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Histological Investigation (histological + investigation)
Selected AbstractsErythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) , eine Störung der epidermalen Expression von Gap-Junction-ProteinenJOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 5 2005Erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV), a disorder due to altered epidermal expression of gap junction proteins Connexin,31; Connexin,43; Erythrokeratodermia variabilis; Gap Junctions Zusammenfassung Die Erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) ist eine seltene autosomal-dominant vererbte Genodermatose mit einer epidermalen Verhornungsstörung. Das klinische Bild der EKV wird von zwei Morphen geprägt: transiente, schnell wandernde Erytheme und persistierende braune Hyperkeratosen. Vor kurzem wurde der zugrunde liegende Gendefekt der EKV auf dem kurzen Arm von Chromosom,1 lokalisiert, der für das Gap-Junction-Protein Connexin,31 kodiert. Wir stellen einen 48jährigen Patienten vor, bei dem seit dem dreißigsten Lebensjahr großflächige, scharf begrenzte, randständig schuppende Erytheme an den Extremitäten, Gesäß und Rumpf auftreten. Histologisch fand sich eine orthokeratotische Hyperkeratose mit fokaler Parakeratose bei Akanthose der Epidermis. Immunhistochemisch konnte eine vermindert Expression des Gap-Junction-Proteins Connexin,31 sowie vermehrte Expression von Connexin,43 dargestellt werden. Ultrastrukturell zeigten sich erweiterte Interzellularräume in der oberen Epidermis mit unauffälligen Desmosomen, Adherensjunktionen und regulären Gap Junctions. In der Epidermis wird u. a. die Zellproliferation und -differenzierung über die Gap Junctions reguliert. Die Mutation im Connexin,31 wird daher als ursächlich für das klinische Bild der EKV angesehen. Die Überexpression von Connexin,43, die hier erstmals beschrieben wird, entsteht möglicherweise reaktiv als Folge der CX31-Mutation und kompensiert vorübergehend den Defekt. Summary Erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis with disturbed epidermal differentiation. Its clinical picture varies from transient, fast moving erythema to persistent brown hyperkeratoses. The gene defect in EKV was recently located on the short arm of chromosome,1 encoding the gap junction protein connexin,31. We report on a 48-year-old patient with sharply circumscribed, scaling erythema on the extremities, buttocks and trunk starting since 30,years of age. Histological investigation showed orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with focal parakeratosis overlying an acanthotic epidermis. Immunohistochemistry revealed a decreased expression of the gap junction protein connexin,31 as well as increased expression of connexin,43. At the ultrastructural level, widened intercellular spaces in the upper epidermis were present with regular desmosomes, adherens junctions and gap junctions. Epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation are regulated by gap junctions. The mutation in connexin,31 is regarded therefore as causal for the clinical picture of the EKV. The unique up-regulation of connexin,43 may occur as a consequence of the Cx31 mutation and temporarily compensate for this defect. [source] Vaccine-associated granulomatous inflammation and melanin accumulation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., white muscleJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 1 2005E O Koppang Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of variably sized pigmented foci encountered in fillets of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. The material was sampled on the fillet production line and on salmon farms from fish with an average size of 3 kg from various producers. The fish had been routinely vaccinated by injection. Gross pathology, histology, immunohistochemistry using antisera against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II , chain and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the changes. Macroscopically, melanized foci were seen penetrating from the peritoneum deep into the abdominal wall, sometimes right through to the skin, and also embedded in the caudal musculature. Histological investigation revealed muscle degeneration and necrosis, fibrosis and granulomatous inflammation containing varying numbers of melano-macrophages. Vacuoles, either empty or containing heterogeneous material, were frequently seen. The presence of abundant MHC class II+ cells indicated an active inflammatory condition. TEM showed large extracellular vacuoles and leucocytes containing homogeneous material of lipid-like appearance. The results showed that the melanized foci in Atlantic salmon fillet resulted from an inflammatory condition probably induced by vaccination. The described condition is not known in wild salmon and in farmed salmon where injection vaccination is not applied. [source] Electrolytic ablation is as effective as radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of artificial liver metastases in a pig modelJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Sebastian Hinz MD Abstract Background The best treatment option for liver metastases is complete surgical resection. Unfortunately, at the time of diagnosis, not all patients are candidates for complete resection. Electrolytic therapy (ECT) is a novel non-thermal method of tissue destruction. We evaluated its safety and effectiveness in comparison with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods Tumor mimics were created by injecting a gel into the pig liver. The volume of the lesions was measured by ultrasound before treatment. The tumor mimics were treated with either RFA or electrolytic ablation. 48 h after treatment the liver was fixed in formalin and subjected to histological examination. Results Histological investigation confirmed that all lesions were completely surrounded by necrosis after treatment with either ECT or RFA. Two different types of necrosis were identified. After RFA the cell membranes disappeared but the nuclei were still intact, whereas after ECT these structures were completely disrupted. After ECT the necrosis was often surrounded by infiltrating lymphocytes. This inflammatory reaction was not apparent after RFA. Conclusion ECT produced predictable and reproducible necrosis in pig livers and was as effective as RFA at destroying a defined target lesion. A local inflammatory reaction after ECT may favour the development of a systemic immune response. Our results indicate that ECT is an alternative treatment option for irresectable liver metastases. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:135,138. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Histological investigation of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) development in resistant and susceptible wheat cultivarsPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2006J. Moldenhauer The wheat cultivar Kariega expresses complete adult plant resistance against stripe rust, whereas cv. Avocet S is susceptible. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, initial fungal penetration into flag leaves was identical in both cultivars, with directional germ-tube growth towards stomata that were penetrated without the formation of an appressorium, followed by differentiation of a substomatal vesicle, infection hyphae, haustorial mother cells and haustoria. During the following 4 days, further fungal development occurred more quickly in the resistant than in the susceptible cultivar. However, by 7 days postinoculation (dpi) the situation changed, with exponential growth of the pathogen occurring only in the susceptible line. Induced cellular lignification, a typical defence reaction of cereals, was observed at 4 dpi in the resistant cultivar, and 2 days later lignified tissue completely surrounded the fungal colonies. In the susceptible cultivar, isolated lignified host cells occurred at 6 dpi, and long, unbranched fungal hyphae outgrowing the resistance reaction were observed. [source] GP IIb-IIIa Receptor Blockers Minimize Vascular and Perivascular Damage in the Hippocampus after Cardiopulmonary Bypass ManagementANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 2005S. Arnhold Brain injury remains a significant and potentially devastating outcome of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under circulatory arrest. These outcomes caused by a microvasculature embolization are associated with increased mortality, longer hospital stays and increased use of intermediate or long term care facilities. The administration of heparin in heart surgery during deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is the basic prophylactic strategy for reducing or even preventing, microvasculature embolization. Unfortunately, an incidence of neuropsychological impairments (NPI) is found in as many as 25 % of the survivors. As it is suspected that these impairments are correlated with morphological alterations, in our study we use the GP IIb-IIIa receptor blocker Eptifibatide for the inhibition of platelet aggregation, in order to look for a reduction of tissue damage compared to the standard treatment. Two groups of 11 piglets (mean body weight of 15±5 kg) underwent 10-minute normothermic bypass, 40-minute cooling on cardiopulmonary bypass, 60-minutes deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) at 15°C, and 40-minute rewarming to 37°C. Group 1 was treated only with unfractionated heparin (UFH), whereas Group 2 was medicated with Eptifibatide, in addition to the UFH-treatment group 1. After rewarming, all animals underwent bilateral carotid perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. Histological investigations of semi thin sections reveal a marked decrease of hippocampal alterations by using the GP IIb-IIIa receptor blocker in addition to standard UFH treatment. We detect a reduction of degenerative areas in perivascular (vessels with 10,30 ,m in diameter) tissue. These semi-quantitative data are confirmed by ultrastructural findings. [source] Functional regeneration of the olfactory bulb requires reconnection to the olfactory nerve in Xenopus larvaeDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 1 2006Jun Yoshino Larvae of the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) can regenerate the telencephalon, which consists of the olfactory bulb and the cerebrum, after it has been partially removed. Some authors have argued that the telencephalon, once removed, must be reconnected to the olfactory nerve in order to regenerate. However, considerable regeneration has been observed before reconnection. Therefore, we have conducted several experiments to learn whether or not reconnection is a prerequisite for regeneration. We found that the olfactory bulb did not regenerate without reconnection, while the cerebrum regenerated by itself. On the other hand, when the brain was reconnected by the olfactory nerve, both the cerebrum and the olfactory bulb regenerated. Morphological and histological investigation showed that the regenerated telencephalon was identical to the intact one in morphology, types and distributions of cells, and connections between neurons. Froglets with a regenerated telencephalon also recovered olfaction, the primary function of the frog telencephalon. These results suggest that the Xenopus larva requires reconnection of the regenerating brain to the olfactory nerve in order to regenerate the olfactory bulb, and thus the regenerated brain functions, in order to process olfactory information. [source] The biology of the bigeye grenadier at South GeorgiaJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2004S. A. Morley The biology of the bigeye grenadier Macrourus holotrachys caught as by-catch in the Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides longline fishery conducted around South Georgia was investigated to improve data available for fisheries management. Age estimates suggest that M. holotrachys is a moderately slow growing species (K = 0·10), reaching ages of >30 years and attaining total lengths (LT) >80 cm (L, = 33). The size at which 50% of females had started to mature (Lint50) for M. holotrachys was 21 cm pre-anal length (LPA) and occurred at c. 9 years old. Estimates of natural mortality and Pauly's growth performance index were found to be low (M = 0·09 and , = 2·82 respectively). Gonad maturity stage was described from macroscopic and histological investigation. Mature ovaries had oocytes at all developmental stages with between 22 and 55% likely to be spawned each year. Absolute fecundity ranged from 22 000 to 260 000 eggs and was positively correlated with both pre-anal length and mass. A highly skewed sex ratio of 32 : 1, females : males, was found for specimens caught by longlines but not for a small sample of shallower trawl-caught specimens. It is suggested that females are far more susceptible to longline capture than males. Macrourus holotrachys is a bentho-pelagic predator and scavenger that feeds on a wide range of fishes and invertebrates. The fish are long lived, slow-growing species typical of deep-water grenadiers; fisheries management strategies should reflect their probable susceptibility to overfishing. [source] Real time PCR detection of Piscirickettsia salmonis from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissuesJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 10 2008S Karatas Abstract Piscirickettsia salmonis is the causative agent of piscirickettsiosis, a transmissible disease of salmonid fish. Diagnosis of piscirickettsiosis has traditionally been based upon identification of typical pathological changes by histological investigation, with confirmation by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. However, implementation of more rapid confirmatory techniques, preferably with higher levels of sensitivity and possibilities for quantification, is desirable. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed for specific detection of P. salmonis and tested on samples extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. Construction of a PCR-target mimic allowed determination of detection limits, linearity of the real-time PCR and quantitative detection of P. salmonis. The present study demonstrates the capability of the described real time PCR assay for detection of P. salmonis from paraffin-embedded material with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Implementation of this assay constitutes an important development for a rapid and secure diagnosis of piscirickettsiosis. [source] Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Defines Ethanol-Induced Brain Abnormalities in Prenatal Mice: Effects of Acute Insult on Gestational Day 7ALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2010Elizabeth A. Godin Background:, This magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM)-based report is the second in a series designed to illustrate the spectrum of craniofacial and central nervous system (CNS) dysmorphia resulting from single- and multiple-day maternal ethanol treatment. The study described in this report examined the consequences of ethanol exposure on gestational day (GD) 7 in mice, a time in development when gastrulation and neural plate development begins; corresponding to the mid- to late third week postfertilization in humans. Acute GD 7 ethanol exposure in mice has previously been shown to result in CNS defects consistent with holoprosencephaly (HPE) and craniofacial anomalies typical of those in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). MRM has facilitated further definition of the range of GD 7 ethanol-induced defects. Methods:, C57Bl/6J female mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered vehicle or 2 injections of 2.9 g/kg ethanol on day 7 of pregnancy. Stage-matched control and ethanol-exposed GD 17 fetuses selected for imaging were immersion fixed in a Bouins/Prohance solution. MRM was conducted at either 7.0 Tesla (T) or 9.4 T. Resulting 29 ,m isotropic spatial resolution scans were segmented and reconstructed to provide 3D images. Linear and volumetric brain measures, as well as morphological features, were compared for control and ethanol-exposed fetuses. Following MRM, selected specimens were processed for routine histology and light microscopic examination. Results:, Gestational day 7 ethanol exposure resulted in a spectrum of median facial and forebrain deficiencies, as expected. This range of abnormalities falls within the HPE spectrum; a spectrum for which facial dysmorphology is consistent with and typically is predictive of that of the forebrain. In addition, other defects including median facial cleft, cleft palate, micrognathia, pituitary agenesis, and third ventricular dilatation were identified. MRM analyses also revealed cerebral cortical dysplasia/heterotopias resulting from this acute, early insult and facilitated a subsequent focused histological investigation of these defects. Conclusions:, Individual MRM scans and 3D reconstructions of fetal mouse brains have facilitated demonstration of a broad range of GD 7 ethanol-induced morphological abnormality. These results, including the discovery of cerebral cortical heterotopias, elucidate the teratogenic potential of ethanol insult during the third week of human prenatal development. [source] Cavity preparation using a superpulsed 9.6-,m CO2 laser,a histological investigationLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002R. Müllejans Abstract Background and Objectives The superpulsed 9.6-,m CO2 laser is an effective laser for ablating dental tissues and decay. This histological study compares laser class V preparations with conventional treatment to evaluate the resulting formation at the cavity walls. Study Design/Materials and Methods Four class V preparations (one made with a diamond drill and three with the CO2 laser (9.6 ,m, 60 microseconds pulse width, 40 mJ pulse energy, 100 Hz, integrated scanner system, water cooling) were performed on ten extracted teeth. The cavities were filled with a composite resin partly including enamel and dentine conditioning. Results After laser preparation, no cracks or signs of carbonisation were detected. The results were comparable to those attained with conventional treatment. Following cavity filling without prior conditioning, gaps were noted at the cavosurface indicating a lack of adhesion. Dentinal bonding decreased gap formation significantly. Conclusion The 9.6-,m CO2 laser is an effective tool for cavity preparation. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:331,336, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Penile Enhancement Using Autologous Tissue Engineering with Biodegradable Scaffold: A Clinical and Histomorphometric StudyTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2010Sava V. Perovic PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Autologous tissue engineering with biodegradable scaffolds is a new treatment option for real penile girth enhancement. Aim., The aim of this article is to evaluate tissue remodeling after penile girth enhancement using this technique. Methods., Between June 2005 and May 2007, a group of 12 patients underwent repeated penile widening using biodegradable scaffolds enriched with expanded autologous scrotal dartos cells. Clinical monitoring was parallel to histological investigation of tissue remodeling. During second surgical procedure, biopsies were obtained 10,14 months after first surgery (mean 12 months, N = 6) and compared with those obtained after 22,24 months (mean 23 months, N = 6), and control biopsies from patients who underwent circumcision (N = 5). Blind evaluation of histomorphometrical and immunohistochemical finding was performed in paraffin sections. Main Outcome Measurements., Penile girth gain in a flaccid state ranged between 1.5 and 3.8 cm (mean 2.1 ± 0.28 cm) and in full erection between 1.2 and 4 cm (mean 1.9 ± 0.28 cm). Patients' satisfaction, defined by a questionnaire, was good (25%) and very good (75%). Results., In biopsies obtained 10,14 months after first surgery, highly vascularized loose tissue with collagen deposition associated with small foci of mild chronic and granulomatous inflammation surrounding residual amorphous material was observed. Fibroblast-like hyperplasia and small vessel neoangiogenesis occurred intimately associated with the progressive growth of vascular-like structures from accumulation of CD34 and alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells surrounding residual scaffold-like amorphous material. Capillary neoangiogenesis occurred inside residual amorphous material. In biopsies obtained after 22,24 months, inflammation almost disappeared and tissue closely resembled that of the dartos fascia of control group. Conclusions., Autologous tissue engineering using expanded scrotal dartos cells with biodegradable scaffolds is a new and promising method for penile widening that generates progressive accumulation of stable collagen-rich, highly vascularized tissue matrix that closely resemble deep dartos fascia. Perovic SV, Sansalone S, Djinovic R, Ferlosio A, Vespasiani G, and Orlandi A. Penile enhancement using autologous tissue engineering with biodegradable scaffold: A clinical and histomorphometric study. J Sex Med 2010;7:3206,3215. [source] Alcohol Pretreatment of Small-diameter Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts: Quantitative Analysis of Graft Healing Characteristics in the Rat Abdominal Aorta Interposition ModelARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 7 2009Erman Pektok Abstract Long-term patency rates of small-diameter expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular prostheses are unsatisfactory. Treatment of ePTFE grafts by alcohol before implantation was reported to increase hydrophilic properties, yielding better endothelialization and cellular in-growth, thus improving graft healing. The effect of alcohol pretreatment on ePTFE grafts and postoperative healing characteristics of wet ePTFE grafts were evaluated in this study. Ten sterile ePTFE grafts (2 mm ID, 30 µ thru-pore, 12 mm long) were implanted in the infrarenal aorta of male Sprague-Dawley rats (324,380 g). Five grafts were treated with ethanol 70% and soaked with saline solution before implantation (wet); five nontreated grafts served as control. All rats were sacrificed after digital subtraction angiography and sampling of the graft for histological investigation after 3 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis was performed for endothelial coverage, cellular in-growth, and intimal hyperplasia. All grafts were patent at the end of 3 weeks in both groups. Histological evaluation revealed significantly better endothelial coverage and prominent infiltration by fibroblasts and lymphocytes in the wet group. Endothelial coverage (31.03 ± 10.61% vs. 13.03 ± 9.46%, P = 0.03) and cellular infiltration of grafts (50.91 ± 8.55% vs. 39.29 ± 10.70%, P = 0.11) were higher in the wet group. Area of intimal hyperplasia per graft length was also higher in the wet group (5.32 ± 4.75 µm2/µm vs. 2.69 ± 3.41 µm2/µm, P = 0.36). Wetting of ePTFE grafts with ethanol 70% pretreatment before implantation might have a beneficial effect on long-term patency of small-diameter vascular grafts due to facilitated graft healing. [source] Establishment of an ovarian metastasis model and possible involvement of E-cadherin down-regulation in the metastasisCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 10 2008Yoshiko Kuwabara Clinical observations of cases of ovarian metastasis suggest that there may be a unique mechanism underlying ovarian-specific metastasis. This study was undertaken to establish an in vivo model of metastasis to the ovary, and to investigate the mechanism of ovarian-specific metastasis. We examined the capacity for ovarian metastasis in eight different human carcinoma cell lines by implantation in female NOD/SCID mice transvenously and intraperitoneally. By transvenous inoculation, only RERF-LC-AI, a poorly differentiated carcinoma cell line, frequently demonstrated ovarian metastasis. By intraperitoneal inoculation, four of the eight cell lines (HGC27, MKN-45, KATO-III, and RERF-LC-AI) metastasized to the ovary. We compared E-cadherin expression among ovarian metastatic cell lines and others. All of these four ovarian metastatic cell lines and HSKTC, a Krukenberg tumor cell line, showed E-cadherin down-regulation and others did not. E-cadherin was then forcibly expressed in RERF-LC-AI, and inhibited ovarian metastasis completely. The capacity for metastasizing to the other organs was not affected by E-cadherin expression. We also performed histological investigation of clinical ovarian-metastatic tumor cases. About half of all ovarian-metastatic tumor cases showed loss or reduction of E-cadherin expression. These data suggest that E-cadherin down-regulation may be involved in ovarian-specific metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1933,1939) [source] An itchy vesiculobullous eruption in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2004B. Cocuroccia Summary Exaggerated reactions to insect bites are characteristic of patients with haemoproliferative disorders, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Skin lesions usually appear after the diagnosis of leukaemia and seem unrelated to laboratory findings, disease course or therapy. Rarely, the eruption may precede the diagnosis of the haematologic malignancy. The patients usually do not recall of insect bites, and the diagnosis may require histological and laboratory investigations to exclude specific lesions or autoimmune bullous diseases. Lesions may run a chronic course and represent a therapeutic challenge. Here, we report an adult patient with CLL who developed itchy recurrent papulovesicular and bullous lesions. Differential diagnosis was made with cutaneous specific lesions of CLL, bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris, but laboratory and histological investigations confirmed the diagnosis of an insect bite reaction. The patient was treated with oral H1 anti-histamines and topical corticosteroids under occlusion, with marked improvement after 10 days. [source] Histological characterization of Darier's disease in Tunisian familiesJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 10 2009S Kassar Abstract Background, Darier's disease (OMIM 124200) is an autosomal-dominant skin disorder characterized by warty papules and plaques in seborreheic areas, palmo-plantar pits and distinctive nail abnormalities. The disease has complete penetrance in adults and variable expressivity. It is caused by mutations in the ATP2A2 gene, which encodes the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase type 2 isoform (SERCA2). Objective, We report histological investigations of six unrelated Tunisian families including 15 affected individuals with Darier's disease mutations. Results, The typical histological features of Darier's disease have been observed in the 15 patients. Variable histological features have been observed among Tunisian patients ranging from mild to moderate lesions of Darier's disease. A significant correlation has been observed between the clinical presentation of the Darier's disease (mild or moderate) and the intensity of the histological features. Isolated acral form of Darier's disease was seen in one case. Two distinct original associations have been observed: Darier's disease/pemphigus vulgaris in one patient and Darier's disease/ichtyosis in the other patient. Conclusion, Our findings confirmed the clinical heterogeneity of Darier's disease on the basis of histological study. The intensity of the histological features could be closely correlated to the severity of Darier's disease clinical presentation. [source] Is the Male Dog Comparable to Human?ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 4 2002A Histological Study of the Muscle Systems of the Lower Urinary Tract Because of their superficial anatomical resemblance, the male dog seems to be suitable for studying the physiologic and pathological alterations of the bladder neck of human males. The present study was carried out to compare and contrast the muscular anatomy of the male dog lower urinary tract with that of humans. The complete lower urinary tract, including the surrounding organs (bulb of penis, prostate, rectum and musculature of the pelvic floor) were removed from adult and newborn male dogs and histologically processed using serial section technique. Based on our own histological investigations, three-dimensional (3D)-models of the anatomy of the lower urinary tract were constructed to depict the corresponding structures and the differences between the species. The results of this study confirm that the lower urinary tract of the male dog bears some anatomical resemblance (musculus detrusor vesicae, prostate, prostatic and membranous urethra) to man. As with human males, the two parts of the musculus sphincter urethrae (glaber and transversostriatus) are evident in the canine bladder neck. Nevertheless, considerable differences in formation of individual muscles should be noted. In male dogs, no separate anatomic entity can be identified as vesical or internal sphincter. The individual course of the ventral and lateral longitudinal musculature and of the circularly arranged smooth musculature of the urethra is different to that of humans. Differences in the anatomy of individual muscles of the bladder neck in the male dog and man suggest that physiological interpretations of urethral functions obtained in one species cannot be attributed without qualification to the other. [source] Hermann Stieve's clinical-anatomical research on executed women during the "Third Reich"CLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 2 2009Andreas Winkelmann Abstract Hermann Stieve (1886,1952) was Director of the Berlin Institute of Anatomy from 1935 to 1952. His research on the female reproductive system is controversial, as some of his scientific insights derived from histological investigations on the genital organs of executed women. These investigations were made possible by the sharp increase in executions during the "Third Reich." Stieve's research was methodologically accurate and contributed significantly to contemporary scientific debates. Nevertheless, his use of the organs of execution victims, some of them resistance fighters, benefited from the Nazi justice system. He thus indirectly supported this system of injustice. The allegation, however, that Stieve "ordered" the death of prison inmates according to their menstrual cycle, appears to be incorrect. An appraisal of Stieve's research should avoid traditional black-and-white classifications of research during Nazi times. In our opinion, Stieve was neither a murderer nor a fervent Nazi. Nevertheless, his research results were flawed by their ethical and political context. Stieve will remain a somber footnote in the biographies of many execution victims. Clin. Anat. 22:163,171, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||