Information on the morphology of airway receptors is limited. The present study surveys rabbit airway receptors using immunohistochemical and fluorescent labeling to identify their structure with confocal microscopy. Various receptor types were observed to have multiple branches where a parent axon fed several structures. Receptors were located in different layers of the airway, i.e., smooth muscle, lamina propria (submucosa) and the epithelium. Smooth muscle and submucosal receptors were innervated by thick myelinated fibers, while epithelial receptors were supplied by thin-diameter axons. Structures of smooth muscle receptors and some submucosal receptors covered a relatively large area, while epithelial receptors were less extended. In addition, intrapulmonary ganglia were also labeled. Some were closely associated with the axons of smooth muscle receptors.
Animals ; Axons ; ultrastructure ; Bronchi ; ultrastructure ; Epithelium ; ultrastructure ; Mechanoreceptors ; diagnostic imaging ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Muscle, Smooth ; ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Respiratory System ; ultrastructure ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; ultrastructure ; Trachea ; ultrastructure ; Ultrasonography ; Vagus Nerve ; ultrastructure

It is known that cigarette smoke induces cytological alterations on the respiratory and olfactory mucosa of the nasal cavity. We evaluated whether cigarette smoking had adverse effects on the epithelium of the vestibule, in the absence of any published ultrasutructural studies. We evaluated ten patients suffering from septum deviation, eight of whom were long-term smokers. While each layer of the epithelium obtained from the non-smokers consisted of a homogeneous cell population, each from the long-term smokers consisted of a heterogeneous cell population. The most prominent changes occurred in the shape and size of the cells and nuclei, the number and length of the cytoplasmic projections, the number and distribution pattern of the desmosomes, and the width of the intercellular spaces. We concluded that cigarette smoke produces hyperplastic and dysplastic changes, important factors related with cancer development, on the epithelium of the vestibule.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Epithelium/ultrastructure ; Human ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Smoking/*adverse effects ; Vestibule/*ultrastructure

OBJECTIVE: To observe the micromorphological characteristic of bacterial biofilm on mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHOD: Mucosa samples of middle turbinate were obtained from 4 patients of CRS during ESS. The size of each sample was about 4 mm x 4 mm. The samples were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 hours, then fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide for 2 hours, graded dehydration with ethanol, dried with carbon dioxide and sputter coated with gold. The ultrastructure of these samples was observed by scanning electron microscope. RESULT: Bacterial biofilms were found on samples in all 4 patients. The biofilms were mainly formed on the surface of cilia. The bacterial flagella and cilia were intertwined. The biofilms could be found in a lot kinds of bacterial infections or mixed infections which were caused by multiple bacteria and fungi. CONCLUSION Bacterial biofilm could be formed on ciliated epithelia.
Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; Biofilms ; Cilia ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Epithelium ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Sinusitis ; microbiology

Cell patterns in open wound healing are studied by both light and electron microscopic examinations in regards to time sequence, metamorphosis, and functional aspects. Process of the open wound healing clearly exhibited not only time sequence of cllular appearance but also zonation of cells. In the initial stage, until the 3rd day, the neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes were predominant and particularly concentrated in the scab region. The mononuclear cells were active cells during the 1st to 7th day and were mainly concentrated in the subscab region. The fibroblastic activities started from the 3rd day and became very active during the 5th to the 10th day, and they were concentrated at granulation tissue region. During the process of wound healing, the cellular elements underwent metamorphosis; The neutrophils from normal to swollen and finally degenerating; the mononuclear to macrophages; the fibroblasts from immature to mature actively protein synthesizing cells. The functions of each cellular element can not be determined with certainty. However, the main function of neutrophils in wound healing is likely the formation of front line defense as a part of the scab formation on the surface. And the major function of mononuclear cells is to debride exudates and damaged tissue debris especially at the subscab area and that of the fibroblasts to replace the tissue defect by proliferation and production of fibrous proteins.
Animal ; Epithelium/ultrastructure ; Fibroblasts/ultrastructure ; Leukocytes/ultrastructure ; Rats ; Skin/injuries* ; Skin/pathology ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds, Penetrating/pathology*

Diurnal changes of lysosomes including ultrastructural changes of phagosomes and acid phosphatase reactions in phagosomes, as well as diurnal biochemical changes in cathepsin D activity, were studied in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the rabbit. The rabbit was maintained on a natural light-dark cycle over seven days in fall and was sacrificed at various times during the day and night. The number of lysosomes or phagosomes in the RPE was the highest at 1.5 hours after exposure to sunlight (8:00 AM), and thereafter decreased with time. Three types of phagosomes were observed and acid phosphatase reactions were different in each type of phagosome; the fresh phagosomes were negative or positive, lamellar bodies positive, and dense bodies partially positive. The biochemical activity of cathepsin D was the highest at 8:00 AM, and this was consistent with the time of peak in phagocytic activity in the RPE. This report shows that phagocytic activity in the RPE occurred in the early stage after exposure to sunlight, and that fresh phagosomes were sequentially degraded to lamellar or dense bodies. Cathepsin D activity also increased, and this was consistent with the phagocytic activity in the RPE.
Acid Phosphatase/metabolism ; Animals ; Cathepsin D/metabolism ; Cell Count ; Choroid/metabolism/ultrastructure ; Circadian Rhythm/*physiology ; Lysosomes/*metabolism/ultrastructure ; Phagosomes/*metabolism/ultrastructure ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/*metabolism/ultrastructure ; Rabbits

In order to describe the developmental anatomy of the murine eustachian tube and its related structures, seventy six mice of ages ranging from gestational day 11 to postnatal day 21 were investigated through the light and electron microscopic observations. Development of the ciliated cells was seen concurrently in both the eustachian tube and middle ear on the 16 th gestation day, one day earlier than the epithelial secretory cells appeared in both the eustachian tube and middle ear. The number of ciliated cells and secretory cells increased rapidly after birth. Tubal glands were well identified with evidence of secretory activity around the time of birth. Thus, the findings of this study indicate that the mucociliary defense system starts to develop during the fetal stage and is well established immediately after birth.
Animal ; Animals, Newborn ; Cilia/physiology/ultrastructure ; Epithelium/ultrastructure ; Eustachian Tube/*cytology/embryology/ultrastructure ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mucous Membrane/physiology/ultrastructure ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphological differences between normal uncinate process(UP) mucosa and inferior turbinate mucosa, and explore the physiology function of the UP with the electron microscope. METHOD: The experiment chose 12 patients who have taken nasal endoscopic surgeries(8 cases for normal UP, 4 cases for normal inferior turbinate mucosa). During the surgery, take the mucosa upwards on the filter paper and immediately use scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy specimens for standard sample preparation methods. Observe the cilia shape, structure and the distribution and the swing direction. RESULT: (1)The internal side and the external side of UP mucosa and inferior turbinate mucosa are all pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, the shapes of cilia are classic "9+2" structures. The distribution of cilia on internal and external lateral of UP and inferior turbinate mucosa are in high density. (2)The direction of cilia on normal inferior turbinate mucosa are generally swing to up and backwards; the cilia on internal lateral of the UP generally swing towards inner side, down and backwards; the cilia on external lateral of the UP generally swing towards down and backwards. CONCLUSION The cilia on internal side and the external side of UP mucosa and inferior turbinate mucosa are in the same structure and shape, but the swing direction of cilia have their own characteristics. It can be concluded that the internal and external lateral of UP may have different functions in nasal sinuses mucus cilia clearance system.
Cilia ; ultrastructure ; Endoscopy ; Epithelium ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nasal Mucosa ; ultrastructure ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Turbinates ; ultrastructure

Intragcular pressure (lOP) was artificially elevated and maintained in rabbits for up to 12 hours at levels 40, 60, 80, and 100 mmHg. Electroretinographic (ERG) responses showed gradual decline and later disappeared depending on the pressure. ERG responses were initially normal to supernormal at all lOP levels except 100 mmHg, and then showed gradual decline to extinction except in one eye of the 40 mmHg group. Ultrastrurtural damage was also pressure and time dependent. After 12 hours of the increased lOP, no damage to the ultrasfrurture of the retina was detected at 40mmHg, although the ERG was severely affected. Electron microscopic studies showed flattening of the pigment epithelium and swelling of mitochondria which appeared first at 60 mmHg; severe damage of mitochondria and the basal infoldings of the pigment epithelium at 80mmHg; and severe damage of all the retinal tissues at 100 mmHg. The critical duration of the elevated lOP which decreased the amplitude of the ERG was found to be 5 hours for 40 mmHg, 1 hour for 60 mmHg, and 30 minutes for 80 mmHg. The critical lOP which affected the ultrastrurture after 12 hours, lied between 40 and 60 mmHg.
Animals ; *Electroretinography ; Intraocular Pressure ; Ocular Hypertension/*physiopathology ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Retina/physiopathology/*ultrastructure ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the injury on micro-skin induced by a self designed micro-skin machine.

METHODSMicro-skin was produced either with the machine or by hand. Cells at the edge of micro-skin were observed by transmission electron microscope. succinic dehydrogenase activity in supernatant of cultivated cells was analyzed, and the cell proliferation of micro-skin was assessed by (3)H-TdR. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study for the observation of the wound healing time between the two groups of micro-skin after being grafted.

RESULTSTransmission electron microscope examination revealed that the cellular injury at the edge of the micro-skin in machine-made group was mild compared with that in man-made group. (3)H-TdR rate was elevated but the activity of succinic dehydrogenase in the supernatant of cultured cells decreased in supernatant of cultured cells of machine produced micro-skin. Wound healing time was shortened in machine made group. (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cellular injury at the edge of micro-skin in the machine made group was mild when compared with that in the man-made group with cell proliferation accelerated and wound healing time shortened.

Burns ; surgery ; Cell Division ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Skin ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Wound Healing

Experimental total retinectomy was performed in pigmented rabbit eyes to in vestigate its long-term effects on the operated and nonoperated opposite eyes from both clinical and histological aspects. There was no significant change in intraocular pressure between the preoperative and postoperative measurements during the six months after surgery. Rubeosis iridis, intraocular hemorrhage and phthisis bulbi were not evident in the operated and opposite eyes. Light microscopic examination revealed congestion of the choroidial vessels. There were scattered areas of retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation. Transmission electron microscopic examination showed apiral mounding of the retinal pigment epithelium. Apical processes were short and reduced in number. Apical processes of the retinal pigment epithelial cells interdigitated with surface processes of the proliferating retinal pigment epithelial cells. There were numerous melanosomes in the cytoplasm of the proliferating retinal pigment epithelial cells. Cell junctions between the retinal pigment epithelial cells were well preserved.
Animals ; Intraocular Pressure ; Longitudinal Studies ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/ultrastructure ; Prognosis ; Rabbits ; Retina/*surgery