Histological and biological developmental characterization of the human cerebellar cortex

The aim of this study was to investigate the histological and biological features of the human cerebellar cortex development and differentiation. We analyzed 52 brains of fetal and infant death victims, aged from 17 gestational weeks to 12th postnatal month. In particular, in the cerebellar cortex at different ages we evaluated, besides the structural aspects, the expression of several biomarkers implicated in proliferative processes (c-fos, PCNA and apoptosis). We observed morphological patterns progressively evolving every month, from the indefinite structure of the second gestational trimester to the four-layered structure (external granular layer, molecular layer, Purkinje cell layer, internal granular layer) of the late fetal cortex and subsequently to the three-layered postnatal definitive morphology, due to involution of the external granular layer. The evaluation of the biological features of the cerebellar cortex showed high proliferative activity mainly confined to the transient external granular layer in prenatal life, and high apoptotic index after birth. Thus, the histological examination, better with the support of biomarker investigations, allows with accuracy to describe the dynamic sequence of steps that occur in human cerebellar cortex development and to establish in each case the age, namely the pre- or postnatal month of life. Consequently, we can diagnose delayed or altered processes of differentiation during the development of the human cerebellar cortex.     

Trend surface models in the representation and analysis of time factors in cancer mortality

A method of graphic representation of time factors in cancer mortality is presented, based on different tonalities of grey applied to the surface of the matrix defined by various age-specific rates. It is illustrated using mortality data from cancers of the mouth or pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and lung in Italian and Swiss males. Progressively more complex regression surface equations are defined, on the basis of two independent variables (age and cohort) and a dependent one (each age-specific rate). General patterns of trends were thus identified, showing important similarities in cohort and period effects, but also noticeable differences in time-related factors in mortality from various neoplasms of the upper digestive and respiratory tract. For instance, there were declines in mortality from cancers of the mouth or pharynx in the oldest age groups, whereas rates were appreciably upwards at younger and middle age, particularly in Italy. Likewise, cancers of the oesophagus and, chiefly, of the larynx were substantially increasing, on a cohort basis, in oldest Italian males. Temporal pattern for laryngeal cancer in Italy was similar to that of lung cancer, thus suggesting that (cigarette) smoking has a greater impact on this cancer site as compared with alcohol. However, it is difficult to explain, on this basis alone, the totally diverging pattern for cancer of the larynx (downwards) and of the lung (upwards) observed among older Swiss males. These examples indicate that trend surface models are a useful summary guide to illustrate and understand the general patterns of age, period and cohort effects in cancer mortality.     

Superior vena caval obstruction: a 10-year experience

One hundred and fifty-nine patients with symptoms of superior vena caval obstruction who presented to two major hospitals over a 10-year period, from 1970 to 1979, were reviewed. Lung cancer was the most common histological diagnosis. The most common symptoms were dyspnoea and a feeling of fullness in the head. The most common physical findings were dilatation of the neck or chest wall veins, or oedema of the face and arms. Superior mediastinal widening was the most common radiological abnormality. No significant morbidity was associated with any diagnostic procedure. Only patients with lymphoma had a significantly longer survival period, both from the diagnosis of the disease, and from the onset of the symptoms of superior vena caval obstruction. There is no evidence that superior vena caval obstruction is an absolute medical emergency. Appropriate diagnostic steps should be undertaken to establish the histological diagnosis. The prognosis for some tumour types may be improved by combined modality therapy (chemotherapy plus radiotherapy).     

Consanguinity among parents of hearing-impaired children in relation to ethnic groups in the Jewish population of Jerusalem

A longitudinal study was performed on Jewish children with moderately-severe to profound hearing impairment born in Jerusalem during a period of 15 years (1967-1982), and the data on consanguineous matings among their parents were analyzed. These data were estimated in relation to the records obtained in an earlier survey performed on Jewish deaf children during the years 1955-1964. The rate of consanguinity among the parents of hearing-impaired children was much lower in the present survey than in the earlier one in both the Ashkenazi (Central and Eastern European origin) and the non-Ashkenazi (Asian-African origin) group. It is assumed that there is a better understanding of the genetic risk in consanguineous unions, especially when a disability such as hereditary deafness is involved.     

Deep vein thrombosis and fibrinolysis. Defective urokinase type plasminogen activator release.

In the present study 57 consecutive patients with a first episode of venographically proven deep vein thrombosis were investigated to evaluate the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in response to DDAVP stimulation as well as the resting plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) concentration, comparing this to the results obtained in 66 similar patients with a clinical suspicion of thrombosis but with a normal venogram. All assays were performed without knowledge of the patient's status. Four patients in the deep vein thrombosis-group (7%) had an absent u-PA antigen response upon DDAVP infusion, while a normal response was observed in all control subjects. Patients and controls showed similar increases in t-PA antigen level upon DDAVP. High resting PAI antigen levels were encountered in 5 patients in the deep vein thrombosis-group (9%) and in 6 subjects in the control group (9%). The results from this controlled study indicate that a defective release of u-PA may occur in patients with deep vein thrombosis and may have pathogenetic significance. Furthermore it is concluded that elevation of PAI levels cannot be considered as a specific risk factor for venous thrombosis.     

A prospective randomized trial of single-agent versus combination chemotherapy in meningeal carcinomatosis

Forty-four patients with documented meningeal carcinomatosis (small-cell lung carcinoma [SCLC], 29%; breast carcinoma, 25%) were treated in a prospective randomized trial with intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) 15 mg or MTX plus cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) 50 mg/m2. Most patients received intrathecal hydrocortisone (HC) each treatment to minimize arachnoiditis. Overall response was 55%. Seven patients achieved complete response. Response to MTX was superior to combined MTX/Ara-C, but not significantly so (61% v 45%; P greater than .10). Response was more frequent if drugs were administered via Ommaya reservoir than by lumbar puncture (65% v 48%; P greater than .10). Concurrent radiotherapy to the CNS was associated with significantly better response (73% v 35%; P less than .05). Small-cell lung carcinoma patients showed the best response (69%). Overall median survival for the whole group was 8 weeks, but responders fared better than nonresponders (median survival, 18 v 7 weeks; P less than .05). Nausea and vomiting were the most common toxicities encountered (45%), but rarely proved limiting. An unusual, previously undocumented reaction to intrathecal HC was noted. MTX is moderately effective in nonleukemic meningeal carcinomatosis, but the addition of Ara-C does not appear to improve results. Pretreatment factors did not predict outcome in this trial.     

Phase I study of epirubicin given on a weekly schedule

Epirubicin was studied in a phase I setting to find the maximum tolerated dose when given weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. Forty-one evaluable patients were treated in groups at doses increasing from 20 to 45 mg/m2. The highest dose level produced the maximum degree of myelosuppression (lowest neutrophil count, 1.9 X 10(9)/L; range, 0-3.7) recorded on Day 22. This was well-tolerated in this group of mainly pretreated patients. Nonhematologic side effects were minimal. This dose schedule allows a greater dose per unit time to be administered than other recommended schedules for epirubicin.     

Trends in cancer mortality sex ratios in Europe, 1950-1989.

A study was carried out to analyse trends in cancer mortality sex differentials. This study compared age-standardized sex ratio values for mortality from 18 cancers (or groups of cancers), and total cancer mortality over the period 1950-1989 in 24 European countries, for 4 age groups (all ages, 20-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years and over). For lung cancer and other tobacco-related neoplasms, appreciable rises in sex ratio values were observed until the late 1970s, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe, before levelling off in recent years, particularly among the younger age groups. In the late 1980s, the range of variation in overall age-standardized sex ratios for lung cancer was between 2 and 3 in the United Kingdom and in Nordic countries, and around or over 10 in Southern Europe. In young adults, the decline in sex ratio values observed in Denmark and Sweden (unity), and in other Nordic countries and in the United Kingdom (around or below 2) reflects a levelling of lung cancer in young males and an increase in young females. This clearly indicates that young women are a priority target group for smoking control interventions in Europe. Appreciable cohort effects were also observed for stomach cancer: rises in sex ratio values were greater in, or restricted to, middle- and older age groups, whereas in the young there was some tendency towards a levelling in sex differentials. The overall sex ratio values for stomach cancer were around 2 in most areas of Europe in the late 1980s. For intestinal cancer, sex ratio values showed some tendency to rise, reaching a level of 1.3-1.7 in the late 1980s; steady rises were also registered in sex ratio values for melanoma (skin cancer), reaching 1.5-1.8 in the late 1980s in most countries. These upward trends which were minor or inconsistent at younger ages in several countries became progressively stronger with advancing age. Sex ratio values were below unity for cancers of the gallbladder and the thyroid. Sex ratio values tended to rise also for leukaemia (from 1.2-1.5 to 1.5-1.7), but showed no noticeable trend for lymphomas or myeloma. The overall sex ratio values for total cancer mortality in the 1950s were between 1.2 and 1.4 in most European countries. Thereafter, they rose appreciably in several countries, reaching 1.9 in Czechoslovakia, Italy and Poland, and 2.3 in France.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Chronology of cellular events leading to derangements in function of pancreatic islets in chronic renal failure.

In chronic renal failure (CRF), a multitude of metabolic derangements occur in the pancreatic islets, resulting in impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion. These abnormalities include a rise in the basal level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the islet, a decrease in their basal and stimulated ATP and ATP/ADP ratio, a reduction in the Vmax of Ca2+ATPase and Na(+)-K+ATPase, and an impaired glucose-induced calcium signal. The sequence of events that lead to these derangements and to the impairment in insulin secretion during the evolution of CRF are not defined. The study presented here examined this issue by measuring the metabolic profile of pancreatic islets weekly during the evolution of CRF over a period of 6 wk. The results show that serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) begin to rise during the first week of CRF. The Vmax of Ca2+ATPase and Na(+)-K+ATPase increased during weeks 1 to 3 of CRF but fell to low levels thereafter. At week 3 of CRF, the basal level of [Ca2+]i began to rise, whereas basal and the stimulated ATP content and ATP/ADP ratio started to fall. Glucose-induced calcium signal, delta[Ca2+]i/basal [Ca2+]i, and insulin secretion became abnormally low between weeks 3 and 6 of CRF. The data allow the following formulation: as serum levels of PTH begins to rise, calcium entry into islets is augmented; this in turn will stimulate the activity of Ca2+ATPase and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, and hence, calcium extrusion out of the islets is increased. As a result, [Ca2+] remains normal during the first 2 wk of CRF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)