Scanning electron microscopic study of the human auditory ossicles

The human mallei, incudes and stapedes from 34 cadavers were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to compare the bone surface type among different regions of auditory ossicles for males and females. On the malleus of both males and females, almost all of the surfaces showed a smooth fibrous appearance, characteristic of resting surface. Limited bone-forming or resorbing surfaces were identified on the malleus. As compared with the malleus, the percentage area of the resorbing surface and the vascular canal openings were higher on the incus and stapes, especially on the long process (Crus longum) of the incus and the neck of the stapes for both males and females. The percentage area occupied by the resorbing surface of the long process of the incus and the neck of the stapes correlated with that of the vascular canal openings. We consider that the malleus maintained the stable condition, while the long process of the incus and the neck of the stapes demonstrated marked bone resorption. We suppose that the bone erosion may be related to the vascularization in these regions. Though the percentage area of the resorbing surface and the vascular canal openings had the tendency to be high in females, we did not find any significant differences between the males and females. There was no significant correlation between the age and the area of resorbing surface or vascular canal openings.     

Construction of radiation-reduced hybrids and their use in mapping of microclones from chromosome 10p11.2-q11.2

Summary Radiation-reduced hybrids for mapping of DNA markers in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 were developed. A Chinese hamster/human somatic cell hybrid (762-8A) carrying chromosomes 10 and Y as the only human material were exposed to 40,000 rads of irradiation and then rescued by fusion with non-irradiated recipient Chinese hamster cells (GM459). Southern hybridization analyses revealed that 10 of 128 HAT-resistant clones contained human chromosomal fragments corresponding to at least one marker locus betweenFNRB (10p-11.2) andRBP3 (10q11.2). These hybrids were then used to map microdissection clones previously isolated and roughly mapped to this chromosomal region by fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH). Two of the six microclones studied could be mapped to the proximity of the D10-S102 locus. These radiation hybrids are useful for the construction of refined genetic maps of the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10.     

Distribution of cocaine recognition sites in rat brain: In vitro and ex vivo autoradiography with [I]RTI-55

The distribution of binding sites of [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 (3β-(4-iodophenyl)tropan-2β-carboxylic acid methyl ester), a phenyl tropane analog of cocaine, and the selective labelling of the dopamine transporter (DAT) were studied by in vitro and ex vivo autoradiography in the rat whole brain. Recent evidence has shown that RTI-55 binds to not only DAT but also serotonin transporter (5HTT). In the present study, in vitro autoradiography revealed that [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 bound to the olfactory tubercle, the caudate putamen, the accumbens nucleus, the midline and lateral geniculate nuclei of the thalamus, the hypothalamic nuclei, the substantia nigra compact part, the subthalamic nucleus, the ventral tegmental area, the superior colliculus, the dorsal raphe nucleus, and the facial nucleus. Further, in the presence of clomipramine, a selective ligand for 5HTT, [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 binding was remarkably inhibited in the midline and lateral geniculate nuclei of the thalamus, the hypothalamic nuclei, the superior colliculus, the dorsal raphe nucleus, and the facial nucleus, while [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 binding remained in the olfactory tubercle, the caudate putamen, the accumbens nucleus, the substantia nigra compact part, the subthalamic nucleus, and the ventral tegmental area. These findings suggest that [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 binds to 5HTT in the former areas and to DAT in the latter areas. It is therefore concluded that RTI-55 is a suitable ligand for studying the action of cocaine in whole brain regions, including the thalamus, the hypothalamus and the dorsal raphe nucleus, regions in which cocaine is thought to act evoking several neurological effects, e.g., analgesia and elevation of adrenocorticotropic hormone. DAT was also labelled selectively both in vitro and in vivo using [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 combined with clomipramine. Therefore, radiolabelled RTI-55, combined with unlabelled clomipramine, which displaces its binding to 5HTT, also appears to be suitable for the selective imaging of DAT in vivo.     

Allergic conversion of protective mucosal immunity against nasal bacteria in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis

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Immunohistochemical detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of ongoing necrosis after radiofrequency ablation.

After radiofrequency ablation (RFA), hepatocellular carcinoma undergoes complete necrosis and an ongoing necrosis that is irreversible and characterized histologically by disrupted cell outlines, homogenous cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and preserved nuclear staining, with the cells appearing quite distinct from viable cancer cells. Antibody to detect single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) specifically labeled nuclei in the setting of ongoing necrosis, but not viable tumor cells, whereas human mitochondrial antibody labeled the cytoplasm of viable cells but not cells of ongoing necrosis. The results demonstrate that RFA causes denaturation of both DNA and proteins and that the immunohistochemistry of ssDNA and mitochondrial protein is useful in detection of ongoing necrosis after RFA and provides pathological information on the validity of this procedure.     

Pseudotype hepatitis C virus enters immature myeloid dendritic cells through the interaction with lectin

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells that regulate immune responses. One of the mechanisms for hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence is the ability of HCV to suppress DC function. Direct HCV infection to blood DC has been implicated for DC dysfunction. To clarify the susceptibility of each DC subset to HCV, we used pseudotype vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) coated with chimeric HCV envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2). We demonstrate that pseudotype VSV enters myeloid DC (MDC) but not plasmacytoid DC (PDC). The highest efficiency of pseudotype VSV entry to MDC was observed when MDC were cultured with GM-CSF. Such efficiency decreased when MDC are matured with the treatment of IL-4, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, or CD40 ligand. Mannan inhibited pseudotype VSV entry to MDC, but Ca(2+) chelators failed to do so. These results show that pseudotype VSV possessing HCV-E1 and E2 enters immature MDC through the interaction with lectins in a Ca(2+)-independent manner.     

MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF A CASE OF MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS II (HUNTER'S SYNDROME)

An autopsy case of a 19-year-old boy who had shown typical gargoyle features, strictly consistent with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter's syndrome) was reported. Histologically, cytoplasmic vacuolar change was found In hepatocytes, sinusoidal epithelium of spleen, follicular cells of thyroid, Sertoli cells of testis, chromophobe cell of pituitary and generalized fibroblast-like cells including meninges, cardiac valve and periosteum. The vacuoles consisting of membrane-bound structures with flocculus protein-like material and occasional electron dense bodies on electron microscopy, were considered to be the site of mucopolysaccharide deposition by histochemical analysis. Deposition of lipid material consistent with so-called membranous cytoplasmic body was observed in the neurons of central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Hepatosplenomegaly could be explained by cytoplasmic deposition, but the cause of cardiomegaly remained further to be studied. Biochemically hepatic mucopolysaccharide was identified as heparan sulfate, while in the kidney dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate were detected. The correlation between morphology and biochemistry, and between deposition and degeneration was discussed.     

Delayed onset and slow time course of the non-M-type muscarinic current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

The onset and time course of the muscarinic currents induced by brief applications of acetylcholine (ACh) were examined in voltage-clamped neurons of bullfrog sympathetic ganglia bathed in a solution containing d-tubocurarine. At a potential of –40 mV, the ACh-induced current (I _ACh) appeared within 1.2 s and rapidly increased to its peak with a half-activation time of 2.2 s. This initial current was termed the fastI _ACh and was blocked by 4 mM Ba²⁺. At a potential more negative than –60 mV, the fastI _ACh disappeared and the remainingI _ACh activated with a delay of 3.9 s and slowly increased to its peak with a half-activation time of 8.2 s. This delayed current was termed the slowI _ACh and is thought to be associated with inhibition of a K⁺ current, orI _M, as well as activation of an inward current through non-M-type muscarinic cation channels. The slowI _ACh was not inhibited by Ba²⁺, but its amplitude was reduced with depolarization (the extra-polated reversal potential was +3 mV). In Na⁺-free solution, the amplitude of the slowI _ACh reduced, but its polarity did not reverse in the voltage region examined (-30 to –100 mV). The slow excitatory postsynaptic current was also recorded, and was shown to have a similar delay in onset and slow time course. The results demonstrate that ACh activates the non-M-type muscarinic current three times more slowly than it inhibitsI _M.     

C CELL CARCINOMA OF THE THYROID

Two cases of papillary type of C cell carcinoma of the thyroid were reported. They showed papillary arrangement with Abrovascular stalk in properly Axed tissues. Histochemically argyrophil reaction was positive in the cytoplasm and amyloid deposited in the stroma. Ultrastructurally secretory granules were found in their cytoplasm. The papillary type is not an artifact but one of the histologic variations of this carcinoma. ACTA PATH. SAP. 29: 653–659, 1979.