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The role of myosin-like protein in regeneratingand proliferating corneal cells following a standard alkali-injury in therabbit eye has been studied. Microfilaments were observed by conventionaltransmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.) in injured epithelium and in fibroblasts.Typical microfilament bundles with electron dense structures and with stressfibers were evident. The presence of myosin-like proteins was demonstratedby means of immunochemical and autoradiographical techniques. Both epithelialcells and fibroblasts bind antimyosin-like antibodies (AMA). The same cellsstudied with the E.M. showed bundles of microfilaments in the cortical areasof their cytoplasm in correspondence with the same side of fluorescent orlabelled AMA. The immunochemical and ultrastructural results suggest thatboth cells are able to produce in vivo movements involved in morphogeneticphenomena. Therefore, these structures play a role in post-traumatic cornealregeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several letters to the editor are presented which reports medical cases related to gynecology including the three-dimensional sonographic imaging of fetal cleft lip and palate in the first trimester of a 30-year-old Caucasian primigravida, and a 24-year-old woman with recurring eczema during pregnancy and after delivery due to sensitization caused by an ultrasound gel.

Generating kidney organoids using human stem cells could offer promising prospects for research and therapeutic purposes. However, no cell-based strategy has generated nephrons displaying an intact three-dimensional epithelial filtering barrier. Here, we generated organoids using murine embryonic kidney cells, and documented that these tissues recapitulated the complex three-dimensional filtering structure of glomerular slits in vivo and accomplished selective glomerular filtration and tubular reabsorption. Exploiting this technology, we mixed human amniotic fluid stem cells with mouse embryonic kidney cells to establish three-dimensional chimeric organoids that engrafted in vivo and grew to form vascularized glomeruli and tubular structures. Human cells contributed to the formation of glomerular structures, differentiated into podocytes with slit diaphragms, and internalized exogenously infused BSA, thus attaining in vivo degrees of specialization and function unprecedented for donor stem cells. In conclusion, human amniotic fluid stem cell chimeric organoids may offer new paths for studying renal development and human podocyte disease, and for facilitating drug discovery and translational research., (Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Objective: Dopamine D(1)-D(5) receptors subtypes were studied in human coronary vessels of healthy subjects to assess their localization and their expression., Methods: Samples of intraparenchymal and extraparenchymal branches of human coronary arteries and veins were harvested from four normal native hearts explanted from four young brain dead heart donors in case of orthoptic transplant, not carried out for technical reasons. In all the samples morphological, biochemical, immunochemical, and morphometrical studies were performed including quantitative analysis of images and evaluation of data., Results: Microanatomical section showed healthy coronary vessels, which expressed all dopamine receptors (from D(1) to D(5)) with a different pattern of distribution between the different layers, in the intra and in the extraparenchymal branches.D(1) and D(5) (with a prevalence D(1) over D(5)) were distributed in the adventitia and to a lesser extent in the outer media but they were absent in arterioles, capillaries and venules. Endothelial and the middle layer showed D(2), D(3) and D(4) receptors, with a greater expression of D(2). Immunoblot analysis of dopamine monoclonal antibodies and dopamine receptors showed a different migration band for each receptor: D(1) (45 KDa); D(2) (43 KDa); D(3) (42 kDa); D(4) (40-42 KDa); D(5) (38-40 KDa), Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the presence of all dopamine receptor subtypes in the wall of human coronary vessels of healthy subjects. Dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptor subtypes are the most expressed, suggesting their prominent role in the coronary vasoactivity.

The cholinergic staining of human bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was studied in humans. Morsels of the human lung (containing BALT) were harvested, after having obtained the appropriate approvals, during autopsies in 24 human subjects. The samples were stained by means of the enzymatic technique of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and/or the monoclonal immunohistochemical method of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). A morphometrical analysis was performed by means of quantitative analysis of images and statistical analyses of the data. AChE and proteins were also measured by biochemical assay. Our results demonstrate that both AChE and ChAT are localized in the BALT of young and old humans. These enzymes undergo age-related changes. The biochemical values of AChE are as follows: 22.3 +/- 2.5 international units in young subjects and 78.5 +/- 1.9 international units in old ones. The morphometrical values of AChE confirm the biochemical ones. The morphometrical data for ChAT are 31.6 +/- 1.4 conventional units in young subjects and 71.2 +/- 1.5 conventional units in old ones. Further results are needed to draw definite conclusions concerning the location and the distribution of these two enzymatic activities in BALT. In our opinion, the presence of AChE and ChAT in BALT can be both 'non-neuronal', with a role in general metabolism, and/or 'neuronal' with a role in neuroimmunomodulation., (Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Numerous studies on neuro-immuno-modulation indicate that the thymus is involved in many neurological diseases, including experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Twenty Lewis rats were induced for EAE. At X, XII, XX and XXX days post-inoculation the animals were killed, and the thymus was recovered and harvested. Specimens of thymus were submitted to morphological light microscopy analysis (1% toluidine blue) and ultra-structural analysis (transmission electron microscopy). Significant morphometric data were collected by examining the images quantitatively and by statistically analysing the values. Our results show that the microenvironment of the thymus is severally involved in acute EAE. Thymocytes and reticular epithelial cells show many changes which are closely related to the pathogenesis of EAE. In particular we observed: (1) inside the cell an increase in intra-cytoplasmic vacuoles, and changes in the thickness of the nuclear membrane, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, cellular inter-digitations and cellular electron-density; (2) outside the cell an increase in pericellular translucent halo, intercellular spaces, intercellular contacts and apoptotic and necrotic figures. The evidence of a thymic role in MS may suggest the intriguing therapeutic concept of thymectomy in the management of this neurological disease.

Background: The functions of the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) are under the control of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers)., Objectives: The relationships between the adrenergic nerve fibers and beta-adrenergic receptors were studied in the human BALT with the aim to demonstrate a probable neuromodulation., Methods: Morphological observations (staining with hematoxylin-eosin and scanning electron microscopy images) were carried out on samples of human BALT harvested during autopsies. Moreover, histochemical staining for norepinephrine (adrenaline = adrenergic nerve fibers) as well as for other catecholamines was performed. Finally, beta-adrenergic receptors were stained by means of a beta-blocking, radiolabeled drug (pindolol 125I). All our data were submitted to morphometric analysis (quantitative analysis of images and statistical analysis of data)., Results: Our results provide direct evidence of the presence and distribution of catecholaminergic nerve fibers and related beta-adrenergic receptors in BALT. beta-Adrenergic receptors are present above all in the most richly innervated part of the BALT, and are, therefore, in close relationship with their related adrenergic nerve fibers., Conclusions: Studies on the distribution of adrenergic neurotransmitters and related beta-adrenergic receptors in the human BALT are the first step for the demonstration of a probable neuromodulation of BALT.

Dopamine receptors (Dar) were studied as a component of the nervous dopaminergic system in the human dura mater. Dar were stained in several dural zones (vascular, perivascular, intervascular) in different regions (basal, calvarial, tentorial, occipital, frontal, parietal, temporal) of the cranial meninges. Specimens of human dura mater were harvested from autopsies of 10 elderly male subjects (age range, 60-75 years). Dar were labeled with specific (H3) markers, studied with radiobinding techniques (including liquid scintillation), stained for light microscope autoradiography, and measured by means of quantitative analysis of images. All results were evaluated with statistical analysis to identify significant results. More dural Dar were found in the basal region than in the calvarial one. Moreover, Dar are more abundant in the vascular and perivascular dural zone than in the intervascular one. The vascular distribution of Dar seemed to indicate that Dar play a role in the control of meningeal blood vessels. The location and distribution of D1 and D2 receptors in the human cranial dura mater confirmed the presence of a dopaminergic system, which could play an important role in controlling blood flow and/or other functions of meningeal membranes.

Ultrasound evaluation of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) is frequently used to detect fetuses at high risk for an adverse outcome - an event that is often correlated with AFV abnormalities. As is well known, ultrasound is a non invasive procedure, which makes it ideal for application on a very large scale: in practice, it can be used for routine monitoring of all pregnancies and, not infrequently, for repeat AFV determination in those cases where there is the suspect of amniotic fluid abnormalities. Sonographic quantification of AFV, whether it is performed through a simple visual estimation or through biometric measurement of one or more amniotic fluid pockets, can never represent a true "quantitative" method and its actual reliability has not consistently been proved by scientific evidence. Moreover, even though ultrasound AFV evaluation is indispensable in the management of high-risk pregnancies, there is no consensus on which ultrasound index is the most accurate in predicting perinatal morbidity and mortality. The sonographer can evaluate AFV by directly observing amniotic fluid pockets and his experience is crucial for a high reliability of the procedure. When pathological AFV changes are present, especially if the examination is performed by a not so expert sonographer, biometric measurements (Single Deepest Pocket, Amniotic Fluid Index, Two-Diameter Pocket) with their respective reference ranges might be helpful in confirming the diagnosis of oligohydramnios or hydramnios. A complete review of all tests performances and confidences is made by the Authors.

Objective: The twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a complication of monozygotic-monochorionic twinning and is a direct result of transplacental communication between the circulations of twins. When acute TTTS occurs in the second trimester, the perinatal mortality can be as high as 95% in the absence of treatment. For this reason, several aggressive, even desperate treatment modalities have been attempted including selective fetocide, umbilical cord ligation, maternal digoxin therapy. None have gained wide acceptance. Serial drainage amniocentesis or amnioreduction is actually the most widely used therapy. More recently, laser ablation under fetoscopic guidance of placental vessel has been reported in an attempt to improve survival. The objective of this review was to evaluate the impact of treatment modalities in TTTS., Study Design: Reports of prospective and retrospective trials and other study designs in English identified from searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, specialized databases, bibliographies of review articles. Study on twin pregnancies affected by TTTS between 1990 and 2003 that met our inclusion criteria were included., Results and Conclusions: No single therapy is associated with a uniformly improved outcome for the involved twins and success is primarily related to gestational age and severity at diagnosis. Standard therapy has commonly been serial amnioreduction, which appears to improve the overall outcome. Intertwin sepstostomy similary improves outcome but has no survival advantage over serial amnioreduction. Selective fetoscopic laser photocoagualtion has emerged as an alternative treatment strategy in TTTS with at least comparable if not superior survival to serial amnioreduction. TTTS diagnosed before 26 weeks' gestation has significantly better survival rates and fewer neurological sequelae after laser therapy than amnioreduction.

In this retrospective analysis we studied 1489 women who underwent prenatal invasive diagnostic procedures between January 2000 and December 2002. We examine the influence of risk factors and the incidence of early complications following amniocentesis and chorion villus sampling, in particular the incidence of fetal loss. The study group included 438 women who underwent CVS and 1051 underwent amniocentesis. For each woman we studied anamnestic risk factors (recurrent pregnancy losses, fibroids, twin birth, uterine hematic loss), intraoperative risk factors (repetition of the insertion, transplacental sample, hematic liquid, early bleeding) and postoperative risk factors (pelvic pain, hematic losses, liquid losses, spastic pain, fever). In our data the miscarriage incidence was 1% for CVS and 1.7% for amniocentesis. Our results showed that in relation to CVS, the presence of fibroids gives an OR of miscarriage of 68 (95% C.I.=6.50-659.78; p=0.000). In relation to amniocentesis, the incidence of hematic losses gives an OR of miscarriage of 10 (95% C.I.=1.50-32.94; p=0.04). If these results were confirmed by other experiences, they could induce obstetricians to avoid CVS in these women with uterine fibroids and hence recommend amniocentesis to them. Particular attention has to be taken in those patients with vaginal bleeding following amniocentesis.

Between January 2000 and March 2003 we studied the pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios in 10 patients. The objective was that of evaluating the efficacy of amnioreduction in improving the principal complications given by polyhydramnios such as maternal dyspnea and uterine activity. Our results showed that this procedure resolve maternal symptoms in all the cases but there is no significant reduction in uterine activity.