Refractory anemia with an excess of blasts developed into overt leukemia with leukothrombocytosis.

A 72-year-old man with refractory anemia with an excess of blasts developed overt leukemia with leukothrombocytosis. Hematological and physical findings closely resembled those of an accelerated or blastic phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia. The cytogenetic anomaly of i(17q) was observed during the course. The present case is suggestive of the diversities of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including relationships between MDS and myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and acute leukemia.

A human T cell leukemia virus type-I carrier with recurrent thrombocytopenia and various autoantibodies.

A 34-year-old woman infected with human T cell leukemia virus type-I(HTLV-I) with recurrent thrombocytopenia and various autoantibodies is described. The platelet counts fluctuated between 1.3 x 10(4)/microliters and 14.8 x 10(4)/microliters without any medical treatment, and thrombocytopenia improved with a decrease of platelet-associated IgG (PA-IgG). Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor, anti-Sm, anti-RNP and anti-SSA antibodies were also recognized. Marker analysis of peripheral mononuclear cells showed an increase in the proportion of CD 25+ cells, CD 3+ HLA-DR+ cells, CD4+ HLA-DR+ cells and CD8+ HLA-DR+ cells. The recurrent thrombocytopenia and development of various autoantibodies in this HTLV-I carrier are speculated to be due to the alteration of B cell functions by T cells infected with HTLV-I.

Scanning and transmission electron microscope observations of the terminal segment of the cat seminiferous tubule: epithelial phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads.

The terminal segment of the seminiferous tubule in the testis of the adult domestic cat was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The terminal segment gradually tapers towards the tubulus rectus, while transforming into tall columnar supporting cells termed modified Sertoli cells which protrude into the lumen of the tubulus rectus in the form of a plug. There is no distinct central lumen in the plug, rather, it is a narrow slit-like cleft surrounded by the modified Sertoli cells. The modified Sertoli cells of the plug as well as the cuboidal cells lining the tubulus rectus revealed an active phagocytosis of spermatozoa and even injected inert latex beads. These epithelial cells are thought to act as a protective filtration line for foreign bodies including unwanted spermatozoa.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic study of the ampullary region of the dog vas deferens, with special reference to epithelial phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads.

The present SEM and TEM study clearly indicated that the epithelial cells of the ampulla vasis deferentis of the dog are capable of performing phagocytosis of degraded spermatozoa and even inert latex beads as in other animals described previously and further supported our working hypothesis that epithelial phagocytosis may be a common event in the vas deferens of mammals, though its precise significance remains to be clarified.

Phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads by the epithelial cell of the cat oviduct: combined SEM and TEM study.

The adult cat oviduct was viewed by SEM and TEM as spermatozoa of the same species and inert latex beads were injected into its lumen. The present study demonstrates that nonciliated epithelial cells in extensive areas of the oviduct as well as luminal macrophages are capable of actively taking up both the spermatozoa and the latex beads in the manner of phagocytosis. The epithelial cells are thus able to eliminate foreign bodies including degenerating spermatozoa in order to scavenge the lumen, though the cellular mechanisms involved in their phagocytosic activity remain to be elucidated.

Phagocytosis of spermatozoa and latex beads by epithelial cells of the ampulla vasis deferentis of the rabbit: a combined SEM and TEM study.

The fine structure in the ampullary region of the vas deferens of the rabbit was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, with emphasis on the occurrence of epithelial spermiophagy. The epithelial cells were cuboidal or low columnar and contained moderately developed organelles. These cells, like luminal macrophages, were found to be not only involved in spermiophagy but also capable of actively taking up latex beads administrated intraluminally. Taking into consideration the previous findings in some other species, the epithelial spermiophagy seems to be a common event in the vas deferens of mammals.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic evidence of epithelial phagocytosis of spermatozoa in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations have been made in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat, with emphasis on the occurrence of spermiophagy. The present study has revealed that epithelial cells as well as luminal macrophages are extensively and actively involved in phagocytosis of spermatozoa. The mechanism of the spermiophagy is discussed, in relation to a possible role of the epithelial cells, as one function of the vas deferens.