Ratio Of Connective Tissue Research Articles

DNA content, ploidy level and number of nuclei in the human heart after myocardial infarction.

Cardiac hypertrophy due to a prolonged functional activity is associated with an increase of cell size and polyploidization of the myocyte nuclei. Myocardial infarction is characterized by loss of myocytes. Increased load and as a consequence hypertrophic growth of the surviving myocardium has to be expected. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of cardiomyocytes after infarction. Biochemical and cytophotometric analysis was performed on myocyte and connective tissue nuclei to determine whether the human heart after myocardial infarction is accompanied by an increase in the ploidy level, DNA content and in the number of nuclei. A total of 15 hearts obtained from autopsy material was studied, among them 8 after myocardial infarction. The number of nuclei was measured by indirect computation. We found a decrease of 4c and no significant difference of 2c nuclei in infarcted hearts. DNA ploidy level (> 8c) as well as the proportion of aneuploid myocyte nuclei were increased in infarcted hearts. DNA concentration and total DNA content were increased in the hearts after myocardial infarction. Numerical ratio of connective tissue nuclei/myocyte nuclei, total number of nuclei, number of myocyte nuclei and number of connective tissue nuclei were increased in infarcted hearts. Polyploidization and nuclear hyperplasia of myocytes may represent an adaptive response of the myocardium to an ischemic injury.

The effect of plaque retention on cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth in rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of plaque retention on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats, 15 for each of three CsA dosage conditions, were unilaterally ligated around the first mandibular molar (plaque retention). The silk ligature was left in place for 6 weeks. Contralateral first molars served as unligated controls. The daily dosage of CsA, administered by gastric feeding, was 0, 3, or 10 mg/kg body weight. Stone models from biweekly impressions of the molar sites were used to investigate development of gingival overgrowth. Rats were sacrificed at 6 weeks for histopathological and histometric examination of the molar sites. Gingival overgrowth was significantly increased in sites with higher CsA dosage, longer treatment duration, and ligation. Gingival overgrowth was enhanced in ligated sites regardless of CsA dosage. However, the odds ratio of ligated over unligated sites for gingival overgrowth increased with increasing CsA dosage. The histopathological and histometric examination revealed significantly increased gingival volume in ligated sites in CsA-treated animals. The tissue enlargement included both the epithelium and the connective tissue; however, the epithelium to connective tissue ratio remained unaltered. Within limitations of the study, we suggest that plaque retention magnifies CsA-induced gingival overgrowth; thus, dental plaque appears to be a cofactor in the development of CsA-induced gingival overgrowth.

Functional and morphological study of the cricopharyngeal muscle in patients with Zenker's diverticulum

Pharyngo-oesophageal function was investigated in 12 patients with Zenker's diverticulum before and after cricopharyngeal myotomy with or without diverticulectomy using low-compliance, high-frequency oesophageal manometry. Nine healthy volunteers served as controls. The amount of muscle and connective tissue in the cricopharyngeal muscle was also measured by computerized morphometry and compared with findings in cadavers with no history of dysphagia. Preoperative manometry in patients with Zenker's diverticulum showed an incomplete relaxation of the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) (the residual UOS pressure at swallowing was 7.9 (range 1-20)mmHg in patients versus 0.2 (-12.5-14) mmHg in controls; P < 0.001) and increased pharyngeal intrabolus pressure (21 (range 0-52) versus 9 (range 0-16) mmHg; P < 0.01), with no pharyngo-oesophageal coordination abnormalities. Both parameters significantly decreased after myotomy. Patients with Zenker's diverticulum had significantly fewer muscle fibres in the cricopharyngeus and the muscle:connective tissue ratio was significantly lower (0.94 (range 0.8-1.4) in patients versus 1.5 (1.4-3.6) in controls; P < 0.05). This study supports the theory that Zenker's diverticulum is caused by an increased intrapharyngeal pressure at swallowing due to incomplete cricopharyngeal muscle relaxation resulting from localized sclerosis.

Olive oil decreases liver damage in rats caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)

Oral carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) poisoning of the liver of male F-344 rats was modified by dissolving CCl4 in various oils (sunflower, corn, fish and olive). After 8 weeks of CCl4 treatment (3 x 0.2 ml/kg body weight every other day, dissolved in aliquots of 0.5 ml of each types of oil) the rats were sacrificed and the ratio of connective tissue in the liver was determined by morphometry after picrosirius staining. The percentage of collagen fibres increased in all CCl4-treated groups compared to the controls. This increase was almost the same (6-8%) in the case of CCl4 dissolved in sunflower, corn or fish oil, but when olive oil was applied as a solvent, the collagen ratio was only 2-4 percent. On the bases of this finding olive oil is considered as less harmful to the liver in acute CCl4 poisoning than other oils.

Microanatomic analysis of the medial antebrachial nerve as a potential donor nerve in maxillofacial grafting

Purpose : To histologically compare the anterior branch of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MACN) with the sural nerve using biometric techniques. Patients and Methods : Twenty-centimeter segments of the right and left (MACN) and sural nerves from three cadavers were analyzed. The number of fascicles within the nerves were counted and the neural to connective tissue ratio was estimated. Results : Sural nerves consistently showed greater amounts of connective tissue between the fascicles than the MACN. Fascicle diameter varied less throughout the length of the MACN. Fascicle diameter varied less throughout the length of the MACN and it showed fewer and larger fascicles, more closely approximating the anatomy of the inferior alveolar nerve. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that the MACN, on anatomic grounds, is theoretically more suited for grafting to the alveolar and lingual nerves than the sural nerve.

Loss of Elasticity in Dysfunctional Bladders: Urodynamic and Histochemical Correlation

To store adequate volumes of urine at low safe pressures an elastic bladder wall is required. We developed 2 new techniques to measure this ability in our urodynamic laboratory: pressure specific bladder volume, which measures the bladder capacity at a given pressure, and dynamic analysis of bladder compliance. Recently, morphometric and histochemical techniques have been used to determine the relative volume of connective tissue in the bladder wall and to measure the 2 major types (I and III) of collagen within the bladder wall. These methods quantitate 3 parameters of bladder ultrastructure: 1) relative volume of per cent connective tissue, 2) ratio of connective tissue to smooth muscle and 3) ratio of type III to type I collagen. These parameters have been shown to be abnormally elevated in patients with dysfunctional bladders compared to normals.The purpose of the study was to describe the ultrastructural changes that occur in the wall of dysfunctional bladders and to determine the ability of these new urodynamic techniques to detect reliably the clinical effect of these histological changes. The study included 29 consecutive patients with dysfunctional bladders necessitating bladder augmentation. All patients had upper tract changes and/or were incontinent despite treatment with clean intermittent catheterization and pharmacotherapy. Preoperative urodynamic evaluation included measurement of the total bladder capacity, pressure specific bladder volume and dynamic analysis of bladder compliance. Full thickness bladder biopsies were obtained from the dome of the bladders during augmentation. The per cent connective tissue and the ratio of connective tissue to smooth muscle were determined for all patients, and 4 unselected patients from this group had the ratio of type III to type I collagen determined. These histological results were compared to previously established normal values. All 29 patients had a decreased pressure specific bladder volume and dynamic analysis of bladder compliance, whereas 9 had a normal total bladder capacity. The per cent connective tissue was 35.19 ± 2.84 and ratio of connective tissue to smooth muscle was 0.60 ± 0.08 compared to normal values of 10.6 ± 0.020 and 0.131 ± 0.021, respectively (p < 0.05). Ratio of type III to type I collagen was also significantly elevated in the 4 samples analyzed (30.53 ± 37 versus 24.00 ± 2.50, p < 0.05).We conclude that poor storage function of poorly compliant bladders is secondary to an alteration in the connective tissue content of the bladder wall. Furthermore, these pathological ultrastructural changes are universally reflected by an abnormally low pressure specific bladder volume and dynamic analysis of bladder compliance. This strong association validates the use of these parameters and suggests that they are urodynamic indicators of a loss of elasticity in bladder wall.

Tissue Localization of Perfused Endothelial Cell IGF Binding Protein is Markedly Altered by Association with IGF-I

Perfused endothelial cell IGF binding proteins (ECBP) have been previously demonstrated to leave the microcirculation of the rat heart and distribute primarily in connective tissue elements of the heart. In the present study, ECBP have been crosslinked to IGF-I and the biologically inactive [1-27,gly4,38-70]-hlGF-I, an analog of IGF-I lacking the type I IGF receptor domain. The crosslinked ECBPs were perfused through the isolated rat heart and their tissue distributions determined. Both [ECBP-Analog] and [ECBP-IGF-I] left the microcirculation of the heart. [ECBP-Analog] preferentially localized in connective tissue elements with a muscle:connective tissue ratio of approximately 1:6, similar to the tissue distribution of perfused ECBP. In contrast, the [ECBP-IGF-I] complexes localized in cardiac muscle with a muscle to connective tissue ratio of approximately 3:1, virtually identical to the tissue distribution of IGF-I when the IGF-I is perfused through the heart in the absence of any binding proteins. We conclude that 1) ECBP in the presence of IGF will cross capillary boundaries and 2) the tissue distribution of [ECBP-IGF-I] is dictated by the IGF-I molecule.

Fetal Bladder Histology in Posterior Urethral Valves and the Prune Belly Syndrome

Bladder histology was reviewed in fetuses with posterior urethral valves and the prune belly syndrome, and compared with that of controls. Fetuses with posterior urethral valves had increased muscle thickness (1.7 ± 0.3 versus 0.9 ± 0.2mm.) and a slightly increased ratio of connective tissue (38 ± 6 versus 31 ± 7%). Those with the prune belly syndrome fell into 2 groups: 1 had anatomical evidence of obstruction, increased muscle thickness and a normal ratio of connective tissue (2.2 ± 6mm. and 28 ± 9%), while 1 had no evidence of obstruction and thin bladders with increased connective tissue (0.8 ± 0.4mm. and 45 ± 12%). These results suggest that the phenotypic appearance of the prune belly syndrome may result from either a mesenchymal defect or urinary tract obstruction.

The relationship between structural features of peripheral nerves and suture methods for nerve repair.

Based on techniques for identifying and distinguishing motor, sensory, and mixed fasciculi in peripheral nerves, the authors propose guidelines for selecting suture methods for nerve repair. When many mixed fasciculi are known to exist at the nerve lesion, epineurial repair is preferable; fascicular (perineurial) repair is more suitable when pure motor and sensory fasciculi are clearly recognized. Generally, epineurial repair is indicated for more proximal injuries, with fascicular repair most appropriate for more distal sites. A greater ratio of epineurial connective tissue to intrafascicular nervous tissue implies an inclination toward fascicular repair.

Physiology of the female larynx

The Recording and Research Center, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1245 Champa Street, Denver, CO 80204 Anatomically, the female larynx differs from the male in vocal fold length, thickness, angle of the thyroid laminae, resting angle of the glottis, vertical convergence angle in the glottis, and a number of other ways. The vocal fold tissue itself differs with respect to the thickness of the mucosa and fiber composition, e.g., the ratio of connective tissue to muscle tissue. Biomechanically, it has been found that the stress-strain curves are slightly more linear in females than males. Based on these and other known differences in morphology and viscoelastic properties, a scaling procedure is attempted for fundamental frequency, intensity, and other acoustic properties. Some rationale is give also for why females develop pathology at different sites in the larynx, given what is currently known about mechanical stress in the tissues.

Immunocytochemical localization of insulin-immunoreactive cells in the pancreatic ducts of rats treated with trypsin inhibitor.

It is well known that soybean trypsin inhibitor exerts trophic effects on the exocrine pancreas, resulting in the hypertrophy of acinar cells. Some evidence also exists for hyperplasia in acinar tissue, the ductal epithelium and islet tissue. Rats maintained for 3 weeks on an oral administration of soybean trypsin inhibitor (200 mg/50 ml drinking water) were compared with untreated animals. Significant changes were noted in treated animals (p less than 0.01). Trypsin inhibitor-treated rats showed an increase in pancreatic weight (2.33 +/- 0.46 g). The volume ratio of acinar, islet and connective tissue as measured by the stereology point-count technique remained the same in both groups. Ductal tissue, however, exhibited an increase in volume ratio, 3.77 +/- 4.38% per 2714 micron2 area of tissue, in trypsin inhibitor-treated animals. All tissue components showed an increase in the experimental animals: acinar (125%), islet (144%), ductal (325%) and connective tissue (94%). Increased size of acinar cell nuclei, as measured by average cord length, 6.20 +/- 0.13 micron, and a decreased nuclear density of acinar cells, 28 +/- 4.74 per 150 micron2 area of tissue, indicated hypertrophic changes in these cells of the experimental animals. Using immunohistochemical localization and the point-count technique, a significant fraction of the total pancreatic volume in experimental animals was represented by ducts containing immunoreactive cells. The percent of volume ratio, 0.42 +/- 0.15% per 2714 micron2 area of tissue, was calculated for ducts containing insulin-immunoreactive cells within their epithelium.

In vivo Collagen Synthesis and Deposition in Fibrotic and Regenerating Rat Livers

The content of liver collagen increases during regeneration posthepatectomy as well as during scar formation after chronic administration of CC14. However, while in the former system restitution at integrum of the liver is obtained and a normal ratio of connective tissue to cellular elements is established, in the later condition homeostasis is lost and an absolute increase in connective tissue takes place. Therefore, it was important to determine if this difference was associated with differences in the amount and types of collagen produced and deposited in vivo. In this communication we describe experiments performed to determine the amount of collagen types I, III and V present in the connective tissues prepared from control and experimental animals, and to measure the extent of radioactivity in each collagen type after an in vivo pulse with tritiated proline. Our results showed that 5 days post-hepatectomy the net collagen content per g of fresh liver decreased to 50% of control values, the predominant collagen was type I, and the ratio of type I/III collagen was increased as compared to normal liver; in addition, a relative increase in type V collagen (23.6%) as compared to control animals (6.6%) was also seen. At 11 days post-hepatectomy, the amount of collagen per g of tissue increased to normal values, the ratio of type I/III collagen decreased due to an increase in type III collagen, and the amount of type IV collagen decreased to 12.8%. In the cirrhotic liver the net collagen content showed a five-fold increase, and the predominant collagen present in the extracellular matrix was type I collagen. The amount of radioactivity in collagens deposited into the extracellular matrix of normal, regenerating and fibrotic livers closely followed the percent concentration of liver collagen types. Our results suggest that collagens produced during tissue growth are those needed for remodeling and therefore they may be synthesized by the regenerating cells, mainly parenchyma) and endothelial cells. In fibrosis, the predominant collagen is type I, and accordingly, it may be produced preferentially by the fibroblastic cells that are increased in number in the injured liver.

A histopathological study of the human spinal ganglia. 1. Normal variations in aging.

The cervical and lumbar ganglia from 285 cases of a consecutive series of autopsies were examined to obtain quantitative data on the number and size of nerve cells, the ratio of connective tissue to parenchym and the appearance ratio of degenerated cells. Twelve cases without referable diseases in the central and peripheral nervous systems were selected as standard material representing normal aging processes. Serial sections were observed in order to avoid misjudgement. The average number of nerve cells varied from 7.0 × 104 in the first decade to 4.5 × 104 in the seventh decade, showing a decrease of about 2.5 × 104 cells (36%). The average size of nerve cells remained fairly constant after the second decade, ranging between 25μ and 135mU with a single peak at 60 μ in a nearly standard curve distribution. Degenerated cells first appeared in the late second decade and there was an increase of connective tissue after the fourth decade. The age‐dependent changes in the ganglia started in the third decade as cellular atrophy and satellitosls. Gradual replacement of the nerve elements by fibrous connective tissue took place during the following several years by the form of selerotic change and residual nodule. These age‐dependent qualitative and quantitative changes should be important in the interpretation of findings in cases with delicate sensory disturbances.

Hypoxia and asymmetrical fibrosis of the liver in children.

The liver in children contains a greater amount of connective tissue in relation to parenchymal tissue than in adults and there is often more in the left than in the right lobe. Livers from 150 children who died between birth and 12 years of age, under different circumstances, were studied.The findings suggested that hypoxia was an important factor leading to increase in fibrous tissue in children's livers. Children who had cyanosis at birth and prolonged hypoxia associated with pathological conditions showed the highest ratio of connective tissue to liver parenchyma. The predominant non-hepatic lesions found were cyanotic congenital heart disease, coarctation of the aorta, acute respiratory distress, congenital malformation of the central nervous system, and shock after abdominal surgery.

Morphometrische Untersuchungen der Hauptlymphstämme des Halses

Introduction: In previous morphometrical investigations it has been possible to demonstrate sclerotic alterations of the thoracic duct wall. We were now interested to know whether smaller lymph vessels like those of the neck do undergo similar forms of sclerosis. The present morphometrical study has been done on the lymphvascular system of the neck since its morphology is largely unknown and since it has achieved clinical importance because of dissecting operations and the discussion about the so called lymphogenic encephalopathy. Material and Methods: In 60 individuals of both sexes and ages between 7 and 94 years tissue blocks with an average size of 12 × 5 × 5 cm were excised fcom both sides of the neck. For topographical orientation in these blocks the carotid artery, the jugular vein and the lateral fat tissue with lymphatic vessels were included. The tissue was immediately fixed in formalin. 6–7 tissue blocks were obtained by transverse cuts from each side of the neck. These were searched for possible lymph vessels. Usually the lower 3 segments showed the main jugular lymphatic truncs, which were cut in step serial sections. The measurements were done on sections stained with the van Gieson method in combination with resorcin. The Reichert Visopan microscope was used at a magnification of × 315. In 8,120 points the thickness of the intima, of the smooth muscles, and of the medial connective tissue were measured. Only the mean values of each case were used for further calculations. The material was devided into groups in order to investigate age dependency, manifestations of possible enhanced vascular load or pressure, the degree of systemic atherosclecosis, and pathomorphological alterations of the organs of the neck and head. A statistical computer analysis of the data was performed. Results and Discussion: The jugular lymphatic vessels vary in length between 1 and 3.5 cm. They show irregular lumina and multiform or sometimes plexiform branching. The avarage total thickness of the wall is 79.8μ. and the intimal thickness is 3.7μ. The mean ratio of connective tissue to smooth muscles in the media is 1:1. Statistical differences in intimal thickness could neither be shown in relation to age, to the degree of systemic atherosclerosis, to enhanced intravascular load and pressure, nor in relation to inflammatory alterations of the organs of the neck and head. However, in the media sclerotic changes occur with increasing age as well as a decrease of total wall thickness beyond the age of 70. In contrast to the thoracic duct, the main lymphatic vessels of the neck do not show significant changes of their wall in chronic insuffiency of the right heart. The statistical analysis did not show an influence of inflammation of the organs of the neck and head or of general atherosclerosis on the components of the wall. In conclusion lymphatic vessels like those of the neck having slightly more muscles in the media do not undergo sclerotic alterations similar to those found in the thoracic duct and veins.

The possible role of the gel-fiber ratio of connective tissue in the aging process.

Journal Article The Possible Rote of The Gel-fiber Ratio of Connective Tissue in the Aging Process Get access Harry Sobel, Ph.D., Harry Sobel, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry,Division of Laboratories and the Institute for Medical Research,Cedars of Lebanon Hospital,and the University of Southern California School of MedicineLos Angeles Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Marmorston Jessie, M.D. Marmorston Jessie, M.D. Department of Biochemistry,Division of Laboratories and the Institute for Medical Research,Cedars of Lebanon Hospital,and the University of Southern California School of MedicineLos Angeles Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Gerontology, Volume 11, Issue 1, January 1956, Pages 2–7, https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/11.1.2 Published: 01 January 1956 Article history Accepted: 03 June 1955 Published: 01 January 1956

Effects of experimental torsion of uterus on the vessels of parametrium and contiguous tissues

Sections of the torsioned side revealed a marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy of all the several coats of the uterus, i.e., endometrial, muscular and serous. There was a marked increase in the number and of the blood vessels. There was also an actual increase in the elastic tissue ratio of the blood vessels while the connective tissue ratio of the entire organ was grossly increased.