Esther Hage

Electron microscopic identification of several types of endocrine cells in the bronchial epithelium of human foetuses

SummaryElectron microscopic investigations of the pulmonary epithelium of human foetuses reveal the occurrence of cells exhibiting fine-structural characteristics of polypeptide hormone producing APUD cells. Three types of cells were identified mainly on basis of the morphology of their secretory granules. Cells of type 1 have the appearance of monoamine storing cells and the dense core of vesiculated granules of these cells are reactive to argentaffine reaction performed directly on ultra-thin sections. Cells of type 2 contain granules of uniform shape and size and of rather homogeneous appearance. Besides in larger bronchial tubules these cells are localized in the epithelium of developing alveoli. Cells of type 3 with large osmiophilic granules tightly bound by a membrane are few and scattered. These cells are observed in larger bronchial tubuli only.

An electron microscope study of the circulating leucocytes of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis

Abstract Circulating leucocytes of the mussel, Mytilus edulis, were studied by electron microscopy. Based on morphological criteria, the leucocytes were classified as agranular and granular leucocytes, dependent upon the presence or absence of specific granules in their cytoplasm. Furthermore, the existing literature is being critically revised, and it is suggested that agranular and granular leucocytes might belong to the same cell line.

Endocrine-like cells of the pulmonary epithelium of the human adult lung.

SummaryThe morphological and histochemical characteristics of endocrinelike cells of the pulmonary epithelium of the right lower lobe of 12 human adult lungs were studied.Few cells were reactive to the argyrophil silver method of Grimelius and of Sevier and Munger and cells with a similar morphology and distribution emitted a green or yellow fluorescence after treatment of the lung epithelium with the amine precursors L-DOPA or L-HTP, respectively. A greater number of cells seems to be demonstrated by electron microscopy. The cells were characterized by small, round secretory granules showing a central dense core and a very thin clear halo between the core and the surrounding membrane.The cells are thought to be related to the endocrine-like cells of the pulmonary epithelium of the human foetal lung and to cells of carcinoids of larger bronchi.

Histochemistry and fine structure of endocrine cells in foetal lungs of the rabbit, mouse and guinea-pig

SummaryEndocrine cells in the bronchial epithelium in the glandular and beginning of the canalicular period of lung development, of rabbits, mice and guinea-pigs were searched for by use of the formaldehyde-fluorescence technique, by silver stains, staining of endocrine cell granules and by electron microscopy. One type was observed but differences between various animal species were noted. In rabbit foetuses numerous argyrophil cells in the bronchial epithelium were shown to contain amine and to have the capacity to take up and store further amounts of amine upon administration in vivo and in vitro of amine precursors. This capacity to produce and store amine under experimental conditions was shown by a smaller number of cells in the bronchial epithelium of mouse foetuses and by few scattered cells in the bronchial epithelium of guinea pig foetuses. By electron microscopic examination cells characterized by cytoplasmic secretory granules were observed, similar in number and distribution to those demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. Differences were noted with respect to the texture, electron-density and size of the granules as well as in the contact of the cells to the lumen of the bronchi.

The remaining colon after radical surgery for colorectal cancer

This study investigates the possible gain and limitation by performing colonoscopy and double-contrast enema immediately after, and every six months after, radical surgery for colorectal cancer. It was possible to perform a complete colonoscopy within three months of surgery in 80 per cent of the 239 patients and at the follow-up time in 90 per cent. Incompleteness was related to insufficient bowel preparation, narrow anastomosis, and long transverse colon. Five patients had synchronous cancers, and 64 had adenomas at the time of surgery. The risk of recurrent adenomas in the latter was higher (17/64) than in those without adenomas (15/175). The adenomas were located above the rectum in 57 of 80 patients who had polypectomy. Four patients with metachronous cancer and one of five patients with local recurrence had another radical operation, while this was possible in none of 40 patients with recurrence diagnosed by other means than colonoscopy and enema. Radical colorectal surgery should be followed by colonoscopy and double-contrast enema, but how often and for how long remains to be established.

Histochemistry and Fine Structure of Bronchial Carcinoid Tumours

The histological, histochemical and ultrastructural features of six carcinoid tumours of the larger bronchi are described. Electron microscopy and methods known to stain endocrine cell granules selectively allowed differentiation of three types of endocrine cells. Electron microscopy revealed that two of these cell types were similar to endocrine cells normally found in the pulmonary epithelium of human foetuses. These cells had small, round membrane-bound secretory granules of uniform size and shape, or much larger, round secretory granules, tightly surrounded by a membrane and almost homogeneous in appearance. The secretory granules of the third cell type were characterized by large polymorphic secretory granules, vesiculated or tightly surrounded by a membrane. These cells were reactive to staining with the argentaffin silver method and were quite similar to the enterochromaffin cell known from the digestive tract. Scattered mastocytes which reacted to some of the granule staining methods were easily identified by electron microscopy.

Light and electron microscopic studies of the acute and chronic toxic effects of N-nitroso compounds on the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis (L). I. N-nitrosodimethylamine

Abstract The acute (1) and chronic (2) toxic effects of N -nitrosodimethylamine (DMN) were studied by light and electron microscopy upon injection of the chemical into the foot of mussels, Mytilus edulis (L.). (1) One injection of DMN at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg DMN/mussel, respectively, produced, within 15 days, dose-dependent tissue alterations characterized by extensive inflammatory reactions in the supporting Leydig cell tissue in the digestive diverticula, necrosis of the epithelium lining, the digestive tubules, and necrosis of the germinal epithelium lining, the genital follicles. Morphologically, the inflammatory cells comprised of eosinophilic granular leucocytes, macrophages, and epithelioid cells. (2) Eight weekly injections of 0.2 mg DMN/mussel, examined for a period of 30 wk, produced tissue alterations characterized by extensive collagenous scar tissue formation between the tubules of the digestive diverticula, presence of numerous granulocytomas, and necrosis of the germinal epithelium of the genital follicles. Morphologically, the inflammatory cells comprised of eosinophilic granular leucocytes and macrophages.

Morphological characteristics of the columnar epithelium lining the lower oesophagus in patients with Barrett's syndrome

Biopsies of five patients with Barretts syndrome were examined by light microscopic, cytochemical and electron microscopic techniques. It was shown that the mucosa in the lower oesophagus lined by columnar epithelium was very similar to the mucosa lining the cardia of the stomach. It is supposed that such esophageal epithelium represents an upgrowth of cardia mucosa as a response to injury of the squamous epithelium of the oesophagus caused by chronic reflux of gastric contents. The occurrence of goblet cells and patches of villous columnar cells was interpreted as intestinal metaplasia.

Light and electron microscopic studies of the acute and chronic toxic effects of N-nitroso compounds on the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.). II. N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Abstract The (1) acute and (2) chronic toxic effects of N -methyl- N -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were studied by light and electron microscopy upon injection of the chemical into the foot of mussels, Mytilus edulis (L.). (1) One injection of MNNG at concentrations of 0.063, 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg MNNG/mussel, respectively, produced within 15 days dose-dependent tissue alterations characterized by extensive necrosis of the epithelial lining of the tubules of the digestive diverticula, infiltration of the tubules and nearby supporting Leydig cell tissue by leucocytes, and moderate deposition of collagen within these lesions. Morphologically, the inflammatory cells comprised of eosinophilic granular leucocytes, macrophages, and epithelioid cells. (2) Four weekly injections of 0.125 mg MNNG/mussel, examined over a period of 28 wk, produced tissue alterations characterized by encapsulation or replacement of damaged digestive tubules by collagenous scar tissue. Morphologically, the inflammatory cells comprised of eosinophilic granular leucocytes, some of which contained phagosomes, and phagolysosomes, and macrophages and epithelioid cells.

Do synchronous adenomas influence prognosis after radical surgery for colorectal carcinoma? A prospective study.

From 1978 to 1983, radical surgery for colorectal cancer was performed in 319 consecutive patients who were included in a prospective evaluation of perioperative and repeated postoperative colonoscopy with polypectomy. Synchronous adenomas were found and removed in 87 patients. The probability of survival without recurrent cancer and of not dying from local and/or distant spread was significantly higher (p < 0.02) in patients with synchronous adenomas than in those without. This unexpected finding could only to a minor degree be explained by a greater prevalence of well differentiated cancers and fewer poorly differentiated cancers in patients with synchronous adenomas. Detailed analysis revealed only one other major difference between the two groups, namely a higher risk of adenomas developing during follow-up of patients with synchronous adenomas (p < 0.001). The present results may be relevant to future prospective clinical studies in which perioperative and regular postoperative colonoscopy is included.