Granuloblastomas of the stomach (so-called eosinophilic granulomas)-- a variant of fibrous histiocytomas?

25 cases of focal connective tissue proliferations in the submucosa of the stomach are presented. These lesions are termed "granuloblastomas" and have many features in common with so-called eosinophilic granulomas of the stomach. We found that granuloblastomas may be subdivided into two groups: (1) 8 cases are considered to be the result of the proliferation of a peculiar granulation tissue with abundant eosionophilic granulocytes, and (2) 17 cases show a more or less marked storiform pattern and the cellularity is constituted by fibroblasts and histiocytes as well as differing amounts of eosinophilic granulocytes. After discussing the concept of "fibrous histiocytomas" it is concluded that at least the second group of granuloblastomas may be interpreted as a pseudotumorous variant of fibrous histiocytomas. It remains to be clarified in future if submucosal neurofibromas can show the histological features of lesions which we designate granuloblastomas.

Stimulation of adrenal cell proliferation in normal rats by carcinogen-induced serum factors.

The mitotic activity of the adrenal cortex shows diurnal variations. Irrespective of these fluctuations, single doses of 2-acetylaminofluorene selectively stimulate cell division in the zona fasciculata. The serum from 2-acetylaminofluorene-treated rats also acts mitogenically after transfer to intact recipients. After simultaneous administration of 3-methylcholanthrene and 2-acetylaminofluorene the mitotic action of the serum is lost. The proliferative response of the adrenal cortex is supposed to be systemically mediated by growth factors which are induced by the carcinogen.

[Causes, shape and chemistry of gallstones]. / Zur Ursache, Form und Chemie der Gallensteine.

Gallstones are precipitations of oversaturated bile fluid. They can develop in the gallbladder and in the efferent bile ducts; they are very often correlated with diseases of the gallbladder, bile ducts and neighboring organs. The gallstone disease (cholelithiasis) is increasing continually, especially in developed countries with overcaloric nourished population. Surgical interventions on the biliary tract are the most frequent abdominal operations at present.

Acid mucopolysaccharides in fibroblast cultures. 4. 35S-sulfate incorporation in dependence on pH-value cell density and lactate.

UNLABELLED: Cultures of embryonic rat fibroblasts were incubated with 35S-sulfate at pH 6.6 and 7.4 (Eagle medium, Hepes buffer) for 48 hours. The MPS were isolated and fractionated. Determination of hexuronic acid was done according to BITTER and MUIR, measuring of sulfate incorporation by liquid scintillation counting. RESULTS: 1. HS, Ch-6-S and DS showed different synthesis rates. They rised at increasing cell density and were lower at pH 6.6 than at 7.4. 2. At pH 6.6 the sulfate incorporation rates (de novo-synthesis) of HS, Ch-6-S and DS are lowered. The percent increase of the MPS fractions at pH 6.6 and their specific activities are explained by individual differences in the unlabelled MPS pools as well as by differences in the rates of synthesis and catabolism. The cell density also has an influence on that. Increase of the MPS at pH 6.6 is by mainly due to an inhibition of catabolism. 3. Contrary to CH-6-S and DS heparan sulfate is catabolized more slowly at high cell densities. 4. The volume of the unlabelled MPS pool is modified by lactate at pH 6.6, e.g. it effectuates enhancement of the DS pool at low cell densities. De novo-synthesis and specific activity are scarcely influenced. CH-6-S and DS catabolism are considerably inhibited, their total amount is increased. The relative synthesis rate of DS is enhanced by lactate. 5. The possible importance of the results for inflammatory processes and wound healing is mentioned.

Acid mucopolysaccharides in fibroblast cultures. 1. Influence of cell density, pH-value and lactate concentration on the MPS distribution pattern.

From cells and culture media of embryonic rat fibroblasts (1st subculture) the acid mucopolysaccharides were isolated and fractionated. The per cent calculation of the 6 fractions was based on the content of glucuronic acid. The cultures were maintained as follows: 0.5 X 10(6) to 3 X 10(6) cells were examined in Demeter flasks at pH 7.4 or 6.6; lactate concentration was enhanced to 100 mg%. The amount of each fraction was correlated with the cell density (linear regression). The pH-value and lactate concentration in connection with cell density proved to be important factors in the modification of the MPS distribution pattern.

Acid mucopolysaccharides in fibroblast cultures. 2. 35S-sulfate incorporation kinetics in dependence on pH-value and cell density.

Cultures of embryonic rat fibroblasts were incubated with 35S-sulfate at pH 6.6 and 7.4 (Eagle basal medium plus HEPES buffer) for 12 to 48 hours. The acid mucopolysaccharides were isolated and fractionated after the method of SVEJCAR and ROBERTSON. Sulfate incorporation was determined by liquid scintillation counting.

[Australia antigen and porphyria cutanea tarda]. / Australia-Antigen und Porphyria cutanea tarda

In 40 patients suffering from porphyria cutanea tarda the sera were examined for the existence of HBAg and HBAb. Hepatitis was known in the history of 6 patients, in 3 of 23 bioptically examined livers a chronic aggressive hepatitis could be proved. When the transmigration electrophoresis after Pesendorfer and coworkers was used, in no case HBAg and HBAb could be proved.

Concanavalin A receptors in the plasma membrane of rat liver cells: comparative electron microscopic studies on normal cells and on cells in vivo transformed by diethylnitrosamine.

The Concanavalin A receptors at the cell surface of normal rat liver cells and of those in vivo transformed by diethylnitrosamine were comparatively studied by electron microscopic cytochemistry. Besides different agglutinability of the cells a variable surface staining of the cells by the Con A-peroxidase reaction (BERNHARD and AVRAMEAS 1971) was observed. After performance of the cytochemical reaction on living normal rat liver cells in situ a continuous cell surface staining was seen. In transformed rat liver cells a marked tendency for patchy distribution of the Con A label at the cell surface occurred. Furthermore, internalisation of Con A-peroxidase labeled plasma membrane segments was visible in the transformed cells. A similar variable labeling by Con A-peroxidase reaction occured also in the "basal" plasma membrane of normal and transformed rat liver cells. The results are discussed with respect to the importance concerning the mobility of lectin receptors and membrane stability.

[Experience with FITC-labeled antihuman IgG "Weissensee" in dermatological diagnostics]. / Erfahrungen mit FITC-markiertem Antihuman IgG "Weissensee" in der dermatologischen Diagnostik

It is reported on results and experiences with immunofluorescent technique in dermatological diagnostic, using FITC-conjugated anti-human IgG "Berlin-Weissensee". While immunofluorescene on our conditions is an important diagnostic help in systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus as well as bullous pemphigoid, there are many nonspecific results in patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris.