Analysis of Morphological and Morphometric Changes in a Parenchymal Tissue after the Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure.

Background and Objectives: Prostate cancer is on the rise in the European Union, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the minimally invasive treatment options used for its treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the effects of RFA on prostate tissues. Materials and Methods: A standard prostate RFA procedure was performed on 13 non-purebred dogs in three sessions: no cooling (NC), cooling with a 0.1% NaCl solution (C.01), and cooling using a 0.9% NaCl solution (C.09). Microtome-cut 2-3 µm sections of prostate samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and further examined. Results: A histopathologic evaluation identified four zones of exposure: direct, application, necrosis, and transitional, as the damage on tissues decreased going further from the ablation site. The areas and perimeters of these zones were calculated, and geometric shapes of ablative lesions were evaluated using the quotient formula. Areas and perimeters of prostate tissue lesions in the NC and C.09 sessions were of similar size, whereas those found in C.01 were statistically significantly smaller. Lesions observed in session C.01 were of the most regular geometric shape, while the most irregular ones were found in session C.09. The shapes of lesions closest to the ablation electrode were the most irregular, becoming more regular the further away from the electrode they were. Conclusions: Prostate RFA leads to tissue damage with distinct morphological zones. Notably, the prostate lesions were the smallest and the most regular in shape after RFA procedures using the 0.1% NaCl cooling solution. It can be argued that smaller ablation sites may result in smaller scars, thus allowing for faster tissue healing if the blood flow and innervation at the ablation site are not compromised.

Age-related morphometrical peculiarities of Lithuanian women's primordial ovarian follicles.

BACKGROUND: For the first time, thorough morphometrical measurements of primordial ovarian follicles were performed and their age-related changes were investigated in Lithuanian women of the reproductive age. METHODS: Ovaries of dead women (n = 30) were divided into six age groups: 15-20 years old, 21-25 years old, 26-30 years old, 31-35 years old, 36-40 years old and 41-46 years old. Histological slides of left and right ovaries were stained using haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining methods. The morphometrical measurements of 10 primordial ovarian follicles of the left and right ovary of each woman were made from microphotographs. RESULTS: The diameter of primordial ovarian follicles increased in groups of women from 15 years old to 35 years old and decreased in the groups from 36 years old to 46 years old. The area of primordial ovarian follicles increased in the groups of women until 35 years old. It decreased in the groups of women older than 36 years. The follicular basement membrane thickened from 1.29 ± 0.11 µm to 1.43 ± 0.18 µm with increasing age of women. The diameter of primary oocytes enlarged until 35 years and then began to decrease. The area of primary oocytes increased in women until 35 years. It decreased in groups of women aged 36-40 and 41-46 years old. The diameter and the area of primary oocytes nuclei increased in women aged 15-30 years old; later, it began to decrease. The length of follicular cells varied from 8.56 ± 0.43 µm to 8.72 ± 0.27 µm (p > 0.05). The height of follicular cells varied from 2.59 ± 0.27 µm to 2.7 ± 0.21 µm (p > 0.05). The diameter, the area and the basement membrane thickness of primordial ovarian follicles and the diameter and the area of primary oocytes and their nuclei differed insignificantly in left and right ovaries in all age groups of women (p > 0.5). The length and height of follicular cells were similar in left and right ovaries of the same age group (p > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The age decreasing of morphometrical parameters begins in primordial ovarian follicles and their primary oocytes in Lithuanian women older than 35 years. The thickness of the follicular basement membrane increased with increasing age of women. No significant differences were found in the morphometrical parameters in primordial follicles of left and right ovaries in the same age group of women.

Morphological criteria of oocyte quality.

In vitro fertilization technology consists of the selection and fertilization of oocytes, the production and transplantation of embryos to recipients. The quality of oocytes has a direct impact on the fertilization and developmental competence of oocytes. Criteria that show the quality of oocytes are subdivided into morphological, cellular, and molecular. The aim of this article was to review the morphological criteria that are used for estimation of the quality of oocytes before their fertilization in vitro. These criteria include the evaluation of the structure of oocyte: cumulus complex, oocyte cytoplasm, polar body, perivitelline space, zona pellucida, and meiotic spindle.

[Human Y chromosome: structure and biological role]. / Zmogaus Y chromosoma: struktura ir biologinis vaidmuo.

Y chromosome differs from other human chromosomes. It is found in cells of the male persons only. Different human phenotypes are associated with non-recombinant region of Y chromosome. This chromosome is of great significance in the human sex determination and the development of male gametes (spermatogenesis). Testes develop in embryos which have the Y chromosome, and ovaries develop in embryos which have no Y chromosome. SRY (sex-determining region of the Y chromosome) gene determines the male phenotype. Translocation of this gene determines sex reversal. The aim of this article was to review the structure and biological functions of the human Y chromosome.

[Evaluation of the human and animal embryos' quality (Review of methods)]. / Zmogaus ir gyvunu embrionu kokybes ivertinimas (metodu apzvalga).

The aim of this article was to review different methods that are used for the evaluation of human and animal embryos' quality. Techniques for the production in vitro of various mammalian species embryos have been developed worldwide. Using modern methods for maturation of oocytes, fertilization and embryos' culture in vitro about 30-40% of bovine and 10-20% of human oocytes develop to blastocyst stage and can be used for transfer. Evaluation of embryos' quality is problematic not only for every researcher involved in embryology but also for every clinician who wants to select the best embryos for transfer. Lithuanian researchers and clinicians could also apply these worldwide popular methods for the evaluation of embryos' quality.

[The Department of Histology and Embryology of Kaunas University of Medicine celebrates its 80th anniversary]. / Kauno medicinos universiteto Histologijos ir embriologijos katedrai - 80 metu.

The Department of Histology and Embryology at Kaunas University was established in 1923. Professor E. Landau was the very first to head the Department. He arrived in Kaunas from the University of Bern (Switzerland) and worked here from 1923 till 1932. At that time the staff of the Department had only four people: professor E. Landau, head of the Department, J. Bubenaite, senior assistant, D. Kesiunaite, assistant, and J. Masevicius, laboratory assistant. From 1934 till 1937 the Department was headed by professor V. Danchakova, who came from Columbian University in New York. From 1939 till 1971 the Department was headed by professor B. Abraitis, and from 1971 till 1994 by professor A. Vitkus. In 1994 associate professor K. Baltrusaitis was elected head of the Department. At present time the staff has five lecturers and four laboratory assistants. Various preparations for histology classes are being produced by the laboratory and teaching personnel. According to the curriculum requirements, lectures courses of histology, cytology and embryology are delivered to the first and second year students of the Faculties of Medicine, Odontology, Nursing and Public Health, taking into account specific aspects of each speciality. An optional course is also provided to senior students wishing to study the problems of histogenesis and changes associated with aging of body tissues. In 2003 professor A. Valanciute was elected head of the Department. The main research problem deals with experimental ischemic heart disease and the solution of problems of experimental myocardial infarction. The results of all thesis research works can be summed pointing out 12 presented inventions and more than 20 rationalizations. Staff of the Department also takes part in the realization of an international project called "Biotechnet".

Prof. Eber Landau, the very first chief of Histology and Embryology Department at the University of Lithuania.

The article deals with the scientific activities of professor Eber Landau carried out in Estonia, Lithuania and Switzerland. Professor E. Landau was born November 8, 1878, in a merchant's family in Rezekne, Latvia. On leaving a classical high school in Riga, E. Landau studied at the Medical Faculty of Tartu University, graduating it in 1902. Later he improved his qualification in histology and anatomy at Villafrenk Zoology station, at the Histology Laboratory in Munich, and in St. Petersburg under the guidance of professor P. Leshaft. In 1906-1912 Landau worked as a prosector assistant at the Anatomy Institute, headed by professor A. Rauber, Tartu University. In 1912 he was elected a director of the Anthropology Institute, Tartu. On the outbreak of the First World War, E. Landau, as a Russian citizen, was called to the army and served as a neurologist and psychiatrist in Paris military hospitals. In 1918, E. Landau returned to Bern and for 5 years worked at the Anatomy Institute headed by prof. H. Strasner. In December 1, 1923, E. Landau moved to Kaunas University. Here he established the Department of Histology and Embryology and headed the Department till 1932. From 1932 till 1950 Eber Landau worked as a professor at the University of Lausanne. Professor E. Landau retired in 1950, but he still continued his research work in the field of neurohistology. Professor E. Landau died October 30, 1959. He left behind him an ample scientific heritage: 175 scientific publications and 12 doctoral theses done under his guidance.