Septal Pores in Endomycopsis platypodis and Endomycopsis monospora

In ultra thin sections of hyphae of the yeast species Endomycopsis platypodis and E. monospora septal pores were observed with the electron microscope. The pores are enclosed by a swelling of the cross-wall. Electron-dense bodies plug the pores; these bodies are surrounded by a membrane which is connected with the endoplasmic reticulum and which also connects the plugs at both sides of the cross-wall via the pore

A Study of Vegetative Reproduction in Endomycopsis platypodis by Electron Microscopy

The hyphal cross-walls in Endomycopsis platypodis had dolipores and, depending on the conditions of growth, dolipores were sometimes present in the walls between budding cells also. The formation of walls, both in hyphae and between budding cells, was initiated by an electron-light primary wall. This was later thickened at both sides with electron-dense material, and the dolipore exhibited an extra swelling around the pore channel. Buds separated from their parents at the primary wall, which remained attached to the mother cell

A Comparative Study of the Cell Wall Structure of Basidiomycetous and Related Yeasts

The wall of basidiomycetous and related yeasts showed a lamellar structure in sections of both budding cells and hyphae fixed with potassium permanganate. The yeasts also had a typical way of bud formation and septation. These features differ from those recorded for ascomycetous yeasts. In the hyphae of some species septal pores were observed which were either dolipores or simple pores

Failure of microvenous valves in small superficial veins is a key to the skin changes of venous insufficiency

ObjectiveTo determine the role of microvenous valves in the superficial venous system in the prevention of reflux and skin changes in the progression of venous insufficency.MethodsThe venous anatomy of 15 amputated lower limbs, eight free from clinical venous disease and seven with varicose veins and ulcers, was examined using retrograde venography corrosion casting. Prior to amputation, all limbs were scanned by duplex ultrasound to confirm the presence or absence of reflux in the great (GSV) and small saphenous veins or their tributaries. The resulting resin casts were photographed and mapped to show the position, orientation, and competency of valves in the superficial venous network. Casts were also examined by scanning electron microscopy.ResultsRetrograde venous filling was demonstrated in the “normal” limbs despite a competent GSV. Microvalves were identified down to the sixth generation of tributaries from the GSV. Only in regions where incompetence existed in microvalves out to the third (ie, the “boundary”) generation was the resin able to penetrate deeper into microvenous networks of the dermis. This was despite the presence of subsequent competent valves, which were able to be bypassed in the network. In limbs with varicose veins and venous ulcers, reflux into the small venous networks and capillary loops was more extensive with more dense networks and greater tortuousity.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that valvular incompetence can occur independently in small superficial veins in the absence of reflux within the GSV and the major tributaries. We have shown that once there is incompetence of the third generation “boundary” microvalves, reflux can extend into the microvenous networks in the skin. These effects are markedly worse in the presence of GSV incompetence. We propose that degenerative changes with valve incompetence are required in both the larger proximal vessels and the small superficial veins, in particular at the “boundary” valve level, for the severe skin changes in venous insufficiency to occur.Clinical RelevanceThis study describes the presence of microvalves in the very small veins in the skin, which may be critical to whether skin changes occur in venous insufficiency. The concept may explain why some people with longstanding varicose veins do not develop venous ulcers. In addition, this article describes degenerative changes in the network of very small veins in the skin of the leg which may relate to appearances of reticular veins, corona phlebectatica, and venous flares. These degenerative changes occur without varicose veins but are much worse when they occur together

Plasma heat shock protein 27 is associated with coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease

Low protein levels of Hsp27 have been reported in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, human studies have indicated that circulating Hsp27 levels are lower in coronary artery disease patients compared with controls. It remains, however, unclear whether this applies to other forms of atherosclerotic disease. Plasma Hsp27 from 280 subjects was examined by ELISA. The cohort included 80 coronary artery disease (CAD), 40 peripheral artery disease (PAD) and 80 abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients. Eighty elderly subjects, without any clinical history of vascular diseases, were used as a control group. Receiver operating curve (ROC) and logistic regression model analysis were performed to evaluate the potential value of Hsp27 as a circulating biomarker. Patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases had significantly lower levels of Hsp27 than control subjects (p < 0.001). Moreover, Hsp27 was significantly lower in CAD patients than other atherosclerotic vascular disease groups (p < 0.001). There was no difference in Hsp27 levels between the AAA and PAD groups. Using the ROC-generated optimal cut-off values for Hsp27, logistic regression modeling indicated that low plasma Hsp27 was independently associated with the presence of multiple forms of atherosclerotic disease. In conclusion, circulating Hsp27 is significantly lower in patients with multiple forms of atherosclerotic arterial disease