BACKGROUND: Micropapillary variant of urothelial carcinoma (MPUC) showed distinct pathologic features and aggressive behavior. The cytologic findings of MPUC are still indistinct. In this study, we evaluated the cytological findings of MPUC compared with those of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). METHODS: The voided urine cytology of 8 cases of MPUC and 8 cases of HGUC was reviewed. Following cytological parameters were evaluated: cellularity, background, number of small, tight papillary clusters, small acinar structure, scattered single cells, cytoplasmic features, nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear membrane irregularity, hyperchromasia, chromatin pattern and nucleoli. RESULTS: Compared to that of HGUC, cytology of MPUC showed large numbers of small, tight papillary clusters, small acinar structure, few numbers of single cells, and hyperchromatic nuclei. Other parameters were similar between the two groups; both groups showed similar cellularity, dense or vacuolated cytoplasm, moderate to severe nuclear pleomorphism, irregular nuclear membrane, coarse granular chromatin, and small and prominent nucleoli. CONCLUSIONS: The urine cytology of MPUCs showed smaller and tighter papillary cell clusters, more small acinar structures, fewer numbers of scattered single cells, and more hyperchromatic nuclei than that of HGUC. These features can help to distinguish MPUC and HGUC and offer an early cytological diagnosis of MPUC.
Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Nuclear Envelope

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) is a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with a more favorable prognosis compared to conventional adenocarcinomas. Although the tumors are usually recognized on colposcopic examination due to the mainly exophytic growth pattern, they may be underdiagnosed as benign lesions by cytology because of their minimal cytologic atypia. We report the liquid-based cytology (LBC) findings of three histologically confirmed VGAs which we have recently identified. They were characterized by hypercellular smears on low-power examination with smooth-bordered three-dimensional papillary fragments. The nuclei were relatively uniform with irregular nuclear membranes. Nucleoli were small but distinct and macronucleoli were also seen. The abnormal architectural patterns such as papillary structures and nuclear overlapping and nuclear hyperchromasia are important clues to the diagnosis of VGA. In addition, nuclear membrane irregularity and prominent nucleoli can be recognized on LBC specimens, further facilitating its diagnosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Nuclear Envelope ; Prognosis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in cytologic findings between conventional preparation (CP) and SurePath(TM) liquid-based preparation (LBP) in thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA). METHODS: We analyzed cytological features on a total of 182 thyroid FNAs (83 CP and 99 LBP) that were histologically confirmed as nodular hyperplasia (NH) or papillary carcinoma (PAC). RESULTS: LBP was superior in cellular preservation and cellularity than CP. Interestingly, in LBP, cellularity of NH was similarly high compared to that of PAC. The three-dimensional pattern was more prominent in LBP than in CP. The presence of follicle structures was more frequently found in LBP than in CP in the PAC group. Dispersed single cells in the background were more prominent in LBP than in CP. In the PAC group, contrast of the nuclear membrane was more distinctive in CP than in LBP. CONCLUSIONS: In thyroid FNA, LBP is better for cellular preservation, cellularity, background and nuclear detail than CP. However, some features in LBP such as high cellularity in NH, prominent dispersed single cells, and frequent follicle patterns were unfamiliar findings in CP. Hence, we should be aware of these cytomorphologic features in LBP to make a proper diagnosis.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Hyperplasia ; Nuclear Envelope ; Thyroid Gland

The average middle aged woman goes through a volatile period of endocrine fluctuations as she passes through menopause and the stages that precede and follow it. Ovarian hormones are steroid hormones. They readily cross the cell and nuclear membranes and influence transcription of numerous genes. Such influences are tissue specific and state specific. In short, changes in ovarian hormones mean that a women will experience changes in her entire body systems. When an individual woman's constitutional factors, pathologic states, medications, environmental exposures are taken into consideration, the integrated changes become too complex to predict. Inter-study sampling differences with the complexities in the backdrop may have led to conflicting conclusions in menopause research. This paper reviews some of the controversies in the care of menopausal women.
Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause* ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Envelope ; Women's Health

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of tranilast on proliferation of cultured human keratocytes, and to investigate the apoptotic response and the cellular morphologic changes associated with tranilast in vitro. METHODS: Human corneal keratocytes were exposed to tranilast at a concentration of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 mg/ml for a period of 4, 24, and 48 hours. Evaluations were conducted with MTT-based-calorimetric assay for measuring the metabolic activity, flow cytometric analysis and fluorescent micrograph for assessing the apoptotic response, and inverted phase-contrast micrograph and electron microscopy for observing the morphologic changes. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of human keratocyte proliferation was found to have a dose and time dependent pattern (p<0.05). In flow cytometry, the maximal apoptotic response developed at 0.8 mg/ml concentration after 4 and 24 hours of exposure time, and apoptotic cells were demonstrated in fluorescent micrograph. At higher concentration of Tratnilast, human corneal keratocytes were more swollen rather than having a spindle shape and being detached from the bottom of the dish. The damaged keratocytes had degenerative and apoptotic changes like the formation of phagolysosomal granule, marginal condensation in the nucleus, and bleb formation of the nuclear membrane. CONCLUSIONS: The apoptotic response of tranilast is concerned with the inhibitory effect of human corneal keratocyte proliferation. Therefore, tranilast shows promise in clinical use for the inhibition of postoperative excimer laser induced corneal opacity or haze with fewer side effects.
Apoptosis ; Blister ; Corneal Keratocytes* ; Corneal Opacity ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Lasers, Excimer ; Microscopy, Electron ; Nuclear Envelope

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiation effect on the stages of amelogenesis. Twenty 11-day-old rats which were irradiated by 4GY of gamma radiation on the 19th prenatal day were used for the experimental group and twenty 11-day-old rats which were not irradiated were used for the control group. The length of each zone of amelogenesi s were measured on the sagittal section using a light microscopic enlargement at 400 X the normal view while the morphol ogic changes of ameloblasts of each zone were observed electron-microscopically. The obtined results were as followed: 1. The length of the region of facing pulp and facing dentin of the zone of presecretion were increased by 11.5%(P<0.05) and 17.7%(P<0.01), respectively. 2. The length of the zone of secretion was increased by 17.3%(P<0.01), but the zone of maturation was decreased by 15.3%(P<0.01). 3. The total length of the zone of amelogenesis was not changed significantly(P>0.05). 4. Electron-microscopically, enlargement of the cell membrane, rER, mitochondria, and nuclear membrane were observed. These changes were mostly severe in the zone of maturation.
Ameloblasts ; Amelogenesis* ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; Dentin ; Gamma Rays ; Incisor* ; Mitochondria ; Nuclear Envelope ; Radiation Effects* ; Rats*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiation effect on the stages of amelogenesis. Twenty 11-day-old rats which were irradiated by 4GY of gamma radiation on the 19th prenatal day were used for the experimental group and twenty 11-day-old rats which were not irradiated were used for the control group. The length of each zone of amelogenesi s were measured on the sagittal section using a light microscopic enlargement at 400 X the normal view while the morphol ogic changes of ameloblasts of each zone were observed electron-microscopically. The obtined results were as followed: 1. The length of the region of facing pulp and facing dentin of the zone of presecretion were increased by 11.5%(P<0.05) and 17.7%(P<0.01), respectively. 2. The length of the zone of secretion was increased by 17.3%(P<0.01), but the zone of maturation was decreased by 15.3%(P<0.01). 3. The total length of the zone of amelogenesis was not changed significantly(P>0.05). 4. Electron-microscopically, enlargement of the cell membrane, rER, mitochondria, and nuclear membrane were observed. These changes were mostly severe in the zone of maturation.
Ameloblasts ; Amelogenesis* ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; Dentin ; Gamma Rays ; Incisor* ; Mitochondria ; Nuclear Envelope ; Radiation Effects* ; Rats*

A case of malignant epithelial mesothelioma of the peritoneum diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology is described. The smear showed many individually scattered or clustered large round malignant epithelial cells intermingled with relatively small nonneoplastic mesothelial and mesenchymal cells. Papillary configurations with thick fibrous core were also seen. The malignant cells were virtually reminiscent of reactive mesothelial cells but they were larger in size and had more prominent nucleoli and more frequent binucleated or multinucleated cell formations than reactive mesothelial cells. The characteristic features of malignant cell of mesothelioma compared with the metastatic adenocarcinoma were relatively uniform cellular size, prominent round nucleoli, large round vesicular nuclei with finely granular chromatin pattern, smooth nuclear membrane, abundant glassy cytoplasm rather than bubbly mucin-containing cytoplasm and fuzzy cell border.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child* ; Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Mesothelioma ; Nuclear Envelope ; Pancreas ; Peritoneum

The formation and development of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies of type II pneumocyte were investigated using 7 cases of human fetal lungs from 9 to 20 weeks of gestation by transmission electron micropscopy. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The multilamellar bodies, the characteristic inclusion body of type II pneumocyte, have developed in developing epithelium of lung at 9 week of gestation. Another inclusion bodies specific to type II pneumocyte also have developed at that time. 2. The inclusion bodies were formed in association with cytoplasmic reticulum, outer membrane of nuclear envelope, and mitochondria. 3. The inclusion bodies were distributed in cluster at the apical cytoplasm, and classified schematically with the contents as multilamellar, cytoplasmic, granular/f locculent, multivesicular, dense, and multilamellar. But the intermediate and composite forms of inclusion bodies appeared at the time toward 20 week of gestation. In summary, it is suggested that the differentiation of type II pneumocyte starts before 9 week of gestation and 4 main types of inclusion bodies considered as the precursor of multilamellar body were found. Although the inclusion bodies were formed at endoplasmic reticulum or etc, it is likely that they form multilamellar body through the complex process such as fusion of inclusion bodies.
Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Epithelium ; Fetus* ; Humans* ; Inclusion Bodies* ; Lung ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Nuclear Envelope ; Pneumocytes* ; Pregnancy ; Reticulum

Mitomycin C(MMC) is one of the alkylating agents, which is commonly used adjunctively to inhibit the over-growth of the fibroblasts in high-risk filtering surgery. However, it increases the incidence of the complications including persistent postoperative hypotony. The hypotony may be caused by the toxic effect of MMC on the ciliary epithelium. The morphological changes of the ciliary epithelium were evaluated using transmission electron microscope four and twelve weeks after the application of balanced salt solution(BSS) and MMC on the exposed sclera against the ciliary body in the rabbit eyes. There was no specific change in the ciliary epithelium four and twelve weeks after the application of BSS. Four weeks after the application of 0.2mg/ml of MMC, the mitochondria in the nonpigmented epithelium of the applied region were swollen mildly. The mitochondria of both pigmented and nonpigmented epithelia were swollen moderately in the region applied with 0.5mg/ml of MMC. Twelve weeks after the application of either 0.2 or 0.5mg/ml of MMC, the mitochondria were swollen markedly, the nuclear membranes in the pigmented and nonpigmented epithelia were wrinkled, and the heterochromatins of the nuclei faded in both applied and contralateral ciliary epithelia. These findings indicate that mitomycin C causes degenerative changes in the ciliary epithelium decrease aqueous production.
Alkylating Agents ; Ciliary Body ; Epithelium* ; Fibroblasts ; Filtering Surgery ; Heterochromatin ; Incidence ; Mitochondria ; Mitomycin* ; Nuclear Envelope ; Sclera