Ring chromosome 6 as the only change in a thymoma

Cytogenetic analysis of a thymoma showed the presence of a ring chromosome 6 as the sole chromosome abnormality. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sequential Measurements of Human Decidua-Associated Protein (hDP) 200 in the Uterine Fluid During the Menstrual Cycle

PROBLEM: To examine the relationship between the concentration of uterine fluid human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200, identified as a monoclonal rheumatoid factor, and different phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: Sequential measurements of hDP 200 concentration in uterine fluid were performed in 11 normal ovulatory women, aged 22–36 years. The samples were collected in early proliferative phase, late proliferative phase, periovulatory period, early secretory phase, and late secretory phase. RESULTS: Consistent fluctuations of hDP 200 levels in uterine fluid were found throughout the menstrual cycle. High levels were found during early proliferative phase and periovulatory period related to significantly lower levels during late proliferative and early luteal phases. CONCLUSION: There is menstrual phase dependent variation in the uterine fluid levels of hDP 200.     

Neuroblastic differentiation potential of the human retinoblastoma cell lines Y-79 and WERI-Rb1 maintained in an organ culture system. An immunohistochemical, electron microscopic, and biochemical study

The differentiation potential of the human retinoblastoma cell lines Y-79 and WERI-Rb1 was evaluated in vitro for up to 120 days in a matrix system and in rotary suspension for 30 days. Matrix cultures were grown with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), with and without differentiation-promoting agents. The latter were applied for a total of 5-45 days (usually 30 days) and included 7S nerve growth factor, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, sodium butyrate, retinoic acid, hydrocortisone, and ascorbic acid. Fully defined, serum-free medium and medium containing 5 or 15% FCS were also used for matrix cultures, and medium with 5 or 10% FCS for suspension cultures. By immunoperoxidase (performed on matrix cultures, both untreated and treated for 30 days with differentiation-promoting agents), the cells of both lines were positive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), class III beta-tubulin (human h beta 4) isotype, and synaptophysin. In addition, the WERI-Rb1 cells expressed 200 kd neurofilament protein (NFP-H) and retinal S-antigen. Both lines were invariably negative for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, myelin basic protein, the epitope recognized by the Leu-7 monoclonal antibody, opsin, and hydroxy-indole-O-methyltransferase. In the Y-79 line the presence of NSE and the absence of NF proteins-H, -M and -L, of GFA protein, and of retinal S-antigen were confirmed biochemically. No differentiated features were found by electron microscopy in either line. Thus, in the matrix system employed, both lines exhibited solely a potential for neuroblastic differentiation, which was more advanced in the WERI-Rb1 line, as reflected by the antigenic expression of NFP-H and of retinal S-antigen.     

PCR-based detection of Bacillus anthracis in formalin-fixed tissue from a patient receiving ciprofloxacin

We demonstrate that Bacillus anthracis may be detected from a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimen, even after the patient has received antibiotic treatment. Although traditional PCR methods may not be sufficiently sensitive for anthrax detection in such patients, cycle numbers can be increased or PCR can be repeated by using an aliquot from a previous PCR as the template.     

SK&F 95654-induced acute cardiovascular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats--histopathologic, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical studies

The characteristics and pathogenesis of the cardiovascular toxicity induced by the type III selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor SK&F 95654 were examined in 2 studies. Sprague-Dawley rats received either a single sc injection of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg SK&F 95654 and were euthanized at 24 hours after administration of the drug (Study 1), or were given a single subcutaneous (sc) injection of 100 mg/kg SK&F 95654 and euthanized at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8,12, 24 hours, or 2 weeks after treatment (Study 2). Control rats received either DMSO or saline. Myocardial lesions and vascular lesions of the mesentery, spleen, and pancreas were seen 24 hours after dosing with either 50,100, or 200 mg/kg SK&F 95654. The frequency and severity of these lesions (evaluated after the 100 mg/kg dose) increased with time over a period of 1 to 24 hours. By 2 weeks, the lesions subsided. Cardiac lesions consisted of myocyte necrosis with hypercontraction bands, inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial hemorrhage, and interstitial edema. Vascular lesions of the mesentery were most prominent and consisted of vasodilatation and inflammation in the small-sized vessels, arterial medial necrosis and hemorrhage, and venous thrombosis. The vascular lesions included: leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, transendothelial migration of leukocytes, and inflammatory cell infiltration into vessel walls. Affected vessels included arteries, terminal arterioles, capillaries, postcapillary venules, and veins. Apoptosis of endothelial and smooth muscle cells was detected in the mesenteric vasculature by both TUNEL assay and electron microscopy. Evidence of endothelial cell activation in the mesenteric arteries and veins was also observed by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining detected enhanced endothelial cell expression of intercellular adhesion molecule- 1 (ICAM- 1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the mesenteric arteries and veins. Mast cells were noted to be more prevalent in affected mesenteric tissue from drug-treated animals. The present findings suggest that apoptosis of endothelial and smooth muscle cells, activation of endothelial cells, recruitment of mast cells, and increased expression of adhesion molecules are important factors to the overall pathogenesis of SK&F 95654-induced vasculitis.     

RSV-induced bronchiolitis but not upper respiratory tract infection is accompanied by an increased nasal IL-18 response

The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the local nasal immune response between bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection induced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Nasal brush samples were obtained from 14 infants with RSV bronchiolitis and from 8 infants with RSV upper respiratory tract infection. The samples were taken during infection (acute phase) and 2-4 weeks later (convalescent phase). Cytospin preparations were stained immunohistochemically for T cells, macrophages, and eosinophils. Staining also took place for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), T-helper 1 (Th1)-like (interleukin-12 [IL-12], interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]), Th2-like (IL-4, IL-10), and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-18). During both RSV-induced bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection, cellular inflammation was observed. This was characterised by an increase in the numbers of nasal macrophages, which tended to be higher in bronchiolitis than in upper respiratory tract infection. Numbers of T lymphocytes and ICAM-1 positive cells increased during both bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection. There were no differences between numbers in the groups. Interestingly, a distinct nasal proinflammatory cytokine response was observed in RSV-induced bronchiolitis. This is characterised by an increase in the number of IL-18 positive cells. This increase is specific for bronchiolitis, as a similar increase could not be detected in RSV-induced upper respiratory tract infection. Numbers of IL-6 and IL-12 positive cells were higher in both bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection, and there were no differences between the groups. By contrast, the number of IL-8, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10-positive cells remained constant. In conclusion, clear differences were found in nasal immune responses of children with RSV-induced upper respiratory tract infection or bronchiolitis. The induction of a strong IL-18 response was typical for bronchiolitis, as this could not be observed in RSV-induced upper respiratory tract infection, and could explain the eosinophilia that is observed frequently during bronchiolitis.