Adenylate cyclase and exocytosis of membrane-coating granules in oral mucosa

Adenylate cyclase-cAMP system has been demonstrated to be important in the regulation of proliferation and growth of stratified squamous epithelium. This study was performed to localize adenylate cyclase in the oral mucosa of the rabbit and to study the effect of isoproterenol on exocytosis of membrane-coating granules. Cytochemical localization of adenylate cyclase revealed that the enzyme was on the cell membrane of some basal and parabasal cells, most upper spinous cells, and an occasional dense superficial cell. The specific distribution of this enzyme in the stratified squamous epithelium is deemed to be related to the regulation of cell proliferation in the basal and parabasal layers, and related to the exocytosis of membrane-coating granules in the upper spinous layer. Electron-microscopic morphometric quantification of membrane-coating granules showed that there was decreased concentration of membrane-coating granules in isoproterenol-treated animals, indicating there is an accelerated exocytosis of granules upon stimulation of the adenylate cyclase-cAMP system by isoproterenol.

Calcium oxalate deposition in the periodontium secondary to chronic renal failure

Deposition of calcium oxalate in the periodontium with accompanying bone loss and tooth resorption, occurred in a 55-year-old woman on long-term renal dialysis for end-stage renal disease. These deposits were birefringent upon examination with polarized light. Scanning electron microscopy of the deposits revealed clusters of sharply angular oblong and needlelike crystals. Microincineration followed by staining with alizarin red S was positive for calcium oxalate. X-ray diffraction studies of the crystals in the tissue specimen revealed a pattern identical to that of commercially prepared calcium oxalate monohydrate. It is postulated that pre-existing inflammatory periodontal disease may have provided the appropriate milieu for the deposition and precipitation of crystals. These deposits, acting as a foreign body, further intensified the inflammatory response, resulting in extensive alveolar bone loss and external tooth resorption.

Fluorometry of selenium in human hair, urine and blood. A single-tube process for submicrogram determination of selenium

This communication introduces a special lyophilization process for selenium determination by fluorometric methods. It permits a small sample volume, with several modifications including a single test tube process. Samples and standard are lyophilized first, then digested with nitric-perchloric acid mixture in a heated sand bath. Selenium is complexed with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene and extracted by n-hexane in the same test tube. The n-hexane layer is transferred to a cuvette and measured fluorometrically. Selenium concentration in healthy children from Long Island (aged 5-18 years) was: hair 0.765 +/- 0.114 microgram/g (n = 52), urine 28.65 +/- 8.27 micrograms/g creatinine (n = 66), and serum 95.4 +/- 14.4 ng/ml (n = 44). The current literature reflects an increase in the role of selenium in human nutrition. Thus, a simple but reliable method for determination of selenium in biological materials is needed in the clinical and research laboratory.

Zinc deficiency: improvement in growth and growth hormone levels with oral zinc therapy

A 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy were found to be growth hormone deficient by insulin-arginine stimulation tests, and were also found to be zinc deficient. When oral zinc replacement was given, they both had a significant increase in growth rate which continued for at least 2 years, and subsequent growth hormone tests were normal.

Hyaline bodies in the connective tissue wall of odontogenic cysts

Hyaline bodies are sometimes encountered in the connective tissue wall of odontogenic cysts. In this study, various histomorphologic types of hyaline bodies were observed in a dentigerous cyst and a residual apical periodontal cyst. Some hyaline bodies appeared to be a coagulum of serum fluid surrounded by a small number of fibroblasts. Others appeared to be composed of fibrillar structures. Still others appeared to be a mixture of various amounts of serum coagulum and fibrillar structures. Immunoperoxidase procedures revealed various amounts of serum proteins in hyaline bodies. Gomori's trichrome stain and Mallory's staining technique showed that fibrillar structures were collagenous in nature. Electron microscopy showed that fibrillar structures were frayed collagen fibrils. These observations suggest that various histologic types of hyaline bodies represent different stages of development and that the basic pathogenic mechanism is pooling of extravasated serum followed by fibrosis.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the tongue

A 45-year-old woman had a mass in the left side of the tongue. Histologic examination of the tumor revealed it to be an extraskeletal osteogenic sarcoma. Pulmonary metastases were seen on admission. The patient had a rapid downhill course and died. Extraskeletal osteogenic sarcomas are well-recognized albeit rare neoplasms. In a search of the literature we were unable to find a single case arising in the tongue. The electron microscopic findings are also presented.

Zinc nutritional status, androgens, and growth retardation

Zinc levels were measured in hair and serum of boys with constitutional growth delay and familial short status and in several boys before and after oral administration of methyltestosterone. These results show the following: (1) zinc levels in boys beyond stage 3 of genital development are significantly higher than in stage 1 and 2; (2) there is a linear relationship between zinc levels and serum testosterone concentration (up to 250 ng/dL); and (3) methyltestosterone administration raised the zinc concentration in serum and hair, especially in boys with constitutional growth delay. Therefore, increased endogenous production or exogenous supply of testosterone are associated with increased zinc levels. We speculate that the relative testosterone deficiency and hypogonadotropism seen in constitutional growth delay may result in decreased zinc levels, which in turn could cause a further delay in the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and greater growth retardation.

Canalicular adenoma of the upper lip: an electron microscopic study

Canalicular adenoma is composed of a row of tall columnar cells adjacent to canalicular lumina and a row of conical cells adjacent to connective tissue stroma. It differs from basal cell adenoma, of the parotid by the lack of well developed desmosomes associated with bundles of tonofilaments; by the presence of moderate numbers of cellorganelles; by a single, inconspicuous basal lamina instead of multi-layering; and by the presence of mucoid material in the stroma. Results suggest that this type of tumor should be considered a specific benign entity of the salivary glands. Cytologic features also suggest that it originates in excretory duct cells of minor salivary glands.

Folate analogues altered in the C9-N10 bridge region. 16. Synthesis and antifolate activity of 11-thiohomoaminopterin

The synthesis of 11-thiohomoaminopterin (1), which is a close analogue of 11-thiohomofolic acid (2), has been carried out by modification of the Boon-Leigh procedure. Treatment of 1-chloro-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiopenoxy]-2-butanone (5) with sodium azide gave 1-azido-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone (6). After protection of the carbonyl group of 6, the product 7 was catalytically hydrogenated to 1-amino-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone ketal (3). Reaction of 32 with 6-chloro-2,4-diaminmo-5-nitropyrimidine gave the desired pyrimidine intermediate, which was elaborated to 4-amino-4-deoxy-11-thiohomopteroic acid (20) by standard procedures. Alternately, 1-azido-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone ketal (7) was hydrolyzed to the corresponding acid (8) and coupled with diethyl L-glutamate to obtain diethyl N-[p-(1-azido-2-oxo-4-thiobutanoyl)benzoyl]-L-glutamate ketal (10), which was used for the large-scale preparation of 11-thiohomoaminopterin (1). Although 11-thiohomoaminopterin showed antifolate activity against two folate-requiring microorganisms and inhibited Lactobacillus casei dihydrogolate reductase, it did not exhibit any antitumor activity against L-1210 lymphoid leukemia in mice at a maximum dose of 48 mg/kg.

Studies of inhibition of rat spermidine synthase and spermine synthase

1. S-Adenosyl-l-methionine, S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine, 5'-methylthioadenosine and a number of analogues having changes in the base, sugar or amino acid portions of the molecule were tested as potential inhibitors of spermidine synthase and spermine synthase from rat ventral prostate. 2. S-Adenosyl-l-methionine was inhibitory to these reactions, as were other nucleosides containing a sulphonium centre. The most active of these were S-adenosyl-l-ethionine, S-adenosyl-4-methylthiobutyric acid, S-adenosyl-d-methionine and S-tubercidinylmethionine, which were all comparable in activity with S-adenosylmethionine itself, producing 70-98% inhibition at 1mm concentrations. Spermine synthase was somewhat more sensitive than spermidine synthase. 3. 5'-Methylthioadenosine, 5'-ethylthioadenosine and 5'-methylthiotubercidin were all powerful inhibitors of both enzymes, giving 50% inhibition of spermine synthase at 10-15mum and 50% inhibition of spermidine synthase at 30-45mum. 4. S-Adenosyl-l-homocysteine was a weak inhibitor of spermine synthase and practically inactive against spermidine synthase. Analogues of S-adenosylhomocysteine lacking either the carboxy or the amino group of the amino acid portion were somewhat more active, as were derivatives in which the ribose ring had been opened by oxidation. The sulphoxide and sulphone derivatives of decarboxylated S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine and the sulphone of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine were quite potent inhibitors and were particularly active against spermidine synthase (giving 50% inhibition at 380, 50 and 20mum respectively). 5. These results are discussed in terms of the possible regulation of polyamine synthesis by endogenous nucleosides and the possible value of some of the inhibitory substances in experimental manipulations of polyamine concentrations. It is suggested that 5'-methylthiotubercidin and the sulphone of S-adenosylhomocysteine or of S-adenosyl-3-thiopropylamine may be particularly valuable in this respect.

Selenium in premature infants

Premature infants have a lower selenium concentration in serum than full-term infants and children. The selenium concentration goes down quickly in infants treated for respiratory distress syndrome without supplementation. One premature infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had persistently low concentrations of selenium. Vitamin E supplements did not affect the serum selenium concentration in healthy premature infants. Supplementation with 3 microgram/kg of selenium in parenteral fluids prevented the fall in the concentration seen in other infants not supplemented. Premature infants and especially those treated with oxygen may warrant selenium supplementation to the parenteral nutrition solution. Vitamin E supplements alone are apparently not sufficient to prevent selenium deficiency and potential oxygen toxicity.

Acid phosphatase in squamous cell carcinoma

Surgical specimens of oral squamous cell carcinoma were processed for cytochemistry of acid phosphatase using Gomori's substrate. Reaction product was deposited in the cytoplasmic dense bodies, autophagic vacuoles, cytoplasmic projections, and advancing cell borders. Results of this study suggest that acid phosphatase and its associated lysosomes seem to play a role in the invasiveness of cancer cells.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia in rabbit oral mucosa

Several papules on the floor of the mouth and the ventral surface of the tongue of a zinc-deficient rabbit were studied by light and electron microscopy. These papules appeared to be consistent with focal epithelial hyperplasia of man and chimpanzees. There was a concurrence of cytoplasmic vacuolization with the appearance of viral particles within the nucleus. Intranuclear crystalline viral aggregates were frequently observed in the upper spinous cells.

Folate analogues altered in the C9-N10 bridge region: 11-thiohomofolic acid

The synthesis of 11-thiohomofolic acid (2) has been accomplished by an unambiguous procedure. Reaction of 1-chloro-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone (10) with hydroxylamine under carefully controlled conditions gave the corresponding oxime 33. Conversion of this oxime to 1-phthalimido-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone oxime (4) was carried out by its reaction with potassium phthalimide using crown 18 ether as a catalyst. Hydrazinolysis of compound 4 gave 1-amino-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone oxime (5), which was used for the construction of the title compound 2 by modification of the Boon and Leigh procedure. An alternate synthesis utilizing 1-hydroxy-4-[p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy]-2-butanone (11) and 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-triaminopyrimidine has also been carried out. Compound 2 did not exhibit any antifolate activity against Lactobacillus casei or Streptococcus faecium. The dithionite reduction product, 7,8-dihydro-11-thiohomofolic acid, was able to function as a substrate of L. casei dihydrofolate reductase. The catalytic reduction product of 2, consisting of a mixture of diastereomers, exhibited powerful antifolate activity against both these organisms.

Ultrastructure of a plasma-cell myeloma in the mandible

Tumor cells exhibited large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum arranged in a lamellar pattern, large numbers of mitochondria with a perinuclear distribution, and a prominent Golgi complex, but only a small number of immunoglobulin granules. No crystalline structures of immunoglobulins were observed. Nuclei exhibited patchy condensation of chromatin and large nucleoli. The ultrastructural features suggest that this case could be a "resecretory" myeloma.

Neurofibroma and schwannoma of the oral cavity. A clinical and ultrastructural study

The clinical parameters of fifty-five cases accessioned as neurofibroma and schwannoma of the oral cavity were reviewed. An electron microscope study was performed on several cases. The component cells of neurofibroma were spindle shaped, with bundles of collagen fibrils between cells. Junctional complexes were observed between adjacent cells. Component cells of the schwannoma showed numerous convoluted cytoplasmic processes. Reduplication of basal lamina was frequently observed and formed the material in the hyalinized area of Verocay bodies.

Ultrastructure of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in minor salivary glands

Three cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of minor salivary glands were studied by electron microscopy. Mucus-secreting cells contained numerous mucous globules and bundles of fine cytoplasmic filaments. Another cell type contained a large number of glycogen particles, akin to tumor cells in glycogen-rich adenocarcinoma, and it is postulated that these cells represent the intermediate cells observed by light microscopy. Epidermoid cells contained a moderate amount of tonofilaments and various numbers of organelles. Mucus-secreting and epidermoid cells that surrounded a cystic space exhibited many microvilli. Results of this study support the theory that mucoepidermoid carcinoma develops from salivary gland duct cells with different cellular differentiation potentials and, in general, agree with the conventional grading system of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Histochemical study of strain L fibroblasts exposed to endotoxin. The effect on cellular organelles

Endotoxin was found to be nonselective in its cytotoxicity of cellular organelles. All organelles studied displayed some degree of alteration which became more severe as the concentration of endotoxin was increased. The data suggest that the metabolism of the cell may be compromised at concentrations of endotoxin which do not affect cell viability. The problem involved in attempting to determine the actual concentration of endotoxin at the interface between the culture medium and the cell monolayer, in vitro, and the corresponding situation, in vivo, are also discussed.

Acinic cell adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands

Nine cases identified as acinic cell adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Department of Pathology, Temple University School of Dentistry were studied to determine the clinical and histomorphologic parameters of this lesion. One case was examined ultrastructurally. Clinical results show that the tumor is more common in females and the average age of patients was 42.5 years. The most common sites were upper and lower lips and buccal mucosa. The tumor tends to be locally limited, but recurrence is a distinct possibilty. Cytologic features usually associated with malignancies are generally not present. However, perineural space and muscle invasion occur, and it is felt that this tumor should be considered as a low-grade malignancy. Fine structural observations showed the presence of cells with serous secretory granules and cells with mucous globules. However, the serous secretory granules were not as numerous as those reported in the acinic cell adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland. It appears that these tumors arise from intercalated duct cells or pluripotential duct cells rather than from fully differentiated serous cells.

Central granular-cell tumor of the jaws (the so-call granular-cell ameloblastic fibroma)

Four cases of central granular-cell tumor of the jaws were evaluated to determine the clinical parameters of the lesion, and one of these cases was examined with the electron microscope to investigate the nature of the granular cells. The average age of the patients at the time of treatment was 55 years; all four patients were women. Three of the lesions originated in the mandible, and one in the maxilla. Follow-up studies revealed no recurrences. Electron microscopic examination of one case revealed that the granular cells contained many lysosome-like particles and that these cells are identical to those found in the granular-cell myoblastoma.

Cytochemical and autoradiographic study of nuclei in zinc-deficient rat buccal epithelium

Ammoniacal silver stain showed that there was a decrease in nucleohistones in zinc-deficient rat buccal hyperplastic epithelium as compared to control. Autoradiographic study showed that there was decreased incorporation of 3H-arginine and 3H-lysine in the hyperplastic epithelium.

Ultrastructure of oral squamous-cell carcinoma

Fresh surgical specimens of sixteen cases of oral squamous-cell carcinoma were processed for electron microscopic study. All cases were histologically graded as moderately differentiated carcinoma. As compared to normal oral stratified squamous epithelium, some unusual ultrastructural features were present in carcinoma. These features were spherical or ovoid nuclear bodies composed of concentrically arranged filaments and granules, clustered ribosomes, many lysosomal bodies, cell residues in other cells, absence and multilayering of basal lamina, pseudopodal cytoplasmic projections, microfilaments in peripheral cytoplasm, clusters of swirled tonofilaments, intracytoplasmic desmosomes, and a small amount of glycogen. These features are interpreted as being related to hyperactivity, phagocytosis, locomotion, and differentiation of cancer cells.

Oral granular-cell tumors. Report of twenty-five cases with electron microscopy

Twenty-five cases of granular-cell tumor of the oral cavity are reported. The clinical findings are similar to previously published data. Of five cases studied by electron microscopy, three were processed directly from fresh surgical specimens and two cases were processed following initial formalin fixation. The granules for the most part are morphologically compatible with lysosomes except for a single variety containing viruslike particles. There is increasing evidence in support of a neural origin, but the indications are that more than one cell type may be the progenitor of granular cells of the granular cell tumor.

Ultrastructure of eosinophilic bodies in the degenerative surface epithelium of chronic hyperplastic oral lesions

Eosinophilic bodies were located extracellularly in the dilated intercellular spaces of degenerative epithelial cells. They consisted of electron-dense amorphous material with many scattered mature fibrin fibers. Eosinophilic bodies were PAS positive, mucicarmine negative, alcian blue negative. A large number of lysosome-like bodies with homogeneous electron-dense content were present in the cytoplasm of the surrounding degenerative epithelial cells. The plasma membrane of these cells was intact and there was no outpouring of tonofilaments or keratohyaline granules into the intercellular spaces. With the results of the present study, it is suggested that eosinophilic bodies are probably an exudate of plasma fluid accumulated in the dilated intercellular spaces of superficial degenerative cells.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary gland. Histochemical and electron microscopic studies of cystlike space

Five cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary glands were studied. The mucoid material in the characteristic cystlike space of this neoplasm was distaseresistant periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)--positive, alcain blue-positive, toluidine blue-positive, and mucicarmine-positive. Verhoeff-Van Gieson's method and Weighert's method did not reveal elastic tissue in the cystlike spaces. Mallory's method revealed that a central core in cystlike spaces was similar in stainability to collagen. Wilder's method did not reveal reticular fibers in these spaces. Electron microscopy revealed three readily recognizable zones: a juxtacellular zone of a network of replicated basal lamina, and intermediate zone of stellate granules of mucoid material, and a central core of densely packed aperiodic filaments or collagen fibrils. The histogenesis of cystlike spaces and their realtionship with biologic behaviors of the neoplasm were discussed.

Cellular hypersensitivity in patients with adenomatous hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Cellular hypersensitivity was studied in patients with adenomatous hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium with the use of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin tests and inhibition of leukocyte migration by homologous and autologous tumor antigen. Inhibition of leukocyte migration by homologous endometrial carcinoma antigen was found in two of five patients with adenomatous hyperplasia and eight of 11 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. A comparable degree of inhibition was found with autologous antigen. DNCB skin reactions were found to be strongly positive in patients with adenomatous hyperplasia, and a lesser degree of reactivity was observed in patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. No correlation was found between leukocyte migration tests and DNCB reactions, and no correlation was observed between these tests and the age of the patient, clinical stage of disease, or histologic grade of the tumor.

Effect of potassium on human and rat liver glucose-6-phosphatase

Potassium chloride concentrations of 100-150 mM were shown to inhibit (20-40%) human and rat liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase when the substrate was reduced to physiological concentration. When the enzyme was solubilized by treatment of microsomes with A12O3 the inhibition could be observed at greater substrate concentrations. Since potassium deprivation is associated with hyperglycemia in both animals and man, these observations may have physiological significance.

Tryptophane metabolism in bronchial asthma

Seventeen out of 21 children with severe asthma had an abnormal increase in urinary Kynurenic (KA) and Xanthurenic (XA) acid following oral tryptophane administration. In a second study 11 asthmatic children had significantly greater increases in XA and KA than nine normal healthy children. A micro-assay of KA and XA by column chromatography was performed. The data suggest the presence of a partial block in the metabolism of tryptophane in some children with bronchial asthma.

Growth hormone and liver mitochondrial protein synthesis effect of cortisol and estradiol

The effect of cortisol and estradiol on the stimulation by growth hormone of liver mitochondrial protein synthesis in hypophysectomized rats has been studied by measuring radioactive leucine incorporation in vivo and in vitro. Estradiol inhibited the stimulatory effect of growth hormone on incorporation into mitochondrial and microsomal proteins. Cortisol blocked the stimulatory effect of growth hormone on mitochondrial protein synthesis. The stimulatory effects of cortisol and growth hormone on microsomal incorporation were not additive. Gain in body weights corresponded with their effects on mitochondrial and microsomal protein synthesis. These results show that steroid hormones may act as regulators of the growth hormone effect.

Ultrastructure of the keratinizing and calcifying odontogenic cyst

Four types of cells in the keratinizing and calcifying odontogenic cyst can be identified. The "basal cell" and "stellate reticulum-type cell" contained various amounts of tonofilaments and organelles. The "ghost cell" contained coarse bundles of tonofilaments intermingled with dilated membranous organelles. The "hornified cell" contained densely packed tonofilaments. Calcification of the ghost cell and hornified cell occurred with concomitant calcification of the adjacent collagen.