Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Zaviacic.
Brown adipose tissue is known to be the most important organ for generating heat in non-shivering thermogenesis. Process of thermogenesis and thermoregulation may be affected by many drugs. The paper deals with actual literary data of effect of ethanol, nicotine and caffeine on brown adipose tissue, heat production and its regulation in experimental animals and in human.
The recent fast growth of data on new markers and their identification in different cellular structures results in the need of narrow selection with regard to their applicability. The aim of the review is description of application possibilities of immunohistochemical methods in the diagnostics of pathological processes in the cervix and body of uterus. (Fig. 5, Ref. 43.)
BACKGROUND: Histochemistry with lectins highly specific for one sugar represent a sensitive and accurate method for the localization of glycoproteins in tissues. OBJECTIVES: The paper evaluates the possibilities of histochemical applications of the novel lectin from Tritrichomonas mobilensis (TML) with specificity for sialic acid. METHODS: TML purified by affinity chromatography was used for anti-TML monoclonal antibody production and tested with the use of avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. RESULTS: In human biopsy material from different organs and tissues, TML showed strong membrane reactivity with vascular endothelium with the exception of glomerular and pulmonary capillaries and sinuses in the spleen and the bone marrow. Luminal membrane positivity dominated in glandular epithelia, especially in the lining of ducts. In squamous epithelia, the membrane positivity was present in cells of the basal layer, in transitional epithelium also in umbrella cells. Mucus in respiratory tract was positive, in gastrointestinal tract the positivity was irregular. Nerve tissue and endocrine glands were mostly negative. CONCLUSIONS: The lectin from tritrichomonas mobilensis can be considered a perspective reagent for identification of sialylated glycosubstances based on its high specificity for one sugar--the sialic acid and excellent results in histochemistry. (Fig. 7, Ref. 29.)
BACKGROUND: Rats have an extraordinary expressive circadian organization and prefer the dark as the optimal condition of its life environment. During darkness, the rhythm of its several parameters reaches the acrophase. MAIN PURPOSE: The aim was to establish the differences in the level of food-intake of laboratory rats of the Wistar strain and in those of the spontaneously obese rats of the Koletsky strain by means of ad libitum feeding under natural light-dark conditions. METHODS: The levels of day and night food consumptions in both strains of rats, Wistar and the spontaneously obese Koletsky strain, were studied within the period from January 10th to 20th, (males), and from April 16 to 26, 1990, (females). The animals were fed by Larsen's diet under natural light conditions. The data were evaluated by means of the t-test. RESULTS: It was detected that during the period between 5 o'clock PM and 6 o'clock AM the male rats of the Wistar strain consumed 80% and the female rats 79% of their total daily amount of food. Food consumption of the Koletsky rats during the period from 5 o'clock PM to 6 o'clock AM in males reached the value of 72% and in females 74%. CONCLUSIONS: There were detected significant differences in circadian food-intake in both strains. Besides the nocturnal preference in food-intake of Wistar rats, which is in accordance with the data gained from literature, a similar food-intake with expressive diurnal-nocturnal differences exists also in the spontaneously obese Koletsky rats. Daily food consumption in these male rats was significantly higher when compared to the Wistar strain. (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 5.).
Life threatening eroticizing behavior, asphyxiophilia (sexual asphyxia) is practiced in women, as in men, in order to heighten sexual excitement and to achieve orgasm, which is in some women accompanied by expulsions of fluid (ejaculation) from the urethra. The relatively easily achieved orgasm induced by the mechanism of asphyxia is hypothesized to be the common reason for repetitive deviant asphyxiophilic behavior. Moreover, in women of the ejaculatory type (female ejaculators), the desire to induce ejaculatory orgasm by asphyxia may also come into play as this kind of orgasm is usually assessed as sensation of greater delight than orgasm without ejaculation.
In addition to knowledge gained in the first half of the 8th decade, the evidence of cross-antigenicity between male prostate and Skene's glands by means of PSA and PSAcP demonstrations in Skene's glands and ducts justifies utilization of the term prostate in both sexes. The authors compared the results of immunohistochemical examination of prostatic markers by means of the PAP method which was used at the beginning of the 8th decade, with that of BSAP technique. Prostatic tissues of 11 females and children at the age ranging from 5 to 71 years were examined. The results gained by means of the BSAP method were identical with those gained by means of the PAP method. Prostatic markers PSA and PSAcP were expressed on the surface and in apical cytoplasm of cells lining the prostatic ducts, and in prostatic glands. The authors proved the expression also in membranes of the stratified cylindrical epithelial cells of the ducts, and in female prostatic fluid in ducts and glands, especially PSAcP. Even though both immunohistochemical methods brought identical results, the authors recommend to prefer the BSAP method to the PAP method due to optically more contrast expression. (Fig. 8, Ref. 36.)
Idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, AITP) represents a relatively frequent impairment. It involves a syndrome of various diseases with a shortened thrombocytes survival caused by anti-platelet antibodies. The majority of cases are of secondary character. Spleenectomy often evokes a complete remission of thrombocytopenia. The study describes morphologic findings in spleens of 30 patients with the clinical diagnosis of ITP/AITP. The findings were gained by light microscopy from formol-paraffin blocks and histochemical findings from cryostat sections of non-fixed tissue. The alcaline and acidic phosphatases, nonspecific esterase, chloracetate esterase, and dipeptydilpeptidase IV were investigated enzymohistochemically. Immunoglobulins were examined immunohistochemically and T lymphocytes by means of monoclonal antibodies. The affinity HPA--Helix pomatia agglutinin, PHA--phytohemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris, SBA--soy-bean agglutinin from Glycine max. and PSA--peas bean agglutinin from Pisum sativum were investigated by means of specific antilectin antibodies. The human spleen during idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura accumulates neutrophilic polymorphonuclear granulocytes; platelets-stagnate and are destroyed. These processes can be identified in histologic sections e.g. also by means of anti-fibrinogen antibodies. The red pulp contains foam cells to various extent. Besides generally known processes, the white pulp also displays alterations in composition of cellular compartment of the periarterial lymphatic sheaths. Human spleen distinguishes modified blood platelets as alien corpuscles, and thus eliminates them from the blood circulation system by its immunologic and other mechanisms, the details of which still remain to be clarified. (Fig. 6, Ref. 44.)
An autopsy case of adenocarcinoma of Skene's paraurethral gland co-incident with renal cell carcinoma is described. The adenocarcinoma showed distinct prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase pointing to the equivalence between the male prostate and Skene's paraurethral glands and ducts. Skene's gland are the homologue of the prostate in females and tumours arising from them are immunohistochemically similar to male prostate carcinoma.
The affinity of Helix pomatia, peanut, Pisum sativum, soy bean, and wheat germ agglutinins to various nephron parts of NZB/W F1 mice was different and is assumed to be age dependent. The affinity of Pisum sativum agglutinin to basal membranes of small renal vessels increased with the age of NZB/W F1 mice. The wheat germ agglutinin bound to structures with alkaline phosphatase activity.
Chronic and recurrent abdominal pain are frequent diagnostic problems in school age and adolescent children. The authors examined the IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori using ELISA in a group of 91 children. Positive results were found in 20 children, i.e. 22%. All children positive for Helicobacter pylori antibodies underwent an endoscopic examination with bioptic sampling of the gastric and duodenal mucosa. Bioptic samples were examined histologically and Helicobacter pylori was identified microscopically and using urease tests and cultivation. All 20 children with antibodies to Helicobacter pylori had histological evidence of chronic gastritis in the gastric antrum and infection with Helicobacter pylori was found in 16 cases. Detection of Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies is useful in the selection of patients for endoscopic examination of the stomach and duodenum. Endoscopy is relevant also where antibodies to Helicobacter pylori are negative and the characteristic picture of chronic disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract is present.
The author discusses the definition, history, anthropological data and sexual differences of a deviant sexual activity, asphyxiophilia (Kocwarism), the objective of which is stimulation or enhancement of sexual excitation or induction of orgasm by induced hypoxia. The author draws attention to the basic features which provide evidence of this life threatening and so far inadequately diagnosed sexual practice in both sexes, in particular in women. These features can be used in forensic psychiatry and sexuology and in forensic medicine.
The surface relief of the mucous membrane of the normal rabbit appendix was studied under scanning electron microscopy. Two different types of surface relief were identified. One consisted of relatively regular crests and grooves of the mucosa, the other one exhibited scattered crater-like openings into which "heads of lymphatic nodes" were inserted to varying extent and which were separated from the surface mucosa by broad alveolar cavities. Since adequate terminology has not yet been coined for the description of the observed structures, the authors use the terminology of classical histology and from analogous descriptions of other reliefs.
The binding of PSA, PNA, HPA, WGA, Con A, LCL, RCA, SBA, and PHA lectins to epithelial structures of the normal rabbit appendix was studied. Differences were observed in the affinity of some lectins to the epithelium of the intercryptal lining of the rabbit appendix, to the epithelium hemming the glandules and crypts of the domes of Peyer's patches. The obtained results document the difference in the affinity of individual batches of anti-WGA antibodies to this lectin after its binding to the epithelial structures studied. This implies the possibility that differently reacting antibodies may develop to different commercially available batches of WGA. Precipitation of WGA at sites of alkaline phosphatase occurrence demonstrates the relationship of this enzyme to WGA binding sites in tissues.
Using histochemical methods, the authors compared the enzymes in the prostate of 19 women of fertile age (15-45 years) and in 9 women after the menopause (53-79 years). In women after the menopause they observed a reduced naphthylesterase activity and also of some other enzymes in the prostatic glands which indicates a possible reduced secretory activity of the prostate in women past reproductive age. Conversely in women after the menopause, with age a marked increase of the activity of lysosomal acid phosphatase in the epithelium of the prostatic ducts was found. "Prostatic" acid phosphatase persisted as regards its activity also in women after the menopause. A drop of activity of dehydrogenases occurs only in women in the most advanced age groups, during the early menopause the findings were similar as during fertile age. The demonstrated differences in enzymes of the prostate in fertile women and after the menopause indicate their different function in the woman's life. These data are the first basis for the possible inclusion of the female prostate among hormone-dependent organs of female reproduction.
Over the years 1971 to 1988 autopsies of 33 children with the clinical diagnosis of mucoviscidosis were performed at the Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava. In three cases pronounced changes were observed on the myocardium, predominantly on the left ventricle. Multifocal necrosis and fibrosis of the myocardium represent rare but severe changes occurring as a complication of mucoviscidosis in infancy.
The presence of postganglionic adrenergic nerve fibres in the myocardium of human fetuses ranging in gestational age from 9 weeks to 8 months was studied by the method of glyoxilic acid induced fluorescence (GIF). Heart samples were obtained after legal induced interruption of pregnancy, indicated in part of the cases for genetic defects. Identification of adrenergic nerve fibers in the human heart proved possible only in the second half of gestation. This finding supports the assumption of humoral rather than nervous regulation of heart activity in the first half of intrauterine development of the fetus.
A postmortem examination was performed on a male child who had lived to twelve months of age, at the Institute of Pathology of the Medical Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. The clinical diagnosis had been mucoviscidosis, bronchopneumonia, and dystrophy. Findings characteristic of cystic pancreas fibrosis and bronchopneumonia of the right lower lung lobe were macroscopically recorded and were microscopically established. Massive fibrotic and necrotic lesions were primarily recorded from the left cardiac ventricle and were considered to be unusual findings. Damage to the myocardium is a very rare complication of mucoviscidosis. Less than 50 cases have so far been described, according to Benesová et al. (1983).
Pentacaine was found to prevent the development of acute haemorrhagic lesions induced by ethanol in rats in a dose-dependent way. Electron microscopy in the untreated group showed extensive disruption of the surface epithelium and deep necrosis of the mucosa after ethanol exposure. Degranulation or even complete destruction of mast cells was observed. The microvasculature exhibited several signs of derangement. After pentacaine treatment, these signs were absent and no degranulation of mucosal mast cells was observed. The mast cell-mediated effect of pentacaine appears to be only one component of its gastroprotective action.