Spotlight on the three main hepatic fibrogenic cells in HCV-infected patients: Multiple immunofluorescence and ultrastructure study.

The present work deals with the simultaneous ultrastructure and triple immunofluorescence study of the three main hepatic fibrogenic cells, hepatic stellate cell, myofibroblast (MF), and fibroblast, in a group of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA positive patients, as their exact interrelation behavior in vivo with the progress of hepatic fibrosis is still inadequate. In this study, for the first time, cells having the morphological characteristic of MF and not bone marrow fibrocytes were revealed in liver portal vessels. This necessitates the reevaluation of the available knowledge concerning bone marrow fibrocyte.

EFFECT OF LINEZOLID ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER ANTIBIOTICS, ON METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS.

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccoccus aureus (MRSA) strains has presented a new challenge in antimicrobial medication. Linezolid is a new drug with potent activity on Gram-positive pathogens such as MRSA. The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro activity of linezolid alone and in combination with imipenem, vancomycin or rifampicin to determine the most active therapy against MRSA strains.

CD133(+) human umbilical cord blood stem cells enhance angiogenesis in experimental chronic hepatic fibrosis.

The in vivo angiogenic potential of transplanted human umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD133(+) stem cells in experimental chronic hepatic fibrosis induced by murine schistosomiasis was studied. Enriched cord blood-derived CD133(+) cells were cultured in primary medium for 3 weeks. Twenty-two weeks post-Schistosomiasis infection in mice, after reaching the chronic hepatic fibrotic stage, transplantation of stem cells was performed and mice were sacrificed 3 weeks later.

Homing of transplanted bone marrow cells in livers of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice.

The efficiency of differentiation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) into hepatocytes in vivo and its importance in physiopathological processes is still debated. Murine schistosomiasis was used as a liver injury model and unfractionated male mice BMCs were transplanted through intrahepatic injection into non-irradiated Schistosoma mansoni-infected female mice on their 16th week post-infection. Two weeks after bone marrow transplantation, mice were sacrificed on a weekly basis until 10 weeks.

Hepatic stellate cells and fibrogenesis in hepatitis C virus infection: an ultrastructural insight.

An ultrastructural quantitative assessment of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was made in relation to hepatic fibrosis, apoptotic cellular changes, intracellular fat deposition, circulating inflammatory cells in the sinusoids, and the necroinflammatory activity in liver specimens of 33 patients proven to be positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA by polymerase chain reaction with the intention that electron microscopy may throw more light on the role of HSCs in the complicated process of fibrogenesis. A detailed review concerning these parameters and observed evidence suggesting the potential properties of HSCs to recycle cellular debris into collagen fibers are reported.

Value of the innovated technique agarose cell block in improving the sensitivity of urine cytology in cases of bladder carcinoma.

Proper handling and processing of urine sample can greatly improve diagnostic sensitivity. This work investigates the value of agarose cell block technique in processing urine samples simultaneously for light and electron microscopic examination, with the prospect to enhance the quality of diagnosis. The material of this study consisted of 45 voided urine samples, processed for the performance of Papanicolaou-stained urine smears, agarose cell blocks paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin, and electron microscopy-contrasted ultrathin sections.