Herpes simplex lymphadenitis. Report of two cases with review of the literature

We report two cases of herpes simplex lymphadenitis without widespread organ involvement in a 60-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman. Their complaints were high fever and generalized erythema followed after few days by generalized lymphadenopathy. This report describes the findings obtained by light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. In both instances, Cowdry's type A intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in T-immunoblasts in the background of T-zone hyperplasia with focal necrosis. Electron microscopic investigation revealed intranuclear and cytoplasmic virus particles with characteristics of the herpes group. Immunohistochemical staining utilizing anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibody was positive and in situ hybridization with HSV-DNA probe revealed positive signals in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of T-immunoblasts. Although rare, HSV lymphadenitis in the absence of generalized infection can occur.     

Immunobead and Density Gradient Purification of Paget Cells: In vitro Studies of Proliferation

Previous studies using primary monolayer cultures of epithelial cells from the involved epidermis of patients with mammary and extramammary Paget's disease investigated whether Paget cells proliferate as other malignant cells do. Although epithelial monolayers from the involved skin were maintained for approximately 45 days, no permanent cell lines were established. The proportion of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-positive cells did not increase in the long-term cultures. Herein, we report studies of whether there is a real reduction of Paget cell numbers or if this is merely a decrease in the expression of CEA by the cells. Furthermore, we investigated whether Paget cells survive longer when cultured free from any potential inhibitory keratinocytes or other epidermal cells. Skin samples were obtained from one patient with mammary Paget's disease and three with extramammary Paget's disease; epidermal cells were cultured in vitro. An enrichment of Paget cells was carried out from the cultured epidermal cells by combining an anti-epithelial membrane antigen monoclonal antibody, binding to immunobeads, and density gradient centrifugation in Nycodenz. The separated cells were re-cultured in Keratinocyte-SFM serum-free media. The proportion of CEA-positive cells did not increase in the cultures, and the purified cells did not show any increase in survival times compared to the non-purified cultured cells. These results suggest that the decrease of CEA-positive cells noted during culture results from a decline in expression of CEA in the Paget cells. Paget cells in the involved epidermis do not proliferate significantly and thus differ from many other malignant cells.     

Combined cisplatin and radiation therapy in patients with invasive bladder cancer

Thirty-five patients with T2–T4 invasive bladder cancer were treated with combined cisplatin and radiation therapy. In 18 patients radical cystectomy was performed after the combined therapy. In the other 17 patients radical cystectomy could not be performed for various reasons. Pathological examination of the cystectomy specimens showed down-staging in 66.7% and no residual tumour in 33.3%. These results suggest a synergistic action of cisplatin and radiation. Side effects were not severe and were well tolerated. This combined therapy of cisplatin and radiation is very effective for invasive bladder cancer.     

Antiepileptic effects of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase examined in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats

The effects of intraperitoneal and methyl ester, specific inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, were examined on the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in rats. The incidence and latency for the onset of myoclonic jerks, clonic seizures, and tonic generalized extension were observed as specific parameters among PTZ-induced seizures. Both drugs preferentially suppressed the tonic generalized extension and prolonged the latency for the onset of each parameter, suggesting NO has a significant effect on the PTZ-induced seizure.     

Measurement of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and its clinical application in oral cancers.

The PCNA score was measured in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and its relationship to other cell proliferation markers, Ki-67 score, S-phase fraction (SPF), and AgNORs counts was investigated. The PCNA score ranged from 0.4% to 43.5% with an average value of 22.8%, the Ki-67 score ranged from 4.9% to 40% with an average of 24.1%, and the SPF ranged from 0.4% to 32.5% with an average of 12.4%, while AgNORs counts ranged from 2.53/nucleus to 7.03/nucleus with an average of 4.74/nucleus. These four parameters were closely interrelated. There was a significant difference in PCNA score between malignant and nonmalignant lesions, suggesting a difference in growth activity. The mean PCNA score decreased significantly from 20.0% to 8.0% after cancer chemotherapy. The response of cancer cells to anticancer agents may be estimated by consecutive measurement of PCNA, since the PCNA score dropped after treatment in cases showing a favorable prognosis.     

EFFECTS OF SARAFOTOXIN S6c ON RENAL HAEMODYNAMICS AND URINE FORMATION IN ANAESTHETIZED DOGS

1. The effects of sarafotoxin S6c (S6c), a selective endothelin ETB receptor agonist, on renal haemodynamics and urine formation were examined in anaesthetized dogs. 2. Intrarenal arterial infusion of S6c at a rate of 1 or 5 ng/kg per min produced a transient increase in renal blood flow (RBF), with no change in systemic blood pressure and heart rate; RBF then decreased gradually to below the basal value. There were significant and dose-dependent increases in urine flow and free water clearance and decreases in urine osmolality during S6c infusion, whereas urinary excretion of sodium and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remained unchanged. Simultaneously, S6c administration elicited a marked increase in urinary excretion of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, N0₂^? and N0₃^? (UNO*V). 3. In dogs simultaneously administered S6c (5 ng/kg per min) and iV^G-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG; 40 (jig/kg per min), a NO synthase inhibitor, the renal vasodilator effect of S6c was abolished and marked reductions in RBF and GFR were observed. The S6c-induced diuretic action was not affected by NOARG. In the presence of NOARG, there was a small amount of UNO_xV at the basal level and the administration of S6c did not increase UNOxV. 4. These results suggest that an intrarenal arterial infusion of S6c enhances the production of NO in the kidney and that this enhancement contributes to the peptide-induced renal vasodilation. In contrast, it is unlikely that S6c-induced water diuresis is related to NO production stimulated by this peptide.     

Potentiation of vincristine and actinomycin D by a new synthetic imidazole anti-tumor agent YM534 active against human cancer cells and multidrug-resistant cells

Ethyl 6-p-5-(l-imidazolyl) pentyloxyphenoxy-2, 2-dimethylhexanoate hydrochloride (YM534) is a new synthetic anti-tumor compound. Combinations of YM534 with other anti-cancer agents were examined to ascertain whether YM534 potentiated other anti-cancer agents against the KB cell line and its multidrug-resistant counterpart, VJ-300. YM534 potentiated the cytotoxic action of vincristine and actinomycin D about 2-fold against KB cells, but not those of daunomycin and adriamycin. By contrast, YM534 only slightly reversed drug-resistance to adriamycin and daunomycin in VJ-300 while it reversed 5-fold vincristine resistance and 60-fold actinomycin D resistance in VJ-300. The reversal effect of YM534 on actinomycin D and vincristine-resistance in VJ-300 cells appeared to be due to enhanced accumulation of [3H] actinomycin D and [3H] vincristine in VJ-300 cells by YM534. YM534 inhibited efflux of actinomycin D and vincristine from VJ-300 cells, and it also enhanced cellular uptake of these anti-cancer agents. YM534 enhanced cellular accumulation of both actinomycin D and vincristine in the sensitive KB cells. YM534 is thus a unique anti-cancer agent since combinations of other anti-cancer agents with YM534 are expected to augment anti-tumor activity of them. By contrast, YM212, a carboxy analog of YM534, had much less activity to potentiate vincristine and actinomycin D). YM534 at 100-1000 microM almost completely inhibited the photoaffinity labeling of [3H] azidopine to the 170-kD P-glycoprotein of VJ-300 cell membranes, but YM212 showed much less inhibitory action on the photoaffinity labeling. YM534 could also inhibit the photoaffinity labeling of deglycosylated P-glycoprotein.     

Effects of continuous distraction on cartilage in a moving joint: An investigation on adult rabbits

An animal model, using distraction force on adult rabbits, was developed to study the effects of nonweight-bearing on articular cartilage in a moving joint. Histologic evaluation was used to compare the morphology of chondrocytes, safranin O intensity, cartilage thickness, and structural changes between the test and contralateral joints. At 3 and 6 weeks, the chondrocytes in superficial and intermediate zones were round, with an increase in cellular volume density and mean cell volume and with less metachromasia; the safranin O intensity and cartilage thickness were the same as in the controls. In cartilage of the 9-week group, mean cell volume decreased with cell cloning in the superficial zone, while numerical density increased and mean matrix volume per cell decreased in the superficial and intermediate zones. The cartilage, with a 34% reduction in thickness and a 53–72% decrease in safranin O intensity from the superficial to the deep zone, had superficial fibrotic proliferation, suface erosion or depression, ard tidemark irregularity. Continuous distraction in a moving joint caused morphological changes in chondrocytes prior to degeneration of cartilage. These results support the hypothesis that the forces perceived by cells may dictate their shape and then stimulate alterations in cellular biochemistry and matrix metabolism.