Brain Lesions in Aging Zoo-Housed Naked Mole-Rats (Heterocephalus glaber)

2020 ◽  
pp. 030098582096998
Author(s):  
Jerrold M. Ward ◽  
Andrew N. Cartoceti ◽  
Martha A. Delaney

Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are common in the managed care of zoos and valuable models for aging research. Limited information on NMR neuropathology is available despite many studies regarding their aging physiology. Histologic sections of brain from 27 adult (5–27 years old) NMRs from 2 zoos were reviewed to determine presence or absence of lesions associated with advanced age in humans and other mammals. A majority (23/27; 85%) of NMR brains had cerebral cortical neuronal changes with rounded or angular neurons, cytoplasmic vacuoles containing pale yellow pigment, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive granules and green autofluorescence, compatible with lipofuscinosis. Less severe lesions were present in cerebellar Purkinje cells, medulla, and hippocampal neurons. The hypothalamic neuropil of all NMRs had scattered variably sized PAS-positive granules and 10 (37%) had larger round bodies consistent with corpora amylacea. The youngest NMRs, 5 to 7 years old, generally had minimal or no cerebrocortical lesions. Further studies will help understand brain aging in this long-lived species.

Open Medicine ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 749-761
Author(s):  
Mirjana Bakić ◽  
Ivan Jovanović ◽  
Slađana Ugrenović ◽  
Ljiljana Vasović ◽  
Miljan Krstić ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this research was to quantify the number of corpora amylacea and lipofuscin-bearing neurons in the parahippocampal region of the brain. Right parahippocampal gyrus specimens of 30 cadavers were used as material for histological and morphometric analyses. A combined Alcian Blue and Periodic Acid-Schiff technique was used for identification and quantification of corpora amylacea and lipofuscin-bearing neurons. Immunohistochemistry was performed using S100 polyclonal, neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein monoclonal antibodies for differentiation of corpora amylacea and other spherical inclusions of the aging brain. Cluster analysis of obtained data showed the presence of three age groups (median age: I = 41.5, II = 68, III = 71.5). The second group was characterized by a significantly higher numerical density of subcortical corpora amylacea and number of lipofuscin-bearing neurons than other two groups. Values of the latter cited parameters in the third group were insignificantly higher than the first younger group. Linear regression showed that number of parahippocampal lipofuscin-bearing neurons significantly predicts numerical density of subcortical corpora amylacea. The above results suggest that more numerous parahippocampal region corpora amylacea and lipofuscin-bearing neurons in some older cases might represent signs of its’ neurons quantitatively-altered metabolism.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030098582110305
Author(s):  
Mizuho Uneyama ◽  
James K. Chambers ◽  
Ko Nakashima ◽  
Kazuyuki Uchida

Although pyloric and duodenal adenomas occasionally occur in cats, limited information is currently available on their phenotypes and molecular features. The present study investigated the pathological features of these tumors and the mechanisms underlying their tumorigenesis. Biopsy samples from 8 cats diagnosed with pyloric or duodenal adenomas were examined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Normal pyloric and duodenal tissues of cats were assessed for comparison. All cases showed a papillary growth of cuboidal to columnar cells with eosinophilic, ground-glass cytoplasm. Mucin in tumor cells was positive for periodic acid–Schiff and paradoxical concanavalin-A staining, but was negative for Alcian blue. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (CK) 19 in 8/8 cases and for CK20 in 5/8 cases, and weakly positive for CD10 in 4/8 cases, CK7 in 3/8 cases, and β-catenin in 2/8 cases. Nuclear accumulation of p53 was not detected in any case. DNA sequencing analysis identified no KRAS or GNAS mutations in the 4/8 cases and 5/8 cases for which the KRAS and GNAS genes could be amplified. The histological and immunohistochemical features of tumor cells were similar to those of mucous neck cells and the pyloric gland of normal feline tissue. The morphology of feline pyloric and duodenal adenomas was consistent with that of pyloric gland adenoma in humans; however, its molecular pathogenesis may differ given the lack of KRAS and GNAS mutations in the feline tumors.


1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 536-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. V. Simson ◽  
S. S. Spicer

In a variety of tissues (lymph node and glandular stroma), mast cells have been found in close and often intimate association with macrophages containing numerous ferritin-like particles in their cytoplasm and within cytoplasmic vacuoles (siderosomes). Phagocytic vacuoles in a given macrophage differed markedly. Some contained abundant Prussian blue-reactive material and others contained periodic acid-Schiff reactive substance at the light microscope level, and ultrastructurally some were filled with ferritin particles and others were not. Ferritin-like particles have also been observed occasionally in the mast cells associated with macrophages and even within the matrix of some of the granules in these mast cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinhua Zhan ◽  
Marisa Hakoupian ◽  
Lee-Way Jin ◽  
Frank R. Sharp

Corpora amylacea (CA) increase in number and size with aging. Their origins and functions remain unknown. Previously, we found that Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains have more CA in the periventricular white matter (PVWM) compared to aging controls. In addition, CA is associated with neurodegeneration as indicated by colocalization of degraded myelin basic protein (dMBP) with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), a CA marker. We also found that bacterial lipopolysaccharide is present in aging brains, with more LPS in AD compared with controls. Periodic acid-Schiff staining is used to identify CA by virtue of their high polysaccharide content. Despite the growing knowledge of CA as a contributor to AD pathology, the molecules that contribute to the polysaccharides in CA are not known. Notably, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are important cell-surface polysaccharides found in all Gram-negative bacteria. However, it is unknown whether PAS could detect LPS, whether the LPS found in aging brains contribute to the polysaccharide found in CA, and whether LPS associate with myelin injury. In this study, we found that aging brains had a myelin deficit zone (MDZ) adjacent to the ventricles in PVWM. The MDZ contained vesicles, most of which were CA. LPS and dMBP levels were higher in AD than in control brains. LPS was colocalized with dMBP in the vesicles/CA, linking white matter injury with a bacterial pro-inflammatory molecule. The vesicles also contained oxidized fibers, C-reactive protein, NG2, and GALC, markers of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocyte cells (OLs), respectively. The vesicles/CA were surrounded by dense astrocyte processes in control and AD brains. LPS was co-localized with CA by double staining of PAS with LPS in aging brains. The relationship of LPS with PAS staining was confirmed by PAS staining of purified LPS on nitrocellulose membranes. These findings reveal that LPS is one of the polysaccharides found in CA which can be stained with PAS. In addition, vesicles/CA are associated with oxidized and damaged myelin. The LPS in these vesicles/CA may have contributed to this oxidative myelin damage and may have contributed to oxidative stress to OPCs and OLs which could impair the ability to repair damaged myelin in AD and control brains.


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 511-514
Author(s):  
JS Yoon ◽  
J. Park

Herein we describe a case of granular cell type trichoblastoma in a dog. A nine-year-old, intact male Scottish terrier presented with a solitary, exophytic and non-ulcerated nodule on the shoulder. Histopathologically, the nodule showed a ribbon-like structure, which was composed of branching cords of epithelial cells surrounded by fibrous stroma. In addition, islands of large clear cells were also noted. The clear cells showed eccentric nuclei and abundant cytoplasmic vacuoles, which were strongly positive for periodic acid-Schiff staining. Cytoplasmic immunostaining for cytokeratin (CK) 14 and nuclear immunostaining for p63 were observed in the neoplastic cells. In contrast, CK18 staining was scant. Furthermore, the hair bulge stem cell marker CK15 showed strong cytoplasmic staining. Based on these histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumour was diagnosed as a granular cell type trichoblastoma, which is rarely reported in dogs.  


Author(s):  
J. R. Ruby

Parotid glands were obtained from five adult (four male and one female) armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) which were perfusion-fixed. The glands were located in a position similar to that of most mammals. They extended interiorly to the anterior portion of the submandibular gland.In the light microscope, it was noted that the acini were relatively small and stained strongly positive with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue techniques, confirming the earlier results of Shackleford (1). Based on these qualities and other structural criteria, these cells have been classified as seromucous (2). The duct system was well developed. There were numerous intercalated ducts and intralobular striated ducts. The striated duct cells contained large amounts of PAS-positive substance.Thin sections revealed that the acinar cells were pyramidal in shape and contained a basally placed, slightly flattened nucleus (Fig. 1). The rough endoplasmic reticulum was also at the base of the cell.


1983 ◽  
Vol 49 (03) ◽  
pp. 182-186
Author(s):  
G T E Zonneveld ◽  
E F van Leeuwen ◽  
A Sturk ◽  
J W ten Cate

SummaryQuantitative glycoprotein (GP) analysis of whole platelets or platelet membranes was performed by SDS-polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and periodic acid Schiff staining in the families of two unrelated Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) patients. Each family consisted of two symptom free parents, a symptom free daughter and a GT daughter. All symptom free members had a normal bleeding time, clot retraction and platelet aggregation response to adenosine 5’-diphosphate (ADP), collagen and adrenalin. Platelet Zw* antigen was normally expressed in these subjects. GT patiens, classified as a type I and II subject, showed reduced amounts of GP lib and of GP nia. Analysis of isolated membranes in the non-reduced state, however, showed that the amount of GP Ilia was also reduced in three of the four parents, whereas one parent (of the GT type I patient) and the two unaffected daughters had normal amounts of GP Ilia. Quantitative SDS-PAGE may therefore provide a method for the detection of asymptomatic carriers in GT type I and II.


2020 ◽  
Vol 138 ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Řehulka ◽  
A Kubátová ◽  
V Hubka

In this study, spontaneous swim bladder mycosis was documented in a farmed fingerling rainbow trout from a raceway culture system. At necropsy, the gross lesions included a thickened swim bladder wall, and the posterior portion of the swim bladder was enlarged due to massive hyperplasia of muscle. A microscopic wet mount examination of the swim bladder contents revealed abundant septate hyphae, and histopathological examination showed periodic acid-Schiff-positive mycelia in the lumen and wall of the swim bladder. Histopathological examination of the thickened posterior swim bladder revealed muscle hyperplasia with expansion by inflammatory cells. The causative agent was identified as Phoma herbarum through morphological analysis and DNA sequencing. The disease was reproduced in rainbow trout fingerlings using intraperitoneal injection of a spore suspension. Necropsy in dead and moribund fish revealed extensive congestion and haemorrhages in the serosa of visceral organs and in liver and abdominal serosanguinous fluid. Histopathological examination showed severe hepatic congestion, sinusoidal dilatation, Kupffer cell reactivity, leukostasis and degenerative changes. Fungi were disseminated to the liver, pyloric caeca, kidney, spleen and heart. Although infections caused by Phoma spp. have been repeatedly reported in fish, species identification has been hampered by extensive taxonomic changes. The results of this study confirmed the pathogenicity of P. herbarum in salmonids by using a reliably identified strain during experimental fish infection and provides new knowledge regarding the course of infection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-187
Author(s):  
George P. Christophi ◽  
Yeshika Sharma ◽  
Quader Farhan ◽  
Umang Jain ◽  
Ted Walker ◽  
...  

Background: Non-Langerhans histiocytosis is a group of inflammatory lymphoproliferative disorders originating from non-clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells into cytokine-secreting dendritic cells or macrophages. Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) is a rare type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by tissue inflammation and injury caused by macrophage infiltration and histologic findings of foamy histiocytes. Often ECD involves the skeleton, retroperitoneum and the orbits. This is the first report documenting ECD manifesting as segmental colitis and causing cytokine-release syndrome.Case presentation: A 68-year old woman presented with persistent fever without infectious etiology and hematochezia. Endoscopy showed segmental colitis and pathology revealed infiltration of large foamy histiocytes CD3-/CD20-/CD68+/CD163+/S100- consistent with ECD. The patient was empirically treated with steroids but continued to have fever and developed progressive distributive shock.Conclusion: This case report describes the differential diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated inflammatory and rheumatologic segmental colitis. Non-Langerhans histiocytosis and ECD are rare causes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Prompt diagnosis is imperative for the appropriate treatment to prevent hemodynamic compromise due to distributive shock or gastrointestinal bleeding. Importantly, gastrointestinal ECD might exhibit poor response to steroid treatment and other potential treatments including chemotherapy, and biologic treatments targeting IL-1 and TNF-alpha signaling should be considered.Abbreviations: AFB: acid-fast bacilli; ECD: Erdheim-Chester Disease; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; PASD: periodic acid-Schiff with diastase; TB: tuberculosis


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (2) ◽  
pp. H691-H698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Y. Tan ◽  
Shengmei Zhou ◽  
Byung Chun Jung ◽  
Masahiro Ogawa ◽  
Lan S. Chen ◽  
...  

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether thoracic veins may act as ectopic pacemakers and whether nodelike cells and rich sympathetic innervation are present at the ectopic sites. We used a 1,792-electrode mapping system with 1-mm resolution to map ectopic atrial arrhythmias in eight normal dogs during in vivo right and left stellate ganglia (SG) stimulation before and after sinus node crushing. SG stimulation triggered significant elevations of transcardiac norepinephrine levels, sinus tachycardia in all dogs, and atrial tachycardia in two of eight dogs. Sinus node crushing resulted in a slow junctional rhythm (51 ± 6 beats/min). Subsequent SG stimulation induced 20 episodes of ectopic beats in seven dogs and seven episodes of pulmonary vein tachycardia in three dogs (cycle length 273 ± 35 ms, duration 16 ± 4 s). The ectopic beats arose from the pulmonary vein ( n = 11), right atrium ( n = 5), left atrium ( n = 2), and the vein of Marshall ( n = 2). There was no difference in arrhythmogenic effects of left vs. right SG stimulation (13/29 vs. 16/29 episodes, P = nonsignificant). There was a greater density of periodic acid Schiff-positive cells ( P < 0.05) and sympathetic nerves ( P < 0.05) at the ectopic sites compared with other nonectopic atrial sites. We conclude that, in the absence of a sinus node, thoracic veins may function as subsidiary pacemakers under heightened sympathetic tone, becoming the dominant sites of initiation of focal atrial arrhythmias that arise from sites with abundant sympathetic nerves and periodic acid Schiff-positive cells.


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