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Biomedical subjects

H P Rohr

Publications and source records attributed to H P Rohr.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Electron microscopic stereological analysis of the normal human prostate and of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Normal and benign hyperplastic prostatic tissue was studied by quantitative electron microscopic measurements. Quantitative morphological procedures provide values for volume, surface, number of tissue and cellular components within human prostatic tissue. When a comparison is made of the stereological data of the glandular cell of benign prostatic hyperplasia to that of the normal human prostate no statistically significant difference in the relative volumetric amount of the cell organelles is indicated. An attempt was made to characterize the fine structure of the smooth muscle cells of the stromal area (fibromuscular) in normal and benign hyperplastic prostatic tissue. In benign prostatic hyperplasia a significant increase in the relative amount of organelles in the smooth muscle cell was found, indicating an activation of these cells. Light microscopic analysis has revealed that benign prostatic hyperplasia is primarily a stromal disease.

Cytological Techniques

Light microscopic stereological analysis of the normal human prostate and of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Normal prostate glands from 6 men less than 30 years old and enucleated tissue of benign prostatic hyperplasia were analyzed by stereological methods. Studies on the relative volumetric amount of fibromuscular (stromal) and glandular areas of the gland reveal no statistically significant difference between the inner and outer parts of the normal prostate and between the inner part of the normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, in benign prostatic hyperplasia there is a significant increase in the volumetric amount of the fibromuscular tissue and a decrease in the glandular area compared to the outer part of the normal prostate and the whole normal prostate (sum of the inner and the outer parts). These stereological data are discussed with respect to the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Adult

Morphologic findings in central bronchi correlated to lung function data in obstructive airways disease.

Quantitative analyses of morphologic findings are the condition of clinico-pathological correlation studies. These quantitative analyses are possible by morphometry. The present correlation study shows that morphometry may therefore contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of obstructive airways disease: decreasing bronchial lumen and increasing volume of grandular ducts are correlated to increasing airways resistances (clinical parameters: RAW, FEV1). Increasing volume of bronchial muscles is correlated with resistance of airways at quiet breathing (RAW) and less with increasing residual volume (RV). Increasing volume of bronchial glands and glandular ducts is correlated with increasing resistance at forced expiration which is clinically shown by decreasing FEV1. These findings can be interpreted as follows. Airway resistances are mainly influenced by airway narrowing. At quiet breathing, muscle constriction is an additional cause of increasing airflow resistance due to bronchial narrowing. At forced expiration, however, mucus plugs probably limit the airflow because thickening of bronchial glands points to increased secretory activity. Until now it is not possible to understand why bronchial muscle volume correlates with residual volume.

Adult

Hormonal influences on the dog prostate--a correlation study with light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

Dog prostates under defined hormonal influences were investigated by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The normal acinar cell apices exhibited well-developed, densely packed microvilli. TEM demonstrated numerous secretory granules, indicating a high secretory activity. Following castration, the acinar cells of the dog prostate showed rounded apices. Most of the microvilli disappeared and only knob-like protrusions were seen. Castrated dogs following administration of 3 alpha-androstandiol showed fewer microvilli than the controls; however, a well-developed undulating surface could be observed. Castrated dogs given 3 alpha-androstandiol and cyproterone acetate showed almost completely atrophic glandular cells. Prostates of dogs with spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were characterized by pleomorphism of cell shapes and surfaces. The different hormonal influences induced changes of the prostatic surface structures and secretory activity.

Androstanols

Comparative scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the prostatic gland in different species (mouse, rat, dog, man).

Man, dog, rat and mouse prostatic glandular cells were compared by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In rodents and dogs, a merocrine secretion exists, and in these species the undulating surface represented a confluence of secretory granules. The prominent secretory blebs observed in dog and human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) corresponded to apocrine secretions. Also variations in the amount of secretory activity were seen. Androgenic hormones were responsible for the differentiation of the prostatic epithelial cells during development. Therefore, an absence of microvilli as well as the appearance of ruffles, microplicae, and bare cells were seen in the prepuberal and castrated rat. In the elderly rat and in human BPH, a pleomorphism of the apical cell surface was evident.

Age Factors

[Morphometry in central bronchi and tissue sections. A supplemental method in pneumopathology].

Comparative clinical-pathological studies of pneumopathology call for quantitative analyses of bronchi and pulmonary tissue. Quantification of pathological findings is possible by morphometry. The most important stereologic definitions and the laws of morphometry are briefly described. Methodologic problems are discussed. Baseline data of central bronchi of 5 autopsy cases are calculated (volume densities of the different tissue compartments and the surface density of bronchial basement membrane in three reference volumes). The five patients had normal lung function tests during life.--Further, the grading of emphysema by point-counting on papermounted macrosections is reported. Grading of emphysema on lung slices correlated very well with grading of emphysema by point-counting.

Autopsy

[The problem of airway collapse in lung emphysema. Correlation between intravital lung function measurements and morphometric data].

Lowering of forced expired volume in one second as a percentage of vital capacity (FEV1%VC) and check-valve phenomenon of expiratory flow curve (CVPh) are clinical signs of bronchial collapse. In this study the correlations between these functional parameters and morphologic findings are studied. The study comprises autopsy cases in which lung function had been tested 1.5 years on average before death. In 138 cases emphysema was graded on papermounted macrosections and in 52 cases bronchi were studied by morphometry. 19 of the latter were analysed more thoroughly; 9 had shown CVPh. The results were as follows: 1. Collapse phenomena occur more frequently in cases with destructive emphysema than in cases without. However, it is not exclusive to the former. 2. FEV1 and CVPh correlate with hypertrophy of bronchial glands. 3. Cases with CVPh show hypertrophy, not atrophy, of the walls of central bronchi. It follows that bronchial collapse phenomena are mainly influenced by increased bronchial secretion of viscous mucus and not by emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma. On forced expiration, mucus plugging probably leads to a decrease of intrabronchial pressure in the downstream bronchi. Thus, the downstream bronchi may collapse because the equal pressure point between intrabronchial and intrathoracic pressure shifts from the central to more peripheral bronchi.

Bronchi

A stereological study of adrenocortical cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats (shr).

The ultrastructure of SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) fasciculata cells was compared descriptively and quantitatively with that of nonstimulated fasciculata cells of Wistar rats using sterological methods. The volume and surface densities are expressed per cm3 of cytoplasm. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the SHR was significantly increased compared to the control animals (surface density : 28%, volume density: 35%). Mitochondria volume remained unchanged although the inner mitochondrial membranes were significantly reduced (37%). An attempt was made to draw up a relation between sterological and biochemical data of steroid synthesis within the fasciculata cell. A genetically determined enzymatic defect in the early steps of the transformation of cholesterol to pregnenolone may exist at the level of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Whether this altered steroid metabolism is important to the etiology of hypertension in the SHR requires further investigation.

Adrenal Cortex

Stereological study of the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in stress situations (hypothermia, catabolism).

The ultrastructure of the rat fasciculata cells in stress situations, such as catabolism and hypothermia was compared descriptively and quantitatively by stereological methods with that of the nonstimulated rat fasciculata cell. The volume and surface densities are expressed per cm3 of cytoplasm, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, absolute values are given. In both stress situations the volume density of the mitochondria compared to the controls is enlarged significantly (H: 37% CA: 50%). The significant increase of the average single mitochondrium of the fasciculata cell (H: 58% CA: 58%) shows a real growth of the mitochondria in these stress situations. Also the surface density of the mitochondrial inner membranes--the mitochondrial enzymes for steroid genesis are partly located in these membranes--shows a significant increase (H: 31%, CA: 84%). Whereas the volume density of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum remains unchanged, the surface density is significantly raised (H: 44%, CA: 60%). An attempt was made to draw up a relationship between stereological and known biochemical data of steroid genesis within the fasciculata cell. An activation in both stress situations could be observed. The stereological data reflect a subcellular reaction pattern, which is similar to exogenous ACTH administration, thus indicating an endogenous ACTH liberation due to these stress conditions.

Adrenal Cortex

The applicability of the gland/wall ratio (Reid-Index) to clinicopathological correlation studies.

We studied at necropsy the bronchi of 49 subjects whose lung function has been measured during life. In each case the glands were examined in three bronchi by measuring the gland/wall ratio (Reid-Index) and by point-counting. The results of the two methods were compared: the data of the gland/wall ratio were normally distributed while those of the volume density established by point-counting were not. Gland/wall ratio and volume density of glands correlated moderately (RSp = 0.524). The function between them was not linear, in contrast with that between gland/wall ratio and gland thickness. The stereological background of these functions is discussed. In 34 subjects without restrictive lung disease FEV1 correlated inversely with the volume density of glands (RSp = -0.396), but not with the gland/wall ratio (Reid-Index)(RSp = -0.243). This discrepancy probably results from the different distribution of the data obtained by the two methods and from the non-linear function between them. These findings indicate that the gland/wall ratio (Reid-Index) is less applicable to clinicopathological correlations than the volume density of glands established by point-counting.

Adult

Stereological composition of the liver of biotin deficient and control chicks.

In an ultrastructural and stereological study the livers of 28-day-old chicks, fed either a biotin-deficient or a supplemented diet, were investigated. The biotin-deficient chicks showed the known dermal lesions and were significantly retarded in growth. About 30% less hepatocytic nuclei per unit volume liver were found in the deficient chicks than in the controls. In biotin deficiency mainly the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the mitochondria were affected. RER was diminished in volume and surface density, whereas in mitochondria only the surface densities of the outer and inner membrane were reduced. The reduction of RER is in agreement with the known reduction of protein synthesis in biotin deficiency.

Animals