Differential distribution of some extracellular matrix fibers in an experimentally denervated rat megaileum.

Absence of enteric neurons is associated with thickening of the intestinal muscularis externa in Chagas' disease. The thickening is due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells and increased extracellular matrix components. The influence of the nervous system on the structure of the smooth muscle cells and its associated matrix has been poorly investigated.

Morphological characteristics of the interpubic joint (Symphysis pubica) of rats, guinea pigs and mice in different physiological situations. A comparative study.

The pubic joint of male and female rats, guinea pigs and mice was studied using the Picrosirius polarization method which selectively discloses the fibers of the collagenous system. Besides that, considerations were made regarding joint classification. In adult rats (both males and females, including intrapartum specimens), our results confirm those of earlier studies showing that the interpubic joint contains a central core of hyaline cartilage surrounded by fibrocartilaginous areas.

Acute remodeling of parenchyma in pulmonary and extrapulmonary ARDS. An autopsy study of collagen-elastic system fibers.

This study aimed at evaluating acute pulmonary remodeling, focusing on alterations of fibers of the collagenous and elastic systems in ARDS in the exudative phase according to the etiology of the disease. ARDS patients (n = 23), who died in our institution between 1989 and 1997, were retrospectively studied. Ten patients who died in accidents, without any pathological changes in the lung, and ten patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), submitted to mechanical ventilation, were used as control groups.