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Biomedical subjects

K Aterman

Publications and source records attributed to K Aterman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The stem cells of the liver--a selective review.

The current status of the much-debated question of the still-hypothetical stem cells of the liver is reviewed, with an emphasis on their role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The widely held view of the primacy of the hepatocyte, notably of the mononuclear diploid type, in this process--the "hepatocytic theory"--has been compared with variants of the "stem cell hypothesis" based on the "non-parenchymal epithelial cells" of the liver--the "oval" or biliary ductular cells, the "nondescript periductular" cells and the "primitive" bipotential epithelial cells. An attempt has been made to concentrate mainly on the more recent publications, in an effort to balance the conflicting opinions expressed by comparing results obtained by the newer procedures currently in use. Despite some interesting and relevant findings it appears that the evidence in favour of the stem-cell hypothesis is still circumstantial and that the hepatocytic theory has not been invalidated. Presumably the question of the hepatic stem cells will be answered when the riddle of hepatocarcinogenesis has been solved.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1990

Pronephros and mesonephros--Cohnheim revisited.

Erroneous quotations in the literature and Cohnheim's statement, in his Lectures on General Pathology, that the Wolffian body or mesonephros is the first anlage of the urogenital system prompted this description of the growth of our knowledge of the early development of the kidney. Some of the pertinent older literature is reviewed, and the concept of the holonephros, as opposed to the trinephric view of kidney development, is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the decreasing functional significance of the pronephros with evolutionary development, to the extent that the role of the pronephros in the human is questioned. Cohnheim's seemingly erroneous reference to the development of the kidney is shown to be merely a reflection of the views current at his time.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed1989

Extrarenal nephroblastomas.

The cases of extrarenal nephroblastoma published in the world literature have been tabulated and reviewed, and are discussed from a historical point of view.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Karl Touton and his "xanthelasmatic giant cell." A selective review of multinucleated giant cells.

The position of the Touton giant cell in relation to the foreign body and Langhans type of giant cell is considered. (A short account of Karl Touton's life is also included.) After reviewing the historical development of the concept of giant cells and current interpretations of their nature, the unitarian view of polykaryons now favored by workers in the field is extended to include also the "xanthelasmatic giant cell" of Touton, whose characteristic appearance is determined merely by the presence of demonstrable lipid in the cytoplasm. It is proposed that Touton cells develop when the stimulus to cell fusion is accompanied also by a factor stimulating lipid uptake. This factor is missing in the development of the other two giant cell "types," but apart from that there are no other significant differences.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1987

Localized hepatocarcinogenesis: the response of the liver and kidney to implanted carcinogens.

Attempts by early workers to induce liver tumours by the local implantation of carcinogens had by and large not been successful, so that the liver came to be viewed as being "resistant" to tumourigenesis by this means. A review of these early studies showed not only that fibrosarcomas could be easily induced by the local application of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-M.C.), but that there were also reasons why the apparently low susceptibility of the liver to the localised induction of hepatocellular tumours should not be accepted as established dogma. In an attempt to re-investigate this problem pellets made of cholesterol (CHOL), anthracene (ANT), alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), 3-M.C. or 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) were implanted into the livers of male litter-mate weanling rats. The evolution of the response was studied by histological examination of the implantation site at varying intervals. In each instance the liver responded with the formation of a firm, complete connective tissue capsule which, however, did not prevent the gradual degradation of the implants. No tumours or other significant changes were observed with the control implants of CHOL or ANT. ANIT, known to damage biliary ducts, elicited what appeared to be an intense serous exudation which was separated from the adjacent parenchyma by a shell-like deposition of calcium in the connective tissue capsule. No significant biliary changes were observed, however, and no tumours were produced. Attention should be drawn to this reproducible, regularly occurring, in vivo model of extra-osseous calcification. The 3-M.C. induced a high incidence of large solitary bosselated tumours associated with the carcinogenic pellet which was found embedded in the tumour mass. The architectural arrangement and bizarre cytological appearance of the tumours led to the currently widely used diagnosis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (M.F.H.) rather than the fibrosarcoma or rhabdomyosarcoma of the early workers. Some tumours produced large numbers of implantation metastases in the peritoneal cavity, but no distant metastases were observed in this series. Of particular interest is the fact that it was not possible to determine the site of origin of these tumours despite histological sampling at intervals of the site of implantation of the pellets. In contrast to these pleomorphic, clearly mesenchymal tumours reliably produced by 3-M.C., the implantation of pellets of DAB produced fewer tumours which were classified as large, singly occurring hepatocellular carcinomas (H.C.C.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The response of poorly differentiated prostatic tumors to staining for prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase: a comparative study.

A comparative study was done of the usefulness of immunohistochemical stains for prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase in 20 poorly differentiated prostatic tumors. The stain for prostatic acid phosphatase was preferable to the prostate specific antigen stain not only because it was more intense and, therefore, more visible but also because it often was positive in areas in which an equivocal or negative stain was obtained with prostate specific antigen.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1986

Stenosis of individual pulmonary veins: radiologic findings.

Congenital stenosis of individual pulmonary veins is uncommon. Of the 49 cases reported, four were seen at the IWK Hospital for Children and are reported here. Plain radiographs show a shift of the heart toward the side of major involvement, Kerley B lines, fluid in the fissures, and interstitial edema of the affected lobes. These findings, while subtle, should nevertheless suggest stenosis. Technetium-99m macro-aggregate lung perfusion scans show absence of or diminished perfusion of the affected lobes. The diagnosis can usually be confirmed with angiography. Congenital stenosis of individual pulmonary veins should be considered in children with repeated pulmonary infections, dyspnea, failure to thrive, hemoptysis, or unexplained pulmonary hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Prevention of group-B beta-haemolytic streptococcal septicaemia in low-birth-weight neonates by penicillin administered within two hours of birth.

Between January, 1969, and May, 1974, 11 of 1208 low-birth-weight infants had early onset group-B streptococcal septicaemia. All 11 infants were of less than 35 weeks gestational age and 9 presented with the clinical and radiological signs of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. 10 died. Antibotics were given to 3 infants only, but not before the age of 12 h. From June, 1974, infants less than 35 weeks gestational age, and from January, 1977, infants less than 2500 g, received systemic penicillin by 2 h of age after throat, ear, umbilical, rectal, and blood cultures. Penicillin was continued for 10 days if group-B streptococci were isolated but was stopped at 48 h of age if all cultures were negative. Between June, 1974, and November, 1977, there was 1 case of septicaemia and no death from group-B streptococal infection in the 983 low-birth-weight infants born during this period. These data suggest that systemic penicillin from birth prevents low-birth-weight infants from dying of group-B streptococcal infection.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1979

Shedding of peripheral cytoplasm - a mechanism of liver cell atrophy in human amyloidosis.

A liver biopsy specimen from a case of primary amyloidosis was investigated by electron microscopy. The cytoplasmic periphery of the hepatocytes showed degenerativechanges which are interpreted as indicating shedding of peripheral parts of the cytoplasm. Two main variants of this process could be discerned: 1) Protrusion and sequestration of hernia-like blebs of cytoplasm, and 2) shedding of vesicles derived from degenerated endoplasmic reticulum. In the latter case transient defects of the plasma membrane seem to be relevance. Endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasmic ground substance appeared to be shed preferentially, whereas mitochondria are retained within the cell. As a consequence the fractional volume of the mitochondria in the cytoplasm of atrophic cells is markedly increased. Shedding of peripheral cytoplasm, therefore, seems to be an effective mechanism enabeling the cell to adapt the mass and the composition of its cytoplasm to an unfavourable environment.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1979

Right-sided juxtaposition of the atrial appendages in an anencephalic.

A case of the uncommon right-sided juxtaposition of the atrial appendages is presented--to our knowledge the 17th instance reported so far. The interest of this case resides in the fact that there were no associated major cardiac anomalies, and that it occurred in an anencephalic female. It is the second reported case of this association. Both cases had in common the presence of ventricular D-looping, normal relationships of the great arteries and only minor cardiac defects. The absence of major cardiac anomalies, in contrast to the more common left-sided juxtaposition, and the association with anencephaly which has not yet been reported in the left-sided variant of juxtaposition, are features which have to be emphasised.

Anencephaly↗
PubMed1979

Aortopulmonary window or aortopulmonary communication?

Two patients had a vessel-like aortopulmonary "window" which could be ligated without the institution of cardiopulmonary bypass. While embryologically and functionally these communications are identical to the classic aortopulmonary "window," it is suggested that the term "aortopulmonary communication" is more appropriate.

Aorta↗