Large histiocytes in the choroid of leukemic patients

We identified large histiocytes as a prominent feature in the choroid of eyes obtained at autopsy in seven of nine patients who died of leukemia. The eyes of four of the seven patients affected had leukemic choroidal infiltrates, and a majority had similar-appearing histiocytes identified in spleen or bone marrow. The significance of these cells is undetermined; we postulate that these macrophages are ingesting debris of degenerating leukemic cells.     

Intrauterine development of posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus

Differential diagnosis of intrauterine hydrocephalus includes various types of cerebral malformations. In about 30% of cases the pathogenesis remains unknown. During 1983–1985 we diagnosed intrauterine posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus (IPHH) in four newborns. In three of the reported cases intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) could already be proven in the fetus. Due to these observations, IPHH has to be considered with the differential diagnosis of congenital hydrocephalus. Haemorrhagic diathesis and multiple pregnancy are discussed as possible risk factors for this severe fetal complication.Abbreviations IPHH intrauterine posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus - IVH intraventricular haemorrhage - CSF cerebrospinal fluid - HMD hyaline membrane disease - PHH posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus - P1A1 platelet A1 (antigen)     

Colonic polyamine content and ornithine decarboxylase activity as markers for adenomas

Polyamine content (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) or ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was measured in normal-appearing colonic mucosa from patients undergoing colonoscopy. Comparisons were made between those with and those without adenomatous polyps. Colonic mucosal polyamine content was measured in 44 persons. Mean putrescine content was 1.25 +/- 0.26 (SE) nmol/mg protein in 22 patients with adenomatous polyps compared with 0.53 +/- 0.12 nmol/mg protein in patients without polyps (P less than 0.02). Tissue content of spermidine and spermine did not differ between these two groups. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was measured in tissue from 45 patients. Mean ODC activity was 2.84 +/- 0.73 pmol/hr/mg protein in 23 persons with adenomatous polyps compared with 1.15 +/- 0.18 pmol/hr/mg protein in persons without polyps (P less than 0.05). Mucosal putrescine and ODC activity are elevated in patients with adenomatous polyps compared with patients without polyps. These biochemical markers may prove helpful in improving surveillance methods for colorectal cancer and premalignant adenomatous polyps.     

Skin disorders in patients transplanted in childhood

Only few data are available on skin disorders in pediatric organ transplant recipients. In order to describe the whole range of dermatological diseases in a population of pediatric organ transplant recipients, we studied a group of 217 consecutive organ transplant recipients (168 kidney, 29 heart, 19 liver, one lung) aged <18 years at transplantation followed at a single center. A total of 193 patients showed at least one skin disorder; 149 had more than one skin disease. The most common skin infections were warts (24.4%), pityriasis versicolor (20.7%), folliculitis (12.9%), intertrigo (6.5%); the most common drug side effects were hypertrichosis (69.6%), steroid acne (39.6%), gingival hyperplasia (29%) and severe xerosis (20.7%). Two patients (0.9%) developed nonmelanoma skin cancer. Our study summarizes the main skin complications in patients transplanted in childhood and underlines the necessity of regular dermatologic surveillance of these patients.     

Long-term intraocular pressure control by trabeculectomy: a ten-year life table

A retrospective study of 179 eyes in 127 patients who underwent trabeculectomy at Sydney Eye Hospital under the supervision of two surgeons between 1977 and 1982 was carried out. Survival analysis by life table method shows cumulative two, five, and 10 year success rates to be 78%, 70%, and 67% respectively, with mean duration of intraocular pressure control (IOP<21 mmHg) being 88 months. Anti-glaucoma medication improved the long-term survival significantly (Hazard Ratio of 0.49 and P = 0.01) so that when the definition for failure is taken as IOP >20 mmHg while using medication, the two, five and 10 year success rates were 89%, 87% and 86% respectively. A rise in average intraocular pressure is seen between two weeks and three months after trabeculectomy. The improvement in long-term success rate with use of topical steroids was suggestive (Hazard Ratio of 0.69) but not conclusive (P = 0.21). No difference was found in survival comparing fornix versus limbal based flap technique.     

Differential Effects of Deoxycholic Acid on Proliferation of Neoplastic and Differentiated Colonocytes in Vitro

The secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid isbelieved to be a promoter of large bowel cancer, in partby inducing colonic epithelial proliferation. Theeffects of deoxycholic acid on [³H]thymidineincorporation by the human colon cancer cell line HT29 andtwo differentiated subclones were measured and compared.The subclone HT29-C1 has features of mature absorptivecells and HT29-N2 cells secrete mucus under cholinergic control. The three cell lines were treated withdeoxycholic acid (DCA) at concentrations of 0, 5, 10,50, 100, 150, and 300 M for 3, 6, 9, 15, 24, and 48hr. A significant increase in proliferation was noted in HT29 cells only at 6 hr with 5 and 10muM deoxycholic acid. Neither the subclone HT29-C1, norHT29-N2 cells exhibited significant change in[³H]thymidine incorporation with DCA at theseconcentrations or time points. Higher doses of deoxycholicacid above 50 M and duration of exposure greaterthan 24 hr were cytotoxic to all three cell lines. Theproliferative effects of DCA in HT29 cells were not paralleled by changes in protein kinase Cactivity or protein kinase C isoform expression.Quantitative and qualitative differences in PKC isoformexpression were not noted in the three cell lines used in this study. The proliferative effects of DCAon HT29 cells appear to be independent of the PKC signaltransduction pathway.     

Ragged-red fibres detected in paraffin sections by a monoclonal antibody to inner mitochondrial membrane

Summary An immunohistochemical method is reported using the M-II68 monoclonal antibody, which detects mitochondrial accumulations (ragged-red fibres) in routinely processed (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) muscle tissue. Ten cases with electron-microscopically and histochemically proven mitochondrial myopathy featured 4% to 24% ragged-red fibres. In a series of 50 muscle biopsies without mitochondrial myopathy, scattered ragged-red fibres (<0.1%) were present in a few normal and pathological muscles. The immunohistochemical method is specific for mitochondria, does not require frozen tissue and permits rapid examination of large areas. Present address and address for offprint requests: Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie, Krankenhaus Lainz, Wolkersbergenstrasse, A-1130 Wien. Austria