A Case of the Pancreatic Duct Change after a Long-term Pancreatic Stenting in Pancreas Divisum and the Fine Structural Analysis of Occluded Pancreatic Polyethylene Stent / 대한소화기학회지

The pancreatic duct stenting is now recognized as the treatment option for a number of pancreatic disorders. Although the stent-induced ductal changes may result, there is little information regarding the frequency of these stent-induced changes in chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic stents may occlude with time, but there is only little information available on the nature of the clogging process. Although a short-term efficacy of endoscopic pancreatic duct stenting has been proved, the long-term efficacy continues to be controversial. The aim of this study was to report a case of chronic pancreatitis with pancreatolith after the incidental long-term pancreatic stenting for 3 years due to a pancreas divisum with acute pancreatitis. Also, this study described the analysis of the ultrastructural changes in the surface of an occluded pancreatic stent. A scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed an amorphous protein matrix in whole stent that arranged as a network in some areas but arranged as the layers in other areas. A variable number of bacteria of mixed species, calcium carbonate or calcium oxalate crystal, round leukocyte were scattered in the protein matrix. The yeast and plant material were seen in some part of the stent as well.

Sclerotial Development of Grifola umbellata

Sclerotial development of Grifola umbellata (Pers. : Fr.) Donk was investigated through microscopic examinations. The sclerotium of G. umbellata was bumpy and rugged, multi-branched, and dark-brown to black in color. The sclerotial development of G. umbellata was categorized into three stages such as sclerotial initial, development and maturation. Sclerotium development was initiated as the white fungal mass. The superficial part of white sclerotium changed into gray, light brown and then black as its development proceeded further. As a distinctive characteristic of this fungus, a large number of crystals were observed in the medulla layer of sclerotium during its maturation. For development of new sclerotium, G. umbellata formed a white sclerotial primordium on the matured sclerotium. Development of sclerotium in G. umbellata was intimately associated with rhizomorphs of Armillariella mellea and the developing sclerotia were often penetrated by rhizomorphs of A. mellea into medulla layer.

Establishment of In Vitro 3-Dimensional Culture System of Mouse Endometrial Cells I. Cytohistological Study on Mouse Endometrium / 대한불임학회지

This study was designed to identify the ultrastructural changes of mouse endometrum during peri-implantation period and obtain the fundamental information for the establishment of 3-dimensional culture system of mouse endometrial cells in vitro. The used female ICR mice (6~8 wks) were conducted on pregnant. The biopsies were obtained from whole uterus at cycle day 1 (D1) and day 5 (D5) after hCG injection and mating. The biopsies materials were fixed 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 1% osmium tetroxide. Subsequently, for observation using light and transmission electron microscopy (LM and TEM), they were dehydrated and embedded in Epon and the embedded biopsies were sectioned and stained. For scanning electron microscypy (SEM), the fixed specimens were dehydrated, dried and coated with gold. 1)For LM, the biopsied materials at D5 (late secretory phase) were appeared the extended stromal layer by increased connective tissues and the fully developed endometrial glands and vessels compared with D1 (early secretory phase). 2) For TEM, the mouse endometrium was consisted of 3-layers, a simple polarized columnar epithelial cells, basement membrane and stromal cells. At D5, the distribution of microvilli, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body, lipid and glycogen deposits, secretory granules and surface area of basement membrane were increased. 3) For SEM, the degree of folding and microvilli of surface of mouse epithelial cells was became more and more according to the process of secretory phase, and at D5, implantation time of mouse, the appearance of pinopodes as a specific marker of uterine receptivity was found. The uterine pinopodes of mouse were found in narrow sites at the luminal surface, irregularity and appeared the different stages in the same sample. Therefore, these results indicated that the mouse endometrium was experienced dramatic morphological changes during peri-implantation period.