Yellow-brown spindle bodies in mesenteric lymph nodes: a possible relationship with melanosis coli

Four cases are described in which spindle-shaped, yellow-brown bodies were seen in the mesenteric lymph nodes of patients with melanosis coli. A comparison of the staining reactions and ultrastructural appearances of the spindle bodies and melanosis pigment suggest that they are related within the broad group of lipofuscins and that the spindle bodies are formed as a result of coalescence of lysosomes containing the pigment.     

Construction of brewer's yeasts secreting fungal endo-ß-glucanase

Summary Barley -glucans present in wort reduce beer filtrability and cause hazes and precipitates in the finished beer. The endo--1,4-glucanase enzyme, EGI, found in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei, is capable of efficiently hydrolyzing these -glucans. The cDNA copy of the eg11 gene, which codes for the EGI enzyme, was coupled to yeast regulatory sequences and transferred to a brewer's yeast using the yeast copper chelatin gene CUP1 as a selection marker in the transformation. The eg11 gene was transferred to the yeast both on a multicopy plasmid and on an integrating plasmid. In both cases, highly glycosylated, active EGI enzyme was secreted into the medium. Barley -glucans present in wort were efficiently hydrolyzed by the recombinant brewer's yeast.     

Detection of yeasts in blood cultures by the Luminex xTAG fungal assay

A multiplex-PCR Luminex xMAP bead probe fluid array using xTAG analyte-specific reagents (multiplex xTAG fungal ASR assay) was employed for detection of clinically significant Candida species, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Blastomyces dermatitidis from blood cultures. We tested 132 blood cultures negative (n = 10) or positive (n = 97) for yeasts and/or bacteria (n = 25). The assay showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 99%, respectively. The xTAG fungal ASR assay is a rapid assay that allows simultaneous identification of multiple yeast species.     

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with myoclonic bodies (Lafora bodies) (author's transl)]

In the present investigation 2 sporadic cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with the occurrence of myoclonic bodies (Lafora bodies) in the CNS are reported. The patients died after about 14 respectively 8 months lasting disease at the age of 41 and 43, respectively under the clinical signs of an ALS. Morphology, staining qualities, and the distribution of the myoclonic bodies in our cases correspond to the adult form of the myoclonic body disease (type Lundborg). In the literature we found further 6 cases of neurogenic muscle atrophy with the occurrence of myoclonic bodies in the CNS so that one might suppose a syntropy of these two affections. The possible pathophysiological relations of neurogenic muscle atrophy to the occurrence of myoclonic body disease in adults are briefly discussed.     

Schwannian crystalline-like inclusions bodies (Fardeau-Engel bodies) revisited in peripheral neuropathies

In 1969, Fardeau and Engel described polygonal organelles containing crystalline-like structures located in the Schwann cell cytoplasm of unmyelinated fibers. Such inclusions were reported in various conditions, mainly with axonal lesions. They were also reported in a few cases of peripheral neuropathy associated with primary mitochondriopathy. Although they are surrounded by a double membrane, their mitochondrial origin is not definitely proven. Their significance remains obscure but they deserve to be better known as Fardeau-Engel bodies, so as not to be mistaken with mitochondrial crystalline inclusions, which are frequently observed in patients with ragged-red fibers in muscle.     

Unusual fungal bodies in conventional cervical smears: Report of nine cases

Candida spp have often been reported in cervical cytology, other fungal organisms are very rare in modern literature. We report nine cases of conventional cervical smears showing Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium spp in healthy imunocompetent females. Penicillium spp seen in four out of nine smears, Cladosporium spp alone in three out of nine smears, and Cladosporium spp along with Aspergillus spp in two out of nine smears. A detail of these nine cases is presented with discussion on importance of these structures when observed in conventional cervical smears. Awareness of such contaminants is important to differentiate from true infection for relevant therapeutic implications. A systematic step‐wise approach to such structures is also suggested. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:234–237. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Myofibrosarcoma (low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma) with intracytoplasmic hyaline (fibroma-like) inclusion bodies

Myofibrosarcoma is a controversial neoplasm composed of cells with differentiation toward myofibroblasts. The authors report an unusual case of myofibrosarcoma in which, in addition to the characteristic features reported, tumor cells contained intracytoplasmic hyaline (fibroma-like) inclusion bodies. A 66-year-old man complained of a painless enlarged mass in his right shoulder over the previous 6 months. The tumor recurred 2 years after operation. On histologic examination, the tumor displayed diffusely infiltrative growth with isolation of individual skeletal muscle fibers. The tumor cells were most often arranged in an intersecting (herringbone) fascicular pattern but a vaguely storiform pattern was also observed. Cellularity varied from one area to another. The cells were spindle-shaped, with ill-define pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, and a wavy or tapering nucleus with fine chromatin and small nucleoli. Intracytoplasmic hyaline inclusion bodies of variable size, often located adjacent to the nucleus, were visible in numerous spindle and stellate cells. The mitotic index was 3/10 HPF. The tumor was scored as grade 1. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining to muscle-specific actin, desmin and vimentin in most tumor cells. Intracytoplasmic hyaline inclusion bodies did not react specifically to any one antibody, but showed a marked ring-like immune reaction, particularly to muscle-specific actin. Electron microscopy showed tumor cells with indented nuclei and small nucleoli, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, micropinocytotic vesicles, and longitudinally arranged fine filaments with focal electron-dense patches and subplasmalemmal plaques. The most striking feature was the presence of large, globular or ball-like, non-membrane-bound, randomly scattered clusters of fine filament, usually adjacent to the nucleus.