Cytopathology of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma in effusions.

The cytomorphologic features were analyzed in 26 fluid samples (18 peritoneal and 8 pleural fluids) obtained in vivo from 20 patients with pancreatic carcinoma. All tumors were ductal adenocarcinomas, as proven histologically on autopsy samples. The basic cytomorphologic pattern in the smears was that of a malignant glandular tumor, consisting of cell groups with various degrees of cohesiveness. The most prominent feature was a linear arrangement (the so-called "Indian file") of tumor cells showing nuclear molding; these aggregates were frequently closely associated with the flat round clusters of cells. Other nonspecific features of adenocarcinoma included eccentric hyperchromatic nuclei, abundant, often well-preserved vacuolated cytoplasm, a variable amount of fibrin and a reactive background. Review of the autopsy specimens also revealed the presence of an "Indian-file" pattern in most cases, especially when a conspicuous desmoplastic reaction was present. These findings suggest that pancreatic carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of positive serous effusions showing these cytomorphologic features.     

Pathomorphism of experimental pancreatic necrosis after endolymphatic administration of contrical

Histological and electron microscopic studies of canine pancrease were conducted with biochemical control of pancreatic enzyme activity before and after treatment of experimental hemorrhagic pancreatonecrosis. 30-60 minutes after the disease induction microfocal pancreatonecrosis was revealed, while 6-8 hours later subtotal hemorrhagic pancreatonecrosis with changes in microcirculatory vessels of the pancreas manifested in erythrostasis, thrombosis and fibrinoid wall necrosis accompanied by the increase of pancreatic enzyme activity and decrease in blood, lymph and serum antienzyme activity developed. The treatment of experimental pancreatonecrosis with endolymphatic injection of contrical resulted in the morphologically confirmed attenuation of the necrosis intensity, limitation of necrotic zone size, blood circulation recovery in microcirculatory system, marked decrease of proteolytic enzyme activity and increase of blood serum and central lymph antienzyme activity.     

The experimental study for efficacy and safety of pancreatic cryosurgery

Objective: This study was designed to basic information concerning the efficacy and safety of cryosurgery for pancreatic cancer. Fifteen healthy pigs were used to perform biochemical analysis and histological assessment. Methods: Following anesthesia and laparotomy, an argon–helium cryoprobe was inserted into the pancreas. The introduction of argon gas induced a rapid decrease in temperature to ?160 °C (Group I, 5 pigs) or ?110 °C (Group II, 5 pigs), respectively, resulting in ice-ball formation of 15–20 mm diameter after 5 min. Following freezing, helium gas was circulated in the probe tip to increase the temperature to 10–20 °C over 3 min to thaw. The freeze/thaw cycle was then repeated. Group III (3 pigs) had a cryoprobe inserted, but without freezing, and Group IV (2 pigs) included untreated or normal control animals. Levels of serum amylase (AMY), IL-6 and C-RP were measured prior to freezing and for 7 days following the procedure. All pigs were euthanized 7 days post-treatment and pancreases were examined histologically. Results: Neither hyperaemia, edema or hemorrhage were observed in the un-frozen parts of the pancreas. Histological assessment revealed a significant level of necrosis in the central and lateral regions of the tissue frozen within the ice-ball. All cellular ultrastructure was destroyed and only observable as a few of remaining nuclei with broken crests and degranulated mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. There was a significant increase of serum AMY levels for a brief period in both “deep frozen” and the “shallow frozen” groups. However, the AMY also increased in two pigs in the “normal control” group and one pig from the “inserted cryoprobe without freeze” control group. All experimental pigs appeared healthy until the sacrifice time. Conclusion: Cryosurgery is a safe and effective ablative procedure for pancreatic tissue resulting in minimal complications.     

Influence of experimental hypothermia on exocrine pancreatic secretion in anaesthetized rabbits

• 1.1. The effects which experimental hypothermia induces on rabbit pancreatic exocrine secretion have been investigated.
• 2.2. The flow of juice and the output of total protein and amylase were lowered during hypothermia.
• 3.3. After rewarming, flow recovered but amylase output remained low.
• 4.4. During hypothermia the sensitivity of the pancreas to secretin and PZ-CCK diminished.

     

Cytology of angiosarcoma in effusions

The cytologic and immunocytochemical findings in pleural effusions from three cases of angiosarcoma are presented. In two of the cases, the primary lesion was on the scalp; in the third case, an angiosarcoma of the small intestine developed after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. Single malignant cells and small clusters of cells were seen in cytologic preparations from two cases while only single cells were seen in preparations from one case. The malignant cells had delicate, finely vacuolated cytoplasm with distinct borders. No specific morphologic features were noted. Immunoperoxidase studies revealed binding of Ulex europaeus and reactivity for vimentin in all three cases and expression of Factor VIII-related protein in two of the cases but no expression of epithelial markers. The clinical history and immunoperoxidase studies are necessary to distinguish angiosarcoma from metastatic adenocarcinoma and other malignancies in effusions.     

Lipid and exocrine pancreatic ultrastructural changes due to experimental diabetes.

The aim of this study was to establish if the changes in the ultrastructure of the exocrine part of the pancreas are correlated with changes in serum glucose, cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions during the progression of diabetes in rabbits. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male New Zealand rabbits by a single injection of alloxan into the auricular vein. On the day 7th the glucose level in the whole blood was measured and this day was designated as the first day of diabetes. Rabbits were divided into 5 groups: untreated control, 21-day diabetes, 42-day diabetes, 90-day diabetes and 180-day diabetes. The cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels were examined in the serum. The total pancreatic lipase activity was measured spectrophotometrically in the pancreatic homogenate. Histological specimens were examined under an electron microscopy. The glucose level increased significantly in all of the alloxan exposed animals. The significant elevation of cholesterol level was observed on day 21 and 180. The HDL level was increased (P<0.05) only on the day 21st. The LDL level and the total activity of pancreatic lysosomal lipase increased significantly on day 21, 42 and 90. Further dilation of granular endoplasmic reticular ducts and decrease in the number of zymogen granules were observed amongst exocrine cells. Fragmented mitochondrial and translucent matrix were also seen. Intensification of the pancreatic fibrosis was found on day 90. Microvascular changes were reported in exocrine cells after 180 days. Their nuclei were smaller with large bulges on the nuclear membrane, and the number of heterogeneous electron granules of zymogen further declined. We concluded that the intensification of ultrastructural changes of the exocrine part of the pancreas correlated with the changes of the pancreatic lipase activity, and glucose and lipoprotein levels.     

Radiolabeled anti-claudin 4 and anti-prostate stem cell antigen: initial imaging in experimental models of pancreatic cancer

Global expression profiling of pancreatic cancers has identified two cell surface molecules, claudin 4 and prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), as being overexpressed in the vast majority of cases. Two antibodies, anti-claudin 4 and anti-PSCA, were radiolabeled with iodine 125 ((125)I) for imaging pancreatic cancer xenografts in mice using gamma scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT). Immunofluorescence staining of intact and permeabilized Colo357 human pancreatic cancer cells showed strong extracellular staining by both anti-PSCA and anti-claudin 4. Biodistribution studies in claudin 4 and PSCA-expressing Colo357 and PANC-1 subcutaneous xenograft models in mice showed that [(125)I]anti-claudin 4 tumor to muscle ratio uptake was 4.3 in Colo357 at 6 days postinjection and 6.3 in PANC-1 xenografts at 4 days postinjection. Biodistribution of [(125)I]anti-PSCA showed tumor to muscle ratio uptake of 4.9 in Colo357 at 6 days postinjection. Planar gamma scintigraphic imaging in Colo357 xenograft-bearing mice showed clear tumor uptake of [(125)I]anti-claudin 4 by 24 hours postinjection and by 48 hours postinjection for [(125)I]anti-PSCA. SPECT-CT imaging with [(125)I]anti-claudin 4 and [(125)I]anti-PSCA in an L3.6PL orthotopic xenograft model showed strong tumor and spleen uptake at 5 days postinjection. Both anti-claudin 4 and anti-PSCA demonstrate promise as radiodiagnostic and possibly radiotherapeutic agents for human pancreatic cancers.     

Molecular basis of experimental diabetes: Degeneration,oncogenesis and regeneration of pancreatic B-cells of islets of Langerhans

Insulin is synthesized in pancreatic B-cells of islets of Langerhans. Understanding the mechanisms of action of B-cytotoxins on pancreatic islets seems to be important for elucidating not only the causes of diabetes mellitus but also its prevention.     

Long-term tissue cultures of human pleural effusions: a cytological follow-up

A cytological follow-up was performed on long-term cultures of 53 metastatic pleural effusions and 34 cases of mesothelial hyperplasia. Cells were grown in Leighton tubes with up to 11 changes of cover slip in the same tube. Cell morphology and arrangement was followed for up to 1 year. Morphological criteria are of no use in recognizing malignant cells with any degree of certainty. As to cell distribution, several types of heaping up are observed both in benign and malignant pleural effusions. In malignant cases, patches of cells in an epithelial-like arrangement are seen heaping up from their substrate. They can be recovered from the used medium by cytocentrifugation. Such behavior may explain the numerous unsuccessful attempts to establish epithelial cell lines, as the clusters of epithelial cells are progressively lost in the supernates.