OBJECTIVE:To collect quantitative and stereologic data on the main cell types represented in the seminiferous tubule in order to produce a three-dimensional representation of the morphologic events of normal cell production and maturation.STUDY DESIGN:Three-dimensional reconstruction and differential cell counting were performed on serial sections of normal testicular tissue from normal young men through image analysis and computer-based rendering.RESULTS:Peculiar periodicity in the total number of tubular cells considered along the sequence of serial sections was recognized. Also, consensual periodicity pertaining to each cell type was recognized. Adjacent high cellularity and low cellularity segments included a fairly constant mixture of cell types considered.CONCLUSION:A newly defined cellular wave, composed of regular alternations of high and low cellularity segments, was identified in the normal human seminiferous tubule.

A case of blue naevus of the endocervix is reported with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings. The dendritic melanin-containing cells are analogous to the blue naevi cells of the skin. Electron microscopy showed melanosomes in dendritic cells but no cells with melanin-producing Schwann cells features were observed. Histogenetic hypotheses are discussed.

Our studies on pathology of AIDS point to four major conclusions. 1) The brain is often directly affected by the HIV infection (with the characteristics of subacute microglial encephalitis with pathognomonic multinucleated giant cells) and then by opportunistic infections such as Cytomegalovirus, Herpes-virus, Papova-virus JC (with progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus; opportunistic neoplasms (i.e. B cell lymphoma mostly pluricentric) could also developed. 2) The heart is frequently involved as well; perivascular sclerosis and myocytolysis are the hallmarks of a peculiar cardiomyopathy. 3) In the lung viral, bacterial, fungal an protozoan severe infections are frequently present: common are those caused by Cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis carinii. Frequently thin fibrotic interalveolar septa are observed (with consequent alteration of hematosis). 4) Adrenal (most frequently) and pituitary may display necrotic-hemorragic areas (in adrenals chiefly due to Cytomegalovirus). These may be extensive enough to explain the occurrence of clinical syndromes of endocrine insufficiency.

Pathologic findings in 25 autopsies of AIDS. The common and severe changes of the central nervous system, lungs, adrenals, heart, kidneys and gonads are reviewed in a series of autopsies of AIDS. In the brain, HIV infection induces directly inflammatory infiltrates including the typical multinucleated giant cells described by Sharer. In addition, primary lymphomas are seen as well as reactive and inflammatory lesions that are caused by opportunistic infections, such as those of poliomavirus, Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii. In the lung, interstitial inflammation prevails, which may be related to direct HIV infection and include rare multinucleated giant cells like the ones described by Sharer. Opportunistic infections are often associated, and are commonly sustained by Cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis carinii. A peculiar findings is the evolution from septal inflammation to fine fibrosis and hyaline degeneration, either focal or diffuse. We believe that the severe respiratory insufficiency that is commonly seen in the advanced stages of AIDS could be related to the interstitial damage. In the adrenal gland, the most common change is Cytomegalovirus infection affecting both the cortex and the medulla, and inducing massive necrosis in the cortex with little or no reaction. Again, adrenal involvement should be related to adrenal functional insufficiency, which may be over-looked clinically because of the preponderant lesions of other sites. In the heart, myocarditis is often discrete, and may be complicated by perivascular fibrosis and rare foci of myocytolysis; in some cases primary lymphomas may also develop. In the kidney, several histological lesions are found, including glomerular damage with segmental necrosis, cortical areas of hyporeactive necrosis, and mild interstitial inflammation. In the gonads, the changes are partly induced by drug abuse, and consist of atrophy with secondary hypoplasia of the germ cells and interstitial fibrosis. In conclusion, the most important abnormalities consist of opportunistic infections, hyporeactive necrosis, fibrotic evolution of the inflammatory infiltrates and neoplasias (Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphomas). In this work, the changes of the lymphoid organs are only mentioned, for they have been widely reviewed elsewhere.

The effect of some short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by anaerobic bacteria, namely acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and succinic acids, on production of light and release of lysozyme by human neutrophils exposed to chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe was investigated.

Journal of Periodontal ResearchVolume 22, Issue 3 p. 190-191 Short chain fatty acids present in periodontal pockets may play a role in human periodontal diseases M. Tonetti, M. Tonetti Institute of Microbiology, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorC. Eftimiadi, C. Eftimiadi Institute of Microbiology, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorG. Damiani, G. Damiani Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorP. Buffa, P. Buffa Institute of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorD. Buffa, D. Buffa Institute of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorG. A. Botta, Corresponding Author G. A. Botta Institute of Microbiology, University of Genova, ItalyAddress: Giuseppe A. Botta Institute of Microbiology 1O, Viale Benedetto XV 16132 Genova ItalySearch for more papers by this author M. Tonetti, M. Tonetti Institute of Microbiology, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorC. Eftimiadi, C. Eftimiadi Institute of Microbiology, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorG. Damiani, G. Damiani Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorP. Buffa, P. Buffa Institute of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorD. Buffa, D. Buffa Institute of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Genova, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorG. A. Botta, Corresponding Author G. A. Botta Institute of Microbiology, University of Genova, ItalyAddress: Giuseppe A. Botta Institute of Microbiology 1O, Viale Benedetto XV 16132 Genova ItalySearch for more papers by this author First published: May 1987 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0765.1987.tb01565.xCitations: 34AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume22, Issue3May 1987Pages 190-191 RelatedInformation

Two degenerations of the mitral valve apparatus, namely myxoid degeneration of the mitral cusps and necrosis with subsequent calcification of the annulus fibrosus, are extensively reviewed and discussed. Both lesions are mainly noticed in elderly patients, with the possible exception of systemic dystrophies of the connective tissue associated with metabolic disorders. The clinicopathological correlations of several cases are reported, with special emphasis on modern diagnostic procedures and their wide anatomic spectrum.

The conditional morphology mutant of Escherichia coli SP45 grows as a rod at 30 degrees C and assumes a spherical shape after 90 min of incubation at 42 degrees C. The rod-to-sphere morphological transition has been found to be associated with the disappearance of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP-2), the progressive reduction (as much as 50%) of murein synthesis, as measured both in intact cells and ether-permeabilized bacteria, and alterations in the structure of the cell envelope, including detachment of the outer membrane from the underlying structures. The detachment was initially localized at the poles of the cells and then spread over the entire surface. Shape transition was also linked to increased susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics which preferentially bound to PBP-1A (cephalothin, cephaloridine) or to PBP-3 (furazlocillin, piperacillin). Treatment with beta-lactams possessing a high affinity for PBP-1A, although inducing a low degree of peptidoglycan synthesis inhibition (5 to 10%), was associated with a marked loss of cell viability and massive lysis. On the other hand, the simultaneous absence of PBP-2 and inhibition of PBP-3 causes a significant reduction of peptidoglycan synthesis, yet only slightly affected cell viability. Whereas PBP-1A inhibition during shape transition had no effect on morphology, addition of antibiotics binding to PBP-3 30 min after the temperature shift-up caused formation of elongated cells with a centrally located bulge, not observed in similarly treated cells grown at 30 degrees C. Inhibition of PBP-3 in round cells 90 min after temperature shift caused formation of giant cells, indicating complete loss of elongation ability. The different effects of the simultaneous inhibition of two PBPs, combining mutational loss with specific binding in vivo of another PBP by beta-lactams, provide new insight into the role of these proteins and the killing mechanisms of this class of antibiotics.