Mast cells in ulcerative colitis. Quantitative and ultrastructural studies.

The changes in the number and ultrastructure of mast cells were studied in 37 colonoscopical biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis. Changes in the active stage of the disease and during remission were compared. Cell counts were performed on semithin sections stained with Giemsa after osmium tetroxide fixation.

Mixed pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma of the adrenal medulla: a case report with electron microscopic examination.

The combination of pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma is a rare tumor within the adrenal medulla. This report describes a 37-year-old woman with a 5-year history of paroxysmal attacks of hypertension, headache, and palpitation. No elevated catecholamine levels could be detected.

On the biophysics of transmembrane signalling.

Transmembrane signalling involves a number of physical translocations, changes in proximity of membrane elements like receptor subunits, or sequestration of proteins from the membrane. The monitoring of such changes with flow cytometric energy transfer revealed a new putative subunit of the IL-2 receptor and a possible intermolecular interaction between HLA class I and class II antigens. Lateral diffusion of the components of the multi-subunit IL-2 receptor was also followed.

Effects of receptor blockers on ACTH-induced changes in extinction of active avoidance reflex in rat.

The actions of blockers of dopaminergic receptors (haloperidol), alpha-receptors (phenoxybenzamine), beta-receptors (propranolol) and muscarinic cholinergic receptor (atropine) on the ACTH-induced delay of the extinction of active avoidance behavior were studied in rats. In the doses used, none of the receptor blockers modified the extinction of active avoidance behavior. ACTH delayed the extinction.

Collagenous colitis: an electron microscopic study including comparison with the chronic fibrotic stage of ulcerative colitis.

Light and electron microscopic studies of 14 cases of collagenous colitis are reported. Comparative electron microscopic examinations were carried out on 13 cases of ulcerative colitis in the chronic fibrotic stage of the disease. Separation of pericryptal fibroblasts which showed enhanced fibre-forming activity, proliferation of myofibroblasts, accumulation of mast cells and a pericapillary collagen accumulation were noted in both groups.

Effects of glutaurine treatment on electroshock-induced amnesia. Antiamnesic action of glutaurine.

The effects of oral glutaurine (gamma-L-glutamyl-taurine, LitoralonR Chinoin, Budapest) treatment on electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia were studied. Oral treatment with glutaurine in a dose of 1-20 micrograms was ineffective on electroshock-induced amnesia if the treatment was applied before the electroconvulsive shock. Fifty micrograms given in the same experimental paradigm could attenuate the amnesia considerably.

Effects of somatostatin on self-stimulation behaviour in rats pretreated with a receptor blocker.

The effects of somatostatin on lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation were investigated in rats pretreated with haloperidol, bicuculline, phenoxybenzamine or propranolol. Somatostatin decreased the rate of self-stimulation. Halperidol, bicuculline and phenoxybenzamine potentiated the somatostatin-induced depression of self-stimulation behaviour.

Effects of cholecystokinin-related peptides on self-stimulation behaviour in rats.

The effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfate ester (CCK-8-SE), its N-terminal tripeptide (CCK-2-4-SE) and its C-terminal tetrapeptide (CCK-5-8) were investigated on hypothalamic self-stimulation in rats. CCK-8-SE and CCK-5-8 in 400 pmole doses inhibited self-stimulation behaviour, while CCK-2-4-SE was ineffective. In 80 pmole doses the peptides showed no effect.

Intrahepatic biliary tract--oral contraceptives. Electron microscopic examinations of 27 surgical liver biopsies.

An electron microscopic study of 27 liver biopsies of patients on oral contraceptives is reported with special attention to the alterations of intrahepatic biliary tract. Bile ductules were normal. Bile canaliculi were damaged in each case with severe alterations of the canalicular membranes.

Sinusoidal dilatation of the liver in patients on oral contraceptives. Electron microscopical study of 14 cases.

Electron microscopic studies on sinusoidal dilatation of the liver were reported in 14 patients on oral contraceptives. The architecture of dilated sinusoids was preserved together with a striking perisinusoidal fibrosis. Proliferation and enhanced activity of sinusoidal endothelial cells and of perisinusoidal cells could be observed.

Clinicopathological analysis of phaeochromocytoma.

Analysing 13 cases of adrenal phaeochromocytoma clinically and pathologically, authors draw attention to this long known hormone-producing tumour which can be recognized and localized by up-to-date diagnostic methods in an increasing number. In three of their cases, the characteristic clinical pattern, the biochemical and imaging procedures have helped in forming the right diagnosis, and the patients recovered after a successful operation. Ten tumours were detected at autopsy.

[Allergic lung diseases of animal origin].

The pathological mechanisms, morphology, and clinical aspects of bronchiolo-alveolitis associated with veterinary allergens are described in a general account, with reference being made to relevant literature. The morphological features characteristic of all stages of a pulmonary disease are reported on the basis of the author's own cases. Veterinary allergens were assumed to have played an aetiological role in about four per cent of allergic symptoms of the respiratory tract treated at the Allergological Outpatient Department of the author's hospital.