There are two phenotypically distinct subpopulations of mast cells in rodents: connective tissue-type mast cells (CTMC) and mucosal mast cells (MMC). These populations differ in their location, cell size, staining characteristics, ultrastructure, mediator content and T-cell dependency. Several investigators recently reported a further subclass of mast cells which arise when normal mouse haematopoietic cells are cultured with interleukin-3 (IL-3); IL-3 is an activity similar or identical to mast-cell growth factor, histamine-producing factor, or P-cell stimulating factor. These cultured mast cells are in many ways similar to MMC; they stain with Alcian blue but not safranin, contain chondroitin sulphate E proteoglycan rather than heparin proteoglycan and have relatively low histamine content, as do MMC. Although proliferation of MMC is known to be T-cell dependent in vivo and thought to be IL-3-dependent in vitro, the factors on which CTMC proliferation depends remain elusive. Here we show that mature CTMC purified from mouse peritoneal cells can proliferate in vitro in methylcellulose culture and maintain the appearance and function of CTMC. We also present evidence that mature CTMC cannot proliferate in the presence of pure IL-3 alone.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pterygium and dry eye.

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between dry eye and pterygium. METHODS: Tear breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test with/without anesthesia and tear function index were evaluated in both eyes of patients with unilateral pterygium. RESULTS: Tear BUT, was shortened significantly in the eye with pterygium. The Schirmer test with anesthesia was shortened and the tear function index was decreased in the eye with pterygium with marginal significance. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between pterygium formation and shortened BUT. Unstable tear film may contribute to the initiation of pterygium.

Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Production of free light chains of immunoglobulin by a hematopoietic cell line derived from a patient with multiple myeloma.

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Bence Jones Protein↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Telepathology support for the Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies.

The telepathology project is UPMC's first 24-hour, 7-day international telemedicine application. It is an important milestone in UPMC Health System's plan to develop a worldwide network of transplant hospitals largely supported by telemedicine. The project's success is the result of a team effort between UPMC's Division of Pathology Informatics, Division of Transplant Pathology, Diversified Services, European Medical Division and ISMETT.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of immunohistochemical staining of a mitochondrial protein, lipoamide dehydrogenase, with Fab'-peroxidase conjugates prepared by maleimide or periodate.

IgG-maleimide peroxidase, Fab'-maleimide peroxidase, polymer and monomer types of Fab'-periodate peroxidase were prepared from an antibody against rat lipoamide dehydrogenase, a component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex which is located in mitochondria. They were examined for immunohistochemical staining of the rat kidney. Fab'-maleimide peroxidase was the best for staining mitochondrial protein. IgG-maleimide peroxidase and the monomer type of Fab'-periodate peroxidase had the same intensity of staining. The polymer type of Fab'-periodate peroxidase could not stain the lipoamide dehydrogenase.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Subaortic stenosis caused by an accessory tissue of the mitral valve.

A case of a three years old boy with subaortic stenosis caused by accessory tissue of the mitral valve is presented. We can find only four similar cases in the literature. In surgery of this anomaly, it is a peculiar problem that the most of stenotic tissues can not be identified through the aortotomy only. We opened the left atrium and pulled up the mitral valve with threads, so that we could distinguish the stenotic tissue from true mitral valve through the aortotomy.

Aortic Stenosis, Subvalvular↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein.

A case of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is presented. The diagnosis was reached using histopathological techniques. AFP was positive in the tumor specimen, immunohistochemically. Serum AFP had fallen temporarily after surgery and chemotherapy. The patient survived 6.5 months after the onset of symptoms.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical study of platelet function and coagulation/fibrinolysis with Duraflo II heparin coated cardiopulmonary bypass equipment.

This clinical study was performed to evaluate the effects of Duraflo II heparin coated cardiopulmonary bypass equipment on platelet and coagulation/fibrinolysis activation. Twenty-four patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were assigned to two groups using either heparin coated (Duraflo group, n = 13) or uncoated equipment (control group, n = 11). In the Duraflo group, the cardiotomy reservoir was also coated with heparin. Standard systemic heparinization was performed in both groups. There were no significant differences in activated clotting times or plasma free hemoglobin concentrations between the two groups. Platelet loss and platelet activation, as measured by increases in plasma beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), in the Duraflo group (beta-TG:237 +/- 143 ng/ml, PF4:167 +/- 104 ng/ml at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass) were less than those in the control group (beta-TG:373 +/- 131 ng/ml, PF4:295 +/- 131 ng/ml at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass). No significant differences were found in thrombin-antithrombin III complex levels or alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complex levels between the groups. Therefore, the use of Duraflo II heparin coated equipment with a heparin coated cardiotomy reservoir suppressed platelet activation.

Aged↗