Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in the lymph nodes of the neck

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare tumor, derived from antigen-presenting cells that normally form meshworks in lymphoid follicles. FDCS in general recapitulate the immunophenotypic profile of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). This tumor affects mainly the lymph nodes, but may arise at a variety of extranodal sites in about one third of cases. We present a case of FDCS in a 52-year-old woman with left neck mass. Histologically, the tumor was composed of oval-to-spindle cells arranged in a fascicular and storiform pattern. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD21, CD35, and to a lesser extent for EMA and vimentin (Fig. 3, Ref. 14). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

A membrane-proximal basic domain and cysteine cluster in the C-terminal tail of CCR5 constitute a bipartite motif critical for cell surface expression

We examined the structural requirements for cell surface expression, signaling, and human immunodeficiency virus co-receptor activity for the chemokine receptor, CCR5. Serial C-terminal truncation of CCR5 resulted in progressive loss of cell surface expression; mutants truncated at the 317th position and shorter were not detected at the cell surface. Alanine substitution of basic residues in the membrane-proximal domain (residues 314-322) in the context of a full-length C-tail resulted in severe reduction in surface expression. C-terminal truncation that excised the three cysteines in this domain reduced surface expression, but further truncation of upstream basic residue(s) abolished surface expression. Substituting the carboxyl-terminal domain of CXCR4 for that of CCR5 failed to rectify the trafficking defect of the tailless CCR5. In contrast, tailless CXCR4 or a CXCR4 chimera that exchanged the native cytoplasmic domain for that of wild type CCR5 was expressed at the cell surface. Deletion mutants that expressed at the cell surface responded to chemokine stimulation and mediated human immunodeficiency virus entry. Substitution of all serine and threonine residues in the C-terminal tail of CCR5 abolished chemokine-mediated receptor phosphorylation but preserved downstream signaling (Ca(2+) flux), while substitutions of tyrosine residues in the C-tail affected neither phenotype. CCR5 mutants that failed to traffic to the plasma membrane did not exhibit obvious changes in metabolic turnover and were retained in the Golgi or pre-Golgi compartments(s). Thus, the basic domain (-KHIAKRF-) and the cysteine cluster (-CKCC-) in the C-terminal tail of CCR5 function cooperatively for optimal surface expression.

Exchange of the basic domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev for a polyarginine stretch expands the RNA binding specificity, and a minimal arginine cluster is required for optimal RRE RNA binding affinity, nuclear accumulation, and trans-activation

The Rev regulatory protein of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) facilitates the nuclear export of unspliced and partially spliced HIV RNAs. Using a Rev:MS2 phage coat protein fusion that could be targeted to bind and activate the Rev-responsive element (RRE) RNA or heterologous MS2 phage operator RNA, we analyzed the role(s) of the arginine-rich RNA binding domain in RNA binding and transactivation. The arginine-rich domain could be functionally replaced by a stretch of nine arginines. However, polyarginine substitutions expanded the RNA binding specificity of the resultant mutant Rev protein. Polyarginine insertions in place of residues 24 to 60 that excised the RNA binding and oligomerization domains of Rev preserved the activation for MS2 RNA, but not for the RRE. A nine-arginine insertion outside of the natural context of the Rev nuclear localization signal domain was incompatible with activation of either RNA target. Insertions of fewer than eight arginines impaired RRE activation. Interrupted lysine clusters and disruption of the arginine stretch with lysine or neutral residues resulted in a similar phenotype. Some of these mutants with a null phenotype for RRE activated the heterologous MS2 RNA target. Under steady-state conditions, mutants that preserved the Rev response for RRE RNA localized to the nuclei; those with poor or no Rev response accumulated mostly in the cytoplasm. Many of the cytoplasmically resident derivatives became nuclear when leptomycin B (LMB) treatment inhibited nuclear export of nuclear export signal-containing proteins. Mutants that had a null activation potential for either RNA target were particularly resistant to LMB treatment. Abbreviated nuclear residence times and differences in RRE binding affinity may have compromised their activation potential for RRE. High-affinity binding to MS2 RNA through the intact coat protein was sufficient to overcome the short nuclear residence times and to facilitate MS2 activation by some derivatives.

The mitochondrial phosphoglyceroyl-ATP-containing polymer, purinogen, is unchanged by cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion but may function in the regulation of free intracellular inorganic phosphate concentrations

Previous work in our laboratory demonstrating large unexplained systematic variations in the heart contents of free adenine nucleotides led us to propose the existence of some unrecognised sequestered form and thence to the purification of very labile acid-insoluble oligomers which we characterised as oligo[3-phospho-glyceroyl-gamma-triphospho(5')adenosine(3')] , abbreviated to (PG-ATP)n. More recently, we provided evidence that these oligomers appear to be the end chains of a complex polymer located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space of a number of rat tissues. We called this polymer purinogen and devised a means of assaying it quantitively [Patel, B., Sarcina, M. & Mowbray, J. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 220, 663-669]. Here we report measurements of purinogen in perfused hearts subjected to moderate and severe global ischaemia and reperfusion. Measurements of tissue and perfusate nucleotides, nucleosides and purine degradation products demonstrate that ischaemia led to the augmentation of the free nucleotide content by up to 30% and its re-sequestration on reperfusion in reversible but not in irreversible ischaemia. The purinogen content was unchanged by ischaemia or reperfusion implying the existence of some other unidentified storage pool. By contrast, glucose addition to glycolytically deprived hearts or removal of Pi from perfusion medium, conditions which might be expected to alter demand for intracellular Pi, led to the quantitative transfer of nucleotides between phosphate-rich purinogen and free nucleotides. The possibility that purinogen may act as a rapidly accessible reservoir of intracellular inorganic phosphate is discussed.

The development of MK-801, kainate, AMPA, and muscimol binding sites in cat visual cortex

Previous work using homogenate binding has shown that the development of (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10imin e maleate (MK-801) binding in cat visual cortex increases from 21 days to 42 days, the height of the plastic period, and decreases in adulthood. We have studied the generality of this finding by examining the development of NMDA binding sites in several brain regions and by examining the development of other binding sites in the visual cortex. After confirming the original finding, we extended it by showing that the sensitivity of MK-801 binding sites to glutamate and glycine decreases when the cat becomes an adult. We then examined the regional specificity of MK-801 binding. Retinal binding did not change significantly with age. Binding in both visual cortex and hippocampus increased significantly from 7 days to 42 days regardless of whether binding was measured per milligram wet weight or per milligram protein. The decline from 42 days to adulthood was less dramatic in the hippocampus than in the visual cortex and was statistically significant only when binding was measured per milligram protein. Saturation analyses also showed a difference in the two structures. Bmax in the visual cortex, but not in the hippocampus, decreased from 42 days to adulthood. To determine whether these developmental changes were specific to MK-801 binding sites, we compared the age-dependent binding of MK-801, kainate, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), and muscimol. Like MK-801, kainate binding increased from 7 days to 42 days and decreased from 42 days to adulthood. AMPA and muscimol binding showed a similar increase in binding from 7 days to 42 days but did not decrease significantly from 42 days to adulthood. Displacement experiments suggest that AMPA and kainate bind to separate sites. The 42-day peak in NMDA and kainate binding suggests that their associated receptors may have a role in determining the plastic period of visual cortex.

Effect of BW B70C, a novel inhibitor of arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase, on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction and late-phase lung eosinophil accumulation in sensitised guinea-pigs

The actions of BW B70C, an orally available, biologically persistent and selective inhibitor of arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase, have been examined in two systems of anaphylaxis in actively sensitised guinea-pigs in vivo. In anaesthetised, artificially ventilated animals pretreated with mepyramine and indomethacin to leave only the "peptidoleukotriene-dependent" component (leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4) of the anaphylactic response, direct inhalation of nebulised allergen resulted in a slowly developing bronchoconstriction which was prevented in a dose-dependent manner by BW B70C (2-50 mg/kg p.o.) administered 1 or 6 h before challenge. In conscious animals fasted overnight and then pretreated with mepyramine to prevent death due to acute bronchial anaphylaxis, exposure to nebulised allergen produced slight respiratory symptoms. When blood and lung samples were analysed 4-48 h after allergen provocation a sustained leukocytosis and pulmonary eosinophil accumulation were observed. In contrast, in food-replete conscious animals, the early respiratory symptoms were still observed upon allergen inhalation, but no significant blood leukocytosis or accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs occurred subsequently. The eosinophil influx induced by allergen in fasted animals was assessed both by histological examination and determination of tissue peroxidase content, two measures which demonstrated reasonable agreement. Administration of a single dose of BW B70C (10 mg/kg p.o.) 1 h prior to allergen challenge did not affect the subsequent eosinophil infiltration 24 h later, but 20 mg/kg given in divided doses (-1 and +12 h) produced 67% inhibition of cell accumulation. A single dose of 50 mg/kg (-1 h) had a similar effect (78% inhibition). The potent glucocorticosteroid betamethasone was used as a reference compound, and 4 mg/kg given as a divided dose (-1 and +7) fully inhibited lung inflammation assessed 24 h after provocation with allergen. BW B70C inhibited both acute and allergic bronchoconstriction and late-phase eosinophil accumulation subsequent to allergen inhalation in guinea-pigs. In view of the apparent requirement for sustained plasma levels of BW B70C in order to prevent late-phase eosinophil recruitment to the lung after a single challenge with allergen, it is unclear whether inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase underlies the observed anti-eosinophil accumulation effects of the compound, but the anti-bronchoconstrictor effects are consistent with the known inhibitory activity of BW B70C against 5-lipoxygenase.

Modus operandi of Planas' appliance

Planas' approach to the management of a distocclusion, as applied by Simoes, is analyzed physiologically by taking into account the Petrovic-Stutzmann's cybernetic vision of facial growth. This scientifically based theorization further strengthens the clinical validity of this orthodontic ideology and procedure. The clinician, the orthodontist, the functional orthopedist or the functional orthodontist are fundamentally dependent on their knowledge about biophysics, biochemistry and mainly physiology. It is important then that they be acquainted with fundamental concepts of basic sciences as applicable to the specialty. In planning the treatment of a malocclusion, it is necessary to select the appliance or the series of them for sequential use in the correction of a intermaxillary malrelation. It is also useful to be able to predict the response to each appliance. In this case it must be considered the input (appliance in the mouth) designed to produce either displacements of the teeth or other modifications within the dentofacial complex and the output (appliance effect). According to Petrovic and Stutzmann there are 6 tissue level growth categories. Previous investigations using Frankel appliance, LSU Activator, Bionator, Chin Cup and Begg techniques, have shown that when going from the growing category number 1 to number 6 it becomes easier to stimulate the growth rate and amount of the condylar cartilage and of the posterior border of the ramus and it becomes more difficult to restrain their growth rate and amount. In other words we have also to test clinically the effectiveness of the Planas Appliance by taking into account the inter-individual variation in the tissue level responsiveness to it. (Fig. 1-4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Is the myosin type altered in the aging platysma?

The myosin light chains of platysma samples originating from 2 to 86 year old patients of the maxillo-facial surgery clinic were investigated. The platysma contained both fast and slow myosin. No change in the proportion of myosin type in relation to age was found. Female patients often displayed less fast myosin than male patients. Each time when the platysma muscle activity has been reduced a decrease in the amount of slow myosin light chains was observed. In the reported study, variations of the fast and slow myosin light chains resulted mainly from the platysma activity level, i.e. from the pathology requiring the surgery, rather than from the patients' age.

Ultradian mitotic rhythms in culture of human sarcomatous bone cells originating from the patient before and after chemotherapy

Bone sarcomatous cells derived from human malignant tumors were cultured. The mitotic index was recorded for 39 hr. When the cultured cells originated from patients with cancer disease before any chemotherapy, ultradian mitotic rhythms of a 6-9-hr period were detected, but in many cases only after a sensitive statistical analysis was performed. When the cultured cells originated from cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the mitotic index was decreased, and the amplitudes of the 6-9-hr component oscillations of the mitotic index were highly significantly increased. Damping and fading out of an ultradian mitotic rhythmicity was a bad prognostic portent in bone cancer. With reference to chemotherapy, the restored and amplified ultradian rhythmicity disclosed an appreciable antitumor effect and better survival prospects for the patient.