Mycopathology of cerebral mycosis

Seven cases of cerebral mycosis have been studied with respect to the pattern of distribution of the various cerebral fungi and the spectrum of histopathological changes. It has been found that aspergillosis is the most prevalent pathogen in our region unlike in the western world where candidosis dominates the picture. The relevant literature is discussed.

Expression of complement factor H on the cell surface of the human monocytic cell line U937

Binding assays and immunocytochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies against the human serum complement protein factor H indicate that factor H antigen is present on the surface of more than 95% of the cells of the human monocytic cell line U937. The antigen is uniformly distributed and there are 10 000-15 000 copies/cell. Factor H antigen is strongly associated with the cell surface and is not removed by hypotonic or hypertonic washes. Factor H antigen has been isolated from surface radioiodinated and 35S biosynthetically labeled cells using polyclonal anti-factor H-Sepharose columns. The antigen is indistinguishable from serum factor H in molecular weight. Secretion of factor H by U937 cells was not detected using sensitive tests in which factor H secretion by monocytes was apparent. Phorbol myristate acetate stimulation of the cells had no effect on the average number of factor H molecules expressed. We conclude that factor H is synthesized by U937 cells, but is not secreted, and remains strongly associated with the cell surface. The surface-bound factor H may function as a C3b receptor.

Structure and function of the small bowel in lepromatous leprosy

The structural and functional status of the small bowel was examined in ten patients with lepromatous leprosy. The absorptive functions were essentially normal in all patients except for minor abnormalities; one patient had mild steatorrhea and two others had derangement of D-xylose absorption. Barium examination did not reveal any abnormality in any patient. Histological study of the small intestinal mucosa showed mild, partial villous atrophy in two patients and normal appearances in the remaining eight. The above abnormalities were mild and were not considered to be of any clinical significance. It is therefore concluded that the small bowel is not commonly involved in lepromatous leprosy.

Cytohormonal and histomorphologic patterns in endometrium in symptomatic premenopausal women

Endometrial histology in the premenopausal symptomatic group revealed hyperplastic endometrium in 29.1 percent of the cases. Cytohormonal evaluation has shown hyperesterin activity reflected by a high Karyopyknotic Index in cystic glandular and adenomatous hyperplasia. A fairly good positive correlation is seen between colpocytology and endometrial histology. In few patients vaginal cytology has revealed regressive activity which was not evident on histology alone. It is felt that cases showing regressive smears are the ones where treatment including estrogens should be most effective.

Electrocardiographic studies in the stumptail macaque (Macaca arctoides)

Our study has defined normal electrocardiographic standards for Macaca arctoides. It appears that certain species differences exist in the electrocardiogram (ECG) in monkeys and that different criteria for normality may be necessary. Thus, in apparently normal Macaca arctoides a high frequency of Q waves and ST segment elevations of the J point type are present compared to Macaca mulatta. It is suggested that normal ECG criteria be established for each species of monkeys to allow accurate interpretation.