Meningeal Granular Cell Tumour in a Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis).

Granular cell tumours (GCTs) are uncommon neoplasms mostly reported in man, dogs and horses. The origin of GCT is thought to be Schwann cells, with the associated characteristics of neural crest morphology. Neoplastic cells often demonstrate positive immunoreactivity for S100, LC3, vimentin and p62. They are also periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive and diastase resistant. A female green tree python (Morelia viridis) was presented for severe constipation and hyporexia of 4 month's duration and, despite treatment, died the next day. A 4.8 × 3.4 mm intracalvarial GCT was identified, compressing the overlying cerebrum without invasion. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive to S100 and had brightly eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules that were PAS positive and diastase resistant. Electron microscopy revealed numerous cytoplasmic lysosomes in neoplastic cells. GCTs are reported rarely in non-mammalian species with three reports in birds. This represents the first report of a GCT in a reptile.

Evaluation of postmortem endomyocardial biopsy specimens from 38 patients with lymphocytic myocarditis: implications for role of sampling error.

Among 38 hearts from autopsies in which lymphocytic myocarditis contributed to death, 10 endomyocardial specimens from the apical septal aspect of each ventricle (760 specimens) and 6 slices of ventricular myocardium (228 slices) were evaluated for myocarditis by the Dallas criteria. For each case, the number of positive biopsy samples correlated well with the mean lymphocyte counts in biopsy tissues (P less than 0.0001) and the mean number of inflammatory foci per square centimeter in myocardial slices (P less than 0.001). Right ventricular biopsy specimens, however, were positive in only 63% of the 38 cases and 17% of the 380 specimens. Similarly, left ventricular biopsy tissues were positive in only 55% of the cases and 20% of the specimens. Sampling error was somewhat more prevalent among the 11 cases with isolated myocarditis than in the 27 with myocarditis and other illnesses. Even when 10 biopsy specimens per ventricle were evaluated, the frequency of false-negative results was 45% for the left and 37% for the right ventricle. Although myocarditis was noted in 68% of the 38 septal slices, it involved the subendocardium of the right ventricle (from which biopsy specimens are usually obtained) in only 24%. Because of the mild and focal nature of the inflammatory infiltrates and involvement of regions inaccessible to the bioptome, sampling error contributes appreciably to false-negative results in endomyocardial biopsy tissue from patients with myocarditis. Thus, when myocarditis is evaluated by biopsy alone, only positive findings are considered diagnostic.

Surgical pathology of the tricuspid valve: a study of 363 cases spanning 25 years.

Surgical pathologic features of the tricuspid valve were reviewed in 363 patients who had undergone tricuspid valve replacement at our institution during the period 1963 through 1987. Valves were purely regurgitant in 74%, stenotic and regurgitant in 23%, and purely stenotic in 2%; two valves were neither stenotic nor regurgitant. Among 269 purely insufficient tricuspid valves, the four most common causes were postinflammatory disease (41%), congenital disorder (32%), pulmonary venous hypertension (21%), and infective endocarditis (4%). Of 92 cases of tricuspid stenosis, with or without regurgitation, postinflammatory disease was observed in 92%. Female patients accounted for 66% of the 363 cases, including 84% of those with postinflammatory disease and 64% of those with pulmonary venous hypertension. In contrast, male patients accounted for 73% of cases with endocarditis and 61% with congenital heart disease. Although postinflammatory disease accounted for 53% of the 363 cases, its relative frequency diminished from 79% during 1963 through 1967 to only 24% during 1983 through 1987. This trend may reflect the decreasing incidence of acute rheumatic fever reported in Western countries. During the same time interval, the relative frequency of congenital heart disease as a cause of tricuspid dysfunction increased from 7% to 53%, and it is currently the most common cause in our surgical population. This finding apparently reflects changes in patient referral practices and the development of new operative procedures.

Mechanism of reduction of aortic valvular stenosis by percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty: report of five cases and review of literature.

Among five patients (69 to 93 years of age) in whom percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty was performed for severe aortic stenosis, fractures of cuspid calcium were observed in three, fractures and a cuspid tear in one, and no gross alterations in one. Aortic stenosis resulted from degenerative (senile) calcification of tricuspid aortic valves in two patients, calcification of congenitally bicuspid aortic valves in two, and postinflammatory (presumably rheumatic) fibrocalcific disease in one. Fractures of calcific lesions, by allowing hingelike motion along their sites, seemed to facilitate cuspid mobility and thereby provided the apparent morphologic substrate for reduction in functional stenosis. Among three cases with fused commissures (two bicuspid and one postinflammatory), however, mobility of the conjoined cusps was not achieved after valvuloplasty, despite fracture of calcific nodules in the adjacent valve pocket of one case, because the fused and calcified commissures were not split or fractured and therefore continued to act as rigid struts that impeded cuspid motion. In the current autopsy evaluation of the effects of aortic balloon valvuloplasty, greater cuspid mobility seemed to be achieved in subjects with degenerative calcific stenosis than in those with calcified bicuspid valves or distortion by postinflammatory disease.

Prolonged survival of orthotopically transplanted heart xenograft in infant baboons.

Orthotopic concordant xenotransplantation in a juvenile primate model was examined. Eighteen donor rhesus monkeys weighing 2.4 to 3.8 kg (mean 2.9 kg) were matched with juvenile baboons, aged 9 to 19 months (mean 12.7 months) and weighing 3.2 to 4.8 kg (mean 3.9 kg), using ABH blood type and mixed lymphocyte culture. Rhesus monkey hearts were orthotopically transplanted without immunosuppression into six control baboons (group I). In five baboons (group II), 4 mg/kg per day of antilymphocyte globulin was administered for 3 days before the operation and 5 days after the operation. Splenectomy was also performed, and 18 mg/kg per day of FK 506 was administered orally. Intravenous methotrexate, methylprednisolone, or both were used as rescue therapy. Seven baboons (group III) received the same immunosuppression as those in group II, but an intravenous dose of methotrexate (0.1 to 5 mg) was given twice weekly to suppress the proliferative response as monitored by in vitro immunologic assays. Baboons in group I had a mean survival of 8 days; all died as a result of classic cellular rejection. Baboons in group II had a mean survival of 48.4 days (p < 0.05 versus group I). Two died during rescue therapy for rejection, and three died of cytomegalovirus infection. Two group II baboons showed mild rejection at autopsy. Baboons in group III had a mean survival of 127 days, and one baboon was still alive after 286 days. Two died of cytomegalovirus infection, one of toxoplasmosis, one of Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of massive micropulmonary embolism, one of renal failure aggravated by ganciclovir. Only two of the baboons that died showed rejection (estimated as mild) at autopsy. The baboon still alive at 286 days had no rejection on myocardial biopsy on the two hundred forty-fourth postoperative day. FK 506 coupled with low-dose maintenance methotrexate and splenectomy has produced prolonged host survival in this xenotransplantation model. Results suggest that concordant xenotransplantation would be a suitable biologic bridge to allotransplantation.

A system for the study of visuomotor coordination during reaching for moving targets.

Prehensile behavior is a popular task in current research on human motor control. Most studies on reaching used stationary target objects and, therefore, most models do not address the challenges the motor system must respond to when reaching for moving objects. The machines used in earlier studies to produce object motion offered a limited range of trajectories and restricted control over various movement parameters. We have developed a device that allows a great variety of object trajectories along a flat-table surface and gives the experimenter full control over all movement parameters. A linear positioning system is used to move a sled beneath the table surface. Magnetic coupling transfers the sled's movement to the target object on the tabletop. This arrangement allows fast movements of the object (up to 5 m/s) and at the same time protects subjects from any harm due to the moving parts. The system is connected to LC shutter glasses, a 3-D movement registration device, and a switch that detects the onset of hand motion. This allows the selective withdrawal of vision during the reaching task or the introduction of changes in the object motion depending on the subject's reactions.

Biotechnological potential of P450 monooxygenases high-level production of bovine cytochrome P450c17 monooxygenase during medium cell density culture of a recombinant yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae GRF 18 (YEp-Toku1).

Bovine cytochrome P450c17 monooxygenase was produced in a 30-L fermenter by Saccharomyces cerevisiae GRF18 (YEp-Toku1), harboring the GAL10 promoter, and using conditions of medium cell density culture. Upon addition of D-galactose as an inducer and FeCl3 as a cofactor, cells began to produce the P450 hemoprotein. The yield of this enzyme reached a maximum after 31 h but its formation continued for more than 60 h after induction. The amount of P450c17 produced was 4.7-fold as compared to shake flask experiments.

Mechanistic studies on DOM as a discriminative stimulus.

Ten rats were trained to discriminate racemic DOM (1.0 mg/kg, IP) from saline using a standard two-lever operant procedure. Once responding was stable, these animals were administered doses of lisuride and the purported 5-HT1 agonist 8-OH DPAT in tests of stimulus generalization. DOM-stimulus generalization occurred with lisuride, but not with 8-OH DPAT. These animals were also administered doses of LY-53,857, ritanserin, CP-52,215, and THT in tests of stimulus antagonism. Each of these agents possesses a significant affinity for 5-HT2 binding sites, and each effectively attenuated the DOM-stimulus. These results, coupled with our earlier findings, support the hypothesis that DOM may be producing its stimulus effects via a 5-HT2-related mechanism.

Structure-activity studies on methoxy-substituted phenylisopropylamines using drug discrimination methodology.

Eighteen rats were trained to discriminate 1.0 mg/kg of (+)-amphetamine sulfate from saline in a two-lever operant procedure. Once responding was stable, these animals were administered various doses of sixteen different methoxy-substituted phenylisopropylamines in tests of stimulus generalization. Of three possible mono-methoxyphenylisopropylamines, all three produced amphetamine-appropriate responding, but none was as potent as racemic amphetamine. The amphetamine-stimulus did not completely generalize to any of the di- or tri-methoxyphenylisopropylamines.

Structure-activity studies on amphetamine analogs using drug discrimination methodology.

Animals (rats) trained to discriminate 1.0 mg/kg of S(+)-amphetamine sulfate from saline, using a standard operant training procedure, were administered doses of various amphetamine analogs in tests of stimulus generalization in order to study structure-activity relationships (SAR). The types of structural variation of the amphetamine molecule that were investigated included (a) benz-fusion of the aromatic nucleus, (b) alpha-demethylation of the alkyl side chain, (c) conversion of the benzylic methylene to a carbonyl group, and (d) conformational restriction of the side chain. Benz-fusion and alpha-demethylation appear to have a detrimental effect on activity in that none of these analogs produced amphetamine-appropriate responding. However, the carbonylated analog, i.e., cathinone, was found to be equipotent with amphetamine. Furthermore, as with amphetamine, the S-isomer of cathinone was found to be more active than its enantiomer. With respect to the conformationally-restricted analogs, the most potent compound was 2-aminotetralin which was about half as active as racemic amphetamine.

Endometriosis in the male.

An 83-year-old man with an endometrioma of the lower abdominal wall has been reported. This occurred following the administration of 25 mg of TACE for a period of about 10 years for what was thought to be carcinoma of the prostate. A second transurethral resection done by Dr. R. C. Thompson proved to be adenocarcinoma. Subsequent to this he was continued on TACE. A review of the more commonly accepted theories of the development of endometriosis in the female has been presented. It is pointed out that the separation between the male and female urogenital systems occurs in the embryo between the eighth week and the fourth month. There is always a possibility for remnants of the opposite sex to remain in individuals. No such was seen in the case which is herein reported. Normal phenotype male was demonstrated in the chromosomal evaluation. A review of the literature on endometriosis in the male reveals several cases which have occurred; the origin of which is though to be from the prostatic utricle which is a remnant of the uterus existing in the male. After a prolonged course the patient reported was followed until he died in 1979. There was no recurrence of the abdominal wall mass but persistent low grade carcinoma of the prostate remained. The terminal process was related to cardiovascular disease and not carcinoma of the prostate. There was delay in publication of this unusual case. The original plan was to await final confirmation of the exact pathologic nature of this condition; unfortunately this was never done since a postmortem examination was not performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Embolism of brain tissue to the lung in a neonate. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Embolic cerebellar tissue was observed microscopically in the pulmonary and coronary arteries of a full-term male infant who died 1 hour after forceps delivery. Although embolization of brain tissue has been well documented after severe head trauma in adults and children, to our knowledge only 17 cases associated with birth trauma have been previously reported.

Mitral and aortic valve disease associated with ergotamine therapy for migraine. Report of two cases and review of literature.

Ergotamine has been associated with numerous vascular complications but only rarely with fibrosing disorders or valvular heart disease. Two patients are described in whom severe valvular dysfunction developed during ergotamine therapy for migraine headache. The surgically excised mitral and aortic valves were involved by a proliferative process that was strikingly similar to lesions described in patients with carcinoid heart disease and methysergide-associated valvular disease.

Occurrence and survival of the larval nematode Anisakis sp. in the flesh of fresh, frozen, brined, and smoked pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi.

Two hundred and twenty Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, were divided into five groups to test the effects of various methods of handling and processing (fresh, frozen, brined, cold smoked, and cold smoked-gibbed) on the occurrence and survival of Anisakis larvae in the flesh. Viscera and flesh were digested separately using a pepsin-HC1 technique, and counts were taken of Anisakis larvae. Parasite loads were statistically largest in the flesh of frozen, brined, and smoked fish. Smoked fish harbored the greatest proportions of larvae in the flesh. Human consumption of brined or cold smoked Pacific herring represents a potential public health hazard.

Histopathologic alterations associated with Anisakis larvae in Pacific herring from Oregon.

A histopathologic study of Anisakis sp. larvae in Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) is presented. Tissue alterations included mechanical compression of the pancreas and liver, granulomatous inflammation and necrosis of the liver, and trauma to the muscularis externa of the pyloric caeca. Host exudate in most lesions contained macrophages (histiocytes) and lymphocytes.

[Rehabilitation of construction industry workers considering special workplace demands--results of the "RehaBau" pilot study]. / Arbeitsplatzorientierte Rehabilitation von Bauarbeitern--Ergebnisse der Pilotstudie "RehaBau".

In a descriptive study, 122 construction industry workers were treated in an especially workplace-oriented inpatient rehabilitation measure. Effects were assessed by written questionnaires using the SF-36 questionnaire, the questionnaire for employees self-assessment (FBS) and further standardized instruments for job strain and demand at time intervals of 0, 4 and 13 months from rehabilitation participation. Along with high rehabilitation satisfaction, improvement of quality of life and decreasing disability complaints are reported, which keep stable and significant for at least one year and thus are indicators of sustainable rehabilitation success.

[Oral application of calcium and vitamin D2 in allergic bronchial asthma (author's transl)]. / Orale anwendung von Kalzium plus Vitamin D2 bei allergischem Asthma bronchiale

In 12 patients with allergic bronchial asthma and airway obstruction the effect of calcium in combination with vitamin D 2 (calciferol), given orally, was tested in a cross-over double blind study. Within 60 minutes after application, a statistically significant reduction of airway resistance (Rt) and intrathoracic gas volume (IGV), as well as an increase of forced exspiratory one second volume (FEV1) and forced inspiratory one second volume (FIV1) was observed, in comparison with placebo. It is concluded that calcium, given orally in combination with calciferol, causes a decrease of airway obstruction in patients with allergic bronchial asthma.

Late onset mania in Down's syndrome.

Manic episodes have seldom been reported in individuals with Down's syndrome. The case of an individual with Down's syndrome who developed a manic episode in later life is described. This manic episode was subsequently followed by a first depressive episode.

Characterization of the virulent actinophage S2.

The virulent actinophage S2 isolated from soil infects Streptomyces hygroscopicus 6599, S. lividans 66, and S. levoris 1331. Morphology of S2 was studied by electron microscopy. Influence of growth medium and temperature on multiplication of S2 has been studied qualitatively. S2 is more sensitive to UV irradiation on strain 66 than on 1331. In contrast to UV, hydroxylamine mutagenesis delivered 9 stable ts mutants which belong to 3 complementation groups. Most of the ts mutations isolated on 1331 were found to be host dependent, 8 of 9 mutants were found to be able to grow at 40 degrees C on strain 66 but none of them on 1331. Moreover 2 of the mutants were found to be much more heat sensitive in 6599 than in 1331, as indicated by the changes in half-life temperatures. The latent period of S2+ depends on temperature and germination state of the spores. Under optimal conditions we found 140 min. Ts2 and ts7 have been classified as a late and ts17 as an early mutant.