ST+ and ST- non-ABPA CF patients. In the ABPA patients studied before and after developing ABPA, IgE reactivity also increased to Asp f2, f3, f4, and f6, and to the crude extract. In ABPA CF patients, IgE reactivity to Asp f1, f2, f3, and f6 significantly increased during periods of ABPA flares compared with periods of remission. Analysis of the receiver operating curve demonstrated that IgE reactivity to Asp f3 and f4 gave the best sensitivity and specificity and were better than IgE reactivity to a crude extract of Aspergillus. Furthermore, in ABPA patients studied during periods of remission the IgE reactivity to Asp f3 and f4 remained significantly elevated compared with Af ST+ non-ABPA patients. The IgE responses when considered either to be positive or negative to Asp f3 and f4 significantly differentiated ABPA from Af ST+ and ST- non-ABPA CF patients. In contrast, IgE reactivity was considered positive to the crude extract in 89% of ABPA, 61% of Af ST+, and 0% of Af ST- non-ABPA CF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoglobulin E reactivity to a panel of purified Af allergens, especially to Asp f3 and f4, differentiates ABPA from atopic Af ST+ non-ABPA CF patients. Serial determinations of IgE reactivity to individual purified Aspergillus antigens, especially Asp f3, demonstrates that increases in IgE reactivity may provide improved distinction between stages of flares and remission compared with changes in IgE reactivity to a crude Aspergillus extract.     

Genetic analysis of males from intracytoplasmic sperm injection couples

A total of 392 men referred for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) participated in genetic analysis. The control group consisted of 100 normal fertile males. Chromosome and DNA analyses were performed to investigate the frequency of Y-chromosome microdeletions and CFTR mutations (the controls underwent DNA analysis only). An abnormal karyotype was found in 4.6% of all males, but the frequency among men with azoospermia was higher, at 11.7%. Y-chromosome microdeletions were found only among men with azoospermia (6.5%) and men with extreme oligospermia (2%). Compound heterozygosity for CFTR mutations was found in men with azoospermia (3.9%) and congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) only. We conclude that all couples referred for ICSI should be offered chromosome analysis. DNA analysis for Y-chromosome microdeletions should be reserved for men with azoospermia or extreme oligospermia (<1 x 106 spermatozoa). Analysis for CFTR mutations should be limited to those with obstructive azoospermia or those with a family history of cystic fibrosis.     

Electron Microscopic Study of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

This ultrastructural study is based on nine cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma arising from the salivary glands. Electron microscopically, the tumors consisted of five cell types: relatively differentiated intercalated duct cells, secretory cells, undifferentiated cells, cells of a squamous nature, and myoepithelial cells. Special attention was paid to the characteristic extracellular substances noted by light microscopic examination of these tumors. The hyaline material of the pseudocysts contained not only mucopolysaccharide granules but also fingerprintlike structures formed by replicated basement membrane. Some of these structures had a dense core, probably composed of mucopolysaccharide granules. Cell islands surrounded by elasticlike material also were found. The true lumina were usually filled with membranovesicular structures originating from fragments of the lining cells, mainly those with squamous differentiation. These membranovesicular structures included electron-dense rods, filamentous whorls, and structures displaying periodicity.     

卵巢未成熟畸胎瘤临床特征及分析

目的;探讨未成熟畸胎瘤的临床特征,方法：对1979年8月至1999年7月收治的49例卵巢未成熟畸胎瘤进行回顾性分析。结果：49例卵巢未成熟畸胎瘤患者30岁以下者占75．49％,临床分期I期26例,II期6例,III期13例,IV期4例,其中实行保守性手术的5年生存率较根治性手术5年生存率稍低但无统计学差异,49例中发生于单仙卵巢的占88．2％,其中左侧占53．6％,结论：卵巢未成熟畸台瘤主要发生在青少年,单侧尤其左侧卵巢好发,临床分期与预后有关,手术方式与生存率无必然规律,对年轻患者要求生育者,可考虑保行留生育功能的手术方式。     

腮腺腺样囊性癌病人血浆P—选择素的测定

①目的　探讨可溶性P 选择素 (sP selectin)与腮腺腺样囊性癌发展及转移的关系。②方法　用ELISA法检测 6 5例腮腺腺样囊性癌病人血浆中sP selectin的含量。③结果　腮腺腺样囊性癌病人血浆中sP se lectin的含量均明显高于正常对照组 (t=- 12 .6 5 ,P <0 .0 1) ;而且血浆中sP selectin的水平与病情发展有关 (F =92 .6 7,q =5 .6 0 2～ 13.45 3,P <0 .0 1)。 ④结论　sP selectin检测有可能成为腮腺腺样囊性癌病人辅助诊断、观察病情发展的一项有价值的指标。     

53例涎腺腺样囊性癌MMP—2和MMP—9表达与神经浸润和淋巴结转移的关系

目的研究涎腺腺样囊性癌MMP-2和MMP-9表达情况,评估其与涎腺腺样囊性癌神经浸润和淋巴 结转移的关系。方法选取53例涎腺腺样囊性癌,以抗MMP-2和MMP-9单克隆抗体用Envision法进行免疫 组织化学染色和半定量分析。结果MMP-2和MMP-9在涎腺腺样囊性癌中的表达率分别为67.92％和 79.25％;有神经浸润的腺样囊性癌其MMP-2和MMP-9的表达水平远高于无浸润者(P＜0.05,P＜0.05);随 着MMP-2和MMP-9的表达水平增高,淋巴结转移率也增高(P＜0.05,P＜0.05)。结论提示MMP-2和 MMP-9的高表达与涎腺腺样囊性癌易侵犯神经的特性及发生淋巴结转移密切相关。     

单纯性肾囊肿的组织起源

目的 探讨单纯性肾囊肿的组织起源。方法 20例囊液标本取自12位男性和8位女性,采用两种方法：（1）测定囊液中钠（Na^ )、钾（K^ )、氯（Cl^-)、尿素氮（BUN）、肌酐（Cr)、葡萄糖（Glu)、总蛋白（TP）等物质的浓度,并与血浆中的浓度相比较;（2）选用两种高选择定位于不同肾小管节段的酶标植物血凝素,四叶莲凝集素和jacalin凝集素,对单纯性肾囊肿标本进行组织化学研究。四叶莲凝集素定位于近端肾小管,而jacalin凝集素定位于远端肾小管和集合管。结果 （1）标本中Na^ 、K^ 、Cl^-、BUN、Cr、Glu的浓度与血浆中浓度基本相等,而血浆中总蛋白的浓度则高于囊液中浓度;（2）15例囊肿内衬上皮的四叶莲凝集素染色均呈强阳性,而jacalin凝集素染色有7例为阴性,另8例为部分弱阳性。结论 单纯性肾囊肿可能起源于近端肾小管。