Iron containing nuclear inclusions in human pigmentary cirrhosis (author's transl)]

In human pigmentary cirrhosis nuclear (pseudo-)inclusions of cytoplasmic material, containing less or more degenerated and therefore faintly stained hemosiderin granules, are to be observed. But sometimes there are also finely fibrillar or granular proteinaceous materials, stainable by the Prussian-blue reaction, lying between the chromatin-strands or occupying the whole nucleus and displacing the chromatin to the nuclear envelope (margination of chromatin). Such uncoloured substances may condense into homogeneous masses and nearly hexagonal (0r related) crystals with a diameter up to 14 micron and a yellow-brownish colour, giving a strongly positive PERL's reaction. In contrast to the preceding stages intranuclear crystals of this kind have been observed in one case only. After destruction of the nuclear envelope and the marginated chromatin the crystals are lying free in the cytoplasm and later on, the cytoplasm being destroyed too, they may be ingested by von Kupffer cells. All the iron containing crystals, to be found in the cytoplasm, derive from former intranuclear inclusions. The intranuclear deposits of iron containing protein are interpreted as ferritin-aggregates. It is supposed that ferritin molecules, built up in the cytoplasm, do enter the nucleus via the pores of the nuclear envelope. Such an event not only signalizes a cytopathologic reaction but in turn may give rise to such additional cytopathologic lesions as cell shrinking and cell death.     

Tetrazolium methods for the histochemical investigation of hydrolases (author's transl)]

Using freeze-dried or sections from fresh-frozen or aldehyde-fixed material nitro BT (NBT), tetranito BT (TNBT), distyryl nitro BT (DS-NBT), thiocarbamyl nitro BT (TC-NBT) or benzothiazolylstyrylphthalhydrazidyl tetrazolium chloride (BSPT) were tested as auxiliary reagents for the localization of glycosidases, phosphatases and non-specific esterases with indoxyl substrates in rat tissues. By means of NBT or TNBT as a tetrazolium salt acid beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, neuraminidase and non-specific esterase can only be localized at the cellular level; a more precise localization is possible for lactase-beta-D-glucosidase in the intestinal brush border, and the best results are obtained in the demonstration of alkaline phosphatase; among all methods described previously the tetrazolium procedure with TNBT is the method of choice for the light microscopic localization of this enzyme. Reverse data are observed with BSPT as a tetrazolium salt; then, all acid and neutral hydrolases can be exactly localized in lysosomes, secretion granules, cytoplasm and/or microvilli of many cells and tissues provided BSPT-formazan is stabilized by osmification. Furthermore, this procedure enables the reliable ultracytochemical demonstration of these enzymes. However, in the case of alkaline phosphatase only sites with high enzyme activity reveal a positive reaction. -DS- and TC-NBT are inferior to NBT, TNBT or BSPT.     

Extracorporeal treatment with L-asparaginase (author's transl)]

L-asparaginase therapy is often limited by allergy or toxicity and probably in some cases by antibody mediated inactivation of the enzyme. These problems can be avoided by extracorporeal application of l-asparaginase. As the enzyme is a stable tetramer with high molecular weight it cannot pass through the dialysis membrane in contrast to the amino acid l-asparagin which is destroyed. The resulting l-asparagin depletion of the plasma is sufficient for therapeutic success. Effective extracorporeal l-asparaginase therapy is demonstrated in two patients with ALL who were resistant to other chemotherapy and could not be treated intravenously because of allergy and toxicity.     

Photographic methods for observation of the eye-fundus of rhesus monkeys (author's transl)]

The method for observing the eye-fundus of rhesus monkeys was devised by the use of Kowa RC-2 Hand-held Fundus Camera. 1. For monochrome photography, Fuji Neopan F (ASA 32) and Fuji Neopan SS (ASA 100) films were used. The best result was obtained under the following conditions : the Strong Power Pack "50W" X 6 for Neopan F and "50W" X 3 for Neopan SS. 2. For color photography, Fuji Color (ASA 100 : Negative, Positive) and Sakura Color (ASA 100 : Negative) films were used. The best result were obtained under the following conditions : the Strong Power Pack "50W" X 2 for Fuji Color (ASA 100 : Negative), "50W" X 3 for Fuji Color (ASA 100 : Positive) and "50W" X 3 for Sakura Color. 3. Four fluorescein angiography, 0.3ml/kg of 10% sodium fluorescein was injected into the vein, and then photographs were taken under the condition of "100W" X 6. For monochrome photography (Kodak Tri-X ASA 400 : Negative), a combination of Kodak Wratten Filter 47 (excitor) X K. W. 15 (barrier) brought about the best photographic result. FOR COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY (Kodak Ektachrome High Speed ASA 160 : Positive), the filters (K. W. 32 X K. W. 56, K. W. 47 A X K. W. 12 . 15, K. W. 47 X K. W. 12 . 15 and Fuji Filter BPB 45 X BPB 55) were used and the films were developed by a double sensitivity method to obtain the best photograph.