An immunohistochemical study of peripheral neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, anaplastic ganglioglioma, schwannoma and neurofibroma in cattle

Immunohistochemical analysis of five paraffin wax-embedded neoplasms was performed to elucidate the characteristics of bovine nervous-tissue tumours. In case 1 (peripheral neuroblastoma), the neoplastic tissue was characterized by the formation of true and Homer-Wright rosettes and the existence of neuron-specific enolase. The neoplastic cells were possibly more immature than those of common neuroblastomas, because similar features are observed in human malignant neuroepitheliomas. The neoplastic cells in case 2 (ganglioneuroblastoma) ranged from large cells with abundant neurofilaments to immature small cells, rarely with neurofilaments or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Such expression suggests the presence of pluripotential cells. The neoplastic tissue in case 3 (anaplastic ganglioglioma) was strikingly polymorphous, and had five elements; neuronal, astrocytic, oligodendrocytic, spindle cell and small oval cell. The neoplastic neurocytes and astrocytes were, respectively, characterized by neurofilament and GFAP positivity. The neoplastic oligodendrocytes made a honeycomb appearance, and the neoplastic spindle cells and small oval cells were considered to be less differentiated. The tumours of cases 2 and 3, which contained poorly differentiated cells and revealed both neuronal and glial differentiation, may be specific to calves. In case 4 (schwannoma), almost all the neoplastic cells were positive for S100 protein, while S100-negative fibroblasts were present in many areas of case 5 (neurofibroma). These two tumours were readily distinguished histologically and immunohistochemically.

Extra-axial ependymoma--case report

A 13-year-old boy presented with a very unusual ependymoma extending extra-axially. Computed tomography demonstrated a tumor with a cyst and calcification adjacent to the dura and extending over the right occipital and parietal lobes. The cyst wall and solid tumor were enhanced postcontrast. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the solid tumor was isointense on T1-weighted images and a mixed iso- and high-intensity on T2-weighted images. The solid tumor and tissue surrounding the cyst were enhanced markedly by gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. Sagittal and coronal images demonstrated a multilocular tumor shadow. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a tumor fed by a posterior branch of the right middle meningeal artery but no feeders from the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. The tumor was removed en bloc. The histological diagnosis was clear cell-type ependymoma.

Splenic hamartoblastoma in a sow

Multiple lesions of splenic hamartoblastoma were found incidentally in a 2- to 3-year-old crossbred sow. The predominant cells, characterized by extreme nuclear irregularity and hemidesmosome-like structures, were considered to be derived from reticular cells of the spleen, and demonstrated infiltrative growth. Their cytological atypism and growth pattern suggest that the present lesions are true neoplasms.

Dynamics of presynaptic endosomes produced during transmitter release

The movements of the presynaptic endocytotic structures produced during tetanic stimulation at 10 Hz were examined morphometrically and cytochemically in the cat superior cervical ganglion in vivo. The longitudinal profiles of the axon terminal and preterminal area were subdivided into five zones, I-V. Zone I, the area adjacent to the active zone, was assigned a hemicircle with a diameter equivalent to the active zone width (2R). Zones II-IV were defined by subdividing successively the presynaptic and preterminal areas within hemicircles with diameters equivalent to three-, five-, and sevenfold of 2R, respectively. Zone V was composed of the rest of the preterminal profile. The endocytotic structures, macropinocytotic endosomes and coated vesicles, observed in each zone were morphometrically analyzed with the time course of stimulation. The lateral surface of zone II was shown to be the main site for internalization of the terminal surface membrane during transmitter release. A large amount of the plasmalemma of zone II was rapidly retrieved by macropinocytosis to produce early endosomes at an increased rate of about three times that at rest. The population of coated vesicles, few in number at rest, increased to two- to threefold in zones II-V following the stimulation. Cytochemical examinations showed the incorporation of HRP into synaptic vesicles, endosomes and multivesicular bodies. An antibody against synaptophysin labeled the presynaptic endosomes, multivesicular bodies, coated vesicles as well as synaptic vesicles. The results have suggested that a considerable part of these endosomes was transported retrogradely at an increasing rate from zone II to zone V via zones III and IV. On the other hand, synaptophysin was observed to be distributed on the tubular protrusions of the presynaptic endosomes, suggesting the segregation and recycling of a part of synaptic vesicle proteins from the early endosomes in the nerve endings of the cat superior cervical ganglion.

[Trigeminal neurinoma in the cavernous sinus revealed by intratumoral hemorrhage: a case report]

A case of trigeminal neurinoma located in the left cavernous sinus and revealed by intratumoral hemorrhage is reported. Preoperatively, magnetic resonance imaging provided the accurate localization of the lesion, allowing precise planning of the surgical approach. The neurinoma inside the cavernous sinus wall was removed successfully, and the patient developed no new neurological deficits except for anesthesia in the 1st division of the trigeminal nerve. The characteristic findings of magnetic resonance imaging of the trigeminal neurinoma in the cavernous sinus are reported.

Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors and their signal system present in coated vesicles prepared from bovine striatal tissue

Coated vesicles (CVs) isolated from bovine striatal tissue were examined to determine whether they are associated with dopamine signal systems consisting of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, G proteins, and adenylate cyclase. Dopamine receptors in CVs were characterized by a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, [3H]SCH 23390, and a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, [3H]-spiroperidol. The bindings of both ligands were specifically saturable and reversible with a dissociation constant (KD) of 0.65 and 0.5 nM, respectively. Dopaminergic antagonists and agonists inhibited the specific bindings of [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]spiroperidol in a stereoselective and concentration-dependent manner with an appropriate rank order potency for dopamine D1 or D2 receptors. The regulations of the agonist binding by guanyl-5-ylimidodiphosphate were observed. ADP ribosylation of the CVs with [32P]NAD demonstrated predominant labeling of bands of M(r) 47,000-52,000, 42,000-45,000, and 40,000-39,000, which corresponded to the known molecular weights of the alpha subunits of Gs and Gi proteins. The presence of alpha and beta subunits of G proteins in the CVs was also confirmed by immunoblotting assay. Adenylate cyclase activity, which was stimulated by SKF 38393 and inhibited by dopamine D2 receptor agonists, was present in the CVs. These findings suggest that the dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the CVs couple with adenylate cyclase via Gs/Gi protein.

Hydrocephalus due to villous hypertrophy of the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles. Case report

A case is reported of hydrocephalus due to overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) caused by villous hypertrophy of the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles. A 7-year-old girl with mental retardation developed gait disturbance; hydrocephalus and a Dandy-Walker cyst were detected on computerized tomography. She was initially treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt; however, shunting failed to control the hydrocephalus. The excessive outflow of CSF suggested choroid plexus abnormality, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed enlargement of the choroid plexus in both lateral ventricles. The patient was therefore diagnosed as having hydrocephalus induced by overproduction of CSF, which was controlled by resection of the choroid plexus. Histological examination showed the structure typical of normal choroid plexus. This is a rare case of villous hypertrophy of the choroid plexus in which MR imaging assisted in the diagnosis.

Eosinophilic meningitis in two cows

A neurological disorder was noted in 5 cows on a farm. Histopathological examination in 2 of these 5 animals revealed an infiltration of eosinophils with some macrophages in the meninges and around arterioles of the cerebral cortex. The endothelial cells of the reactive blood vessels were swollen. From these observations, the brain lesions were diagnosed as "eosinophilic meningitis". In one case, pulmonary arterioles were also infiltrated with eosinophils and macrophages in a granulomatous tissue. No bacteria, fungi, protozoa, or parasitic worms were detected in the present cases.

Rapid recovery of structure and function of the cholinergic synapses in the cat superior cervical ganglion in vivo following stimulation-induced exhaustion

Cat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) were tetanically stimulated in vivo at 30-100 Hz until neural transmission was exhausted, and then were allowed to rest and recover. Changes in their cholinergic synapses were examined electrophysiologically and morphologically during the time of tetanic stimulation and during recovery. For morphometric analysis the presynaptic terminal was subdivided into two areas: an area directly over the active zone, termed zone-I, (bounded by a hemicircle with a diameter equivalent to the active zone length), and the remaining preterminal area, termed zone-II. In control ganglia before stimulation synaptic vesicle density in zone-I (SVD-I) averaged 90 microns-2 and the number of vesicles actually attached to the active zone (SVA) averaged about 2.5 per single profile of nerve terminal. Upon stimulation, the postganglionic potential immediately began to decline in amplitude and disappeared after 1 min of stimulation. Simultaneously, SVD-I declined to less than 35 microns-2 and SVA declined to less than 1 per section. Thereafter, stimulation was terminated and the ganglion was allowed to rest. Recovery of the postganglionic potential was monitored by stimulation at 1 Hz. The postganglionic potential reached control levels after only 1 min of rest. Likewise, the structural parameters, SVD-I and SVA, also rapidly recovered, reaching control levels after only 30 sec of rest, slightly faster than the postganglionic potential. This illustrates that stimulation-induced fatigue of transmitter output and depletion of synaptic vesicles recover to the control level at a high rate in synapses of the cat SCG with a normal supply of blood. In fact, morphological recovery may be slightly faster than electrophysiological recovery. Mechanisms of vesicle formation and migration to the presynaptic area are discussed in light of these observations.

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in a stallion

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma found in a 6-year-old Anglo-Arabian stallion was investigated histologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. The animal showed a large mediastinal mass and generalized lymph node involvement. The neoplastic cells were in various differentiation stages of small lymphocyte, centrocyte, centroblast, immunoblast and plasma cell. Some neoplastic cells showed positive cytoplasmic reactivity for mu and lambda chains. There were well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi complexes in plasmacytoid cells, and slightly developed RER or a few long strands of RER in medium-sized to large lymphoid cells. These findings suggest that this neoplasm is of B-cell origin.

A stable L-arginine-dependent relaxing factor released from cytotoxic-activated macrophages

It has been known that cytotoxic-activated macrophages release an unstable vasorelaxing substance, nitric oxide. We have found that a more stable relaxing factor is released from those cells. This factor seems to be synthesized from L-arginine. It acts through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase without affecting membrane potential. It has little charge at nearly neutral pH, and its molecular weight is < 500.

[Immunohistochemical analysis of overexpression of c-erbB-2 protein in node-positive breast carcinoma]

We studied the overexpression of c-erbB-2 protein in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from matched primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes derived from each of 95 breast carcinoma patients. Twenty of 95 primary tumors (21%) exhibited positive membrane staining. Positive staining was also detected in the metastatic lymph nodes from 20 patients. In 19 patients overexpression of c-erbB-2 protein was observed in both primary and metastatic lymph nodes, indicating that there is a significant correlation between c-erbB-2 protein overexpression of primary and secondary metastatic lesion. Overexpression of the c-erbB-2 protein was observed at almost the same frequency regardless of clinical stage. The c-erbB-2 protein overexpression was associated with an absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors. Furthermore the overall survival and disease-free survival were reduced, although not significantly, in the patients with c-erbB-2 protein overexpression. Multivariate analysis indicated that overexpression of c-erbB-2 protein was a significant predictor of early relapse for node-positive patients. These results suggest that overexpression of the c-erbB-2 protein plays a role not only in an early stage but also in a metastatic stage in a certain patient subpopulation with breast carcinoma, and that c-erbB-2 protein overexpression analyzed by immunohistochemical techniques is of clinical significance in these patients.

Reduction of glutamate release and protection against ischemic brain damage by BW 1003C87

BW 1003C87, 5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidine ethane sulphonic acid, has been tested for its in vitro and in vivo effects on glutamate release in rat brain tissue, and for its cerebro-protective action in two rodent models of cerebral ischemia. In rat brain slices the release of glutamate evoked by veratrine is inhibited by BW 1003C87 (IC50 = 1.6 microM). In anaesthetised rats with microdialysis probes implanted in the dorsal hippocampus the increase in extracellular glutamate evoked by veratrine is markedly reduced by co-infusion of BW 1003C87, 100 microM. In anaesthetised rats with microdialysis probes implanted in the cortex and the caudate nucleus ipsilateral to a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion the increase in dialysate glutamate concentration seen in the first 2 h following MCA occlusion is markedly attenuated by the prior administration of BW 1003C87, 20 mg/kg i.v. In rats subjected to 10 min of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion the loss of CA1 pyramidal neurons (assessed 7 days later) is reduced by administration of BW 1003C87 (20 mg/kg i.v., at the time of ischemia and 4 h later). The volume of cortex showing infarction 72 h after unilateral MCA occlusion is reduced by treatment with BW 1003C87 (20 mg/kg, i.v., beginning 5 min after occlusion). Inhibition of glutamate release may provide a therapeutic approach in cerebral ischemia as well as in epilepsy.

Localization of a 82 kDa protein in postsynaptic density and its association with cytoskeletons

A fraction of synaptic junctional complex (SJC) was prepared from rat synaptosomes and served as antigen material to produce monoclonal antibodies (Mab) for examining the component proteins of the SJC. An antibody, Mab SJ-8, was obtained, which recognized a protein with a molecular weight of 82,000 Da in the SJC preparation by immunoblot analysis. The immunohistochemical localization of the 82 kDa protein was studied with the rat cerebellum. Mab SJ-8 labeled the peripheral areas of the Purkinje and granule cells. Small punctate areas were also stained in the molecular layer with SJ-8. Intracellular localization of the protein was examined with rat brain synaptosomes. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that Mab SJ-8 strongly labeled the postsynaptic density (PSD) and also a fibrous network spreading out of it. However, the antibody did not label the pre- or post-synaptic membrane or the cleft material.

A study of clinical response to different kinds of neuroleptics in first time medicated schizophrenics

Clinical responses to different kinds of neuroleptics in fresh schizophrenics were prospectively investigated. The scales used were the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Psychiatric Evaluation Scale (PES). The 48 subjects were classified into three groups, 16 in the phenothiazine response group, 19 in the butyrophenone response group and 13 in the nonresponse group. For the schizophrenics who displayed negative symptoms such as motor retardation and blunted affect, while displaying milder positive symptoms, phenothiazine drugs were effective. Contrarily, for the schizophrenics who displayed severe positive symptoms such as hallucination and delusion while displaying milder negative symptoms, butyrophenone drugs were effective. Large dosages of the drug did not enhance the curative effect in most cases.

A case of bovine sex cord tumour with annular tubules

A case of sex cord tumour with annular tubules was found in the right ovary of a 17-month-old Holstein cow. The tumour was characterized by tubules encircling hyaline bodies, which were composed of concentric lamellae of basal lamina. Several irregular tubular structures and a small component of granulosa cell differentiation were seen. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells stained positively for oestradiol or testosterone.

[Transorbital penetrating brain injury]

Transorbital penetrating brain injury is rare during this time of peace. In our paper, we reported seven cases of these injuries and discussed the mechanism and treatment of intracranial complications. Transorbital penetrating brain injuries were caused by thin, long and relative hard objects such as chop-stick (case 3), pencil (case 6), bamboo stick (case 1, 2, 7) and a piece of metal (case 4, 5). CT scan, MRI and angiography demonstrated a large variety of intracranial complications. For instance, intracerebral hematoma, cerebral contusion, intraventricular hemorrhage, pneumocephalus, brain stem injury and carotid cavernous sinus fistula. We had no case of infectious complications such as meningitis and brain abscess. If the direction of the injuring object runs parallel to the orbital roof, it penetrates the cranial cavity commonly via the superior orbital fissure or the optic canal, which routes provide direct access without bone fracture. This direction will cause critical intracranial complications such as CCF or brain stem injury. If the injuring object runs upward and across the orbital roof which has thin bone and therefore offers little resistance, the frontal lobe will be easily damaged, and it will cause intracerebral hematoma. But the prognosis for this type of injury is not so poor because we can easily remove the hematoma and the foreign body. With our treatment policy of "pull and see", all our cases but one recovered well. The one exception was a case in which a large intracerebral hematoma was over-looked in an ophthalmological clinic. This patient died. Nowadays, CT scan and MRI give clear information about the anatomical location of injuring objects and intracranial complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the facial nerve]

It was the object of the present study to determine whether transcranial facial nerve stimulation using a magnetic coil can be clinically applicable, and to find the site where the facial nerve is best stimulated. A magnetic coil was placed over the parieto-occipital skull of the subjects for stimulation, and the facial nerve was electrically stimulated in its intracranial and peripheral courses. Then an electromyogram was recorded from the nasalis muscle of the face on the stimulated side. In 9 healthy volunteers, 18 facial nerves received magnetic and electric stimuli in the peripheral region, and the actual site of stimulation was estimated from the conduction velocity of the nerve. The conduction velocity was 56.6 +/- 4.8 m/s, and the latency between CMAPs for electric at the magnetic stimuli to the posterior tragus was 1.23 +/- 0.21 ms. Therefore, the position stimulated by magnetic coil was estimated to be 70.0 +/- 11.4 mm central to the posterior tragus, i.e., near the root exit zone. In two patients undergoing surgery in the cerebellopontine angle, transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation of the intracranial facial nerve were compared intraoperatively. The CMAP produced by transcranial magnetic stimulation coincided closely with that produced by direct electrical stimulation of the root exit zone. Thus, the facial nerve was stimulated at the root exit zone, and this method could be expected to be useful for evaluation of disorders of the intracranial facial nerve.

Aggressive fibromatosis in a cat

A case of aggressive fibromatosis (extra-abdominal desmoid) found in a 9-month-old male mixed breed cat is described. The right forearm was almost completely effaced by fibrous tissue and there were some tumours in the area from the shoulders to the mandible. These tumour-like tissues were composed of abundant collagen fibres and sparse numbers of well-differentiated fibroblasts, whereas their growing pattern was aggressive and non-encapsulated. There was dense growth of immature fibroblasts and multinucleated giant cells in some areas. Vimentin immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy suggested that the giant cells had close relation to the fibroblasts, and such areas may be the sites of cell proliferation. This case is different from nodular fasciitis and may be a proliferative disorder induced by feline oncogenic retrovirus.

An ultrastructural study of vulval myofibroblastoma in a cow

A case of myofibroblastoma in a 3-year-old Japanese Black cow is described. Raised tumours which formed in the anus and in the labium and vestibulum of the vulva during pregnancy were excised surgically. The latter two tumours had dense growth of slender spindle cells beneath the epithelium, and fibrous connective tissue at the periphery. The anal tumour consisted of abundant collagen and sparse numbers of spindle cells. Proliferating cells contained moderate amounts of thin filaments with focal densities as well as well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and desmosome-like structures were found between the cells. These cells were distinguishable from leiomyoma cells containing abundant thin filaments and poorly-developed organelles. In the neoplastic lesions, there was an infiltration of many lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages.

Immunocytochemical localization of synaptophysin on the smooth-surfaced tubular membranes present in nerve terminal and preterminal areas in the rat cerebellar cortex

The distribution of synaptophysin, a major protein of the synaptic vesicle membrane, was immunocytochemically examined in the rat cerebellar cortex. A monoclonal antibody against synaptophysin recognized the epitope to be present in the presynaptic membranous structures including synaptic vesicles, presynaptic membrane, coated vesicles, and vacuoles of endocytotic origin. In the nerve terminal as well as preterminal areas, the antibody labeled the smooth-surfaced tubular membranes which were located in the relatively interior parts of these areas and consistent in size and appearance with the short tubules comprising the thinner parts of the axonal reticulum. However, the antibody did not stain the short tubular membranes, though similar in appearance to the above, which existed right below the axolemma in the preterminal and nerve terminal areas. The results are discussed with special reference to the precursor membrane compartments of synaptic vesicles.

Immunohistochemical studies on ontogeny of bovine lymphoid tissues

Developing lymphoid tissues of bovine fetuses ranging from 70 to 270 days of fetal age were examined by histological and immunohistochemical procedures. In the peripheral blood, surface membrane immunoglobulin bearing cells (B-lymphocytes) and sheep red blood cell rosette forming cells (T-lymphocytes) had already appeared by 70 days of fetal age. In the lymph nodes intracytoplasmic IgM positive cells appeared at 90 days of fetal age. The cells positive for IgG appeared at 150 days of fetal age and IgA positive cells appeared at 180 days of fetal age. The spleen contained intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin positive cells at almost the same time as those in the lymph nodes. In the ileocecal region, IgM positive cells and IgG positive cells were present at 180 days of fetal age and IgA positive cells were present at 210 days of fetal age. The tonsils contained IgM positive cells and IgG positive cells at 240 days of fetal age. In the thymus, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase positive cells appeared at 90 days of fetal age.