FEATURES OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE COMPONENT OF THE PALATINE TONSILS IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT TONSILLITIS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To explore the morphological changes of palatine tonsil at the levels of the epithelial layer and connective tissue; to determine the relative area of the connective tissue component in the tonsillar tissue (fibrosis) in patients with recurrent tonsillitis compared to the control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: This study presents a morphological assessment of the palatine tonsils of 10 people. Tonsils' material with surrounding tissue was fixed in 10% formalin solution. The samples were dehydrated in increasing ethanol concentrations, cleared in xylol, impregnated with paraffin. Microscopy was then performed with samples stained beforehand. RESULTS: Results: In the samples of patients with recurrent tonsillitis pericapsular sclerosis was noted, along with thickening of interlobular septa and pronounced subepithelial fibrosis. A ratio of the dense connective tissue surface area to the total surface area of tonsil tissue was determined. The control group showed a statistically significant decrease in the degree of sclerosis of the tonsil stroma. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Multiple changes were found in the tonsils of patients with recurrent tonsillitis at the level of the epithelial layer that manifested in structural alterations. Significant and irreversible changes were also observed in the connective stroma of the tonsil - pericapsular sclerosis, thickening of interlobular septa, and pronounced subepithelial fibrosis. A statistically significant increase in the relative surface area of the connective tissue component of the tonsil (fibrosis) by a factor of 1,26 was noted in patients with recurrent tonsillitis compared to the results of the control group of patients.

Ex Vivo Assay of Electrical Stimulation to Rat Sciatic Nerves: Cell Behaviors and Growth Factor Expression.

Neurite outgrowth and axon regeneration are known to benefit from electrical stimulation. However, how neuritis and their surroundings react to electrical field is difficult to replicate by monolayer cell culture. In this work freshly harvested rat sciatic nerves were cultured and exposed to two types of electrical field, after which time the nerve tissues were immunohistologically stained and the expression of neurotrophic factors and cytokines were evaluated. ELISA assay was used to confirm the production of specific proteins. All cell populations survived the 48 h culture with little necrosis. Electrical stimulation was found to accelerate Wallerian degeneration and help Schwann cells to switch into migratory phenotype. Inductive electrical stimulation was shown to upregulate the secretion of multiple neurotrophic factors. Cellular distribution in nerve tissue was altered upon the application of an electrical field. This work thus presents an ex vivo model to study denervated axon in well controlled electrical field, bridging monolayer cell culture and animal experiment. It also demonstrated the critical role of electrical field distribution in regulating cellular activities.

The Triplex BioValsalva Prostheses To Reconstruct the Aortic Valve and the Aortic Root.

The Bentall procedure introduced in 1968 represents an undisputed cure to treat multiple pathologies involving the aortic valve and the ascending thoracic aorta. Over the years, multiple modifications have been introduced as well as a standardized approach to the operation with the goal to prevent long-term adverse events. The BioValsalva prosthesis provides a novel manner to more efficiently reconstruct the aortic valve together with the anatomy of the aortic root with the implantation of a valved conduit. This prosthesis comprises three sections: the collar supporting the valve; the skirt mimicking the Valsalva, which is suitable for the anastomoses with the coronary arteries; and the main body of the graft, which is designed to replace the ascending aorta. The BioValsalva prosthesis allows the Bentall operation to be used in patients whose aortic valve cannot be spared.

A Floating Thrombus Anchored at the Proximal Anastomosis of a Woven Thoracic Graft Mimicking a Genuine Aortic Dissection.

An aortoesophageal fistula following surgery for a ruptured 6.6-cm thoracic aneurysm in a 69-year-old female was repaired using a 34-mm woven prosthetic graft. A follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan at 10 days postoperatively revealed a dissection-like picture in the region of the graft, which was treated conservatively. The patient eventually died from sepsis and multiorgan failure. At autopsy, the graft was retrieved in situ and studied by detailed gross, microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. Gross observation confirmed that the dissection resulted from the rolling of the internal capsule downstream. A massive thrombus anchored at the proximal anastomosis and held by a narrow head was also noted. The thrombus demonstrated reorganization in the area of the anastomosis, with a false lumen in its distal half. The reminder of the thrombus consisted of layered fibrin. After gross examination, the fabric graft was found to be flawless. Additional detailed studies were also done using microscopy, SEM, and gross examination.