Morphology of Richards' Gland in the Wasp Metapolybia docilis

Richards gland in the epiponine wasp Metapolybia docilis occurs at the anterior side of the 5(th) abdominal sternite, and is formed by approx. 360 secretory cells. The cells discharge their secretory products through accompanying duct cells into a reservoir that is formed by the invaginated intersegmental membrane between the 4(th) and 5(th) sternites. The ultrastructural characteristics of the secretory cells are indicative for the production of a non-proteinaceous secretion, which is in line with the trail substance that is used by these wasps during their swarm-founding.

Effect of estrogen therapy, soy isoflavones, and the combination therapy on the submandibular gland of ovariectomized rats

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

Immunohistochemical study of the expression of fatty acid synthase and Ki-67 in salivary gland tumors

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

Expression pattern of claudins 1 and 3-an auxiliary tool in predicting behavior of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary gland origin

Claudins (CLDNs) are a family of membrane proteins important for permeability of tight junctions. They have also been implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We analyzed patterns of distribution and intensity of expression of CLDNs 1, 3, 4, and 7 in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of salivary gland in 39 patients. Correlations between the expression of CLDNs, tumor grade, and survival were explored. In immunohistochemical analysis, high expression of CLDN 1 was seen in low-grade MEC, and it appeared to be a suitable auxiliary marker of good prognosis. It classified MEC similarly to histological grading in 89.7% of cases (p=0.001). High CLDN 3 expression was seen in intermediate-and high-grade MEC, while it was low in low-grade MEC. CLDN 3 intensity correctly categorized tumors into grades in 71.8% of cases (p=0.017). However, in multivariate analysis CLDN 1 and CLDN 3 did not achieve significance over tumor grade in predicting patient behavior. We conclude that analysis of staining intensities of CLDN 1 and 3 is useful as an auxiliary diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with salivary gland MEC.

Effect of the juvenile hormone on the development of the mandibular gland in workers' pupae of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

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

Metanotal gland of the genus Eidmanacris (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae): taxonomic importance

O presente trabalho compara a glândula metanotal de cinco espécies do gênero Eidmanacris por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura: E. corumbatai Garcia, 1998, E. alboannulata (Piza, 1960), E. dissimilis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, E. larvaeformis (Chopard, 1938) e Eidmanacris sp. A configuração externa da glândula foi determinada pela presença de duas projeções medianas que apresentam abertura em seu ápice e um grupo de cerdas abaixo destas projeções. Apesar de haver um padrão geral semelhante, a configuração da glândula é espécie-específica, que pode ser definida principalmente pela organização de cerdas e pela posição das projeções medianas. Nossos resultados sugerem a importância taxonômica desta estrutura, que deveria ser melhor analisada na descrição de espécies do gênero Eidmanacris. Pela observação do comportamento reprodutivo destas espécies, nós concluímos que a liberação da secreção desta glândula é importante para o sucesso reprodutivo.

Profile of thyroid hormones in breast cancer patients

Estrogen involvement in breast cancer has been established; however, the association between breast cancer and thyroid diseases is controversial. Estrogen-like effects of thyroid hormone on breast cancer cell growth in culture have been reported. The objective of the present study was to determine the profile of thyroid hormones in breast cancer patients. Serum aliquots from 26 patients with breast cancer ranging in age from 30 to 85 years and age-matched normal controls (N = 22) were analyzed for free triiodothyronine (T3F), free thyroxine (T4F), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), antiperoxidase antibody (TPO), and estradiol (E2). Estrogen receptor ß (ERß) was determined in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. Thyroid disease incidence was higher in patients than in controls (58 vs 18%, P < 0.05). Subclinical hyperthyroidism was the most frequent disorder in patients (31%); hypothyroidism (8%) and positive anti-TPO antibodies (19%) were also found. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the only dysfunction (18%) found in controls. Hyperthyroidism was associated with postmenopausal patients, as shown by significantly higher mean T3 and T4 values and lower TSH levels in this group of breast cancer patients than in controls. The majority of positive ERß tumors were clustered in the postmenopausal patients and all cases presenting subclinical hyperthyroidism in this subgroup concomitantly exhibited Erß-positive tumors. Subclinical hyperthyroidism was present in only one of 6 premenopausal patients. We show here that postmenopausal breast cancer patients have a significantly increased thyroid hormone/E2 ratio (P < 0.05), suggesting a possible tumor growth-promoting effect caused by this misbalance.

Microalterations in the third eyelid gland of dogs with keratoconjunctivits sicca secondary to distemper

Analisaram-se, à microscopia óptica, 28 glândulas da terceira pálpebra de cães, que morreram com cinomose. O diagnóstico de ceratoconjuntivite seca baseou-se nas alterações da superfície ocular e no teste da lágrima de Schirmer. À histologia, visibilizaram-se atrofia tubuloacina, espessamento do tecido conjuntivo e exudação inflamatória de leve a intensa com presença de plasmócitos, de histiócitos e por hipertrofia compensatória de algumas glândulas. O lume das glândulas encontrava-se hipertrofiado contendo células epiteliais descamadas, polimorfonucleares e hemácias, além de muco.

Possible association between Carney complex and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 phenotypes

Complexo de Carney (CNC) e neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo 1 (MEN1) são formas de neoplasias endócrinas múltiplas de herança autossômica dominante. O diagnóstico do CNC ocorre quando dois critérios maiores (lentiginose, doença nodular pigmentosa primária das adrenais, mixomas cardíacos e cutâneos, acromegalia, neoplasia testicular, carcinoma de tireóide) são observados e/ou um critério maior associado a um critério suplementar (familiar afetado, mutação do gene PRKAR1A) ocorre. Por outro lado, o diagnóstico de MEN1 dá-se pela detecção de dois ou mais tumores localizados na glândula hipofisária, paratireóide e/ou células pancreáticas. O presente caso descreve um homem de 55 anos, com diagnóstico de acromegalia, hiperparatireoidismo primário e carcinoma papilífero de tireóide, exibindo critérios diagnósticos para as duas condições descritas. Embora possa ter ocorrido apenas uma associação esporádica, ou a acromegalia per se tenha predisposto ao carcinoma papilífero, novos mecanismos moleculares podem estar envolvidos.

Activity of Delta(9)-desaturase enzyme in mammary gland of lactating buffaloes

The objective of this research was to measure the activity of e-desaturase enzyme in lactating buffaloes. Data from forty lactating Murrah-crossbred buffaloes were collected on five commercial farms located at Sarapui and Pilar do Sul, São Paulo-Brazil. A field survey was done from April to November 2002. In four farms, buffaloes were fed with wet brewers grains (primary concentrate). Only one farm (Farm 4) offered pasture and corn silage. Monthly milk samples were collected and stored at -20 degrees C until analyzed for fatty acid composition. The Delta(9)-desaturase activity was measured using an indirect method (myristoleic and myristic acids ration - C(14:1c9)/C(14:0)). The higher C(14:1c9)/C(14:0) rate was verified on Farm 4 (0.092). The C(14:1c9)/C(14:0) ratio were 0.064 to Farm 1; 0.065 to Farm 2; 0.062 to Farm 3 and 0.065 to Farm 5. The C(17:1)/C(17:0), C(18:1c9)/C(18:0) and C(18:2c9t11)/C(18:1t11) ratios were also affected. The Farm 4 showed higher value for all ratios. Therefore, in lactating buffaloes grazing pasture the Delta(9)-desaturase activity could be enhanced.

THE ASSESSMENT OF ZINC STATUS BY THE ZINC TOLERANCE-TEST IN THYROID-DISEASE

Zinc status was evaluated in 12 hyperthyroid and in 7 hypothyroid patients in comparison with 8 euthyroid individuals by the oral zinc tolerance test and by the determination of urinary zinc excretion. Hyperthyroid patients presented a basal serum concentration similar to that of euthyroid individuals but greater urinary zinc excretion, indicating the occurrence of zinc depletion from tissues to the blood stream caused by the catabolism inherent in the hyperthyroid state. Hyperthyroidism also caused lower zinc assimilation by tissues after zinc ingestion. Hypothyroid individuals present lower basal zinc levels in serum than euthyroid and hyperthyroid individuals and urinary zinc excretion similar to that of euthyroid individuals. No changes in the parameters measured were observed after zinc load, suggesting reduced or delayed intestinal absorption and zinc assimilation by tissues. The present data are indicative of zinc deficiency, the lower intestinal zinc absorption probably being one of the contributing factors.

A new nucleolar body appears in Drosophila saltans salivary gland cells before histolysis, in programmed cell death

The salivary glands of Drosophila saltans ( saltans group, saltans subgroup) analyzed in an advanced stage of programmed cell death showed the appearance of a single, round, nucleolar corpuscle inside the highly altered nucleus of every gland cell, at a time during which the integrity of the original nucleolus was already lost and the original nucleolar material apparently disappeared. In the same nuclei, which already had also lost the characteristic chromosome structure, some delicate chromosome threads were maintained. In many cells, the new nucleolar corpuscle and these chromosome threads are associated. These findings are novel. However, the hypothesis put forward concerning their meaning remains dependent on other studies.

Ultrastructure of the excretory duct in the silk gland of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

The excretory duct in the silk gland of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis consists of two morphologically distinct regions, recognized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The thin posterior region, adjacent to the glandular region, presents a regular surface. Secretory vesicles containing either electron-dense or fibrillar cuticular-like materials are observed in their apical cytoplasm; the same cuticular materials were detected as extracellular deposits among the microvilli. The short anterior region, near the common duct, exhibits surface protrusions; there are no secretory vesicles in their apical cytoplasm. These results show that only the duct cells at the posterior region are involved in the secretion of the cuticular intima elements. Desmosome-like structures were visualized linking together adjacent microvillar membranes only in the cells of anterior duct region, with unknown function. The transition between the duct and the glandular region is abrupt; the cells of the glandular and posterior duct regions present large amounts of microtubules. Nerve fibers can be observed between the duct cells in their two regions, suggesting that control of silk secretion may occur in the excretory duct via neurotransmitter liberation. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.