P. Motta - Böcker

The calcified tissues have fundamental functions in the biology of organisms, not only because their strength, solidity, and elasticity permit movement and mechanical activities, and protect soft tissues against traumatic forces, but also on account of their role in mineral homeostasis. For this reason, extensive investigation in the last 30 years has provided much to explain the complex chemical and physical processes occurring in cells and matrices composing the skeleton, and their alterations in pathological conditions. The use of ultrastructural methods such as immunocytochemistry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, cytoautoradiography, freeze/fracture etching, high voltage, etc. has proven to be of great value when applied to cells and matrix components of bone and cartilage, in spite of the technical difficulties due to the hardness of these tissues. However, available information on this subject is disseminated in a variety of scientific and medical articles. This volume is an attempt to collect together the most significant data on the ultrastructure of cartilage and bone in normalcy and pathology. Obviously, it cannot be a complete report of all these data, its principal aim being that of: a) giving a comprehensive statement of the results concerning the basic structures common to these tissues, especially collagen fibrils, noncollagenous proteins, and proteoglycans, and their relationships with the mineral substance (for which another volume of this series can also be consulted; see Ruggeri A. , Motta P. M. (eds.

Recently, attention has been called to the role that microvascular organization plays in the functional morphology of all organs and tissues, both in normal and pathological conditions. Since its development by Murakami, the corrosion cast method for scanning electron microscopy has come to be considered one of the most efficient means in clarifying the three-dimensional features of the microcirculation of organs and tissues. "Scanning Electron Microscopy of Vascular Casts: Methods and Applications" was planned to supply fundamental and new information regarding microcirculation studies to general biologists, anatomists, pathologists and clinicians. The contributions to this volume contain original findings and electron micrographs obtained by using recently improved corrosion methods. The variety of papers in this book should be useful to many, and aim to provide both the basic and clinically oriented readers with ideas, suggestions, and original and worthwhile information.

In the last few years, the adoption and worldwide proliferation of clinical procedures for medically assisted conception have been associated with the examination and analysis of spermatozoa, oocytes and early embryos under a variety of in vivo and in vitro conditions.

The strength of the volume lies in the incorporation of those data on renal cellular structure and function which hold the key to the etiology of the majority of renal diseases we now call 'end-stage'. Fully, two-thirds of the volume is devoted to current concepts of renal function and related subcellular structure of various renal tissues.

When established four years ago, the scope of this international series in electron microscopy essentially was to provide an opportunity for the pUblication of selected review contributions by specialists in ultrastructural research.

Recent advances in electron microscopy have opened up new dimensions and perspectives in the field of morphology, and these are presently being integrated with biochemical and physiopathological phenomena occurring in cells, tissues, and organs.

This volume, the sixth of the series, represents the natural counterpart of the previous volume, Ultra­ structure of the Digestive Tract.

In the last few years, the adoption and worldwide proliferation of clinical procedures for medically assisted conception have been associated with the examination and analysis of spermatozoa, oocytes and early embryos under a variety of in vivo and in vitro conditions. These analyses have enabled correlations to be made between the behavior of gametes, the pattern of early embryonic development and the initiation of a normal pregnancy. Collectively, the findings have not only enormously increased our understanding of the process of early human development, but also have provided new insights into the origin and causes of reproductive failure in man. The research presented in this volume describes recent results derived from the study of normal and abnormal patterns of human spermatogenesis, oogenesis and early embryogenesis. The chapters discuss aberrations in morphodynamic and morphophysiological processes that have clinical relevance in human infertility and conception. Two of the chapters describe, respectively, the basic research that allows the cryopreservation of human oocytes and embryos, and the development of in vitro systems that permit the study of cell differentiation and interaction during the peri-implantation period. When relevant, each chapter extrapolates findings from in vitro experimentation to the comparable situation that is observed in vivo.

The strength of the volume lies in the incorporation of those data on renal cellular structure and function which hold the key to the etiology of the majority of renal diseases we now call 'end-stage'. Fully, two-thirds of the volume is devoted to current concepts of renal function and related subcellular structure of various renal tissues.

In recent years, the techniques of electron microscopy have developed so widely and rapidly that they now cover the fields of research once the unique ll:panage of sister research techniques such as biochemistry, physiology, immunology, X-ray diffraction, etc.

The chapters, prepared by recognized authorities in the field, present traditional information on the topic in a concise manner and, with a valuable selection of original illustrations, show what the integration of new microscopic methods can contribute to the subject in terms of new concepts.

Advances in the development and application of electron microscopic techniques have occurred recently such that the electron microscope has evolved to become an essential tool in both basic and clinical research.

Male urogenital glands (also named male accessory sex glands) have received relatively little attention from electron microscopists, with the possible exception of the prostate gland.

Recently, attention has been called to the role that microvascular organization plays in the functional morphology of all organs and tissues, both in normal and pathological conditions. Since its development by Murakami, the corrosion cast method for scanning electron microscopy has come to be considered one of the most efficient means in clarifying the three-dimensional features of the microcirculation of organs and tissues. Scanning Electron Microscopy of Vascular Casts: Methods and Applications was planned to supply fundamental and new information regarding microcirculation studies to general biologists, anatomists, pathologists and clinicians. The contributions to this volume, contain original findings and excellent electron micrographs obtained by using recently improved corrosion cast methods. The rich variety of papers in this book will be useful to many, and will provide both the basic and clinically oriented readers with good ideas, suggestions, and original and worthwhile information.

Extensive reviews have been published on the mor­ aspects, anatomy, ultrastructure, physiology, bio­ phology, anatomy, and physiology of the mam­ chemistry, endocrinology, pharmacology, and physiopathology of the mammalian ovary. The malian ovary. However, little attention has been given to the gaps between the physiological, endo­ contributors, who prepared their chapters metic­ ulously, are recognized experts in their respective crine and histochemical parameters of the ovary as disciplines and their writings reflect extensive per­ it relates to clinical aspects. There is a wealth of sonal experience and unpublished data of both publications concerning the biology of the ovary: basic and clinical sciences. Without the assistance of the purpose of this volume is to integrate this information with emphasis on modern concepts in good friends and permission to draw extensively microanatomy, physiology, methodology, clinical from investigations, this volume would not have complications, and therapeutic approaches. An been possible. attempt is made to place fundamental research in Thanks are due to G. F. Franchitto, F. Barberini, clear perspectives. P. Stoops. Lori Rust and J. Squiers for their editorial It is hoped that this volume will fulfil a long­ skills and for checking the references to the original standing need and serve as an important source for sources. Thanks are particularly due to 1. K. Smith investigators and clinicians concerned with the of Martinus Nijhoff Publishers BV for his excellent physiopathology of the ovaries for years to come. It cooperation during the production of the book.

The liver has been an organ of mystery for centuries. The second group has been concerned with studies in depth of the liver's response to a variety of hormones, drugs, viruses, and infections. They have increased the scope of hepatic resection as a result of a better understanding gained from studies of various segments of the liver.

Extensive reviews have been published on the mor­ aspects, anatomy, ultrastructure, physiology, bio­ phology, anatomy, and physiology of the mam­ chemistry, endocrinology, pharmacology, and physiopathology of the mammalian ovary. The malian ovary. However, little attention has been given to the gaps between the physiological, endo­ contributors, who prepared their chapters metic­ ulously, are recognized experts in their respective crine and histochemical parameters of the ovary as disciplines and their writings reflect extensive per­ it relates to clinical aspects. There is a wealth of sonal experience and unpublished data of both publications concerning the biology of the ovary: basic and clinical sciences. Without the assistance of the purpose of this volume is to integrate this information with emphasis on modern concepts in good friends and permission to draw extensively microanatomy, physiology, methodology, clinical from investigations, this volume would not have complications, and therapeutic approaches. An been possible. attempt is made to place fundamental research in Thanks are due to G. F. Franchitto, F. Barberini, clear perspectives. P. Stoops. Lori Rust and J. Squiers for their editorial It is hoped that this volume will fulfil a long­ skills and for checking the references to the original standing need and serve as an important source for sources. Thanks are particularly due to 1. K. Smith investigators and clinicians concerned with the of Martinus Nijhoff Publishers BV for his excellent physiopathology of the ovaries for years to come. It cooperation during the production of the book.