Palmar flexion creases in childhood neoplasia

About 90% of Caucasian individuals in the general population may observe two transverse palmar flexion creases when their fingers are slightly bent. A small minority may find in one hand a single transverse crease or the usual two creases, of which one seems to cut across the palm to the ulnar margin. Those unusual creases are called simian- or Sydney-creases, respectively. Normal healthy people hardly ever observe them in both hands. We observed those unusual creases, however, in more than 50% of children suffering from different type of malignant neoplasia, quite often in both hands. The difference between patients and controls of similar ages is highly significant. Among patient with childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia the variant creases were mostly of the Sydney type. They most frequently occurred in those patients in whom the disease had become manifest at an early age. Since fathers as well as mothers of the patients showed significantly higher frequencies of unusual creases, the phenomenon seems to be a familial one. A most singular effect is the striking incidence of those creases in younger siblings of the patients. With regard to crease variance our data are essentially similar for lymphoproliferative disorders (ALL and NHML) and embryonic malignant tumors. This might be the first indication of a common host factor in patients with ALL or embryonic tumors occurring in early childhood. We have postulated that this factor may be a regulatory one associated with cellular growth and differentiation in early fetal palmar pads as well as with cell-mediated immune response to early pediatric tumors. The observation of palmar flexion creases may prove to be rewarding in future studies of cellular defense mechanisms in young patients with neoplasia.

Ultrastructure of isolated human mast cells during histamine release induced by ionophore A 23187

In the presence of calcium, the ionophore A 23187 (10(-7) TO 10(-6) M) causes a dose-dependent histamine release from isolated human mast cells. The accompanying degranulation process is characterized by a formation of channels of fused mast cell granules and by an exocytotic extrusion of altered granule material. Simultaneously, large numbers of newly formed 70 A filaments occur. These filaments probably have a key function in secreting human mast cells.

Myocardial cell lesions caused by an anabolic hormone

Early changes in the composition of heart muscle cells of the rat caused by an anabolic hormone were investigated by electron microscopy. Mitochondria and myofibrils showed changes similar to those observed in early heart failure: The mitochondria were swollen and elongated. Their matrix was sparse and the cristae were few in number. The myofibrils showed either disintegration and widened and twisted Z-bands or a complete dissolution of the sarcomeric units.

[Benign and malignant tumors of the prostate (author's transl)]

Etiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma of the prostate and benign prostatic adenoma are discussed. In prostatic adenoma the treatment of choice is either open surgery or transurethral resection. Conservative medical treatment has not been successful. The decision between radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, or hormonal treatment in prostatic carcinoma depends on the staging results of the disease including-if necessary-diagnostic lymphadenectomy.

Effect of anabolic steroids on rat heart muscle cells. I. Intermediate filaments

Long-term treatment of female rats with the anabolic steroid hormone Methandrostenolone results in a conspicuous increase of intermediate sized, nonmyofibrillar filaments in muscle cells of the left cardiac ventricle, as revealed by electron microscopy. These filaments, measuring 70 - 110 A in diameter, form a characteristic network at the Z-level of the sarcomere, either encircling or penetrating the Z-bands, and appear to insert into the nuclear membrane. The T-system is accompanied by the filaments adjacent to the site of the couplings. Here they are attached to subsarcolemmal electron-dense patches, which may be Z-line precursor material. The filaments may function as a cytoskeleton, to provide passive support in the mechanism of contraction and to mediate nucleo-sarcolemmal and nucleo-myofibrillar exchange.

[Ureteroureterostomies: indications and results (author's transl)]

Thirteen unilateral ureteroureterostomies and twenty-five transureteroureterostomies (TUU) were performed since 1968. In 22 of these, a transureteroureterocutaneostomy (TUUC) was done. Indications, operative procedures, results and complications are discussed. No complications due to the anastomosis were found. In six cases stenosis of the ureterocutaneostomy was demonstrated which, in four instances, made another form of urinary diversion necessary. Ureteroureterostomies should only be performed with well functioning kidneys and with one well preserved ureter. TUUC is recommended in cases with at least one dilated ureter.

Isolation and study of functional mast cells from lung and mesentery of the guinea pig

A method is described for the dissociation of guinea pig lung and mesentery into their component cells. The method comprises incubation of the tissues with the enzyme pronase in Ca++- and Mg++-free saline followed by mechanical dispersion and yields on average 3-8% free mast cells. These cells are morphologically intact and viable. They retain an active sensitization or can be passively sensitized. The levels of cAMP and cGMP in the whole cell suspension respond to catecholamine, histamine or cholinergic stimulation in a way similar to that observed in the corresponding undispersed tissue. Although the separation of guinea pig mast cells from other cells proved to be more difficult than the purification of rat mast cells, an inrichment of greater than 50% has been achieved. The mast cells isolated by this method proliferate in vitro and have been cultured successfully for several months.

Sweat gland reactivity to local thermal stimulation in dysautonomia

An attempt has been made to elucidate the cause of hyperhidrosis in dysautonomia by testing sweat gland responsiveness to local application of heat. Heat was applied to the volar surface of the forearm with temperatures of 41.5 C and less for one to ten minutes. For each subject, the minimal duration of heating at the lowest temperature capable of evoking sweating was determined (threshold). Thresholds were significantly lower in all subjects with dysautonomia. Since one control subject, the father of a dysautonomia subject, had the highest threshold, these tests do not permit detection of the heterozygote. A reasonable explanation for enhanced sweating reactivity to local heat application is an increased excitatory state of reflex centers. These patients appear permanently on the verge of generalized sweating likely to result from minimal additional stimulation.

Subendothelium in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The ultrastructure of the subendothelium of elastic arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats shows either thickening and cords of basement membrane-like material (carotid artery) or plates of condensed material of probably filamentous origin (aorta) suggesting that there might be two stages of the same process. The inner elastic lamina disrupts. The resulting changes in resistance might play a role in the maintenance of hypertension in genetically determined rats.

In vitro effects of histamine liberator compound 48/80 on rat superior cervical ganglia with special regard to the small granule-containing cells

The effect of the histamine liberator compound 48/80 on the rat superior cervical ganglia in vitro has been investigated. After incubation of the ganglia with compound 48/80: (1) ganglionic mast cells degranulate in the same manner as in other tissues; (2) cell bodies of the postganglionic neurons are not affected by compound 48/80; (3) there is evidence that ganglionic interneurons, the monoamine-containing cells are activated. The ultrastructural aspects of this process are characterized by degranulation of perikarya and accumulation of dense core vesicles in cell processes and in terminals adjacent to presynaptic membranes. These vesicles vary in size between 200-800 A in diameter. They may represent storage sites of the neuro-transmitter complexes that have undergone exocytosis. The results are discussed with special reference to models of exocytotic processes involving the adrenergic transmitter. It is concluded that monoamine-containing cells represent interneurons in sympathetic ganglia which inhibit ganglionic transmission and which are stimulated by low concentrations of compound 48/80 in vitro.

The source of Na+ and Cl- activities on the skin surface. Experiences with electrode measurements in children

We have used ion-specific electrodes in an attempt to map the sodium and chloride activities on the skin under differing surface conditions. The range of values and the standard deviations are so wide that a baseline for the untreated dry skin is precluded. In patients with cystic fibrosis, a wide range of values is also found. For this group, measurements on dry skin taken immediately after washing were in the same low range as for healthy subjects. The range of measurements on the dry skin of newborn infants was similar for full-term infants with reactive sweat glands and for premature infants who failed to show sweating responsiveness to natural reflex stimulation as well as local glandular stimulation with sudorific drugs. For only two conditions have measurements of sodium and chloride activities on the surface of the skin been of value: (1) on the sweat-covered skin for the detection of the high values encountered in cystic fibrosis, and (2) on the dry skin surface, deprived of autonomic innervation (spinal paraplegia), extremely low sodium and chloride activities reflect absent gland activity.