In vitro effect of suramin on lung tumour cells.

In the search for new therapeutic concepts in lung cancer chemotherapy, suramin, a potential anticancer drug which evades multidrug resistance, was tested in vitro on 25 lung-derived cell lines, either non-tumorigenic cells, or established cell lines from five different tumour types. Suramin treatment resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation, except in one adenocarcinoma cell line where DNA synthesis was highly stimulated. [3H]Leucine incorporation was less affected, indicating that suramin acted cytostatically rather than cytotoxically. Our results show that suramin affected DNA synthesis of the different types of lung derived cells, including non-tumorigenic and tumour cell lines, to a similar extent.

Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of dimethylnitrosamine-induced malignant mesenchymal renal tumor in F-344 rats.

Mesenchymal renal tumors in F-344 newborn rats were induced by a single dose of dimethylnitrosamine. The induced tumors were successfully transplanted into adult rats under the renal capsule. Neither the primary nor the transplanted neoplasms from various generations of grafts changed their morphological features during the tumor passage, having the same cellularity with high mitotic activity and the tendency to invade the host kidney rapidly. On the basis of lectin histochemistry and immunohistology, the tumor proved to be a mesenchymal neoplasm without any obvious capacity of the proliferating cells to differentiate into any well-known organoid element normally found in mature renal parenchyma. However, the proliferating neoplastic cells were found to have a strong vimentin positivity with desmin expression. Ultrastructurally, myofilaments with attachment bodies characteristic of smooth muscle cells were generally present in various amounts in many tumor cells. In addition, on the basis of the physiological data and on kidney/tumor renin activity obtained, it is interesting to note that the tumor-graft-invaded kidneys retained their enzyme activity, despite the obvious loss of renal tissue including glomeruli. However, the immunohistochemical findings with anti-renin antibody have clearly shown that this is not due to a renin-producing tumor but rather to the surviving (probably) non-neoplastic arterioles retaining the capacity to produce renin. Although these arterioles have mostly been found next to necrotic areas, commonly occurring in dimethylnitrosamine-induced transplantable renal tumors, the question of a possible physiological role of renin in tumor necrosis or in angiogenesis has remained open.

Multisensory auditory-somatosensory interactions in early cortical processing revealed by high-density electrical mapping.

We investigated the time-course and scalp topography of multisensory interactions between simultaneous auditory and somatosensory stimulation in humans. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 64 scalp electrodes while subjects were presented with auditory-alone stimulation (1000-Hz tones), somatosensory-alone stimulation (median nerve electrical pulses), and simultaneous auditory-somatosensory (AS) combined stimulation. Interaction effects were assessed by comparing the responses to combined stimulation with the algebraic sum of responses to the constituent auditory and somatosensory stimuli when they were presented alone. Spatiotemporal analysis of ERPs and scalp current density (SCD) topographies revealed AS interaction over the central/postcentral scalp which onset at approximately 50 ms post-stimulus presentation. Both the topography and timing of these interactions are consistent with multisensory integration early in the cortical processing hierarchy, in brain regions traditionally held to be unisensory.

Morphological observations on the extracellular space in the macula densa of the mouse kidney.

Basolateral interstitial spaces (BLIS) of the murine macula densa (MD) are dilated in kidneys fixed either by in vivo glutaraldehyde perfusion or snap freezing-freeze substitution, suggesting that macula densa intercellular spaces may be normally dilated in the functioning nephron. BLIS are also dilated in MD with luminal obstruction with "hyaline" cylinder. This finding might indicate a glomerulo-macular fluid and solute streaming, having an impact on the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism.

Intracranial compartment volumes in patients with enlarged ventricles assessed by magnetic resonance-based image processing.

Magnetic resonance image-based computerized segmentation was used to measure the volumes of the brain, gray and white matter components, and to identify regions with prolonged enhancement on T2-weighted imaging, such as periventricular or deep white matter hyperintensities. The authors also determined the volumes of the ventricles and subarachnoid space in control subjects and in patients with: 1) aqueductal stenosis (AS); 2) other causes of obstructive hydrocephalus (OH); 3) Alzheimer's disease (AD); and 4) normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In AS the volume of the brain was smaller, whereas that of ventricles and subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid space was larger than that of controls. The decrease in brain volume was due primarily to white matter loss. Although in OH the ventricles were larger, the subarachnoid space was smaller than in controls, presumably due to encroachment by the brain, in which the volume remained unchanged. In AD, loss of both gray and white matter resulted in a smaller brain volume, whereas that of ventricles and subarachnoid space was larger than in controls. In NPH patients, only ventricular volume was greater, whereas all other compartments were similar to controls. The brain normally occupies 87% to 92% of the intracranial volume and consequently, as observed in our patients, relatively small decrements in brain size lead to large increments in ventricular and/or extraventricular volumes. The magnitude of such changes differed markedly among our patient groups, and whether such changes prove useful in clinical assessment and differentiation needs to be determined.

Age-related changes in intracranial compartment volumes in normal adults assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) image-based computerized segmentation was used to measure various intracranial compartments in 49 normal volunteers ranging in age from 24 to 80 years to determine age-related changes in brain, ventricular, and extraventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes. The total intracranial volume (sum of brain, ventricular, and extraventricular CSF) averaged 1469 +/- 102 cm3 in men and 1289 +/- 111 cm3 in women. The difference was attributable primarily to brain volume, which accounted for 88.6% of the respective intracranial volumes in both sexes, but was significantly larger in men (1302 +/- 112 cm3) than in women (1143 +/- 105 cm3). In both, the cranial CSF volume averaged 11.4%. Total intracranial volume did not change with age, although the normalized brain volume of both men and women began to decrease after the age of 40 years. This decrease was best reflected by expansion of the extraventricular CSF volume which, after the age of 50 years, was more marked in men than in women. The volume of the cranial CSF, as determined by MR image-based computerized segmentation, is considerably larger than traditionally accepted and resides mostly extraventricularly. Expansion of CSF volume with age provides a good index of brain shrinkage although evolving changes and growth of the head with age tend to confound the results.

Surgical treatment of pathologic fractures from metastatic tumors of long bones.

Surgical treatment of 74 cases of impending and established metastatic pathologic fractures were analyzed. On the basis of various reports, the incidence of bone lesions, bone-seeking primary tumors, lesion sites, diagnostic techniques and possibilities, as well as indications for and methods of surgical treatment, are surveyed. Surgical intervention is only one aspect of the different components of general treatment in bone metastases. An aggressive surgical procedure yields very satisfactory results in most cases, compared with those of conservative treatment.

[Essential hypertension caused by a virilizing adrenal tumor]. / Virilisaló mellékvesetumor által okozott "esszenciális hypertonia".

Authors report here an interesting case of a woman who has been treated for essential hypertension for 12 years. Beside the hypertension, an extreme virilization appeared. A large adenoma, originated from the left adrenal gland have been explored behind the clinical picture. After surgical removal of the adenoma, adrenocortical hormones decreased to the normal levels. Systemic blood pressure decreased considerably the virilisation showed gradual involution. The correct treatment of the patient was a decade late, resulting in the development of encephalopathic syndromes.

[Ischemic cerebrovascular lesion caused by left atrial myxoma]. / Bal pitvari myxoma átal okozott ischaemiás cerebrovascularis laesio.

A case presentation is given of a 40 years old woman with acute ischemic cerebrovascular lesion in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery caused by embolization from a myxoma in the left atrium. The tumor was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. Histological examination after cardiac surgery revealed a benignant myxoma. In the six-month-long postoperative follow up gradual improvement of the neurological signs was observed. The most important morphological and clinical characteristics of myxomas are summarized. The necessity of detailed cardiological examination of each young patient with stroke is emphasized.

[Histologic study of periapical granulomas]. / Periapicalis granulomák szövettani vizsgálata.

Sixty-three periapical granulomas were histologically examined. They were divided into four types: exudative, granulomatous, granulofibrous and fibrous types. The most frequent forms were the granulomatous types. The granulomatous type consisted of four zones: necrotic, exudative, granulomatous and fibrous. In the granulomatous zone lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, Russel bodies, foam cells, neutrophil leukocytes were found. Mast cells were found in the fibrous zone among the collagen fibres.

Unsupervised learning of brain states from fMRI data.

The use of multivariate pattern recognition for the analysis of neural representations encoded in fMRI data has become a significant research topic, with wide applications in neuroscience and psychology. A popular approach is to learn a mapping from the data to the observed behavior. However, identifying the instantaneous cognitive state without reference to external conditions is a relatively unexplored problem and could provide important insights into mental processes. In this paper, we present preliminary but promising results from the application of an unsupervised learning technique to identify distinct brain states. The temporal ordering of the states were seen to be synchronized with the experimental conditions, while the spatial distribution of activity in a state conformed with the expected functional recruitment.

Localization and frequency of degenerative changes in the knee joint: evaluation of 200 necropsies.

A study was performed of 400 knee joints of 200 cadavers. Degenerative changes of the femoropatellar joint affecting the retropatellar articular surface were more frequent and more severe, while in the tibiofemoral joint changes were more frequent and more severe on the femoral articular surface. Owing to the relationship of the two joints, changes of the femoropatellar joint occur more frequently and are usually more severe than those of the tibiofemoral joint. These findings imply that diffuse osteoarthritis of the knee starts mostly in the femoropatellar joint. It is emphasized that early diagnosis and management of degenerative changes in the femoropatellar joint will facilitate the prevention of knee joint panarthrosis.

[Synovial chondromatosis of the knee joint]. / Térdízületi synovialis chondromatosis.

Authors removed more than hundred free bodies from the knee joint of a young female patient. In connection with their case the criteria of the synovial chondromatosis, the theories concerning the pathogenesis and the therapy to be chosen are described, based on literary data.

[Limb-preserving resection operations in the management of bone tumors of the shoulder region]. / Végtagmegtartó, rezekciós mütétek válltájii csonttumorok kezelésében.

Authors describe the frequency of bone tumours in the shoulder region and the anatomical characteristics of this region, that are important, regarding tumour surgery. Six cases are reported in whom resection was performed for malignant, semimalignant and benign bone tumours. In their material one primary and two secondary chondrosarcomas, one Ewing's sarcoma, one osteoclastoma and one benign chondroblastoma were found. Follow-up range was 3-7 years. In two patients partial and total scapulectomy was performed, in the later the proximal end of the humerus was resected only, in three of them endoprosthesis was given, and in one case the missing bone was replaced with a fibular graft. The function of the limbs was in every case, even in those in which the replacement of the bone segment was not carried out, adequate. Metastases developed in three patients, two of them were lost, one is alive. The rest of the patients was free of tumour at the follow-up.

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver after clomiphene treatment in a young boy.

The case of a 3.5-year-old boy treated unsuccessfully with clomiphene for cryptorchidism is reported. Nine months later focal nodular liver hyperplasia developed. Clomiphene promotes testicular descent by stimulating endogenous production of gonadotropins and their releasing factors. A causal relationship between the hepatic lesion and clomiphene treatment has been supposed. In our case subsequent fertility can only be expected from orchidopexy performed as soon as possible. Hepatic function must be checked during and after clomiphene treatment also in children.

The importance of arthroscopy in diagnosing synovial haemangioma of the knee joint.

In connection with one of their cases, authors call attention to the importance of differential diagnosis in synovial haemangioma of the knee joint, a rare condition. They also give a survey of its clinical, radiological and pathological features, review the literature on the topic, with special emphasis on the importance of arthroscopy in making the clinical diagnosis, and describe the treatment applied in their case.