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Abstract. Background:. We aimed to determine if the ratio of the upper to the lower diameter of the ureter could have any predictive value for ureteral stone impaction. Materials and methods:. Patients who had a solitary unilateral ureteric stone, determined by noncontrast computerized tomography, were assessed if they had undergone ureteroscopic lithotripsy. A total of 111 patients, 84 males (76%), and 27 females (24%), were recruited to the study. Demographic data of the patients and preoperative radiological parameters based on noncontrast computerized tomography were recorded. The impaction status was also assessed during the operation. Results:. Of the 111 patients, ureteral stones in 63 (57%) patients were determined to be impacted, and ureteral stones in 48 (43%) were nonimpacted. Impacted stones were more common in older patients, female patients, and patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 2. Conclusions:. Significant relationships were found between the impaction status and transverse stone length, longest stone length, upper diameter of the ureter, ratio (upper diameter of the ureter/lower diameter of the ureter), and anteroposterior diameter of the pelvis. These parameters were higher in patients with impacted stones.

In this study, we assessed the helminth fauna of seventy two Valentin’s Lizard, Darevskia valentini (32♂♂, 35♀♀, 5 subadult). Specimens collected from Kayseri, Ardahan and Van Provinces in Turkey. As a result of the present study, it was detected that forty one hosts are infected with one or more species of helminth. Two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides spp., and 5 species of Nematoda, Spauligodon aloisei, Skrjabinodon alcaraziensis, Skrjabinodon medinae, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni and Strongyloides darevsky were found in the hosts. D. valentini represents a new host record for all helminths recorded. Skrjabinodon alcaraziensis is recorded for the first time from Turkey. Van, Kayseri and Ardahan are new locality records for all helminths from D. valentini.

The present study investigated the composition of helminth parasites of Darevskia rudis, Spiny Tailed Lizard from Turkey. One hundred and two samples (49♀♀, 53♂♂) from the Tokat, Trabzon, Rize, Gümüşhane and Artvin Provinces were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a result of the present study, seven species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon sp., Spauligodon carbonelli, Spauligodon aloisei, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni, Strongyloides darevsky, Oswaldocruzia filiformis; one species of Cestoda, Mesocestoides spp. (tetrathyridium) and one species of Acanthocephala Sphaerirostris scanensis were reported from the lizard samples. Sp. carbonelli and Sphaerirostris scanensis are here recorded for the first time in Turkey. D. rudis is the new host recorded for Sk. medinae, Spauligodon sp., Sp. carbonelli, Sp. aloisei from Nematoda, Mesocestoides spp. from Cestoda and Sphaerirostris scanensis from Acanthocephala. This host has been studied for the first time for the helminth parasites from the Tokat and Gümüşhane Provinces. There is, to our knowledge, only one report of helminthes for D. rudis in Turkey.

Marine turtles are globally endangered and one important conservation technique is nest relocation. This study assesses the relationship between nest site factors (wet nest depth, dry nest depth, total nest depth, nest diameter, distance to sea, moisture, clutch size and incubation duration) and embryonic mortality of natural and relocated nests at Dalyan beach, Turkey. Principal component analyses (PCA) revealed a three-factor structure for the natural nests and a four-factor structure for the relocated nests. The clutches in natural and relocated nests had a total of mortality ratio of 21% and 12%, incubation duration of 52 and 50 days, and estimated female ratio of 80% and 88%, respectively. Thus, mortality was lower and incubation faster in the relocated nests, but the proportion of females was higher. Hatching success in relocated nests (84.4%) was significantly higher than in natural nests (72.7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the Urmia salamander, Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862 was classified as a vulnerable species. The age structure of a breeding population portion of N. crocatus from Turkey was studied by using skeletochronology performed on the phalanges. According to the analysis of the age structure based on counting lines of arrested growth (LAGs), ages ranged from 5 to 14 years (mean = 9.4 ± 2.3 years) for males and from 8 to 17 years (mean = 11.6 ± 2.2 years) for females in N. crocatus. The mean snout-vent length was 69.2 ± 3.6 mm in males and 76.2 ± 3.8 in females. The sexual dimorphism index was 0.10. The difference between the sexes in age and size was statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population of Iranolacerta brandtii lizard including 56 (21♀, 34♂, 1 juvenile) samples were examined for helminths. 17 of them were found to harbour one or more helminth parasites, while 39 didn’t harbor any. Two helminth species were determined. These belong to Phylum: Nematoda, Spauligodon aloisei Casanova, Milazzo, Ribas & Cagnin, 2003 and Skrjabinodon medinae. García-Calvente, 1948. This study represents new host and locality records in both host lizard and the helminth species. Sp. aloisei is recorded for the first time; Sk. medinae is the third report from Turkey nevertheless Sk. medinae is a new host record for I. brandtii.

In the years 2010 and 2014, fifty-four samples of Phoenicolacerta laevis from eight localities in Adana (n=6) and Hatay (n=48) were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a results of present study, three species of Digenea, Sonsinotrema tacapense, Prosthodendrium chilostomum, Brachylaima sp. (metacercaria); two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides sp. and four species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon sp., Thubunaea sp. and a larva of the Ascaridiidae Ascarididae gen. sp. were reported for lizard samples. We document new host records for all of helminth species reported here. Sonsionotrema tacapense (Digenea), and Thubunaea sp. (Nematoda) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. There are, to our knowledge, no reports of helminths for P. laevis in Turkey and also from its range.

Four bisexual and two unisexual species of the lizard genus Darevskia from northeastern Anatolia were searched for intestinal parasites in adult specimens. One cestode, Nematotaenia tarentolae, and two nematode species, Spauligodon saxicolae and Strongyloides darevskyi, were found, the latest identified as a Darevskia specialist. No major differences between host species were recorded. The very low infection rates and diversity result in depauperate helminth communities for all these lacertid lizards being the lowest among the Palaearctic saurians. Patterns of these helminth communities are compared with those observed in other lacertid lizards from Anatolia and Europe.

A total of 45 lizards (Acanthodactylus harranensis [n = 15], Acanthodacthylus schreiberi [n = 9] and Mesalina brevirostris [n = 21]) were collected from South and Southeastern Regions of Turkey and examined for helminth fauna. Acanthodactylus harranensis harbored 1 species of Nematoda (Skrjabinodon sp.), 1 species of Cestoda (Oochoristica tuberculata) and 1 species of Acanthocephala (Centrorhynchus sp. [cystacanth]). Acanthodactylus schreiberi harbored unidentified cysticercoids. Mesalina brevirostris harbored 1 species of Nematoda (Spauligodon saxicolae). All lizards represents new host records for the helminths reported in this study.

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the survival benefit achieved with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors and determine significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival.METHODSForty-nine patients with lung cancer (10 primary and 39 metastatic) underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous RF ablation between June 2005 and October 2013. A total of 112 tumors (101 metastatic and 11 primary non-small cell lung cancer) were treated with RF ablation. Tumor diameter ranged from 0.6 to 4 cm (median 1.5 cm). Effectiveness of treatment, complications, and survival were analyzed.RESULTSPrimary success rate was 79.5% and local tumor progression occurred in 23 tumors. Among tumors showing progression, 10 were re-treated with RF ablation and secondary success rate was 87.5%. One-, two-, and three-year overall survival rates of 10 patients with primary lung cancer were 100%, 86%, and 43%, respectively. One-, two-, three-, four-, and five-year overall survival rates for 39 patients with metastatic lung tumors were 90%, 73%, 59%, 55%, and 38%, respectively. One-, two-, three-, and four-year overall survival rates for 16 patients with colorectal pulmonary metastases were 94%, 80%, 68%, and 23%, respectively. Complications occurred in 30 sessions (24.6%). Pneumothorax occurred in 19 sessions with seven requiring image-guided percutaneous chest tube drainage. Tumor status (solitary or multiple) and presence of extrapulmonary metastasis at initial RF ablation were significant prognostic factors in terms of recurrence-free survival.CONCLUSIONRF ablation is a safe and effective treatment with a survival benefit for selected patients with primary and secondary lung tumors.

A total of thirty-one Anatolian Lizard, Apathya cappacocica, samples from several provinces of Eastern and South-Eastern Turkey were examined for helminths. Two species of Nematoda, including Spauligodon atlanticus, Skrjabinodon medinae; two species of Cestoda, including Mesocestoides sp. tetrahydia and Oochoristica tuberculata and one species of Acanthocephala, Centrorhynchus sp. were found. This is the first helminth record of A. cappodocica from Turkey. A. cappadocica represents a new host record for each of the parasite species. S. atlanticus is reported from Turkey for the fi rst time.

According to a large morphological dataset of specimens from Turkey to Iran and based on several morphological analyses, the Iranian populations of the skink Heremites vittatus are separated from other populations of this taxon in Turkey. The values of most of morphological characters were higher in the Turkish populations. Morphological variation among populations of H. vittatus (Olivier, 1804) from Turkey and the western slopes of the Zagros Mountains in Kermanshah province in Iran may be the result of different dispersal and vicariance events. Comparison the current study dataset with specimens from Egypt can definite the taxonomic status of Iranian and Turkish populations.

We investigated using immunohistochemistry the possible protective effects of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol and selenium during chemotherapy treatment with cyclophosphamide. Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six: group 1, untreated control; group 2, 75 µg/kg cyclophosphamide; group 3, 75 µg/kg cyclophosphamide + 150 µg/kg/day α-tocopherol; group 4, 75 µg/kg cyclophosphamide + 200 µg/kg/day ascorbic acid and group 5, 75 µg/kg cyclophosphamide + 40 ppm/kg/day selenium. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was used to detect cell proliferation and AT 1 was used to evaluate structural damage. Caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 signal molecules were used to investigate apoptosis. In group 2, epithelium, alveolar macrophages, infiltrated lymphocytes and connective tissue were immunostained moderately to strongly with PCNA. Bronchus, alveolar wall and infiltrated lymphocytes were immunostained moderately to strongly with AT 1 and diffuse strong caspase immunoreactions were observed throughout the lung tissue. AT 1 and caspase immunoreactions in groups 4 and 5 were similar to group 2. In group 3, PCNA immunoreactivity was strong in the bronchiolus epithelium, endothelial cell nuclei and in stacks of infiltrated lymphocyte cell nuclei. In group 3, AT 1 and caspase immunoreactions were identical to group 1. It appears that α-tocopherol inhibits lung tissue damage in rats during chemotherapy.

Aim: To investigate the potential protective effects of melatonin on the chronic radiation emitted by third generation mobile phones on the brain., Material and Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Throughout a 90-day experiment, no application was performed on the control group. The second group was exposed to 2100 MHz radiation for 30 minutes. Subcutaneous melatonin was injected into the third group. Subcutaneous melatonin injection was applied 40 minutes before radiation and then the fourth group was exposed to radiation for 30 minutes. At the end of the experiment, brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) tissues were taken from the subjects. Histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and western blot analyses were applied. In addition to brain weight, Purkinje cells’ number, immunohistochemical H Score analyses and the results of the Western blot were examined statistically., Results: With the application of radiation, neuronal edema, relatively-decreased numbers of neurons on hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, displacement of the Purkinje neurons and dark neurons findings were observed as a result of histochemical stainings. Radiation also activated the NMDA-receptor 2B/Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway, NMDA-receptor 2B and Calpain-1 with the findings being supported by western blot analyses. Pre-increased protein synthesis before apoptosis was identified by electron microscopy., Conclusion: Mobile phone radiation caused certain (ultra) structural changes on the brain and activated the NMDA-receptor 2B/ Calpain-1/Caspase-12 pathway; in addition, melatonin was found to be effective, but insufficient in demonstrating the protective effects.

The taxonomic status of the species included into the genus Trachylepis in Turkey are doubtful. So far, three morphological species have been attributed to this genus in Turkey; Trachylepis aurata. T. vittata, and T. septemtaeniata. Here, we investigated the taxonomy of the Turkish Trachylepis species by employing phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches and using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and 12 S rRNA). In total, 45 Trachylepis and 6 Mabuya specimens were used analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. The phylogenetic relationships and the genetic distances retrieved, revealed that the Turkish species, which currently recognized as Trachylepis, are highly diversified, forming a distinct clade that shows closer phylogenetic affinity with the species of the genus Mabuya rather than the other Trachylepis species. In this clade, the three Turkish species are monophyletic with T. vittata to branch off first in late Miocene (10.54 Mya). The other two species (T. septemtaeniata and T. aurata) seem to have sister group relationship that diverged at the end of Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.27 Mya). As a whole, the examination of mtDNA lineages in the Turkish lizards of the genus Trachylepis may contribute substantially to the refining of their taxonomic status, since the three species of Turkey, although monophyletic, represent a distinct radiation that would could probably recognized as a different genus in Mabuya sensu lato.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the possible protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) against damage induced by di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), on the ductus epididymis and deferens in rats., Materials and Methods: Six groups of rats were used in the experiment: Group 1: Control group; Group 2: Solvent (carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 10 ml/kg); Group 3: 500 mg/kg/day DBP; Group 4: 500 mg/kg/day DBP+20 mg/kg/day RSV; Group 5: 1000 mg/kg/day DBP; Group 6: 1000 mg/kg/day DBP + 20 mg/kg/day RSV. Groups were treated by gavage for 30 days. Immunohistochemical, electronmicroscopic and histomorphometric examinations were carried out in the epididymis and deferens., Results: In the ductus epididymis and deferens mitochondrial crystolysis, exfoliation of the stereocilia and openings in lateral surface increased with DBP dosage, but these structures were recovered with RSV. DBP reduced the epithelial height of epididymis and vas deferens. Lumen dilatation was observed in both tissues. These disorders may lead to dysfunction of epithelial absorption. In the TUNEL examinations in both tissues, there were no apoptotic cells or apoptotic bodies., Conclusion: In conclusion, DBP administration caused structural degeneration in the epididymis and deferens, parallel to dose evaluation and RSV can reverse these changes with its protective effects.

Reptiles may contribute to maintaining tick populations by feeding larvae, nymphs, and adults. The life cycles and tick-host associations of many Turkish ticks are still poorly known, and only 3 ixodid tick species have been reported on 7 reptile species in Turkey. In this study, we performed a tick survey on reptiles in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. In 2005, 57 reptiles (52 lizards and 5 snakes) comprising 10 species from 5 families were captured and examined for tick infestation. A total of 427 ticks was collected. The majority of ticks found on lizards was the immature stages of Haemaphysalis sulcata, 420 larvae and 4 nymphs. The only adult ticks recorded on the agamid lizard, Laudakia stellio, were Hyalomma aegyptium (1 ♂, 2 ♀). The highest tick infestation rate was recorded on specimens of Timon princeps. This study is the first detailed investigation on ticks infesting reptiles in Turkey. To the best of our knowledge, these tick-host associations have never been documented in the literature.

Apathya is a lacertid genus occurring mainly in south-east Turkey and its adjacent regions (part of Iran and Iraq). So far two morphological species have been attributed to the genus; A. cappadocica (with five subspecies, A. c.cappadocica, A. c.muhtari, A. c.schmidtlerorum, A. c. urmiana and A. c.wolteri) and A.yassujica. The first species occupies most of the genus' distribution range, while A. yassujica is endemic of the Zagros Mountains. Here, we explored Apathya's taxonomy and investigated the evolutionary history of the species by employing phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches and using both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear markers. The phylogenetic relationships and the genetic distances retrieved, revealed that Apathya is a highly variable genus, which parallels its high morphological variation. Such levels of morphological and genetic differentiation often exceed those between species of other Lacertini genera that are already treated as full species, suggesting the necessity for a taxonomic revision of Apathya. The phylogeographical scenario emerging from the genetic data suggests that the present distribution of the genus was determined by a combination of dispersal and vicariance events between Anatolia and Southwest Asia dating back to the Miocene and continuing up to the Pleistocene. Key geological events for the understanding of the phylogeography of the genus are the movement of the Arabian plate that led to the configuration of Middle East (orogenesis of the mountain ranges of Turkey and Iran) and the formation of Anatolian Diagonal., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Eggs, hatchlings, and adult loggerhead turtles, and incubation durations of clutches, were measured on three Turkish beaches (Dalyan, Fethiye and Göksu Delta), and some physical features of nests were compared. These features were not statistically different among the beaches, except for nest depth and distance to the high water mark. There was a positive relationship between hatchling mass and egg size. The carapace length of hatchlings was correlated with both egg diameter and incubation duration. The duration of asynchronous emergence of hatchlings on Fethiye beach was slightly longer than on the other two beaches, and the size of hatchlings decreased as asynchronous emergence proceeded. Of the hatchlings that emerged first, those that died were significantly smaller in SCL and mass than those that lived. These results suggest that smaller hatchlings may not be vigorous enough to emerge earlier from nests, and that they may be less fit.

Objective: To comparatively analyze the ultrastructural changes in the submandibular and parotid glands and in the exocrine pancreas following diabetes induced by Streptozotocin exposure and the effects of fasting and insulin treatment on these alterations., Methods: For experimental procedure, we included 48 Sprague-Dawley type rats in July 2001-March 2002 at Gazi University, Turkey. We divided the rats into 8 groups following the infusion of Streptozotocin., Results: While the degeneration manifested itself as accumulation of secretions within the mucous cells in the submandibular gland, lipid droplets were absent, being replaced by vacuolar structures. The parotid gland and exocrine pancreas, having similar properties, were affected similarly. Diabetes-induced loss of granules was observed in the serous cells in both glands. There was diffuse lipid accumulation within these cells. Regarding granule content, we observed the most prominent degenerative changes in the parotid gland. While cellular loss was observed in neither the submandibular, nor the parotid gland, we noted presence of apoptotic cells was noted in the pancreas. State of fasting was found to cause alterations within the glands indicating increased activity. While insulin treatment was seen to restore the structure to normal in general in both of the 3 glands., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both of the 3 glands are affected by diabetes and concomitant fasting, and this effect manifests itself via the granule content.

Hatchling sex ratios in the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) were estimated by placing electronic temperature recorders in 21 nests at Fethiye beach during 2000-2002. Over the seasons, the mean temperature in the middle third of the incubation period ranged from 26.7 to 32.1 degrees C, and incubation periods ranged from 49 to 67 days. Based on the mean temperatures during the middle third of the incubation period, and on histologically sexed dead hatchlings, the sex ratios of hatchlings at Fethiye beach were roughly equal, i.e. 60-65% of the hatchlings were females. This contrasts with the highly female-skewed sex ratios in loggerhead turtles elsewhere; Fethiye has a relatively high proportion of male hatchlings. For endangered sea turtles, the knowledge of hatchling sex ratios at different beaches, coupled with appropriate conservation measures, can make an important contribution to their survival.

In this study, polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and densitometry analysis methods were used to analyze venom extracts of Vipera xanthina specimens of different lengths (35, 47 and 88 cm) collected from the same locality. The electropherograms of the venom protein samples showed age-dependent qualitative and quantitative variations.

This study was intended to investigate the effects of alcohol on the ultrastructure of fetal cerebellar Purkinje cells. Twelve adult female rats of Sprague-Dawley species were utilized. Control and experiment groups were formed. Rats were made pregnant. Rats in experiment group were administered liquid diet containing 6% alcohol. Cerebellums of infant rats were taken on 6th, 8th, and 10th days after birth. For electron microscopy, tissue sections were processed and stained with the usual methods. When control and experiment groups were compared for electron microscopic investigation, degeneration of mithocondria as cristolysis, dilatations of rough endoplasmic reticulum tubuli, and ring-shaped appearance of Golgi apparatus unit were determined. In some groups, nuclear membrane disintegrated. In cytoplasms of Purkinje cells, multivesicular bodies were distinguished. It was determined that liquid diet containing 6% alcohol had toxic effects on Purkinje cells and caused ultrastructural signs of degeneration in these cells.

Objectives: The effects of various estrogen replacement protocols to prevent bone loss following ovariectomy have been the subject of many studies in rats. This study was designed to determine the effects of early intermittent high-dose estrogen replacement therapy, which has hitherto not been studied, on bone structure of ovariectomized rats., Methods: Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 20 female mature non-pregnant Wistar rats. All the animals were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either subcutaneous 17 beta-estradiol (25 mg/kg) or only sesame oil on days 15 and 22 after ovariectomy. Fourteen days after the last injection, the rats were sacrificed and proximal femurs were removed for both light and electron microscopic analyses., Results: In the light microscopic analysis, control femurs exhibited a marked destruction in the structure of the cancellous bone, whereas estradiol-treated rats had almost normal cancellous bone. Ultrastructural analysis showed degeneration and increased turnover in bone cells of the control femurs, whereas the bone cells and the bone matrix appeared almost normal in the treatment group. A statistically significant increase in serum estrogen levels was found in estradiol-treated rats (580+/-124 pg/ml versus 62+/-16 pg/ml, p<0.001)., Conclusion: Intermittent high-dose estrogen treatment prevents cancellous bone loss in the proximal femurs of ovariectomized rats through inhibition of bone turnover and results in significantly increased serum estrogen levels.

The fetal skeleton double staining method is used to reveal developmental abnormalities in the skeletal system. We used alizarin red S and alcian blue successfully with microwave irradiation for skeletal double staining. The fixation time was reduced from 4-7 days to 2-2.5 min and the staining time was reduced from 4 days to 23 min.

The integrin receptors are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins comprising non-covalent heterodimers. They interact with a wide variety of ligands including extracellular matrix glycoproteins, complement and other cell, while their intracellular domains interact with the cytoskeleton. They participate in cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in many physiologically important processes including embryological development, hemostasis, thrombosis, wound healing, immune and nonimmune defense mechanisms, and in oncogenic transformation. This investigation was focused on the histological distribution of the beta 1-integrins in the human tonsil using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. Present data suggest that lymphocyte and antigen presenting cells (FDCs, IDCs, and macrophages) interact with each other following adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins (e.g. fibronectin) through their integrin receptors in order to carry out special immunological functions. In addition, stromal elements and epithelial components were shown to express VLA integrins providing interactions for tissue organization and compartmentalization.

Unlabelled: The integrin receptors are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins comprising non-covalent heterodimers. They interact with a wide variety of ligands including extracellular matrix glycoproteins, complement and other cells while their intracellular domains interact with the cytoskeleton. They participate in cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in many physiologically important processes including embryological development, hemostasis, thrombosis, wound healing, immune and nonimmune defense mechanisms, and oncogenic transformation. This investigation is focused on the histological distribution of the beta 1-integrins in the human thymus, using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. With the exception of VLA-4, none of the beta 1 integrins were expressed on thymocytes which were strongly positive in the cortex and perivascular compartment, somewhat weaker in the medulla. Thymic epithelial cells were positive for VLA-1, VLA-2, VLA-3 and VLA-6, but the distribution pattern of these molecules in epithelial cells at certain locations was quite different. VLA-1 was weakly expressed by both cortical and medullary epithelial cells. VLA-2 was strongly positive in cortical epithelial cells forming a dense framework at the peripheral cortex. VLA-3 and VLA-6 selectively stained a single flattened epithelial cell layer (perilobular epithelial cells) demarcating the peripheral cortex from the surrounding perivascular compartment. VLA-1,3,5,6 were also demonstrated in the endothelial cells and subendothelial layer of the thymic vasculature., In Conclusion: the distribution of integrins in human thymus tissues is of special interest. Such distribution shows that the VLA integrins may have different functions in different areas. The data presented in this study may be important in evaluating the functional role of the VLA integrins in thymocyte maturation in different compartments of the thymus.