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Testicular Leydig cells (LC) regulate the proper development of male individuals, both during fetal life (fetal LC) and puberty (adult LC). In the ovaries of adult women, there are cells that are very similar to Leydig cells, the ovarian hilus cells (OHC), which also produce testosterone. The origin of these cells, in both sexes, remains unknown and is still a matter of debate. We have studied the location, characteristics and relationships of the OHC in 90 patients. The indications for oophorectomy were: metrorrhagia (n=9), prolapse (n=8), endometrial hyperplasia (n=14), cancer (endometrial, myometrial, or cervical) (n=35), uterine leiomyomata (n=14), and various ovarian tumors (cysts and benign tumors, borderline and malignant) (n=10). In addition to the hilus, occasionally the nodules, nests and clusters of OHC were located in the mesovarium, the mesosalpinx, and in the medullar and cortical regions of the ovaries. The morphological (including crystalloids of Reinke) and immunohistochemical (positivity for calretinin and alpha-inhibin) findings were similar to those described for testicular LC. Therefore, OHC can be considered ovarian Leydig cells (OLC). LC are usually found in small numbers in the ovaries, but if one looks for them intentionally, one always finds them. Close relationships were observed between the OLC with nerves and vessels. Moreover, an intraneural location of the OLC was demonstrated in all cases, and these intraneural cells showed similar characteristics to extraneural OLC, suggesting that they derive from endoneural cells which are present in the vegetative nerves of the ovaries.

We review the morpho-functional basis of the different types of angiogenesis and report our observations, including the formation of angiogenesisrelated secondary structures. First of all, we consider the following issues: a) conceptual differences between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, b) incidence of angiogenesis in pre- and postnatal life, c) regions of vascular tree with angiogenic capacity, d) cells (endothelial cells, pericytes, CD34+ adventitial stromal cells of the microvasculature and inflammatory cells) and extracellular matrix components involved in angiogenesis, e) events associated with angiogenesis, f) different types of angiogenesis, including sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis, and other angiogenic or vascularization forms arising from endothelial precursor cells (postnatal vasculogenesis), vasculogenesis mimicry, vessel co-option and piecemeal angiogenesis. Subsequently, we consider the specific morphofunctional characteristics of each type of angiogenesis. In sprouting angiogenesis, we grouped the events in three phases: a) activation phase, which includes vasodilation and increased permeability, EC, pericyte and CD34+ adventitial stromal cell activation, and recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells, b)sprouting phase, encompassing EC migration (concept and characteristics of endothelial tip cells, tip cell selection, lateral inhibition, localized filopodia formation, basal lamina degradation and extracellular changes facilitating EC migration), EC proliferation (concept of endothelial stalk cells), pericyte mobilization, proliferation, recruitment and changes in CD34+ adventitial stromal cells and inflammatory cells, tubulogenesis, formation of a new basal lamina, and vascular anastomosis with capillary loop formation, and c) vascular remodelling and stabilization phase (concept of phalanx cells). Subsequently, the concept, incidence, events and mechanisms are considered in the other forms of angiogenesis. Finally, we contribute the formation of postnatal angiogenesis-related secondary structures: a) intravascular structures through piecemeal angiogenesis, including intravascular papillae in vessel tumours and pseudotumours (intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, vascular transformation of the sinus in lymph nodes, papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma or Dabska tumour, retiform hemangioendothelioma, hemangiosarcoma and lymphangiosarcoma), vascular septa in hemorrhoidal veins and intravascular projections in some tumours; b) arterial intimal thickening; c) intravascular tumours and pseudotumours (e.g. intravenous pyogenic granulomas and intravascular myopericytoma); d) vascular glomeruloid proliferations; and e) pseudopalisading necrosis in glioblastoma multiform.

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is a reactive process of questioned pathogenesis (primary proliferation of endothelial cells/ECs versus organizing thrombi). The aim of this study is to assess the organization of morphologic patterns, with precise location of neovascularization and papillary distribution in IPEH to clarify the role of the vein wall (mainly vein intimal ECs) in lesion development and papillary formation. We studied 12 cases of IPEH in skin and subcutaneous veins by serial histological sections and immunohistochemical procedures. In four well-structured cases (the remaining cases showed overlapping events), we found four principal histological patterns organized by zone: 1) invaginated vein wall zone with microvascular networks. The intraparietal microvessels presented CD34+ and CD31+ ECs arising from ECs of the vein intima, and αSMA+ pericyte-like cells originating from modified SMCs of the media layer. 2) Papillary zone, generally with myriad papillae, formed by ECs of intraparietal microvessel networks encircling vein wall components (parietal papillae). 3) Organizing thrombotic zone from microvascular networks of invaginated vein wall zone. 4) Unorganized thrombotic zone partially covered by ECs, also originating from vein intimal endothelium and arranged in a monolayer or encircling thrombotic fibrin (thrombotic papillae). In conclusion, the capacity of vein intimal ECs and those originating from them (in newlyformed microvessels in the vein itself and covering the unorganized thrombi) to encircle vein wall components or fibrin, and to form papillae (ECs form the cover and encircled components the core) supports a piecemeal mode of angiogenesis as a pathogenic basis of IPEH. This mechanism encompasses the two histogenetic hypotheses outlined above.

We studied the progenitor capacity of human resident CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (SC/TCs) in the enteric wall affected by inflammatory/repair processes (appendicitis, diverticulitis of large bowel and Crohn’s disease of the terminal ileum) at different stages of evolution (inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling). In these conditions, CD34+ SC/TCs are activated, showing changes, which include the following overlapping events: 1) separation from adjacent structures (e.g., from vascular walls) and location in oedematous spaces, 2) morphological modifications (in cell shape and size) with presence of transitional cell forms between quiescent and activated CD34+ SC/TCs, 3) rapid proliferation and 4) loss of CD34 expression and gain of αSMA expression. These events mainly occur in the inflammatory and proliferative stages. During the loss of CD34 expression, the following findings are observed: a) irregular cell labelling intensity for anti-CD34, b) co-localization of CD34 and actin, c) concurrent irregular labelling intensity for αSMA and d) αSMA expression in all stromal cells, with total loss of CD34 expression. While CD34 expression was conserved, a high proliferative capacity (Ki-67 expression) was observed and vice versa. In the segments of the ileum affected by Crohn’s disease, the stromal cells around fissures were αSMA+ and, in the transitional zones with normal enteric wall, activated CD34+ SC/TCs were observed. In conclusion, human resident CD34+ SC/TCs in the enteric wall have progenitor capacity and are activated with or without differentiation into αSMA+ stromal cells during inflammatory/repair processes.

showed an evolution from SiO2 amorphous matrix to the cristobalite phase with the annealing treatment at around 800 ºC for one hour. This structural evolution was obtained at lower Ag concentration up 0.7 %vol. Two series of samples were studied, A) series using HNO3 and B) series using HCl as catalytic agent; in both series grenetine was used as a dispersing agent to avoid the precipitation of Ag particles. We found the incorporation of silver in the xerogeles matrix promotes the devitrification process at relatively low temperatures with the presence of partial crystallization in form of cistobalite. This structure was produced by controlling the catalytic agent quoted in the preparation process. The EPR and UV-Vis absorption spectra show the presence of Fe3+ ions as a contaminant in the source of the Ag particles, due to the process to obtain these particles. By means the IR spectra a high (OH-) concentration at higher temperatures was observed in this system, until 600 ºC at difference of the sol-gel glasses made with incorporation of Ag particles by nitrates. The color evolution of the coating samples with the annealing temperature varies from a light brown at 100 ºC to yellow at 500 ºC.

En el presente trabajo, los autores han efectuado un estudio experimental de la respuesta biológica de aloinjertos tendinosos, implantados en el interior de la articulación de la rodilla. Se ha seguido mediante microscopía óptica y micoscopía electrónica, la revascularización de los implantes y los cambios tendinosos intrínsecos, tanto en la serie de aloinjertos en "fresco", como de aloinjertos congelados. En los aloinjertos en fresco, predomina la intensa respuesta inflamatoria -inmunitaria, siendo la respuesta reparadora de escasos signos de orientación del tejido fibroso definitivo. En la serie de injertos congelados, los fenómenos inflamatorios son escasos, predominando la angiogénesis. In this paper, the authors have studied the biological respons e of tendinous allografts, implanted inside the kne e articulation, in a experimental study. The revascularization of the grafts, and the intrinsic tendinous change s in both series, frozen and no frozen allografts, is studied with optical and electron microscopy. In the no frozen allografts, is more important the intensive inflamatory inmunitary response, with few signs of orientation of the definitive fibrous tissue. In the serie of frozen allografts, the inflamatory response is limited with predominanc e of the angiogénesis process.

Con el objetivo de profundizar en el conocimiento del desarrollo embriológico del esbozo meniscal de la rodilla, los autores realizan un estudio en embriones de rata de 16 y 20 días de gestación. Se comprueba como este esbozo meniscal, que en su inicio esta formado por una masa de células mesenquinales, adopta una configuración triangular al corte frontal, situada entre las dos superficies articulares. Posteriormente su vértice experimenta diferenciación cartilaginosa (futuro menisco), mientras que la región periférica sigue siendo altamente vascular y se continúa con tejido conjuntivo fibroso (zona parameniscal). An study in embryos of rat betwen 16-20 days of pregnancy was made to show the meniscus development. The meniscus sketch in the first time was made by mesenchyme cells, later takes a triangular configution. An at past his vertex became to be a cartilage (future meniscus), while the peripheral placer is highly vascular and is followed by a fibrous connective tissue (parameniscal zone).

Se hace un estudio en 20 ratas sometidas a compresión del nervio ciático según variante de la técnica de WEISL y OSBORNE, y compresión-descompresión a tiempos variables y se estudia la microcirculación del mismo en estas situaciones, comparativamente con el nervio normal. Entre los cambios del patrón vascular en la compresión nerviosa, resalta la intensa vascularización de las zonas inmediatamente proximales y distales al a compresión, contrastando con la escasez de vasos en el área selectivamente comprimida. Después de la descompresión se apreció una recuperación paulatina del patrón vascular, sin que se llegase a alcanzar una cuantificación de vasos similar a la de las zonas adyacentes. A study in 20 rats with nerve sciatic compression (WEISL and OSBORNE method), and compression descompresión in diferent time s wa s made. The authors studied the sciatic nerve microcirculation in this situations in front of the normal nerve. They saw an intensive vascularization immediately after and before the place of the compression, and a vessels scarcity in the compression area. After the descompresion it saw a normal and slowly recuperation of the vascular role, but never so many vessels as in the proximal zones.

Los autores realizan un estudio experimental en la rat a sustituyendo el menisco por pericondrio auricular, unas veces en forma plana y otras plegado en U. Ello provoca una respuesta reparativa con formación de verdadero cartílago. Cuando el pericondrio se injerta plegado en U de forma que la superficie de ruptura de las cápsulas condrocitarias se enfrenten entre sí, se asiste a la neoformación de dos clases de cartílago, una que aparece en la capa más interna del pericondrio y otro en las zonas de repliegue de éste último. Se discute el posible origen de estos dos tipos de neocartílago. The authors carry out an experimental study to evaluat e the replacement of the medial meniscus in the rat kne e by auricular perichondrial grafts (simple or plicated).This bring about a reparative replay with formation of cartilage tissue. When the perichondrial graft was used at the plicated form, it could keep out two kinds of neoformated cartilage; the first appeared in the most internal stratum of the perichondrium; the second type was found in the withdrawal zone of it. The possible origen of the neocartilage form is discussed.

En el presente trabajo se ha efectuado un estudio experimental de la respuesta biológica de implantes intraarticulares de tendones autógenos insertados en canales óseos. Se ha seguido, mediante microscopía óptica y electrónica, la revascularización de los implantes, los cambios tendinosos intrínsecos y, fundamentalmente, la interfase establecida entre la estructura tendinosa y los distintos medios del lecho receptor. En las zonas bañadas por líquido sinovial se produce "sinovialización", con presencia de sinoviocitos A (aspecto macrofágico) y B (aspecto fibroblástico). En las zonas que delimitan con cartílago aparece una hendidura, cuya superficie tendinosa es también sinovializada. En la interfase hueso-tendón se pueden diferenciar zonas de aposición lateral y termino-terminales. Las primeras muestran fenómenos de remodelación (presencia de abundantes osteoblastos y osteoclastos) y dispositivos arciformes de las fibras colágenas que "anclan" el tendón a trabéculas óseas. En las zonas término-terminales se establece continuidad entre la colágena del tendón y del hueso. En las regiones en que el tendón se relaciona con el tejido adiposo de la médula ósea, se produce también continuidad entre fibras colágenas pertenecientes a ambos componentes. The authors presented an experimental work in rabbits. They rewiewed the revascularization an morfology ("Sinovialization" and "Ligamentation") of tendon autograft used to replace the anterior cruciate ligament (18 rabbits studied) by histological techniques.

Se hace un estudio en base a las muestras tisulares procedentes de pacientes afectos de condromalacia rotuliana, artrosis y dos casos considerados como testigos. Los hallazgos morfológicos son bastantes similares en los casos de condromalacia rotuliana y artrosis, lo que parece indicar que la condromalacia puede considerarse como un estado preartrósico patelar, si bien en esta son más acusados los fenómenos de rarefacción de la matriz del cartílago superficial y medio de la rótula. A special study with samples of tissue s from some patients suffering chondromalacia patellae, arthrosis, and two patients as control, is made. The morphological findings are quite similar in both case s of chondromalacia patellae and arthrosis. Therefore chondromalacia can be consider as a prearthrosis patellar stadium, although in the chondromalacia state, the fenomenous of rarefaction in the matrix of cartilage, superficial and middle of the rotula, are more important.

El menisco implantado en músculo estriado y en fondo de saco subcuadricipital se regenera formándose tejido conectivo fibroso en las áreas de defecto tisular, tejido que es mucho más abundante cuando se implanta en fondo de saco subcuadricipital, lo mismo que la neoangiogénesis previa. En ninguno de los casos se aprecia transformación cartilaginosa. Los resultados obtenidos parecen apoyar la hipótesis de que es necesaria la existencia de conexión vascular entre las áreas a reparar y el territorio del que parten los vasos neoformados y las células fibroblásticas relacionadas con éstos. The meniscus ingraft in striated muscle and in articular cavity of the knee, was regenerated growing fibrous connective tissue in the areas without tissue. Neither of case s showed cartilage transformation. The results showed that the vascular conection is necesary to repair whith the place wher e the news vessels and his fibroblastic cells appear.

Los autores realizan un estudio en 24 ratas sometidas a axonectomía parcial subepineural o axonectomía y vaciamiento troncular, con objeto de valorar el comportamiento de los distintos elementos celulares del nervio durante la regeneración nerviosa. Durante el tiempo del experimento las células perineurales se conservan alrededor de un espacio virtual, lo que se interpreta como que intervienen como aislante, aún en condiciones de ausencia de fibras nerviosas, impidiendo la entrada de estructuras vasculares neoformadas y la cicatrización intraperineural. Por todo ello se postula que el papel de "guía" para el crecimiento de los axones regenerativos, atribuido fundamentalmente a las células de SCHWANN, debe ser revisado, en el sentido de dar un mayor protagonismo a las células perineurales. A study of 24 rats with partial subepineural axonectomy or axonectomy with trunckular casting was made in order to value the role of the diferent cellular elements of the nerve during his regeneration. In the experiment the perineural cells persist around a virtual space. This mean that the cells works like an insulate, also in absence of nerve fibres, impeding the neoformed vessels entrance and the perineural cicatrizacion. The role of the SCHWANN cells is cuestioned in front of the perineural cells importance.

Se hace un estudio en 40 ratas en las que se practica compresión del nervio ciático, según una variante de la técnica de WEISL y OSBORNE, seguida de descompresión a tiempos variables. Se comprueba como los fenó- menos regenerarávos-reparativos guardan relación con el tiempo de compresión y con el que transcurre desde la retirada del sistema de compresión. A mayor tiempo de compresión se acentúan los fenómenos alterativos y el edema, mientras que, cuanto más tiempo transcurre desde la retirada del sistema, tanto mayor es la regresión de los fenómenos compresivos, cuyo tope viene dado por grados irreversibles de lesión inicial. A40 rats study was made with a sciatic nerve compression, using a variation of Weisl and Osborne method, followed of descompression at diferent times. The nerve regeneration and reparation depends of the compression time and of the since descompression is made. The nerve alteration and the edema wa s bigger with a longer time of comprenssion. The more time was since descompresión, more was the nerve regeneration. The limit was the irreversible initial lesión.

Los autores efectúan un estudio en la rat a utilizando un modelo experimental de meniscectomía completa y extirpación parcial del paramenisco, comprobándose como se origina un proceso de regeneración que conduce a la formación de una nueva estructura, de aspecto meniscal, de menor tamaño que el primitivo menisco y formado por tejido fibroso con focos condroides. An experimental study was made in the rat with total meniscus extirpation. This study show a regeneration process that take us to a new structure formation like meniscus, with fibrous tissue formation with condroid points.