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Biomedical subjects

A Grove

Publications and source records attributed to A Grove.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Amylase in lung carcinomas. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of two adenocarcinomas, and a review of the literature.

The ultrastructure of two lung adenocarcinomas with immunohistochemical and biochemical expression of amylase is reported. Isoenzyme determination performed on tumour tissue showed a salivary-type amylase. None of the carcinomas was associated with hyperamylasaemia. Ultrastructurally, the adenocarcinomas contained a varying number of heterogeneous granules resembling lysosomes. None of the tumours contained mature zymogen granules. The findings are discussed in relation to previous cases of amylase-containing lung carcinomas subjected to electron microscopy. The vast majority of these carcinomas were associated with a significant elevation of serum amylase. Various theories which might explain the absence of hyperamylasaemia in the presented cases are proposed. The biological and diagnostic significance of amylase production is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

alpha-Amylase in resectable lung cancer.

Biochemical analysis and immunohistochemical techniques support the theory that hyperamylasaemia in lung cancer is due to amylase production in carcinoma cells. The vast majority of amylase-producing carcinomas are adenocarcinomas with amylase isoenzyme similar to the salivary type. This prospective study assesses alpha-amylase expression in resectable lung cancer. Seventy four patients with resectable lung cancer were studied. Amylase activity in tumour tissue was analysed and isoamylase identification performed. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human salivary amylase. Hyperamylasaemia occurred in 13 out of 70 patients. Increased amylase activity in tumour tissue was found in 10 out of 52 cases, of which only two were associated with hyperamylasaemia. With the exception of one large cell carcinoma and one squamous cell carcinoma, the tumours were adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed amylase expression in seven adenocarcinomas and two adenosquamous carcinomas. In conclusion, immunohistochemical amylase expression was restricted to carcinomas with adenomatous differentiation. Biochemical analysis confirmed amylase production in 5 of 7 cases examined, the tissue amylase isoenzymes being of salivary type. However, hyperamylasaemia and a slightly increased amylase activity in tumour tissue may be caused by factors other than amylase-producing carcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

Design of a functional calcium channel protein: inferences about an ion channel-forming motif derived from the primary structure of voltage-gated calcium channels.

To identify sequence-specific motifs associated with the formation of an ionic pore, we systematically evaluated the channel-forming activity of synthetic peptides with sequence of predicted transmembrane segments of the voltage-gated calcium channel. The amino acid sequence of voltage-gated, dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive calcium channels suggests the presence in each of four homologous repeats (I-IV) of six segments (S1-S6) predicted to form membrane-spanning, alpha-helical structures. Only peptides representing amphipathic segments S2 or S3 form channels in lipid bilayers. To generate a functional calcium channel based on a four-helix bundle motif, four-helix bundle proteins representing IVS2 (T4CaIVS2) or IVS3 (T4CaIVS3) were synthesized. Both proteins form cation-selective channels, but with distinct characteristics: the single-channel conductance in 50 mM BaCl2 is 3 pS and 10 pS. For T4CaIVS3, the conductance saturates with increasing concentration of divalent cation. The dissociation constants for Ba2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ are 13.6 mM, 17.7 mM, and 15.0 mM, respectively. The conductance of T4CaIVS2 does not saturate up to 150 mM salt. Whereas T4CaIVS3 is blocked by microM Ca2+ and Cd2+, T4CaIVS2 is not blocked by divalent cations. Only T4CaIVS3 is modulated by enantiomers of the DHP derivative BayK 8644, demonstrating sequence requirement for specific drug action. Thus, only T4CaIVS3 exhibits pore properties characteristic also of authentic calcium channels. The designed functional calcium channel may provide insights into fundamental mechanisms of ionic permeation and drug action, information that may in turn further our understanding of molecular determinants underlying authentic pore structures.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Superficial perineal leiomyosarcoma in an adolescent female and a review of the literature including vulvar leiomyosarcomas.

Superficial perineal leiomyosarcomas are rare, with only three previously reported examples. We encountered a superficial (deep subcutaneous) perineal leiomyosarcoma in a 17-year-old female. At follow-up two years after a wide excision, there were no signs of recurrence. The tumour was well differentiated and showed immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin. A review of the literature on superficial leiomyosarcomas indicates that superficial perineal leiomyosarcomas may be more aggressive than superficial leiomyosarcomas in general. As the presented tumour occurred in a female, it was compared with vulvar leiomyosarcomas.

Adolescent↗

Frequency of Helicobacter pylori and gastritis in healthy subjects without gastrointestinal symptoms.

To investigate the frequency of Helicobacter pylori and gastritis in asymptomatic adults, 30 healthy volunteers underwent upper endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the corporeal and antral mucosa of the stomach. The specimens were examined by light microscopy for gastritis and the occurrence of H. pylori. In 12 subjects signs of gastritis were noted at endoscopy, but only in 7 of them was this diagnosis confirmed histologically. No other abnormalities were observed by the endoscopist. Histologic examination was normal in 17 subjects, but in 13 subjects (43%) inflammation was found in the gastric specimens. Ten had inflammation both in the corpus and in the prepyloric specimens, and in six of these subjects H. pylori was discovered. H. pylori was only found in subjects with inflammation in both the corpus and the antrum. Subjects with gastritis were slightly older than subjects with normal gastric mucosa (median age, 47 versus 37 years; not significant). In the group of subjects with gastritis, persons with H. pylori were older than those without (median age, 53.5 versus 36 years; p = 0.05). The results of our study indicate that gastritis is present before colonization with H. pylori occurs. This could imply that H. pylori is not the cause of gastritis but that the presence of gastritis is a prerequisite for colonization of the bacterium in the stomach.

Adult↗

A molecular blueprint for the pore-forming structure of voltage-gated calcium channels.

A protein that imitates the sequence of a highly conserved segment predicted to line the pore of dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channels was designed and synthesized. Single-channel conductance properties were studied in planar lipid bilayers. The synthetic protein emulates the ionic conductance, ionic selectivity, and pharmacological properties of the authentic calcium channel, including the stereospecific action of agonist and antagonist enantiomers of the dihydropyridine BayK 8644. The identified sequence is identical in L-type calcium channels from skeletal muscle and isoforms of cardiac muscle, brain, and aorta. It is plausible that this structural motif represents the molecular blueprint for the pore-forming structure of voltage-gated calcium channels.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Focal fatty change of the liver. A review and a case associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Focal fatty change (FFC) of a liver with unequivocal normal architecture is rare. A review of the literature revealed 39 histologically well-documented cases. Well-known steatogenic conditions were present in most of these cases. Focal ischaemia or a varying rate of mobilization of fat in the liver have been suggested as a cause of the focality of the lesions. FFC occurring in a diabetic patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is presented. The FFC in this and in ten previously reported cases associated with CAPD and intraperitoneal insulin therapy had a unique subcapsular distribution, which may suggest a specific pathogenetic mechanism involving insulin. The clinical significance of FFC in the differential diagnosis from other fatty lesions of the liver is summarized.

Adult↗

Meningeal carcinomatosis from a clinically undiagnosed early gastric cancer.

Meningeal carcinomatosis is a rare complication of systemic cancer, of which advanced gastric carcinomas have predominated. The present case happens to be the first reported of meningeal carcinomatosis caused by an early gastric cancer, which was first diagnosed at autopsy. Various pathological aspects of early gastric cancer, which may have influenced the outcome of the present case, are considered.

Carcinoma↗

Collagenous colitis: a prospective trial of prednisolone in six patients.

In a prospective study, the clinicopathological effect of prednisolone was evaluated in six patients with collagenous colitis. Prednisolone was associated with a significant decrease in stool frequency. However, the effect was transitory, since the diarrhoea recurred when prednisolone treatment was discontinued. There was a trend toward a diminished inflammatory response in the post-treatment biopsies, but the thickness of the collagen band remained unchanged, except in one patient. Until the results of further studies are available, we recommend that treatment with prednisolone be restricted to periods of acute diarrhoeal episodes.

Adult↗

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in epithelial ovarian tumours.

A study of the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status and content in 43 patients with histologically proven primary epithelial ovarian tumours was undertaken. The results of ER and PR status in 604 primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas of different histological types were analyzed in a combined material collected from the literature (576 cases) and 28 cases from our own study. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in ER status, but not in PR status, between the different histological types. The highest proportion of ER positive tumours was found among the serous and endometrioid types. Thus when analysing the correlation of ER status with other parameters in ovarian cancer, histological type should be taken into account. In 3 benign, 4 borderline and 14 malignant serous ovarian tumours no statistically significant difference was found in steroid receptor content and status. In 11 patients with multiple tumour locations, only two patients with mixed serous/endometrioid malignant tumours had different receptor status in different tumour locations.

Adult↗

[Meningeal carcinomatosis in occult gastric cancer].

Two cases of meningeal carcinomatosis accompanying occult gastric cancer are presented. The symptomatology in meningeal carcinomatosis is characterized by rapidly progressive, multifocal CNS dysfunction but is otherwise nonspecific so that several differential diagnoses may be considered. Occurrence of carcinoma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid is diagnostic for meningeal carcinomatosis. Treatment is purely palliative.

Aged↗

Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis testis and hernial sacs.

Three histologically and immunohistochemically well-documented cases of mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis and hernial sac are presented. Analysis and follow-up data on our three patients and a review of 30 previously reported cases have revealed a varied and often unpredictable clinical course. A classification into high- and lowgrade malignant tumours is suggested, based on clinical and pathological findings.

Aged↗

Chorioangioma placentae and feto-maternal transfusion; a report of two cases.

Chorioangioma (CA) is found in about 1% of all placentas. Here we report cases of CA: one associated with intra-uterine fetal death, and the other with feto-maternal transfusion resulting in severe anaemia of the child. Feto-maternal transfusion through a CA could, in suspected cases, be diagnosed by s-AFP, one-minute alkali-denaturation test and perhaps ultrasound of the placenta. Intra-uterine death of the child could then be prevented by Caesarean section.

Adult↗