Most patients with X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (X-DCDP) have whorled, thick, or spiky adherent hyperkeratosis on their whole body. Histopathologically, there are large keratotic plugs of hair follicles where calcium deposits. This is the characteristic finding in this disease. We performed histopathologic examination of skin specimens from two newborn babies with X-DCDP. The desquamated thick scales from the hyperkeratotic lesions had calcium in the center of the keratotic plugs. Histopathologic examination of thick scales is easy and helpful in diagnosing X-DCDP.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The mouse peripheral blood micronucleus test with 2-acetylaminofluorene using the acridine orange supravital staining method.

The peripheral blood micronucleus test using the acridine orange (AO) supravital staining method was validated with the potent bone marrow clastogen 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). 2-AAF induced micronuclei in peripheral blood reticulocytes dose-dependently as well as in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. The incidence of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs) peaked 48 h after a single treatment in both CD-1 and BDF1 mice, and the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) peaked 24 or 48 h after treatment. The maximum incidences of MNRETs were always higher than those of MNPCEs in both mouse strains treated once. In the double-treatment regime, the maximum incidence of MNRETs was observed at 24 h after the second treatment in each strain. The incidences of MNRETs in BDF1 mice were higher than in CD-1 mice after a single treatment but were comparable after double treatment. These results indicate that the peripheral blood micronucleus test using AO supravital staining is as sensitive as the conventional bone marrow assay. The new staining method can be performed more easily than the original smear method using either bone marrow or peripheral blood cells. Thus, the peripheral blood method using AO supravital staining is a possible alternative to the conventional bone marrow assay.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Glucose intolerance and hyperplasia of islet D-cells after partial hepatectomy in dogs.

Soon after about 40% hepatectomy in dogs, the peripheral blood showed hyperglycemia, similar to that in diabetes, and impaired insulin response in the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Histologically, at this stage, the number of islet D-cells was increased, but there was no rise in portal somatostatin. Thus, in this glucose intolerance after hepatectomy, somatostatin seems to play an important role as a paracrine hormone by inhibiting the secretion of insulin by islet B-cells in the pancreas itself.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined treatment using radiotherapy for carcinoma of the pancreas involving the adjacent vessels.

The prognosis of pancreatic duct carcinoma is determined mainly by the degree of local invasion, particularly of the portal system and/or associated arteries supplying the carcinoma. Intraoperative (25-36.5 Gy of betatron) and/or external (14.4-25.6 Gy, preoperatively, and 24-61.2 Gy, postoperatively, using lineac photon beams) radiotherapy was combined with pancreatectomy or by-pass surgery for patients with pancreatic carcinoma involving the surrounding vessels but with no distant metastases. Twelve- and 24-month survival rates were 25.9% and 3.2%, respectively, in patients with pancreatectomy (n = 35) and 6.4% and 0%, respectively, in patients with by-pass operations (n = 32). However, in patients with combined surgery and radiotherapy the prognosis was markedly improved to 12- and 24-month survival rates of 33.5% and 20.1%, respectively, for patients with pancreatectomy (n = 13) and rates of 25% and 13%, respectively, for patients with by-pass operations (n = 8). Moreover, radiotherapy produced a significant advantage for local control of pain in patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. This suggests that combined treatment using radiotherapy will be a valuable therapeutic improvement for patients presenting advanced pancreatic carcinoma with vessel involvement.

Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating↗