Histology and histopathology Vol.13, nº 4 (1998)

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  • Publication
    Open Access
    Paravertebral muscles in experimental scoliosis, a light and electron microscopic study
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) Garrosa, M.; Fernández-Mariño, J.R.; Gayoso Rodriguez, Manuel J.; Tomey, M.J.; Al-Majdalawi, A.; Rodríguez, L.P.
    Experimental! structural dextroconvex scoliosis was produced in rabbits by costotransversolisis with transversectomy and releasing of paravertebral muscles between TVII and TX on the right side. Two compensatory curves developed on the upper dorsal and lumbar levels. Biopsies of paravertebral muscles in experimental animals included, besides areas of normal tissue, a considerable derangement of the cell contractile apparatus with sarcoplasmic dilation and eventual cell disintegration and necrosis. Histological changes varied along levels, the convexit!~ being more affected. The severity of changes and retiuction in body weight and length were correlated with the degree of scoliosis. A selective atrophy of slow-twitch fibers was observed in experimental animals, especially at the level of the main curve, whereas fast-twitch fiber atrophy was more important caudally. Control animal biopsies always appeared normal. Our experimental model shows an overt participation of paravertebral muscles in the establishment of compens,atory processes following scoliosis, although the role that paravertebral muscles play in the etiopathogenesis of human idiopathic scoliosis requires further investigation.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Localization of thrombospondin-l and its cysteine-serine-valine-threonine-cysteine-glycine receptor in colonic anastomotic healing tissue
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) Roth, J.J.; Buckmire, M.A.; Rolandelli, R.H.; Granick, M.S.; Tuszynski, G.P.
    Thrombospondin-l (TSP-1) is a matrix protein implicated in mechanisms of wound healing. TSP-1 contains the sequence cysteine-serine-valinethreonine- cysteine-glycine (CSVTCG) that has been shown to function primarily as a cell adhesion domain. Our laboratory has isolated a novel receptor specific for the CSVTCG adhesive domain of TSP-1. Immunohistochemical staining techniques and computerized image analysis were used to identify and quantitate TSP-1 and its CSVTCG receptor in surgically created colon anastomotic wounds. Histopathologic and quantitative examination demonstrated increased expression of TSP- 1 and its CSVTCG receptor in areas of wound healing. These findings suggest a role for TSP-1 and its CSVTCG receptor in wound healing. The control of expression and activity of these molecules may eventually be the basis for the development of wound healing agents that could significantly reduce the morbidity from surgical intervention.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    The nature and implication of intestinal endocrine cell changes in coeliac disease
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) El-Salhy, M.
    Coeliac disease is associated with intestinal lesion. This lesion causes architectural derangement of the mucosa in the form of villus atrophy, increased crypt length and increased volume of the lamina propria. Several changes in the intestinal endocrine cells have been reported over the years, e.g. the number of secretin cells and increased numbers of GIP, CCKIgastrin, motilin, and serotonin cells. There is no consensus about the nature of the changes in somatostatin-cells. It has been postulated that the changes in the endocrine cells are a selective process to meet the new demands exerted by the dramatic decrease in intestinal absorptive area. It has been speculated further that the changes in the endocrine cells would cause an incomplete digestion of the ingested food and its rapid elimination from the intestine. These changes may be responsible for the diarrhoea and steatorrhoea that occur in patients with coeliac disease.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Retinal and lenticular ultrastructure in the aestivating salamanderfish, Lepidogalaxias salamandroides (Galaxiidae, Teleostei) with special reference to a new type of photoreceptor mosaic
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) Collin, S.P.; Collin, H.B.
    The salamanderfish, Lepidogalaxias salamarzdroides (Galaxiidae, Teleostei) is endemic to southwestern Australia and inhabits shallow, freshwater pools which evaporate during the hot summer months. Burrowing into the substrate in response to falling water levels allows these fish to aestivate for extended periods of time while encapsulated in a mucous cocoon even when the pools contain no water. Only a few minutes after a major rainfall, these fish emerge into relatively clear water which subsequently becomes laden with tannin, turning the water black and reducing the pH to approximately 4.3. As part of a large study of the visual adaptations of this unique species, the retinal and lenticular morphology of the aestivating salamanderfish is examined at the level of the light and electron microscopes. The inner retina is highly vascularised by a complex system of vitreal blood vessels, while the outer retina receives a blood supply by diffusion from a choriocapillaris. This increased retinal blood supply may be an adaptation for reducing the oxygen tension during critical periods of aestivation. Large numbers of Miiller cells traverse the thickness of the retina from the inner to the outer limiting membranes. The ganglion cells are arranged in two ill-defined layers, separated from a thick inner nuclear layer containing two layers of horizontal cells by a soma-free inner plexiform layer. The photoreceptors can be divided into three types typical of many early actinopterygian representatives; equal double cones, small single cones and large rods (2:1:1). These photoreceptors are arranged into a unique regular square mosaic comprising a large rod bordered by four equal double cones with a small single cone located at the corner of each repeating unit. The double cones may optimise perception of mobile prey which it tracks by flexion of its head and "neck" and the large rods may Offprint requests to: Dr. Shaun P. Collin, Marine Neurobiology Laboratory. Department of Zoology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6907, Western Australia, Australia. Fax: (08) 9380 1029. ernail: scollin@cyllene.uwa.edu.au increase sensitivity in the dark tannin-rich waters in which it lives. Each single cone also possesses a dense collection of polysomes and glycogen (a paraboloid) beneath its ellipsoid, the first such finding in teleosts. The retinal pigment epithelium possesses melanosomes, phagocytes and a large number of mitochondria. The anatomy of the retina and the photoreceptor mosaic is discussed in relation to the primitive phylogeny of this species and its unique life history.
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Insulin receptors and signal transduction proteins in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, a review on morphological...
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1998) Unger, J.W.; Betz, M.
    Receptors for insulin are widely distributed in the brain and pituitary. The current hypothesis on receptor function in these regions points to a role of insulin as a mediator in the communication of the peripheral endocrine system with the brain via various steps of the neuroendocrine axis. Recent data demonstrate that receptor-positive neurons in the brain, i.e. in the hypothalamus, and secretory cells in the anterior pituitary gland possess specific proteins that are thought to be involved in key steps of post receptor signal transduction, in particular insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3k). PI3k is a critical enzyme of the intracellular signaling pathway that is activated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases, including receptors for insulin and IGF- 1. This information further completes the framework indicating in vivo activity of insulin receptors in central neuroendocrine cells and their involvement in one branch of several physiological mechanisms that control body metabolism and nutritional behaviour.