Secondary immune defects in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Changes in the humoral, cellular and phagocytic components of the immune system were investigated in 44 biopsy proven, untreated patients of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). There was significant decrease in the total lymphocyte number, their subsets (T and B) and the T helper (T mu) population. Impaired leukocyte migration inhibition response and DNA synthesis following stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin were noted. Significant reduction of serum IgA was found in patients of both diffuse and nodular NHL. Phagocytic activity and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction were unaltered, but chemotaxis was significantly reduced and bactericidal activity showed variable results.

Periampullary carcinoma with special reference to their mucin characteristics--a pathologic study of 53 cases.

Histological features and mucin characteristics of 53 cases of periampullary carcinoma, a rare group of epithelial tumors is presented. The cases comprised of 17 resected specimens and 36 endoscopic biopsies. Jaundice was the commonest symptom. The mean tumor size was 2 cms diameter (1-6 cms). Forty cases were characterised as well differentiated adenocarcinoma, 5 as moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, 5 as mucin secreting adenocarcinoma, 3 as papillary adenocarcinoma and 1 as undifferentiated carcinoma. Desmoplasia and insignificant mitosis were amongst the commonly encountered histological features. Forty four cases (83%) stained positive for mucin (PAS-AB) with a majority of them (66%) predominantly showing acidic mucin. The likely prognostic implication of this feature is discussed.

Identification of a Novel Gibberellin (GA85) in Very Young Seedlings of Brassica campestris cv. Tobin.

A new gibberellin (GA) was identified from extracts of cotyledons of 7 day-old canola seedlings (Brassica campestris cv. Tobin). This GA is 12α-hydroxy-GA1 and has been assigned the trivial name of GA85. Isolation was monitored by the Tan-ginbozu dwarf rice micro-drop assay after each high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) step. Identification was based on Kovats retention index (KRI) and the mass spectrum of the methyl ester, trimethylsilyl ether (MeTMSi) derivative after analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in comparison with an authentic sample of 12α-hydroxy-GA1. Based on quantitation by the dwarf rice micro-drop assay, GA85 is one of the major biologically active GAs in cotyledons of young canola seedlings.

Cystic disease of the liver following prenatal and perinatal exposure to aflatoxin B1 in rats.

Experiments were designed to elucidate the differences, if any, in the liver histology induced by aflatoxin B in newborn and adult animals. The transfer of toxic metabolites from pregnant rats to their litters was confirmed by thin layer chromatography of liver homogenates in the latter. Extensive cystic lesions of the biliary and hepatic type developed only in young animals. Multifocal hepatic necrosis, bile ductular proliferation, areas of altered hepatocytes, neoplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma constituted the total spectrum in both adult and newborn animals. Increased susceptibility to the toxins early in life appears to be responsible for this intriguing phenomenon. These aspects may have a bearing on the genesis of childhood liver disease.

Solitary ulcer syndrome of the rectum--a histopathologic characterisation of 33 biopsies.

Histological analysis of 33 rectal biopsies from 26 patients of solitary ulcer syndrome (SUS) of rectum was undertaken. Fibrous obliteration and smooth muscle extension into the lamina propria were the characteristic and most constant findings. The limitation of the biopsy procedure in procuring deeper tissue made the detection of colitis cystica profunda rare in our study. A combination of fibrosis of the lamina propria, superficial mucosal ulceration, muscularis mucosae hypertrophy and submucosal fibrosis, along with the clinical suspicion should clinch the diagnosis of SUS.