Rapid staining techniques employed in fine needle aspirations of the lung

Fifty-two consecutive patients ranging in age from 22 to 90 years underwent percutaneous transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy under fluoroscopic guidance. A quick staining and rapid interpretation technique was used on samples from the 37 most recent cases. Rapid staining was accomplished within five minutes, and interpretation was available less than 15 minutes after obtaining the specimen. Successful diagnosis was obtained in 36 of 37 patients (97%). Standard methods utilizing a single aspiration sample yielded a successful diagnosis in 13 of 15 patients (86%). The improved rate of successful diagnosis following the rapid stain technique reflects the advantage of being able to determine the adequacy of specimens before releasing patients from the procedure room.

Detection of hybrid (combinatorial) Ia antigens using parent anti-F1 sera

Ia specificities 22 and 23 were initially identified by using conventional alloantisera and were mapped to the I-E subregion of k and d haplotypes on the basis of their reactivity with selected recombinants. Recently we found that Ia 22 and 23 are hybrid determinants on the basis of their expression on selected F1 cells, but absence from both parental cells. Initial attempts to detect hybrid Ia antigens by immunizing parents with F1 cells were unsuccessful. By utilizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated F1 spleen lymphoblasts as immunogens, 1 of the parents as recipient and the other parent cells for absorption of antisera, specific anti-Ia.22 and 23 antibodies were produced. The specificity of these parent anti-F1 sera was confirmed by cytotoxic and immunoprecipitation analyses.

Detection of hybrid (combinatorial) Ia antigens using parent anti-F1 sera

Ia specificities 22 and 23 were initially identified by using conventional alloantisera and were mapped to the I-E subregion of k and d haplotypes on the basis of their reactivity with selected recombinants. Recently we found that Ia 22 and 23 are hybrid determinants on the basis of their expression on selected F1 cells, but absence from both parental cells. Initial attempts to detect hybrid Ia antigens by immunizing parents with F1 cells were unsuccessful. By utilizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated F1 spleen lymphoblasts as immunogens, 1 of the parents as recipient and the other parent cells for absorption of antisera, specific anti-Ia.22 and 23 antibodies were produced. The specificity of these parent anti-F1 sera was confirmed by cytotoxic and immunoprecipitation analyses.

Antigen-pulsed neutrophils bearing Ia antigens can induce T lymphocyte proliferative response to the syngeneic or semisyngeneic antigen-primed T lymphocytes

Antigen-pulsed neutrophils from mouse peritoneal cavities displayed a remarkable level of lymphocyte proliferative activities to antigen-primed T lymphocytes. Genetic mapping studies demonstrated that compatibility at the I-A, as well as I-E/C, subregions of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was essential for effective presentation of the lysozyme antigen. These antigen-presenting activities were remarkably inhibited by anti-Ia sera. Inhibition tests revealed that neutrophil immune-associated (Ia) antigens seem to be essential for antigen presentation during the initial 8 hr. Elimination studies of antigen-pulsed neutrophils with alloantisera plus complement revealed these antigen-presenting neutrophils bearing both I-A and I-E/C gene products on the same cells. These results suggest that Ia-positive neutrophils might play a role in the immune response through antigen presentation.

Cytological detection of a peripheral lung carcinoma in a coke oven worker

OSHA mandated programs of pulmonary cytology among coke oven workers have resulted in detection of a number of unsuspected tumors. While it is too early to determine the eventual impact of these programs, this report describes the detection of a 0.3 cm peripheral lesion, believed to the smallest identified by cytology. In addition to being diminutive, the tumor proved to be of the epidermoid type, unusual for the location. Further investigation is required to determine whether peripheral epidermoid neoplasms are associated with exposure to coke oven vapors.

Hybrid Ia antigens: genetic, serologic, and biochemical analyses

Ia specificities 22 and 23 were found to be determinants on hybrid Ia molecules, formed by the noncovalent binding of a 26,000--28,000 dalton beta polypeptide chain (Ae) coded by the I-A subregion and a 32,000--35,000 dalton alpha chain (E alpha) coded by the I-E subregion. For expression of Ia.23 the Ae chain, coded by the I-A subregion, must be derived from the H-2d haplotype, while Ab, As, or Ak can provide the complementing beta chain for the expression of Ia.22. For expression of Ia.22 and Ia.23, most Ia.7 positive strains can provide the complementing alpha chain (E alpha), with the one exception of B10.PL (Eu), which is Ia.7 positive but will not complement with Ad to express Ia.23. Antisera were also produced against hybrid Ia antigens by immunizing with F1 cells expressing Ia.22 or Ia.23 generated by generated by trans-complementation. These antisera detect the same specificities as conventional anti-Ia.22 and anti-Ia.23 sera produced against cis-complementing Ia antigens. It is postulated that hybrid Ia determinants are involved in recognition and generation of immune response to antigens under dual Ir gene control. It is also suggested that there are 2 types of Ia specificities: 1) allotypic Ia specificities expressed on the alpha or beta chains (for example, Ia.7 on the E alpha chain) and 2) hybrid Ia specificities, which are unique interaction determinants formed by the association of alpha and beta chains (for example, Ia.22 and Ia.23). These interaction gene products may be involved in antigen recognition and presentation.

Gradient separation of normal and malignant cells. II. Application to in vivo tumor diagnosis

Data were obtained concerning the usefulness of discontinuous Ficoll and Isopaque-Ficoll gradients in separating malignant from non-malignant cells from a variety of sources. Most of the material was from effusions, but there is no theoretical restriction of the methods to effusions. Animal and human material were studied, utilizing non-malignant as well as malignant material, the former acting as controls. In the discontinuous Ficoll gradient, concentration of malignant cells at a specific interface was mainly a function of cell density. Thus, while most malignant cells banded in the last two fractions, adenocarcinomas, especially those high in mucus (which decreases total cell density) banded higher in the gradient. The Isopaque-Ficoll technique also proved useful in concentrating malignant cells. The advantage of the discontinuous Ficoll gradient was its ability to separate cells from small specimens (1-10 X 10(6) cells). Contrarily, the Isopaque-Ficoll gradient was preferable for processing specimens of larger volumes.

The peroxisome (microbody) membrane: effects of detergents and lipid solvents on its ultrastructure and permeability to catalase

The effects of detergents, organic lipid solvents, and several adjuvants used in cell fractionation on the ultrastructure of the peroxisomal (microbody) membrane and its permeability to catalase have been investigated. Chopper sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed liver were incubated in the presence of various agents, followed by cytochemical staining for catalase and processed for electron microscopy. Catalase activity was also determined biochemically in the incubation medium. Marked catalase diffusion was found after treatment with 1% or 0.5% Triton X-100 or deoxycholate, as well as with 50% ethanol or acetone or 20% propanol or t-butanol. In contrast, 1% digitonin and lower concentrations of the above agents, as well as sucrose or glycerine caused selective diffusion of catalase from a limited population of peroxisomes. Treatment with 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which has been used as a protective agent in the isolation of microbodies, did not produce any alteration in the fine structure and cytochemical appearance of peroxisomes. These findings concur with earlier biochemical studies on freshly isolated peroxisomes and demonstrate the susceptibility of microbodies, even in glutaraldehyde-fixed rat liver to the effects of various agents which affect the microbody membrane. A close correlation between the ultrastructural integrity of the microbody membrane and its permeability to catalase has been found. The significance of these observations for the assessment of the permeability characteristics of the microbody membrane is discussed.

A case of 9p- syndrome

An 8-month-old female child with the 9p- karyotype: 46,XX,del(9) (p22) is presented, being the first case from among Oriental people. She has many clinical features similar to those described in Caucasian cases.

Cytochemical localiztion of nucleoside diphosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activities in the rabbit corneal endothelium

Localization of NDPase and TPPase activities in the rabbit corneal endothelium was investigated by cytochemical methods. After incubation at both pH 7.0 and 8.0, the NDPase activity was detected in cisternae of ER, nuclear envelope, and Golgi saccules, while the TPPase activity was demonstrated only in Golgi saccules. The reaction products of both enzymes were decreased when incubated at pH 8.0. The NDPase activity was inhibited by uranyl nitrate but not by sodium fluoride, while the TPPase was inhibited by fluoride but not by uranium.

Histochemical evaluation of enzymes in the rabbit corneal endothelium after short-term storage

Isolated rabbit corneae were stored at a temperature of 4 degrees C in McCoy's 5a medium (modified) containing 5% dextran T 40 and gentamycin sulphate (250 mug/ml) for a varied number of days. The endothelium of the corneae was examined by light- and electron-microscopic histochemical methods for ATPase, TPPase, and SDH. The activity of each enzyme in the endothelia, stored for 6 days, was found to resemble the enzyme activities in the fresh corneal endothelium. By 8 days, the SDH activity was lowered and specific staining for ATPase and TPPase was decreased. In the 12 day-stored endothelium, the SDH and TPPase activities could not be detected. From these results, it was gathered that the isolated cornea stored in the medium for 6 days may be used in keratoplasty.

Uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by the endothelium of the short-term stored rabbit cornea

In vitro study of the uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by the corneal endothelium was carried out on rabbit corneae which were stored in a preserving medium for various periods. The stored corneae were incubated in HRP solution with or without adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The number of pinocytotic vesicles decreased as the storage time was prolonged. Addition of ATP to the HRP solution led to an increase in the pinocytotic vesicles in all storage periods. The pinocytosis in the 12-day stored corneal endothelium was only observed when the tissue was incubated in an HRP solution containing ATP. From these results, it was concluded that the viability of the stored corneae can be evaluated with uptake of HRP by the endothelial cell, and that the addition of ATP leads to an enhancement of pinocytotic activity in the endothelial cell.

[Light and electron microscopic studies on short-term preserved corneae (author's transl)]

Rabbit corneae were stored at a temperature of +4 degrees C in the following media: 1. 5% Dextran T40, 2. McCoy's Medium 5a (modified), 3. Dextran T 40+McCoy's 5a Medium + gentamicin sulphate (250 mug/ml). The endothelia of the corneae were examined by light and electron microscopy after preservation for a varied number of days. The structure of the endothelia, stored for 1, 6, 12, 18 days, was compared to fresh corneal endothelial cells. The results indicate that corneae preserved in Dextran 5% T40 + McCoy's 5a Medium + gentamicin sulphate might be equivalent to fresh corneal tissue in keratoplasties.

Electron microscopic localization of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in rabbit cornea

The localization of CA activity in the rabbit cornea was investigated using a modified Hansson's method. The reaction products indicating CA activity was observed in the lateral membrane of endothelial cell, but not in the apical membrane. In cytoplasm, Golgi complex, and mitochondria of the endothelial cells no specific reaction product could be found. In epithelium, stroma, and Descemet's membrane, no reaction product was seen. The specific staining was inhibited in the control group which was treated with 10(-4)M sodium acetazolamide.

Assay of antihorseradish peroxidase antibody in an immunocytochemical model system of polyacrylamide gel films

The effects of fixatives on the antibody and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activities in the immunocytochemical system were investigated quantitatively by using a model of polyacrylamide gel films containing proteins such as goat γ-globulin, anti-HRP guinea pig antiserum or HRP. The activity of the anti-HRP antibody was measured indirectly by staining the HRP coupled with its antibody in the gel films. About 40% of the antibody activity was lost by fixation in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and approximately 35% in 4% formalin. The inactivation of HRP by the refixation in glutaraldehyde or formalin was also examined. The loss of HRP activity was inversely related to the concentration of the fixatives. The fixation in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 4% formalin inhibited HRP activity 35% and 40%, respectively. The inactivation occurred generally within 40 min of the refixation.