Computer-assisted image analysis of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs): a pilot study of astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Computer-assisted image analysis was used to measure nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of 22 astrocytomas and glioblastomas. Image analysis provides reproducible information about number and size of NORs together with further karyometric data, which can be compared and processed with other patient-related data. Our study exhibits a statistical relationship between number and size of NORs and malignancy of the measured gliomas.     

Chromosome changes associated with spontaneous phenotypic variation of transplantable melanoma

The chromosome constitutions of black-melanotic (Ma), brown-melanotic (MI), and amelanotic (Ab) melanomas of the Syrian hamster were compared. The MI and Ab melanomas arose through a spontaneous phenotypic alteration of the Ma tumor. All three variants differ in their growth rates, with MI showing the slowest, Ab the fastest, and Ma intermediate growth rate. Cytogenetic examination revealed that each tumor line shows a distinct karyotype. The Ma tumor is near-diploid, whereas, Ab and MI tumors are hypertriploid and near-tetraploid, respectively. Each tumor line shows a unique set of marker chromosomes, though some markers are shared by two different tumor lines. No single marker chromosome was common for all three melanoma variants. We conclude that the spontaneous phenotypic variation of transplantable hamster melanomas is associated with profound changes in the chromosome constitution of the neoplastic cells. The general direction of these changes is toward increased ploidy and increased complexity of the structural abnormalities.     

The Helicobacter pylori fatty acid cis-9,10-methyleneoctadecanoic acid stimulates protein kinase C and increases DNA synthesis of gastric HM02 cells.

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the control of epithelial proliferative activity and in the process of malignant transformation. Helicobacter pylori (H.p.) infection is associated with increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation and has been linked with gastric carcinoma. In the present study, we report that the H.p. fatty acid cis-9,10-methyleneoctadecanoic acid (MOA) directly activates PKC (Ka 3.3 microM). The effect of MOA upon PKC activation was Ca2+ dependent but did not require phosphatidylserine as phospholipid cofactor. MOA increased the stimulatory effect of phosphatidylserine at low Ca2+ (1 microM) concentrations. These findings indicate that MOA interacts at the phospholipid- and the diacylglycerol-binding domain to elicit PKC activation. Treatment of gastric mucous cells HM02 caused translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the nuclear, mitochondrial and membrane fraction. Furthermore, MOA stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into the DNA of HM02 cells. Our results show that the H.p. fatty acid MOA activates PKC and increases DNA synthesis in gastric epithelial cells.     

Rapid identification of nonblood sterile site broth cultures using the FilmArray blood culture identification panel

The FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel was validated for nonblood sterile site specimens with clinical impact of rapid identification compared to conventional diagnostics. The panel accurately identified target organisms from 98% of positive broth cultures a median 1.1?day faster than conventional techniques (P?<?0.0001) with potential clinical impact in 22% of cases.     

Verschlußvolumen und Resistance-Lungenvolumen-Beziehung bei kleinknotiger Anthrakosilikose

The prevalence and degree of peripheral small airway disease were investigated in 24 persons with simple coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) (small opacities: type p, q, r; profusion 1, 2, 3) without increased airway resistance during spontaneous breathing (R_t) in comparison to 16 healthy control persons in similar conditions of age range (40–55 years) and smoking habits. We measured the closing volume (CV), the closing capacity (CC) and the course of the airway resistance (R_aw) in the expiratory R_aw-lung-volume-diagram in the lower part of the vital capacity (VC). The following results were obtained:

1. The mean values of CV%VC and CC%TC were significantly higher in the CWP-group than in control.
2. The mean values of R_aw at lung volumes less than 30% VC were higher in the CWP-group than in control. The differences of mean values were significant for lung volume levels of 10 and 15% VC.
3. A significant, positive, exponential correlation was observed between the values of CV%VC and the values of R_aw at a lung volume level of 15% VC.

We assume, that the described data are based on the same mechanism, which has a negative influence on VC, FEV₁, the arterial O₂-tension and the alveolo-arterial O₂- and CO₂-pressure-differences in persons with simple CWP. The prognostic value is uncertain; a relation to the chronic obstructive airway disease with increased R_t is improbable.     

Silikonabriebassoziierte Dupuytren-Kontraktur bei Spätversagen einer Lunatumspacerprothese

The pathophysiological mechanisms of palmar fibromatosis (Dupuytren’s contracture) are still not yet fully understood. In the vast majority of cases, however, reactive changes and reparative processes of tendon tissue can easily be ruled out by clinical and histopathological investigations. This article presents the case of a 62-year-old male patient suffering from palmar fibromatosis associated with a failed silicon spacer of the lunate bone 30 years after index surgery. Although silicon wear particles were observed in distal locations, proximal tendon tissues showed changes consistent with a degenerative palmar fibromatosis in the absence of a pathological wear reaction. The findings are discussed in the light of the current literature on Dupuytren’s contracture.