Improved method for mapping gastric intestinal metaplasia using selective histochemical morphometry

A gastrectomy specimen containing two tubular adenomas from a 67-year-old woman was mapped by an improved method using selective histochemical staining. The specimen was divided into 83 blocks measuring 4.0 cm x 0.5 cm. Sections from the blocks were stained with alcian blue (pH 2.5) to detect mucin. Alcian blue-stained fields were easily identified and measured with the aid of a MOP 30 interactive digital image analyzer. The total area of gastric mucosa analyzed in the 83 sections measured 3,270.9 sq mm while the area occupied by alcian blue-stained goblet cells measured 755.9 sq mm (23.1% of the total area). Intestinal metaplasia was present in 46 of 83 blocks. Both the mean size of alcian blue-positive fields per section as well as the number of alcian blue-positive fields per section were significantly larger in the antral zone I and the intermediate zone II than in the fundal zones III, IV and V. The highest proportion of gastric mucosa with intestinal metaplasia was not found around the two gastric adenomas, but elsewhere. There was no significant difference in the proportion of intestinal metaplasia between the greater and lesser curvatures, further challenging the belief that intestinal metaplasia is always greatest along the lesser curvature. The method described will permit future studies of the possible association between intestinal metaplasia and dysplasias and adenocarcinomas of the stomach.     

A method of quantitating Paneth cell metaplasia of the stomach by image analysis

Paneth cells are one of the histologic components of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, as are mucin-producing goblet cells. With the aid of an image quantifier, the distribution of Paneth cells histochemically labeled with acid fuchsin was analyzed for a gastrectomy specimen containing an adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type; the topographic distribution of goblet cells histochemically labeled with Alcian blue (pH 2.5) was also analyzed. The specimen was cut into 63 blocks (0.5 X 4.0 cm) in four zones; antrum (zone I), intermediate region (zone II) and fundus (zones III and IV). Paneth cells were found only in sections containing mucin-producing goblet cells. Paneth cells were found in 12.5% of the 16 sections from the antral zone I containing Alcian blue-positive goblet cells. The rates were 44.4% for the intermediate zone II and 55.5% for the distal fundic zone III. The total area occupied by Paneth cells was significantly lower in the gastric mucosa as compared to the duodenal mucosa. The "Paneth cell index" (total Paneth cell area/total goblet cell area) was highest in the duodenum, followed by the distal fundic zone III. This method of quantitating Paneth cell metaplasia of the stomach will be used to investigate the topographic distribution of those cells in populations with low and high incidences of intestinal metaplasia.     

Cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase in intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach

Summary Alkaline phosphatase in the brush border of areas of intestinal metaplasia of human stomach was studied cytochemically. All absorptive cells in the upper part of the villi of the duodenum had strong alkaline phosphatase activity but, in areas of intestinal metaplasia, the metaplastic glands consisted of alkaline phosphatase-positive and negative absorptive cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity was found in tall dense microvilli of absorptive cells in areas of intestinal metaplasia and in the duodenum. However, in some areas of metaplastic epithelium, the activity was very weak in some tall dense microvilli of absorptive cells but strong in those of neighbouring absorptive cells. No alkaline phosphatase activity was found in short sparse microvilli of absorptive cells in areas of intestinal metaplasia. The difference in alkaline phosphatase activity in microvilli of different cells in areas of intestinal metaplasia, which is not seen in the duodenum, indicates abnormal morphological and enzymatic differentiation in intestinal metaplasia.     

A simple method for the quantitation of isozyme patterns

Isozyme patterns may be analyzed quantitatively, without the use of a densitometer, by performing serial twofold dilutions of a sample to a visual end point. The specific activity (S) of a given dehydrogenase isozyme can be assessed in the presence of other isozymes catalyzing the same reaction, by (1) determining the isozyme titer (T) (defined as mg protein/ml in the last visible band) and (2) applying the formula S = K/T, where K is 1.6 X 10(-3) units/ml in the last visible band. The units/ml (U) in the starting material can be calculated from the equation U = K (2)n-1, where n is the number of the slot producing the last visible band.     

3H]thymidine autoradiographic and alkaline phosphatase histochemical studies of intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach

The relationship between cell proliferation and enzyme activity in intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach was studied using a combined method of [3H]thymidine autoradiography and alkaline phosphatase histochemistry on the same section. Three types of intestinal metaplasia were observed depending on variations in both enzymatic activity and isotope labelling. One type shows alkaline phosphatase-positive cells along the entire length of the glands with [3H]thymidine-labelled cells localized only at the bottom of the glands, resembling the duodenum. In another type of intestinal metaplasia, alkaline phosphatase-positive cells are present on the surface and/or upper half of the glands with mitotically active cells occupying the lower part of the glands. The third variety of intestinal metaplasia is characterized by the absence of alkaline-phosphatase activity and [3H]thymidine-labelled cells present in an extended zone in the lower half of the glands. Differences in labelling patterns of [3H]thymidine and the activity of marker enzyme in various types of intestinal metaplasia seem to reflect variations in cell differentiation during intestinalization of gastric mucosa.     

A single-molecule method for the quantitation of microRNA gene expression

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are short endogenous noncoding RNA molecules that regulate fundamental cellular processes such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis through modulation of gene expression. Critical to understanding the role of miRNAs in this regulation is a method to rapidly and accurately quantitate miRNA gene expression. Existing methods lack sensitivity, specificity and typically require upfront enrichment, ligation and/or amplification steps. The Direct miRNA assay hybridizes two spectrally distinguishable fluorescent locked nucleic acid (LNA)-DNA oligonucleotide probes to the miRNA of interest, and then tagged molecules are directly counted on a single-molecule detection instrument. In this study, we show the assay is sensitive to femtomolar concentrations of miRNA (500 fM), has a three-log linear dynamic range and is capable of distinguishing among miRNA family members. Using this technology, we quantified expression of 45 human miRNAs within 16 different tissues, yielding a quantitative differential expression profile that correlates and expands upon published results.     

A quantitation of stereoselectivity by the Free‐Wilson method

The stereoselectivity of muscarinic receptors was quantified by the Free‐Wilson method. The analysis was performed with the affinity data, published by Gualtieri for certain muscarinic ligands (1,3‐oxathiolanes) in three different tissues. The 2 and 3 positions in the 1,3‐oxathiolane ring were important to differentiate between the receptors in those tissues. The results also showed that the three chiral centers in the 1,3‐oxathiolanes displayed different stereoselective discrimination. The results of the Free‐Wilson analysis were compared with those of a previous study on the same compounds obtained by epimeric eudismic analysis. The agreements and differences between the results obtained by these two methods are discussed in depth. Chirality 11:139–143, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Histochemical studies of mucosubstances in metaplastic epithelium of the stomach,with special reference to the development of intestinal metaplasia

Summary Processes in the development of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach were investigated from the morphological and histochemical approaches using light and electron microscopic techniques. The specimens taken from 38 gastric carcinomas and 15 gastric and/or duodenal ulcers were subjected to this study. Morphological appearances of the intestinal metaplasia observed in routine examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining was able to be divided into complete and incomplete metaplasia by the light and electron microscopic histochemical stainings of the mucosubstances. The columnar cells at the area of the incomplete metaplasia had both the properties of the intestinal epithelia and the gastric foveolar epithelia. The incomplete as well as the complete metaplasia arose from the generative cells at the isthmus of the gland. The generative cells, however, sometimes gradually transformed to produce the complete metaplastic cells. The two processes of the development of the intestinal metaplasia were proposed and discussed.     

A method for quantitation of protein in the presence of Percoll

An electromagnet was modified for measurements of the magnetic circular dichroism of samples held at cryogenic temperatures using a standard laboratory cryostat. The external dimensions of the cryostat are too great to permit its insertion in the air gap between the poles of the magnet without an unacceptable reduction in the strength of the magnetic field at the sample. This problem was overcome by designing new pole caps which become an integral part of the vacuum system of the cryostat. The ends of the new pole caps project into the body of the cryostat so that the gap between them is 1 in. or less, thus achieving a magnetic field exceeding one Tesla at the sample. No permanent alterations of the cryostat are required. The chief advantages of this design are economy and flexibility since a general purpose cryostat is used instead of a special unit designed to fit in the small space between the poles of an unmodified magnet. The cryostat used in this design cools the sample by conduction; thus the problem of optical distortions resulting from bubbling of liquid nitrogen or other cryogen is avoided and the temperature can be varied continuously using standard auxiliary equipment. Extra windows at 90° with respect to the optical beam permit inspection of the sample in situ and could be used for experiments such as fluorescence-detected magnetic circular dichroism which require optical access perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.     

Ultrastructure and morphometry of the stomach muscle of Amphiuma tridactylum

An ultrastructural and stereological examination was performed on stomach smooth muscle of the salamander Amphiuma. This tissue has very large cells, ranging up to 12 X 1500 micron when relaxed. The extracellular space is 31% of the tissue volume, and the tissue contains 84.6% water. These values are similar to those of other amphibian and mammalian gastrointestinal smooth muscle. The cells possess the usual smooth muscle organelles. Thick, thin and intermediate filaments are present, along with membrane-associated and cytoplasmic dense regions. There is a well-developed sarcoplasmic reticulum and many microtubules. Caveolae are found in rows along the cellular surface; the caveolae increase the cellular surface area by about 70%. The ratio mean volume: surface area of the cells is 1.26 micron. This tissue appears to be typical of gastrointestinal smooth muscle, with the exception of the very large size of the cells.     

A general radiochemical-color method for quantitation of immunoblots.

Quantitative interpretation of protein immunoblotting procedures is hampered by a variety of technical liabilities inherent in the use of photographic and densitometric methods. In this paper, we present a novel, simple, and generally applicable alternative procedure to acquire quantitative data from immunoblots. Our strategy employs both the standard alkaline phosphatase color reaction and radiolabelled Protein A. The color reaction is used to localize the polypeptide of interest after transfer to a solid support. The colored bands are then excised and the radioactivity in the colocalized Protein A is quantitated in a gamma counter. In addition to avoiding the problems associated with photographic and densitometric procedures, our assay also overcomes common problems associated with variable gel lane width and individual band distortion. The resulting data is linear over a range of at least 50-fold (10-500 ng of specific protein, for the example used in this study) and is highly reproducible.     

A sensitive method for the quantitation of lysophosphatidylcholine in canine heart

We have developed a procedure for the determination of small amounts of lysophosphatidylcholine in cardiac tissue. Lysophosphatidylcholine from canine heart was separated from the major phospholipids by column chromatography, and then acetylated with labeled acetic anhydride. The acetylated lysophosphatidylcholine was isolated by thin-layer chromatography and the lysophosphatidylcholine content was calculated from the radioactivity associated with the acetylated product. Although the sensitivity of the assay depends on the specific radioactivity of the acetic anhydride used, as low as 0.5 nmol of lysophospholipid in tissue samples can be readily quantitated. The results obtained from the control and ischemic canine cardiac tissues by this assay compares favorably with those obtained by lipid-phosphorus assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the present procedure allows us and other investigators to assay for lysophosphatidylcholine content in very small (10 mg wet weight) tissue samples.     

Terminal alpha1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine in Helicobacter pylori-associated intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach and gastric carcinoma cell lines.

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is associated with the development of gastric lesions including gastritis, intestinal metaplasia (IM), and gastric carcinoma. In humans, Hp is found almost exclusively in the foveolar epithelium of the gastric mucosa and rarely colonizes the deeper portions where mucous cells of the glands produce mucins with terminal alpha1,4-GlcNAc O-glycans. This structure exerts antimicrobial activity against Hp. The development of IM in the stomach is characterized by Hp clearance from the metaplastic glands and by major alterations in the expression of mucins and mucin-carbohydrates. The present work evaluated whether terminal alpha1,4-GlcNAc and sialyl-Tn antigen are implicated in the process of Hp clearance from metaplastic glands by analyzing the expression of these antigens in different types of IM-complete (n=12) and incomplete (n=8)-and in gastric cell lines. Terminal alpha1,4-GlcNAc was not detected in IM except in a single foci of one case, indicating that this structure is not implicated in the clearance of Hp from IM, in contrast to what is observed in normal gastric mucosa. None of the gastric carcinoma cell lines studied showed terminal alpha1,4-GlcNAc, suggesting that they do not display a gastric gland mucous cell phenotype and therefore are useful models for in vitro Hp studies. Finally, sialyl-Tn antigen colocalizes with MUC2 mucin and is present in all cases of complete and incomplete IM, suggesting that either or both can be implicated in Hp clearance from IM.     

A sensitive and rapid immunochemical method for quantitation of proteins

A sensitive and rapid ELISA for quantitation of seed globulins is described. This method employs conjugation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) globulin antibodies and the enzyme peroxidase together with dextran. Using this conjugate, proteins as low as 0.1 ng were detected. Dextran conjugate has a ten-fold greater efficiency of quantitating pigeon pea globulins than the commercial goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugate, and is three-fold more efficient than pigeon pea globulin IgG peroxidase conjugate. The method can be conveniently adapted for quantitation of other proteins also.