Polyvinylchloride (PVC) particles implantation in mouse liver. A technique for experimental study of schistosome eggs-induced liver pathology.

An injection of suspended PVC particles in the caecal vein of mice induces a foreign-body portal granuloma reaction in the liver. Plastic casts of the portal system, after PVC particles implantation, show modifications in the portal bed and are compared with plastic casts obtained in mice infested by Schistosoma mansoni. This technique can be useful to study the cellular dynamics of the portal granuloma and can be a model for schistosomal eggs induced liver pathology.

[Definition of the organell concept].

Since the essential cytological functions are endergonic processes, the organelle cannot be defind without considering the necessary energy transfer. Therefore, a sensible definition may read: The Organelle is a cytoplasmatic structure capable of funtional energy consumption (Frey-Wyssling 1977).

[The scientific work of W. J. Schmidt (author's transl)].

Ten examples from W. J. Schmidt's workshop illustrate the method of ultrastructural research before the advent of the electron microscope.