Prenatal vitamin C and E supplementation in smokers is associated with reduced placental abruption and preterm birth: a secondary analysis

OBJECTIVE

Smoking and pre-eclampsia (PE) are associated with increases in preterm birth, placental abruption and low birthweight. We evaluated the relationship between prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation and perinatal outcomes by maternal self-reported smoking status focusing on outcomes known to be impacted by maternal smoking.

DESIGN/SETTING/POPULATION

A secondary analysis of a multi-centre trial of vitamin C/E supplementation starting at 9-16 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women with singleton gestations.

METHODS

We examined the effect of vitamin C/E by smoking status at randomisation using the Breslow-Day test for interaction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The trial's primary outcomes were PE and a composite outcome of pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH) with serious adverse outcomes. Perinatal outcomes included preterm birth and abruption.

RESULTS

There were no differences in baseline characteristics within subgroups (smokers versus nonsmokers) by vitamin supplementation status. The effect of prenatal vitamin C/E on the risk of PE (P = 0.66) or PAH composite outcome (P = 0.86) did not differ by smoking status. Vitamin C/E was protective for placental abruption in smokers (relative risk [RR] 0.09; 95% CI 0.00-0.87], but not in nonsmokers (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.52-1.62) (P = 0.01), and for preterm birth in smokers (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99) but not in nonsmokers (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.90-1.17) (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of women, smoking was not associated with a reduction in PE or the composite outcome of PAH. Vitamin C/E supplementation appears to be associated with a reduction in placental abruption and preterm birth among smokers.

Prenatal vitamin C and E supplementation in smokers is associated with reduced placental abruption and preterm birth: a secondary analysis

OBJECTIVE

Smoking and pre-eclampsia (PE) are associated with increases in preterm birth, placental abruption and low birthweight. We evaluated the relationship between prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation and perinatal outcomes by maternal self-reported smoking status focusing on outcomes known to be impacted by maternal smoking.

DESIGN/SETTING/POPULATION

A secondary analysis of a multi-centre trial of vitamin C/E supplementation starting at 9-16 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women with singleton gestations.

METHODS

We examined the effect of vitamin C/E by smoking status at randomisation using the Breslow-Day test for interaction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The trial's primary outcomes were PE and a composite outcome of pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH) with serious adverse outcomes. Perinatal outcomes included preterm birth and abruption.

RESULTS

There were no differences in baseline characteristics within subgroups (smokers versus nonsmokers) by vitamin supplementation status. The effect of prenatal vitamin C/E on the risk of PE (P = 0.66) or PAH composite outcome (P = 0.86) did not differ by smoking status. Vitamin C/E was protective for placental abruption in smokers (relative risk [RR] 0.09; 95% CI 0.00-0.87], but not in nonsmokers (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.52-1.62) (P = 0.01), and for preterm birth in smokers (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99) but not in nonsmokers (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.90-1.17) (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of women, smoking was not associated with a reduction in PE or the composite outcome of PAH. Vitamin C/E supplementation appears to be associated with a reduction in placental abruption and preterm birth among smokers.

LIGO: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory

The goal of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) Project is to detect and study astrophysical gravitational waves and use data from them for research in physics and astronomy. LIGO will support studies concerning the nature and nonlinear dynamics of gravity, the structures of black holes, and the equation of state of nuclear matter. It will also measure the masses, birth rates, collisions, and distributions of black holes and neutron stars in the universe and probe the cores of supernovae and the very early universe. The technology for LIGO has been developed during the past 20 years. Construction will begin in 1992, and under the present schedule, LIGO's gravitational-wave searches will begin in 1998.

Phenylephrine-induced neurogenic prostatitis facilitates the promotion of PIN-like lesions in rats

BACKGROUND

Atypical prostate hyperplasia, resembling PIN lesions in men, together with chronic inflammatory exudates, have been reported after chronic administration of phenylephrine (PE). The present study aims to characterize the evolution of the expression of typical leukocyte markers immunohistochemically as correlated to the promotion of PIN lesions.

METHODS

Adolescent rats received injections of PE (subcutaneously) (10 mg/kg BW/per day) and were euthanized 3, 8 hr, 1, 3, 7, 14 days thereafter. The dissected prostates were fixed in formalin, and paraffin embedded sections were cut and immunoreacted.

RESULTS

PE exerted a time related bi-phasic effect on the rat prostate. A first inflammatory reaction phase took place at 3-8 hr post injection characterized by vascular dilatation, congestion, edema, and massive leukocytic infiltrate, mainly of ED1+ cells. At 24 hr, the amount of ED1+ cells decreased approaching the equivalent values of ED2+, CD8+ cells, and mastocytes. Their values remained relatively high for the rest of the experimental period. A second phase of proliferative changes, consisting of healing fibrosis as well as dysplastic epithelial lesions, similar to human PIN lesions, appeared on the 7th day.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuro-immune interactions promote prostatic fibrosis and dysplastic changes; these being preceded by an acute and transient inflammatory reaction.

Effects of senescence and citral on neuronal vacuolar degeneration in rat pelvic ganglia

A significant part of the morbidity in elderly men involves pelvic organs and their autonomic neural regulation. Environmental stimuli also impair the structure and function of pelvic organs. One of these factors is citral, a widely-used cosmetic fragrance constituent, which causes severe prostatic hyperplasia in rats. In this study, we assessed the effect of topical administration of citral (30 days) on the morphology of pelvic ganglia (PG) in young adult and old Wistar rats. Neuronal vacuolar degeneration with preserved nuclei of PG neurons was observed in untreated senescent, but not young rats. Citral significantly increased the rate of vacuolated neurons in old rats (from 3 to 14%), but only slightly in young ones (from 0 to 0.5-0.3%). Similar lesions were not found in inferior cervical or celiac ganglia, in either group. This shows that environmental stimuli enhance age-related processes of vacuolar neuronal degeneration in PG, and may contribute to the dysfunction of pelvic organs in the elderly.

Dominant negative Met reduces tumorigenicity-metastasis and increases tubule formation in mammary cells

Activation of the Met tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor by its ligand HGF/SF has been shown to increase in vitro invasiveness in epithelial cell lines. To study the effect of Met-HGF/SF signaling in breast cancer cells, we transfected met, hgf/sf and dominant negative (DN) forms of met into the poorly differentiated metastatic murine mammary adenocarcinoma cell line DA3. These cells express moderate levels of endogenous Met, which is rapidly phosphorylated in response to HGF/SF treatment. Met+hgf/sf transfection results in significantly increased tumorigenic and metastatic activity in vivo accompanied by reduced tubule formation. DA3 cells transfected with DN forms of Met (DN-DA3) exhibit reduced Met phosphorylation following exposure to HGF/SF. Furthermore, as compared to the parental cells, the DN-DA3 cells exhibit diminished in vitro scattering and invasiveness, while in vivo they display greatly reduced tumorigenicity and spontaneous metastasis. Tumors emanating from DN-DA3 cells injected to BALB/C mice are highly differentiated and display extensive tubule formation. These results suggest that Met-HGF/SF signaling is a determining factor in the delicate balance between differentiation/tubule formation and tumorigenicity-metastasis. Oncogene (2000) 19, 2386 - 2397

Spontaneous hyperplasia of the ventral lobe of the prostate in aging genetically hypertensive rats

Recent studies have shown that the prostatic autonomic innervation takes part in its homeostasis and growth. Other works showed that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) show excessive sympathetic activity, accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms, increased growth capacity of prostatic stromal cells, and increased levels of androgens and their receptors. Furthermore, young SHR were reported to present incipient stages of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of the present study was to examine whether this strain indeed develops spontaneous BPH with age, and can thus serve as a genuine natural model for this disorder. For this purpose, ventral lobes of prostates of one-year-old, male SHR and their normotensive counterparts, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, were examined histopathologically, and the degree of hyperplasia was evaluated according to a score-chart protocol (histoscore). SHR exhibited severe adenomatous spontaneous BPH, characterized by piling-up of epithelial cells, with papillary formations, accompanied by a mild increase in the amount of fibrocytes and smooth muscle cells in the stroma. This was reflected by histoscore values of 38 +/-2. Thickening of prostatic arterioles also was noted, as well as mild chronic inflammatory exudate. WKY rats did not show any of these features of BPH despite their age (histoscore 17 +/- 3, significantly different from that of SHR). We conclude that SHR can serve as a rodent model for the spontaneous development of BPH with age, most probably due to the excessive neuroendocrine activity characteristic of this rat strain.

Role of chronic inflammation in the promotion of prostatic hyperplasia in rats

PURPOSE

Chronic prostatitis is a common histopathological finding in prostatectomized patients. A possible interrelationship between the presence of leukocyte exudate and the extent of the hyperplastic lesions has been suggested. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of the immunomodulator compounds, Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) and cyclosporin A (CsA), administered alone or together with citral on the induction and extent of rat prostatic hyperplasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adolescent Wistar rats (42 days old) were given citral alone or combined with CFA or CsA for one month. Semiquantitative analysis of the extent of the hyperplastic lesions was made with the histoscore protocol.

RESULTS

CsA did not induce hyperplastic changes or abolish the ability of citral to promote hyperplastic changes or to affect the extent of the lymphocytic exudate in the stroma. CFA itself, however, had a proliferative action on the prostatic epithelium, and it augmented the hyperplastic changes induced by citral and even induced atypical transformations of the acinar epithelium.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunoinflammatory stimulators might play a role in the prostatic epithelial cell growth and proliferation processes, most probably by modulation of the cytokine system.

Induction of atypical prostatic hyperplasia in rats by sympathomimetic stimulation

BACKGROUND

Prostatic innervation may participate in its homeostasis and growth. alpha-Adrenergic inhibition alleviates clinical symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the prostatic effect of adrenergic agonists has not been investigated. This study deals with the prostatic effect of subchronic sympathomimetic stimulation.

METHODS

Male rats received daily subcutaneous injections of the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine, 1, 10, or 20 mg/kg per day, the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, 1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg per day, or saline, for 30 days, and the prostates were removed for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Phenylephrine induced atypical prostatic hyperplasia, characterized by piling-up with papillary and cribriform patterns, and budding-out of epithelial cells. It decreased prostatic secretions and total weight. Similar results were observed in orchidectomized rats receiving exogenous testosterone supplementation. Isoproterenol had no prostatic morphological effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These results raise the possibility that sympathetic stimuli play a role in normal and aberrant growth and differentiation of prostatic epithelium, and suggests neurostimulants-treated animals as a model to study the etiology and development of prostatic hyperplasia.

Human prostatic tissue constituents respond differently to thermal injury induced by Nd-YAG laser ITT fiber applied ex-situ

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The human prostate is a glandular organ that has intervening fibromuscular elements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermocoagulative effect on the different components of the organ exposed to Nd-YAG laser irradiation using a new ITT optic fiber design (Interstitial Thermal Therapy).

STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve fresh transvesical prostatectomy specimens were irradiated ex-situ at 4 to 6 sites using an ITT fiber with laser energies ranging from 900 to 4500 joules (J) applied at times ranging from 60 to 300 seconds corresponding to 10 to 15 watts. The specimens were serially sectioned to include the proximal, mid and distal regions of the centrally coagulated channel. An ocular grid was utilized to measure the radius (r) of thermal injury from the margin of the centrally coagulated channel to the furthermost detectable area of thermally induced changes.

RESULTS

The maximal extent of thermal injury was seen at the mid-length of the irradiated channel at energy of 2700 J (15w/180 sec). The fibromuscular compartment of the prostate was more affected (r = 855 microm) and showed more interstitial vacuolization and charring than the adenomatous one (r = 495 microm). Utilization of higher energy doses did not significantly alter the depth of injury but did reduce the extent of interstitial vacuolization of both components.

CONCLUSION

The study indicates that the extent of laser induced coagulative necrosis depends on the histologic architecture of the prostate and also varies in extent along the length of the channel surrounding the fiber.

Citral and testosterone interactions in inducing benign and atypical prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Citral is a monoterpene in wide use as an aromatic supplement in the cosmetics and food industries. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that cutaneous application of citral on adolescent rats may induce benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-like and even atypical hyperplastic changes in the ventral lobes. In the present study we investigate the possible interactions between citral and serum testosterone levels on the induction of hyperplastic changes in the ventral prostate of adolescent rats. In addition, the study includes a comparative analysis of normal intact rats showing circadian variations of serum testosterone levels and rats in whom this rhythmic pattern was abolished either by excessive supplementation of exogenous androgen or by castration. Our results demonstrate an induction of benign as well as atypical prostatic hyperplasia following citral application. The most severe atypical changes were noted in the citral-treated rats with high serum testosterone levels. Although the mechanism of action of citral is yet unknown, the present results suggest a synergism between citral and testosterone resulting in hyperplastic changes in the rat ventral prostate. In addition, the results reconfirm that serum testosterone levels fluctuate according to a circadian rhythm in intact young and adolescent male rats. The application of citral tends to lower the morning circadian peaks, and the circadian pattern was abolished in orchiectomized rats and in those treated with testosterone implants.

Intraarticular minocycline injection in experimental synovitis

Minocycline, a semi-synthetic tetracycline, was injected into one hind joint of twenty-two rabbits with zymosan-induced arthritis, while the contralateral joint served as a control. A local inflammatory reaction was observed a few days after the zymosan injection. Most clinical parameters such as knee diameter, systemic temperature, sedimentation rate and blood cell count did not change throughout the experiment both in control and minocycline treated rabbits. However, the zymosan platelet counts rose from 3.4x10(5)/microL to 5x10(5)/microL, as well as the level of serum fibrinogen (from 99 mg% to 370 mg%). Microscopically, a perivascular infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells was seen. Lymphoid follicles as well as plasma cells epitheloid and giant cells were also observed. A mild tendency to fibrosis and lesser inflammatory reaction in the minocycline treated knees was noted. Our data suggest that intraarticular minocycline treatment did not alleviate the course of the rheumatoid-like inflammatory reaction of the knee joint.

Measured limits to contamination of optical surfaces by elastomers in vacuum

We have monitored the reflectivity of mirrors that were exposed to a fluoroelastomer (3M-Fluorel 2176) and a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTV-615) in vacuum. The 95% confidence limit on the decrease of mirror reflectivities was less than 0.35 ppm/week for Fluorel and <0.29 ppm/week for RTV-615.

Comparative study of experimentally induced benign and atypical hyperplasia in the ventral prostate of different rat strains

The induction of prostatic lesions in the rat by hormonal manipulation and/or chemical carcinogens in different strains is well documented in literature. However, the selection of a strain for such studies was merely based on the laboratory husbandry facilities rather than on the animal genotype. It is well accepted that the morphology and function of the prostate exhibit a marked species-specific differences that makes extrapolation to other animals and man difficult. Our group has developed an experimental model for the study of rat prostatic hyperplasia and/or dysplasia induced by citral--a flavor constituent. Previous observations have revealed that the Wistar rat ventral prostate is reactive to citral, especially during its adolescent growth period as well as during the redifferentiation stage among postcastrated rats treated with exogenous testosterone. The present study presents data on the ventral prostate susceptibility of three additional strains selected by their interrelated endocrine morbidity. In order to facilitate an objective comparative analysis of the prostatic lesions a histopathological score chart was elaborated. The present findings showed that the Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strains were the most susceptible to developing benign and atypical prostatic hyperplasia both in intact and postcastrated rats. The F344 and ACl/Ztm rat strains remained refractory toward all of these treatments. Our data provide evidence that the strain genotype and, more precisely, their endocrine background, play a determinative role in the prostatic responsiveness towards citral. It is suggested that additional consideration be given to the selection of an adequate animal strain when studying experimental neoplastic transformation, especially when hormonal interactions might be involved.

Immediate vasoactive effect of citral on the adolescent rat ventral prostate

The vasoactive effect of a fragrance compound, citral, on rat ventral prostate is presented. A combined method of Indian-ink perfusion and postfixation transparency was used. One single dose of citral applied on the back skin of the rat induced an immediate triple response-like effect on the prostatic vascular bed. A slight vasodilatation appeared already after 2 1/2 min, followed by a marked vasoconstriction process after 5-min postcitral administration. Toward the period of 10 min, a second vasodilatation process was noted which persisted for the following 24 hr of observation. This study has demonstrated that changes in the microvascularization of the rat prostate can be estimated by counting the number of carbon-stained blood vessels. The results obtained by this technique are closely related with the findings in the vascular network profile of the macroangiographic observations. The mechanism of action of citral on the microvascularization of the rat ventral prostate is yet unknown. Based on the present findings, we suggest that the neoplastic capacity of citral upon the prostatic epithelia is activated via a nonspecific inflammatory reaction modulated either by local release of neurotransmitters or throughout a direct effect of citral on the endothelial cells.

Translocation of bacteria due to direct mucosal damage caused by Gastrografin. An experimental study in newborn rats

A study was carried out on 40 newborn rats to determine the effect of Gastrografin (a hyperosmolar solution, 1700 mosm/liter) on the gastrointestinal tract. All the newborns received an inoculum of Klebsiella bacteria to the gastrointestinal tract. Thirty received, in addition to maternal milk, a feeding of Gastrografin twice daily. The Gastrografin was found to cause severe and irreversible damage to the mucosa of the small intestine, causing the death of 24 rats less than a week after start of the experiment. The 10 rats who received no Gastrografin and served as controls showed no signs of disease or damage to the intestinal tract. Cultures taken from the peritoneal cavity after sacrifice were all positive for Klebsiella in the Gastrografin group (30 rats) and negative in the controls (10 rats). This study has therefore demonstrated that severe damage to the small intestine mucosa will lower the intestinal barrier and lead to transmural translocation of bacteria into the peritoneal cavity.

Morphometric studies of pancreatic acinar granule formation in NCTR-Balb/c mice

NCTR-Balb/c mice are afflicted with a cholesterol lysosomal storage disorder stemming from a defect in intracellular cholesterol processing. The clinical and biochemical abnormalities expressed in the mice resemble Niemann-Pick type C and D disorders in humans. One of the proposed mechanisms to explain the pathophysiology of the disorder implies a defect in the process of membrane transport that normally takes place in the vesicular movement of cholesterol to specific target sites in the cell. Secretory granule formation in pancreatic acinar cells is one of the biological processes known to involve massive membrane flow. Thus, we have undertaken a morphometric study of the regranulation mechanism in the pancreatic acinar cells of the mutant mice, as a way of studying cellular membrane movement. Electron micrographs of pancreatic acinar cells from mutant and normal mice were taken at several time points after extensive degranulation induced by pilocarpine injection. Two hours after stimulation the pancreatic cells demonstrated a complete loss of granules, and at later time points newly formed granules appeared. Identical unit granule volumes were observed in both groups, indicating that the progranules were of normal size. However, the rate of granule formation and maturation was reduced in the mutant mice, which might be the result of a defect in membrane function.

The development of vascular supply of normal rat prostate during the sexual maturation: an angiographic study

Vascular distribution of small blood vessels and capillaries using India ink angiography was studied in normal rat prostate from puberty up to full sexual maturation. The study included both macroscopic observation of the lobular vascular irrigation and the histological assessment of the periacinar capillary network. The topographical distribution of the main prostate branches was found to be different among the rat prostate lobes. The ventral lobe seems to be better irrigated than the dorsal one. The former being supplied by two parallel vascular systems, one irrigating the median two-thirds of the ventral lobe, whereas the remaining external one-third was found to be conjointly irrigated from the pericapsular branches of the fat pads. The blood vessels of the dorsal and lateral lobes emerged radially from a periurethral circle, with the dorsal branches ending blindly in the connective tissue of the pelvic cavity, whereas the lateral prostate was also conjointly irrigated by a dual vascularization from the pericapsular fat pad and the periurethral circle branch. The histological study revealed quantitative differences between the periacinar capillaries of both ventral and dorsal lobes. The capillary density was found to be age dependent and directly proportional to the acinar size. Small acini were less well irrigated by capillaries than were the larger ones. The number of capillaries per acinar area increased progressively toward the maturation (day 90); thereafter, their number remained constant. Both prostate lobes showed identical patterns. The heterogeneous vascular networks among the rat prostatic lobes might offer an additional clue for their distinctive morphophysiological characteristics, which most probably play a role in various pathogenetic processes.

Post-mortem changes in the normal rat carotid body: possible implications for human histopathology

The carotid bodies in experimental animals contain only one variety of type I cells whilst in the human organ three varieties of this cell type have been described. We have examined the effects of post-mortem change on the structure of the type I cell of the rat carotid body. When the organ is examined immediately after death of the animal all of the type I cells exhibit similar morphology. With increasing delay in fixation of the tissue the type I cells undergo autolytic changes. Within 2 h of death the nuclei become hyperchromatic and the cytoplasm exhibits an increasing eosinophilia. In carotid bodies fixed 4 h post-mortem a further type I cell variant is seen in which the nucleus lacks a chromatin pattern and become pyknotic. We believe that previous descriptions of three varieties of type I cells in the human carotid body are based upon a description of post-mortem change. Furthermore, in any study of this highly oxygen dependent tissue it is essential that due account be taken of the delay between death and fixation.

The distribution of peptide-containing nerves in the synovia of the cat knee joint

Synovial capsule in cats is extensively innervated by a network with axonal diameter ranging from 0.6-3 microns according to its position and neuropeptide content. Nerve markers such as Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE) and Neurofilament triplet protein (NF) could be observed only when the axonal fibre attained a critical diameter of over the 3 microns limit. The relatively thick fibres (1-3 microns) show positive immunoreactivity for Substance P (SP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), and seldom coreact with NSE and NF, whereas, the thinnest fibres (0.6-0.8 microns) characterized to contain either Methionine or Leucine Enkephalin (M-Enk, L-Enk) did not coreact positively with axonal markers. We found that different anesthetics may effect variably the immunoreactivity of some neuropeptides (SP, L-Enk, 5-HT) while others (VIP, M-Enk) remained unaffected. Based on our data and the few reported ones in the pertinent literature, it is judged that urethane is the anesthetic of choice in experimental studies of neuropeptides. Our findings of isolated positive immunoreactive cell bodies to enkephalin in synovia might suggest the presence of intrinsic relay system, where the enkephalin acts as suppressor of SP and VIP release from the sunovium nerve terminals. Such a local inter-relationship between different neuropeptide systems might have a practical role on the understanding of the pathogenesis of different arthritic processes as well as therapeutic strategy in the future.

Immunocytochemistry of epithelial markers in citral-induced prostate hyperplasia in rats

Immunocytochemical characterization of several epithelial markers using the PAP technique was analyzed during different stages of induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Intact adolescent rats (42 days old) were treated with citral (3,7 dimethyl-2,6 octadienal) for 10, 30 and 100 days and their ventral prostate compared to untreated, matched-age animals. Among the epithelial markers studied the prostatic specific acid phosphatase was present in hyperplastic prostates of rats. The immunoreaction showed a fair correlation with the severity of lesion and duration of treatment. The prostatic specific antigen showed equally immunoreactive in both control and treated rats. The hyperplastic and normal rat prostates did not show immunoreactivity towards the other epithelial cell markers such as epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembrionic antingen and alpha-fetoprotein antisera. It is concluded that prostatic specific acid phosphatase, and to a lesser extent prostatic specific antigen, might represent valuable markers for comparative studies of prostatic hyperplasia in rodents.

Immunohistochemical approach to the study of the cat carotid body

The mammalian carotid body contains a number of different cell types which are not always easy to identify in routine histological sections. We have devised a battery of immunohistochemical tests which overcome this difficulty and offer the possibility of performing routine morphometric analyses of the response of the organ to various pathological processes in paraffin-embedded sections. The type 1 cells can be identified on the basis of their reaction with neuronal specific enolase, whilst type II cells react with antibodies to S-100 protein. Schwann cells do not react with S-100 antibodies but do so with antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein; nerve fibres can be identified by their reaction to neurofibrillary protein.

Clinical and pathological findings in prostates following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations

The prostates of 36 patients who were treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin were evaluated by digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasonography. When abnormal palpatory and/or ultrasonographic findings were detected, core needle biopsies from the suspicious areas were performed. Of the 36 patients 20 underwent biopsies of the prostate. Pathological findings revealed typical granulomas in 8 patients (3 caseating and 5 noncaseating multifocal granulomas). Nonspecific chronic prostatitis was noted in 4 patients and benign prostatic hyperplasia was noted in 8. The number of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations ranged from 6 to 19. The interval from initiation of therapy to biopsy ranged from 1.5 to 14.5 months. Caseating granulomas were found during the early course of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations (1.5 to 3.0 months), whereas noncaseating granulomas were detected at later stages (4 to 14.5 months). These findings present a high incidence of granuloma formation in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin. The duration of therapy is a determinant factor in the induction of granuloma type.

Ontogeny of mast cells in the ventral prostate of the rat

The ontogenic evolution of mast cells in the rat ventral prostate was studied using the Grimelius silver impregnation method. The mast cell density was highest during the pubertal period and later, it declined significantly with age. Most mast cells were identified in the fibrovascular stroma in close proximity to nerve fibers and blood vessels. The total number of mast cells seems to be constant when correlated with prostatic weight.

Simultaneous occurrence of a congenital lateral upper lip sinus and congenital gingival cyst: a case report and discussion of pathogenesis

The simultaneous occurrence of a congenital lateral sinus of the upper lip and of a congenital gingival cyst in a newborn boy is reported. The sinus extended to a depth of 10 mm and was lined by a parakeratinized squamous epithelium. The gingival cyst appeared as a 1 cm palatal enlargement lingual to the maxillary alveolar ridge and demonstrated a thin epithelial lining with localized plaquelike thickenings and occasional clear cells with vacuolated cytoplasm. There was no familial history of congenital deformities, and no additional abnormalities were noted. These two epithelium-lined structures show a clear topographic and morphologic relationship, and they may share a common embryologic origin. It is suggested that they derive from epithelium remaining subsequent to the union of the maxillary process and medial nasal process mesoderms.

The safety evaluation of Dunaliella bardawil as a potential food supplement

The safety of the alga Dunaliella bardawil for food use, was evaluated in a multigeneration study with rats. Four generations were raised on diets containing 0, 5 or 10% dehydrated D. bardawil. Each experimental group comprised ten males and 20 females. No significant differences were observed between the rats consuming algae and the controls, of any generation, in general appearance, behaviour, growth, reproductive performance or gross pathology. The blood chemistry and haematology of the first generation animals, after 1 yr on the diets, showed no appreciable differences between the experimental and control animals. The only differences in histopathology observed were a decrease in some chronic inflammations and an increased frequency of focal bronchopneumonia in rats fed 10% algae compared with the controls. The latter effect may be attributed to the powdery nature of the algal diet. Considering the large amount of algae consumed by the experimental rats, and the absence of adverse effects in these animals, this multigeneration feeding study may be indicative of the safety of D. bardawil for human consumption.

Lectin histochemistry of brains from a murine mutant carrying a storage disorder

A strain of Balb/c mice with neurovisceral storage disorder exhibits metabolic and phenotypic manifestations similar to those found in Niemann-Pick type C and D patients. The storage material in the brain reacted positively with periodate-Schiff reagent. To identify the chemical nature of the storage material we applied lectin histochemistry on paraffin-embedded and frozen sections, using biotinylated lectins and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. Major abnormalities were noted in the neurons and glia cells. Swollen neurons were stained heavily by Con A and S-WGA, whereas glia cells, mainly astrocytes, which were abundant both in the cerebrum and cerebellum, were positive to RCA-I, GS-I, PNA, S-WGA and WGA. The myelin tracts reacted with PNA, SBA and RCA-I but to a lesser extent in affected animals when compared to normals. Frozen brain sections stained positively only after extraction with chloroform methanol prior to the lectin treatment and revealed a lectin binding pattern similar to that of the paraffin-embedded preparations. The data presented here show that the stored glucoconjugates in the neurons are of a different chemical composition than those found in glia cells. Since only paraffin embedded sections or lipid extracted frozen sections reacted with the lectins, we suggest that the stored glucoconjugates are glycoproteins or oligosaccharides rather than glycolipids.

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia following topical application of citral. An ultrastructural study

Topical application of citral on male rat skin induces hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands. Ultrastructural study showed that this hyperplasia is manifested by an increase in number of the partially differentiated cells of the gland. Citral was found in fat droplets of the mature differentiated and partially differentiated cells. Because citral causes an increase in testosterone level, we conclude that the sebaceous gland hyperplasia is related to androgen activity.

The use of carbon dioxide fiberoptic laser catheter for atrial septostomy

The development of optical fibers capable of transmitting laser energy has encouraged the experimental use of laser irradiation for the treatment of acquired cardiovascular disorders. One of the key questions is which combination of laser source, energy parameters, and transmitting fiberoptic would be best suited for intravascular use. In most experiments argon, neodymium-YAG, and excimer lasers, coupled to suitable optical fibers, have been used. We now describe the use of a carbon dioxide fiberoptic laser catheter for the creation of an atrial septal defect. Silver halide infrared transmitting fibers were inserted into standard 6 French cardiovascular catheters. This laser catheter system, capable of transmitting several watts of pulsed CO2 laser energy, was initially used to create atrial septal defects in isolated dog hearts to determine the best energy parameters. Atrial septostomy was later performed successfully in four of five anesthetized dogs. The thermal damage extended 50 to 60 micron beyond the "holes" created by the laser irradiation in the interatrial septum. Thus, pulsed CO2 laser irradiation, delivered through optical fibers, can create an atrial septal defect.

Use of cultured embryonal chick epiphyseal chondrocytes as grafts for defects in chick articular cartilage

Full-thickness defects in articular cartilage were repaired with cultured homologous embryonic chick epiphyseal chondrocytes embedded in a biological resorbable immobilization vehicle (BRIV). This graft was successfully transplanted in mechanically induced defects in the surface of condylar articular cartilage of the tibiotarsal joint of four-month-old roosters. Healing of the defects was observed macroscopically, histologically, and histochemically and with the use of biochemical analyses for six months. Chondrocyte proliferation was seen 48 hours after implantation, and a hyaline cartilage matrix surrounding the cells was present two weeks later. Within eight weeks, the defects were completely filled with hyaline cartilage, which integrated smoothly with the neighboring cartilage without the formation of fibrous tissue at the interface. The cell content and rate of proteoglycan synthesis remained high for four months, then declined slowly to the level of the surrounding cartilage. Six months after transplantation, the cartilaginous tissue in the wound at levels below the ossification front showed penetration by vascular elements and young bone trabeculae at the margins of the reparative tissue. No signs of immunogenic rejection of the implants were observed. These results may be related to the employment of a capable source of cells, i.e., cultured chondrocytes characterized by a high mitotic rate and an early stage of development. The transplanted cells grew well and maintained their initial rate of proliferation, with definite maturation and transformation. The resulting cartilage was structurally reorganized according to the host pattern and under the influence of multitudinous environmental conditions. The articular zone preserved its cartilaginous phenotype, whereas the subchondral regions were transformed into bone.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in experimental acute arthritis

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is applied for the relief of various types of pain, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This study evaluated the influence of TENS on intraarticular (IA) temperature and pressure and synovial tissue of inflamed rabbit joints. Four hours after induction of acute bilateral hind joint arthritis by single intraarticular injection of urate crystals, the knees of 14 anesthetized rabbits were fixed at 90 degrees between femur and tibia. TENS was supplied from an electrical stimulator to the left knee joint while the other joint was unstimulated as a control. A microprobe needle for temperature measurement was inserted into the knee joint. Intraarticular pressure was recorded by polygraph connected to an IA needle. Readings were carried out at 10-min intervals three times before and four times after 5 min of TENS. A significant increase in IA temperature from mean 36.2C to 36.6C and significant reduction of IA pressure (mean decrease of 0.8 mmHg, from 2.5 mmHg to 1.7 mmHg) were found in the stimulated joints, which also showed a reduction of synovial fluid volume and total leukocyte count in comparison to the controls. While the nonstimulated synovial membrane showed massive leukocytic infiltration with neutrophilic exudate and fibrin clot in the intraarticular cavity, the stimulated synovial membrane demonstrated moderate homogeneous leukocytic infiltration through all layers, with absence of inflammatory exudate in the intraarticular cavity. These results suggested that the analgesic effect of TENS on arthritis may be partially attributed to decrease in IA synovial fluid pressure, volume, and leukocyte count. Therefore, TENS may be useful for reducing pain from inflammatory arthritis.

Dysmyelination in NCTR-Balb/C mouse mutant with a lysosomal storage disorder. Morphological survey

A morphological survey of the central nervous system of a NCTR-Balb/C mouse afflicted by neurovisceral storage disease was performed. It has been demonstrated that this mutant is characterized by primary dysmyelination, which is evident as early as 12 days of age. The failure of myelin formation in the CNS was shown by histochemical and ultrastructural methods. Inasmuch as neither lipid-containing macrophages nor infiltrating mononuclear cells were apparent, secondary demyelination could be excluded. The multiform ultrastructural appearance of the storage material in the various CNS cell types suggested heterogeneity of the accumulated substances. The storage materials which reacted positively with periodate-Schiff reagent, but not with other histochemical stains, are most likely the accumulated gangliosides and neutral glycosphingolipids identified previously in this mutant's brain. Considering the probable role of cholesterol ester in the early phases of myelinogenesis, in conjunction with the fact that the NCTR-Balb/C mouse carries a defect in the esterification of exogenously derived cholesterol, it is possible that the later metabolite is relevant to the impaired myelin formation.

Further studies of a transplantable rat pheochromocytoma

Additional histopathological and immunocytological studies were completed on the serially transplanted Warren rat pheochromocytoma. Special efforts were made to characterize features of the primary tumor common to pheochromocytomas, as well as features of the primary tumor commonly found in neuroblastoma. In summary this study found evidence for a composite primary tumor exhibiting a dual differentiative expression of both pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. We feel this reflects a possibility that this primary tumor arose from a common progenitor cell in the neural crest.

Early stages of the pathogenesis of rat ventral prostate hyperplasia induced by citral

Typical lesions of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were induced experimentally in the ventral prostate of adolescent (6 week old) male rats by citral, a nonsteroidal compound. Incipient BPH changes were already observed in the acinar glands 10 days after citral administration. A longer period of treatment (1 month) significantly enhanced epithelial hyperplasia, whereas the stromal elements were less reactive. Characteristic BPH lesions involving both prostatic compartments were found after 3 months of treatment. Castration prior to citral administration prevented such BPH changes; however, citral did not prevent the involutive lesions of castration. The mechanism of action of citral is yet unknown, various possibilities concerning the induction of BPH in rats are presented and discussed. The potential advantage of this model, especially as BPH is not necessarily linked to age or exogenous hormones, may offer new alternative pathways for understanding the complexity of BPH pathogenesis in animals and perhaps even in man.

Neurological mutation characterized by dysmyelination in NCTR-Balb/C mouse with lysosomal lipid storage disease

Morphological and biochemical studies were performed on the CNS of neurologically affected NCTR-Balb/C mouse. Histological and electron microscopic techniques demonstrated severe myelin deficiency in the affected brains. Neither the presence of lipid-containing macrophages nor reactive gliosis was apparent. Analysis of myelin-associated lipids and proteins revealed prominent depletion of galactocerebroside, sulfatide, and proteolipid proteins. In contrast to the scarcity of myelin-specific constituents a marked accumulation of GM2 and GM3 gangliosides and several neutral glycolipids, i.e., glucocerebroside, lactosylceramide, gangliotriaosylceramide, and gangliotetraosylceramide were found in affected CNS. These abnormalities were already apparent in 12-day-old pups as well as in 65-day-old mice. A significant deficit in the proportion of long-chain fatty acids (C24), notable in both normal and alpha-hydroxy acids of cerebrosides from affected white matter, was measured. The lack of reactive gliosis, the observed depletion of galactocerebroside and sulfatide at the early age of 12 days, and the relative decrease in long-chain fatty acids in affected CNS strongly suggest a defect in myelinogenesis in this mutant rather than a secondary process of myelin breakdown.