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Results for “Morphological Characterization”

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PubMed1997

Primary culture of antennal cells of Mamestra brassicae: morphology of cell types and evidence for biosynthesis of pheromone-binding proteins in vitro.

A culture technique for the in vitro growth and differentiation of antennal cells of Mamestra brassicae is described. The morphology of the growing cells is described. At least five morphological cell types can be distinguished in the cultures. Neuronal cells (type A) were characterized morphologically and immunocytochemically with anti-HRP staining and could be separated into two subtypes, A1 and A2, on the basis of the size of the cell body. Non-neuronal cells could be divided into four types. Type-B cells consisted of large and flat cells with a veil-like cytoplasm. They usually adhered to each other and formed groups of 20 to 50 cells. Type C were large and flat cells, highly variable in size and shape. They closely resembled insect glial cells in culture. Type-D cells grew thick processes, up to 100 microm long. These elongated processes resembled trichoid hairs, and D cells are most probably trichogen cells. Type E were spindle-shaped cells present in low number in the cultures. A high proportion of similar cells in the hemolymph of pupae suggests that E cells are hemocytes. Pheromone-binding proteins were detected using specific antisera in the medium of 3- to 4-week-old cultures.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Morphological and biochemical characterization of Procambarus clarki blood cells.

Morphological and cytochemical analysis of Procambarus clarki hemocytes demonstrated three cell types: hyaline, semigranular, and granular. Hyaline cells showed a higher nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio with few small electron-dense granules in the cytoplasm. Semigranular cells presented numerous round or oval eosinophilic granules (0.40-0.78 micron). Granular cell contained large eosinophilic granules (1.79-3.05 microns). Ultrastructurally, all cells showed microtubules near the borders, a poorly developed Golgi complex, and secretory-type electron-dense particles. No mitotic figures were seen. Cell monolayers showed three morphologically distinct cell types (composed of flattened and well-spread cells) depending on the presence and size of granules (hyaline, semigranular, and granular). No sex-related differences could be documented in cell features or proportions. Cytochemical studies showed that the three cell types were positive for acid phosphatase. Granular and semigranular cells were also positive for nonspecific esterase. Phenoloxidase activity was localized only in granular and semigranular hemocytes, and peroxidase activity was observed only in the granular hemocytes. These results may suggest that the semigranular and granular hemocytes participate in the prophenoloxidase system and also in phagocytic or cytotoxic function.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1995

Induction of neuronal apoptosis by excitotoxins associated with long-lasting increase of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-responsive element-binding activity.

We show that excitotoxic cell death, which is associated with pathological neurodegenerative processes, can display morphological and biochemical features characteristic of apoptosis, a mode of cell death typical of physiological neuronal elimination during development. Cortical neurons cultured in the absence of serum, stimulated with NMDA, glutamate, or quisqualate after 3-5 days in vitro, showed significant degeneration. This death was blocked by 1 microM MK-801, indicating that it was mediated by the activation of NMDA receptors. Dying cells displayed an apoptotic morphology, characterized by cytoplasm and chromatin condensation. No internucleosomal DNA degradation was observed, confirming that morphological changes of apoptosis can be dissociated from DNA laddering. Inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis abolished cell death, and the protective effect of cycloheximide was similar when the drug was applied 2 h before or 8 h after glutamate. These experiments suggest the participation of active gene transcription in the mechanism of death. We thus analyzed the modulation of transcription factors in dying cells using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. The level of factors binding to the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-responsive element (TRE) displayed a late and sustained increase preceding neuronal death, which was not found for factors complexing the Sp1 P, Oct, and USF binding sites. These results raise the possibility that apoptosis is one of the mechanisms of death in the pathologies linked to excitotoxicity and that activation of TRE-binding factors could play a role in these processes.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical characterization of cutaneous lymphocytosis in 23 cats.

Clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features of cutaneous lymphocytosis, an uncommon disease histologically resembling well-differentiated malignant lymphoma, were characterized in 23 cats. Clinical outcome was correlated with histomorphology and immunophenotype in an attempt to predict benign vs. malignant behaviour. The disease mainly affected older cats. Lesions were solitary in 61% of cats and often characterized by alopecia (73.9%), as well as erythema, scaling and ulceration. The lateral thorax was most commonly affected (43.5%). Pruritus was frequent (65.2%). Systemic signs included anorexia and weight loss. Morphologically, lesions were characterized by dermal infiltrations of well-differentiated CD3+ T-cells (100%) and aggregates of CD79+ B-cells (64.3%). Cutaneous lymphocytosis is slowly progressive and relatively benign, although in some cats systemic signs led to euthanasia. Four of 12 euthanized cats and one live cat also had lymphoid infiltrates in internal organs. Unfortunately, we were unable to predict clinical outcome by histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of skin lesions.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Neonatal hamster molar tooth development: extraction and characterization of amelogenins, enamelins, and soluble dentin proteins.

Amelogenins, enamelins, and soluble dentin proteins were sequentially separated under dissociative conditions from morphologically characterized molar tooth germs of 4-, 6-, and 7-day-old hamsters. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic, gel filtration chromatographic, and amino acid compositional data of neonatal hamster amelogenin extracts were in general agreement with those obtained from fetal bovine enamel under similar extraction conditions. As development progressed (e.g., 4 vs. 7 days of life), changes in amelogenin proteins were manifested by altered values of all biochemical parameters measured. A high molecular weight (approximately 160,000-200,000 daltons) Stains-All-positive protein band was observed for all hamster enamelin extracts on SDS gels. Amino acid compositional data from this "enamel crystal protein," partially purified by dissociative gel-filtration chromatography, are presented. The hamster dentin phosphoprotein was partially purified by ion-exchange chromatography in 7M urea. The molecular weight (75,000-80,000 daltons) and amino acid composition of this protein were similar to those of rat incisor dentin phosphoprotein, but different from those of the fetal bovine phosphoprotein.

Amelogenin↗

PubMed1986

Morphological changes in the acrosome of bull spermatozoa during various seasons of the year.

The purpose of the investigation was to characterize morphological changes of the acrosomal cap of bull spermatozoa during different seasons of the year. The examination covered 113 ejaculates obtained from 30 dairy bulls over a period of one year. The season of the year significantly influenced the morphological changes in the acrosome of bull spermatozoa. The lowest percentage of morphological changes in the acrosome was found in ejaculates obtained in spring, the greatest one in those obtained in autumn (P less than or equal to 0.01). There was found no correlation between the percentage of spermatozoa motility and normal acrosomes.

Acrosome↗

PubMed1981

Morphologic and biochemical characteristics of human kidney cells in vitro.

In vitro cultivated cells derived from normal human renal cortex were characterized morphologically and biochemically. Although the epithelial monolayer was composed of heterogeneous cells, it included cells with a surface structure similar to microvilli as well as some resembling the desmosome between neighboring cells. Enzymatic studies revealed a marked decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity, and the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was also reduced to about one-fifth of that in the original tissue. The electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme was not identical with that of normal kidney or of the novel enzyme in renal neoplastic tissue. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was similar to that of normal kidney tissue but the isozyme pattern was completely inverted. These cells responded to the addition of 10 ng per ml of parathyroid hormone in culture medium and there was a 33 fold increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Estrogen specific binding protein was not detectable in the monolayer cells. These results clearly indicated that the biologic transformation observed in the cultivated normal cells was not attributable to simple fetalism or dedifferentiation, but was a more complicated process.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Atrophy of medium spiny I striatal dendrites in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Loss of dopaminergic neurons from the pars compacta of the substantia nigra is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) and results in a partial deafferentation to the striatum. Since deafferentation is known to induce transynaptic atrophy of postsynaptic cells, we examined by Golgi impregnation the morphology of medium spiny I (MSI) striatal neurons, the principal target population for both nigrostriatal and corticostriatal fibers. Our quantitative data indicate that the dendritic arbor of MSI neurons in the putamen is significantly reduced in both length and number and MSI neurons are morphologically characterized by truncated dendrites with few dendritic spines and irregular, bulbous swellings. These data provide morphological evidence for the atrophy of striatal dendrites in PD and may explain, in part, the declining efficacy of chronic L-DOPA replacement therapy in advanced PD.

Aged↗

PubMed1983

Chronic dietary copper deficiency alters biochemical and morphological properties of mouse lymphoid tissues.

Chronic copper deficiency in mice impairs both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, but the mechanisms are unknown. Copper deficiency was produced in C58 mice by feeding dams a diet low in copper throughout lactation and weaning the pups to this diet. Control mice were from dams fed the same diet but with copper supplementation the drinking water. Six-week-old mice were sampled for biochemical and morphological studies. Compared to copper-supplemented mice, copper-deficient animals were smaller, anemic and exhibited hypoceruloplasminemia. The copper-deficient mice have small thymus glands, enlarged spleens, and livers equivalent in size to copper-supplemented mice. Thymic atrophy is not caused by elevated serum corticosterone. Liver, spleen, and thymus tissues from copper-deficient mice exhibit low cytochrome oxidase (56, 38, and 45%, respectively) and superoxide dismutase activities (61, 60, and 43%, respectively) compared to tissues from copper-supplemented mice, indicating a functional copper deficiency. Electron micrographs taken of thymus and spleen from copper-deficient mice demonstrate altered morphology characterized by abnormal mitochondria and misshapen nuclei. Chronic copper deficiency alters the size, biochemistry and morphology of primary (thymus) and secondary (spleen) lymphoid tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Centrocytoid plasma cells of the germinal center.

Germinal centers within the lymph node follicles are T-cell-dependent, antigen-driven B-cell proliferations that develop from the rapid clonal expansion of a few founder cells. The end results of this B-cell expansion are memory B cells or plasma cells. Two morphologic forms of plasma cell can be recognized in the germinal center: classic plasma cells, characterized morphologically by peripherally clumped arrangement of nuclear chromatin, and cells with a nuclear morphology more resembling that of the centrocytes, which the authors have termed "centrocytoid plasma cells." In this study the authors examined the distribution and immunohistochemical characteristics of these two populations of germinal center plasma cells. The centrocytoid plasma cells were arranged in a band stretching from the junction of the dark and light zone to the periphery of the germinal centers, while the classic plasma cells were mainly present at the germinal center periphery. Both marked with CD38, CD138, and VS38c, recognized markers for plasma cells; however, EMA and CD31 were present only in the classic form of plasma cell. The proliferation marker Ki67 was present in less than 1% of the cells labeling with CD138. Others have demonstrated Ki67 in 50% of the cells labeled with Blimp-1, which is consistent with Blimp-1 appearing earlier than CD138 in ontogeny. CD10 is co-expressed with CD138 in about 10% of cells and CD45 with CD138 in about 5% of cells. Their topographic features, together with the progressive acquisition of plasma cell markers, suggest that the centrocytoid plasma cells may be the precursors of the classic plasma cells. Of note, both the forms of plasma cell were absent in follicles of follicular lymphoma, which supports the concept that in this disease, lymphocytes fail to differentiate and mature beyond the centrocyte stage.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1990

[Cytoskeleton--function and pathology: studies on the pathology of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton of liver cells].

Microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments (IF) are major filamentous components of the cytoskeleton and play a role in the modulation of cell shape, in cellular movements, cellular stability, intracellular organisation as well as cell-to-cell and cell-to-stroma interactions. Particular interest was concentrated in the last few years on IF because of their cell type-specificity and, consequently, their suitability as cell markers in diagnostic pathology. Despite their apparent stability, IF are dynamic structures which may be modified under pathologic conditions. In recent years, pathologic alterations related to the IF cytoskeleton have been described in a diversity of chronic and degenerative disorders, including alcoholic hepatitis and neurologic diseases (e.g. M. Alzheimer, M. Parkinson). Our studies were particularly devoted to the elucidation of the pathogenesis of severe alcoholic liver injury (alcoholic hepatitis), which is associated with inflammation, liver cell degeneration and necrosis and morphologically characterized by the appearance of cytoplasmic hyaline inclusions (i.e., Mallory bodies). In the present review morphologic, immunologic and biochemical studies on nature and pathogenesis of Mallory bodies are summarized. Moreover, similarities between Mallory bodies and other cytoskeleton-related inclusion bodies suggest common routes of pathogenesis. Consequently, studies along these lines may not only lead to the understanding of mechanisms involved in alcoholic injury but may also provide information on general principles of cell damage as well as on regulation and function of the IF cytoskeleton.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

High grade malignant lymphoma with clinical characteristics and immunophenotype of natural killer cells.

The malignant proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells which are morphologically characterized as large granular lymphocytes (LGL) is a well known clinical entity which was named after its morphological appearance as LGL-leukemia/lymphoma. Similar to non-malignant NK-cells, these tumors can be divided into those which express the CD3-T-cell receptor complex and those which do not. The CD3-positive type of LGL-leukemia is immunophenotypologically characterized by the expression of CD16, and variably CD 56 and CD 57, and generally follows a more indolent course. In contrast, malignant proliferations of CD3-negative LGL express either CD16 or CD 56, and only occasionally CD 57 on their cell surface. Clinically, CD3-negative NK-lymphomas tend to progress rapidly. We report here the case of a high grade malignant lymphoma which was characterized by an immunophenotype typical for CD3-negative NK-cells (CD2+, CD3-, CD16+, CD56(+), CD57-). The disease proved to be rapidly fatal despite aggressive chemotherapy. Interestingly, the patient suffered from a high turn over pancytopenia, which also characterizes NK-cell leukemias/lymphomas of the LGL-type. However, our patient's lymphatic cells appeared highly immature, and cytoplasmic granules, characteristic for LGL-cells, could not be discerned either microscopically or electronmicroscopically. Furthermore, the malignant lymphatic population had the T-cell receptor beta-chain rearranged. We therefore concluded that our patient might have suffered from a malignant proliferation of a putative precursor cell intermediate between T-cells and NK-cells.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Letterer-Siwe disease: immunohistochemical evidence for a proliferative disorder involving immature cells of Langerhans lineage.

The morphological, ultrastructural and immunophenotypic properties of Histiocytosis-X (H-X) cells were investigated in a lymph node involved by Letterer-Siwe (L-S) disease. H-X cells were T6+ (CD1a), S-100+, T4+ (CD4) and HLA-DR+; in addition they were consistently T11+ (CD2) and were stained by antibodies directed against receptors for transferrin (T9), C3bi (OKM-1/CD11b), IgG-Fc (Leu-11/CD16) and Interleukin-2 (IL-2R/CD25). On immunostained cytosmears, T6+ cells were highly polymorphic and a prominent fraction (45%) showed immature morphology, characterized by lymphoid appearance. Cells expressing macrophage markers (ANAE, AACT, Leu-M3/CD14, PAM-1) were 10-fold fewer than T6+ cells and did not show a lymphoid morphology. At TEM level, H-X cells were characterized by poor content of LC granules and by the presence of myelin-like laminated bodies and of lysosome-like dense bodies. The immunophenotypic properties of H-X cells were compared to those of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and of LCs present in lymph nodes of three cases of dermatophatic lymphadenitis. Epidermal LCs were T6+/HLA-DR+, and sometimes faintly T4+. Lymph node LCs were T6+, S-100+, T4+, HLA-DR+, and showed the same variety of surface receptors detected in H-X cells; furthermore, in a case with massive infiltration of the paracortex by T6+ cells, lymph node LCs were faintly T11+ and some of the T6+ cells had lymphoid aspect. Our findings suggest that the H-X cell population of L-S disease is not homogeneous, but is composed of discrete cell subsets with distinctive antigenic and morphological traits closely resembling those of cells of LC lineage at different maturational stages.

Female↗

PubMed2002

Morphological and cytoenzymatic characterization of haemocytes of the venus clam Chamelea gallina.

A morphological and enzymatic characterization of Chamelea gallina haemocytes was carried out as a prerequisite for further studies on venus clam immunobiology. Two main types of circulating haemocytes were identified (1) hyalinocytes (79.2%), agranular cells with a central nucleus surrounded by a little cytoplasm, and (2) granulocytes (16.5%), smaller granular cells with smaller nuclei. Small cells with a strongly basophilic nucleus and a thin layer of peripheral cytoplasm, probably undifferentiated blast cells (4.3%), were also observed. Both granulocytes and hyalinocytes can assume a spreading or round morphology. The enzymatic activities of haemocytes were also investigated. Some of the granulocytes and hyalinocytes were positive for hydrolytic enzymes, suggesting a role for these cells in phagocytosis; no oxidative enzymes were detected in C. gallina haemocytes. Granulocytes and hyalinocytes can easily adhere to the substratum and exhibit a low phagocytosis activity towards foreign particles (6.3%), whereas the fraction of cells containing ingested material significantly increased after pre-incubation of test particles with cell-free haemolymph, which suggests the presence of opsonin(s) in the haemolymph.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Axial and appendicular skeleton of Homo antecessor.

The human trunk and limb bones recovered from the Gran Dolina site, in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) are studied. All these fossils were excavated at the level called TD6 between 1994 and 1995 and have been dated in excess of 780,000 years ago. These remains have been recently attributed to a new Homo species named Homo antecessor. Axial (vertebrae and ribs) and part of the appendicular (clavicles, radii, femur and patellae) skeleton are studied here. Hand and foot bones have been studied elsewhere (Lorenzo et al., 1999). Four is the minimum number of individuals represented by the postcranial remains recovered up to now. All elements are briefly described anatomically, measured and compared with other fossil hominids and modern humans in order to establish, as far as possible, what postcranial morphology characterized this new species of our genus. The H. antecessor postcrania, generally, display a set of morphological traits that are more similar to modern humans than to the Middle and Upper Pleistocene European hominids. Our results do not contradict the previous phylogenetic analysis, i.e., that H. antecessor represents the last common ancestor for H. sapiens (modern humans) and H. neanderthalensis (Neandertals).

Age Determination by Skeleton↗

PubMed2004

Formulation and characterization of triclosan sub-micron emulsions and nanocapsules.

Triclosan, a non-ionic, broad spectrum anti-microbic agent, has recently demonstrated its effectiveness as an anti-malarial drug by inhibition of the growth of Plasmodium Falciparum. The aim of this work was to formulate suitable triclosan colloidal carriers with the final objective of obtaining a drug delivery system suitable for a potential anti-malarial oral treatment. Two different nanotechnological approaches were experimented with that could be suitable for developing effective triclosan formulations against this established and re-emerging infectious disease. Sub-micron emulsions were prepared by the solvent displacement method, using different oily amounts in order to vary the drug amount entrapped in the formulation. Chitosan-coated nanocapsules were obtained with chitosan hydrochloride at two different viscosity degrees (Cl 113 and Cl 213). All formulations were appropriately characterized by determining drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency and measuring particle size and zeta potential. Morphological characterization of the different systems was performed by TEM analysis, whereas release studies were carried out by reverse bag dialysis method. All preparations resulted stable. Cl 113-coated nanocapsules appeared particularly suitable as triclosan carriers for obtaining a systemic drug release, owing to both chitosan's good mucoadhesive and enhancer properties as well as the effectiveness shown by its coating in adequately controlling drug release rate.

Antimalarials↗

PubMed2000

Cytopathology of pregnancy-induced cell patterns in cervicovaginal smears.

Considerable interest has been devoted to cytology in pregnancy, especially the morphologic changes that may cause problems in differential diagnosis. It is surprising that the published discussion of the cytologic appearance of smears from pregnant women has been so limited. This review emphasizes that retained trophoblastic tissue may be a source of highly atypical appearing cells in the cervicovaginal cytology obtained under various clinical conditions. Distinguishing between Arias-Stella cells and cells of glandular abnormalities can be problematic, since the morphologic characterization of the former is poor. This review also emphasizes that a full awareness of the morphology of pregnancy as well as of the patient's clinical history are needed for greater precision in diagnosing cell patterns as pregnancy-related and not malignant.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Clinical and morphologic expression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in patients > or = 65 years of age.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is most often identified in patients in the second through fifth decades of life, but has been increasingly recognized in older patients. The present report characterizes morphologic and clinical features of HC in 134 consecutively studied patients aged > or = 65 years referred to a tertiary center. Echocardiographic or clinical evaluation, or both, was performed in 134 patients aged 65 to 85 years (mean 72) at most recent evaluation. Selected findings were compared with those in 64 youthful patients with HC aged 15 to 35 years (mean 25). Most elderly patients (120 of 134, 90%) developed marked symptoms that usually became evident after age 55 years; 94 of 120 experienced sustained improvement with medical treatment or operation. Elderly patients had relatively mild left ventricular (LV) wall thickening (20 +/- 3 mm), generally confined to the septum. In most (i.e., 68%), septal hypertrophy was uniformly distributed with parallel right and left borders and associated with elliptical LV cavity shape; however, in 32%, an inhomogeneously hypertrophied septum bulged into the left ventricle, disrupting normal cavity shape. Dynamic subaortic obstruction was present under basal or provocable conditions in a particularly small LV outflow tract in 103 of 134 patients (77%), and was usually produced by relatively restricted excursion of the anteriorly displaced mitral leaflets and posterior septal motion. HC is characterized by age-related differences in both clinical and morphologic expression. Elderly patients with HC characteristically demonstrate onset of cardiac symptoms late in life, as well as distinctive LV morphology and dynamics of outflow obstruction.

Adolescent↗