Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure最新文献

Background: Stress is a response to stressogenic stimuli that interferes with an organism's homeostasis. The adrenal gland is crucial in the body's reaction to stress.

Objective: This study compared the effects of immobility and cold as acute stressors and the subsequent recovery on the histological changes of the adrenal gland and the suspected role of the adrenal progenitor cells.

Materials and methods: Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided equally into five groups. Group I: Control group, Group II: Rats subjected to the acute cold stress procedure, Group III: Rats subjected to the acute immobilization stress procedure, Group IV: The combined stress group, and Group V: Similar to the combined stress group and recovered for 6 days then sacrificed 1 day later. Serum cortisol level was determined, and the adrenal glands were processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies.

Results: Serum cortisol concentration was higher in the acute-stress groups and decreased in the recovery group. The adrenal cortex had enlarged, vacuolated cells with pyknotic nuclei, sinusoidal dilatation, and congestion. Chromaffin cells were crowded, enlarged, and vacuolated. There was strong immunohistochemical reactivity for heat shock protein-70 and caspase-3. In addition, the combined group showed a significant increase in the optical density of chromogranin-A in the medullary cells as well as CD44+ve cells. These findings were decreased in the recovery group.

Conclusions: The combined stress has more deleterious adrenal cortical changes than immobilization and cold stress alone. The progenitor and chromaffin cells apparently had an important regenerative role in recovery from both types of stress.

The major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) are most frequently obstructed by calculi within the salivary gland, or more uncommonly, by ranulas. Despite the well-defined clinical and radiographic diagnostic features, sialolithiasis may sometimes be confused with sialadenitis and ranulas, especially when encountered in general dental practice. We, therefore, present a case that illustrates this diagnostic dilemma to highlight the salient features of all three conditions. A 28-year-old female presented with a history of a submandibular swelling for 8 months. On intraoral examination, a bluish sublingual swelling was identified at the left side of the lingual frenum, causing a slight elevation of the tongue. The preliminary diagnosis was of a ranula; however, the clinical history suggested sialolithiasis. A hard structure was palpated in the submandibular gland, and a mandibular occlusal film revealed a large ductal sialolith. Sialolithotomy was performed under local anesthesia, and a single 7.2 mm stone was retrieved. The postoperative follow-up period was uneventful, with good healing and restored normal salivary flow. Despite the fairly clear clinical and radiographic diagnostic criteria suggestive of sialolithiasis, the bluish-tinged swelling of the floor of the mouth prompted the examining dentist to provisionally diagnose a ranula. Sialolithiasis is a common obstructive condition of the salivary gland encountered in the dental setting. Despite the clinical and radiographic features usually guiding the correct diagnosis, it can be a challenging diagnosis for less experienced dentists, who must always carefully consider the history, clinical, and radiographic findings.

Introduction: Erythrocytic damage and death in response to physiochemical, infectious, metabolic, and pharmacological insults have been extensively studied in several diseases. Their relationship with erythroid precursors' apoptosis and morphological dysplasia, however, remains largely unexplored, despite several shared triggers and pathogenetic mechanisms.

Materials and methods: We compared peripheral blood phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and calcium influx in 53 patients with early and late apoptosis of CD71 + ve marrow erythroblasts using flow cytometry. Flow cytometric results were then correlated with dyserythropoiesis in the bone marrow as scored by experienced morphologists.

Results: Median patient age was 32 years (range: 1-75 years); 38 (72%) had hemoglobin (Hb) ≤11.0 g%. Patients overall had significantly higher Annexin V binding (PS exposure) and Fluo-3AM signal (calcium influx) vis-à-vis 20 healthy controls. Dyserythropoiesis on morphological evaluation correlated significantly with PS exposure (r = 0.618, P = 0.014) and Fluo-3AM binding (P = 0.002). Patients with dyserythropoiesis had significantly higher apoptosis compared to those without dyserythropoiesis (P = 0.006). In the peripheral blood, Annexin V binding and Fluo-3AM fluorescence correlated strongly with each other (r = 0.885, P < 0.001). PS exposure and Ca²⁺ influx were increased in 64% of cases. These patients had significantly lower Hbs and reticulocyte counts and increased red cell distribution widths and circulating nucleated red blood cell numbers.

Conclusions: This is the first study to compare and demonstrate links between dyserythropoiesis, peripheral blood eryptosis, and erythroblastic apoptosis. Eryptosis and apoptosis' interrelationships in patients with diverse hematological disorders link the marrow environment to peripheral blood.

Hamartoma of the breast is a rare benign lesion that leads to unilateral breast enlargement with evidence of a localized palpable mass. Ultrasonography findings are typical and include a well-defined mass lesion of heterogeneous echotexture consisting of mixed echogenic and sonolucent areas. This case report describes a hamartoma of the breast in a 17-year-old female.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most devastating disease, particularly the lethal invasive form. It is the most underlying cause of death among women worldwide. The expansion of BC is controlled by a variety of alterations in the tumor cells themselves, in addition to the state of the immune system, which has a direct influence on the tumor microenvironment. Numerous receptors expressed by T-cells interact with ligands on antigen-presenting cells to provide activation signals results in mounting effector anti-tumor T-cell responses. On the other hand, there is a dearth of information about the actual interactions and reactions of T-cells and dendritic cells (DCs) all through the progression of tumor development.

Aim: Immune system response against BC was investigated through tumor induction in mice. The size and volume of the tumor were calculated. Moreover, the phenotypical profile of T-cells and DCs from lymph nodes (LN) and spleens of BC-bearing mice was investigated. In addition, the levels of Transforming growth factor-β, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined.

Materials and methods: MDA231 cells were utilized to induce BC in 30 white BALB/C mice, whereas the other 30 mice acted as healthy controls and were not treated with any cancer-causing agents. The impact of malignancy was evaluated using flow cytometry based on the marking surface molecules, as well as the titer of specific cytokines of the mice's LN culture using the ELISA method. These cytokines included transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), IFN-γ, IL-2, IL -10, IL -4, IL -12, and TNF-α.

Results: The findings showed that the maturation of DCs was inhibited, followed by an accumulation of immature DCs. These immature DCs increase the release of TGF-β and cytokines like IL-10 and inhibit the release of IFN-γ and IL-12 in the culture supernatant of nodal lymph and spleen suspension of BC-bearing mice compared to control. In addition, there was a low expression of CD80 and CD86 on DCs, which indicates a low maturation process.

Conclusion: According to the findings, the tumor microenvironment may have been responsible for preventing the maturation of DCs. This, in turn, weakened the immune response and facilitated the ability of the tumor to proliferate. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment increased the number of immature DCs by inhibiting their stimulation by overexpression of TGF-β-produced by regulatory T lymphocytes and stimulation of tumor cells. In addition, the tumor microenvironment stimulated the secretion of cytokines such as IL-10, and CD4 and decreased the secretion of IFN-γ-and IL-12 in tumor-induced mice cultured LN and spleen.

Background: The rapidly evolving pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented with clinical severity, which varies from asymptomatic cases to being fatal in others. The need of the hour is to find meaningful and cost-effective COVID-19 biomarkers out of conventional hematological and biochemical parameters, which will help in the early identification of patients with a poor prognosis, leading to timely intervention.

Aim: The aim was to analyze different biochemical and hematological parameters in COVID-19 patients and also to study the association of these parameters with disease severity.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 100 COVID-19 patients from a hospital from July to October 2020. Based on saturation of oxygen (SpO₂), admitted patients were grouped into mild-moderate (SpO₂ ≥90%) and severe groups (SpO₂ <90%). Hematological and biochemical parameters were studied in both groups, and association with disease severity was analyzed.

Results: Out of 100 patients, 57 patients were seen in the mild-moderate group (SpO₂ ≥90%), while 43 patients (SpO₂ <90%) belonged to the severe category. Males were predominant in both mild-moderate and severe groups. Among the hematological parameters, statistically significant higher values of absolute neutrophil count (P = 0.046) and significantly lower absolute lymphocyte count (P = 0.003) values were observed. With regard to biochemical parameters, increased urea and decreased total protein were found in the severe category and this association was statistically significant.

Conclusion: To conclude, early identification and monitoring of hematological and biochemical parameters, especially those associated with higher disease severity, may contribute toward improving disease outcomes.

Concomitant Hodgkin's lymphoma with tuberculosis is an exceedingly rare clinical scenario and a condition that is difficult to manage due to similar clinical presentation. This case report describes the same in a 44-year-old male patient diagnosed with Koch's and initiated on antituberculosis therapy, based on confirmation of findings from the spine biopsy and culture. The patient's clinical condition worsened despite being on treatment for tuberculosis. Hence, further work up of the patient was done which included mediastinoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound. Biopsy samples from a conglomerate mass in the lower cervical region and mediastinum revealed Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nodular sclerosis type. This time, the patient showed significant improvement following treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy along with antituberculosis therapy.

Vascular tumors constitute the most common primary tumors of the spleen. Splenic hamartoma and littoral cell angioma have been reported only in the spleen. Splenic hamartomas are rare benign vascular tumors which are incidentally detected during imaging and are seldom symptomatic. This case report describes a rare sonological appearance of splenic hamartoma in a 31-year-old female with occasional pain in the left hypochondrium.

Chorioangiomas are benign vascular tumors of the placenta originating from chorionic tissue. They are also known as hemangiomas of the placenta. They occur in approximately 0.5%-1% of all pregnancies. Large chorioangiomas are rare and may lead to serious fetal and maternal complications. Here, we are describing a case of giant placental chorioangioma in a 19-year-old young female (G2A1) who presented to us at 39 weeks of gestation with decreased fetal movements. Ultrasound examination revealed an enlarged placenta with a well-defined 9.4 cm × 9.3 cm heteroechoic area with increased vascularity. Cesarean section was performed in view of fetal distress and a female baby weighing 1.6 kg was delivered. The newborn died within 2 weeks due to pulmonary hypoplasia and hemodynamic failure. The diagnosis of chorioangioma was confirmed with histopathology. This case depicts the necessity of early diagnosis, close fetal monitoring, and timely intervention in achieving a favorable pregnancy outcome.

Context: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a neoplasm of medium-to-large B lymphoid cells with diffuse growth patterns. Although it is a potentially curable disease, around 40% of the cases are either refractory to primary treatment or relapse. Based on gene expression profiling (GEP), DLBCL can be classified as germinal center B-cell subtype (GCB) and activated B-cell subtype (ABC). About 10%-15% of cases do not convincingly fall into either of the two subtypes and hence remain unclassified. Most widely used and suggested by WHO is Hans algorithm comprising immunohistochemical markers CD10, B-cell lymphoma6 (BCL6), and IRF4/MUM1, which classifies CD10+ and CD10-/BCL6+/MUM1-DLBCL as GCB, while CD10-/BCL6+/MUM1 + and BCL6-DLBCL as non-GCB.

Aims: The aim of this study was to classify DLBCL into GCB and non-GCB subtypes using Hans Algorithm.

Settings and design: This was a retrospective study.

Materials and methods: Twenty-eight histologically diagnosed cases of nodal (71.4%), as well as extranodal (28.6%) DLBCL, were taken over the period of 2 years with age ranging between 10 and 65 years with 19 males and 9 females. M: F = 2.1:1. Depending upon the site involved, a primary panel of immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers, namely CD20, CD3, LCA, EMA, and CK, followed by a secondary panel comprising CD10, CD19, CD30, LMP1, BCL2, BCL6, MUM1, MYC, and FOXP1 was used.

Results: In this study, it was found that the non-GCB subtype was more common than the GCB subtype in Indian population.

Conclusions: Although the gold standard of GEP to assign cells of origin is using RNA microarray analysis, however, due to resource constraints and other limitations such as long turnaround times, IHC is the next acceptable alternative.