Tatsuhiro Maeda

Morphological Analysis of Recurrent Gliomas

Morphological features and microscopic characteristics of the autopsied specimens of 14 adult cadavers with supratentorial recurrent gliomas were studied. One of the specific findings in the morphological change of the tumor cells was giant cell formation. These giant cells were subdivided into 3 types: 1) monstrous cell, 2) giant cell, and 3) gemistocytic cell. 1) Monstrous cells were found in 12 cases, 4 grade 3 astrocytomas and 8 glioblastomas out of 14 recurrent gliomas. These cells were defined as those larger than 150μm in diameter and having bizarre, irregular and hyperchromatic multinuclei. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) stain of monstrous cells was negative. These cells were scattered in the periphery of the tumor or necrosis. 2) Giant cells were demonstrated in 3 glioblastoma cases. They were 100-150μm in diameter and had single or multiple nuclei. These cells were scattered in the periphery of both the tumor and necrosis, and contributed major cells of the tumor in two cases. The GFAP stain was negative in two cases and positive in one. 3) Gemistocytic cells were noted in 8 cases, 5 grade 3 astrocytomas and 3 glioblastomas, and were about 100μm in diameter. They had a single distinct nucleus. The distribution of the cells was in the marginal zone of the tumor or necrosis, or grouped around vessels in the tumor. The GFAP stain was positive. These results suggest that the specific cells indicated herein may be degenerative changes of the tumor cells exposed while withstanding such adverse conditions as hypoxia, irradiation, and chemotherapy.

Phosphatase activities in human glioma cells as reaveled by light and electron microscopy — A preliminary study

SummaryAlkaline phosphatase (ALPase) and Mg2+-activated ATPase (Mg2+-ATPase) activities were demonstrated in human brain tumors by light and electron microscopy. Four cases of glioma, i.e., two cases of astrocytoma, grade II, and two cases of glioblastoma, were used as materials.At the light microscopic level, Mg2+-ATPase activity was observed in the capillary wall and glial cells of both astrocytoma and glioblastoma. ALPase activity was restricted to the capillary wall. Its activity was stronger in glioblastoma than in astrocytoma. By electron microscopy, in astrocytoma, reaction product representing Mg2+-ATPase activity was distributed in the plasma membranes of endothelial cells and pericytes. Activity was primarily localized at the abluminal surface of endothelial cells and the surface of pericytes facing endothelium. The plasma membrane of glial cells was also positive. ALPase activity revealed essentially the same distribution pattern in blood vessels as above. In glioblastoma, on the other hand, activities of both phosphatases were markedly positive on the luminal surface of the plasma membrane of endothelial cells. They were much stronger than those along the abluminal endothelial surface.Phosphatase activities in brain tumor appear to change in localization pattern in association with glioma malignancy. This might reflect a functional aspect of changes in blood-brain barrier in glioma.

A Simple Clinical ICP Meter

Since the importance of monitoring the intracranial pressure (ICP) was pointed out by Lundberg et al. in 1965 (2), a number of papers have been published on the methods of measuring the ICP. They could be classified into two major categories. One is a group of simple, practical and non-electronic devices and the other is a group of more elaborate electronic instruments. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages over others. Unfortunately, no ideal perfect device has yet been seen on the market. Therefore, one has to chose a device by compromising with its performances and one’s specific requirements.

Efficiency of Glioma Score in Glioma Patients Using Proliferating Potential with MIB-1 Monoclonal Antibody

We have proposed a “glioma score” that includes malignancy as determined histologically, the patient’s age, and the MIB-1 proliferating cell index (PCI) as the prognostic indicator for patients with malignant gliomas. Each part of the glioma score (GS), is assigned points from 1 to 4 based on histological malignancy, patient’s age, and value of MIB-1 PCI, respectively. The total score then sums the points of each group. The MIB-1 PCIs for glioma patients were correlated with tumor grade. Cases with a GS of 10 points or more showed a shorter time to progression (TTP) of less than 2 years. The incidence of cases with a TTP of less than 2 years is significantly higher for a GS of 10 points or more and less than 10 as analyzed by contingency table analysis (P=.02). Kaplan-Meier proportional survival curves were generated for cases with GS of 10 or over and less than 10. Patients whose GS was more than 10 had a tendency toward a shorter TTP than those patients whose GS was less than 10 but no significant survival advantage was demonstrated between them. Therefore, the proposal of a glioma score may provide important information for therapeutic intervention and prognosis of patients with gliomas.

Double-Labeling Method with BUdR and IUdR for Cell Kinetic Studies of Brain Tumors

Bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and iododeoxyuridine (IUdR) are known to be incorporated into cellular DNA during DNA synthesis, and can be recognized by immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent techniques utilizing anti-BUdR or anti-IUdR monoclonal antibodies [1–4]. Recently, two new monoclonal antibodies were developed by Vanderlaan et al.: Br-3[5], which recognizes only BUdR, and IU-4[6], which recognizes both BUdR and IUdR. By administering IUdR and BUdR at different time sequences, it is possible to determine not only the S-phase fraction but also to measure the rate of cell cycle progression and thus calculate the duration of S-phase, the cell cycle time or growth fraction of an individual tumor from a single tumor biopsy. This report describes double-labeling and staining techniques for estimating the duration of S-phase and the doubling time of biopsied materials.