Isolation and characterization of calcium phosphate crystals in the human articular knee cartilages and intervertebral discs: an electron microscopic study

The multiple complains of pain resulting from intervertebral disc prolapse or osteoarthritic knee joint is one of the most significant neurosurgical and orthopaedic disorders in industrialized society. The exact relationship between calcium phosphate crystal deposition and these diseases remains obscure, although there is evidence supporting a rapid degenerative arthropathy within a specific set of patients. Several basic calcium phosphate crystals have been reported to be associated with osteoarthritis joint diseases as well as in lumbar disc prolapse patients. To compare the presence and characters of calcium phosphate crystals in normal and osteoarthritic human articular knee cartilages as well as in degenerated disc patients. Five normal articular knee cartilages and intervertebral discs were taken from human cadavers at the dissection room, Faculty of Medicine, Taibah University. Osteoarthritic articular cartilage, and disc prolapse, fifteen specimens each, were obtained from Saudi German, Madinah National Hospitals; and Alexandria University Hospital respectively. Specimens were examined by light and electron microscopy, and electron probe x-ray microanalysis. No crystals could be detected at the light microscopic level. By electron microscopy, crystals were detected in cartilages from all pathological sites sampled. Few or no crystals were observed in normal articular knee cartilages and intervertebral discs. Coexistence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and cuboid calcium phosphate crystals was seen in all cases. Identification was based on the distinctive morphology, size range and XRMA spectrum. The results of this research confirmed the density of calcium phosphate and pyrophosphate dehydrate crystals in osteoarthritic cartilage, and degenerated disc that may provide a useful diagnostic and therapeutic approach to osteoarthritis and disc prolapse patients

Evaluation of human neutrophil chemotactic cytokine [IL-8] role in the development of lupus nephritis: correlation with disease activity and pathological type

Aim of the work: was to evaluate the human neutrophil chemotactic cytokine [IL-8] role in the development of Lupus nephritis [LN] and its correlation with disease activity and pathological type. this study was conducted on 20 patients with lupus nephritis and 20 controls with matched age and sex. Patients were subjected to thorough history taking, and clinical examination, routine investigations including CBP, ESR, and renal function tests [blood urea, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance] and 24 hours urinary protein. Level of anti-ds DNA was measured in SLE patients. IL-8 measurement in both serum and urine was done using ELISA technique. Renal biopsies were taken from all patients and were studied for histopathological changes, cellular infiltration and sings of activity. IL-8 was not detected in the serum of any patient with LN. Urinary IL-8 were elevated in patients with WHO class IVa, IVb, IVc, IIIa, and IIa. The highest levels were detected in class IVb, and undetected in any patient with class IId, IIIa and I, and some patients with class IIa. Urinary IL-8 was increased significantly in patients with glomerular cell proliferation, fibrinoid necrosis, cellular crescents, hyaline deposit and interstitial inflammation and leukocyte exudation. Urinary IL-8 correlated well activity index. IL-8 produced locally in LN and may be involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular and tubulo-interstitial diseases. IL-8 in urine is correlated well with activity index, thus its measurement in urine in LN patients may be a useful tool for monitoring disease activity

Cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical study of touch imprints of malignant Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas [NHL]

The present study reports on experience with the application of lymphocyte markers [4KB5, UCHL1 and MAC 387] to lymph node imprints in NHL. The cytologic and immunophenotypic classification of the imprints were compared with those of the corresponding tissue sections. Among the 50 cases studied 43 had a B-cell phenotype, 3 had a T-cell phenotype, while 4 cases defied any staining. Using immunohistochemistry, it was not only possible to identify the phenotype of the cells but to decide whether the lymphoid population was polyclonal or monoclonal as well. Demonstration of monoclonal light chain restriction in B-cell lymphoma made it possible to confirm the neoplastic nature of the imprint. The present work emphasized the value of imprint material as good source of tissue for immunologic study, where immunoreactivity to MoAbs was retained by storage of the imprints at -70C. The advantages of this technique include enhanced cellular detail, clear staining reaction with reduced artefactual distortion in addition to a more rapid methodology

Thymic lesions: clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

Thymic lesions of 21 patients investigated clinically and radiologically and treated by thymectomy at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department in the period from January 1988 to June 1993, were examined at the Pathology Department for tissue diagnosis. The true histologic nature using the new diagnostic techniques was the aim of this study. Immunohistochemical procedures were done using antibodies against keratin, pan-T marker, S-100 protein, Leu M I and NSE. Electron microscopy was applied on cases histologically diagnosed as thymoma. 7 patients [33.3%] had follicular hyperplasia [all had myasthenia gravis], 13 [61.9%] had tumors. The remaining patient [4.8%] had a non-tumorous thymic cyst. Immunohistochemical techniques and electron microscopy when correlated to clinical and surgical examinations were valuable in confirming the diagnosis of thymoma and identifying other tumors with which thymoma could be confused clinically or by conventional microscopy. This would facilitate the precise determination of prognosis and further management

immunohistochemical study on the histogenesis of granular cell tumor

The presence and distribution of S-100 protein, desmin and alpha-1- antichymotrypsin were investigated in ten cases of granular cell tumor using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The granular cells of all cases were negatively stained with anti-desmin and anti-alpha-1-antichymotrypsin antisera. On the other hand, they were positively stained with anti-S-100 protein antiserum. These results supported the concept of the neurogenic origin of the granular cell tumor

Demonstration of alpha-1 antichymotrypsin in tumours of supposed bibroblastichistocytic origin using the immunoperoxidase technique

Using the immunoperoxidase [PAP] technique, 28 cases of fibrohistiocytic tumors were stained for alpha-1-antichymotrypsin [A1ACT], a histiocytic marker, and S-100 protein, a marker for Schwann cells. A1ACT was demonstrated in 12 of 13 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytomas [MFH], in 6 of 9 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans [DFP] and in 4 of 6 cases of dermatofibroma [DF]. None of these tumors stained positively for S-100 protein. A1ACT is found to be a useful and reliable marker for malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The presence of alpha-1 antichymotrypsin and the absence of S-100 protein in DFP and DF support the concept that these neoplasms are parts of the spectrum of fibroblastic-histiocytic tumors and excludes their neurogenic origin