Massive Growths Research Articles

The development of thyroid neoplasia in old age in the amazon molly, Poecilia formosa

In a previous paper we have described the appearance of a thyrotrophin sensitive thyroid neoplasm in an few senile individuals from a laboratory population of guppies, Lebistes reticulatus (Peters). Material has now been examined from the closely related species, Poecilia formosa, the Amazon molly, in which the incidence of thyroid neoplasms in the senile fish of our clones approaches 100%. The spontaneous growth seen in the old mollies was large, occupying much of the pharyngeal region. It was formed of three zones; at the center were inactive follicles with flattened epithelial cells, enclosing a dense, uneroded colloid. Peripherally, there was an area which microfollicles predominated and, the follicular epithelial cells frequently were swollen and balloon-like. The outermost area of the growth contained many afollicular groups of epithelial cells, lying amongst a great deal of loose connective tissue. The thyroid tissue was invasive, destroying muscle and bone. We have suggested that the spontaneous thyroid neoplasia in old P. formosa and L. reticulatus arise in a similar way. They develop as a result of the inability of the aging thyroid to respond to thyrotrophic hormone. Under continued pituitary stimulation the thyroid cells greatly proliferate and hypertrophy, and form a neoplasia. The appearance is described of massive thyroid growths which were experimentally induced by the injection into young mollies of cells with damaged DNA. There were striking differences between the induced and the spontaneous thyroid growths. The neoplasia of old fish was highly variable in structure, but the induced neoplasia had a regular appearance. Neoplastic tissue closely resembled normal thyroid tissue—but the growth was exuberant and highly invasive. We suggest that the differences between the neoplasm of old age and the induced neoplasm may reflect a different hormonal status.

Development of Rathke's pouch tissue transplanted into adult hypophysectomized female rats.

Rathke's pouch tissue, from rat embryos of 11-15 days' gestation, was microsurgically removed and transplanted into the hypothalamus of hypophysectomized adult females. The hosts were sacrificed 4 weeks later; brain and target organs were preserved for histological examination. Plasma samples were taken for the radioimmunoassay (RIA) of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The implanted tissue invariably developed along certain lines. Undifferentiated primitive cells were found associated with nervous tissue, dense connective tissue, cartilage and glandular cells. In every age group, some implants became invasive, forming massive growths in the brain. These tumorous properties were principally associated (p less than 0.05) with tissue from 12-day embryos. Pituitary primordia from all ages demonstrated the ability to develop into functional adenohypophyseal tissue. Target organ stimulation indicated a secretion of corticotropin, thyrotropin and somatotropin. FSH and/or LH were detected by RIA in the plasma of 61% of the test animals. We suggest that this system offers unique opportunities for future investigations into the mechanisms that determine whether embryonic epithelial tissue will remain under normal growth control or will become tumorous or even cancerous.

The effects of refuse-tip liquor upon stream biology

An assessment was made of the effects of drainage from five refuse-tips upon the biology of the receiving watercourses. Three refuse-tips were found to be the cause of gross pollution of the stream, resulting in massive growths of sewage fungus Leptomitus lacteus, with the invertebrate community dominated by the oligochaete Nais elinguis over a considerable distance downstream. Chironomidae and the oligochaetes Tubifex ignotus, T. tubifex and Lumbriculus variegata were frequent immediately below discharges. The absence of many invertebrate species appears to be associated with the presence of massive growths of sewage fungus in the stream trapping silt and blocking the interstices between stones, and the increase in pollution.

Effect of carbohydrates on the symbiotic growth of planktonic blue-green algae with bacteria.

PHOSPHORUS and nitrogen have been suggested to be limiting agents in the unwanted growth of Cyanophyta. Removal of phosphorus from sewage effluents is being considered as the preferred method to control eutrophication. The significance of organic matter in lake water has been largely disregarded, although carbonaceous material is always found in productive lakes, for example, from 22 mg to 99 mg/l. of dissolved organic matter in the Great Lakes1. Massive growths of blue–green algae have been documented before the use of industrial phosphates, and they probably occurred always after a heavy influx of organic matter. Maximum growth of phytoplankton does not require high concentrations of phosphorus. As little as 0.02 mg of phosphorus/l. in natural lake water may sustain it2. Additional phosphorus alone does not increase growth because algal growth will depend on the presence and availability of not less than fifteen essential elements3.

Biological Role of Magnesium

Abstract Fersman (1934) commented on the relatively unimportant role of magnesium in biochemical processes. The comparatively limited radius of its ions, the stability and relative insolubility of its compounds prevent its taking an active part in the reactions of living matter. On the other hand, we have the statement of Vernadskii that in the plankton film of the ocean, in the ordinary accumulations and more massive growths, the amount of magnesium-containing chlorophyll must reach the order of 10-4 per cent by weight, if not higher, so that a small quantity of magnesium, entering into the composition of the chlorophyll-complex of the plankton, ultimately regulates the main part of the oxygenating function of living matter, the creation of free atmospheric oxygen. The material summarized by us likewise affords evidence of the importance of the role of magnesium in biological processes. All this, however, does not justify sharp differentiation between the biological role of magnesium and its role in biochemical processes. In all probability these processes are conditional to each other, although they are not identical processes. It is important to note the established and incontestable role of magnesium in many enzymatic processes in both the plant and animal kingdoms. The antagonistic action between magnesium and calcium, resulting from artificial changes in the ratios of these elements in soil, plants, and animals, can hardly occur under natural conditions, and, conversely, it must be assumed that a labile equilibrium between these elements is always maintained. The depressing action of magnesium ions on the central nervous system acquires considerable biological significance, since this permits the assumption that these ions in the animal organism may facilitate inhibitory processes in the nerve cell and insure the normal course of catabolic and anabolic processes. The narcotic and cholinolytic effects of magnesium constitute the basis for the wide therapeutic use of magnesium salts in medical practice.

Presentation of foot through intact anus during breech delivery

0 NE of the most startling birth injuries that has occurred during my practice was a laceration of the rectum with presentation of a foot through an intact anal sphincter, during the course of an apparently normal breech delivery. DeLee,l in his text, mentions that “there have been cases where the rectovaginal septum gives way over the advancing presenting part, head, arm, or breech, and the latter appears at the anus. ” A review of the literature reveals several cases. Leroux* reports expulsion of a massive ovarian cyst through the rectum, after laceration of the rectum in the course of labor. Yussufs reports rupture of a retrouterine hematocele into the rectum with passage of a fetus per rectum. In 1934, Hein described in an apparently normal primiparous delivery, the appearance of the anterior leg vaginally, with the posterior leg presenting through the intact anus so that the child was ( ( literally riding on the perineum. ’ ’ Later in the same year, Pohl5 described an almost identical case. Kassebohm and Schreibere report two cases of delivery complicated by rectal stricture in which rupture of the rectum occurred during the course of delivery. Both of these lacerations were apparently not detected at the time of delivery, and both patients died; in the other cases, recognized and appropriately treated, the patients made uneventful and complete recoveries. Pate17 writes of a gravida ii who delivered spontaneously through the rectum, the cervix opening into the rectum. He concluded that the first delivery had also taken place through the rectum. Preston6 saw a Kikuyu woman who had delivered a stillborn child through the rectum three days previously. The apparent cause for rectal delivery in this case was the presence of massive keloid growths around the vagina resulting from circumcision, and almost obliterating the vaginal orifice. This patient died of sepsis. Perry9 reports delivery of a dead fetus, apparently an ectopic pregnancy, through the rectum. The cervix was virginal, and three months later there was fullness in the right fornix which was considered the site of the extrauterine pregnancy. Findleylo and Young11 report similar cases, the former describing the protrusion through the anus of first the right hand and arm, then the left hand during the course of a low forceps delivery (left occipitoanterior position). In the. latter case, the right foot pushed through the rectal mucosa and appeared through the anus. It is surprising that except in those cases in which there was previous rectal or vaginal damage, the outcome for the mother was good. The methods of handling the cases varied. Usually, the bridge of anus and perineum was severed prior to completion of delivery of the infant. In one case, the foot appearing at the rectum was pushed into the vagina and delivery accomplished. In some cases the rent, which was clean cut and almost bloodless, was repaired in layers. In others the defect was merely packed. Aftercare varied; in some cases the bowels were moved early; in others the bowels were “locked” for a week. Mrs. M. S., a white woman, aged 30 years, was first seen in the office on May 10, 1946. The date of thk last menstrual period was March 15, 1946. The physical examination revealed a normal healthy white woman. The past history was not significant. There had been one miscarriage on Jan. 13, 1946, at two and one-half months, cause undetermined. The external measurements were normal. It was later determined that a multiple (twin) pregnancy existed. The patient gained 20% pounds during her pregnancy.

Bilateral Torkildsen procedure; its application in instances of occlusion of both foramina of Monro.

T HE operative procedure ventriculocisternostomy, first proposed by Torkildsen, 2 has become an accepted and effective method in relieving a non-communicating hydrocephalus. In a previous communication, presented before this group in 1947, our ~ accumulated experiences were set forth in utilizing this procedure. Since this report the operation has been performed in an additional 16 cases. I t is the purpose of this discussion to report 3 instances in which a double drainage of the lateral ventricles seemed preferable to a single ventriculocisternal communication. In addition, attention is focused on the possible utilization of this procedure in dealing with certain craniopharyngiomas and other massive growths that completely usurp or distort the mid-supratentorial ventricle.