Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J M Hurle

Publications and source records attributed to J M Hurle.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Changes in the endothelial morphology of the developing semilunar heart valves. A TEM and SEM study in the chick.

In view of recent evidence showing that shape and orientation of endothelial cells is determined by blood flow, the endothelium of the semilunar valves was studied in the developing chick heart using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal significant developmental modifications of endothelial morphology and structure. These modifications can be linked to modifications of local blood flow and can also explain several aspects of valvular morphogenesis. The results substantially support the hypothesis of an involvement of hemodynamics in the development of the semilunar valves.

Animals↗

Malformations of the semilunar valves produced in chick embryos by mechanical interference with cardiogenesis. An experimental approach to the role of hemodynamics in valvular development.

The purpose of the present work was to analyze the role of hemodynamics in the morphogenesis and histogenesis of the semilunar valves. To achieve this goal we have studied the development of the chick semilunar valves in conditions of abnormal local flow. To obtain an abnormal pattern of local flow we have induced alterations of the cardiac septation process by mechanical interference of the development of the conus cordis. The malformations obtained by this procedure consisted of a spectrum of alterations in the process of incorporation of the aortic conus into the left ventricle. These malformations ranged from a simple widening of the outflow tract of the left ventricle to severe forms of double-outlet right ventricle and ventricular septal defects. Malformations of the semilunar valves consisting of extensive thickening of the leaflets and lack of maturation of the valve tissues were very often present in the malformed hearts. The malformation of the valve leaflets was more frequent and severe in the aortic valve at more advanced stages of development and in the hearts showing more severe alteration of the septation process. The absence of alterations in the semilunar valves of the control embryos and in the experimental embryos without alteration of the cardiac septation suggest a close relationship between the semilunar valves anomalies and the hemodynamic alterations present in the malformed hearts.

Animals↗

A quantitative study of the position of the Golgi apparatus in the developing chick myocardium. Effects of colchicine administration.

This paper presents a quantitative study of the position of the Golgi apparatus in the developing chick myocardium between stages 8+ and 13+. In addition we have studied the effects of colchicine on the position and structure of the Golgi apparatus. During the formation of the heart tube and loop the position of the Golgi apparatus in the myocytes situated in the vicinity of the dorsal mesocardium is related to that found in the cells of the precardiac mesoderm, but it is completely different from that found in the bulk of myocytes of the heart tube and loop. The position of the Golgi apparatus in both pre- and myocardial cells shows clear significative patterns of polarity. The possible significance of the Golgi apparatus polarity is discussed. After colchicine treatment microtubules disappear, the Golgi apparatus loses its polarization and vacuoles filled with amorphous material and/or collagen fibrils are observed. A possible role of the microtubular system in the maintenance of the structure and polarity of the Golgi apparatus and in the intracytoplasmic transport of the cardiac jelly materials is proposed.

Animals↗

Fine structure of the regressing interdigital membranes during the formation of the digits of the chick embryo leg bud.

There is recent evidence showing that in addition to the well-known mesenchymal necrotic mechanism involved in the disappearance of the interdigital membranes, the ectodermal tissue may also play an active role in the formation of the free digits of most vertebrates. Ultrastructural study of the regressing interdigital membrane of the chick leg revealed significant changes at the epitheliomesenchymal interface. Disruptions of the ectodermal basal lamina and an intense deposition of collagenous material were the most conspicuous changes observed in the extracellular matrix. In addition the basal ectodermal cells showed prominent cell processes projected into the mesenchymal core of the membrane, and mesenchymal macrophages appeared to migrate through the epithelial tissue to be detached into the amniotic sac. It is concluded from our results that the elimination of the interdigital membranes is a complex process requiring the interaction of all the tissue components of the membrane.

Animals↗

Myocardial fiber architecture of the human heart ventricles.

The ventricular fiber architecture has been studied anatomically and histologically in 25 human hearts. Special attention has been paid to the form of insertion of the myocardial fibers and to the existence or nonexistence of an independent system of fibers for each ventricle. Three different myocardial layers--superficial (subepicardial), middle, and deep (subendocardial)--have been distinguished according to the fiber direction through the ventricular mass. All the fibers are common for both ventricles with the exception of a thick middle layer peculiar to the left ventricle. The tendinous cords, the central fibrous body, and the arterial fibrous rings are the major zones of insertion of myocardial fibers. On the basis of our results we have attempted to correlate the ventricular architecture with the valvular dynamics.

Adolescent↗

The cerebellar arteries: cortical patterns and vascularization of the cerebellar nuclei.

This paper reports an anatomical study of the vascular supply in 60 human cerebelli from subjects of both sexes, aged between 20 and 60 years, who had died of various accidental causes. The origin, branching pattern and cortical and central distributions of the cerebellar arteries have been studied by gross dissection, vascular injection and corrosion procedures. Variations of the normal pattern of the cerebellar arteries in both origin and cortical distribution are frequently found, the anterior inferior and the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries being the arteries showing the highest number of variations. The anomalies most frequently found are duplication in the origin, abnormal origin, and the presence of hypoplastic vessels. The cerebellar nuclei were supplied by the rhomboidal artery, a collateral branch of the superior cerebellar artery. The formation of a precise segmentary vascular pattern into the dentate nucleus by branches arising from the rhomboidal artery is described. The results are discussed in the light of other anatomical studies.

Adult↗

Surface changes in the embryonic interdigital epithelium during the formation of the free digits: a comparative study in the chick and duck foot.

The formation of the free digits of the chick is accompanied by conspicuous surface changes of the interdigital ectoderm. These changes were much less pronounced or absent in the duck. As early as the interdigital grooves were detected in the chick, the morphological features of the ectodermal cells changed from a polygonal shape and flattened appearance to a rounded shape and bulging appearance. These changes were not present in the webbed foot of the duck. On the other hand the development of the interdigital commissures was accompanied by the formation of ectodermal ridges consisting of an accumulation of rounded cells which were in some cases in course of detachment to the amniotic cavity. These ridges were very prominent in all the interdigital commissures of the chick. In the duck they were less pronounced and were only present in the first and third commissure. From these results it is suggested that in addition to the well-known interdigital mesenchymal necrotic process (INZ) the ectodermal tissue of the interdigits might also be actively involved in the formation of free digits.

Animals↗

Maturation of the extracellular material of the semilunar heart values in the mouse. A histochemical analysis of collagen and mucopolysaccharides.

The developmental changes of collagen and mucopolysaccharides in the semilunar values of the mouse were studied during the embryonic, fetal and postnatal period. The valvular collagen was investigated using Van Gieson and Sirius red-polarization microscopy methods. These procedures showed that the establishment of the fibrosa layer of the cusps does not occur until the second week of the postnatal period. The nature and distribution of the valvular mucopolysaccharides were investigated by staining with Alcian blue at specific pH values and at various critical electrolyte concentrations, with the appropriate enzymatic controls using Streptomyces and testicular hyaluronidase. The results show that hyaluronate and chondroitin 4- and 6-sulphate are the major components during the embryonic and fetal period. In the older fetal stages and during the postnatal period the relative amount of hyaluronate decreases, while chondroitin sulphate increases. It is concluded from this study that the maturation of the valves occurs over a long period of the postnatal life.

Animals↗

Development of mouse semilunar valves.

The development of the semilunar valves of the great arteries of the mouse is studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The earliest anlage of the valves is observed at day 11.5 of gestation, as three pairs of tubercles protruding towards the lumen of the truncus arteriosus. These early cusps consist of a core of mesenchymal tissue covered by the endocardium. From day 12.5 to 14 a process of excavation takes place in the arterial face of the cusps resulting in the achievement of their final shape. Our observations suggest that the excavation process is produced by a selective growth of the free edges of the cusps. Numerous pieces of evidence are reported suggesting that the selective growth of the cusps is due to an inductive interaction between the endocardium of the arterial face of the cusps and the underlying mesenchyme. The histogenesis of the cusps takes place very late in development and possibly continues into the postnatal period. The results are compared with studies made in other vertebrates.

Animals↗

Compositional and structural heterogenicity of the cardiac jelly of the chick embryo tubular heart: a TEM, SEM and histochemical study.

The hearts of chick embryos of stages 9-13 were subjected to SEM, TEM and histochemical studies to ascertain possible regional differences in the structure and composition of the cardiac jelly. Two distinct regions, the cardiac jelly filling the space located between the myocardium and the endocardium (MECJ) and the cardiac jelly filling the dorsal mesocardium (EECJ), were distinguished by their structural and histochemical properties. MECJ is formed by amorphous and fibrillar material arranged between the endocardial and myocardial layer. The amount of its components increases when cetylpyridinium chloride is introduced into the fixative, and it appears intensely stained by ruthenium red and alcian blue at low concentrations of MgCl2. The amount and arrangement of its components increase during the beginning of the looping process of the heart tube. The EECJ is very rich in ruthenium-red-positive basal-lamina-like material and the addition of cetylpyridinium chloride to the fixative does not modify its appearance. It also appears poorly stained by alcian blue at low concentrations of MgCl2 and its arrangment undergoes modifications closely associated with the events of endocardial fusion. The possible significance of these results in the early morphogenesis of the heart is discussed.

Animals↗

Scanning and light microscope studies of the development of the chick embryo semilunar heart valves.

The development of the semilunar valves of the great arteries was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy in the chick embryo. The results show that three distinct developmental periods can be distinguished. The formation of the anlage of the valves takes place in the first period (stages 26--29). These early anlage consist of three pyramidal shaped cusps formed by a core of loosely packed mesenchymal cells covered by a flattened endothelium. In the second period (stages 30--35) the cusps undergo excavation on their distal face. Morphololgical evidence is reported suggesting that this excavation process is produced by an initial solid ingrowth of the endothelium of the arterial face of the cusps which is immediately luminated by detachment of cells towards the bloodstream and by cell death. The histogenesis of the valves takes place in the third period (from stage 36 until hatching). It was observed that during this period some myocardial cells of the outflow tracts of the ventricles invade the valvular tissue and that in the upper part of the cusps a prominent fibrous layer is formed.

Animals↗

Cell death during the development of the truncus and conus of the chick embryo heart.

The presence of cell death in the walls of the truncus and conus of the developing chick heart was investigated by a variety of light and electron microscopic techniques. Necrotic areas were observed in the myocardial layer of the truncus and conus and within the mesenchymal cells of the truncoconal ridges and aortopulmonary septum. These necrotic zones appeared first at Stage 25-26 and reached their maximum extent at Stages 29-32 undergoing later progressive disappearance. The morphological changes of the degenerating cells detectable under both transmission and scanning electron microscopy are also reported. The possible role of cell death in the morphogenesis of the truncus and conus is discussed.

Animals↗

In vivo phagocytosis by developing myocardial cells: an ultrastructural study.

Phagocytosis of naturally degenerating cells, by healthy myocardial cells of the bulbus cordis of 5--7-day chick embryos, was studied by electron microscopy. Myocardial cells showed cell processes surrounding dead cell fragments. The cell fragments appeared to be internalized later and digested within phagosomes. Ruthenium red was employed to ascertain whether the cell fragments were in fact internalized or located in pockets of the cell membrane. The results are discussed in the light of present knowledge of phagocytosis.

Animals↗

Cardiac jelly arrangement during the formation of the tubular heart of the chick embryo.

The hearts of chick embryos from stages 9 to 11 according to Hamburger and Hamilton are studied by means of the electron microscopy, and the arrangement of the cardiac jelly (CJ) during the different steps of the fusion of the paired heart anlage is described. It is shown that two different areas can be distinguished in CJ: the CJ located between the endocardium and the myocardium (MECJ) and the CJ located between the endocardium and the ventral foregut endoderm (EECJ). MECJ is a zone poor on ultrastructural components most of which are unbanded filamentous material and low-density amorphous material, and its arrangement remains constant during the whole fusion process; EECJ, on the contrary, is very rich in ultrastructural components containing greater amounts of high-density amorphous material, collagen fibrils and cellular, detritus, and the arragement of this area of the CJ undergoes changes during the different fusion steps. Alcian blue staining does not show difference between both areas of CJ. It is suggested that the CJ can play a role during the fusion of the heart. In addition, some observations are reported which suggest that all the epithelial tissues surrounding the CJ can take part in the elaboration of that extracellular material.

Animals↗

Cytological and cytochemical studies of the necrotic area of the bulbus of the chick embryo heart: phagocytosis by developing myocardial cells.

The muscular wall of the bulbus cordis of the chick embryo was studied by electron microscopy during H. H. stages 27--31. Results show that the muscle cells of the bulbus undergo necrosis during these stages. The morphology of dead cells in this area is similar to that described in other embryonic myogenic tissues. Although dead myocytes appear acid-phosphatase-negative, lysosomes may well be involved in this necrotic process as there is a significant number of cells with autolytic lesions among the neighbouring healthy muscle cells. The phagocytosis of the cell detritus resulting from the degenerative process appears to be carried out by neighbouring myocytes and by macrophages. The significance of these results is discussed both from the cytological and from the morphogenetic point of view.

Acid Phosphatase↗