Showing papers in "Československá patologie in 1995"

Actin-positive chondroblasts (myochondroblasts) in benign chondroblastoma.

Abstract: We studied the result of immunostaining for muscle specific actin in 15 chondroblastomas and observed distinct muscle actin positive chondroblasts and chondrocytes in five cases. In their cytoplasm actin positive cells contained bundles of microfilaments with focal densities on the ultrastructural level, but they differed from myofibroblasts in many aspects. Analogously to the terminology of myofibroblasts such cells can be probably designated as myochondroblasts having characteristic immunophenotype (vimentin, S-100 protein, NSE and muscle actin positivity).

Expression of p53 in glioblastoma multiforme cells: relationship to survival, proliferation and glycosylation.

Abstract: Immunohistochemically assessed p53 expression was correlated with overall survival in 20 patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Various epitopes of p53 molecule were detected using DO-1, DO-7, CM-1 and BP-12-53 antibodies, proliferative activity was estimated using anti-PCNA and anti-Ki-67 antibodies and assessment of glycosylation changes using lectin histochemistry completed the study. The results show a statistically significant correlation between DO-1 binding and survival. However, we failed to find any similar statistically significant relationship using other antibodies used in this study. Nor the intensity of proliferative activity show any correlation with either p53 expression or overall survival. Glycosylation in glioblastoma multiforme cells reflected unspecific changes in tumor cells regardless of any relationship to p53 expression. The findings do not provide clear evidence for the predictive value of p53 expression. On the other hand, relatively larger numbers of p53 immunonegative cases may indicate that other mechanisms are involved in the development of this tumor.

Segmental mediolytic arteriopathy

Abstract: Three cases of segmental mediolytic arteriopathy occurring in abdominal muscular arteries are presented. This unusual arterial lesion is noted for cytoplasmic vacuolar degeneration of the arterial smooth muscle cells, intercellular vacuoles of various sizes, and focal arterial wall defects designated "arterial gaps". This spectrum of histologic changes can progress to formation of aneurysms with rupture of the vascular wall. The extensive intraabdominal haemorrhage led to the death of all our patients. Pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of this lesion is discussed.

The dorsal fascia dentata as a probe of fixation quality in the rodent brain.

Abstract: In microscopic sections of the rodent brain the dorsal fascia dentata frequently shows perineuronal swelling and neuronal swelling and shrinkage. Factors influencing the occurrence of such changes, which may mimic excitotoxic effects, have been examined using various schedules of anaesthesia and perfusion fixation. Laboratory mice anaesthetized with a low dose of sodium pentobarbital manifested prolonged excitation in comparison to those anaesthetized with a high dose: the occurrence of tremor and convulsions, however, was not related to the morphological changes in the fascia dentata. The changes were diminished by increasing the perfusion pressure (from 80 to 120 mmHg), by reducing the duration of the wash-out period with buffer (from 45 to 15 seconds) and by prolonging the perfusion time (from 7 to 15 minutes). They were abolished when 5% solution of glutaraldehyde was used instead of a 2.5%. The results show that the quality of brain fixation may be best assessed according to the morphology of the dorsal fascia dentata, and that the occurrence of acute swelling and shrinkage in this area should not be mistaken for pathological changes.

Dendritic resident cells and their immunohistologic determination

Abstract: Resident dendritic cells exist in various tissues. They belong to RES according to determining marks and their transitions. The main marks represent phagocytosis, fixed and mobile scavenging, endothelial and stroma-parenchyma barrier function and collagens production. Suppression of some extreme marks stimulates prevalence of remaining marks. An interesting topic concerns immune engaged dendritic cells. Their main mark is inability of transporting antigens and of presenting them to lymphatic tissue so that they start an immune reaction. Differences among dendritic cells can be detected by immunohistology. Immunopositivity of resident dendritic cells was studied in 20 tissues (lymphatic, skin, bone, soft, nervous, myocardial, lung, oesophagus, stomach, intestinal and others) by using antibodies: CD 34, F XIIIa, F VIII, actin, CD 68, S-100 protein, HLA-DR, CD3, and OPD4. Because a simple comparison of detected immunophenotypes was often ambiguous, positivity of dendritic cells was compared with positivity level of neighbouring tissues in 16 cases. Nevertheless, any single marker was not relevant in all cases. But decisive positive combinations did exist (CD 34 for non-X cells, CD 68 for phagocytes, S-100 for X cells). Dendritic cells in different and often opposite relations were found in a group of 36 cases. Diversity of tissue representation of "immunosupervising" dendritic cells reflected probably a frequence and quality of antigen stimulation in locally specific immune conditions. A surprising presence of CD 34 positive dendritic cells in border-line and stromal structures of nerves and in their tumours contributed to differential diagnosis of neurofibromas and some storiform tumours. CD 34 positivity alone does not solve problems sufficiently and applied methods will not do for determination of the share of "immunosupervising" cells in stromal reaction of malignant tumours.

[Solitary "traumatic" mandibular cyst].

Abstract: A 34-year old man had an unusually localized cyst at the lower margin of mandibular body. It was sharply defined by X-rays. Microscopy showed necrotic masses with numerous cholesterol crystals and groups of lipophages which represented a solitary so called "traumatic" mandibular cyst. History of the case did not prove unequivocal relation to traumatic pathogenesis of the cyst.

[Measurement of nucleolar organizers (AgNOR) using the LUCIA-M color image analysis system].

Abstract: Argyrophil Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNORs) reflect the ploidy and proliferative activity of cells. In a Czech made system of image analysis LUCIA-M (Laboratory Universal Computer Image Analysis-Medium version) we have created a macro for AgNORs evaluation. The process includes picture contrasting and processing, thresholding of nuclei and AgNORs, elimination of artifacts through restrictions and interactive editation. The relation of nuclei to AgNORs is realized using binary operations. The number of dots in a nucleus is counted using advanced morphology-homotopic marking. The object data (nuclear area, absolute and relative AgNOR area, mean equal diameter of nuclei, circularity) may be processed either in the system LUCIA itself or exporting the data into another statistic program, e.g. EXCEL. The choice of the most informative features measured for diagnostics and prognostics of tumours is a task for subsequent clinico-morphologic studies.

[An unusual vascular tumor of the pericardium resembling Kaposi's sarcoma].

Abstract: A peculiar vascular tumor of the pericardial cavity affecting a 21-year-old man is reported. The tumor was formed by spindle cells and narrow vascular channels. It was difficult to decide between primary pericardial Kaposi's sarcoma or angiosarcoma. The patient was HIV negative and no other tumors were revealed in the course of the disease. Immunohistochemical investigations showed positive endothelial markers-FVIII, CD 31, CD 34 in the tumor cells. Due to an inconclusive diagnosis of the tumor six cases of Kaposi's sarcoma and six cases of angiosarcomas were retrieved from our files, the same spectrum of immunohistochemistry as in above case applied, and the results compared. We found no significant differences in the positivity of endothelial markers among these cases and when compared with the case of pericardial tumor. The reactivity of CD 34 was, however, strong in cases of Kaposi's sarcoma whereas in angiosarcomas it yielded a weak and focal reaction only. In spite of the latter finding we feel that in individual cases, like the described tumor of the pericardial cavity, the immunohistochemical investigation cannot discriminate angiosarcoma from Kaposi's sarcoma. The reported tumor of the pericardial cavity was considered an unusual form of a low grade angiosarcoma with immunophenotypic features of Kaposi's sarcoma.

[Mixed carcinoid-carcinoma of the stomach].

Abstract: Bioptical observation of a mixed carcinoid-carcinoma in a 75-year-old man's stomach was described. The subcardial tumour was 10-7 cm in diameter with secondaries in perigastric lymph nodes. A well differentiated adenocarcinoma with mucus production formed a minor marginal part of the carcinoid which expressed immunohistochemical markers common in gut cancers: carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen and some cytokeratins. The well differentiated adenocarcinoma expressed different cytokeratins detected by AE1-AE3 antibody. The carcinoid was positive with Grimelius impregnation and strongly positive with chromogranin A and synaptophysin bound antibodies. Transition of both the tumour types was continuous.

[The effect of Tenziomin on function, morphology and lectin binding in rat kidney remnants after experimental subtotal nephrectomy].

Abstract: Captopril (Tenziomin) treated rats after subtotal (5/6) nephrectomy showed conspicuously better function of kidney tissue remnants than untreated animals. Histology was the same in both groups--focal glomerulosclerosis, anisocytosis and anisokaryosis of tubular epithelial cells, hyperplasia of proximal tubuli. Proteinuria was substantially lower in treated animals. Lectin histochemistry showed differences between superficial and juxtamedullary nephrons in glycoprotein contents and function. An important finding was selective binding of WGA lectin in brush border of proximal convoluted tubuli of juxtamedullary nephrons. Differences in lectin binding between nephrectomized and intact control animals were rather quantitative than qualitative.

[Ultrastructural findings in the gastric mucosa in children and adolescents with chronic Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis].

Abstract: Gastric mucosa ultrastructure was studied in 32 children and adolescents with chronic superficial active and inactive gastritis. Helicobacter pylori was found most frequently free in mucous layer without direct contact with the mucosa. But in 7 children (21.9%), it occurred quite close to superficial epithelial cells and influenced their outlook. In two cases, it was registered in intracytoplasmic channels of intact parietal cells. Another two children with massive helicobacterial infection showed superficial epithelial cells with big mucus vacuoles and sequestration of apical cytoplasm.

Carcinoid tumorlets and pulmonary hypoxia

Abstract: Relationship between carcinoid tumourlets and chronic pulmonary hypoxia was studied on a group of 29 patients coming to necropsy (25 cases) in the last 25 years or surgically treated (4 cases) for non-neoplastic pulmonary lesions. All tumourlets expressed the argyrophilia and were immunoreactive for neurone-specific enolase. Pulmonary hypoxia was studied according to the presence of chronic bronchitis, emphysema and microscopical signs of hypoxic arteriopathy. Cigarette smoking was an additional criterion. The results indicated a strong relationship between tumourlets and chronic pulmonary hypoxia. 79% of patients with tumourlets have had the emphysema and in 41% of examined cases with this lesion the chronic bronchitis was diagnosed. The hypoxic arteriopathy was present in 48% of subjects with emphysema and 27% of cases with bronchitis. It was found in the same number of patients with both the examined lung diseases. On the other hand, the possibility of other cause of neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia was to be considered in 17% of investigated subjects in whom no evidence for the above mentioned relationship was found.

Morphological spectrum of atrioventricular septal defects

Abstract: Morphology of atrioventricular septal defect was studied on 73 heart specimens. All of them had a defect of atrioventricular septum and adjoining parts of atrial and ventricular septum, a shortening of inflow parts of both ventricles, a malformation of atrioventricular valves and changed position of aortic valve. There was a great variability of all the studied structures and nearly continuous spectrum of specimens was found as for the ventricles' size, localization and diameter of the defect, communication between atria and ventricles, anatomy of the left ventricle outflow tract as well as the whole atrioventricular valvular apparatus and occurrence of associated heart malformations. A common ostium was formed in 52 cases (71.2%), two separated ostia were found in 21 cases (28.8%) but a continuous transition between both groups was noticed. Both groups showed a great variety of single cusps of atrioventricular valves (in shape, number and anchoring), of papillary muscles and of the size of atrioventricular communication. The finding of frequently associated heart malformations was important from the clinical point of view, especially of the obstructive malformations of the left ventricle. A great morphological variability needs individual surgical solutions, namely reconstruction of valves, closure of septal defects and correction of associated heart malformations.