Abstract: Three groups of eight dogs each were studied to evaluate the early evolution of the hyperamylasemia, hyperlipasemia, and acinar cell pathology at the light and electron microscopic levels during acute Diazinon-induced pancreatitis. Two more groups of five dogs each were evaluated for the effects of cholinergic receptor blockade with atropine and ductal decompression on the evolution of serum enzyme changes and acinar cell pathology. Group I dogs received a secretin infusion of 2 units/kg/hr, and a Diazinon infusion of 75 mg/kg, and demonstrated significant increases in serum amylase and lipase at one, two and three hours. Light microscopy revealed acinar cell vacuolization and progressive interstitial edema. Electron microscopy revealed the formation of large intracytoplasmic vacuoles filled with flocculent material, the fusion of these vacuoles with basolateral membrane, and the formation of interstitial edema. In both group II dogs (that received secretin alone) and Group III dogs (that received atropine, 200 micrograms/kg IV prior to secretin and Diazinon), the serum enzyme levels and histologic results were normal. In group IV dogs, pancreatic duct cannulation to prevent hypertension prevented the hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia, but not the acinar cell vacuolization and interstitial edema. This model for acute interstitial pancreatitis is apparently cholinergic-receptor mediated, the serum enzyme elevations are due primarily to ductal hypertension, and the acinar cell pathology is primarily due to cholinergic stimulation and occurs independent of ductal hypertension.

Abstract: Trinitrotoluene (TNT) enhanced the formation of adrenochrome from adrenaline when added to mitochondrial and microsomal suspensions indicating increased superoxide production. The effect was observed in the presence of NADH and NADPH and was most prominent if these cofactors were combined. When injected intraperitoneally to male Wistar rats, TNT (100 mg/kg) caused damages in cerebral, hepatic and renal biomembranes and cell organelles. Morphological studies showed e.g., damaged mitochondria, dilatation of Golgi apparatus, vacuolization, swelling of cytoplasm and accumulation of lipid material. Morphological changes were more prominent in brain and kidney than in liver. TNT increased UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in liver and kidney. Renal epoxide hydrolase activity was also enhanced. In brain, succinate dehydrogenase activity was diminished while creatine kinase activity increased. Content of reduced glutathione increased after TNT dosage in brain, kidney and liver.

Abstract: In this investigation, the ultrastructural features of the nutritional cardiomyopathy of protein-calorie-malnourished rats were examined Protein-calorie malnutrition was induced in young rats by feeding them a low-protein diet (4% protein) for 6 weeks Control animals were fed a high-protein diet (16% protein) The deficient rats showed severe restriction of body-weight gain, fatty liver and hypoproteinaemia The results of the present study clearly demonstrated that the experimentally induced protein-calorie malnutrition brings about striking morphological changes in the heart of the rat On light microscopy hyalinization an vacuolization of muscle fibres, loss of cross striations and myofibrils, small foci of necrosis, interstitial fibrosis and mononuclear-cell infiltration could be detected The ultrastructural lesions were characterized by myofibrillar degeneration, contraction-band formation, dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial swelling, dehiscence of intercalated discs, and widened interstitial spaces, especially around vessels, due to oedema fluid and cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells an activated fibroblasts with collagen fibres and microfibrils In addition, an increase in relative heart weight was also observed The potential role of catecholamines in the pathogenesis of this cardiomyopathy is discussed

Abstract: Tracheal explants were used to evaluate the relative ciliostatic and cytotoxic potential of heavy metal salts (cadmium chloride, chromium chloride, nickel chloride, and copper sulfate). Explants from hamster, rat, and guinea pig were all sensitive to the metals, though guinea pig explants showed the greatest difference between the untreated and metal treated tissues. Dosage levels were 50, 100, and 500µM, for 24 to 148 h. Cadmium caused the greatest degree of ciliostasis and cell necrosis. Copper was less toxic, and nickel and chromium caused marginal damage when tested at 100µM or lower. In each instance, damage became detectable at approximately 24 to 48 h and was nearly stabilized by 72 h. A significant loss of ciliary motion was always accompanied by a decrease in metabolic activity (dehydrogenase activity and ATP content). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed a severely necrotic epithelium after exposure to cadmium, with only subtle morphological alterations after exposure to other metals. With all of the treatments there was no overt structural damage to cilia and little alteration in membranes of cells remaining in the epithelium. Some coagulation or vacuolization was noted in cadmium and copper treated explants but most cellular organelles did not display obvious damage. The most significant changes in the tracheal epithelium exposed to heavy metal salts in vitro were a loss of ciliary motion and a decrease in total ATP content.

Abstract: Mitochondrial abnormalities in the myeloma cells of 52 patients are described. They included increased number, bizarre shape, alterations in their internal ultrastructure and vacuolization. There was

Abstract: The ultrastructural study of the cortex of four patients with sporadic or familial AD, of two agematched controls without dementia, and of one normal pressure hydrocephalus, revealed in all the cases in the neuropil only occasional vacuoles which had a morphology similar to those observed in CJD. The degree of spongiform-like changes was, however, far less prominent than in CJD and considered mild in all the cases examined. Moreover, curled fragments of membranes within the vacuoles were not observed. It is suggested that the mild vacuolization of the neuropil occasionally observed in cortical biopsies of AD is a non-specific finding and cannot be considered a neuropathologic link between AD and CJD.

Abstract: Cells exfoliated from primary pleural mesotheliomas differ significantly from those from primary peritoneal tumors. In a quantitative study, it was shown that the pleural cells have larger nuclei, a more pronounced anisokaryosis and a higher nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and, therefore, appear more malignant than the peritoneal cells, which have abundant cytoplasma and small nuclei. The differences in quantitative parameters were due to a more extensive vacuolization and consequent cytoplasmic distension, combined with nuclear compression in the case of peritoneal mesotheliomas. The morphometric parameters and the vacuolization patterns of cell populations in cases with both pleural and peritoneal involvement correlated with the data of the primary tumor regardless of the fluid in which the cells were found. This finding indicates the transcoelomic metastatic properties of malignant mesothelioma.

Abstract: Histopathological changes in various cellular constituents of gill, liver and kidney were studied in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) after treatment with cadmium. The changes included fusion, vacuolization, necrosis, hypertrophy and formation of cellular debris in the gill; swellings in nuclei, vacuolization, necrosis and coagulation of cytoplasm in the liver; expansion of renal tubules and formation of cellular debris in the kidney. The changes in the tissue architecture have been discussed in reference to fish mortality.

Abstract: Cardiac tissues obtained at post mortem examination of eight patients with the Hurler syndrome, who ranged in age from 5 to 23 years, were examined by histochemical methods and electron microscopy. Extensive myocardiocytic vacuolization and increased interstitial fibrous tissue were noted by light microscopy in all hearts. The cytoplasmic (perinuclear) vacuoles contained Luxol-fast-blue-positive substance. At the ultrastructural level, abnormal cytoplasmic organelles were present within the myocardiocytes in all patients. These organelles were of three types: zebra bodies (ZB), membranous cytoplasmic bodies (MCB) and granulomembranous bodies (GMB). As ZB and MCB are believed to represent the morphological counterpart of accumulated gangliosides, these substances rather than glycosaminoglycans appear to be stored within myocardiocytes of patients with the Hurler syndrome. The accumulation of gangliosides and the consequent damage to the myocardial substratum probably contributes to the clinically evident cardiac disease, so often observed in the patients with this disorder.

Abstract: Partial spinal cord ischaemia was induced in dogs, ranging from 1 to 3 years of age, by ligature of the abdominal aorta just below the arteria coeliaca. The changes of the lumbal sensitive ganglia neurons were studied. In addition to the most often occurring changes, e.g., the vacuolization of the mitochondria, the disaggregation of ribosomes, the dilatation of the Golgi complex, the microtubular formations in the dilated cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum were observed. Modified cisterns of the granulated endoplasmic reticulum (GER) occurred focally in relatively well preserved neurons. The individual microtubules measured about 24 nm in outer diameter, and their walls were formed by some subunits.

Abstract: Pathological and histochemical studies were made to clarify the response to an aromatic retinoids (Ro 10-1670, Ro 10-9359) of the papilloma and carcinoma in hamster cheek pouch and mouse dorsal skin. The sizes of papilloma and carcinoma were remarkably reduced or completely regressed following systemic and topical administration of the aromatic retinoids. The antitumor effects increased in proportion to the frequency of administration than doses and were showed no side effects. Tumor tissues responded remarkably to the aromatic retinoids indicated an irregular keratinization including loss of hornified cells, nuclear vacuolization and inflammatory infiltrates which located in the border layer between stromas and neoplastic epithelia. Histochemically, tumor tissues which intensely affected by drugs were characterized by the presence of abundant acid phosphatase active cells. Those acid phosphatase active cells may be consisted of tumor cells, histiocytes and fibroblasts. In the electrocytochemical study acid phosphatase (a lysosomal marker enzyme) activity was found in epithelial tumor cells and fibroblasts. These results were indicated that epithelial tumor regression by aromatic retinoids the might be due to the accelerated lysosomal activity in the tumor cells and fibroblasts.