Irradiation as a hazard for mucociliary clearance.

OBJECTIVES: In this paper we study effects of irradiation to pulmonary tissue on a micro and ultrastructural level to get insights into the dynamics of morphological changes and associated post-radiative physiological conditions. METHODS: Animal and human pulmonary tissue with and without radiation damage was subject to light, transmission, scanning and polarization microscopy and morphometric evaluation. RESULTS: The present investigations on the influence of irradiation on experimental and human lung tissue demonstrate that complex changes are induced in the cells which are essential for mucociliary clearance. These changes are a shortage of alveolar macrophages, cell apoptosis, proliferation of collagen ligament in the barrier of gaseous exchange, retraction of endothelial lining of capillaries and significant broadening of the gaseous exchange barrier, resulting in serious damage for the O2 and CO2 exchange. CONCLUSIONS: These changes at microscopic, cellular, and ciliary level trigger conditions for various diseases of the respiratory system, which is further assessed by a simultaneous computer aided estimation of ciliary function. With the concurrent world-wide increase of respiratory diseases, these findings are important knowledge for the clinical practice.

Placenta - organ important for fetus and interesting for the rise of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Syndrome - interdisciplinary study.

OBJECTIVE: This work is aiming at broadening knowledge about placenta and giving evidence that lead penetrates through transplacental barrier. We have intended to find further possible reasons of the rise of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to suggest ways of preventing development of this syndrome. METHODS: For revealing presence of lead in placenta and umbilical cord blood we used histochemical methods, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of element composition and infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: We are presenting new findings that emphasize importance of Hofbauer cells. These cells have high phagocyting activity and form filter regulating entering lead into umbilical cord blood and thus influence possibility of the ADHD rise. We found positivity on lipids in placenta. Importance of this finding consists in the fact that lead is lipophilic metal and tissue containing lipid is available path for the transport of lead. We explained why just striatum is affected with toxic action of lead in case of ADHD syndrome. We have also shown that more blood elements circulate in umbilical cord blood than in a common circulation. CONCLUSIONS: High number of patients with the ADHD syndrome inspired us to suggest establishment of centers where these children would be registered. Staff of specialists consisting of psychologist, physician and physicist (responsible for application of methods of early diagnosis) will take care of the development of their health conditions and further treatment.

Placenta and umbilical cord blood deserve attention.

OBJECTIVES: This work follows up with our already published results concerning consequences of lead on prenatal and postnatal development of child in connection with the rise of hyperkinetic syndrome (ADHD). This disease has in children increasing tendency all over the world. METHODS: In our work we used a set of histological and histochemical methods, method of scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Our new method for proof of lead in placenta enabled us to show how lead is cumulated in syncytiotrophoblast. We have found release of lead from mother's erythrocytes in the intervillous space and receipt of lead by erythrocytes of fetus in the vessels of the villi of placenta. This finding enriches knowledge about relation between mother's erythrocytes, lead, calcium that is lead carrier, syncytiotrophoblast, and erythrocytes of fetus in the vessels of placental villi. We have proved that syncytiotrophoblast is the most frequent place for cumulation of lead deposits. We verified our ecomorphologic results by means of infrared spectroscopy in cooperation with physicists and statistically evaluated occurrence of ADHD in particular age categories what helps to fill gaps in knowledge of ADHD etiology. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of lead in umbilical cord blood immediately after the child birth is forewarning against the possible rise of the ADHD. This finding facilitates early diagnostics and means preventing step against the rise, development and consequences of this disease. The obtained results give evidence about the serious influence of mother's dwelling in environment polluted with neurotoxic metal - lead on the prenatal and postnatal development of child.

Occurrence of lead in placenta--important information for prenatal and postnatal development of child.

This work points out consequences of lead on prenatal and postnatal development of child that have not been elaborated in such extent before. Our new method for proof of lead in placenta enabled us to show how lead is from mother's blood erythrocytes in the intervillous space released and received by the villous syncytiotrophoblast. This finding enriches relation between mother's erythrocytes, lead, calcium that is a lead carrier, and syncytiotrophoblast. Our finding of abundant thin terminal villi, that in some places form bunches observed in scanning electron microscope, points out deficiency of O2 and CO2 transport in placenta. This phenomenon is indirect evidence that periphery "starves" for oxygen that participates in maintaining conditions for intact development of child. Behaviour of fibrin deposit layer before the childbirth is also discussed. Attention is paid to possible rise of hyperkinetic syndrome of children as a consequence of mother's dwelling in environment polluted with lead. Presence of lead is verified by infrared spectroscopy.

Is the trachea a marker of the type of environmental pollution?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The differentiated character of changes in the mucous relief of the trachea as induced by air containing pollutants from the wastes of nickel-, mercury-, and cement-producing plants and by Candida albicans occurring in the waste disposal site of a large town are identified. The trachea was chosen because it is the entrance gate for the penetration of polluted air into the lungs. Changes on the trachea influence the character and extent of changes in lungs. STUDY DESIGN: Histological study with Viennese grey strain laboratory rabbits and rats caught directly on an investigated site. METHODS: We present new results of the functional morphology of the respiratory system as the results of scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies that can reveal character and range of damage of mucosal relief of trachea relevant to the functional dynamics of mucociliary clearance. Under physiological conditions this mechanism allows that only respirable dust particles enter the deep respiratory tract. RESULTS: In case of a damaged tracheal relief because of exposure to various aerosols, the functional morphology is changed, which aids in understanding the mechanisms damaging to mucociliary clearance induced by living in heavily polluted areas. CONCLUSION: Understanding of these morphological changes on base of detailed electron microscopic findings sheds new light on elaborating novel diagnostic methods for clinical practice.