An osteologic study of human ethmoidal foramina with special reference to their classification and symmetry

The present investigation was designed to study the anatomy of the ethmoidal foramina in adult human dry skulls. In addition to investigate the number of ethmoidal foramina that can be found on the orbital wall, we also addressed their classification and symmetry. The analysis of 1089 orbits demonstrated that the average number of ethmoidal foramina/orbit was 2.07 (range 0 to 4). As for their classification, we devised the relative depth index (RDI) to differentiate the anterior from the posterior ethmoidal foramina. The index represents the ratio “distance of the foramen from the anterior lacrimal crest/length of the medial orbital wall”. The average index of the anterior and posterior ethmoidal foramina were 0.53±0.04 and 0.84±0.06 respectively. As the mean of the two indexes was 0.685, we used the latter value as a sort of numerical watershed to define the domains of the anterior and of the posterior ethmoidal foramina on the orbital wall. Thus all ethmoidal foramina with an RDI ≤ 0.68 were considered anterior ethmoidal foramina and all ethmoidal foramina with an RDI ≥ 0.69 were considered posterior ethmoidal foramina. In this way it is possible to properly classify foramina on orbits with 1, 3 or 4 ethmoidal foramina. As for their symmetry, in contrast to what had been previously reported, we observed that in most cases ethmoidal foramina have a highly symmetric arrangement both in terms of number of foramina on fellow orbits and of position along the orbital wall

CX3CR1+ Cell–Mediated Salmonella Exclusion Protects the Intestinal Mucosa during the Initial Stage of Infection

During Salmonella Typhimurium infection, intestinal CX3CR1(+) cells can either extend transepithelial cellular processes to sample luminal bacteria or, very early after infection, migrate into the intestinal lumen to capture bacteria. However, until now, the biological relevance of the intraluminal migration of CX3CR1(+) cells remained to be determined. We addressed this by using a combination of mouse strains differing in their ability to carry out CX3CR1-mediated sampling and intraluminal migration. We observed that the number of S. Typhimurium traversing the epithelium did not differ between sampling-competent/migration-competent C57BL/6 and sampling-deficient/migration-competent BALB/c mice. In contrast, in sampling-deficient/migration-deficient CX3CR1(-/-) mice the numbers of S. Typhimurium penetrating the epithelium were significantly higher. However, in these mice the number of invading S. Typhimurium was significantly reduced after the adoptive transfer of CX3CR1(+) cells directly into the intestinal lumen, consistent with intraluminal CX3CR1(+) cells preventing S. Typhimurium from infecting the host. This interpretation was also supported by a higher bacterial fecal load in CX3CR1(+/gfp) compared with CX3CR1(gfp/gfp) mice following oral infection. Furthermore, by using real-time in vivo imaging we observed that CX3CR1(+) cells migrated into the lumen moving through paracellular channels within the epithelium. Also, we reported that the absence of CX3CR1-mediated sampling did not affect Ab responses to a noninvasive S. Typhimurium strain that specifically targeted the CX3CR1-mediated entry route. These data showed that the rapidly deployed CX3CR1(+) cell-based mechanism of immune exclusion is a defense mechanism against pathogens that complements the mucous and secretory IgA Ab-mediated system in the protection of intestinal mucosal surface

Role of CX3CR1+ cell in the protection of the intestinal mucosa

During infection intestinal CX3CR1+ cells can either extend transepithelial cellular processes to sample luminal bacteria or, very early after infection migrate into the intestinal lumen to capture bacteria. However, up to date, the biological relevance of the intraluminal migration of CX3CR1+ cells remained to be determined. We addressed this by using a combination of mouse strains differing in their ability to carry out CX3CR1-mediated sampling and intraluminal migration. We observed that, the number of S. Typhimurium traversing the epithelium did not differ between sampling-competent/migration-competent C57BL/6 and sampling-deficient/migration-competent Balb/c mice. By contrast, in sampling-deficient/migration-deficient CX3CR1-/- mice the numbers of S. Typhimurium penetrating the epithelium were significantly higher. However, in these mice the number of invading S. Typhimurium was significantly reduced after the adoptive transfer of CX3CR1+ cells directly into the intestinal lumen, consistent with intraluminal CX3CR1+ cells preventing S. Typhimurium from infecting the host. This interpretation was also supported by a higher bacterial faecal load in CX3CR1+/gfp compared to CX3CR1gfp/gfp mice following oral infection. Furthermore, by using real time in vivo imaging we observed that CX3CR1+ cells migrated into the lumen moving through paracellular channels within the epithelium. Also, we reported that the absence of CX3CR1-mediated sampling did not affect antibody responses to a non-invasive S. Typhimurium strain that specifically targeted the CX3CR1-mediated entry route. These data showed that the rapidly deployed CX3CR1+ cell-based mechanism of immune-exclusion is a defence mechanism against pathogens that complements the mucous and secretory (s)IgA antibody-mediated system in the protection of intestinal mucosal surface

Age-associated modifications of intestinal permeability and innate immunity in human small intestine

The physical and immunological properties of the human intestinal epithelial barrier in aging are largely unknown. Ileal biopsies from young (7–12 years), adult (20–40 years) and aging (67–77 years) individuals not showing symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies were used to assess levels of inflammatory cytokines, barrier integrity and cytokine production in response to microbial challenges. Increased expression of interleukin (IL)-6, but not interferon (IFN)γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β was observed during aging; further analysis showed that cluster of differentiation (CD)11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the major sources of IL-6 in the aging gut and expressed higher levels of CD40. Up-regulated production of IL-6 was accompanied by increased expression of claudin-2 leading to reduced transepithelial electric resistance (TEER); TEER could be restored in in vitro and ex vivo cultures by neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody. In contrast, expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and junctional-adhesion molecule-A1 did not vary with age and overall permeability to macromolecules was not affected. Finally, cytokine production in response to different microbial stimuli was assessed in a polarized in vitro organ culture (IVOC). IL-8 production in response to flagellin declined progressively with age although the expression and distribution of toll-like receptor (TLR)-5 on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) remained unchanged. Also, flagellin-induced production of IL-6 was less pronounced in aging individuals. In contrast, TNF-α production in response to probiotics (VSL#3) did not decline with age; however, in our experimental model probiotics did not down-regulate the production of IL-6 and expression of claudin-2. These data suggested that aging affects properties of the intestinal barrier likely to impact on age-associated disturbances, both locally and systemically

Studio morfologico e sperimentale del transito linfocitario nell'epitelio associato ai follicoli delle placche del Peyer

Dottorato di ricerca in scienze morfologiche-linfatologia. 6. ciclo. A.a. 1990-94. Coordinatore L. CompariniConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7, Rome; Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale - P.za Cavalleggeri, 1, Florence / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Histotopographic and ultrastructural study on the lymphatic network of the pancreas in the guinea pig

The localization of absorbing lymph vessels was studied in the normal guinea pig pancreas by light microscopy (serial semithin sections) and transmission electron microscopy (ultrathin sections). Absorbing lymph vessels were observed both in the interlobular and intralobular areas where they can be localized close to the adenomeres. Lymph vessels were also seen in the interlobular areas located next to the islets of Langerhans and to groups of endocrine cells (n = 8-10) not showing a vascular organization comparable with islets of Langerhans. All lymph vessels in the pancreas are absorbing lymph vessels, characterized by a very thin endothelial wall, anchoring filaments and the absence of a definitive basal membrane. Adjacent endothelial cells form end-to-end, overlapping and interdigitating intercellular junctions. Valves were present both in the interlobular and intralobular lymph vessels

An update on the variations of the orbital blood supply and hemodynamic

Purpose: Several variations of the arterial blood supply of the orbit have been reported over the years. This review is aimed to provide an update focusing on three important issues: i) variations of the ophthalmic artery origin; ii) contribution of the external carotid artery to the orbital blood supply; iii) orbital hemodynamic. Methods: A pubmed and google search was carried out with the following keywords: ophthalmic artery origin, ophthalmic artery anastomoses and ophthalmic artery anatomy. Results: The site of origin of the ophthalmic artery displays a limited number of variations. However they are important as they are also associated with course variations. Anastomoses between the ophthalmic artery and the external carotid artery are numerous and many of them can acquire clinical relevance. Records on their anatomic frequency are limited. Orbital hemodynamic variations are a poorly studied subject. Recent investigations in children have unveiled unexpected variability and instability in the way the blood flows through the orbit. Conclusions: The orbit shows several possible arterial variations. Some of them have a profound influence on its hemodynamic at least in children. More studies are required to ascertain if the hemodynamic variability observed in children can be pinpointed also in adults

A preliminary report on the characterization of epiretinal membranes excised from patients affected by macular pucker

Among the various pathologies of the vitreoretinal interface, idiopathic macular pucker (MP) is one of the most puzzling. MPs are characterized by the formation of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) that grows in front of the fovea and results in a major impairment of vision. MPs are also frequently complicated by the deformation of the regular macular anatomy, with stretching and deformation of all retinal layers and loss of the foveal pit. This result is usually referred to the presence of myofibroblast-like cells on the retinal surface that alter macular anatomy possibly exerting a significant traction on ERMs. In order to shed light on the physiopathological events that lead to the development of idiopathic MPs, we carried out an immunofluorescence study by confocal microscopy on ERMs excised from 32 eyes with diagnosis of MP using a panel of antibodies including anti-collagen I, anti-collagen IV, anti-collagen VI, anti-smooth muscle actin (SMA), anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and anti-vimentin antibodies. Some samples were also challenged with anti-heat shock protein (HSP) 47, anti-HSP 90 and anti-receptor II of the transforming growth factor (TGFβRII) antibodies. ERMs broadly varied in thickness. Mostly, they were formed by a layer of collagen 1 adjacent the internal limiting membrane, collagen IV and a layer of vimentin+ cells. Cells also co-expressed SMA or GFAP. Collagen VI, in contrast, was almost always scanty, frequently within the intracytoplasmic vesicles. Some membranes showed a very high content of collagen IV, so abundant to resemble the distribution of interstitial collagens. Cells were almost always restricted to the vitreal side of the membrane; only rarely they could be seen embedded between layers of extracellular matrix. They were frequently HSP90+ and sometimes they contained collagen-immunoreactive materials in their cytoplasm. They also showed TGFβRII within intracytoplasmic vesicles. All in all, ERMs have many features resembling those characterizing fibrotic processes