Mallory's Trichrome Research Articles

Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies on Harderian and lacrimal glands of the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus major L.).

This study describes the macroscopic anatomy and the microscopic and ultrastructural features of the Harderian gland and lacrimal gland of the Capercaillies. It was conducted both on adult male and female Capercaillies. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, azan trichrome, modified Mallory's trichrome, methyl green-pyronin Y, periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin and Hale's dialysed iron. The morphometric study of the Harderian and lacrimal glands indicated that they are both larger in male than in female Capercaillies. The histological analysis showed that the HG has a multilobar tubulo-alveolar structure with numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells. The LG has a multilobar tubulo-acinar structure without lymphocytes and plasma cells. The periodic acid-Schiff staining and alcian blue pH 2.5 staining demonstrated a mild positive reaction in the epithelial cells of the Harderian gland and weak positive reaction in the lacrimal gland. The HDI staining detected the presence of carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides in the Harderian and lacrimal glands. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of two types of secretory vesicles in the cytoplasm of both studied glands. It also showed that lipid droplets and glycogen granules were more abundant in the Harderian gland than in the lacrimal gland of this species.

Aggrandizing oral submucous fibrosis grading using an adjunct special stain: A pilot study.

Introduction:Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is graded according to various histological factors which include the epithelial changes and the connective tissue changes. These features though could be identified in routine hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining; they could be better appreciated in special stains. This pilot study is an attempt to identify a single special stain that can act as an adjunct to H and E stain to help grade this potentially malignant disease.Aims and Objectives:To assess if special stains can improvise on differentiating the various histological changes seen in OSMF and to accordingly grade OSMF cases.Materials and Methods:Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of OSMF-10 cases of each grade (n = 30). Three special stains: Van-Gieson, Mallory's trichrome and Masson trichrome.Statistical Analysis:The results obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-square test.Observations and Results:The thickness and degree of keratinization were best detected in Mallory's stain (100%) and were statistically significant; the subepithelial changes were better detected using special stains, especially Mallory's stain (100%). The changes in collagen fibers were better visualized in all three special stains but were not statistically significant. The changes in blood vessels were better detected in Van-Gieson's and Mallory's stain; the obtained results were statistically significant. The degree of fibrosis between muscle bundles could be detected in all the three special stains, but when compared the results were not statistically significant. The questionable areas of muscle degeneration, especially in deeper connective tissue were better detected in Mallory's (43%) and Masson's stain (43%) as compared to Van-Gieson stain (14%) and the results obtained were statistically significant. The inflammatory cells and dysplastic features are better visualized in routine H and E stains.Conclusion:Pathogenesis of OSMF is related to fibro-elastic and muscle degenerative changes in the connective tissue followed by secondary changes in epithelium. Routine H and E, stains all the connective tissue components in various shades of pink, use of special stains bestows contrast between different components of connective tissue, thus improvising grading of OSMF. Mallory's stain can be used as a single adjunct to H and E stain as both pattern of keratinization in the epithelium and changes in the superficial and deeper connective tissue could be ascertained.

Wound Healing of the Laterally Positioned Flap: A Histomorphometric Assessment.

The aim of this study was to histomorphometrically assess the soft tissue anatomy in single gingival recessions (GR) treated with a laterally positioned flap (LPF). Five patients presenting maxillary first molars with GR to the apex of the buccal surface of the mesial-buccal root were invited to take part. The LPF-treated roots were removed en bloc (the root and the soft tissue covering the treated GR) 3 to 4 months postoperatively. Photomicrographs of Mallory trichrome stain sections were taken to allow reassessment of the specimens regarding the longitudinal dimensions of the crevicular/sulcular and junctional epithelia. The use of LPF resulted in new attachment with formation of crevicular epithelium, long junctional epithelium, and some connective tissue, re-establishing the normal anatomical characteristics of the soft tissues covering the previously exposed root.

Histological Study of the Effect of Bioactive Glass on Tibial Bone Repair in Rats

The main goal of this study was to histologically evaluate the healing of surgically created defects on the tibiae of adult rats after implantation of bioactive glass. Twenty adult Wistar rats (body weight of 300g) were divided into two groups: bioglass treated group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Unicortical bone defects with 3-mm diameter were performed in both tibiae of the animals and filled with bioglass particles. The rats were then sacrificed at 14, 30 , 60 and 90 days, and the tissues were prepared for histological processing, sectioning, and staining with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Mallory trichrome, and analyzed under light microscope. Within 7-14 days, both groups presented connective tissue septa with new bone formation, more intense in bioglass treated group. In the subsequent periods (30, 60 and 90 days), these groups presented more mature bone tissue around the glass particles. Bone trabeculae formed in all experimental periods were juxtaposed to the glass particles. It can be concluded that bioglass materials promoted bone formation over the entire extension of the defect, independently of the size of the granules, thus confirming their biological osteoconductive property.

Clinical pathology of recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation

To investigate the clinical pathology of recurrent hepatitis B after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The clinical manifestation and hepatic pathological characteristics of 12 patients with recurrent hepatitis B after OLT were examined in this study by using hematoxylin and eosin staining,immunochemical staining of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antigen,tissue in situ hybridization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and Mallory's trichrome staining.The survival rate of these OLT patients was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The early stage of recurrent HBV infection in patients with OLT was characterized by active HBV replication and mild-to-moderate inflammation in the liver. Three of the 12 patients who were treated with combination therapy group were carriers of YMDD mutants and all three showed improvement in liver function and hepatic histology after receiving adefovir dipivoxil,instead of lamivudine,in the early stage of recurrent hepatitis B after OLT. Among the patients treated with lamivudine monotherapy, four did not achieve improvement at the early stage of recurrent hepatitis B and developed fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH). Recurrent hepatitis B in patients who underwent OLT was characterized by mild-to-moderate viral hepatitis at the early stage and FCH at the later stage. Effective antiviral intervention at the early stage may reverse recurrent hepatitis B and prevent the disease progression to fatal FCH.

Extract of Moringa oleifera leaves ameliorates streptozotocin-induced Diabetes mellitus in adult rats

Medicinal plants attract growing interest in the therapeutic management of Diabetes mellitus. Moringa oleifera is a remarkably nutritious vegetable with several antioxidant properties. The present study assessed the possible antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of an aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves in treating streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats. The antidiabetic effects of aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves were assessed histomorphometrically, ultrastructurally and biochemically. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was monitored and morphometric measurements of β-cells of islets of Langerhans (modified Gomori's stain) and collagen fibers (Mallory's trichrome stain) were performed. The antioxidant effects of M. oleifera leaves were determined by measuring the reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde, in pancreatic tissue. M. oleifera treatment significantly ameliorated the altered FPG (from 380% to 145%), reduced glutathione (from 22% to 73%) and malondialdehyde (from 385% to 186%) compared to control levels. The histopathological damage of islet cells was also markedly reversed. Morphometrically, M. oleifera significantly increased the areas of positive purple modified Gomori stained β-cells (from 60% to 91%) and decreased the area percentage of collagen fibers (from 199% to 120%) compared to control values. Experimental findings clearly indicate the potential benefits of using the aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves as a potent antidiabetic treatment.

New look at about nature, structure and function of Trietz ligament

Background:Trietz ligament connects the duodeno-jejunal flexure to the right crus of the diaphragm. There are various opinions regarding the existence of the smooth muscle fibers in the ligament. We want to resolve this complexity with microscopic study of this part in cadavers.Materials and Methods:This study done on three cadavers in the medical faculty of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Three samples of histological specimens were collected from the upper, the central, and the lower parts of Trietz ligament and were stained by H and E staining and Mallory's trichrome stain. Three samples were collected from the regions of exact connection of the main mesentery to the body wall, the intestine, and the region between these two connected regions, and these specimens were stained.Results:In the microscopic survey, no collagen bundles were observed in the collected samples of the Trietz ligament after the dense muscular tissues. In the samples which were collected to work on collagen tissues stretching from the Trietz ligament to the main mesentery of intestine, no collagen bundles were observed.Conclusion:Trietz ligament is connected to the right crus of the diaphragm from the third and the fourth parts of the duodenum. Number of researchers state that there are smooth and striated muscular tissues and some others, with regard to observations of histological phases made from the samples of Trietz muscles, conclude that it can probably be noted that muscular bundles or the dense connective tissue bundles of collagen cannot be observed in the way we imagine.

Effects of Piper hispidinervum on spermatogenesis and histochemistry of ovarioles of Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), not only damages crops, but controlling its population also requires synthetic insecticides, which leads to selection of resistant populations and environmental contamination. Essential oils are an alternative for controlling this insect. There are few studies of the effects of these oils on the insect's reproductive system. We evaluated the effects of the long pepper, Piper hispidinervum, essential oil on the gonads of the armyworm and tested its possible influence on the fertility of this insect. Dosages of 30 and 50 mg/ml were tested in 3rd instar caterpillars using the leaf immersion method. Testes and ovarioles were collected, fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in Historesin. The sections were stained with toluidine blue and Mallory trichrome to detect connective tissue, periodic acid-Schiff to detect neutral carbohydrates, and bromophenol blue to detect proteins. We found that the long pepper essential oil affected negatively the spermatogenesis and altered the histochemistry of the ovarioles of S. frugiperda. The effects of long pepper oil suggest that it is a promising tool for controlling the armyworm pest.

Morphologic study of the liver of lambari (Astyanax altiparanae) with emphasis on the distribution of cytokeratin

Studies on the morphology of the liver of teleosts reflect some controversy in the interpretation of the data, but also provide confirmation of variations in the structure of the organ in several species. Thus, we intend to understand the specific structural organization of the liver of Astyanax altiparanae. Specimens were collected in the city of Andirá, Paraná, Brazil. The livers were processed according to histological routine for inclusion in Paraplast, and the sections were stained with HE and Mallory's trichrome or followed the protocol for fluorescence immunohistochemistry, anti-cytokeratin. The liver of A. altiparanae was covered by a capsule of connective tissue, without delimiting lobes. The hepatocytes had an arrangement in cords around sinusoids. Melanomacrophage centers were observed. The vascular components and intrahepatic pancreatic acini were distributed between hepatocytes. Presence of cytokeratin was detected in tissues that lined the liver and endothelial cells of sinusoids. The comparison of the liver of A. altiparanae to other characids corroborates with the fact that there is variation in the morphology of the liver even between closely related species. Moreover, it appears that in this species, endothelial cells of sinusoids can synthesize the cytokeratin filaments required for the regulation of blood flow in capillaries in adults.

Effect of ageing on albino rat female prostate (paraurethral glands)

Introduction The prostate is not a gland exclusive to males, also being an organ of the female genital system. Aim of the work The aim of this study was to detect histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric changes associated with ageing in female paraurethral glands (PUGs). Materials and methods Forty female rats were divided into two groups: adult group and aged group; each group comprised 20 rats. PUGs of both groups were removed, paraffin sections were obtained and stained with H&E, Mallory trichrome, periodic acid schiff, anti-α smooth muscle actin and anti-Ki67 immunostains, and then studied morphometrically. Results The adult gland was formed of two lobes located on both sides of the urethra and showed large and small acini with wide lumens that contained periodic acid schiff-positive secretions. The acini were lined by cubical and/or columnar epithelium of two types: secretory and basal cells. Also, a few collagen fibres, thick periacinar smooth muscle layers and a few Ki67-positive cells were observed. Aged gland showed disarrangement of acinar epithelium, with formation of alveolus-like structures. Stroma was more vascular, with the appearance of newly developed acini and inflammatory infiltrate. Statistically, aged gland showed a highly significant increase in the number of acini, height of acinar epithelium, area% of collagen and Ki67 immunoexpression. In addition, a highly significant decrease in the area of acini, and a significant decrease in the acinar nuclear area and thickness of periacinar smooth muscle layers were detected. Conclusion and recommendation Ageing of female prostate (PUG) was associated with abnormal histological and morphometric changes similar to those occurring in male prostate and this could adversely affect the health and quality of women’s life. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate processes that maintain homeostasis of this gland.

Morphometric Study of Connective Tissue in the Human Pituitary during Aging Process

SUMMARY The aim of the research was to quantify the connective tissue and blood vessels in the aging human pituitary, using the morphometric methods. The material contained 29 pituitary tissues from cadavers of both sexes (14 females and 15 males), aged 33-95 years. The pituitary tissue was processed by standard histological procedure and stained by Mallory trichrome method. Histological samples were analyzed using a light microscope with magnification of 400x. Morphometric analysis was performed on digital pictures with the resolution of 1.3 megapixels, at 40 pituitary visual fields of each case examined. Fovea Pro 4 system was used for the analysis. Above the digital images of each field of view, there was inserted a simple network test system. Using this programme, there were determined bulk densities of connective tissue and blood vessels in the examined cases. The results were statistically analyzed using the package NCSS-PASS 2007. Correlation analysis showed that the bulk density of connective tissue statistically significantly increased during aging. The average bulk density of blood vessels in the pituitary manifested statistically significant decrease during the aging process. These results were confirmed by the linear regression analysis. The average bulk density of the connective tissue, as well as the average bulk density of blood vessels in the pituitary cases, did not differ significantly among males and females. The process of aging is followed by the proliferation of the connective tissue and fibrosis of the pituitary, which is accompanied by the reduction of its vascular network.

A comparison between the effects of topical application of honey and that of amino acids on improving wound healing in aged rats

Introduction Treatment of chronic wounds caused by aging is particularly difficult and closure is often delayed. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of topical application of honey and amino acids on wound healing in aged rats. Materials and methods Twenty-four rats aged twenty four months were divided into three equal groups: A, B, and C. The animals were anesthetized with thiopental and their dorsal surface skin was shaved and cleaned with alcohol. Two full-thickness incisional wounds, one on each side of the dorsal midline, were made in each rat. In control animals (group A), the wounds were dressed with topical application of isotonic saline. In rats of group B, each wound was dressed with 2 ml of plain honey. In rats of group C, each wound was dressed with 2 ml of amino acid solution. Specimens were taken after 3 and 8 days, processed, and stained with Mallory trichrome stain and immunohistochemically for localization of vimentin-positive cells. Results Our data proved that topical application of both honey and amino acids resulted in better tissue repair compared with application of isotonic saline. Moreover, dermal collagen deposition at the site of the wound and the number of vimentin-positive fibroblasts and newly formed blood vessels were significantly increased in honey-dressed wounds compared with amino acid-dressed wounds. Conclusion Application of honey could be a safe strategy for improving wound healing in old patients, simplifying therapeutic procedures.

Histopathology of the tegument of rabbits infested by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (ACARI: IXODIDAE) ticks and exposed to selamectin (active principle of acaricide Revolution®, Pfizer)

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites which can transmit several diseases to the host during their feeding process. When ticks mechanically damage the tissue, they eventually induce inflammatory responses on the skin spot where they are fixed. One of the alternatives to control these ectoparasites is the use of chemical substances like selamectin-the active principle of Pfizer's antiparasitic Revolution-a macrocyclic lactone capable of doing neurotoxic damage to the tick and eventually eliminating infestation in dogs and cats. The purpose of this study was to analyze, using histological and histochemical techniques, the occurrence of morphophysiological alterations in the skin of the host rabbits exposed to selamectin and infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae). Histologically, the exposed and infested rabbits showed a partial and/or total decrease in the stratum corneum and the epithelium decreased in the number of cell layers, consequently reducing the stratification (thinning) and quite pronounced formations of sub-epidermal edemas with consequent disorganization of collagen fibers in the dermal layer's connective tissue. Histochemical tests showed strong periodic acid-Schiff-positive reaction in the hair follicle and some regions of the dermis, besides resynthesis of collagen fibers detected by Mallory's trichrome technique. The obtained results showed that selamectin acts like a toxicant agent when in contact with the skin of the rabbit infested with ticks, inducing morphophysiological alterations in the acute inflammatory process in the animal's tegument. Selamectin is a chemical substance which has a dose-dependent action since higher concentrations cause greater morphophysiological damage in the skin of rabbits.

Human carotid body neuroglobin, vascular endothelial growth factor and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in heroin addiction.

The carotid body (CB) represents the prime site for detecting and responding to hypoxia. Since the role of heroin in respiratory depression with consequent hypoxia is known, the authors were able to investigate morphological and molecular modifications occurring in the CB of heroin addicted subjects compared to subjects who died because of trauma. CB sampled from six 27 year old subjects, slides were treated with Mallory Trichrome staining or used for immunohistochemical analysis to detect Neuroglobin (NGB), Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1α), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (i-NOS), Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins. Mallory Trichrome staining shows an increase in the connective tissue in heroin subjects compared to controls and a parallel reduction in parenchymal area. Immunohistochemical analyses in heroin subjects found a decrease in NGB and an increase in HIF-1α and VEGF compared to controls; i-NOS expression was not statistically significant. Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were positive only in the heroin subjects. These results could confirm the typical hypoxic condition occurring in heroin addicts. Since NGB may function as a reactive oxygen or nitrogen species scavenger and as apoptotic cell death protector, the decrease in its expression may suggest a key role of this globin in human CB impairment due to heroin addiction.

Salutary effect of gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in two different stress urinary incontinence models in female rats

BackgroundSince an originally anti-ulcer stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) was shown to promote healing of injured striated muscle and smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract, we explored its therapeutic potentials for leak point pressure (LPP) recovery in rat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after transabdominal urethrolysis (TU) and prolonged vaginal dilatation (VD).Material/MethodsDuring a 7-day period, TU-rats and VD-rats (or healthy rats) received BPC 157, either (i) intraperitoneally, 10 μg/kg or 10 ng/kg, once daily (first administration 30 min after surgery, last 24 h before LPP-testing and sacrifice), or (ii) per-orally, 10 μg/kg in drinking water (0.16 μg/mL, 12 mL/rat/day). Vesicourethral segments were harvested for immunohistochemical evaluation.ResultsAll BPC 157 regimens counteracted decrease of LPP values in TU-rats and VD-rats. Additionally, BPC 157-TU rats (μg-intraperitoneally or per-orally) and BPC 157-VD rats (μg intraperitoneally) reached LPP values originally noted in healthy rats. Conversely, in healthy rats, BPC 157 did not alter LPP. Immunohistochemical studies revealed higher desmin (delineates striated organization of skeletal muscle), smooth muscle actin, and CD34 (angiogenic marker) positivity within the urethral wall in BPC 157-treated rats vs. controls, as well as overall preserved muscle/connective tissue ratio assessed with Mallory’s trichrome staining.ConclusionsPentadecapeptide BPC 157, applied parenterally or per-orally, appears to ameliorate the SUI in rat models, improving the otherwise detrimental course of healing after VD and TU, which may be analogous to human injury. These beneficial effects may possibly be selectively used in future strategies for treatment of SUI.

Atrazine-induced changes in the myocardial structure of peripubertal rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of atrazine (6-chloro-N(2)-ethyl-N(4)-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) on the left ventricle myocardium in juvenile/peripubertal male Wistar rats. Atrazine was administered orally at 50 or 200mg/kg of body weight dose for 28 consecutive days. In order to assess possible structural alterations, tissue sections were examined histologically and then subjected to quantification analysis using stereological methods. The tissue specimens were routinely processed and stained with Mallory trichrome method in order to clearly distinguish muscle cells from the connective tissue components. A toluidine blue staining method was additionally used for the demonstration of mast cells. Statistically significant increase in length density and numerical density of capillaries were found at both the investigated doses of atrazine compared with the control. The increase in surface density and volume density of capillaries found at lower dosage of atrazine was significant in comparison with the control. The extensive mast cell degranulation was noted on the histological examination at both doses of the applied chemical. No significant changes were demonstrated for the stereological parameters of cardiomyocytes. Based on the available published data and the present results, it can be concluded that atrazine promoted angiogenesis in the rat myocardium, which might be partially mediated by mast cells.

Effects of immobilization on thickness of superficial zone of articular cartilage of patella in rats

Background:Articular cartilage normally functions as a load-bearing resistant material in joints. Patella is composed of hyaline cartilage and spongy bone. Chondrocytes form only 1–5% volume of the articular cartilage. They receive their nutrition by diffusion through the matrix. The alteration in articular cartilage become apparent following immobilization, from 4 to 6 weeks. Until now, focus of research has been the whole cartilage. Zonal changes have not been studied in detail. Since superficial zone bears maximum load and is the first zone to come in contact, the present study was designed to determine changes in thickness on immobilization and remobilization in superficial zone after dividing it into proximal, central, and distal segments.Materials and Methods:Forty male rats belonging to Sprague Dawley strain were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=20) subdivided into an experimental subgroup of 10 rats that were immobilized in plaster of Paris (POP) for 4 weeks and a control subgroup of 10 that were not immobilized. Group 2 (n=20) subdivided into an experimental subgroup of 10 rats that were immobilized for 4 weeks and remobilized for next 4 weeks and a control subgroup of 10 animals that were not immobilized. At the end of the experimental period, the knee joint was dissected and was cut in sagittal plane. The section was fixed in 10% formalin for 48 hours. Specimen was decalcified using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The paraffin blocks of 7 μm sections were cut and stained by H and E stain for routine histology and Alcian blue stain and Mallory Trichrome for fine structural microscopy. The zones were named as superficial transitional, radial, and hypertrophic according to the shape of cells present in each zone. The superficial zone was divided into superior part, central, and inferior parts. These parts were labeled as central, proximal, and distal segments. The calibrated stage micrometer was used to calibrate the ocular micrometer under objectives of different power. The ocular micrometer was placed inside the ocular lens. It was calibrated with the stage micrometer under objective lenses of different power. The number of divisions of ocular covering each zone was calculated. These divisions were converted into micrometer and the actual thickness was calculated.Results:The significant decrease in thickness of superficial zone in proximal, central and distal segment was observed in experimental group in comparison to control group. When the experimental subgroup of group 2 was compared with experimental subgroup of group 1 (group immobilized for 4 weeks), no significant reversal was seen in superficial zone and instead significant decrease was observed in distal segment. Fibrous connective tissue was increased adjacent to superficial zone.Conclusion:Each segment of superficial zone behaves differentially on immobilization and remobilization. Perhaps a much longer duration of remobilization is required to reverse changes of immobilization in articular cartilage and plays a significant role in knee joint movements.

Anterior and posterior compartment 3D endovaginal ultrasound anatomy based on direct histologic comparison

We used direct histologic comparison to validate the use of 3D endovaginal ultrasound (EVUS) as a novel and emerging technology for evaluating the structures found in the anterior and posterior pelvic floor compartments. A young nulliparous female pelvis specimen was dissected and histologic slides were prepared by making 8-Micron-thick sagittal cuts. The slides were stained with Mallory trichrome and arranged to form large sections encompassing each anterior and posterior sagittal plane. Healthy nulliparous women underwent 3D EVUS to obtain 3D cubes of the anterior and posterior compartments. Two investigators independently evaluated the anterior and posterior midsagittal structures. The investigators mutually viewed the images and calculated urethral and anal sphincter measurements. Thirty-one nulliparous women underwent 3D EVUS; 77% of the participants were Caucasian, with mean age 31.8 [standard deviation (SD) 5.8] and mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.5 (SD 7.9). The following mean (SD) measurements were obtained: urethral length 36 mm (± 5); striated urogenital sphincter area 0.6 cm(2) (± 0.16); longitudinal and circular smooth muscle area 1.1 cm(2) (± 0.4); urethral complex width 14 mm (± 2); urethral complex area 1.3 cm(2) (± 0.4); internal anal sphincter length 26 mm (± 4); internal anal sphincter thickness 3.2 mm (± 0.8); and rectovaginal septum length 31 mm (± 5). The agreement for visualization of structures was as follows: vesical trigone 96% (κ = 0.65), trigonal ring 94% (κ = 0.8), trigonal plate 84% (κ = 0.6); longitudinal and circular smooth muscle 100%; compressor urethra 97% (κ = 0.85); striated urogenital sphincter 97% (κ = 0.85); rectovaginal septum 100%; internal anal sphincter 100%; external anal sphincter subdivisions 100%. Three-dimensional EVUS can be used to visualize structures of the anterior and posterior compartments in nullipara.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Teeth with Apical Periodontitis: A Histopathological Evaluation

IntroductionThis study evaluated the in vivo response of apical and periapical tissues of dogs’ teeth with apical periodontitis after one-session endodontic treatment with and without antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). MethodsSixty root canals with experimentally induced apical periodontitis were instrumented and assigned to 4 groups receiving aPDT and root canal filling (RCF) or not: group aPDT+/RCF+ (n = 20): aPDT (photosensitizer phenothiazine chloride at 10 mg/mL for 3 minutes and diode laser [λ = 660 nm, 60 mW/cm2] for 1 minute) and RCF in the same session; group aPDT+/RCF− (n = 10); group aPDT−/RCF+ (n = 20), and group aPDT−/RCF− (n = 10). Teeth were restored, and the animals were killed after 90 days. Sections from the maxillas and mandibles were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Mallory trichrome and examined under light microscopy. Descriptive (ie, newly formed apical mineralized tissue, periapical inflammatory infiltrate, apical periodontal ligament thickness, and mineralized tissue resorption) and quantitative (ie, periapical lesion size and number of inflammatory cells) microscopic analysis was performed. Quantitative data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (α = .05). ResultsIn the aPDT-treated groups, the periapical region was moderately/severely enlarged with no inflammatory cells, moderate neoangiogenesis and fibrogenesis, and the smallest periapical lesions. ConclusionsAlthough apical closure by mineralized tissue deposition was not achieved, the absence of inflammatory cells, moderate neoangiogenesis, and fibrogenesis in the periapical region in the groups treated with aPDT indicate that this can be a promising adjunct therapy to cleaning and shaping procedures in teeth with apical periodontitis undergoing one-session endodontic treatment.

Histology of the cricothyroid membrane: a clinical perspective.

Puncture of the cricothyroid membrane is a component of several clinical procedures. Among the several complications are the immediate risk of bleeding, long-term risk of subglottic stenosis and hoarseness of voice. Presence of blood vessels in the cricothyroid membrane has also been implicated in the extra-laryngeal spread of laryngeal cancers. Though various authors have described the attachments of the cricothyroid membrane, very few have studied its histology. We studied the histology of the cricothyroid membrane using hematoxylin and eosin, Mallory's trichrome and Verhoeff's special stain. The cricothyroid membrane was found to be continuous on its deeper aspect with the mucosa of the subglottic larynx and lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The membrane was observed to be fibroelastic, containing equal proportions of collagen and elastic fibers and numerous fibroblast nuclei. Numerous blood vessels are seen traversing through the membrane, which probably connect intralaryngeal with other extralaryngeal vessels. These histological findings help to further understand the complications of cricothyroidotomy and spread of laryngeal cancer.