Sturcture and function of the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) in chronic rhinosinusitis. A light and electron microscopic investigation (author's transl)

Neither the concept of the Reticulo-Endothelial-System (RES) Aschoff's (1924) nor that of the Reticulo-Histiocyte-System (RHS) provides a satisfactory framework into which the present knowledge of the phagocytic mononuclear cells can be fitted. Current knowledge concerning morphology, histochemistry (peroxydase and esterase activity), immunology (specific surface antigens, receptors on the cell membranes), function (immune phagocytosis, pinocytosis), kinetics (3H-thymidine labelling) and culture makes it possible to place all highly phagocytic mononuclear cells and their precursors in one system, which is called the Mononuclear-Phagocytic-System (MPS) (Langevoort, Cohn, Hirsch, Humphrey, Spector, van Furth, 1969). Kinetic studies with labelled cells have shown, that mononuclear phagocytes originate from precursor cells in the bone marrow (stem cell leads to monoblasts leads to promonocytes), than are circulating in the peripheral blood as monocytes and are transformed to tissue macrophages entering tissues. The MPS comprises following cells in following organs: connective tissue (histiocytes resp. macrophages); liver (Kupffer-cells); lung (alveolar macrophages); lymph nodes (free and fixed macrophages); bone marrow (macrophages); serous cavities (pleural and peritoneal macrophages); bone tissue (osteoclasts?); nervous system (microglial cells) (SEE Table 1). The reticular cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts (fibrocytes) can therefore not be included in the MPS. Besides differences in morphology, histochemistry and function, they derive from mesenchymal cells and not from the bone marrow as the MPS. The present investigation demonstrates the structure and significance of the MPS in various kinds of chronic-specific and non-specific rhinosinusitis. On semithin sections two kinds of macrophages can be distinguished light-microscopically: 1. Larger macrophages with many phagosomes (storage cells) (Fig. 1A), which can exhibit sometimes a ring-shape on sections embracing greater parts of the interstitium (Fig. 1B). Such forms are mainly found in chronic (maxillary) sinusitis and are interpretated as "scavenger" macrophages. 2. The second type consists of smaller macrophages with extremely ruffling of the cell surface, which is interpretated as an expression of highly (specific?) stimulated states. These later macrophages can be seen mainly in edematous nasal polyps, which might be caused by allergic reactions of the anaphylactic type. The fine structure of the phagocytes is to some extent dependent on the actual development and functional state: there are "immature" macrophages, which are practically indistinguishable from blood monocytes (Fig. 2A); some of them can be stimulated and can therefore show many surface foldings and projections (Fig. 2B). The "mature" macrophage shows a well developed Golgi-area and many secondary lysosomes (Fig. 3). The storage type of the macrophages, which can predominate in some cases of chronic maxillary sinusitis, is characterized by many electron-lucent vacuoles (Fig. 4)...     

Space flight effects on skeletal bones of rats (light and electron microscopic examination)

In the light and electron microscopes, long tubular bones of Wistar rats that were flown for 22 d onboard the Cosmos-605 biosatellite and were exposed to a ground-based simulation experiment were examined. About half of the flight rats showed osteoporosis of metaphyses which was usually combined with a decrease of the mass of the primary spongiosa in the vicinity of the epiphyseal cartilaginous plate. This gives evidence that the growth of the bones could have been inhibited in flight. The light and electron microscopy of bones of flight rats revealed wide osteocyte lacunae which could have been produced by perilacunar osteolysis. In the simulation experiment, reduction in the metaphyseal spongiosa occurred only in one-third of the rats and was less pronounced than in flight rats; no decrease of the mass of the primary spongiosa near the cartilaginous plate was noted. Histological investigation of bones 27 d postflight demonstrated that that time period was not enough to eliminate all the changes in the bones tested.     

Macrolides and drug interactions: review of the literature]

Annexin I is a member of the annexin family of calcium-dependent membrane binding proteins. The core domain of these proteins is similar in all annexins but the N-terminal domain is specific for each member. This domain is thought to regulate annexin function through phosphorylation. In annexin I, Ser-27 is one of the amino acids that can be phosphorylated by protein kinase C. Phosphorylations are thought to regulate some annexin I functions by increasing calcium requirement. Two mutants were prepared in this study: S27E and S27A proteins. The first mimics phosphorylation while the second prevents phosphorylation at residue 27. Wild-type annexin I and S27A mutant protein showed the same calcium dependence for phospholipid vesicles aggregation, while S27E mutant protein showed a higher calcium requirement and a low maximal extent of aggregation. By contrast, liposome binding and self-association required identical calcium concentrations for the wild-type and the two mutant proteins. To examine whether the regulation observed is due to modification of the N-terminal structure, we investigated conformational changes by using two approaches. Firstly we analysed proteinase sensibility. Limited proteolysis of the N-terminal tail showed similar patterns for the three proteins. Using drastic conditions of proteolysis, we observed strong resistance of the core domain to digestion in the presence of calcium. Secondly, since Ser-27 is located on the N-terminal domain that contains a tryptophan located at position 12, the fluorescence of this residue was analysed during Ca2+-binding of wild-type annexin I and S27E mutant protein. The results demonstrated that Ca2+ induces a slight change in the Trp environment of wild-type annexin I, corresponding to a burying of the residue. No changes in fluorescence features were observed with S27E mutant protein. The results obtained show that phosphorylation of the N-terminal tail plays a regulatory role in phospholipid vesicle aggregation, which is based on a mechanism distinct from protein self-association. This phosphorylation induces a conformational change in the tail probably related to aggregation property.     

Encephalo-cranio-cutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) -- Haberland syndrome. A case report with review of the literature]

Elastic properties of Xenopus oocytes were examined by measuring intracellular pressure (Pic) and cell volume (Vc) in cells undergoing osmotic swelling. Pic was measured by micropuncture, using the servo-null technique. Vc was obtained by analyzing images acquired from a microscope having a video camera attachment. During osmotic swelling, Pic increased from 61 +/- 17 to 500 +/- 59 Pa (mean +/- SE), but the relationship with volume was not linear. In cells that underwent sequential swelling and shrinking, Pic was always lower on shrinking and the cells showed hysteresis. Cells with vitelline envelope (VE) removed had Pic-Vc curves similar in shape to those of intact cells; however, Pic values were significantly lower. Specific elastance[delta Pic/(delta Vc/Vc)] was reduced by removal of the VE. The data indicate that oocytes are weakly elastic and that a large part of their resistance to expansion resides in the VE.     

Madelung's disease. Clinical case and review of the literature]

Symmetrical benign lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) is extremely rare. Approximately 200 cases have been reported in the literature. SLB is a syndrome characterized by the occurrence of symmetric lipomas of the neck. No clear etiology has been recognized while a frequent association with systemic metabolic abnormalities has been described. The only effective therapy is the palliative surgical removal of the fatty tissue by lipectomy or liposuction. Experience with surgically treated patients shows the tendency of this disease to recur.     

Reaction of rat neuromuscular junctions during changes in gravity (an electron microscopic study)

In the present study we examined if, among other mechanisms, the abnormal exposure of phosphatidylserine at the surface of sickle red blood cells (RBCs) contributes to the hypercoagulability which characterizes homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD). The question was addressed by comparison of the procoagulant properties of RBCs from subjects with various phenotypes (SS, SC and AS) that differ in clinical presentation. As previously reported, SS-RBCs accelerated the prothrombin activation by factor Xa, by decreasing the Km of the reaction compared to normal RBCs. SC-RBCs and AS-RBCs also promoted prothrombin activation although their procoagulant properties were milder compared to SS-RBCs. A significant increase of the thrombin-antithrombin complexes was observed in SS subjects. Prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) was elevated in half of the SS subjects, but the difference with controls did not reach significance. Elevated levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes were observed in a number of SC (4/11) and AS (3/12) subjects, but the difference with controls was not significant. A significant correlation was observed between the plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes in the subjects with SS, AS and AA phenotypes, and the procoagulant properties of RBCs. Our results strongly suggest that the procoagulant properties which characterize SS-RBCs also affect SC-RBCs and AS-RBCs, and that exposure of phosphatidylserine by RBCs contributes to the hypercoagulable state observed in SCD.     

Methods for investigation and estimation of individual chemosensitivity of tumors (review)

A review of the current methods for the estimation of tumor sensitivity to antiblastomic drugs is presented. Methods for the in vitro and in vivo cultivation of tumor cells are discussed. Among them the following methods are reviewed: the method for the cultivation of tumor heterotransplants in diffusion chambers and its various modifications, the method for the cultivation of human tumors under the kidney capsule, the method for the cell cultivation in primary short-term suspensions, the methods using enriched media, the methods for the cell cultivation on acetate cellulose fibres, in monolayers, etc.     

Lethal complications of typhoid-cholera-vaccination. (Case report and review of the literature)

Simultaneous parenteral vaccination against typhoid and cholera lead to death through either anaphylactic shock or endotoxic shock in a 36-year-old male. At autopsy the charactertic features of shock as well as chronic interstitial myocarditis were noted. Moreover, fresh histiocytic and lymphocytic nodules were found in the liver, heart and meninges. A review of the literature dealing with lethal complications following parenteral tyhoid vaccinations shows an increased risk in debilitated persons (emaciation, stress, cold). Most of the fatalities occurred in persons who had previous disturbances of the cardiovascular system, as in the case reviewed here. Cardiac failure, Landry's paralysis, renal failure and disturbances of skin, joints and intestines may also follow typhoid vaccinations. However, these latter complications are usually not lethal. The patients presented here had many of the conditions which are known to aggravate the situation and to lead to a lethal culmination. The review of this case and the disucussion following it shows that only healthy persons should receive the parenteral typhoid vaccination. Hopefully, the presentation of this material will help prevent fatalities of this type in the future.     

Structural recovery of small arteries following clamp injury: a light and electron microscopic investigation in the rat

Endothelial injuries were induced in the left common iliac arteries (1 mm in diameter) of rats, by the placement of 1 mm Scovell-Lewis microvascular clamps for 5 minutes, to create a lesion in which to quantitate the rate and degree of cellular regeneration. The left (clamp-injured) and right (control) iliac arteries from the 15 rats used in this study were viewed with the electron microscope at 2, 7, and 14 days after clamping, and the clamp sites were analysed morphometrically. At 2 days there was only minimal denudation of the endothelium; most cells were disoriented and showed some signs of traumatic injury. By 7 days there was a completely continuous endothelial lining, but there was also evidence of increased cytoplasmic activity in these cells, as well as a statistically significant simplification in their intercellular junctional morphology. These changes persisted at 14 days after injury, but they were less pronounced. Smooth muscle cells in the media were relatively unaffected by the trauma in the first 2 days after clamping. However, they exhibited a change of phenotype from contractile to synthetic by 7 days after injury. By 14 days most smooth muscle cells had reverted back to the contractile phenotype, with little evidence of residual damage. These studies reveal that the reconstitution and regeneration of the endothelium is very rapid following clamp injury, but that significant residual ultrastructural changes in the interendothelial junctions persist for at least 14 days after injury. These findings indicate that there is potential for subsequent pathological changes in sites of vascular clamp injury.