BRONCHIAL CARCINOID TUMOR MIMICKING ACINIC CELL TUMOR

A rare case of carcinoid tumor mimicking an acinic cell tumor is presented. A bicameral tumor measuring 8 × 6 mm in size was recognized in the right lung (B⁵bi) upon gross examination. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of basophilic polygonal cells forming an acinar pattern. Ultrastructurally, the majority of tumor cells had large membrane-bound cytoplasmic granules, measuring about 600 nm in diameter, which were similar to secretary granules of serous acinar cells (zymogen granules). These findings suggested that the tumor might be an acinic cell tumor originating from the bronchial gland. However, tumor cells were shown to be negative for periodic and Schiff (PAS) stain or lactoferrin, lysozyme and amylase immunohistochemicaly. On the other hand, they were shown to be argyrophilic by Grimelius stain and showed immunohistochemically positive reaction for serotonin, suggesting that the granules were neurosecretory granules and not zymogen granules. Based on these findings, we concluded that this tumor was an unusal variant of carcinoid tumor mimicking acinic cell tumor. Although carcinoid tumor has a wide histological spectrum, there has been no reported case, to our knowledge, of acinic cell tumor-like carcinoid tumor.     

The fine structural organization of the locus coeruleus in the rat with reference to noradrenaline contents

Summary Combination of glyoxylic acid perfusion and postfixation in permanganate was used in an electron microscopic study of the locus coeruleus (LC) of the rat to give good preservation of fine structure and a reproducible demonstration of noradrenaline (NA) storage granules. Medium-sized LC cells (18 × 30 m) contained a moderate number of small granular vesicles (SGV) and a few large granular vesicles (LGV), mainly near the Golgi apparatus. Dendritic branches were identified by their SGV content up to the tip. Dendrites were occasionally in close contact with each other or with the soma of LC cells, forming dendro-dendritic or dendro-somatic contacts. Numerous axon terminals containing many SGV and some LGV were observed in the neuropil, and they tended to contact dendrites and somata of LC cells or dendrites of unknown origin. These neuronal contacts were devoid of synaptic specializations except for an array of dense perpendicular lines between the juxtaposed membranes. Small oval cells (10 × 15 m) devoid of SGV occurred frequently in the peripheral part of the nucleus, and they were occasionally in direct contact with LC cells.Abbreviations used in the Figures AT axon terminal - BM basement membrane - E endothelium - ER endoplasmic reticulum - D dense body - DE dendritic shaft or branch - G Golgi apparatus - LC medium-sized locus coeruleus cell - M mitochondria - N nucleus - SC small oval cell - SO soma - SS soma spine - small granular vesicle (SGV) - large granular vesicle (LGV)     

Intracellular ion exchange between cytoplasmic potassium and granule histamine,an integrated link in the histamine release machinery of mast cells*

Rat peritoneal mast cells isolated by gradient centrifugation in Percoll were placed between two membrane filters in a Sartorius filter apparatus and superfused with isotonic balanced salt solutions or with deionized isotonic sucrose. Histamine was released according to ion exchange kinetics. Our explanation of the observed phenomena is as follows. The superfusion induces a flow of cytoplasmic K⁺ ions across the histamine-containing granules, resulting in an ion exchange K⁺←Hi⁺ ions at the histamine binding sites. The concomitant equimolar outflow of histamine and potassium is considered to be due to a functional interplay between two histamine pools, a release and a donor pool. As the result of the K⁺←SHi⁺ ion exchange at the histamine binding sites of the release pool, these sites become transiently occupied by K⁺ ions only to be immediately reoccupied by Hi⁺ ions from the donor pool. The observed equimolar outflows are consistent with a 1/1 molar ratio in the exchange between histamine and potassium ions. The essential role of cytoplasmic potassium in the histamine release mechanism is a new and important observation with possible implications not only as to histamine release in general (including so-called ‘spontaneous’ histamine release) but also as to the release of biogenic amines and other positively charged substances stored in granules in ionic linkage to the matrix.     

Polyamines in nerve terminals and secretory granules isolated from neurohypophyses

In isolated nerve terminals from ox neurohypophyses the following concentrations of polyamines [pmol (μg protein)^-1 (mean ± SEM)] were found: spermine: 2.07 ± 0.14 (n = 3), spermidine: 0.22 ± 0.01 (n = 4), putrescine: 0.20 ± 0.01 (n = 4). In secretory granules isolated from the same tissue, the concentrations were: spermine: 0.57 ± 0.02 (n = 3), spermidine: 0.07 ± 0.04 (n = 3), putrescine: 0.13 ± 0.04 (n = 3). After incubation of isolated nerve terminals with the polyamines, they were taken up as a function of time and concentration, approaching saturation at high concentrations. The kinetic parameters of their synthesizing enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, in ox neurohypophyseal nerve terminals (apparent K_m 0.75 mm and V_max 22.5 pmol mg protein^-1 h^-1) were comparable to those previously found in cerebral cortex of rats. When isolated, hemilobes from rat neurohypophyses were incubated in a medium which contained spermidine (5 mM), and were stimulated by 56 mrs K⁺, release of vasopressin was smaller than in control experiments. However, after removal of spermidine and after restimulation, 50 min after initial stimulation, the release was significantly elevated. It is suggested that polyamines may take part in modulation of vasopressin release.     

Endocrine-paracrine cells in pancreatic exocrine carcinomas

Eleven cases of primary pancreatic adenocarcinomas have been investigated histochemically, immunohistochemically and with electron-microscopy. Endocrine-paracrine (EP) cells were present in six of these tumours. In one case numerous 5HT-enterochromaffin cells (EC) of the intestinal type and a few somatostatin immunoreactive D cells were found. Two cases contained insulin-immunoreactive cells and another case displayed glucagon-IR elements. In the remaining two cases argyrophilic cells were present. These findings demonstrate that polypeptide hormone or amine production is not restricted to islet cell tumours. It is suggested that both endocrine and exocrine components of the tumours studied might have derived from a common precursor.     

对乙酰氨基酚泡腾颗粒剂的含量测定

目的 :建立对乙酰氨基酚泡腾颗粒剂的含量测定方法。方法 :采用紫外分光光度法。结果 :方法的平均回收率为 10 0 5 % ,相对标准差 (RSD)为 0 2 7%。结论 :该法简便、准确、重现性好。     

基于提取温度控制的土茯苓配方颗粒溶化性改善策略研究

目的 通过降低提取温度改善土茯苓Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma提取物及其配方颗粒的溶化性。方法 分别采用回流提取、煮开后80℃水浴浸提、直接80℃水浴浸提、煮开后70℃水浴浸提、直接70℃水浴浸提5种方法制备土茯苓提取物并对各提取物的溶化性进行分析,同时考察5种提取方法对土茯苓提取物的特征图谱、多糖与淀粉含量、出膏率、落新妇苷含量及转移率的影响。结果 上述5种方法制备的提取物中不溶物含量分别为34.93%、26.67%、24.48%、29.65%、4.03%,与回流提取相比其余4种提取方法均能改善土茯苓提取物的溶化性,其中直接70℃水浴浸提对溶化性改善最明显。不同提取方法制备的土茯苓提取物的特征图谱无明显差异,表明其质量稳定。相比于回流提取,直接70℃水浴浸提的土茯苓提取物的淀粉含量降低了11.74%;落新妇苷含量(38.6 mg/g)及其转移率最高(60.95%)。结论 采用70℃水浴浸提法可显著改善土茯苓配方颗粒的溶化性。     

青蒿药材、饮片、标准汤剂与配方颗粒的特征图谱相关性研究及量值传递分析

目的 建立青蒿药材、饮片、标准汤剂与配方颗粒的高效液相色谱法（HPLC）特征图谱,同时测定酚酸类、香豆素类成分的含量,考察四者之间化学成分的传递与差异。方法 采用CORTECS T3色谱柱（150 mm×4.6 mm,2.7 μm）,以甲醇（A）-0.1%磷酸水溶液（B）为流动相梯度洗脱,检测波长为340 nm,流速为0.70 mL·min^–1,柱温为20 ℃。以含量、特征图谱共有峰传递数及相似度为主要评价指标,分析其量值传递规律。结果 15批青蒿药材、饮片、标准汤剂及3批配方颗粒特征图谱均呈现25个共有特征峰,与各自对照特征图谱相似度均大于0.90,指认出新绿原酸、绿原酸、隐绿原酸、咖啡酸、1,3-O-二咖啡酰奎宁酸、东莨菪内酯、3,5-O-二咖啡酰奎宁酸、4,5-O-二咖啡酰奎宁酸8个成分并测定其含量,未出现离散数据。结论 青蒿药材、饮片、标准汤剂与配方颗粒的主要化学成分基本相同,HPLC特征图谱相关性良好,8个成分在测定范围内线性关系良好。所建立的质量评价模式能够反映青蒿4种形态多成分的整体面貌,可为青蒿配方颗粒质量控制提供数据支撑。     

Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small cell tumor in an adolescent suggesting a neurogenic origin

A case of a desmoplastic small cell tumor of the large omentum associated with gross ascites that occurred in a male adolescent is reported. Light microscopic studies revealed that the tumor cells were small and epithelioid in nature with eosinophilic hyaline material located in the perinuclear area. They were surrounded by rich desmoplastic and myxoidal stromal bands. Immunohistochemical staining revealed globoid perinuclear positivity for desmin. Vimentin, cytokeratin (AE3, CaM 5.2), epithelial membrane antigen, tissue polypeptide antigen, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A, endocrine granule constituent and synaptophysin were also positive in the cytoplasm. Electron microscopy revealed whorled intermediate filaments and some dense core granules in the cytoplasm. Bundles of microtubules in the cytoplasmic process and occasional cell junctions of zonulae adherentes in the tumor cells were also observed. DNA analysis of the tumor cells showed the three-fold amplification of the N-myc gene. Although desmoplastic small cell tumors showed a heterogeneous pattern with immunohistochemical studies, it is suggested that the tumor may originate from neurogenic cells.