Beitrage zur Pathologie最新文献

Fine structural analysis of 21 surgically removed specimens of Morbus Dupuytren (Dupuytren's contracture) in the cells of the proliferative phase revealed spindle-shaped or round, periodic banded structures of 1–1.5 μm size. These intracellular structures are surrounded by trilaminar membranes of 45 Å continuous with membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. The periodic banded structures display a light-dark pattern of 750–900 Å and resemble with respect to periodicity and general morphology “fibrous long spacing” collagen. To date, "fibrous long spacing" collagen in human tissue has only been observed in the extracellular space, both in normal and pathologic conditions. Its formal pathogenesis is discussed.

Bei der feinstrukturellen Untersuchung von 21 Operationspräparaten von Morbus Dupuytren wurden in den Zellen der Proliferationsphase spindelförmige bis runde, periodisch strukturierte Körper von 1–1.5 (μm Größe beobachtet. Diese intrazellulär gelegenen Körper sind von Membranen von 45 Å umgeben, die kontinuierlich in Membranen des endoplasmatischen Retikulums übergehen. Die periodisch strukturierten Körper zeigen ein regelmäßiges hell-dunkles Bandmuster mit einer Periodik von 750–900 Å und entsprechen sog. “fibrous long spacing”-Kollagen. Diese Kollagenform wurde bis jetzt unter normalen und krankhaften Bedingungen im menschlichen Gewebe nur extrazellulär beobachtet. Die formale Pathogenese dieser Kollagenform wird diskutiert.

The authors are pleased to acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Mrs. U. Fazekas, Miss B. Wojtek and Miss D. Münsterer.

Introduction: Virus particles in spiral ganglion cells of the guinea pig have been grouped with herpes viruses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this classification of the viruses and their influence on cell morphology.

Material and Methods: 20 healthy, adult guinea pigs from different breeds were studied. The spiral ganglion was serially sectioned and examined electron microscopically.

Results and Discussion: All examined spiral ganglions of several guinea pig populations from different breeds showed intracytoplasmic viruses in some granular spiral ganglion cells. According to their localization and morphology we classify these viruses with the oncorna virus group. This is not in agreement with the classification of other authors. Apparently there is a world-wide latent viral infection in guinea pigs. The accumulation of lysosomal-like vacuoles in vicinity to the viruses indicates an increased local lysosomal activity of the infected ganglion cells. Considering the otherwise normal ultrastructure of the infected cells an additional influence of these viruses on the intracellular metabolism can neither be demonstrated nor denied.

Hamster tracheal epithelium survived 3 hours of total ischemia at 37° C as demonstrated by its ability to be maintained in organ culture for 7 days subsequent to the ischemic episode. Epithelium ischemic for longer periods did not survive in culture. Human bronchial epithelium obtained from surgically resected lungs showed the acute effects of ischemia, i.e., the cells had dilated endoplasmic reticulum and swollen mitochondria. These cellular effects of ischemia were, however, reversed by placing the bronchus in explant culture. Bronchus obtained at autopsy, 2 to 3 hours following death, showed epithelial cells suffering severe ischemic cell injury, most of which did not survive in culture, but in some cases, a few basal cells survived to form a non-keratinizing squamous epithelium.

Introduction: Chordoma is a rare tumor originating from the residuum of the chorda dorsalis and only a few reports of ultrastructural appearance of chordomas have been published up to now (Cancilla et al., 1964; Friedman et al., 1962; Spjut and Luse, 1964; Peña et al., 1970; Murad and Murthy, 1970; Kay and Schatzki, 1972; Mikuz and Mydla, 1974). In the present paper we report the results of ultrastructural, cytophotometric and biochemical investigations of two chordomas. Special emphasis is given to the proliferative behaviour of the cell type.

Material and Methods: Two chordomas, one of the sacrococcygeal (57 years ♂ and one of the spheno occipital (38 years ♂ region were investigated. For light microscopy specimens were fixed in 4% formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, PAS and Astra-blue.

For electron microscopy, specimens were fixed with phosphate buffered (0.1 M; pH 7.2) 6,5% glutaraldehyde, followed by postfixation with Dalton's chrome-osmium tetroxide. The specimens were dehydrated with acetone, embedded in Durcopan and sectioned on a Reichert ultramicrotome OMU2. Thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate, lead citrate, and examined with a Zeiss electron-microscope EM 9 A. Imprint preparations from biopsy specimens of the tumors were fixed immediately in 96% ethanol; after Feulgen staining according to Sandritter et al. (1958), the DNA content of tumor cell nuclei was determined with an integrating microdensitometer (GN 2, Barr & Stroud, Glasgow, Scotland).

Biochemical Investigations: Acid mucopolysaccharides were isolated from the tumor and for comparison also from a nucleus pulposus of a premature infant by the method of Svejcar and Robertson (1967). TLC was carried out following the modified method of Marzullo and Lash (1967) as follows: chromatography was done on Merck DC-Alufolie Cellulose (Nr. 5552) and was carried out twice in the same direction, thereby improving separation. The spots were visualised by heating the plate for a short time up to 180° C.

Results and Discussion: By the means of electron microscopy three different cell types could be differentiated: the indifferent stellate cells, the high differentiated physaliferous and the intermediate (or transitional) cells. These types of chordoma cells represent different functional stages relative to mucopolysaccharide production and storage as well as to proliferation. The stellate cells are poorly differentiated, fibroblast-like and spindle-shaped, with a prominent nucleus and a very well developed coarse ER. The intermediate cells are characterised by many small and big vesicles, communicating with the cisternae of the RER, and suggesting transformation of the stellate cells. The physaliferous cells are filled with such vesicles, in which mucous substances are stored but not prod