S-100 protein in human lung neuroendocrine neoplasms. Immunohistochemical study of 14 cases and review of the literature

A group of lung neuroendocrine (NE) neoplasms are investigated in view of the possible presence of S-100 protein immunoreactivity in their cells. The selected tumours were classified according to Gould et al. (1983a) and Mosca et al. (1985). They comprise 5 carcinoids, 3 neuroendocrine carcinomas of the well-differentiated type, or peripheral carcinoids, 5 neuroendocrine carcinomas of the intermediate cell type, or intermediate-cell, poorly differentiated carcinomas, 3 neuroendocrine carcinomas of the microcytoma type, or small cell carcinomas-SCC and a nodal metastasis of microcytoma. All but 2 tumours were immunoreactive for neuron specific enolase (NSE). Few S-100 immunoreactive cells were detected in 4 out of 5 carcinoids, in 1 out of 3 peripheral carcinoids, in 4 out of 5 poorly differentiated carcinomas and in the 3 microcytomas examined. No S-100 positive cells were found in the SCC's nodal metastasis. The S-100 immunolabelled cells can be interpreted as dendritic reticulum cells migrating through the tumours. However, in one case of typical carcinoid, abundant S-100 positive cells were detected: their stellate morphology and their intimate relation with neoplastic cells suggest that they are part of the neoplasia as a sort of satellite cell.     

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 19 in three families

Summary Pericentric inversion of chromosome 19 has been found in several members of three unrelated families from a restricted geographical region. In one of the families, an additional pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 was observed. Reproductive problems, multiple abortions in two families and a neonatal death in the third, were present. A review of previously described cases is included, and the genetic risk connected with this type of rearrangement is also discussed.     

Influence of plant extracts on the metabolic activity of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae 39]

Addition to the nutrient medium of the extracts of camomile, nettle, mint, or Saint-John's-wort to a concentration of 0.5-4% was established to activate the yeast growth. The maximum effect was recorded on the addition of the extracts to the poor "water" medium. The extracts of camomile and Saint-John's-wort were shown to inhibit the alcohol dehydrogenase activity of the yeast cells, whereas the extracts of nettle and mint increased the activity of this enzyme by 62-70%.     

Persistence of the control of the fluctuations of heart rate in the anesthetized and pithed adult rat. Effect of enteraminergic drugs]

Spontaneous fluctuations in heart rate were analyzed by spectral analysis in the ether anesthetized and pithed adult rat. In order to investigate the changes in the spectral pattern of the fluctuations, the selective 5HT-2 and -3 isoreceptor blockers ritanserin and BRL 43694A were used. In both the experimental conditions, ritanserin blockade led to dose-dependent increased fluctuations in HR low and high frequencies. In both the anesthetized and pithed rats, the low frequency range HR fluctuations were drastically reduced by BRL 43694A.     

Evaluation of nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins in endometrial pathology.

In the current study the argyrophil staining technique for NOR proteins (Ag-NORs) has been performed on cases of different endometrial lesions, trying to find an aid in differentiating atypical hyperplasia from well differentiated carcinoma in biopsy specimens. We conclude that the Ag-NOR count, even though in endometrial carcinoma is significantly exceeding that of atypical hyperplastic endometrium, could be a misleading discriminator, because of a wide overlap of values in individual cases.     

Effect of angiotensin II on RNA synthesis by isolated nuclei

Peptide hormones are known to bind to cell surface receptors as the first step in the generation of their effects on target tissues. However, it remains uncertain whether internalized hormone might also play a role in the production of longterm or trophic effects of peptide hormones. Because the peptide hormone angiotensin II appears to be internalized by target cells, we studied the effect of this peptide on isolated hepatic nuclei. At both 5 X 10(-7)M and 5 X 10(-9)M, angiotensin II significantly increased RNA synthesis. This effect was not mimicked by Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II (saralasin) or the unrelated nonapeptide teprotide.     

Genomic and copy-back 3'' termini in Sendai virus defective interfering RNA species

Direct sequencing of nine Sendai virus defective interfering RNA species revealed two kinds of 3'-terminal sequences. Six RNA species had 3' termini identical to the virus genome (negative strand), confirming that internal deletions are a frequent cause of Sendai virus defectiveness. The other three RNA species had 3'-terminal sequences identical to that described as the complement of the 5' terminus of the virus genome (R. A. Lazzarini, J. D. Keene, and M. Schubert, Cell 26:145-154, 1981), indicating that they are of the copy-back type. Extensive homology between these two types of 3' sequences evidently accounts for the ability of the copy-back sequence to function as an initiation signal for viral RNA replication. There may not be a selective advantage of one type of terminus over the other, since one defective interfering strain possessed two RNA species, one of which had the genomic 3' terminus and the other copy-back type.