Pathomorphological changes in microcirculation of pancreas during experimental acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Severe acute pancreatitis is prevalent in Eastern Bohemia (a part of the Czech Republic) and remains a very difficult problem to manage. Recent studies in treatment there are quite frequent but a direct view into the pancreas during its inflammatory process is very rare. Only information about a normal pancreatic microvascular bed appears to be available. This study was designed to explore pathomorphological changes in pancreatic microcirculation at the start and during the development of acute pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: A group of 50 laboratory white rats was studied. The acute pancreatitis was induced by the modified method of Siech et al. The method of clamping of biliopancreatic duct and stimulation of external secretory tissue by a cholecystokinin and secretin and oral (orogastric tube) ethanol administration was performed. The pancreatic microvascular patterns were observed by using histochemical and corrosion casts methods. RESULTS: The study of the corrosion casts of pancreatic microcirculation in the scanning electron microscope and histochemical studies demonstrated the visible reduction of the pancreatic microvascular bed 18 hours after induction of acute pancreatitis. The microvascular bed is not fully destroyed until 48 hours of acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The model of acute pancreatitis using postoperative application of ethanol to the digestive tract after stimulation of pancreas by cholecystokinine and secretin in the rats seems to be real and useful. The study of the corrosion casts of microcirculation in the scanning electron microscope and histochemical studies demonstrated the visible reduction of the pancreatic microvascular bed 18 hours after induction of acute pancreatitis. The microvascular bed is not fully destroyed until 48 hours of running acute pancreatitis, as some "islets" of the vital tissue still have undestroyed microvessels at this time. Despite the above-mentioned serious changes, restricted pancreatic microcirculation enables blood and medicament distribution to the still intact pancreatic tissue.

[Mercurimetric determination of cephalosporin antibiotics]. / Beitrag zur merkurimetrischen Bestimmung der Cephalosporin-Antibiotika.

The conditions for a potenciometric estimation of cefuroxime, cefsulodin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxon with mercury(II) perchlorate after the previous reaction of the antibiotics with hydroxylamine were established. The mercurimetric determination was well reproducible with the relative error of the mean ranging up to 1% and the results are identical with the spectrometric and microbiological determination. There is no need to use a standard. With this technique only the content of effective antibiotic with an intact beta-lactam ring can be estimated. The method did not provide objective results for cefoperazone and cefoxitin. The direct determination of cephalosporin degradation products was verified for cefalexin, cefalothin, cefuroxime, cefsulodin and ceftriaxon.

[Conditions for the mercurimetric determination of the drug content of penicillins]. / Bedingungen für die merkurimetrische Gehaltsbestimmung von Penicillinen.

Mercurimetric determination of penicillins includes direct titration with a solution of mercury (II) perchlorate in the medium of pyridine solvent or acetate buffer, which determines the content of decomposition products, and titration after alkaline hydrolysis, which indicates the total amount of penicillin. The determination which is indicated potentiometrically with continuous addition of the titrant, provides real and reproducible results in the titration rate of 0.6 ml/min with the initial concentration of penicillin 170 mg/30 ml and temperature 25 degrees C. Benzathine and procaine salts of benzylpenicillin and benzathine salt of phenoxymethylpenicillin were dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) before the titration in acetate buffer. Titrations of ampicillin, amoxycillin and azlocillin were performed in the mixture of acetate buffer and formamide which ensured real results. Hydrolysis of the lactam ring of azlocillin, mezlocillin, ticarcillin and piperacillin is quantitative in 10 min of action of NaOH (1 mol/l) which was confirmed by comparing with the enzymatic cleavage. Relative standard deviation for all penicillins was less than 1%. The accuracy of the method for the determination of penicillins was proved by comparing with the microbiological and iodometric determination. The mercurimetric determination of penicillins and their decomposition products in acetate buffer was applied to injections, tablets, capsules and dry sirup.

Increasing quality of anatomical education by introduction of digital imaging into documentation of topographic dissections.

Knowledge of topographic anatomy is essential prerequisite for any physician to be successful in professional career. That is why we pay special attention to topographic dissections completing course of normal human anatomy at our department. Dissection procedure is subjected to relatively rigid rules demanding removal of some superficial structures during preparation of deeper layers. Thus some important structures get lost for further learning and also for final evaluation of students knowledge and manual skills. Therefore we decided to introduce digital imaging into the recording of course of preparation, the topographic relationships and unique variations. Digital acquisition of pictures through still digital camera makes possible to bypass the wet photographic process and provides instant graphic inputs for further computer processing. The image files can be further edited, printed, archived on various media and then may be used for instructional, test, evaluative, and publication purposes. Moreover, own original pictorial material is feasible to be presented at anatomy lectures. Practical results of this new approach, besides higher attractiveness and motivation impact, allow us to conclude that systematic digital acquisition of dissection pictures combined with computer processing fairly increases quality of anatomical education.

Activity of alkaline phosphatase in the major salivary glands of mice at various ages of postnatal life, and during pregnancy and lactation.

Activity of alkaline phosphatase in the major salivary glands of male and female mice at various ages of postnatal life, and in females during lactation was studied histochemically. Enzyme activity was not detected on the day of birth, but was found in the terminal tubules of all major salivary glands during the first postnatal week. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increasing gradually with age and a definitive enzymatic pattern was observed by the age of 6 weeks. No difference in enzyme activity was found among the major salivary glands of young adult and old animals. The parenchyma of fully differentiated submandibular glands showed clear sexually dimorphic patterns of alkaline phosphatase activity. During pregnancy, a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in submandibular gland. From gestation day 15 to the end of pregnancy, enzymic pattern of granular convoluted tubules of pregnant females was the same as in the adult males. Histochemical masculinization of the submandibular gland during pregnancy suggests that besides androgens also progesterone exerts masculinization of the murine submandibular salivary gland.

[Microalbuminuria in patients with glomerulonephritis in remission]. / Mikroalbuminurie u nemocných s glomerulonefritdou v remisi.

The authors focused their attention on residual changes in patients with glomerulonephritis who have a zero or only "physiological" proteinuria (under 0.15 g/24 hours), normal or slightly elevated s-creatinine and who do not suffer from hypertension. In these patients microalbuminuria in urine per 24 hours was assessed. Patients with albuminuria under 20 micrograms/min were included in the group with normal albuminuria (13 patients) and patients with albuminuria of more than 20 micrograms/min in the microalbuminuric group (11 patients). The two groups did not differ significantly as to age, sex, duration of the disease, maximum levels of proteinuria and s-creatinine values at the onset of the disease. S-creatinine and blood pressure values at the time of investigation were also comparable. The groups differed, however, significantly as to the period of "absolute" remission which the authors defined as the period during which proteinuria did not exceed the "physiological" limit. This period was in the normoalbuminuric group significantly longer--on average 5.1 years--while in the microalbuminuric group it was 2.1 years (difference at the 1% level of significance).

[Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia associated with lymphoproliferative diseases--chronic lymphadenosis and multiple myeloma]. / Rekombinantní lidský erytropoetin v lécbe anémie lymfoproliferativních chorob--chronické lymfadenózy a mnohocetného myelomu.

UNLABELLED: The etiology of anaemia associated with tumours is multifactorial. One of the mechanisms of development of anaemia in tumours are so-called chronic diseases anaemias, the main feature of which is inadequate production of endogenous erythropoietin (EPO). The objective of the investigation was to test the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in the treatment of anaemia (rise of haematocrit, Hb) in patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM) and the effect of this treatment on the quality of life. The authors evaluated at the same time the impact of the endogenous EPO level before treatment and its predictive value as regards the therapeutic response. PATIENTS: The investigation comprised a total of 14 patients (6 CLL, 8 MM). The basic criterion for inclusion in the group was a Ht value lower than 0.32 and Hb less than 105 g/l. The examination protocol was focused on elimination of other causes of anaemia. During the 12-week investigation the patients completed a questionnaire "Quality of life" which reflected their subjective evaluation of the effect of treatment. The patients themselves administered r-HuEPO three times a week by the s.c. route--an initial dose of 150 U/kg with the possibility to increase the dose to 300 U/kg. RESULTS: A therapeutic response was obtained in four patients with CLL and eight patients with MM. Respondents with CLL had endogenous EPO values lower than 300 U/l, seven MM respondents lower than 200 U/l, one 400 U/l. The Hb level of the patients rose and the quality of life improved. All patients tolerated treatment very well and the authors did not observe any serious undesirable effects. CONCLUSION: The investigation confirmed the therapeutic effect of r-HuEPO in patients with a lower baseline value of EPO. Subjective evaluation (questionnaire) correlated with objective evaluation (Ht, Hb). Assessment of the endogenous EPO level before treatment is according to the authors one of the important primary predictive parameters and EPO values between 200 and 300 U/l are the upper range where a therapeutic effect can be expected with the highest probability. The authors conclude also that a secondary predictive criterion of the response is evaluation of the therapeutic effect after 4-5 weeks treatment when a rise of Hb by at least 20 g/l is an argument for further treatment.

[Development of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity in postnatal differentiation of the submandibular gland in mice]. / Vývoj aktivity dipeptidyl peptidázy IV (DPP IV) v prubehu postnatální diferenciace submandibulární zlázy mysi.

The localization of a serine exopeptidase--DPP IV--in the male and female submandibular gland of the mouse during gland postnatal development was studied histochemically in the light microscopic level. The present results suggest that localization of DPP IV is closely related to the postnatal differentiation and maturation of acini and male granular convoluted tubules. Remarkable sex differences of DPP IV activity were detected in the submandibular gland of pubescent and adult animals. The possible physiological role of DPP IV in major salivary glands is also discussed in the paper.

[Histochemical activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) in intracerebral transplantation of the submandibular gland in mice]. / Histochemická aktivita dipeptidyl peptidázy IV (DPP IV) v intracerebrálních transplantátech submandibulární zlázy mysi.

Histochemical activity of DPP IV in the intracerebral homotransplants of submandibular gland of the newborn mouse was investigated in the course of a 5-month period after transplantation. Eight weeks after grafting, the enzyme pattern in the parenchyma of transplants was already comparable with the enzyme pattern of a fully mature mouse submandibular gland in situ. At this time, DPP IV was active in the apicolateral cell membranes of numerous acini of the gland transplants. Enzyme activity in apical cell cytoplasm of granular convoluted tubules was found only in transplants located in the brain of male recipients.

[Findings of massive pneumatization of the middle nasal turbinate in a collection of skulls from the 13th-18th centuries]. / Nálezy masivní pneumatizace strední skorepy nosní v souboru lebek z 13.-18. století.

Ethmoid cells display a considerable variability due to their extensive development. Pneumatization of middle turbinate intermediary one or several ethmoid cells is referred to "concha bullosa", which belongs to the frequent and clinically significant variations of bony nasal cavity. The collection of 309 (176 male and 133 female) adult dry skulls pertaining to the "Broumov Ossuary" (13th-18th centuries) was examined for the presence of concha bullosa. The appearance of the middle turbinate was evaluated by inspection. Only noticeably enlarged middle turbinates were rated as positive finding of concha bullosa. All positive findings of concha bullosa were also verified by their probing; coronal CT examination of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses was performed in seven of them. Concha bullosa was diagnosed in 160 skulls (51.77%).

[An interesting paleopathologic finding of healed multiple war injuries of a skull]. / Zajímavý paleopatologický nález vícecetného zhojeného válecného poranení lebky.

The presentation describes an interesting finding of healed multiple war cutting wounds in adult male skull. The examined dry skull belong to the extensive osteologic collection which comes from the abolished "Broumov Ossuary". The set encompasses skeletal remains of the population from the 13th to 18th centuries.

Histochemical study of dipeptidylpeptidase IV in the nasal cavity organs of laboratory rodents and man.

The localization of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) activity was studied at light microscope level in the mucosa, glands and capillary endothelium of the human foetuses and rat, mouse and guinea pig in some prenatal and postnatal terms. Alkaline phosphatase reaction was used for complete histochemical demonstration of capillary endothelium. The two enzymes were mapped by Lojda's methods (12). The study brings knowledge of the localization of DPP IV activity in the nasal cavity structures and gives a different time survey of the onset of DPP IV activity during ontogenesis. Considering this activity we can presume that this membrane-bound protease DPP IV may participate in the metabolism of neuropeptides in the nasal cavity and play some role in immunological disturbances of patients with rhinitis.

Histochemical study of aminopeptidase M, aminopeptidase A, and gamma-glutamyltransferase in the nasal cavity of laboratory rodents andman.

The localization of aminopeptidase M (APM), aminopeptidase A (APA) and gama-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity was studied at light microscope level in the nasal cavity organs of the laboratory rodents (rat, mouse, guinea pig) and human foetuses. All the enzymes were demonstrated histochemically in chloroform-acetone pretreated cryostat sections with application of azocoupling methods (5, 9). These membrane-bound aminopeptidases may participate in the metabolism of peptides in the nasal cavity. They have specific roles as modulators of growth and differentiation of the epithelial cells. The results revealed differences in enzyme patterns between olfactory and respiratory epithelium. GGT seemed to be present only in respiratory epithelium and in the ducts of Bowman's glands. Activity of APM and APA was found mostly in the fibrocytes which adhered to the basal membrane of the epithelium and glands.

[Determination of heavy metals in infusion solutions using modern polarography methods]. / Stanovení tezkých kovu v infuzních roztocích moderními polarografickými metodami.

The pharmacopoeial method of determination of heavy metals based on the formation of coloured sulphides, in comparison with instrumental methods, has relatively little sensitivity and does not provide selective determination of the individual ions. In order to determine some heavy metals in water for injection and infusion solutions, the authors employed the method of differential pulse polarography (DPP) and differential pulse anodic solvent voltammetry (DPASV) on the hanging mercury dropping (HMDE) with the use of the fast scan method (FSDPP). DPASV method proved to be particularly suitable; without any larger analytical problems the sensitivity of determination up to 8.10(-10) mol.1(-1) for copper, lead, cadmium and zinc ions was achieved. Bismuth and tin ions are also polarographically active, as well as nickel and chromium ions with the use of SPP. The medium of pH 4 achieved by adding potassium hydrogen-phthalate proved to be good. When there was an interfering effect of the access of chloride ions for copper determination, a strongly acid medium of hydrochloric acid 1 mol.1(-1) was used; an interfering effect of decomposition products of sugars on zinc determination was eliminated by performance at pH 7. Potentials of the peaks of the individual metals in various media are shown in Table I, the found values in Table II.

Changes in microvascularization of some rat organs following soman poisoning.

Vascularization of some organs of rat following soman (O-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) intoxication was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion casts were prepared with commercially available methyl metacrylate monomer which was partly polymerized, supplemented with catalyst and accelerator and injected into the prewashed and fixed vascular bed. The obtained corrosion casts were sectioned and trimmed using a stereoscopic light microscope. Microvascular casts of normal organs', bed pattern were studied under scanning electron microscope and compared with vascularization patterns after soman poisoning. Changes in the vascular bed architecture of kidneys, brain, adrenal glands and thymus were described.

Histochemical localization of succinate dehydrogenase in the mouse submandibular gland during postnatal development.

The activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) was examined histochemically in the parenchyma of murine submandibular gland (SMG) during postnatal development on light-microscopical level. In this study, SDH appears as a good marker of differentiating and mature striated ducts of both sexes and convoluted granular tubules of males. Enzyme activity in glandular parenchyma increased from the 1st day to the 7th week of postnatal life. Definitive enzymatic pattern was seen in the gland aged 7 weeks. Histochemical differences between male and female SMG of mouse were noted.

[Regeneration of auto- and isografts of submandibular glands in the brain of laboratory mice. I. Morphologic evaluation of the healed graft using light microscopy]. / Regenerace auto- a isotransplantátu submandibulární zlázy v mozku laboratorní mysi. I. Morfologické vyhodnocení vhojených transplantátu ve svetelném mikroskopu.

The mouse granular convoluted tubules of submandibular gland of laboratory mouse are releasing a range of biologically active peptides (renin, neural growth factor and others) into both the saliva and blood circulation, the males producing it in a larger extent than females. Recently, several from respective peptides were identified to be endogenous ones and brain-related. The present work was aimed to utilise submandibular gland/SMG auto- and isotransplants regenerating in murine brain as a possibly local source of peptides. Experimentally, the newborn and juvenile matured white A breeded mice of both sexes were used. Glandular grafts were grafted into brain parenchyma or CSF spaces. Laboratory animals have then been perished during the first 6 weeks after transplantation, and the transplants so acquired evaluated as serial frontal sections embedded in paraffin and H.E. stained by light microscopy. Also cryocate sections were incubated in order to detect the presence of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and succinic dehydrogenase/(SDH). It was stated experimentally that both mentioned SMG grafts underwent the survival and development intracerebrally. Some first regressive changes were gradually replaced by glandular proliferation and lobular neomorphogenesis having been more pronounced in osotransplants. The proliferative period was characterized by cellular mitoses, multiplication of duct-like and terminal tubulous structures of newly formed glandular lobules. Partially, the isotransplants display the transformation of proliferation stage into that of cellular cytodifferentiation followed by gradual appearance of striated ducts, acini and even granular convoluted tubules on the 5th week after transplantation. Also the reoccurrence of enzyme activities in the transplant parenchyma after their initially total disappearance is testifying of both proliferation and cytodifferentiation developed gradually. During the first days of implantation, the revascularization of grafts occurs, those being high in AP endothelial activity of vessels newly formed. This is to conclude that higher proliferative intensity of isotransplants and their exclusive cytodifferentiation demonstrate that an undifferentiated murine SMG which can develop itself ontogenetically is more effective graft than a SMG differentiated fully. On the next stage, the development of glandular grafts will be studied with more delay after transplantations. Also the enzyme implementation of new parenchymatous components is to be elucidated. Further experimentation is planified as to influencing intracerebral SMG graft development with administration of hormones and isoproterenol to laboratory animals.

Mature sacrococcygeal teratoma containing the lower half of a human body.

Twins were diagnosed by ultrasound in a 29-year-old woman. The cesarean delivery revealed at first a mature girl with a large benign sacrococcygeal teratoma and then a healthy boy. X-ray and CT examinations of the teratoma showed pelvic and lower limb bones. A mature teratoma-tridermoma (weight 475 g) containing the underdeveloped lower half of a human body was confirmed during surgery and verified morphologically. The fraternal twins, i.e., the girl operated upon and her brother, have been followed for 5 years and are without any complaints. They have normal neurological function.

Histochemical localization of succinate dehydrogenase in intracerebral mouse submandibular gland transplants.

Histochemical localization of succinate dehydrogenase in developing intracerebral auto- and homotransplants of the mouse submandibular gland was investigated in the course of a 5-month period after transplantation. Eight weeks after grafting, the enzyme pattern in the parenchyma of homotransplants was comparable with the histochemical picture of a fully mature submandibular gland in situ. At this time, numerous acini showed a weak activity, very numerous striated ducts a strong activity, and less frequent developing convoluted granular tubules slightly weaker activity, than in the striated ducts. Beginning histochemical differentiation of convoluted granular tubules was noted only in homotransplants, located in the brain of male recipients. On the other hand, only a weak activity in the cytoplasm of non-differentiated duct--like structures of some autotransplants was seen. Homotransplants of non-differentiated submandibular gland of newborn donors were found to be a more suitable transplantation object capable of postnatal development of gland parenchyma than autografts of fully differentiated gland of adult animals that did not enter the cytodifferentiation stage.