Quantitative analysis of heterogeneity of estrogen binding in human breast tumor specimens

A quantitative assessment was made of the heterogeneity of estrogen binding among histologically distinct regions and among nuclei within histologically uniform regions in ten human breast tumors. An autoradiographic method was used that employed sections from fixed tissues and required exposure times of one to two weeks. Grain counting of autoradiograms probably indicated both type I and type II estrogen binding. There were significant decreases in estrogen binding in all specimens after competition with excess diethylstilbestrol, suggesting that a component of binding was specific for estrogen. Significant differences in amount and distribution (nuclear vs cytoplasmic) of estrogen binding were seen not only among tissues with different histologies but also within histologically identical regions of a tissue. In histologically uniform regions, wide ranges of values for nuclear estrogen binding were seen. This method allows for the rapid evaluation of estrogen-binding profiles of tumor specimens and has potential for analyzing the process of neoplastic transformation in mammary epithelia as it affects, or is affected by estrogen binding.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology in lupus lymphadenopathy. A case report.

This case report describes the aspiration cytologic characteristics of histologically proven acute lupus lymphadenitis. The aspirate contained numerous lymphoid cells and many amorphous, basophilic, hematoxylin-stained bodies dispersed in a granular, necrotic background that lacked polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The lymphadenopathy was diagnosed cytologically as necrotizing lymphadenitis and histologically as acute lupus lymphadenitis.     

Extraosseous osteosarcoma in a nonhuman primate (Macaca mulatta)

A case of a very rare malignant bone-forming sarcoma, which was located in the soft tissue but had no anatomic attachment to bone, is presented. This tumor originated in the subcuticular tissue over the right scapula and was histologically composed of sheets of anaplastic spindle cells that produced osteoid. The tumor recurred twice before the animal was killed. The recurrent masses produced less osteoid and were generally less differentiated histologically than the initial tumor.     

Succinate dehydrogenase activity in relation with cardiac morphology in rats fed low erucic acid rapeseed oil

The histopathological status and histologically demonstratable succinate dehydrogenase activity were evaluated on contiguous heart sections of rats fed low erucic acid rapeseed oil for 18 weeks. The histologically demonstratable SDH activity was quantified and could be related with the severity of the lesion at the same location. These results were discussed in terms of effects of dietary fat on mitochondria.     

Morphometric analysis of borderline atypia in prostatic aspiration biopsy specimens.

In a prior study of 411 fine needle aspirates of the prostate (FNAPs), we identified a subset of 50 (12%) aspirates in which the findings were designated cytologically atypical. These equivocal cases formed a heterogeneous group composed of both histologically benign and malignant proliferations in which cutting needle biopsy was necessary to further delineate the nature of the abnormality. In an attempt to define quantitative and morphologic criteria for the separation of these proliferations into benign and malignant categories and to reduce the need for diagnostic cutting needle biopsies, we performed a cytomorphometric analysis of smears from 12 FNAPs (6 histologically proven benign and 6 histologically proven malignant) with equivocal cytologic atypia. We were unable to define any cytomorphometric criteria that accurately subdivided these cases into benign and malignant categories.     

Flow cytometric and histomorphometric analysis of limitations of clinical breast cytomorphometry

The clinical value and limitations of a previously described cytomorphometric method, based on nuclear size and anisonucleosis, for evaluation of routine fine-needle aspiration of the breast were assessed in a series of 313 histologically investigated primary breast lesions. Limitations were analyzed by histomorphometry and DNA flow cytometry in 116 consecutive cases of histologically confirmed breast carcinoma. Eighty per cent of histologically proven malignant tumours were classified cytomorphometrically as malignant and no false-positive results were encountered. For benign lesions a benign cytomorphometric classification was reached in 66% of the cases. Histomorphometry showed that on the whole the assignment of histologically malignant tumours to a non-malignant cytomorphometric classification was determined by smaller nuclei and not by sampling error. Tumours assigned to a malignant cytomorphometric classification had on average significantly higher DNA indices than did tumours not assigned to a malignant cytomorphometric classification (P less than 0.001). The mean-nuclear areas in cytomorphometry and histomorphometry were strongly correlated with DNA indices indicated by DNA flow cytometry (P less than 0.001 for both). The present findings show that this cytomorphometric method is appropriate for routine quality control of a cytological diagnosis of malignancy in FNA of the breast. However, an inconclusive result in 15-25% of the tumours is inevitable.     

Ateliotic Dwarfism in the German Shepherd Dog

Two types of ateliotic dwarfism in 3 German Shepherd dog puppies are described. Low somatomedin levels in serum and impaired growth of skeletal tissues were found in all 3 cases. One dog (case 2) had a histologically undeveloped adenohypophysis, and the dwarfism was apparently due to a generalized lack of adenopituitary function. The 2 other dogs (cases 1A and IB) had histologically normal adenohypophyses, and their condition was probably due to a reduced response to endogenous growth hormone in peripheral tissues.     

Preliminary studies on the carcinogenic effects of Penicillium roqueforti toxin (PR toxin) on rats

Preliminary results on the carcinogenic activity of a mycotoxin of Penicillium roqueforti (PR toxin) are reported. A squamous epithelioma and a uterine sarcoma were histologically confirmed in 2 of 10 albino rats fed PR toxin in a relatively short time (449 and 551 days respectively). Only an adenocarcinoma was histologically proven within a control group of 10 rats in a significantly longer (931 days) time span.     

Evidence of a rudimentary colon in the elasmobranch, Leucoraja erinacea

The transition from aquatic to terrestrial life presented tetrapodamorphs with the challenge of maintaining water homeostasis and preventing desiccation on land. The colon evolved in terrestrial vertebrates to help maintain fluid balance. Although marine elasmobranchs lack a colon, their spiral intestine contains a subregion that histologically appears to be colon-like, possibly representing an evolutionary precursor to terrestrial digestive tracts. The distal-most region of the spiral intestine of elasmobranchs has no villi and a large number of acid mucins: hallmarks of water absorption in the colons of terrestrial animals. To determine if histologically distinct regions of the elasmobranch digestive tract correspond to functional differences, we compared water absorption in different subregions of the skate, Leucoraja erinacea digestive tract. Water absorption in stomach and spiral intestinal sacs was linear with time and not hydrostatic pressure-dependent. The histologically distinct distal portion of the spiral intestine had a threefold higher rate of water absorption than the proximal portion of the spiral intestine. In addition, the water-selective, colon-specific aquaporin 4 is expressed strongly in the distal spiral intestine epithelia, correlating with the region of the spiral intestine exhibiting the greatest rate of water absorption. We demonstrate that the distal spiral intestine is histologically and functionally distinct from the rest of the spiral intestine and represents a rudimentary colon within the vertebrate lineage.     

Histological examination of experimentally mummified tissues

Tissue mummified by desiccation can be examined histologically after rehydration with Ruffer's solution, and a number of natural mummies have been studied by this technique. In order to study the efficacy of the rehydration process, and to evaluate the degree of artefact introduced, normal human tissues were desiccated, rehydrated, and examined histologically. There was generally good preservation of architecture and moderate preservation of cellular detail, with some organ specific variability. The prospect of an atlas of mummified pathological lesions is discussed, as an aid to the determination of disease patterns in prehistoric populations.     

大鼠小肠移植后一氧化氮合酶组织化学观察

监测大鼠小肠移植后一氧化氮合酶的变化与排斥反应的关系以及肝小肠联合移植与单纯小肠移植后的变化异同。两组移植后分别于１、３、７……天同时取肠壁病理和组织化学标本对比,病理为常规ＨＥ染色观察, 一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ） 组织化学检查按Ｄａｗ ｓｏｎ 方法显示其活性。结果两组肠壁ＮＯＳ的活性随移植后排斥反应加重而降低或消失, 单纯小肠移植比肝小肠联合移植变化明显。大鼠小肠移植后肠壁内ＮＯＳ变化与排斥反应相关, ＮＯ 可以作为小肠移植后监测排斥反应的参考指标之一     

Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: diagnostic limitations of fine needle aspiration cytology

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) offollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 390 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases diagnosed histologically with thyroidectomy specimens. The FNAC and histopathologic classification were compared in terms of the appearance of FVPTC and non-FVPTC statistically with the chi squared test. Also, several features of the cytologic smears of FVPTC were reviewed. RESULTS: Twelve of the 390 PTC cases were classified as FVPTC histologically. Five of the 12 cases were also reported as FVPTC in the diagnosis by FNAC and the other 7 as the usual type of PTC (UTPTC). There was 1 case classified as UVPTC histologically but FVPTC cytologically. If we use histologic diagnosis as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC diagnosis of FVPTC were 42% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: FNAC may be a good tool for diagnosing PTC, but it is unreliable to differentiate between FVPTC and UTPTC.     

Prepro-endothelin-1 mRNA and its mature peptide in human appendix

Because the precise immunopathological events occurring in appendicitis are not completely understood, possible local production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in human appendix was investigated. We used immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to detect the presence, distribution, and phenotype of ET-1-positive cells and prepro-ET-1 (pp-ET-1) mRNA-expressing cells. ET-1-positive stromal cells and pp-ET-1 mRNA-expressing cells were detected with different distributions and relative frequencies in normal control appendix, histologically normal appendix, and inflamed appendix. Six of 20 histologically normal appendixes from patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis had many ET-1-positive stromal cells and high pp-ET-1 mRNA expression, similar to inflamed appendix. Forty percent of the pp-ET-1 mRNA-expressing cells were neutrophils, and the other positive cells were mast cells and macrophages. We suggest that local production of ET-1 by neutrophils and other inflammatory cells could be a molecular sign of focal inflammation in histologically normal appendixes and that ET-1 could be implicated, with other cytokines, in the pathogenesis of appendicitis by inducing appendiceal ischemia through vasoconstriction.     

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with melanoma of the lower extremity

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new technique used in the surgical treatment of patients with malignant melanoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of this approach for patients with melanoma of the lower extremity. Between May of 1994 and June of 1997 at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 85 consecutive patients with clinical stage I and II melanoma of the lower extremity underwent lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy. These nodes were identified in all 85 patients by intraoperative lymphatic mapping with both radiolymphoscintigraphy and a vital blue dye injection. Eleven patients (12.9 percent) had histologically positive sentinel lymph nodes, and 10 patients underwent inguinal complete lymph node dissections. All 10 patients had no further histologically positive lymph nodes confirmed by subsequent complete dissection. Among 74 patients with histologically negative sentinel lymph nodes, only 2 patients (2.7 percent) developed inguinal nodal metastases during a mean follow-up period of 21.8 months (range, 13.5 to 58.3 months). The sensitivity of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in this series was 100 percent and the specificity was 97.3 percent. Therefore, we conclude that the use of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy can accurately stage patients with melanoma of the lower extremity and provide a rational surgical approach for these patients.     

Hydranencephaly in two rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Spontaneously occurring hydranencephaly was diagnosed at necropsy and confirmed histologically in two stillborn fetuses that were delivered from young female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).     

A survey of red and white muscle in marine fish

The proportion of the mytomal muscle that comprises red or slow muscle fibres was assessed histologically for 84 species of marine fish. The results are discussed in relation to their mode of life.     

Circadian variation in the structure of mast cells

Circadian variation in the structure of mast cells has been demonstrated histologically. At 11.00 h the number of mast cells was increased and at 03.00 h it was significantly decreased (p less than 0.01). Morphological analysis has also supported this phenomenon.     

Direct Fluorescent-Antibody Method for the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonitis from Sputa or Tracheal Aspirates from Humans

A direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) method was applied to sputum or tracheal aspirate from 68 patients with clinical or radiological evidence suggesting Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis, and to 50 control patients. P. carinii was detected by DFA in specimens from 33 of the 69 clinical cases and 3 of the 50 controls. Specimens of lung from 11 of 33 DFA-positive cases were examined histologically, and 9 were positive. Four of 35 DFA-negative cases were examined histologically, and all were negative. Sputa or tracheal aspirates from 6 patients who were positive by both DFA and histological examination were examined also by methenamine silver staining; none could be diagnosed conclusively by this method. The results indicate that the DFA method is a sensitive and dependable procedure for the laboratory diagnosis of P. carinii pneumonitis in man.     

Detection of systemic amyloidosis in the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina)

Secondary amyloidosis is a progressive systemic disease for which there is no reliable diagnostic assay, preventive measure, or treatment. In an attempt to elucidate an antemortem diagnosis, 30 female pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) at the Washington National Primate Research Center were surveyed for amyloidosis. Amyloid was demonstrated histologically in 47% (14 of 30) of the animals. The distribution and severity of amyloid deposition was variable. Affected animals had a mean age (+/-1 standard deviation) of 13.2 +/- 4.9 y, which was significantly greater than the mean age of unaffected animals (9.3 +/- 4.1) y. Twelve tests were evaluated for detection of amyloidosis; the diagnostic value of each was determined through comparison of histologically positive and histologically negative animals. Diagnostic tests evaluated were endoscopic examination and biopsy of the stomach and colon, abdominal ultrasonography, hepatic radiology, serum amyloid A (SAA), endothelin 1, alpha-fetal protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, C-reactive proteins, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Amyloidotic animals demonstrated a distinctive serologic profile: elevated SAA, GGT, and AST in combination with decreased total protein and albumin. Radiology demonstrated hepatomegaly in animals with hepatic amyloid deposition. In the absence of known infection or trauma, an amyloidotic serologic profile and radiologic hepatomegaly are consistent with systemic amyloidosis in M. nemestrina.     

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and soluble CD8 antigen levels in serum from patients with non-resectable lung cancer

Summary In a preliminary longitudinal study two women with histologically verified adenocarcinoma of the lung, without simultaneous infectious or inflammatory conditions, were seen every 2 weeks until death. In one of the patients serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels rose progressively while the levels for the other patient increased during the second half of the observation period. Serum soluble CD8 antigen (sCD8 Ag) showed a pattern dissimilar to the one for sIL-2R. In a retrospective cross-sectional study circulating levels of sIL-2R and sCD8 Ag were measured before explorative thoracotomy in a total of 65 patients with histologically proven non-resectable carcinoma of the lung. The sIL-2R levels were significantly increased independently of histological subclassification while sCD8 Ag was increased only in patients with small-cell lung cancer. There was no correlation between pre-operative values and length of survival.