Expression of epidermal growth factor in human tissues. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis

The expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) was examined on various human tissues by radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis. Immunoreactive EGF was found in most of the human tissues by radioimmunoassay at various levels. Large quantities of EGF were detected in the kidney and thyroid gland. Immunohistochemically, EGF immunoreactivity was detected mainly in the epithelial cells of the lung, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, kidney, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, mammary gland, ovary, uterus and placenta. Weakly EGF-positive cells were also found in the adrenal gland. The results of EGF-immunostaining were not always consistent with the data from radioimmunoassay. We consider that the amount of EGF measured by radioimmunoassay reflects the density of EGF-positive cells in the tissues and the concentration of EGF in individual EGF-positive cells. Furthermore, EGF mRNA was expressed in the salivary gland, thyroid gland, mammary gland and kidney. It is thus evident that EGF is produced by a variety of human tissues. The kidney expressed exceptionally high levels of EGF mRNA which was about one-tenth of the expression in mouse submandibular gland, suggesting that most of EGF in the urine is produced and secreted by the epithelial cells of renal tubules.

Ultrastructure of the mouse synovial membrane. Development and organization of the extracellular matrix

The synovial membrane of the mouse knee joint was examined by electron microscopy and electron microscopic histochemistry, with special reference to the development of the extracellular matrix. In the embryonic synovium, the intercellular spaces were filled with hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate. The formation of the early joint cavity appeared to be initiated by accumulation of hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate in the synovial primordium. At the postnatal stage, the synovial primordium differentiated into a true synovial intima that could be easily identified by the presence of two distinct lining cells: fibroblast-like cells (B cells) and phagocytic cells (A cells). Simultaneously, the synovial intima provided the specialized extracellular matrix that was characterized by organized structures of microfibrils, collagen fibers, and fibrous long spacing fibers embedded in a large number of glycoproteins.

Absorption spectroscopy of gold nanoisland films: optical and structural characterization

Nanoisland films prepared by annealing thin gold films at high temperatures were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy, and optically characterized through absorption spectroscopy. Thin gold films of effective thicknesses 2, 5 and 7 nm annealed at 500, 700 and 900 degrees C were fabricated and studied experimentally. The measured absorption characteristics in support of theoretical calculations showed that the shapes of gold islands were partial spheres. The position of the peak absorption wavelength measured with s-polarized light or at normal incidence confirmed that the island shape grew from a near-hemisphere towards a sphere with increasing annealing temperature. The SEM images confirmed that the size of islands increased from 15 nm in diameter to 40 nm in diameter as film thickness increased from 2 to 5 nm. The affect of the index of the substrate material on absorption characteristics were also studied by comparing the absorption spectra of gold island films on quartz and LaSF15 glass substrates. The use of gold nanoisland films for preparing localized surface plasmon resonance substrates was suggested as they held advantages over the gold colloid films.

The fine structure of psammoma bodies in meningocytic whorls

Psammoma bodies within meningocytic whorls in five cases of meningioma were examined by electron microscopy. The cells comprising the meningocytic whorls showed the conventional ultrastructural features of meningothelial cells with interdigitations and interconnections by means of junctional complexes. In some whorls, collagen fibers, elastic fibers, microfibrils, as well as finely reticulated material were observed. Calcified foci of various sizes were seen within many of these whorls. Extracellular matrix vesicles, with or without hydroxyapatite crystals, were occasionally noted at the periphery of extracellular psammoma bodies in the whorl. Furthermore, many small aggregates of crystals were present adjacent and parallel to the collagen and elastic fibers in the meningocytic whorls. Substantial amounts of collagen fibers were also observed within the large psammoma bodies. These findings suggest that the matrix vesicles, presumably produced by the meningothelial cell, may serve as the initial nidi of calcification of psammoma bodies as originally suggested by Lipper et al. Collagen fibers as well as elastic fibers in the whorls may also play an important role in orienting apatite crystal deposition during the growth of extracellular psammoma bodies and serve as early sites of calcification.

Secretory granules of B-cells in the synovial membrane. An ultrastructural and cytochemical study

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies have been made on secretory granules of B-cells (fibroblast-like cells) in the knee-joint synovium. The secretory granules were membrane-bounded spherical or slightly elongated bodies, 150 to 350 nm (average 230 nm) in diameter and had a homogenous matrix with several cores. These granules were found in B-cells of all animal species examined; they were numerous in mice and rats, and few in guinea pigs, rabbits and man. Ultrastructural and cytochemical examinations revealed that the Golgi apparatus was involved in the formation of the secretory granules. Unlike lysosomes, they showed no acid phosphatase activity. The granule matrix was positively stained by Thiéry's periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate technique, and the cores were digested by protease. These findings suggest that the granule matrix contains mucopolysaccharide(s) and/or glycoprotein(s) and the core material is largely proteinaceous in nature.

A High-Resolution 1.3-GHz/54-mm LTS/HTS NMR Magnet

A high-resolution 1.3-GHz/54-mm low-temperature superconducting/high-temperature superconducting (HTS) nuclear magnetic resonance magnet (1.3 G) is currently in the final stage at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory. Its key component is a three-coil (Coils 1-3) 800-MHz HTS insert comprising 96 no-insulation (NI) double-pancake coils, each wound with a 6-mm-wide GdBCO tape. In this paper, after describing the overall 1.3-G system, we present innovative design features incorporated in 1.3 G: 1) an NI winding technique applied to Coils 1-3 and its adverse effect in the form of charging time delay; 2) persistent-mode HTS shims; 3) a "shaking" magnet; and 4) preliminary results of Coil 1 operated at 4.2 K.

Gastric plasmacytoma: an immunologic and immunohistochemical study

A case of IgG (lambda) secreting plasmacytoma arising in the stomach has been presented. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells contained IgG-lambda immunoglobulin. Immunoelectrophoretic study on patient's serum revealed in the gamma zone the presence of M protein which reacted specifically with anti-IgG and anti-lambda antisera. Agar electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis with anti-IgG and anti-lambda antisera showed multiple subbands. Neuraminidase treatment of the purified IgG from this patient resulted in gradual reduction of four subbands to two. Electrophoretic charge difference of the monoclonal immunoglobulin may be attributed to incompletely synthesized sugar chains attached to the protein core.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the liver

An autopsy case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the liver associated with congenital cysts in a 78-year-old man was reported. The liver weighed 1,900 g, and there was a massive tumor of 11 X 10 X 6.5 cm in the left lobe with multiple sero-mucinous cysts. Histologically, the tumor cells consisted of four types of cells: mucus-secreting cells, squamous cells, intermediate cells, and oxyphilic cells. The variety of tumor cells quite resembled that of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary gland. The sero-mucinous cysts were lined with a single layer of cuboidal or columnar cells and were not communicated with the biliary ducts. Part of the cysts with benign lining cells was in continuity with tumor cells of the intermediate type. Discussion was made on the histogenesis of hepatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma in particular emphasis on the association of the congenital cysts.

Distribution of fibrous long-spacing fibers in normal and pathological lymph nodes

The occurrence and distribution of fibrous long-spacing fibers (FLS) of lymph nodes in normal and pathological conditions have been examined by electron microscopy. The FLS can be easily identified by the characteristic broad cross bands with a 90 to 120 nm period. In normal lymph nodes, the FLS were most often found in the stalk of the valve projecting into the lymphatic sinus and in the perivascular matrix, and less frequently in the wall of the vein, in the sinus wall and in the stroma of the medulla at the hilus. In pathological conditions, a large number of FLS appeared in the hyalinous matrix of lymphocyte depletion type of Hodgkin's disease. These fibers were also observed in reticular matrices of lymphosarcoma and mixed cellularity type of Hodgkin's disease as well as in granulation tissues. It was noted that FLS appeared to be formed in the regions where abundant reticular fibers were laid down. Compared with the ultrastructural and histological findings in various lesions of lymph nodes, the possible mechanism and significance of FLS were discussed.

An autopsy case of rheumatoid arthritis with an involvement of the cardiac conduction system

A case of rheumatoid arthritis with an involvement of the cardiac conduction system was described. The patient was a 65-year-old man who had a 15-year history of classical rheumatoid arthritis combined with an advanced atrioventricular (AV) block resulting in Adams-Stokes seizure. Prior to the occurrence of the AV block, a complete right bundle branch block with a left axis deviation and a first-degree AV block were found on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The histological examination of the conduction system according to the serial sectioning method disclosed that the branching portion of the His bundle and anterior fascicle of the left bundle branch were replaced by the scarring tissue and that the penetrating portion of the His bundle, the AV node and the right bundle branch had rheumatoid granulomatous lesions. The extent and localization of the lesions in the conduction system were well correlated with the findings on the ECG.

An ultrastructural study on periductal elastosis in human breast tumors

An ultrastructural study on elastosis of human breast tumors was made with special attention to the periductal elastosis and the cell responsible for elastic fiber formation. The elastosis was found prominently in scirrhous type of duct carcinoma. In the area of mild periductal elastosis, the elastic fibers with many microfibrils and a tiny central elastin were seen around the periductal fibroblasts which were characterized by attenuated cytoplasms with aggregates of microfilaments and slightly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. With the thickening of the periductal wall, such an area was replaced by abundant mature elastic fibers with peripheral microfibrils and a few intervening ordinary fibroblasts. Therefore, it was suggested that the periductal fibroblasts which transformed into ordinary fibroblasts during the development of elastosis were primarily concerned with the elastic fiber formation. In the interlobular tissue in which both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were present, the elastic fibers were larger than those of the periductal area and had less microfibrils in their periphery. The relationship between microfibrils and elastin during the early elastosis, maturation process of the elastic fibers, and cell modulation of the fibroblasts in the breast elastosis were discussed.

Central pontine myelinolysis with extrapontine lesions

An autopsy case of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) was reported. The patient, a 48-year-old man, with a long history of alcoholic intake appeared in a hospital with the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis and the neurologic symptoms of delirium tremens. During the hospital course he fell into "locked in" with concomitant development of marked hyponatremia (92 mEq/1). An autopsy revealed typical CPM and the extra-pontine myelinolytic lesions distributed symmetrically in the thalami, subthalamic nuclei, and lateral geniculate bodies. Spongiosis was also found in the deep layer of the cerebral cortex and in the putamen. It was suggested that CPM occur in close association with marked hyponatremia and the extrapontine involvement be likely to manifest in the deep layer of the cerebral cortex, putamen, thalamus, and lateral geniculate body, where the myelin cylinders form an interlacing network embedding large neurons and oligodendrocytes.

Repair of the mouse synovial membrane after chemical synovectomy with osmium tetroxide

Repair of the synovium of the mouse knee joint following intra-articular injection with osmium tetroxide has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Within a first few days after osmium tetroxide injection complete necrosis of the synovial intima and inflammatory response in the subintimal connective tissue occurred. The resurfacing of the denuded synovium was performed by proliferation of immature synovioblasts which appeared to be derived from mesenchymal cells in the transition zone. The synovial intima completely restored the original structure, while repair of the subintimal tissue was accomplished by a scarring.

Retroperitoneal approach for laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with stripping technique: extracorporeal ligation of ureter and ureteral catheter

INTRODUCTION

The pluck and stripping techniques are used for lower ureter management in renal pelvic cancer patients. Herein, we report our experience of extracorporeal ligation of the ureter and the ureteral catheter through the trocar port, which differs from conventional laparoscopic ligation in the retroperitoneal space. This technique was selected to reduce the time needed for ureter management using the stripping technique and to provide secure ligation.

MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

We performed this stripping technique in patients with T1 and T2 stage renal pelvic cancer without imaging-evident lymph node metastasis. After transurethrally placing a ureteral catheter, we resected the circumference of the ureteral orifice. After laparoscopic nephrectomy via a retroperitoneal approach, the ureteral catheter and distal ureter were ligated extracorporeally. The catheter was pulled to invaginate the ureter so it could then be pulled through the external urethral orifice.

DISCUSSION

This technique of extracorporeal ligation ensures more a secure ligation of the ureter and ureteral catheter. This modified stripping technique does not require lower ureter management with laparotomy, and it is also useful in shortening the operative time. This method is effective for relatively early stage renal pelvic cancer.

Diagnostic aspect of spindle-cell sarcomas by electron microscopy

Spindle-cell sarcomas in the somatic soft tissue and soft parts, including fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and malignant schwannoma were examined by electron microscopy in order to delineate the most reliable cellular features for their diagnosis. Fibrosarcoma consisted largely of fibroblastic cells and leiomyosarcoma cells were packed in forming small cell groups with constant junctional complexes of nexus and zonula adherens types. MFH showed variable cellular features containing the cells with myofibroblastic and histiocytic differentiation. Malignant schwannoma was characterized by tumor cells having slender cytoplasmic processes with overlapping or interdigitation and thick basement membrane. These ultrastructural features were contributory to the differential diagnosis of the sarcomas examined.