Ciliated Columnar Cells Research Articles

Human nasal epithelial cells derived from multiple subjects exhibit differential responses to H3N2 influenza virus infection in vitro

Human nasal epithelial cells derived from multiple subjects exhibit differential responses to H3N2 influenza virus infection in vitro

Frequent BRAF or EGFR Mutations in Ciliated Muconodular Papillary Tumors of the Lung

IntroductionCiliated muconodular papillary tumors (CMPTs) are recently characterized, rare peripheral nodules of the lung. These small tumors are histologically comprised of a vaguely organized mixture of nonatypical ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells, and consistently follow a benign clinical course. However, the histogenesis of CMPTs remains uncertain. MethodsWe performed detailed genomic analyses of 10 archived CMPT cases, using next-generation sequencing and high-resolution melting analysis. ResultsMutations were identified in eight of the 10 cases (80%); four cases harbored the BRAF-V600E mutation, one case harbored the BRAF-G606R mutation, and three cases harbored deletions in exon 19 of EGFR. All of the deletions in EGFR were of the E746-T751/S752V subtype. ConclusionsThe high prevalence of driver gene mutations in CMPTs supports the notion that these lesions are neoplastic rather than reactive or metaplastic.

Histological and Histochemical studies of Esophagus in Mabuya aurata septemaeniata

The wall of the esophagus in Mabuya aurata septemaeniata as in high vertebrates consists of four layers, mucosa, submucosa,muscularis and serosa. Mucosa forms many unorganized short and long folds penetrate inside the esophageal cavity. Mucosa contains two sub layers, first one is lining epithelium which includes two types of cells, simple ciliated columnar epithelial cells and goblet cells, second one is lamina properia. Mucosa does not have muscularis mucosa. There is no esophageal glands within esophagus. Many special stains were used as (Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS)) to detect Carbohydrates in goblet cells. Alcian blue were used to detect the amount of goblet cells within lining epithelium. Alcian blue + PAS together confirm that the secreted mucin from goblet cells was acidic.

Histological and Histochemical studies of Esophagus in Mabuya aurata septemaeniata

The wall of the esophagus in Mabuya aurata septemaeniata as in high vertebrates consists of four layers, mucosa, submucosa,muscularis and serosa. Mucosa forms many unorganized short and long folds penetrate inside the esophageal cavity. Mucosa contains two sub layers, first one is lining epithelium which includes two types of cells, simple ciliated columnar epithelial cells and goblet cells, second one is lamina properia. Mucosa does not have muscularis mucosa. There is no esophageal glands within esophagus. Many special stains were used as (Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS)) to detect Carbohydrates in goblet cells. Alcian blue were used to detect the amount of goblet cells within lining epithelium. Alcian blue + PAS together confirm that the secreted mucin from goblet cells was acidic.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumors of the lung: a clinicopathologic analysis of 10 cases.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumors (CMPTs) are rare peripheral nodules of the lung first described in 2002. Because of their rarity and nonstandardized diagnostic terminology, CMPTs have been poorly recognized among pathologists. To better characterize these lesions, we undertook a detailed clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 10 archival cases. Ten CMPTs occurred in 7 men and 3 women with a median age of 62 years. All were small peripheral nonendobronchial nodules with a mean diameter of 1.0 cm. All but 1 tumor were incidentally detected by computed tomography-based screening, all of which were radiologically interpreted as adenocarcinomas. Although limited surgery treated all but 1 CMPT, they followed a benign course with no recurrence at a mean follow-up of 43 months (range: 2 to 88 mo). Histologically, CMPTs showed glandular and/or papillary architecture, comprising a vaguely organized mixture of nonatypical ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells, often enveloped by copious intra-alveolar mucin. Micropapillary tufts of ciliated cells and seemingly discontinuous growth along alveolar walls were occasionally present, mimicking adenocarcinomas. Ciliated cells and basal cells were immunopositive for TTF-1 and p40, respectively, whereas mucous cells lacked HNF4α expression. CMPTs are rare, likely benign, underrecognized processes of the lung that should be distinguished from adenocarcinomas.

Expression and relationship of pendrin and MUC5AC in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

To explore the expression of pendrin in sinonasal mucosal tissue of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and examine its relationship with mucin5AC (MUC5AC). Thirty mucosal tissue (located on anterior wall of maxillary sinus ostium and close to uncinate process) of patients with CRS with or without nasal polyps and 10 normal sinonasal mucosal tissue located at the same sites as CRS were collected. Histological changes of sinonasal mucosa were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The expression of total mucins was evaluated by periodic acid Schiff staining (PAS). And the expressions of pendrin and MUC5AC in sinonasal mucosa were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The tissue samples demonstrated mucosal thickening, goblet cell hyperplasia and metaplasia, epithelial cilia partial deletion, glandular hyperplasia and a dense infiltration of inflammatory cells in CRS with or without nasal polyps. IHC revealed that positive pendrin was expressed dominantly at apical membrane of epithelial cells and sparsely in submucosal glandular cells, there was a positive expression rate of CRS with nasal polyps and CRS without nasal polyps; MUC5AC was expressed abundantly in goblet cells and pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells and weakly in submucosal glandular cells in CRS. There were significant increases in positive expression rate of total mucins production, pendrin and MUC5AC in patients of CRS with nasal polyps or without nasal polyps than those in control (86.7% and 80.0% vs 20.0%, 73.3% and 70.0% vs 10.0%, 83.3% and 76.7% vs 20.0%, all P<0.05); the relative expression levels of mRNA and protein expression of pendrin were significantly greater in patients of CRS with or without nasal polyps than those in controls (1.685±0.111 and 1.537±0.262 vs 1.012±0.167, 2.066±0.188 and 1.996±0.153 vs 1.000±0.169, all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of mRNA expression of MUC5AC were significantly greater in patients of CRS with or without nasal polyps than in controls (1.861±0.718 and 1.562±0.428 vs 1.004±0.094, P<0.05). And the expression level of pendrin mRNA was positively correlated with that of MUC5AC mRNA in patients with CRS (r=0.670, P=0.006 and r=0.713, P=0.003). An up-regulation of pendrin is correlated with an over-expression of MUC5AC in patients with CRS. And pendrin is an important cause of mucus hypersecretion in CRS.

Abstract 4173: MicroRNA expression of non-terminal respiratory unit type lung adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background: Lung adenocarcinomas can be classified into two major subtypes, terminal respiratory unit (TRU) type and non-TRU type. We previously reported that non-TRU type adenocarcinoma has unique clinical and morphological features compared with TRU type adenocarcinoma. In brief, among 36 cases of non-terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma, 24 cases revealed mucous columnar cell changes that were continuous with bronchial ciliated columnar cells. The mucous columnar cells became dysplastic showing loss of cilia, disorientation, and enlarged nuclei. Adenocarcinoma arose from these dysplastic mucous columnar cells and, characteristically, this type of adenocarcinoma showed acute inflammation, and honeycombing changes in the background. TTF1 immunostaining was consistently negative. In a case study with 14 males and 10 females, including 12 smokers or ex-smokers, EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in 3 and 6 patients, respectively. We think that this kind of adenocarcinoma arising through mucous columnar cell change belongs to non-terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma, and mucous columnar cell change is a precursor lesion of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Objectives: We investigated whether microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles can differentiate between non-TRU type and TRU type lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: MiRNA expression in lung adenocarcinoma with non-TRU and TRU type was analyzed by microarray analysis with 1205 human and 144 human viral miRNAs. Results: Eight pairs of lung adenocarcinomas and corresponding noncancerous lung tissues (4 for non-TRU type and 4 for TRU type) were analyzed by microarray analysis. Initially, 44 miRNAs showed statistical differences in expression between lung cancer tissues and corresponding noncancerous tissues. Comparison analyses between non-TRU type and TRU type revealed 30 miRNAs with statistically different expression. Particularly, hsa-mir-494 and ebv-mir-BART19 were upregulated with more than 5-fold difference as compared with TRU type adenocarcinoma. Similarly, hsa-mir-551b was downregulated at more than 5-fold as compared with TRU type adenocarcinoma. Only 2 miRNAs (hsa-mir-1 and hsa-mir-133b) were shared in both non-TRU and TRU type of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: We demonstrated that non-TRU type adenocarcinoma showed different miRNAs expression patterns compared with TRU type adenocarcinoma, suggesting different carcinogenic pathways for these tumors. Further studies are required for validation the results from microarray analysis. Citation Format: Mi Hyun Kim, Min Ki Lee, Dong Hoon Shin, Chang Hun Lee. MicroRNA expression of non-terminal respiratory unit type lung adenocarcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4173. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4173

Neurenteric Cysts Found on the Outer Membrane of a Subdural Haematoma

We report on a patient initially diagnosed with a chronic subdural haematoma that was resistant to treatment. After the second burr hole craniostomy within a half month failed to resolve the subdural haematoma (SDH), we performed a craniotomy to identify the point of bleeding. Macroscopic evaluation showed that most of the outer membrane of the SDH was transparent; however, further examination revealed the presence of multiple white regions. Pathologic examination showed that the white regions were fluid filled and surrounded by columnar ciliated epithelial cells. These lesions were pathologically diagnosed as neurenteric cysts. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a patient with neurenteric cysts found on the outer membrane of a CSDH. We agree that a craniotomy is a treatment of last resort for recurrent CSDHs; however, sometimes this procedure can be very useful for identifying underlying causes of obstinate SDHs as well as for their treatment.

Ciliated adenocarcinomas of the lung: a tumor of non-terminal respiratory unit origin

Whereas most carcinomas occur through a sequential step, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma pathway is known for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. This type is known as terminal respiratory unit adenocarcinoma. Based on our observation of transitions from normal ciliated columnar cells to adenocarcinoma via dysplastic mucous columnar cells, we reviewed our archive of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma was defined as adenocarcinoma with type II pneumocyte, Clara cell, or bronchiolar cell morphology according to previous reports. Among 157 cases, 121 cases have been identified as terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma and 36 cases as non-terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma. Among non-terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma, 24 cases revealed mucous columnar cell changes that were continuous with bronchial ciliated columnar cells. The mucous columnar cells became dysplastic showing loss of cilia, disorientation, and enlarged nuclei. Adenocarcinoma arose from these dysplastic mucous columnar cells and, characteristically, this type of adenocarcinoma showed acute inflammation, and honeycombing changes in the background. TTF1 immunostaining was consistently negative. In a case study with 14 males and 10 females, including 12 smokers or ex-smokers, EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in 3 and 6 patients, respectively. We think that this kind of adenocarcinoma arising through mucous columnar cell change belongs to non-terminal respiratory unit type adenocarcinoma, and mucous columnar cell change is a precursor lesion of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Chapter 8: Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is defined as inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses and affects ∼16% of the population. Acute rhinosinusitis is defined as symptoms lasting <4 weeks and subacute rhinosinusitis is between 4 and 8 weeks. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as symptoms lasting >8-12 weeks. CRS is divided into three groups: CRS with nasal polyps, CRS without nasal polyps, and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. The sinus cavities are lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelial cells interspersed with mucous goblet cells. Cilia continuously sweep the mucous toward the ostial openings and are important in maintaining the proper environment of the sinus cavities. The frontal, maxillary, and anterior ethmoid sinuses drain into the ostiomeatal unit of the middle meatus. The posterior ethmoid sinuses and superior sphenoid sinuses drain into the sphenoethmoid recess of the superior meatus. Most acute sinus infections are caused by viruses and, therefore, it is not surprising that the majority of patients improve within in 2 weeks without antibiotic treatment. A bacterial infection should be considered if symptoms worsen or fail to improve within 7-10 days. Amoxicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or doxycycline are first-line therapy. The Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology suggests assessing response to symptoms after 3-5 days of therapy and continuing for an additional 7 days if there is improvement. Combining an intranasal corticosteroid with an antibiotic reduces symptoms more effectively than antibiotics alone.

TBTCl 노출에 의한 대복, Gomphina veneriformis (Bivalvia: Veneridae) 외투막의 미세구조적 변화

TBTCl에 36주 동안 노출된 대복, Gomphina veneriformis 의 미세구조적인 변화를 전자현미경으로 관찰하였다. 대복의 외투막은 가장자리에 4개의 주름을 가지며, 내부와 외부상피층이 단층의 원주형 상피세포, 섬모세포, 분비세포로 구성되어 있었다. 이들 상피층은 혈림프동이 존재하는 결합조직층을 둘러싸고 있었다. 대복의 외투막은 TBTCl 노출 12주째 내부상피층에 존재하는 섬모의 수가 감소하였으며, 혈림프동의 확장과 함께 격막의 파괴가 관찰되었다. 노출 20주째 세포질내의 공포형성, 핵응축과 같은 변화가 관찰되었고, 결합조직층에서는 근섬유다발의 분절이 부분적으로 관찰되었다. 노출 28주째 상피층의 부분적인 붕괴, 섬모의 변화 및 섬모세포에 존재하는 미세구조가 괴사되었다. 결합조직층에 존재하는 다수의 근형질막은 팽창되었으며, 막의 내부에는 근섬유들이 대부분 파괴되어 막 주변에 근섬유 잔여물들이 관찰되었다. 노출 36주째에는 섬모들은 모두 탈락되고, 핵 응축되고, 이형소체의 증가가 나타나는 퇴행성 상피세포가 나타났다. 외부상피층의 상피세포들이 괴상되어 핵이 파괴되고, 세포질 내에는 다수의 용해소체들이 가득 차 있었으며, 미세융모들은 대부분 소실되었다. 따라서 만성적인 TBTCl 노출은 대복의 외투막은 각장성장 및 생리적인 기능의 장애를 유발하는 것으로 생각된다. Equilateral venus, Gomphina veneriformis exposed to tribultyltin chloride (TBTCl) for 36 weeks was showed ultrastructural changes of the mantle. The fine mantle had 4-folds and its epidermal layer consisted of simple columnar epithelial cells and ciliated cells and secretory cells. Inner and outer epidermal layer covered connective tissue. The mantle exposed to TBTCl at 12 weeks was decreased cilia in the inner epidermal layer, and observed extension of the hemolymph sinus and destruction of the septum. At 20 weeks, it revealed vacuole formation and pycnosis in the cytoplasm, and scattered muscular fiber. After 28 weeks of exposure, the mantle revealed partially degenerative changes in the epidermal layer. In the ciliated cells, basal body was isolated from the cilia and rootlet complex and basal foot were scattered. The sarcolemma had debris fiber. At 36 weeks, it observed degenerative cells that it revealed disappearance of the cilia, atrophic nucleus, poorly membrane and destruction of the cresternae in the mitochondria, and increasing heterophagosome. The outer epithelial cell had necrotic nuclus, numeous lysosome and disappearance of the microvilli. Therefore, results of this study suggested that chronical TBTCl exposure in the Gomphina veneriformis induced the disorders of shell growth and physiological function with histopathological changes of the mantle.

A Rhabdomyoma Within a Multilocular Thymic Cyst in a p53-Null Mouse

A 9-month-old p53-null female mouse was found dead in its cage. At necropsy, a large thymic mass encompassed the heart. Microscopically, the mass was composed of numerous varying-sized cysts lined with simple squamous epithelial cells to columnar ciliated cells. Also present within this mass was a large aggregate of loosely arranged fusiform-shaped cells. These cells also were found in smaller numbers in the connective tissue surrounding the cysts. The larger aggregate of fusiform cells was positive for desmin and S-100 and negative for smooth muscle actin. Electron microscopy revealed well-formed Z lines and I bands of skeletal muscle phenotype. A diagnosis of rhabdomyoma within a congenital multilocular thymic cyst was made. The thymus contains a small population of myoid cells, which should be taken in consideration when evaluating thymic tumors.

Light, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopical Study on the Oviduct of the Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Nine mature female ostriches (Struthio camelus) aged 37- 49 months were used for the present study. The samples were taken during the period from September to November from Almasreya ostrich farm, immediately after sacrification and evisceration. Pieces from the different segments of the left oviduct were taken, then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and Bouin’s and Susa solutions for the light microscopic study and in 2 % gluteraldehyde for both scanning and transmission E/M examination. For light microscopic study the slides were stained with Harri's hematoxylen and eosin, Crossman’s trichrome stain, Weigert's elastic tissue stain and Periodic acid Schiff technique (PAS).The right oviduct is rudimentary, while the left one is well developed and is formed of five segments, namely: infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. The scanning E/M revealed that the lining epithelium of the oviduct is folded and formed of pseudostratified columnar ciliated cells. The cilia were slender, dense uniformly arranged, and identical in length. In magnum, isthmus and uterus the scanning E/M study revealed the presence of openings between the cilia for the secretion of the tubular glands of the lamina propria.

Mucosal changes in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis after surgical turbinate reduction

Chronic nasal obstruction owed to chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is one of the most common problems encountered in rhinology. Various forms of conservative therapy have been used, but these are often ineffective and surgical reduction techniques have been successfully applied. However, the issue of postoperative histological changes in the nasal mucosa has not been adequately addressed. The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of the methods of submucosal monopolar diathermy, radiofrequency coblation and ultrasounds on the nasal mucosa. Sixty patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis of nonallergic etiology underwent different surgical methods of turbinate reduction, divided into two groups: (1) 30 patients underwent tissue volume reduction of the inferior nasal turbinates using ultrasound procedure on the left side and monopolar diathermy on the right; (2) 30 patients underwent radiofrequency coblation technique on the left side and ultrasound reduction on the right. We studied 20 preoperative specimens of the inferior turbinate mucosa taken randomly from both groups of patients, 5 from each side of each group. Normal nasal mucosal specimens taken from ten healthy persons were used as controls. Specimens of the inferior turbinate were taken after 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, from the same patients. All specimens were examined by electron microscopy. Preoperative observation revealed degeneration of epithelial cells, loss of cilia, disruption of intercellular connections, edema, nasal mucus overproduction and inflammatory infiltration in chorium. Postoperative observations revealed decrease of intercellular edema, reduction of mucus, overproduction of collagen and degeneration of the epithelium to flattened stratified. Only specimens after use of ultrasounds showed islands with normally organized epithelium of columnar ciliated cells. It may be concluded that epithelial changes owed to chronic hypertrophic rhinitis do not significantly improve postoperatively after turbinate tissue volume reduction. Only in several cases operated with ultrasounds, regeneration of epithelium occurs, resulting to anatomical and functional restoration of the nasal physiology.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: report of two cases with cytokeratin 18 expression

To report two cases of glandular odontogenic cyst and examine its cytokeratin 18,19 expression. Two cases of glandular odontogenic cyst were reported and studied. The cytokeratin 18, 19 expression in these two cases were also investigated using immuno-histochemical staining as well as in the situ hybridization of the cyst epithelium. Histo-pathological examination revealed that ciliated columnar cells, squamous cells and low-columnar cells were found in the superficial layer of the lining epithelium. Several minor salivary glands, mainly composed of seromucous cells were observed near the satellite cyst. CK18 were expressed in all layers of the lining epithelium of varying intensity. CK18 was negative in lining epithelium of the daughter cyst, but CK19 was positive. CK18-mRNA was expressed in all the layers of the lining epithelium, the salivary glands and daughter cysts. Histological features and CK18 expression may be indicative of the possibility of salivary glandular and odontogenic differentiation.

Glucocorticoid actions on airway epithelial responses in immunity: Functional outcomes and molecular targets

Research on the biology of airway epithelium in the last decades has progressively uncovered the many roles of this cell type during the immune response. Far from the early view of the epithelial layer simply as a passive barrier, the airway epithelium is now considered a central player in mucosal immunity, providing innate mechanisms of first-line host defense as well as facilitating adaptive immune responses. Alterations of the epithelial phenotype are primarily involved in the pathogenesis of allergic airways disease, particularly in severe asthma. Appreciation of the epithelium as target of glucocorticoid therapy has also grown, because of studies defining the pathways and mediators affected by glucocorticoids, and studies illustrating the relevance of the control of the response from epithelium in the overall efficacy of topical and systemic therapy with glucocorticoids. Studies of the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids within the biology of the immune response of the epithelium have uncovered mechanisms of gene regulation involving both transcriptional and posttranscriptional events. The view of epithelium as therapeutic target therefore has plenty of room to evolve, as new knowledge on the role of epithelium in immunity is established and novel pathways mediating glucocorticoid regulation are elucidated.

Gastric bronchogenic cyst diagnosed by endosonographically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy

We report a case of a gastric bronchogenic cyst diagnosed via endosonographically guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy. A 60-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination because of a gastric subepithelial lesion detected by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. EUS examination revealed a lesion that appeared to originate from the gastric submucosa but seemed to extend beyond the gastric wall. The latter finding raised concerns that the lesion might represent a cystic neoplasm rather than a simple cyst. Subsequently, EUS-FNA was performed to establish a definitive diagnosis and to guide further management. Cytologic evaluation of aspirated material revealed the presence of benign-appearing ciliated columnar epithelial cells within a mucinous background. Based on imaging and EUS-FNA findings, a diagnosis of gastric bronchogenic cyst was made and surgical resection was avoided.

A Case of Concomitant Occurrence of Struma Ovarii and Malignant Transformation of Cystic Teratoma

A 77-year-old woman received a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy because of a tumor in the left ovary. The surgical specimen measured 8.5x4.5x4.0 cm, and the solid lesion measured 4.0x3.5x3.5 cm. The solid lesion was diagnosed as struma ovarii. The cyst wall partially comprised squamous epithelium-like and ciliated columnar epithelium-like cells. The tumorous lesion of the cyst wall revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin7, and were negative for cytokeratin20 and thyroid transcription factor-1. The authors diagnosed that struma ovarii and other parats coexisted as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma that had arisen from a mature ovarian cystic teratoma. As for the identification of the origin of adenocarcinomas arising from mature ovarian cystic teratomas, more cases need to be identified and investigated.

Hypophysitis Caused by Rathke's Cleft Cyst-Case Report-

A 62-year-old woman presented with general malaise persisting for 2 months and narrowing of her visual field. T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed swelling of the pituitary gland and stalk, and a homogeneous isointense intra- and suprasellar mass enhanced by gadolinium. During outpatient follow up, her condition deteriorated rapidly and she developed diabetes insipidus and panhypopituitarism. T1-weighted MR imaging demonstrated shrinkage of the lesion and disappearance of the central hypointense area indicating the cyst cavity, especially in the pituitary stalk. She underwent surgical exploration via the transsphenoidal approach under a provisional diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis. Histological examination revealed ciliated columnar cells and squamous metaplasia on the inner surface of the cyst wall, with many foamy cells, infiltration by many lymphoid cells and some eosinophils, and fibrosis in the adenohypophysitis and inflammatory hypophysitis in the anterior and posterior pituitary gland. The present neuroimaging findings of cyst shrinkage associated with rapid clinical deterioration strongly support the suggestion that rupture of Rathke's cleft cyst causes inflammatory hypophysitis.

A contribution to the trophic ecology of the Adriatic Sturgeon, Acipenser naccarii: morphological observations on mouth and head sensorial equipment.

This study refers to morphological observations carried out on oral structures and head sensorial equipment of juveniles and adult of A. naccarii, taking into account the scarcity of bibliographic data pertaining to such structures in this species. SEM and histological examination were performed on a 9-year-old ( mature male, weight: 9 kg; SL: 108 cm) adult and a 180-day-old juvenile ( weight 10 gr; SL: 14.5 cm), from two different induced reproductions carried out in 1992 and 1997, respectively, at VIP fish farm ( Orzinuovi, Brescia, Italy) and reared at ENEL Thermal Aquaculture experimental plant La Casella ( Piacenza, Italy). The morphological and histological results can be interpreted as follows: i) a 180 day-old sturgeon should be considered still a juvenile, as revealed by the presence of some still persisting transitional structures ( e. g. teeth); ii) with the exception of olfaction ( not treated in this study), the most important sense organ in the external rostro-ventral region of the head are the ampullar organs, which are able to perceive electrical stimuli. These organs are similar to those described in Gymnotidae and Mormyridae by Szabo ( 1974) with both ciliated columnar and mono-ciliated pear-shaped sensory cells; iii) the sturgeon scans the surrounding environment in search of signals of the presence of food through the olfactory organ, which is considered to be the system with the greatest effective range ( more than 100 m) in many fish species, including sturgeons. Again, the head lateral line and ampullar organs ensure more precise and closer orientation of the fish towards the source of the signal. The inner and outer taste buds confer on juveniles a differential sensitivity to prey taste. External taste buds play a role in the preliminary determination of the suitability of food, intervening in the decision whether to seize the item or not. The taste receptors in the mouth, which are assumed to be more sensitive and to perceive a wider range of substances than the outer buds, are involved in the final verification of the quality of the prey seized ( swallow or reject it).