Comparison of radiometric and histometric features of bone samples from ribs.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate quantitative data gathered from conventional radiograms as well as from quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images of bone samples with histometric coefficients of the same specimens. STUDY DESIGN: Bone samples were obtained from standardized sites of ribs during autopsy of 40 males aged 15-84 years. In the bone samples the following assessments were performed: densitometry of bone using QCT, estimation of radiostructural quantitative coefficients (coefficient of trabecular arrangement anisotropy, trabecular thickness coefficient); histometry (area of bone matrix, trabecular thickness coefficient); relative weights of dry, decalcified bone and bone in ash form; and concentration of calcium in ash. Radiometry and histometry were performed using image analysis methods with IBAS for Windows (Kontron, Eching b. München, Germany) equipment. Radiostructure of bone was evaluated with the use of our own algorithm; concentration of calcium was measured spectrophotometrically. Analysis of variance, cross correlation, regression analysis and others were the statistical tools applied. RESULTS: From the variables analyzed, the following indicates a significant correlation with the histometric area of bone matrix: radiologic trabecular anisotropy, QCT densitometry (especially of cancellous bone) and the ratio of weight of dry sample to fresh sample. The coefficient of radiologic trabecular thickness appeared not to be a valuable feature for estimation of bone histology. CONCLUSION: Quantitative estimation of radiostructure of bone carried out on conventional radiograms may be helpful in the detection of histologic properties of bone, an important factor in assessment of the fragility of bone.

Densitometric and chromatin texture parameters of hepatocyte nuclei during controlled autolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent of the effect of autolytic changes in hepatocyte nuclei on the results of measurements of integrated optical density (IOD) of nuclei stained by the Feulgen method and its possible relationship with changes in chromatin texture. STUDY DESIGN: Cytologic smears obtained from five pig livers by means of fine needle biopsy were fixed in 10% formalin at six time points after slaughtering (0-18 hours) and stained per Feulgen. In the hepatocyte nuclei IOD measurements were performed and supplemented with quantitative texture analysis. Texture analysis was carried out with our own algorithm, based on the movement of global gravity centers of heterochromatin granules during two-level, iteratively changed, grey thresholding. RESULTS: The variability coefficients of IOD of diploid hepatocytes during autolysis increased from 0.061 (0 hours) to 0.363 (18 hours), and the ploidy histograms became aneuploid. The texture of chromatin became more homogeneous, but other features of the texture did not indicate a significant correlation with the duration of autolysis. CONCLUSION: Autolysis is an important factor, which may influence the accuracy of DNA content and shape of ploidy diagrams. Changes in the morphologic pattern of heterochromatin may play a role in this, but the study was not conclusive because only one of six texture parameters (number of granules) changed parallel to mean IOD and autolysis time.

Grading of gastric epithelial dysplasia. An interobserver study and analysis of diagnostic criteria.

One of the fundamental problems in the pathology of gastric epithelium is differentiation of reactive or regenerative proliferations, which are not precancerous from precancerous proliferations (i.e. dysplasia) and cancer. Diagnostic and interpretational difficulties, a need for a close cooperation between pathologists and clinicians and an attempt to more precisely assess gastric epithelial dysplasia prompted us to evaluate the usefulness of the current morphological criteria in the diagnosis and grading of gastric epithelial proliferations. The present study indicates that there are no sufficient grounds for grading of dysplasia, although the current morphological criteria permit establishment of a correct diagnosis. Therefore, the currently used three-grade classification of dysplasia may be successfully replaced with an easier two-grade classification or resigned totally.

Inhibitory effects of fumagillin and its analogue TNP-470 on the function, morphology and angiogenesis of an oestrogen-induced prolactinoma in Fischer 344 rats.

The process of angiogenesis occurs in many physiological states, but it is also essential for the growth of solid tumours and metastasis formation. An abnormal arterial vascularization has been shown in prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas induced by prolonged treatment with oestrogens in Fischer 344 (F344) rats. It is thought that anti-angiogenic agents might be useful in therapy for these tumours. Fumagillin and its analogue TNP-470 are known to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation selectively, but their effect on lactotroph cell secretory function and prolactinoma formation has not yet been described. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of fumagillin and TNP-470 on prolactin secretion, and morphological and vascular changes within the anterior pituitary in long-term oestrogen-treated male F344 rats in vivo and in vitro. As expected, 7 weeks after s.c. implantation of Silastic tubes containing 10 mg diethyl-stilboestrol (DES), a very high rise in serum prolactin levels was found. Both angiogenesis inhibitors injected s.c. at doses of 10 mg/kg body weight for 24 days attenuated the stimulatory effect of DES on prolactin production and release. They also diminished prolactin cell density and inhibited cell proliferation expressed as the number of anterior pituitary cells labelled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), but the effect of TNP-470 was minor compared with fumagillin. Both angioinhibitors suppressed neo-vascularization within the anterior pituitary with similar potency but, on the other hand, they did not affect DES-induced increases in prolactin secretion from cultured rat pituitary cells and cell proliferation in vitro. In conclusion, our results provide strong evidence for the anti-tumour and anti-prolactin activity of angiogenesis inhibitors in the experimentally oestrogen-induced pituitary adenoma; this might be mediated indirectly through the inhibition of angiogenesis.

Histomorphometric investigations of the human heart microvasculature in coronary disease.

Comparative results of morphometric investigations describing the microvasculature of the human left ventricle heart wall muscle have been presented. The control group consisted of 11 autopsied cases of the atherosclerotically non damaged hearts and the second group consisted of 13 autopsied cases of the hearts with double or triple vessel chronic coronary atherosclerosis. The age of subjects ranged from 47 to 85 (median 65). The study was carried out on microscopical slides using digital image analyser. In the control group a significantly lower number and profile area of capillaries was noticed in the subendocardial zone than in the remaining ones. The differences between control and atherosclerotic hearts were most prominent in the subendocardial zone, although they were observed in the subepicardial and intramyocardial zones as well. If the value of each parameter in the subendocardial zone of the control hearts will be fixed equally to 100%, the corresponding values in atherosclerotic group are: the number of capillaries--34%, total area of capillaries--65%, number of collaterals--170%, total area of collaterals--612%, muscle fibre/capillary ratio--137%, the degree of microvasculature anisotropy--164%. On the ground of this study as well as on the qualitative investigations it is postulated that the chronic atherosclerosis of extra-myocardial coronary arteries corresponds to intramyocardial rebuilding of the capillary network worsen the conditions of muscle fibre nutrition.

An analysis of extramuscular branches of the coronary arteries in relation to size and weight of heart.

There is close relationship between the size and weight of the heart and the angles of branching of coronary arteries. The velocity of flow of liquids through a system of branching ducts may be related to the valued function of angles of branching ducts. We estimated the effect of the phenomenon on blood flow through the extramuscular branches of the coronary arteries. The estimation was based on measurements of angles of division of the arteries in 48 human hearts. It was also correlated with weight and dimensions of the heart.

[Lung injuries caused by explosion in rabbits. 2. Pathogenetic mechanisms in lung injury (a hypothesis)]. / Untersuchungen über Lungentraumen bei Kaninchen durch Luftstosswellen. Teil 2: Der Pathomechanismus der Entstehung der Lungentraumen (Hypothese).

A hypothesis of the pathogenetic mechanism of the pulmonary changes after the injury is introduced. Basis are the results of the morphologic estimation of the lung traumas by blast with known energy in rabbits. The reason is the lung deformation by the sudden pressure increasing in the thoracic cavity and the volume reduction of the thorax. The deformed lungs were pressed against the thorax wall in the region of the smallest deformation.

Method for vascularized lymph nodes transplantation in rats.

In our study a microsurgical technique for vascularized mesenterial lymph nodes transplantation is presented. The methodical investigation was performed on outbred Wistar rat strain. Observation in light microscopy and vascular bed examination followed up to the fourth day after operation proved the existence of good preserved lymphatic tissue with sufficient blood circulation.

Method for vascularized thymus transplantation in rats.

The studies established a microsurgical method of vascularized thymus transplantation in continuity with the heart in rats. The thymus-heart graft was joined with abdominal vessels of the recipient. The methodical investigations were performed on outbred Wistar rat strain. Observations in light microscopy and investigation of the graft's microvascular bed performed to the fifteenth day after operation showed well preserved lymphatic tissue and it's sufficient blood supply.

Morphology of the microvascular bed in primary human carcinomas of lung. Part II. Morphometric investigations of microvascular bed of lung tumors.

A comparative investigations of peripheral microvascular bed in various histological types of human primary lung carcinomas (squamous cell carcinomas, oat-cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas and large cell carcinomas) have been performed. The study was performed on 52 cases of lung carcinoma (there were 49 cases from autopsy and 3 cases from surgery) and on 8 normal comparative cases for evaluation of unchanged bronchial mucosa. Tissue blocks were obtained from standardized parts of bronchus and contained the intra- and extrabronchial parts of tumour as well as the bordering bronchial mucosa. The relative capacities of: 1. anaplastic cells, 2. connective tissue in stroma, 3. intraluminal space of blood vessels, 4. degenerative anaplastic cells, 5. necrotic detritus, and 6. haemorrhages and erytrorrhages were estimated in carcinomatous tissue by the hit points method. In bronchial mucosa the capacities of: 1. intraluminal space of blood vessels, and 2. haemorrhages and erythrorrhages were recorded. Furthermore, the structure of peripheral microvascular bed was evaluated by constructing the distributive series of diameters of blood vessels. These distributive series were approximated with the analitical function. It was found that the largest capacity of blood vessels (with an extremely developed capillary segment of vascular bed) is in the intrabronchial part of squamous cell carcinomas. In the extrabronchial part of this type of carcinoma, the capacity of blood vessel is about three-times smaller than in the intrabronchial part (3.36% and 9.26%, respectively). The finest blood vessels of extrabronchial part undergo the most considerable reduction, in comparison with the ones in the intrabronchial part of squamous cell carcinoma. Oat-cell carcinomas show the smallest difference in vascularization of intra- and extrabronchial parts of tumor (4.38% and 3.33%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Morphology of the microvascular bed in primary human carcinomas of lung. Part I: Three--dimensional pattern of microvascular network.

Three-dimensional patterns of the microvascular network of four main types of human lung carcinomas (squamous cell carcinoma, oat cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma) have been described. Investigation has been conducted in 18 autopsy cases by x-ray microangiography, and in 52 autopsy and surgical cases by modified benzidine-nitroprusside method for colouring the erythrocyte column in blood vessel. Specimens for the investigation were collected from standardized places of the tumor margin. Eight essential spatial structures of which the carcinomas' microvascular bed is built have been distinguished. Some characteristic features of microvascular network of highly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas and oat cell carcinoma have been described. It has been concluded also that large cell carcinomas, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas as well as adenocarcinomas do not produce any characteristic and repeated pattern of microvascular bed. One of the main elements of the neoplasm structure influencing the growth rate of the tumor is its peripherial vascular bed. It determines the access of chemotherapeutics, oxygen and components participating in the immunological response also. All of those factors are significant elements while considering the curability.

[Observations on the peripheral vascular network of the myocardium during infarction]. / Beobachtung des peripheren Gefässnetzes des Herzmuskels im Verlauf des Herzinfarktes.

The patterns of microvascular network have been examined in myocardium of 61 patients which died of subendocardial or transmural myocardial infarctions. The microangiographic patterns of interventricular septum and ventricular wall with or without morphological lesions have been compared. The investigations are related to the differences in microvascularization of various morphological types of myocardial infarctions. Our study confirms the classification of myocardial infarcts into microfocal and massive types. It explains the milder clinical course of microfocal subendocardial infarctions.