A comparison of paraganglioma, carcinoid tumor, and small-cell carcinoma of the larynx

Laryngeal paraganglioma, carcinoid tumor, and small-cell carcinoma are rare. Histologically they are similar to analogous tumors in other locations but may be difficult to identify in small biopsy specimens. We compared the light microscopic, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic features of two laryngeal paragangliomas, one carcinoid tumor, and six small-cell carcinomas. The paraganglioma chief cells stained with Grimelius stain and for chromogranin and neuron-specific enolase. The carcinoid tumor cells stained with Grimelius stain and for chromogranin, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase, and keratin. The small-cell carcinoma cells stained for keratin and neuron-specific enolase. The patients with paragangliomas and carcinoid tumor remain healthy through 20 months of follow-up. Four of the patients with small-cell carcinomas have died. Distinction between these tumors is warranted by differing histologic appearances, staining characteristics, and biologic behavior.     

Special Antigens on Sperm From Autoimmune Infertile Men

ABSTRACT: Sera from three fertile men and four infertile men without sperm antibodies, 17 infertile men with sperm antibodies in serum and seminal plasma (S.P.), and 25 infertile men with sperm antibodies in S.P. were tested by Western Blot analysis against sperm membrane extracts and S.P. from fertile nonautoimmune men and infertile autoimmune men. Sera from fertile men reacted against common antigens with molecular weights (MW) of 28, 38, 48, 60, and 68 kD present on sperm from autoimmune and nonautoimmune men and special antigen of MW 76 kD on the sperm of fertile men. Sera from 15 of 17 (88%) autoimmune infertile men with sperm antibodies in serum and S.P. detected special antigens with MW of 58 kD (sera reactivity in 47% of these men), 43kD (in 29%), 30 kD (in 24%), 35 kD (in 18%), 52 kD (in 12%), 41 kD (in 6%), and 71 kD (in 6%) on the sperm of autoimmune men in addition to the common antigens. Sera from 15 of 25 (60%) men with sperm antibodies in their S.P. showed reactivity to special antigens with MW 52 kD (in 20%), 35 kD (in 16%), 41 kD (in 16%), 58 kD (in 8%), 70/71 kD (in 8%), 30 kD (in 8%), and 56 kD (in 4%). Sera from 18 of 42 (43%) infertile men with sperm antibodies also detected special antigens of MW 26, 46, and 76 kD present only in fertile men's sperm. Sera from only 15 of 42 (36%) autoimmune infertile men reacted against special antigens with MW 17, 20, 23, 30, 43, and 58 kD in the seminal plasma of autoimmune infertile men. Cross-absorption studies using sera from autoimmune infertile men further supported the presence of unique antigens on their sperm. It is proposed that the special antigens present on the sperm from infertile autoimmune men may be responsible for the enhanced humoral and cell-mediated immune responses observed in these men.     

Klinische Charakterisierung der essentiellen Thrombozythämie im Vergleich zu anderen myeloproliferativen Erkrankungen und reaktiven Thrombozytosen

Summary 60 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) have been retrospectively and prospectively followed from 1974 through 1987. The presenting signs and symptoms and the course of the disease were analyzed and compared to 10 patients with persisting reactive thrombocytosis selected from 6000 patients with reactive thrombocytosis and to 50 patients with other myeloproliferative diseases. 54 ET-patients presented with complications, 46 with thrombembolic, 3 with hemorrhagic problems and 5 with thrombembolic and hemorrhagic problems. In 6 patients ET was detected accidentally. Disturbances of the microcirculation, mainly of the fingers and the toes, were the most frequent symptom. The average maximal platelet count was 1 207 000/µl. The average platelet count at diagnosis was 880 000/µl. 16 patients had an elevation of the serum creatinin at diagnosis, which deteriorated during the course of the disease. Bone marrow examinations were performed in 56 patients, histology in 48 patients, cytology in 29 patienst. In contrast to the clinical diagnosis the histological diagnosis was in 4 cases each polycythemia vera and myeloproliferative syndrome without further specifiction. 12 patients died thus far. The causes of death were thrombembolic complications in 9, acute leukemia in 2 patients, in 1 patient the cause of death is not known. 10 years after diagnosis 61% of the patients are still alive. It appears that ET is a more important risk factor for the disturbances of the micro- and marcrocirculation than has been recognized until now. ET is, if thrombembolic complications are avoided, a disease with a relatively benign course.

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Abkürzungsverzeichnis ET essentielle Thromobozythämie - PRT persistierende reaktive Thombozytose - PV Polyzythämia vera - CML chronisch myeloische Leukämie - MF Myelofibrose - CMPE chronische myeloproliferative Erkrankung unklarer Zuordnung - MM megakaryozytäre Myelose - ALP alkalische Leukozytenphosphatase - Hb Hämoglobin Herrn Prof. Dr. N. Zöllner zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Non-occurrence ofMycoplasma genitalium in clinical specimens

Five hundred and thirteen clinical specimens, mainly from patients with urogenital inflammations, were examined forUreaplasma urealyticum and mycoplasmas, including cultures forMycoplasma genitalium. The study yielded 95 isolates ofUreaplasma urealyticum, 37 isolates ofMycoplasma hominis and two isolates ofMycoplasma fermentans, but no growth ofMycoplasma genitalium was obtained. It was concluded thatMycoplasma genitalium is a relatively rare inhabitant of the human urogenital tract in Israel.     

Development of fetal hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory neurons transplanted into the third ventricle of the adult rat brain

Department of Biology, N. I. Pirogov Second Moscow Medical Institute. Department of Biology, Khar'kov Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. N. Smirnov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 105, No. 2, pp. 224–227, February, 1988.     

Effect of adrenalin on inhibition of mitosis by a chalone in Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma

Department of Biology, Medico-Biological Faculty, N. I. Pirogov Second Moscow Medical Institute. Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 105, No. 3, pp. 345–347, March, 1988.     

Effect of adaptation to anoxia on antioxidative enzyme activity in the liver of stressed animals

All-Union Cardiologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Grenburg Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR I. K. Shkhvatsabaya.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 106, No. 11, pp. 528–529, November, 1988.     

Intrathecal galanin at low doses increases spinal reflex excitability in rats more to thermal than mechanical stimuli

Summary The neuropeptide galanin (GAL) was injected intrathecally (i.t.) in decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats and its effect on the nocifensive flexor reflex was examined. The reflex, which was evoked by intense mechanical or thermal stimulation of the foot, was recorded from the ipsilateral hamstring muscles. I.t. GAL increased reflex excitability significantly more to thermal than to mechanical stimuli. It is suggested that GAL, which is present in sensory fibers that innervate the skin, is released by the central terminals of cutaneous afferents that are much more sensitive to thermal than to mechanical stimuli.