DigitalUM :: Browsing by Subject "Human"

Browsing by Subject "Human"

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Open Access
Bioaccumulation of mycotoxins in human forensic liver and animal liver samples using a green sample treatment
(Elsevier, 2023-11-23) Castell Martínez, Ana; Arroyo Manzanares, Natalia; Campillo Seva, Natalia; Torres Sánchez, Carmen; Fenoll, José; Viñas López-Pelegrin, Pilar; Química Analítica
The investigation of the mycotoxin bioaccumulation in human and animals is of wide relevance due to the potential toxicity associated with these secondary metabolites. This study proposes an analytical methodology consisting of salting-out liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) for the determination of 13 mycotoxins: aflatoxins (G1, G2, B1 and B2), enniatins (A, A1, B and B1), beauvericin, HT-2 and T-2 toxins, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol, in human and animal liver. A targeted analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), as well as the screening of derived metabolites by ultrahigh performance LC and high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). The proposed method was in-home validated, and trueness was verified by apparent recovery studies with values between 94 and 110 %. Furthermore, suitable linearities were obtained by the proposed method for all the mycotoxins and detection and quantification limits allow the mycotoxin monitoring at the low levels expected in biological samples. Repeatability and intermediate precision were calculated at two concentration levels, obtaining values of relative standard deviation below 9.5 %. The proposed methodology allowed to study the bioaccumulation of mycotoxins in both human and animal liver, demonstrating the presence of emergent mycotoxins in all liver samples analyzed, specifically enniatins B, B1 and beauvericin were detected with concentrations up to 4.04 μg/kg.
Open Access
Cellular distribution of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in human reproductive system and breast and prostate cancers
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Gallego, R.; Pintos, E.; Garcia-Caballero, Tomas; Raghay, K.; Boulanger, L.; Beiras, Andres; Gaudreau, P.; Morel, G.
Growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) mRNA and protein was first localized to the anterior pituitary gland, consequent with the action of its ligand on GH synthesis and release. Subsequent studies found GHRH-R also expressed in the hypothalamus and in systemic tissues including those of the reproductive system. In the present work, we studied the distribution of GHRH-R in human reproductive system of males and females by immunohistochemical method. GHRH-R immunostaining was localized in male reproductive system: Leydig cells, Sertoli and basal germ cells of the seminiferous tubules and prostate secretory cells. GHRH-R immunostaining was also demonstrated in the ovary: oocytes, follicular cells, granulosa, thecal and corpus luteum cells. Endometrial glands, placenta and normal mammary glands also showed GHRH-R immunostaining. Our results demonstrate the localization of GHRH-R in the reproductive system, which may mediate the direct action of GHRH in these tissues. Moreover, GHRH-R was demonstrated in prostate and breast carcinomas, opening a variety of possibilities for the use of GHRH antagonists in the treatment of prostatic and mammary tumors.
Open Access
Cuerpos vulnerables y vidas precarias. ¿Un retorno de lo humano en la filosofía política de Judith Butler?
(Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de Publicaciones, 2016) Ingala, Emma
El presente texto (1) interroga el relativamente reciente retorno del concepto de lo humano a la filosofía política de Judith Butler –esto es, se pregunta por las razones de este retorno, por la condición de este retorno y por la concepción de lo humano que retorna– y (2) examina en qué medida este retorno transforma, matiza o modula la comprensión butleriana del cuerpo y de la vida. A partir de estos dos puntos, se tratará de arrojar luz sobre el llamado “giro ético” de Butler –que no supone en absoluto un abandono de la política, como algunos lectores han interpretado– y sobre la preeminencia que nociones como las de precariedad y vulnerabilidad han cobrado en sus teorías.
Open Access
Developmental pattern of three vesicular glutamate transporters in the myenteric plexus of the human fetal small intestine
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Linke, N.; Bódi, N.; Resch, B.E.; Fekete, Eva; Bagyánszki, M.
Three vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1-3) have previously been identified in the central nervous system, where they define the glutamatergic phenotype, and their expression is tightly regulated during brain development. In the present study we applied immunocytochemistry to examine the distribution of the immunoreactivity of all three VGLUTs during prenatal development of the myenteric plexus in the human small intestine. We also investigated changes in their localization in the different segments of the small intestine and in the different compartments of the developing myenteric ganglia. Immunoreactivity against all three VGLUTs was found predominantly in the ganglionic neuropil, interganglionic varicose fibers and perisomatic puncta, but cytoplasmic labeling with different intensities also occurred. Each transporter displayed a characteristic spatiotemporal expression pattern, with the transient increase or decrease of immunoreactive cell bodies, varicosities or perisomatic puncta, depending on the fetal age, the gut segment or the ganglionic compartment. Throughout gestational weeks 14-23, VGLUT1 immunoreactivity always predominated over VGLUT2 immunoreactivity, though both peaked around week 20. VGLUT3 immunoreactivity was less abundant in the developing myenteric plexus than those of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 immunoreactivity. It was mainly expressed in the ganglionic neuropil and in the perisomatic puncta throughout the examined gestational period. Neuronal perikarya immunoreactive for VGLUT3 were restricted to between weeks 18 and 20 of gestation and exclusively to the oral part of the small intestine.
Open Access
Evaluation of the multiple tissue factors in bone of primary osteoplasty and rhinoplasty in patients affected by cleft lip palate
(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2022) Buile, Dace; Pilmane, Māra; Akota, Ilze
Clefts of the lip and/or palate (CLP) are visible disruptions of standard facial structure. The aim of our study was to determine a relative number and appearance of the tissue factors in bone of patients with CLP during first time plastic alveolar osteoplasty or rhinoplasty. Immunohistochemistry was performed with matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), matrix metalloproteinase9 (MMP-9), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OC), Runtrelated transcription factor 2 (Runx2), beta-defensin-2 (βdef-2), beta-defensin-3 (βdef-3), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). The bone formation was observed by Masson-trichrome (Masson) staining. For the quantification of structures, the semi-quantitative census method was used. Spearman rank order correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test were used for the statistical analysis. A significantly higher number of OPN positive osteocytes was observed in the CLP group when compared to the control group (p=0.002). The number of OC positive osteocytes (p=0.000) and βdef-2 positive osteocytes (p=0.003) was significantly lower in the CLP group in comparison to the control group. Strong, positive correlations between IL-10 and OC (rs=0.608; p=0.002), IL-1α and MMP-9 (rs=0.666; p=0.000), OPN and MMP-8 (rs=0.620; p=0.002) were detected in the CLP group. A tendency for the increased appearance of MMP-8, MMP-9 positive osteocytes of the patients with CLP, suggests elevated tissue remodelling properties. Increased appearance of OPN positive osteocytes in bone of the patients with CLP shows increased bone homeostasis based on seriously decreased mineralization, which may be a possible compensatory reaction to decreased quality of postsurgical bone.
Open Access
Expression of ADAMTS-5 in deformed human temporomandibular joint discs
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Matsumoto, Takashi; Tojyo, Itaru; Kiga, Norifumi; Hiraishi, Yukihiro; Fujita, Shigeyuki
Objective: To study the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5) in tissue samples of deformed human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs and cells obtained from the discs. Materials and methods: Eleven adult human TMJ discs (nine diseased discs and two normal discs) were used in this study. The nine diseased discs were obtained from nine patients with internal derangement (ID) and osteoarthritis (OA) in the TMJ. These patients all had anteriorly displaced discs and deformed mandibular condyles, making conservative therapy impossible. The tissues were immunohistochemically stained using ADAMTS-5 antibodies. In addition, an articular disc cell line from one case was established by collagenase treatment. The subcultured cells under both normal and hypoxic conditions (O2: 2%) were incubated for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after addition of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) (1 ng/mL). Subsequently, the expression of ADAMTS-5 was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The control group showed negative reactions on immunohistochemical staining. The discs extracted from cases with ID and OA presented positive reactions for ADAMTS-5. The expression of ADAMTS-5 mRNA increased under both normoxia and hypoxia with the addition of IL-1ß, and the peak was observed after 3 h. Conclusion: These results suggest that ADAMTS-5 is related to deformation and destruction of human TMJ discs affected by ID and OA.
Open Access
Expression of K+ channels in normal and cancerous human breast
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Brevet, Marie; Ahidouch, Ahmed; Sevestre, Henri; Merviel, Philippe; El Hiani, Yassine; Robbe, Micheline; Ouadid-Ahidouch, Halima
Potassium (K+) channels contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis and are also involved in tumor generation and malignant growth. Using immunohistochemical analysis, we investigated the expression of four K+ channels GIRK1 (G-Protein Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel 1), Ca2+-activated K channel (KCa1.1), voltage activated K+ channels (KV 1.1 and KV 1.3) and of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 in normal and cancerous breast tissues and compared their expression with clinicopathological data. GIRK1 was overexpressed in carcinomatous tissues. In contrast, KV 1.1 and KV 1.3 were less expressed in cancerous tissue. The expression of Bcl-2 was similar in both tissues. As to the clinicopathological data, a correlation between KCa1.1 channel and estrogen receptor (ER) expression was observed. GIRK1 was overexpressed in breast carcinoma suggesting its involvement in proliferation and oncogenesis and its possible use as a putative pharmaceutigal target. The correlation between KCa1.1 channel and ER suggests the involvement of this channel in proliferation. The loss of expression of the two channels KV 1.1 and KV 1.3 may correspond to their role in apoptosis.
Open Access
Histopathological study of corpora amylacea pulmonum
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1989) Dobashi, Michio; Yuda, Fumiaki; Narabayashi, Masaru; Imai, Yutaka; Isoda, Noboru; Obata, Kazuya; Umetsu, Akemi; Ohgushi, Masatoshi
In this paper, we present a rare disorder which is known as corpora amylacea pulmonum. X-ray CT scanning showed an abnormal focus of the lung as a solitary mass with high density and spicular features around the surface. The resected l u n ~ti ssue was - - U characterized by the appearance of round, concentrically laminated acellular bodies about 40-80 microns in diameter. The bodies were usually found lying free in the alveolar space and surrounded by the exudate alveolar macrophages or multinuclear giant cells. Some of these macrophages were in a state of progressive degeneration. The bodies showed an affinity for Congo red and exhibited partial birefringence. Moreover, al1 the bodies had a strong positivity for the PAS reaction and anti lysozyme antibodies. The exudate alveolar macrophages and multinuclear giant cells also displayed reactivity for PAS and lysozyme in a similar manner to that of the bodies. Electron microscopically the bodies were fundamentally composed of fibrillar elements, which bore some resemblance to amyloid fibrils and probably accounted for the partial affinity of the bodies for Congo red. These amyloid-like fibrils were also found in the cytoplasm of the macrophages. This suggested that the concentrically laminated bodies in corpora amylacea pulmonum might be formed by sequential aggregation, fusion, coalescence and compaction of degenerated alveolar macrophages.
Open Access
Histopathology of human small intestinal and colonic ischemia-reperfusion: Experiences from human IR-models
(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2019) Leenarts, Claire A.J.I.; Grootjans, Joep; Hundscheid, Inca H.; Schellekens, Dirk H.S.M.; Lenaerts, Kaatje; Buurman, Wim A.; Dejong, Cornelis H.C.; Derikx, Joep P.M.
Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a frequent, but potentially life-threatening condition. Although much has been learned about its pathophysiology from animal IR models, the translation to the human setting is imperative for better understanding of its etiology. This could provide us with new insight into development of early detection and potential new therapeutic strategies. Over the past decade, we have studied the pathophysiology of human small intestinal and colonic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in newly developed human in vivo IR models. In this review, we give an overview of new insights on the sequelae of human intestinal IR, with particular attention for the differences in histopathology between small intestinal and colonic IR.
Open Access
Human eosinophils in vitro. An ultrastructural morphology primer
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1994) Dvorak, A. M.; Ishizaka, T.
An ultrastructural morphological primer of human eosinophils is presented. Mature and immature eosinophils. obtained from peripheral blood and bone marrow, as well as activated tissue eosinophils are all used to illustrate the various morphologies assumed by eosinophils in vivo. The various ultrastructural changes expressed by this cell lineage in vivo reflect the impact of differentiation, maturation, activation, secretion, and cell injury on morphology. Nearly all of the changes described in vivo are also evident in eosinophils arising in in vitro systems. We review published studies of these culture systems, which have been supplemented with various conditioned media containing naturally occurring growth factor(s) that are permissive (or not permissive) for eosinophils or with the recombinant growth factors, IL-5 or IL-3. These sti~diesw ere helpful in the recognition of eosinophil-promoting, -sustaining and -activating properties of human IL-3 and IL-5. Moreover, mature and immature eosinophils were shown to release a granule matrix protein - eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) - by its transport in small cytoplasmic vesicles, a process termed piecemeal degranulation (PMD). accounting for the gradual emptying of granule contents in the absence of granule fusions to the plasma membrane. Also presented are eosinophil morphologies that occur in vitro in suspension cultures of human cord blood supplemented with the c-kit ligand from various sources. The wide variety of eosinophil subcellular changes in the c-kit ligand-supplemented cultures, like the changes of which eosinophils are capable in vivo, reflects the processes of differentiation, maturation, activation, secretion and cell injury. Presentation of this ultrastructural morphological primer of human eosinophils in vitro should enable investigators to recognize eosinophils in all of their diverse morphologic forms i n cultures that contain differentiating and Offprint requests to: Ann M. Dvorak. M.D.. Department of Pathology. Beth lsrael Hospital. 330 Brookline Avenue. Boston. MA 02215, USA functioning rnenibers of other lineages, also present in ckit ligand-supplemented cultures. These lineages include mast cells, basophils, neutrophils. monocytes, macrophages. megakaryocytes, and endothelial cells.
Open Access
Human saphenous vein and coronary bypass surgery: ultrastructural aspects of conventional and “no-touch” vein graft preparations
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2004) Ahmed, S.R.; Johansson, B.L.; Karlsson, M.G.; Souza, D.S.R.; Dashwood, M.R.; Loesch, A.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is routinely used to restore blood flow to diseased cardiac muscle due to coronary artery disease. The patency of conventional grafts decreases with time, which is due to thrombosis and formation of neointima. A primary cause of graft failure is the mechanical damage inflicted to the graft during harvesting, including removal of surrounding tissue accompanied by high pressure saline distension to overcome vasospasm (both causing considerable mechanical trauma). The aim of this study was to compare the ultrastructural features of human saphenous vein (SV) grafts harvested conventionally and grafts prepared using an atraumatic ‘no-touch’ harvesting technique introduced by Souza (1996). The results of this study showed a better preservation of the lumenal endothelium and medial vascular smooth muscle (SM) in ‘no-touch’ versus conventional grafts. A ‘fast’ (within 30 min) response of SM cells to conventional harvesting was noted where features of both SM cell division and apoptosis were observed. It is concluded that the ‘preserved’ nature of the ‘no-touch’ aortocoronary SV grafts renders them less susceptible to thrombotic and atherosclerotic factors than grafts harvested conventionally. These features are suggested to contribute to the improved early patency rate described using the no-touch technique of SV harvesting.
Open Access
Influence of the way of reporting alpha- Amylase values in saliva in different naturalistic situations: A pilot study
(Ruud van den Bos, Radboud Universiteit, NETHERLANDS Received:, 2017-06-27) Contreras Aguilar, María Dolores; Escribano Tortosa, Damián; Martínez Subiela, Silvia; Martínez Miró, Silvia; Rubio, Mónica; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Tecles Vicente, Fernando; Cerón Madrigal, José Joaquín; Medicina y Cirugía Animal; Department of Medicine and Animal Surgey, Veterinary school, Universitat CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia
The objective of this pilot study was to compare the different ways of measuring salivary alpha-amylase (sAA, enzymatic vs. concentration) and to evaluate the influence that the dif- ferent ways of reporting the results can have in sAA interpretation. For this purpose, sAA was measured by direct quantification and also by an enzymatic assay in three different nat- uralistic situations, a physical stressor (situation 1) and two mental stressors of different intensity (situations 2 and 3). The results were expressed in three different ways (without correction, multiplied by flow rate and divided by protein concentration). sAA concentration and activity increased just after situations 1 and 3. When values were multiplied by the flow rate, significant changes after situation 1 were detected only for sAA activity but not for sAA concentration, being these changes of lower significance and magnitude that those observed for sAA activity without any correction. In addition, a significant increase in sAA activity was found at T+15 in situation 2. In situation 3 the significant decrease in sAA at T+15 disappeared. When values were divided by protein concentration, there were no sig- nificant changes in situations 1 or 3, but a decrease in situation 2 at T+0 and an increase at T+15. sAA activity and concentration showed a significant correlation in all situations. This pilot study points out that the way of expressing sAA can influence the results obtained in dif- ferent stress models and also their interpretation. Therefore, how sAA is reported and the factors involved in the different ways of expressing sAA, should be taken into consideration for an objective interpretation of sAA values.
Open Access
Involvement of FGF and BMP family proteins and VEGF in early human kidney development
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Carev, Dominko; Saraga, Marijan; Saraga-Babic, Mirna
The spatial and temporal pattern of the appearance of the fibroblast growth factor proteins (FGF-8 and FGF-10), the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2/4 subfamily and BMP-7) and the vascular endothelial growth factor protein (VEGF) was investigated in the human mesonephros and metanephros of the 5-9 week-old conceptuses. In the mesonephros, both FGF’s and BMP’s were found in all structures and their expression slightly decreased in the early fetal period. VEGF positivity appeared in all mesonephric structures, and increased in the fetal period coincidently with formation of the mesonephric blood vessel network. In the metanephros, FGF-8 first appeared only in the metanephric mesenchyme, but from the 7th week on, its reactivity increased and spread to other metanephric structures. FGF-10 positive cells appeared in all metanephric structures already in the 5th week, and slightly intensified with progression of development. Cell survival and nephrogenesis in the permanent kidney might be associated with the appearance of both growth factors. Both BMP-2/4 and BMP-7 displayed a similar pattern of reactivity in all metanephric structures, and their reactivity intensified with advancing development. Alterations in their pattern of appearance might lead to the formation of small and dysplastic kidneys. Already in the earliest developmental stages, VEGF protein appeared in all metanephric structures. At later stages, VEGF showed more intense reaction in the collecting system than in the differentiating nephrons and interstitium. Due to VEGF involvement in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, abnormal VEGF appearance might lead to impaired formation of the blood vessel network in the human permanent kidney.
Open Access
El laberinto de la exclusión: buscando el hilo de Ariadna de la diversidad
(Universidad de Murcia, 2000) García Martínez, Alfonso
En este artículo se procede a realizar un análisis de los fenómenos que se ha dado en agrupar bajo el rótulo de 'exclusión'. La pluralidad de aspectos implicados en los procesos sociales que provocan situaciones de ruptura con lo que puede ser considerado como modelos de vida equilibrados o insertos dentro de la normaalidad, dificulta extraordinariamente su tratamiento analítico (y, por supuesto, de acción práctica). Esto es especialmente cierto cuando tales procesos no son lineales, sino que, en numerosas ocasiones, se presentan convergiendo en la vida cotidiana de no pocas personas y como fruto elaborado tanto por las políticas sociales como por las representaciones y formas de vida culturales. De ahí la estructura laberíntica de estos procesos y las dificultades que representa una aproximación no simplista a su conocimiento.
Open Access
Leptin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, impact on normal and disturbed first trimester human pregnancy
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Toth, Bettina; Bastug, Mehmet; Scholz, Christoph; Arck, Petra; Schulze, Sandra; Kunze, Sussane; Friese, Klaus; Jeschke, Udo
Recent in vitro and in vivo studies emphasize the impact of leptin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and PPAR coactivators (retinoic X receptor a (RXR), amplified in breast cancer-3 gene (AIB3)) on placental and fetal development. Therefore, the frequency and distribution pattern of PPAR, RXR, AIB3 and leptin expression in normal human first trimester pregnancy, miscarriage and hydatidiform mole was investigated by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence staining. Enhanced expression of PPARß/d, RXR and AIB3 was identified in miscarried placentas. With regard to hydatidiform mole, increased expression of PPARg and PPARß/d was observed, whereas RXR was significantly down-regulated. Leptin expression was lowest in miscarriage and highest in mole pregnancies. In contrast to trophoblast tissue, expression of leptin in glandular epithelial cells of the decidua was increased in miscarriage. PPAR and leptin expressing cells at the feto-maternal interface were identified as extravillous trophoblast (EVT) by double immunofluorescence and CK7 staining. In summary, significantly reduced leptin expression was accompanied by enhanced PPARß/d, RXR and AIB3 expression in miscarried placentas. However, in mole pregnancy, up-regulation of leptin and increased expression of PPAR was detected. RXR, on the other hand, was down-regulated in mole decidua. So far, the study results implicate strong regulatory interaction of PPARs, their coactivators and leptin in human placentas. PPAR and leptin are potential targets for new treatment strategies concerning pregnancy disorders, such as miscarriage. The increasing knowledge about the role of PPARs and leptin in normal and disturbed pregnancy may help to improve pregnancy outcome.
Open Access
lmmunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies of choline acetyltransferase in large motor neurons of the human spinal cord
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2000) Muroishi, Y.; Kasashima, S.; Nakanishi, I.; Oda, Y.
The localization of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein and mRNA was investigated in large motor neurons of the lumbar spinal cord of 10 autopsied individuals without neurological diseases, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. In the immunohistochemistry using 20 serial tissue sections with a total thickness of 80 pm, about 58-85% (average 67%) of the large motor neurons (30 pm and more in somal minimal diameter) in the ventral horn were stained with the anti-human ChAT antibody. In the positive neurons, most immunoreactive products were observed focally in the perikarya. Occasionally, the perikarya of some neurons were stained diffusely. In situ hybridization with a single 4 pm-thick tissue section showed that almost all large motor neurons had positive signals (93-loo%, average 98%), which were distributed diffusely in the perikarya. The positivity rate in the in situ hybridization was higher than that in the immunohistochemistry for all 10 cases. These results indicate that ChAT mRNA is transcribed in almost all large motor neurons in the ventral horn of the human spinal cord, but ChAT protein cannot always be detected in the cytoplasm by immunohistochemistry.
Open Access
Localization of human placental glucose transporter 1 during pregnancy. An immunohistochemical study
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1996) Tadokoro, C.; Yoshimoto, Y.; Sakata, M.; Fujimiya, M.; Kurachi, H.; Adachi, E.; Maeda, T.; Miyake, A.
To elucidate the potential roles of glucose transporter 1 (GLUTl) in human placenta during pregnancy, we examined the localization of GLUTl in human placenta at various stages by immunohistochemistry with an anti-GLUT1 antibody by use of both light and electron microscopy. Specific staining for GLUTl was localized on the apical brush border and along the basal plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblasts. The staining at the apical side was more intense than that at the basal side during the early stages of gestation. In later gestational stages, however, the staining pattern at the apical side became blurred and the staining intensity at the basal side increased. The cytotrophoblasts, seen embedded in the basal part of the syncytiotrophoblasts, seemed to show immunoreactivity for GLUTl along the plasma membranes at the lightmicroscopic level. However, immuno-electron microscopic analysis with either pre- or post-embedding methods revealed that specific staining for GLUTl was hardly observed on the cytotrophoblasts, but the cytotrophoblasts were often surrounded by immunoreactive processes of syncytiotrophoblasts. The blood capillaries and erythrocytes in the stroma of placental villi were always immunoreactive for GLUTl throughout pregnancy. These findings suggest that GLUTl may play a vital role in human pregnancy.
Open Access
Microscopy detection and molecular characterisation of Giardia duodenalis infection in outpatients seeking medical care in Egypt
(Frontiers Media, 2024-04-05) Elmahallawy, Ehab Kotb; Gareh, Ahmed; Ghallab, Marwa M. I.; Köster, Pamela C.; Dashti, Alejandro; Toaleb, Nagwa Ibrahim; Aboelsoued, Dina; Alzaylaee, Hind; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Saleh, Amira A.; Alhegaili, Alaa S.; Eldehn, Ahmed Fathy; Hernández Castro, Carolina; Bailo, Begoña; GonzálezBarrio, David; Carmena, David; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
Introduction: Giardiosis remains one of the most prevalent enteric parasitic infections globally. Earlier molecular-based studies conducted in Egypt have primarily focused on paediatric clinical populations and most were based on single genotyping markers. As a result, there is limited information on the frequency and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis infections in individuals of all age groups. Methods: Individual stool samples (n = 460) from outpatients seeking medical care were collected during January–December 2021 in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, northern Egypt. Initial screening for the presence of G. duodenalis was conducted by coprological examination. Microscopy-positive samples were further confirmed by real-time PCR. A multilocus sequence typing approach targeted amplification of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), beta-giardin (bg), and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes was used for genotyping purposes. A standardised epidemiological questionnaire was used to gather basic sociodemographic and clinical features of the recruited patients. Results: Giardia duodenalis cysts were observed in 5.4% (25/460, 95% CI: 3.6–7.9) of the stool samples examined by conventional microscopy. The infection was more frequent in children under the age of 10 years and in individuals presenting with diarrhoea but without reaching statistical significance. Stool samples collected during the winter period were more likely to harbour G. duodenalis. All 25 microscopy-positive samples were confirmed by real-time PCR, but genotyping data was only available for 56.0% (14/25) of the isolates. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of assemblages A (78.6%, 11/14) and B (21.4%, 3/14). All assemblage A isolates were identified as sub-assemblage AII, whereas the three assemblage B sequences belonged to the sub-assemblage BIII. Patients with giardiosis presenting with diarrhoea were more frequently infected by the assemblage A of the parasite. Conclusion: This is one of the largest epidemiological studies evaluating G. duodenalis infection in individuals of all age groups in Egypt. Our molecular data suggest that G. duodenalis infections in the surveyed population are primarily of anthropic origin. However, because assemblages A and B are zoonotic, some of the infections identified can have an animal origin. Additional investigations targeting animal (domestic and free-living) and environmental (water) samples are warranted to better understand the epidemiology of giardiosis in Egypt.
Open Access
Persistence of Cajal-Retzius cells in the adult human cerebral cortex. An immunohistochemical study
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Martí, R.; Gutierrez, A. ,; Peñafiel, A.; Marin-Padilla, M.; De la Calle, A.
The presence of Cajal-Retzius cells in the adult human prefrontal and visual cortices has been demonstrated with calcium binding protein immunocytochemistry and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. These cells expressed parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin calcium binding proteins and displayed NADPH-diaphorase enzyme activity. The three basic morphological profiles-horizontal, pyriform and multipolar-were observed. The morphologies of labelled cells resembled those of neurons observed in Golgi studies of the human cerebral cortex. The presence of calcium binding proteins and NADPH-diaphorase in these cells suggests a possible inhibitory role as GABAergic neurons. The persistence of Cajal-Retzius cells in the adult cerebral cortex supports the idea that they undergo developmental dilution rather than postnatal degeneration.
Open Access
Quantitative assessment of normal and potentially premalignant epithelium at different levels of human colorectal crypts
(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) Tipoe, G.L.; White, F.H.
The present study uses morphometric techniques to assess whether altered differentiation patterns exist in PPM which might reflect its premalignant status. Samples were obtained from resected malignant lesions of large bowels of 10 Chinese patients. Normal (N) samples were biopsied from the margins of each resected large bowel. Potentially premalignant (PPM) mucosae were obtained from within 2 cm of the margins of the malignant lesions. Tissues were processed for histological examination and using strict criteria, colorectal crypts were divided into basal (B), intermediate (I) and surface (S) segments. Interactive digitisation of sections from each group was used to generate the following morphometric parameters in each segment: nuclear profile circularity indices (NSF and NCI); nuclear numerical density (NA and Nv); the degree of deviation of the major nuclear axis in relation to the epithelial-connective junction (AGDMAX); cell height (CH); the distance between nuclear apex to cell apex (DNACA); the distance between cell base to nuclear apex (DCBNA); stratification index (SI) - the ratio of DCBNA and CH; and the volume density of mucous vacuoles in the reference epithelium (VVMV,EP)I.n comparisons of different segments within groups, the nuclei at the S segment of N and PPM crypts were more irregular and less circular in shape than nuclei from other segments. There was a shift of nuclear profile shape (NSF and NCI) from circular to ellipsiodal between B and S segments. In comparisons of similar segments between groups, no significant nuclear shape changes were detected in nuclei of PPM crypts when compared with nuclei in similar segments of N crypts and the pattern of nuclear shape alterations resembled those of normal crypts. In comparisons of different segments within groups of N and PPM crypts, AGDMAX. DNACA, DCBNA, CH and S1 parameters demonstrated that epithelial cells at the I segments have more centrally positioned nuclei with the tallest Offprint requests to: Dr. George L. Tipoe, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Li Shu Fan Building, 5 Sasson Road, Hong Kong * In memoriam epithelial height when compared with epithelial cells in other segments of both crypts. In B segments, nuclear NA and Nv were almost double those of other segments in both N and PPM crypts, with marked reductions in these parameters between B and I segments. VVMV,EP was significantly highest in the I segment and significantly lowest in the S segment of both groups. Both N and PPM crypts showed similar trends in VVMV,EP within the crypt segments but when comparing similar segments between both crypts, a significant difference was detected only between S segments. The alterations of nuclear shape and packing densities, orientation and mucous content in N crypts were similarly expressed in PPM crypts and distinct differences in numerical density (Nv) and stratification index existed in crypts between these two groups when comparing similar segments. All values in PPM were consistently lower when compared with N crypts. These preliminary observations may represent a subtly altered state of cellular differentiation in PPM which may be a reflection of early preneoplastic transformation.