Cavernous Structures Research Articles

Cerebral neurons, skeletal myoblasts, and cardiac muscle cells cultured on macroporous beads

Biodegradable macroporous spherical microcarriers (MCs) offer a suitable substrate for adhesion, growth, and differentiation of cerebral neurons, skeletal myoblasts, and cardiac cells. The cavernous structure of these gelatin beads supplies a large surface and a tridimensional habitat for cell propagation. Within hours from their seeding, all three cell types became firmly attached to the MCs, forming cell-MC aggregates, which remained floating in the medium. Neuronal aggregates were composed mainly of single or groups of perikarya, and their sprouted nerve processes formed a ramified network. In skeletal muscle aggregates, fusion of myoblasts into myotubes occurred within 5 days. The myotubes, arranged in bundles having the same orientation, became striated and the whole aggregate, or parts of it, contracted spontaneously. Cardiac cells divided in the aggregate to form one or more layers of flat cells, which exhibited single microvilli. The cells were interconnected at uneven intervals and the whole aggregate contracted actively. Morphological and biochemical analysis of sampled aggregates ensured that cells reached the proper stage of maturation and could be used for either physiological and pharmacological studies or implantation into injured or dystrophic tissue.

Detailed Anatomy of Penile Neurovascular Structures: Surgical Significance

In 10 formalin-preserved adult male cadavers, dissection of the penile veins, arteries and nerves revealed information of clinical importance. The main venous drainage of the corpora cavernosa is via the cavernous veins, with additional drainage through the circumflex, deep dorsal, and crural veins. The arterial supply of the cavernous bodies varied remarkably, and the incidence of an accessory internal pudendal artery was high. The cavernous nerves, previously believed to be microscopic structures, were in fact identifiable grossly, and we were able to follow them from the region of the hilum of the penis to the prostate. The nature of these nerves was then confirmed by serial histologic sectioning.This detailed knowledge of the venous drainage and arterial and nervous supply of the penis, as well as of the relationships among the cavernous structures in the hilum of the penis, can elucidate the cause of erectile dysfunction and provide a valuable guide for surgical correction of vasculogenic and neurogenic impotence.

Roentgenological investigation of cavernous sinus structure with special reference to paracavernous cranial nerves.

We have evaluated the anatomical structure of cavernous sinuses in parasellar blocks obtained from adult cadavers to gain clinically useful information. Ten microdissectional studies of parasellar blocks (20 sides of cavernous sinus) were carried out with special emphasis on the course of paracavernous cranial nerves (3rd to 6th). These were also examined on plain radiographs. Secondly, CT investigations of the cavernous sinuses (notably as to paracavernous cranial nerves) were undertaken in twenty clinical cases having presumed parasellar lesions and in three parasellar blocks from cadavers. The results from microdissectional studies and plain radiographs were as follows. It was found that the 3rd cranial nerve entered the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus close to the antero-inferior part of the posterior clinoid on lateral projection. The 4th cranial nerve, on the other hand, entered near the postero-inferior portion of the posterior clinoid on the same view. Variations in Parkinson's triangle were fairly often noted, although marked asymmetry was not seen in individual cases. From CT findings, it was found that a postenhanced, magnified direct coronal study was essential for identifying paracavernous cranial nerves more clearly. The 3rd and 5th cranial nerves were fairly well identified on axial and coronal projections. Careful radiological investigation including plain skull radiographs & CT seems to be of value for those who diagnose or treat parasellar lesions.

Tissue reactions associated with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: A radiographic, cryomorphologic, and histologic study

Ten temporomandibular joint specimens, five with clinical signs of arthropathology and five without, were examined by means of tomography, double-contrast tomography, and serial cryosectioning combined with histologic staining of sections for tissue identification. Of the five joints with signs of arthropathology four demonstrated disc displacement. The fifth joint showed a post-traumatic condition. Four of the joints with clinical signs of arthropathology demonstrated hyperplastic connective tissue retaining contrast medium in the posterior part of the fossa. This hyperplastic connective tissue contained extravasated blood and enlarged cavernous structures lacking endothelial lining. Extravasated blood is one probable source of temporomandibular joint pain. All joints with permanently displaced discs demonstrated perforation of a hyalinized posterior disc attachment. Without tissue identification such an attachment is likely to be misinterpreted as being the disc itself.

Cavernous structures composed of hepatocytes in experimentally induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cavernous structures composed of hepatocytes were observed for the first time in trabecular-patterned hepatocellular carcinomas by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The carcinomas were induced by a single dose of diethylnitrosamine combined with subsequent administrations of 2-acetylaminofluorene and partial hepatectomy. The cavernous structures had numerous cavities walled by flat hepatocytes. In the cavities, dendritic hepatocytes, connected with each other by their long and slender processes, formed a network and were attached to the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium via intercellular spaces between the flat hepatocytes. Dendritic hepatocytes had smooth surfaces, prominent nucleoli, decreased glycogen, and well organized cisternae. Dilated bile canaliculi were sometimes seen among flat and dendritic cells. Dendritic cells showed more morphological dearrangement than flat cells. Blood cells were observed in the cavities. Kupffer cells were not seen in the sinusoids among the cavernous structures. The cavernous structures in the hepatocellular carcinomas resembled the hepatocyte arrangement in fetal liver in which intercellular spaces of hepatocytes are extremely widened.

On performance test of the first pilot plant in Japan for underground stockpiling of crude oil.

The first underground stockpiling plant in Japan for test operation has been constructed utilizing basement rocks in Shikoku Island, Western Japan. The construction of the test plant started in March, 1980. The operation tunnel, water-sealed tunnel, service tunnel, vertical shaft, stockpiling cavern and dry pump room were completed succesively by July, 1981. Installation of the measuring instruments, pipes and generators were completed by the end of 1981. The test items were selected as follows: (1) Stability of underground cavern structure. (2) Technical function of aquifer sealing. (3) Safety and caution during the operation of the plant. (4) Influences on environment. Many kinds of measurements have been taken inside the observation wells and cavern. After the test operation, it is concluded that the granitic cavern is stable, both from static and dynamic considerations. The technical function of aquifer sealing has been clarified. Concerning the operational efficiency, confirmation of the properties of exhausted water and gas, control of the amount of oil in the stock tank, and perfect confined stockpiling techniques, encouraging results have been obtained by the tests. No disturbance of environment has been recognized during the tests.

The petrography and origin of dedolomitized, veined or brecciated carbonate rocks, the ‘cornieules’, in the Fréjus region, French Alps

Cornieules (or rauhwackes) are essentially dedolomitized, veined or brecciated carbonate rocks or marls with a characteristic porous to cellular appearance. In hand specimen, they can be divided into two types, those with a veined structure, and those showing a brecciated structure. In the Fréjus region and in most other areas both inside and outside the Alps, cornieules are restricted in occurrence to evaporitic sequences. They are frequently associated with gypsum or anhydrite, which suggests a genetic link between cornieule and evaporites. This was confirmed when a full petrographic investigation was carried out, first on a Triassic evaporite sequence and then on cornieules. Field and petrographic evidence has revealed that cornieules are formed from a starting material of gypsum and dolomite that had been fractured, veined and brecciated many times. The causes of fracturing were probably tectonic in the initial phases, and non-tectonic later. Due to the major post F 4 metamorphism, the gypsum was replaced by calcite and the calcite was subsequently dolomitized. Dolomitization was accompanied by a 12–13% increase in porosity. When the rocks were brought near to the earth’s surface, chemically active sulphate-rich percolating solutions invaded the rocks, brought about dedolomitization and formed the cavernous structure of cornieule.

REPAIR AND REATTACHMENT IN THE BALANIDAE AS RELATED TO THEIR CEMENTING MECHANISM.

Barnacles, which become partially or totally detached from their substratum in a natural environment, produce a secondary cement secretion. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that the secondary cement can successfully reattach the barnacle to a new substratum. Similar secondary secretion was found at the site of minor injuries to the barnacle basis. The secondary cement usually has a looser, more cavernous structure than the primary cement, but both secretions have similar staining characteristics. Microscope preparations indicate that occasionally barnacles are capable of developing new secondary cement ducts leading into the injured or detached areas to secrete secondary cement. In most cases, however, the existing primary cement duct network is used for the secondary secretion. This is possible only because most of the once used ducts are not plugged by hardened cement, in spite of the fact that the cement can harden inside the ducts. Chemical analysis suggests that the cement is an organic biopolymer and indications are that the cement hardening is initiated inside the organism. A unique flushing mechanism seems to be responsible for keeping the cement ducts open and ready for reuse. A nonhardening flushing fluid forces the still liquid cement out of the ducts. The cement hardens outside the duct openings sealing the flushing fluid inside the duct network. In case of detachment or injury. the cement seal breaks; the flushing fluid drains out leaving the duct open for the secondary cement secretion. The vesicles in conjunction with the main channel control the flow of the flushing fluid and the cement. The permeable wall of the main channel portion inside the vesicle reduces the convection and diffusion between the vesicle and the main channel, thus bypassing of vesicles and duct networks not affected by detachment is possible. The wall of the main channel inside the vesicle is also collapsible, thus acting as checkvalve when the vesicle is under pressure and allowing the cement to be pumped only into the ducts toward the secretory orifices.

The histogenesis of hemangioblastoma of the brain. A review of twenty-one cases.

T UE morphologic and histogenetic criteria distinguishing congenital from neoplastic vascular lesions of the brain have been alternately assailed and upheld. Cushing and BaileS ,s designated hemangioblastomas of the brain as true neoplasms, for they were composed of mature and immature vascular elements which enlarged by proliferation and supposedly contained no glial cells. Thereafter Bailey and Ford 1 demonstrated the presence of astrocytes in such a tumor which infiltrated the cerebellum. Hemangioblastomas of the brain occur most commonly in the cerebellum. 5,15,1s,19,~1 They are usually characterized grossly by a cyst of variable size, filled with clear or xanthochromic fluid, in which a mural nubbin of tumor is found. Microscopically, these mural tumors are composed of variable proportions of adult and immature vascular elements. In some cases the solid mass is composed almost exclusively of adult capillary or cavernous structures and in other instances primarily of vasoformative tissue. In other cysts, careful search is necessary to identify minute buried or sclerosed nodules of tumor. The characteristic cystic development is caused by an inherent line of differentiation of the immature cellular elements of the solid mural nodule. 13 The cyst is the result of the process of differentiation of blood vessels and the formation of primitive plasma from masses of angioblasts. This line of vascular differentiation gives even solid tumors a grossly spongy appearance. When hemangioblastomas of the brain are associated with tumors of the eye, skin, spinal cord or viscera, 2-4, 9-11 the patient may present a distinct clinical syndrome with a familial history. Unfortunately, many clinical variants or anatomical associations of lesions have been dignified by proper names. This cumbersome, although flattering, nomenclature, through sharp selection of cases, tends to obscure the underlying interrelationship of the variants. The occurrence of multiple tumors in a patient with a known hereditary predisposition suggests an arrest or defect in maturation of one or more tissues at a particular time in embryological development. Thus, morphologic variations of vascular tumors may merely reflect a level of maturation of primitive vascular mesenchyme.

The Cavernous Structure of Some Mississippian Stromatactis Reefs in Lancashire, England

The knoll-reefs of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire are original mounds of fossiliferous calcite-siltstone up to 300 feet or more thick. They contain thin layers and irregular masses of coarser known as reef tufa or fibrous calcite, which are identical with the Stromatactis of Belgian and American Paleozoic reefs. The coarse mosaics in two reefs near Clitheroe, Lancashire, are shown to be drusy infillings of postdepositional cavities. The cavities were formed in a sediment made coherent by a sediment-binder, and later were complicated by compaction and internal erosion and solution. On the floors of many of the cavities are internal sediments different in appearance from the host sediment but presumably derived from it-possibly by some organic process. There are two kinds of drusy mosaic-equant and fibrous. The latter has, in most fibers, a pattern of subgrains radiating away from the wall, allied to optic axes which converge away from the wall, as well as curved cleavages and irregular ...

On the Pegmatite of Ireland

Abstract T he author observes that the Pegmatite of the Mountain of Mourne in Ireland is very remarkable for its cavernous structure. This structure is especially found in pegmatites which contain topazes; it is therefore probable that the cavities in the pegmatite are owing to the separation of fluoric gases, the fluor of which is subsequently fixed in the topaz and mica. The Irish pegmatite is also very remarkable for the presence of fayalite and of ferruginous peridote; for peridote is the characteristic mineral of rocks of igneous origin which have not an excess of quartz. M. Delesse remarks, in conclusion, that cavernous pegmatite is formed under circumstances markedly different from those under which granite properly so called is produced.