The ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase,alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase in induced goitres of Xenopus laevis Daudin tadpoles

Summary Tadpoles of Xenopus laevis were maintained in solutions of potassium perchlorate, potassium thiocyanate, thiourea and propyl-thiouracil (0.005% w/v). Metamorphosis was inhibited and within a short time large well-vascularized goitres developed. The localization of certain phosphatases at the ultrastructural level in these goitres is described and the possible roles played by these enzymes is discussed. Acid phosphatase was localized in follicle epithelial cells in dense droplets thought to be lysosomes or cytolysomes. Alkaline phosphatase and a Mg⁺⁺-activated ATP-ase were found on the outer surfaces of the membranes of follicular cells and on the walls of capillary blood vessels.This work was carried out during the tenure by one of us (R.C.) of a Medical Research Council Scholarship and forms part of a programme of research in amphibian thyroid physiology supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council, which we gratefully acknowledge.     

Ultrastructural observations on the droplets of experimentally-induced goitres in Xenopus laevis with especial reference to the development of uhlenhuth colloid cells

Summary Goitres were induced in tadpoles and young toads of Xenopus laevis Daudin by prolonged immersion in aqueous solutions (0.005% or 0.01% w/v) of potassium perchlorate, potassium thiocyanate, thiourea or propyl-thiouracil. Various categories of single membrane-limited droplets were induced and these are described. Also some of the goitrous cells showed an accumulation of colloid droplets leading to the formation of Uhlenhuth colloid cells. The development and significance of these cells in the amphibian goitres is considered.This work was carried out during the tenure by one of us (R. C.) of a Medical Research Council Scholarship and forms part of a programme of research in amphibian thyroid physiology supported by the Medical Research Council to whom we are indebted for their generous assistance.     

Radiotherapy of benign disorders

The radiation oncologist's primary concern is treatment of patients with malignant tumors but sometimes faces on occasion rare, non malignant disorders. The scarcity of disease incidence is reflected by the paucity of references for these diseases in the literature. This minimal exchange of information may make research and analysis difficult, tedious and not easily directed. Even with recognition of the risks of late skin injury, carcinogenesis, leukemogenesis and genetic damage from all ionizing radiation, radiation therapy also continues to be accepted treatment for benign diseases that do not respond to other methods of therapy. The purpose of this paper is to provide a short overview of the radiotherapy of most frequent benign disorders.     

培菲康治疗婴幼儿轮状病毒肠炎伴良性惊厥20例疗效分析

目的探讨婴幼儿轮状病毒肠炎伴良性惊厥的临床特点、微生态治疗及预后。方法选取2010年1月至2014年12月温州市中西医结合医院暨温州市儿童医院收治的20例轮状病毒肠炎伴良性惊厥并采取培菲康治疗的患儿,对其一般情况、临床表现、辅助检查、治疗效果等做回顾性分析并进行随访研究。结果 20例轮状病毒肠炎伴良性惊厥患儿中男6例,女14例,平均年龄(14±6)个月,首次惊厥多发于轮状病毒肠炎后3d内,发作类型多为强直阵挛性发作,经微生态治疗后所有患儿均已痊愈。随访表明大部分患儿生长发育良好,仅1例患儿惊厥再发作。结论培菲康治疗婴幼儿轮状病毒肠炎伴良性惊厥疗效满意,预后良好。     

Ultrastructural observations on some membranous cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in follicular cells of experimentally-induced goitres in tadpoles and toads of Xenopus laevis Daudin

Summary Tadpoles and young toads of Xenopus laevis were maintained in aqueous solutions of potassium perchlorate or thiourea (0.005% or 0.01% w/v) for up to 20 months. Metamorphosis of tadpoles was inhibited. Within a short time large well-vascularized goitres developed in both tadpoles and toads. An ultrastructural investigation of some of the follicular epithelial cells of these goitres revealed some unusual cytoplasmic membranous inclusions and a morphological account of these structures is presented. It is suggested that some of these complex membranous inclusions may give rise to cytosomes. The relationship between these complex cytoplasmic organelles is considered together with their possible significance and role in thyroid cell functioning.This work was carried out during the tenure by one of us (R.C.) of a Medical Research Council Scholarship and forms part of a programme of research in amphibian thyroid physiology supported by the Medical Research Council to whom we are indebted for their generous assistance.     

The desmoid tumor: "benign" neoplasm, not a benign disease

The desmoid tumor is a rare neoplasm which, because of its histopathologic appearance, has been traditionally considered to be benign. Despite its benign microscopic features, it has an aggressive local behavior and, if not excised adequately, has a tendency to recur locally and invade neighboring structures with significant potential for morbidity, deformity, or even death. Two cases of recurrent extraabdominal desmoid tumors are presented not only because they are highly representative of this disease, but also because they emphasize the need for aggressive surgical treatment. Also, they are unusual and challenging cases from a reconstructive standpoint. Based on this experience and on the most recent literature, we believe that this tumor, regardless of its microscopic features, should be addressed and treated as a malignancy.     

Medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Medical therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) became an accepted standard of care in the 1990s following the reports of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies showing that finasteride, a 5-α reductase inhibitor, and terazosin, an α-blocker, significantly improved lower urinary tract symptoms and increased peak urinary flow rates in men with BPH. This article reviews novel approaches to the pharmacological treatment of BPH.     

Clinical evaluation of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common neoplastic condition afflicting men and constitutes a major factor impacting male health. Clinical evaluation to assess the presence and degree of voiding dysfunction and/or the role of BPH in its presence has an increasingly broad spectrum of treatment goals. The goals of the evaluation of such men are to identify the patient's voiding or, more appropriately, urinary tract problems, both symptomatic and physiologic; to establish the etiologic role of BPH in these problems; to evaluate the necessity for and probability of success and risks of various therapeutic approaches; and to present the results of these assessments to the patient so he can make an informed decision about management recommendations and available alternatives.