Stereological Analysis of Adolescent Placentas and Anthropometric Characteristics of Newborns.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the size of surfaces available for transport is important for assessing the amount of nutrients that can be transmitted to the fetus for its normal growth and development. AIM: The aim of our study, was to determine the stereological structural parameters of the parenchymal part of placenta, ratio of birth weight and placental weight, and to determine their correlation with the body length and head circumference of the newborns of adolescent pregnant women. METHODS: The study was conducted on a total of 60 human placentas of term pregnancy, divided into two groups according to the age of pregnant women. The experimental group consisted of 30 placenta of pregnant women aged 13-19. The control group consisted of 30 placenta of pregnant women aged 20-35. Computer assisted morphological analysis of images of histological preparations using stereological methods was performed. RESULTS: Surface density of terminal villi of adolescent placentas is significant higher than the control group (t = 14,179, df = 29, p <0,0001). The T-test (t = -5,868, df = 29, p <0,0001) showed statistically significant difference in the surface density of fibrinoid in two compared groups. T-test (t = 6.438, df = 29, p <0.0001) found that total surface of terminal villi was significantly higher in adolescent placentas. The T-test (t = -6,747, df = 29, p <0,0001) found that total surface of fibrinoid was significantly lower in adolescent group. The T-test (t = 4.203, df = 29, p <0.0001) found that the ratio of birth weight of newborn and adolescent placental weight was significantly higher in relation to the control group. CONCLUSION: Adolescent placentas was more efficient in increasing the weight of newborns, compared to the control group placentas.

Stereological analysis of terminal villi of the placentas of pregnant woman with sideropenic anemia.

Iron deficiency, causing maternal sideropenic anemia, is one of the most frequent nutritive disorder that develops during the pregnancy. We collected 30 placentas from anemic mothers and 30 placentas from mothers belonging to the control group. Terminal villi (magnification 10x) and terminal villi capillaries (magnification 40x) were stereologically analyzed and numerically determined.In the placentas from anemic mothers we noted the values a) terminal villi: volume density 0,43 mm0, surface density 24.13 mm-1, total volume 185.57 cm3 and total surface 10.27 m2; b) capillaries of terminal villi: volume density 0.53 mm0 and total volume 224.18 cm3. In the placentas from mothers belonging to the control group we observed the following values a) terminal villi: volume density 0.44 mm0, surface density 22.27 mm-1, total volume 200.17 cm3 and total surface 10.15 m2; b) capillaries of terminal villi: volume density 0.42 mm0 and total volume 197.00 cm3. Compared with the control group anemic mothers' placentas have a significant higher values of surface density of terminal villi (p<0.05), volume density (p <0.01) and absolute volume (p<0.0001) of terminal villi capillaries, and significant lower values of absolute volume of terminal villi (p<0.05).In anemic mothers' placentas, the total volume of terminal villi changes disproportionately to the total surface of terminal villi with statistically significant increase of terminal villi capillaries compared with control group. 

Quantitative research of capillaries in terminal villi of mature placentae.

Advanced maternal age is known to be a risk factor for placental dysfunctions. The most common obstetric complications among older women would be considered as follows: gestational diabetes; pre-eclampsia; placenta praevia; preterm premature rupture of membranes and the risk of preterm delivery. The aims of research were to determine the impact of maternal age on the structure of terminal villi. The study was conducted on 60 human placentae of term pregnancy divided into two groups: the control group (30 placentae in pregnant women of age between 20 and 34) and the experimental group (30 placentae in pregnant women of 35 years of age and older). Stereological methods were applied to determine the volume density, surface density, total volume and total capillary surface area in terminal villi of placenta. The mean value of volume density of capillaries in terminal villi of placentae in older pregnant women is: Vvkks = (0,376 +/- 0,033) mm(0), and the mean value of total volume is: Vkks = (157,047 +/- 25,022) cm(3). The mean value of surface density is: Svkks = (64,783 +/- 2,543) mm(-1), and the mean value of total surface area is: Skks = (29,959 +/- 7,873) m(2). Volume density of capillaries in terminal villi of placentae is significantly lower in older pregnant women (p<0.001) in comparison to the younger pregnant women. The total volume, surface density and total capillary surface area in terminal villi of placentae are also significantly lower in older pregnant women (p<0.005) in comparison to the younger pregnant women. Statistically significant lower values of volume density, total volume, surface density and total capillary surface area indicate that there is a decreased metabolic transfer between mother and foetus.

[Stereological analysis of syncytiotrophoblast in resorption villi of placentas of young and older pregnant women]. / Stereoloska analiza sinciciotrofoblasta resorpcijske resice posteljice trudnica mlade i starije zivotne dobi.

AIM: To determine quantitative parameters of volume density and absolute volume of syncytiotrophoblast in resorption villi of control and experimental group, compare the results and search for correlation between structural parameters of resorption villi and pregnancy age. METHODS: The research was performed on 60 human placentas of term pregnancy: 30 placentas of pregnant women of age 20 - 34 (control group), and 30 placentas of pregnant women of age 35 and older (experimental group). Stereological analysis was performed on multipurpose testing system M42 with 40 times objective magnification. RESULTS: Average volume density of syncytiotrophoblast in resorption villi of experimental and control group was Vvss = (0,489 ± 0,032) mm0 and Vvsm = (0,389 ± 0,078) mm0 , respectively. Statistical analysis of results using Student t-test indicated a significantly higher volume density of syncytiotrophoblast of resorption villi in the experimental than in the control group (p < 0,001). Absolute volume of syncytiotrophoblast in resorption villi of the experimental and control groups was Vss = (205,250±40,894) cm3 and Vsm = (178,386 ± 44,413) cm3, respectively. We have found a significantly higher absolute volume of syncytiotrophoblast in resorption villi in the experimental than in the control group (p < 0,005). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant higher values of volume density and absolute volume of syncytiotrophoblast in resorption villi of placentas in older pregnant women represent a compensatory mechanism as a response to decreased metabolic exchange between a mother and a fetus.

[Length and surface density of the resorption villi's blood vessels in smokers placentas]. / Duljinska i povrsinska gustoca krvnih zila resorpcijske resice placente trudnica pusacica.

This study was conducted with intention to reveal the quantitative values of feto-maternal nutrition exchange in smokers placentas, considering the great importance of harmful influence of smoking in pregnancy. The study was done on 90 human placentas. We have divided them into three groups: 30 placentas of moderate smokers, 30 placentas of heavy smokers and control group (non-smokers). Stereologic analysis was done with multipurpose test system M42. Pregnant smokers (both moderate and heavy) had significantly lower length density of the blood vessels compared to the control group. Significantly higher surface density of the blood vessels was found in the pregnant heavy smokers. The least absolute length density of the resorption villi's blood vessels was in the pregnant heavy smokers and it was significantly lower compared to pregnant moderate smokers and control group. In the group of the pregnant heavy smokers there was statistically higher average absolute surface of the blood vessels. The intensity of smoking effects the structural changes of the placenta. Intensity of smoking during pregnancy had a great impact on the proportion of the morphologic changes of the placentas. It leads to hypoxia, which in turn may be the cause of fetal growth and developmental retardation.

[Morphological research of fibrinoid and intervillous space of human term placenta in relation to the age of pregnant woman]. / Morfoloska istrazivanja fibrinoida i intervilusnog prostora humane zrele posteljice u odnosu na zivotnu dob trudnice.

Fibrinoid and intervillous spaces of the mature human placenta were morphologically and quantitatively examined in pregnant women of different ages. The aim of this research was to compare the results and to confirm if there is some quantitative difference between fibrinoid and intervillous spaces of placenta related to the age of pregnant women. The examined group of women were of age between 20 and 45 years, and they were divided into two groups: 1) pregnant women 20-35 year old; 2) pregnant women over 35 years old. The volume density and absolute volume of fibrinoid and intervillous space of placenta were stereologically examined. Volume densities of fibrinoid and intervillous space of placentas in older pregnant women compared to younger is significantly increased. Absolute volumes of fibrinoid and intervillous space of placentas in younger and older pregnant women are not significantly different.

Stereological analysis of mature human placenta of pregnant women of different age.

The normal placentas, regular pregnancies and deliveries were structurally examined. The aim of this research was to compare the results and to confirm if there were some difference in the structure of placenta related to the age of pregnant women. We examined 30 human placentas. The examined group of women were divided into two groups: 1) pregnant women 20-35 years old; 2) pregnant women over 35 years old. The stereological method was used. The volume density, absolute volume, the surface density and absolute surface of terminal villi of placentas in younger and older pregnant women were not significantly different. The volume density, absolute volume, the surface density and absolute surface of the other placentas villi in younger pregnant women compared to older ones, were significantly increased (p<0.001). The volume density of fibrinoid of placentas in older pregnant women compared to younger ones was significantly increased (p<0.02). The surface density, absolute volume and absolute surface of fibrinoid in these two examined groups of pregnant women were not significantly different. The volume density of intervillous space of placentas in older pregnant women compared to younger ones was significantly increased (p<0.05). Absolute volumes of intervillous space of placentas in these two examined groups of pregnant women are not significantly different.

[Internal contamination with depleted uranium and health disorders]. / Interna kontaminacija osiromasenih uranijumom i poremecaji zdravlja.

In this review we used the published data on depleted uranium (experimental and epidemiological) from the current literature. Depleted uranium is a toxic heavy metal that in high dose may cause poisoning and health effects as those caused by lead, mercury, and chromium. It is slightly radioactive. The aim of this review was to select, to arrange, to present references of scientific papers, and to summarise the data in order to give a comprehensive image of the results of toxicological studies on depleted uranium that have been done on animals (including carcinogenic activity). We have also used epidemiological posted study results related to occupational and environmental exposure to depleted uranium. The toxicity of uranium has been studied extensively. The results of the studies indicated primarily its chemical toxicity, particularly renal effects, but depleted uranium is not radiological hazard. Uranium is not metal determined to be carcinogenic (the International Agency of Research on Cancer). The military use of depleted uranium will give additional insight into the toxicology of depleted uranium. The present controversy over the radiological and chemical toxicity of depleted uranium used in the Gulf War requests further experimental and clinical investigations of its effects on the biosphere and human beings.

[Stereologic analysis of chorionic villi and fibrinoids in the mature human placenta in pregnant women of various ages]. / Stereoloska analiza horionskih resica i fibrinoida zrele humane posteljice kod trudnica razlicite zivotne dobi.

The terminal and other chorionic villi and fibrinoid of the mature human placenta were morphologically and quantitatively examined in pregnant women of different ages. The aim of this research was to compare the results and to confirm if there is some difference in the structure of placenta related to the age of pregnant women. We examined 30 human placentas, regular pregnancies and delivery. The examined group of women were of age between 20 and 45 years, and they were divided into two groups: 1) pregnant women 20-35 years old; 2) pregnant women over 35 years old. Relative and absolute variables were stereologically examined and compared as follows: the surface density and absolute surface of terminal and other villi and fibrinoid. No significant differences in surface density of terminal villi and fibrinoids in older or younger pregnant women's placentas. Surface densities of the other placentas villi in younger pregnant women compared to older are significantly increased. Absolute surface of terminal villi and fibrinoid in these two examined groups of pregnant women are not significantly different. Absolute surface of the other placenta villi in younger pregnant women compared to older pregnant women is significantly increased.

[New findings on the diagnosis and therapy of prion diseases]. / Nova saznanja o mogucnostima dijagnostike i terapije prionskih bolesti.

Spongiform encephalopathies are the fatal diseases, that affect the brain tissue of mammals. They are caused by a conformational changed prion protein. There is no adequate diagnostic test for in vivo identification of prion protein. Disease can be diagnosed only by clinical sings and EEG in new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Post mortem, histopathological examination of brain tissue reveals spongiform changes and immunohistochemistry detects disease-related prion protein. Appropriate diagnostic in vivo tests are not developed yet; therefore extensive researches are ongoing aimed to introduce such methods. This review describes a few promising experimental methods, which may develop into diagnostic tests in the future: detection of prions in urine samples, PMCA (protein misfolding cyclic amplification), DATAS (differential analysis of transcripts with alternative splicing), SELEX (in vitro selection), detection of prions in tonsils and detection of copper and manganese dysbalance in tissues. Current therapy strategy is based on testing of some known drugs (quinacrine, chlorpromazine), and antioxidant and antibody treatments. The detection of NSE (neuron-specific enolase) and cholesterol in meat products reveals the presence of brain and spinal cord tissue. The spreading of spongiform encephalopathies can be diminished by utilising the adequate in vivo diagnostic tests, effective therapy strategy and preventive steps.

[Histomorphologic characteristics of osteosarcoma]. / Histomorfoloske karakteristike osteosarkoma.

We reviewed the results examinations, made on 16 patients treated for osteosarcoma at Orthopaedic end Traumatology Clinic of University Clinical Center in Tuzla, over a ten-year period. Clinical aspects were studied using medical records (patient, scharts, historyes, radiographs). Quantification of tissue and cellular quality structural changes in the focus of bone destruction were done using a morphometrical or stereological method. The volume density (Vv) of the stroma mass and of the necrotical bone rafters, as well as the numeric density (Nv) of cells were determined on the pathohistologic transsections. The results suggest that in the bone destruction focus predominate mononuclears and giant cells of osteoclast type, and practically there is no osteogenesis reparatory cells.