Lectin histochemistry of ovarian mucinous cystadenomas.

The lectin histochemistry of ovarian mucinous cystadenoma was studied using a panel of lectins comprising Triticum vulgaris, Lotus tetragonolobus, Arachis hypogaea, Griffonia simplicifolia I, concanavalin A, and Dolichus biflorus. All 23 cases examined in this study stained extensively with T. vulgaris. Of all the lectins, D. biflorus was the least reactive. Concanavalin A stained mainly the perinuclear zone, whereas the other lectins frequently stained the cytoplasm, glycocalyx, and extracellular luminal mucin. This pattern of lectin reactivity resembles endocervical more than intestinal epithelium and suggests that ovarian mucinous cystadenomas are of müllerian nature. The lack of difference in lectin reactivity between cystadenomas with and without goblet/Paneth cells supports a common histogenetic origin of both groups.     

Helminthotoxic responses of intestinal eosinophils to Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae.

Because the gastrointestinal lamina propria is the first line of defense against invasion with Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae, we investigated the helminthotoxic characteristics of isolated lamina propria eosinophils. Eosinophils were isolated from the intestinal lamina propria of rats and purified to nearly 90% purity by a combination of velocity sedimentation through Percoll and unit gravity sedimentation through a continuous gradient of bovine serum albumin. Isolated eosinophils were of high viability and responded to surface receptor stimulation. Freshly isolated intestinal eosinophils lacked cytotoxic capacity when incubated with newborn larvae in the presence of specific antiserum. Peritoneal eosinophils from the same rats exhibited 100% helminthotoxicity after 24 h. Cytotoxicity could be stimulated in the intestinal eosinophils by the addition of recombinant murine interleukin-5.     

Epidural Epinephrine and Clonidine: Segmental Analgesia and Effects on Different Pain Modalities

Background: It is not known whether epidural epinephrine has an analgesic effect per se. The segmental distribution of clonidine epidural analgesia and its effects on temporal summation and different types of noxious stimuli are unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify these issues.

Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers received epidurally (L2-L3 or L3-L4) 20 ml of either epinephrine, 100 micro gram, in saline; clonidine, 8 micro gram/kg, in saline; or saline, 0.9%, alone, on three different days in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over fashion. Pain rating after electrical stimulation, pinprick, and cold perception were recorded on the dermatomes S1, L4, L1, T9, T6, T1, and forehead. Pressure pain tolerance threshold was recorded at S1, T6, and ear. Pain thresholds to single and repeated (temporal summation) electrical stimulation of the sural nerve were determined.

Results: Epinephrine significantly reduced sensitivity to pinprick at L1-L4-S1. Clonidine significantly decreased pain rating after electrical stimulation at L1-L4 and sensitivity to pinprick and cold at L1-L4-S1, increased pressure pain tolerance threshold at S1, and increased thresholds after single and repeated stimulation of the sural nerve.