[Klinefelter's disease and leydigiomas. A report of one case (author's transl)].

The authors present the case of a patient with Klinefelter syndrome who, at the age of 36 years, developed a multifocal Leydig cell tumour of the right testicle, presenting as hematuria. After orchidectomy, the patient developed an identical tumour in the remaining testes. This curious case of a patient in whom the clinical and laboratory features of Klinefelterer's syndrome, were masked by the Leydig cell tumour and vice versa, is analyzed.

[Distribution of fibronectin in normal human tissue].

Distribution of fibronectin (FN), a major glycoproteic component of extracellular matrix was studied by an indirect immuno-fluorescence technique using a rabbit anti-FN serum on frozen sections of fresh human tissues. In the extracellular matrix, FN is localized in epithelial and glandular basement membranes (bronchial, digestive, urothelial, prostatic, thyroid and mammary glands). FN is also visualized in vascular basement membranes and pulmonary alveolar basal laminae.

Loss of fibronectin in human breast cancer.

The distribution of fibronectin was studied in normal human breast tissue and in breast tumors. In normal tissues and in benign tumors, fibronectin was present in basal laminae and on the cellular surfaces of myoepithelial and secretory cells. A partial loss of (pericellular) fibronectin was seen in atypical dystrophies, and a complete disappearance of pericellular and basement membrane-bound fibronectin was observed in invasive adenocarcinoma.

Renal lesions in the hypertensive syndromes of pregnancy: immunomorphological and ultrastructural studies in 114 cases.

One hundred and fourteen women presenting during pregnancy with an abnormally high blood pressure and/or proteinuria had a renal biopsy usually on the 8th day following delivery. The pathological specimens were examined by light and/or electron and/or immunofluorescence microscopy. Forty-one cases were studied with all three techniques.

Collagenous colitis: an unrecognised entity.

A patient is reported with chronic abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and associated radiological and endoscopic abnormalities of the sigmoid colon. Light and electron microscopic study of colorectal mucosa showed abnormal collagenous thickening of the subepithelial basement membrane. The authors felt that the clinical and morphological features justified a diagnosis of collagenous colitis.

Urinary 3-hydroxyproline in renal disease.

The renal excretion of 3-hydroxyproline (3-HYP), an isomer of 4-hydroxyproline (4-HYP) found 6-10 times more in basement membrane collagen than in interstitial collagen, was investigated in control subjects and in 58 adult patients with various kidney diseases. With the exception of polykystic renal disease, all the nephropathies were investigated by renal biopsy. In normal adult subjects urinary 3-HYP was 12.

[Resolution of scleroderma renal crisis with thrombotic microangiopathy. Case report (author's transl)].

Renal involvement is a common cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (diffuse scleroderma). The poor prognosis is due to malignant hypertension and rapid deterioration of renal function. Therefore bilateral nephrectomy followed by hemodialysis and transplantation are proposed to avoid fatal outcome.

[Value of the histoenzymologic characterization of esterases in normal and pathologic rectal mucosa in children. Preliminary results of 30 cases].

The presence of cholinergic nerve fibers is studied in 30 suction rectal biopsy specimens from 5 days to 7 years old children. An increase in numbers and size of cholinergic fibers in the lamina propria and muscularis mucosae and absence of submucosa ganglion cells are related to 7 Hirschsprung's diseases. In the neonates acetylcholinesterase activity may not be strong enough to stain cholinergic fibers and makes the diagnosis more difficult.

[Renal lesions in congenital syphilis. A case report].

The authors describe a case of congenital syphilitic nephropathy in an infant. The review of the reports in the literature shows many similarities of this congenital disease with the syphilitic nephrotic syndrome in the adult. The prognosis is favorable provided the diagnosis is made sufficiently early.