Repair of the protein structures of ciliated epithelial cells after heat damage

A study has been made of the ability of ciliated pharengial cells of Rana temporaria L. to repair heat injury. The heat injury estimated by cessation of cellular motile activity has been shown to repair, ciliar movements being renewed. The reparation of the ciliar function is due to the restoration of nativity of the intracellular protein structures providing for the ciliar motility. These structures can be repaired only when they are a component of the whole living cell system; they are not capable of spontaneous renativation, however, when isolated as "glycerinized cell models". It is suggested that the reparation of heat injury in these cells is an active process, presumably dependent on the intracellular metabolism.     

The ependymal secretion of the fetal and adult rat subcommissural organ. morphological aspects linked to the synthesis,storage and release of the secretory products

Different localizations of secretory material are noted in adult and fetal subcommissural organ (SCO) in light microscopy. At the electron microscope level, the secretory ependymocytes reveal frequent associations among mitochondria and ribosomes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the SCO ependymocytes of the adult rat, the relationship between mitochondria and ribosomes of the ER is observed in the subgolgian zone, the ER cisternal profiles are smooth except where they face the mitochondria. Here, a constant interval of 40-45 nm separates the ribosome-coated ER membrane from the external membrane of the mitochondria. This association evidences a functional cooperation between mitochondria and ER, at least in some phases of the synthesis of the organ's gliosecretory material. By contrast, in the fetus (17-21 fetal day), the synthetic apparatus displays an entirely granular ER. The secretory products are stored as flocculent material which fills the ER cisternae. In the apical zone of the ependymocytes, as the membrane of the dense secretory granules fuses with the apical plasmalemma, the granules release their contents into the ventricular cavity. A possible link between the releasing process and the coated vesicles is discussed.     

The ependymal secretion of the fetal and adult rat subcommissural organ. morphological aspects linked to the synthesis, storage and release of the secretory products

Different localizations of secretory material are noted in adult and fetal subcommissural organ (SCO) in light microscopy. At the electron microscope level, the secretory ependymocytes reveal frequent associations among mitochondria and ribosomes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the SCO ependymocytes of the adult rat, the relationship between mitochondria and ribosomes of the ER is observed in the subgolgian zone, the ER cisternal profiles are smooth except where they face the mitochondria. Here, a constant interval of 40-45 nm separates the ribosome-coated ER membrane from the external membrane of the mitochondria. This association evidences a functional cooperation between mitochondria and ER, at least in some phases of the synthesis of the organ's gliosecretory material. By contrast, in the fetus (17-21 fetal day), the synthetic apparatus displays an entirely granular ER. The secretory products are stored as flocculent material which fills the ER cisternae. In the apical zone of the ependymocytes, as the membrane of the dense secretory granules fuses with the apical plasmalemma, the granules release their contents into the ventricular cavity. A possible link between the releasing process and the coated vesicles is discussed.     

Electron-microscopic study of the secretion of the ependymal cells in the domestic cat (ependymin-beta cells).

We have studied, by electron microscopy, the ultrastructural aspects of secretion (neurosecretion) of the ependyma of the third ventricle of the domestic cat. We have found cytoplasmic protrusions and isolated masses of cytoplasm, some with homogeneous cytoplasm and others with very dense granulation (protein-beta?). Axons, synaptic terminals and free secretory granules in the ventricular lumen were also seen. The existence of ependymin-beta cells (ependymocyte-beta) and axohormonal buttons is suggested. The ependymal cells are classified into seven types: (1) covering ependymocytes, (2) tanycyt ependymocytes, (3) secretory ependymocytes, (4) ependymocytes-beta, (5) neurosecretory ependymocytes, (6) neurosensorial ependymocytes (crown-like) and (7) supraependymal microgial ependymocytes. A neurohormonal hypothesis and the possible existence of one or more cerebral hormones (neurohormones) are suggested. These hormones would flow into the CSF through some of the ependymal cells (by microapocrine secretion, liberation of neurosecretion granules, or by axohormonal buttons): this could be the most important link in the endocrine system, assuring the functional unity throughout the ventricular system of the cerebrospinal axis which it winds through, although its basic influence is exercised) on the hypophysis level as a vertex of the classical endocrine system.     

Distribution of the kinin-breakdown activity in areas of the rat brain in the dynamics of spontaneous hypertension

Kinin-damaging activity (KDA) has been studied in 8 brain areas of normotensive rats and rats with spontaneous hypertension, aged 3 to 12 months. A significant depression in KDA was revealed in midbrain, striatum, thalamus, and pituitary body of normotensive rats 6 months of age, as compared to 3-month-old animals. A tendency towards KDA increase was noted in the hypothalamus. In 12-month-old normotensive rats KDA level returned to baseline (3 months of age). Comparison of KDA in rats with spontaneous hypertension aged 3 to 12 months has revealed no age-dependent differences and it is, therefore, believed that rats with spontaneous hypertension lack certain mechanisms inducing a considerable decrease of KDA in 6-month-old normotensive rats.     

Morphological aspects of broad-plasma lymphocyte migration through ependymal cell of mammalian vascular plexus]

A morphological study of the cerebral vascular plexus was performed to find out the ways of blood cell migration from the vascular lumen into the liquor and in the opposite direction, as well as through ependymocytes. The material of the study consisted of cattle (cows and goats) with the body weight of 500 kg and 30-40 kg, respectively. From each animal species 16 animals were used in the study. Investigational methods included light and electron microscopy. Sequential stages of broad-plasma lymphocyte migration from the vascular lumen through endotheliocytes, capillary basal layer, connective tissue stroma, basal membrane of ependymocytes, as well as through proper ependymocytes have been revealed. The authors refer the phenomenon of broad-plasma lymphocyte migration to the phenomenon of emperipolesis.     

Morphologic changes in the coronary arteries in experimental coarctation of the aorta and following its correction

In 33 puppies 2-4 months of age the model of a congenital heart disease was made as coarctation of the aorta. In 6-12 months 18 animals were taken to study, and in 15 animals the coarctation was removed. The latter animals were observed for other 6-12 months. The hearts of both groups were separately weighed, and the vessels of the coronary system were studied by means of a complex of histological and morphometric methods. Simultaneously, the number of smooth muscle cells, as well as the area and volume of their nuclei in media of small coronary arteries were estimated. At the experimental coarctation of the aorta certain hypertrophic-hyperplastic changes in coronary arteries at all branching levels take place. They are of a compensatory-adaptive character and reflect certain reactions of the vascular wall to an increased coronary hemodynamics under conditions of hyperfunction and hypertrophy of the cardiac muscle. Surgical removal of the coarctation is accompanied with a reduce of the hemodynamic loading of the heart, diminished degree of hypertrophy of the organ and a marked decrease of the hypertrophic-hyperplastic changes in its vessels. At the same time, the cardiac vascular system is adapting to the new conditions of circulation: rearrangement of some coronary arteries and arterioles according to the closed type and reduction of circulation in the vascular branches which have lost their importance in feeding the myocardium.     

Functional, morphologic and histochemical changes in the myocardium and their role in the development of cor pulmonale following pulmonary resection]

Functional, morphological and histochemical alterations were studied in 32 dogs within the period of 5 days--18 months after resection of 32-80% of the pulmonary tissue. According to the presence of hypertrophy of the heart right ventricle wall, morphological changes of the myocardium and disorders in the functional features of the cardiovascular activity all the animals were divided into 4 groups: 1--control animals; 2--experimental animals without hypertrophy of the right ventricle wall; 3--experimental animals with hypertrophy of the right ventricle wall in the stage of compensation; 4--experimental animals with hypertrophy of the right ventricle wall in the stage of decompensation. In the myocardium of the second group animals a decrease of aerobic processes and an increase of anaerobic ones were found to take place. The aerobic processes increased and the anaerobic processes decreased in the myocardium of dogs having hypertrophy of the right ventricle wall in the stage compensation. In the muscle of the decompensated pulmonary heart there occurred a pronounced decrease of aerobic and anaerobic processes, a disturbance of the protein and fat metabolism. All this resulted in a decreased contractive function of the myocardium with distrubed hemodynamics. The investigations have shown the interrelationships of morphological, histochemical and ECG alterations in the dynamics of the pulmonary heart development after resection of lungs.     

Composition and metabolism of low-density lipoproteins in rabbits of various ages

It is shown that in old (aged 48-54 months) rabbits the percentage of low-density lipoproteins in the blood serum increases as compared to that in young (aged 6-10 months) animals. The age accumulation of the mentioned lipoproteins is combined with their slow removal from the blood. A decrease in the income of lipoproteins of the given class and their slow removal in the vascular wall of old rabbits is observed.     

Structure and synaptic organization of the osphradium of the lamellibranch mollusk Unio pectorum

The osphradial organ has been studied in Lamellibranchia--Unio pectorum--by means of scanning and transmissive electron microscopy. On the surface of the distal part of this hemosensory organ there is a distinct division into zones. The central part of the osphradial torus is occupied by the receptory zone, formed predominantly by supporting cells with microvilli and by peripheral processes of the subepithelial receptory cells. The lateral surfaces are occupied with ciliar areas of the ciliar supporting cells. In the receptory zone two types of the peripheral processes of the receptory cells are identified; they differ by the number of kinocilia and by ultrastructural organization of the apical part. Axon-like processes of the receptory cells interact with axons and dendrites of the ganglionic cells, forming axo-axonal, axodendritic and axosomatic synapses. The facts revealed demonstrate a high level of specialization of the osphradial receptory surface, connected with polymodality of this organ.     

Intraorganic venous bed of the stomach cardia in children during the first 3 years of life

The intraorganic venous bed of the gastric cardial part has been studied in 27 organs, obtained from children corpses of both sex beginning from birth up to three years of life. They died from causes that were not connected with gastric or vascular system pathology. The results of the investigation prove the presence of mucous, submucous, muscular and serous-subserous venous plexuses in the wall of the gastric cardial part in children of the first three years of life. Every membrane of the stomach wall has its specific structure of the venous link in the microcirculatory bed. In the stomach mucous membrane already in a newborn there are complexly built microcirculatory pathways. Age changes are mostly expressed in the venous link of the gastric mucous membrane; this is probably connected with functional activity of the given layer of the organ. The largest venous vessels are situated in the gastric submucous base. By the end of the newborn period and, especially fully, during the successive age periods immune protection of the gastric wall is formed as an accumulation of lymphoid tissue to an antigenic effect of food. In these age groups certain structural mechanisms of blood outflow from the gastric wall appear.     

BALB/C小鼠肝细胞结构的年龄变化——光镜与电镜的计量形态学研究

作者研究了1月、6月和12月三个不同年龄组的BALB/c小鼠的肝细胞结构。利用计量形态学方法在光镜与电镜两个水平上对肝细胞整体及重要细胞器的年龄变化进行定量分圻,发现在所观察的结构参数中大部分随年龄而发生动力学变化。文中讨论了某些变化的可能意义。     

Morphofunctional characteristics of adrenal reactivity in rats of different ages

Ultrastructural peculiarities of the cortical and medullary substance of the adrenals have been studied in mature (8-month-old) and old (26-month-old) intact white male rats and in rats of the same age groups in 3 h after electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei. By means of certain biochemical methods contents of hormones (corticosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline) have been estimated, as well as that of cholesterin and ascorbic acid in blood and adrenal tissues. After the hypothalamus is stimulated in the mature rats, certain peculiarities in the adrenals reactivity are revealed; they demonstrate positive ultrastructural and functional correlation of secretory cells in the cortex and medulla and are characterized with hypertrophy of the nuclei, increased amount of polyribosomes, hypertrophied Golgi complex and canaliculi of the endoplasmic reticulum and increased contents of corticosteroids and catecholamines in blood. In the old rats after stimulation of the hypothalamus, certain unequal ultrastructural and functional peculiarities are revealed. They demonstrate both disturbance of the hypothalamic regulation of the adrenal function at ageing and decreased adaptive possibilities of the adrenal secretory cells at the subcellular level.     

Quantitative microscopic characteristics of cardial glands in in the human esophagus in postnatal ontogenesis

Microscopical investigation of oesophagus, obtained from corpses of 33 men and 33 women has been carried out (staining with hematoxylin and eosin, van Gieson). The cardial glands have been revealed in 92.4% of cases in the inferior and in 4.6% of cases in the superior third of the oesophageal wall. They have not been revealed in the superior third of the oesophageal wall. They have not been revealed in its medial third. Amount of acini in the section is essentially changeable. In elderly and old persons the ducts of the glands often form ampullar dilatations. The acinar areas on the section remain stable during the greatest++ period of the postnatal ontogenesis and only during old age they decrease slightly. The proper plate of the mucous membrane in the inferior part of the oesophagus in the zone, where the cardial glands are situated, is always thicker than in the area free from the acini. Close interrelations have been revealed between the cardial glands and lymphoid tissue of the oesophageal wall. The intensity of the glandular-lymphoid interrelations is insignificant in newborns and in children of suckling age. It is maximal in persons of mature and elderly age. Remaining at a sufficiently high level, the glandular-lymphoid associations in old persons are manifested in a less degree than in the previous age groups. No difference in organization of the cardial glands has been revealed in the superior and inferior parts of the oesophageal wall, as well as any sex peculiarities.     

急性心肌梗死高龄患者心肌灌注水平影响左室重构

为了探讨高龄急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction, AMI)患者心脏超声特点,分析左室重构(left ventricle remodel, LVR)与心肌灌注水平的相关性,本研究选取2016年2月至2017年10月在广西医科大学第一附属医院治疗的高龄AMI患者104例,根据患者年龄分为A组49例(60~79岁)和B组55例(≥80岁),比较两组心脏超声指标,采用声学造影积分指数(contrast score index, CSI)评估两组术后心肌灌注水平。结果表明,B组后下壁心肌梗死比例为27.27%,明显高于A组(p<0.05);B组和A组前壁、下壁、前壁+下壁心肌梗死比例差异无统计学意义(p>0.05);B组左心室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF)为(45.29±12.14)%,明显低于A组(p<0.05),左心房内径和左心室内径分别为(46.10径和左心室) mm和(57.29径和左心室内) mm,明显高于A组(p<0.05);B组经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)术后6个月CSI为(0.68±0.20),明显低于A组(p<0.05);B组术后左心房内径和左心室内径分别为(50.01±8.10) mm和(64.10±7.02) mm,明显高于A组(p<0.05);左心室内径与CSI呈负相关(r=-0.312, p<0.05)。综上表明,≥80岁患者与60~79岁患者心脏超声特点有所差异,年龄超过80岁的患者心功能以及PCI术后心肌灌注水平较差;心肌灌注水平与左室重构有一定相关性。     

Radial astrocytes and ependymocytes in the spinal cord of the adult toad (Bufo bufo L.)

Summary Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques have been used to demonstrate glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immuno-positive cells in the adult toad spinal cord. Two types of GFAP-immunoreactive cells were observed: ependymocytes and radial astrocytes. GFAP-positive ependymocytes were scarce and contained the immunoreactive product in their processes. They showed intermediate filaments in the basal pole and in their processes when studied with the electron microscope. These immuno-positive ependymocytes represent the tanycytic form of ependymal cells because their processes ended at the subpial zone. The radial astrocytes showed a more intensive immunoreactive product in somata and processes when they were located far away from the ependymal layer. Cell bodies and processes were also associated with blood vessels, but most of the processes ended at the subpial zone forming a continuous subpial glia limitans. The GFAP-positive processes, which form this subpial glia limitans in the toad spinal cord, belong to both tanycytic ependymocytes and radial astrocytes, whose somata are located in the grey matter. These findings lead us to suggest that both types of GFAP-immunopositive cells might be the functional equivalents of mammalian astrocytes.     

OCCURRENCE, COMPOSITION, AND POTENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE (EUBALAENA GLACIALIS) SURFACE ACTIVE GROUPS

Marine mammal social interactions are poorly understood primarily because of the difficulty of observing these behaviors in the wild. Observations of copulations in North Atlantic right whale surface active groups (SAGs) have led to the hypothesis that the function of these groups is for conception. The occurrence and composition of SAGs sighted from 1992 to 2001 were investigated on the basis of age, sex, and reproductive status of individuals. A total of 918 SAG events were documented. SAGs were observed in all habitat areas and in all months in which right whales were sighted. Group compositions revealed both potentially conceptive groups and nonconceptive groups. Of right whales whose age was known, 93% were first sighted in SAGs as juveniles, and more than half of all observed groups contained at least one juvenile whale. The group composition and timing of occurrence of SAGs do not support the hypothesis that all groups serve a purely conceptive function. Their functional role is likely much broader. Other potential functions include play, mating practice, or maintenance of social bonds.     

Age-related characteristics of the stromal-parenchymal relations of the human thymus

In 155 thymuses and in 57 capsules of the organ, distributed according to 12 age groups, beginning from fetuses of 5 months up to 90 years, age transformations of stromal-parenchymatous relations of the human thymus have been studied and quantitatively estimated. During the postnatal ontogenesis the thymic capsule and its intraorganic connective, tissue frame together with the parenchyma undergo certain phase reorganizations, specific for each age period. The greatest development of the thymic connective tissue frame reaches at the age of 1-3 years and during sex maturation period. The thymic lymphoepithelial tissue exists during all age periods. In the thymic adipose body foci of extramedullary lymphopoesis are revealed, beginning from the first mature up to the elderly age.     

Effect of age on mechanical properties of rat mesenteric small arteries

With aging, large arteries become stiffer and systolic blood pressure consequently increases. Less is known, however, about the age-related change in mechanics of small resistance arteries. The aim of this study was to determine whether aging plays a role in the stiffening of the small mesenteric arteries of rats. Intra-arterial systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressures were measured in male Wistar rats aged 2, 4, 15 and 26 months. The passive mechanical properties of the wall of isolated perfused and pressurized arterial segments of mesenteric small arteries were also investigated. Intra-arterial systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures tended to decrease with age and were significantly lower in the oldest rats (26-month-old group). Pulse pressure was significantly higher in the 15- and 26-month-old groups than in the two younger groups. Under isobaric conditions, increasing age is associated with an outward hypertrophic remodeling of the mesenteric arteries. Under relaxed conditions, incremental distensibility in response to increasing intravascular pressure did not change with aging. As a function of strain (under isometric conditions), stress shifted to the left as age increased, indicating an age-related vascular stiffening. Under isobaric conditions or in relation to wall stress, the elastic modulus was greater in the adult 15-month-old rats than in the younger rats. These findings suggest that distensibility seems to be preserved with aging, despite stiffness of the wall components, probably by arterial wall geometric adaptation, which limits the pulse pressure damage. It is interesting to note that elastic modulus in mesenteric arteries from the oldest rats (26-month-old), examined in relation to wall stress and intravascular pressure, did not differ from that of the youngest rats, thus suggesting that elasticity of wall components had been restored.