Corneal histomorphology and electron microscopic observation of R124L mutated corneal dystrophy in a relapsed pedigree

·AIM:To investigate the histological characteristics and ultrastructure of recurrent Chinese R124 L mutated corneal dystrophy after keratoplasty.·METHODS:The subjects were enrolled from a Chinese family of corneal dystrophy with R124 L heterozygous gene mutation and with a history of consanguineous marriage.Normal corneal samples were used as controls.·RESULTS:In this family,2 patients(3 eyes)underwent penetrating keratoplasty(PKP)and 2 patients(4 eyes)underwent lamellar keratoplasty(LKP).They had recurrence at 33.5±3.0(range 30-36)mo after keratoplasty.Among them,1 patient(1 eye)underwent PKP again and 1 patient(2 eyes)underwent LKP again.In the R124 L mutated recurrent corneal dystrophy,the corneal turbidity was mainly distributed from the upper corneal cortex to the anterior stroma;the corneal epithelium surface was rougher and more uneven;and,the corneal erosions were larger.Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the thickness of the corneal epithelium was uneven;the arrangement of the epithelial cells was disordered;and,some corneal epithelial cells were swollen.The results of Congo red staining,Masson’s trichrome staining and Periodic acid-Schiff staining were positive,while that of Alcian blue staining was negative.Under a transmission electron microscope,deposition of high electron density substances between epithelial and basal cells,and,apoptosis of basal cells were observed.Many high electron density depositions were observed in the sub-epithelial and anterior corneal matrix.·CONCLUSION:In the Chinese family of recurrent corneal dystrophy with R124 L gene mutation,the corneal epithelia of the recurrent cases are rougher,and the corneal depositions are extra cellular amyloid fibrin.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF DIFFERENTIATION OF LEUKEMIC CELL CLONE AFTER CFU-MIX CULTURE

By scanning and transmission electron microscopy, leukemlc celb were obwrved after CFU-Mix culture. Even though granulocytlc growth factor, erythropoietin and lymphocytlc growth factor were added at vitor, acute leukemlc celb still showed defects In differentiation and maturation. These were characterized by abnormal colony which consisted of smooth cells, bizarre shape, nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchrony In development, and appearance of nuclear bleb. However, chronic myelogenous leukemlc celb were more nature than the acute ones, manifesting in normal colony with finger- like projections and ruffled membrane. Macrophages and eosinophils could be observed. It b suggested that there b a difference In differentiation between acute and chronic leukemia cells.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF SIMIAN SARCOMA VIRUS TRANSFORMED NIH 3T3 CELLS IN VITRO

For electronic microscopic observation, we found SSV-transformed NIH 3T3 cells were different from non-transformed cells. In SSV-transformed NIH 3T3 cells nuclei cytoplasma ratio was increased and in cytoplasma the ribosomes (polyribosomes were attached to the swollen rough endoplasmic reticulum. It was likely that ribosomes were lined together functionally and structionally to produce specific protein (PDGF-like protein).

Electron microscopic observations of apoptotic cells in various etiologies of human cardiovascular diseases

Abstract Objective To observe apoptotic process in various cardiovascular disorders with a particular attention to the ultrastructural morphology of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Methods Transmission electron microscopic observations of the tissue specimens obtained from endomyocardial biopsies or surgical excisions of left ventricular myocardium or calcified aortic valves were carried out in 50 patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Results The ultrastructural features of apoptosis was consistently observed in cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in all diseased tissues. In cardiomyopathies and rheumatic heart diseases apoptosis was commonly observed in the cardiomyocytes. It was often found that fibroblasts underwent apoptosis in calcific aortic valve tissues. Apoptosis of arterial smooth muscle cells was a frequent finding in renal arterial stenosis due to Takayasu's arteritis and fibromuscular dysplasia. Regardless of the cell types, the nuclear hallmarks of apoptosis were identical with minor modifications of the fragmentation of the condensed cells into apoptotic bodies. Conclusions Based on electron microscopic findings, it is suggested that the underlying disease processes determine which type of cells predominantly undergoes apoptotic changes in various cardiovascular disorders. In addition, different cells with similar structural morphology may have common ultrastructural features of apoptosis.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL CYTOCHEMISTRY OF HUMAN GASTRIC CANCER: ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS OF FIVE ORGANELLAE MARKER ENZYMES

The distribution of ALPase, ACPase, G6Pase TPPase and CCOase of gastric cancer and normal gastric epithelium were studied ultrastructurally. The results showed that normal gastric epithelium had no ALPase reaction. The reactions of ACPase, G6Pase, TPPase and CCOase were found in the corresponding organellae which were cosistent with their functions. In tubular adenocarcinoma cells, their reactions were more apparent in the corresponding organellae. Some cells of tubular adenocarcinomas showed ALPase reaction. The mucinous adenocarcinoma cells had higher ACPase and TPPase reactions. In poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells, the five marker enzymes showed negative or faint reactions. The biological significance and mechanisms of distribution of the five marker enzymes were discussed.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS OF TEGUMENTAL DAMAGE IN ADULT SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM AFTER IN VIVO TREATMENT WITH LEVO-PRAZIQUANTEL

The in vivo effects of a single dose of levo-praziquantel,75 mg/kg in PEG 400,on the tegumental surface of adult S.japonicum were compared with the effects of a single dose(150mg/kg) of the mixed isomer preparation,using scanning and transmission electron microscope.Worms were recovered from