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Biomedical subjects

M S Peters

Publications and source records attributed to M S Peters.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pyoderma gangrenosum-like ulcer in a patient with large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

Large granular lymphocytic leukemia refers to a clonal expansion of lymphocytes that have abundant cytoplasm and azurophilic granules. The disease is characterized clinically by chronic neutropenia and it may be associated with recurrent pyogenic infections. Except for these infections, cutaneous manifestations of this disease have not been well characterized. We describe a patient with large granular lymphocytic leukemia, which was confirmed by molecular genetics studies, who had a pyoderma gangrenosum-like ulcer on his leg. Results of an evaluation of the histologic characteristics and the leukocytic immunophenotype of a skin biopsy specimen from the ulcer demonstrated large granular lymphocytes within the blood vessels. Cutaneous ulceration may be a manifestation of large granular lymphocytic leukemia, and this disease should be considered when diagnosing patients with otherwise unexplained pyoderma gangrenosum-like ulcers of the skin.

Complement C3

Characterization of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and the transition from maternal to embryonic control in the 4-cell porcine embryo.

These studies were conducted to identify the point during the 4-cell stage at which the porcine embryo begins to control development. Reproductive tracts of gilts were flushed 48 h after the onset of estrus to obtain 1- and 2-cell embryos. To determine the duration of the 4-cell stage in vitro, development of 29 embryos was timed from cleavage to the 4-cell stage and from cleavage to the 8-cell stage. The average duration of the 4-cell stage was 50.5 h. The duration of the 4-cell stage was positively correlated (p < 0.01) with culture time in vitro before cleavage to the 4-cell stage. DNA content was determined by using the Feulgen's reaction and quantified with micro-densitometry. Staining units (SU; density x area) were calculated at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, and 36 h post-cleavage to the 4-cell stage (P4C). Results revealed a possible G1 phase (< 2 h) with DNA synthesis starting within 2 h P4C. DNA synthesis was completed by 16 h P4C, and was followed by an extended G2 phase. Embryos were evaluated for uptake and incorporation of [35S]methionine and for qualitative changes in protein profiles specific to time points during the 4-cell stage (2, 10, 14, 16, 18, 24, 30, and 40 h P4C). Methionine uptake and incorporation into protein followed similar patterns, both decreasing until 16-18 h P4C, followed by a steady increase through the 4-cell stage. Protein profiles revealed qualitative changes beginning at 14 and 16 h P4C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amanitins

Palisading granulomas caused by infectious diseases.

We recently encountered a palisading granuloma in which an infectious cause was not considered until special stains revealed hyphae and tissue culture revealed organisms of phaeohyphomycosis. A review of more than 2,500 cases of various granulomas revealed 11 cases of palisading-type granuloma caused by infection, including phaeohyphomycosis, nontuberculous mycobacteriosis, papulonecrotic tuberculid, tuberculoid syphiloderm, cat-scratch disease, sporotrichosis, cryptococcosis, and coccidioidomycosis. Infectious disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of palisading granuloma. Special stains for bacteria, fungi, and acid-fast bacilli should be performed in biopsy specimens that have a palisading granuloma pattern with central necrosis, especially in immunosuppressed patients.

Aged

Immunohistochemical stains in extramammary Paget's disease.

The histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of 49 skin biopsy specimens from 49 patients with extramammary Paget's disease were studied. Patients with extramammary Paget's disease with and without underlying malignant disease were identified. Associated malignant lesions, present in 16 patients (33%), were transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (n = 8), adenocarcinoma underlying the skin (n = 3), adenocarcinoma of the anus (n = 1), adenocarcinoma of the vulva (n = 1), apocrine carcinoma (n = 1), prostate carcinoma (n = 1), and carcinoma metastatic to the lung (n = 1). The main histologic feature was the presence of Paget's cells, predominantly at the base of the epidermis. In 6% of the cases, well-defined nests of large Paget's cells mimicked melanocytic nests. Carcinoembryonic antigen and Cam 5.2 (a monoclonal antibody that stains 40-kDa, 45-kDa, and 52.5-kDa low molecular weight keratins) were localized to the Paget's cells in 42 of 45 (93%) and 29 of 41 cases (71%), respectively. Forty-four of 46 lesions (96%) were mucin positive, as determined by Hale's colloidal iron stain. Absence of staining for colloidal iron and carcinoembryonic antigen occurred somewhat more frequently in patients with underlying malignant disease than in patients without tumors (13% vs. 0% mucin negative and 13% vs. 3% carcinoembryonic antigen negative, respectively). Although immunohistochemical staining for low molecular weight keratin may be used to confirm the diagnosis of extramammary Paget's disease, Cam 5.2 is not as sensitive as the colloidal iron or carcinoembryonic antigen stain.

Aged

Histologic and immunofluorescence study of cutaneous porphyrias.

We reviewed the histologic and direct immunofluorescence findings in skin biopsy specimens from 24 patients with cutaneous porphyrias. The histopathologic changes were characterized by cell-poor subepidermal bullae, festooning of dermal papillae, thickening and hyalinization of dermal blood vessel walls, dermal sclerosis, and a mild perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells in the upper dermis. The characteristic pattern on direct immunofluorescence testing was fluorescence of thickened doughnut-like blood vessels in the upper dermis, reflecting deposition of immunoglobulins and C3, and deposition of immunoglobulins or C3 or both at the dermal-epidermal junction in most cases. These findings are characteristic but not specific for the porphyrias; they may also be observed in the pseudoporphyria syndromes and in other clinical settings. However, the immunopathologic findings are distinctive enough to be useful in differentiating the porphyrias and pseudoporphyria syndromes from other subepidermal bullous diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and bullous pemphigoid. The most important diagnostic test in the evaluation of the cutaneous porphyrias still is measurement of porphyrins in urine, stool, and blood.

Adult

Panniculitis.

An accurate assessment of subcutaneous lesions can be made by joining the differential diagnoses generated by clinical and histologic features. Anatomic location of lesions, presence or absence of ulceration, occurrence of lipoatrophy, history of trauma, association with immunologic or metabolic disorders, and age of the patient are important clinical data to consider in conjunction with the microscopic features. Individual histologic features such as calcification, cytophagic histiocytes, pseudocysts, lymphoid nodules, and crystals should be evaluated in conjunction with the inflammatory infiltrate (i.e., granulomatous, neutrophilic, lymphocytic, or combined); presence and type of necrosis (e.g., basophilic, hyaline, lobular, or septal); and presence and extent of sclerosis. For optimal management of patients, it is important to consider the differential diagnosis generated by the dominant histologic features as well as the clinical and histologic abnormalities.

Adipose Tissue

Artificial activation of porcine oocytes matured in vitro.

These studies were undertaken to understand the biological basis of artificially induced activation of meiotic metaphase II oocytes and to develop a source of oocytes as recipients for cloning by nuclear transfer. In vitro matured porcine oocytes were pulsed with various voltages of electricity and evaluated for pronuclear formation. The percentage of eggs that activated was significantly greater for the higher voltages. The effect on activation of the temperature of the ovaries returning from the abattoir was evaluated and it was found that oocytes derived from ovaries returning at 29 degrees C activated at lower rates (45.5%) than those returning at 36 degrees C (78.9%). An experiment was designed to evaluate the pH of electroporation medium (EM) and the duration of exposure to EM on activation. Oocytes were placed in EM at various pHs for 5 minutes, pulsed, and immediately removed to TL-Hepes or allowed an additional 2 minutes in EM prior to rinsing in TL-Hepes. The results indicate an optimum activation rate at a pH of 7.0 and allowing the additional 2 minutes in EM. Additional glucosamine (5 mM) had no affect on development of the oocyte to metaphase but reduced the percent pronuclear formation from 61% and 47%. A final experiment evaluated the developmental competence of oocytes subjected to a optimum combination of the above treatments and illustrated that a significant portion of the activated oocytes can show limited signs of cleavage. Thus in vitro matured pig oocytes can be induced to activate at high rates.

Animals

Purpura simplex (inflammatory purpura without vasculitis): a clinicopathologic study of 174 cases.

Purpura simplex manifests clinically as macular purpuric and petechial pigmented, golden, annular, or lichenoid lesions. These subtypes have been termed Schamberg's purpura, lichen aureus, Majocchi's purpura, and Gougerot-Blum purpura. Histologically, there is inflammation and hemorrhage without fibrinoid necrosis of vessels. One hundred seventy-four cases were retrospectively reviewed. In some patients, the eruption was related to medications. Treatment was usually of limited benefit. Fifty-eight of 87 patients (67%) who had follow-up data did eventually have clearing of lesions. Because of the clinical and histologic similarities among the subtypes, the inclusive term purpura simplex is favored.

Eczema

Immunodermatology update: the immunologically mediated vesiculobullous diseases.

Before a specific diagnosis of an immunologically mediated blistering disease can be made, the clinical and histologic features and the results of direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies (with use of multiple substrates in some cases) must be assessed. For both subepidermal and intraepidermal groups of blistering diseases, direct immunofluorescence testing of perilesional tissue is critical for diagnosis. For these conditions, indirect immunofluorescence testing of serum is important for diagnosis and has a role in management of selected diseases. In dermatitis herpetiformis, indirect testing of serum for IgA antiendomysial antibodies is useful for both diagnosis and management. Indirect testing of serum for IgG antibodies to intercellular substance is important for diagnosis and, in conjunction with the clinical findings, can be used as a guide for monitoring disease activity in patients with pemphigus. Immunoelectron microscopy, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting studies have identified the sites of immune deposits and the specific antigens in most of the immunologically mediated bullous diseases. From a practical standpoint, however, direct and indirect immunofluorescence testing, in conjunction with clinical and histologic evaluations, is a simple, rapid, and relatively inexpensive tool for diagnosis and management.

Basement Membrane

T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis: cutaneous T cell lymphoma, peripheral T cell lymphoma, and premalignant and benign cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders.

T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis is a useful technique to detect clonality and determine lineage of lymphoid neoplasms. We examined 103 patients with mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, peripheral T cell lymphoma, potentially malignant lymphoproliferative disorders including pre-Sézary syndrome, large plaque parapsoriasis, lymphomatoid papulosis and follicular mucinosis, and various benign inflammatory infiltrates. A clonal rearrangement was detected in skin samples in 20 of 24 patients with mycosis fungoides and in peripheral blood samples in 19 of 21 patients with Sézary syndrome. A clonal population was also detected in seven of eight cases classified as peripheral T cell lymphoma. The potentially malignant dermatoses tended to have clonal rearrangement, with the exception of large plaque parapsoriasis, and further follow-up is needed to correlate clonality with the disease course. These studies demonstrate the value of molecular genetics as an adjunct to morphology in the examination of patients with cutaneous lymphoproliferative disease.

Adolescent

Eosinophils in lupus panniculitis and morphea profunda.

The extent of eosinophils in skin biopsy and peripheral blood specimens of patients with lupus panniculitis and morphea profunda was determined by studying 37 biopsies from 33 patients with lupus panniculitis and 55 biopsies from 53 patients with morphea profunda. Specimens from 8 (24%) of 33 patients with lupus panniculitis showed eosinophils, and 13 (25%) of 53 patients with morphea profunda had eosinophils in the subcutaneous tissue. In all cases, the diagnosis of lupus panniculitis or morphea profunda was established on the basis of other, more characteristic histologic features; the presence of eosinophils was incidental and not a diagnostic criterion. Occasional cases of lupus panniculitis or morphea profunda had numerous eosinophils. However, in most of the specimens, eosinophils were absent or observed in small numbers. Only 3% of patients with lupus panniculitis showed an increase in the number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood, whereas 47% of patients with morphea profunda had peripheral eosinophilia. The degree of hyaline necrosis in lupus panniculitis or of sclerosis in morphea profunda did not correlate with the number of eosinophils present in the biopsy specimen or peripheral blood.

Eosinophils

Neonatal lupus erythematosus syndrome.

Three cases of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) syndrome are described. The key diagnostic sign is the erythematous and annular clinical appearance of lesions. The histopathologic findings may be subtle in NLE syndrome compared with discoid or subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Direct immunofluorescence testing may be useful in supplementing the histopathologic evaluation. Detection of immunoglobulins, complement, or both at the basement membrane zone in lesional skin by immunofluorescence occurs in approximately half of cases; a negative study does not preclude the diagnosis of NLE syndrome. Clinical and serologic evaluation of both the infant and the mother are important in establishing a diagnosis of NLE syndrome, particularly when histopathologic findings are subtle.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Woolly hair nevus.

Woolly hair nevus is a rare, nongenetically determined condition in which unruly and tightly curled hair is localized on one or several areas of the scalp. We report the first case of woolly hair nevus with onset during adolescence. Marked improvement was evident 5 years after onset. Light microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from the scalp showed a curved hair follicle. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed slight fluting and marked flattening of the hair shafts. A discussion of these results and a comparison with those of the previously reported cases suggest that woolly hair nevus correlates with a variety of structural changes in the hair.

Adolescent

Mycosis fungoides in children and adolescents.

The clinical and histologic findings in five young patients with mycosis fungoides are reviewed. The skin specimen from a 16-year-old boy had an infiltrate predominantly Leu-1+, Leu-4+, Leu-3a + 3b+, OKT6+, Leu-2a-, Leu-8-, and Leu-9-, and rearrangements were noted in T cell receptor gene (beta chain [constant region probe] and gamma chain [J region probe]); no rearrangements were found in a histologically normal lymph node or peripheral blood. The skin specimen from an 11-year-old girl contained predominantly Leu-4+ and Leu-9+ lymphoid cells. No T cell receptor gene rearrangements were found in the skin or in an involved lymph node. The variations in clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic features suggest that mycosis fungoides in young patients represents a heterogeneous subgroup of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Adolescent

Lupus erythematosus panniculitis.

LE panniculitis is an uncommon but distinctive subset of LE. It may develop in patients with discoid LE or SLE or may occur as an isolated phenomenon. The typical clinical presentation is that of multiple indurated nodules or plaques (or both), often associated with lipoatrophy, there being a predilection for the proximal extremities and trunk. Because the clinical and histologic findings of LE panniculitis overlap with those of other connective tissue diseases, evaluation of patients suspected of having LE panniculitis should include a complete history and physical examination as well as serologic studies, determination of peripheral blood counts, and tests of renal function. A deep excisional biopsy rather than punch biopsy should be performed for diagnosis. The characteristic histologic pattern includes hyaline necrosis of fat; lymphoid nodules, often with germinal centers; and lymphocytic lobular panniculitis. Direct immunofluorescence testing of skin may help confirm the diagnosis in patients who have less than classic histologic features. LE panniculitis tends to have a chronic course marked by recurrent nodules or plaques (or both). Antimalarial agents, with or without courses of systemic steroids, are beneficial in most patients.

Diagnosis, Differential

Follicular mucinosis: clinical and histopathologic study.

Fifty-nine patients with the histologic diagnosis of follicular mucinosis (alopecia mucinosa) were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-seven were male and 22 were female; ages ranged from 10 to 76 years. Of 19 patients with mycosis fungoides, 16 had initial lesions of follicular mucinosis on the trunk or extremities. Two patients had Hodgkin's disease and follicular mucinosis; both were younger than 20 years of age. Seven other patients were 20 years of age or younger. Two of the nine adolescent patients had persistent plaques of follicular mucinosis up to 18 years after diagnosis. Evaluation of biopsy specimens for lymphocytes, eosinophils, nonlymphoid cell infiltration, epidermal lymphocytic exocytosis, mucin deposition, and epidermal hyperplasia revealed no predominant feature that differentiated the group with benign disease from the group with mycosis fungoides. We conclude that no single clinical or histopathologic observation predicts which patients with follicular mucinosis will have a benign course and that evaluation of multiple clinical and histologic variables is necessary.

Adolescent