The fraction of cellular volume occupied by the cytoplasm has been assessed by point-counting volumetry in 0.5-μm araldite sections. Measurement of the transection radius of the nuclei of acinar cells allowed the assessment of the mean nuclear volume according to the method of Bach. With these data, the cytoplasm volume was calculated in cubic micrometers. Ultrastructural morphometric data were obtained by means of superimposing on the electron photomicrographies (× 21,000 or × 28,500) a test system of 84 evenly spaced segments according to Weibel et al. The analysis of the values obtained for the pancreas and parotid gland allowed for the supposition that the process of maturation in the rat, either for the pancreas or the parotid gland, occurs simultaneously with the mitotic process, this last being held as the predominating one in the first 3–4 postnatal weeks. The cytodifferentiation process becomes more marked in the last phases studied and on the 40th day it already shows parameters held as similar to those of the adult animal.

The spatial arrangement of the muscular, elastic and collagenous fibers was examined in 20 splenic veins of adult humans. Histologic and panorganographic sections were stained by the following methods: azan, resorcin-fuchsin (Weigert) Verhoeff-van Gieson’s stain and Masson’s trichrome. Unstained sections were examined under polarized light. The results show that the muscular and collagenous fibers of the splenic vein exhibit an elongated spiral arrangement with no polarization. The elastic fibers form a threedimensional network disposed predominantly in a longitudinal direction. Hemodynamics are discussed based on the spatial structure of the muscular, elastic and collagenous elements of the vein wall and its relationship with the circulatory functions of the spleen.

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Objectives: To describe and appraise the latest reports on light devices currently used for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Methods:The present review was conducted using four national and international databases -PubMed, Scielo, Medline and Cochrane. Initial set of clinical or experimental trials was screened based on title and abstracts, followed by full text analysis and critical review.Results: Five main articles were included. Each report's methods and results are described in table 1. Light-mask appears to be effective in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. A recent trial is being conducted to evaluate its efficacy in early age-related macular degeneration, although no results are available yet. Conclusion:Based on recent latest clinical trials, light-mask shows promising results in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.