Rhomboid Crystals Research Articles

AB0843 A Microscopic Method for Identification of Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Deposits in Tissues

BackgroundArthropathy induced by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate [Ca2P2O7.2H2O] () crystals (chondrocalcinosis, pseudogout, pyrophosphate arthropathy) is characterized by intraarticular or periarticular deposition of . Crystals accumulate in the synovial membranes with or...

Perenniporia cinereofusca sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis

A new Perenniporia species, P. cinereofusca, is described based on morphological and molecular characters. It is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with gray to pale brown pore surface, tissues becoming black in 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH), a dimitic hyphal system with weakly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae and hyaline to pale yellowish, distinctly thick-walled and indextrinoid basidiospores (6.5–7.7 × 5.3–6.3 μm), and presence of dendrohyphidia and large rhomboid crystals. Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of the new species in Perenniporia sensu stricto and showed its relationships with similar species in the genus.

Morphoanatomical and physicochemical standardization of Casuarina equisetifolia L. stem bark

ObjectiveThe present work was carried out to perform the morphoanatomical and physicochemical evaluation of Casuarina equisetifolia L. stem bark. MethodThe pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, fluorescence analysis and physicochemical parameters. ResultsThe bark consists of channelled, curved, slightly quilled, usually 0.2–0.8 cm thick, lenticellate pieces with outer surface ash-grey to greyish-brown and internal surface light yellow to deep dirty brown coloured having no odour and astringent taste. The main microscopic characteristics of the bark include phellem (2–5 or more layers of cork), phellogen (3–5 layered) followed by 12–18 layered phelloderm. Other important microscopic components observed include phloem parenchyma, phloem fibre and stone cells. Stem bark powder showed thick walled oval to polygonal cork cells, hexagonal phelloderm cells, rectangular thin walled cortex cells, thick walled elongated phloem fibres, lignified stone cells and rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate. Further, physicochemical analysis of the bark power showed loss on drying, total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash and sulphated ash as 2.3, 5.0, 1.6, 0.7 and 5.7% w/w respectively. The alcohol and water soluble extractives values of the stem bark were 17.10 and 11.0% w/w respectively. ConclusionVarious pharmacognostic characters observed in this study helps in botanical identification and standardization of C. equisetifolia L. in crude form.

A Crystal in Ulcer

Purpose: A 61-year-old male presented to the ER complaining of fatigue, dizziness, and BRBPR for two days. Past medical history is significant for GERD, Hep C, GIB secondary to NSAID-induced gastric ulcer, and ESRD s/p two failed renal grafts. Current medications include pantoprazole, sevelamer, kayexalate, senna, and metoprolol. On admission, the patient was found to be hypotensive with a hemoglobin (Hb) of 9 g/dl (baseline 10-11 g/dl). His blood pressure responded appropriately to fluid resuscitation. Subsequent EGD revealed a single non-bleeding gastric ulcer (3 mm) in the pre-pyloric region of the stomach with no stigmata of bleeding. The patient continued to have intermittent episodes of BRBPR, necessitating multiple blood transfusions, and a colonoscopy was done, revealing evidence of colitis and localized ulcerations in the proximal ascending colon and cecum status post biopsies. During the hospitalization, an angiography was also performed, which revealed active bleeding from cecal branches of ileocolic artery status post embolization with cessation of bleeding. Biopsy results from the cecal ulcers on colonoscopy revealed single particle of crystalline material in the background of an ulcer consistent with kayexalate-induced ulcers (Image 1). Many drugs can cause non-specific damage in the large intestine, including solitary hemorrhages, erosions, ulcers, and inflammation. The pathogenesis of the lesions caused by drugs is highly variable, with toxic injury and vascular insufficiency thought to be the most common. Kayexalate-induced intestinal injury reveals rhomboid or triangular basophilic crystals adherent to surface epithelium. Kayexalate is a cation exchange resin which acts in the large intestine by exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions. The mechanism of mucosal damage is not clear, and is reported to be more common in patients with renal failure. It is speculated to be caused by its osmotic action and vasospasm of intestinal vasculature. The patient in this case recovered after discontinuation of kayexalate. This case highlights the importance of medication-induced GI tract injury. Physicians should be aware of colonic ulceration and ischemia in renal failure patients taking kayexalate.Figure: Cecal ulcer biopsy.

AB0632 Chronic prostatitis: a urate crystal induced disease?

BackgroundUrate crystals have been recognized anecdotally in a long list of nonarticular tissues but have not, to our knowledge, been sought or found in inflamed prostate glands. Like gouty arthritis,...

Cytodiagnosis of alveolar soft part sarcoma: Report of two cases with special emphasis on the first orbital lesion diagnosed by aspiration cytology

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare neoplasm of uncertain cell of origin. Known to occur in adolescents and young adults, this tumor usually involves the muscles and deep soft tissues of the extremities and trunk. Orbital localization is rare and not yet subjected to cytological assessment, as per our literature search. We present here two cases of ASPS diagnosed by aspiration cytology, one in the orbit and the other in the lower extremity. The cells displayed abundant clear to finely vacuolated cytoplasm, often with disrupted margins and flowing of the cytoplasmic material; prominent nucleoli and scattered bare nuclei were also seen in the background. Two close cytological differential diagnoses include metastatic renal cell carcinoma and paraganglioma. Intracytoplasmic periodic acid schiff (PAS) positive, diastase-resistant, needle-shaped crystals and corresponding rhomboid crystals with regular lattice pattern on ultrastructure are the hallmarks of this neoplasm. Due to its slowly progressive clinical course and poor outcome, preoperative diagnosis of ASPS through fine-needle aspiration cytology may be essential for deciding therapy, especially in rare and difficult locations like orbit, where adjuvant radiation may not be possible.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease: a clinicopathologic analysis of 20 cases

To investigate the clinicopathologic features of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD-CDD). The clinical and pathologic profiles were retrospectively analysed in 20 cases of CPPD-CDD. CPPD-CDD was far more common in women, most frequently involving joints, especially the knees and presenting with various arthrisis. Abnormally calcified and the articular damages were characteristic features by imageing. Histologically, multifocal indigo granular calcinosis was seen in synovium and sometimes appeared as needle-shaped or rhomboid crystals, which characterized the CPPD. Though clinical symptoms of CPPD are quite variable, the definite diagnosis can be made by the abnormal calcification and joint damage radiographically and the indigo CPPD crystals histopathologically.

Pharmacognostic studies on Tephrosia jamnagarensis Sant. -An endemic species of India

Introduction:Tephrosia jamnagarensis Sant. is a rare endemic species, restricted to the semiarid region of India. Methods: The present study gives insight into the anatomical, pharmacognosy, histochemical and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the root, stem and leaf of Tephrosia jamnagarensis. The analysis's were done according to WHO norms. Result: The anatomical study of root and stem showed the characteristic rhomboidal calcium oxalate crystals in medullary rays. The paedomorphic ray and medullary phloem were observed in the mature stem. Micro-morphological parameters such as the stomatal index, palisade ratio and vein-islet number were distinctly quantified. The powder study showed the presence of warty unicellular trichomes and anisocyctic stomata in leaf and stem whereas calcium oxalate crystals and pitted xylem vessels were observed in roots, stem and leaves. The histochemical tests performed indicate the presence of mucilage and alkaloids. Phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and mucilage. Conclusion: The standardization parameters provide referential information for correct identification of the plant material and will also be useful in preparation of monographs on these plants.

Review of renal carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocations/TFE3 gene fusions with focus on pathobiological aspect.

The concept of Xp11.2 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was recently established as a tumor affecting 15% of RCC patients <45 years. Many patients present with advanced stage with frequent lymph node metastases. Histologically, Xp11.2 RCC is characterized by mixed papillary nested/alveolar growth pattern and tumor cells with clear and/or eosinophilic, voluminous cytoplasm. Neoplastic cells show intense nuclear immunoreactivity to TFE3, while focal immunostaining for melanocytic markers, including melanosome-associated antigen or Melan A in some cases, are also noted. Alpha smooth muscle actin and TFEB are consistently negative. Ultrastructurally, the ASPL-TFE3 RCC variant contains rhomboid crystals in the cytoplasm, similar to that observed in alveolar soft part sarcoma. The fusion of the TFE3 gene with several different genes, including ASPL(17q25), PRCC(1q21), PSF(1q34), NonO (Xq12) and CLTC (17q23) have been identified to date. The behavior of Xp11.2 RCC in children and young adults is considered as indolent even when diagnosed at advanced stage, including lymph node metastasis. However, Xp11.2 RCC in older patients behaves in a more aggressive fashion. Therapy includes nephrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy. There may be a role for new protease inhibitors in advanced inoperable disease. Further research is required to correlate clinical behavior with the expanding genetic spectrum of this tumor, and to establish standard therapy protocols for primary and metastatic lesions.

Calcium oxalate crystal types in three oak species (Quercus L.) in Turkey

Crystal types from 3 oak species representing 3 different sections of the genus Quercus were identified. Crystals were studied with scanning electron microscopy after localisation by light microscopy. The crystals were composed of calcium oxalate silicates as whewellite (calcium oxalate monohydrate) composites. In Quercus macranthera Fisch. et Mey. subsp. syspirensis (C.Koch) Menitsky (İspir oak) from the white oaks (section Quercus: Leucobalanus), whewellite and trihydrated weddellites coexisted. Axial parenchyma cells included 30 crystal chains with walls as chambers in uniseriate ray cells; some cells had many crystals without any chambers and were small. Long thin crystals were found adherent to the membrane in the tracheary cell lumens of latewood. Quercus cerris L. var. cerris (hairy oak/Turkey oak) from the red oak group (section Cerris Loudon) is extremely rich in rhomboidal crystals. In species Quercus aucheri Jaub. et Spach (grey pırnal) from the evergreen oak group (section Ilex Loudon) rhomboidal crystals were found in axial parenchyma and multiseriate ray cells. Lignified wall layers were not observed around the crystals with chambers.

Unique Structural and Nucleotide Exchange Features of the Rho1 GTPase of Entamoeba histolytica

The single-celled human parasite Entamoeba histolytica possesses a dynamic actin cytoskeleton vital for its intestinal and systemic pathogenicity. The E. histolytica genome encodes several Rho family GTPases known to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics. EhRho1, the first family member identified, was reported to be insensitive to the Rho GTPase-specific Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme, raising the possibility that it may be a misclassified Ras family member. Here, we report the crystal structures of EhRho1 in both active and inactive states. EhRho1 is activated by a conserved switch mechanism, but diverges from mammalian Rho GTPases in lacking a signature Rho insert helix. EhRho1 engages a homolog of mDia, EhFormin1, suggesting a role in mediating serum-stimulated actin reorganization and microtubule formation during mitosis. EhRho1, but not a constitutively active mutant, interacts with a newly identified EhRhoGDI in a prenylation-dependent manner. Furthermore, constitutively active EhRho1 induces actin stress fiber formation in mammalian fibroblasts, thereby identifying it as a functional Rho family GTPase. EhRho1 exhibits a fast rate of nucleotide exchange relative to mammalian Rho GTPases due to a distinctive switch one isoleucine residue reminiscent of the constitutively active F28L mutation in human Cdc42, which for the latter protein, is sufficient for cellular transformation. Nonconserved, nucleotide-interacting residues within EhRho1, revealed by the crystal structure models, were observed to contribute a moderating influence on fast spontaneous nucleotide exchange. Collectively, these observations indicate that EhRho1 is a bona fide member of the Rho GTPase family, albeit with unique structural and functional aspects compared with mammalian Rho GTPases.

A case of destructive calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint: a diagnostic challenge

The authors present the case of a 64-year-old woman with a destructive calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint. Progressive pain, swelling and a malocclusion were her chief complaints. A few granular calcified masses surrounding the left condylar head and extending to the infratemporal fossa and middle cranial base were presented in CT images. It occurred alone without other joints being affected. A provisional diagnosis of occupying lesion with invasion was made preoperatively, but histologically, the mass contained numerous deposits of rod-shaped or rhomboid crystals, which were positively birefringent under a polarising microscope, suggesting a CPPD deposition disease. The histopathological diagnosis was further supported by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of this disease are discussed.

Anatomical studies of selected tree species of the Moraceae family grown in Nigeria

The internode, bark and wood anatomy of seven tree species of the Family Moraceae, grown in Nigeria were studied to determine their characteristic tissue distribution and unique ergastic substances which could be of immense value in taxonomic work as well as of great economic and medicinal values. Direct microscopic observation of temporary mounts and photomicrographs of permanent mounts of thin microtome sections showed that the internodes did not exhibit anomalous tissue distribution features. Ergastic substances observed in the ground tissues and bark include needle-like, rhomboidal and star-shaped crystals, amorphous organic deposits and starch grains. The wood anatomy showed diffuse-porousness, paratracheal axial parenchyma distribution, non-storeyed structure and rays were heterocellular and predominantly multiseriate. The diagnostic and phyllogenetic implications of the results are discussed.Keywords: anatomy, moraceae, ergastic substances, phyllogenetic, taxonomyJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 1 (2010)

Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical Studies on Carica papaya Linn. Leaves

Papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) is commonly known for its food and nutritional values throughout the world. The medicinal properties of papaya fruit and other parts of the plant are also well known in traditional system of medicine. During the last few decades considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal application of papaya and now it is considered as valuable nutraceutical fruit plant. The present study deals with the microscopic evaluation of leaves of Carica papaya Linn., to establish the salient diagnostic features for the leaf. The leaf shows abundant sphaeraphides and rhomboidal calcium oxalate crystals. The leaf shows no trichomes. Micromorphological studies conducted on the leaf gave value of stomatal index to be 31.56 ± 3.41, vein termination number 3–4, and palisade ratio to be 12.65 ± 1.57. The leaf shows a continuous network of veins. Histochemical tests performed indicate the presence of alkaloids and starch. Powder study shows the presence of sphaeraphides, starch grains and rhomboidal calcium oxalate crystals, apart from regular characters such as stomata and spiral xylem. Physicochemical parameters such as extractive values, ash values and moisture content have also been studied for the leaf. The results of this study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for identification, authentication and preparation of the monograph of the plant.

Myeloma Light Chain-Induced Renal Injury in Mice

We investigated the effects of human light chain (LC) protein-overload in mice kidney to gain further insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of myeloma kidney. Intact male C57BL/6, 10- to 12-week-old mice were given daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 1 ml of human ĸ-LCs (1.5 mg/ml, low dose), or (100 mg/ml, high dose) to uninephrectomized mice for 2 weeks. Intact, sham-operated or uninephrectomized control animals were given the same volume (1 ml/day) of saline, human serum albumin (10 mg/ml) or bovine serum albumin (100 mg/ml) i.p. for 2 weeks in place of LCs. The low-dose LC-treated mice had human LCs in their urine and a significant increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA in the kidneys. Uninephrectomized mice treated with high-dose ĸ-LCs showed tubule casts, and foci of intracytoplasmic rhomboid crystals within the proximal tubules, along with cytoskeletal disruptions and alterations in the brush-border membrane, and high concentrations of human ĸ-LC were present in their sera. High-dose LC treatment also led to increases in serum creatinine and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, and marked increases in interleukin-6 and MCP-1 expression as well as cellular apoptosis in the kidneys. These studies demonstrate that myeloma LC overload over a range of LC concentrations in mice causes significant functional and morphological kidney injury. The model should be helpful in investigating pathophysiologic mechanisms and exploring therapeutic interventions for myeloma kidney and other LC-associated renal disorders.

Swimming Photochromic Azobenzene Single Crystals in Triacrylate Solution

Self-motion of a growing single crystal of azobenzene chromophore in triacrylate solution (TA) is investigated in relation to the solid-liquid phase diagram bound by the solidus and liquidus lines. Upon thermal quenching from the isotropic melt to the crystal + liquid gap, various single crystals develop in a manner dependent on concentration and supercooling depth. During the crystal growth, TA solvent is rejected from the growing faceted fronts, enriching with TA in close proximity to the crystal-solution interface. The concentration gradient that formed as the result of TA expulsion induces convective flows in the solution and generates spatial variability of surface tension usually responsible for Marangoni effect. Either or both of these phenomena may have contributed to the observed self-motion including swimming, sinking, and floating of the azobenzene rhomboidal crystal in TA solution. A stationary rhomboidal crystal is also shown to swim upon irradiation with the UV light because of a mechanical torque generated by the trans-cis isomerization. Judging from the sinking or floating behavior of the azobenzene crystal, it may be inferred that the nucleation occurs at the solution-air interface.

New tribal delimitations for the early diverging lineages of Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae

AbstractPhylogenetic analyses of the cpDNA trnQ–trnK5′ exon region for 27 genera and 42 species of Saniculoideae and early diverging lineages of Apioideae were carried out to assess or confirm the tribal placements of the following anomalous genera: Annesorhiza, Astydamia, Chamarea, Choritaenia, Ezosciadium, Itasina, Lichtensteinia, Marlothiella, Molopospermum and Phlyctidocarpa. To accommodate these unique early diverging members of the Apiaceae and to reflect their relationships, a new tribal classification system has become necessary. Many of the early diverging genera (herein referred to as the protoapioids) can readily be distinguished from the euapioids (the remaining apioids) by the presence of scattered druse crystals in the mesocarp. The major morphological discontinuity within the family, however, lies between the combined protoapioids and euapioids (representing an expanded Apioideae s.l., including the Saniculoideae) and the subfamilies Azorelloideae and Mackinlayoideae. The broadened subfamily Apioideae is diagnostically different from the other subfamilies in the absence of rhomboidal crystals, the presence of druse crystals scattered throughout the mesocarp (subsequently lost in the euapioids), and the non–woody endocarp. No such diagnostic characters are available to support the traditional or recently expanded concept of Saniculoideae. The broadened concept of Apioideae is also supported by the sporadic presence of true wings. This character can be variously interpreted from a phylogenetic point of view, but nevertheless has considerable diagnostic value. A new tribal classification system for the protoapioids is proposed on the basis of molecular, morphological and anatomical evidence. This new system is intended to be practical and non–hierarchical to allow for future realignments amongst the tribes, as more evidence becomes available. It makes provision for hitherto poorly known African taxa and comprises the following eight tribes, five of which are newly described: Annesorhizeae, Choritaenieae, Heteromorpheae, Lichtensteinieae, Marlothielleae, Phlyctidocarpeae, Saniculeae and Steganotaenieae.

Do tracheid microstructure and the presence of minute crystals link Nymphaeaceae, Cabombaceae and Hydatellaceae?

Original scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations are presented for stems of Brasenia schreberi and Cabomba caroliniana of Cabombaceae and three species of Trithuria of Hydatellaceae. End walls of stem tracheids of Brasenia have the same peculiar microstructure that we have reported in Barclaya, Euryale, Nuphar, Nymphaea (including Ondinea) and Victoria of Nymphaeaceae. This feature unites Cabombaceae with Nymphaeaceae. The minute rhomboidal crystals on the surfaces of stellate parenchyma cells of Brasenia reported by Solereder (1906. Oxford: University Press), but not noticed since, are figured. They are like the minute crystals of the often-mentioned astrosclereids of Nymphaeaceae. Neither of these two features has been observed in Hydatellaceae. If the absence of these two features can be confirmed, the reason may be more related to ecology, development, habit and anatomical organization than to degree of phylogenetic relationship as shown by molecular studies. Anatomical observations on the stem anatomy of Trithuria are offered on the basis of paraffin sections prepared for a paper by Cheadle & Kosakai (1975. American Journal of Botany62: 1017–1026); that study is notable for a discrepancy between an illustration of a specialized vessel element on the one hand and tabular data indicating long scalariform perforation plates on the other. Long scalariform perforation plates are mostly found in scalariformly pitted vessels of monocots, whereas the tracheary elements of Trithuria mostly have helical or annular thickenings. We were unable to demonstrate the presence of vessels in Hydatellaceae. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159, 572–582.

Expanding the Pathologic Spectrum of Immunoglobulin Light Chain Proximal Tubulopathy

In plasma cell dyscrasias, involvement of the distal tubules is frequent and well characterized. In contrast, proximal tubules have only rarely been reported to show diagnostic pathology such as intracytoplasmic crystals. To look for additional morphologic features that might be helpful in the diagnosis of proximal tubulopathy associated with an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. We examined patients presenting with nonspecific renal symptoms who were found to have light chain restriction limited to proximal tubular epithelium by immunofluorescence. We correlated these results with light microscopy, electron microscopy, and the clinical findings. By immunofluorescence, 5 patients had light chain restriction in proximal tubular epithelium. By light microscopy, only 1 patient had focal rhomboid crystals in the proximal tubular epithelium; all other biopsies failed to show any discernible pathology within the proximal tubules or elsewhere in the kidney. By electron microscopy, proximal tubules from 2 patients showed crystals with a latticelike structure, whereas the remaining 3 patients had only prominent phagolysosomes. However, by immunoelectron microscopy, the lysosomal content showed light chain restriction (in 2 cases studied). Post-kidney biopsy, all patients were diagnosed with multiple myeloma or plasma cell dyscrasia. One patient developed renal failure and had recurrence of crystals in the allograft. Light chain proximal tubulopathy may be associated with the presence of crystals or with the presence of phagolysosomes with light chain restriction as the sole abnormality. Both kappa and lambda light chains may be involved. The prognosis is variable and the pathology may recur in transplants.

Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner from Soil, Leaf, Seed Dust and Insect Cadaver

Improved methods of isolation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has resulted in the isolation of novel strains with new host range, increased toxicity over the existing isolates and as source of isolation of novel genes. The potent and novel genes of Bt such as vegetative inseeticidal proteins (Vip) and binary toxins are currently used for production of insect resistant transgenic plants. In the present investigation Bt has been isolated from the following sources viz., soil (19 out of 38 locations), leaf (one out of 12 samples), seed dust (two out of seven samples) and insect cadavers (two out of nine insect species). Average population of the Bt isolates varied from 0.24 × 10 3 cfu/g in soil; 0,04 cfu/cm 2 in leaf; 0.09 × 10 2 cfu/g in seed dust and 1.38 × 10 5 cfu/larva in insect cadaver. As far as the number of Bt isolates obtained from different sources 28, one, two and two isolates were obtained from soil, leaf, seed dust&insect cadaver, respectively. Out of the total 33 isolates 18, 10 and five isolates produced bipyramidal, rhomboidal and spherical crystals, respectively. Preliminary toxicity studies showed that the 18 isolates that produced bipyramidal crystals were toxic to the five-day-old larvae of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus). PCR screening of the above isolates using hemolysin specific primers showed that the objectionable exotoxin, hemolysin was present in only one isolate, DVu-1 obtained from the seed dust of Vigna unguiculata (Linnaeus).