Conjunctival and lacrimal sac pigmentation by kohl (eyeliner)
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
F B Johnson
Publications and source records attributed to F B Johnson.
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. A clinicopathologic and chemical analysis of seven cases.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical features and outcome of patients with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis and to determine the chemical composition of the microliths. CASE MATERIAL: We studied seven cases of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. The patients were six women and one man, aged 19 to 70 years (mean age 44.5 years). Clinically, five patients were known to have suffered from this condition for 5 to 41 years. One patient presented with shortness of breath, and another had a gradual decrease in exercise tolerance. None of the patients had a previous history of disturbances in metabolism or any other relevant medical condition. Reports on radiographic studies were available in six cases, and chest radiographs were available for review in the seventh case. They all showed diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Open lung biopsies were performed in two patients, and autopsy lung material was reviewed in five patients. RESULTS: Histologically, the lung showed the typical features of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, that is, presence of numerous microliths filling the alveolar spaces with either a normal or thickened fibrotic interstitium. Chemical analysis performed on the lung tissue of six of these patients revealed that the microliths consisted principally of calcium and phosphorus salts. Five of these patients died of respiratory failure; however, their deaths occurred from 5 to 41 years following the initial diagnosis. No follow-up information was obtained in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study confirm that pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis can be seen in any age group and that the microliths are composed principally of salts of calcium and phosphorus. Additionally, these cases confirm that the disease typically follows a protracted course.
Adult↗
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (kayexalate) aspiration: histologic appearance and infrared microspectrophotometric analysis of two cases.
OBJECTIVE: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (kayexalate) is a cation-exchange resin given enterally for the treatment of hyperkalemia. Aspiration of this material is a rare occurrence, but when visualized in the alveolus, it has a characteristic microscopic appearance that is virtually diagnostic. In two cases, recognition of the characteristic morphology of the foreign material raised the question of sodium polystyrene sulfonate. DESIGN: We used infrared spectroscopy to demonstrate the presence of this material in lung biopsies of two patients by identifying foreign body particles. Histories of the patients were reviewed for exposure to sodium polystyrene sulfonate. SETTING: Two lung specimens were referred to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology with an unknown foreign material identified within the air spaces. PATIENTS: The lung biopsies were from two children, one postterm female infant who died at 3 days of life and a 4-year-old girl who underwent lung biopsy during surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot. Both patients had received sodium polystyrene sulfonate previously for control of hyperkalemia. RESULTS: The lung specimens showed characteristic basophilic, amorphous foreign material in airspaces on histologic sections. The identity of this material was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared microspectrophotometry. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, we report the first two cases of sodium polystyrene sulfonate aspiration in children. This material has a distinctive morphologic appearance on histologic sections, and its identity can be confirmed by Fourier transform infrared microspectrophotometry.
Cation Exchange Resins↗
Calcium oxalate crystals in human pathology. Molecular analysis with the laser Raman microprobe.
OBJECTIVE: Calcium oxalate crystals in pathologic specimens were examined by the laser Raman microprobe, a nondestructive spectroscopic technique. Although research focused on the identification of calcium oxalate deposits in tissue sections, kidney stones were also studied to determine the in situ structural specificity of the technique. DESIGN: Paraffin-embedded tissue specimens were cut into sections of 2 to 6 microns. The unstained sections were placed on metal (aluminum)-plated slides and excited with the 514.5-nm line of an argon-ion laser, which was focused to a 1-micron spot size using a high-resolution optical microscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The laser Raman microprobe technique generates spectra that differentiate the monohydrate (CaC2O4.H2O, whewellite) and the dihydrate (CaC2O4.2H2O, weddellite) forms of calcium oxalate inclusions in tissue sections. RESULTS: Characteristic spectra were generated and provided unequivocal evidence for the identification of the dihydrate oxalate form of calcium oxalate crystals in cases of oxalosis of the myocardium and for the monohydrate oxalate structure in a case of oxalosis of the pituitary. Finally, the combined occurrence of both oxalate structures was confirmed in kidney stone specimens. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this investigation demonstrate the efficacy of the laser Raman microprobe as a useful adjunct in diagnostic pathology.
Calcium Oxalate↗
Extradenticle protein is a selective cofactor for the Drosophila homeotics: role of the homeodomain and YPWM amino acid motif in the interaction.
The Drosophila homeotic selector (HOM) genes encode a family of DNA binding transcription factors that specify developmental fates of different body segments by differentially regulating the activity of downstream target genes. A central question is how the HOM proteins achieve their developmental specificity despite the very similar DNA binding specificities of isolated HOM proteins in vitro. Specificity could be achieved by differential interactions with protein cofactors. The extradenticle gene might encode such a cofactor since it interacts genetically in parallel with Ultrabithorax, abdominal-A, and perhaps other HOM genes. By using a yeast two-hybrid system, we demonstrate selective interaction of the extradenticle homeodomain protein with certain Ultrabithorax and abdominal-A proteins but not with an Antennapedia protein or a more distant homeodomain protein. Strong interaction with Ultrabithorax proteins requires only the Ultrabithorax homeodomain and a 15-residue N-terminal extension that includes Tyr-Pro-Trp-Met (YPWM), a tetrapeptide motif found near the homeodomain in most HOM proteins and their mammalian Hox counterparts. The size and sequence of the region between the YPWM element and the homeodomain differ among Ultrabithorax isoforms, and this variable region appears to affect the interaction detected in the assay.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Antiepileptic treatment and risk for hepatobiliary cancer and malignant lymphoma.
The possible influence of phenobarbital and phenytoin treatment on cancer risk was investigated in a case-control study nested in a cohort of 8004 epileptic patients in Denmark. Information on anticonvulsive treatments was abstracted for 95% of 60 patients with cancers of the liver and biliary tract or malignant lymphoma and for 94% of 171 cancer-free control patients. Use of anticonvulsive drugs was correlated with angiographic procedures that used Thorotrast, a well-known human liver carcinogen. After exclusion of study subjects exposed to Thorotrast, no association was seen between treatment with phenobarbital and cancer of the liver (odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-8.0) or biliary tract (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-4.2). Furthermore, a histopathological evaluation of slides from 7 of 9 liver cancer patients not treated with Thorotrast revealed that 3 of the 4 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma involved cirrhosis of the liver, which suggested an etiological role for alcohol or viral hepatitis. A possible link was observed between use of phenytoin and risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1.8; 0.5-6.6), with a rising trend in risk with increasing dose. Our results suggest that the increased risk for cancers of the liver and biliary tract among Danish epileptic patients is likely to be due to Thorotrast administration and factors associated with cirrhosis of the liver rather than to anticonvulsive treatment.
Aged↗
Sialadenitis with crystalloid formation: a report of six cases diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration.
Six cases of sialadenitis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration contained large numbers of crystalloids. Light microscopy, ultrastructure, and chemical analysis suggest that the crystalloids represent crystallized salivary alpha-amylase. The inflammatory swelling may mimic benign and/or malignant neoplasms of the salivary glands. Drainage and/or antibiotic therapy may allow surgery to be avoided in these patients.
Adult↗
Comparison of various transport media for viability maintenance of herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus.
Seven viral transport media (VTM) were compared for effectiveness in preserving the infectivity of herpes simplex virus (HSV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus. The media tested were Richards viral transport, sucrose-phosphate-glutamate (SPG), Virocult, HH medium, tryptose phosphate broth, cell culture medium, and Bartel's viral transport. Two laboratory strains of HSV (McIntyre and 333) and two clinical isolates (A0301 and A0386), comprising two HSV-1 types and two HSV-2 types, were suspended in each transport medium, kept at 4 degrees C and 22 degrees C, and assayed for surviving virus at various times of up to 2 weeks. Similar testing was done with RSV Long strain and adenovirus type 2. Of the seven media, Richards viral transport, SPG, Virocult, and HH medium, followed closely by tryptose phosphate broth, best preserved HSV infectivity at both 4 degrees C and 22 degrees C. Analysis of decay rates of RSV revealed comparatively rapid decay in SPG and Virocult. Adenovirus was stable in all media and at both temperatures tested. These results indicate that viral transport and subsequent culture isolation are possible using many different VTMs if transport times are kept to a minimum (< 1 day), but if transport extends to longer times, or low levels of virus are present in the specimen, Richards viral transport and HH medium appeared to be the best overall transport media for the viruses tested.
Adenoviridae↗
Zirconium granuloma resulting from an aluminum zirconium complex: a previously unrecognized agent in the development of hypersensitivity granulomas.
Zirconium compounds have been associated with the development of hypersensitivity granulomas. However, aluminum zirconium complexes have not previously been shown to induce sensitization. We present the clinical and histologic findings of a case in which a patient developed an acute hypersensitivity reaction to an aluminum zirconium complex.
Adult↗
Comparison of shell vial culture and the suspension-infection method for the rapid detection of herpes simplex viruses.
Shell vial culture (SVC) and suspension-infection (SI) (simultaneous seeding of culture cells and inoculation of sample) were compared for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in clinical specimens. Conventional culture methods using mink lung cells or the Vero cell subline C1008 were also compared with each other and with SVC and SI. Additionally, SVC and SI were compared for quantitative determination of HSV infectivity. Compared with conventional culture with mink lung cells, culture with C1008 cells was 98% sensitive, and the sensitivities of SVC and SI were 94% and 93%, respectively. In quantitative determinations, titers of infectious HSV in positive clinical samples were a mean of five- to six-fold higher, as detected in SVC compared with SI titrations. For quantitative detection of infectious HSV, SVC was more sensitive than SI; however, for diagnosis of HSV in clinical specimens, no significant difference was observed between SI and SVC.
Female↗
Synergism in transcriptional activation: a kinetic view.
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Kinetics↗
Topographical analysis of the G virion of Aleutian mink disease parvovirus with monoclonal antibodies.
The topography of the Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (ADV) G virion was analyzed with monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antiserum. There was homology between the two major structural proteins as others have previously reported. Trypsin treatment of the virion with subsequent immunoblotting revealed that VP2 represents the main peptide on the exterior of virion and that VP1 is probably embedded within the capsid. Additional analyses of the trypsin-treated virions showed that VP2 is responsible for binding complement and that it also represents the structural part of the virion that binds to cellular receptors. A third protein, p34, was detected that might represent a third structural polypeptide because of its many unique epitopes relative to the other peptides detected.
Aleutian Mink Disease Virus↗
Differential regulation of transcription preinitiation complex assembly by activator and repressor homeo domain proteins.
Different eukaryotic transcription factors can act through the same upstream binding site to differentially regulate target gene expression, but little is known of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we show that Ultrabithorax and even-skipped homeo domain proteins (UBX and EVE) of Drosophila melanogaster exert active and opposite effects on in vitro transcription when bound to a common site upstream of a core promoter. Both the activator UBX and the repressor EVE affect the extent but not the rate constant of preinitiation complex (preIC) formation. Both regulators act early in preIC assembly and are dispensable later. Assembling complexes become resistant to regulation by the bound proteins, but activation by UBX is restored upon ATP or dATP addition, and regulation by both proteins is restored after the addition of all four nucleoside triphosphates and transcription initiation. The results establish that upstream activators and repressors can function by fundamentally similar mechanisms, by differentially regulating an early step in preIC assembly, leading to formation of functionally distinct transcription complexes. A subsequent step renders mature complexes transiently refractory to activation and repression. Implications for the mechanism of transcription complex assembly and turnover and its regulation are discussed, including a new role for ATP in turnover.
Adenosine Triphosphate↗
Fourier transform infrared microscopic identification of foreign materials in tissue sections.
Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy was used to identify polymeric microparticles, such as polyethylene, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, silicon-based, and nylon-based plastics, in tissue sections. Foreign particles as small as 30 microns in diameter were identified. In addition to being a nondestructive technique, infrared microscopy allows for more precise structural identification of polymeric materials than do X-ray or scanning electron microscopy.
Biopsy↗
Identification of titanium in human tissues: probable role in pathologic processes.
Six cases of titanium dioxide exposure involving lung, skin, and synovium are described, with a review of the literature. The patients, four men and two women, were between the ages of 22 and 65 years. The pulmonary changes were characterized by fibrosis and numerous macrophages with abundant deposition of a black pigment. Adjacent areas of bronchopneumonia were also observed. In the skin a severe necrotizing lesion involving the subcutaneous tissue with extension to the muscle was observed in one case and a nonspecific inflammatory response was observed in another; both cases showed abundant black pigment deposition. Electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis demonstrated the presence of large quantities of titanium in the pigment granules. There may be a combination of black pigment deposition and fibrosis, necrosis, or a xanthomatous or granulomatous reaction, that, together with negative results on special staining and culture studies for organisms, should raise the suspicion of titanium-associated injury and prompt the study of the affected tissues by x-ray analysis for positive identification.
Adult↗
Cutaneous reaction from a broken thermometer.
A cutaneous and soft tissue reaction that resulted from a broken thermometer inside the mouth of a 10-year-old boy is described. Metallic mercury globules and glass pieces were identified in the excised tissue. On histologic examination, a zone of necrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages, and multinucleated giant cells surrounded metallic mercury that appeared as dark opaque globules. Dense fibrosis and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia were also noted in the dermis and deeper tissues. The gold lysis test, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis confirmed the presence of mercury in the tissue. A literature review on cutaneous mercury granuloma illustrates its unpredictable course. The cutaneous reaction may remain localized, but some cases are associated with an elevated mercury level in blood and urine, pulmonary embolism, mercury poisoning, and even with fatal outcome. Various manifestations of mercury poisoning and guidelines for the management of cutaneous mercury granuloma are discussed.
Child↗
Suitability of infection of cells in suspension for detection of herpes simplex virus.
Detection of herpes simplex virus in clinical specimens by the suspension-infection technique was compared with detection by conventional cell culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the suspension-infection technique compared with those of conventional culture were 95.9 to 98.2% and 97.5 to 100%, respectively, depending on the cell line used in the tests. The mean time to diagnosis by the suspension-infection technique was 1 day, compared with 4.8 days by conventional culture. Comparable detection of low-level positive specimens was observed with the methods. In a clinical setting, the isolation rates obtained by suspension-infection and conventional culture were indistinguishable. These results indicate that the suspension-infection method can be used for the detection of herpes simplex virus and can yield rapid diagnostic results without a time-consuming centrifugation step.
Animals↗