The Malignant Cell and Its Membranes

In this brief review the hypothesis that altered membrane proteins and glycoproteins may be critical mediators of malignant expression is discussed. Examples of alterations of membrane proteins in malignancy are presented. Data is summarized showing changes in the carbohydrate components of glycoproteins of surface and internal membranes of malignant cells in culture as compared to their normal counterparts.     

Muscle Glycogen and Muscle Electrolytes during Prolonged Physical Exercise1

Nine volunteers have been examined during prolonged physical exercise to exhaustion at a load of about 60 per cent of W₁₇₀. Ordinary circulatory parameters were measured as well as the quantities of glycogen, water and electrolytes in muscle tissue obtained by needle biopsy. In a separate study 6 subjects were examined for respiratory quotient under similar exercising conditions. The muscle glycogen fell considerably from a mean of 6.9 per 100g glycogen and fat-free solids to a mean of 1.7 g at the end of exercise. The quantity of muscle glycogen used was correlated both to total energy developed during exercise and also to duration of exercise. The electrolyte and water content in muscle tissue showed only small changes. Some increase was found in muscle sodium and chloride, and also in the chloride space. The potassium content fell significantly by about 4 per cent of the basal value. None of the circulatory parameters measured showed changes of such magnitude as to have a limiting effect on performance. Two subjects were examined also with glucose infusion during the exercise. The reduction of glycogen, as also the performance of these two subjects, was of the same order of magnitude with and without infusion of glucose. The results suggest that the capacity for prolonged work is directly correlated to the glycogen store in the working muscles.     

Basement Membranes in Cancer

Basement membranes are ubiquitous tissue constituents which occur as supportive structure adjacent to epithelium, endothelium, mesothelium and also around smooth as well as striated muscle cells, Schwann cells and fat cells.

In various types of cancer, basement membranes have been extensively studied by electron microscopy. Often basement membrane interruptions were seen in invasive neoplasms but in some tumors the neoplastic cells were surrounded by a continuous basal lamina. Recent immunocyto-chemical studies have shown that in invasive carcinomas the neoplastic cells often lack a continuous basement membrane. This may be caused by catabolic activity of invasive tumor cells, which have been shown to produce specific collagenases, or by insufficient production and/or extracellular assembly of basement membrane components by the neoplastic epithelial cells.

In diagnostic histopathology, immunocytochemical staining of basement membrane components such as type IV collagen and laminin may help to distinguish between noninvasive (benign or in situ) and invasive lesions. Furthermore, in carcinomas the extent of the expression of basement membrane components may be correlated with the degree of differentiation of the neoplastic cells.

Finally, in soft tissue tumors, basement membrane staining may be helpful for the differentiation of basement membrane producing neoplasms (e.g. of vascular, neural, smooth muscle or striated muscle origin) from non-basement membrane producing neoplasms (e.g. of fibroblastic origin).     

骨骼肌肌纤维生后发育及肌纤维类型的发育

骨骼肌是人体最大的运动器官,骨骼肌的研究一直为人们所关注.骨骼肌是由不同类型的肌纤维组成,且各种类型的肌纤维具有不同的收缩性质.生后发育过程中肌纤维型的构成对骨骼肌的发育是至关重要的.回顾文献,本文就骨骼肌生后发育,肌纤维分型进行综述.     

Ordered Collagen Membranes: Production and Characterization

A collagen membrane with microscopic order is presented. The membranes were produced with acid-soluble collagen, using two different methods to obtain orientation. The product was characterized by mean of UV and IR spectra, scanning electronic microscopy, optical microscopy and laser diffractometry. The results clearly show a high level of order in the membranes obtained by both techniques. Permeability for rifamycin, ascorbic acid and NaCl was also measured. Due to the characteristics of the membranes, they have a potential application for treatment of surface injuries.     

实验大鼠斜方肌肌纤维型组成及分布研究

目的探讨大鼠斜方肌的肌纤维型组成和分布,借以了解该肌功能。方法取成年SD大鼠斜方肌升部肌组织进行冰冻切片(8μm厚),采用Guth-Samaha肌球蛋白ATP酶组织化学染色法并稍做改良,对其进行肌纤维分型研究。结果SD大鼠斜方肌经肌球蛋白ATP酶组织化学染色后可明确分出2种肌纤维型,即白色的Ⅰ型纤维(慢缩纤维)和深褐色的Ⅱ型纤维(快缩纤维),2种肌纤维在肌内呈棋盘样均匀分布;图像分析计数其Ⅰ型纤维占(48.8±6.9)%,Ⅱ型纤维比例为(51.2±6.9)%,2者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论SD大鼠斜方肌2型肌纤维所占比例均等,与其维持颈背部姿势的作用一致。