The development and differentiation of cells in the spinal ganglion were studied by electron microscopy in human fetuses ranging from 12 mm to 260 mm crown rump length. At 12 mm embryo the primitive neuroblasts which had a single process, contained a large numbers of free ribosome and mitochondria but very little rough endoplasmic reticulum. At 30 mm fetus, the primitive spinal ganglion consisted of bipolar neuroblasts, satellite cells and undifferentiated cells. Spindle-shaped bipolar neuroblasts formed spinal ganglion of loosely grouped cells at 50 mm fetus. Two neuroblast cell types, a small cell contained large clumps of rough endoplasmic reticulum at periphery, could be distinguished. At 80 mm fetus, the spinal ganglion constituted of bipolar neuroblast with apparently random distribution of small and large neurons with processes, together with satellite cells and blood vessels. The presences of a large numbers of neurotubules in the Golgi-central region were one of the first sign of further maturation of the neuroblast. During next prenatal stage from 120 mm on fetus, the ganglion cells were large and contained much rough endoplasmic reticulum, neurotubules and extensive Golgi complex. A large number of neuroblasts became transformed into unipolar cells from 180 mm to 260 mm feuts. Nissl bodies appeared during this stage. The ganglion-satellite cell boundary became complicated with increasing age, then enlarging in parallel with the increase in volume of the nerve cell. During next prenatal stage up to 180 mm fetus, the unipolar ganglion cell increased in number and size, and the cytoplsm contained all intracytoplasmic structures which were also found in mature spinal ganglion except for large pigment granules.
Blood Vessels ; Crown-Rump Length ; Embryonic Structures ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fetus* ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Golgi Apparatus ; Humans* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; Neurons ; Nissl Bodies ; Ribosomes

Vitiligo is an acquired systemic disease of the skin characterized by circumscribed patches of complete pigment loss due to destruction of melanocytes. A 28-year old male patient presented with generalized depigmented patchs. We performed microscopic studies of cultured melanocytes from this patient and compared them with those of normal neonatal foreskin. Phase contrast microscopic findings revealed no difference between the two groups of melanocytes, but transmission electron microscopic findings showed dilated circular rough endoplasmic reticulum in cultured melanocytes from our vitiligo patient. We could observe the innate cellular structural aberration of melanocytes from the vitiligo subject.
Adult ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Foreskin ; Humans* ; Male ; Melanocytes* ; Skin ; Vitiligo*

The purpose of this study is to investigate that the biological effect of mitomycin C(MMC) in cellular metabolic activity and morphological change on the ptreygium fibroblast in vitro by MMC concentration and duration of exposure used clinically. Human pterygial fibroblasts were exposed for threeminute and five-minute to MMC 0.002%, 0.004%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and DMEM(control). MTT based colorimetric assay was performed to assess the metabilic activity, inhibition of fibroblast proliferation on the MMC concentration and exposure time. The higher the concentration of MMC, and longer the duration of exposure time, the absorbance of spectrometer are decreased. The metabolic activity of fibroblasts were inhibited by 50% at least only over MMC 0.02% for five-minute expoure time. In histological findings, the higher the concentration and longer the duration of MMC exposure time, the enlargement of many mitochondira and rough endoplasmic reticulum without nuclear damage were more distinctly appeared. Especially, the ptergial fibroblast has more severe cytoplasmic damage at a five-minute exposure to MMC 0.02% than a three-minute exposure to MMC 0.04%. For inhibition of fibroblast proliferation, in case of using MMC should be at least over 0.02% concentration for five-minute exposure time. Arthors think that the experimental and clinical research on the duration of MMC exposure time as well as the concentration MMC, should be need to evaluate the effect on inhibition of cellular proliferation.
Cell Proliferation ; Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Mitomycin*

Histochemical and electron microscopic studies were made on the canal epithelium of the body segment of the rabbit epididymis and following results were obtained. 1) Acid phosphatase activity was marked in the canal epithelium. especially of the proximal body segment of the epididymis. Granules reactive to the acid phosphatase were present in both the above and below the nucleus 2) Electron microscopic finding: Canal epithelium of the body segment of the rabbit epididymis consisted of largely principal cells. Very few light and few basal cells. Principal cells were characterized by having slender microvilli (stereocilia). Luminal vesicles and vacuoles, extensive Golgi areas and many dense bodies in the supranuclear region, remarkable endoplasmic reticulum of mainly agranular type throughout the cytoplasm. Infranuclear cytoplasm contained often abundant mitochodria, many dense bodies and significant amount of granular endoplasmic reticulum. Light cells were characterized by having light cytoplasm, numerous vesicles, many vacuoles and dense bodies. Basal cells were present characterized by haying small nucleus, small number of cell organelles and rather clear cytoplasm From these results, it is suggested that the principal cell may have dual function of secretion and absorption and the light cell may engage mainly in absorptive function.
Absorption ; Acid Phosphatase ; Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Epididymis* ; Epithelium* ; Male ; Microvilli ; Organelles ; Phenobarbital ; Vacuoles

The development of the cardiac ganglion was studied by electron microscopy in human fetuses ranging from 30mm to 270mm crown rump length. At 40mm fetus, the cardiac ganglia were observed in the adventitia of both the aorta and pulmonary artery, superior aspect of the left and right atrium, and interatrial septum. The cardiac ganglia were comprised of clusters of undifferentiated cells, neuroblasts, and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The ganglia were small and uncapsulated until 70mm fetus. At 70mm fetus, the cardic ganglia consisted of neuroblasts, satellite cells, and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Each ganglion was ensheathed in a connective tissue capsule. The cytoplasm of neuroblast contained Nissl bodies, mitochondria, coated vesicles, extensive Golgicomplex, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Synaptic contacts between the cholinergic preganglionic axon and dendrites of postganglionic neuron were first observed. At 100mm fetus, the cardiac ganglia consisted of small clusters of ganglion cells and dendrites, together with supporting elements and blood vessels. During next prenatal stage from 170mm fetus, the ganglion cells were large and each contained a large nucleus with one or more nucleoli. The cytoplasm of ganglion cells contained much rough endoplasmic reticulum and extensive Golgi complex. Cholinergic preganglionic axons were numerous and interposed between the satellite cells. Adrenergic axons were rarely observed. A great number of synaptic junctions between the cholinergic preganglionic axon terminals and the dendrites of postganglinic neuron were found, and a few axosomatic synapses were also observed. Adrenergic nerve terminals did not seem to be involved in the synaptic transmission. The cardiac ganglion cells of the human fetal heart were innervated only by cholinergic nerve.
Adventitia ; Aorta ; Axons ; Blood Vessels ; Coated Vesicles ; Connective Tissue ; Crown-Rump Length ; Cytoplasm ; Dendrites ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fetal Heart ; Fetus* ; Ganglia ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Golgi Apparatus ; Heart Atria ; Humans* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; Neurons ; Nissl Bodies ; Presynaptic Terminals ; Pulmonary Artery ; Synapses ; Synaptic Transmission

This study was performed to investigate histopathologically the effect of amniotic membrane graft (AMG)on haze in deep stromal wound of cornea. The excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK)was used to create the wound model of 150 micrometerdepth, 6.0 mmdiameter area in 72 white rabbitsbilaterally.Each eye was randomized to three groups: control (topical antibiotic alone), contact lens application and AMG. Corneal haze,the number of anterior stromal keratocytes and thickness of the regenerated stroma were evaluated after treatments in corneal wound, and also the morphological changes of anterior stroma connected with corneal haze were analyzed. The score of corneal haze in AMG group was significantly lower than those in the others at postoperative 3 days, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. The anterior stromal keratocytes in AMG group significantly remained more than those in the others at postoperative 3 days. The number of keratocytes and thickness of regenerated stromal tissue in wound area of AMG group were statistically lower as compared with those of the other groups at postoperative 4 weeks. The architecture of stromal lamella was most reg-ular in AMG group. Transmission electron microscopic observation demonstrated that the cells in anterior stroma were the active fibroblastic cells with prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum at postoperative 8 weeks. These findings indicate that corneal haze is closely connected with proliferation of corneal stroma , suggesting that AMG on deep corneal stromal wound reduces corneal haze by preventing proliferation of abnormal collagen and fibroblasts at the anterior stroma of the wound area.
Amnion* ; Collagen ; Cornea ; Corneal Stroma ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fibroblasts ; Lasers, Excimer ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

An experimental study was performed on 16 rabbits to evaluate the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride(BAK) on the corneal endothelium. Each rabbit received two drops of 0.01% BAK in the right eye and BSS in the left eye as control. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups: instillation of BAK 20 times at 6-minute intervals in normal cornea(group 1), instillation of BAK 40 times at 3-minute intervals in normal cornea (group 2), instillation of BAK 20 times at 6-minute intervals in de-epithelized condition with the size of 6mm diameter(group 3) and instillation of BAK 40 times at 3-minute intervals in deepithelized cornea(group 4). After the last instillation of BAK, histopathologic examination was performed with electron microscope. Group 1 showed nearly normal corneal endothelial findings, but group 2, 3 and 4 showed enlarged rough endoplasmic reticulum, partially distrupted Goigi apparatus and mitochodria, the presence of vacuoles and phagosomes. Group 4 showed severe destruction of subcellular structures. The results of this study indicate that an exaggerated use of topical drug containing 0.01% BAK may induce corneal endothelial damage, especially when the epithelium was already damaged.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cornea ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Endothelium, Corneal* ; Epithelium ; Phagosomes ; Rabbits* ; Vacuoles

Authors investigated the functional and morphological cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride(BAC) used clinically on the cultured corneal epithelial cell of rabbit in vitro. Corneal epithelial cells containing radioactive 51Cr were exposured for 5 minute, 10 minute, 30 minute and 60 minute to BAC 0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and phosphated buffer solution(control). Cell injury assay was performed; % 51Cr released(cell lysis) and % cell detachment(cell dysfunction), and documentary photographs were taken with transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Epithelial cell lysis was severe at over BAC 0.05% after 5 minutes exposure, and cell dysfunction was severe at BAC 0.005% after 30 min exposure. The higher the concentration and the longer the duration of BAC exposure time, cell lysis and dysfunction of corneal epithelial cell were increased significantly(p<.05). In histological finding, the epithelial cell was injured with the disruption of plasma membrane, dialtated cistern form of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex at BAC 0.001% after 5 min exposure. The nuclear damage of epithelial cell appeared at BAC 0.01% after 30 minutes exposure or at BAC 0.1% after 10 minutes exposure. As results, the clinical dose of BAC, ranged from 0.004% to 0.002% should be induced a particulary toxic effect, we should be carefully use the BAC, especially when using frequently or using for long duration.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cell Membrane ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Epithelial Cells* ; Golgi Apparatus

Authors investigated the functional and morphological cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride(BAC) used clinically on the cultured corneal epithelial cell of rabbit in vitro. Corneal epithelial cells containing radioactive 51Cr were exposured for 5 minute, 10 minute, 30 minute and 60 minute to BAC 0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and phosphated buffer solution(control). Cell injury assay was performed; % 51Cr released(cell lysis) and % cell detachment(cell dysfunction), and documentary photographs were taken with transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Epithelial cell lysis was severe at over BAC 0.05% after 5 minutes exposure, and cell dysfunction was severe at BAC 0.005% after 30 min exposure. The higher the concentration and the longer the duration of BAC exposure time, cell lysis and dysfunction of corneal epithelial cell were increased significantly(p<.05). In histological finding, the epithelial cell was injured with the disruption of plasma membrane, dialtated cistern form of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex at BAC 0.001% after 5 min exposure. The nuclear damage of epithelial cell appeared at BAC 0.01% after 30 minutes exposure or at BAC 0.1% after 10 minutes exposure. As results, the clinical dose of BAC, ranged from 0.004% to 0.002% should be induced a particulary toxic effect, we should be carefully use the BAC, especially when using frequently or using for long duration.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cell Membrane ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Epithelial Cells* ; Golgi Apparatus

The morpologic change in the lens epithelial cell, which is metabolically the most active part of the lens, are closely related with the formation of the cataract. To evaluate the morphologic changes of lens epithelial cells in electric cataracts, the central 5-6mm of anterior lens capsule and adherent lens epithelial cells were obtained from patients with an electric cataract. One-half of the anterior lens capsule was examined with a light microscope using flat preparation, while the other half was examined with a transmission electron microscope. In the light microscopic findings, the lens epithelial cell, which has a hexagonal shape with monolayer in normal, lost its normal shape and was superimposed in pathologic areas. The electron microscopic findings showed that the number of mitochondria in the cytoplasm was increased. The rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm was dilated and microfilaments were enriched. The dense bodies seen in the myofibrotic changes were observed lens capsule were also shown. The intracelluar vacuoles were seen in dying cells and growing of the cytoplasmic processes into the widened intercellular spaces were observed The authors recognized that the abnormal lens epithelial cells had altered cellular activity and that the cells in the patholoic areas had proliferated and degenerated.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Cataract* ; Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium* ; Extracellular Space ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Vacuoles