Functional and morphologic characterization of eosinophils in the lower intestinal mucosa of patients with food allergy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the functional and morphologic features of eosinophils in the intestinal mucosa of patients with food allergy.

Methods: Eighteen patients with food allergy and 11 controls took part in this study. In every patient, corresponding biopsy samples obtained during colonoscopy were quantitatively assessed by immunohistochemical methods (EPO-I) and subjected to mucosa oxygenation using eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP).

[Detection of liver metastases--comparison of contrast--enhanced ultrasound using first versus second generation contrast agents].

Aim: To compare detection rates for liver metastases for conventional ultrasound, US using tissue harmonic imaging (THI), echo-enhanced pulse inversion harmonic imaging using Optison and Levovist.

Method: In 73 patients with histologically proven gastrointestinal tumors spiral CT (S-CT), conventional US, US in the THI-mode, echo-enhanced ultrasound in the portal venous phase (ECI Optison ) and in the liver specific late phase (ECI Levovist) were performed and reviewed by blinded readers.

Results: 73 patients (25 female, 48 male, age 63 +/- 11) were included.

Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae but not of Helicobacter pylori in symptomatic atherosclerotic carotids associated with enhanced serum antibodies, inflammation and apoptosis rate.

Background And Purpose: Numerous seroepidemiological and pathological studies linked Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori with atherosclerosis. However, analyses of these infectious agents in the pathogenesis of stroke are either lacking or contradictory. Therefore, we evaluated the detection rate of C.

Subtyping of osteoarthritic synoviopathy.

Objective: Osteoarthritis research is traditionally concentrating on events within the degenerated articular cartilage. Changes in the synovial membrane are largely neglected. In fact, they are generally interpreted as secondary to the cartilage changes and not pathogenetically involved in the disease process.

Cellular and vascular reactions in the liver to radio-frequency thermo-ablation with wet needle applicators. Study on juvenile domestic pigs.

Unlabelled: The aim of this animal experiment was to investigate the cellular and vascular reactions in the liver of juvenile domestic pigs produced by a radio-frequency thermoablation (RFTA) applicator perfused with saline solution.

Methods: A total of 13 coagulation necroses were produced in the liver of 3 anesthetized domestic pigs using RFTA. The pigs were dissected and the coagulations examined.

Prognostic relevance of cell biologic and biochemical features in conventional chondrosarcomas.

Background: Conventional chondrosarcoma is the second most common malignant solid tumor of bone, and its management still poses a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Currently, tumor grade is the only parameter of prognostic significance besides stage and, possibly, resection margins. Additional independent prognostic markers therefore would be highly valuable for patient management.

Association between infection with Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae and risk of ischemic stroke subtypes: Results from a population-based case-control study.

Background And Purpose: Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been associated epidemiologically and pathogenetically with coronary atherosclerosis. However, population-based data on chronic infection and stroke are lacking. Therefore, we investigated the association of both bacterial pathogens and ischemic stroke subtypes in a population-based case-control study.

Pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis due to Bacillus cereus.

We present a case of a rapidly progressive pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis and pneumonia in a 52-year-old woman with severe aplastic anemia. Bacillus cereus was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, blood cultures, and pseudomembrane biopsy specimens; despite intensive antibiotic treatment, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a B.

Apoptotic cell death is not a widespread phenomenon in normal aging and osteoarthritis human articular knee cartilage: a study of proliferation, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and viability of chondrocytes in normal and osteoarthritic human knee cartilage.

Objective: Chondrocytes are crucial for adequate matrix balance and function. Cell proliferation and, recently, extensive apoptotic cell death have been reported in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. Apoptotic cell death would be an obvious central factor in the initiation and progression of OA, since there is no potential for replacing articular chondrocytes in the adult.

Tenascin: a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker of minimal collagenous colitis.

Collagenous colitis is a rare cause of chronic watery diarrhea. In this condition, endoscopic findings are usually normal. Currently, the diagnosis relies on the histological presence of thick subepithelial bands of collagen deposits and an inflammatory infiltrate within the mucosa.

Cell populations involved in pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee.

Objective: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the knee is a tumor-like process of uncertain nature. We analyzed the involved cell populations, iron deposition, and cell proliferation in PVNS to propose a pathogenetic concept of this still elusive disease entity.

Methods: The study was performed on a series of 14 cases of localized PVNS of the knee.

Pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid express different mesenchymal phenotypes: demonstration of matrix gene expression products characteristic of the fibroblastic and chondrocytic cell lineages.

Aims: Pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands are characterized by their high tissue diversity. Many studies have explored the derivation and differentiation of the neoplastic cells. We investigated the composition of the collagenous extracellular tumour matrix and could show a specific biochemical composition pattern in the different tumour areas.

[Digital ischemia as paraneoplastic marker of metastatic endometrial carcinoma].

Digital ischemia with gangrene of one or several fingertips has been described as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with various malignant tumors, especially adenocarcinomas. Most often this paraneoplastic syndrome represents the first symptom of an occult neoplasia in an advanced stage. We present the case of an 83 year-old patient with digital ischemia and gangrenous fingertips in association with a latent adenocarcinoma of the uterus and metastatic involvement of the paraaortal lymph nodes.

Late manifestation of Indian childhood cirrhosis in a 3-year-old German girl.

Unlabelled: We report on a 3.8-year-old German girl who presented with signs of subacute liver failure based on a 4-month history. Investigations done before admission excluded infectious, metabolic and immunological diseases.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix gene expression in pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid salivary gland.

Mesenchymal and epithelial cell differentiation are assumed to be dichotomic primary events in embryonic development. In this study, pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland were analysed as a model which shows morphological features of both epithelial and mesenchymal tissue types. Using matrix gene expression profiles as a supplementary criterion for the identification of cellular phenotypes, areas with unequivocal epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation could be demonstrated.

De-differentiated chondrosarcoma is not a 'de-differentiated' chondrosarcoma.

Aims: De-differentiated chondrosarcoma is characterized by the presence of two distinct chondroid and nonchondroid tumour portions. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of extracellular matrix components in this tumour entity and thus to shed light on its histogenetic origin.

Methods And Results: Histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were performed for collagen subtypes I, II, III and VI and cartilage proteoglycans in three samples of de-differentiated as well as conventional chondrosarcomas (various grades).

[Ultrasound-controlled interstitial high frequency thermotherapy (HFTT)--in vitro studies of the bovine liver].

Purpose: Sonographically-guided Radio-Frequency Tissue Ablation-applied with a percutaneously placed needle can be used for the palliative treatment of primary or secondary liver tumours. In vitro experiments were carried out to establish the relations of the coagulation zone to histologic findings and sonographic appearance.

Method: Fresh bovine livers were obtained and radio-frequency was applied under ultrasound guidance.

Severe disturbance of the distribution and expression of type VI collagen chains in osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and distribution of the major pericellular type VI collagen in normal and osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage.

Methods: Conventional and confocal laser scanning immunohistochemistry, as well as in situ hybridization experiments, were performed for all 3 collagen type VI chains in sections of normal and OA articular cartilage.

Results: Normal adult articular chondrocytes were surrounded by a type VI collagen-positive pericellular matrix and showed significant levels of mRNA expression for all 3 type VI collagen chains.

Extracellular matrix composition and gene expression in collagenous colitis.

Background & Aims: Collagenous colitis is a rare diarrheal disease of unknown pathophysiology that is histologically defined by subepithelial bandlike structures. The objective of this study was to elucidate the biochemical composition and the origin of the bandlike structures in collagenous colitis.

Methods: Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses were performed on endoscopic specimens using specific antibodies and riboprobes for collagen types I, III, IV, and VI and for the glycoprotein tenascin.

Color Doppler imaging versus phlebography in the diagnosis of deep leg and pelvic vein thrombosis.

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of color Doppler imaging in comparison to phlebography in diagnosing phlebothrombosis. Five hundred and twenty-six phlebographies (reference method) were compared with 526 color Doppler sonographic examinations. Thrombosis diagnosed with color Doppler imaging showed a sensitivity of 98.