Hendrik Roels

Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive for closing skin wounds: a double blind randomized comparison with sutures

A comparative double blind randomized study was undertaken in the rat, to compare the external cosmetic and the morphologic aspect of skin wounds, treated by the local application of adhesive glue (ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate-Mediglue) or classical suture technique. Skin incisions were applied and treated by a plastic surgeon, then photographed or biopsied, and evaluated and scored by independent observers, not aware of the initial treatment. Small (1.5 cm) or long (8 cm) incisions were made, on both sides of the back, and treated randomly on one side by glue and on the other side by sutures. Evaluations were performed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk. Both small and large wounds scored identically, irrespective of the treatment (overall score 1.5 cm wounds: 8.8 +/- 1.4 for glue versus 8.8 +/- 1.0 for sutures; 8 cm wounds: 8.3 +/- 1.9 versus 8.3 +/- 1.5; P = not significant). A morphological study demonstrated no adverse effects for the adhesive treatment, with a minor inflammatory infiltrate. Sutured wounds had a higher tendency to develop abscesses and/or major inflammation. Adhesive-treated wounds scored better than non-treated wounds (8.9 +/- 1.3 versus 7.4 +/- 3.3, P < 0.01). In conclusion, this controlled comparative study shows no difference in cosmetic aspect between adhesive and suture-treated skin incisions. Morphologically, the glue treatment is not related to any adverse effect or damage to the skin structures.

THE IMMUNOPHENOTYPE OF EWING'S SARCOMA : AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Since 1963, 53 cases of Ewings sarcoma have been diagnosed at the N. Goormaghtigh Institute of Pathological Anatomy. All tumours were classified according to their growth pattern as described by Kissane: diffuse, lobular or organoid, the latter with pseudorosettes, or belonging to the fillagree type. In 45 cases, an immunohistochemical examination was carried out on routinely processed material in order to determine the immunophenotype of the tumours and to get more information on the histogenesis of the tumours. Antibodies against cytokeratin, desmin, vimentin, neurofilaments, neuron-specific enolase, Leu7, synaptophysin, chromogranin, the muscle-specific actin, the Von Willebrand factor and the common leucocyte antigen were used in a biotin-streptavidin procedure. The presence of neural markers such as neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin and Leu7 was proved in the majority of the cases. The expression of the three markers was absent in only two cases. Neurofilaments were demonstrated to be present in 5 of the 6 cases for which fresh material was available. The results of this study point towards a possible neuroectodermal origin of Ewings sarcoma. This is in agreement with the results of cell culture experiments and of cytogenetic studies.

Expression of T cell receptors αβ and γδ in the ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease and with spondylarthropathy

The expression of the αβ and γδ heterodimer of the T cell receptor (TCR) was studied in normal human ileal mucosa or in ileal biopsies featuring Crohns disease or acute and chronic spondylarthopathy‐related gut inflammation. With an immunohistochemical technique we demonstrated that the increase of mucosal lymphocytes per mm mucosa in Crohns disease and spondylarthropathy‐related ileitis is exclusively due to expansion of the αβ+ T cell compartment. In Crohns disease and chronic ileitis observed in some spondylarthropathy patients the αβ+ T cells were increased amongst intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL). The lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) were augmented in all studied inflammatory conditions. The γδ+ T cells showed no changes in IEL or LPL and their proportions were not altered. They were evenly dispersed throughout the ileal mucosa and did not seem to participate in the inflammatory process. This study confirms that γδ T cells are a distinct subset in the intestinal mucosa. The increase in αβ+ T cells suggests augmented mucosal antigen handling and involvement of the major histocompatibility complex in the pathogenesis of spondylarthropathy‐related gut inflammation and Crohns disease.

The distribution of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the human endometrial basal and functional layer during the normal menstrual cycle

The distribution of oestrogen and progresterone receptors in the human endometrial basal and functional layer during the normal menstrual cycle was investigated by means of an immunocytochemical technique. A cyclic pattern of receptor distribution was observed. The highest concentration of hormone receptors was observed in the basal layer, in accordance with the idea that this layer is the source of endometrial regeneration.

Topographical distribution of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the human endometrium and Fallopian tube

The topographical distribution of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the human endometrium and Fallopian tube was investigated by an immunocytochemical technique. A gradient of positively stained cells was observed: the highest oestrogen and progesterone receptor content was noted in the fundal part of the uterine cavity and the ampullar region of the Fallopian tube. The observed gradient is in keeping with biological and pathological events that occur in the human mullerian tract, e.g. fecundation, implantation and carcinogenesis.

Altered Adrenocortical Response under the Influence of Experimentally Increased Serum Very Long Chain Fatty Acids in Rats

C 26:0/C 22:0 ratio can be experimentally increased in serum of normal rats by oral administration of hexacosanoic acid (C 26:0) or of thioridazine, an inhibitor of peroxisomal beta-oxidation. This causes a decreased corticosterone response as well as decreased mobilization of cholesterol esters in zona fasciculata interna cells following ACTH administration. Zona fasciculata interna cells and their nuclei are enlarged and contain more Feulgen DNA in thioridazine-fed rats. The similarity of adrenocortical response to inhibition of peroxisomal beta-oxidation and to C 26:0 administration points to raised VLCFA as the common factor which is also operative in many peroxisomal diseases accompanied by adrenocortical function defects.