Neurofibroma of the gallbladder seen as a papillary polyp

A case of neurofibroma of the gallbladder in a 44-year-old woman without von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis but with right hypochondralgia is reported. The tumor was seen preoperatively as a polypoid lesion and in the resected gallbladder as a papillary polypoid growth over the main intramural tumor mass. Microscopically, the tumor was identified as a neurofibroma with many tactile corpuscle-like structures (Wagner-Meissner bodies), which were found by electron microscopic and immunohistochemical examination to consist of Schwann cells. Twelve cases of non-epithelial neoplasms arising in the gallbladder are also reviewed.     

Ultrastructural Study of the Myxoid Area of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytomas

Seven malignant fibrous histiocytomas containing myxoid areas were studied to clarify the nature of the cells constituting the myxoid area with emphasis on multivacuolated cells known to be present in myxoid areas. Ultrastructurally, myxoid areas were, like conventional cellular areas, composed mainly of atypical tumor cells, small histiocytic cells, and occasional lymphoid cells. The tumor cells had large, indented nuclei and well-developed organelles. They showed, despite some variations in subcellular structures, strong resemblance to fibroblast and could be attributable to one cell type. The large vacuoles in multivacuolated tumor cells seemed to be formed by fusion of small vacuoles that appeared in the cytoplasm and later came to communicate with the extracellular space. The small histiocytic cells, cytologically bland and, occasionally, being in contact with lymphoid cells, were readily distinguishable from the tumor cells and were considered to be infiltrating reactive cells.     

Spindle cell carcinoma of the uterus

A case of spindle cell carcinoma of the uterus in a 56-year-old woman is reported. Microscopically, it showed an intimate admixture of epithelial and sarcomatous elements. The epithelial nature, especially the squamous cell nature, in sarcomatous areas was indicated by immunoreactivity for keratin and ultrastructural characters, such as bundles of tonofilaments and some cell junctions, while the tumor cells in these areas were also vimentin-positive. Furthermore, ultrastructural study and immunostaining for actin demonstrated myofilaments in tumor cells in both tumor nests and sarcomatous areas. This may impart the high degree of invasiveness of spindle cell carcinoma.     

Production of thymocyte-stimulating activity by cultured human thyroid epithelial cells.

Since thyroid follicular epithelial cells (thyrocytes) have been shown to express a number of functions similar to monocytes, they were further examined for their potency in secreting thymocyte-stimulating activity (TSA). Although spontaneous production of TSA could not be detected when thyrocytes were cultured in the culture medium, TSA was demonstrated in the culture supernatants after stimulation with the immune adjuvant lentinan. The release of TSA was found in the culture supernatants collected 24 h after stimulation and was maintained for the 4 days of culture. Maximum levels of TSA release were achieved by 2 days. In addition, when culture supernatants of thyrocytes stimulated with lentinan or monocyte-derived interleukin 1 (IL-1) were incubated with a rabbit antibody to human IL-1, a parallel reduction in TSA was observed, suggesting that the active product in the thyrocyte culture supernatant shared a common antigenic site with IL-1. The demonstration of the production of IL-1 like activity by thyrocytes provides additional evidence that these cells, in addition to their functions as endocrine cells, may also participate in the local immune responses under appropriate conditions.     

Analysis of abnormal articulatory dynamics in two dysarthric patients

By means of pellet tracking techniques using an X-ray microbeam system, observations of the articulatory movements of various types of dysarthric subjects were conducted. In selected cases, electromyography (EMG) was also performed. The data were specifically examined for range, velocity, and consistency (reproducibility) of the movements of the articulators, as well as the pattern of coordination of the different articulators involved. It was found in the case of ataxic dysarthria of cerebellar origin, for example, that the dynamic patterns were best represented as a difficulty in the initiation of purposeful movements and an inconsistency of articulatory movements, particularly in the repetitive production of a monosyllable. On EMG, breakdown of the rhythmical patterns in the articulatory muscles was quite obvious in the repetition of a monosyllable. In the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), decrease in the range and velocity of movements was noted. This resulted from reduced neuromuscular units (NMU) activities manifested in clinical EMG. Analysis of the dynamic aspects of the dysarthrias is a promising approach for elucidating the nature of central problems of speech production and for a differential diagnosis of various types of dysarthrias.