Vacuolated Cells (vacuolated + cell)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


BAL in the diagnosis of smoking-related interstitial lung diseases: Review of literature and analysis of our experience

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
Joanna Domaga, Ph.D., a-Kulawik M.D.
Abstract The group of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) is formed by respiratory tract disorders, whose aetiology is unknown in the majority of cases, the clinical course differs and the prognosis is generally serious. Some of the ILDs have a potential relation to tobacco smoking and are known as smoking-related ILDs (sr-ILD). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) examination is one of the initial procedures in the diagnosis of ILD. Despite the fact that histological confirmation is the gold standard in ILD diagnosis in many studies, the number of reported biopsies was low. In this review we present the results of BALF examinations of patients with sr-ILD and discuss their value in the differential diagnosis with other types of ILD. An extremely high total cell count (about 50 × 106 cells) with significant predominance of pigmented alveolar macrophages is a characteristic pattern of BALF in sr-ILD. The greatest challenge in BALF cytology interpretation is to distinguish sr-ILD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is characterised by an elevated proportion and absolute count of lymphocytes and neutrophils; in addition, BALF lymphocytosis is higher in non-specific interstitial pneumonia than in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). The population of alveolar macrophage of patients with sr-ILD differs markedly from the foamy and vacuolated cells that predominate in IPF/UIP. Thus, the absence of pigmented cells rather excludes sr-ILD and indicates other types of ILD. To summarise, the place of BALF in the diagnosis of sr-ILD seems to be established. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Fine-needle aspiration biopsy findings in sclerosing polycystic adenosis of the parotid gland

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Demet Etit M.D.
Abstract Sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA) is a recently described, rare lesion of the salivary gland analogous to fibrocystic disease of the breast. Recognition of this benign entity is important since the differential diagnosis includes other more common benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms, particularly mucoepidermoid carcinoma and tumors with cystic and oncocytic features. While the histomorphology of SPA is well documented, there is only one other cytologic description of SPA in the English-language literature. Here we describe the fine-needle aspiration biopsy findings in a case of SPA of the parotid gland in an 84-year-old woman. The aspirate was characterized by flat cohesive sheets of epithelial cells with moderate amounts of finely granular oncocytic cytoplasm and enlarged round nuclei with indistinct nucleoli. Some epithelial groups formed glandular structures with lumens, and the background contained small amounts of delicate mucoproteinaceous material. Occasional markedly vacuolated cells were present as well as many cells with apocrine change manifested by well-defined apical snouting. Familiarity with the cytomorphologic features of SPA, including its characteristic apocrine changes, is important for distinguishing it from other more clinically significant salivary gland lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:444,447. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Ultrastructural and histochemical study of the salivary glands of Aplysia depilans (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia)

ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 3 2001
Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha
Abstract The digestive system of the sea hare, Aplysia depilans, includes a pair of ribbon-shaped salivary glands. A central duct and a large blood vessel run close to each other along the length of these glands and both are surrounded by a layer of muscle cells. Three cell types form the glandular epithelium: granular cells, vacuolated cells and mucocytes. The granular cells possess cilia and spherical secretion granules, located primarily in the apical region. The granules of immature cells have a low electron density and are mainly formed by neutral polysaccharides with small amounts of proteins. The granules of mature cells are larger, have a high electron density and are mainly formed by proteins with lower amounts of neutral polysaccharides. Transition stages between immature and mature granular cells are observed. The vacuolated cells are large and frequently pyramidal in shape, but after the application of histochemical techniques almost all vacuoles remain uncoloured. The numerous vacuoles contain flocculent material in a clear background and the mitochondria possess large crystalline structures in the matrix. A pyramidal shape is also typical of the mucocytes, which are filled with vesicles containing granular masses surrounded by a network of secretion material. These large cells are strongly stained by Alcian blue, revealing the presence of acidic mucopolysaccharides. This is the first ultrastructural study of the salivary glands in opisthobranch gastropods. [source]


Circumscribed palmar hypokeratosis: clinical evolution and ultrastructural study after prolonged treatment with topical calcipotriol

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
F Urbina
Abstract Circumscribed palmar hypokeratosis is a recently described condition that consists of a solitary area of depressed skin affecting the palm (or sole). Its histopathological features include a thinned horny layer, a slightly diminished granular cell layer, and intraepidermal vacuolated cells. Prolonged treatment with topical calcipotriol resulted in complete recovery of the affected zone in the case reported here. A second biopsy of the lesion taken at around the fourth year of therapy showed a normalization of the granular layer, a reduction in the intraepidermal vacuolated cells, and a somewhat thicker horny layer. An ultrastructural study carried out at the same time showed a reduction in keratin bundles and keratohyalin granules, and an increase in lipid droplets up to the horny layer. These findings and the therapeutic response to topical calcipotriol support the concept that circumscribed palmar hypokeratosis is a focalized abnormal keratinization defect morphologically expressed at the granular and horny layers. [source]


Food uptake in the mixotrophic Dinophysis acuminata

THE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
LUCIE MARANDA
Evidence of food uptake in the photosynthetic genus Dinophysis comes solely from the presence of food vacuoles, as no photosynthetic cells have ever been observed in the act of feeding. We examined the feeding ecology of D. acuminata in natural populations and under laboratory conditions. Using depth-integrated sampling of the water column, we determined the frequency of food vacuolated cells at 2-h intervals over a 24-h period in a shallow marine embayment. Food vacuoles in preserved cells were enumerated using Nomarski differential interference contrast microscopy; ultrastructural characters were recorded by transmission electron microscopy. A peak in the feeding activity was observed toward dusk for an abundant June population, with 26% of cells with at least one food vacuole. Mechanisms of concurrent carbon acquisition were evident from the presence of chloroplasts with starch grains and food vacuoles within the same cell. Vacuole content could not be identified. In a preliminary 2-wk long simulated grazing experiment, a mixture of two hypothesized preys, Rhodomonas salina and Dunaliella tertiolecta, was offered to D. acuminata; the Dinophysis populations decreased steadily and at the same rate, whether food was present or not. The evaluation of the food vacuole frequency will be repeated in the coming season to verify the observed pattern, while grazing experiments will include a variety of food items and incubation conditions. Our current inability to successfully culture any photosynthetic Dinophysis limits ecophysiological approaches, either at the population or cellular level, to manipulation of field samples. Supported by National Institutes of Health Grant GM62126-01A1. [source]