Analysis of the green turtle esophagus Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), Testudines, Cheloniidae / Análisis del esófago de la tortuga verde Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), Testudines, Cheloniidae

The esophagus is a muscular tube whose function is to transport food from the mouth to the stomach and basically contain the same layers as the rest of the digestive tract. The morphological knowledge of structures involved in basic physiological processes in organisms is extremely important in the acquisition of ecological and evolutionary knowledge about species. This study produces morphological information proving the structures found in the green turtle's esophagus. The animals were dissected according to the methodology used by Wyneken, allowing analysis of external and internal morphological characteristics of the esophagus. The samples were processed for microscopic analysis by light and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the esophagus presents thin and conical dermal papillae facing the stomach throughout the mucosa to the gastroesophageal portion, decreasing its size at the end of its extension, covered by a thick keratin layer on keratinized pavement epithelial tissue. It is concluded that the esophagus of Chelonia mydas is covered by a layer of conical keratinized dermal papillae important to exert the mechanical and protective function of the mucosa of this organ, considering that the feeding of these animals is extremely abrasive, besides serving as protection so that the food does not return.

El esófago es un tubo muscular cuya función es transportar los alimentos desde la cavidad oral hasta el estómago y, básicamente, contienen las mismas capas que el resto del tracto digestivo. El conocimiento morfológico de las estructuras involucradas en los procesos fisiológicos básicos en los organismos es extremadamente importante en la adquisición de conocimientos ecológicos y evolutivos sobre las especies. Este estudio produce información morfológica que demuestra las estructuras encontradas en el esófago de la tortuga verde. Los animales se disecaron de acuerdo con la metodología utilizada por Wyneken, lo que permitió el análisis de las características morfológicas internas y externas del esófago. Las muestras se procesaron para análisis microscópico mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido y de luz. Se observó que el esófago presenta papilas dérmicas delgadas y cónicas que se enfrentan al estómago a través de la mucosa hasta la porción gastroesofágica, disminuyendo su tamaño al final de su extensión, cubierta por una capa gruesa de queratina sobre el tejido epitelial queratinizado. Se concluye que el esófago de Chelonia mydas está cubierto por una capa de papilas dérmicas queratinizadas cónicas importantes para ejercer la función mecánica y protectora de la mucosa de este órgano, considerando que la alimentación de estos animales es extremadamente abrasiva, además de servir de protección para que la comida no sea devuelta.

The effects of cadmium chloride on the oesophagus of rats / Efecto del cloruro de cadmio sobre el esófago de ratas

Cadmium Chloride (CdC1) is a teratogen which is commonly used in industry. Although it is well known to cause toxicity in testes, kidney, heart and liver, few studies have been carried out in the digestive system. In the present study the effects of CdC1 on the esophagus of rats were investigated Wistar albino rats weighing 180 ­ 200 g were used. The animals were divided into two groups; one group was administered 2 mg/kg/day CdC1 intraperitoneally for one week. Esophagus was removed and placed in 10 percent formaline. Sections were stained with Hematoxylene-Eosine and observed under light microscopy. Hyperplasia in the epithelium, an increase in fibrotic cells under epithelium, hemorrhage in vessels, free floating erythrocytes were all observed following fetal exposure. In conclusion and most importantly, cadmium chloride was found to cause an increase in connective tissue in esophagus mucosa.

El cloruro de cadmio (CdCl2) es una sustancia teratogénica utilizada en la industria. Aunque es conocido por causar toxicidad en testículos, riñones, corazón e hígado, pocos estudios se han realizado en el sistema digestivo. Se estudió el efecto del CdCl2 en el esófago de ratas. Fueron utilizadas 24 ratas Wistar albinas de180-200 g. Los animales fueron divididos en dos grupos: a un grupo se le administró 2 mg/kg/día de CdCl2 vía intraperitoneal durante una semana, y un grupo control. Luego, el esófago fue extraído y fijado en formalina al 10 por ciento. Las secciones fueron teñidas con H-E, examinándose al microscopio óptico. Se observó después de la exposición fetal, hiperplasia epitelial, con un aumento en las células fibróticas en el epitelio y hemorragia en los vasos sin eritrocitos flotantes. Es importante destacar que el cloruro de cadmio causó incremento en el tejido fibroso de la mucosa esofágica.

Comparative morphological studies on three sarcocystis species in Sohag, Egypt

Samples from the tongue, heart, oesophageal and skeletal muscles were collected from 100 cow and 100 buffalo from Sohag slaughterhouses. Macroscopic examination for sarcocysts was followed by microscopic ones on impression smears and compressed muscles. Histological sections and transmission electron microscope [TEM] studies were done on positive cases. Sarcocystis infection rate of cows were 84%. Two species of Sarcocystis were detected: 1-S. cruzi with a membrane provided with hairlike villar protrusions folded over the surface of the cyst. These protrusions were rod-like, round, oval or irregular in shape and were approximately parallel to the cyst surface. 2-S. hominis characterized by a cyst wall consisting of cylindrical finger-like villar protrusions and having microfilaments. The protrusions were perpendicular on the cyst surface with broad tips and contain microfilaments. Buffaloes' muscle, samples revealed an infection rate of 28%. The macroscopic fusiform-shaped species only was detected [Sarcocystis fusiformis]. The role of cyst wall ultrastructure and thickness were discussed regarding identification and pathogenicity

Survival prognostic factors in esophagectomized patients due to squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Introduction: Among esophageal tumors, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common and with a poor outcome. Itsprognostic factors are controversial and the long-term results dismal. It is essential, though, to have a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of this group of patients and its prognostic factors. Objective: To evaluate clinical, surgical and pathologicalparameters of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma submitted to esophagectomy and identify prognostic factors of overall survival. Secondary Objectives: To evaluate surgery safety and mortality. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was done with 47 patients submitted to esophagectomy due to squamous cell esophageal cancer admitted in the Abdominal Surgery Department of A.C.Camargo Cancer Hospital, Sao Paulo. The period considered was October 1998 - December 2004. Results: Overall 2 and 5-year survival rates were 41.1% and 18.1%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in 5-year overall survival probability for the treatment intention (p=0.0017), residual disease (R) (p=0.0111),lymphatic invasion (p=0.0180), T (p=0.0077), M (p=0.0166), clinical stage (p=0.0020). The independent prognostic factors were lymphatic invasion (HR=2.41) and pathologic “T“ (HR=2.19). Conclusions: Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer is a safe procedure, with low hospital mortality (2.1 %). The most important factors associated to 5-year overall survivalis treatment intention, residual disease (R), lymphatic invasion, and T M clinical stage. Independent prognostic factors are lymphatic invasion and pathologic T.

pathophysiology of esophageal affection in rheumatic diseases

This study comprised 42 Egyptian female patients, 15 RA, 15 SLE and 12 SSc patients, compared to 12 healthy subjects matched with age and sex. Esophageal manometry and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsy were performed for all subjects. The results of this study revealed manometric abnormalities in the three diseases. Hypoperistalsis and diminished resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure were evident in RA and SSc patients but more severe in SSc. Hypotonic lower esophageal sphincter was the prominent feature in SLE patients. Retrograde and non-transmitted contractions were detected in a variable percentage in the three diseases. No correlation was found between manometric abnormalities and disease activity, while; there was a significant correlation between these abnormalities and disease severity in SSc patients. Reflux esophagitis was detected in 26.7% of RA and 75% of SSc patients. Histopathological study revealed esophageal mucosal damage due to chronic inflammatory process and vasculitic changes in RA and SSc. The esophagus was histopathologically normal in SLE patients

Ultrastructure of oesophageal epithelium of pacu (piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887)

El epitelio de revestimiento del esófago del pacú (Piaractus mesopotamicus), está constituido por cuatro tipos celulares: basales, intermediarias, superficiales y mucosas. Nuestras observaciones son comparadas con las realizadas en otros teleosteos. Se discuten las caracteristicas ultraestructurales de los distintos tipos celulares

Light and scanning electron microscopic study of the digestive tract in the catfish Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans Agassiz, 1829 (Pisces, Pimelodidae)

O trato digestivo do surubin Pseudoplatystoma corruscans foi estudado morfologicamente utilizando a microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura (MEV), além de técnicas histoquímicas. O epitélio estratificado do palato e faringe está constituído de uma camada basal com células indiferenciadas de núcleos elípticos de posiçäo central; uma camada média constituída de células intermediárias indiferenciadas, células gigantes acidófilas e células mucosas; e uma camada superficial de células achatadas. O esôfago apresenta estrutura semelhante, com células gigantes acidóficas menos numerosas e células poilimorfonucleares entre as células da camada basal, ao MEV, o palato evidenciou vários sulcos, sendo que a porçäo superficial está constituída de células hexagonais ou poligonais, em cuja área apical está presente as microcristas. A parte superficial da faringe apresenta células com microcristas dispostas concentricamente. O esôfago mostrou pregas longitudinais complexas, um epitélio estratificado cujas células apresentam microcristas irregulares. Os carbohidratos presentes nas células do tracto digestivo foram identificados como sendo mucosubstâncias neutras e ácidas

Ultrastructural changes in mild gastroesophageal reflux disease: results of a pilot study.

Few studies have examined the ultrastructural changes in mild reflux esophagitis. Endoscopic esophageal biopsies were obtained from 10 patients with reflux symptoms and mild endoscopic esophagitis (grade 0:3 patients, grade I: 7 patients) and 9 patients with erosive esophagitis (grade II-IV), at least 5 cm above the Z line. The biopsies were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructural changes were present in one patient with grade 0, 7 with grade I and 9 with grade II-IV esophagitis. Four of the 10 patients with grade 0-I esophagitis and 6 of 9 with grade II-IV esophagitis had light microscopic abnormalities. The ultrastructural abnormalities in patients with mild esophagitis were seen in the cell membrane, cytoplasmic organelles, desmosomes, and nuclei of all the three layers of esophageal mucosa and the basal lamina. Ultrastructural studies by transmission electron microscopy on endoscopic pinch biopsies may be a sensitive research tool to study the pathogenesis of mild reflux esophagitis.

Ultrastructural changes in esophageal mucosa of chronic tobacco chewers.

Seventeen chronic tobacco chewers and three control subjects underwent clinical evaluation, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and esophageal mucosal biopsies. The esophageal biopsies were processed and examined under the electron microscope. A large number of ultrastructural abnormalities such as discontinuous, fragmented basement membrane, with reduction in hemidesmosomes, widened intercellular spaces were found in the esophageal mucosa of chronic tobacco chewers which resembled the ultrastructural features of experimental carcinogenesis and leukoplakia. It is concluded that chronic chewing of tobacco produces ultrastructural abnormalities in the esophageal mucosa which could be important precursors for esophageal malignancy.

Collagen fibers in ganglia of the myenteric plexus

The connective tissue of the myenteric plexus of the human esophagus was studied by light and electron microscope. Collagen fibers were identified by Picrosirius staining with polarisation microscopy and from their fine structural morphology. A capsule of connective tissue invests the ganglia while septa of connective tissue separate groups of ganglion cells, surrounding each ganglion cell and each nerve fiber. Collagen fibrils surround the ganglia each ganglion cell and each nerve fiber. The fibrils are disposed in various orientations forming networks

Fibras elásticas, elaunínicas e oxitalánicas no plexo mientérico do esôfago humano / Elastic fibers, eleaunic and oxitalanic of the human esophagus myenteric plexus

The elastic system in the myenteric plexus of the human esophagus was studied by light and electron microscopy. Elastic, elaunin and oxytalan fibers were identified by their staining characteristic a fine structural morphology. The bulk of the ganglionic sheet consists of coarse eladtic fibers and elaunin fibers. Elaunin fibers and oxytalan fibers form the intraganglionic network. The oxytalan, elaunin and elastic fibers appear to be located in area related to different stresses and deformation to which the ganglia if the myenteric plexus are exposed during the motor activity of the esophageal wall