Granular Changes Research Articles

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN THE JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS OF THE RAT.

SINCE the original observations by Goormaghtigh1 on the structure of the Juxtaglomerular apparatus of the mammalian kidney, and his subsequent observations on its endocrine function2, the rat has been used as an experimental animal to provide material for studies of this organ. Thus examinations of enzyme changes in experimentally induced hypertension3 and more recently granular cell changes following endocrine organ manipulation and hormone administration4,5 have been carried out using the Juxtaglomerular apparatus of the rat kidney.

Capillary form and Function in Dogs With Experimental Hepatitis Contagiosa Canis an Intravital Microvascular Study

Capillary form and function were studied in dogs with experimentally produced Hepatitis contagiosa canis (H.c.c). The observations were made in an intravital microscope (Leitz) and comprised conjuntival and mesenteric vessels as well as connective tissue in the ear chamber. The recordings were made on 16 mm colour film and by single exposures on black and white film. It was found that the flow in the venules was characteristically slowed down with a resulting high arteriolo-venular flow ratio. In the final stages, progressing endothelial swelling occurred impairing corpuscular flow in the capillaries. At the same time, crenated but deformable erythrocytes appeared. In various places cells of small diameter, not identified with certainty, were attached to the endothelial wall. No coating with granulocytes was seen. The thrombocytes were reduced in number and showed no tendency to adhesion. Granular changes were seen in periendothelial granulated cells. Numerous diffuse perivascular haemorrhages occurred.

HEREDITARY AFFECTIONS OF THE RETINA AND CHOROID.

SUMMARY1. Histological studies on the developing retina in mice, rats and Irish setters affected with a hereditary retinal degeneration of the retinitis pigmentosa type do not lend any support to the view that the retina is fully developed before degenerative changes set in — as postulated by the conception of abiotrophy. In fact, the retina in these animals, though reaching functional maturity, lacks the final histological differentiation that leads to fully developed rods: the rods are present, but they are rudimentary and do not survive for the normal span of life. These studies suggest that the abiotrophies (or heredo-degenerative diseases as they are sometimes called) are in fact the mildest of congenital defects and do not therefore stand in sharp contrast to congenital abnormalities.2. Clinical studies on the hereditary affections of the retina show that the distinction between congenital non-progressive disorders and abiotrophic progressive disorders is not valid. Most congenital abnormalities of the retina such as macular cyst, retinal aplasia, asymptomatic macular defect and congenital sex-linked detachment, show a considerable post-natal course. In fact it is difficult to find a clear example of a congenital non-progressive retinal anomaly. In the choroid, the one substantial congenital defect — macular coloboma — is non-progressive.3. By definition all abiotrophic defects have a progressive course. This, however, varies considerably in the different affections. In the retina, retinitis pigmentosa represents not one disease but a whole series of affections. This is seen from such well differentiated types as the recessive, dominant, recessive sex-linked and intermediate sex-linked varieties. Furthermore, in different families there are different associated anomalies, such as glaucoma, cataract, ophthalmoplegia or macular dystrophy. Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa appears to be a somatic mutation. The macular dystrophies are likewise a group rather than one disease, as shown by the different genetic behaviour and the different clinical features of the recessive, dominant and sex-linked varieties of macular dystrophy. Furthermore the ophthalmoscopic reaction ranges in different families from fine granular changes to fairly heavy pigmentary changes, or whitish lesions of the exudative type. In the choroid, choroideremia and choroidal sclerosis — with its generalized, central and peripapillary types — are the two outstanding abiotrophic affections, with markedly dissimilar clinical behaviour.4. An important abiotrophic affection coming on in middle age is dominant generalized fundus dystrophy with its stormy onset, oedematous and exudative reactions at the macula, and ultimately extensive atrophy throughout the fundus. This has to be distinguished from another dominant affection with a much milder course — Doyne's choroiditis. The choroidal nature of these two affections is not definitely established. They may possibly both be disorders of the membrane of Bruch.5. Retinoblastoma appears to occur in both a genetic and non-genetic variety. It is likely that the bilateral case represents a germinal mutation and that the unilateral case is generally a somatic mutation; only the germinal mutation is, of course, transmitted.6. A number of other affections may have a genetic background as yet ill-established.

Localized osteosclerosis in hyperparathyroidism.

excerpt Roentgenograms showing patchy osteosclerotic changes in the skull in patients with hyperparathyroidism are not frequently seen but certainly are not rare. Osteosclerotic changes involving the lumbar spine and pelvis in cases of either primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism are, however, very unusual. Representative films demonstrating these changes and a brief discussion of possible mechanisms for their occurrence constitute this paper. Characteristic roentgenologic changes of bone mottling, decalcification, cyst formation, and granularity were first associated with hyperparathyroidism by Camp and Ochsner (3) in 1931. Recently Teng and Nathan (7) called attention to the early changes seen in hyperparathyroidism and reviewed the pathognomonic bone signs—subperiosteal and endosteal resorption of bone, subchondral resorption of the clavicle and symphysis pubis, and subperiodontal resorption of the lamina dura. The abnormalities seen in the skull have been discussed by Ellis and Hochstim (5). These ...

In vivo observations of the seminal vesicles of castrated rats and the responses to various steroids.

ABSTRACT In a study of seminal vesicle reactivity to a number of steroids, young adults rats were castrated and 14 days later were started on 7 daily subcutaneous injections of 0.1 ml sesame oil, with or without an added steroid. Ten groups containing 7 to 12 animals each were established: 1) sesame oil; 2–4) 10 μg, 50 μg and 100 μg testosterone propionate; 5–6) 10 μg and 500 μg oestradiol benzoate; 7–8) 100 μ and 500 μg progesterone; 9–10) 100 μg and 500 μg corticosterone. After the course of injections the seminal vesicles were studied by the quartz rod transillumination method of Knisely. The investigation was carried out as a »double-blind study«; one investigator recording his observations without knowledge of the treatment. Following castration there was a marked decrease in the number of small vessels, a derangement of the vascular pattern and a slowing of the rate of blood flow. There were also changes in tissue transparency and granularity and an increase in spontaneous, rhythmic contractions of the vesicles. Treatment with oestradiol benzoate, progesterone, corticosterone, and 10 μg testosterone propionate appeared to cause no alteration in the vesicle of the castrate. Vesicles of animals injected with 50 μg of testosterone propionate had essentially normal vasculature and parenchyma but continued to contract rhythmically, while those treated with 100 μg of testosterone propionate had vesicles restored to normal in every way but size.

A quantitative spectrophotometric study of the mast cell

1. 1. Mast cells of rat peritoneal fluid, stained in smears with toluidine blue, are favorable objects for spectrophotometric analysis. Characteristic marked heterogeneity of their cytoplasm presents no outstanding problem when scanning procedures are used. 2. 2. Technical aspects of metachromatic staining were investigated. A metachromatic ratio and total extinctions were used to assess the effects of fixation, alcohol, water and pH on the dye reaction in mast cells. A short staining method for the mast cells is outlined. 3. 3. Based on measurements in 1250 cells, some quantitative aspects of stained mast cell populations and individuals are described. Metachromasy in many cells attains levels characteristic of extremely concentrated solutions of toluidine blue, of maximally metachromatic solutions of the dye with sulfated mucopolysaccharides, or of selected areas in cartilage matrix. Calculated amounts of dye bound per cell are on the order of 3 × 10 −14 mole or less, the average dye concentration being 0.06 M or 1.8 per cent. Mere inspection shows that the dye must be in compartments (the granules) at much higher and variable concentrations. 4. 4. Synthesis of the metachromatic component(s) of the mast cell has superficial characteristics of a massive secretory process. 5. 5. Cortisone and thyrotropic hormone, in a few preliminary experiments, produced marked changes in the mast cells. In addition to distinctive morphological changes, the proliferation of a relatively non-metachromatic component seems to take place in otherwise normal-looking mast cells, followed later by granular changes and cellular polymorphism. 6. 6. The use of a sum of extinctions at two wavelengths (546 mμ and 630 mμ for toluidine blue) to measure the total amount of metachromatic dye bound in the mast cells is discussed. Internal evidence justifies the procedure. Independent tests are still required.

An Atlas of Muscle Pathology in Neuromuscular Diseases

This book consists essentially of an excellent collection of photographs, about half of them in color, showing the abnormalities of the microstructure of voluntary muscle in various neuromuscular diseases. The plates are arranged in 10 sets, the first set illustrating loss of cross striation, cloudy and granular changes, floccular changes, and phagocytosis. The other nine sets illustrate changes in muscle nuclei, changes in fiber size, basophilic fibers with vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli, ringed fibers, sarcoplasmic masses, changes in interstitial tissues (corlagen and fat), leukocytic infiltrations, changes in muscle spindles and peripheral muscular nerves, and pattern of lesion. By excluding trauma, infections, and tumors from consideration, the authors were able to exhibit in greater detail and to better advantage the amazing variety of ways in which the elaborate structure of the sarcostyle can be disorganized by more strictly neuromuscular disease. Examples of such disorganization are the occurrence of aberrant nuclei

Cataracts Resulting from a Deficiency of Phenylalanine in the Rat.

SummaryThe lenticular changes observed to result from phenylalanine-deficiency in the rat were diffuse haziness, opacity of the star, progressive separation of the fibers, granular changes in the epithelial layer and the development of dense central cataracts. Only the more superficial changes in the lenses were found to be reversed by adding dl-phenylalanine to the diet.

Societies and Academies

Societies and Academies