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The authors describe the ultrastructural alterations of the pulmonary parenchyma produced in dogs by endotoxic shock, and they examine the effects that a 'secretolytic' drug (bromexine) has in modifying those changes. In the animals under shock there is a complete breakdown of the normal structure of the pulmonary parenchyma. According to the authors, these lesions are caused by the damage of the lining layer and of the cells which produce the constituents of the surfactant system. In dogs under shock and treated with bromexine the authors have seen a better organization of the pulmonary parenchyma: the cellular limits of the pneumocytes of types I and II were more clearly defined and the osmiophilic bodies were increased both in number and volume. The authors conclude that the damage of the lining layer and of the pneumocytes of type II plays an important role in the development of the ARDS and they say that bromexine can improve clinical and morphological aspects of that syndrome.

Normal human ejaculatory ducts were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The lumen, which shows an irregular shape due to complex mucosal folds, is lined by a simple secretory epithelium. A strong cell polymorphism has been observed concerning cell height, nuclear shape, and amount of secretory organelles. Apart from small differences, the epithelium appears to be identical to that of the seminal vesicle and deferential ampulla. These observations demonstrate that the human ejaculatory duct is not only a passage for semen, but also contributes to its formation.