Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) and trophoblast invasiveness.

Controlled trophoblast invasion is a key process during human placentation and a prerequisite for successful pregnancy. Progesterone is one of the factors to regulate trophoblast invasiveness. Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is a progesterone-induced molecule expressed by the trophoblast, and also by tumors. The distribution of PIBF within the first-trimester decidua coincides with sites of trophoblast invasion. Another molecule that has been implicated in the control of trophoblast invasiveness is placental leptin. Leptin inhibits the secretion of progesterone by cytotrophoblast. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible interaction of PIBF and leptins in regulating trophoblast invasion. Paraffin-embedded sections from normal first-trimester placentae, partial moles, complete moles, and choriocarcinomas were reacted with PIBF, leptin, and leptin receptor specific antibodies. PIBF-deficient trophoblast cells were generated using siRNA and leptin receptor was detected on Western blot analysis. The lysates of PIBF-treated cells were used for detecting leptin expression in a protein array. PIBF was expressed in both normal first-trimester villous trophoblast and in partial mole. Compared with this, PIBF expression was markedly decreased in complete mole and absent in choriocarcinoma. Neither leptinR nor leptin were detected in partial mole, whereas both of these molecules were present in complete mole and choriocarcinoma. Leptin receptor expression was upregulated in PIBF-deficient cells, while leptin expression was decreased in PIBF-treated cells. These data suggest that PIBF affects the expression of leptin and its receptor, and that PIBF expression is inversely related to trophoblast invasiveness.

[Isolated gastroduodenal Crohn's disease: a case report]. / Izolált gasztroduodenális Crohn betegség: esetismertetés.

Although it can involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, Crohn's disease confined to the gastroduodenum is extremely rare. We report the story of a 20-years old male patient admitted for pyloric obstruction that developed despite medical treatment. Clinical manifestations necessitated operative treatment; Polya-gastrectomy was performed. Histology identified Crohn's disease and inflammatory changes as the cause of pyloric obstruction. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. The lesson of this case is, that if duodenal Crohn's disease would have been recognized preoperatively, gastrectomy could have been avoided. We review the literature and discuss treatment options for gastroduodenal Crohn's disease.

Eosinophilic cystitis in view of two cases.

Authors present their experiences with eosinophilic cystitis. In both of their cases the preoperative evaluation presumed bladder cancer, the histologic examination, however, showed eosinophilic cystitis. In this report a discussion is given on the diagnostic and treatment possibilities of the entity.

Aneurysmal bone cyst: its pathogenesis based on angiographic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies.

Based on angiographic, immunohistochemical as well as electron microscopic findings, authors outline a hypothesis for the etiopathogenesis of aneurysmal bone cysts. No changes were found at the arterial site in 16 studied aneurysmal bone cysts, with no signs of an arteriovenous shunt. In certain cases, however, dilated and tortous efferent veins became visible in the late venous phase. Due to the impedance of venous flow, the intracystic pressure increases and the small veins become dilated causing formation of aneurysmal slits. This is supported by the immunohistochemical finding that S-actin shows concentric arrangement around the aneurysmal cavities. Endothelial lining and basal membrane remnants were detectable in places, though the aneurysmal slits were devoid of continuous endothelial lining and basal membrane. We suggested that the aneurysmal bone cyst corresponds to a hemodynamic disturbance and is due to primary or secondary venous malformation of the bones.

[Amidazophen. Yes or no?]. / Amidazophen. Igen vagy nem?

The authors compare the side effects and hazards of the use of Paracetamol and Amidazophen on the basis of literary data. They draw the conclusion that in case of illnesses accompanied by fever, Amidazophen is preferable as an antifebrile, on both professional and cost-effectiveness grounds. This conclusion is supported by an acute tubularis necrosis case, where a direct link is suspected between the use of Paracetamol as an antifebrile and the development of kidney damage.

[Granular cell (Abrikosov) tumors treated with CO2 laser]. / Szemcsés sejtes daganatok (Abrikoszov) CO2 laser kezelése.

In five cases Abrikosoff-tumors were recognized and examined by electron microscope and immunohistochemical methods. The site of origin was at three patients the larynx and at 2 patients the tongue. The authors are dealing with the CO2-laser as a new treatment possibility of granular cell tumors. Since years they have not seen recurrences. Because of the painless postoperative period, the quick recovery and good functional results CO2-laser surgery seems to be the treatment of choice in these cases.

Cytokines in the treatment of malignancies.

Cytokines are pleiotropic peptides produced by lymphoid cells that play important roles in cellular proliferation and multiplication. Diminished or enhanced production or constitutive secretion of cytokines contributes to the aetiology and pathogenesis of several diseases. They are soluble mediators eliciting specific responses of different target cells of paracrine, autocrine and cascade systems of the organism. Their secretion is regulated at the molecular genetic level. Gene rearrangements of cytokines and their receptors have been demonstrated in several diseases. As means of specific or supportive therapy, cytokine treatment has been used both in neoplastic and other proliferative diseases. Lymphokines and interferons comprise the first, whereas colony stimulating factors and growth factors yield the second group of cytokines. Most scientific experience is with interferon-alpha. Its anti-viral mechanism of action has been extensively studied and clarified, whereas its antitumour effect is more obscure and is a result of many simultaneous biologic events.

Tetraploidy in human placenta. A dilemma in molar and non-molar pregnancies.

17 cases of partial molar pregnancy were analysed cytogenetically by the direct-preparation method. Eight partial moles were triploid, 7 diploid/tetraploid mosaic, and 2 tetraploid. In the course of prenatal cytogenetic screening, out of 1,263 chorionic villus samplings, 2 tetraploid and 1 diploid/tetraploid cases were found. These cases of partial moles do not fit into the usual patterns of triploid partial moles. The findings presented here suggest that different causative factors may be involved in the origin of molar degenerations. These results also call to attention that tetraploidy is an existent and relatively common abnormality.

[Unity of diagnostic pathology, continuing education and research at our institute]. / A diagnosztikus pathológiai, továbbképzö és kutató munka egységéröl intézetünkben.

Authors give a brief view on the activity in Institute of Pathology and Histopathology of Post-graduate University of Medicine. In its frame, close relation of diagnostic, post-graduate education and research activity is illustrated by examples of different fields (intestinal, cardiac, vascular system, respiratory tract, organ of locomotion, urological diseases, electronmicroscopic tumor diagnostics, endocrinology). Importance of modern morphological methods and their place both in practical and scientific activity are dealt with.

Polymorphonuclear functions in patients with mixed connective tissue disease.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from 29 patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) were studied "in vitro" for their phagocytic and chemotactic function as well as for granulocyte alkaline phosphatase (GAP) activity. Fc-receptor expression detected by EA-rosette formation was comparable to the control. Yeast-phagocytosis, C3b-receptor mediated phagocytosis and chemotaxis of PMNs, however, significantly decreased in MCTD. At the same time, photometric measure of alkaline phosphatase activity indicated a nearly two fold increase in PMNs from patients with MCTD. Although no correlation was found between PMN functions and the activity of the disease, PMN disorders may play a role in pathogenesis of these connective tissue disorders.

Lipids associated with tissue transglutaminase.

A substantial amount of lipids (cholesterol and its esters, mono-, di- and triacylglycerols, free fatty acids and the phospholipids phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol) was found associated with tissue transglutaminase purified to apparent homogeneity from guinea pig liver. Removal of lipids results in an increased tendency of the enzyme for self-association and a decreased stability. Lauric acid was detected following hydroxylamine treatment of the enzyme, suggesting the occurrence of a fatty acid-type, covalent, posttranslational modification of transglutaminase. The results provide support for the idea that part of tissue transglutaminase may be localized in the cell membrane.

Quantitation of tissue transglutaminase by a sandwich ELISA system.

A sandwich ELISA system has been developed to quantitate transglutaminase in human cell extracts. It utilizes affinity-purified rabbit anti-human transglutaminase as the capture antibody and a mouse monoclonal anti-transglutaminase (Birckbichler et al., 1985) as the indicator antibody (together with peroxidase-labeled anti-mouse immunoglobulin). The sensitivity of the assay was less than 1.0 ng/mg cellular protein. Significantly higher concentrations of the enzyme were found in resting versus proliferating or transformed fibroblasts in good agreement with previous activity measurements. The levels of transglutaminase in normal T and B lymphocytes, malignant lymphoid cells and monocytes were also determined.

[Ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of heart and lung abnormalities--Down's syndrome]. / Mittels Ultraschall pränatal festgestellte Herzentwicklungsanomalie--Down-Syndrom.

The authors describe a 21 year old gravida 2, para 2 patient in whom cardiac malformation (endocardial cushion defect) and secondary non-immune hydrops fetalis were detected by ultrasound in the 27th week of pregnancy. Because of the serious fetal demise premature delivery was induced. The on the basis of the prenatal ultrasound scan suspected Down-syndrome was proved by karyotyping from the amniotic fluid and fetal fibroblasts.