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Morphologic variation in pneumococcus. II. Control of pneumococcal morphology through transformation reactions.

The interaction of each of the four morphologic variants of pneumococcus with the transforming principles of the heterologous morphologic variants of the same species has been studied and has resulted in the isolation of eighteen of the twenty variants predicted to arise through such interactions. The analogy of the findings to the recombination of independently heritable characters in sexually reproducing forms has been noted.

Streptococcus pneumoniae↗

Mesotheliomas with deciduoid morphology: a morphologic spectrum and a variant not confined to young females.

Deciduoid mesotheliomas are rare with only four previously reported cases, all affecting the peritoneum of young females. We describe another six cases (three men and three women; age range 52-65 yrs, median 55 yrs; five peritoneal and one pleural). Three patients had an occupational history of asbestos exposure. The deciduoid appearance predominated in four cases, whereas in two it represented a minor component within conventional tubulopapillary epithelioid mesothelioma. All tumors were strongly cytokeratin-positive (including CK5/6) and all showed at least focal staining for thrombomodulin, HBME-1, and calretinin. All were negative for epithelial mucin (D/PAS), CEA, BerEP4, LeuM1 (CD15), CD21, CD35, and S100 protein. Five of six cases (83%) were vimentin-positive and two (33%) were focally positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin. A differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumor (GANT) had been initially considered from the morphology of one case, and we found positivity for some of the "neuronal" markers described in GANTs. This prompted us to apply such a panel to the other five tumors, accepting that the cytokeratin positivity encountered in all of our cases would exclude GANT. All cases of deciduoid mesothelioma (100%) were positive for PGP 9.5 and NSE and four of six (66%) were positive for NKI/C3. Weak focal staining (<5% cells) for synaptophysin was seen in two of six tumors. All cases were chromogranin-negative. All cases examined by electron microscopy showed desmosomes and smooth microvilli without rootlets but no neuroendocrine granules. In conclusion, a deciduoid morphology appears to be part of the histopathologic spectrum encountered in epithelioid mesothelioma. This variant is not confined to female patients and occurs over a wider age range than previously recognized. The overlapping immunophenotype with GANTs illustrates that caution should be exercised when interpreting positivity for "neuronal" markers in this context. An immunohistochemical panel that includes cytokeratins should always be used.

Aged↗

Unequivocal morphological diagnosis of fungi in morphologically abnormal nails.

AIMS: To analyse the prevalence of fungi in abnormal nails by morphological diagnosis. Prevalence studies of onychomycoses in temperate climate zones have yielded widely varying rates, possibly reflecting the confounding effects of referral bias, sampling specificity and intrinsic sensitivity of the diagnostic techniques employed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The method employed to identify fungi in nails entailed primary fixation using a non-formaldehyde-based coagulative fixative (BoonFix; Finetec, Japan) and microwave-enhanced processing to histology, followed by staining the paraffin sections with periodic acid-Schiff, using haematoxylin as a routine counterstain. The results of 990 nail samples were tabled for statistical analysis related to gender, patient age and diabetes mellitus status. In four of the 990 (< 1%) analysed cases the diagnosis was found to be equivocal using the method employed. These cases were jointly reviewed for definitive diagnosis. The overall prevalence of invasive hyphal structures was found to be 606/990 (approximately 61%). The relative risk for fungal infection in morphologically abnormal nails was found to be higher for persons < 20 years old or diabetic patients aged > or = 71 years. CONCLUSIONS: The 61% positivity rate for fungi found justifies systematic direct submission of samples from abnormal nails for histological confirmation in order to avoid unwarranted treatment.

Adolescent↗

Spatial analysis of 3' phosphoinositide signaling in living fibroblasts, III: influence of cell morphology and morphological Polarity.

Activation of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase is a required signaling pathway in fibroblast migration directed by platelet-derived growth factor. The pattern of 3' PI lipids in the plasma membrane, integrating local PI 3-kinase activity as well as 3' PI diffusion and turnover, influences the spatiotemporal regulation of the cytoskeleton. In fibroblasts stimulated uniformly with platelet-derived growth factor, visualized using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we consistently observed localized regions with significantly higher or lower 3' PI levels than adjacent regions (hot and cold spots, respectively). A typical cell contained multiple hot spots, coinciding with apparent leading edge structures, and at most one cold spot at the rear. Using a framework for finite-element modeling with actual cell contact area geometries, we find that although the 3' PI pattern is affected by irregular contact area shape, cell morphology alone cannot explain the presence of hot or cold spots. Our results and analysis instead suggest that these regions reflect different local 3' PI dynamics, specifically through a combination of mechanisms: enhanced PI 3-kinase activity, reduced 3' PI turnover, and possibly slow/constrained 3' PI diffusion. The morphological polarity of the cell may thus bias 3' PI signaling to promote persistent migration in fibroblasts.

Animals↗

[Absence of right atrioventricular connection. Morphological and clinical presentation when the dominant ventricle is morphologically right].

Absent right atrioventricular connection, with the left atrium connected to a dominant left-sided morphologically right ventricle is a rare situation. We report five cases with these anatomical features, with emphasis on the morphological and clinical aspects. Although this combination of lesions is very uncommon, the sequential segmental analysis can easily provide an accurate description of the anomaly.

Adolescent↗

Morphological studies on the bathyal ascidian, Megalodicopia hians Oka 1918 (Octacnemidae, Phlebobranchia), with remarks on feeding and tunic morphology.

Megalodicopia hians Oka is a solitary ascidian belonging to the family Octacnemidae inhabiting the bathyal /abyssal zone as well as other octacnemid ascidians. The phylogenetic relationship of octacnemids is open to argument because of its extraordinary morphological features due to habitat adaptation, e.g., a pharynx lacking ciliated stigmata. Aggregations of M. hians were discovered by the manned submersible Shinkai 2000 in the bathyal seafloor of Toyama Bay, Japan Sea, in 2000; this was the first in situ observation of M. hians in the Japanese coastal waters. In 2001, a total of 36 M. hians specimens were collected from the bay (592 to approximately 978 m deep). In situ observation indicated that M. hians usually opens its large oral apertures to engulf the drifting food particles in the water current. Microscopical observation of the gut contents also showed that M. hians is a non selective macrophagous feeding on small crustaceans, diatoms, detritus, and so on. Along with the position of the intestinal loop and gonad, the morphological characteristics of the tunic (integument of ascidians) suggest that M. hians is closely related to Cionidae and/or Corellidae. Some symbiotic/parasitic organisms were occasionally found in the tunic, including rod-shaped bacteria, fungi-like multicellular structure, and spawns of unknown animals.

Animals↗

Platelet granulopathy: a new morphologic feature in preleukemia and myelomonocytic leukemia: light microscopy and ultrastructural morphology and cytochemistry.

We have previously reported on the ultrastructure of platelets in preleukemia and myelomonocytic leukemia. We referred to an unusual and distinct anomaly of the platelet granules found in 15 of 16 patients. In the present communication we wish to describe and illustrate the light microscopic appearance of giant anomalous granules. Close scrutiny of the platelet morphology and a search for the aforementioned platelet granulopathy are important in the evaluation of patients with myeloproliferative diseases. In this paper we describe and illustrate in more detail the ultrastructure and ultrastructural histochemistry of the abnormal granules. In those patients with the platelet granulopathy, we have conducted in vitro platelet aggregation studies and carried out an electron microscopic evaluation of the aggregates. At least some of the giant granules remained morphologically intact in advanced stages of the aggregation phenomenon, and thus they are probably composed of elements that were not released during aggregation.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Morphological changes and morphological-functional correlations in acute experimental ischemia/reperfusion pancreatitis in rats.

The etiology of acute pancreatitis, apart from alcohol abuse and cholelithiasis may also include a vascular component responsible for pancreatic ischemia. It is now acknowledged that chronic pancreatitis may be a consequence of the acute variant, but it remains unclear what factors influence this sequence of morphological changes. In order to clarify this issue we proposed a model of experimental acute pancreatitis in rats induced by a 30 min reduction of blood flow in inferior splenic artery followed by reperfusion. Rats were sacrificed at 1 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after cessation of ischemia. We performed histopathological examination of pancreatic tissue and measured pancreatic blood flow, plasma amylase activity and interleukin-1 beta concentration. The present findings indicate that transient pancreatic ischemia leads to the development of acute necro-haemorrhagic pancreatitis. The morphological features of acute inflammation are correlated positively with functional disorders. In some cases the features of chronic pancreatitis may appear transiently after the acute phase, whereas the repair of postinflammatory injury involves the regeneration of acinar cells.

Acute Disease↗

[Biomorphosis of human fallopian tube mucosa; contribution to the problem of morphology and aging of the uterine tubes. III. Quantitative morphological findings, discussion, literature].

Relating to the present histochemical and quantitative-morphological findings on the biomorphosis of the human tubal mucosa, the morphological changes of the lamina epithelialis proceeding in the woman's regressive age can be summarized as follows: 1. For as long as follicle growth and development of corpora lutea are evident in the ovaries, cyclic changes of the tubal epithelium may be also noticed in the period of the premenopausal age. However, in this phase of life an advancing epithelial dedifferentiation and dissociated epithelial reaction, respectively, are developing. The latter process is characterized by the fact, that an increase of histochemical different cell groups can be observed. Especially, oncocyte-like ciliated cells are striking. In the oviducts of aging women, at the age of 45 to 50, the height of the epithelium is on the average greater than the one in the organs of younger women. The height is reaching its "maximum" perimenopausally (short time before and after menopause). 2. Individual degenerative epithelial transforming and regressive processes are taking place, and different rapidly these processes result in a low dedifferentiated and inactive tissue. When the ovarial function cease, then the tubal epithelium are very rapidly formed to a flattened lamina, which contain reactive and unreactive cells arranged side by side in groups or singular. These cells may be visualized up to the high age. Contrary to this, it is possible to exhibit proliferative epithelia consisting of high cylindric ciliated and unciliated cells in other groups of oviducts still many years after menopause. The persistence of such an epithelium existing up to the high postmenopausal age are appreciated as a steroidhormone effect. At the beginning of the menopausal time secretory differentiated epithelia are also evident. 3. It is postulated, that the biomorphotic changes of the human tubal mucosa are decisively dependent on the functional and structural biomorphosis of the female endocrinium. The tubal epithelium adapt to humoral situation, structurally and functionally. An experimental ascertainable sensitivity to hormones exists up to the senium, so that still stimulated epithelia can be also induced in this phase of life. It is permitted to consider the hyperplastic and oncocytes-like epithelia as structural changes of aging, which are proceeding independent of endocrine function. 4. A loss of function, differentiation and sensitivity to hormones characterize the result of aging of the tubal epithelium.

Adolescent↗

[The progression rates of different morphological forms of chronic glomerulonephritis in the pre-azotemia period (is the morphological form of chronic glomerulonephritis the factor that determines the prognosis?)].

The multivariate analysis of overall clinicomorphological symptoms in 121 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) allowed formulation of independent prognostic factors indicative of the time to chronic renal failure. Similar for diverse morphological CGN forms prognostic characters are those of CGN aggravation frequency, arterial hypertension, serum creatinine concentration, the pattern of tubulointerstitial changes at the time of renal biopsy. The speed of CGN morphological variants is approximately the same in similar expression of prognostically significant characters.

Adult↗

Morphologic characteristics of restenotic lesions following coronary interventions: balloon angioplasty versus directional atherectomy: can we speculate about the mechanism of restenosis from morphologic analysis?

In order to compare the processes of restenosis after balloon angioplasty as compared to that after directional coronary atherectomy, we performed qualitative and quantitative analysis of 72 lesions in 68 patients with recurrent ischemia following a successful initial procedure. For each lesion, we reviewed the pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and restenosis angiograms. The morphology of the restenotic lesions could not be predicted from pre- or post-intervention angiograms. The restenotic lesions after directional atherectomy, as compared to balloon angioplasty, did not show a statistically significant difference, although there was a trend to more eccentric narrowing.

Aged↗

Pleiotropic effects on mandibular morphology II: differential epistasis and genetic variation in morphological integration.

The evolution of morphological modularity through the sequestration of pleiotropy to sets of functionally and developmentally related traits requires genetic variation in the relationships between traits. Genetic variation in relationships between traits can result from differential epistasis, where epistatic relationships for pairs of loci are different for different traits. This study maps relationship quantitative trait loci (QTLs), specifically QTLs that affect the relationship between individual mandibular traits and mandible length, across the genome in an F2 intercross of the LG/J and SM/J inbred mouse strains (N = 1045). We discovered 23 relationship QTLs scattered throughout the genome. All mandibular traits were involved in one or more relationship QTL. When multiple traits were affected at a relationship QTL, the traits tended to come from a developmentally restricted region of the mandible, either the muscular processes or the alveolus. About one-third of the relationship QTLs correspond to previously located trait QTLs affecting the same traits. These results comprise examples of genetic variation necessary for an evolutionary response to selection on the range of pleiotropic effects.

Animals↗

Pleiotropic effects on mandibular morphology I. Developmental morphological integration and differential dominance.

Pleiotropy refers to a single genetic locus that affects more than one phenotypic trait. Pleiotropic effects of genetic loci are thought to play an important role in evolution, reflecting functional and developmental relationships among phenotypes. In a previous study, we examined pleiotropic effects displayed by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on murine mandibular morphology in relation to mandibular structure and function. In replicating most of our previous QTLs and increasing our sample size, this study strengthens and extends our earlier results. As in our previous study, we find that QTL effects tend to be restricted to developmentally or functionally related traits. In addition, we examine patterns of differential dominance for pleiotropic QTL effects. Differential dominance occurs when dominance patterns for a single locus vary among traits. We find that multivariate overdominance is a common and substantial phenomenon, and may potentially provide an explanation for the persistence of heterozygosity in natural populations.

Animals↗

Morphological alterations of non-varicose and varicose veins. (A morphological contribution to the discussion on pathogenesis of varicose veins).

Venous valves do not play a role in pathogenesis of primary varicose veins. Their number remains constant during life time. In varicose veins their insufficiency is secondary. Intimal fibrosis is no prerequisite for the development of varicose veins. It is a frequent finding in non-varicose veins of all age groups. Fibrosis of media and adventitia is no early morphological alteration in varicose veins. Fibrotic replacement of smooth muscles represents a late stage of varicosis. Degenerative lesions of deep leg veins are rare even at old age. The deep veins are not influenced by sclerotic lesions of the adjacent arteries. Preexisting intimal fibrosis in autogenous graft veins may be one of several factors which induce an overshooting intimal proliferation. Degenerative alterations (fibrotic lesions of the wall layers, insufficiency of the valves) are secondary phenomena in pathogenesis of varicose veins which follow a functional deficiency of the smooth musculature.

Adolescent↗

Morphological engineering of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. geldanus: regulation of pellet morphology through manipulation of broth viscosity.

Actinomycetes, especially members of the genus Streptomyces, are responsible for producing the majority of known antibiotics. The production of antibiotics by filamentous organisms is often dependent on the morphology and size distribution of the pellet population within the culture. Particle interaction and subsequent pellet formation are primarily dependent on the rate of collision of particles in culture, which is in turn, a function of fluid turbulence. The microbial polysaccharide xanthan gum was used to artificially regulate the apparent viscosity (mu(a)) of S. hygroscopicus fermentation broths with the aim of controlling particle interaction, aggregation and hence pellet formation. An increase in both pellet count and biomass concentration from approximately 2,000 to 8,000 pellets ml(-1) and 0.9-2.1 g l(-1) dry weight of biomass, as well a decrease in the mean pellet volume from 0.014 to 0.004 mm(3) was observed in cultures supplemented with 3 g l(-1) xanthan gum. The addition of xanthan gum significantly alters fluid rheology by increasing the mu(a). Counter-intuitively, an increase in the mu(a) within the experimental range examined resulted in an increase in the rate of gas-liquid mass transfer. This was attributed to the predominantly diffusive nature of oxygen transfer in shake flask cultures.

Culture Media↗

Developmental morphology of the Asian one-leaf plant, Monophyllaea glabra (Gesneriaceae) with emphasis on inflorescence morphology.

We examined the developmental morphology of the tropical Asian one-leaf plant Monophyllaea glabra, which is believed to have diverged first in the phylogenetic tree of the genus. The embryo within the seed consists of two cotyledons and a hypocotyl with no shoot or root apical meristems. The endogenous root meristem is formed nearer the hypocotyl end than in other examined Monophyllaea species. One of the cotyledons grows to form the macrocotyledon by means of the basal meristem. The groove meristem arises between the anisocotyledons, shifts toward the macrocotyledon, and is transformed to the inflorescence apex, which produces inflorescence axes in the axils of all ventral bracts of two rows, and secondary inflorescences in the axils of the lower dorsal bracts of the other two rows. The macrocotyledon may act as a ventral bract for the first inflorescence axis at the reproductive stage. This organization suggests that a common ancestor of Monophyllaea and Whytockia with decussate inflorescences diverged in one direction to become Monophyllaea and in another to become Whytockia.

Biological Evolution↗

Implications of inferior ST-segment elevation accompanying anterior wall acute myocardial infarction for the angiographic morphology of the left anterior descending coronary artery morphology and site of occlusion.

Inferior ST-segment elevation during anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion is unusual and was not previously investigated. This study tested the hypothesis that inferior ST-segment elevation during anterior AMI predicts a specific angiographic morphology that satisfies 2 necessary conditions: (1) mass of ischemic anterior wall myocardium is relatively small, resulting in a weaker anterior injury current and less reciprocal inferior ST-segment depression; and (2) there is concomitant inferior wall transmural ischemia that further shifts the inferior ST segments upward. The study group consisted of 42 consecutive patients with anterior AMI undergoing angiography at 4.1 days (range 0 to 14). Coronary angiograms were examined for 3 features: (1) site of LAD artery occlusion (a distal obstruction implying a smaller mass of ischemic anterior wall myocardium), (2) LAD artery extension onto inferior wall of left ventricle (termed a "wrap around" vessel), and (3) collateral flow from LAD artery to inferior wall. The latter 2 features would be expected to contribute to inferior wall transmural ischemia. Acute inferior ST-segment elevation (sum of ST-segment deviation in leads II, III and aVF greater than or equal to 3.0 mm) was seen in 7 patients (16%). A greater number of LAD artery branches proximal to the site of occlusion was significantly correlated with less inferior ST-segment depression (r = 0.59, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Expanded T gamma cell populations with the morphology of large granular lymphocytes -- I. Immunological, clinical and morphological characterization.

Lymphocytes from two patients with T gamma cell proliferations displaying the morphology of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) were characterized in terms of cell marker phenotyping and immunologic functions. In both patients, the lymphocytes were positive for E-R, HuTLA, OKT5, OKT8, OKT11, OKM1, VEP13, Leu1, Leu2a, Lyt2 and Lyt3 and were negative for Tmu, Tar, SIg, BA1, BA2, EM-R, C3d-R, C3b-R, OKT6, OKT9, Leu3a, OKIa1 and TdT. In addition, investigations for T411, T811 and M522 in patient 1 yielded positive results. There were differences in the phenotype of the two patients with regard to the reactions with OKT3, OKT10 and VEP10. While, in patient 1, OKT3 was very pronounced and OKT10 and VEP10 were completely negative, OKT10 and VEP10 were very pronounced in patient 2, whereas OKT3 was positive only in a very small percentage of cells. Though the lymphocytes in both patients were potent effectors of NK and K functions (patient 2 more strongly than patient 1) and a noticeably reduced mitogen response was shown to PHA, Con A and zinc, patient 1 showed a distinct suppression of allogenic and autologous B cell response to transformation into ISC, coinciding with the clinical observation of a hypogammaglobulinemia; neither B cell suppression nor dysgammaglobulinemia was seen in patient 2. The results are discussed with regard to other comparable T gamma proliferations reported in the literature.

Aged↗