[Effect of phenobarbital stimulation on morphological and cytoenzymatic changes in the liver of benzene intoxicated rats (author's transl)]. / Morphologische und cytoenzymatische Untersuchungen der mit Phenobarbital stimulierten Rattenleber bei experimenteller Benzolvergiftung

The experiments were carried out on male Wistar-Rats. They were divided into 2 groups. The rats of the control groups were treated to Phenobarbital intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. The animals of the experimental group were additionaly injected with Benzen intraperitoneally on the 4th day of experiment. It has been found that Phenobarbital brought about the formation of 2 types of bright and dark cells in the liver. The action of Phenobarbital is carried on by Benzene. The authors discuss morphological and functional evaluation of bright and dark cells from the point of view of stimulating action of Phenobarbital as well as the course of Benzene biotransformation in liver cells.

The use of exogenous creatine phosphate for myocardial protection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

A key component in the development of ischemic functional and structural myocardial injury during cardiosurgical procedures is an inadequate cellular energy supply which occurs as a consequence of the cessation of oxidative metabolism. In such conditions high energy phosphates are rapidly depleted. As they play a critical role in the maintenance of cell viability and postischemic recovery of contractile function, their conservation is therefore a primary objective in any procedure designed to reduce ischemic injury. Exogenous administration of phosphocreatine (CP) has been suggested as being beneficial to the ischemic heart. The aim of present study was to evaluate the possible cardioprotective effect of exogenous CP during coronary artery surgery (CABG). Forty patients undergoing CABG procedure were randomly assigned to receive creatine phosphate-enriched (group I) or standard-St. Thomas' Hospital (group II) cardioplegic solution; each group comprised 20 patients. Group I received: 6.0 g of exogenous CP (Neoton) daily in two 20-min intravenous infusions during 3 days preoperatively; during surgical procedure they were administered standard cardioplegic solution enriched in CP at the concentration of 10 mmol/l and -- 2 days postoperatively -- 4.0 g CP daily in two intravenous injections. Group II did not receive CP at all In both groups were analysed. Haemodynamic parameters. Continuous 48-h ECG recording (Holter monitoring) outcome. Laboratory values of serum CK and CK-MB. Inotropic support required (drugs, mechanical support). Ultrastructural findings (biopsy data). Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's "t"-test and the chi2 test. Values of p<0.05 were taken as the criterion of significant difference. The results of the study were: Significantly lower average number and energy of DC-shocks needed to restore cardiac function after cardiopulmonary bypass procedure in group 1. Statistically significant beneficial effect on the presence of ventricular arrhythmias during surgery and in early postoperative period in group I. Significantly lower requirements for inotropic drugs postoperatively in group I. Statistically significant lower degree of sarcolemmal damages in myocardial biopsies in group I. Concluding, the authors wish to state that: Exogenous phosphocreatine (Neoton) perioperative administration in coronary artery bypass patients reduced the need for inotropic drugs, which is clinically manifested in lower frequency of low cardiac output syndrome. Perioperative administration of exogenous CP improves electrophysiological stability of the myocardium. Advantageous clinical and electrophysiological effect of exogenous CP may result from its properties to protect sarcolemma of the cardiomyocytes.

[Use of transmission and scanning electron microscopy in the cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid]. / Zastosowanie mikroskopii elektronowej transmisyjnej i skaningowej w badaniach cytologicznych pllynu mózgowo-rdzeniowego.

The authors carried out experiments with application of transmission and scanning electron microscopy in the examinations of the cell sediment of the cerebrospinal fluid obtained by membrane filtration. The method made possible ultrastructural examination of fluids with low cell count. The observed cells had natural shapes and well preserved morphological details.

[Fetal hypotrophy: morphological pictures of placenta in light and electron microscopy of female residents of the Czenstochow region]. / Hypotrofia plodu--obrazy morfologiczne lozysk w mikroskopie swietlnym i elektronowym u kobiet z regionu Czestochowy.

The 16 afterbirths samples obtained from pregnancies complicated by idiopathic fetal hypotrophy was examined. The criteria of hypotrophy were established: the duration of gestation above 36 weeks, the birth-weight was less than 2500 g. The control group included 8 afterbirth samples from physiological full-term pregnancies. It was performed macroscopic examination, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Macroscopically, no changes were found in the study group apart from the small differences of the weight. Light microscopy showed the retardation of placenta maturation from fetus hypotrophy group, congestion of the villi and presence of the numerous calcifications. Transmission electron microscopy showed the changes of placental barrier elements: adaptation processes and chronic progressive damage of the cells (exfoliation of the endothelial cells from the basal membrane).

[Morphologic appearance of intestinal microvilli in children with coeliac disease and secondary malabsorption syndromes after gluten-free diet and gluten challenge]. / Obraz morfologiczny mikrokosmków jelitowych u dzieci z celiakia i wtórnymi zespolami zaburzen wchlaniania po diecie bezglutenowej i prowokacji glutenem.

The glycocalyx and the structure of the microvilli were analysed in electron microscopy in 122 children with coeliac disease and secondary syndromes of malabsorption. Slight differences were noted in glycolayx structure between both groups of children. In children with coeliac disease its reduction was noted (after gluten challenge). Changes were observed also in the structure of the microvilli. They were lower and often with abnormal shape in coeliac disease, while they were high and of normal structure in secondary malabsorption syndromes.

[The use of x-ray microanalysis and transmission microscopy in studies of the chemical composition and ultrastructure of the microregions of precancerous tissues of the larynx]. / Zastosowanie metod mikroanalizy rentgenowskiej i mikroskopii transmisyjnej do badan skladu chemicznego i ultrastruktury w mikroobszarach tkanek stanów przedrakowych krtani.

The authors have presented the results of studies concerning the changes of chemical composition and ultrastructure of tissue microregions at patients with laryngeal precancerous states. Microanalytical studies were made using X-ray JEOL JSM 35 microprobe analyser. The chemical composition of laryngeal precancerous tissue taken from the patients and a control group was estimated. The results of studies were verified using X-ray PHILIPS XL-30 microanalyser. Studies of tissue ultrastructure changes were conducted using JOEL JEM 100 XC transmission microscope. Some heavy metals like, lead, cadmium, nickel, iron, copper and caesium were found in the tissue from larynx precancerous state. Further more, in analysed biologic material there were noticed various degenerative changes within stratified squamous epithelium.

[Peripheral blood phagocyte count and ultrastructure of neutrophils in patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism]. / Ocena stanu liczebnego fagocytów krwi obwodowej oraz ultrastruktury granulocytów obojetnochlonnych u chorych z nadczynnoscia i niedoczynnoscia tarczycy.

The study was carried out in 80 women with hyperthyroidism (40 with Graves-Basedow disease and 40 with hyperactive nodular goitre) and in 30 women with primary hypothyroidism. In the group with hyperthyroidism the total leucocyte count and the absolute count of neutrophils in peripheral blood were lower than in controls. In the group hypothyroidism the absolute count of monocytes was higher than in controls. In both studied groups ultrastructural changes were noted in the cytoplasm of neutrophils.

[Cytoenzymatic and ultramicroscopic investigations of blood in coke oven workers]. / Badania cytoenzymatyczne i ultramikroskopowe granulocytów krwi obwodowej u pracowników zatrudnionych przy produkcji koksu.

White blood cell count, cytoenzymology (acid and alkaline phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and myeloperoxidase of granulocytes) and ultrastructure of granulocytes and NBT reduction test were performed in peripheral blood obtained from cokery plant workers. All the subjects were divided into groups according to degree of exposure to BaP. Occupational exposure to many factors during coke production, especially to high concentration of BaP cause perceptible changes of NBT reduction test in the group more exposed workers. A statistically significant of the totally activity of the acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase of granulocytes were found in this risk group. The changes in granulocyte function correlated with ultrastructural changes. The coking plant environment represent a strong stimulator of the neutrophil metabolism.

Transmission electron microscopy of microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells in celiac disease in remission and transient gluten enteropathy in children after a gluten-free diet.

The structure of microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells was investigated in 70 children: 34 with celiac disease in remission, 28 with transient gluten enteropathy after a gluten-free diet, and eight controls. Transmission electron microscopy was used to determine the mean thickness of the glycocalyx layer covering the microvilli, the mean length and width of microvilli, and the number of microvilli per 1 micron length of enterocyte surface. The structure of the glycocalyx was found to be intact, but in some children with treated celiac disease the layer of glycocalyx was either thin or absent on the surface of individual cell microvilli. In children with treated celiac disease, microvilli were statistically significantly shorter than those in children with transient gluten enteropathy and controls. Microvillous width in treated celiac disease was greater as compared with that in controls. There was no difference in the number of microvilli on the enterocyte surface in the three groups.

Ultrastructural aspects of the small intestinal lead toxicology. Part II. The small intestine goblet cells of rats during lead poisoning.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the detoxification significance of the small intestinal goblet cells in rats on prolonged treatment with 0.01% lead acetate in the drinking water. These goblet cells were analysed using a submicroscopic demonstration of heavy metals with the sulphide silver method and the X-ray microanalysis probe. Male Wistar rats, weighing 80 g, were sacrificed after 2, 30 and 60 d of exposure to oral administration of lead. The small intestines were perfused with Sörensen buffer with H2S, then blocks of tissue were removed from the border between the duodenum and jejunum and processed for transmission electron microscopy according to Grzybek (3) and Dancher (2). At first the silver containing salt precipitates were distributed in the extracellular space between epithelial cells after 2 d of the experiment. Treatment of rats with lead acetate for 30 d produced the characteristic appearance of the goblet cells at the electron microscopic level. The presence of lead in conjunction with the goblet cell membrane has been observed. If administration of lead to rats is continued longer than 30 d, in the mucus droplets located in the cytoplasm of goblet cells some deposits of silver salts may be demonstrated. For the electron probe X-ray microanalysis the bulk specimens were prepared using a critical point drying apparatus. The specimens were scanned along a line on the villous surface parallel to its long axis. The X-ray studies indicated that accumulation of lead in the epithelial cells increased during the time of experiment.

Demonstration of glycocalyx in the sweat gland.

Skin specimens were taken without any anaesthesia from four volunteers before and after a 1 hour's exposure to heat. No glycocalyx could be demonstrated in the resting gland, but it usually appeared, however, after one hour of thermal sweating--although not in all the sections. The possible implication of this phenomenon is briefly discussed and new problems outlined.

Ultrastructural aspects of the small intestinal lead toxicology. Part I: Surface ultrastructure of the small intestine mucosa in rats with lead acetate poisoning.

The effects of low concentration of lead acetate on the apical surface of the jejunal enterocytes were studied. Young male rats were divided into 2 groups which received 0.01% lead acetate solution in drinking water during 30 and 60 d respectively. Blood lead concentrations of poisoned rats were elevated to 30.33 micrograms Pb/100 ml at d 30 of intoxication, then slightly depressed at the end of experiment. Weight gain was impaired only in the 60-d group in comparison with controls. Samples from jejunum were processed for scanning electron microscopy using a critical point drying method and gold evaporation. The fine structure of the surface enterocytes was always determined in the epithelial bands above the levels of crypts nearly half a distance from crypt to villous top. The shape of the jejunal villi in poisoned rats was similar to that in non-poisoned rats. A marked feature of the rats' jejunum exposed to heavy metal for 30 d was a rough appearance of the surface villi, probably associated with distortion of the glycocalyx layer. Extensive areas with degenerative lesions were observed on the surface of the most villi on the 60th d of intoxication. Microvilli of enterocytes distributed within these areas were deformed and sometimes could be completely absent. All enterocytes exhibited various degrees of glycocalyx disturbance. It was concluded that the pronounced toxic effects of lead were related to modification of biochemical properties of the surface coat of enterocytes. This abnormal function of the glycocalyx could result in damage and microvillous malformations.