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

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

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid is a useful tool for the evaluation of benign or malignant thyroid nodules. The improvements in the quality of cytological preparations using the liquid-based cytology (LBC) method have been well-documented. The principal objective of this study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic adequacy, sensitivity, and specificity of the thyroid FNA comparing a conventional smear with the LBC adapted with the filtration method described herein. METHODS: One hundred ninety eight cases of FNA samples obtained from May 2009 to September 2009 were included in this study. All patients were subjected to ultrasound-guided aspiration twice at a target lesion by a radiologist and two types of slides were prepared using conventional smear and LBC. RESULTS: When compared with conventional method, the cellularity was reduced in LBC. However, the malignant tumor cells evidenced the larger and more vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and distinct nuclear membranes in LBC. Thirty two cases (16.16%) of conventional smear were inadequate, but 96 cases (48.49%) of LBC were inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the slides using CellprepPlus(R) LBC evidenced lower cellularity and clearer background. However, the conventional smears were found to generate much more applicable samples than CellprepPlus(R) LBC.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Filtration ; Humans ; Needles ; Nuclear Envelope ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule

The purpose of this study was to evaluate alterations in corneal endothelial cell function and ultrastructure caused by benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Sixteen albino rabbits (32 eyes)were used for this study. One cornea of each matched pair was assigned to experimental group and the other cornea to control group. The experimental groups were divided into 4 groups, of which corneal endothelium were perfused with 0.01%, 0.001%, 0.0002%, and 0.0001% BAC. After paired rabbit corneas were isolated and mounted in the in vitro dual-chambered specular microscope, experimental corneas of each matched pair were perfused with different concentrations of BAC. Control corneas were perfused with glutathione-bicarbonate-Ringer solution(GBR). Corneal thickness was measured every 15 minutes throughout the perfusion period.Swelling rates were calculated by linear regression analysis, and compared to swelling rate of each paired mate perfused with GBR alone. At the end of perfusion,the corneas were fixed in 2.5%glutaraldehyde solution for transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Swelling rates of rabbit corneas perfused with BAC, 0.0001% did not differ significantly from control corneas (p>0.05). But, 0.0002%, 0.001%, and 0.01% BAC differed significantly from control corneas (p<0.05). BAC, 0.0001% showed normal corneal endothelial findings, but 0.0002% and 0.001% BAC showed reversible endothelial cellular injury. BAC, 0.01% showed irreversible endothelial cellular injury such as loss of nuclear membrane and disruption of cellular organelles. The results of this study indicate that long-term use of topical eye solutions containing BAC might induce corneal endothelial damage, especially in the absence of epithelial barrier such as corneal ulcer.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Cornea ; Corneal Ulcer ; Endothelial Cells* ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Linear Models ; Nuclear Envelope ; Organelles ; Perfusion ; Rabbits

To evaluate the ultrastructure of cornea keratocyte infected by Herpes simplex virus, the cornea was excised from enucleated rabbit eyes. Cornea epithelium and endothelium of these was removed and cultivated in culture media. After 7 days, the Kos strain of Herpes simplex virus was inoculated into the cultured cornea keratocytes and co-cultivated until the cytopathic effect occurred. Cornea keratocytes was fixed in the 3%glutaraldehyde and examined with electron microscope. The infected cells were active cells and slightly more round appearance than normal cells. They had microvillies composed of cytoplasmic process protru-sions into collagen fibers. Virus particles was transmitted into neighboring cells easily since there was no barrier function of collagen fibers that was destroyed in the condition of culture. The nuclear changes of infected cells were marked :nuclear chromatin was degraded, condensated and displaced toward the nuclear membrane. There were many virus particles in the nucleus. There were also many degenerations in the cytoplasm, destructed numerous cytoplasmic organelles and many virus particles seen in the cytoplasm. The ultrastructural findings of keratocytes co-cultivated with Herpes simplex virus were identified from our result.
Chromatin ; Collagen ; Cornea ; Culture Media ; Cytoplasm ; Endothelium ; Epithelium ; Herpes Simplex* ; Microvilli ; Nuclear Envelope ; Organelles ; Simplexvirus* ; Virion

It is generally conceded that vasectomy is one of the most reliable methods of birth control because the technique is relatively simple, and the complete obstruction of the pathway for spermatozoa. However, a lot of unexpected effects were found after vasectomy. The possibility that it may effect changes in the function and structure of the testis and epididymis, as it were the formation of the sperm granuloma and antisperm antibody has been an important consideration in the controversy. The fate of non-ejaculated spermatozoa is postulated by some authors that those are disappeared by a progress of dissolution and reabsorption in the epididymis, or by formation of the sperm granuloma. According to Choi and Kim`s report about the effects of the seminal vesiculectomy on the structure and function of the testis and epididymis in rats. The distribution ratio of the sperm granuloma formation was higher in group of vasectomy and seminal vesiculectomy than that of vasectomy only, which indicated that the seminal vesicle produces a certain substance which enhance the sperm to be dissolved and reabsorbed in the epididymis. Therefore, we have attempted to prove the true state of sperm-acrosome on the fine structure after vasectomy and seminal vesiculectomy. The results were as follows: 1. The acrosomal membrane appeared quite intact on the electron microscopic study. 2. The architecture of the nucleus remained unchanged. 3. There was no evidence of nuclear membrane discontinuities, nor widening of the subacrosomal space. 4. Seminal vesicle seems to have some destructive activity on the sperm-acrosome after vasectomy.
Acrosome ; Animals ; Contraception ; Epididymis ; Granuloma ; Male ; Membranes ; Nuclear Envelope ; Rats ; Seminal Vesicles ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; Vasectomy*

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*