In this study the characterization and localization of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptor in human jaws, from fetuses ranging in age from 9 to 12 weeks is reported for the first time. Binding of [125I]-EGF to membranes obtained from three separate pools of fetal jaws was specific and time- and temperature-dependent. Analysis of the binding data revealed the presence of a single class of binding site with high affinity (Kd, 9.2 x 10(-10) mol/L) and mean binding capacity of 128 fmoles/mg protein. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated the presence of EGF receptors in the early developmental stages of human tooth. In the bud stage, the positivity was localized in the epithelial cells. In the cap stage, EGF receptors was present in the outer and inner enamel cells, in some cells of the stellate reticulum and in the mesenchymal papilla and follicle cells. In the bell stage, positivity for EGF receptors was present in the outer enamel epithelium, in some cells of the stellate reticulum and in the mesenchymal cells of the follicle and papilla. The presence of EGF receptors in the proliferative stages in both epithelial and mesenchymal cells suggests that EGF is involved in the early developmental stages of the human tooth germ.

The collateral circles formed following lower limbs arterial occlusion and their hemodynamic function have been described; 35 subjects (23 men and 12 women; age range 65 to 80), with symptomatic lower limbs obstructive arteriopathy (Fontaine's stage II) following occlusion of vessels downstream the subrenal aorta have been studied by means of Contrast Angiography and Color Doppler Echography of the vascular district including the terminal aorta and the lower limbs arteries. The hemodynamic significance of the collateral circles was assessed by calculating the Windsor index. In this population, the collateral circles for each level of obstruction were explored. Occlusion of the terminal abdominal aorta: the collateral circle was mainly established through the inferior mesenteric and ischiatic arteries and through the lumbar, ilio-lumbar and gluteal arteries; occlusion of the iliac tract: the collateral circulation was established through the spermatic or ovaric artery and through the funicular, external pudendal and middle sacral arteries; occlusion of the ilio-femoral tract: the collateral circulation was formed by the internal and external pudendal arteries and by the ilio-lumbar, obturating, gluteal and circumflex iliac arteries; occlusion of first tract of the superficial femoral artery: collateral circulation was established through the deep femoral artery and through the perforating arteries; occlusion of the terminal tract of the superficial femoral artery: collateral circulation was formed by the articular branches of the same artery originating proximal to the occlusion and through branches of the deep femoral artery; occlusion of the superficial and deep femoral arteries at their origin: collateral circulation was established through the ischiatic artery (directly and, indirectly, through the perforating arteries), and through the tegumental arteries. The hemodynamic significance, as measured by Windsor index was higher the more proximal was the occlusion, in accord with the lower caliber and/or number of vessels involved in the collateral circles.

The collateral circles and their hemodynamic significance in distal lower limb arterial occlusion have been described in an elderly population. Overall 40 subjects (20 men and 20 women; age range 66-83) with symptomatic lower limb arteriopathy (Fontaine's stage II) have been studied combing Contrast Angiography and Color Doppler Echography of the lower limb arterial district. In our population, the results showed that the tibialis arteries were the vessels most often involved in arterial occlusion (posterior tibialis a., 15 cases = 37.5%, posterior tibialis a., 12 cases = 30%), followed by the peroneal a. (8 cases = 20%) and by the popliteal a. (5 cases, 12.5%). In the occlusion of the popliteal artery the collateral circle was mainly established through the deep femoral a., the great anastomotic a., the recurrent posterior tibialis a., and from the articular supero-lateral a. In the occlusion of the anterior tibialis artery the collateral circulation was ensured through the collateral posterior tibialis as. and through the collateral perineal as. In the occlusion of the posterior tibialis a., the collateral circle was established through the great anastomotic a., through the branchers of the arterial circle of the ankle and from the perforating plantar as. (anterior tibial a.). Finally, in the occlusion of the peroneal a., the collateral circulation was only represented by branches of the arterial circle of the ankle. The hemodynamic compromission, measured by the Windsor Index, was the highest for popliteal occlusions (mean IW = 34.3%). Occlusions of the anterior tibialis a. (mean IW. = 35.48%), of the peroneal a. (mean IW = 44.71%), and of the posterior tibialis a. (mean IW = 55.44%) showed progressively lower hemodynamic compromission. Gender differences in hemodynamic significance at each level of occlusion were not significant.

50 healthy subjects (25 men and 25 women; age range: 18 to 80 years) have been examined. The internal calibers of the common femoral artery, of the superficial femoral artery, of the common femoral vein, and of the superficial femoral vein have been measured in selected locations using Color Doppler Ultrasonography. The difference in vessel caliber between men and women was statistically significant (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in left versus right vessel calibers for all the four vessels studied. In the same subject, vessel caliber was directly proportional in the left compared to the right side (p < 0.01). Both in the left and in the right side, arterial and venous calibers of the same subject in the same side were directly proportional (p < 0.01). The relationship between the calibers of the four vessels under study and age, height, and body surface area were not statistically significant.

The immunohistochemical localization of EGF and NGF receptors has been studied in the olfactory epithelium of human foetuses from 8 to 12 weeks of age. A positivity for EGF receptor, increasing with the age, was detected in the apical portion of the sensory epithelium. The NGF receptor was well detectable also at 8 weeks and localized both in differentiated olfactory cells and in some basal cells. From primary cultures of olfactory epithelium, a cell clone positive for Enolase, Neurofilaments and S-100 Protein was identified. These cells were shown to be reactive for EGF and NGF receptors. The addition of Retinoic acid to the culture medium induces a morphological differentiation of these cells that become positive for the Olfactory Marker Protein.

Some morphological data of the right and left human RLNs were evaluated with the aim of verifying possible differences in the fibre composition of the two nerves. The following parameters were evaluated in the right and left RLNs of five human cases: 1) the maximum diameter of the fibres; 2) the axon diameter and area; 3) the myelin sheath area obtained substracting the axon area from the total area of each fibre. The obtained data were plotted on histograms for each case: moreover, histograms of all fibres of both left and right nerves of all five cases were made. The results show that the values of the maximum diameter of the fibres and of the myelin sheath area are always greater in a statistically significant way in the left RLNs than in the right RLNs. On the other hand the axon diameter is nearly the same in the nerves of both sides. These data suggest that the greater calibre of the myelin sheath in the fibres of the left inferior laryngeal nerve can be responsible of the faster conduction speed in this nerve. This fact might explain the simultaneous arrival of the impulses to the laryngeal muscles of the two sides in spite to the different length of the two nerves.

In this research the TFR localization in non functioning human thyroid nodules and in the extranodular thyroid tissue, using an immunohistochemical technique, has been studied. For this study a monoclonal antibody (B3/25) against TFR and the peroxidase technique have been utilized. Moreover a morphometric comparative analysis was carried out based on the following parameters: 1) mean immunoreactive area for microscopic field, 2) mean value of immunoreactive follicular perimeter, 3) integrated optical density, 4) % of immunoreactive area on total examined area in nodular and extranodular tissue. The immunoreactivity was detected in some follicular cells in a number of follicles randomly distributed in the extra nodular tissue. As concern the non functioning thyroid nodules, the positivity was localized in the generality of the follicles both in the flattened epithelial cells of the larger follicles and in the cuboidal cells of the smaller ones. The morphometric parameters confirm a statistically significant difference of immunoreactivity between extranodular and nodular tissue. These results suggest that TF might play a role in the cellular proliferation of thyroid gland.

The structure, the ultrastructure and the number of myonuclei and satellite cells in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and in control muscles were compared in order to determine the possible changes in the satellite cells population. The bioptical fragments were obtained from 16 healthy (control) and from 16 dystrophic male children from 12 to 96 months of age. The biopsies were embedded in paraffin and in Durcupan and the sections were stained with ematossilin-eosin, P.A.S. for the light microscope observation and with uranil-acetate and lead-citrate for the electron microscope study. Moreover the semithin sections were stained according to the method of Ontell (1974) that is specific for the satellite cells identification. The morphological aspects of the dystrophic muscles are the same previously reported by other authors. The quantitative analysis of the myonuclei and satellite cells in control and dystrophic muscles was carried out on five random sections of each biopsy. The whole number of nuclei (myonuclei and satellite cell nuclei) and the number of the satellite cells nuclei were evaluated and the mean values in controls and dystrophic muscles were compared with the t Student test. The obtained results show that: 1) in the control muscles the satellite cells number is nearly the same in all ages considered; 2) in the dystrophic muscles the satellite cells number is in a statistically significant way greater than in control muscles and show a moderate trend to increase with aging; 3) in the dystrophic muscles the whole number of nuclei (myonuclei and satellite cells) is greater than in control in a statistically significant way and this increase is due to the number of satellite cells.

Phonation troubles often arise after surgical operations on the antero-lateral region of the neck in which the recurrent laryngeal ILN), was respected. This fact allows to consider the possibility that the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), contains also fibres responsible of the motor innervation of some intrinsic muscles of the larynx. According to the suggestion that the fibre-analysis may permit to distinguish a motor from a sensory nerve (Tomasch and Schwarzacher), a computerized morphometric analysis on the fibres of the superior and inferior laryngeal nerves in the man was carried out. The nerves investigated were taken away from five patients subjected to a total laryngectomy. The fibre perimeter and the maximum diameter were evaluated in 1500 fibres in each nerve. The histograms of the obtained data shows that: 1) Two groups of fibres are distinguishable in the SLN: the first is composed by small diameter fibres that show one spike for both the parameters considered. The second group of larger fibres shows a lower spike with a larger basis. 2) In the ILN only a spike corresponding to the greatest fibres we observed for both the parameters considered. In conclusion it seems that the number of fibres of large diameter present in the SLN can justify a motor function of this nerve for some intrinsic muscles of the larynx other than the cricotiroideus.

The effects of the low power laser irradiation (Space Mix 5 Mid Laser) on the 3H-proline incorporation in the collagenic proteins produced by two lines of normal human fibroblasts in vitro were studied. The 3H-thymidine incorporation in cultures of control and irradiated fibroblasts of the same lines was also evaluated. The obtained results show that in the experimental conditions considered, laser irradiation may have a positive effect on the production of collagen by the fibroblasts in vitro. This effect is dependent on the time of exposure, the frequency of infra-red impulses and the age of subjects from which fibroblasts were obtained. The laser irradiation in the same experimental conditions does not affect the incorporation of 3H-thymidine in the fibroblasts in vitro. Therefore, the observed increase of collagen production is not dependent on an increase of cellular population.