PURPOSE: To analyze innervated myotendinous cylinders (IMCs) in the extraocular muscles (EOMs) of normal subjects and strabismic patients. METHODS: The rectus muscles of 37 subjects were analyzed. Distal myotendinous specimens were obtained from 3 normal subjects, 20 patients with acquired strabismus, 11 with infantile strabismus, and from 3 with congenital nystagmus, and were studied by using light microscopy. Some specimens (6 rectus muscles) were also examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: IMCs were found in the distal myotendinous regions of EOMs. The IMCs of patients with acquired strabismus showed no significant morphological alterations. However, significant IMCs alterations were observed at the distal myotendinous junction of patients with congenital strabismus and congenital nystagmus. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the notion that IMCs in human EOMs function mainly as proprioceptors, along with effector properties, and a disturbance of ocular proprioceptors plays an important role in the pathogenesis of oculomotor disorder. We suggest that a proprioceptive feedback system should be stimulated and calibrated early in life for the development of binocular vision.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Oculomotor Muscles/*innervation/physiopathology/ultrastructure ; Proprioception/physiology ; Strabismus/*pathology/physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate histopathologic and ultrastructural changes of extraocular muscles (EOM) in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). METHODS: Twelve EOM specimens from 11 patients with TAO were observed. Each of the specimen was stained with HE and observed by light microscope,and then was sectioned with ultrathin method and observed by transmission electronic microscope. RESULTS: Under the light microscope, sarcoplasm coagulation,granular degeneration, vacuolization and necrosis were found in the extraocular muscular cells.Under the electronic microscope, there were disturbance and disappearance of the Z line in part of muscular fibers and various degrees of sarcoplasmic reticulum dilatation, myofilament lysis and destruction with formation of vacuoles.In severe cases,the muscular cells could be completely destroyed and phagocytosed by macrophages,fibrosis occurred and myofibroblasts were found in some cases. CONCLUSION The extraocular muscles in TAO are destroyed at various degrees,and the muscular cells may be the target cells in TAO.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Graves Ophthalmopathy ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oculomotor Muscles ; pathology ; ultrastructure

A total of 205 larval gnathostomes were collected from 18 (22.5%) of 80 red banded odd-tooth snakes, Dinodon rufozonatum rufozonatum, which had been smuggled from China and confiscated at Customs in Busan, Republic of Korea. In order to identify the species, some of the larvae were observed by a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The larvae were 2.18 x 0.29 mm in average size, and had a pair of lips at the anterior end, a muscular esophagus, 2 pairs of cervical sacs, and brownish intestines. The head bulb was characteristically equipped with 4 rows of hooklets; the average number of hooklets in each respective row was 38.6, 40.5, 41.5, and 43.7. In SEM views, the mouth evidenced a pair of lateral lips of equal size in a half-moon shape. Each lip featured a couple of labial papillae and a small amphid located between the 2 papillae. The hooklets on the head bulb had single-pointed, posteriorly-curved tips. The cuticular spines were larger and more densely distributed on the anterior part of the body, and decreased gradually in size and number toward the posterior body. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the larvae were identified as the third stage larvae of Gnathostoma hispidum.
Animals ; China ; Colubridae/*parasitology ; Gnathostoma/*isolation & purification/pathogenicity/*ultrastructure ; Larva/ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary ; Muscles/parasitology ; Species Specificity ; Spirurida Infections/parasitology/*veterinary

OBJECTIVETo observe the unique structural features of chicken calamus keratin (CCK) conduit as a candidate scaffold material for tissue engineering and its in vivo degradation and histocompatibility after its implantation into living tissues.

METHODSChicken calami were taken from healthy chickens and treated through sequential, controllable physical and biochemical procedures for preparation of three types of CCK conduits, namely CCK-I (mildly treated), CCK-II (moderately treated) and CCK-III (intensely treated). Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed for morphological observation. Each of these three types of CCK pieces (experimental group) and the untreated ones (control group) was implanted into the dorsal muscular tissue on both sides of SD rats, respectively. Routine tissue sectioning and HE stain were performed to identify the morphological changes under light microscope. Each of the CCK threads (experimental group) and the untreated chicken calamus threads (control group) was also grafted within the sciatic nerve bundles of SD rats, respectively.

RESULTSThe wall of the chicken calamus was composed of 4 compact parts from inside to outside on cross sections, namely the innermost basophilic homogenous coarse line, 3-5 layers of acidophilic corneum, 60-100 layers of circular keratin tracts containing massive pigment granules, and 10-20 outmost layers of keratin tracts with only a few pigment granules. The three-dimensional surface features of chicken calamus identified by SEM, as compared with untreated chicken calamus, was characterized by loose arrangement containing horizontal and vertical keratins with obvious pores of different sizes and depths on its surface. At 8 weeks after implantation into the muscular tissue in experimental groups, the CCK grafts were degraded into thin filaments or/and dispersed pieces and fine granules with the appearance of blood vessels, which facilitated the absorption of the degradation products; at 12 weeks, the grafts were markedly degraded into tiny fragments. In the control group, in contrast, the grafts remains intact throughout the experiment. After implantation of the material into the nerve bundles, similar cell infiltration and tissue responses to the grafts were observed as compared to those occur in intramuscular grafting. The degradation products did not seem to cause nerve tissue degeneration or necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSFresh chicken calamus is a natural tube composed of multi-layered compact keratin tracts with pigment granules and small amount of matrix, and is non-absorbable in vivo, and therefore does not favor the purpose for use directly as a candidate biological scaffold. After proper treatment, the chicken calamus becomes loosely arranged porous material, and can be degraded and absorbed in vivo without resulting in tissue degradation or necrosis, suggesting its potential for applications in tissue engineering.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Chickens ; Female ; Implants, Experimental ; Keratins ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Muscles ; innervation ; physiology ; surgery ; Nerve Regeneration ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

To verify the postoperative ultrastructural changes of the myotendinous nerve endings of feline extraocular muscles, which are known as proprioceptors. Sixteen recti of four cats were used and divided into three groups. In group A, eight lateral recti were recessed. In group B, four medial recti were resected by 10 mm from insertion to include the myotendinous junction. In group C, four medial recti were resected by 4 mm of muscle bellies only, without disturbing the myotendinous junction. Four weeks after surgery, specimens were examined with electron microscopy. In group A, overall neural structures were well maintained with slight axonal degeneration. In group B, only muscle fibers were observed without any regeneration of neural sprouts. In group C, axonal disintegration and shrinkage were evident. These results indicate that myotendinous nerve endings can be damaged in strabismus surgery, and that resection was more invasive than recession in disrupting myotendinous nerve endings.
Animals ; Cats ; Motor Neurons/ultrastructure ; Nerve Endings/*ultrastructure ; Neuromuscular Junction/*ultrastructure ; Oculomotor Muscles/*innervation/surgery ; Oculomotor Nerve/*ultrastructure ; *Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures ; Receptors, Sensory/ultrastructure ; Strabismus/surgery ; Tendons/*innervation/ultrastructure

Transesophageal echocardiography was performed to evaluate the exact cause of severe mitral regurgitation in a 64-year-old man presented with hypotension and dyspnea after acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. In mid-esophageal two-and four-chamber view, the ruptured stump of papillary muscle could not be visualized. However, in transgastric two-chamber view, we could clearly visualize the ruptured head of the posteromedial papillary muscle as a separated mass attached by chorda tendinae, as well as the freely mobile stump of the ruptured papillary muscle within the left ventricle. So, the comprehensive transesophageal echocardiography, including transgastric imaging, is always indicated in patients with severe mitral regurgitation after acute myocardial infarction.
*Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction/*ultrasonography ; Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/complications/*ultrasonography ; Papillary Muscles/*ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of repeated + Gz forces on masticatory muscles.

METHODS48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A was normally fed. Group B was only fixed with rat-kept devices for 5 minutes. Group C was borne + 1 Gz for 5 minutes. Group D was repeatedly exposed + 10 Gz (each for 30 s, onset rate about 0.5 G/s, 5 times/d with + 1 Gz 1 minute intervals, 4 d/wk, 3 weeks in total). The histological changes of the masseter, temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles were observed.

RESULTSNo abnormal changes were observed in Group A, B and C. But pathological changes could be found in group D. The wrench and deformation of muscular fibers, the dissolution of partial myofibril, the swelling of mitochondria, the reduce of hepatin from the masseter and lateral pterygoid muscles could be found.

CONCLUSIONSRepeated + Gz stresses could induce the damage of masticatory muscles in different degrees.

Animals ; Hypergravity ; Male ; Masseter Muscle ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Masticatory Muscles ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pterygoid Muscles ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Temporal Muscle ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Time Factors

The purpose of this study were 1) to determine the earliest pathological changes of germanium dioxide (GeO2)-induced myopathy; 2) to determine the pathomechanism of GeO2-induced myopathy; and 3) to determine the minimal dose of GeO2 to induce myopathy in rats. One hundred and twenty five male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing about 150 gm, were divided into seven groups according to daily doses of GeO2. Within each group, histopathological studies were done at 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks of GeO2 administration. Characteristic mitochondrial myopathy was induced in the groups treated daily with 10 mg/kg of GeO2 or more. In conclusion, the results were as follows: 1) The earliest pathological change on electron microscope was the abnormalities of mitochondrial shape, size and increased number of mitochondria; 2) The earliest pathological change on light microscope was the presence of ragged red fibers which showed enhanced subsarcolemmal succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase reactivity; 3) GeO2 seemed to affect the mitochondrial oxidative metabolism of muscle fibers; 4) GeO2 could induce mitochondrial myopathy with 10 mg/kg of GeO2 for 4 weeks or less duration in rats.
Animal ; Cytochrome-c Oxidase/metabolism ; Female ; Germanium/toxicity* ; Histocytochemistry ; Male ; Mitochondrial Myopathies/pathology ; Mitochondrial Myopathies/enzymology ; Mitochondrial Myopathies/chemically induced* ; Muscles/ultrastructure ; Muscles/enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Succinate Dehydrogenase/metabolism

Multicore myopathy is a rare congenital myopathy. The multicores consist of numerous small areas of decreased oxidative enzyme activity. The long axis of the lesion is perpendicular or parallel to the long axis of the muscle fiber. These cores are usually smaller than central cores. For this reason they are also called minicores. Although the multicores represent a nonspecific change in that they can be observed in malignant hyperthermia, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory myopathy, etc. Muscular weakness dating from early infancy is combined large proportion of the muscle fibers. In about half of the reported cases the muscular weakness has not been progressive, while in the others a slow progression has occurred. This 9-year-old boy presented with congenital nonprogressive myopathy associated with thoracic scoliosis and bilateral equinovarus deformity. The serum creatine phosphokinase and lactic dehydrogenase levels were normal. Electromyography showed "myopathic" features. The biopsy revealed a marked size variation in myofibers, ranging from 10 microns to 100 microns. A few small angular fibers and slight endomyseal fibrosis were also noted. There was type I fiber predominance. NADH-TR reaction disclosed more well-defined cores with loss of intermyofibrillary mitochondrial activity. These cores were usually located with loss of intermyofibrillary mitochondrial activity. These cores were usually located in the peripheral portions of the myofibers and the core size measured 10-30 microns in diameter. Electron microscopic examination revealed circumscribed areas of disintegrated Z band material and disorganized sarcomeric units near the sarcolemma. A decrease in the number of mitochondria and glycogen particles was noted.
Biopsy ; Child ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Muscles/pathology/ultrastructure ; Muscular Diseases/*pathology

Central core disease is a rare congenital myopathy characterized by the formation of cores that consist of abnormal arrangement of myofibrils inside the myofibers. We report a 5-year-old Korean girl who showed a fairly typical clinical course of non-progressive muscle weakness. Electrodiagnostic studies showed low-amplitude polyphasic electromyograph and normal nerve conduction velocity. Gastrocnemius muscle biopsy showed central cores in over 80% of the fibers on H&E section. Histochemistry revealed deficient or absent mitochondrial enzyme in the cores and type I predominance. Ultrastructurally both structured and non-structured cores were found separately or simultaneously in one fiber. This case is the first report in the Korean literature.
Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Muscles/pathology/ultrastructure ; Muscular Diseases/*congenital/*pathology