Bulbar and spinal muscular atrophy of late onset. A sporadic (?) case.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
M Marchini
Publications and source records attributed to M Marchini.
Marked deciliation and insufficient secretory modification of endometrial surface during treatment with a new progestogen-estrogen combination.
Endometrial modifications induced by SHB 209 AE, a new progestogen-estrogen combination, was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, in order to demonstrate specific variations of the endometrial surface and if these contribute to the contraceptive effects of the preparation. Endometrial biopsies were performed in 27 volunteers who had taken SHB 209 AE during the preceding 3 months. Endometrial biopsies of 15 normomenstruating volunteers were used as controls. Each fragment was subdivided for scanning and transmission electron microscopy examination. The ciliated cells were always significantly fewer in the various phases of the treatment cycle than in the control endometria although, as in the controls, their number and ratio with nonciliated cells was greater mid-way through the cycle. Ciliogenesis was always notably delayed compared to the normal endometria during the different treatment cycle phases. Secretory modifications appeared prematurely but remained incomplete through the treatment cycle. These modifications caused total and characteristic alterations of the mucosal architecture and cellular maturation that comprised the implantation phase.
Adolescent↗
Cytochemical study on human spermatozoa metabolism during in vitro capacitation.
In eutherian mammalian spermatozoa the capacitation is coupled to a specific type of metabolism, that is glycolysis or oxidative respiration. A cytochemical study was carried out on cytochrome oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase in human spermatozoa collected at different times during in vitro capacitation. Human spermatozoa were incubated in Biggers, Whitten and Wittingham's medium supplemented with 15% heat-inactivated human serum. Both histoenzymological reactions based on oxidative polymerization of diaminobenzidine (cytochrome oxidase) or on tetrazolium salts reduction (lactate dehydrogenase) can be quantitated and have been evaluated by microdensitometric method (Vickers M85). The results suggest that human spermatozoa depend almost quite on the anaerobic glycolysis during in vitro capacitation.
Electron Transport Complex IV↗
Pirprofen, naproxen and placebo in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea.
In a double-blind between-patient clinical trial, 82 patients were admitted to the study and after a preliminary period with placebo administered in single-blindness, they were divided into two groups: "placebo-responders" and "placebo non-responders". Responders were treated with pirprofen capsules (400 mg, b.i.d.) or placebo capsules b.i.d.; non-responders were treated with pirprofen capsules (400 mg, b.i.d.) or naproxen capsules (250 mg, b.i.d.) according to two different randomisation lists, for four menstrual cycles. A complete medical examination, including evaluation of associated symptomatology, menstrual flow entity and global efficacy, was performed after each cycle. In the responders group results were significantly better with pirprofen than with placebo after only the second cycle of treatment (p less than 0.01). In the non-responders group both treatments showed "good" or "excellent" results in more than 80% of patients in all cycles. In all patients there were no significant differences in the evaluation of the menstrual flow entity, of the associated symptomatology and of the number of side-effects.
Adult↗
Differences in the fibril structure of corneal and tendon collagen. An electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction investigation.
A detailed analysis of the D-period and axial electron density distribution of cornea and tendon collagen was carried out by means of X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural observations were made on replicas of freeze fractured and deep-etched specimens. Synchrotron radiation was used to obtain high resolution small angle X-ray diffraction patterns. The data provide evidence that D-period and intraperiod distances in cornea are shorter than in tendon collagen fibrils. The observed different banding observed is interpreted on the basis of the different morphological arrangement of the microfibrils in the two tissues: "helicoidal" in cornea and "straight" in tendon microfibrils.
Animals↗
Ultrastructural aspects of rat tail tendon sheaths.
An investigation was carried out on the sheaths which envelop rat tail tendons. The samples were processed for observation by light and electron microscopy. In the case of electron microscopy, thin sections of specimens embedded in epoxy resin and replicas of freeze etched samples were used. On the basis of histological and ultrastructural observations, four distinct connective tissue sheaths have been detected. The paratendineum is a thick fibrous sheath that covers externally the four groups of tendons arranged around the vertebrae of the tail; the epitendineum is a distinct fibrous sheath surrounding each tendon group; the peritendineum is composed of concentric cellular laminae enveloping each tendon; lastly, the endotendineum is made up of one cellular lamella which adheres to the fibres of the tendon, projecting trabeculae between the individual tendon fascicles. In the para- and epitendineum, thick bundles of collagen fibrils, running parallel to the fibres of the tendon, were visible. The collagen fibrils had a wide variability of diameters (from 35 to 220 nm) and, when examined in replica, their microfibrillar arrangement appeared to be straight. In the peri- and endotendineum, thin bundles of collagen fibrils were visible between the cellular laminae, parallel to the main axis of the tendon. Among these collagen bundles, elastic fibres and numerous glycoproteins containing microfibril-like filaments were visible. The collagen fibrils were small and of uniform diameter (50 nm) and, when observed on replica, showed a helicoidal microfibrillar arrangement. The cell layers of the peri- and endotendineum were made up of flattened fibroblasts which were connected by specialised junctions and which contained numerous micropinocytotic vesicles. A thin layer of granular electron-dense material, with ultrastructural characteristics similar to those of a basement membrane, was visible on the surface of the most external cellular layer of the peritendineum and on the outer surface of the cellular lamella of the endotendineum. Due to their morphological characteristics it is supposed that the four tendon sheaths are involved in different and special functions. Moreover, collagen Type I and collagen Type III, demonstrated by means of immunofluorescence techniques in previous investigations, show respectively a close similarity in distribution to the thick collagen fibrils, with a straight microfibrillar arrangement, of the two external sheaths, and to the thin collagen fibrils, with a helicoidal microfibrillar arrangement, of the two internal sheaths.
Animals↗
Heterogeneity of proteoglycan particles in thin sections and replicas of human articular cartilage.
Proteoglycans were studied in articular cartilage of human femoral condyles. On the basis of the histochemical data obtained by means of light microscopy (AB + CEC MgCl2; pre-incubation with hyaluronidase or with chondroitinase ABC), the proteoglycan concentration as well as the keratan sulfate-chondroitin sulfate ratio seemed to increase proportionally to the articular cartilage depth. AB-proteoglycan particles of various shapes (filament-like or leaf-like) and sizes (10 nm or 16-18 nm), depending on the articular cartilage depth and on the histochemical conditions (as above), were visualized in thin sections. Similar heterogeneity of elongated non-collagen particles was shown in replicas of fresh freeze-fractured and deep-etched specimens. An interpretation of the distribution and nature of articular cartilage proteoglycans was made by comparing the obtained morphological findings.
Adolescent↗
Recent and long-established lesions of the capsular ligaments of the knee.
Twenty-two cases of capsulo-ligamentous lesions of the knee are presented. These cover a period of 2 years. They are subdivided into two groups - recent lesions and late lesions. Emphasis is given to the predominance of the medial compartment in recent lesions and of the posterior cruciate ligament in the late lesions.
Adolescent↗
The banding pattern of rat tail tendon freeze-etched collagen fibrils.
Banding patterns of freeze-etched and replicated rat tail tendon collagen fibrils were studied. Better banding definition was obtained by freezing the samples without using a cryoprotectant and by prolonging etching. Under these conditions, the banding pattern was characterized by a sequence of elevated and depressed segments with a D-period of 65 nm, by two ridges at the margins of the elevations and by a third ridge at an intermediate point in the depressions. A comparison between replicas and isolated negatively stained collagen fibril micrographs as well as densitometric determinations have allowed interpretation of the elevations and depressions as overlap and gap zones and of the three ridges as the main bands with higher molecular density. Estimates, carried out on densitometric diagrams obtained from replicas, gave values which may represent a new parameter in the study of collagen banding and led to the calculation of a 0.55 D long gap zone and of a 0.45 D long overlap zone.
Animals↗
Why inclusion bodies do assume different locations in thalassaemic erythrocytes.
The reported scanning (SEM), transmission (TS), and freeze-etching (FE) electron microscopic studies have agreed in confirming that in thalassaemic erythrocytes, previously incubated with brilliant cresyl blue (BCB), the unpaired alpha chains precipitate in the central portions of the cell whereas excess beta chains locate in the submembranous regions. This is due to the fact that beta chains, possessing two thiols instead of only one (as in alpha chains), are more liable to bind to similar groups contained in the inner red cell leaflet. Less soluble alpha chains tend to form inter-chain bridges and thus precipitate centrally. SEM observations have given evidence that on the surface of the affected red cells denaturated alpha chains give rise to large and shallow invaginations whereas denatured beta chains lead to diffuse wrinkled appearance. The causes of the different SEM aspects have been suggested.
Adolescent↗
Pseudo-elastica in alcoholic hepatic fibrosis: histochemical and ultrastructural aspects.
During the early phases of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis, histochemical studies show positivity to both specific elastin and the specific collagen stains at the level of the centrolobular vein, the portal triad and portacaval anastomosis. Ultrastructural investigation in the portacaval anastomosis demonstrates the presence of collagen fibrils and afibrillar material. Treatment with tannic acid increases the contrast of these structures. The possible correlations between histochemical and ultrastructural findings are discussed.
Collagen↗
[Distribution of proteoglycans in the sclera].
The Authors have studied, with histochemical methods, the manner of proteoglycans distribution in superficial and deep layers of the sclera, which are characterized by structural differences regarding collagen. The pictures, on one hand, are in agreement with biochemical data which indicate the presence of dermatan-sulfate, chondroitin-sulfate and hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, show a marked glycosaminoglycans distribution in the deep layers and a lessening of their distribution relative to the superficiality of the layers. Furthermore alcianophilic particles are visualized at the electron microscope. In the superficial layers such particles are in direct relation, often periodically, with the collagen fibrils, while in the deep layers particles without this direct relationship are also observable. The Authors point out a topographic coincidence between variations regarding the proteoglycans distribution and variations regarding collagen. Moreover, the obtained pictures suggest the existence of a particular proteoglycans-collagen interaction corresponding to the deep layers where fibrillogenesis occurs.
Animals↗
[Ultrastructure of collagen fibers in the sclera].
The Authors have studied the microfibrillar packing of the scleral collagen fibrils on thin sections of samples treated with a dissociant agent and on replicas of freeze-fractured fibrils. The only difference in observing the fibrils between the external and internal layers is relative to the diameter, evidencing in general, lower dimensions in the latter. The microfibrillar packing is characterized by a lightly spiralized or wavy running of filamentous subunits and the same is evident in fibrils of different diameter. The ultrastructural pictures are similar to those obtained in the other tissues, such as tendons, fibrous cartilages, fibrous capsules of parenchymatous organs and ligaments, in which the collagen is predominantly type I, like in the sclera.
Animals↗
[Study of rat tail tendon by x-ray diffraction and freeze-etching technics].
Rat tail tendon collagen processed according to different fixation and cryoprotection treatments has been examined by small angle X-ray diffraction and freeze-etching techniques. The results show some differences in the axial period and in the degree of disorder of the molecular packing as a function of the applied treatment.
Animals↗
Proteoglycans and their relationship with the other components of the rabbit aorta wall observed in two different experimental conditions.
An electron microscopic study of the aorta wall of rabbit was carried out employing electron microscopic histochemical methods aimed at examining the distribution of proteoglycans and their correlation with the other structural components of the aorta wall. The ultrastructural evidence of the proteoglycans has been obtained by treating the arterial wall with alcian blue stain and supporting this staining procedure with control enzyme treatments. Moreover, in order to attain a better interpretation of the ultrastructural findings, the arterial wall has been studied under 2 different experimental conditions, the 1st one being represented by an accentuated contraction of the vase's wall, following immersion in the fixator, the other one by an extreme distension of the wall, reached prior to fixation, subjecting the tissue to its tension limit of 700 dyn/mm2. This type of electron microscopic visualization of the proteoglycans following alcian blue treatment leads on to think that at least 2 distinct macromolecular entities of proteoglycans exist, each one having an unusual relationship with the other components of the arterial wall. Different site and types of interaction are to be noted for each of the 2 distinct ultrastructural proteoglycans entities.
Animals↗
Ultrastructural observations on collagen and proteoglycans in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.
Replicas of freeze-fractured collagen fibrils of peripheral and central parts of the annulus fibrosus of bovine intervertebral discs show microfibrils which run either arranged in parallel or in a helix with an inclination-angle ranging from 4 degrees to 8 degrees. According to results of freeze-fracutred tissues, thin sections of specimens treated with 4M guanidinium chloride show collagen fibrils with a parallel or a slightly wavy microfibrillar packing. Thin sections of specimens treated with alcian blue diluted in MgCl2 critical electrolyte solutions reveal interfibrillar proteoglycan particles with a filamentous shape in the peripheral zones of the annulus fibrosus and a predominant leaf-like appearance in the inner ones. These observations are discussed with reference to previous data concerning the variation in composition from the peripheral to the inner parts of the annulus fibrosus.
Animals↗
[Thio-Tepa in the chemotherapy and chemical prevention of papillary neoplasms of the bladder].
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Carcinoma, Papillary↗
[Development of the connective structures of the adductor canal in humans].
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Connective Tissue↗