Virus detection in the fetal tissue of a premature delivery with a congenital varicella syndrome. A case report.

Cases of congenital varicella syndrome have been published, to date, a single case reports. Isolation attempts of Varicella-Zoster virus from fetal tissues have, thus far, been unsuccessful. This is a first report of detection of Varicella-Zoster virus in fetal tissue by means of DNA hybridization technique in a typical case of congenital varicella syndrome in a premature delivery of the 27th gestational week. The case is documented anamnestically, sonographically, pathologically and virologically. In women with primary varicella infection during pregnancy good sonographical controls are recommended. In cases with sonographically characteristical signs prenatal diagnosis with puncture of the umbilical vein cord and placentocentesis may be considered. The varicella DNA detection should be supplemented, however, by the polymerase chain reaction.

[Comparative animal experiments on tissue compatibility and measurement of radioactivity of various roentgen contrast media]. / Vergleichende tierexperimentelle Untersuchung zur Gewebsverträglichkeit und Messungen der Radioaktivität verschiedener Röntgenkontrastmittel.

In a comparative study the tissue reaction of several X-ray contrast materials was examined by subcutaneous and intraperitoneal application on rats. There were tested Bariumsulphate (BaSO4) and three Zircondioxyde (ZrO2) samples of several manufactures (cubic and monocline ZrO2-Feldmühle; Optipur-Merck). In the histologic evaluation no inflammatory signs could be seen. In case of BaSO4 the tissue reaction was more distinct than in the ZrO2 samples. Within the tested ZrO2 samples the differences were small; the cubic ZrO2 showed the slightest, the monocline one the relatively strongest cellular reaction. We also measured the radioactive emission by the contrast media. Here the monocline and--first of all--the cubic ZrO2 showed an alarming radioactive emission (radium 3000-11,500 Bq/kg). Only the Optipur (Merck) was free of radiation and can so be recommended for human implantation. Also the BaSO4 had no measurable radioactive Emission. Therefore only these two X-ray contrast media can be recommended for human implantation.

Investigations of the estrogen (ER-ICA-test) and the progesterone receptor in the prostate and prostatic carcinoma on immunohistochemical basis.

Estrogen (ER) and Progesterone receptors (PR) were demonstrated immunohistochemically on frozen sections from 11 prostatectomy and 7 cystoprostatectomy specimens in the nuclei of various cell types. The periglandular fibrocytes and smooth muscle cells were extensively positive, the interglandular stromal cells were only partly so. Normal basal cells stained focally positive, hyperplastic basal cells stained extensively. The glandular secretory epithelium and atrophic glands were negative. The same findings were obtained in hyperplastic nodules. Both ER and PR also occurred in the urothelium of central prostatic ducts and of the prostatic urethra. The fibrous stroma around the ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles was extensively positive while the epithelium was negative. The smooth musculature of the seminal vesicles was only partly positive. On large field sections, the ER as well as the PR were numerically equally distributed throughout the inner zone of the prostate and the prostate proper. 12 prostatic carcinomas (G I-G III) were ER- and PR-negative. Estrogens may contribute to nodular hyperplasia by triggering a stromal proliferation with a secondary inductive epithelial growth. Obviously they do not act directly on prostatic carcinoma but inhibit growth via the hypophyseal-testicular axis. The biological significance of the PR in the prostate is unknown.

Endorectal ultrasound: instrumentation and clinical aspects.

During the period 1983 to April 1986, 129 patients with rectal cancer were treated. In 76 of these depth of penetration of the rectal wall by tumour was assessed by ultrasound. T stage determined by ultrasound (uT) corresponded with the pathological stages (pT) in 67 patients. In the remaining 9 cases, ultrasound overstaged the tumour and in only one patient was the growth understaged. Lymph nodes could be visualised in 12 out of 27 patients in whom nodes were looked for but only six cases were found to be positive on histological examination. Of 22 recurrences detected or proven by ultrasound there was a group of 6 patients who had no other sign of recurrence.

Peliosis of the female adrenal cortex of the aging rat.

Foci of apparent peliosis are regularly observed in the mid-zone of the adrenal cortex in female rats older than 600 days. The changes present range from ectasis of the sinusoids to extensive cystic change of the whole organ. This lesion occurs almost exclusively in female animals and was seen in only one of 50 male animals older than 600 days examined. Experimental stimulation or inhibition did not influence adrenal peliosis. Electron microscopically, there was marked pericapillary edema with collapse of the capillaries, and erythrocytes and thrombocytes were seen infiltrating the edema. Fibrin accumulated in the larger foci. Degenerative alterations were not observed either in the epithelial cells of the cortex or in mesenchymal cells. The pathogenesis is unknown, but the possible role of constant estrus in aging female rats will be discussed.