Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Familiari

Publications and source records attributed to G Familiari.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Focal cell contacts detected by ruthenium red, triton X100 and saponin in the granulosa cells of mouse ovary.

Granulosa cells in growing follicles of mouse ovary, observed after treatment with ruthenium red (RR) as described by Luft (1971a, b), appeared to be covered by a continuous well-defined layer. On the contrary, treating granulosa cells with 1% Triton X100 (Vaccaro and Brody, 1981), followed by RR staining, resulted in the complete extraction of the plasma membrane coat (Triton does not affect the basement membrane and extracellular matrix proteoglycans). The use of 0.02% saponin together, with the RR stain, or 0.1% Triton X100 followed by RR staining, allows good visualization of follicular basement membrane and extracellular matrix proteoglycans without destroying cell morphology. Using this technique, we observed the extraction of the plasma membrane coat, but focal RR-stained condensations that were unaffected by saponin or 0.1% Triton X100 treatment were observed between plasma membranes of granulosa cells located around the periphery of large Graafian follicles. In some cases, RR condensations were located at the apex of plasmalemmal evaginations, in proximity to adjacent granulosa cells. Focal condensations of RR stain were never observed in secondary follicles. Present evidence suggests that focal cell contacts are mediated by transmembrane intercalated glycoproteins or proteoglycans and consequently play a role in cell adhesion. Their presence among granulosa cells of only very large Graafian follicles may be related to the maturation process of granulosa cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Value of serology and endoscopy and clinical aspects in idiopathic rectocolitis].

The clinical course of ulcerative colitis is characterized by recurring acute attacks and interspersed with periods of remission. The present study correlates the clinical, endoscopic and laboratory results in the follow-up of 22 rectocolitis patients in order to identify any data that might serve as a warning of recurrences. It is claimed that laboratory examinations like titering of alpha 1-antitrypsin, antithrombin III collagenase, C3 and C4 offer useful support for endoscopy which is generally considered the only reliable examination in the diagnosis of idiopathic rectocolitis.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1985

[Variations in serum sialic acid in patients operated on for colonic cancer].

Various Authors believe that an increase in serum sialic acid might indicate the cancerisation of the membrane. Serum sialic acid was assayed pre- and post-operatively in patients with colonic carcinoma and in a control group. Sialic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the cancer group and the data obtained confirm the view that the increase has an effect on immune response in tumor patients.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1985

Morphological studies of polycystic mouse ovaries induced by dehydroepiandrosterone.

Morphological alterations induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) were studied in polycystic mouse ovaries (PCO). Treated mice showed ovulatory failure and cystic changes; cysts and follicles in various stages of growth and atresia were present although corpora lutea were absent. The levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha- and 3 beta-androstanediol, estrone and androstenedione increased, whereas estradiol was not detectable. The ultrastructure of granulosa cells in healthy and atretic follicles was similar to that of control animals, although the membrana granulosa in cysts was reduced to a monolayer of flattened cells. The theca interna of healthy and atretic follicles and ovarian cysts showed ultrastructural signs of abnormal steroidogenic stimulation. No significant differences (0.7 less than P less than 0.8) were found between the extensive surface area of gap junctions of healthy follicles of control and DHA-treated animals. On the P-face of granulosa cells of large healthy follicles, meandering strands of tight junctional particles were observed; their average length was significantly longer than those in healthy follicles of control animals (P less than 0.001). This increase was probably related to the large amounts of androgens present in the treated animals. Theca interna cells possessed small gap junctions; no significant differences (P greater than 0.9) in gap-junction surface area were observed between DHA-treated and control animals. These results suggest that the size of gap junctions is probably unrelated to the steroidogenic activities of theca cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Morphological and statistical investigation of the occurrence of 'tubule-like cells' in the renal corpuscle of the mouse kidney induced by sex hormones.

In this report the authors describe the structural and ultrastructural characteristics of some cells constituting the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule of the mouse kidney, which are very similar to the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule (tubule-like cells). These elements are noted in mature and immature mice of both sexes, but their fine morphology and statistical incidence seem related to the sex and the age of the mice, as revealed by the different responsiveness of the same animals to sex hormones experimentally administered. Such substances, directly and/or through an influence on gonadotropins (especially luteinizing hormone), are able to modify (mainly increasing) the percentage of renal corpuscles possessing tubule-like cells.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1981

The extracellular matrix of healthy and atretic mouse ovarian follicles studied by lanthanum nitrate and polycation ruthenium red.

Changes occurring in the fine structure of Zona pellucida and follicular fluid in growing and atretic follicles in mice were examined by electron microscopy using lanthanum nitrate and ruthenium red. The results showed that follicular fluid has a dense globular aspect in growing follicles but becomes more dispersed and globular-fibrillar in atretic follicles. It is formed by rounded negatively charged particles (20 nm in diameter) that are closely packed in growing follicles, but spaced and united by filaments in atretic follicles. These changes may be related to a changed role of granulosa cells and also to an altered passage of nutritive substances from the plasma into the follicle. The Zona pellucida is intensely colorable only in the atretic follicles, where it is composed of a dense globular fibrous matrix, but not in growing follicles, where it reveals a weak reaction with ruthenium red. While in the Zona pellucida of growing follicles the globular negatively charged particles (20 nm in diameter) probably due to sialic acid moieties are rarely evident, these particles become highly numerous and connected by microfilamentous structures in atretic follicles. The altered electrical charge of polyanions may reflect a different chemical permeability of the Zona pellucida. Then the increase of negative charged particles in the zona may have a role in a process of sequestration of the oocyte during atreasia.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Occurrence of a contractile tissue in the theca externa of atretic follicles in the mouse ovary.

In mature mouse ovaries, smooth muscle cells (SMC) are as a rule concentrated in the perifollicular stroma of developing follicles but are also present in different ovarian regions. In growing antral follicles SMC form a conspicuous investment ('capsule') of concentric layers of stretched and elongated elements located in the zones of the theca externa. On the contrary, in antral follicles reaching approximately the same growth phase but with clear signs of atresia, the contractile capsule of the follicles has an irregular outline due to an apparent dislocation and shortening of SMC. The ultrastructural findings show that in atretic follicles the majority of the cells forming this capsule possess the cytological characteristics of SMC fixed in contraction. The occurrence of compressed SMC in the wall of atretic follicles suggests that some relationship exists between follicle contraction and the atretic process. In the case of the follicle at ovulation, it may be suggested that the activation of such perifollicular contractile tissue, even if incapable of producing alone the dehiscence of the follicle, may nevertheless be capable of squeezing the follicular wall. Then, if other factors do not simultaneously occur to cause a normal ovulatory process, the contraction of this tissue, instead of assisting in the rupture of the follicle, may favor its collapse and subsequent involution during atresia.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Dynamic interaction between spermatozoa and the mucosa of the female genital tract in the mouse: study using scanning and transmission electron microscopy].

Submicroscopic alterations occurring in mouse spermatozoa during their stay in the female reproductive tract as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy using ruthenium red as marker for glycosaminoglycans are described in the present investigation. The results show that the surface of the plasma membrane covering the acrosomal region of the spermatozoa found in the uterus at different intervals of time after copulation (between 10 minutes up to 20 hours), was provided with an increasing number of granules and small vesicles. Some of the surface structures appear gradually leading to perforation of discrete areas of plasma membranes in regions corresponding to the acrosomal region covering the head of spermatozoa. Also the use of ruthenium red shows a significant decrease of glycosaminoglycans and their sialic acid moieties that specifically precede further vesiculation and fenestration (perforation) of the plasma membrane covering the same acrosomal regions.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Morphological changes of mouse spermatozoa in uterus as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Submicroscopic alterations occurring in mouse spermatozoa during their sojourn into the female reproductive tract--as revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy using ruthenium red as marked for glycosaminoglycans--are described in the present investigation. The results show that the surface of the plasma membrane covering the acrosomal region of the spermatozoa found in the uterus--at different intervals of time after copulation (between 10 minutes up to 20 hrs)--are provided with an increasing number of granules and small vesicles. Some of the surface structures appear gradually leading to perforation of discrete areas of plasma membrane in regions corresponding to acrosomal areas covering the head of spermatozoa. Similarly ruthenium red preparations, show a significant decrease of glycosaminoglycans and their sialic acid moieties, which specifically precede further vesiculation and perforation of the sperm plasma membrane covering the same acrosomal regions.

Acrosome↗