Heterogeneity of mesenchymal cells in human amniotic membrane at term

There is increasing interest in understanding the tissue biology of human amniotic membrane (hAM) given its applications in medicine. One cellular component is mesenchymal cells, which can be extracted, cultured and differentiated "in vitro" into various cell types. These studies show that there is heterogeneity among mesenchymal cells. The aim of this work is to study the membrane in situ to determine whether this cellular heterogeneity exists. The hAMs were obtained from caesarean deliveries at term and analyzed by histological techniques. Types I-III mesenchymal cells and Hofbauer were distinguished by light microscopy. Histochemically, mesenchymal cell types showed successively increasing positivity to: PAS, vimentin, fibronectin, and Concanavalin-A; VGEF, TGF-β2, PDGF-C, FGF-2. By the semiquantitative point of view, the percentage of Type II cells was 60%, significantly higher than the other types. With transmission electron microscopy, an intermediate cell type between II-III was observed. Strong vesiculation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) with exocytosis was observed. In addition, an accumulation of a similar material to the extracellular matrix in the RER caused its dilation especially in type IIITEM cells. Some of this material acquired a globular structure. These structures were also found free in the extracellular matrix. In conclusion, the mesenchymal cells of the fibroblastic layer of the hAMs studied are heterogeneous, with some undifferentiated and others with a probably senescent fibroblastic phenotype with accumulation in their RER of fibronectin. These results may be of interest to extract mesenchymal cells from hAMs for use in regenerative medicine and to better understand the mechanisms of fetal membrane rupture.

HSP47 expression in the hamster Sertoli cell: An immunohistochemical study

HSP47, a chaperone whose main function is the maturation of collagen molecules, is considered a marker of fibrotic diseases. Increased collagen synthesis in the testis has been associated with various pathologies leading to testicular seminiferous tubule regression. Our aim was to study whether HSP47 is expressed in hamster Sertoli cells both in the adult and in two physiological situations of seminiferous tubule atrophy: irreversible testicular ageing and testicular regression due to short (reversible) photoperiod. Eighteen animals were divided as follows: a group of 6 young animals aged 6 months, a group of 6 animals aged 24 months, which were exposed to a long photoperiod, and a final group of 6 young animals subjected to a short photoperiod. Testicular samples were fixed in methacarn and an immunohistochemical technique was used to detect HSP47. A semiquantitative study of the expression of this protein was performed between tubular sections of aged animals with complete spermatogenesis and arrested spermatogenesis with tubular sections with arrest spermatogenesis of photoinhibited testes. Sertoli cells were positive for HSP47, the intensity being higher in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in both aged and photoinhibited animals. Sertoli cells were positive for HSP47, the intensity being greater in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in both aged and photoinhibited animals. Semiquantitative analysis corroborated this observation in the sense that the expression of this protein differed according to the functional state of the seminiferous tubules. Thus, the intensity index of immunoreactivity was significantly higher in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in aged animals compared with regressed animals, and in the latter compared with those whose tubular sections showed complete spermatogenesis. In conclusion, HSP47 expression in Sertoli cells was found for the first time in mammals. Moreover, increased expression seemed to be related to the degree of atrophy of the seminiferous epithelium and to the reversible or non-reversible physiological state of the seminiferous epithelium.

Cellular Modifications in Spermatogenesis during Seasonal Testicular Regression: An Update Review in Mammals

Simple Summary

The most common form of reproduction in mammals is seasonal reproduction. This ensures that offspring are born at the most suitable time for survival, due to the abundance of food and the optimal temperatures for early postnatal development. In males, one way to achieve this is to decrease or lose fertility over a given period. This loss is associated with a greater or lesser degree of spermatogenesis modification that affects both germ and Sertoli cells. This paper reviews the different cellular mechanisms that have been postulated in recent years to explain how the activity of the seminiferous epithelium decreases during the non-reproductive period.

Abstract

Testicular regression occurs during the non-breeding season in many mammals. This affects spermatogenesis, resulting in decreased or arrested activity. Both lead to a decrease or cessation in sperm production. In recent years, the cellular mechanisms that lead to infertility in males in non-reproductive periods have been studied in very different species of mammals. At the start of the present century, the main mechanism involved was considered as an increase in the apoptotic activity of germ cells during the regression period. The loss of spermatogonia and spermatocytes causes not only a decrease in spermatogenesis, but an arrest of the seminiferous epithelium activity at the end of regression. Recently, in some mammal species, it was found that apoptosis is the usual mechanism involved in epithelium activity arrest, although it is firstly atrophied by massive desquamation of the germ cells that are released from their binding with the Sertoli cells, and which are shed into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. In other species, it has been shown that not only germ cell apoptosis, but also Sertoli cell apoptosis, including decreased proliferative activity, spermatophagy or autophagy, are involved in testicular regression. Furthermore, the most recent studies indicate that there are multiple patterns of seminiferous epithelium regression in seasonally breeding animals, which may not only be used by different species, but also by the same ones to reproduce in the best conditions, ensuring their survival. In conclusion, at this time, it is not possible to consider the existence of a paradigmatic cellular mechanism in the involution of the seminiferous epithelium applicable to all male mammals with seasonal reproduction, rather the existence of several mechanisms which participate to a greater or lesser extent in each of the species that have been studied to date.

Simple template-based optimization for pediatric total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) radiotherapy treatments

Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) is used in the management of pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT. This work aims to simplify the treatment planning process for TLI via a proposed template using the volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique. Fifteen pediatric patients were planned, prescribed to 8 Gy in 4 fractions. Cost functions included in the template were the ones for the planning target volume (PTV), and conformality cost function (CCF) for the rest of the patient's volume. Conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), conformation number (CN), gradient index (GI), integral dose, and doses to the organs at risk achieved with the template were reported. Cost function influence over various indexes was studied by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Same 15 patients were planned with 3-dimensional conventional radiotherapy (3D-CRT) technique for comparison. Mean CI and HI were 1.33 and 0.13, respectively, which indicates good dose conformation and homogeneity. Mean CN and GI values were 0.69 and 4.51, respectively. Mean PTV coverage was reached (V_100% > 95%). No correlation between the CCF and indexes values was found (p > 0.05). Doses to organs at risk (OARs) were as low as possible without losing PTV coverage. VMAT plan showed higher levels of conformation and similar homogeneity as 3D-CRT plans. Doses to OARs were inferior with VMAT except for the right kidney. The proposed template simplifies the planning of TLI treatments, and it is able to create acceptable plans with little modification in order to reduce doses to certain organs like the kidneys or the heart. VMAT technique showed higher conformation and lower doses to OAR compared to 3D-CRT.

Proliferation, apoptosis, and number of Sertoli cells in the Syrian hamster during recrudescence after exposure to short photoperiod†‡

The Sertoli cell (Sc) has been described as a quiescent cell once the animal has reached sexual maturity. Syrian hamster is an animal that displays testicular regression due to short photoperiod, during which process germ cells and Sc are removed through apoptosis. The aim of this work was to investigate histochemically whether the spontaneous testicular recrudescence processes after exposure to a short photoperiod lead to an increase in Sc proliferative activity in order to restore the normal population. Three spontaneous recrudescence groups were established: initial (IR), advanced (AR), and total (TR) recrudescence, which were compared with animal undergoing the regression process (mild: MRg, strong: SRg, and total: TRg) and animals in long photoperiod (Controls). Histological sections were submitted to histochemical techniques for detecting apoptotic and proliferative Sc with bright-field and fluorescence microscopy. For each group, the proliferative Sc index (PScI) and apoptotic Sc index (AScI), and the total number of Sc were obtained. The results revealed the existence of Vimentin+/TUNEL+ as well as Vimentin+/PCNA+ cells. The PScI was significantly higher in TRg and IR than in the other groups. The AScI was only significantly higher in MRg and SRg with respect to the other groups. The total number of Sc increased among TRg, IR, and AR, reaching values similar to those of the Controls. In conclusion, the increase in Sc proliferation from final regression and recrudescence, accompanied by a similar rate of apoptosis to the Control group, is the cause of the restoration of the Sc population during spontaneous recrudescence.

Differences in the response in the dermis of the tails of young and old SD rats to treatment with bipolar RF

BACKGROUND

The passing of the years is marked by intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic aging, caused by photoaging, which is characterized by a decrease in collagen and the deposition of abnormal elastic fibers in the dermis. The use of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) increases fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, accompanied by collagen synthesis and a subsequent increase in connective tissue, and it is not known whether the biological effects of this type of radiofrequency on the dermis are similar regardless of the age of the individual or whether such effects are altered by the aging process itself.

AIMS

The objective was to perform a histological study of the changes in the tail dermis of young and old rats after submitting them to bipolar RF, to determine cell proliferation and volume of connective tissue.

METHODS

One part of the rat tail was fixed in formol and processed for light microscopy and another part processed for electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The number of fibroblasts/unit area and cells positive to nuclear proliferation antigen was higher in young animals. Significant differences were observed regarding expression of HSP-47 protein, and the value was always lower in old rats. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of connective tissue. No histological alterations were observed in any rats.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with RF increased the number of fibroblasts located in the connective tissue of the young rats. In addition, the effect of a single treatment on the population of fibroblasts in young animals was sufficient to activate the synthesis of new collagen.

Hyperbaric oxygen and radiation therapy: a review

About 5% of cancer patients treated with radiotherapy will have severe late-onset toxicity. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used as a treatment for radiation injuries for decades, with many publications presenting data from small series or individual cases. Moreover, we know that the hypoxic areas of tumours are more resistant to radiation. HBOT increases the oxygen tension in tissues and, theoretically, it should enhance the efficiency of radiotherapy. To better understand how HBOT works, we carried out this bibliographic review. We found Grade B and C evidence that at pressures exceeding 2 absolute atmospheres (ata), HBOT reduced late-onset radiation injuries to the head and neck, bone, prostate and bladder. It also appeared to prevent osteoradionecrosis after exodontia in irradiated areas. Finally, HBOT at 2 ata increased the effectiveness of radiation in head and neck tumours and achieved promising results in the local control of high-grade gliomas.

TLI in pediatric patients

PURPOSE

Hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HSCT) is a procedure used in different hematological diseases as part of the curative treatment, so the investigators propose a system of conditioning of reduced intensity based on total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) as an alternative to the classic total body irradiation (TBI) followed by haploidentical transplantation in patients compatible with a single HLA haplotype, as an alternative to patients who do not have an HLA compatible donor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of 25 patients with hematological disease underwent haploidentical HSCT from February 2015 to May 2018, conditioned with TLI from day - 10 (2-4 days of treatment) followed by thiotepa (5 mg/kg/12 h) and melphalan (70 mg/m²/day) prior to HSCT and prophylaxis with ciclosporin (1.5 mg/kg/12 h). 2 Gy/fraction was administered to complete 8 Gy with IMRT and VMAT technique.

RESULTS

12% rejection of the transplant was obtained with acute GVHD < II (48%) and chronic GVHD 12%. No acute toxicity was recorded in irradiated patients and 56% survival of patients at the end of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Conditioning the haploidentical transplant with TLI, IMRT, and VMAT techniques compared with TBI and RT3D-C techniques is a feasible technique that helps inducing the necessary immunosuppression in patients with a high risk of graft rejection, minimal adverse effects, low incidence of GVHD, and high survival rate.

Exploration of environmental contaminants in honeybees using GC-TOF-MS and GC-Orbitrap-MS

This study reports an analytical approach by gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) intended to be used for investigation of non-targeted environmental contaminants in honeybees. The approach involves a generic extraction and analysis with two GC-HRMS systems: time-of-flight and Orbitrap analyzers, GC-TOF-MS, and GC-Orbitrap-MS operated in electron-impact ionization (EI) mode. The workflow for screening of non-targeted contaminants consisted of initial peak detection by deconvolution and matching the first-stage mass spectra EI-MS with a nominal mass spectral library. To gain further confidence in the structural characterization of the contaminants under investigation, molecular formula of representative ions (molecular and fragment ions) was provided for those with an accurate mass scoring (error < 5 ppm). This methology was applied for screening environmental contaminants in 75 samples of adult honeybee. This approach has provided the tentative identification of environmental contaminants belonging to different chemical groups, among them, PAHs, phthalates and synthetic musks. Residues of veterinary treatments used in apiculture were also detected in the honeybee samples.

Lectin-binding pattern of glycoconjugates during spontaneous testicular recrudescence in Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) after exposure to short photoperiod

Lectin histochemistry was used to characterise glycoconjugates and cellular apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium and interstitium of hamster testis during spontaneous recrudescence. An increase in the LTA lectin affinity was observed in spermatids in the Golgi phase. An increase in labelling of PNA and Con-A lectin in acrosome of spermatids (acrosome phase) as well as increased labelling with Con-A in spermatids (cap phase) was observed. Spermatocytes showed decreased affinity with PNA and AAA lectins and an increase in positivity for LTA and GNA lectins. Spermatogonia showed a slight decrease in positivity to WGA and an increase in labelling with Con-A and a decreased affinity for the AAA lectin. At the end of recrudescence, all these germinal cells showed a similar pattern to the control. The Sertoli cells showed a gradual decrease in labelling with the GNA lectin and the Leydig cells an increase in labelling with Con-A and GNA. Particularly unusual was the observation of apoptotic spermatocytes and spermatids positive for PNA, GNA, AAA and Con-A, together with spermatocytes positive to LTA. In conclusion, the normal lectin pattern is recovered during testis recrudescence and germ cell apoptotic activity is low, as is observed by specific lectins for germ cells in apoptosis.

Diode Laser Photocoagulation in Retinopathy of Prematurity

We used diode laser photocoagulation to treat 22 eyes of 12 patients with retinopathy of prematurity. Three infants were followed for at least six months and nine for at least one year. We treated 14 eyes with threshold disease and 8 eyes with prethreshold disease. The treatment was administered within 72 hours of diagnosis and topical anesthesia and sedation were used. No evidence of lesions of the anterior segment of preretinal or vitreous hemorrhages was found after the treatment. External inflammatory signs were neglibible. Systemic complications occurred only in three treatment sessions. Eight of the 14 eyes with threshold disease (57%) and all eight eyes with prethreshold disease had favorable outcomes. In total 73% with ROP had favorable outcomes. Treatment with the diode laser is easily performed, effective essentially in cases of prethreshold disease but in threshold disease too, with minimal ocular or systemic complications.

Abstract P3-12-10: First 6-month report of the longitudinal PHACS study (Pharmacology and Hormonotherapy (HT) for Adjuvant breast Cancer (BC) Study, NCT01127295)

Background: BC is a hormone-dependent disease for 75% of pts. HT is used in both adjuvant and metastatic settings for hormone–receptor (HR) positive tumors. In adjuvant situation, a 5-year HT period at least is recommended. Side-effects (SE) frequently alter quality of life and compliance, reducing the well-known benefits in risks of relapses and specific deaths. Underlying mechanisms are well understood for estrogen deprivation-induced events such as hot flashes, but little is known on arthralgia under aromatase inhibitors (AI). So, pharmacogenomics (PG), pharmacokinetics (PK), potential medications interactions are of value to explain individual drugs exposures, possible related side-effects and compliance to treatment.

Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal study registering early clinical outcomes and SE during the first 3 years of adjuvant HT with tamoxifen (T) or AI. All tumors expressed at least one HR (&gt;10%). The choice of HT molecule and one-drug or sequential treatment were left to the investigator. Pts were followed every 6 months with clinical examination by the referent oncologist and PK sampling each time. Biologic research consisted in PG investigations of different genes involved in the PK and pharmacodynamics of T and AI (95 SNPs) at baseline. SE, concurrent medications and compliance were registered by both the pts on a diary card and the physician. Evaluation was done only on new occurrence or increased grade of symptoms.

Results: This first report focuses on characteristics of the population and the results after the 6 first months of treatment. Between June 2010 and October 2014, 23 centers recruited 2000 pts. 23 were excluded leaving 1977 fully evaluable women; 879 (44%) started with T, 1098 (55%) with AI (554 letrozole (L), 390 anastrozole (A), 154 exemestane (E)). 56% of them had previously received chemotherapy, 96% radiotherapy and 8% trastuzumab.

Main characteristics were well balanced between the 2 classes of drugs; T was given mainly for pre- or perimenopausal pts. Most frequent co-morbidities were hypertension (8% T, 31% AI) and dyslipidemia or diabetes (T 11%, AI 26%). To note, almost 30% of pts described arthralgias at entrance and 37% had hot flashes.

At 6 months, 122 pts (6%; 43 T, 79 AI) had stopped treatment mainly for toxicity (11 T; 12 AI), progression or death (7 T; 4 IA), personal reasons (15 T; 37AI); 4 asked for changing T and 52 AI (equally for the 3 drugs). All these events were significantly more frequent for AI pts (p=0.042) and with E within the AI class (p&lt;0.001).

Main changes in onset or increased intensity of symptoms concerned hot flushes with all drugs (30%), asthenia (20%), insomnia (20%), weight gain (17%), arthralgias (15% for T, 30% for AI), thrombotic events (24 of which 11 with T). 3 grade3 SAE HT-related were reported.

Biological data are reported in 2 other abst. (M. White-Koning. abst.#850248, F. Thomas, abst.#851525).

Conclusions: These preliminary data on the first 6-months exposure to HT on adjuvant setting in the real-life confirm early rates of withdraws and toxicities. Longer follow-up and subsequent PK analysis should help to understand persistent side-effects and reasons for non-compliance to adjuvant HT.

Citation Format: Roché H, Venat-Bouvet L, Debled M, Jacot W, Suc E, Dalenc F, Molnar-Stanciu D, Dohollou N, Franck D, Ferrer C, Laharie-Mineur H, Lavau-Denes S, Massabeau C, Mauries V, Robert J, Pinguet F, Marquet P, Evrard A, Chatelut E, Filleron T. First 6-month report of the longitudinal PHACS study (Pharmacology and Hormonotherapy (HT) for Adjuvant breast Cancer (BC) Study, NCT01127295) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-10.

Identification of Proliferative and Apoptotic Sertoli Cells Using Fluorescence and Confocal Microscopy

Sertoli cells, the testicular somatic cells of the seminiferous epithelium, are vital for the survival of the epithelium. They undergo proliferation and apoptosis during fetal, neonatal, and prepubertal development. Apoptosis is increased in certain situations such as exposure to many substances, for example, toxics, or short photoperiod in the non-breeding season of some mammals. Therefore, it has always been considered that Sertoli cells that reach adulthood are quiescent cells, that is to say, nonproliferative, do not die, are terminally differentiated, and whose numbers remain constant. Recently, a degree of both proliferation and apoptosis has been observed in normal adult conditions, suggesting that consideration of this cell as quiescent may be subject to change. All this make it necessary to use histochemical techniques to demonstrate whether Sertoli cells are undergoing proliferation or apoptosis in histological sections and to allow the qualitative and quantitative study of these. In this chapter, we present two double-staining techniques that can be used for identifying Sertoli cells in proliferation or apoptosis by fluorescence microscopy. In both, the Sertoli cells are identified by an immunohistochemistry for vimentin followed by an immunohistochemistry for PCNA or a TUNEL histochemistry.

Loss of hamster Leydig cells during regression after exposure to a short photoperiod

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes that occur in hamster Leydig cells during regression. Animals were divided into control, mild regression (MR), strong regression (SR) and total regression (TR) groups. Leydig cells were characterised by light and electron microscopy. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies were used to detect apoptosis and proliferation respectively. Three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) could be differentiated. Type A cells were small in size compared with Leydig cells from animals exposed to a long photoperiod, which was a result of a decreased cytoplasm and nucleus. Type B cells were even smaller than Type A cells in regression groups. Type C exhibited cytoplasm vacuolisation. The percentage of Type C cells from the control group was much lower than in the MR, SR and TR groups. (P < 0.05). In the SR and TR groups, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of Type B cells compared with the control and MR groups (P < 0.05). The total number of Leydig cells decreased during testicular regression (P < 0.05). The total number of Type A and B cells was significantly lower in the MR, SR and TR groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the proliferation and apoptosis index in the groups studied. The findings of the present study indicate that there are three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) in all hamsters studied and that regression causes an increase in the number of Type C cells, so that the reduction in the number Leydig cells during the phases of regression studied must be the result of necrosis and/or necroptosis.

Infrastructure and equipment for radiation oncology in the Spanish National Health System: analysis of external beam radiotherapy 2015-2020

PURPOSE

Planning for radiation oncology requires reliable estimates of both demand for radiotherapy and availability of technological resources. This study compares radiotherapy resources in the 17 regions of the decentralised Spanish National Health System (SNHS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Sociedad Española de Oncología Radioterápica (SEOR) performed a cross-sectional survey of all Spanish radiation oncology services (ROS) in 2015. We collected data on SNHS radiotherapy units, recording the year of installation, specific features of linear accelerators (LINACs) and other treatment units, and radiotherapeutic techniques implemented by region. Any machine over 10 years old or lacking a multileaf collimator or portal imaging system was considered obsolete. We performed a k-means clustering analysis using the Hartigan-Wong method to test associations between the gross domestic regional product (GDRP), the number of LINACs per million population and the percentage of LINACs over 10 years old.

RESULTS

The SNHS controls 72 (61%) of the 118 Spanish ROS and has 180 LINACs, or 72.5% of the total public and private resources. The mean rate of LINACs per million population is 3.9 for public ROS, and 42% (n = 75) of the public accelerators were obsolete in 2015: 61 due to age and 14 due to technological capability. There was considerable regional variation in terms of the number and technological capacity of radiotherapy units; correlation between GRDP and resource availability was moderate.

CONCLUSION

Despite improvements, new investments are still needed to replace obsolete units and increase access to modern radiotherapy. Regular analysis of ROS in each Spanish region is the only strategy for monitoring progress in radiotherapy capacity.

The Use of Lectin Histochemistry for Detecting Apoptotic Cells in the Seminiferous Epithelium

Lectin histochemistry is commonly used to characterize the pattern of glycoconjugates in cells and tissues. Recent studies show that alterations in these glycoconjugates are associated with the entry of cells into apoptosis. A widely used technique for the detection of apoptotic cell death is TUNEL. In this chapter, we study the sensitivity of both techniques to identify apoptotic cells in the testis of photo-inhibited Syrian hamster.

Cellular changes in the hamster testicular interstitium with ageing and after exposure to short photoperiod

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cellular changes that occur in the hamster testicular interstitium in two very different physiological situations involving testicular involution: ageing and exposure to a short photoperiod. The animals were divided into an ‘age group’ with three subgroups – young, adult and old animals – and a ‘regressed group’ with animals subjected to a short photoperiod. The testicular interstitium was characterised by light and electron microscopy. Interstitial cells were studied histochemically with regard to their proliferation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end labelling (TUNEL+) and testosterone synthetic activity. We identified two types of Leydig cell: Type A cells showed a normal morphology, while Type B cells appeared necrotic. With ageing, pericyte proliferation decreased but there was no variation in the index of TUNEL-positive Leydig cells. In the regressed group, pericyte proliferation was greater and TUNEL-positive cells were not observed in the interstitium. The testicular interstitium suffered few ultrastructural changes during ageing and necrotic Leydig cells were observed. In contrast, an ultrastructural involution of Leydig cells with no necrosis was observed in the regressed group. In conclusion, the testicular interstitium of Mesocricetus auratus showed different cellular changes in the two groups (age and regressed), probably due to the irreversible nature of ageing and the reversible character of changes induced by short photoperiod.

Changes in Testicular Interstitial Connective Tissue of Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) During Ageing and After Exposure to Short Photoperiod

The testicular interstitium of Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was studied during ageing and in testicular regression after exposure to a short photoperiod, in relation to the interstitial cells and their connective tissue. This tissue was assessed histochemically using Masson's trichrome technique and the expression of Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP-47) and collagen IV (α5) was assessed in Leydig cells. Finally, an ultrastructural analysis of some cells of the testicular interstitium was made. Leydig cells were positive for HSP-47 and collagen IV (α5). Ageing did not change the parameters studied while the short photoperiod altered the synthetic activity of Leydig cells. The positivity index of these cells for HSP-47 was significantly higher in the regressed testis, but was lower for collagen IV (α5). During ageing no change were observed. Ultrastructural Leydig cells showed a discontinuous basal lamina that did not change during ageing. The basal lamina was not identified in Leydig cells regressed by exposure to a short photoperiod. In conclusion; the intertubular connective tissue suffers little change with age. By contrast, in the testis regressed after exposure to a short photoperiod the studied parameters related to the intertubular connective tissue were altered. These changes are probably related with the low synthetic activity of regressed Leydig cell.

Estimation of eye lens doses received by pediatric interventional cardiologists

Maximum Hp(0.07) dose to the eye lens received in a year by the pediatric interventional cardiologists has been estimated. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters were placed on the eyes of an anthropomorphic phantom, whose position in the room simulates the most common irradiation conditions. Maximum workload was considered with data collected from procedures performed in the Hospital. None of the maximum values obtained exceed the dose limit of 20 mSv recommended by ICRP.

Early experience with the Excluder® iliac branch endoprosthesis

AIM

Dilation of one or both common iliac arteries (CIAs) is a major concern in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). One option for CIA aneurysm repair is hypogastric embolization followed by endograft extension into the external iliac artery. However, hypogastric occlusion does not always go unpunished and it may lead to ischemic complications. Aim of the paper was to evaluate early results with the Gore® Excluder® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE) in the treatment of iliac aneurysms associated or not with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

METHODS

Between November 2013 and April 2014, in our Institution 7 Gore IBE were implanted in 5 patients. Technical success, 30-day mortality and complications were investigated.

RESULTS

Technical success and branch patency was 100%. There was no 30-day mortality. In 1 of the 2 bilateral cases an endovascular relining with bare stents was required due to a compression of iliac legs at level of aortic bifurcation.

CONCLUSION

Use of Gore IBE device in the treatment of aorto-iliac disease is feasible and safe. Late results are necessary to evaluate the performance of this endograft in the long term.