An immunocytochemical comparison of glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100p and vimentin in human glial tumors.

Immunostaining patterns of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 protein (S-100p) and vimentin were studied using immunohistochemical techniques on 48 paraffin embedded glial tumors. GFAP was positive in all tumor cases except in two oligodendrogliomas. S-100p was found in most astroglial tumors and in half of the oligodendrogliomas. Vimentin was positive in many astrocytomas but in no oligodendrogliomas. Most astroglial tumors showed similar immunoreactivity for GFAP and S-100p. Fibrillary processes, however, showed stronger and more crisp staining with anti-GFAP than with anti-S-100p, whereas cell nuclei were labeled only for S-100p. Vimentin was localised mainly in juxtanuclear positions. In many astrocytomas with different degrees of malignancy co-expression of GFAP, S-100p and vimentin was found. The presence of GFAP and S-100p was not correlated with the degree of differentiation in astrocytomas. Vimentin was more positive in anaplastic astrocytomas but this finding was not statistically significant. It seems that GFAP is a superior marker to S-100p and vimentin in the identification of human gliomas.

An immunohistochemical study of normal human neonate and adult parotid gland tissue. Detection of lysozyme, lactoferrin, a1-antichymotrypsin, a1-antitrypsin and carcinoembryonic antigen.

The immunohistochemical detection and distribution of lysozyme (Ly), Lactoferrin (Lf), a1-Antichymotrypsin (a1-AChy), a1-Antitrypsin (a1-AT) and Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were studied in neonate and adult parotid gland tissue, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Ly stain in neonates extended into acini, intercalated ducts and occasional cells of large ducts, whereas in adults Ly was usually confined to the intercalated ducts. The distribution pattern of Lf in neonates varied considerably between individual glands showing three staining patterns. Most of the intercalated ducts, some groups of acini and rare striated duct cells were positive for Lf in adults. a1-AChy and a1-AT in neonates were positive mainly in the large ducts, whereas staining for a1-AChy and a1-AT in adults frequently extended into some intercalated duct cells, although less intensively. Finally, CEA in neonates was localized in the lumina and luminal membranes of the acini, in intercalated ducts, and less frequently in the large ducts. In adults CEA was present predominantly in the lumina and luminal membranes of the intercalated duct cells. These differences may suggest an immunohistochemical postnatal differentiation of the parotid gland.

Effect of ascorbic acid on guinea pig adrenal adenylate cyclase activity and plasma cortisol.

Intra-adrenal ascorbic acid (AsA) concentrations exert a braking or modulating effect upon steroid release. Because changes in steroidogenesis are mediated through alterations in adenylate cyclase activity (ACL), the effect of varied AsA plasma concentrations on guinea pig adrenal ACL activity and plasma cortisol was studied. Forty-two male guinea pigs were randomly allocated to the following seven groups: controls, scorbutic, and groups given 0.1, 5, 10, 20 or 100 mg ascorbic acid/100 g body weight, respectively. Scorbutic animals had very low levels of AsA in comparison to control animals. Plasma AsA levels increased as AsA dose increased. The levels of AsA in the group given 0.1 mg AsA were higher than in controls. Basal adenylate cyclase activity did not vary significantly among animal groups. In contrast, values for NaF-stimulated ACL activity showed a progressive decrease with increasing AsA doses. A highly significant correlation was found between decreasing ACL activity and increasing plasma AsA concentrations. On the other hand, NaF-responsive ACL activity was higher in scorbutic animals than in any other group. Higher mean cortisol values were found in the scorbutic group than in the controls, correlating with high levels of NAF-stimulated ACL activity. Higher mean cortisol values were also found in the group given 0.1 mg AsA although ACL activity in this group was not affected. This finding, coupled with reduced ACL activity in these groups, is consistent with the inhibitory effect of a megadose of AsA on production of cortisol from the adrenal. The above data may suggest that differing plasma concentrations of AsA regulate in vivo steroidogenesis by altering the activity of the membrane-bound enzyme adenylate cyclase.

Thoraco-abdominal dysplastic aortopathy with and without associated renal artery involvement. Surgical considerations and histopathology.

Nine patients with thoraco-abdominal aortic dysplasia with and without renal artery involvement are reported. All were treated surgically with no early or late mortality. They have been followed up for from 2 to 12 years. The majority of the patients, at the time of writing, are symptomless and normotensive. Hypertension, especially in young people, was the dominant presentation. This is often associated with arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities. Arteriography is essential and provides the correct diagnosis and suggests the appropriate surgical treatment. The aetiology is unknown but evidence points to a congenital process aggravated by secondary changes. Histological studies show a dysplastic process affecting mainly the media and intima.

Generalized angiosarcoma of the heart.

The unusual case of a generalized angiosarcoma of the heart with metastases to the liver is presented. The pattern of extensive malignancy is presented in detail, together with respective histological observations. Clinical awareness of the condition is a factor of parmount importance if a diagnosis is to be made during life. Any unexplained hemopericardium, should raise suspicion for an underlying malignancy. Although until recently diagnosis used to be considered only of academic interest, on the basis of recent reports of beneficial chemotherapy, early recognition of the disease has become important upon a practical level as well.

Effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the epiphyseal plate of young guinea pigs receiving prednisolone.

The effect of excess ascorbic acid on the epiphyseal plate of young guinea pigs receiving prednisolone over a period of 28 days has been investigated. The results show that the structural and morphologic changes caused in the epiphyseal plate of the animals receiving prednisolone are prevented by the simultaneous administration of excess ascorbic acid. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that pharmacological doses of ascorbic acid given concurrently to children receiving prolonged treatment with corticosteroids may prevent suppression of growth in these children.