Susceptibility weighted imaging: differentiating between calcification and hemosiderin

Objective:To present a detailed explanation on the processing of magnetic susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), demonstrating the effects of echo time and sensitive mask on the differentiation between calcification and hemosiderin.Materials and Methods:Computed tomography and magnetic resonance (magnitude and phase) images of six patients (age range 41– 54 years; four men) were retrospectively selected. The SWI images processing was performed using the Matlab’s own routine.Results:Four out of the six patients showed calcifications at computed tomography images and their SWI images demonstrated hyperintense signal at the calcification regions. The other patients did not show any calcifications at computed tomography, and SWI revealed the presence of hemosiderin deposits with hypointense signal.Conclusion:The selection of echo time and of the mask may change all the information on SWI images, and compromise the diagnostic reliability. Amongst the possible masks, the authors highlight that the sigmoid mask allows for contrasting calcifications and hemosiderin on a single SWI image.

Chorion biopsy in mongrel dogs

With the great development of the gestational studies in all of the species, we noticed the necessity of adaptations of these techniques for prenatal diagnosis in dogs. Based on this, we studied the feasibility of chorion biopsy guided by ultrasound. Our results demonstrated accuracy on the sex determination being 2 males and 12 females, as well as it would be possible to identify chromosome alteration due to the quality of samplings. Sex determination was accomplished with the identification of Y gene chromosomes in PCR technique. After the collection, fragments were prepared for light microscopy studies and revealed fetal chorion tissue, blood colloid and erythrocyte. In the whole material we found hemosiderin impregnations due to the hemolysis and to the residue of blood of the placental marginal hematomes. The submitted female dogs to this technique demonstrated normal puppy births without death.

Renal Cell Carcinoma: T1 and T2 Signal Intensity Characteristics of Papillary and Clear Cell Types Correlated with Pathology

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to describe the T1 and T2 signal intensity characteristics of papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and clear cell RCC with pathologic correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Of 539 RCCs, 49 tumors (21 papillary RCCs and 28 clear cell RCCs) in 45 patients were examined with MRI. Two radiologists retrospectively and independently assessed each tumor`s T1 and T2 signal intensity qualitatively and quantitatively (i.e., the signal intensity [SI] ratio [tumor SI/renal cortex SI]). Of the 49 tumors, 37 (76%) were assessed for pathology features including tumor architecture and the presence of hemosiderin, ferritin, necrosis, and fibrosis. MRI findings and pathology features were correlated. Statistical methods included summary statistics and Wilcoxon`s rank sum test for signal intensity, contingency tables for assessing reader agreement, concordance rate between the two readers with 95% CIs, and Fisher`s exact test for independence, all stratified by RCC type. RESULTS. Papillary RCCs and clear cell RCCs had a similar appearance and signal intensity ratio on T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images, most papillary RCCs were hypointense (reader 1, 13/21; reader 2, 14/21), with an average mean signal intensity ratio for both readers of 0.67 +/- 0.2, and none was hyperintense, whereas most clear cell RCCs were hyperintense (reader 1, 21/28; reader 2, 17/28), with an average mean signal intensity ratio for both readers of 1.41 +/- 0.4 (p < 0.05). A tumor T2 signal intensity ratio of <= 0.66 had a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 54% for papillary RCC. Most T2 hypointense tumors exhibited predominant papillary architecture; most T2 hyperintense tumors had a predominant nested architecture (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION. On T2-weighted images, most papillary RCCs are hypointense and clear cell RCCs, hyperintense. The T2 hypointense appearance of papillary RCCs correlated with a predominant papillary architecture at pathology.

Effects of Chronic Exposure to Crack Cocaine on the Respiratory Tract of Mice

Smoked cocaine (crack cocaine) causes several forms of injury to the respiratory tract, including asthma exacerbations, lung edema and hemorrhage, and nasal mucosal alterations. Few studies, however, have assessed respiratory tract pathology in habitual users of crack cocaine. Here, we describe the histological alterations in the respiratory tract of mice caused by chronic inhalation of crack cocaine. Twenty 2-month-old BALB/c mice were exposed to the smoke of 5 g crack cocaine in an inhalation chamber once a day for two months and compared to controls (n = 10). We then morphometrically analyzed nose and bronchiolar epithelial alterations, bronchiolar and alveolar macrophage cell density, alveolar hemosiderin content, and in addition determined the vasoconstriction index and the wall thickness of pulmonary arteries. The serum cocaine level was 212.5 ng/mL after a single inhalation. The mucus content of the nasal epithelium increased in crack-exposed animals, and the nasal and bronchial epithelium thickness decreased significantly. The alveolar hemosiderin content and the alveolar and bronchiolar macrophage cell density increased in animals exposed to crack. The vasoconstriction index increased in the pulmonary arteries of the exposed group. Chronic crack cocaine inhalation causes extensive histological changes along the entire respiratory tract.

Hepatic Hemosiderosis in Red-Spectacled Amazons (Amazona pretrei) and Correlation with Nutritional Aspects

Alimentary habits of free-living Psittaciformes vary significantly among different species. Amazona pretrei is under risk of extinction and has very specific free-living dietary habits, which are based on Parana pine seeds. Hemosiderosis is a pathologic process characterized by intracellular accumulation of iron without other evident lesions. It is associated with increased prevalence of infections, neoplasms, and hepatopathies. The purpose of this study was to quantify hepatic hemosiderin deposits in captive A. pretrei and verify their association with nutritional parameters. Liver samples were processed for histopathology and stained with Prussian blue. The sections were analyzed by computerized morphometry to quantify the hepatic hemosiderin deposits. The hepatic hemosiderosis rates showed positive correlation with age and time in captivity. These results suggest that the menus and commercial rations for Psittacidae must be carefully revised.

Liver iron overloading in captive muriquis (Brachyteles spp.)

Background Iron accumulation was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in the liver of 15 captive Brachyteles spp. Methods Hepatic hemosiderosis index (HHI) was determined as the area percentage of the liver parenchyma occupied by hemosiderin and ferritin deposits, through computerized histomorphometric analysis of Prussian blue-stained histologic sections. Results All studied animals presented liver hemosiderosis, and HHI ranged from 0.2% to 41.7%. There were no significant differences in HHI between muriqui species or genders, and no correlations were detected among HHI and age, time in captivity or body mass. Iron deposits were accompanied by other hepatic disorders. Conclusions This is the first study addressing the occurrence and consequences of iron overloading in the liver of muriquis. We propose that hemosiderosis may act as a contribute factor for the development of hepatic injuries. Further studies are advised to clarify the role of diet in the pathogenesis of hemosiderosis in these atelids.

Contribution to the histology of Biomphalaria glabrata

A combination of histological techniques applied to the study of Biomphalaria glabrata yielded some interesting new data about the histology of this snail, a major intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil. Three kinds of pigments were identified: a dark pigment which bleached following oxidation with potassium permanganate; a lipofuchsin-like, diastase-resistant PAS-positive pigment and an iron-containing pigment, probably related to hemosiderin. Calcium was detected in small deposits within the connective tissue and forming a dense core inside the chitinous radular teeth. The presence of fibrils, staining with sirius-red and birefringence under polarized light strongly suggest primitive collagen tissue. The radular apparatus appeared as a storing site for glycogen, while abundant Alcian-blue positive material (proteoglycans) was extremely concentrated in the radular sac.

Dual-Energy CT: Basic Principles, Technical Approaches, and Applications in Musculoskeletal Imaging (Part 1).

In recent years, technological advances have allowed manufacturers to implement dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) on clinical scanners. With its unique ability to differentiate basis materials by their atomic number, DECT has opened new perspectives in imaging. DECT has been used successfully in musculoskeletal imaging with applications ranging from detection, characterization, and quantification of crystal and iron deposits; to simulation of noncalcium (improving the visualization of bone marrow lesions) or noniodine images. Furthermore, the data acquired with DECT can be postprocessed to generate monoenergetic images of varying kiloelectron volts, providing new methods for image contrast optimization as well as metal artifact reduction. The first part of this article reviews the basic principles and technical aspects of DECT including radiation dose considerations. The second part focuses on applications of DECT to musculoskeletal imaging including gout and other crystal-induced arthropathies, virtual noncalcium images for the study of bone marrow lesions, the study of collagenous structures, applications in computed tomography arthrography, as well as the detection of hemosiderin and metal particles.

Dual-Energy CT: Basic Principles, Technical Approaches, and Applications in Musculoskeletal Imaging (Part 2).

In recent years, technological advances have allowed manufacturers to implement dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) on clinical scanners. With its unique ability to differentiate basis materials by their atomic number, DECT has opened new perspectives in imaging. DECT has been successfully used in musculoskeletal imaging with applications ranging from detection, characterization, and quantification of crystal and iron deposits, to simulation of noncalcium (improving the visualization of bone marrow lesions) or noniodine images. Furthermore, the data acquired with DECT can be postprocessed to generate monoenergetic images of varying kiloelectron volts, providing new methods for image contrast optimization as well as metal artifact reduction. The first part of this article reviews the basic principles and technical aspects of DECT including radiation dose considerations. The second part focuses on applications of DECT to musculoskeletal imaging including gout and other crystal-induced arthropathies, virtual noncalcium images for the study of bone marrow lesions, the study of collagenous structures, applications in computed tomography arthrography, as well as the detection of hemosiderin and metal particles.

Chorion biopsy in mongrel dogs

With the great development of the gestational studies in all of the species, we noticed the necessity of adaptations of these techniques for prenatal diagnosis in dogs. Based on this, we studied the feasibility of chorion biopsy guided by ultrasound. Our results demonstrated accuracy on the sex determination being 2 males and 12 females, as well as it would be possible to identify chromosome alteration due to the quality of samplings. Sex determination was accomplished with the identification of Y gene chromosomes in PCR technique. After the collection, fragments were prepared for light microscopy studies and revealed fetal chorion tissue, blood colloid and erythrocyte. In the whole material we found hemosiderin impregnations due to the hemolysis and to the residue of blood of the placental marginal hematomes. The submitted female dogs to this technique demonstrated normal puppy births without death.

Avaliação bioquímica e hostológica de fígado de ratas wistar diabéticas e tratadas com tamoxifeno

Tamoxifen (TX), a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, may cause hepatic changes in some patients. The consequences of its use on the liver tissues of rats with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) have not been fully explored. The purpose of this multidisciplinary study was to evaluate the correlation between plasma hepatic enzyme levels and the presence of iron overload in the hepatic tissue of female Wistar rats with or without streptozotocin-induced DM and using TX. Female rats were studied in control groups: C-0 (non-drug users), C-V (sorbitol vehicle only) and C-TX (using TX). DM (diabetic non-drug users) and DM-TX (diabetics using TX) were the test groups. Sixty days after induced DM, blood samples were collected for glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin measures. Hepatic fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson s trichrome, Perls. The hepatic iron content was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. AST, ALT and ALP levels were significantly elevated in the DM and DM-TX groups, with unchanged bilirubin levels. Liver iron overload using Perls stain and atomic absorption spectrometry were observed exclusively in groups C-TX and DM-TX. There was positive correlation between AST, ALT and ALP levels and microscopic hepatic siderosis intensity in group DM-TX. In conclusion, TX administration is associated with liver siderosis in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In addition, TX induced liver iron overload with unaltered hepatic function in 2 non-diabetic rats and may be a useful tool for investigating the biological control of iron metabolism

Correlação entre os Aspectos Laparoscópicos e os Achados Histológicos das Lesões Endometrióticas Peritoneais

Objetivos: avaliar a correlação entre os aspectos laparoscópicos e os achados histológicos estromais incluindo, a profundidade da lesão endometriótica peritoneal, e na relação com a teoria evolutiva da endometriose. Métodos: foram selecionadas para o estudo 67 pacientes submetidas à laparoscopia por algia pélvica, infertilidade, tumor anexial e outras indicações. A avaliação laparoscópica baseou-se no aspecto visual do implante suspeito de endometriose peritoneal, o qual foi biopsiado. de acordo com o aspecto laparoscópico, as lesões foram agrupadas em: grupo V - lesões vermelhas, grupo N - lesões negras e grupo B - lesões brancas. Os parâmetros histológicos estudados foram: profundidade da lesão, presença de hemossiderina no estroma, vascularização estromal e presença de fibrose no estroma. Resultados: a profundidade da lesão mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos de estudo. As lesões vermelhas mostraram-se superficiais em 100% dos casos. As lesões negras apresentaram-se superficiais em 55,6%, intermediárias em 38,9% e profundas em 5,5%. As lesões brancas mostraram-se superficiais em 28%, intermediárias em 68% e profundas em 4%. A presença de hemossiderina no estroma se mostrou equivalente nos 3 grupos. A presença de vasos no estroma da lesão endometriótica, que foi classificada de I a III de acordo com a quantidade, demonstrou diferenças significantes entre os 3 grupos, sendo que a vascularização exuberante (grau III) esteve presente em 60% das lesões vermelhas e em 10% das lesões brancas. A presença de tecido fibrótico na lesão endometriótica apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos 3 grupos de estudo, sendo mais freqüente no grupo B (lesões brancas), com 70,6%. Conclusão: as variáveis analisadas nos diferentes grupos de estudo demostraram diferença significantes entre os grupos, reforçando a teoria evolutiva da endometriose peritoneal.

Diuron exposure induces systemic and organ-specific toxicity following acute and sub-chronic exposure in male Wistar rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Liver Anatomy, Histochemistry, and Ultrastructure of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura: Leiuperidae) During the Breeding Season

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Responses of melanocytes and melanomacrophages of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura: Leiuperidae) to Nle4, D-Phe7-α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and lipopolysaccharides

Melanocytes are found in various organs of ectothermic animals, playing a protective role against bacteria and free radicals. It is known that pigment cells from hematopoietic organs have immune functions. However, the role of visceral melanocytes is not well understood. Cutaneous melanocytes are responsive to α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), which is associated with the dispersion of melanin granules within melanocytes. α-MSH has also been reported to inhibit most forms of inflammatory responses by decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil migration. The present study evaluated the influence of an α-MSH analog (Nle4, D-Phe7-α-MSH) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Escherichia coli on the liver and testicular tissues of the anuran Eupemphix nattereri. The tested hypotheses were: (i) the pigmented area will increase following hormone and LPS administration, (ii) pre-treatment with α-MSH will decrease the number of mast cells, and (iii) the hormone will have protective effects against LPS-induced responses. We found that hormone administration did not change hepatic pigmentation, but increased testicular pigmentation. Testicular pigmentation quickly increased after LPS administration, whereas there was a late response in the liver. The response of enhanced pigmentation was delayed and the number of mast cells decreased in animals previously treated with the α-MSH analog when compared to the LPS group. Hemosiderin and lipofuscin were found in melanomacrophages, but not in testicular melanocytes. Although both the liver and the testes of E. nattereri have pigmented cells, these are distinct in morphology, embryonic origin, and pigmentary substances. These differences may be responsible for the different responses of these cells to the α-MSH analog and LPS administration. © 2013 Elsevier GmbH.