A simple method of tumour culture.

We describe a simple explant primary cell culture system which maintains the normal tumour stroma relationship. This technique utilises conventional cell culture methods combined with the skills found in the histopathological laboratory. This produces sections of tumour visible by light microscopy. Using this method we were able to maintain for up to 7 days good morphological preservation and demonstrated continued proliferation. This technique produces histological sections of tumour following in vitro culture that can be utilised for other molecular studies, e.g. immunohistochemistry and in situ PCR. This method should prove invaluable to pathologists enabling direct visualisation and localisation of molecular events involved in tumour growth.

Immunocytochemical quantitation of inflammatory cells associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Inflammatory cells in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (HAG) were quantified. The results were compared with the gastric biopsy samples from patients with non-Helicobacter pylori gastritis (non-HAG). In order to detect immunocytochemically sensitive antigens, the biopsy samples were acetone-fixed at -20 degrees C and processed into glycol methacrylate at 4 degrees C. Parallel routine biopsy samples were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. A larger, more selective retrospective study was also established examining routinely processed gastric biopsy samples. The results of both studies were expressed as numbers of individual cell types/mm2 of gastric mucosa, and showed that neutrophil granulocytes were significantly increased in HAG whereas T-lymphocytes were not. Heli. pylori colonisation was associated with a significant increase of CD8-positive lymphocytes in the epithelium of the crypts.

Comparison of Electromyographic Activity in Normal Lumbar Sacrospinalis Musculature during continuous and Intermittent Pelvic Traction.

This study investigates whether there is a difference in electromyographic activity in the lumbar sacrospinalis musculature during continuous and intermittent pelvic traction. Twenty-nine normal subjects were randomly assigned to a control group, a continuous traction group, or an intermittent traction group. Electromyographic activity was recorded at specific timed intervals. Myoelectric activity increased with the onset of either type of traction, but by the third recording both groups had returned to their normal initial resting myoelectric recordings. The myoelectric patterns over time were similar for the two treatment groups. No significant difference in electromyographic activity of the lumbar sacrospinalis musculature during intermittent or continuous pelvic traction was found. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1981;2(3):137-141.