[Immunohistochemical analysis of the liver using monoclonal antibodies against intermediate filaments]

The expression of some types of cytokeratin and vimentin in the liver was studied by using monoclonal antibodies to these types of intermediary filaments. Necrotic samples from livers without pathological finding were examined. A panel of 5 monoclonal antibodies, prepared in Czechoslovakia, to cytokeratins Nos. 7,8,18, and 19, as well as to vimentin was used. The findings confirmed the characteristic expression of cytokeratins 8 and 18 in hepatocytes and of cytokeratins 7, 8, 18, and 19 in epithelial cells of intrahepatic bile canaliculi, that monoclonal antibodies prepared in Czechoslovakia (LAMO, Brno and VUKEO, Brno) can be successfully used in immunochemical studies of intermediary filaments in the liver.

[Development of adrenergic innervation of the heart in man]

The presence of postganglionic adrenergic nerve fibres in the myocardium of human fetuses ranging in gestational age from 9 weeks to 8 months was studied by the method of glyoxilic acid induced fluorescence (GIF). Heart samples were obtained after legal induced interruption of pregnancy, indicated in part of the cases for genetic defects. Identification of adrenergic nerve fibers in the human heart proved possible only in the second half of gestation. This finding supports the assumption of humoral rather than nervous regulation of heart activity in the first half of intrauterine development of the fetus.

[Cardiac complication of mucoviscidosis]

Over the years 1971 to 1988 autopsies of 33 children with the clinical diagnosis of mucoviscidosis were performed at the Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava. In three cases pronounced changes were observed on the myocardium, predominantly on the left ventricle. Multifocal necrosis and fibrosis of the myocardium represent rare but severe changes occurring as a complication of mucoviscidosis in infancy.

Histochemistry and cytochemistry of thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPP-ase 3.6.1.) in the rat gastric mucosa

The paper deals with the histochemical and cytochemical distribution of thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPP-ase 3.6.1.) in the normal rat gastric mucosa using the method of NOVIKOFF and GOLDFISCHER (1961). In light microscopy, activity was demonstrated only in the GOLGI apparatus of the foveolar mucous cells; in the other specialized gastric mucosal cells no activity was established. At electron microscopic level, the reaction product was localized in the membranes of the cisternae of the GOLGI apparatus of foveolar mucous cells, undifferentiated neck cells, parietal cells, chief cells and in endocrine cells. The reaction product was not found in the endoplasmic reticulum of any of the above mentioned types of cells with the exception of parietal cells. The deposits of the reaction product in the cytoplasmic membrane, in the capillary endothelium and on the surface of the plasma membrane of foveolar mucous cells represents the sites of activity of alkaline phosphatase. The examination of the TPP-ase in the gastric mucosa inables us to estimate the activity of the GOLGI apparatus of gastric mucosal cells in the norm and in different pathological conditions connected with its changes.