Dysfunctional parenting as a risk factor to lifetime depression in a sample of employed Japanese adults: evidence for the ''affectionless control'' hypothesis

A lectin histochemical study was performed to investigate the glycoconjugate saccharidic moieties on the endometrial epithelium and stroma in 12 women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in-vitro fertilisation for embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in early luteal phase. 7 control subjects were also evaluated. For this purpose a battery of seven horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins (PNA, SBA, DBA, WGA, ConA, LTA and UEA I) was used. Cytochemical controls were performed for specificity of lectin-sugar reaction. As far as the endometrial glands and stroma are concerned, the obtained data showed no differences in the endometrial lectin binding between the subjects of the control group and the ones undergoing COH, with the exception of PNA reactivity at the level of the apical portion of the glandular cells, which was detected only in COH women. It is noteworthy that, although the endometrial dating using the Noyes's criteria showed marked dissynchronies between the stroma and the glands in COH subjects, a uniformity of lectin binding, revealing the same type and localization of terminal oligosaccharides, was observed in all the examined subjects. The uniformity in distribution of the sugar residues detected in the endometrial specimens following COH might be due to the massive FSH and/or hCG treatment which probably determines an endometrial environment almost equal in all the examined subjects. In all the treated subjects reactivity with sialidase-WGA and ConA, revealing the presence of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-mannose respectively, was detected at the level of the lining epithelium.     

Neurologic and ischemic complications of upper extremity vascular access for dialysis

Effects of x-irradiation on the urinary bladder of male New Zealand rabbits were studied by means of light microscopy 100 weeks after exposure. The absorbed dose was 33, 36 or 39 Gy given in 5 daily fractions administered to the whole, the cranial or the caudal part of the bladder. The changes in the epithelium and in the muscular tissue were dose-dependent while the changes in the submucosa and in the extramuscular layer were not. The transitional epithelium was generally either atrophic or hyperplastic. If dysplastic or neoplastic changes were seen, the involved areas were mostly surrounded by an apparently normally differentiated epithelium and the highly specialized superficial cells lining the bladder cavity were always present. The submucosal and muscular tissues showed fibrosis and changes in blood vessels and, sometimes also in lymph vessels.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor localization in human ovary and fallopian tubes: possible role in reproductive function and ovarian cyst formation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor that also increases vascular permeability. We hypothesized that VEGF plays a role in the regulation of cyclic ovarian angiogenesis in women, and that its ability to increase vascular permeability may be an important factor in the production of fallopian tube effluent and fluid formation in ovarian cysts. To examine these hypotheses, we assessed VEGF expression in ovaries and fallopian tubes from premenopausal (n = 10) and postmenopausal (n = 4) women. Immunohistochemical analysis for VEGF was performed using a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against human VEGF. In normal ovaries from premenopausal women, VEGF within healthy follicles was localized to the thecal cell layer, with minimal VEGF peptide detected in the granulosa cell layer. VEGF was not expressed in atretic follicles or a degenerating corpus luteum. However, intense VEGF immunostaining was observed within the highly vascularized corpora lutea in all specimens examined. In normal ovaries from postmenopausal women, VEGF was detected only in epithelial inclusion cysts and a serous cystadenoma. In specimens from both pre- and postmenopausal women, the luminal epithelium of the fallopian tube as well as smooth muscle cells and pericytes lining small and large blood vessels within the tube and hilum of the ovary exhibited specific staining for VEGF. Based on these data, we suggest that during reproductive life, VEGF plays a role in the growth and maintenance of the ovarian follicle and corpus luteum by mediating angiogenesis. In addition, VEGF within the fallopian tube luminal epithelium may increase vascular permeability and modulate tubal luminal secretions. Similarly, VEGF in the epithelial lining of benign ovarian neoplasms may contribute to fluid formation in ovarian cysts.     

Double level fractures of the femur treated with closed intramedullary nailing

Breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen (Tam) are at an increased risk for developing endometrial carcinomas, possibly due to the partial estrogenic effect of Tam on endometrial cells. Progestational therapy has not routinely been included in Tam regimens. It was our aim to determine the presence of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in normal and abnormal endometria from postmenopausal women with breast cancer who were treated with Tam. Standard immunohistochemical staining of ERs and PRs was performed on paraffin sections from formalin-fixed uterine curettings or hysterectomy specimens from 40 patients who had received 20-40 mg of Tam daily for a minimum of 3 months. For comparison, normal endometria from 20 women who had not received Tam (11 premenopausal, 9 postmenopausal) were also studied for ER and PR expression. Staining was evaluated using semiquantitative immunoreactivity scores (IRS) ranging from 0 (negative) to 12 (strongly positive). In the group of patients receiving Tam, ERs and PRs were detected in the nuclei of glandular cells in 24/24 cases of endometrial atrophy (ER/PR-IRS, 2-12), in 8/8 endometrial polyps (ER-IRS, 6-12; PR-IRS, 4-12), in 4/4 adenomatous endometrial hyperplasias (ER-IRS, 3-8; PR-IRS, 1-12), and in 4/4 well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinomas (ER-IRS, 2-12; PR-IRS, 6-8). Of the 11 endometria from premenopausal patients who had not received Tam, 8 were ER+/PR+ (ER-IRS, 1-12; PR-IRS, 1-12), 1 was ER+/PR- (ER-IRS, 3; PR-IRS, 0), 1 was ER-/PR+ (ER-IRS, 0; PR-IRS, 2), and 1 was ER-/PR- (ER/PR-IRS, 0). Among 9 atrophic endometria from women not treated with Tam, 6 were ER+/PR+ (ER-IRS, 4-12; PR-IRS, 3-6), 1 was ER+/PR- (ER-IRS, 4; PR-IRS, 0), and 2 were ER-/PR- (ER/PR-IRS, 0). The consistent finding of ER and PR expression in endometria from postmenopausal women receiving Tam further supports the suspected estrogenic effect exerted by Tam on endometrial cells. Progestational therapy could be beneficial in the prevention of Tam-induced abnormal endometrial proliferations.     

Role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in regulating the chronic development of liver injury induced by delayed-type hypersensitivity to picryl chloride

Lectins were used to investigate the cell surface oligosaccharide expression in normal vulvar epithelium from premenopausal and postmenopausal volunteer women. In addition, histologically normal epithelium adjacent to high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN III) and adjacent to vulvar tumors was examined with lectins for evidence of a possible "field change" surrounding these vulvar lesions. Seventeen vulvar biopsies were obtained prospectively from volunteer women, and 20 and 40 cases, respectively, of VIN III and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma were randomly chosen from pathology archives. Thirteen of the 20 VIN cases and all 40 vulvar carcinomas contained at least 2 cm of histologically normal-appearing epithelium adjacent to the vulvar lesion suitable for analysis. No alterations to lectin binding in normal vulvar epithelium with respect to patient age, menopausal status, phase of menstrual cycle, estrogen therapy, or history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were shown. ABO blood group antigen status affected epithelial binding for lectins HPA and UEAI (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, lectins SNA, MPA, and LCA identified markers of cellular differentiation and maturation. T-antigen expression (as shown by the lectin PNA) was almost universally present in histologically normal epithelium adjacent to VIN and vulvar tumors, contrasting with the lack of PNA binding in normal vulvar epithelium from volunteer women (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), a finding suggestive of a local "field change" surrounding preinvasive and invasive vulvar lesions.     

Localization and expression of the alpha1A-1, alpha1B and alpha1D-adrenoceptors in hyperplastic and non-hyperplastic human prostate

PURPOSE: To determine the expression and localization of the alpha1A-1, alpha1B and alpha1D-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes in hyperplastic and non-hyperplastic human prostate tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of the alpha1-AR subtypes was examined at the mRNA level by quantitative solution hybridization, and at the protein level by immunohistochemistry using subtype selective antibodies. RESULTS: While the overall level of alpha1-AR mRNA was not significantly different between hyperplastic and non-hyperplastic tissue, there were significant differences in the ratio of the alpha1-AR subtypes expressed in the two tissue types. The most significant finding from these studies was the reduced expression of the alpha1b-AR mRNA in both glandular and stromal hyperplasia. By immunohistochemistry, the alpha1A-1-AR was detected in the stroma and not in the glandular epithelium. The alpha1B-AR was localized predominantly in the epithelium and was weakly present in the stroma. Lower levels of the alpha1B-AR were detected in the hyperplastic prostatic epithelium. The alpha1D-AR was detected in areas of stroma and was abundantly present in blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The alpha1A-1-, alpha1B- and alpha1D-AR subtypes are differentially localized in human prostate, and the expression levels of all three subtypes are altered in BPH. Alterations in a1-AR subtype expression (particularly the alpha1B-AR) in BPH cannot be solely attributed to changes in tissue morphometry resulting from hyperplasia and may be of significance in the pathogenesis of BPH.     

Endometrial cytology in normal postmenopausal women and during hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of endometrial cyopathologic examination as a method of monitoring endometrium during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Endometrial cells were taken via tubal aspiration in 60 normal postmenopausal women (non-HRT group) and 41 with HRT for 3-18 months (HRT group). Their morphologic changes were observed and compared by cytopathologist. RESULTS: Atrophic endometrium was found in 51.7% of the non-HRT group. Its proportion increased with age and the time after menopause. Macrophages were seen in 68.3% of this group. However, in the HRT group the occurrence of atrophic type and macrophage (12.2%, 7.0% respectively) was significantly lower than that in the non HRT group (P < 0.05). Heterogeneity of endometrial cell type was shown both in non-HRT (38.3%) and HRT (65.8%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial cells of postmenopausal women are not always atrophic in appearance. They change significantly during HRT. Endometrial cytological examination may be useful for monitoring during HRT.     

Gout in the elderly. Clinical presentation and treatment

Types and distribution patterns of glycoconjugates in antral ovarian follicles were investigated in the buffalo, using periodic-acid Schiff (PAS), high iron diamine (HID), low ion diamine (LID) and lectin histochemical staining methods. HID and LID staining procedures were preceded in some cases by digestion with testicular hyaluronidase, Streptomyces hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC and heparitinase (heparinase III). Lectin staining was performed with the use of 12 horseradish peroxidase (HRP) lectin conjugates. Some lectin staining procedures were preceded by neuraminidase digestion and saponification. Large amounts of isomeric chondroitin sulphates and a minor quantity of heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid and/or chondroitin were found in follicular fluid. Lectin staining of buffalo follicular fluid revealed glycoconjugates with different glucidic determinants such as beta-N-acetylgalactosamine, beta-galactose-(1-3)-N-acetylgalactosamine, beta-galactose-(1-4)-N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, alpha-fucose and alpha-glucose/alpha-mannose, and sialic acid residues. Glycosaminoglycans were absent in the zona pellucida of oocytes in small antral follicles. Acidic glycoconjugates in the zona pellucida were caused by sulphated groups and sialic acid residues. Our data show few internal glucidic residues, such as N-acetylglucosamine in the buffalo zona pellucida but many subterminal beta-N-acetylgalactosamine, alpha- and beta-galactose determinants masked by sialic acids. These findings demonstrate that buffalo follicular fluid has a very heterogeneous composition that is similar to that found in small and large bovine follicles. No differences in composition of the follicular fluid were observed in the follicles examined.     

Immunolocalization of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in radicular cysts

To investigate the mechanisms involved in expansion of radicular cysts, monoclonal antibodies against interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were used to localize the sites of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 expression in 30 radicular cysts. Positive MMP-1 staining was detected in the lining epithelium and subepithelial fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells and osteoblasts/osteocytes in all specimens. Positive TIMP-1 staining was identified in osteoblasts/osteocytes and endothelial cells of all specimens, and in the lining epithelium and subepithelial fibrous connective tissue wall of five radicular cysts with an intense inflammatory cell infiltrate. The number and distribution of positive cells for MMP-1 or TIMP-1 varied widely among individual specimens, but strong immunostaining was constantly detected at sites with prominent subepithelial inflammation. Results here support the hypothesis that MMP-1 may play an important role in the expansion of radicular cysts. The absence of TIMP-1 expression in lining epithelium and subepithelial fibroblasts and macrophages in most cases studied indicated that an imbalance between MMP-1 and TIMP-1 production may lead to radicular cyst expansion.     

Evolutionary transformations of the esophageal lining in vertebrates and man in light of the theory of phylembryogenesis

The comparative histological study of processes of embryonic histogenesis of the oesophagus epithelium in certain representatives of vertebrate animals (fishes, amphibia, reptiles, birds, mammals) and man was carried out in the light of the academician A. N. Severtsov's theory of phylembryogenesis. It has been shown that phylogenetic changes of the oesophagus lining of vertebrates related with its evolutionary transformations are regularly reflected in the stages or steps of the oesophagus epithelium histogenesis in ontogenesis of each systematic unit of the subtype. The first step is the phylembryogenesis of the oesophagus lining in all vertebrates is the monolayer epithelium of the endodermal origin; the secone step is the striated muco-ciliated (in low vertebrates and most reptiles) and pseudostratified (embryos of higher vertebrates) epithelium; the third step is the pseudostratified mucous epithelium (bony fishes) and stratified lining (prefetuses of higher vertebrates). The forth step is the stratified mucous (steppe turtle) and stratified muco-ciliated epithelium (fetuses of birds, many mammals and man). The fifth step--stratified squamous epithelium (birds, mammals, man). The academician A. N. Severtsov's theory of phylembryogenesis clearly points to the origins (the entoderm), routs and mechanisms of the transformation of the oesophagus lining in its evolutionary development.     

Peripheral progesterone (P) levels and endometrial response to various dosages of vaginally administered P in estrogen-primed women

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 100 mg/d, 200 mg/d, and 400 mg/d (200 mg two times per day) of P administered vaginally for 14 days to estrogen-primed postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Randomized, open-label, three-way crossover study. SETTING: Two university-based investigative sites. PATIENT(S): Twenty healthy postmenopausal women with histologically normal endometria. INTERVENTION(S): Oral 17 beta-E2 was given each day of a 28-day cycle; a P vaginal suppository was inserted daily according to the randomization schedule during days 15-28 of each cycle; blood samples were collected; an endometrial biopsy was obtained on day 25; and patients were crossed over to the next treatment cycle after a washout period of at least 30 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mean P blood levels, endometrial dating/conversion. RESULT(S): There was good vaginal absorption of P for all dosages. Endometrial conversion occurred in all 200- and 400-mg/d P-dosed cycles, whereas the 100-mg/d dosage failed to convert primed endometria consistently. There also was a significantly increased tendency for earlier bleeding and spotting with the 100-mg/d dosage. CONCLUSION(S): Both the 200- and 400-mg/d dosage regimens consistently convert an estrogen-primed endometrium, and yield appropriate endometrial dating and bleeding patterns. However, the 400-mg/d dosage attains the highest sustained blood levels and may be the best dosage regimen for further study.     

SCF and APC: the Yin and Yang of cell cycle regulated proteolysis

Uterine Cell proliferation was studied in intact Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fischer 344 (F344) rats exposed to the antiestrogens tamoxifen (TAM; 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) and toremifene (TOR: 21.2 or 42.4 mg/kg). The antiestrogens were administered to animals via gavage daily for 2 or 12 wk. Uterine proliferation was assessed using markers for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and by the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) method. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was used as an estrogenic reference compound. The antiestrogens either reduced or prevented changes of myometrial and stromal proliferation indices (PI). TAM and TOR caused a time-dependent reduction of endometrial glands without an associated decrease in cell proliferation. In the luminal columnar epithelium, the antiestrogens depressed PCNA PI but enhanced BrdU PI, indicating a low continuous DNA synthesis in otherwise quiescent cells. The antiestrogens induced focal hyperplastic multilayered epithelia with PCNA-positive basal cells along segments of the luminal uterine epithelium. We suggest that this hyperplastic epithelium represents remnants from the glandular epithelium. DES was less efficient in inducing these changes but induced squamous metaplasias in the F344 rats. Uterine effects of the 2 antiestrogens were comparable with the exception of I TAM-exposed (40 mg/kg) SD rat that showed squamous metaplasia. F344 rats were more sensitive to the estrogenic action of DES than were the SD rats.     

The homing pigeon hippocampus and the development of landmark navigation

The temporo-spatial patterning of lectin-binding sites was examined by lectin histochemistry and quantitative methods in the microvasculature of the optic tectum of 9-, 14-, 20-day-old embryos and 30-day-old chickens. Horseradish peroxidase and colloidal-gold-labelled lectins were used for detection of beta-D-galactose (RCA-I, Ricinus communis agglutinin-I) and of N-acetylglucosamine and sialic residues (WGA, Wheat germ agglutinin) at light and electron microscopical levels. At the light microscopical level, RCA-I and WGA binding sites were detectable in the early embryonic capillaries in a diffuse staining pattern; in later embryonic stages and in adult animals, RCA-I labelling became located on the abluminal surface of the vessels, while WGA staining was detected on the luminal surface. Ultrastructurally, gold labelling for RCA-I was seen intracytoplasmically in endothelial cells in 9-day-old embryos. In 14-to 20-day-old embryos and in chickens, binding sites for RCA-I were detected in endothelial tight junctions and basement membranes. In contrast, labelling of the gold-coupled WGA lectin was distributed almost exclusively on the luminal endothelial surface already in early embryos. The results indicate that the endothelial cells of the optic tectum acquire functional polarity early in their development and that glycoconjugates containing beta-D-galactose residues are involved in the biochemical composition of the tight junctions and basement membrane, which are considered to be key structures in blood-brain barrier (BBB) differentiation.     

Magnitude of alimentary lipemia is related to intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in middle-aged men

This study was undertaken to determine the lectin affinity of the extratesticular rete testis and ductuli efferentes epithelial cells in adult and prepubertal horses, using ten different lectin horseradish peroxidase conjugates: Con-A, LCA, WGA, GSA-II, SBA, PNA, RCA-I, DBA, UEA-I, and LTA. In some cases, treatments with sialidase and KOH preceded the lectin staining. In sexually mature and immature horses the results showed the presence of different kinds of sialoglycoconjugates with the terminal sialic acid linked to D-GalNAc and beta-D-Gal residues in the rete testis. In the apical surface and cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes of the adult horse, glycoconjugates with alpha-D-Man and/or alpha-D-Glc, GlcNAc, D-GalNac and beta-D-Gal residues were evidenced, whereas in the prepubertal horse only the apical surface of the ductuli efferentes epithelial cells resulted reactive toward some lectins. The differences observed in the presence of glycoconjugates between adult and prepubertal horse ductuli efferentes, suggest a hormonal control of the function of these tracts of the post-testicular ducts.     

A lectin histochemical study of the zygomatic salivary gland of adult dogs

Seven lectins (PNA, DBA, SBA, UEA I, LTA, WGA and ConA), conjugated with horseradish peroxidase, were used to characterize the glycosidic residues in the zygomatic gland of adult dogs. In some cases (PNA and DBA), lectin staining was preceded by neuraminidase digestion. The acinar and tubular cells produced glycoconjugates with different sugar residues, presenting binding sits for all of the lectins used. The apical surfaces of the cells lining the intra- and interlobular ducts were also stained by all the lectins. In contrast, the demilunar cells only reacted with the Neu-PNA sequence and Con A.     

Ataxia-telangiectasia in the Japanese population: identification of R1917X, W2491R, R2909G, IVS33+2T-->A, and 7883del5, the latter two being relatively common mutations

Postmenopausal uterine bleeding is an indication to sample the endometrium for diagnostic purposes. The endometrial brush cytologies of 20 advanced postmenopausal women collected at the time of hysterectomy in order to benchmark the expected morphology of postmenopausal endometrial brushings were reviewed. No women had symptoms or gross findings of primary endomyometrial disease. Endometrium was collected at the surgical pathology laboratory using the Tao Brush and CytoRich Fixative System. After formalin fixation of the uterus, the entire endometrium was embedded for routine histology. Sixteen endometrial brushings and matched endometrial sections showed endometrial atrophy, one brushing showed many ciliated epithelial cells, and three brushings showed focal (less than 10%) epithelial-cell atypia. In two atypias, abnormal endometrial epithelial-cell sheets contained enlarged, clear nuclei with nuclear notches and grooves resembling papillary thyroid cancer. One case showed no histological counterpart to this finding. The other case showed thickening of the pericornual fundic endometrium with cystic glands. The third case with epithelial atypia showed abnormal endometrial-cell sheets with nuclei resembling atypical hyperplasia or type I endometrial adenocarcinoma; corresponding endometrial tissue sections showed rare, irregular glands and back-to-back gland clusters with equivalent nuclear features. Atypical epithelium may be found in atrophic uteri in the absence of gross endometrial thickening. This may be a common event related either to de novo intraepithelial dysplasia in a noncycling endometrium or to hyperplasia that has partly regressed with estradiol withdrawal. This study shows that, in addition to endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC), isolated atypical glands with morphological and immunohistochemical features of atypical hyperplasia or type I endometrial adenocarcinoma may be found in grossly normal advanced postmenopausal endometrium of asymptomatic patients. This atypical epithelium is readily apparent in endometrial brush preparations, but requires serial sectioning of the endometrium to be demonstrated histologically. We have not established the natural history of this lesion, and in the absence of EIC or gross endometrial thickening indicative of atypical hyperplasia, we do not know whether this degree of epithelial atypia should be an indication for hysterectomy.     

Amelioration of virulent Babesia bovis infection in calves by administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine

The expression of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP-25), neural growth-associated protein (GAP-43) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were studied in mouse olfactory cells and axons for 2 weeks following unilateral bulbectomy. The olfactory cells and axons in the control olfactory epithelium were positive for SNAP-25 but levels decreased in the atrophic olfactory epithelium 3 days after bulbectomy. There was no expression of SNAP-25 in the olfactory epithelium on the bulbectomy side 7 days after bulbectomy, indicating that this protein may be a good marker for the degeneration of olfactory cells. The expression of NCAM was still found in the atrophic olfactory epithelium at 7 days after bulbectomy, while the expression of NCAM in the olfactory epithelium of the bulbectomy side was stronger than that on the control side at 14 days after bulbectomy. The expression of GAP-43 in the olfactory axonal bundles of the bulbectomy side at 3 and 4 days after bulbectomy was stronger than that on the control side. These results suggest that upregulation of NCAM may be related to the regeneration of the olfactory cells, with upregulation of GAP-43 probably playing a role in axonal regeneration after bulbectomy.     

-Structure of the respiratory system of the Ulodera Hynobius neblosus tokyoensis Tago, with special reference to the distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in its respiratory tract epithelium

The respiratory tract epithelium in many vertebrate species has a neuroepithelial endocrine (NEE) system. This system is composed of solitary NEE cells or organoid cell groups called neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs). In response to chemical and physical stimuli, NEE cells may release bioactive substances. Serotonin, one of the biogenic amines, well-known as a constricter of smooth muscle, can be found in NEE cells, serotonin-immunoreactive cells can be used as a marker for these cells. Comparative histological studies of lower vertebrates can improve our understanding of mammalian respiratory systems. The Tokyo salamander (Hynobius neblosus tokyoensis Tago), classified as Ulodera, is particularly useful for comparative studies of respiration. In this study, the serial sections of respiratory tract of the Tokyo salamander were stained by a commonly used staining method and by an immunocytochemical method for serotonin, and the distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in the respiratory tract was examined. The respiratory tract was found to be connected to the alimentary tract via an aditus laryngis, which opens on the medio-ventral side of the esophagus. The laryngotrachea was slit-like or elliptically shaped with a total length of about 3.5 mm, joining the aditus laryngis. The laryngotrachea was supported by a pair of lateral cartilages, and a fibromuscular layer was seen between the cartilages and the epithelium. In the cranial region, a laryngeal sphincter was seen around the laryngotrachea. The laryngotrachea branches into a pair of tube-like lungs, that are about 17-20 mm in length. Two apposed primary trabeclae run along the entire length of the lung wall, perpendicular to the axis, and containing the pulmonary arteries and veins. The lungs were divided into two portions: 1) an airway portion (trabeclae, septa) in which smooth muscles surrounding the large vessels were well developed, and 2) a respiratory portion which was give that name because it has well developed capillary networks that were assumed to be involved in gas exchange. The lumen of the laryngotrachea and the pulmonary airway portion contained pseudostratified cilio-mucous epithelium. In the caudaldorsal region of the laryngotrachea adjacent to the lungs, the non-ciliated respiratory epithelium was seen lining the capillaries. In cilio-mucous epithelium of the laryngotrachea, all serotonin-immunoreactive cells were solitary. They apposed to be columnar, cuboidal, triangular, oval, and flask- or spindle-shaped. Solitary serotonin-immunoreactive cells were classified "open type cell" with appical process reaching to the luminal surface and "closed type cell" insulated from the lumen by an epithelial lining. In the pulmonary airway portion, serotonin-immunoreactive cells were solitary cells and in clusters. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells were widely distributed throughout the respiratory tract, but they tended to be found mainly in the cranial portion. The density was highest in the area with the laryngeal sphincter, and decreased caudally in the laryngotrachea and lung. No serotonin-immunoreactive cells were found in the respiratory portion of the dorsal-caudal area of the laryngotrachea or in the part of the lung with non-ciliated cells. So the structure and distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in the respiratory tract of the Tokyo salamander are similar to those of NEE cells and NEBs in mammalian respiratory systems. The density of serotonin-immunoreactive cells appears to be related to the distribution of smooth muscles in the fibromuscular layer and airway portion. The cells may be involved in regulation of the respiratory system. Serotonin is released in response to stimulation, which could result in constriction of the fibromuscular layer and shrinkage of the laryngotracheal cavity, and may regulate pulmonary volume by constricting smooth muscles     

Purification, physicochemical characterization and biological properties of a lectin from Erythrina velutina forma aurantiaca seeds

A lectin was purified from seeds of Erythrina velutina forma aurantiaca by affinity chromatography on cross-linked guar gum. The lectin is a potent agglutinin for human (minimal concentration of protein able to cause visible agglutination of a 2% erythrocyte suspension varying from 1 to 4 micrograms/ml), rabbit (4 micrograms/ml) and chicken erythrocytes (8 micrograms/ml) but presented low activity against cow (250 micrograms/ml) or sheep (333 micrograms/ml) blood cells. Hemagglutination of human O+ erythrocytes was inhibited by D-lactose (0.2 mM) > D-galactose (0.8 mM) > D-raffinose (2.1 mM). At pH 7.5, chromatography on a Superose 12 HR 10/30 column showed that the lectin was primarily a dimer (56.0 kDa) composed of two identical subunits (31.6 kDa each). A small amount of a tetrameric form was also apparently present. The lectin is a glycoprotein (7.3% carbohydrate), has a pI of 4.5, contains high levels of acidic (Asp and Glu, 64.2 and 51.6 residues/mol, respectively) and hydroxy amino acids (Ser and Thr, 42.9 and 38.5 residues/mol, respectively) but relatively low amounts of sulfur amino acids (Cys and Met, 1.0 and 5.0 residues/mol, respectively) and has an N-terminal sequence of Val-Glu-Thr-Ile/Leu-Pro-Phe-Ser. Its hemagglutinating activity was abolished by heating at 70 degrees C for 10 min. The activation energy (delta G') required for denaturation measured by loss of hemagglutination activity was 24.87 kcal/mol. In rats, the purified lectin (100 micrograms) induced neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity (3.7 +/- 0.6 x 10(6) neutrophils/ml) or into the air pouch (2.75 +/- 0.25 x 10(6) neutrophils/ml), 8 and 10 times greater than the negative control, respectively.     

Role of apoptosis in the regulation of virus-induced T cell responses, immune suppression, and memory

The binding of several biotinylated biologic probes was determined in sections of 20 surgical specimens of prostate cancer and of 21 biopsy specimens of hyperplastic prostate. Whereas neither the immunomodulatory, galactoside-specific lectin from Viscum album nor the human beta-galactoside-specific lectin (M(r) 14 kd) or its specific antibody discerned any remarkable differences, the lectin from Urtica dioica (UDA) and interleukin-2, the in vitro production of which is enhanced by this lectin, exhibited obvious preference for hyperplastic cells. In addition, the presence of binding sites for chemically synthesized blood group determinants was tested. Carcinoma cases revealed a higher percentage of binding of synthetic blood group trisaccharide H than hyperplasia cases. Due to these differences, diverse parameters, derived from measurement of integrated optical density (IOD) and from syntactic structure analysis, were correlated with the extent of binding of these biologic probes for the tumor cases. Primarily, parameters that are related to computation of a minimum spanning tree were significantly different in positive and negative cases for both UDA and interleukin-2. For the binding of blood group trisaccharide H the 5C exceeding rate, the 2CV deviation index and the distance of neighboring tumor cells with an IOD > 5 were clearly dissimilar. Our results thus suggest an extension of the panel of biologic probes for prostate cancer and substantiate the usefulness of correlations of binding of selected biologic probes to features derived from the assessment of IOD and syntactic structure analysis.