Morphometric Examination Research Articles

Морфология печени крыс в условиях острого эмоционально-болевого стресса на фоне введения дельта-сон индуцирующего пептида

An acute foot-shock stress caused a reduction in parenchymal-stromal ratio due to the dilation and hyperemia of the liver blood vessels, a stagnation phenomenon in the bile capillaries and cholestasis, an increase in the intensity of the liver current functioning and development of degenerative and destructive changes in hepatocytes, an increase in the current proliferative activity of hepatocytes along with the reduced depth of reparative reserves according to the results of the morphometric examination of the liver. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) in the every dose used (40, 120, and 360 mcg/kg) increased the parenchymal-stromal ratio indicators in stressed animals. Peptide introduction in a dose of 40 mcg/kg was accompanied by increasing the current rate of functioning hepatocytes and accumulating the potential reparative reserves in stressed animals. DSIP in a dose of 360 mcg/kg contributed to a decrease in hyperemia, stagnation phenomenon and cholestasis, a significant reduction in degenerative processes and an increase in the liver reparative reserves. In conditions of the acute foot-shock stress the thymus relative weight was also reduced, but it was leveled after administrating DSIP in doses of 40 and 360 mcg/kg. Thus both the stress and peptide administration had no effect on the relative liver weight.

The morphometric characteristics of the main structural components of renal nephrons in the white rats with experimentally induced acute and chronic alcohol intoxication

The objective of the present work was to study the morphometric characteristics of the main structural components of renal nephrons in the white rats with the experimentally induced acute and chronic alcohol intoxication. We undertook the morphometric examination of the structural elements of rat kidneys with the subsequent statistical analysis of the data obtained. The results of the study give evidence of the toxic action of ethanol on all structural components of the nephron in the case of both acute and chronic alcohol intoxication. The study revealed some specific features of the development of pathological process in the renal tissue structures at different stages of alcohol intoxication. The most pronounced morphological changes were observed in the renal proximal tubules and the least pronounced ones in the structure of the renal glomeruli. The earliest morphological changes become apparent in distal convoluted tubules of the nephron; in the case of persistent alcoholemia, they first develop in the renal corpuscles and thereafter in the distal proximal tubules. The maximum changes occur in the case of acute alcohol intoxication and between 2 weeks and 2 months of chronic intoxication; they become less conspicuous during a later period.

Microcirculatory Disorders in Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Morphological Study)

The purpose of the study is to evaluate morphological changes in lung vessels of preterm infants with the infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS). Material and Methods. Case history records and postmortem examination protocols of 70 preterm infants who died because of severe respiratory compromise as a result of IRDS were analyzed. All newborns were divided into three groups: the IRDS group included 25 (35.7%) infants who died due to IRDS (no surfactant); the Curosurf group was composed of 26 (37.2%) infants who received an exogenous surfactant Curosurf as a part of a complex therapy; the Surfactant BL group included 19 (27.1%) infants receiving Surfactant BL. Histological and morphometric examinations of lung vessels were performed. The Kernogan index calculated as the ratio between the lumen diameter and the wall thickness was determined. Results. The arterial bed of newborns in the IRDS and Curosurf groups was composed of vessels having up to several μm in diameter. Larger arteries (51—100 μm in diameter) and arteries of more than 100 μm in diameter are distributed uniformly and comprise 1/3 of the total number of visualized vessels. The invert correlation of the arterial vascular bed was typical for the infants in the Surfactant BL group: arteries of 50 μm in diameter comprise 30% of all vessels, and arteries of more than 100 μm in diameter prevail. The venous bed of newborns consisted mainly of vessels having less than 50 μm in diameter. The greatest changes in the arterial wall thickness (ТСА) are typical for vessels with a total diameter of more than 51 μm. In babies of the IRDS group, the greatest (ТСА) changes were typical for arteries of 51—100 μm in diameter. Changes in arterial walls (>101 μm) were typical for the Surfactant BL group. Unlike other groups, in the Curosurf group, no significant changes in the parameters under the test were found (P>0.05). In this group (as compared to IRDS and Surfactant BL groups), there were minimal changes in vein characteristics and the minimal venous wall thickness (ТСv) (>100 μm in diameter). The Kernogan index for veins with small diameter was minimal. Conclusion. Evaluation of the microcirculatory bed of lungs in IRDS patients is an urgent problem because the pulmonary gas exchange impairment in preterm infants is primarily caused by circulatory and microcirculatory disorders of various degrees of severity that result from anatomic and functional immaturity of the lung micro circulatory bed. In cases of unfavorable outcomes, dilation of arterial and venous lumen and vascular wall thickening might be considered as principal signs of microcirculatory disorders. Surfactants affect changes in the diameter of lumen of lung vessels, especially those with a diameter more than 50 μm, presumably improving the blood supply of the lungs. Minimal changes of tested parameters were typical for newborns on Curosurf versus IRDS and Surfactant BL groups of infants.

Small-scale variations in leaf shape under anthropogenic disturbance in dioecious forest forb mercurialis perennis: A geometric morphometric examination

Plants are exposed to increasing levels of diverse human activities that have profound effects on their overall morphology and, specifically, on leaf morphology. Anthropogenic disturbances in urban and suburban forest recreational sites are attracting growing research interest. To explore the persisting recreational impact on leaf shape and size, we conducted a field study on the dioecious forb Mercurialis perennis L. (Euphorbiaceae), typical for undisturbed understory communities. We selected adjacent sites in a suburban forest, which experience contrasting regimes of disturbance by human trampling under otherwise concordant natural conditions. Patterns of leaf shape and size variation and putative sex-specific response to disturbance were analyzed using a geometric morphometric approach. In addition to leaf-level data, plant height, internode and leaf number were analyzed to explore the same response at the whole-plant level. The results show significant variations associated with disturbance at both levels: plants growing under a heavy disturbance regime had shorter stems with a greater number of wider and shorter leaves. Significant differences between sites were also found for leaf size, with larger leaves observed in an undisturbed site. The effects of sex and sex x site interaction on leaf size and shape were nonsignificant, pointing to the absence of sexual dimorphism and sex-specific response to disturbance. Contrary to leaf shape and size, all three analyzed shoot traits showed highly significant sexual dimorphism, with male plants being higher and having higher leaf and internode count.

A case report of candidiasis in desi (Aseel) birds

Carcasses of two desi (Aseel) birds of about 2 yrs. age were brought to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur for postmortem examination. On necropsy, whitish, circular raised nodules in oral cavity, esophagus and crop were major gross lesions. Cytological and morphometric examination revealed numerous oval shaped cells ranging from 1–4μ diameter. Histopathological examination showed colonization of organisms in the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of crop and stratum corneum with extensions into the stratum spinosum in the esophagus. The mucosa of both crop and esophagus was covered by a crust composed of admixture of necrotic debris, sloughed epithelial cells and leukocytes. Yeast and pseudohyphal forms were observed in the central necrosed area and around the debris. Based on pathological, cytological and morphological examination, present condition was diagnosed and confirmed as candidiasis.

Effect of a gel containing pilocarpine on vaginal atrophy in castrated rats

OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the effect of Carbopol gel formulations containing pilocarpine on the morphology and morphometry of the vaginal epithelium of castrated rats.METHODS:Thirty-one female Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control Groups I (n=7, rats in persistent estrus; positive controls) and II (n=7, castrated rats, negative controls) and the experimental Groups, III (n=8) and IV (n=9). Persistent estrus (Group I) was achieved with a subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate on the second postnatal day. At 90 days postnatal, rats in Groups II, III and IV were castrated and treated vaginally for 14 days with Carbopol gel (vehicle alone) or Carbopol gel containing 5% and 15% pilocarpine, respectively. Next, all of the animals were euthanized and their vaginas were removed for histological evaluation. A non-parametric test with a weighted linear regression model was used for data analysis (p<0.05).RESULTS:The morphological evaluation showed maturation of the vaginal epithelium with keratinization in Group I, whereas signs of vaginal atrophy were present in the rats of the other groups. Morphometric examinations showed mean thickness values of the vaginal epithelium of 195.10±12.23 μm, 30.90±1.14 μm, 28.16±2.98 μm and 29.84±2.30 μm in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively, with statistically significant differences between Group I and the other three groups (p<0.0001) and no differences between Groups II, III and IV (p=0.0809).CONCLUSION:Topical gel formulations containing pilocarpine had no effect on atrophy of the vaginal epithelium in the castrated female rats.

Support Immersion Endoscopy in Post-Extraction Alveolar Bone Chambers: A New Window for Microscopic Bone Imaging In Vivo.

Using an endoscopic approach, small intraoral bone chambers, which are routinely obtained during tooth extraction and implantation, provide visual in vivo access to internal bone structures. The aim of the present paper is to present a new method to quantify bone microstructure and vascularisation in vivo. Ten extraction sockets and 6 implant sites in 14 patients (6 men / 8 women) were examined by support immersion endoscopy (SIE). After tooth extraction or implant site preparation, microscopic bone analysis (MBA) was performed using short distance SIE video sequences of representative bone areas for off-line analysis with ImageJ. Quantitative assessment of the microstructure and vascularisation of the bone in dental extraction and implant sites in vivo was performed using ImageJ. MBA revealed bone morphology details such as unmineralised and mineralised areas, vascular canals and the presence of bleeding through vascular canals. Morphometric examination revealed that there was more unmineralised bone and less vascular canal area in the implant sites than in the extraction sockets.

Two new crayfishes of the genus Cambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Northern Alabama and South Central Tennessee, U.S.A.

Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses of morphometric data and examination of morphological characters of the crayfish species Cambarus (Hiaticambarus) longirostris revealed the existence of two undescribed species from populations previously considered to be C. longirostris in tributaries of the Tennessee River in north Alabama and central south Tennessee. Cambarus (Hiaticambarus) andersoni and Cambarus (Hiaticambarus) diupalma differed from C. longirostris and from each other in aspects of chela morphometrics and in the presence or absence of qualitative characters. Cambarus andersoni has a corneous spine on the base of the ventral surface of the rostrum that is absent in the other two species; C. diupalma abdominal pleura are acute whereas they are subtruncate in C. andersoni and in C. longirostris. The known range of both of the new species is restricted to northern tributaries of the Tennessee River in south Tennessee and north Alabama. Cambarus diupalma is considered Endangered and C. andersoni is considered Vulnerable using American Fisheries Society conservation categorization.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition drives atherosclerosis progression.

The molecular mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions have not been fully established. Here, we investigated the role played by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and its key regulator FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) in atherosclerosis. In cultured human endothelial cells, both inflammatory cytokines and oscillatory shear stress reduced endothelial FGFR1 expression and activated TGF-β signaling. We further explored the link between disrupted FGF endothelial signaling and progression of atherosclerosis by introducing endothelial-specific deletion of FGF receptor substrate 2 α (Frs2a) in atherosclerotic (Apoe(-/-)) mice. When placed on a high-fat diet, these double-knockout mice developed atherosclerosis at a much earlier time point compared with that their Apoe(-/-) counterparts, eventually demonstrating an 84% increase in total plaque burden. Moreover, these animals exhibited extensive development of EndMT, deposition of fibronectin, and increased neointima formation. Additionally, we conducted a molecular and morphometric examination of left main coronary arteries from 43 patients with various levels of coronary disease to assess the clinical relevance of these findings. The extent of coronary atherosclerosis in this patient set strongly correlated with loss of endothelial FGFR1 expression, activation of endothelial TGF-β signaling, and the extent of EndMT. These data demonstrate a link between loss of protective endothelial FGFR signaling, development of EndMT, and progression of atherosclerosis.

Tracheostomy, Is It Really Innocent?

Tracheostomy one of the oldest surgical procedures has been practiced probably for thousands years. Now, it is the most commonly performed surgical procedures in ICUs with appreciable morbidity and complications (8-45%). We aimed to investigate the histopathological changes which lead to stenosis in tracheal epithelia after the conventional tracheostomy in rabbit model. 24 male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. Classic tracheostomy was carried out in 16 subjects. Group 1 which was made any surgical procedure served as control. After tracheostomy, we applied sterile saline in Group 2, Mitomycin-C (0.8 mg/ml) (MMC) in Group 3 around tracheotomy for 5 minutes. At 3 weeks after surgery, tracheas were evaluated by morphometric and histopathological examination with the inclusion of tracheal lumen diameter, number of capillary vessels, subepithelial tissue thickness, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. There were statistically significant differences between tracheostomy and control group for tracheal lumen diameter (P=0.35), number of capillary vessels (P=0.06), subepithelial tissue thickness, fibroblasts and number of lymphocyte (p Stenosis one of the most difficult and devastating problems in airway surgery we believe to wound healing modulation may prevent scar formation and no need further surgery. Even if, there are undoubtedly many advantages of tracheostomy these must be balanced against the real risk of the procedure. As a result, tracheostomy is not an innocent procedure. In patients who underwent tracheostomy, scarring and granulation tissue formation should always be kept in mind.

Chronic hypoxia and hyperoxia modifies morphology and VEGF concentration of the lungs of the developing chicken (Gallus gallus variant domesticus)

Embryo body and lung wet and dry mass, pulmonary morphometrics and pulmonary VEGF concentrations were determined in developing chicken embryos at days 16 and 18 (D16, D18) in three populations: incubation in normoxia (21% O2) or in chronic hypoxia (15% O2) or chronic hyperoxia (30% O2). Lung morphology (including parabronchial exchange tissues and parabronchial lumina as a percentage of total lung tissue in cross-sectional area, atrial numbers, atrial density) was determined from morphometric examination of thin sections using light microscopy. VEGF expression was determined with ELISA. Body mass was directly correlated with incubation oxygen level, but neither oxygen level affected lung wet mass on either D16 or D18. Hypoxia had little or no effect on most measured pulmonary morphometric indices in D16 embryos. Hypoxia, however, increased by ∼65% the proportion in cross-section of the total lung occupied by parabronchi on D18. Hyperoxia caused few significant changes in pulmonary morphometrics. Pulmonary VEGF concentration was decreased by ∼30% on day 18 compared to D18 in normoxia. Hypoxia increased pulmonary VEGF concentration by ∼35–75% on both D16 and D18 and, paradoxically, VEGF expression was also similarly increased by hyperoxia on only D18. Collectively, these data suggest that pulmonary gross morphological development in the chicken embryo, while moderately plastic, is not profoundly affected by oxygen incubation level, and that role of VEGF in pulmonary development is not yet well understood.

THE ROLE OF GENDER FACTOR IN CHRONIC ALCOHOL MYOPATHY

Alcohol induced skeletal muscles lesion is one of the most frequent symptom of alcohol disease. Alcohol myopathy occurs in 40–60% of patients with chronic ethanol intoxication. The role of gender factor in manifest and course of chronic alcohol myopathy (CAM) is discussed in the article. The results of comprehensive examination of 42 patients (30 males and 12 females) with chronic ethanol intoxication are presented. Morphologic, morphometric and immunohystochemical examination of skeletal muscle biopsy specimens is a standard of diagnosis of CAM that gives the opportunity to access quantitively and qualitatively atrophic process. The basic pathogenic mechanisms of muscle fibers atrophy both in men and women with chronic alcohol intoxication are the damage of systemic protein synthesis and skeletal muscles regeneration. The severity of myopathic syndrome correlates with muscle atrophy both in men and women. But in women CAM was found to manifest earlier. The duration of alcohol intoxication in women was less but muscle lesion was more severe and widespread.

Role of dexamethasone alone and in combination with quercetin in the urinary bladder after administration of ifosfamide

Background Ifosfamide (IFO) is a broad-spectrum antineoplastic agent. Dexamethasone inhibits the activity of a variety of cytokines. Quercetin is a flavonoid with an antioxidant effect. Aim This work aimed to study the possible protective role of dexamethasone alone and in combination with quercetin on the IFO-treated urinary bladder. Materials and methods Sixty adult albino rats were used in this study and were divided into six groups: group I was the control group; group II was the dexamethasone-treated group; group III was the dexamethasone and quercetin-treated group; group IV was the IFO-treated group in which each rat was injected with IFO; group V was the IFO and dexamethasone-treated group, in which each rat was injected with IFO and three doses of dexamethasone; and group VI was the IFO, dexamethasone and quercetin-treated group, in which each rat was injected with IFO and three doses of dexamethasone and quercetin. Urinary bladder specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), followed by different morphometric examinations. Results Group IV revealed areas of epithelial denudation and vacuolated cells. Group V revealed partially restored thickness of the urothelium with vacuolated cells. Group VI showed restored epithelial integrity with reduced cytoplasmic vacuoles. Electron microscopic examination of the urothelium revealed indented nuclei and dilated intercellular spaces in group IV. After administration of dexamethasone, indented nuclei and partially dilated intercellular space were seen. In group IV, the urothelium revealed apparently normal nuclei with almost intact intercellular junctions. Highly significant increase in mast cell count in group IV but nonsignificant increase after administration of both dexamethasone and quercetin were noticed. Optical density of inducible nitric oxide synthase and NF-κB immunoreaction was highly significantly increased in group IV. Significant increase was detected in group V for NF-κB but nonsignificant increase in group VI for both immunohistochemical stains was observed. Conclusion It could be concluded that combined dexamethasone and quercetin exerted better protective roles against the toxic effects induced by IFO rather than dexamethasone alone.

Anthropometry of the Black Adult Tibia: A South African Study

NAIDOO, N.; LAZARUS, L.; AJAYI, N. O. & SATYAPAL, K. S. Anthropometry of the Black Adult tibia: A South African study. Int.J. Morphol., 33(2):600-606, 2015.SUMMARY: The tibia is the medial long bone of the leg and is characterized by a shaft and two expanded extremities. Despitethe recent advent of tibial bone graft harvesting, the tibia has also been confirmed to be of great forensic significance. As t his appears tobe the only tibial dry bone study done in Southern Africa, this study aimed to investigate morphological and morphometric parametersthat are of clinical and anthropometric importance. Morphological and morphometric examination of 302 adult tibial bone specime ns ofBlack South Africans obtained from the osteological bank of the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy at the University of KwaZulu-Nat al wasperformed. The sample consisted of 168 males and 134 females with an age range of 15 to 87 years old. The number of nutrient fo raminawere: (a) One (male: 98.2%; female: 99.3%); (b) Double (male: 1.8%; female: 0.7%); Relationship of nutrient foramen to the sole al line:(a) infero-medial (male: 0.6%; female: 1.5%); (b) inferior but directly opposite the middle of the bone (male: 8.2%; female: 2.2%); (c)infero-lateral (male: 81.8%; female: 88.9%); (d) infero-lateral, along interrosseous crest (male: 4.1%; female: 3.0%); (e) supe ro-medial(male: 4.7%; female: 3.7%); (f) supero-medial, along interrosseous crest (male: 0.6%; female: 0%); (g) supero-lateral (male: 0% ; female:0.7%). Statistically significant differences were recorded in tibial morphometric parameters between males and females. The rel ationshipbetween the number of nutrient foramina and the soleal line was of statistical significance (p= 0.002). The greater prevalence of a singleforamen observed in this study compared favorably with that reported in previous literature. The recognition of the regional di stributionof the nutrient foramina may prevent injury during tibial bone graft procedures. A thorough understanding of the tibial anatomy may alsoassist with the provision of demographic data required in forensic investigation.KEY WORDS: Tibia; Nutrient Foramen; Soleal Line; Morphometry.

Morphometric Examination of Mitochondrial Ultrastructure in Aging Cardiomyocytes.

Mitochondrial ultrastructure in cardiomyocytes from 3- and 24-month-old Wistar and OXYS rats was investigated using a new approach designed for morphometric analysis. The data fully confirm the electron microscopy data: the area of the inner mitochondrial membrane per unit volume of mitochondria was significantly decreased with age, as found on heart muscle section. In 3-month-old Wistar rats from the control group, this parameter was 41.3 ± 1.52µm(2)/µm(3), whereas in OXYS rats it was decreased to 30.57 ± 1.74µm(2)/µm(3). With age, an area of the inner mitochondrial membrane per unit volume of mitochondria declined in both rat strains: Wistar- from 41.3 ± 1.52 to 21.47 ± 1.22µm(2)/µm(3), OXYS- from 30.57 ± 1.74 to 16.3 ± 0.89µm(2)/µm(3). A new method that we designed and used for morphometric analysis notably simplifies the process of morphometric measurements and opens up good opportunities for its further optimization using image recognition technology.

Histological assessment of myocardium in lethal ethanol intoxication

The pathological mechanism of sudden death in healthy persons following incidental ethanol intoxication has not yet been fully elucidated and might be underlain by cardiogenic causes. Histological assessment of the myocardium in lethal ethanol intoxication. The analysis was based on a histological assessment of specimens of the myocardium obtained from the hearts of 30 deceased males within the age range 29-45 years. The material for the study was taken from the myocardium of the anterior wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septum of the heart. The fixation material was first examined according to the standard histological procedure and subsequently subjected to a morphometric examination, which assessed the number of cardiomyocytes, their area, circumference, and circular deviation. The examination showed an increase in the area and circumference of cardiomyocytes, as well as fragmentation and segmentation of cardiomyocytes with a significant enlargement of cell nuclei. Additionally, it revealed the presence of lymphocytic cells in several cases.Conclusions: The obtained findings indicate a harmful influence of alcohol on the myocardium.

Natural Defense Mechanisms of the Human Brain against Chronic Ischemia

Objective: to study the structural bases of natural defense mechanisms of the human brain against chronic ischemia. Materials and methods. To accomplish this, histological, immunohistochemical (NSE, calbindin, NPY, p38) and morphometric examinations of intraoperative biopsy specimens were performed to determine the reorganization of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the ischemic penumbra of the temporal cerebral cortex (CC). Morphometric analysis was made using the specially developed algorithms to verify neurons and their elements in the ImageJ 1.46 program. Results . The reduction in the total numerical density of neurons and synapses in chronic ischemia was ascertained to be accompanied by the compensatorily enhanced expression of NSE, calbindin, p38, and NPY in the remaining CC neurons. There were signs of hypertrophy of inhibitory CC interneurons and growth of their processes. In consequence, the impact of inhibitory CC interneurons on excitatory neurons was likely to enhance. Conclusion . In chronic ischemia, the human brain is anticipated to respond to damage to some cells via compensatory excitatory and inhibitory neuronal reorganization directed towards its natural defense against excitatory damage and towards better conditions for compensatory recovery of the structure and function of CC.

Morphometric Characterization of Marginal Zone Lymphoma

Abstract The morphometry in histopathology is used to characterize cell populations belonging to different tissues and to identify differences in their parameters with prognostic implications. To achieve morphometric examination were selected 6 of 8 cases identified as marginal zone lymphoma. For each case analysis was done on five fields, for each field measuring the parameters of 20 cells. The studied parameters were for cytoplasm: cytoplasmic area, maximum and minimum cytoplasmic diameter, cytoplasmic perimeter; for nucleus were measured: nuclear area, minimum and maximum nuclear diameter, nuclear perimeter, nuclear contour index, nuclear ellipticity index, nuclear irregularity index. Also the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio was calculated in all studied cases. Marginal zone lymphoma is characterized in terms of morphometric parameters by small cytoplasmic and nuclear area, and small nucleo-cytoplasmatic ratio of about 1:1. Nuclear contour index is small, accompanied by a large ellipticity index and an small index of nuclear irregularity. Standard deviations for measured morphometric parameters are variable, having high values for cytoplasmic and nuclear area, highlighting the polymorphic nature of the cells. Morphometric aspects, with corresponding microscopic aspects of large and small lymphocyte proliferation with cleaved and uncleaved nuclei, fit this form of lymphoma in terms of clinical outcome in indolent lymphomas category.

Severe pre-eclampsia complicated by HELLP syndrome alterations in the structure of the umbilical cord (morphometric and immunohistochemical study)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and immunohistochemistry in umbilical cords from patients with severe pre-eclampsia with and without haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. The patient and control groups were similar according to baseline obstetric characteristics. White blood cell count in patients with HELLP syndrome and the control group was significantly increased among patients with HELLP syndrome (p < 0.001). Morphometric examination and endothelial core length were significantly different between the groups. In the umbilical cord cross-section of the HELLP group, endothelial cell degeneration in the vessel wall and basement membrane thickening were observed. In the muscle layer of blood vessels, the following disorders were found: increased collagen fibres in the muscle cell, hyperplasia and separation of muscle fibres as well as edema in the intermediate connective tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that endothelial cells, basal membrane and fibroblast cells in the HELLP group expressed high levels of CD44. Vessel wall and amniotic epithelial basement membrane thickening were observed in the HELLP group. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was expressed. Fibroblast and smooth muscle cells were fusiform and showed a positive reaction to immunohistochemical staining of α-actin smooth muscle.

Evaluation of pig rearing farmers of North East India as prospective breeder: A retrospective analysis

The present study was conducted for objective evaluation of the pig rearing farmers of north east India as breeder. Preliminary survey of persons engaged in pork production and processing were made, and reproductive tracts of slaughtered animals were collected from organized (ORG-) and unorganized (UNORG-) slaughter houses in and around Guwahati for assessing their reproductive status through morphometric examination and maturation potential of oocytes. The survey revealed that male pigs, sourced from organized farms, were mostly slaughtered at 8–12 months of age, whereas female pigs were slaughtered after third or fourth farrowing, at ORG-slaughter houses. Pigs slaughtered at UNORG-slaughter houses were mostly sourced from primary producers and household enterprises, and stage of reproductive life was not an important factor influencing the decision to selling. Organometry of female genital organs showed higher values (P<0.05) for pigs slaughtered in ORGslaughter houses. Further, higher numbers (P<0.05) of corpus luteum were found in ORG-ovaries. However, higher number (P<0.05) of surface follicles, in-vitro matureable oocytes and in-vitro matured oocytes were found in UNORG-ovaries. The results of present study suggest that female pigs of unorganized production system are more likely to be sold and slaughtered before realizing their (re) production potential.