The morphology of the rat ovarian network during reproduction and aging.

We studied the morphology of the ovarian network in outbred albino rats of different age. Morphogenetic restructuring of the network during aging were detected. The role of the network in the glandular cystic transformation of the ovaries in aging was discussed.

[Characteristics of surfactant formation after administration of exogenous particles into the lung].

Increased secretion of type 2 alveolocytes as well as participation of type 1 alveolocytes and macrophages in surfactant secretion were established in the course of intratracheal administration of indigestible mineral particles--natural zeolites to white male rats. Data on surfactant secretion should be taken into account in studying pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis.

[Morphology of pneumoconiosis induced by natural zeolite].

Pneumoconiosis was induced in white rats through intratracheal administration of natural zeolite. It was characterized by intensive phagocytosis of the specks of dust, moderate cytotoxic action on the macrophages, as well as inflammatory processes in the vascular system and alveolar epithelium. Zeolite induced fibrosis did not develop to the extent as in case with quartz induced massive collagen formation.

[Characteristics of the morphofunctional status of lung macrophages in the phagocytosis of particles of varying cytotoxic action].

The cytotoxic effect of quartz and coal on phagocytizing lung macrophages was studied by transmissive and scanning electron microscopy and histochemically (the detection of acid phosphatase). The level of phagocytic activity, the activity and localization of acid phosphatase, the number and state of organelles, and the type of macrophage surface processes were shown to represent the objective criteria of the morphofunctional state of macrophages and the cytotoxic effect of the particles phagocytized.

[Morphology of experimental pneumoconiosis developing after exposure to lunar soil].

Intratracheal administration to rats of a thin fraction of lunar material delivered by the Luna-16 automatic station from the Sea of Abundance gives rise to pneumoconiosis. The disease is characterized by the formation of granulation tissue consisting of lymphoid cells, macrophages, fibroblasts and cell cooperations (rosettes), by thickening of the basal layer of the aerohematic barrier, by the development of the immune process, blockade of the terminal parts of the lymphatic network, and by the development of the fibrous process. As regards the intensity of fibrous tissue formation, the lunar material might be attributed to the group of weak-fibrogenous dust as compared, for instance, with quartz.

Scanning electron-microscopic and light-optic investigations of erythrocytes in toxic anaemia.

Detailed assessment of the peculiarities of erythrocyte morphology by applying scanning electron microscopy and light-optics methods gives valuable information on the age characteristics, functional failures of the erythrocyte, pathogenesis of anaemia, and also diagnosis. In toxic anaemia caused by the chronic effect of lead and chlorobenzene there is accumulation of aging erythrocytes in blood that are spherical with rough and folded surfaces, fragmented with protuberances, processes, crypt-like hollows, and holes. In lead intoxication there is increased destruction of erythrocytes; anaemia caused by chlorobenzene is mainly due to a decreased entry of the young forms of the erythrocyte into the blood.

[Electron microscopic study of the tissue reaction of lungs exposed to quartz dust of varying dispersity].

The tissue reaction of the lungs exposed to quartz dust of varying dispersity was studied by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. It is suggested that specific clinical manifestations of dust pathology are related to dispersity of silica. The largest quartz-containing dust particles give rise chiefly to the development of dust bronchitis.

[Morphologic features of erythrocytes in normal subjects and in anemia caused by lead poisoning (electron microscopic study)].

The methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study erythrocytes from normal subjects and those suffering from anemia of lead poisoning genesis. Erythrocytes from normal subjects were shown to have predominantly convex-concave and biconcave shapes. An insignificant portion of ageing erythrocytes of spherical shape and decreased volume had granular surface and consolidated hemoglobin.

[Cytopharmacologic effect of using polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide in experimental silicosis].

Methods of scanning, transmission electron microscopy and cytochemistry were applied to the study of the development of experimental silicosis against the background of polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide administration. The majority of the macrophages retained their functional activity and realized quartz phagocytosis, eliminating it through the airway. Bringing the proteins on the cell surface in the fibroblasts was delayed, and formation of collagen fibers decreased.

[Fibroblast differentiation during collagen formation].

The successive differentiation in the series lymphocyte--(lymphocyte-type cell--precursor)--weakly differentiated cell (polyblast)--profibroblast--fibroblast was shown by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In the focus of aseptic inflammation and in the zones of pneumosclerosis (silicosis), the ultrastructural and cytochemical cell rearrangement took place which was accompanied by the development of protein synthesizing organelles and the formation of folded surface. The collagen fibers run from the surface of the differentiated fibroblasts in the ground substance and preserve the direction of their growth with respect to the spatial position of cells.

[Cellular contacts and "cytoplasmic bridges" in the inflammation focus (scanning and transmission electron microscopic study)].

Contacts between cells in an inflammation focus were studied by the methods of scanning (raster) and transmission electron microscopy on a model of aseptic inflammation in the subcutaneous connective tissue in rats. It is shown that contacts among the cells of the connective tissue and the blood in the form of "cytoplasmatic bridges", observed in the scanning electron microscope, were not confirmed by the studies in the transmission microscope. The investigation of the "cytoplasmatic bridges" in the transmission electron microscope revealed a close adjacence of the cytolemma of the contacting cells, or a harrow space between them as wide as 10-30 micron.

[Characteristics of the terminal segments of the lymphatic system of microcirculation according to the data of scanning electron microscopy].

Lymphatic capillaries and postcapillaries in the system of the connective tissue were studied by the method of scanning (raster) electron microscopy. It was shown that these capillaries consisted of chains of ballon-shaped structures-sinuses. Lymphatic capillaries represent an open system which is communicated with the intercellular matter of the connective tissue by means of openings ensuring filtration of the tissue liquid.

[Study of aseptic inflammation using the scanning electron microscope].

A focus of inflammation in the subcutaneous connective tissue in white rats was investigated in a scanning electron microscope. Lymphocytes, polyblasts, macrophages, fibroblasts, collagenous fibres, gigantic multinuclear cells, vessels are described. Similiarity in the form and structure of the surface in agranulocytes of the blood, polyblasts and macrophages was established.

[Morphofunctional state of pulmonary macrophages and their biological protection during phagocytosis of toxic elements].

Studies of a morphofunctional state of macrophages of the lungs of rats in phagocytosis of quartz (size of particles 1-2 mum) and against the background of prophylactic administration of polyvinylridine-N-oxyde (PVNO) were carried out using the method of quantitative cytochemistry (interference microscopy and cytometry) and electron-microscopy techniques (raster and transmissive). It was established that administration of PVNO led to intensification of the phagocytic activity of macrophages, increase in the content of RNA and dry weight (total proteins) therein, enlargement of the sizes of cells. The electron-microscopy investigation showed a good preservation of organelles of macrophages.