Scanning electron microscopy of the wild boar and pig lingual papillae.

Lingual papillae of wild boar and pig were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vallate papillae appear with the typical circumvallate morphology. Their papillary bodies show conical or fungiform-like and spicule-like pseudopapillae in both animals. Taste pores were seen in the papillary grooves. Microplicae or pits are visible at high magnification. In pig and wild boar similar foliate papillae were observed. Pig has less but wider leaves than wild boar. Taste pores on papillary walls were viewed. At high magnification microplicae were seen. Morphologically, fungiform papillae correspond with their denomination. Taste pores open onto the upper surface and they are easily identifiable by SEM. The rostral and lateral regions contain the major number of fungiform papillae. The lateral papillae of wild boar and pig show a high number of pores per papilla. These regions must be considered important in taste sensitivity. Lateral papillae in both animals could provide a source of taste buds for study. In both animals the fungiform papillary epithelium showed a pitted appearance as a consequence of keratinization by food environmental stress. The filiform papillae can be both simple and compound (with body and hairs). Large conical papillae are located caudally and curved in the same direction. Filiform and conical papillae have a function in food mastication, handling and deglutition.

Direct evidence of luteal insufficiency in women with habitual abortion.

Plasma levels of progesterone were measured during the luteal phase in 10 of 15 women with clinical histories of at least three spontaneous abortions in the last three gestations, and in 15 healthy nonpregnant women during the same phase of the ovarian cycle. Progesterone values found in the women with habitual abortion were lower (P less than 0.05-0.005) than in the nonpregnant group almost throughout the period of observation. The habitually aborting women who became pregnant again aborted between the seventh and 12th weeks. Their progesterone concentrations were less than 6 ng/ml, 48-72 hours before vaginal bleeding or abortion. These values were compared with those found during the first 12 weeks in normal pregnancy (P less than 0.001). The results suggest a useful method of evaluating the treatment of habitual abortion.

Quantitative ultrastructural changes of the endodermal cells in the early chick embryo analysed by stereological methods.

The ultrastructure of endoderm cells of the area pellucida has been analysed in the chick embryo by stereological methods. These cells show a specific subcellular evolution which can be correlated with several aspects of morphogenetic behaviour. The cell form coefficient (CFc) changes notably from stage 5 (0.683) to stage 8 (0.446) accompanying the transformation of this layer into a squamous epithelium. An increase of the nuclear surface density is observed and is discussed in relation to the control of nucleocytoplasmic interchange. The mitochondrial volume and surface densities remain constant (3.12% of cellular volume and 0.727 mitochondria/mu(3) respectively). The endodermal cells possess higher levels of vitelline reserves (lipid bodies, 6.97% and yolk droplets, 8.90%) than other cellular types of the chick embryo. This fact is discussed with respect to the role of the endoderm in the phagocytosis of yolk. The RER length density shows an increase that could be related to some specific changes of the extracellular matrix during this period, but this fact remains to be demonstrated in relation to changes of Golgi membranes.

Sheep embryo cryopreservation by vitrification and conventional freezing.

The survival of ovine embryos (morulae and blastocysts) either frozen by a conventional method or vitrified was investigated in culture. In Experiment I, embryos were vitrified using a solution containing 25% propylene glycol and 25% glycerol. A group of embryos (simulated control) was processed without freezing to evaluate the toxicity of the vitrification solution. In Experiment II, embryos were exposed to a solution of PBS containing 10% glycerol and 0.25 M sucrose placed horizontally in a programmable freezer. Automatic seeding was applied at -7 degrees C in 2 positions on straws and cooled at -0.3 degrees C/min to -25 degrees C and then stored in liquid nitrogen. In vitro development rates of vitrified embryos were 12% (morulae) and 19% (blastocysts). Simulated embryos showed a higher rate of survival than embryos cryopreserved by vitrification (67 and 63%, morulae and blastocysts respectively). In conventional cooling, the blastocysts showed the highest viability percentage (67%) of all the experimental groups but these values decreased significantly in morulae (31%). Differences in temperature between straws placed in distinct positions in the freezing chamber and thermic deviation were observed when automatic seeding was applied. Embryo viability differed from 51 to 75% according the relative position of the embryos within the chamber. Survival was higher when automatic seeding was applied on the meniscus of the embryo column versus the central point of this column (65 vs 21%). The damage of both cryopreservation methods on zona pellucida integrity (27 and 35% in vitrified and conventionally frozen embryos, respectively) had no effect on the in vitro survival.

Eosinophilic fasciitis associated with simple traumatism.

Eosinophilic fasciiitis is an idiopathic and uncommon condition, a scleroderma-like disorder that predominantly affects the extremities and is characterized by marked thickening and inflammation of the fascia, associated with with peripheral blood eosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and characteristic histologic findings. A case is presented of a 75-year-old female patient who sought medical assistance for sudden occurrence of induration and erythema of both lower extremities one week after she had fallen from a one-meter height, with generalization of the signs. The diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis was made on the basis of histopathologic findings, and treatment with glucocorticoids, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistaminics was prescribed.

[Fertility and viability study of ovine hydatid cysts]. / Estudio de la fertilidad y viabilidad de quistes hidatídicos ovinos.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work is to analyze the fertility of the hydatid cysts from ovine, animal species of great epidemiological interest in the hydatid disease, and the ability of the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) as model experimental for the study "in vivo" of this hidatyd disease as preliminary phase of therapeutic studies. METHODS: It has been carried out a study of the fertility and viability of hydatid cysts from lungs and livers of ovine from Castilla and Leon by examination and evaluation of parameters among these is the production of a secondary hydatid disease in laboratory animals. RESULTS: The total cystic index was 8.57 cysts by infested ovine (5.97 cysts by infested lung and 5.57 cysts by infested liver). The fertility percentage obtained in hydatid cysts from ovine with "in vitro" viables protoescoleces was 43.97% being 43.02% a pulmonary cysts and 46.16% in hepatic cysts. The viability of protoscoleces was demonstrated by production of a secondary hydatid disease in 100% of gerbils infested. CONCLUSIONS: It is emphasized the validity of the criteria used to study the viability "in vitro" of the protoescoleces from hydatid cysts of origin ovine. The secondary hydatid produced in gerbil leads us to consider them as experimental animal for investigation "in vivo" of hydatid disease of origin ovine.

[Normal distribution curve for umbilical arterial flow velocimetry (S/D relation) measured by Doppler ultrasonography]. / Curva de distribución normal de flujometría arterial umbilical (relación S/D) por ultrasonido Doppler.

The umbilical artery flow is an important parameter for the management of obstetrical patients, specially those with retardation in intrauterine growth. A prospective study was carried out in 123 normal, pregnant women, from 20 to 40 weeks of gestation, with a reliable last menstruation date, who came for prenatal control to the Gyn-Ob Department at Hospital Central Militar, from June, 1991 to May 31, 1992. Umbilical artery velocimetry measurements, were done periodically, with S/D ratio determination, avoiding fetal respiratory movements, and at the chord site closest to the placenta. The equipment used was Toshiba Sonolayer SSA-270-A Doppler Duplex of pulsated wave; frequency of transmission-reception 3.5 Mhz and transductor fo 12 mm. diameter. All 123 products had a complete clinical examination, and determination of gestational age by Capurro at the time of birth, in order to exactly identify the gestational age of each ultrasonographic examination. With the obtained results four curves were made. One with average and standard error (EE +/- 1); another of simple lineal regression, obtaining confidence intervals of 95% with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.89; another one based on percentile 10, 50 and 90; and finally, one curve based of the confidence interval of 95%. The results are similar to the ones obtained by other authors, diminishing S/D ratio since week 20 to 40.

Sarna sarcóptica en cerdos criados en cama profunda. Reporte de caso / Sarcoptic mange in pigs in deep beeding. Case report

RESUMEN La sarna sarcóptica en los cerdos es causada por Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis el cual se distribuye ampliamente en los cinco continentes. Los productores porcícolas en general están preocupados por las infecciones parasitarias internas e ignoran las infestaciones parasitarias externas; estas últimas, causadas por S. scabiei tienen gran importancia económica ya que causa morbilidad, mortalidad, disminución de la fertilidad y de la tasa de conversión alimenticia. Este trabajo permitió determinar la presencia de sarna sarcóptica en cerdos criados bajo sistema de producción con cama profunda de una granja en el estado Guárico (Venezuela), utilizando las técnicas parasitológicas directas de flotación-concentración y microscopía directa. Los resultados demostraron que dos de siete muestras evaluadas fueron positivas con S. scabiei var. suis. El 100% de los animales presentaron lesiones de piel compatibles con la presencia del ácaro, pero el mismo solo pudo ser detectado en el 28,6% de ellos. La técnica de flotación-concentración fue más efectiva que la de microscopía directa. En este estudio describimos la primera detección de S. scabiei var. suis en cerdos domésticos en Venezuela criados en cama profunda.

ABSTRACT Sarcoptic mange infestation in pigs is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis. It is distributed worldwide. Pig owners are generally concerned about the internal parasitic infections and ignored the external parasitic infestations. But the external parasitic infestation with S. scabiei has economic significance as it causes morbidity, mortality, decreased fertility and lower feed conversion ratio. In this study the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in a pigs farm in deep beeding in Guárico state (Venezuela) was investigated, using the direct parasitological techniques of flotation-concentration and direct microscopy. Results showed that two of the seven pigs examined were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis. Skin lesions potentially attributable to this mite were present in 100% of animals, but the parasite could be detected in only 28.6% of them. A flotation-concentration technique was more effective than direct microscopy. In this report we describe for the first time the detection of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis mites on domestic pigs in Venezuela in deep beeding.

The caveolin-1 connection to cell death and survival.

Caveolins are a family of membrane proteins required for the formation of small plasma membrane invaginations called caveolae that are implicated in cellular trafficking processes. In addition to this structural role, these scaffolding proteins modulate numerous intracellular signaling pathways; often via direct interaction with specific binding partners. Caveolin-1 is particularly well-studied in this respect and has been attributed a large variety of functions. Thus, Caveolin-1 also represents the best-characterized isoform of this family with respect to its participation in cancer. Rather strikingly, available evidence indicates that Caveolin-1 belongs to a select group of proteins that function, depending on the cellular settings, both as tumor suppressor and promoter of cellular traits commonly associated with enhanced malignant behavior, such as metastasis and multi-drug resistance. The mechanisms underlying such ambiguity in Caveolin-1 function constitute an area of great interest. Here, we will focus on discussing how Caveolin-1 modulates cell death and survival pathways and how this may contribute to a better understanding of the ambiguous role this protein plays in cancer.

[Cutaneous adverse reaction to Bio-Alcamid implant]. / Reacción cutánea tras implante con Bio-Alcamid.

In the last years new and numerous materials for the correction of defects and wrinkles have been developed. One of these materials is Bio-Alcamid, a non reabsorbable gel polymer constituted by meshes of poly-alkyl-imide, without known adverse effects. We report a 34-year-old woman that had Bio-Alcamid implants for acne scars and several months after presented nodular lesions together with a painful inflammatory nodule. The nodule was drained and culture of the purulent material yielded Streptococcus viridans. A cytology and a cellular block of that material showed a granulomatous inflammatory reaction together with a foreign body. The different types of reactions to implants and their pathogenic mechanism are discussed. It is important to know these possible reactions to filler materials given their increasing use and the potential medico-legal consequences.

Simultaneous determination of toluene and xylene metabolites in urine by gas chromatography.

A gas chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of hippuric and o-, m-, and p-methylhippuric acids (metabolites of toluene and xylene) in urine is described. The analytical procedure is based on the extraction of the aromatic metabolites with ethyl acetate containing the internal standard and on a methylation with 3-methyl-1-p-tolyltriazene. With this method, which does not require much time and handling, the different acids can be satisfactorily determined with high sensitivity and specificity. A statistical study shows a good reproducibility for the determination of hippuric and o-, m-, and p-methylhippuric acids. The coefficient of variation for 10 determinations in all cases was less than 5%.

Trichloroethylene exposure. Biological monitoring by breath and urine analyses.

A mathematical model developed previously has been used to study some aspects of biological monitoring of exposure to trichloroethylene (TRI) by the analysis of this solvent in alveolar air or of its metabolites, trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), in urine. Assuming that a biological control must be representative of the time-weighted average concentration (TWA), it was found that sampling for TRI and TCE analyses must be carried out the morning after the exposure being considered. On the other hand, for a TCA analysis, the timing of urine sampling is not a determinant factor. Theortical limit concentrations have been set up for these biological indicators, but it is shown that their application must be restricted to exposures which are quantitatively reproducible from one day to the next. In all other cases, it appears that this monitoring method can lead to errors in the estimated exposure concentrations. A tentative method of biological monitoring is therefore proposed. It is based on the analysis of TCE in the urine or TRI in the alveolar air before and after the exposure being monitored. TCA is not considered to be sensitive enough to variations in the inspired concentration to be used as an indicator of a single exposure risk.

Vasopressin-induced neurotrophism in cultured hippocampal neurons via V1 receptor activation.

Structural enhancement of nerve cell morphology has been postulated to be an integral step in the cellular process leading to information storage in the nervous system. To investigate this postulate, we determined whether vasopressin (AVP), a neural peptide that can enhance memory function, would enhance the cytoarchitectural features of hippocampal neurons in culture. Results of these studies demonstrated that in the presence of serum, vasopressin (1 microM), induced a significant increase in the number of neurites, in neuritic length, and in neurite diameter following 48 h of exposure. Morphological complexity was also enhanced following vasopressin exposure as indicated by a significant increase in the number of filopodia/branches, in the sum of branch lengths, and in the number of branch bifurcation points. The number of microspikes decorating neuritic branches was also significantly increased following vasopressin exposure. To determine whether the neurotrophic effect of vasopressin was dependent upon factors present in serum, hippocampal nerve cells were cultured in serum-free media and exposed to 100-1000 nM AVP. Results of these studies demonstrated that in the absence of serum, AVP induced significant enhancement of hippocampal nerve cell growth and that the minimally effective concentration was reduced from 1 microM, as required in the presence serum, to 100 nM. In addition, the time required for a significant increase in nerve cell growth to become apparent decreased from 48 to 24 h. These results demonstrate that AVP-induced neurotrophism is not dependent upon unidentified factors in serum. AVP-induced neurotrophism was found to be mediated by V1 receptor activation. Significant enhancement of nerve cell growth occurred following exposure to V1 receptor agonist (100-1000 nM), whereas exposure to V2 receptor agonist (100-1000 nM) did not increase any of the morphological parameters measured. Considered together, these data indicate that vasopressin can exert a significant neurotrophic effect upon hippocampal nerve cells in culture. Moreover, AVP-induced neurotrophism is a direct effect and not dependent upon unidentified factors present in serum. Enhancement of hippocampal nerve cell growth occurred in the presence of a specific V1 receptor agonist and not following exposure to a V2 agonist, suggesting that activation of the phosphatidyl inositol pathway via V1 receptor activation mediates AVP-induced neurotrophism. Results of these studies are discussed with respect to their implications for understanding vasopressin involvement during neural development and induction of cytoarchitectural modifications associated with memory formation.

Effects of colchicine on the shape of chick neuroepithelial cells during neurulation.

We have analyzed the effects of colchicine on the cell shapes in chick neuroepithelium. Cell shapes were ascertained by the position of the nucleus in plastic serial sections. We tested three colchicine doses (5 X 10(-5) M, 5 X 10(-6) M, and 5 X 10(-7) M) by two experimental treatments (in ovo and in vitro). Colchicine treatment in vitro is always effective in depolymerizing microtubules of neuroepithelial cells and reduces the percentages of wedge-shaped cells in the median area of neuroepithelium. The same effect can be observed when the embryos are treated with 5 X 10(-5) M or 5 X 10(-6) M colchicine in ovo. A concentration of colchicine of 5 X 10(-7) M in ovo cannot disrupt microtubules in stage 8 and stage 10 embryos, and the percentage of wedge-shaped cells is the same as that of the untreated cells. In stage 6 embryos this colchicine dose effects the microtubules and the percentages of wedge-shaped cells. These facts are interpreted in respect to variations in microtubular resistance to microtubular-disrupting agents that are shown by the neuroepithelial cells from different developmental stages.

Organelle distribution in the wedge-, spindle- and inverted wedge-shaped neuroepithelial cells during chick embryo neurulation.

The formation of the neural tube is a morphogenetic process involving cell-shape changes. The activity of the cytoskeletal elements of the neuroepithelial cells and the interkinetic nuclear migration affect the neuroepithelial cell shape in a way that these cells acquire three distinct conformations of wedge-shaped, spindle-shaped and inverted wedge-shaped cells. Each of them is ultrastructurally characterized in this paper with regard to the intracellular distribution of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, yolk droplets, lipid bodies and Golgi apparatus. These distribution patterns are analyzed in relation to the role played by the neuroepithelial cells during the successive phases of neural tube formation.