ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus represents one of the rising causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the early diagnosis of HCC is vital for successful curative treatment, the majority of lesions are diagnosed in an irredeemable phase. This work deals with a comparative ultrastructural study of experimentally gradually induced HCC, surgically resected HCC, and potential premalignant lesions from HCV-infected patients, with the prospect to detect cellular criteria denoting premalignant transformation. Among the main detected pathological changes which are postulated to precede frank HCC: failure of normal hepatocyte regeneration with star shape clonal fragmentation, frequent elucidation of hepatic progenitor cells and Hering canals, hepatocytes of different electron density loaded with small sized rounded monotonous mitochondria, increase junctional complexes bordering bile canaliculi and in between hepatocyte membranes, abundant cellular proteinaceous material with hypertrophied or vesiculated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), sequestrated nucleus with proteinaceous granular material or hypertrophied RER, formation of lipolysosomes, large autophagosomes, and micro-vesicular fat deposition.In conclusion, the present work has visualized new hepatocytic division or regenerative process that mimic splitting or clonal fragmentation that occurs in primitive creature. Also, new observations that may be of value or assist in predicting HCC and identifying the appropriate patient for surveillance have been reported. Moreover, it has pointed to the possible malignant potentiality of liver stem/progenitor cells.For reliability, the results can be subjected to cohort longitudinal study.

ABSTRACTThe blood count test results of six patients (five male adolescents and one female adult) who were diagnosed with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome are presented. Certain diverse lesions and especially, their different intensity, were observed. They were referred to the clinical process and the time from syndrome occurrence to biopsy.

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) against cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced pancreatic toxicity in rats. Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group I treated orally (per os, p.o.) with vehicles and served as control; Group II received α-LA (100 mg/kg b.w. /day, p.o.) for 21 days; Group III received CsA (25 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.) for 21 days; and Group IV received α-LA 1 hr before oral treatment by CsA for 21 days. Histological examination of the pancreas of CsA-treated rats showed marked changes represented by wide interlobular septae that contained congested blood vessels, cytoplasmic vacuolation of some acinar cells, and distortion of the other cells. Most of the islets of Langerhans showed vacuolation, degenerative changes, and loss of uniform cellular distribution. Some of the islets appeared shrunken with few cells. In the CsA group, the immunohistochemical and morphometric study demonstrated a decrease in the number of insulin-secreting β-cells and also a reduction in islet diameters, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004), respectively, compared with the control group. Ultrastructure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells of the CsA-treated group confirmed the light microscopic observation and showed dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, decreased zymogen and secretory granules, damaged mitochondria, and abnormal nuclei. However, α-LA administration simultaneously with CsA resulted in some sort of regression of the previously mentioned effects. Conclusion: α-LA attenuated CsA-induced structural and ultrastructural changes in pancreatic cells, which were nearly reverted to their normal structure.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Aroclor 1254, a commercial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) mixture, was found to elicit various adverse effects on human health. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the structural alterations in the epididymis induced by aroclor 1254, and to assess the possible protective role of L-NAME (NG-Nitro-L arginine methyl ester). Materials and methods: Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided into three groups: control group (15 rats), equally subdivided into subgroup a; negative control group, subgroup b: received intraperitoneal corn oil (5 ml/kg/day), and subgroup c: received intraperitoneal L-NAME (10 mg/kg/day). Aroclor-treated group (10 rats): received aroclor 1254 (2 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal), and aroclor + L-NAME-treated group (10 rats): received aroclor 1254 combined with L-NAME in the same previous regimen. After 30 days, blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. Specimens from the epididymis were prepared for histological study and assessment of sperm count. Results: Rats in aroclor-treated group revealed a significant reduction in serum testosterone level and sperm count, in comparison with the control group. The epididymal caput showed stratification and detachment of the epithelium with vacuoles, mitotic figures, and electron-dense bodies together with increased collagen fibers in the interstitium. In addition, a strong reaction of androgen receptors (ARs) was seen in the cytoplasm of epithelial and stromal cells. These effects were attenuated by L-NAME administration. Conclusion: Aroclor 1254 provoked morphological and functional changes in the epididymis of adult rats, which were attenuated by L-NAME administration.

"The Micro-Bio-Trojans: Free-living amoebae as reservoirs for human pathogens, giant viruses, and other surprises." Ultrastructural Pathology, 41(1), pp. 81–82

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes from the Aedes genus, sexually, or by vertical transmission. It was discovered in 1947 in Africa [1] and it is thought to produce, in some cases...

Chronic alloimmune injury is a common cause of irreversible renal allograf failure. We evaluated the contribution of electron microscopy examination to the diagnosis of renal chronic rejection and ...

In the past few years, we have shown in cell cultures that the localization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is crucial for its pathogenicity [1]. While vaccine strain M. bovis BCG and other non-patho...

Heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTDs) comprise a wide range of genetic diseases with diverse and multisystemic manifestations, mainly affecting the skin, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, an...

"A study of biofilm on endotracheal tubes in pediatric intensive care unit." Ultrastructural Pathology, 41(1), pp. 122–123