Jun Toriumi

The lung in generalized amyloidosis

Thirty‐four cases of generalized amyloidosis were studied by the Congo red‐fluorescent method. In the majority of cases (32 cases) amyloid deposition was found more or less in the lung. The initial deposition in the alveolar wall was observed to start along fibrous structures of the alveolar wall, such as basement membrane, and also from smooth muscle of the alveolar wall, of interalveolar septa, and from small nodular mass appearing beneath the endothelium. Amyloid was deposited variably in the alveolar wall, and it was particularly marked in the subpleural and hilar regions, around the fibrosed lesions, especially on the atelectatic side. In a few cases marked or slight deposition was found in medium‐sized and small blood vessels. The pattern of deposition in such cases was, together with their X‐ray findings, designated as the vascular type. In the other type deposition was found in the alveolar wall and partly in the vascular wall and called as the diffuse type. In this type, with the increase of deposition, X‐ray shadows suggestive of pulmonary fibrosis may appear, and with still more marked deposition, symptoms of alveolar capillary block are shown.

Molecular characterization of genetic mutations in human lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) B (H) variant

SummaryWe have previously detected a single base substitution of G by A at the Arg codon CGC in exon 4 of the mutant lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene, an unstable LDH-B variant (case 1). Here, we use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify genomic DNA of two cases (the original case 1 and a new patient, case 2). We were able to confirm that case 1 is homozygous for the mutation, causing a replacement of the conserved Arg by His at residue 173. The resulting LDH-B variant subunit is unstable in vivo. Whereas the mutation in exon 4 was not observed in case 2, a different single base substitution of A by C was detected at the Ser codon AGT in exon 3. This mutation causes a replacement of the conserved Ser by Arg at residue 131. Genomic analysis of the family of case 2 by mismatched PCR showed that the missense mutation was consistent with their biochemical phenotypes. The replacement results in a conformational change of the residues near the Ser, probably because the side chain of Arg is much more bulky than that of Ser. The change may affect the arrangement of the cofactor binding site and result in the loss of enzyme activity. The experimental observations are consistent with computer graphics analyses.

MALIGNANT BRENNER TUMOR ‐A CASE REPORT

A 55‐year‐old female had a partly cystic, partially solid tumor of the left ovary. Histologically, the tumor revealed typical benign features of Brenner tumor mixed with malignant areas showing large epithelial nests composed of marked pleomorphic cells. Only 4 cases of malignant Brenner tumor have been reported including ours to our knowledge in Japan.

Mammalian cellulose disease watafuki disease a specific granulation tissue in conjunctiva producing cellulose

Peculiar fibers not found in nature to our knowledge were observed In the conjunctiva of a 50 years old female. The fibers were identified as cellulose by chemical and X‐ray analysis.

Histochemical Studies on Acid Mucopolysaccharides new Fluorochromic Methods

1. Material (all surgical specimens excepting cartilage) a) Connective tissue acid mucopolysaccharides : umbilical cord, fibroadenoma of breast, cartilage (rib of newborn and 62 yrs. old male). b) Epithelial tissue acid mucopolysaccharides and much : intestinal epithelium, gastric epithelium (fundus, pylorus), gastric carcinoma with numerous signet ring cells, epithelium of ovarian pseudomucinous cyst. 2. Fixation and preparation of tissue Fixed in 10% formalin solution (pH 7), dehydrated in alcohol, cleared in benzene, and embedded in paraffin. Sections were cut at 6 p , deparaffinized and washed thoroughly with tap water. 3. The stains used are shown in Table 1.

Brenner Tumor of the Ovary A Report of Three Cases with Supplementary Histochemical Observations

BRENNER tumor of the ovary was first described by F. BRENNER in 1907 under the term “ Oophoroma folliculare ”. However, this tumor has been often confused with folliculoma which was described by GOTTSCHALK in 1899, and no differential diagnosis with granulosa cell tumor or theca cell tumor had becn made at that period. It was in 1932 that Robert MEYER first used the term “Blastoma vom BRENNER,” and he differentiated this tumor from granulosa cell tumor. This tumor is stated to be a rare tumor, and in Japan there have been only 25 cases hitherto reported since the first description made by HIGUCHI and UENO in 1932. The present authors were fortunate in obtaining three cases of BRENNER tumor of the ovary during the past three years, and an outline of their clinical and histopathological features together with some histochemical observations will be reported here.

A New Histological Method for the Detection of Cryptococcus Neoformans and its Histopathological Study

cryptococcosis (European blastomycosis, torulosis, BUSSE-BUSCHKES disease) is a fungus disease found all over the world, and in recent years there have been many papers reported on this subject (LITTMAN & ZIMMERMAN). Twenty-four cases have been reported in our country, and according to MIYAKE~ 25 autopsy cases of cryptococcosis have been studied between the years 1948-1957 here in Japan. Cryptococcus neoformans, which is the cause of cryptococcosis is surrounded by a specific, thick, mucinous capsule and morphologically only when such a capsule is demonstrated can one make the diagnosis of a Cryptococcus neoformans. However, demonstration of such a mucinous capsule histopathologically is in most instances difficult with the ordinary staining methods, especially the organisms in the giant cells or histiocytes in the chronic granulomatous lesions* ( 5 ) . MEYERS mucicarmine stain, colloidal iron (RINEHART-ABUL-HAJ), PAS, BAUERS stain, thionine metachromasy (basophilic dyes) were hitherto used as methods for detecting the capsules. There are also other methods of observation such as dropping Indian ink upon frozen cut sections, and KLATZOS method6 using polarized microscope after staining with cresyl-violet. However, there is a need for a more reliable and satisfactory method for its detection. It goes without saying that the majority of the above mentioned methods are those of detecting mucopolysaccharides. The authors have

HEMOCHROMATOSIS: A Report of Three Autopsy Cases

1) Three cases of primary (idiopathic) hemochromatosis have been reported.