PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

S R Stapleton

Publications and source records attributed to S R Stapleton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Inhibitory actions of synthesised polyamine spider toxins and their analogues on Ca2+-activated Cl- currents recorded from cultured DRG neurones from neonatal rats.

The whole cell variant of the patch clamp technique was used to investigate the actions of polyamine spider toxins and their analogues on high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and Ca2+-activated Cl- currents (I(Cl(Ca))). The actions of synthesised FTX (putative natural toxin from the American funnel web spider), sFTX-3.3, Orn-FTX-3.3, Lys-FTX-3.3, and argiotoxin-636 on cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones from neonatal rats were investigated. Synthesised FTX (1 microM) inhibited I(Cl(Ca)) but did not inhibit high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents. In contrast, sFTX-3.3 (10 microM) inhibited both high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and the associated I(Cl(Ca)) in near equal proportions. Argiotoxin-636 (1-10 microM) inhibited I(Cl(Ca)) evoked by Ca2+ entry through voltage-activated channels and by intracellular photorelease of Ca2+ from a caged precursor DM-nitrophen. This data indicates that synthesised FTX and argiotoxin-636 directly inhibit Ca2+-activated Cl- channels. In conclusion, the potency of polyamines as non-selective inhibitors of Ca2+ channels and Ca2+-activated Cl- channels is in part determined by the presence of a terminal arginine and this may involve an interaction between terminal guanidino groups and Ca2+ binding sites.

Animals

Insulin regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene expression is rapamycin-sensitive and requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) controls the flow of carbon through the pentose phosphate pathway and also produces NADPH needed for maintenance of reduced glutathione and reductive biosynthesis. Hepatic expression of G6PDH is known to respond to several dietary and hormonal factors, but the mechanism behind regulation of this expression has not been characterized. We show that insulin similarly induces expression of endogenous hepatic G6PDH and a reporter construct containing 935 base pairs of the G6PDH promoter linked to luciferase in transient transfection assays. Using well tested and structurally distinct inhibitors of Ras farnesylation, lovastatin and B581, and a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase activation, PD 98059, we show that the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is not utilized for the insulin-induced stimulation of G6PDH gene expression in primary rat hepatocytes. Similarly, using well characterized inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, wortmannin and LY 294002, we show that PI 3-kinase activity is necessary for the induction of G6PDH expression by insulin. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of FRAP protein, which is involved in the activation of pp70 S6 kinase, blocks the insulin induction of G6PDH, suggesting that S6 kinase is also necessary for the insulin induction of G6PDH expression.

Androstadienes

Selenium: potent stimulator of tyrosyl phosphorylation and activator of MAP kinase.

Selenium, an essential biological trace element, is an integral component of several enzymes, and its use as a nutritional supplement has been popularized recently due to its potential role in low concentrations as an antioxidant and in higher concentrations as an anticancer agent. Selenium has also been reported to act as an insulin-mimetic agent with regard to normalization of blood glucose levels and regulation of some insulin-mediated metabolic processes. Little work, however, has been done concerning the pathway(s) by which this insulin-mimetic action occurs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which selenate exhibits insulin-mimetic properties in two different insulin responsive cell types, primary rat hepatocytes and 3T3 L1 adipocytes. We found that two proteins associated with the insulin signal cascade, the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor and IRS-1, increased in tyrosyl phosphorylation in the presence of selenium. The third identified selenium activated signal protein, MAP kinase, has been implicated not only in the insulin signal transduction pathway but also in other growth factor-mediated responses. Using an in-gel activity assay for MAP kinase, we demonstrated that both the p42 and p44 MAP kinases are activated when either hepatocytes or adipocytes are incubated in the presence of selenate. In addition to the activation of these specific proteins, we found that selenium also eventually profoundly affected overall tyrosyl phosphorylation. Our results therefore show that selenium not only increased the phosphorylation of proteins identified in the insulin signal cascade but also affected the overall phosphorylation state of the cell.

Adipocytes

Combined utility of functional MRI, cortical mapping, and frameless stereotaxy in the resection of lesions in eloquent areas of brain in children.

We studied 16 children with lesions in the eloquent brain to determine if the amalgamation of information from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), frameless stereotaxy, and direct cortical mapping and recording could facilitate the excision of these lesions while minimizing potential neurological deficits. The mean age of the children was 10 years. Fourteen children presented with seizures. All lesions were located in or near eloquent cerebral cortex. fMRI was successful in all patients in delineating the relationship between the lesion and regions of task-activated cortex. The ISG wand was utilized in all cases for scalp and bone flap placement, and for intraoperative localization of the lesion. Direct cortical stimulation or recording of phase reversals with somatosensory evoked potentials helped delineate the central sulcus and language cortex in patients with lesions near the motor or language cortex. Intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) was utilized in all patients who presented with seizures to guide the extent of resection of the epileptiform cortex. Ten children had benign cerebral neoplasms, nine of which were totally resected. The other diagnoses included vascular malformations, Sturge-Weber, tuberous sclerosis, Rasmussen's encephalitis, and primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Only 1 patient with a left Rolandic AVM developed a new neurological deficit postoperatively. Thirteen of fourteen patients who presented with seizure disorders were rendered either seizure free or improved in terms of seizure control postoperatively. Follow-up has ranged from 12 to 18 months, with a mean follow-up of 15 months. We conclude that the techniques of fMRI, frameless stereotaxy, direct cortical stimulation and recording can be utilized in sequence to accurately localize intracerebral lesions in eloquent brain, and to reduce the morbidity of resecting these lesions in children.

Adolescent

Upregulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in response to hepatocellular oxidative stress: studies with diquat.

The expression of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, E.C. 1.1.1.49) is hypothesized to be modulated by free radicals during oxidative stress. The ability of diquat, a compound known to enhance oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen species, to modulate the expression of G6PDH in primary cultures of Fischer-rat hepatocytes was examined. Diquat-treated hepatocytes maintained in a chemically defined medium showed both a time- and concentration-dependent increase in G6PDH enzyme activity. This increase in enzyme activity was accounted for by an increase in both G6PDH mRNA and immunoreactive protein, suggesting control at a pretranslational level. The possibility that diquat increased transcription by transfecting cells with a chimeric gene containing 935 bp of the G6PDH promoter (-878 to +57) linked to the gene for chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) was examined. Hepatocytes transiently transfected with this chimera, and subsequently treated with diquat, exhibited an increase in CAT activity. However, hepatocytes transfected with a chimera containing 287 bp of the G6PDH promoter (-230 to +57) exhibited only basal CAT activity in the presence of diquat. These results suggest that regions in the DNA sequences required for diquat-induced expression of G6PDH lie between base pairs -878 and -230 of the G6PDH gene. These findings are suggestive that oxidative stress in hepatocytes increased the expression of G6PDH activity and protein and that the increased expression is controlled at the transcriptional level.

Animals

Efficient lipid-mediated transfection of DNA into primary rat hepatocytes.

Cationic lipids are an effective means for transfecting nucleic acids into a variety of cell types. Very few of these lipids, however, have been reported to be effective with primary cells. We report on the efficacy of several commercially available cationic lipid reagents to transfect plasmid DNA into primary rat hepatocytes in culture. The reagents tested in this study include TransfectAce, LipofectAmine, Lipofectin, N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-n,n,n-trimethylammoniumchloride (DOTMA), (N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethyl-ammonium methylsulfate (DOTAP), and cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide/dioleoylphosphatidylethanol-amine (CTAB/DOPE). Electron micrographic (EM) studies indicate that similar size Lipofectin and DOTAP vesicles contain DNA-like material internally and that these vesicles attach to the cell membrane. DOTAP vesicles are multilamellar, appear as clusters, and have a high DNA-to-lipid ratio. Lipofectin vesicles appear to attach to the cell surface as individual vesicles. The EM observations are consistent with current theories on the mechanism of transfection by cationic lipids. While Lipofectin has proven to be effective in transfection studies of primary cells in culture, we have found DOTAP to be a viable alternative. DOTAP yields transfection rates in hepatocytes comparable to DOTMA and Lipofectin, however, at lower concentrations of reagent and at considerably less cost. Optimal conditions for transfecting 5 micrograms of plasmid DNA with DOTAP were achieved by utilizing multilamellar (vortexed) vesicles at a concentration of 15 micrograms DOTAP per 2 ml media in 60-mm plates for 2 h transfection time. In this study, DOTAP has proven to be economical, easy to prepare, and very effective in transfecting DNA into primary rat hepatocytes.

Animals

Aspects of calcium-activated chloride currents: a neuronal perspective.

Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels are expressed in a variety of cell types, including central and peripheral neurones. These channels are activated by a rise in intracellular Ca2+ close to the cell membrane. This can be evoked by cellular events such as Ca2+ entry through voltage- and ligandgated channels or release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Additionally, these Ca(2+)-activated Cl currents (ICl(Ca)) can be activated by raising intracellular Ca2+ through artificial experimental procedures such as intracellular photorelease of Ca2+ from "caged" photolabile compounds (e.g. DM-nitrophen) or by treating cells with Ca2+ ionophores. The potential changes that result from activation of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels are dependent on resting membrane potential and the equilibrium potential for Cl-. Ca2+ entry during a single action potential is sufficient to produce substantial after potentials, suggesting that the activity of these Cl- channels can have profound effects on cell excitability. The whole cell ICl(Ca) can be identified by sensitivity to increased Ca2+ buffering capacity of the cell, anion substitution studies and reversal potential measurements, as well as by the actions of Cl- channel blockers. In cultured sensory neurones, there is evidence that the ICl(Ca) deactivates as Ca2+ is buffered or removed from the intracellular environment. To date, there is no evidence in mammalian neurones to suggest these Ca(2+)-sensitive Cl- channels undergo a process of inactivation. Therefore, ICl(Ca) can be used as a physiological index of intracellular Ca2+ close to the cell membrane. The ICl(Ca) has been shown to be activated or prolonged as a result of metabolic stress, as well as by drugs that disturb intracellular Ca2+ homeostatic mechanisms or release Ca2+ from intracellular stores. In addition to sensitivity to classic Cl- channel blockers such as niflumic acid, derivatives of stilbene (4,4'diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid) and benzoic acid (5-nitro 2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid), ICl(Ca) are also sensitive to polyamine spider toxins and some of their analogues, particularly those containing the amino acid residue arginine. The physiological role of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels in neurones remains to be fully determined. The wide distribution of these channels in the nervous system, and their capacity to underlie a variety of events such as sustained or transient depolarization or hyperpolarizations in response to changes in intracellular Ca2+ and variations in intracellular Cl- concentration, suggest the roles may be subtle, but important.

Animals

Insulin-like effects of vanadate and selenate on the expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase in diabetic rats.

Insulin is capable of regulating cellular and metabolic processes as well as gene expression. In recent years, enthusiasm has surfaced for using insulin-mimetics to study the mechanism of action of insulin. Vanadate and selenate are two compounds that have been found to mimic the action of insulin on control of blood glucose levels in vivo. Vanadate has also been shown to regulate the expression of several enzymes both in vivo and in vitro, however, studies concerning selenate's ability to regulate expression have not been reported. In this study we show that administration of vanadate or selenate to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats not only normalizes blood glucose levels similarly to insulin but also positively affects the expression of two key metabolic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Both G6PDH and FAS activity are significantly decreased in diabetic animals compared to non-diabetic control. Treatment of the diabetic animals with either insulin, vanadate or selenate restored both activities to about 80-90% of control. All treatment conditions exhibited activities significantly higher than those determined for the diabetic group but did not differ significantly from each other. Increases in G6PDH or FAS activity are due to increases in mRNA level. Increase in both G6PDH and FAS mRNA was comparable to the observed increase in activity suggesting that regulation of expression by the mimetics occurs pretranslationally.

Animals

Modulation of Ca(2+)-dependent currents in metabolically stressed cultured sensory neurones by intracellular photorelease of ATP.

1. The whole cell recording technique was used to study high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and Ca(2+)-activated Cl- tail currents from cultured neonatal dorsal root ganglion neurones of the rat which were metabolically stressed. The neurones were metabolically stressed with 2-deoxy-D-glucose (5 mM) for 30 min to 3 h. The aim of the project was to examine the actions of intracellular photorelease of ATP on the properties of Ca(2+)-dependent currents and determine if the effects of metabolic stress could be reversed. 2. The mean duration of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- tail currents was significantly increased by metabolic stress and this effect was reversed by intracellular photorelease of approximately 300 microM ATP. Intracellular photolysis of 'caged' photolabile compounds was achieved with a xenon flash lamp. 3. Intracellular photorelease of ATP and adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) (about 40 microM) also accelerated the inactivation of high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents evoked by 500 ms depolarizing step commands from -90 mV to 0 mV. This effect was prevented by intracellular application of the calcineurin (protein phosphatase-2B) inhibitor cyclosporin A (14 nM) and cyclophilin A (50 nM) either applied together or individually. In contrast the protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor, calyculin A, increased voltage-activated Ca2+ currents, but failed to prevent enhanced inactivation induced by intracellular photorelease of ATP. Intracellular photorelease of ATP had no effect on Ca2+ currents recorded from control neurones which were not metabolically stressed and supplied with glucose and ATP in the extracellular and patch pipette solutions respectively. 4. In conclusion, intracellular photorelease of ATP increases the decay of Ca2+-activated Cl- tail currents in metabolically stressed neurones suggesting that the efficiency of intracellular Ca2+ buffering was improved. Additionally, an ATP/cyclic AMP-dependent component of high voltage-activated Ca2+current inactivation which is mediated by calcineurin is revealed following photolysis of 'caged' ATP or cyclic AMP in metabolically stressed neurones.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Zinc, vanadate and selenate inhibit the tri-iodothyronine-induced expression of fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme in chick-embryo hepatocytes in culture.

Insulin regulates the expression of genes involved in a variety of metabolic processes. In chick-embryo hepatocytes in culture, insulin amplifies the tri-iodothyronine (T3)-induced enzyme activity, and the level and rate of transcription of mRNA for both fatty acid synthase (FAS) and malic enzyme (ME). Insulin alone, however, has little or no effect on the expression of these genes. In chick-embryo hepatocytes, the mechanism by which insulin regulates the expression of these or other genes is not known. Several recent studies have compared the effects of zinc, vanadate and selenate on insulin-sensitive processes in an attempt to probe the mechanism of insulin action. Because zinc, vanadate and selenate mimic the effects of insulin on several processes, they have been termed insulin-mimetics. We have studied the effect of zinc, vanadate and selenate on the T3-induced expression of both FAS and ME. Like insulin, these agents had little or no effect on the basal activities for FAS and ME in chick-embryo hepatocytes in culture for 48 h. Unlike insulin, however, zinc, vanadate and selenate inhibited the T3-induced activities and mRNA levels of both FAS and ME. Maximal inhibition was achieved at concentrations of 50 microM zinc or vanadate, or 20 microM selenate. Zinc and vanadate also inhibited the T3-induced transcription of the FAS and ME genes. Although the mechanism of this inhibition is unknown, our results indicate that it is not mediated through inhibition of binding of T3 to its nuclear receptor nor through a general toxic effect. Thus zinc, vanadate and selenate are not insulin-mimetics under all conditions, and their effects on other insulin-sensitive processes may be fortuitous and unrelated to actions or components of the insulin signalling pathway.

Animals

Isolation and sequence of a rat glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter.

A 935 bp fragment of the rat glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) gene containing promoter activity was isolated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This fragment was sequenced and primer extension analysis showed a transcription initiation site in agreement with the human and mouse genes. Computer analysis of the sequence showed a 60% and 78% similarity to the human and mouse G6PDH sequences, respectively. A TATA box element, TTAAAT, was found and shown to be 100% similar to the human and mouse TATA box elements. Based on sequence comparison, some putative transcriptional regulatory elements were also found.

Animals

Effects of metabolic blockers on Ca(2+)-dependent currents in cultured sensory neurones from neonatal rats.

1. The whole cell variant of the patch clamp technique was used to record high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and Ca(2+)-activated Cl- tail currents from cultured neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurones. The aim of the project was to use these currents as physiological indices of intracellular Ca2+ regulation under control conditions and in the presence of metabolic inhibitors. 2. Carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (5 microM) and sodium cyanide (1 microM) inhibited Ca2+ currents within 20 s, even when ATP was present in the patch pipette solution, suggesting a direct action on Ca2+ channels. These metabolic inhibitors did not affect Ca2+ current 'run down' or inactivation kinetics. 3. Cultured neonatal dorsal root ganglion neurones of the rat were relatively insensitive to the removal of glucose and ATP from the recording solutions for up to 3 h. These data suggest that the Ca2+ homeostatic mechanisms in these cells are highly resistant to metabolic insult. 4. However 2-deoxy-D-glucose (5 mM) in the extracellular recording medium with no ATP or glucose present did prolong the deactivation time of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- tail currents and increase the total charge flow following activation of a 500 ms voltage-activated Ca2+ current. This effect was prevented by inclusion of D-fructose 1,6-diphosphate (500 microM) in the patch pipette solution. 5. We conclude that some agents used to induce chemical hypoxia, such as carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and sodium cyanide, may interact directly with voltage-activated Ca2+ channels and are therefore not appropriate for use in studying disturbed neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis. However, the use of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the absence of glucose and ATP does represent a model of disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones. In this study we have combined the whole cell recording technique with cultured neurones under conditions which produce a degree of metabolic stress as reflected by prolonged Ca(2+)-activated Cl- tail currents. The reduced efficiency of handling of intracellular Ca2+ loads may be an important factor contributing to the onset of neuronal damage during hypoxia and ischaemia.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Stereotactic aspiration of brain abscesses: is this the treatment of choice?

Despite a reduction in the mortality of patients with brain abscess since the introduction of the computed tomography (CT) scanner, controversy persists as to the preferred method of treatment for this condition. Eleven patients were treated by CT guided stereotactic aspiration of pus and appropriate antibiotic therapy. A total of 14 aspirations were performed. Ten abscesses were supratentorial and one was in the posterior fossa. In 9 patients a bacterial cause was identified while in 2 a fungus was identified. A good outcome was achieved in 7 patients but 3 patients died. Another elderly patient remains disabled at home. The deaths occurred in severely systemically ill patients with poor conscious levels on admission. Only one patient has epilepsy, controlled with anticonvulsants while another has not had further seizures since abscess treatment a year ago. Stereotactic aspiration should be considered the treatment of choice in all but the most superficial and largest cerebral abscesses, although the mortality of this condition in the severely ill remains high.

Adolescent

Effects of acetaldehyde on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and mRNA levels in primary rat hepatocytes in culture.

Ethanol has been shown to induce the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). To clarify the mechanism behind this induction, we examined the role of acetaldehyde (AA), the first product of ethanol metabolism. In primary adult rat hepatocytes maintained in chemically defined medium, we examined the effect of AA on G6PDH activity, mRNA levels and lipid synthesis. We observe a 40% increase in G6PDH activity and a similar increase in mRNA levels, following exposure to 100 microM AA. The increase in activity was found to be maximal at 24 h while mRNA levels increased over controls as early as 3 h. The induction in G6PDH by AA was found to occur at lower concentrations and earlier time points than those reported using ethanol. The role of insulin, a known inducer of G6PDH activity was studied alone and in combination with AA on both G6PDH activity and mRNA levels as well as lipid biosynthesis. Insulin (300 ng/ml) was found to increase G6PDH activity, mRNA levels and [14C]-acetate incorporation into lipid. It was also shown to have an additive effect with AA on G6PDH activity, suggesting their actions are mediated via different mechanistic pathways. No change in [14C]-acetate incorporation into lipid, however, was observed with acetaldehyde alone.

Acetaldehyde

Chondrosarcoma of the skull base: a series of eight cases.

Chondrosarcomas of the skull base are indolent, locally invasive tumors with a marked tendency to recur. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment because these tumors are generally resistant to other forms of treatment. A surgical approach with wide access to the skull base and one that is easily repeatable is required, because recurrence is common. We have used the LeFort I maxillotomy or mobilization of the zygoma at the time of craniotomy to obtain wide access to the skull base in eight cases of chondrosarcoma. Three patients have undergone subsequent procedures by us for recurrent disease. One patient died 30 days after the operation, and one has required an open repair of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Good palliation of symptoms has been achieved in all survivors. These approaches fulfill the criteria for the surgical management of these difficult tumors by allowing excellent exposure, safe repetition if required, satisfactory palliation, and acceptable morbidity.

Adult

Palmitoyl-DL-carnitine has calcium-dependent effects on cultured neurones from rat dorsal root ganglia.

1. The effects of palmitoyl-DL-carnitine (0.01 to 1 mM) on whole cell voltage-activated calcium channel currents carried by calcium or barium and Ca(2+)-activated chloride currents were studied in cultured neurones from rat dorsal root ganglia. 2. Palmitoyl-DL-carnitine applied to the extracellular environment or intracellularly via the patch solution reduced Ca2+ currents activated over a wide voltage range from a holding potential of -90 mV. Inhibition of high voltage activated Ca2+ channel currents was dependent on intracellular Ca2+ buffering and was reduced by increasing the EGTA concentration from 2 to 10 mM in the patch solution. Barium currents were significantly less sensitive to palmitoyl-DL-carnitine than Ca2+ currents. 3. The amplitude of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- tail currents was reduced by palmitoyl-DL-carnitine. However, the duration of these Cl- currents was greatly prolonged by palmitoyl-DL-carnitine, suggesting slower removal of free Ca2+ from the cytoplasm following Ca2+ entry through voltage-activated channels. 4. Palmitoyl-DL-carnitine evoked Ca(2+)-dependent inward currents which could be promoted by activation of the residual voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and attenuated by intracellular application of EGTA. 5. We conclude that palmitoyl-DL-carnitine reduced the efficiency of intracellular Ca2+ handling in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones and resulted in enhancement of Ca(2+)-dependent events including inactivation of voltage-activated Ca2+ currents. The activation of inward currents by palmitolyl-DL-carnitine may involve Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, or direct interaction of palmitoyl-DL-carnitine with Ca2+ stores.

Animals

Gliomyosarcoma: an immunohistochemical analysis.

Tumours of mixed glial and sarcomatous elements occurring in intracranial neoplasms are well recognised and have been termed gliosarcomas. These tumours account for up to 8% of all glioblastomas. The sarcomatous elements are thought to derive from the neoplastic transformation of mesenchymal cells in or adjacent to the tumour. This transformation usually has the appearance of a fibrosarcoma or angiosarcoma. Alternative mesenchymal neoplastic differentiation may occur, however, giving rise to the appearances of chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma. In 1969 Goldman described a case in which the sarcomatous elements of a mixed gliosarcoma appeared, on the basis of light microscopy alone, to differentiate towards skeletal muscle having the features of a rhabdomyosarcoma. He coined the term gliomyosarcoma. In 1986 Barnard et al reported a second case and demonstrated the features of rhabdomyosarcoma using the electron microscope. A further case characterised with both light microscopic and immunohistochemical techniques is reported.

Aged