Apmis

Normann, Trine; Johannessen, Jan Vincent

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00447.xpmid: 72486

Eleven medullary thyroid carcinomas covering a wide variety of histological patterns and cell forms were studied by light and electron microscopy. Two tumours without demonstrable amyloid were also included. Different histological cell forms and growth patterns were not paralelled by principal differences at the ultrastructural level. All tumours were composed of light and dark cells of principally the same type, the dark cell variant being interpreted as a degenerated form of the light. A finding not previously reported was the presence of a small number of tumour cells exhibiting microvilli and occasionally socalled intracytoplasmic lumina. Intracelluar amyloid fibrils were not observed in tumour cells, nor in any other cell type. In order to identify the ultrastructure of argyrophil and argentaffin cells, ultrathin sections were cut alternating with semithin sections which were “stained” according to Bodian or Fontana‐Masson. Argyrophilia was demonstrated in primary and metastatic tumour tissue from all cases. Both the light and dark tumour cell variants were “stained”, although the staining intensity varied from one cell to another. The silver precipitate was finely granular and from corresponding ultrathin sections it was evident that the “staining” intensity depended on the cell's number of secretory granules. Argentaffin positive cells were also encountered in most primary tumours and in some metastases. The positive granules were larger than the argyrophil ones and found in cells with an abundance of phagolysosomes and residual bodies. The argentaffin cells seemed to represent both degenerated tumour cells and macrophages. Our findings do not support Ljungberg's (18) hypothesis that the cells of MCT originate from two different cell populations.

Olsen, Finn

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00448.xpmid: 920177

Experimentally induced acute angiotensin hypertension has been shown to increase the permeability of cerebral arterioles, venules and veins to plasma components within a few hours. This increase in permeability was demonstrated by means of circulating homologous fluorescent serum proteins and colloidal carbon particles. The results support the view that an increased permeability of the cerebral vessels to plasma components is either a causal or an additional pathogenetic factor in the development of the hypertensive encephalopathy.

Dahl, Ingvar; Angervall, Lennart

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00449.xpmid: 920178

The clinical observations, the structural appearance and the light microscopy of 18 cases of pseudosarcomatous proliferative lesions of soft tissue are described. The study indicates that a close relationship exists between nodular fasciitis, proliferative fasciitis and proliferative myositis. The descriptive term “pseudosarcomatous proliferative lesion of soft tissue” is proposed for these lesions and mixed forms with or without bone formation. Seven patients were females and 11 were males; the ages ranged between 37 years and 81 years, with a median of 58.5 years. Seven lesions were situated entirely or almost entirely within the subcutaneous tissue, and 11 lesions within striated muscle, with a predilection for muscles of the trunk and proximal regions of the extremities. The predominant proliferating cells were large cells, resembling ganglion cells. The histochemical study of the myxoid matrix indicated the presence of chondroitin 4‐ and/or 6‐ sulfates. The gross and the light microscopic appearances of the lesions were compatible with the diagnosis of proliferative fasciitis in 6 cases, and proliferative myositis in 9 cases. Four lesions showed mixed forms between proliferative myositis and proliferative fasciitis. Nodular fasciitis‐like areas were evident in 14 cases. Four lesions showed bone and cartilage formation. Follow‐up information was available in all patients. The follow‐up period ranged from 9 months to 17 years, with a median of 11 years. Four patients died from intercurrent diseases; the remaining 14 patients are alive and well, indicating the perfectly benign clinical course. Awareness of the existence of pseudosarcomatous proliferative lesions of soft tissue and a knowledge of their characteristic gross structural and variable light microscopic appearances is mandatory for the avoidance of misinterpreting these lesions as sarcoma.

Fosså, Sophie Dorothea; Kaalhus, Olav

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00450.xpmid: 72487

Computer assisted image analysis was performed in Feulgen‐stained cell nuclei from 117 transitional cell carcinomas of the human urinary bladder. The results were compared to corresponding findings from a control group consisting of 27 specimens from non‐malignant urothelium. Generally, the mean nuclear area in carcinoma specimens was found to be increased as compared to the control group, both in diploid and non‐diploid tumours. The concentration and the distribution of nuclear chromatin, and the relative area and content of non‐condensed chromatin were dependent on nuclear DNA‐content and nuclear area. These nuclear parameters did not give supplementary information which could be used in discriminating benign urothelial cell nuclei from malignant ones. A multiple regression analysis, performed for diploid and non‐diploid tumours separately, did not show any significant correlation between the considered nuclear parameters and clinical stage of the tumour or the patient's survival.

Fosså, Sophie Dorothea

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00451.xpmid: N/A

Histologically atypical urothelium taken from bladder mucosa neighbouring transitional cell carcinoma showed similar, though less marked, DNA‐changes as observed in the corresponding tumours. A definite increase in the number of non‐diploid DNA‐values was found in 6 (of 12) urothelial specimens. The clinical significance of urothelial DNA‐changes is discussed.

Biberfeld, Peter; Mellstedt, Håkon; Pettersson, Dagny

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00452.xpmid: 335781

The ulstrastructure of blood mononuclear cells from two IgG myeloma patients was studied, and cells reacting with anti‐idiotypic serum and polyspecific anti‐Ig serum were characterized by immunoperoxidase techniques. Abnormal, mononuclear cells were present in the blood of both patients, which morphologically were classified as atypical small to medium‐sized lymphocytes, polymorphic immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts), predominantly of the lymphoplasmocytic type and atypical, plasmocytic cells or myeloma cells. Immunocytochemical observations showed that most of the abnormal cells, including atypical small to medium‐sized lymphocytes, reacted with anti‐idiotypic and polyspecific anti‐Ig serum. Periods of relapse and remission were correlated with an increase and decrease, respectively, of the number of abnormal cells and cells which reacted with anti‐idiotype and anti‐Ig serum. The observations indicate that circulating lymphoid cells are part of the myeloma clone.

Hamberg, Hans; Brunk, Ulf; Ericsson, Jan L. E.; Jung, Bo

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00453.xpmid: N/A

Topoinhibited human glia cells in vitro were exposed to X‐radiation generated by an 8‐MeV linear accelerator at a dose of 20,000 rad. Transmission electron microscopy of irradiated cells at intervals varying between 30 min. and 5 days following irradiation revealed alterations mainly in the plasma membrane and the lysosomal vacuome. Increased ruffling of plasma membranes, augmented endocytosis and extensive intracellular autophagy developed within 24 hours after irradiation. The implications of the plasma membrane alterations are discussed, and a tentative model covering possible mechanisms involved in the development of autophagic vacuoles is presented. The possibility is entertained that alternative mechanisms may be operative during the formation of the autophagic vacuole in irradiated glia cells. The origin of the isolation membrane appears to be (a) preexisting lysosomes; and (b) flattened vacuolar cytoplasmic elements.

Kindblom, Lars‐Gunnar; Termén, Gunnar; Säe‐SÖderbergh, Johan; Angervall, Lennart

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00454.xpmid: 920181

A report of 2 cases of solitary fibromatosis in a 10‐day‐old boy and a girl 3 years and 10 months old is presented. Both lesions were deep‐seated and showed a nodular and infiltrating growth, predominantly built‐up by immature fibroblast‐like cells and including hemangiopericytoma‐like areas. One of the lesions also showed leiomyoma‐like areas. An ultrastructural study, however, revealed no intra‐cytoplasmatic myofilaments. At follow‐up examinations after 21 years and 1 year, respectively, there were no signs of recurrences or metastases. These 2 cases are considered to represent a solitary form of congenital generalized fibromatosis. The differential diagnosis from infantile hemangiopericytoma and fibrous lesions seen in infancy and early childhood, such as infantile fibrosarcoma, diffuse infantile fibromatosis, extra‐abdominal desmoid, fibrous hamartoma of infancy and juvenile aponeurotic fibroma, is discussed.

Reintoft, Ingermarie

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00455.xpmid: N/A

Alpha‐1‐antitrypsin deficiency of genotype PiZ was found in 15 persons (6.3 per cent) out of an autopsy series of 238. The hepatic tissue was screened after diastase digestion and PAS staining. The globules demonstrated thereby showed by the immunoperoxidase reaction an antigenic identity with alpha‐1‐antitrypsin. It is estimated that one of the persons was homozygous, the others heterozygous. Among the latter, pulmonary emphysema was rather more common than found previously, whereas the hepatic changes were not quite so pronounced.

Kindblom, Lars‐Gunnar; Dalén, Per; Edmar, Gunnel; Kjellbo, Hans

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1977.tb00456.xpmid: N/A

A 57‐year‐old man and a 70‐year‐old woman with relapsing polychondritis are reported. The man, suffering from arthralgias, respiratory obstruction, external ear and saddle‐nose deformities, conjunctivitis and irido‐cyclitis, died after 4 years from airway obstruction because of tracheal and bronchial collapse. The woman is alive 8 months after the development of respiratory obstruction, probably caused by radiographically demonstrated tracheal obstruction, a saddle‐nose deformity and hearing impairment. Microscopically, the involved cartilages showed degenerative and slight inflammatory changes and were eventually replaced by fibrous tissue. Histochemical studies, utilizing staining with Alcian blue at controlled electrolyte concentrations (Scott technique) and at controlled pH:s, with or without digestion with bacterial chondroitinase ABC; and staining with the PAS‐method, with or without diastase digestion, revealed a complete or relative loss of glucosaminoglycans and glycogen. A biosynthetic defect is considered unlikely to be the primary pathogenetic mechanism of relapsing polychondritis. Histological and histochemical examination of biopsies from involved cartilages contribute to a definite diagnosis.