Diagnostic relevance of Langerin detection in cells from bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis,sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The diagnosis of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis might be refined by demonstrating reliability of a new cell marker, i.e., Langerin (CD207), used on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. For this purpose, we collected material from patients with this disease and also with sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as controls. In addition to the immunocytochemical detection of Langerin, we examined the expression profiles of CD1a and the macrophage tandem-repeat mannose receptor (CD206). To test accessibility of Langerin, a C-type lectin, for mannosides, we employed reverse lectin histochemistry using mannose-containing neoglycoproteins. The analysis revealed a significantly increased percentage of CD1a- and Langerin-positive cells in pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis in comparison with both other studied diseases. No expression of the 175-kDa mannose-binding lectin (CD206) in Langerhans cells was observed. Evidently, binding sites on the cells were not accessible for the mannose-containing neoglycoligand. These results provide evidence for the usefulness of Langerin-directed immuno- and glycohistochemical monitoring of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the diagnosis of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.     

Infrared spectra and sequence length distribution in free radical styrene/methacrolein copolymers

The method of azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN)-initiated bulk copolymerization of styrene (S) and methacrolein (M) was employed to determine the monomer reactivity ratios r_S = 0.15 and r_M = 0.55 (Q_M = 1.50, e_M = 0.78). Quantitative IR spectroscopy in the region of 4000–450 cm^?1 was used to elucidate the structure of copolymers. In addition to methacrolein units containing aldehyde groups, the copolymers may also contain cyclic hemiacetal structures formed by the reaction of the carbonyls of the neighboring methacrolein units. The carbonyl absorption at 1722 cm^?1 showed that, up to 30 mole-% methacrolein in the copolymer, almost all methacrolein units have free aldehyde groups. The number of cyclic structures increases with the concentration of methacrolein in the copolymer. The experimental data are in agreement with the statistical theory on the sequence length distribution. The shift of the styrene band at 540 cm^?1 to higher wavenumber was investigated and related to the shortening of sequence length of the styrene units. The intensity of the styrene band at 760 cm^?1 was related with the distribution of the MSM triads and the copolymer structure.     

Hepatic microvascular development in relation to the morphogenesis of hepatocellular plates in neonatal rats

The development of hepatic microvascular heterogeneity after birth, and its temporal relationship to the development of parenchymal cell plates have received little attention. As a result, the morphogenesis of some of the parameters contributing to this heterogeneity in suckling and weaned rats was studied as a function of time between postpartum days 4 and 30 using in vivo light microscopic, electron microscopic, and immunocytochemical methods. During the early suckling period, the sinusoid network is highly anastomotic, with little evidence of zonation, and the parenchymal cell plates contain multiple cells and are irregularly arranged throughout the lobule. Sinusoidal endothelial fenestration is sparse at 4 days, but phagocytic Kupffer cell (KC) function already exists and exhibits zonal heterogeneity, with more cells located in the periportal zone. With increasing age, endothelial fenestrae increase and organize as sieve plates. Widened centrilobular radial sinusoids form through a loss ("drop-out") of intersinusoidal sinusoids (ISS). Concomitantly, the associated cell plates straighten and become one cell thick. Hepatocyte DNA synthesis and mitosis are higher in the periportal zone, which retains thickened cell plates and anastomotic sinusoids. The centrilobular sinusoids may widen to accommodate the increased volume of blood that results from the loss of ISS as well as the increased numbers of periportal sinusoids containing flow that feed these vessels. KC phagocytic activity increases during the suckling period concomitant with an increase of gut-derived endotoxin in the portal blood, which suggests that the KCs may be releasing mediators that affect sinusoid diameter, blood flow, endothelial fenestration, and perhaps parenchymal growth either directly or through the stimulation of growth factors.     

Analysis of the renal tissue of a woman chronically exposed to cadmium

Summary In a 61-year-old woman, who had been exposed for 20 years to cadmium in the production of Ni-Cd batteries, nephrectomy of the contracted kidney was performed. The removed kidney was examined histologically and the cadmium concentration was determined in the cortex (44.97 g g^–1) and in the medulla (7.71 g g^–1). The homogenates of the renal cortex and medulla were subjected to gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. In the cortex, as well as the medulla, cadmium was predominantly found in the low-molecular (metallothionein) fraction, but in the cortex, Cd content in this fraction was six times higher than in the medulla. The determination of SH groups and proteins in high- and low-molecular fractions indicates an induction of the metallothionein formation primarily in the renal cortex.     

Cytoimunofluorometry and its use in the detection of blood platelet activation

Blood platelet activation is a complex process involved in the physiological hemostasis and also in a number of disorders. Platelets change their morphology, modify their surfaces glycoprotein receptors with adhesive functions. Procoagulant microparticles are shedding and the aggregates of platelets with leucocytes are appearing. The activated platelet can be detected by flow cytometry after imunofluorescent staining.     

Disorders of Balance and Gait in Essential Tremor Are Associated with Midline Tremor and Age

Disorders of balance and gait have been observed in patients with essential tremor (ET), but their association with tremor severity remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate postural instability and gait changes in ET patients and to investigate their relationship to tremor characteristics with regard to cerebellar dysfunction as a possible common pathogenetic mechanism in ET. Thirty ET patients (8F, mean (SD) age 55.8 (17.8), range 19–81 years) and 25 normal controls (7F, 53.0 (17.7), 19–81) were tested with the scales of Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB), and International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Posturography and gait were assessed using a Footscan® system. Tremor was evaluated by the Fahn–Tolosa–Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) and accelerometry in five upper limb positions. A mean (SD) TRS sum score of 27.0 (13.2) corresponded to mild to moderate tremor severity in most patients. In comparison with controls, ET subjects exhibited lower tandem gait velocity (0.21 vs. 0.26 m/s, P?=?0.028), more missteps (0.57 vs. 0.12, P?=?0.039), and increased postural sway in tandem stance (sway area 301.1 vs. 202.9 mm², P?=?0.045). In normal gait, step width increased with the midline tremor subscore of TRS (Pearson r?=?0.60, P?=?0.046). Moreover, significant correlations were found between age and quantitative measures of normal and tandem gait in ET patients but not in controls. ABC, FAB, and ICARS scores did not significantly differ between patients and controls. In conclusion, gait and balance alterations in ET patients occur even without subjective complaints. Their relationship with midline tremor and dependence on age suggest a connection with cerebellar dysfunction.