[Mixed mesodermal tumors of the uterus. Clinico-pathologic characteristics of 23 patients]. / Mesoviti mezodermni tumori uterusa klinicko-patoloske osobenosti 23 bolesnika.

The clinical and pathological features, histogenesis and treatment of 23 cases of mixed mesodermal tumours of the uterus (15 benign and 8 malignant) in woman aged from 27 to 78 years (mean 51.25) are reviewed. The tumours manifested by non-specific symptoms, most often uterine bleeding, arising suspicion of malignancy in only two cases. Unlike malignant mixed mesodermal tumours, differentiation of adenofibromas from low-grade adenosarcomas was often very difficult, and needed careful pathohistological analysis of extirpated tissues, including all available histochemical, immunohistochemical and EM procedures. Two cases of adenofibromas recurred as adenosarcomas after four months and five years respectively. Poor prognosis of malignant variants of mixed mesodermal tumours and their difficult differentiation from adenofibromas require close collaboration of pathologists and gynaecologists, implicating hysterectomy as proposed treatment and permanent clinical monitoring.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung in children.

Two children with inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the lung are reported. Symptomless "cystic" lesions were present on routine chest x ray. Morphological study of these peculiar lesions included light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural analysis. Histologic appearance of the lesion varied from the features of granulation tissue on the periphery to bundles of spindle-shaped cells in the central area. Immunohistochemical findings had no diagnostic value but were helpful in excluding other tumors. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the mixed cellular composition and benign nature of the lesion. Etiopathogenesis of this process is unknown. IPT can be differentiated from similar lesions and must not be mistaken for malignant tumor. Proper treatment by complete surgical removal of the lesion usually cures the patient.

[Palmoplantar epidermal atrophy with hypokeratosis, dys- and hypotrichosis, hypodontia, enamel and dentin hypoplasia, isolated cleft palate with cleft uvula, strabismus cryptorchism and other anomalies--an undescribed ecto-mesodermal dysplasia?]. / Palmoplantare Epidermisatrophie mit Hypokeratose, Dys- und Hypotrichose, Hypodontie, Zahnschmelz- und Dentinhypoplasie, isolierter Gaumenspalte mit gespaltener Uvula, Strabismus, Kryptorchismus und anderen Anomalien--eine unbeschriebene Ektomesodermaldysplasie?

A 15-year-old boy had suffered burning of both palms and all fingers during his 2nd year of life. Epitheliazation of the lesions did not occur. In his 6th year, erythema, desquamation and erosion-like alterations appeared spontaneously on the soles of both feet and on the plantar sides of the toes. These alterations were similar to those on the hands. Histologically the lesion on the right sole was covered with a very thin horny layer and thin epidermis. The cells of the epidermis had clear cytoplasm and probably derived from the ductal epithelium of the sweat glands. Under the atrophic epidermis, granulation tissue consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes, and a few polynuclear cells and eosinophils was seen. The following symptoms were still present in the boy: dys- and hypotrichosis, oligodontia, enamel and dentin hypoplasia, cleft palate and uvula, concomitants strabismus (left eye), and cryptorchidism. Transplantation of the patient's skin from the right thigh to the lesion on the right sole was tried. The authors postulate a previously unreported form of ecto-mesodermal dysplasia in this case.

Idiopathic acute fatty liver of pregnancy in 12 patients.

The clinical features, laboratory investigations and histopathology of 12 patients with idiopathic acute fatty liver of pregnancy are presented. Repeated vomiting, starting in the last trimester, was the cardinal symptom. Seven patients had proteinuria, hypertension and peripheral oedema before jaundice appeared. Caesarian section and induction of labour led to a lower than expected maternal mortality (33 X 3 per cent) and foetal mortality (66 X 7 per cent). There was a high incidence of twin and male births. Neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia and normoblasts were a uniform feature and uric acid levels were universally high. These findings may be useful in diagnosis in conjunction with liver function tests. Hepatic histology showed pathognomonic microvesicular fat in swollen hepatocytes with central nuclei and centrilobular distribution. However, a diffuse pattern and the presence of significant inflammation and fibrin deposits led to an initial misdiagnosis in two patients. Histology of fetal livers and five placentae was normal. Seven subsequent normal pregnancies occurred in four patients. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy may be confused with acute hepatitis or toxaemia on both clinical and histological grounds. Accurate diagnosis should lead to improved management and lessen maternal and fetal mortality. This justifies more intensive and urgent investigation of nausea, vomiting and jaundice in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Possible genetic predisposition for alcohol addiction.

In a group of male addictive alcoholics, some palmar and fingerprint characteristics were determined, as well as the ABO, MN, Ss, Kell, Duffy, Lewis, and P blood groups, Rh and Hp phenotypes, HLA and Au antigens, immunoglobulins, blood sugar, cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT, and karyotypes. In comparison with the normal population the alcoholics show increased occurrence of whorls and arches on the fingers, decrease in the total ridge count, sharpening of the atd angle, and separation of the lower from the upper transverse line. Genetic markers in the blood of alcoholics show different frequencies of A, Lewis a-b+, Lewis a-b-, Duffy a-, Duffy a+, SS, and M blood groups, CcD-ee, Hpl-1, Hp2-1 phenotypes, and HLA-5, HLA-7, w10, w16, and w5 antigens. These findings may be expected to lead soon to detection of the predisposition to the development of alcohol addiction caused by some genetic malformations.

Effect of ornithine alpha ketoglutarate on disturbances of brain metabolism caused by high blood ammonia.

The administration of ammonium salts to free ventilated dogs causes an increase in the anaerobic consumption of glucose. Prior and simultaneous administration of the drug ornithine alpha ketoglutarate not only attenuates the rise in blood ammonia but also favourably affects these changes in brain metabolism.