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Biomedical subjects

J V Johannessen

Publications and source records attributed to J V Johannessen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

The origin and significance of thyroid psammoma bodies.

We have used ultrastructural techniques to study the pathogenesis of calcifications and psammoma bodies in human thyroid disorders. Particular attention was paid to psammoma bodies associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma which were found to represent the end stages of two different biologic events. The one event took place in the vascular stalk of the neoplastic papillae, starting with a thickening of the base lamina followed by a vascular thrombosis, calcification, and tumor cell necrosis. In the other, intralymphatic tumor thrombi in the thyroid adjacent to the main tumors or in the opposite thyroid lobe became necrotic and calcified. In some instances, destruction of the lymphy vessels led to fibrin exudation and perilymphatic fibrosis. The laminated bodies seen inside thyroid follicles in some nonneoplastic conditions were found to represent inspissated colloid and not considered to be true psammoma bodies. Like the amyloid calcifications seen in medullary carcinoma and the stromal calcospherites seen in several conditions, they seem to lack diagnostic importance. Our findings emphasize the biologic importance of the events leading to psammoma body formation and explain how they may contribute to the indolent course of this type of cancer.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1980

Neuroendocrine skin carcinoma associated with calcitonin production: a Merkel cell carcinoma?

An elderly woman presented with an ulcerating skin carcinoma located over the right parietal area. It healed after local radiotherapy but recurred locally and metastasized to the subcutaneous tissue and one regional lymph node. Neurosecretory granules were demonstrated ultrastructurally, and blood levels of calcitonin were repeatedly elevated. A metastasizing medullary carcinoma of the thyroid was suspected, and a total thyroidectomy was performed; however, no medullary carcinoma or C cell hyperplasia could be identified. Furthermore, the calcitonin levels remained unchanged following thyroidectomy, whereas they decreased twice after the skin tumor or its metastases were ablated. Clinical follow-up for over seven years revealed no other lesion that could have been responsible for the overproduction of calcitonin. The ultrastructural features of this skin carcinoma and its metastases, particularly the neurosecretory granules, were reminiscent of those of the so-called Merkel cell. We conclude that this skin carcinoma might indeed produce calcitonin, that this tumor may be derived from Merkel cells, and that Merkel cells may belong within the APUD system.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Endocrine cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

We present an endocrine cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in a 21-year-old woman which we studied by histochemical, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural methods. The tumor had a histologic appearance similar to an oat cell carcinoma, and carcinoma in situ changes were found in the adjacent cervical surface epithelium. Histochemistry and electron microscopy revealed argyrophil cells containing small round secretory granules; more rarely argentaffin (enterochromaffin) cells were seen with dense, elongated and pleomorphic granules and numerous undifferentiated cells with few and small granules. Our findings indicate that the different types of endocrine tumor cells have the same stem cell origin and necessitate the revision of some of the concepts of the embryogenesis of the APUD cells and their tumors. We emphasize that all undifferentiated or poorly differentiated carcinomas of the uterine cervix should be examined histochemically and ultrastructurally, particularly since their correct classification has prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Toxicity of abrin and ricin in mice and dogs.

Mice and dogs, were treated iv with the cytostatic proteins abrin and ricin and observed for clinical, biochemical, and morphological aberrations. In both mice and dogs death occurred within a narrow dose range. Dogs given toxic doses of ricin and abrin showed weakness, anorexia, apathy, and moderate fever. No signs attributable to the central nervous system were observed. Dogs dying from intoxication expired after 15-40 h. After nonlethal doses the animals recovered, apparently completely, in 1-3 wk. No delayed changed were observed in dogs after 4 mo. Abrin and ricin, in contrast to most other cytostatic agents, did not inhibit myelopolesis. However, after sublethal dpses a rapid but translent decrease of peripheral thrombocytes was observed. No evidence for specific liver damage or impairment of kidney function was obtained. Few abnormalities were observed at autopsy or on microscopic and electron microscopic examination of the tissues, in contrast to the findings of some earlier investigators. The results indicate that in mice and dogs given sublethal doses of highly purified toxins the symptoms are reversible. There was no finding militating against a phase 1 clinical trial.

Abrin↗
PubMed1979

Electron microscopy of adipose tissue tumors: comparative features of hibernomas, myxoid and pleomorphic liposarcomas.

Two hibernomas, 16 myxoid, and eight pleomorphic liposarcomas were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Neoplastic cells in hibernomas and the type I cells--adipocytes--in myxoid liposarcomas consistently display abundant lipid droplet populations and prominent basal lamina deposition. Despite some variability in their distribution, these features clearly pertain to the mature and/or maturing characteristics of brown and white adipose cells. On the other hand, the more primitive type II cells of myxoid liposarcomas display highly variable, and occasionally absent, lipid droplet populations and basal lamina deposition. Moreover, the type II cells may also display other features such as prominent cytoplasmic filaments and rough endoplasmic reticulum that, while not characteristic of typical adipose cells, are still consistent with the more primitive mesenchymal cells from which they are assumed to derive. The cells of pleomorphic liposarcomas exhibit a variable lipid droplet population and apparently total absence of basal lamina deposition. Moreover, they often display atypical cell junctions that are neither characteristic for adipose cells nor for the "primitive reticular cells" from which adipocytes presumably derive. These observations would suggest that some "high grade" sarcomas may no be truly "undifferentiated"; rather, they may often display structural characteristics indicative of multiple as well as variable lines of differentiation. Therefore, classifications of such tumors based on quantitatively limited observations may not truly reflect their evident complexities.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1978

The fine structure of human thyroid cancer.

This ultrastructural description of human thyroid cancers is based on the available literature and on our own studies of about 150 cases. Electron microscopy is an invaluable diagnostic adjunct to light microscopy, as it may eliminate inaccurate designations such as "small cell malignant tumors of the thyroid," which include tumors of different histogenetic origin with a different prognosis and treatment that share only a similarity in appearance under the light microscope. Ultrastructure is also of diagnostic importance in cases of medullary carcinoma that imitate papillary or follicular patterns or lack amyloid stroma. Its importance in separating follicular adenomas from carcinomas, however, has not been proven. In conjunction with other methods ultrastructural study might throw new light on the controversial classification of papillary and follicular carcinomas and improve our understanding of their different biologic behavior. Immunoelectron microscopy may help in solving the problem of amyloid pathogenesis in endocrine tumors and in charting the subcellular mechanisms involved in the production of multiple polypeptide hormones in a single tumor.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1978

Cells in peripheral leg lymph of normal men.

The cells of human peripheral lymph collected from leg lymphatic of healthy volunteers have been studied by light- and electron microscopy. More than 80% of the cells were lymphocytes. The rest of the cells were neutrophils, monocytes, phagocytes, intermediate forms between lymphocytes and monocytes, erythrocytes and large cells. Ultrastructurally these large cells had many features in common with the Langerhans cells of normal epidermis and may represent this cell type or a closely related one.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Effect of cobalt-60 gamma rays and DTIC (5-(3,3 dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-r-carboxamide) on human malignant melanomas grown in athymic nude mice.

The effects of 60Co gamma rays and DTIC on two human malignant melanomas, inoculated and passed serially in athymic mutant nude mice, were studied in vivo. Dose-response curves determined after single exposures to 60Co gamma radiation indicate that human malignant melanomas remain radioresistant after transplantation in mutant nude mice. A fractionated irradiation régime, used in the treatment of patients suffering from malignant melanomas, had a considerable effect but did not cure. A corresponding treatment régime with DTIC inhibited the tumour growth, but less effectively than 60Co gamma rays. These two treatments combined were more effective than either alone. The results obtained show no disagreement with results from clinical practice regarding treatment of disseminated malignant melanomas. This suggests that human malignant tissue, transplanted to mutant nude mice, retains its properties with respect to response to therapy. The mutant nude mouse may therefore be valuable in developing new treatment régimes for cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Heterologous growth of human ovarian cancer. A new in vivo testing system.

Successful heterotransplantation of ovarian cancer in the mouse mutant, nude is described, with serial transmission, in one case to date. Light and electron microscopic examination of this tumour, a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, has not revealed any alteration in its morphology after six passages. Tumour-bearing mice have been treated with ThioTEPA or 5-Fluoro-Uracil, in an attempt to see if they show a similar effect to that seen in the patient. ThioTEPA resulted in a marked regression, whilst there was no effect from 5-Fluoro-Uracil, on tumour growth--confirming the ThioTEPA effect seen in the patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1977

Effect of clinically relevant irradiation regimes on human malignant melanomas grown in athymic nude mice.

Human tumors grown subcutaneously in the thymus deficient nude mice are used as a model system to compare the effectiveness of clinically relevant irradiation regimes. Procedures for local irradiation of the tumors with 60Co radiation are described in detail. A preliminary test of the regression of two malignant melanomas, following three clinically relevant fractionation schedules, is performed. The overall treatment time and the nominal standard dose (NSD) are kept equal for the irradiation regimes chosen.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Diagnostic problems.

Light microscopy is usually considered sufficient for the diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT). As stromal amyloid is not always present and the tumor may exhibit great variation in growth pattern, light microscopy alone, however, may lead to misinterpretations. Of 1670 thyroid carcinomas registered durging a 15-year period in Norway, 42 were originally interpreted as MCT. The slides were reviewed and the diagnosis maintained in 33 cases only. Twenty-four additional cases were found by reviewing histopathologic slides from neoplasms originally registered as other types of thyroid tumors. Of 57 cases of MCT, stromal amyloid was demonstrated in 43. Calcitonin measurements and electron microscopy, even on formalin-fixed material, were valuable aids in establishing the correct diagnosis, though none of these methods are unequivocal. Different aspects of the problems concerning the diagnosis of MCT are discussed through the detailed presentation of five patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in Norway. Clinical course and endocrinological aspects.

A study of the clinical, biochemical and histological findings of 57 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MCT) in Norway, is presented. The diagnosis was established by light and electron microscopy and by measurements of immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) in serum. The major factor influencing the prognosis was the extension of the disease at presentation. None of the 24 patients with tumour confined to the thyroid gland have died of the disease, and serum iCT was normal in 15 patients. Of 19 patients with regional lymph node metastes only 11 are alive 1 to 14 years after treatment, and of these 9 had increased serum iCt. 14 patients technically inoperable and/or with distant metastases, 12 have died of MCT, 1 are alive with elevated serum iCT. Of 14 patients with raised serum iCT, 8 have no clinical recurrence of the disease from 1 to 15 years after the operation. MCT-associated diseases were found in 8 patients, chronic thyroiditis in 10. Serum iCT was measured in 249 relatives of 42 patients, and abnormal elevations were found in 11 members of 6 families.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Human orf.

Human orf is usually considered a rare disease caused by a virus belonging to the paravaccinia subgroup of pox viruses and transmitted to man from sheep and goats. This paper presents 119 new human cases with epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural findings. Erythema multiforme was found to be a common complication of human orf. Other complications tended to be caused by overtreatment. Electron microscopy of negatively stained suspensions from lesions was found to be the best and most rapid diagnostic method available.

Adolescent↗