A case of nerve sheath myxoma also called as neurothekeoma in a 33-year-old woman is described. The lesion appeared as a painful, elevated nodule on the scalp for several months, without an appreciable increase in size. Microscopically, it showed typical histologic characteristics of nerve sheath myxoma, and tumor cells revealed strong, positive reaction for S-100 protein and negativity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) on immunohistochemical staining. These immunohistochemical findings of this case support the view that the origin cells of this tumor may be schwann cells rather than perineurial cells. The histogenesis and differential diagnosis of this tumor are discussed.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Myelin Sheath/*pathology ; Myxoma/*pathology ; *Scalp ; Skin Neoplasms/*pathology

OBJECTIVE: By detecting the myelin structure in acoustic tumor tissues, the cell origin and state of acoustic tumor tissues were investigated. METHOD: Immunofluorescence labeling, immunoblot analysis and electron microscopic study were performed to identify myelin structure and myelin protein in acoustic tumor tissues. RESULT: In this work, we found some early stage of myelin forming in acoustic tumor tissues, but there were no axon nor compact myelin formed and the myelin basic protein whose expression indicates the beginning of myelination was negative detected. We also found that the cell of acoustic tumor express p75,a marker for immature Schwann cells and mature non-myelin-forming Schwann cells. CONCLUSION The date shown in this experiment indicates that the cell of acoustic tumor is in a remyelinating state.
Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myelin Sheath ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; pathology ; Schwann Cells ; pathology

Multiple sclerosis(MS) shows the pathological characteristics of "inflammatory injury of white matter" and "myelin repair disability" in the central nervous system(CNS). It is very essential for MS treatment and reduction of disease burden to strengthen repair, improve function, and reduce disability. Accordingly, different from the simple immunosuppression, we believe that key to strengthening remyelination and maintaining the "damage-repair" homeostasis of tissue is to change the current one-way immunosuppression strategy and achieve the "moderate pro-inflammation-effective inflammation removal" homeostasis. Traditional Chinese medicine shows huge potential in this strategy. Through literature research, this study summarized the research on remyelination, discussed the "mode-rate pro-inflammation-effective inflammation removal" homeostasis and the "damage-repair" homeostasis based on microglia, and summed up the key links in remyelination in MS. This review is expected to lay a theoretical basis for improving the function of MS patients and guide the application of traditional Chinese medicine.
Humans ; Multiple Sclerosis/pathology* ; Remyelination/physiology* ; Myelin Sheath/pathology* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Homeostasis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron degenerative disease that clinically manifests both upper and lower motor neuron signs. However, it is unknown where and how the motor neuron degeneration begins, and conflicting hypotheses have been suggested. Recent advanced radiological techniques enable us to look into ALS neuropathology in vivo. Herein, we report a case with upper motor neuron-predominant ALS in whom the results of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and myelin water fraction MRI suggest axonal degeneration.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* ; Axons ; Brain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Neurons ; Myelin Sheath* ; Neuropathology ; Pathology ; Water*

So a considerable amount of work on the cerebral edema has been done by numerous investigator hat it is difficult to summarize the research works of cerebral edema on this paper. Cerebral edema is a well-recognized clinical entity. It was also quite obvious around many cerebral tumors and injured brains of the post-mortem materials. Further, in 1937, Stewart-Wallace considered that the fluid increase of the cerebral edema was in the intercellular or interstitial space. This was accepted by histologic using the light microscope and biochemists for the next two decades. Since 1957 electron microscope has been used to study, the concept of cerebral edema has been changes. So the author selected and introduced the following experimental studies and their occlusions from number of different clinical and experimental research works of cerebral edema that have been carried out since 1957. 1) Cold induced cerebral edema. 2) Experimental cerebral swelling produced by supratentorial extradural compression (implanted balloons). 3) Triethyltin-induced cerebral edema. 4) Cerebral edema due to implantation of foreign substances. 5) Cerebral edema associated with experimental intracerebal tumors. 6) Experimental ischemic brain swelling and experimental intracranial hypertension due toe vascular blockade. 7) Ouabeininduced cerebral edema. 8) Serotonin-induced cerebral edema. 9) Cerebral edema due to radiofrequency lesion. 10) The effect of laser irradiation. By these experimental cerebral edema numerous conclusions were reported, but the important results were as follows: 1) In the cortex there is enlargement of astrocytes. 2) Axonal and myeline changes occur. 3) Ultrastuructural studies indicate that edema was entirely intracellular. 4) Basically cerebral edema is an extracellular phenomenon of the white matter accompanied by marked swelling of the astrocytes. 5) An increase in water and sodium and decrease in potassium content of white matter, resulting in a sharp rise of Na: K ratio is evident. 6) Radioactive amino acid incorporation into protein of edematous brain is increased. 7) The depressed respiratory control, depressed P:O radio and accelerated state 4 respiration are present. Moreover, it has become apparent that these are some disadvantages in the experimentally induced cerebral edema. It may not involve the entire brain uniformly: different agents produce different types of edema; patterns are subject to variations of animal species and cerebral topography; the extent of damage is not controllable and reproducible; consistency of damage is uncertain no all experimental edema are artificial and not completely analogous to those occurring in human pathology. Nonetheless, cold induced edema and extradural compression method can be considered as a prototype of traumatic brain swelling. And the experimental intracerebral tumors can be exact counterparts in human pathology also. The laser irradiation and radio frequency lesion can produce standardized lesion and edema, further they will be appreciable to study the efficacy of various agents in reducing intracranial damage and edema.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; Axons ; Brain ; Brain Edema* ; Edema ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Myelin Sheath ; Pathology ; Potassium ; Research Personnel ; Respiration ; Sodium ; Toes ; Water

Balo's concentric sclerosis is regarded as a rare variant of multiple sclerosis. Traditionally, Balo's concentric sclerosis was a post-mortem diagnosis, but the recent introduction of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may allow noninvasive access without biopsy. Brain MRI findings of Balo's concentric sclerosis is characteristic concentric configuration of alternating bands of white matter of different pathology, with relatively preserved myelination alternating with regions of demyelination in the cerebral white matter. We report a case of Balo's concentric sclerosis with recurrent optic neuritis.
Biopsy ; Brain ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Myelin Sheath ; Optic Neuritis* ; Pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the pathological changes in the non-myelin sheath by observing histological damages to the neurofilament protein and apoptosis of neurons in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and EAE (24 rats in each group). Behavioral changes were observed. Inflammation reactions and demyelination were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining and LOYEZ staining.The level of neurofilament was detected by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of the neuron in the spinal cord was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTSBehavioral and histological results confirmed that the model of EAE rats was prepared successfully. In the EAE group, typical morphological features of axonal damage (sparsed axonal density, axonal distortion, axonal transection and even axonal disappearance) were found from the seventh day after immunization and the morphological changes were the most obvious on the fourteenth day. Neurofilament density in the EAE group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01) at 7, 14 and 21 days after immunization. The neuronal apoptosis index in the EAE group at 7, 14 and 21 days after immunization was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn addition to inflammatory demyelination, axonal damage and neuronal apoptosis can be observed in the early stage of EAE. Pathological changes may be associated with neurological dysfunction.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Axons ; pathology ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; pathology ; psychology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Myelin Sheath ; pathology ; Neurofilament Proteins ; analysis ; Neurons ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo introduce a practical, economical, and time-saving method to stain (with osmic acid) the myelin sheath in normal and regenerated peripheral nerves.

METHODSA total of 12 Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 250-320 g (mean equal to 276 g+/-38 g), were divided into two groups: a normal nerve group (n equal to 6) and a regenerated nerve group (n equal to 6). In the normal nerve group, the ventral and dorsal roots of L(4) to L(6) and their sciatic nerves were harvested for histological analysis. While in the regenerated nerve group, the right sciatic nerves were severed and then repaired with an epineurial microsuture method. The repaired nerves were harvested 12 weeks postoperatively. All the specimens were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and transferred to 2% osmic acid for 3-5 days. Then the specimens were kept in 75% alcohol before being embedded in paraffin. The tissues were cut into sections of 3 micromolar in thickness with a conventional microtome.

RESULTSUnder a light microscope, myelin sheaths were clearly visible at all magnifications in both groups. They were stained in clear dark colour with a light yellow or colorless background, which provided high contrast images to allow reliable morphometric measurements. Morphological assessment was made in both normal and regenerated sciatic nerves. The ratios of the myelin area to the fibre area were 60.28%+/-7.66% in the normal nerve group and 51.67%+/-6.85% in the regenerated nerve group, respectively (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOsmic acid staining is easy to perform and a very clear image for morphometrical assessment is easy to obtain. Therefore, it is a reliable technique for quantitative evaluation of nerve morphology.

Animals ; Myelin Sheath ; pathology ; Nerve Regeneration ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Peripheral Nerves ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sciatic Nerve ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Suture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo explore characteristics of the myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) complicated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS11 cases of DJS complicated with CHB and 5 cases DJS without CHB were studied clinicopathologically. The hepatocyte ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscope and taken photos. The data were compared and analyzed using Fisher's Exact Test.

RESULTSDeposition of myelin-like bodies can be observed in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB but can not in DJS patients without CHB. The morphology of pigment varys. The electron density and volume of pigment in DJS patients with CHB can be classified into five types: brights (2/11,18.2%), reticulation (1/11, 9.1%), punctiform (6/11, 54.5%), abnormity (1/11, 9.1%) and primary type (1/11, 9.1%). The myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with DJS are high density and round with membrance (we named it as primary type) (5/5, 100%).

CONCLUSIONSThe myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB possess special pleomorphism and may have important diagnostic value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Myelin Sheath ; ultrastructure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term effect of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) transplantation on a rat model of white matter injury (WMI) in the preterm infant.

METHODSA total of 80 Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 days were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model control group, 5-day ventricular/white matter transplantation group, 9-day ventricular/white matter transplantation group, 14-day ventricular/white matter transplantation group (n=10 each). All groups except the sham-operation group were treated with right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia for 80 minutes to establish a rat model of WMI in the preterm infant. OPCs were prepared from the human fetal brain tissue (10-12 gestational weeks). At 5, 9, and 14 days after modeling, 3×10OPCs were injected into the right lateral ventricle or white matter in each transplantation group, and myelin sheath and neurological function were evaluated under an electron microscope at ages of 60 and 90 days.

RESULTSElectron microscopy showed that at an age of 60 days, each transplantation group had a slight improvement in myelin sheath injury compared with the model control group; at an age of 90 days, each transplantation group had significantly thickened myelin sheath and reduced structural damage compared with the model control group, and the 14-day transplantation groups had the most significant changes. There were no significant differences in the degree of myelin sheath injury between the ventricular and white matter transplantation groups at different time points. At an age of 60 or 90 days, the transplantation groups had a significantly higher modified neurological severity score (mNSS) than the sham-operation group and a significantly lower mNSS than the model control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOPC transplantation may have a long-term effect in the treatment of WMI in the preterm infant, and delayed transplantation may enhance its therapeutic effect.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Disease Models, Animal ; Myelin Sheath ; pathology ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells ; transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; White Matter ; injuries ; pathology ; ultrastructure