Histology and histopathology
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- PublicationOpen AccessNon Hodgkin's lymphomas following chemoradiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. Two new cases and a review of the literature(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Marigil, Miguel A.; Pardo-Mindan, F.J.; Cuesta, B.; Rocha, E.; Idoate, M.A.; Gomez-Bezares, M.C.Two patients developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) six and ten years after radiotherapy and chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease nodular sclerosis type. The histological classification of the developing NHL for the two patients was: IgG (K) secreting lymphoplasmacytoid lyn~phomao f the stomach, and immunoblastic lymphoma of [he cervical lymph nodes. Both patients responded well lo conventional chen~otherapyf or NHL and are alive 22 and 5 months after the diagnosis of the secondary tumor. Forty eight cases of NHL after treatment for HD have been previously reported. We present a review of the literature , of these cases, adding to this literature the first reported case of gastric lyniphoplasmacytoid lymphoma under such circumstances.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe thoracic sympathetic neurons of the chick, normal development and the effects of nerve growth factor(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Smet, Peter; Rush, Robert A.; Straznicky, CharlesThe generation and degeneration of sympathetic neurons in the third thoracic ganglion (segment 19) of the chick were studied between embryonic days (E) 7-18 using 3H-Thymidine autoradiography and routine cell counts. Cumulative radiolabelling experiments indicated that few sympathetic neurons were generated on E6-7. 10% of the sympathetic neurons were generated on E8 and a further 20% on E9. The final 70% of neurons completed the mitotic cycle between E10-12. Cell counts demonstrated that the neuronal population increased from 10,166 + 423 (mean 2 SEM) to 22,291 ? 767 between E8-10 and remained stable up to E14. The population subsequently declined by 37%, to 14,157 + 831, by E18. Pyknotic neurons were found at all stages of development, but were most apparent between E7-15. The effects of Nerve Cirowth Factor (NGF) on the number of both surviving and pyknotic neurons in the ganglion were also examined. E9 embryos treated with NGF from E5-8 showed a 57% increase in the number of sympathetic neurons. This increase therefore occurred prior to the decline in neuronal number and was not accompanied by a decrease in the number of visibly pyknotic neurons. It is therefore possible that early NGF treatment increases the number of sympathetic neurons through a mechanism other than the attenuation of cell death.
- PublicationOpen AccessPostnatal development of dendritic reticulum cells and their immune complex trapping ability.(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Yukata Imai; Michi Dobashi; Kazuo TerashimaThe postnatal development of dendritic reticulum cells in the rat popliteal lymph nodes was electron microscopically investigated in relation to the appearance of immune complex trapping capacity. The popliteal lymph nodes of neonatal rat consisted of loosely arranged fibroblastic reticulum cells. In the following stage, the ueripheral cortex and paracortex became distinguishable. The former was made up of an accumulation of small lymphocytes, scattered within a framework of reticulum cells. On te 28 th day, the first primary follicle appeared in the peripheral cortex. Simultaneously the immune complex could be trapped on the cytoplasmic membrane of reticulum cells, which were located in the central portion of the primary follicles. The early image of germina1 centers appeared corresponding to immune complex trapping areas. In the well-developed secondary follicles, the immune complex trapping cells were mainly localized in the cap area. Their cytoplasmic membranes formed the dendritic processes, on which the distinct ability of trapping of the immune complex was recognized. It was dernonstrated that the fibroblastic reticulum cells, forming the stromaof lymph nodes, were transformed into the typicai dendritic reticulum cells with labyrinth structures in the cap area. Desmosomal junctions were often found, not only between the dendritic reticulum cells themselves, but aiso between the dendritic reticulum cells and lymphocytes. We suggest that the desmosomal junctions play a role as the channel for a transmission of immunological information.
- PublicationOpen AccessBlastic OKT6-positive proliferation preceding malignant histiocytosis(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Bonetti, F.; Chilosi, M.; Menestrina, F.; Lestani, M.; Scarpa, A.; Todeschini, G.; Pizzolo, G.; Fioredonati, LA 45-year old male presented latero-cervical lymphoadenopathy. Biopsy revealed a malignant proliferation of immature "lymphoid" cells bearing T6 antigen and HLA-DR but negative for other lymphoid markers, suggesting a phenotype similar to Langerhans cells. The patient did not receive any therapy and six months later developed a histologically typical malignant histiocytosis, involving spleen and liver. Other reported cases of lymphoid malignancies (two bearing the 7'6 antigen on blast cells) preceding malignant histiocytosis were found and compared with ours. Most of these cases were characterized by the pediatric age of the patients and were presented as acute leukemias exhibiting, in at least some of them, reliable T-cell markers. Our case appears to represent, on the other hand, a blastic proliferation of precursors of both histiocytes and Langerhans dendritic cells which eventually progressed to malignant histiocytosis. The relevance of this observation in the debate on the origin of Langerhans cells and the relationships existing between macrophages and dendritic cells is discussed.
- PublicationOpen AccessOxygen toxicity in the infant rhesus monkey lung. Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Ainsworthl, Dorothy M.; Keithl, lngegerd; Lobas, Jeffrey G.; Farrel, Philip M.; Eicker, W.Eight monkeys were anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride and positive pressure ventilated with >95% oxygen (tests) or room air (controls) for 24 hours. Two test monkeys and one control were treated with E. col; endotoxin (500 pg/kg) 1V at the start of the study and after 12 hours. Histopathological changes in the lung parenchyma were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Interstitial edema was detected as early as 24 hours after the onset of hyperoxia but there was no significant increase in the alveolar-capillary distance (blood-air barrier). Morphologic signs of oxygen toxicity further included swelling and disruption of vascular endothelium, and swelling of alveolar Type I1 pneumocytes. There was no difference in the number of macrophages per high power field between the four groups but significant differences were observed in the number of neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) per cmL and mast cells per high power field at the light microscopic level. Treatment with endotoxin did not protect against oxygen toxicity and was associated with an exacerbation of the morphological alterations in the lung parenchyma and swelling of alveolar Type 1 pneumocytes.
- PublicationOpen AccessClose association of centroacinar ductular and insular cells in the rat pancreas(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Leeson, Thomas S.; Leeson, RolandClose contacts between endocrine insular cells and exocrine acinar, centroacinar and ductular cells occur frequently in the rat pancreas as seen by both light and electron microscopy. lslets of Langerhans are surrounded incompletely by a thin connective tissue capsule or mantle but numerous exocrine-endocrine cell contacts occur at the periphery, which is irregular with considerable "intermingling" of the two cell types. Centroacinar and ductular cells are seen to be in contact with al1 endocrine cell types but most commonly insulin-secreting B-cells. The basal surface of centroacinar cells in the region of contact may be extensive, sometimes with overlap of basal processes of these cells and their lateral extension between acinar and insular cells. The areas of contact contain no connective tissue or basal lamina and show no surface specializations. The presence of both the "open" and "closed" type of enteroendocrine cells within acini is confirmed, some also being in contact with centroacinar cells. The functional significance of these exo-endocrine cell contacts is discussed in terms of the endocrine-acinar portal system, possible direct paracrine secretion, compartmentalization within the islet, and the known effects of islet hormones on exocrine secretion. Also relevant is the developmental origin of islets from ductal tissue and the cellular origin of some tumours, e.g., insulinomas, from duct cells.
- PublicationOpen AccessGrowth hormone and prolactin immunoreactivity in the pituitary gland of postnatal little (lit) mice(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Wilson, D.B.; Wyatt, D.P.Homozygous little (/it/lit) mutant mice exhibit a growth lag which is manifested at approximately two weeks postnatally. Functional aspects of the development of piruitary growth hormone (GH) cells and prolactin (PRL) cells were thus analyzed by means of colloidal gold immunocytochemistry at the ultrastructural level in lit/lit mice and their normal counterparts ranging in age from 5 days postnatally to adulthood. In the adult normal and lit/lit pituitaries, secretory granules in GH cells and PRL cells showed a positive immunoreaction to their respective antisera, as did granules in both cell-types at 5 days postnatally. By 14 days some GH cells in lit/lit pituitaries appeared to be less densely populated with granules than GH cells in normal pituitaries, but a positive immunoreaction continued to occur even in sparsely granulated GH cells. PRL cells showed ultrastructural features in lit/lit pituitaries which were similar to those in normal mice, and immunoreactivity was present at all stages examined. The results indicate that since differences in granule reactivity were not evident between lit/lit and normal GH cells, despite ultrastructural morphologic differences which were present by 14 days postnatally, manifestations of the defect in lit/lit may be primarily quantitative in terms of numbers of granules and/or numbers of GH cells. With respect to PRL cells, neither morphologic nor functional aberrations could be observed; thus, a deficit in PRL hormone production might be the result of a more subtle defect than that in GH cells.
- PublicationOpen AccessFunction of the follicular dendritic cell in the germinal center of lymphoid follicles(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Yutaka lmai; Mitsunori Yarnakawa; Akihiro Masuda; Takashi Sato; Takeshi, KasajimaThe authors made an immunocytochemical examination of the germinal centers (GCs) of (1) lymph follicles in physiological lymph nodes and (2) extra-nodal tissues of divergent diseases including thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, Warthin's tumor and Kimura's disease (Eosinophilic lymphfolliculoid granuloma). In these germinal centers, the presence of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), early acting complement components (Clq, C4, C3c,C3d), receptors for C3b and C3d and dendritic reticulum cell-l was demonstrated in lace-like network patterns which were proven electron-microscopically to coincide with the surface of follicular dendritic cells. IgE was distributed in a lace-like pattern in the GCs of proliferating follicles of Kimura's disease, in which the lysis of follicles was frequently observed. This lysis appeared to be related to the presence of complement components. In the germinal centers of extra-nodal tissues, including the thyroid tissues accompanying the lymph follicles, rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissues as well as Warthin's tumors, thyroglobulin, rheumatoid factor and salivary amylase were detected as specific antigens, occurring in lacelike patterns. It is possible that follicular dendritic cells may play a role in the genesis of GCs and be responsible for the immune response through C3 receptors.
- PublicationOpen AccessAn autoradiographic study of the uptake of tritiated proline by osteoblasts during hibernation(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Steinberg, B.; Singh, I.J.; Mitchell, O.G.Twenty-four LSH and LVG strain golden hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, were used. Experimental animals were maintained at 5 C and allowed to hibernate. Control animals were kept at 27 C. Six animals (3 experimental, 3 control) were injected subcutaneously with I pCi of 'H-proline/gm body wt. (Spec. act. 3 Ci/mM) after hibernation lasting 12 hours, I day, 3 days, or 7 days. Animals were killed I hour after injection and autoradiographs were prepared from 5 Frn thick ilecalcified sections of femurs. A greater number of endosteal cells were labeled than periosteal cells and also exhibited a greater magnitude of labeling throughout the study. Differences between endosteal and periosteal cells both in percentage of cells labeled and magnitude of labeling were maximum in control animals and progressively decreased with increasing periods of hibernation. A reduction in synthesis of matrix proteins during the early period of hibernation was seen and was attributed to a significant reduction both in average cell activity and in the number of active cells during hibernation. The latter phenomenon apparently made a large contribution to the reduced matrical synthesis. 'H-proline uptake by osteoblasts probably retlects the reduced requirements of matrical synthesis during hibernation.
- PublicationOpen AccessEffects of mellitic acid (MA) and sodium fluoride (NaF) on the histological appearance of murine fetal tibiae cultured in vitro(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Weischer, C.H.; Krisinger, J.; Karzel, K.The aim of this studv was to develop a standardized image analysis method for localization and quantitative measurement of calcified structures of murine fetal tibiae cultured in vitro as a completion and verification of previous biochemical studies. The calcified structures of bone stained by von Kossa silver technique and the epiphyseal cartilages showing intensive metachromasia with toluidine-blue staining were converted with grey-value window programs and afterwards the areas of the selected structures were measured. The histomorphological investigations showed that the murine tibiae, incubated for a period of 6 days in a medium with addition of 5 mmol mellitic acid, showed both a significant reduction of calcium deposits and an increase of epiphyseal intercellular cartilage matrix. The tibiae incubated in a medium with addition of 0.5 mmol sodium fluoride significantly showed an increase of calcium deposits in the thickened lammellae of the cornpacta. These histomorphological results confirm previous biochemical studies.
- PublicationOpen AccessA multihormonal tumor of the pancreas producing neurotensin associated with the WDHA syndrome. Histology, histochemistry and origin(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Bani-Sacchi, Tatiana; Bartolini, Giancarlo; Biliotti, GiancarloA pancreatic tumor associated with severe LVDHA syndrome has been studied histologically and immunohistochemically. Light microscopy revealed that the growth pattern of' the tunlor varied greatly from zone to zone but with prevailing solid arrangement of the tumoral cells. The majority of the endocrine cells showed numerous eosinophilic, PTAH-positive, and argyrophilic secretory granules, that were ultrastructurally similar to those of normal and tumoral neurotensin-containing cells. A minority of the endocrine cells had secretory granules ultrastructurally different from the aforementioned ones, but these were not diagnostic on purely morphological grounds. Inside the tumor, immunol~istochemistryd emonstrated a majority of neurotensin-immunoreactive cells, sparse and small clusters of VIP-immunoreactive cells and few, dispersed pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells. Some structural and ultrastructural aspects of the tumoral stroma have also been reported. Ducts and solid masses of duct-like cells were also found, and small clusters and singly dispersed duct-like cells were seen invading the endocrine tissue and undergoing mitoses. Such features suggest that the tumor originated from precursors located in the medium-sized and small pancreatic ducts. Because of the multihormonal nature of the tumor, the role of neurotensin and VIP in producing the patient's symptoms is discussed and a synergistic action of the two hormones is suggested in causing the particularly severe WDHA syndrome.
- PublicationOpen AccessFurther characterization of spontaneous arthritic changes in murine squamo-mandibular joint: histopathological aspects(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Livne, E.; Silbermann, M.The appearance of age-related ulcerative changes in the mouse mandibular condyle were evaluated by light and electron microscopy examinations. Fibrillations appeared along the articular surface and in deeper tissue regions, as early as at six months of age. Such changes were characterized by a marked loss of the tissue's cellularity and by a marked reduction in matrix metachromasia and safranin-0 staining. These microscopical changes were accompanied by a reduced reactivity for both ruthenium red and colloidal iron binding, as noted ultrastructurally. At the same time, increasing numbers of erythrocytes appeared to be adhered to the surface irregularities and were also found in deeper regions within the articular lesions. Using morphological criteria, it became apparent that the degenerative changes of aging articular cartilage started at the more superficial regions of the tissue and only thereafter proceeded toward the chondro-osseous junction. Also, with the advancement of age, the degenerative changes became more severe
- PublicationOpen AccessObservations on cell kinetics and viability of a human melanoma cell line exposed to dicarboxylic acids in tissue culture(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Breathnach, A. S.; Robins, E.J.; Bhasin, Y. P.; Ethridge, L. B.; Nazzaro-Porro, M.; Passi, S.; Picardo, M.Cultures of human nlelanonla cell line BOO08 \verc e-iposed to the disodium salts of arelaic acid (C,, 2Na), adipic acid (C,, 2Na) and dodecanediaic acid (C,, 2Na) at IO'M and 5 x 10-'M for 24 hrs. None of the diacid salts had a significant effect on growth rate or viability of the cells, at 10-'M for 24 hrs nor had C, 2Na any effect at 5 x 10'M. At 5 x 102M for 24 hrs, both C,, 2Na, and CIL2 Na had a significant effect in reducing both growth and viability. These effects were accompanied by morphological evidence of cell death, and swelling of mitochondria and accuni~~latioonf lipid droplets within cytoplasm of still biable cells.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe kinetic differences between sodium nitrite, amyl nitrite and nitroglycerin oxidation of hemoglobin(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Tarburton, John Philip; Metcalf, William K.The effect of sodium nitrite, amyl nitrite and nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate) on the hemoglobin of adult erythrocytes was examined in vitro. Both amyl nitrite and nitroglycerin reacted immediately with oxyhemoglobin to effect oxidation into methemoglobin while sodium nitrite required an inductionary period (lag phase) prior to the reaction. Kinetic studies of the biniolecular rate law for each of the preceeding reaction's reactionary periods (log phases) allowed rate constant calculations to be made. The values are 1.14 x 10JM niin I, 7.45 x IOJbl lmin I , and 3.50 x 10IM ' m i n 1 for sodium nitrite, amyl nitrite and nitroglycerin, respectic ely. A comparison of the amyl nitrite and nitroglycerin rate constants reveals that aniyl nitrite is approximately 2000-fold more toxic to oxyhemoglobin than nitroglycerin. These oxidant's effect on in !/itro hemoglobin solutions are comparable since both reactions approximate to rectangular hyperbolae. Sodium nitrite reacts about 300-fold faster with oxyhemoglobin than does nitroglycerin. However, the sodium nitrite reaction proceeds in a sigmoidal fashion which makes a strict comparison between these compounds relative toxicities less clear cut.
- PublicationOpen AccessEncephalopathy with astrocitic residual bodies. Report of a case and rewiev of the literature(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Figols, J.; Cervós-Navarro, J.; Wolman, M.Biopsy and autopsy findings in a girl who died at 7% months after having suffered from progressive axial hypotonia, myoclonus, EEG changes and retarded psychomotor development. Inclusions consisting of lamellar profiles, situated in membrane-bound cytosomes were found mainly in astrocytes, but also in neurones and in axons of peripheral nerves. Lipofuscin bodies were also increased in number. The patient belongs in the same category as cases studied by Towfighi et al. (1975) and Martin et al. (1977). Etiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome remain unknown. It is suggested, however, that the pathological changes observed might have been caused by the administration soon after birth of anti-epileptic dmgs (diphenylhydantoin, clonazepam and nitrazepan).
- PublicationOpen AccessOccurrence of pancreatic ductal cell dysplasia in rats fed with a high fat diet and ethanol(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Jalovaara, P.; Rämö, J.; Apaja-Sarkkinen, M.The effects of alcohol and diet on acute pancreatitis were studied in 192 male Wistar rats. The animals were fed with standard laboratory food up to three months of age and, after that, were divided into four groups of 48 animals,each group receiving a different diet: standard, fat-rich, protein-rich or carbohydrate-rich. In each diet group, 24 animals obtained 15% (v/v) ethanol in their drinking solution while the other 24 rats had water ad libitum. The diet period lasted for 12 weeks, after which acute experimental pancreatitis was induced under diethyl ether anesthesia by ductal injection of rat bile into the pancreatic ducts. Moderate or severe ductal cell dysplasia developed in three of the 15 survivors in the group fed with a high-fat diet and 15% ethanol in their drinking solution. Mild acute pancreatitis was histologically found in 13 rats and moderate pancreatitis in one rat in this group. One rat did not show any pancreatic parenchyma1 changes. Two of the rats with ductal cell dysplasia had mild pancreatitis and the pancreas of the third rat was normal in this respect. Dysplastic changes were not found in any other experimental group used in the study. The observation is statistically significant at p < 0.025 level. The results indicate that alcohol and a high fat diet together might have a carcinogenic effect on pancreatic ductal epithelium in rats.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe neurotoxic effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the retinal ganglion cells of the albino rat(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) van Rijn, C.M.; Marani, E.; Rietveld, W.J.Monosodium glutamate (MSG) administered postnatally to the albino rat causes extensive destruction of the retina. This MSG effect does not result in complete blindness. Ganglion cells surviving the MSG treatment are healthy and functional. Using retrogradally transported HRP and Nissl itaining in whole mounted retinas, it \vas found that the ganglion cells left after MSG treatment are nut smaller than those in controls, that these cells do not belong to one cell size group, and that no cell size group is selectively missed. The results explain why photic entrainment of MSG treated animals is still possible.
- PublicationOpen AccessMorphometric evaluation of capillary basement membrane thickness in the quadriceps muscle of diabetic and nondiabetic Chinese hamsters.(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Sawada, Gerianne; Wyse, Beatrice M.; Blanksl, Margaret C.; Vidmaiz, Thornas J.; Guerritsen, George C.; Dianil, Arthur R.Quadriceps muscle capillaries from 19-23 month old genetically diabetic (XA and AC) and nondiabetic (M) subline Chinese.. hamsters were morphometrically evaluated to determine if capillary basement membrane thickening (CBMT) is a quantifiable complication of diabetes. Significant CBMT was present in the diabetic XA Chinese hamsters (49.37 nm tr 17.81, p .c 0.007) in comparison with the nondiabetic M. hamsters (34.08 nm + 9.98). Although there was a trend towards expansion of the muscle capillary basement membranes in the diabetic AC Chinese hamsters, the value was not statistically significant. A nested analysis of variance showed that the greatest source of variation in basement membrane thickness occurred among capillaries within each animal. In addition, a positive correlation (r = 0.62; p< 0.002) existed between blood glucose levels and CBMT in the XA subline. These data should serve as guidelines for evaluation of antimicrovasc,ular disease compounds which will be tested to determine if they prevent or retard microangiopathy in the diabetic Chinese hamster.
- PublicationOpen AccessUltrastructure of pancreatic exocrine cells of the rat during starvation.(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Takashi Kitagawa; Kazuyuki OnoUltrastructural changes of the pancreatic exocrine cells after 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of starvation were observed in male rats aged from 16 to 18 months weighing between 600 and 700 grams. The number of zymogen granules after starvation decreased to less than about 70 per cent of that of the control. Changes in the rough endoplasmic reticulum were hardly seen up to 14 days of starvation as compared with the control, but were observed in the apical and basal cytoplasm of the cell from 21 days after starvation. Particularly in 35- and 42-day starved rats, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was frequently shortened and dilated, and changed to disorganized membranous structures. The lysosomes in the apical cytoplasm of the cell gradually increased in number after starvation, and contact or fusion between the zymogen granules and lysosomes (viz. so-called crinophagy) was often seen at 35 and 42 days of starvation. Large autolysosomes especially those containing zymogen granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum were also marked in the basal cytoplasm of the cell after 35 and 42 days of starvation. Alterations in the basal cytoplasm of the cell appeared later than those in the apical cytoplasm. It was considered that, owing to its role in protein synthesis, the basal cytoplasm of the pancreatic exocrine cells in starved rats might be protected as far as possible during long-term starvation.
- PublicationOpen Accesslmmunohistochemical reaction of myocardial fibers with actin antiserum in autopsy cases of myocardial infarction(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Shigeo Hashimoto; Shozo Nishida; Shingo Hiruma; Manabu Takahashi; Yoshiki Enomoto; Kuniyasu SakataniThe purpose of this study was to determine the immunoreactivity of myocardial actin filaments with actin antiserum and to examine the significance of its application to diseased human cardiac muscle. The actin was extracted and purified from chicken gizzards. Anti-actin rabbit serum was prepared and purified by affinity chromatography and defined by an immunoblotting test. Using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method, the actin antiserum was applied to paraffin sections prepared from hearts taken from routine autopsies of patients who had died of myocardial infarction. Reactivity was shown to be completely lost, not only in necrotized fibers, but also in non-specific degenerative fibers which could be identified by their eosinophilic cytoplasm with pyknotic nuclei, and clearly remaining and/or diminished cross-striations stained with hematoxylin-eosin. In contrast, hypertrophic myocardial fibers adjacent to granulation or scar tissue and those adjacent to infarcted foci exhibited a more intense reaction. These results indicated that the immunohistochemical reaction of actin filaments can be used for the easy detection of very mild degrees of degeneration of cardial muscle fibers, and for hypertrophic fibers adjacent to diseased foci. Studies of the immunoreactivity of actin protein suggestive of alteration at the molecular level might yield morphological clues regarding the nature of functional activity in the contraction of cardiac fibers.