Utilidad del citoquímico urinario en cuidados intensivos, una herramienta olvidada

El sedimento urinario es una herramienta utilizada hace tantos años para caracterizar manifestaciones renales de enfermedades primarias y secundarias, que es necesario realizar una estandarización y aprender a interpretar el mismo. En los pacientes ingresados a la unidad de cuidados intensivos, muchas veces no se realiza, o hay que tener en cuenta varios factores para su interpretación debido al estado hemodinámico del paciente a la filtración glomerular, la excreción tubular, la reabsorción de agua y los solutos además del equilibrio acido-base, los cuales pueden variar significativamente en pacientes en estado crítico con diferentes condiciones fisiopatológicas. Se presenta una revisión de las condiciones para la interpretación del urianálisis.

A urinary sediment is a tool used for years to characterize renal manifestations of primary and secondary diseases, which requires standardization and learning to interpret it. In patients admitted to the intensive care unit, it is often not performed, or several factors must be taken into account for its interpretation due to the patient's hemodynamic status, glomerular filtration, tubular excretion, water reabsorption, and solutes. In addition to the acid-base balance, which can vary significantly in critically ill patients with different pathophysiological conditions? A review of the conditions for the interpretation of urinalysis is presented.

Utilidad del citoquímico urinario en cuidados intensivos, una herramienta olvidada / The usefulness of urinary sediment in intensive care, a forgotten tool

El sedimento urinario es una herramienta utilizada hace tantos años para caracterizar manifestaciones renales de enfermedades primarias y secundarias, que es necesario realizar una estandarización y aprender a interpretar el mismo. En los pacientes ingresados a la unidad de cuidados intensivos, muchas veces no se realiza, o hay que tener en cuenta varios factores para su interpretación debido al estado hemodinámico del paciente a la filtración glomerular, la excreción tubular, la reabsorción de agua y los solutos además del equilibrio acido-base, los cuales pueden variar significativamente en pacientes en estado crítico con diferentes condiciones fisiopatológicas. Se presenta una revisión de las condiciones para la interpretación del urianálisis.

A urinary sediment is a tool used for years to characterize renal manifestations of primary and secondary diseases, which requires standardization and learning to interpret it. In patients admitted to the intensive care unit, it is often not performed, or several factors must be taken into account for its interpretation due to the patient's hemodynamic status, glomerular filtration, tubular excretion, water reabsorption, and solutes. In addition to the acid-base balance, which can vary significantly in critically ill patients with different pathophysiological conditions? A review of the conditions for the interpretation of urinalysis is presented.

Lineage switch of acute myeloid leukemia to T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia – A unique case report

“Lineage switch” is term described when leukemic cells on relapse exhibit a new phenotype, where losses of one lineage defining markers with simultaneous gain of another lineage defining markers occur. Relapse of acute leukemia is although a very common event, lineage switch occurs and reported very rarely in such cases. The pathogenesis involved in this phenomenon remains unclear; however plasticity of hematopoietic progenitor affected by intrinsic and extrinsic environmental cues can be a possible explanation. In most of the cases at the time of relapse conversion of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) occurs. Here, we presented an unusual case of 10 year old boy with AML switched to T-ALL upon relapse, which is very rare and not well documented till date in literature. The diagnosis was further supported by morphologic, cytochemistry and flowcytometric immunophenotyping (FCM-IPT). Prognosis and survival of such cases remains poor even by the use of standard chemotherapy.

Auer rod?like inclusions in multiple myeloma: Report of two diagnostically challenging cases

Non-immunoglobulin intracytoplasmic inclusions in plasma cells of multiple myeloma are very rare presentation. These are morphologically similar to Auer rods but chemically different from them. We studied two cases of multiple myeloma in a 60-year-old woman and 45-year-old man. In both cases, plasma cells of bone marrow aspirate revealed multiple Auer rod-like inclusions (ARLI). Sudan black B (SBB) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) cytochemistry were negative. Serum protein electrophoresis in both of them showed M spike, one with raised IgA-kappa levels, while the other with raised IgG-kappa levels. Very few case reports have been published in the literature and its prognostic implications are still unknown. Due to its rarity, it is important to distinguish such cases from acute myeloid leukemia and its exact incidence with its therapeutic and prognostic implications

Morphological and cytochemical characterization of the peripheral blood cells of farmed streaked prochilod Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) / [Caracterização morfológica e citoquímica das células do sangue periférico do curimatã Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) em cultivo]

Morphological and cytochemical studies of peripheral blood cells of fish have improved the understanding of their functions and cell types. The present study performed the Morphological and cytochemical analysis of the peripheral blood of Prochilodus lineatus, Characiform native to South America, which has been gaining space in local aquaculture and as a species introduced in Asia. Our analysis provided information on the morphological and cytochemical characteristics of the leukocytes, for the formulation of hypothesis about their role in the immune system of the species. It was found that Prochilodus lineatus has morphological and cytochemical features in common with other fish species, mainly of the Characiformes order. However, we detected the presence of heterophils and PAS positive granulocytes simultaneously with neutrophils. We also found that heterophils and PAS positive granulocytes are very similar, both morphologically and cytochemically.(AU)

O estudo da morfologia e da citoquímica das células do sangue periférico dos peixes tem sido eficaz para o entendimento de suas funções e dos tipos celulares. Este estudo realizou a análise morfológica e citoquímica do sangue periférico de Prochilodus lineatus, caracídeo nativo da América do Sul que vem ganhando espaço na aquicultura local e como espécie introduzida na Ásia. Essa análise forneceu informações sobre a morfologia e as características citoquímicas dos leucócitos, visando a hipóteses sobre suas funções. Verificou-se que estas são semelhantes em vários aspectos a outras espécies, principalmente da ordem Characiformes. No entanto, neste estudo detectou-se a presença dos heterofilos e da célula granulocítica especial, simultaneamente à presença dos neutrófilos. Ainda, foi verificado que os heterofilos e a célula granulocítica especial são muito semelhantes morfológica e citoquimicamente.(AU)

Correlation of Cytomorphology with Flowcytometric Immunophenotyping of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: WHO classification utilizes morphology,genetic information, immunophenotyping, biologic andclinical features to define specific disease entity. Althoughit gives an accurate detailed diagnosis, immunophenotypingby flow cytometry gives an immediate prompt diagnosis.Morphological diagnosis for leukemias may sometimes be notcorrelating with flow cytometry diagnosis. Study objectiveswere to correlate morphological and flowcytometric results ofpatients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemias.Material and methods: Study was conducted in departmentof pathology. Cases were classified as Acute leukemia basedon CBC, peripheral smear, bone marrow morphology, specialstains cytochemistry and Flow cytometry Immunophenotyping.Categorization was done based FAB system.Results: Total 92 cases of AML were diagnosed oncytomorphology, cytochemistry and Flow cytometry werestudied. Out of which M0 were 6.5%, M1-13%, M2-27.2%,M3-17.4%, M4-15.2% and M5 were 20.6%. There was 88%correlation between cytomorphology and flowcytometry.Conclusion: Interpretation of immunophenotyping byflowcytometry, done in close conjunction with morphology,is mandatory for appropriate diagnosis of acute myeloidleukemia. However morphology combined with cytochemistryis also very helpful in the diagnosis of AML if facility offlowcytometry is not available

Bone marrow aspiration as the initial diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of leukemia – A case study

Generally patients suffering from leukemia complain of very vague symptoms of low grade fever for 2-3 months, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, recurrent infections, petechiae in the body. Thus high index of suspicion and proper diagnosis is needed. The patients who attend tertiary care centre with above symptoms should be initially diagnosed by doing complete blood count, peripheral blood smear examination followed by bone marrow aspiration and its examination. It provides high quality visualization of cell morphology and enables differential count. A total of 1793 patients attended Department of Pathology in the tertiary care centre for bone marrow examination. Of this majority of cases were diagnosed with erythroid hyperplasia with megaloblastic reaction. 152 cases were diagnosed with leukemias. There were 66 cases of ALL, 46 cases of AML, 35 cases of CML, 3 cases of CLL and 2 cases of CEL. Few cases of Multiple Myeloma, plasma cell dyscrasias and immune thrombocytopenic purpura were diagnosed. In this study, we have analysed the incidence of different types of leukemia in different age groups and their presenting sign and symptoms

Aspectos citoquímicos e morfológicos de elementos sanguíneos das serpentes dos gêneros Bothrops e Crotalus mantidas em cativeiro no serpentário do Instituto Vital Brasil / Cytochemical and morphological aspects of blood cells from Bothrops and Crotalus kept in captivity in the serpentarium of the Institute Vital Brazil

A criação de serpentes peçonhentas em cativeiro vem se tornando prática cada vez mais difundida no país. Dessa forma, o conhecimento do manejo e da clínica de serpentes se torna prioritário, a fim de permitir maior sobrevida dos animais. No que concerne a serpentes peçonhentas, dados hematológicos já foram descritos na literatura, no entanto, apesar dos recursos utilizados, os dados analisados ainda são insipientes. Com o objetivo de caracterizar, morfologicamente, as células sanguíneas e de esclarecer diferenças morfológicas e funcionais, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 50 serpentes pertencentes ao plantel do Instituto Vital Brasil. Foram confeccionados e analisados por microscopia óptica e citoquimicamente os esfregaços sanguíneos corados por métodos de Romanowsky e citoquímicos. Foi possível diferenciar as células, caracterizar e confirmar a existência de eosinófilo em B. atrox e C. durissus. Concluiu-se que a caracterização celular pode fornecer evidências indispensáveis ao entendimento da fisiologia de serpentes.(AU)

Breeding of venomous snakes in captivity is becoming increasingly widespread in the country, so clinical and management knowledge on these animals has become priority to increase survival of animals. Regarding venomous snakes, hematological data have been described in some studies; however, despite the resources used, data analyzed are still unrecognized. Aiming to characterize morphology of blood cells and clarify morphological and functional differences, blood samples were collected from 50 snakes belonging to the Instituto Vital Brazil squad. Blood smears were prepared and analyzed by optical microscopy and cytochemistrically, stained by Romanowsky and cytochemical methods. Cell differentiation was possible as well as characterization and confirmation of eosinophil in B. atrox and C. durissus. In conclusion, cell characterization can provide vital evidence to the understanding of the physiology of snakes.(AU)

Effect of Amarogentin on the Induction of Liver Cancer Cell Line Huh-7 Apoptosis and the Regulation of PKA/C / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of amarogentin on the induction of liver cancer cell line Huh-7 apoptosis and the regulation of PKA/C. METHODS: Liver cancer cell line Huh-7 were divided into 4 groups, control, amarogentin, amarogentin+H89 and amarogentin+H7 group (n=8). The cells were treated with amarogentin (30 mmolL-1) for 6 h besides control group. The amarogentin+H89 and amarogentin+H7 group cells were treated with corresponding compounds at the last 3 h (H89 at 10 mmolL-1 and H7 10 mmolL-1). The apoptotic proteins and MEK/ERK signaling pathway related proteins were detected by Western blotting. The Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 were also be assayed by immune-cytochemistry. At the meaning time, the apoptosis state was assayed by DAPI. RESULTS: The results showed that the Bax, Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 were increased (P>0.05) while the Bcl2 were decreased (P>0.05) expressed greatly after the medication of amarogentin when compared with control. At the same time, the expression of Ras, Rsf, MEK and ERK1/2 were increased (P>0.05) greatly after the medication of amarogentin when compared with control. Those abnormalities were normalized greatly by the medication of H89 (P>0.05) but not H7(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Amarogentin could promote the apoptosis of liver cancer cell line Huh-7 which is mediated by PKA.

Pattern of Leukaemias in a Tertiary Care Hospital - A 5 Years Retrospective Study of 103 Cases.

Objective: To study the distribution of various types of leukaemia in the RIMS Hospital in terms of types, age, sex and among various ethnic groups. Material and Method: It’s a retrospective study carried out in the department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital over a five years period between November 2006 and October 2011. Diagnosis was based on peripheral blood count, peripheral blood smear and bone marrow examination for morphology along with cytochemistry study whenever required. FAB classification is followed in the study. SPSS software package, version 16, was used for statistical analysis. Result: Out of total 103 cases, 49cases (47.6%) were children and adolescents and 54 cases (52.4%) were adults. Age range was 9 months to 79 years with a mean age of 31.2 years. Among the children and adolescents, 30 cases were males and 18 cases were females (M: F ratio 1.7:1). In the adults 34 cases were males and 21 cases were females with M: F ratio 1.6:1. Overall male female ratios was 1.6:1. Out of 103 cases, 85.4% were of of acute leukaemia and rest were chronic leukaemia (14.6%). Acute leukaemia was the most common leukaemia in all age groups. Of all leukaemia cases reported, maximum cases were of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukaemia in the children (60.7%) and adolescents (52.3%). AML (66.7%) is the most common acute leukaemia in adults. Among ALL, L2 is the most common variant (82.3%) and in AML, M3 is the most common (38.8%). Chronic leukaemia was more common in adult (80%) than children and adolescents. Out of total 12 cases of the chronic leukaemia reported in adults, 10 were of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), 2 were chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The maximum cases of leukaemia were among Meitei community (64%) followed by tribal community (28%) and minimum in Muslims (8%). Conclusion: In this study, acute leukaemia was the most common leukaemia in all age groups. Of all leukaemia cases reported, maximum cases were of AML and minimum cases were of CLL. Chronic leukaemia was more common in adult. In children, majority of cases were ALL and chronic leukaemia was rare. Leukaemias were more common in males. Meitei community was affected the most.

Analysis of nucleus activity in malpighian tubules of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae by critical electrolyte concentration

Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) has cryptonephridial type Malphigian tubules (MT). This type of MT is characterized by the penetration of the distal part of the MT into the external walls of the rectum, which is usually lined with a perinephral membrane. The MT is divided into three differentiated regions: proximal, middle and distal. In this study, our objective was to compare the nuclear activities of each one of the three regions of the D. saccharalis MT by using a nuclear basophilic technique and critical electrolyte concentration with a toluidine blue stain at pH 4.0. This method allows differentiation of DNA/protein complexes in in situ and in vitro chromatin. MT chromatin structure in D. saccharalis is variable. Fifth instars have a more decondensed chromatin than fourth instars. The distal tubule region was the most decondensed region of the MT. Our data show an elevated genetic activity of the MT in the pre-metamorphosis period. The distal region of the MT has the highest observed activity, which may be associated with the re-absorption of useful components and the excretion of waste materials.

Estrogen exerts the effect on stress-induced senescence of vascular smooth muscl cells in vitro / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the effects of estrogen on stress-induced senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The VSMCs of passage 2-3 cultured from female SD rats were induced into senescence by exposing to 150μmol/L H2O2 in the presence or absence of different concentrations(10-10mol/L-10-8mol/L) of 17β-estradiol (E2). The expressions or activities of senescence associated marker DcR2, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal), oncogene Ras and p21WAF1 were detected by flow cytometry, cytochemical staining, pull-down assay or Western blotting analysis. Results Flow cytometry analysis showed that in the physiological concentrations, E2 significantly inhibited the H2O2-promoted high-level expression of DcR2 of VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner, with a highest inhibitive rate at 14.48%±0.6%(E2=10-8 mol/L;P<0.05, n =3);this inhibitive effect could be blocked by a E2 receptors inhibitor ICI 182,780. Cytochemistry staining showed that the rate of SA-β-Gal positive VSMCs induced by H2O2 decreased in presence of 10-8mol/L E2 (20.5%±1.4% vs 9.6%±0.9%;P<0.05, n =9). Pull-down assay and Western blotting analysis revealed that administration of 10-8mol/L E2 obviously reduced the H2O2-induced activity of Ras (0.60±0.06 vs 0.26±0.04;P<0.05, n =3) and expression of p21WAF1 (0.46±0.04 vs 0.33±0.02;P<0.05, n =3). Conclusion E2 exerts, an inhibitive effects on stress-induced senescence of VSMCs by suppressing the activity of Ras and expression of p21WAF1. This finding suggests a novel mechanism for the hormone's anti-atheroschlerotic effects.

Acute monoblastic leukemia in a FeLV-positive cat

A 1.6-year-old male domestic short hair cat was brought to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Kasetsart University, with signs of severe anemia, depression, and general lymph node enlargement. Complete blood count revealed leukocytosis and massive undifferentiated blasts. Testing for antibodies specific to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was positive, and FeLV nucleic acid was confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction. Base on cytochemistry and ultrastructure, the cat was diagnosed with acute monoblastic leukemia.

Infiltração cutânea na leucemia megacariocítica aguda com expressão de CD56 / Cutaneous infiltration in acute megakaryocytic leukemia with CD56 expression

A LMA-M7 é um subtipo raro de leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA). Está freqüentemente associada a mielofibrose e representa um subtipo de mau prognóstico. Raramente apresenta infiltração em sítios extramedulares. O aspirado de medula óssea ou biópsia mostra uma população de células pleomórficas e basofílicas, que podem apresentar projeções citoplasmáticas. A utilização da imunofenotipagem é essencial para o diagnóstico de LMA-M7. O imunofenótipo característico apresenta uma população de células leucêmicas com ausência da maioria dos marcadores linfóides e mielóides de superfície, porém com expressão para os antígenos da linhagem megacariocítica: CD41a (complexo glicoprotéico IIb/IIIa), CD42b (glicoproteína Ib) e/ou CD61 (glicoproteína IIIa), ou antígeno relacionado ao fator VIII. Freqüentemente, a coloração citoquímica Sudan Black para os blastos megacariocíticos é negativa; neste caso, foi positiva para 40 por cento das células analisadas. A presença de CD56, cuja expressão aberrante em algumas leucemias mielóides é indicativo de mau prognóstico, pode estar associada à infiltração da pele.

AML-M7 is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is frequently associated with myelofibrosis and corresponds to a poor prognosis subtype. It rarely presents with infiltration at extramedullary sites. The bone marrow aspirate or biopsy identifies pleomorphic and basophilic cell populations that may present with cytoplasmatic projections. The use of immunophenotyping is essential for the diagnosis of AML-M7. The characteristic immunophenotype presents a leukemic cell population without most lymphoid and myeloid surface markers, but with an expression of the megakaryocytic antigens: CD41a (glycoprotein complex IIb/IIIa), CD42b (glycoprotein Ib) and/or CD61 (glycoprotein IIIa), or the factor VIII-related antigen. The cytochemical stain Sudan Black is frequently negative for megakaryocytic blasts; in this case, it was positive in 40 percent of the analyzed cells. The presence of CD56, whose aberrant expression in some myeloid leukemias indicates poor prognosis, might be associated with skin infiltration.

Hematology, cytochemistry and ultrastructure of blood cells in fishing cat (Felis viverrina)

Hematological, cytochemical and ultrastructural features of blood cells in fishing cat (Felis viverrina) were evaluated using complete blood cell counts with routine and cytochemical blood stains, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. No statistically significant difference was found in different genders of this animal. Unique features of blood cells in this animal were identified in hematological, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies. This study contributes to broaden hematological resources in wildlife animals and provides a guideline for identification of blood cells in the fishing cat.

ENZYME LABELED FLUORESCENCE 97 TO DETECT THE ACTIVITY OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN NEUTROPHILS / 解剖学报

Objective To localize endogenous alkaline phesphatase in human neutrophils with ELF(enzyme-labeled fluorescence)-97 phosphate,which yields an intensely fluorescent yellow-green precipitate at the site of enzymatic activity. Methods Neutrophils were isolated from human blood and fixed,then histochemistry with the ELF-97 phosphate was performed with the ELF-97 endogenous phosphatase detection kit.All photography was performed with a Nikon labophot fluorescence/DIC microscope. Results Fluorescent yellow-green granules,well-distributed but size-varied,were observed in neutrophils under fluorescence microscope.There were 94.102?3.133 percent rate of positive neutrophil alkaline phosphatase among 51 cases of healthy volunteers.Conclusion ELF-97 endogenous phosphatase detection kit can provide sensitive,high-resolution localization of endogenous phosphatase activity in neutrophils.

Minimally Differentiated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML-M0) in Children: Clinico-biological Characteristics of 4 Cases / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

PURPOSE: AML M0, a newly defined entity of AML, is a rare subtype with dismal outcome. We investigated the clinico-biologic characteristics of 4 AML M0 cases in childhood. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 4 AML M0 patients diagnosed at the Pediatric Department of Chonnam National University Hospital from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2001. We analyzed the clinical, cytologic, cytochemical, immunologic and cytogenetic findings. Details on the treatments and their results were also described. RESULTS: AML M0 accounted for 5.4% (4/75) of newly diagnosed AML. Two of them were less than 2 years of age. One case was secondary leukemia following autologous transplantation for ALL L3. Morphologically, 3 cases displayed myeloblasts. All cases were having less than 3% of the blasts positive for myeloperoxidase (MPO) or Sudan black B (SBB) by light microscopy. Early precursor markers, such as CD34, HLA-DR, and CD7 were expressed in 100%, 100%, and 50% of cases, respectively. CD13 and/or CD33 were positive in all cases. Karyotypic abnormalities were demonstrated in 3: 2 involving chromosome 7 and one with complex abnormality. Three patients died from relapse and treatment related complications with the median survival duration of 4 mo (range 1-7 mo). CONCLUSION: AML M0 should be considered in leukemia cases negative for MPO/SBB, negative for lymphoid specific markers, and positive for myeloid markers. As those patients may have low possibility of getting remission as well as high risk of early relapse, more effective treatment strategies, such as stem cell transplantations, should be developed.

Detection and quantification of serum and urine L-selectin in patients with bladder transitional carcinoma / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate and eveluate the significance of serum and urinary L-selectin in patients with transitional cell carcinoma.MethodsSerum and urinary samples were obtained before operation and 6 days after surgery from 46 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and from 14 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.The serum and urinary L-selectin levels were measured using ELISA.ResultsThe preoperative serum concentration of L-selectin was significantly higher in patients with invasive bladder cancer [(766.3?135.1)ng/ml] than those with superficial bladder cancer [(563.8?118.2)ng/ml],P

Distinction between Reactive Mesothelial and Carcinoma Cells in Serous Effusions by Mucin- and Immuno-cytochemical Panel / 대한세포병리학회지

The cytologic distinction of carcinoma cells from reactive mesothelial cells can be difficult, especially in specimens containing abundant reactive mesothelial cells and inflammatory cells with scant carcinoma cells. This study evaluates the usefulness of mucin and immunocytochemistry for discrimination between reactive mesothelial cells and carcinoma cells, and sensitivity and specificity of these stains for the detection of metastatic carcinoma in serous effusions. Immunocytochemical panel including mucin cytochemistry with the periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) reaction after or without diastase digestion was undertaken on 127 serous effusion specimens with histologically confirmed diagnoses. The specimens including cell smears and cell blocks were stained with PAS and antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), epithelial membrane antigen(EMA), cytokeratin(CK), and vimentin. The sensitivities of these stains for metastatic carcinoma(127 cases) were 49%(46/94) in PAS, 48%(60/124) in CEA, 89%(97/109) in EMA, 88%(93/106) in CK, and 25%(20/81) in vimentin. The sensitivities of stains for reactive mesothelial cells(36 cases) were 19%(7/36) in EMA, 78%(28/36) in CK, and 75%(27/36) in vimentin. The PAS and CEA stains were not reacted with all cases of benign reactive serous effusions containing abundant reactive mesothelial cells. The specificities of stains for metastatic carcinoma(127 cases) were 100% in PAS, 100% in CEA, 81% in EMA, 22% in CK, and 25% in vimentin. The optimal combination of stains for use in a panel was PAS and CEA. Combined results from these two stains yielded an advanced sensitivity of 8% in PAS and 4% in CEA for metastatic carcinoma. EMA wasalso cosiderably useful for identification of carcinoma cells. CK and vimentin were not suitable for distinguishing between reactive mesothelial cells and carcinoma cells.

STUDIES ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE“RE DU QING”ON SILICOSIS:Cytochemical and Scanning Electron Microscope Studies of the Protective Effect on the Macrophages Phagocytosed Silica Dusts / 解剖学报

In order to investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional chinese medicine "Re Du Qing" on silicosis, the cultured and purifiel peritoneal macrophages in five groups obtained from mice were observed dynamically with cytochemical me- thods and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the survival times of cell cultures were 2-3 weeks, 24-48, 72, 48-72 and 48-72 hr in normal, silica, "Re Du Qing", P204 and joint action group respectively in vitro. The characteristics of cell morphology with a series of cell surface ultrastructural changes in different times of culturd and the stages of various function were different in five groups. The cell surface ultrastructural changes of "Re Du Qing" group were similar to the normal group. The macrophages in the silica group phagocytosed silica dusts rapidly died and broken down much earlier than the cells in "Re Du Qing" group. The cell surface ultrastructural changes in P204 group were less than that of the cells in silica group, whereas the eell surface ultrastructural changes in joint action group were between the cells in "Re Du Qing" and P204 groups. The activities of intracellular acid phosphatase (AcP) and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) in silica group were also much lower than that of "Re Du Qing" one. This study suggested that traditional chinese medicine "Re Du Qing" is evidently more effective on therapy of experimental silicosis.