The vascular morphometry of some brain stem parts

With the view of following the vascular system of the cerebral trunk, there have been simultaneously injected coloured tracers combined with radio-opaque substances and radio-isotopes (32P, 22Ca) by intravital perfusion to 130 animals (dogs, rabbits and rats). The macro- and microscopical vasculature of the human brain stem was studied on 30 specimens of adults and children. The angioarchitecture of the diverse parts and sectors of the brain stem was studied as a whole in tetraline transparentised preparations and on histological section in comparison with the microradiographies and to incorporation of radioisotopes. A particular attention has been given to the irrigation of hypoglossal nuclei, the bulbar oliva, and the pontopeduncular region, all being zones with multiple sources of vascularization. The vascular morphometry has been macro- and microscopically performed, the data being worked out mathematically-statistically by computing some hemodynamical indices in order to estimate the circulation in different zones of the brain stem.     

Potential diagnostic markers in nodular lesions of the thyroid gland: an immunohistochemical study

Aims: The differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules in routine practice can be problemmatic for both pathologists and clinicians. Effective treatment requires a determination of the biological nature of the lesions. For this reason, ancilliary diagnostic markers along with histological examination of the nodules may be useful. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of novel markers in the diagnosis of hyperplastic and neoplastic nodules. Methods: Forty eight thyroid lesions forming four diagnostic groups including adenomatous goiters (AS), follicular adenomas (FA), follicular (FC) and papillary carcinomas (PC) were examined using standard immunohistochemical methods. Monoclonal antibodies against galectin-3, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2 and -7 and endothelial markers CD31 and CD105 were used. Results: The cytoplasmatic expression of galectin-3 was positive in all cases of papillary carcinoma. Moreover, statistically significant differences between fused groups of benign (AS and FA) and malignant lesions (FC and PC) were found Fischer's exact test (p = 0.0001). No significant differences in cytoplasmic expression of MMPs -2 and -7 and in vascular density assessed by using of both endothelial markers between benign lesions and malignant tumors were revealed. Conclusions: Galectin-3 appears to be a useful marker in the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma only. The matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -7 are not helpful in distinguishing hyperplastic and neoplastic thyroid nodules. Endothelial markers do not appear to be suitable for thyroid differential diagnosis. A panel of antibodies in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodular lesions would seem most suitable and further studies with larger sets of patients are awaited.     

The role of fine needle aspiration cytology in evaluation of epididymal nodular lesions

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in evaluation of nodular lesions of the epididymis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was done on 16 patients who reported with nodular lesions of the epididymis over a 1(1/2)-year period. FNAC was carried out in all cases. Histopathologic correlation was achieved in 10 cases. Cytologic features were studied in all cases and compared with histology results where available. RESULTS: Adequate material was obtained on FNAC in all cases. Cytologic features were adequate to establish a diagnosis in all cases and were confirmed as correct on histologic examination in the 10 cases in which biopsies were performed. Sperm granuloma was the most common lesion encountered. CONCLUSION: FNAC is a rapid, easily available technique for evaluation of nodular lesions of the epididymis. It helps in making a diagnosis and developing a management plan.     

Diffuse nodular hyperplasia and fibrosis of the liver in lead-poisoned mandrills

Two sibling mandrills with clinical evidence of lead intoxication showed previously unreported hepatic alterations. The younger animal had high lead concentrations in blood, kidneys, and liver and characteristic intranuclear inclusions in renal tubules and hepatocytes. The liver showed diffuse nodular regenerative hyperplasia. The older mandrill had high lead concentrations in blood only and resolving intranuclear inclusions in liver and kidneys. The liver showed prominent portal fibrosis with evidence of resolving diffuse nodular hyperplasia. Occipital horn hydrocephalus was also present.     

Improvement of the morphometry method and its use in electron microscopic studies

The paper describes morphometric device for electron microscope. Using this gauge one can get morphometric data from the screen of the electron microscope. Perspectives of morphometric analysis of ultra-structures in the electron microscope are discussed.     

Experimental study of the use of colchicine in alcoholic liver diseases

Rats kept on a standard diet were subdivided into several experimental groups: group 1, control; group 2, animals receiving ethyl alcohol for 10 days; group 3, animals receiving ethyl alcohol for 3 months; group 4, animals receiving colchicine; group 5, animals receiving alcohol in combination with colchicine; group 6, animals receiving alcohol in combination with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4); and group 7, animals receiving alcohol in combination with CCl4 and colchicine. Electron microscopy of the rat liver has shown that colchicine inhibited significantly the onset of hepatic fibrosis and degenerative changes in hepatocyte organells induced by hepatotoxins (alcohol alone or alcohol in combination with CCl4). Colchicine also inhibited monooxygenase activity in the liver homogenate of experimental rats. Possible mechanisms of hepatoprotective colchicine effect are discussed.     

Expression of hepatocyte growth factor in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with nodular lesions

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune thyroid disease frequently associated with hyperplastic nodules (HN)s. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in benign thyroid nodules and over-expressed in malignant thyroid nodules, particularly in papillary thyroid carcinomas. To elucidate the role of HGF in the development of HNs in association with HT we evaluated, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of HGF in both nodular and extranodular tissues, obtained from 30 HTs and 15 goiter samples. Six normal thyroid glands were used as controls. All normal control tissue samples exhibited no evidence of HGF immunoreaction. HNs showed weak to moderate HGF immunoreaction, which was located exclusively in the cytoplasm of stromal cells (fibroblasts and endothelial cells). However, the percentage of positive cases was higher in HNs arisen in the context of HT, compared to HNs not associated with HT (30/30 or 100% vs 4/15 or 40%; p<0.001). HGF immunoreactivity was also detected in all extranodular tissues from HT specimens (30/30 or 100%), but we found some significant differences. In fact, while in HNs observed in the context of HT lesions HGF was expressed only in stromal cells, in the extranodular tissues from the same thyroid gland affected by HT it was also detected in the cytoplasm of the epithelial follicular cells. Furthermore, HTs showed a much higher HGF staining grade in the extranodular tissue compared to HNs. Finally, a clear positive correlation was observed in HT between the proportion of HGF expressing follicular cells and the grade of lymphoid aggregates of the thyroid gland. In conclusion, HGF is much more frequently and highly expressed in thyroid tissue with HT, compared to goiter. In HT glands HGF can be detected in both follicular thyroid cells and stromal cells, while in HNs, either from goiters or associated with HT, its expression is restricted only to the stromal cells. These data indicate that HGF may play a role in cell proliferation processes occurring in thyroid glands affected by HT, probably under the regulation of the lymphoid infiltrate.     

The use of venous allografts in vascular surgery

Biochemical, morphological and biomechanic study of various veins which were taken from 54 patients without trophic disorders during phlebectomy and kept for 7 days was made. 2% solution of neutral formalin and isotonic buffer solution (Henx solution) was used; results of the study show, that conserved veins can be used for grafting in arterial reconstructive surgery in cases of absence of autogenous vein material. Optimal period of conservation is 1 day.     

The use of small and large computers for setting up data banks for morphometry

The organization and structure of data masses including results of scientific research is presented on the base of the morphometric method. The data massif is realized on ESER-1056 large scale computer. Currently, all the results of the universally scientific programme "Statist", designed for mathematical and statistical morphometric data processing, are collected in this data massif. A personal computer is linked with a large-scale computer by a cable for data transfer by telecommunication, the whole system accomplishes distributed ata processing. This enables the scientist to use the data massif directly from his working site.     

Myocardial and vascular lesions in the LA/N-corpulent rat

The LA/N-corpulent (LA/N-cp) rat is a normotensive strain derived from Koltesky's original mutant strain of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). When homozygous for the cp gene (cp/cp), the rats are hyperphagous, hyperlipidemic, hyperinsulinemic, and obese. The rats have been shown, by scanning electron microscope observation of the arterial system, to develop arterial lesions and occasional occlusive thrombi. These are significantly more frequent in the corpulent rats. Histological examination of the heart has shown the presence of four distinguishable types of lesions: type A, muscle scar or cell dropout with pigment deposition and inflammatory cell accumulation; type B, necrosis of a small number of myocytes with reactive inflammatory cells; type C, nodule of chronic inflammatory cells; type D, muscle scar without chronic inflammatory cells. Complete transverse sections of three regions of the heart were examined from rats 3, 6, and 9 months of age. Rats that were homozygous normal (+/+) showed an absence of all types of cardiac lesions. Male corpulent rats showed frequent lesions of all types with the frequency rising consistently with age. Female corpulent rats showed a similar incidence of types C and D lesions to males, but no type B lesions were found. Type A lesions, the most common in corpulent males, were found at a greatly reduced relative frequency. In some instances, we have found occlusive thrombi in a coronary artery of corpulent rats. The disease process in these animals occurs with a normal low fat, virtually cholesterol-free diet and no experimental manipulation.     

Venous valve anatomy and morphometry: studies on the duckling using vascular corrosion casting

The anatomy and morphometry of venous values associated with the vasculature of the head of the duckling were studied using vascular corrosion casting and scanning electron microscopy. All valves encountered were bicuspid, and casts typically exhibited slight expansions at valve sinuses and deep slits at the sites of valve leaflets. The locations, numbers, and orientations of endothelial nuclei on all surfaces of the valves were clearly revealed by imprints in the casting resin. Endothelial cell densities were significantly higher on the surfaces of valve leaflets (about 10 cells/1,000 micron2) than on other venous surfaces (about 7 cells/1,000 micron2). Endothelial nuclei on the medial surface of the valve leaflet were oriented parallel to the long axis of the vessel, whereas those on the lateral surface were oriented perpendicular to that axis. The close proximities of valves in some vessels and the presence of anomalies such as the sharing of leaflets by adjacent valves were readily demonstrated with the corrosion-casting techniques. These methods provide a useful means for studying the fine, three-dimensional details of venous valve anatomy.