Digital image processing to remove blur from linear tomography of the lung

We have studied digital image processing methods to reduce blur in linear tomography of the lung performed with the Fuji computed radiography (FCR) system. One-dimensional unsharp (blur) mask filtering in the direction of tomographic movement was found to be effective in reducing blur. The appearance of the processed tomograms varied depending largely on the properties of the unsharp mask filters applied. With regard to the spatial frequency response of the filter, a high mid-frequency response and a low low-frequency response of the tomographic image data was most effective in obtaining high image quality tomograms. When the standard 2-dimensional unsharp mask technique of the FCR system was additionally applied to the one-dimensional unsharp mask processed tomogram, the clarity of the tomogram was further enhanced. These observations may also be helpful when considering image processing to obtain diagnostically informative digital radiography.

Development of a high-resolution digital tomosynthesis system and its clinical application

Conventional tomography has been criticized for its low contrast caused by scattered radiation and tomographic blur. The authors developed a digital tomosynthesis system as a substitute for conventional tomography. With the image processor in the system, two types of postprocessing can be performed to improve the quality of synthesized tomograms. One-dimensional spatial frequency filtering effectively reduces linear tomographic blur and enhances image information when an appropriate filter is used. Correction of structure mottle helps enhance the image clarity. The system allows reconstruction of tomograms at any desired depth and performance of tomosynthetic angiography and dual-energy subtraction. The system solves some of the problems associated with plain tomography and dual-energy subtraction and provides diagnostic clinical images.

Foci of stromal melanocytes (so-called blue naevus) of the uterine cervix in Japanese women

Foci of stromal melanocytes (FSM) of the uterine cervix have been known as extra-cutaneous "blue naevus". However macroscopic and histological findings suggest that FSM of the cervix are analogous to dermal melanocytosis, rather than to cutaneous blue naevus and the lesions are more appropriately called stromal melanocytosis. FSM of the cervix have been considered rare, but our study showed that they are not uncommon in Japanese women occurring in 8.6% (42/486). The lesions were initially observed in the third decade of life and became most prevalent in the fifth decade (15/86 cases, 17.4%). In stroma of the cervix, stromal melanocytes (SM) were present where many peripheral nerve fibres were seen. SM of the cervix were positive for S-100 protein in immunohistochemical studies and were sometimes observed close to peripheral nerve fibres. Melanocytes were never observed in the ectocervical and endocervical epithelium, but only in the stroma of the cervix. We suggest that malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix may originate from SM.

[MR evaluation of wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract]

This study is based on 135 magnetic resonance (MR) exams of 110 patients with wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract shown on MR images acquired on a mid field imaging scanner. The MR findings of wallerian degeneration were abnormal signal band along the course of the pyramidal tract and ipsilateral brain stem shrinkage. In all 110 cases an abnormal signal band was seen on T2-weighted spin-echo images, that is, a hypointense band in four exams between 30 days and 116 days after onset of symptoms, and hyperintense bands in 122 exams. The hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images was shown in most cases after 200 days from the onset. In one case a signal of the pyramidal tract showed a hyperintense band at 7 days, hypointense at 30 days, and hyperintense again at 123 days after onset. Sequential MR exams of another case showed gradual narrowing of the hyperintense signal band and progression of the ipsilateral brainstem shrinkage. The narrowing of the pyramidal tract and the ipsilateral brain stem shrinkage tended to be shown after 6 months from onset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Early lesion of N-nitroso-N-ethylurea-induced hamster neurofibromatosis model

To investigate histogenesis of neurofibroma, early lesions of N-nitroso-N-ethylurea-induced neurofibroma of Syrian golden hamsters were examined. The lesions were detectable from 8 weeks of age, and a total of 14 lesions in 9 hamsters from 8 to 12 weeks of age were observed. Most of the lesions were found in the skin; they were also observed in the trigeminal nerve, cervical plexus, and abdominal sympathetic ganglion. Histological examination revealed there were two types of early lesions such as solitary and plexiform types. The former developed in the s.c. or dermal part of the skin and showed invasive growth of the surrounding tissue, while the latter originated from the large nerves such as the trigeminal nerve or cervical plexus. Growth kinetics of the early lesions was quantitated by continuous administration of bromodeoxyuridine and double immunostaining. Using these systems we observed that various kinds of cells had already participated in early lesions and later Schwann cells became a main component of the tumor. The histogenesis of neurofibroma was considered to be complexed by proliferation of several kinds of cell types at the early stage.

Clonal heterogeneity of a human functioning tumor which produces granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Two different clonal strains have been isolated from a human squamous cell carcinoma which produces granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The clones differed in morphology, growth characteristics, karyotype, production of G-CSF, histology of the tumors produced by inoculating the cultured cells, and in the development of granulocytosis in host mice transplanted with the cultured cells. A well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was developed by inoculation with clone 1 cells into athymic nude mice. No CSF activity was detected in the cultured medium of the cells. The host mice with the transplanted cells showed no increase in peripheral blood neutrophils. Clone 2, which formed a poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in nude mice, produced a large amount of CSF in vitro and developed a marked neutrophilia in host nude mice. Clone 1 cells were more sensitive to bleomycin than were clone 2 cells in vitro. The results suggested the G-CSF producing tumor to be heterologous and the cells with different functional properties, including G-CSF production, sensitivity to bleomycin, and keratinization, to pre-exist in the parental cell population.

Portal vein resection with a new antithrombogenic catheter

Curative resection of pancreatic and hepatobiliary tumors is rarely possible because of local invasion, especially into the portal vein. We developed a new antithrombogenic catheter using a heparinized hydrophilic polymer to allow portal vein bypass during resection of tumors invading the portal vein. Pancreatectomy or hepatectomy accompanied by portal vein resection was performed for pancreatic or hepatobiliary cancer, with an intraoperative shunt from the superior mesenteric vein to the femoral vein or from the superior mesenteric vein to the intrahepatic portal vein through the umbilical vein or the hepatic hilar portal vein. Use of the shunt prevented stasis in the superior mesenteric vein and hepatic ischemia even during prolonged occlusion of the portal vein, and portal vein resection was performed in 81 patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease with greater safety and ease.

Localization of 90-kDa heat shock protein in the kidney

Antibody against 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP 90) was produced in rabbits. The obtained antibody was highly specific to the antigen. Using the antibody, the intrarenal distribution of HSP 90 was studied in frozen sections of normal rat kidneys by fluorescent and enzymic immunohistochemistry. HSP 90 was predominantly present in the region from the distal convoluted tubule to the medullary collecting duct at a high intensity, and in glomerular podocytes and Bowman epithelial cells at a much lower intensity. Other segments of the nephron were stained little, even at a lower dilution of the antibody. Blood vessels and interstitial tissues were not stained. HSP 90 was localized in the cytoplasm and not in the nucleus. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of HSP 90 showed greater intensity at the luminal side of the cells. These observations suggest that HSP 90 might play important roles in the kidney.

High resolution ultrasound of the chest wall

To study the detailed normal ultrasonic anatomy of the pleura and chest wall, high resolution (7.5 MHz) ultrasonograms were obtained from cadaver chest wall specimens and compared with thin section computed tomograms and anatomical specimens. Ultrasonograms show three layers of the intercostal muscles (internal, external and innermost), covered by the "echogenic pleural line." The "echogenic pleural line" is caused by composite echoes from the inner parietal pleura, and the outer endothoracic fascia, with the fatty tissue covering both sides of the fascia, which are located deep to the chest wall muscles. On ultrasonograms, the subpleural fat tissue, when abundant, appeared as an apron-like structure hanging down from the inner surface of the rib (subpleural fat pad), or diffuse fat accumulation mimicking the pleural thickening.

The effect of L-dopa on the potentiation of radiation damage to human melanoma cells

Since L-dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) has been shown to possess a selective toxicity for melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo, we have examined the combined effect of L-dopa and radiation on human melanoma cells. It was found that the combined use of L-dopa potentiated the radiation cytotoxicity to HMV-I human melanoma cells, compared with the response seen in non-melanoma HeLa S3 cells. In HMV-I cells during their exponential phase, L-dopa decreased the shoulder width of the radiation survival curve significantly. In addition, L-dopa significantly inhibited the repair of potentially lethal damage (PLD) in HMV-I cells during their plateau phase. When the distributions of the G1, S, and G2-M cells were measured 24 h after combined L-dopa and radiation treatment, there was significant increase in the accumulation of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle, compared to cells that received either L-dopa or radiation treatment only.

Melanocytes and melanosis of the oesophagus in Japanese subjects--analysis of factors effecting their increase

Normal oesophagus specimens taken from 65 autopsy cases and surgical specimens from 127 oesophageal carcinoma cases were examined histopathologically to determine melanocyte incidence and distribution. Melanocytes were found in the epithelio-stromal junction in 7.7% of normal oesophagus specimens examined at autopsy, and in 29.9% of surgical cases with oesophageal carcinoma. Positive specimens in the latter groups, especially from pre-operatively irradiated individuals, showed a more remarkable increase of melanocytes than was evident in any of the normal oesophageal samples. There were no significant differences in incidence between males and females, or between age groups. In cases where the cancer invaded into deeper stroma, the melanocytes were mainly observed in the normal epithelium around the carcinomas. Epithelial and stromal elements of the melanotic mucosa commonly showed hyperplastic changes such as acanthosis or basal cell hyperplasia, and chronic oesophagitis. Melanocytes were observed most commonly in the lower part of the oesophagus, the site where malignant melanoma of the oesophagus, most often originates. These results strongly suggest that the melanocyte increase observed in areas of hyperplastic epithelium and chronic oesophagitis may play an important role as a precursor lesion for malignant melanoma in the oesophagus.

Responses of a murine B16 melanoma to pharmacotherapy studied and compared with different assay systems

The responses of B16 melanoma in C57BL mice to cytotoxic agents, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and dactinomycin, were studied by different methods both in vivo and in vitro. Either treated tumors were allowed to grow in vivo or cells were isolated and cultured in vitro afterwards. The tumor cells were also treated in vitro and assayed in vitro. For cyclophosphamide, a fairly good correlation was found among the dose responses measured: the tumor growth delay, incidence of giant cells, decrease in mitotic index, clonogenic cell survival of tumor cells treated in vivo and the survival of cells treated in vitro. For doxorubicin and dactinomycin, on the other hand, the tumor growth delay was not marked, the appearance of giant cells and decrease in mitotic index were minimal, and almost no decrease was found in the clonogenic cell survival for tumor treated in vivo, although the cells responded well to in vitro exposure. The results indicate substantial differences in the expression of damage according to the conditions of tumor cell growth and assay after treatment with different agents.

Long-term follow-up study of children developmentally retarded by early environmental deprivation

In 1972, two children representing a case of severe developmental retardation were discovered and taken into custody. The children, an older sister (referred to as F) and a younger brother (referred to as G), were found to have achieved no more than the physical and mental age level normal to children 1 year of age or less, in spite of their actual respective chronological ages of 6 and 5. Investigation revealed that the children's developmental retardation was due both to extreme social isolation and to complex deprivation. By following their sensorimotor, linguistic, cognitive, and socio-emotional development from the time of discovery to the date of this writing, we have found that their physical and motor development or recovery has proceeded smoothly, whereas their linguistic and cognitive development has continued to show such weaknesses as defective functioning of internal speech (Vygotsky, 1962) and poor ability to deal with abstract, linguistic subjects. F and G have continued to exhibit a tendency toward undersocialization, but this has at times been rather a positive factor in the process of attaining ego identity during adolescence, especially for G, serving to protect him from unreasonable social pressures to conform to group behavior. In combination with other cases of severe deprivation, the case of F and G holds some interesting implications for theories of human development, particularly the notion of critical periods.

In vivo dynamics of pulmonary lymphoid cell subpopulations generated against pulmonary metastasis: evaluation by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

The dynamics of lymphoid cell subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the systemic lymphoid organs of mice after intravenous injection of B16 melanoma cells were examined with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The lymphoid cell subpopulations of BALF and mediastinal lymph nodes showed significant changes in numbers and proportions, while those of other lymphoid organs including inguinal lymph nodes, thymus and spleen, showed little change. In week 1, the cells with a Thy-1.2+, Lyt-1+, L3T4-, Lyt-2- phenotype and asialo-Gm1+ cells in BALF significantly increased and L3T4+ cells slightly increased in number. By week 3, the numbers of Lyt-2+ cells in BALF markedly increased in number (by about 90 times) compared with controls. The number of Thy-1.2+ cells in mediastinal lymph nodes also increased significantly by week 3. Mice that had been pretreated with an immunosuppressive dose of cyclophosphamide were also inoculated intravenously with B16 melanoma cells. In these mice, a significantly increased number of pleural tumors developed and the number of Thy-1.2+ cells in BALF was markedly reduced from week 1 to 3. The results indicate that L3T4 and Lyt-2 double negative T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells may be generated and/or mobilized to the lung in an early phase of experimental metastasis of B16 melanoma cells and that at a later stage, when multiple metastases develop, T-cells with a Lyt-2+ phenotype markedly increase, probably as an expression of a host reaction against proliferating metastatic tumor cells.

[N-isopropyl I-123 p-iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography of herpes simplex encephalitis]

Two patients with herpes simplex encephalitis were studied with N-Isopropyl I-123 p-Iodoamphetamine (IMP) single photon emission computed tomography (IMP-SPECT) and X-ray computed tomography (CT). In both cases the affected temporal lobes showed an increased IMP uptake. In case 1, the initial increased IMP uptake decreased as symptoms and CT findings improved. In case 2, the increased IMP uptake was shown at the time of symptoms progressed, while CT had no abnormal findings. IMP uptake is sensitive for its demonstration of inflammatory processes of herpes simplex encephalitis.

Transplacental induction of peripheral nervous tumor in the Syrian golden hamster by N-nitroso-N-ethylurea. A new animal model for von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis

Multiple peripheral nervous tumors were induced in 45 of 60 (75.0%) Syrian golden hamsters by transplacental administration of N-ethyl-N-nitro-sourea. Moreover, melanomas, pheochromocytomas, and Wilms' tumors developed in six (10.0%), three (5.0%), and 13 (21.7%) animals, respectively. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings of the peripheral nervous tumors were similar to those of human neurofibroma, and their growth pattern and distribution resembled those of human von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis (VRNF). The occurrence of melanoma, pheochromocytoma, and proliferative foci of melanin-containing cells in neurofibroma suggests that the targets of ENU in hamsters are the neural crest-derived cells. With its high incidence of Wilms' tumor, the hamster with ENU-induced tumors is considered to be a good animal model for human neurocristopathy, including VRNF.

[Study of complications after endoscopic sclerotherapy for esophageal varices--particularly 2 cases that changed portal circulation after sclerotherapy]

In 116 patients with esophageal varix due to liver cirrhosis who received the endoscopic sclerotherapy, the following complications were observed after the sclerotherapy: 38 ulcer formation; 19 chest pain; 16 hypotension; 15 fever; 12 pleural effusion; 6 esophageal stenosis and so on. Furthermore, two cases with marked changes of portal circulation were experienced after the sclerotherapy. The first case had severe bleeding out of duodenal varix four months after the sclerotherapy and died because of massive bleeding. The second case had hepatic encephalopathy six months after the sclerotherapy. In both cases, angiography revealed the development of collateral veins after the sclerotherapy. Because the abrupt intercept of the esophageal varix by the successful sclerotherapy causes the increase of the other collateral blood flow, the changes of portal circulation must be watched carefully afterward.

[A case of marked exercise-induced ST segment depression in anterior precordial leads with inferoposterior left ventricular aneurysm and significant stenosis of left anterior descending artery]

A 71-year-old man was admitted to a community hospital and diagnosed as having acute infero-posterior myocardial infarction. Severe ST segment depression occurred in anterior precordial leads with only 50 m walking, but he had no chest pain. He was then admitted to our hospital. Left ventriculography showed infero-posterior dyskinesis and aneurysm formation. Coronary angiography revealed triple-vessel disease including 90% stenosis at distal site of left anterior descending artery. Exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy by ergometer showed no filling defect in the anterior segment, though severe ST depression appeared in anterior precordial ECG leads. Infero-posterior segment showed persistent defect. We performed intravenous digital ventriculography at rest and during atrial pacing. Anterior wall motion during pacing was shown to be normal by amplitude and phase analysis. At the same time, the motion of the inferior wall was seen as abnormal and ST segment depression on anterior precordial leads appeared. We considered that in this case the anterior ST depression did not mean anterior myocardial ischemia but might be due to dyskinetic movement of the infero-posterior aneurysm.

[Quantification of severity and redistribution of ischemic and infarcted myocardium by Thallium-201 polar map: evaluation in patients with single vessel disease]

Quantitative analysis of the polar map obtained from T1-201 single photon emission computed tomogram was employed to assess regional myocardial viability in 66 patients with single vessel coronary artery disease and 16 control subjects. Counts of region of interest in the stenotic and infarcted lesions and normal reference areas were calculated on the polar map. Severity of hypoperfused myocardium was determined as initial percent uptake (%Ui) and delayed percent uptake (%Ud). Redistribution was analyzed as a ratio of %Ud to %Ui (%Ud/%Ui). In the control group, the average %Ui was 85.8 +/- 9.4 and %Ud/%Ui was 1.03 +/- 0.04. Twenty five with reversible defect showed reduced %Ui (51.5 +/- 13.3) and increased %Ud/%Ui (1.37 +/- 0.26). Forty one cases with non-reversible defect were divided into two groups according to the value of %Ui. In the first group with a high %Ui (n = 17), the average %Ui was 74.5 +/- 4.7 and %Ud/Ui was in normal range (1.06 +/- 0.06). In the second group (n = 24), %Ui was most reduced (31.7 +/- 8.7), although %Ud/%Ui was in normal range (1.05 +/- 0.17). No significant correlation was shown between %Ui and %Ud/%Ui in the two groups with non-reversible defect. Correlation between %Ui and %Ud/%Ui was high (r = -0.76) in the group of reversible defect and the group of non-reversible defect with minimal reduced %Ui. It is concluded that the quantitative criteria obtained from polar map is valid to assess regional myocardial viability. The quantitative imaging data were also compared with coronary angiographic and left ventriculographic data.

Bone marrow analysis of the myelodysplastic syndromes: histological and immunohistochemical features related to the evolution of overt leukemia

Bone marrow trephines from 31 patients with an initial diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were examined and analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically. In those cases terminating in overt leukemia (6/31, 19%), the number of bone marrow mast cells was significantly reduced, compared with those which did not evolve to overt leukemia. The bone marrow lymphoid cells that may participate in immunosurveillance against the proliferation of blast cells were also significantly reduced in cases terminating in overt leukemia. However, S-100 protein-positive cells, which include histiocytes and suppressor T-cells, were increased in cases terminating in overt leukemia. The results indicated that examination of the bone marrow to determine the proportions of mast cells and lymphoid cells which may be involved in host defense systems may be useful in predicting the evolution to overt leukemia in MDS. In the present series, patients with a hypocellular marrow (5/31, 16%) did not progress to overt leukemia and had a significantly lower bone marrow reticulin content, a significantly lower megakaryocyte count, a relatively higher mast cell count and a significantly higher lymphoid cell count than those with a normocellular or hypercellular marrow. These findings may reflect the initial features of MDS or, possibly, that hypocellular MDS is an independent entity with a low potential for blastic proliferation.

Increasing incidence and changing histopathology of primary lung cancer in Japan. A review of 282 autopsied cases

A total of 282 autopsied cases of primary carcinoma of the lung were reviewed from 1950 to 1983 to determine the incidence of histologic types, sex and age distribution, and to compare the trends between Japan and the United States. There were 75 cases in Group A (1950-1964), 89 in Group B (1965-1974) and 118 in Group C (1975-1983). The overall incidence, 282 cases per 8546 autopsies, was 3.3%; the male-to-female sex ratio was 2.4:1, and the mean age was 62 +/- 11 years. Increases in incidence in men, women, and the total from Group A to C were all statistically significant (P less than 0.05). A predominance of adenocarcinoma over squamous cell carcinoma in all cases was apparent in all the groups, but the data showed a trend toward a reduction in the proportion of adenocarcinoma and increases in the proportion of squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma. In contrast, an increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma was reported in the USA.

Specific incorporation of 4-S-cysteinylphenol into human melanoma cells

The incorporation of 4-S-cysteinylphenol (4-S-CP), a tyrosine analog, into malignant melanoma cells was evaluated. 4-S-CP was specifically incorporated into the melanotic melanoma cells (HMV-II), which have activity for melanin synthesis, but was scarcely incorporated into HeLA S3 or HMV-I cells, which have no activity for melanin synthesis. Electron microscopic autoradiography revealed that the intracellular localization of 4-S-CP was closely correlated with melanogenesis and that 4-S-CP served as an initial substrate for tyrosinase and was utilized in melanin synthesis. On the basis of these findings we hypothesize that tyrosinase is required for intracellular incorporation of 4-S-CP. This specific incorporation of 4-S-CP into melanoma cells should be useful in the development of an effective procedure for chemotherapy of malignant melanomas and in analysis of melanin synthesis.

Histological localization of 4-S-cysteinylphenol in melanoma-bearing mice

4-S-cysteinylphenol (4-S-CP), the S-homologue of tyrosine, has been recently synthesized as a selective chemotherapeutic agent against malignant melanoma and has been shown to be a specific substrate for tyrosinase in vitro. In vivo incorporation of 4-S-CP into the B16 and Harding Passey (HP) melanomas and the systemic organs have been evaluated by the autoradiographic method. The distribution of the silver grains indicated that 4-S-CP was selectively incorporated into both the B16 and HP melanomas. 4-S-CP was excreted mainly from the kidneys and there was an accumulation of 4-S-CP in the reticulo-endothelial system. These results seemed to contribute to the utilization of 4-S-CP and other related compounds as chemotherapeutic agents against malignant melanoma.

Analysis of morphological factors of hepatocellular carcinoma in 98 autopsy cases with respect to pulmonary metastasis

The morphological features of ninety-eight autopsy cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were analyzed in relation to pulmonary metastasis. Extrahepatic hematogenous metastasis was observed in 64% and lung was most frequently involved (62%). A close relationship was observed between intrahepatic vascular invasion and extrahepatic hematogenous metastasis to lungs. Portal vein-invasion was found in 80% of cases and significant correlations were recognized between the rates of portal vein-invasion and hepatic vein-invasion, and between the rates of portal vein-invasion and pulmonary metastasis. There was a close correlation among the macroscopic growth-pattern, incidence of vascular invasion, and pulmonary metastasis, and their degrees. Namely, the expansive type HCC showed significantly lower rates of vascular invasion and pulmonary metastasis than the infiltrative or mixed type HCC. These rates were particularly low in the expansive type, single nodular subtype HCC with size of a primary tumor less than 10 cm. Significantly low rates of pulmonary metastasis and portal vein-invasion were also noted in well-differentiated carcinoma (Grade I or II). The existence of cirrhosis or fibrosis of liver in cases with HCC was not definitely related to the occurrence of pulmonary metastasis. It was originally clarified that invasion to the portal vein and the size of HCC played a main role in pulmonary metastasis.

Induction of melanogenesis in Schwann cell and perineural epithelium by 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) and 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in BDF1 mice

Six-week-old female BDF1 mice were treated with a single topical application of DMBA followed by repeated application of TPA on the clipped dorsal skin. Several weeks after DMBA application, the intradermal melanocytes of perifollicular melanocytic network began to proliferate to form melanocytic tumors in all treated mice skin. Besides these changes, single membrane-bound melanosomes and premelanosomes were found in the cytoplasm of perineural epithelia and Schwann cells with mesaxons of the nerve bundles involved, and the melanogenic activity of the Schwann cell and the perineural epithelium of the dermal peripheral nerve bundle was discussed in terms of a common feature of neuro-ectodermal cells.

Melanocytes in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Incidence and distribution in Japan

Random, nonselected tissue specimens from 99 Japanese-20 cylindrically cut nasal blocks removed during autopsy (A.C., Autopsy Cases) and 79 cases removed during surgery, consisting of 32 chronic sinusitis cases (C.S.) and 47 nasal polyp cases (N.P.)-were examined histopathologically and electronmicroscopically with respect to distribution and frequency of melanocytes in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Malignant melanoma cases were excluded. The overall incidence of positive cases for melanocytes revealed 21.2% (21 of 99 cases), with an incidence ratio of male to female of 0.9:1.0. Melanocytes were found beginning in the under 19 age group with incidence increasing proportionately with age. Peak incidence was in the 50-year age group at 50%. Melanocytes and melanotic cell foci were distributed in the stroma of the propria mucosa beneath the pseudostratified columnar epithelium and focused around the nasal and paranasal glands and sinuses. In 2 of the 21 cases positive for stromal melanocytes, intraepithelial melanocytes with dendritic processes were found. The histogenesis of malignant melanoma arising from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are also discussed in this study.

Mechanism of selective toxicity of 4-S-cysteinylphenol and 4-S-cysteaminylphenol to melanocytes

Our previous studies showed that 4-S-cysteinylphenol (4-S-CP) and 4-S-cysteaminylphenol (4-S-CAP) inhibit the growth of malignant melanoma and cause depigmentation of black skin. In this study we examined kinetic constants of CP and CAP as substrates for tyrosinases and their properties as sulphydryl scavengers. 4-S-CP and 4-S-CAP were found to be much better substrates for mushroom tyrosinase than L-tyrosine while their 2-S isomers were not the substrates. 4-S-CP and 4-S-CAP were also good substrates for mammalian tyrosinase. Upon tyrosinase oxidation the two phenols conjugated with cysteine to form the cysteinyl derivatives of the corresponding catechols via o-quinone forms. The tyrosinase oxidation product of 4-S-CP had a poor ability to conjugate with alcohol dehydrogenase, a sulphydryl enzyme, while that of 4-S-CAP had a much higher ability. These results suggest that in melanocytes these phenols are oxidised by tyrosinase to the corresponding o-quinone forms, some of which conjugate with sulphydryl enzymes through cysteine residues, thus exerting cytotoxic effects.

The cytotoxicity of cysteinylcatechols and related compounds to human melanoma cells in vitro

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) and its structural analogs are known to be potently cytotoxic to melanoma cells. We examined the effects of cysteinylcatechols and related compounds, which were newly synthesized as cysteinyl derivatives of L-dopa, on the growth of human melanoma cells in vitro, and their actions were compared with those of L-dopa. 4-S- and 3-S-Cysteinylcatechols showed significantly more potent cytotoxicity to melanoma cells than did L-dopa, and 2-S-cysteinylhydroquinone was next to the catechols in potency. The mechanism of action may involve interaction with the melanocyte-specific enzyme, tyrosinase, for which the cysteinylcatechols could become a better substrate than L-dopa itself. 4-S-Cysteaminylphenol was almost comparable to L-dopa in cytotoxicity, suggesting that this phenol might be oxidized to the corresponding catechol by tyrosinase within the melanoma cells.

Angiosarcoma of the scalp: report of two cases with fatal pulmonary complications and a review of Japanese autopsy registry data

Two cases of angiosarcoma of the scalp were reported. The patients were elderly men and died from pulmonary complications, including pneumothorax, pulmonary haemorrhage and pneumonia, associated with metastatic tumours in the lungs. The data recorded from 95 autopsies of patients with angiosarcoma in Japan during 1980-1984 were analyzed. According to the anatomical distribution of the primary tumour, the patients could be subdivided into a scalp group and non-scalp group. In both groups, the most common metastatic site was the lung. The patients of the scalp group had more frequent pulmonary complications such as pneumonia, haemothorax, atelectasis and pneumothorax, when compared with the patients of the non-scalp group. In particular, pneumothorax was observed only in the patients of angiosarcoma of the scalp. The results indicate that angiosarcoma of the scalp tends to metastasize to the lung, especially to the subpleural or surface pleural area and these metastatic tumours are prone to necrosis, causing characteristic pulmonary complications.

Effects of Friend leukemia virus (FLV) inoculation in F1 mice and differentiation of FLV-induced leukemia

Effects of Friend leukemia virus (FLV) inoculation in F1 specific pathogen free (SPF) mice were examined. Resistance to FLV was dominantly inherited both in F1 hybrid mice (BDF1) (FLV-resistant & FLV-sensitive with polycythemia) and F1 hybrid mice (B6C3F1) (FLV-resistant & FLV-sensitive with anemia). But the population dynamics of the nucleated cell components of F1 mice after FLV inoculation differed from those of FLV-resistant inbred mice. A small number of mature erythroblasts appeared in the peripheral blood of BDF1 mice. In B6C3F1 mice, erythroblastosis with splenomegaly and polycythemia occurred. However, all of these findings in BDF1 and B6C3F1 mice regressed spontaneously. In F1 mice, FLV induced an intermediate reactive pattern of the two patterns that had been induced in the parental strains. The results indicate that FLV may induce leukemia with various degrees of differentiation, according to the genetic difference of the host.

Dynamics of lymphocytic subpopulations in Friend leukemia virus-induced leukemia

The in vivo roles of the immunosurveillance mechanism of the host against leukemia induced by Friend leukemia virus (FLV) were examined. The significance of T-cells in host defense against FLV-induced leukemia was indicated by the fact that thymus-deprived C57BL/6N-nu/nu mice were sensitive to FLV, although normal C57BL/6N mice were, as already reported by many authors, resistant to FLV. In relation to the role of T-cells on the onset of FLV-induced leukemia, the population dynamics of the lymphocytic subpopulations of the systemic lymphoid organs after FLV injection in FLV-resistant C57BL/6N mice were examined in comparison with the dynamics in FLV-sensitive strains, C57BL/6N-nu/nu mice and normal C3H/HeN mice. In this system, Lyt-1+2- helper T-cells in the spleen of FLV-resistant C57BL/6N mice increased in number after FLV injection. The number of immunoglobulin positive cells did not remarkably change in FLV-resistant C57BL/6N mice after FLV injection, whereas the number increased in the lymph node of FLV-sensitive C3H/HeN mice. The results indicated that a major contribution to the relative susceptibility and resistance of the host to FLV was controlled by the capacity to mobilize T-cells to the spleen in an early stage of disease, although the interaction of these T-cells with other immune cells may play an important role in mediating host resistance to FLV-induced disease.

Pathological changes of the lungs after prolonged inhalation of high concentrations of oxygen

The pathological changes in the lungs of six patients who were treated by an artificial ventilation with a Bird or Bennett type respirator for three days to six months with oxygen concentrations of 24-100% were examined by light microscopy, studies on thick-sections, reconstruction models and vascular casts, and morphometric methods. After prolonged inhalation of high concentrations of oxygen the lungs showed thickening of the alveolar wall, marked deposition of reticulin fibers and fibroblastic proliferation in the alveolar wall, reduction in the number of capillaries, an abnormal configuration of the capillary network and hyperplasia of alveolar lining cells. These lesions are not specific to this condition, and seemed to be less marked than similar lesions in cases of chronic forms of fibrosing alveolitis, chronic interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia and so-called pulmonary fibrosis. Morphometric results confirm these histological observations and show not only the concentrations of oxygen but also the duration of high and pure oxygen inhalation have important roles for these pulmonary lesions. The main reasons for these lesions seemed to be repeated damage to the capillaries and loss of the normal configuration of the capillary network, accompanied by rearrangement and reconstruction of the two types of reticulin fibers.

Histogenesis of the intradermal melanocytic tumor in BDF1 mice induced by topical application of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)

The histogenesis of the intradermal melanocytic tumor induced in the skin of 88 female BDF1 mice by DMBA and TPA is studied light-and electron-microscopically. Four types of melanocytes were found in the mouse skin. The epidermal melanocytes transiently appeared several days after topical application of DMBA. Hair follicles turned into anagen phase and follicular melanocytes became apparent by week 3. After week 3, intradermal melanocytes of the perifollicular melanocytic networks (PFM), which were scattered in untreated mouse skin, proliferated to form the intradermal melanocytic tumors, and 267 tumors, composed of oval melanocytes in medullary growth, were induced in all of the 19 treated mice by week 32. Large dendritic melanocytes located deep in the reticular dermis, which did not participate in the formation of the tumor. Only 3 papillomas were induced in 2 of the 19. Light-and electron-microscopically, there was no evidence of migration of epidermal and hair follicular melanocytes into the dermis. Additionally, melanin-producing activity in the cytoplasm of Schwann cell and perineural epithelium was observed. The histogenesis of the intradermal melanocytic tumor was closely related to the melanocytes of the perifollicular melanocytic network (PFM).

Neoplastic angioendotheliosis. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings in three cases

Three cases of neoplastic angioendotheliosis (NAE) presenting with central nervous system (CNS) disease but no skin lesions are described. The histogenesis of the neoplastic cells is discussed. Microscopic examination showed accumulation of neoplastic cells in the vascular system throughout the body and their extravascular proliferation in several organs. Electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of Weibel-Palade bodies and factor VIII-related antigen in intravascular and extravascular neoplastic cells in two of the three cases. In the first case the neoplastic cells did not have any T-cell markers. However, in one case no specific markers were found in the neoplastic cells by electron microscopic, enzyme histochemical, or immunohistochemical examination. These findings, although supporting the endothelial origin of the neoplastic cells, indicate the need for further consideration of whether NAE is actually a single disease entity or several different diseases.

[Ganglioneuromatosis with carcinoid foci in the large bowel]

A rare case of a 27-year-old man who suffered from ganglioneuromatosis with five carcinoid foci arising from the colon and underwent subtotal colectomy is reported. There was no malignancy. The tumors extended to the mucosa and/or submucosa, and in most parts, tumors created polypoid lesions protruding into the intestinal lumen. In the rectum the tumors showed circumscribed extension around the wall. In the sigmoid and descending colon, polypoid lesions were seen on the side opposite from the attachment line of the mesocolon. In one of five carcinoid foci, a transitional pattern between carcinoid and neuroma was investigated.

Malignant mixed mesodermal tumor of bladder occurring after radiotherapy for cervical cancer: report of a case

A rare case of radiation-induced malignant mixed mesodermal tumor of the bladder is reported. A 78-year-old woman complained of hematuria, which originated from a polypoid tumor in the bladder 15 years after radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The bladder tumor recurred 9 months after resection and partial cystectomy then was performed. Histological findings revealed malignant mixed mesodermal tumor composed of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. The former element consisted mainly of transitional cell carcinoma with occasional foci of squamous metaplasia and glandular differentiation, while the latter consisted of spindle cell sarcoma showing partly cartilaginous and osseous differentiation. The histogenesis of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor of the bladder also is discussed.

[Malignant schwannoma arising in Recklinghausen's disease--report of 4 cases]

Four cases of malignant schwannoma arising in Recklinghausen's disease are described. The 4 patients, aged 38, 41, 44 and 38, 2 men and 2 women, had up to child-head-sized tumors in the neck, back, axilla and retroperitoneum. Oncostatic chemotherapy and irradiation were ineffective against the malignant schwannoma. In three, surgically tumor-resected cases, local recurrence and rapid tumor growth occurred. Histologically, malignant schwannoma was characterized by the presence of a few collagen fibers among the tumor cells, but abundant argentaffin fibers. Numerous mast cells are frequently seen in neurofibroma, but almost never in malignant schwannoma. In Case 3, with mild atypism, tumor cells were positive for S100 protein.