Inflammatory mediators in alkali-burned corneas: preliminary characterization.

Leukocyte chemotactic factors (LCF) are important inflammatory mediators which activate and recruit leukocytes from the circulation into sites of tissue damage. These factors were recently detected in the tear fluid of inflamed eyes induced by alkali burn. It remains unclear, however, whether the detected LCF are released from injured corneal tissues or leaked from the circulation. Using a corneal cup model developed in our laboratory, we began examining the capability of corneal tissues to produce LCF in response to alkali injury. We also evaluated the influence of citric acid on the production of LCF from corneas preinjured by the alkali sodium hydroxide (NaOH). For these studies, the epithelial surfaces of corneas isolated from bovine and human eyes were exposed to 1N NaOH for 35 seconds at room temperature. The NaOH was then removed and the epithelial surfaces washed once with buffer and incubated with culture medium for 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours at 37 degrees C/5% CO2 atmosphere. Our results showed that (1) NaOH2 induced corneal epithelial cell injury ranging from cell discoloration and moderate damage of the upper half of the epithelium (1-4 hrs) to total destruction of the epithelium (6 hrs); (2) NaOH-injured corneas (2 hr incubation post injury) produced significant levels of chemotactic activity (via checkerboard analysis) specific for neutrophils (115% maximum chemotactic response [MCR]) and mononuclear cells (94% MCR); (3) preliminary characterization of these factors revealed that they are protease and heat sensitive, extractable by organic solvents, and possess molecular weight values greater than 100,000 daltons; and (4) incubation of NaOH-pretreated corneas with 0.01% citric acid for 2 hours markedly inhibited the production of LCF for both neutrophils (98% inhibition) and mononuclear cells (91% inhibition). Results of these studies indicate that alkali-burned bovine and human corneas generate leukocyte chemoattractants which differ in their biochemical characteristics from previously known low molecular weight chemotactic factors such as C5a, interleukin-1, or leukotriene B4.

[Roentgenographic findings of experimental bowel ischaemia is dogs following occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (author's transl)]. / Röntgensymptomatik der experimentellen Darmischämie beim Hund nach Ligatur der Arteria mesenterica superior.

The results after ligation of the superior mesenteric artery in 17 dogs demonstrated, that a "gasless" abdomen and small bowel pseudo-obstruction are unspecific early roentgenographic findings and bowel-wall thickening with narrowed lumen and increased distance to neighbouring loops are a specific early roentgenographic plain-film findings of acute bowel ischemia following mesenteric vascular occlusion. Approximately 10 hours after ligation a combined distension of small and large bowel with dilatation and air-fluid levels is demonstrable as a sign of paralytic ileus with diffuse peritonitis without possibility of differentiation from other causes of this entity. Gas in the bowel wall, in the superior mesenteric vein and in the portal venous system is a late specific plain-film finding resulting from the invasion of gas-forming bacteria into the devitalized bowel wall with advanced gangrene and a sign of infaust prognosis. The results of the plain-film examinations are correlated to angiographic, clinical and laboratory findings, as well as to histology and bacteriology of the ischemic bowel segments.

[Nephroblastoma, partly appearing as a sarcoma botryoides of the renal pelvis (author's transl)]. / Nephroblastom, teils unter dem Bild eines Sarcoma botryoides des Nierenbeckens.

A renal tumour in a 4-year old girl morphologically appeared as both a nephroblastoma and, in parts, as a sarcoma botryoides of the renal pelvis. The histogenesis of this dysontogenetic tumour is most probably due to a disturbance of growth and differentiation both of the metanephrogenic blastema as well as partly of the urethral bud. This type of dysontogenetic tumour is extremely rare. Problems of diagnosis and operative therapy and the possibility of postoperative radiation therapy and cystostatic treatment are discussed.

[Pathology and classification of colorectal polyps]. / Pathologie und Einteilung der kolorektalen Polypen.

This survey deals with the principles of classifying colorectal polyps and with the fundamentals of anatomic pathology of these growths. In this connection, the epithelial neoplastic types, which are now known as adenomas, are of particular importance in so far as they are the potential precursors of carcinomas of the colon and rectum (""adenoma cancer sequence''). The polypectomy specimen alone enables definite histo-pathological diagnosis.

[Bile duct reconstruction with pendunculate jejunal grafts (author's transl)]. / Gallengangsplastik mit gestieltem Jejunum-Transplantat.

A pedunculate patch, obtained from a disconnected segment of jejunum, was implanted into the longitudinal incision of the ductus choledochus. Intra-operatively, the findings were based upon direct cholecystocholangiography; postoperatively, upon laboratory tests. After an observation period of 12 months a new cholangiography of the transplant was made along with a selective picture of the mesenteric arteries. The choledochus duct with the transplant was examined histologically. Three dogs died immediately postoperatively of peritonitis due to suture insufficiency. Five dogs died of invaginate ileus. These animals, as well as the remaining 8 dogs showed macroscopically and microscopically a smooth and uneventful healing of the transplant at the end of the observation period. Radiographies showed free flow of the biliary duct system. The selective mesenteric arteriographies evidenced beginning anastomosis between the transplant and the capillaries of the bile duct. Based on the results presented, the pedunculate jejunal graft can be considered well suited as an expansion graft for the bile duct.

The upper urinary tract following a ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) in an animal experiment: II. Morphological findings.

This report deals with the macroscopic and microscopic histopathological findings of the upper urinary tract following a unilateral ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) in dogs. Both sides, operated and unoperated, were examined. The area of antireflux surgery was of particular significance. The decrease of flow which was always present on the operated side was caused by submucosal oedema of the bladder and not by the fatty tissue deposited intramurally or by the bladder muscle itself. The morphological findings were less pronounced than was to be expected following the significant obstruction on the operated side caused by anti-reflux surgery (ARS) and shown by the flow measurement and the sequential findings on scintigraphy.