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In recent literature, little has been said regarding the morphological changes that occur in lung cells after treatment with particles and nanoparticles. Using an in vitro model of type-II lung epithelium (A549), we studied the effects of submicron particles (PM1.0), Parietaria officinalis (ALL), and PM1.0 + ALL together. To date several biochemical effects have been described, instead few data exist in literature regarding morphological events following these treatments, in particular we focused on the morphological changes and distribution of mitochondria, tonifilaments and rough endoplasmic reticulum, using a transmission electron microscopic (TEM) approach. After exposure to PM1.0 particles (PM1.0), Parietaria officinalis as allergen, and PM1.0 with P. officinalis, changes in the cytoplasmic area were observed, such as damage to mitochondria and morphological alterations of the tonifilaments and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The data obtained strongly support the hypothesis that cells in contact with submicron particles (PM1.0), or P. officinalis, undergo alteration of their metabolism., (Copyright © 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Cardiac valves have a very complex microscopic architecture, this is due to the presence of many cell types and to the variegated stroma. From a morphological point of view, both physiological and pathological processes clearly show there to be an anatomic continuity between valve leaflets and perivalvular tissues; indeed, both component should be taken into consideration during thrombotic processes and in fibrous tissue formation. At present, morphological features are well known and classified, while little is known about histogenetic features: fibrous tissue formation and the role of the various types of adhesion molecules and cells which participate in this process still have to be fully elucidated. In the current study, we focused on the histological analysis of the pannus. In particular, we demonstrated that the true connective nature of the exuberant fibrous tissue was entirely composed of collagen/fibronectin fibre bundles and fibroblasts. Moreover we observed that the phlogistic infiltrates were composed of immune cells, mainly represented by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Finally we also tried to assess not only the degree of endothelial layer loss, but also the extent of revascularization in the exuberant fibrous tissue.