Biotechnic & histochemistry : official publication of the Biological Stain Commission
-
We investigated the protective effect of hesperetin on hepatic damage after blunt chest trauma in rats using histological and biochemical methods. We used 18 adult male rats in three groups of six: control, chest trauma and chest trauma + hesperetin. Chest trauma was caused by dropping a metal cylinder onto the right hemithorax. ⋯ Decreased TNF-α, AST and ALT enzyme activity, fewer histopathological changes and lower Nf-kB expression were observed in the hesperetin treated group compared to the chest trauma group. We also found reduced hepatic apoptosis in the chest trauma + hesperetin group compared to the chest trauma group. Hesperetine inhibits liver damage by reducing proinflammatory cytokines and by suppressing Nf-κβ activity in a blunt chest trauma model in rats.
-
We investigated the gastroprotective effect of apricot kernel oil on ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into control, ethanol and apricot kernel oil + ethanol groups. The fatty acid composition of apricot kernel oil was determined using GC-MS. ⋯ The ethanol group exhibited a higher gastric ulcer score, increased IL-6 level, increased number of inducible nitric oxide synthase-positive and TUNEL positive cells, and a higher MDA level compared to the control group. The apricot kernel oil + ethanol group exhibited significantly fewer gastric lesions compared to the ethanol group. Apricot kernel oil protects rat gastric mucosa against ethanol induced injury by its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects, and might be useful for reducing the severity of gastric ulcers.
-
We investigated the development of the sinus node of the heart conduction system by localizing hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 (HCN4) and connexin43 (Cx43) in the hearts of fetal day 13 mice. Horizontal serial sections of day 13 whole fetuses were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescence to identify myocardial cells that express HCN4, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 2 (HCN2) and Cx43. Expression levels of HCN4 and Cx43 were determined by quantitative RT-PCR in both fetal day 13 and adult mice. ⋯ Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that HCN4 expression was significantly higher and HCN2 expression was significantly lower in fetal day 13 mice than in adults. We found no statistically significant difference in Cx43 expression between fetal day 13 mice and adults. HCN4 stained myocardial cells in the left dorsal epicardium of the right atrium are the origin of the sinus node and the remainder of the heart conduction system.
-
Advances in computer and software technology and in the quality of images produced by digital cameras together with development of robotic devices that can take glass histology slides from a cassette holding many slides and place them in a conventional microscope for electronic scanning have facilitated the development of whole slide imaging (WSI) systems during the past decade. Anatomic pathologists now have opportunities to test the utility of WSI systems for diagnostic, teaching and research purposes and to determine their limitations. Uses include rendering primary diagnoses from scanned hematoxylin and eosin stained tissues on slides, reviewing frozen section or routine slides from remote locations for interpretation or consultation. ⋯ Costs are falling as more devices and systems are sold and cloud storage costs drop. Pathologist familiarity with the technology will grow as more institutions purchase WSI systems. The technology holds great promise for the future of anatomic pathology.
-
Virtual microscopy is a method for digitizing images of tissue on glass slides and using a computer to view, navigate, change magnification, focus and mark areas of interest. Virtual microscope systems (also called digital pathology or whole slide imaging systems) offer several advantages for biological scientists who use slides as part of their general, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or clinical research. The systems usually are based on one of two methodologies: area scanning or line scanning. ⋯ Additional challenges include maintaining focus in an uneven sample, detecting specimens accurately, maximizing color fidelity with optimal brightness and contrast, optimizing resolution and keeping the images artifact-free. There are several manufacturers in the field and each has not only its own approach to these issues, but also its own image analysis software, which provides many options for users to enhance the speed, quality and accuracy of their process through virtual microscopy. Virtual microscope systems are widely used and are trusted to provide high quality solutions for teleconsultation, education, quality control, archiving, veterinary medicine, research and other fields.