Blood Sinuses Research Articles

Comparative morphology and ultrastructure of the respiratory system in four species of the Opheliidae family

Polychaetes show a remarkable diversity of the respiratory system structures. However, the ultrastructure of gills was studied only in some species from several families. The morphology and ultrastructure of the gills of Ophelia limacina, Ophelina acuminata, Euzonus arcticus, and Travisia forbesii (Opheliidae) were studied using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Gills could be interpreted as body wall protrusions containing coelom, blood lacunas, or vessels connected to interepithelial blood sinuses. The blood is separated from the environment by a 1.5-μm thick wall in E. arcticus, 2-μm in O. limacine and T. forbesii, and 3-μm in O. acuminata, which is close to the minimum observed in the polychaetes; it refers to the effective gas exchange. Unlike the other species, the gill surface lacks cilia in T. forbesii. This might be explained by the fact that the body of T. forbesii is covered with a thick layer of mucus making cilia inefficient and leading to their reduction. The cuticle of the gills is thin; its structure in O. acuminata, O. limacina, and E. arcticus resembles the cuticle covering the other part of the body. In T. forbesii, the gills are covered with a protocuticle close to that in larval forms of polychaetes. The epidermal cells of gills are different in form in all four species studied. The epithelial cells in E. arcticus have few organelles, but contain numerous vacuoles, which represent a low level of synthesis. Therefore, they are likely to have a support function. The epithelium in O. limacina, O. acuminata, and E. arcticus has multiple gland cells, while T. forbesii does not have any. The gills of O. acuminata contain glands of two types, while O. limacine and E. arcticus have only one type of gill gland. The epidermal cells in T. forbesii are connected by desmosomes, while in the other three species, they also have dense junctions, and even adhesive belts in O. limacina and E. arcticus. The coelom is lined with mioepithelium, and in E. arcticus, together with podocites. Blood cells of O. limacina, O. acuminata, and E. arcticus were found for the first time, while in O. limacina, amoebocytes form an incomplete endothelium on basal lamina. The gills of T. forbesii differ from those of the other three Opheliid species in anatomy and some ultrastructural features. These data together with the results of recent molecular studies could be one more reason to exclude Travisia from Opheliidae. Furthermore, several common anatomic and ultrastructural features of O. limacina, O. acuminata, and E. arcticus could serve as a synapomorphy of the family Opheliidae. However, further anatomical and ultrastructural investigations are necessary before we can use this character for phylogenetic analysis.

Ultrastructural studies on the neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebralis of larvae of tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (D) eco-race Bhandara (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

The cerebral neurosecretory cells (NSC) constitute four paired groups, medial (MNC), lateral (LNC-I, LNC-II) and posterior (PNC) in the brain of larvae of tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta (D) Eco-race Bhandara. The MNC is the largest groups of peptidergic neurosecretory cells and are located in the pars intercerebralis region. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM), ultrastructure of the NSC confirmed the presence of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes and neurosecretory granules. The median neurosecretory cells shows secretory activity and release of secretory products, the neurosecretory granules (NSG) in the axons of NSC as well as the blood sinus.

Anatomy and ontogeny of a novel hemodynamic organ in zebrafish.

The zebrafish maxillary barbel can protract and retract in response to stimuli, and appears connected to a prominent blood sinus on the lateral aspect of the maxillary bone. However, the mechanism of barbel movement is not described. Using whole-mount phalloidin staining of the sinus region, we observed long filamentous actin cables, suggesting highly organized vascular smooth muscle cells, surrounding an endothelial chamber. Although the chamber is variably filled by erythrocytes in vivo, cardiac injection of fluorescent dextrans shows that it consistently contains plasma. Full-thickness confocal imaging of dextran-injected adults containing EGFP(+) endothelial cells revealed a vascular complex with three compartments, here named the distal bulb, central chamber, and accessory chamber. The early ontogeny of all three compartments was confirmed in a whole-mount series of Tg(fli1a:EGFP) juveniles. In wild type adults, the fine structure of each chamber was studied using paraffin- and plastic-section histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. The distal bulb and central chamber have smooth muscle coats with luminally-elongated septa, forming semi-detached blood-filled lacunae. The central chamber walls and septa are extensively innervated by small, unmyelinated axons, as confirmed by immunohistochemical detection of acetylated tubulin, a component of axonal cytoplasm. The accessory chamber appears neither innervated nor muscularized, but is an endothelial cul-de-sac with a thickened elastic adventitia, suggesting an extensible fluid reservoir. We propose that we have identified a new organ in zebrafish, the maxillary barbel blood sinus, whose neurovascular specializations may contribute to zebrafish sensory biology and appendage control.

FUNCTIONAL AND METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF NEUTROPHILIC GRANULOCYTES IN CASE OF ACUTE BACTERIAL RHINOSINUSITIS

Abstract. The functional and metabolic activities of neutrophilic granulocytes in patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) have been studied. Characteristics of the indices of chemiluminescence and bioluminescence for neutrophils, extracted from venous blood and maxillary sinus were compared. It was demonstrated the decrease of intensity of APK production in neutrophils, extracted from inflammation point, with simultaneous decrease of intensity of plastic processes and increasing of energy processes in compare with the same indices in blood cells.

Evaluation of effective Medhya formulation on trancranial treatment on rat

2 and targeted to the brain through the scalp. The drugs are effective if it's delivered to the site of action, In the Ayurvedic system of medicine practices oil therapies to the head to treat diseases of the central nervous system 3 . The present study objective is to find out the effectiveness of few medhya (polyphyto) formulations for its learning and memory activity could be delivered and targeted to the brain by transcranial delivery route. In the formulation uses potential plants having efficacy to improve learning and memory are of Habiscus rosasinensis 4 Abstract The herbs that promote the intelligence are called Medhya herbs. This action is related to our mind and mind resides in the brain and nervous system - especially the higher cortical centers of the brain. According to Ayurveda the intelligence is a triad of three powers of the mind - the acquisition, the retention and the recollection. The unique anatomical arrangement of blood vessels and sinuses in the human skull and the brain, the prevalence of a high density of skin appendages in the scalp, extra cranial vessels of the scalp communicating with the brain via emissary veins and most importantly, the way that the scalp is used in the Ayurvedic medical system in treating diseases associated with the brain show that a drug could be transcranially delivered and targeted to the brain through the scalp. The present study objective is to find out the effectiv eness of the few medhya (polyphyto) formulations for its learning and memory activity could be delivered and targeted to the brain by transcranial delivery route. The transcranial medhya formulation; FM1 (Habiscus rosasinensis, Oscimum sanctum, Santalum album, Phyllanthus Emblica, Convolulus pluricaulis Bacopa monnieri, FM2 (Lactuca sativa, Juglans regia, Curcuma longa, Vigna mungo, Asphaltum vernacular), & FM3 (Mentha piperita, Juglans regia, Ribes nigrum, Zingiber officinalis, Aloe vera, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Curcubita pepo, Glycine max, Avena sativa) on memory acquisition and retention was studied using Elevated plus maze, Morris water maze (MWM) and Pole Climbing apparatus (PCA) in rat. On Application of trancranial media formulations FM1& FM3 showed significant reduction in transfer latency in EPM, MWM and escape latency in PCA test as compared with the control and standard group, whereas FM2 is equally effective in comparison to standard drug but it shown an extremely signifi cant effect compared to control group.

Coronary Artery Disease in a Young Patient Taking Modafinil

Introduction Modafinil is a relatively new drug typically used in patients diagnosed with sleep disorders including narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. It has been described as a “stimulant” and can produce cardiac symptoms such as increased blood pressure, asystole, chest pain, and sinus tachycardia. There is relatively little data on the correlation between modafinil use and risk for coronary artery disease.

Canine iPSC generation with non-integrative vectors

Canine iPSC generation with non-integrative vectors

Effect of Endosulfan (EC 35) on Oxygen Consumption Patterns and Gill Morphology of the Indian Flying Barb, Esomus danricus

The Indian flying barb, Esomus danricus was exposed to three sub lethal concentrations of endosulfan EC 35 (0.49, 0.049 and 0.0049 μg l-1) to determine changes in the oxygen consumption patterns and gill morphology. The rates of oxygen consumption declined, while the gills showed various histopathological changes including marked epithelial lifting, lamellar fusion, hyperplasia, hypertrophy, mucus secretion, mucous cell proliferation, vascular congestion and blood sinus constriction after 28 days of toxicant exposure. Higher doses of exposure had more severe effects. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (2): 145-150, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i2.5384

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue recipe on placental vasculature in pregnant rats with fetal growth restriction induced by passive smoking

Interactions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with receptors VEGFR1/Flt1 and VEGFR2/Flk1, and those of angiopoietins (Ang-1, Ang-2) with receptor Tie2 play important roles in placental angiogenesis. This study investigated vascular morphology and expression of these angiogenic factors in rat placenta on the day 15, 18, 21 of gestation (D15, D18 and D21). The rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: normal group, model group [fetal growth restriction (FGR) model], and Bushen Yiqi Huoxue (BYHR) recipe treatment group (BYHR group, the pregnant rats with FGR were treated with BYHR recipe). Morphological analysis indicated that during initial villous formation, fetal nucleated erythrocytes (FNEs) appeared in maternal blood sinus (MBS). Subsequently, FNEs were surrounded by endothelial cells to form fetal capillary (FC) and then by trophoblast cells to form villi. As pregnancy proceeded, FC density increased progressively with increasing endothelial identification staining (EIS) in normal and BYHR groups. Whereas, villous formation was suppressed, normal increase in FC density was impaired and EIS was weakened in model group. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that VEGF and Flk1 mRNA increased over gestation in all groups, indicating that VEGF might play a pivotal role in FC growth during late gestation. VEGF mRNA was increased on D15, while decreased on D21 in model group as compared with normal group and BYHR group. Immunohistochemically, Ang-2 protein was highly expressed in FNEs, gradually disappeared as villi matured, and decreased over gestation in all groups, indicating that Ang-2 might play a pivotal role in villous formation, which was further supported by decreased Ang-2 mRNA and protein expression in model group on D15. Ang-1 mRNA, Tie2 mRNA and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio increased from D15 to D18 in all groups as placenta matured. Ang-1 mRNA, Tie2 mRNA and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio were decreased on D18 in model group as compared with normal and BYHR groups, indicating delayed maturity of FGR placenta. Alterations in angiogenic factors may result in altered placental vasculature and cause placental insufficiency. BYHR recipe could balance the angiogenic factors to promote the formation and maturation of FGR placental vasculature.

Recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in the beach chair position for shoulder surgery under general anesthesia

Recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in the beach chair position for shoulder surgery under general anesthesia

Distribution of nanoparticles in the pregnant rat: the morphologic and spectroscopic study

The nanoparticles (NP) applications in industry and biomedicine are growing despite of superficial understanding about the mechanisms of NP biological interactions and the possible toxicity. The beneficial NP applications in medicine, as well as potential adverse effects, first of all depend on the NP accumulation and localization in the organism. The human in pre-natal stages is more sensitive to toxic materials than the adult organism and, therefore, it is physiologically protected from harmful agents by the selective transport across the placental barrier. However, there is a lack of studies on the NP penetration through this barrier and the accumulation in foetus. In this study fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy methods were employed to investigate the distribution of polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated semiconductor quantum dots (QD) in the pregnant rat model. The main results indicate that QD are systemically distributed in the body and can be found in all the investigated organs, including placenta and uterus 3 h after the intraperitoneal injection. However, QD could not be detected in the foetal tissues (embryo, yolk sac placenta, umbilical cord). The study shows that QD mainly accumulate in the maternal blood sinuses of the placenta and the QD passage to the foetus is prevented by the placental barrier.

Identification of a novel metal binding protein, segon, in plasma of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica

The second most abundant protein of eastern oyster plasma was purified, characterized and named segon. The 39 kDa protein as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions made up about 17% of plasma proteins and was found in extrapallial fluid. RACE reactions with primers designed from an EST sequence identified by BLAST search in GenBank using the N-terminal amino acid sequence obtained by Edman degradation of the purified protein, predicted a 997 bp complete cDNA that encoded 277 amino acids including a 16-residue signal peptide at the N-terminus. The deduced mature protein, composed of 261 amino acids, had a calculated molecular mass of 30,483.9 Da which was lower than the molecular mass of the purified protein measured by MALDI. The difference was likely due to post-translational modifications as the protein was predicted to have multiple sites for glycosylation and phosphorylation. The protein mRNA was detected in hemocytes by in situ hybridization and quantified in oyster tissues by RT-qPCR. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the protein was most abundant in tissues rich in blood sinuses like the gills and dorsally along the base of the mantle. ICP metal analysis of purified protein indicated highest association with zinc, calcium and iron and much greater metal content than in purified dominin, the most abundant protein of eastern oysters. Results of N-terminal and internal peptide sequencing of SDS-PAGE separated plasma proteins from Pacific, Suminoe and European flat oysters indicated that the second most abundant plasma protein is conserved. Several possible functions of segon in metal transport and detoxification, host defense, antioxidation and shell mineralization are proposed as they relate to its capacity to bind metals.

The fetomaternal interface in the placenta of three species of armadillos (Eutheria, Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

BackgroundPlacental characters vary among Xenarthra, one of four supraordinal clades of Eutheria. Armadillos are known for villous, haemochorial placentas similar to humans. Only the nine-banded armadillo has been well studied so far.MethodsPlacentas of three species of armadillos were investigated by means of histology, immunohistochemistry including proliferation marker, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy.ResultsThe gross anatomy differed: Euphractus sexcinctus and Chaetophractus villosus had extended, zonary placentas, whereas Chaetophractus vellerosus had a disk. All taxa had complex villous areas within the maternal blood sinuses of the endometrium. Immunohistochemistry indicated the validity of former interpretations that the endothelium of the sinuses was largely intact. Tips of the villi and the columns entering the maternal tissue possessed trophoblast cell clusters with proliferation activity. Elsewhere, the feto-maternal barrier was syncytial haemochorial with fetal vessels near the surface.ConclusionsDifferences among armadillos occurred in regard to the extension of the placenta, whereas the fine structure was similar. Parallels to the human suggest that armadillos are likely to be useful animal models for human placentation.

Gill damage to juvenile orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822) following exposure to suspended sediments

Juvenile Epinephelus coioides were exposed to three nominal concentrations (8, 32, 128 mg wet sediments L−1) of suspended sediments (SS) from Port Shelter (PS), Mirs Bay (MB) and Victoria Harbour (VH) for 10 and 30 days using semi-static system. Sediments from VH contained higher concentrations of Cu and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than sediments from PS and MB. Gill damages including lamellar blood sinus dilation and vascular congestion were prevalent after just 10 days of exposure to SS. Fish exposed to SS at the highest concentration of 128 mg L−1 showed higher incidence of lamellar aneurism. Hyperplasia in the base of lamellae was recorded in fish that had been exposed to contaminated SS from VH. Significant increases in the density of chloride cells and mucous cells were found on the gills of fish that had been exposed to 128 mg L−1 of SS from PS. Clogging of gills by SS produced hypoxic-like responses in fish. Polluted sediments from VH produced addictive or synergistic effects between SS and chemical contaminants on fish.

If at first you don't succeed: Try, try again

If at first you don't succeed: Try, try again

Review: The evolving placenta: Different developmental paths to a hemochorial relationship

The way in which maternal blood is associated with trophoblast prior to the formation of the different types of hemochorial placenta may be conveniently grouped into four main patterns: a transitory endotheliochorial condition; maternal blood released into a mass of trophoblast; maternal blood confined to lacunae; and fetal villi entering preexisting maternal blood sinuses. Although it might be considered logical that developing placentas would pass through an endotheliochorial stage to become hemochorial, this developmental pattern is seen only as a transient stage in several species of bats and sciuromorph rodents. More commonly a mass of trophoblast at the junction with the endometrium serves as a meshwork through which maternal blood passes, with subsequent organization of a labyrinth when the fetal vascular component is organized. The initial trophoblast meshwork may be cellular or syncytial, often leading to a similar relationship in the spongy zone and labyrinth. Old World monkeys, apes and humans have a lacunar stage prior to establishing a villous hemochorial condition. New World monkeys lack a true lacunar stage, retaining portions of maternal vessels for some time and initially forming a trabecular arrangement similar to though differently arrived at than that in the tarsier. In armadillos, preexisting maternal venous sinuses are converted into an intervillous blood space by intruding fetal villi. Variations from the major patterns of development also occur. The way in which the definitive placental form is achieved developmentally should be considered when using placental structure to extrapolate evolution of placentation.

Edwardsiellosis in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Edwardsiella tarda was isolated from naturally infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in raceway culture on a commercial fish farm where the fish were kept at a density of 110 kg m−3 and at a water temperature of 14°C and with a photoperiod of 13 h light:11 h dark. The clinical signs of diseased fish (150 ± 20 mm standard length) were anorexia and lethargy. The most striking lesions in the fish were in the liver. There were hyperaemia and haemorrhages; on histopathological examination, the liver displayed inflammatory infiltrate in portal area, focal necrosis, dilatation of blood sinus and activation of sinusoidal cells. Infection experiments, performed 2 years after isolation of the original culture of E. tarda, were carried out under laboratory conditions at water temperatures of 15, 18 or 24°C. All experimental fish (common carp, Prussian carp, tench), intraperitoneally injected with 8 × 106 cells, demonstrated a total resistance to E. tarda.

The Postbranchial Digestive Tract of the Ascidian,Polyandrocarpa misakiensis(Tunicata: Ascidiacea). 1. Oesophagus

The organization of the oesophagus in the budding styelid ascidian, Polyandrocarpa misakiensis, is described. The oesophagus consists of external and internal epithelium, and there are loose connective tissue, blood sinuses, and a muscular layer between them. The internal epithelium is simple columnar, except for the bottom of three folds. The external epithelium is simple squamous. The internal epithelium contains four cell types, i.e., ciliated mucous cells, band cells, endocrine cells, and undifferentiated cells. The ciliated mucous cells have apical cilia and microvilli, and two types of mucous vesicle. The band cells also have apical cilia and electron-dense granules in the apical cytoplasm. The endocrine cells are bottle-shaped, and have electron-dense granules both above and below the nucleus. The undifferentiated cells form pseudostratified epithelium at the bottom of each fold, and they have nuclei with prominent nucleoli. One type of coelomic cell, which has retractile cytoplasm, often migrates in the internal epithelium. Near the stomach, there are many darkly stained round cells clustered around the posterior end of the oesophagus. These two types of coelomic cells may be involved in the defense mechanism against the invasion of foreign organisms. The basic organization of the oesophagus of P. misakiensis is similar to those of other ascidians. However, the presence of three folds is a characteristic of a solitary species, rather than of a colonial species. Although ascidians are chordate invertebrates, the organization of their oesophagus is not very complex, which might reflect their life style.

P121. Role of non-apoptotic cell death during mouse placental vasculogenesis

In mice Notch2 null mutation results in embryonic lethality around E11.0 due to inadequate maternal blood sinus formation in the labyrinthine layer. It has unexplored how the maternal blood sinuses form among trophoblasts that adhere to each other tightly, and we suggested in our previous paper that the simplest way to form maternal blood sinuses is death of trophoblasts. We have used to detect cell death during maternal vasculogenesis around E8.5–E10.5 stages, by staining placentas with acridine orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EB), both of which are known to stain dead cells. Spatiotemporal appearances of AO and EB signals were quite different. EB signals were observed much more frequently than AO signals. AO signals were equally observed irrespective of Notch genotypes. In addition, the AO signal located without a correlation with Notch2-expressing trophoblasts. On the other hand, EB-positive cells were nearly exclusively found around maternal blood sinuses where Notch2 expression was observed. Furthermore, EB-positive cells were hardly observed in the Notch2 mutant placenta. Thus, cell death detected by AO does not seem to be directly involved in the blood sinus formation per se, whereas cell death detected by EB is likely involved. These two types of cell death were also different in other aspects. AO-positive cells were mostly TUNEL-positive. Electronmicroscopic examination of AO-positive cells revealed that cell entities or their degraded products were engulfed by a neighboring trophoblast. In contrast, EtBr-positive cells were TUNEL-negative and did not show apoptotic ultrastructural features. These results indicate an important role of non-apoptotic death of trophoblasts in maternal blood sinus formation.

The Morphology of the Rat Vibrissal Follicle-Sinus Complex Revealed by Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Reconstruction

The vibrissal follicle-sinus complex (FSC) is a sensory receptor of the mammalian integumentary system that is located around the mouth. The purpose of the present study was to identify the actual 3-dimensional structure of the rat vibrissal FSC. Rat skin tissue was serially sectioned at a thickness of 10 µm and then stained with Masson’s trichrome. The serial sections were reconstructed 3-dimensionally using Reconstruct software. The rat vibrissal follicle is a spindle-shaped structure that is embedded within a blood sinus and enveloped within a thick collagenous capsule. The vibrissal FSC is innervated by the deep vibrissal and superficial vibrissal nerves. The deep vibrissal nerve, travelling in the basal-to-apical direction, penetrates the thick collagenous capsule of the vibrissal FSC. The sinus system can be divided into a superior portion, known as the ring sinus, and an inferior portion, known as the cavernous sinus. The ring sinus contains a C-shaped structure, the ringwulst, which is suspended from the mesenchymal sheath of the follicle. Collagenous trabeculae can be seen in the cavernous sinus but not in the ring sinus. The ring sinus encircles the follicle obliquely and asymmetrically. The ringwulst encircles the follicle incompletely, in a C-shaped fashion. This study has demonstrated the previously underappreciated 3-dimensional structure of the vibrissal FSC, which differs from previously reported descriptions, and provides data that will enhance the understanding of vibrissal function.