Tag Archives: microscopy

Morpho-Pathological Review on the Healing of Synthetic Vascular Grafts

Russu Eliza1*, Mureșan Adrian Vasile1, Cordoș Bogdan Andrei2, Copotoiu Constantin1, Cotoi Ovidiu Simion3

1 Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Experimental Research Station, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
3 Pathophysiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

DOI: 10.1515/amma-2015-0098

Objective: Tissue integration of vascular grafts partially depends on the host response to injury, which immediately begins after implantation and restoration of the circulation. In an infected environment, the inflammation changes the incorporation patterns. The aim of the study was to observe the tissue incorporation process, in a normal and an infected environment. Methods: We have created an experimental model by performing subfascial implantation of four types of vascular grafts, in rats (woven Dacron®, knitted Dacron®, silver coated Dacron® and expanded Polytetrafloroethylene – ePTFE) and by infecting some of them with three different bacterial strains. We have retrieved the non-infected grafts at two and four weeks after implantation, whilst the infected ones at one, two and three weeks.
Results: Detailed microscopic appearences were analysed. The control and infected groups were compared. Statistical significance was calculated for various corelations. Conclusions: The morphopathological findings showed that the ePTFE graft’s structure was best preserved. Statistical significance existed between the bacterial strain and the degree of inflammation. The silver coated Dacron® was not shown to be superior to the knitted Dacron®. The poorest incorporation was the one of the woven Dacron®.

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Semiautomated Image Analysis of High Contrast Tissue Areas Using Hue/Saturation/Brightness Based Color Filtering

Mezei T1, Szakács M1, Dénes L2, Jung J1, Egyed-Zsigmond I1

1 Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

Introduction: Quantification and morphological assessment of various tissue elements have numerous applications in fundamental and clinical research. Digital morphometry, in contrast to other morphologic methods, uses personal computers and specific software, to perform precise and highly reproducible results. Additionally, it delivers results in mathematical format. The aim of our study was to develop an open access digital morphometry method for measuring different parameters of various high contrast tissue elements and to elaborate a general work-around for digital morphometry study and data management.
Materials and methods: We used three different types of tissue samples and staining procedures: (1) Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma specimens, (2) various stage liver fibrosis specimens and (3) transversely sectioned skeletal muscle tissue to develop a digital morphometric analysis. Image analysis was performed using ImageJ software.
Results: We developed an intuitive and easy to use work-algorithm that fits generic demands. We split the algorithm into three phases, each requiring a different approach and workaround. Using the presented method we were able to quantify the proportion of CD34 positive areas in the DLBCL specimens, the vascularity of this type of lymphoma may be quantified; similarly, this method is optimal for determining the extension of fibrosis in liver specimens; and finally, morphometric analysis of striated muscle fibers was achieved.
Conclusions: We conclude that the use of ImageJ with semiautomatic color segmentation is a reliable and practical way of performing various morphometric measurements. In addition, we are confident that such methods of digital morphometry could have future applications in other areas of pathology and histology.

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Botanical Investigation Of Fallopia Dumetorum (L.) Holub (Polygonaceae) And Qualitative And Quantitative Assessment Of Its Polyphenolic Compounds

Olaru OT1, Ancuceanu RV1, Anghel Adriana Iuliana1, Dinu Mihaela1, Seremet Oana Cristina2, Istudor Viorica3

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Cellular Biology, ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
2 Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
3 Department of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Phytotherapy, ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2014-0015

Background: Considering the continuous need to find new sources of polyphenolic compounds, we performed a pharmacognostical examination of the species Fallopia dumetorum (L.) Holub sin. Polygonum dumetorum L. (Polygonaceae). The plant is common in the plain regions of Romania and has not been exploited therapeutically.
Materials and method: Microscopic examination was performed on cross-sections, surface preparations and on powder obtained from the aerial parts of the flowering plant. Qualitative chemical analysis was realized by phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Phenolic compounds were assayed by spectrophotometric methods: flavonoids expressed as rutin (with aluminium chloride), phenol-carboxylic acids expressed as chlorogenic acid (Arnow’s method) and proanthocyanidins expressed as cyanidin chloride (in acidic medium, by conversion to anthocyanins).
Results: The species has the following microscopic characters: anomocytic stomata, druses of calcium oxalate, sessile, pluricellular glandular hairs and pollen grains with smooth exine. Polysaccharides, reducing compounds, coumarins, sterols/triterpenes, phenol-carboxylic acids, flavones, proanthocyanidins, tannins and carotenoids were identified by phytochemical screening; chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and stigmasterol/beta-sitosterol were detected by TLC. F. dumetori herba has a content of 1.49 ± 0.105 g% polyphenol-carboxylic acids, 0.40 ± 0.087g% flavonoids and 0.18 ± 0.002 g% proanthocyanidins.
Conclusions: We have characterized pharmacognostically the native species F. dumentorum. Due to its content in phenolic compounds it might serve as a source of polyphenols.

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