Skeletal calcification patterns of batoid, teleost, and mammalian models: Calcified cartilage versus bone matrix.

This study compares the skeletal calcification pattern of batoid Raja asterias with the endochondral ossification model of mammalians Homo sapiens and teleost Xiphias gladius. Skeletal mineralization serves to stiffen the mobile elements for locomotion. Histology, histochemistry, heat deproteination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/EDAX analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) have been applied in the study. H. sapiens and X. gladius bone specimens showed similar profiles, R. asterias calcified cartilage diverges for higher water release and more amorphous bioapatite. In endochondral ossification, fetal calcified cartilage is progressively replaced by bone matrix, while R. asterias calcified cartilage remains un-remodeled throughout the life span. Ca2+ and PO4 3- concentration in extracellular matrix is suggested to reach the critical salts precipitation point through H2 O recall from extracellular matrix into both chondroblasts or osteoblasts. Cartilage organic phase layout and incomplete mineralization allow interstitial fluids diffusion, chondrocytes survival, and growth in a calcified tissue lacking of a vascular and canalicular system. HIGHLIGHTS: Comparative physico-chemical characterization (TGA, DTG and DSC) testifies the mass loss due to water release, collagen and carbonate decomposition of the three tested matrices. R. asterias calcified cartilage water content is higher than that of H. sapiens and X. gladius, as shown by the respectively highest dehydration enthalpy values. Lower crystallinity degree of R. asterias calcified cartilage can be related to the higher amount of collagen in amorphous form than in bone matrix. These data can be discussed in terms of the mechanostat theory (Frost, 1966) or by organic/inorganic phase transformation in the course evolution from fin to limbs. Mineral analysis documented different charactersof R. asterias vs H. sapiens and X. gladius calcified matrix.

If you give a mouse a mutation: comparing the therapeutic utility of renowned mouse models of human cancers.

Cancers of the breast, prostate and intestinal tract account for most cancer-associated deaths in humans and represent several of the highest incidence human neoplasms. Therefore, understanding the underlying pathophysiology, including the formation and propagation of these cancers, is key to designing potential treatments. Over the last 50 years or more, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) have been instrumental platforms to our discovery of neoplastic disease as many follow near-identical molecular and histological progression as human tumours. In this mini review, we summarize three key preclinical models and focus on some of the major findings in relation to clinical care. We discuss the MMTV-PyMT (polyomavirus middle T antigen) mouse, TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate) mouse and APCMin (multiple intestinal neoplasm mutation of APC gene) mouse, which mimic breast, prostate and intestinal cancers, respectively. We aim to describe the significant contributions these GEMMs have made to our collective understanding of high-incidence cancers as well as briefly discuss the limitations of each model as a device for therapeutic discovery.

The pathogenesis of zoonotic viral infections: Lessons learned by studying reservoir hosts.

Zoonotic viral infections that cause severe disease or even death in some people may be asymptomatic or mild in reservoir hosts. Comparison of the pathogenesis of these two host categories may potentially explain the difference in disease. However, infections in reservoir hosts are often neglected. Therefore, we compared the pathogenesis of rabies virus, macacine alphaherpesvirus, West Nile virus, Puumala orthohantavirus, monkeypox virus, Lassa mammarenavirus, H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and simian/human immunodeficiency viruses in both humans and reservoir hosts. We showed that most aspects of the pathogeneses were remarkably similar. The remaining differences lead to the identification of tipping points in the pathogeneses that are important for explaining the disease outcome in severe human cases. Further elucidating these tipping points by studying zoonotic viral infections in their reservoir hosts may teach us how to reduce the severity of zoonotic viral diseases in humans.

Ultra-structural and histopathological features of liver biopsy taken during laparotomy to confirm the diagnosis of biliary atresia.

Background: Neonatal cholestasis is caused by a group of diseases that cause jaundice, which can be encountered in the neonatal period. Biliary atresia (BA) and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (INH) are among neonatal cholestasis diseases. Aims: The aim of this study was to perform histopathological and ultra-structural examinations of liver biopsy tissue samples from BA and INH patients with liver biopsies taken during laparotomy to confirm the diagnosis of biliary atresia. Settings and Design: A total of patients undergoing Kasai surgery before the age of 60 days were included in an "early" group (n = 7), whereas patients undergoing surgery after the age of 60 days were included in a "late" group (n = 11). The control group (n = 11) included INH patients. Materials and Methods: For histopathological examinations, liver tissue samples obtained intra-operatively were subjected to routine histopathological procedures after being stained with caspase-3 and cytokeratin-7 antibodies. Ultra-structural evaluations were also performed. Statistical analysis used: For comparisons between the groups, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for continuous variables. Results: Histopathological findings reflected the specific liver pathologic findings seen in biliary atresia. Although there was no significant difference between the BA groups, these parameters were not detected in the control group. The histopathological evaluations revealed no significant differences in the findings of liver parenchyma damage between the early, late, and control groups. Electron microscopic examinations showed that the patients in the late group had more severe signs of intra-cellular damage to the liver. Conclusions: Although the histopathological examination revealed no significant differences in liver damage between the three groups, in ultra-structural evaluation, intra-cellular damage was found to be less in groups with better prognosis. Electron microscopy evaluations of intra-cellular damage may be more useful in this respect.

Comparative histological structure of the gastrointestinal mucosa in human and white rat: a bibliographic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: According to numerous domestic and foreign researchers, morphofunctional structure of the digestive system of humans and rats have much in common, therefore, rats are used as the laboratory animals during the experiments. The aim of the paper was the comparative study of the histological structure of the gastrointestinal mucosa in human and white rat through the bibliographic analysis of the publications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The material for the investigation was current publications on the study of the histological structure of the intestine mucosa in human and white rat by analyzing, synthesizing and generalizing the resulting data. RESULTS: Review and discussion: Histologically, the gastrointestinal mucosa in white rat is similar to the human one. The gastrointestinal mucosa in white rats (with the exception of the generic difference in the structure of the stomach and the caecum), in its histological structure, is quite similar to the human one, to be studied in the experimental simulation of the specific lesions of the digestive system.

A Brain Atlas of the Long Arm Octopus, Octopus minor.

Cephalopods have the most advanced nervous systems and intelligent behavior among all invertebrates. Their brains provide comparative insights for understanding the molecular and functional origins of the human brain. Although brain maps that contain information on the organization of each subregion are necessary for a study on the brain, no whole brain atlas for adult cephalopods has been constructed to date. Here, we obtained sagittal and coronal sections covering the entire brain of adult Octopus minor (Sasaki), which belongs to the genus with the most species in the class Cephalopoda and is commercially available in East Asia throughout the year. Sections were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) to visualize the cellular nuclei and subregions. H&E images of the serial sections were obtained at 30~70-µm intervals for the sagittal plain and at 40~80-µm intervals for the coronal plain. Setting the midline point of the posterior end as the fiducial point, we also established the distance coordinates of each image. We found that the brain had the typical brain structure of the Octopodiformes. A number of subregions were discriminated by a Hematoxylin-positive layer, the thickness and neuronal distribution pattern of which varied markedly depending upon the region. We identified more than 70 sub-regions based on delineations of representative H&E images. This is the first brain atlas, not only for an Octopodiformes species but also among adult cephalopods, and we anticipate that this atlas will provide a valuable resource for comparative neuroscience research.

Correlation between CT morphologic appearance and histologic findings in colorectal liver metastasis after preoperative chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Radiological evaluation of the efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is the most important tool for determining treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to identify a correlation between morphologic appearance on computed tomography (CT) and histologic findings of CRLM after preoperative chemotherapy. METHODS: We examined 47 patients who had undergone a first hepatic resection for CRLM after preoperative chemotherapy and had received contrast-enhanced CT scans. We assessed the morphologic appearance of the overall attenuation based on metastases changing from heterogeneous to mixed and homogenous lesions, the tumor-liver interface, and the peripheral rim enhancement on CT. Histologic parameters included usual necrosis (UN), infarct-like necrosis (ILN), three-zonal change, dangerous halo, mucous lake, shape of ILN, dominant type of necrosis, and presence of viable tumor cells. The relationship between morphologic appearance and histologic findings was evaluated. RESULTS: CT overall attenuation revealed that UN predominance was more common in the heterogeneous group than in the mixed and homogeneous groups (P = 0.011). The frequency of ILN increased sequentially from ill-defined to variable and sharp at the tumor-liver interface (P = 0.038), and the frequency of UN decreased sequentially from present to partially resolved and completely resolved in the peripheral rim enhancement (P = 0.023). The histologic presence of viable tumor cells was closely associated with the tumor-liver interface (P = 0.0003) and the peripheral rim enhancement (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: CT morphologic appearance of CRLM after preoperative chemotherapy is correlated with histologic findings regarding necrosis.

Odontomas in two long-finned ocellaris clownfish ( Amphiprion ocellaris).

Two adult long-finned ocellaris clownfish ( Amphiprion ocellaris) from 2 different aquaculture facilities were examined at the University of Florida, Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory for oral masses. Incisional biopsies were obtained from the masses under anesthesia, and histologic examination revealed both to be odontomas. Most benign odontomas are classified as hamartomas (disorganized proliferations of tissues found normally at the site of origin). Odontomas have previously been reported in wild teleost fish in association with viral infections and pollution.

A Brain Atlas of the Long Arm Octopus, Octopus minor

Cephalopods have the most advanced nervous systems and intelligent behavior among all invertebrates. Their brains provide comparative insights for understanding the molecular and functional origins of the human brain. Although brain maps that contain information on the organization of each subregion are necessary for a study on the brain, no whole brain atlas for adult cephalopods has been constructed to date. Here, we obtained sagittal and coronal sections covering the entire brain of adult Octopus minor (Sasaki), which belongs to the genus with the most species in the class Cephalopoda and is commercially available in East Asia throughout the year. Sections were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) to visualize the cellular nuclei and subregions. H&E images of the serial sections were obtained at 30~70-µm intervals for the sagittal plain and at 40~80-µm intervals for the coronal plain. Setting the midline point of the posterior end as the fiducial point, we also established the distance coordinates of each image. We found that the brain had the typical brain structure of the Octopodiformes. A number of subregions were discriminated by a Hematoxylin-positive layer, the thickness and neuronal distribution pattern of which varied markedly depending upon the region. We identified more than 70 sub-regions based on delineations of representative H&E images. This is the first brain atlas, not only for an Octopodiformes species but also among adult cephalopods, and we anticipate that this atlas will provide a valuable resource for comparative neuroscience research.

Study on comparative histology of retinas in Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cynops orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Gekko japonicus, and Columba livia / Estudio histológico comparado de la retina en Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cynops orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Gekko japonicus, y Columba livia

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between the retinal structure and its life adaptation to the environment of Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cynops orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Gekko japonicus and Columba livia . Measuring retinal thickness of each layer, the nuclei layer, and the diameter of each nuclear layer of the five animals, the statistical data analysis shows that: the nuclei layers of five animals are all 4, and their structures can be divided to 10 layers when observing with optical microscope. The retinal thickness of Ctenopharyngodon idella was 190.49 mm, Cynops orientalis was 173.07 µm, and the Bufo bufo gargarizans was 195.06 µm, Gekko japonicus was 224.32 µm and Columba livia was 174.10 µm. The number of retinal inner nuclear layers of Bufo bufo gargarizans and Gekko japonicus and Columba livia are more than their outer nuclear layers, on the contrary, retinal inner nuclear layers of Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cynops orientalis are less than their outer nuclear layers. The rod and cone layer of retina of Cynops orientalis were more advanced, but their nerve fiber layer (NFL) degraded highly, revealing a strong photosensitivity but a low visual sensitivity; to Columba livia , their NFL of retina are highly developed, so as their vision. The different structures and functions of the retina of Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cynops orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Gekko japonicus and Columba livia correspond with their behavioral characteristics and the living environment's change from aquatic to amphibious to land.

El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la relación entre las estructuras de la retina y su adaptación al medioambiente en Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cynops orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans,Gekko japonicus y Columba livia . La medición del espesor de cada capa de la retina, la capa nuclear y su diámetro en los cinco animales, mostró a través del análisis estadístico que las capas nucleares en todos ellos fueron 4, y sus estructuras se pueden dividir en 10 capas cuando se observan con el microscopio óptico. El espesor de la retina de Ctenopharyngodon idella fue 190,49 µm, de Cynops orientalis fue 173,07 µm, de Bufo bufo gargarizans fue 195,06 µm, de Gekko japonicus fue 224,32 µm y de Columba livia fue 174,10 µm. El número de capas nucleares internas de la retina de Bufo gargarizans, Gekko japonicus y Columba livia fue mayor que sus capas nucleares externas, mientras que las capas nucleares internas de Ctenopharyngodon idella y Cynops orientalis fueron menos que las capas nucleares externas. La capa de conos y bastones de la retina de Cynops orientalis fue más desarrollada, pero su capa de fibras nerviosas presentó una elevada degeneración, lo que muestra una gran fotosensibilidad, pero una sensibilidad visual baja. En Columba livia, la capa de fibras nerviosas de la retina estuvo muy desarrollada, y de esta manera, su visión. El grado de desarrollo de las diferentes estructuras y funciones de la retina de Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cynops orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Gekko japonicus y Columba livia está relacionada con sus características de comportamiento y el cambio de las condiciones de las vidas acuática y anfibia en la tierra.

Histologic differences in placentas of preeclamptic/eclamptic gestations by birthweight, placental weight, and time of onset.

With preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E), infants more often are either large or small for gestational age. We explored whether the differences in infant birthweight (BW), placental weights (PW), or time of onset are associated with histologic features of maternal vascular underperfusion. A retrospective chart identified 243 PE/E gestations between 2007 and 2010. Gestational age only was known at slide review. Investigated features included increased syncytial knots, villous agglutination, increased intervillous fibrin, distal villous hypoplasia, acute atherosis, mural hypertrophy of membrane arterioles, muscularized basal plate arteries, increased placental site giant cells, increased immature intermediate trophoblasts, infarcts, and villitis. The results were correlated with BW, PW, and onset time PE/E. One hundred thirty-eight PE/E gestations were identified with adequate slides and history. Increased BW placentas had decreased syncytial knots and increased mural hypertrophy of membrane arterioles. Decreased BW had increased placenta site giant cells. Increased PW had decreased distal villous hypoplasia. Decreased PW had increased syncytial knots, increased intervillous fibrin, and increased acute atherosis. Early-onset disease had increased syncytial knots, distal villous hypoplasia, villous agglutination, and infarcts. This suggests PE/E is not a single process resulting in a uniform distribution of lesions but, rather, is composed of several different processes manifesting a single clinical presentation.

Comparative Histology of Human and Cow, Goat and Sheep Liver

Comparative histology deals with the comparison of microscopic structural relations of the various animals with in the ecosystem. Here, we compare the microscopic structure of the human liver with domestic animals like cow, sheep and goat. Human and cow, goat and sheep’s liver were taken and divided in to 3 groups. We kept liver specimen in formalin for fixation. Thin cut sections of specimen were taken after paraffin embedding. Slides were stained by Haematoxylene and Eosin, later observed the histological features under light microscope. The study was undertaken to compare the histological differences like hepatic lobule, connective tissue septa, portal triad, hepatocytes of liver between human and cow, goat and sheep. It plays a useful tool for morphological studies based on the evolution. Hepatic lobule was hexagonal in shape in cow, goat and sheep, but it was not clearly seen in human liver. Hepatocytes were larger in human beings but smaller and polygonal in cow, goat and sheep. Connective tissue septa were scanty in human liver, in comparison to other animals. Central vein was closer to the hepatic lobule in human and goat’s liver, while in case of cow and sheep, it was found to be close to the portal triad. This comparative histological study may be useful to all the research scholars who undertaken similar studies, veterinary scientists and the field of liver transplantation.

Comparison of the morphological heterogeneity of mast cells in different tissues of 6 types of common laboratory animals / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To compare and explore the morphological characteristics of mast cells in different tissues of 6 types of common laboratory animals.Methods Ten healthy adult SPF Kunming mice, 10 SD rats, 10 Hartley guinea pigs, 10 New Zealand rabbits, 6 beagle dogs and 6 Macaca mulata ( male:female=1:1, for all) were used in this study. The animals were sacrificed by euthanasia, samples of the skin, lung, spleen and sigmoid colon were taken from mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, dog and monkey, and fixed in formalin and Bouin’ s solution.Paraffin sections were stained with toluidine blue and Alcian blue-safranin O, respectively.The mouse skin and dog spleen were immunohistochemically stained for substance P.A color pathological image analysis system was used to conduct the analysis of morphometric pa-rameters of mast cells.Samples of the skin of these animals were also fixed in glutaraldehyde for the electron microscopic observation and comparison of the mast cells.Results Mast cells in different types of animals were distinctive in distribu-tion, morphology, size, metachromasia and staining properties.Density and morphometric parameters of the mast cells had significant differences among the 6 types of animals ( P＜0.05 ) .Characteristic granules were contained in the skin mast cells of guinea pig, dog and monkey.Mast cells in the mouse skin, dog spleen and nerves in the mouse skin showed immu-noreactive substance P.Conclusions Mast cells in the 6 types of laboratory animals showed histochemical and morphologi-cal heterogeneity, which have important reference values in animal experimental research on mast cell function.

Pharyngeal odontoma in an adult walleye (Sander vitreus).

An adult walleye (Sander vitreus) was submitted to Cornell University for evaluation of a hard pale-tan pharyngeal mass attached to the gill arches. Dozens of hard white conical structures radiated from the surface. Microscopically, conical structures were identified as denticles and rested on plates of dysplastic orthodentine, cementum, and acellular bone. A diagnosis of compound odontoma was made based upon the presence of proliferative epithelial and mesenchymal odontogenic tissues that recapitulated tooth structures normally present on gill rakers. Odontomas are classified as hamartomas and typically develop in immature diphyodont mammals. The pharyngeal location and lifelong regeneration of teeth in fish, however, both qualify the present diagnosis in the pharyngeal region of an adult teleost. Ontogenic and morphologic differences between mammalian and piscine dentition and differentials for tooth-bearing tumors in fish are presented within the context of a developmental anomaly.