Histology and morphometry of the testes of adult domestic cats (Felis catus)

Testicles of 30 mongrel cats were analyzed histologically and morphometrically, divided into three groups: G1 (1-2 years old), G2 (over 2 and up to 4 years old) and G3 (over 4 and up to 6 years old). After orchiectomy and histopathology, the morphometric parameters studied were: thickness of the tunica albuginea (72 mu m) and seminiferous epithelium (77.19 mu m), perimeter (53.81; 90.57 mu m), (54.80; 101.07 mu m); area (174.23; 494.55 mu m(2)), (176.68; 629.70 mu m(2)); maximum diameter (14.94; 28.02 mu m), (14.76; 31.66 mu m); minimum diameter (13.25; 21.92 mu m), (13.30; 24.52 mu m); and shape factor (index for regularity of the format) (1.36; 1.36), (1.39; 1.35) of the nucleus and cytoplasm of spermatogonia and Leydig cells, respectively. The results can be used for comparative studies and contribute knowledge concerning the height of the seminiferous epithelium, thickness of the tunica albuginea and size of spermatogonia and Leydig cells.

Ultramorphology and histology of dorsal vessel - Gastral portion - Of Camponotus rufipes

The dorsal diaphragm of Camponotus rufipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a thin membrane structure, with free edges between the points of attachment to the body wall that almost cover the whole extension of the dorsal vessel at its abdominal portion. A layer of fat body cells covers the region of the cuticle above the dorsal vessel and the incurrent ostia can be a vertical or horizontal slit in the wall of the heart. One organized structure as a network ofalary muscles was observed holding the heart at its middorsal position and supporting the pericardial cells too. A great number of pericardial cells were found laterally associated with the heart and cellular projections from those cells insert directly into the heart wall.

Ultramorphology and histology of the ectal mandibular gland in Polistes versicolor (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The ectal mandibular gland (EMG) of wasps is homologous to the mandibular gland of ants and bees. This gland belongs to salivary system and its function stile unknown. The EMG of Polistes versicolor showed histological and ultramorphological features similar to that founded in ants and others wasps. This gland is constituted by a secretory region and a reservoir. The secretory region contains individual secretory cells that showed several nucleoli. The reservoir has a club shape and is connected to each mandible, by a duct that opens on its external side, which there are cuticular projections. The EMG of males is smaller than those of females. Our results suggested that the EMG secrete volatiles compounds that are liberated when the mandibles still open.

Comparative study of the histology, histochemistry and ultramorphology of the proventriculus in the cephalotini tribe (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The use of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy propitiated the comparative examination of the nature of the histology, histochemistry and ultramorphology of the proventriculus bulb of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus and C. pusillus. This portion of the digestive tract possesses highly sclerotized cuticular projections which act in the selection of victuals. A layer of amorphous material with mucous characteristics is present over the cuticle projections. That layer seems to optimize the efficiency of the proventriculus in the selection of food for social function in the colony (trophallaxis). More details of the characteristics of this structure are described in this study.

Ultramorphology and histology of the venom gland of workers of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) before and after an electrical shock treatment

This paper describes the ultramorphology and histology of the venom reservoir in 14-day old workers of Apis mellifera, immediately before and after the application of electrical shocks with the object of causing venom elimination and reservoir collapse. The external epithelial surface of the reservoir was differentiated according to its morphological aspects into posterior, median, and proximal or duct regions at the ventral surface and into anterior and posterior regions at the dorsal surface. While the epithelium of the proximal region forms a ventral infolding, a dorsal salience is formed at this region. These structures and the epithelial regions persist both in full and empty reservoirs. The reservoir appeared full and distended before the electrical shocks were applied and became empty and withered afterwards due to the elimination of the secretion, without any reductions in length. Nevertheless, some secretion was kept inside the lumen, thus suggesting a possible role for the reservoir in the modification of the secretion.

Telomerase activity in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with carcinoma of the cervix: Correlation with histology and human papillomavirus

This study was undertaken to evaluate the telomerase activity both in the tumor and in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. Thirty-three patients with SCC of the cervix (study group) and 13 patients with uterine myoma (control group) were prospectively studied. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor or cervix, anterior vaginal margin (AVM), and posterior vaginal margin (PVM). The specimens were analyzed by histopathology, by a telomerase PCR-TRAP-ELISA kit, and by polymerase chain reaction using human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The telomerase activity was significantly higher in the tumor than in the benign cervix (P < 0.001). There was no difference in telomerase activity in the AVM and PVM in patients with cervical carcinoma compared to the control group. Telomerase activity was associated with the presence of histologic malignancy in the PVM of patients submitted to radical hysterectomy (P = 0.03). This association was not observed with the presence of HPV in AVM or PVM in the study group. Telomerase activity is a marker of histologic malignancy in patients with SCC of the cervix. There was no association between the telomerase activity and the presence of HPV in vaginal margins of patients submitted to radical hysterectomy. © 2006, Copyright the Authors.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor improves the salivary gland histology of spontaneously diabetic mice

Objectives: The incretin-based therapy might be effective in patients possessing certain levels of preserved pancreatic beta-cells. However, doubts still exist regarding the efficacy of this atment in the recovery of tissues damaged by type 1 diabetes. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the treatment with MK0431 in salivary glands of spontaneously diabetic mice, focusing mainly on the possible therapeutic and hypoglycaemic effects of this dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor in the recovery of these salivary tissues. Methods and results: Twenty mice were divided into two groups of 10 animals each: group I (NOD diabetic/untreated) and group II (NOD diabetic MK0431/treated). The group II was treated during 4 weeks with MK0431 mixed in the food. The group I was maintained in the same way without receiving, however, any treatment. Glucose levels were monitored during treatment and salivary glands samples were collected at the end of treatment for the histological examination under both transmitted and polarized light microscopy. High glucose levels were observed in untreated animals, while in animals with treatment, reduction of these levels was observed. Tissue restructuring was also observed in animals submitted to therapy with MK0431, mainly in relation to the attempt to extracellular matrix reorganization. Conclusions: According to results, the treatment with this dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor contributed to the general homeostasis of the organism and to the reestablishment of both epithelial and stromal compartments which were damaged by the hyperglycaemic condition, demonstrating that the incretin-based therapy may be an important complementary treatment for the type 1 diabetic condition. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

The action of aminoguanidine on the liver of trained diabetic rats

Background: This study evaluated the effect of aminoguanidine on liver of diabetic rats subject to physical exercises using histological and histochemical techniques.Methods: The rats used in this study were divided into five groups: sedentary control, sedentary diabetic, trained diabetic, sedentary diabetic and treated with aminoguanidine, trained diabetic and treated with aminoguanidine.Results: The results showed no effect of aminoguanidine on the liver tissue, although there was improvement with exercise training showing cytological, morpho-histological and histochemical alterations in liver cells of animals from groups trained diabetic and/or treated diabetic compared to those individuals in the sedentary control and sedentary diabetic. These changes included: hepatocytes hypertrophy, presence and distribution of polysaccharides in the hepatocytes cytoplasm and, especially, congestion of the liver blood vessels.Conclusion: Our results suggest that aminoguanidine is not hepatotoxic, when used at dosage of 1 g/L for the treatment of diabetes complications, and confirmed that the practice of moderate physical exercise assuaged the damage caused by diabetes without the use of insulin. © 2013 e Nico et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Induction and Morpho-Ultrastructural Analysis of Organogenic Calli of a Wild Passionfruit

This work studied a new protocol for organogenic calli induction and characterization of the morphology and ultrastructure of callogenesis in leaf explants of Passiflora gibertii N. E. Brown, a native passion fruit species from Brazil. Calli induction was performed in different growth conditions (light and dark), different MS medium salt concentrations (MS and MS half strength) and the presence or absence of coconut water. The leaf explants maintained in the dark were more responsive to bud formation. In order to reduce spending on in vitro culture, the most suitable induction medium for P. gibertii organogenesis could, therefore be the MS half strength salt concentration medium maintained in the dark. The addition of coconut water to the culture medium was essential for both calli induction and bud formation. The morphological and ultrastructural features of the organogenic calli were isodiametric cells, characterized by an organized cellular system, nucleus with prominent nucleoli, presence of starch grains and dense cytoplasm rich in endoplasmic reticulum. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that buds were present on these calli.

Evaluation of morpho-anatomical and chemical differences between varieties of the medicinal plant Casearia sylvestris Swartz

Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae) é uma planta utilizada na medicina tradicional, cujos extratos de folhas demonstraram importantes ações farmacológicas. A espécie apresenta variação morfológica, genética e química. Duas variedades são consideradas devido a diferenças morfológicas: C. sylvestris var. sylvestris e var. lingua. Há dificuldades na definição destas variedades. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar diferenças morfo-anatômicas e químicas entre as variedades de C. sylvestris que permitam sua diferenciação com aplicação farmacêutica ou botânica. Seções transversais e paradérmicas de folhas foram preparadas para análises morfo-anatômicas, histoquímicas e microscopia quantitativa (indices de estômatos e paliçada). Análises cromatográficas (CLAE-DAD e CCD) foram realizadas para obter o perfil de diterpenos clerodânicos. Os resultados das análises morfo-anatômicas demonstraram diferenças significativas entre as variedades somente em cortes paradérmicos: var. sylvestris - paredes celulares epidérmicas poligonais e hipoestomática, var. lingua - paredes celulares epidérmicas arredondadas e anfiestomática. Os índices de estômatos não revelaram diferenças; os valores dos índices de paliçada foram de 2,8 para var. lingua e 3,9 para var. sylvestris. As análises cromatográficas confirmaram resultados prévios, demonstrando predomínio de diterpenos na var. sylvestris. Este trabalho sugere que análises cromatográficas e morfo-anatômicas podem ser ferramentas aplicáveis na distinção das variedades da espécie.

Latent heat loss and sweat gland histology of male goats in an equatorial semi-arid environment

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Recognition of two morpho-types in eastern South American brackens (Pteridium-Dennstaedtiaceae-Polypodiopsida)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Reproductive Tract Histology of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)