[Calculi of papillary origin. An undisputed reality]. / Les calculs d'origine papillaire. Une réalité indiscutable.

In 1936, Randall formulated a hypothesis concerning stone formation related to the renal papillae. Randall's hypothesis, discussed for many years, was confirmed by Cifuentes in 1983. The authors studied 830 cases of papillary stones, eliminated spontaneously, 16 of which had a typical Randall plaque with mineralized collecting tubules (1.9%). This study was conducted by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) using an EDX system. The papillary origin of several renal stones can be confirmed in this way. The origin of these stones would remain unknown without the use of these modern techniques.

[Intraluminal crystalloids in prostatic carcinoma: morphologic and histochemical study]. / Cristaloides intraluminales en el carcinoma de próstata: estudio morfológico e histoquímico.

The histological sections of 302 diagnosed cases of prostate carcinoma were analyzed for intraluminal crystalloids, correlating their presence, number and characteristics with other morphological parameters used for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. Evidence of these structures was found in 65 cases (21.5%). The majority developed in malignant glands though they were also found in benign glands adjacent to cancerous foci. Their presence indicates good tumoral differentiation and both their number and shape are dependent on the tumour's histological grade.

[Several comments and various considerations on Von Brunn nests]. / Algunos comentarios y consideraciones varias acerca de los Nidos de Von Brunn.

Subsequent to a certain amount of aggression, the vesical epithelium can induce some histological changes which would range from the most innocent morphological vicarious forms to the most aggressive neoplastic types (transitional, squamous and/or glandular tumours). Co-existence in the same urothelium of metaplastic, dysplastic and/or neoplastic lesions should not therefore be a surprise. With the intention of assessing the urothelium evolutive potential, we present a morphological study of the male cervix-trigonal epithelium abnormally involved in the steroidal hormones immunosuppression and actions. The typical patches of "female cervical trigonitis" have not been seen in this epithelium although there has been a wide range of evolutive possibilities of squamous and/or glandular lineage. Both tissular options have a clear metaplastic etiology. They present neither atypia not dysplasia, but participate of the distinctive dynamics of Von Brunn nidi. (C. Pellicé Jr: Doctorate Thesis, 1990). Of all the various evolutive options displayed by the urothelium when subjected to aggression, this study will focus on the Von Brunn nidi because of their atypical behaviour, their peculiar histogenesis and their dubious and controversial participation in vesical carcinogenesis.

[Dynamics of bladder epithelization. Organogenetic considerations and new contributions to its understanding. Embryologic study]. / Dinámica de la epitelización vesical. Consideraciones organogenéticas y nuevas aportaciones a su conocimiento. Estudio embriológico.

Based on the hypothesis of hormone influence, a morphological study of the trigonal area was undertaken which focussed on the sequence of embryonic changes in the human urogenital system. The study attempts to elucidate on the accumulation of vaginal squamous tissue in the cervico-trigonal area in order to provide an organogenetic explanation for hormone-dependent cystopathies in the female and the urogynecological implications. The embryological, hormonal and clinical aspects are discussed.

[Intra-diverticular neoplasms of the bladder. Apropos of a squamous carcinoma]. / Neoplasias intradiverticulares de vejiga. A propósito de un carcinoma escamoso.

We present a case of a cirrhotic patient suffering an intradiverticular squamous carcinoma with perforation to the peritoneal cavity, diagnosed after performance of an emergency laparotomy due to acute abdomen with infaust evolution. The rarity of the entity and the differential diagnosis imposed are the reasons for our presenting it. A series of diagnostic, prognostic and preventive aspects are considered.

Morphological significance of the pectineal ligament of the eye.

We have studied the arrangement of the pectineal ligament or its equivalent, the uveal trabecula, in herbivores, carnivores, primates and humans. From our investigations, the pectineal ligament, the uveal trabecula and the so-called processes of the iris form a morphological unit that is made up of the tendinous fibres of the longitudinal portion of the ciliary muscle, that are inserted into the periphery of Descemet's membrane and send out ahead prolongations that extend to the anterior face of the iris. The so-called processes of the iris cannot be considered as independent structures since they represent the innermost fibres of the trabecular or uveal meshwork; in some species these have a thicker appearance, an arrangement that can occasionally be found in the human eye.

Arrangement of the sclerocorneal trabecular system in human fetuses.

By studying the eyes of 20 human fetuses 33-326 mm in length (8 to 36 weeks gestation) with the light and scanning electron microscope we show that the sclerocorneal and the uveal trabecula cannot be considered as independent structures, since embryologically and morphologically they are the sclero-corneo-iridal insertions of the longitudinal fibres of the ciliary muscle.

Atypical cristae (paracrystalline inclusions) in mitochondria of epithelial cell of the rat ureter. II. Image analysis.

Long mitochondria containing paracrystalline inclusions have been detected in the epithelial cells of the basal layer of the rat ureter close to the bladder (Barastegui and Ruano-Gil, 1978). In the first part of this investigation the origin of these inclusions from alterations of the cristae has been suggested. The current report deals with an analysis by microdensitometry, optical diffraction and goniometry of the inclusions as well as with their possible architecture. A tridimensional model of the paracrystalline inclusions is proposed.

Atypical cristae (paracrystalline inclusions) in mitochondria of epithelial cells of the rat ureter. I. Ultrastructural features.

The cells of the basal layer of the ureter epithelium of senile rat have been studied by means of thin section electron microscopy. One of the main features of these cells was the presence of paracrystalline structures within unusually long mitochondria (megamitochondria). The detailed study of these structures showed that they were produced by the mitochondrion itself through alterations of one or two longitudinally oriented cristae. The megamitochondria were completely surrounded by membranes of rough endoplasmic reticulum, frequently showed lipid lamellae at one end, and were always situated in the vicinity of the nucleus. The possible morphogenetic mechanisms of the paracrystalline structures are discussed.

[Ultramicroscopic study of the mucosa of the lower 3d of the ureter]. / Estudio ultramicroscópico de la mucosa del tercio inferior del ureter.

A study has been made, using an electronic microscope, of the mucosa of the lower third of the ureter of rats, including a description of three kinds of cells with their own ultrastructural characteristics. One may emphasize the presence of intraepithelial nerve endings and chromaffin type granular formations. In some cells, adjacent to the basal membrane, there is also a perinuclear structure described, consisting of tonofilaments (perinuclear crown of tonofilaments) which it is thought could affect the genesis of distension stimuli.

[Motility of the rat ureter in vitro. Responses to cholinergic drugs (author's transl)]. / Motility of the rat ureter in vitro. Responses to cholinergic drugs

The motility of the rat ureter has been studied in vitro. Sixteen per cent of isolated rat ureters present spontaneous motility which depends on the electrolytic composition of the nutritious solution employed. It seems that the cholinergic component in organs from animals previously reserpinized acts as stimulator since 56.6% of ureters with spontaneous motility was observed in vitro. The action or nicotine proves the existence of stimulating nicotinic receptors in the ureter wall. Acetylcholine acts as excitator as increases peristaltic frequency. Atropine, likewise, proves the existence of stimulating muscarinic receptors. Urine dilutions of 1:100 have also proves their ability for producing peristaltic motility in vitro.

Morphological and ultrastructural aspects of the innervation of rat ureter.

The fine innervation of rat ureter has been studied by means of hystological and electron microscopic technique. Different thickness of the different layers of the ureter have been observed. Nerve filaments with minor proportion of myelinic fibres are found in the adventitious layer. Amyelinic fibres, with very fine collaterals whose terminal portion could not be seen, exist in the muscular layer between the external longitudinal fibres and the internal circular ones. Nerve fibres are rarely observed in the centre of the internal circular layer, although it is possible to see terminal buttons, with neural tubules and vesicular formation. These buttons have been observed in some cases beside the muscular membranes, given rise to the hypothetical existence of a synaptic relationship between both membranes. The presence of fine amyelinic filaments, underneath the basal membranes, have also been shown. No ganglionic structure has been observed in the various layers of the ureter, or nerve elements in mucosa.