Capillary supply in relation to myosin heavy chain fibre composition of human intrinsic tongue muscles.

The capillary supply and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition of three different intrinsic tongue muscles was analysed in the anterior and posterior regions of the human tongue with biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Mean capillary density for the whole tongue was 796 ± 82 cap/mm², without regional differences. The overall number of capillaries around each fibre (CAF) was higher in the posterior than in the anterior region (2.5 vs. 2.1, p = 0.009). However, correcting for regional differences in fibre size, CAF per fibre area was higher in the anterior region (4.3 vs. 3.0, p < 0.001). Muscle fibres containing fast MyHCs predominated in the anterior region (78.7%), consisting of MyHCIIa (58.5%), MyHCIIx (1.0%), MyHCIIa+MyHCIIx (11.3%) and MyHCI+MyHCIIa (7.9%). Fibres containing slow MyHC predominated in the posterior region (65.2%), consisting of MyHCI (45.5%) and MyHCI+MyHCIIa (19.7%). A minor fibre population (<2%) contained unusual MyHC isoforms, namely MyHC foetal, MyHC slow-tonic, MyHC α-cardiac or MyHC embryonic. The microvascularization of the human tongue was twice as high as in human limb muscles. Regional similarities in capillary supply, but differences in fibre phenotype composition, suggest that human tongue muscle fibres are fatigue resistant independently of MyHC content. High frequency of hybrid fibres, that is fibres co-expressing two or more MyHC isoforms, indicates a wider spectrum of fibre contractile properties than in limb muscles. In conclusion, human intrinsic tongue muscles showed internal specialization in distribution of MyHC isoforms and capillary supply, but not in the expression of unusual MyHCs.

Inhibition of polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions in vivo by Yersinia enterocolitica lipopolysaccharide.

A single intravenous injection of 5 micrograms of Yersinia enterocolitica lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibits rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) chemotaxis, enzyme secretion, and respiratory burst activation in response to partially purified rabbit C5a and leucotriene B4 (LTB4). Respiratory burst activation is also inhibited in response to platelet activating factor (PAF). In contrast, all these responses to n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) remain unaltered. This LPS does not modulate PMN activation in vitro or activate the respiratory burst. Thus Y enterocolitica LPS acts in vivo by inhibiting PMN responses to endogenous mediators of inflammation. This inhibition presumably impairs the elimination of pathogens and might, therefore, provide favourable conditions for induction by bacteria of further immunological consequences.

Restriction map of virulence plasmid in Yersinia enterocolitica O:3.

Restriction map of the 72-kb virulence plasmid isolated from Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 was generated using EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, and XbaI restriction enzymes. The mapping was done after cloning all of the 13 BamHI fragments of the plasmid in Escherichia coli. In addition, the restriction enzyme analysis revealed two types of virulence plasmids (types I and II) in Y. enterocolitica O:3. No functional differences between the strains bearing type I or type II plasmid were observed.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with breast cancer after postoperative radiotherapy.

The effects of radiotherapy on the immune competence of patients with mammary cancer was studied using enumeration of the various lymphocyte subpopulations as detected by monoclonal OKT antisera, lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, purified protein derivative to tuberculin (PPD), and serum immunoglobulin levels. The tests were carried out in nine patients with newly diagnosed and operated mammary cancer before and after the radiation therapy, and 6 months later, and in ten patients whose mammary cancer had been diagnosed and treated at least 3 years earlier and who had remained tumor-free. The number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and the various T-cell subpopulations as well as the OKIa1 cells mostly representing B-cells decreased. The only population increasing were the OKM1-positive cells, mostly representing monocytes and null cells. As also described earlier, the responses to mitogens decreased because of the radiotherapy but recovered, except for the responses to PPD which remained low.

Clinical trial of a new antigonadotropic substance, 2,6-cis-diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, in cancer of the prostate. A pilot study.

An organic siloxane compound, 2,6-cis-diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, (Cisobitan) has been shown to possess antigonadotropic properties. In this study it has been tried in prostatic cancer. 9 patients received the drug in the dose of 4-5 mg/kg body weight. General condition and subjective response, cytologic changes and semiquantitative scintigraphic changes of metastases were recorded, as well as common laboratory data. In this limited trial, Cisobitan was not adequate for tumour palliation. In a few instances subsequent oestrogen treatment was more effective. No side effects of Cisobitan were noted for periods up to 6 months. Further studies may be of value, perhaps using a higher dose.

Surgicel--an absorbable hemostatic material--in prevention of peritoneal adhesions in rats.

Forty rats were laparotomized and subjected to a standardized cecal trauma. In half the number of the rats, the injured cecum was embedded in oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel). In the remaining 20 rats, which served as controls, the cecum was left uncovered. The rats were sacrificed at 14 days after the operation and examined for intraperitoneal adhesions. Adhesions were significantly (p less than 0.001) less common in the group treated with oxidized regenerated cellulose. In a separate series eight rats were used for histological examination of the traumatized cecal wall. No macroscopic residuum of the implant was seen after one or two weeks. However, the histological examination demonstrated small remnants surrounded by ingrowing fibroblasts and inflammatory cells.

A benign serous ovarian cystadenoma studied by chromosome and quantitative DNA analysis.

In a benign serous ovarian cystadenoma studied by chromosome and quantitative DNA analysis, a diploid mode was found in cells from the cystic wall. The cells from the cystic fluid, however, showed both a diploid and a triploid population. The latter may represent a fist step into malignant transformation.

Endometriosis of lung and pleura diagnosed by aspiration biopsy.

A case of intrathoracid endometriosis with pulmonary and pleural localizations is reported. The use of the aspiration biopsy technique for diagnosis is illustrated with cytologic and histologic evidence.