Tubo-ovarian transplantation in the treatment of sterility. Experimental research]

Microsurgical transposition of fallopian tube and ovary has the potential of being an efficient therapeutic treatment in patients with tubal sterility. The Authors present their experience of microsurgical adnexal transplantation in rabbit by two different techniques: the first procedure by microvascular anastomosis of the ovarian vessels, the second one without vascular pedicle. Function is evaluated at various time after grafting by: exploratory laparotomy on day 30 to establish whether circulation to the grafts was still maintained; macroscopic and microscopic examination of ovaries and fallopian tubes. The microvascular techniques prove highly reliable in terms of immediate vascular patency rate but it is disappointing that 50% of the autografts has failed with blocked vessels by day 30. Perhaps this is due to the difficult techniques in anastomosing the ovarian vessels of small caliber. In spite of these outcomes the vascularized autografts were viable and functional after transplantation in contrast with the non-vascularized tubo-ovarian grafts which all failed. This experience encourages to believe that the microsurgical technique could be employed for homograft transplantation in woman with extensive ovarian and tubal damages.     

The sensitive innervation of the proximal sesamoid ligament of the ox

The Authors have studied the sensitive innervation of the proximal sesamoid ligament of the ox and have found capsulated corpuscles only. Among these receptors, besides Pacini and pacini-like corpuscles, Golgi Mazzoni's corpuscles, muscle spindles and Golgi's tendon organs with a typical structure, the Authors have been described, for the first time in the ox, corpuscles constituted by numerous Pacini collected by a single capsule. It must be pointed out that the muscle spindles are always supplied by an annulo-spiral termination which is centrally placed in the equatorial region. A vegetative innervation is also present in this ligament.     

High-resolution whole-mount imaging of three-dimensional tissue organization and gene expression enables the study of Phloem development and structure in Arabidopsis

Currently, examination of the cellular structure of plant organs and the gene expression therein largely relies on the production of tissue sections. Here, we present a staining technique that can be used to image entire plant organs using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This technique produces high-resolution images that allow three-dimensional reconstruction of the cellular organization of plant organs. Importantly, three-dimensional domains of gene expression can be analyzed with single-cell precision. We used this technique for a detailed examination of phloem cells in the wild type and mutants. We were also able to recognize phloem sieve elements and their differentiation state in any tissue type and visualize the structure of sieve plates. We show that in the altered phloem development mutant, a hybrid cell type with phloem and xylem characteristics develops from initially normally differentiated protophloem cells. The simplicity of sieve element data collection allows for the statistical analysis of structural parameters of sieve plates, essential for the calculation of phloem conductivity. Taken together, this technique significantly improves the speed and accuracy of the investigation of plant growth and development.     

Circulatory pathways in the sinusal spleen of the dog, studied by scanning electron microscopy of microcorrosion casts

Scanning electron microscopy of microcorrosion casts was used to visualize circulatory pathways in the sinusal spleen of dog. The examination of contracted versus dilated organs and variations of the volume of material injected gave an indication of flow dynamics. Minimal injections of material into contracted spleens produced filling of mainly the fastest routes for flow, whereas injections into dilated spleens primarily filled slower routes. This procedure yielded a more complete, three-dimensional picture of the arterial, intermediate, and venous pathways as a whole, and of the relative amounts of flow through different arterial routes. Evidence of flow from capillary lumina out into ellipsoid sheaths was plentiful in casts from dilated spleens, but rare in casts from contracted organs. The pattern of flow within and out of the marginal sinus has been elucidated: A circumferential filling occurs first, followed by a flow that radiates outward into the marginal zone and red pulp. Venous sinuses filled via two routes in addition to the generally accepted path from the reticular meshwork via fenestrations in sinus walls. First, many venous sinuses extending out from the marginal sinus and surrounding marginal zone originated as open-ended tubes continuous with the reticular spaces of the marginal sinus or marginal zone. Second, direct connections of arterial capillaries with venous sinuses in the red pulp were found. Evidence indicating that some mechanism is controlling the flow via these routes is discussed. The strikingly different arrangement of venous sinuses in the subcapsular region is demonstrated.     

Measurement of O2 consumption in isolated organs without venous cannulation

A new two-sensor technique for measurement of O2 consumption in isolated organs without venous cannulation was successfully applied to the isolated rat heart. Because this technique eliminates the net exchange of O2 between venous effluent and the environment, measurement of the O2 concentration is conveniently made by use of a polarographic sensor in a collected pool of effluent at the bottom of a closed organ chamber. The method was validated against conventional techniques using cannulation of the pulmonary artery. The two-sensor technique allows O2 consumption measurements to be made in isolated organ preparations in which representative venous cannulation is prohibitively difficult, for example in organs with multiple venous drains, or those in which cannulation would be expected to cause excessive perturbation of physiological status.     

Presence of epithelial crypts in the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) epididymis. Preliminary note

The Authors refer the presence of epithelial crypts in the epididymis of chamois, previously described only in the bull by Nicander, in the camel by Singh, in the cat by Arrighi and in the roe-buck by Gentile et al. These crypts consist of cavities bored into the epithelium lining the epididymis and are rounded by the epithelial cells which are, sometimes, squamous and thin. Some crypts open into the lumen of the epididymis, some others crypt are filled with floccular, gelatinous material and, at times, with spermatozoa. The Authors think to undertake other morphological researches to find out the physiologic meaning of crypts, which could have an important role in the seasonal reproductive biology of wild ruminants.     

Clinical experience in using 18F-FDG PET in the staging and restaging of malignant lymphomas

The present study was undertaken to determine the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) in the staging and restaging of malignant lymphomas. For determination of the extent of a neoplastic process, complex radiation examination was conducted in 67 patients with malignant lymphomas. In 12 (17.9%) cases, the stage of the disease was changed, as evidenced by PET. There is evidence that the technique is of high diagnostic accuracy in detecting malignancies of l ymph nodes, skeletal system, and parenchymatous organs in lymphoproliferative diseases.     

Orientation of Small Specimens for Cryosectioning

A simple technique is introduced to achieve symmetrically oriented frozen sections of small specimens such as young fish or frog larvae. Small samples are especially difficult to orient if they are already frozen to the chuck in a freezing microtome. Orientation of the sample in a mold filled with embedding medium prior to freezing permits sectioning as well as easy labeling and storage of the specimens. The use of a stereo microscope during orientation is optional.     

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) in osteoporosis of the vertebrae--an experimental study]

The present study was conducted with the aim of establishing whether minimally invasive percutaneous techniques used to stabilize osteoporotic vertebrae are technically feasible. Two different methods were investigated in human thoracolumbar cadaveric vertebrae. In the first technique, special titanium implants were placed via a postero-lateral approach. With the second method, the vertebrae were filled with different types of cement of different viscosities. After each procedure, the vertebrae were examined with conventional X-ray and CT scans. The first technique proved quite unsuccessful--the insertion of the titanium implants proving difficult despite the use of special instruments. The results achieved with the second method were much better. The use of low-viscosity bone cement produced the best results. Despite a single lateral point of entry, the vertebrae were almost completely filled right into the contralateral side. Lumbar vertebrae required an average volume of cement of 7 ml (range: 6.5-10 ml) and thoracic vertebrae 5.5 ml (range: 4-7 ml). Specially developed cement application devices made possible problem-free, controlled introduction of the cement.     

A rare motive for genetic counseling: the risk of leukemia: apropos of a familial form

Authors report one family with three cases of myeloblastic acute leukaemia in three generations. In this family, without chromosomal abnormalities (the only one possible laboratory examination), the risk is certainly increased, but it remains, fortunately, low.     

Coccygeus and levator ani muscles in the rabbit: morphology and proprioceptive innervation

The Authors have studied the morphological features and the proprioceptive nervous component in the coccygeus and levator ani muscles of the rabbit, using Ruffini's and Barker-Ip's impregnations. The coccygeus muscle originates from ischiatic spine and inserts on the last three sacral vertebrae and on the first four or five caudal vertebrae. The levator ani muscle originates from the ischiatic spine and the coccygeus muscle aponeurosis and inserts directly on the caudal vertebrae 3-5 or 4-6. The proprioceptive innervation in both muscles is constituted by muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs with a typical structure. Muscle spindles are more numerous than Golgi tendon organs and the spindle density is higher in the levator ani muscle.     

Case report of primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst

Hydatid cyst develops in retroperitoneal space without accompanied lesion in other organs is defined as primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst. It is extremely rare though hydatid cyst may affect every organ in human body. A 15 years old boy presented with a giant retroperitoneal cyst and hydatid cyst was suspected. Thorough examination did not revealed lesions in liver, lung, kidney or other organs. The diagnosis was confirmed through laparotomy. The diagnosis is difficult, but the possibility should be considered before operation to prevent spillage or fatal anaphylactic shock. Living in an endemic area, ultrasonography, CT or serology test is helpful in the diagnosis of this disease. Total cystectomy is the ideal surgery, if not possible or at high risk, partial pericystectomy is acceptable.     

Special cutaneous receptor organs of fish. IV. Ampullary organs of the nonelectric catfish, Kryptopterus

Ampullary organs of the transparent catfish, Kryptopterus bicirrhus, are present in large numbers on the head and in a regular pattern of lines on the body and fins. The organs lie in the epidermis, and have a pore that opens to the surface. Flattened cells form a roof and walls. On the floor of the organ there are a “sensory hillock,” composed of spherical receptor cells and columnar supporting cells, and a “secretory hillock” composed of columnar secretory cells. The receptor cells are nonciliated and have only afferent innervation. The organ cavity is filled with jelly. The organs are compared with ampullary organs of the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia, ampullae of Lorenzini of Raja, and small pit organs of Amiurus. Structural characteristics of the ampullary organs of Kryptopterus make them especially suitable for electrophysiological studies.     

A multispectral camera system for automated minirhizotron image analysis

Plant and Soil - Roots are vital organs for plants, but the assessment of root traits is difficult, particularly in deep soil layers under natural field conditions. A popular technique to...     

Assessing potato tuber diel growth by means of X‐ray computed tomography

The formation and development of belowground organs is difficult to study. X‐ray computed tomography (CT) provides the possibility to analyse and interpret subtle volumetric changes of belowground organs such as tubers, storage roots and nodules. Here, we report on the establishment of a method based on a voxel dimension of 240 μm and precision (standard deviation) of 30 μL that allows interpreting growth differences among potato tubers happening within 3 h. Plants were not stressed by the application of X‐ray radiation, which was shown both by morphological comparison with control plants and by analysis of lipid peroxidation as a measure of oxidative stress. Diel (24 h) tuber growth fluctuations of three potato genotypes were monitored in soil‐filled pots of 10 L. In contrast to the results from previous reports, most tubers grew at similar rates during day and night. Tuber growth was not related to the developmental stage of plants and tubers. Pronounced differences were observed between average growth rates in different tubers within a plant. These results are discussed in the context of restrictions of past methods to study tuber growth and in the context of their potential for the characterization of the formation and development of other belowground plant organs.     

A fuzzy expert system design for analysis of body sounds and design of an unique electronic stethoscope (development of HILSA kit)

In this paper we have developed a fuzzy expert system (FES) for different sounds produced by different organs in the human body. We have also constructed a unique electronic stethoscope. The human body sounds produced by different organs like heart, lungs and intestine were analyzed. The doctor provided the data and relation between variables chosen for each organ sound. Using this information a rule base for fuzzy expert system was built. Such FES helps the medical doctor in arriving at appropriate decision in different difficult clinical situations. The examination of body sounds was done using conventional stethoscope (CS) and electronic stethoscope (ES), which was uniquely designed for this study. We have found that unique stethoscope developed by us is far superior to conventional stethoscope by its overall performance.     

Vascular microanastomoses in the experimental and clinical transplantation of tube and ovary

This work offers a review of the progresses achieved in both experimental and clinical fields about internal genital organs grafting. The Authors refer their own experience on the vascular microanastomosis and the grafting in rats. They particularly point out the difficulties and the problems they have met during their study. Microsurgical technic has allowed to achieve the viability of the microanastomosis controlled by hystological observations after 10 and 30 days.     

The histology and fine structure of the olfactory organ of the squid Lolliguncula brevis Blainville.

The olfactory organ of the squid has a thick, pseudostratified epithelium containing five morphological types of ciliated receptors. In the simplest receptors the cilia originate separately in the distal pole of the cell. All other receptors have some type of cilia filled cavity, varying from a simple pocket of cilia at the surface to a completely closed vesicle filled with cilia in cells deep in the epithelium. The receptors are compared to cells in the rhinophore of Nautilus and the olfactory organs of coleoid cephalopods. Possible functions of the olfactory organ, based on its morphology, are discussed.     

A new device and method for rapid processing of cytologic smears, histologic sections and cell cultures for electron microscopy

A device and technique are described by means of which samples may be selectively lifted from flat surfaces, such as microscope slides or coverslips, and processed for examination with the electron microscope. The device consists of a spring clamp that holds the narrow end of an open-tipped, conical B.E.E.M. or similar capsule sealed against the surface from which the sample of interest is to be removed. All processing of the sample for electron microscopy can take place within the capsule. When completed, the capsule filled with solidified resin is removed with the area of interest of the sample embedded in its tip.     

Long term follow-up of the endovascular trans-vessel wall technique for parenchymal access in rabbit with full clinical integration

Objective

Endovascular techniques are providing options to surgical/percutaneous cell transplantation methods. Some cells, e.g. insulin producing cells, are not suitable for intra-luminal transplantation and for such cells, other options must be found. We have constructed a “nanocatheter” with a penetrating tip for vessel perforation, thereby creating a working channel for parenchymal access by endovascular technique. To finish the procedure safely, the distal tip is detached to provide a securing plug in the vessel wall defect.

Materials and Methods

We have performed interventions with full clinical integration in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the subclavian artery and the external carotid artery in rabbits. No hemorrhagic- or thromboembolic events occurred during the procedure. Stenosis formation and distal embolisation were analyzed by angiography and macroscopic inspection during autopsy at five, 30 and 80 days. All animals and implanted devices were also evaluated by micro-dissections and histochemical analysis.

Results

In this study we show safety data on the trans-vessel wall technique by behavioral, angiographical and histological analysis. No stenosis formation was observed at any of the follow-up time points. No animals or organs have shown any signs of distress due to the intervention. Histological examination showed no signs of hemorrhage, excellent biocompatibility with no inflammation and a very limited fibrous capsule formation around the device, comparable to titanium implants. Further, no histological changes were detected in the endothelia of the vessels subject to intervention.

Conclusions

The trans-vessel wall technique can be applied for e.g. cell transplantations, local substance administration and tissue sampling with low risk for complications during the procedure and low risk for hemorrhage, stenosis development or adverse tissue reactions with an 80 days follow-up time. The benefit should be greatest in organs that are difficult or risky to reach with surgical techniques, such as the pancreas, the CNS and the heart.