Vascular organization of the hystricomorph placenta: a comparative study in the Agouti, capybara, guinea pig, paca and rock cavy

The placental vasculature of five hystricomorph rodents was examined by latex injection of the blood vessels, immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy of vessel casts. The pattern of branching of the vessels is described at the level of fine structure. The placenta is divided into lobes separated by interlobular trophoblast. Fetal arteries course through the interlobular areas and give rise to capillaries from which blood drains into veins at the centre of the lobes. Maternal blood reaches the placenta through spiral arteries that pass around the perimeter of the subplacenta. They supply large maternal blood sinuses, lined by trophoblast, which run through the interlobular areas and into the centre of the lobes. Here they supply fine channels that run parallel to the fetal capillaries, so that maternal blood flows from the centre of the lobe to the periphery. This arrangement provides the morphological basis for countercurrent exchange. The maternal channels of the labyrinth drain into spaces formed by the latticework of the interlobular trophoblast and thence through venous lacunae to a basal venous lacunar ring. The subplacenta is supplied by a single fetal artery. The vessels within the subplacenta pursue a tortuous course with dilatations and constrictions as in an endocrine gland. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF THE RHODNIUS-NEGLECTUS (HEMIPTERA) LABIAL SALIVARY-GLANDS AFTER STARVATION

Labial salivary glands are found in the majority of insects. They are relatively large, extend back into the thorax, and in Rhodnius, they are cherry red in color due to a pigment derived from traces of hemoglobin absorbed form the gut. In most insects they are acinous shaped, with long excretion channels that present differentiated regions which from salivary reservoirs. The glands may be relatively simple or complexly branched and convoluted. In Rhodnius they are described as being unilobed with no traces of division. The main duct leaves the gland at its anterior extremity. The acini have different kinds of cells but all of them are seen as sources of secretion. Our material has a different shape due to the fact that the animals spent 20 days under starvation conditions. New data are also obtained through treatment with collagenase and HCl. The importance of the study of these glands lies in the fact that it will further understanding of the transmission of Chagas' disease.

Electrophoretical studies of proteins of the hypopharyngeal glands and of the larval food of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lep (Hymenoptera, Meliponinae)

The electrophoretical protein patterns of hypopharyngeal glands, larval food of Melipona, and royal jelly of Apis were compared.Since protein patterns of hypopharyngeal glands from newly emerged workers, brood cell provisioners and foragers are similar to freshly deposited larval food, the identical protein bands probably represent actual gland secretion. This suggests that, as in Apis, the glands secrete proteins to the larval food, and maintain this ability throughout life, although at slightly different intensities, according to the activity of the bees.The similarity on the electrophoretic profiles of the major larval food protein in Apis and Melipona is an interesting finding because of its probable evolutionary significance.

Partial genetic characterization of Stearoyl Coa-Desaturase's structural region in Bubalus bubalis

Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs) comprise a family of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid. The main form of CLA, cis-9, trans-11-C18:2 show positive effects in cancer prevention and treatment. The major dietary sources of these fatty acids are derived from ruminant animals, in particular dairy products. In these animals, the endogenous synthesis mainly occurs in mammary gland by the action of enzyme Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD). Different levels of expression and activity of SCD in mammary gland can explain partially the variation of CLA levels in fat milk. Considering a great fat concentration in bubaline milk and the benefit of a high and positive correlation between fat milk and CLA production, this study was carried on with the intention of sequencing and characterizing part of the gene that codifies SCD in buffaloes. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of lactating bubaline which begins to the breed Murrah. After the (acho que nao precisa desse the) extractions, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) reactions were made by using primers Z (sic) (sic) D1 and E1 (sic) (sic) F1. The fragments obtained in PCR were cloned into T vectors and transformed in competent cells DH10B line. After this, three samples of each fragment were sequenced from 5' and 3' extremities using a BigDye kit in an automatic sequencer. Sequences were edited in a consensus of each fragment and were submitted to BLAST-n / NCBI for similarity comparisions among other species. The sequence obtained with Z (sic) (sic) D1 primers shows 938 bp enclosing exons 1 and 2 and intron 1. The primers E1 (sic) (sic) F1 show 70 bp corresponding to exon 3 of bubaline SCD gene. Similarities were obtained between 85% and 97% among bubaline sequences and sequences of SCD gene described in human, mouse, rat, swine, bovine, caprine and ovine species. This study has permitted the identification and partial characterization of SCD codifing region in Bubalus bubalis specie.

Use of PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism) in the gene of the enzyme Stearoyl-CoA-Desaturase in Bubalus bubalis

The milk is an important food because it contents Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CIA). These fatty acids are synthesized in mammary gland under action of the enzyme Stearoyl CoA-Desaturase (SCD) and have showed some positive effects in human disease prevention and treatments. A variation of CLA in milk fat exists and can be partially explained by the different levels of expression of SCD. The aim was to study part of the encoding regions of SCD's gene using PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Genomic DNA was extracted from lactating Murrah females. After this, PCR reactions were made by using primers Z (sic) (sic) D1 that encloses exon I, II and intron I. The fragments amplified are composed by 938 pb. Then, RFLP techniques were applied in the fragments using the restriction enzymes Pst I and Sma I. The enzyme Pst I has generated fragments of 788pb and 150bp and the Sma I has generated fragments of 693pb and 245pb. All the animals showed the same migration standard for both enzymes, characterizing a genetic monomorphism for this region of SCD gene. The analysis determined that there aren't genetic differences between these animals in the studied regions by using Pst I and Sma I enzymes.

REDUCTION OF CELL PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITIES OF GASTRIC STUMP ADENOMATOUS HYPERPLASIAS AFTER BILE REFLUX DIVERSION IN RATS

Previously we reported the majority of lesions induced hy bile reflux, in the absence of chemical carcinogens, in the rat remnant stomach to consist primarily of gastric type and secondarily of intestinal type cells, and that they are reversible after diversion of bile reflux. The present study was designed to evaluate changes in proliferative activities in cells of each type under these conditions. The frequency of adenomatous hyperplasia (AH) induced in the gastric stump mucosa by duodenal content reflux after Billroth II partial gastrectomy (BII) increased until the 54th week of the experiment. Roux-en-Y (RY) surgical procedure which prevents duodenal reflux performed at the 24th or 36th week after BII led to a decrease in AH. Cell content of the lesions was analyzed using routine H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining for pepsinogen isoenzyme 1 and histochemical procedures for mucins (paradoxical concanavalin A, galactose oxidase Schiff and sialidase galactose oxidase Schiff reactions) and proliferation in each compartment evaluated by an immunohistochemical method using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and a monoclonal antibody against BrdU. At the 54th week the number of BrdU-labeled cells per normal pyloric column was significantly (P < 0.05) increased to 10.63/pit after the BII operation, while it diminished to 5.23/pit after RY diversion, this being the same level as with the RY procedure alone. AH maintained a high rate of BrdU incorporation at 12.7% after BII operation, which was also significantly reduced (P < 0.01) to 7.0% by the RY surgery. The intestinal type cell showed highest (22.2%), the surface mucous type cell showed the next (16.5%) and the pyloric gland type cell showed lowest (5.2%) BrdU labeling indices after BII operation. All the cell types in AH showed similar proportional decreases in BrdU incorporation after RY diversion. Thus surgical intervention reverses the cell proliferation caused by bile reflux in the gastric stump.

Morphological changes in the salivary glands of Amblyomma cajennense females (Acari : Ixodidae) in different feeding stages on rabbits at first infestation

This study examined salivary glands of unfed, partially engorged, and engorged females of the tick Amblyomma cajennense on rabbits at first infestation using histological and histochemical techniques. In type I acini, no significant changes were observed among the three feeding conditions. In type II acini of unfed females, c1, c2, and c4 cells were described for the first time in this species. In a comparison among the three feeding conditions, an increase in this acinus was observed, due to the increase in secretion in c1, c2, and c4 cells and the appearance of c3 cells. In engorged females, some cells were still active. Type III acini presented cells d, e, and f containing secretion in unfed females. In partially engorged females, these cells were devoid of secretion. In engorged females, type III acini exhibited a reduced lumen. After engorgement, all acini underwent a degenerative process, as observed in females after two to five days post-engorgement.

A NEW SPECIES of THE BOKERMANNOHYLA MARTINSI GROUP FROM CENTRAL BAHIA, BRAZIL WITH COMMENTS on BOKERMANNOHYLA (ANURA: HYLIDAE)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pediatric Chronic Sclerosing Sialadenitis: Kuttner Tumor

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis is an uncommon cause of salivary gland enlargement mainly occurring in the fifth and seventh decade of life. In the Western population, chronic sclerosing sialadenitis has been characterized as an IgG4-related disease. Although rare, this lesion occurs in children. To increase awareness about this entity in the pediatric age group, we report the case of an 11-year-old boy with a hard, 4.0-cm circumscribed mass in the right submandibular gland. Histologically there was marked distortion of the gland architecture by a dense lymphocytic infiltrate and extensive fibrosis with septa that crossed and distorted the gland, leaving atrophic acini and dilated, irregular ducts. The lymphoid infiltrate formed multiple follicles with active germinal centers, numerous plasma cells, and areas with diffuse arrangement. Immunophenotyping showed abundant CD20- and CD3-positive lymphocytes; cytokeratin AE1/AE3 highlighted the distorted architectural pattern; IgG staining showed large numbers of positive cells infiltrating the interstitium and surrounding the atrophic acini and ducts. IgG4 staining revealed a large proportion of positive infiltrating elements. Kuttner tumor belongs to the group of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases. The differential diagnosis includes pleomorphic adenoma and other salivary gland neoplasms. Its recognition in children is important clinically because this entity is amenable to steroid treatment, and additional work up and follow up is warranted to stave off other IgG4-related diseases/complications.

Morphological changes in the cephalic salivary glands of females and males of Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Impact of breed and sex on porcine endocrine transcriptome: a bayesian biometrical analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influence of salivary glands extirpation on procreation in rats

The influence of extirpation of the submandibular and sublingual, parotid and all major salivary glands on pregnancy of rats was studied. The statistical analysis of the results indicated that there are statistically significant differences in the number of offsprings before and after extirpation of the salivary glands. The parotidectomized female rats presented the smallest number of offsprings as compared with other groups and presented some progressive sterility after the gland extirpation.

Glycogen distribution in ameloblasts and odontoblasts of newborn rats of sialoadenectomized dams. Histochemical study

In order to get information about the distribution of glycogen in ameloblasts and odontoblasts, studies were made of newborn rats of sialoadenectomized dams and newborn rats of control dams. Rodent offspring were decapitated on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th days after birth. Their heads were fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution, decalcified in sodium citrate-formic acid and embedded in paraffin, and frontal sections were prepared. Sections 6 micrometers thick were stained by specific histochemical reactions to detect glycogen. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the amount of glycogen was lower in the cytoplasms of ameloblasts and odontoblasts of experimental animals when compared to controls.

Endogenous corticosteroids and insulin in acute inflammation

Carrageenin-induced inflammatory responses in the hindpaws of rats were quantitated by measuring: (1) alterations in volumes of the paws; and (2) alterations in concentration of dye, previously injected intravenously, which was recovered in perfusates from the paws. The inflammatory response in one paw was attenuated by previously inducing an inflammatory response in the contralateral paw. The effect was abolished by pretreatment with insulin. Indexes of adrenal activity were increased after the induction of the inflammatory response and they were not attenuated by pretreatment with insulin. Adrenal hyperactivity was characterized by increased serum corticosterone concentration, decreased adrenal ascorbic acid content, and reduced number of circulating eosinophils. It is concluded that inflammatory stimuli which lead to alterations in microvessels depend on a facilitatory effect of insulin. This effect is antagonized by glucocorticoids released in enhanced concentrations after the application of noxious stimuli. Therefore, endogenous insulin and glucocorticoids act as modulators of inflammatory responses.