Slender Cord Research Articles

SATB2 expression in oral sarcomatoid (spindle cell) squamous cell carcinoma: clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic characterization of 10 cases

ObjectiveSarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma (sSCC) represents an uncommon histopathologic variant of SCC. We examined the clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic characteristics, including SATB2 expression, of 10 oral sSCCs. Study DesignArchived sSCC cases diagnosed during the period 2000-2023 were retrieved. Lesions lacking proper histomorphologic features or adequate immunohistochemical confirmation were excluded. Patient age, sex and lesion location were recorded. All cases were immunostained against SATB2 (Clone EP281; Cell Marque). ResultsTen oral sSCCs were identified (M:F ratio = 1.5:1; age range = 47-82y, median = 74.5y). Tongue was the most common anatomic site. Lesions presented as fungating or ulcerated, polypoid and indurated masses. Microscopically, most tumors demonstrated an infiltrative population of atypical spindle cells organized in slender cords or fascicles. Rhabdoid/plasmacytoid morphology was observed in 3 cases. Immunohistochemically, all cases exhibited strong, focal-to-diffuse positivity for pancytokeratin, p63 and/or p40. Patchy, moderate-to-strong SATB2 staining was seen in 4 oral sSCCs, while 4 additional cases showed rare, weak-to-moderate expression. ConclusionsOral sSCC is uncommon and primarily exhibits spindled histomorphology, although rhabdoid/plasmacytoid features may be observed. A battery of epithelial and non-epithelial markers is required for proper diagnosis. Positive SATB2 immunostaining in oral sSCCs may pose a potential diagnostic pitfall, particularly in small biopsy specimens.

Morphological and Structural Investigations of Egyptian Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Sertoli Cells

Buffaloes are essential part of the economy in many countries and provide sustainable food in addition to being working animals. Inefficiency in reproduction has become problematic in recent years due to a number of factors and although much research concentrates on the female, very little is known about the male buffalo reproductive system. To address this deficiency in the literature, testes were obtained from 20 clinically healthy water buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) bulls aged 3 years old. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the Sertoli cells were columnar to triangle shaped with many processes. In the middle portion of the seminiferous tubules, the Sertoli cell had two types of processes with sheet like and slender cord like appearances. The sheet like processes had simple smooth margins originating from Sertoli cells, surrounding the surfaces of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The slender cord like processes formed networks around other spermatogenic cells. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Sertoli cells contained a large irregular shaped nucleus with deep nuclear membrane indentations, few mitochondria, aggregates of ribosomes and few rough endoplasmic reticulum which were observed within the indentations. Each nucleus contained a multivesicular nuclear body, containing vesicles, tubules and ribosome like dense structures. The work herein describes the structure and location of key reproductive cells within the water buffalo. Understanding the features of the male reproductive system is essential in order to advance studies into the reproductive decline of this species and the Bovidae family.

“Intraosseous” Sclerosing Carcinoma of Possible Odontogenic Origin. Report of Two Cases

Two cases of intraosseous carcinomas that share unusual characteristics are presented. The tumors involved a 72-year-old male and a 73-year-old female and occurred in the mandible and maxilla, respectively. Both tumors caused bone loss as became evident by radiography. They were characterized by small nests and slender cords of epithelial cells reminiscent of “American-Indian” files. Occasionally cytoplasmic clearing was encountered. Cytologically, there were no evidence of atypia and no mitoses.

Three-dimensional cytoarchitecture of angiogenic blood vessels in a gelatin sheet implanted in the rat skeletal muscular layers.

To demonstrate the structure of angiogenic blood vessels three-dimensionally, a gelatin sponge sheet immersed in a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) solution was implanted in the rat dorsal muscular layer, and examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) 5 days to 2 weeks after implantation. Light microscopy of anti-collagen IV antibody immunostained specimens enabled a determination of the basement membrane tube of newly formed blood vessels in the implanted sponge sheet. The tubes were 5-40 microm in diameter, and sometimes tapered to a slender cord within the vascular network. The SEM study of 30% KOH treated tissues revealed two types of tapering ends of newly formed blood vessels. One consisted of endothelial cells with microprojections, and lacked any investment of pericytes over the length of 5-20 microm. The other type was a tapering tip of the endothelial tube covered with pericytic processes. The presence of long processes of pericytes extending beyond the tip of the endothelial tube and connecting to the adjacent vessel wall indicates that this type was produced by endothelial tube regression. Thus, the present study supports the ideas that endothelial tube formation is followed by pericyte coverage at the sprouting tip, and that endothelial tube regression precedes pericyte detachment at the regressing site.

Spermathecae of Ambystoma tigrinum (Amphibia: Caudata): Development and a Role for the Secretions

-The spermathecae of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum are simple tubuloalveolar exocrine glands in the dorsal and lateral walls of the cloaca. In laboratory-raised individuals, the glands are slender cords of epithelial cells at 1 yr and production of 160-400 nm apical, electron-dense secretory granules occurs at 1.5 yrs. More extensive synthesis of secretory products (granules 250-450 nm) is evident at sexual maturity, which can occur at 2 yrs. The glycoprotein secretion is synthesized prior to the breeding season and compacted into the electron-dense granules. Secretory material contained in the granules dissociates and is transferred to vacuoles during the breeding season. The vacuoles and their contents are exocytosed into the lumen during oviposition, perhaps serving to flush sperm from the spermathecae. Oviposition follows within two days of mating in A. tigrinum, and this condition is hypothesized as the plesiomorphic state for duration of sperm storage in the spermathecae of salamanders. . , i i il s

Chloroplast structure ofCyanidium caldariumshown by freeze-substitution

The freeze-substituted chloroplast in Cyanidium caldarium was observed by electron microscopy. Double envelope membranes could be clearly seen. Phycobilisomes were much better fixed by freeze-substitution than by chemical fixation. They appeared as slender cords in contrast to the disk or hemispherical shapes assumed by image subjected to chemical fixation. The arrangement of the phycobilisome-cords on the thylakoid was in a manner more similar to that in Rhodophyta than that in Cyanophyta. The double envelope membranes and the arrangement of phycobilisome-cords suggest that Cyanidium caldarium may appropriately be classed as a member of Rhodophyta.

FORMATION OF GERM CELL-LIKE CELLS IN THE PERITONEAL EPITHELIUM OF THE TESTES OF ESTROGEN-TREATED ADULT MALES OF THE JAPANESE RED-BELLIED NEWT, CYNOPS PYRRHOGASTER PYRRHOGASTER.

Columnar cells of the peritoneal epithelium in slender cords of the testes were examined in normal and estradiol benzoate-treated Japanese red-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster pyrrhogaster, by light and electron microscopy. In normal newts, the peritoneal epithelium covering the slender cord consists of columnar cells, which contain extraordinarily large, oval or spindle-shaped nuclei with conspicuous indentations. The nucleus contains chromatin granules and the cytoplasm is filled with numerous tonofilaments. The primordial germ cells are scattered throughout the slender cord, and each cell is surrounded by a few follicle cells. Between the germ cells and follicle cells there are microvilli-like processes. The nucleus of primordial germ cells is multilobate and has electron lucent areas, dispersed chromatin and several electron-dense nucleoli. In the lighter cytoplasm, the nuage material is found very near to nuclear pores, and is frequently seen among the mitochondria. The nucleolus-like body is not associated with other organelles. The primary spermatogonia have bilobate nuclei. It is remarkable that most of the cytoplasmic organelles are found in the deep nuclear indentations. The nuage material and nucleolus-like body are well developed in the cytoplasm. After treatment of newts with estradiol benzoate for one year, four types of cells can be distinguished in the peritoneal epithelium. One type is quite different from the columnar cells. These newly appeared cells are large and light in appearance. Their nucleus is highly lobate, and contains dispersed chromatin and several nucleoli with compact electron dense material in its periphery. The cells are characterized by the presence of nuage material and nucleolus-like bodies in the cytoplasm. There are microvilli-like processes between these cells and adjacent elongated cells. These ultrastructural characteristics of the light cells are very similar to those of primordial germ cells and/or primary spermatogonia in normal testes. These findings suggest that the light cells which appear in the peritoneal epithelium of the testes on administration of estrogen may be germ line cells.

On the Transverse Fission of Cysticercus pisiformis in experimentally infested Rabbits, and the Phylogenetic Significance of Asexual Phenomena in Cysticerci

Transverse fission of Cysticercus pisiformis begins in the liver and is usually completed there. It is brought about by one or two annular constrictions which. ultimately result in the complete fission of the original bladder-worm into two or three parts. The posterior segments thus formed are normally acephalic.Histologically, fission involves an initial hypertrophy of the cuticle and subcuticula at the zone of constriction, followed by their degeneration and loss, and by the increase and consolidation into a slender cord of the muscle and parenchyma fibres. With the rupture of the cord and the sealing up of the broken ends, fission is complete.The majority of the bladder-worms do not undergo fission, but the process is apparently spontaneous and quite normal for the species. Its cause is unknown, but it is thought to have a phylogenetic significance.

The multiple testis in diemyctylus

AbstractA study of the development and seasonal changes of the testis in Diemyctylus viridescens shows that accessory testicular lobes arise as follows: Emptying of the caudal zone of the testis at mating is followed by degeneration of the lobules (tubules) of that region, reducing it to a slender cord consisting chiefly of duct system and residual spermatogonia. A regeneration of lobules at the distal end of this cord later gives rise to the second or accessory lobe.Accessory lobes develop in immature males after a similar reduction of the caudal end of the testis through spermatogonial degeneration or an abortive spermatogenesis. The caudal germ‐cell cord thus formed is comparable to that resulting from extrusion of spermatozoa, and the development of new lobules at the distal end of this cord gives rise to a second lobe as in adult males. There is no evidence of the formation of a multiple testis by outgrowths from the primary lobe or by the junction of several lobes originally separate.A multiple testis occurs in Urodele species exhibiting two peculiarities of the spermatogenetic pattern: (1) a slow spermatogenetic wave and, (2) delayed regeneration of lobules emptied at mating or by degeneration of their germ cells. The number of lobes is correlated with the age of the individual. In Diemyctylus under 6 cm. the first accessory lobe has not yet developed.