Excretory Ducts Research Articles

Heterotopic salivary duct inclusions in Warthin tumor – A cryptic histological finding involved in its pathogenesis

Warthin tumor (WT) is the second most common benign parotid gland tumor after pleomorphic adenoma. WT is characterized by cystic and papillary proliferation of a two-layered oncocytic epithelium supported by lymphoid tissue. Heterotopic salivary duct inclusions (SDIs) are frequently observed in lymph nodes (LNs) of WT (SDI/LNs), and are thought to be the origin of WT. If this is true, SDIs should also persist in the lymphoid tissue of WT itself (SDI/WT), as a missing link between SDIs and WTs, but studies of this issue are limited. From 2008–2023, 138 WT cases were surgically excised at our hospital. SDI/LNs and SDI/WTs were histologically examined. Of 100 WT cases with LNs, SDI/LNs were observed in 67 cases (67 %). SDI/WTs were detected in 114 of 138 cases (82.6 %), including 107 of 127 smokers (84.3 %) and 7 of 11 never-smokers (63.6 %). SDI/WTs were located mainly in the subcapsular lymphoid tissue and often surrounded by a fibrous coat resembling salivary excretory ducts. This study revealed a high incidence of SDIs in WT itself, strongly supporting the theory that WT develops from heterotopic salivary ducts.

Sjögren’s syndrome: pathophysiological basis of dermatological manifestations

Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease with a predominant involvement in the pathological process of secreting cells of the glands and their excretory ducts, which is accompanied by the development of generalized dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. This syndrome is one of the most common systemic diseases, but in dermatological practice it remains undiagnosed in almost half of patients with clinical manifestations. The article discusses current aspects of the pathogenesis of dermatological manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome, which will allow a deeper understanding and systematization of the various mechanisms of development of this pathology for the formation of the correct clinical tactics with the choice of pathogenetically based treatment approaches, determining the individual prognosis for the patient, as well as helping to alleviate the course of the disease and in many ways improving the quality of life of patients.

Parotid Ductal Carcinoma with skin metastasis

Introduction: ductal carcinoma of the parotid salivary gland, have an epithelial origin. The behavior of this disease is aggressive, so a correct and early diagnosis is vital. Objective: to present a case with a diagnosis of parotid ductal carcinoma with metastatic skin lesions.Case presentation: 60-year-old male patient with a history of high blood pressure who for approximately 3 months has been experiencing discomfort in the pre-auricular region, lower third of the right side of the face, and exophytic lesions in the skin of that area. An oral examination revealed poor oral hygiene, the presence of root remains, an increase in the volume of the excretory duct of the right parotid gland, and changes in the integrity of the buccal mucosa. Complementary and imaging tests are indicated (imaging, biopsy, computed axial tomography and immunohistochemistry). The diagnosis was confirmed with a T4N2M1 staging and total surgical treatment was determined immediately. Conclusions: patients with ductal carcinoma, despite treatment with parotidectomy, cervical dissection and postoperative radiotherapy, a large proportion of patients develop local and distant recurrence, so a timely diagnosis can guarantee greater survival for the patient.

A novel immunofluorescence study of Lingual Salivary Glands in the Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) and its ecological significance

The Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) is remarkably adapted to its harsh desert environment, a characteristic that is crucial for its survival under extreme conditions. This study was aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the lingual salivary gland structures in the Egyptian tortoise and examining how these structures help the tortoise manage hydration and nutrition in arid conditions. Utilizing a combination of light microscopy and immunofluorescence, this research introduced pioneering methods involving seven different antibodies, marking a first in the study of reptilian salivary glands. Our investigations categorized the tortoise’s salivary glands into papillary and non-papillary types. The papillary glands were further classified into superficial, deep, interpapillary, and intraepithelial salivary glands, while non-papillary glands included superficial and deep lingual types. Structurally, these glands are organized into lobules, delineated by interlobular septa, and are equipped with a duct system comprising interlobular, intercalated, and main excretory ducts with gland openings on the tongue's surface and the papillae surfaces. Notably, the superficial glands displayed both tubuloalveolar and acinar configurations, whereas the deep lingual glands were exclusively acinar. Immunofluorescence results indicated that α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was prevalent in myoepithelial cells, myofibroblasts, and blood vessels, suggesting their integral role in glandular function and support. E-cadherin was predominantly found in epithelial cells, enhancing cell adhesion and integrity, which are critical for efficient saliva secretion. Importantly, Mucin 1 (MUC1) and Mucin 5B (MUC5B) staining revealed that most glands were mucous in nature, with MUC5B specifically marking mucin within secretory cells, confirming their primary function in mucous secretion. PDGFRα and CD34 highlighted the presence of telocytes and stromal cells within the glandular and interlobular septa, indicating a role in structural organization and possibly in regenerative processes. Cytokeratin 14 expression was noted in the basal cells of the glands, underscoring its role in upholding the structural foundation of the epithelial barrier. In conclusion, this detailed morphological and immunological characterization of the Egyptian tortoise’s salivary glands provides new insights into their complex structure and essential functions. These findings not only enhance our understanding of reptilian physiology but also underline the critical nature of salivary glands in supporting life in arid environments. This study's innovative use of a broad range of immunofluorescence markers opens new avenues for further research into the adaptive mechanisms of reptiles.

The prevention and management of complications in parotid and other ​ major salivary gland surgeries.

The prevention and management of complications that appear after the application of the classical techniques of traditional surgery of the major salivary glands, during the intra-operative or post-operative period, are not a common subject in the international literature and the number of scientific articles is relatively small. The most frequently occurring and most serious postoperative complications, early or late, are the partial or complete transection of the facial nerve or its branches, the development of neuroma on the transection of the greater auricular nerve, Frey’s syndrome, the deformed scars on the face, the numbness of the cheek and auricle, salivary fistula, sialocele, seroma, parotid removal skin intrusion and facial asymmetry, surgical incision keloid, and surgical wound inflammation-infiltration,which have been studied and adequately documented (30, 35). The increasingly frequently applied modern,advanced and minimally invasive-endoscopic surgical procedures which tend to replace traditional surgical techniques, are distinguished by their rapid recovery and significantly lower rate of complications. Endoscopic operations of the major salivary glands and the complica- tions associated with them are minor and usually belong to the general postoperative complications such as local inflammation, hematoma, injury, rupture and stricture of the excretory duct.

Fasciola gigantica: Ultrastructural localisation of neoblast recruitment in somatic tissues during growth and development in the hepatic parenchyma of experimentally infected mice

Application of ‘omics’ technology, and advances in in vitro methods for studying the growth of Fasciola hepatica, have highlighted the central role of migrating neoblasts in driving forward development and differentiation towards the adult-like form. Neoblast populations present molecular heterogeneity, morphological variation and changes associated with recruitment of these stem cells into their final tissue locations. However, terminal differentiation towards function, has received much less attention than has been the case for the free-living Platyhelminths. An actively replicating neoblast population, comprising cells with heterochromatic nuclei consistent with regulation of gene expression, has been identified in the parenchyma of juvenile Fasciola gigantica migrating in the liver of experimentally infected mice. In some of these cells, early cytoplasmic differentiation towards myocyte function was noted. Neoblasts have also been identified close to, and incorporated in, the subtegumental zone, the gastrodermis and the excretory ducts. In these locations, progressive morphological differentiation towards terminal function has been described. This includes the appearance of specific progenitors of type-1, type-2 and type-3 tegumental cells, the latter possibly contributing to tegumental spine development. ‘Cryptic’ surface molecular differentiation is postulated to account for recognition and ‘docking’ of migrating neoblasts with their final site for terminal differentiation.

Oral Mucocele in Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Mucoceles can appear anywhere on the oral mucosa where there are minor salivary glands. Because the diagnosis is mostly clinical in character, it is important to appropriately do the anamnesis in order to look for any prior trauma. Extravasation and retention mucocele are the two main forms that can develop. Although retention mucoceles can appear anywhere, extravasation mucoceles typically occur on the lower lip. Histologically, mucoceles can be divided into extravasation types and retention types, with extravasation types being more prevalent. The extravasation mucocele, also known as a "mucous retention cyst," lacks an epithelial lining and a defined border. It is thought that trauma to a small salivary gland excretory duct causes an extravasation mucocele to occur. Saliva pools in the nearby submucosal tissue as a result of duct laceration, which causes edema. The obstruction of a minor salivary gland duct, frequently by a sialolith, periductal scarring, or tumor, results in the retention type mucocele. Saliva builds up and the duct enlarges due to the obstruction of salivary flow. A 9-year-old child arrived to Rumah Sakit Gigi dan Mulut Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta with his mother, complaining of a lump on his lower lip. Patient frequently bit his lips since the lump has been there for a few months. It did not hurt and occasionally grew in size. The lump bothered the patient. The dentist performed minor surgery to remove the mucocele. Minor surgery was performed with infiltration anesthesia around the mucocele and then used blade no. 15 for excision of the mucocele. For postoperative wounds, braided surgical sutured silk was used. Post-operative instructions were given, antibiotics and analgetic were prescribed. Patient was recalled after 1 week for the removal of sutures. No recurrence was seen after a follow up at 1 month and 3 months.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue 01: 2024 Page: S53

Features of mammary gland morphology in domestic carnivores

The mammary gland is a target organ for hormones in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and ovaries. In the postnatal period of animal ontogenesis, breast growth, and development are determined by the estrous cycle and pregnancy. One of the most pressing problems in morphology, mammology, and reproductology of animals is the study of the structure of the breast at the macro and microscopic levels. However, modern studies on the morphology of animals' breasts are mainly devoted to the features of pathomorphological changes in the breast during carcinogenesis. The work aims to conduct a scientific review of the study of normal breast morphology in domestic carnivores. Electronic publication searches have been conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases over the past 20 years. The principles of objectivity and a comprehensive attitude to studying the chosen problem are used. The authors of the review article review the current scientific literature and summarize current knowledge on the features of dog and cat breast morphology. The anatomical structure of the breast of animals is presented with an emphasis on its topography. According to the description of the microscopic structure of the breast, its main structural components are characterized by secretory parts (alveoli and tubes) and intraparticle excretory ducts. Anatomical characteristics of the nerves, blood, and lymphatic vessels of the mammary glands of dogs and cats are presented. Morphological changes in the mammary gland of dogs and cats at different stages of the estrus cycle and during pregnancy are described; in particular, the mammary gland is at rest (inactive) during proestrus and estrus. According to diestrus, due to an increase in progesterone levels, successive morphological changes occur, in particular, stromal and ductal proliferation; early development of lobules with branching ducts and proliferation of alveoli; the dominance of glandular tissue with large lobules containing secretory material; early regression, an increase in interparticle connective tissue, eosinophilic protein secretion in dilated ducts and alveoli. Complete involution of the alveoli and tubes of the breast is recorded at the end of the anestrus. The described anatomical and microscopic features of the structure of the mammary glands of dogs and cats are relevant for the comparative morphology of carnivores at different stages of the sexual cycle and during pregnancy. Data on blood supply, lymphatic drainage, and innervation of the breast are essential for its functional characteristics in normal and pathological conditions, particularly for developing a reasonable model of breast extirpation in malignant tumors.

In Vivo Human Lacrimal Gland Imaging Using an Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.

In the present study, we introduce human lacrimal gland imaging using an ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) with a soft cover and show their findings. The representative UBM findings of palpebral lobes in seven subjects (four with non-Sjögren dry eye syndrome, one with Sjögren syndrome, and two healthy subjects) were described in this study. To prolapse the palpebral lobe, the examiner pulled the temporal part of the upper eyelid in the superotemporal direction and directed the subject to look in the inferonasal direction. We scanned the palpebral lobes longitudinally and transversely using UBM. We used an Aviso UBM with a 50 MHz linear probe and ClearScan. In UBM of two healthy subjects, the echogenicity of the lacrimal gland was lower than that of the sclera and homogeneous. But the parenchyma of a patient with Sjögren dry eye syndrome was quite inhomogeneous compared to the healthy subjects. In two patients with dry eye syndrome, we were able to observe some lobules in the parenchyma. We could find excretory ducts running parallel at the surface of the longitudinal section in some subjects. In the longitudinal UBM scan of a subject, we observed a tubular structure at a depth of 1,500 μm that was considered a blood vessel. It ran from the superonasal to the inferotemporal direction. In a subject, we observed a large cyst beneath the conjunctiva. Lacrimal gland imaging using UBM has both advantages of optical coherence tomography and sonography, and could be useful for evaluating dry eye syndrome.

Mucocele Treatment in Pediatric Patient at RSGM UMY

Background : Mucoceles is minor salivary gland lession. The extravasation mucocele, commonly referred to as a "mucous retention cyst," does not have an epithelial lining or a well-defined boundary. An extravasation mucocele is believed to be caused by damage to a tiny salivary gland excretory duct. Saliva accumulates in the adjacent submucosal tissue due to a tear in the duct, leading to swelling. Retention type mucocele occurs when a small salivary gland duct is blocked, often by a sialolith, periductal scarring, or tumor. Salivary flow blockage leads to the accumulation of saliva and the enlargement of the duct. Objective : To provide treatment for mucocele in a pediatric patient at RSGM UMY Case Report : A 9-year-old patient came to RSGM UMY accompanied by his mother, complain he has swelling on lower lip. He often bite the lower lip for a long time. It is painless and sometimes increases in size. His experiencing discomfort due to the bump. Method : The mucocele was excised using infiltration anesthetic and a blade no. 15. Surgical sutured silk braided was utilized for postoperative wound closure. The patient was provided with post-operative instructions and prescribed antibiotics and analgesics. The patient was scheduled for a follow-up appointment after one week to have the sutures removed. Result : No complaints after control 1 month and 3 months after treatment Conclusion : Surgical removal remains the optimal choice for treating mucoceles due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness compared to laser ablation, cryosurgery, and electrocautery

Family case of cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessively inherited monogenic disease caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, located on the long arm of chromosome 7 (7q31.2). This mutation results in a disruption in the transport of sodium and chloride ions between intercellular fluid and the epithelial cells of the excretory ducts of the exocrine glands. This paper presents the description of a family case of cystic fibrosis involving two patients who have been under observation since birth and are sisters (patient A – 4 years 10 months, patient B – 1 year 11 months). In both patients, neonatal screening and sequential diagnosis of cystic fibrosis identified the DF508/CFTRdele2.3(21kb) mutation, the most prevalent among the Caucasian population in the Russian Federation. The primary concern in managing both patients is the correction of nutritional status and minimization of exacerbations of chronic bronchopulmonary inflammation. To determine the management strategy for these patients, a consultation was held with Dr. E.I. Kondratyeva, a leading cystic fibrosis expert and professor at the MGSC Institute, who serves as the head of the Scientific and Clinical Department of Cystic Fibrosis and the Department of Genetics of Respiratory System Diseases, an expert of the European Society for Cystic Fibrosis Committee on Diagnostics and Registry, and Deputy Chief for Scientific Work of Research Clinical Institute of Childhood of the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region. The peculiarity of the presented clinical cases lies in the fact that within one family, with an interval of 3 years, two girls with severe disease were born. Early diagnosis was performed for both, which has allowed for the slowing down of the pathology's progression.

Structural changes of pancreatic components under the conditions of long-time exposure to opioid in the experiment

Use of narcotic drugs in clinical practice for the purpose of obtaining analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects requires a comprehensive morphological study of the peculiarities of structural arrangement of organs under the conditions of exposure to opioids. The aim of our study was to establish the peculiarities of restructuring of the structural components of the pancreas under the conditions of long-time exposure to opioids in the experiment. The study included 24 adult laboratory white male rats. The test animals were divided into 2 groups, the experimental and control ones. The experimental animals were daily administered narcotic analgesic nalbuphine intramuscularly (once a day in the same interval) for four weeks, and the control animals were administered saline solution. The following research methods were used: bloodstream injection followed by translucence of sections of the pancreas and their photographing, morphometry of the vessels of the pancreatic hemomicrocirculatory bed, histological, histochemical studies and electron microscopy of the pancreas, blood biochemistry test; statistical processing of the study results using a software package. After four weeks of opioid exposure, lesion of the pancreatic parenchyma microstructure was observed, manifested by swelling and infiltration by lymphocytes and macrophages of the pancreatic connective tissue stroma, disorganization of the exo- and endocrine parts of the parenchyma, deep destructive changes in the excretory ducts, as well as in the vessels of the hemo- and lympho-microcirculatory bed of the pancreas. At the ultrastructural level, deep dystrophic changes of exo- and endocrinocytes of the pancreas were identified, in particular, loss of regular shape, karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis of the nuclei, swelling and clearing of cytoplasm, development of microcystic degeneration of cells, loosening and disorganization of the basement membrane, which can result in impairment of exocrine function of the pancreas and complication of the process of secretory granules excretion into the lumen of the intercalated ducts. A significant decrease, compared to the control group, in the diameter of arterioles, density of exchange vessels network, as well as increase in the diameter of venules, the indicator of trophic activity of the tissue, are the evidence of destructive changes in the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the pancreas under the effects of nalbuphine. Significant changes in blood biochemistry parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) after a four-week administration of nalbuphine are illustrative of the process of pancreatic tissue destruction. Therefore, four-week administration of opioid leads to profound changes in the micro- and ultrastructure of the pancreas, vessels of its hemomicrocirculatory bed, and blood biochemistry parameters in experimental white rats.

Optimization of Diagnostics and Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Cysts

Nasopharyngeal cysts are typically benign, congenital lesions filled with fluid and encapsulated from surrounding tissues. Both children and adults may present with clinical signs.
 The aim of the study was to improve the efficiency of diagnostics and treatment of nasopharyngeal cysts in adults based on the differential diagnosis.
 Materials and Methods. The study was carried out at the Department of Otolaryngology with the Course of Head and Neck Surgery, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine, and encompassed both outpatient and inpatient-to-outpatient observations. Fifteen (9 females, 6 males) patients with nasopharyngeal cysts at the age of 28 to 51 years were examined. All patients underwent a comprehensive assessment, including a thorough evaluation of their medical history, a standard examination of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) using conventional and optical techniques, alongside computed tomography (CT) of the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses, complemented by a general physical examination.
 Results. Fifteen patients with nasopharyngeal cysts were examined and treated. In nine (60%) cases, the cyst appeared as a round mass with a dense wall, partially or completely obstructed by the excretory duct and containing dense content, localized in the central region of the nasopharynx. In four (26.6%) cases, the cyst ruptured. Cysts were localized laterally, originating from the fossa of Rosenmüller in three (20%) cases. All patients underwent minimally invasive surgery.
 Conclusions. Endoscopic examination, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging are the most informative diagnostic methods for nasopharyngeal cysts. A definitive diagnosis can be made based on pathomorphological examination. The treatment of choice for nasopharyngeal cysts is endoscopic endonasal surgery with a microdebrider and laser coagulation.

МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ПРЕПУЦИАЛЬНЫХ И КЛИТОРАЛЬНЫХ ЖЕЛЕЗ У ДЕКОРАТИВНЫХ КРЫС

The aim of the study is to investigate the structural features of the preputial glands of males and clitoral glands of females in clinically healthy adult sexually mature pet rats. The object of the study is pet rats kept by private owners in the city of Krasnoyarsk and the Krasnoyarsk Region, which died from various disea¬ses not associated with pathologies of the studied glands. The material of the study was the clitoral and preputial glands collected from the corpses of dead animals during pathological examination. The material from 13 females weighing from 248 to 567 g and 11 males weighing from 229 to 720 g was studied. The age of the animals ranged from 12 to 36 months. The preputial and clitoral glands are paired organs of external secretion, located in the thickness of the subcutaneous fat, and are well developed in animals of both sexes. Their absolute weight significantly differs between rats of different sexes and is (0.22 ± 0.02) g in males and (0.14 ± 0.01) g in females (P ≤ 0.01). The relative mass of the glands in animals of both sexes is (0.4 ± 0.01) % of the body mass. It has been established that the preputial glands in males and the clitoral glands in females of pet rats have a comparable histological structure. According to the type of secretion, they are holocrine, according to the characteristics of the excretory ducts, they are branched, and according to the shape of the terminal sections, they are alveolar. They produce a pasty secretion, which has a color from yellowish to light brown, contains a large amount of lipids and has a pungent odor.

Immunological subtyping of salivary gland cancer identifies histological origin-specific tumor immune microenvironment

Gene expression analysis enhances proper cancer subtyping, a better understanding of the molecular characteristics of cancer, and strategies for precision medicine. However, salivary gland cancer (SGC) subtyping remains largely unexplored because of its rarity and diverse histopathological and immunological characteristics. This study aimed to determine whether the histological origin and immunological characteristics of SGC subtypes are intrinsic tumor immunity factors. We performed immune profiling of 94 RNA-seq of SGC tissues and found that the SGCs that originated from the excretory duct (ED), such as the salivary duct and mucoepidermoid carcinomas, exhibit higher immunity than those from the intercalated duct (ID), such as the adenoid cystic and myoepithelial carcinomas, based on the computationally predicted immune score (p < 0.001), immune cell enrichment in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) (p < 0.001), T-cell receptor diversity (p < 0.001), and expression of signal I (major histocompatibility complex, MHC, p < 0.001) and signal II (co-stimulatory, p < 0.001 and co-inhibitory, p < 0.001) genes. Further analysis revealed that tolerogenic dendritic cell-induced dysfunctional T-cell populations and T-cell exclusion in the TIME are the major immune evasive mechanisms of the ED-and ID-derived SGCs, respectively.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) is a disease of unknown pathogenesis characterized by usually systemic, cystic dilatation of the excretory ducts of esophageal submucosal glands. In this article, I review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings, esophagographic findings, and histopathology of EIPD. I also discuss the etiology and possible pathogenesis of EIPD based on my experiences with this disease and a review of the literature. EIPD usually presents with dysphagia in middle-aged individuals. It is often complicated with secondary infections, most commonly candidiasis. On esophagography, EIPD is delineated as small, multiple, flask-shaped outward projections within the esophageal wall. In recent years, EIPD has been mainly diagnosed by endoscopic findings of multiple, localized, small mucosal depressions. The orifices of the "pseudodiverticula" periodically open and close, and excrete mucus onto the mucosal surface. On histopathological examination, the luminal surface of dilated ducts in EIPD is covered by multilayered, hyperplastic epithelial cells, but myoepithelial cells in the glandular acini are well preserved. Treatment of EIPD is usually symptomatic therapy, and prevention of the infectious complications is important. The etiology and pathogenesis of EIPD are largely unknown, but functional abnormalities of autonomic nerve fibers innervating the esophageal glands likely play an important role, since the structures of the glands are basically preserved in this disease.

Modeling meibum secretion: Alternatives for obstructive Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

PurposeWhile changes in meibum quality are correlated with severity of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and dry eye disease, little is known regarding the mechanics of meibum secretion. The purpose of this study was to develop a finite element model of meibum secretion and evaluate the effect of various factors that might impact meibum delivery to the ocular surface. MethodsA finite element analysis in COMSOL 6.0 was used to simulate the flow of meibum within the gland's terminal excretory duct. Historical normal human meibum rheology data taken over the meibum melting range from fluid (35–40 °C) to solid (25–30 °C) were then used to calculate the minimum yield stress and plastic viscosity of meibum. The effects of meibum melting state, eyelid pressure and terminal duct diameter on meibum flow rates were then systematically investigated. ResultsThe melting state of meibum from liquid to solid was associated with an increase in the minimum yield stress and plastic viscosity that caused an exponential decrease in meibum flow. Modeling also established that there was a linear correlation between meibum flow rate and eyelid pressure needed to express meibum and the 4th power of the terminal duct radius. ConclusionsOur results suggest that changes in the melting state of meibum from fluid to solid, as well as changes in the radius of the terminal excretory duct and the force exerted by the eyelid can lead to dramatic decreases in the flow of meibum. Together these findings suggest alternative mechanisms for meibomian gland obstruction.

Delineation of the healthy rabbit tongue by immunohistochemistry – A technical note

In the oral cavity the tongue is an important muscular organ that supports the swallowing of food and liquids. It is responsible for the sense of taste, based on the many different taste buds it contains. Research in the field of tongue diseases demands for suitable preclinical models. The healthy rabbit tongue may therefore serve as baseline and reference for the pathological situation. With this consideration, we covered the fixation and histological stainings as well as the immunohistochemical labelling of the healthy rabbit tongue. In this technical note, initial choice of the fixative is discussed, with a comparison of formalin fixation and subsequent paraffin embedding versus cryopreservation. Moreover, we delineate the effect of an antigen retrieval step for formalin fixation by several examples. Finally, we provide ECM markers collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, α-SMA and elastin staining as well as ki67 for proliferative status and PAR-2 protein expression as a marker for inflammatory status and nociception in tongue sections, mainly from the tongue body. Technically, we found superiority of paraffin sections for collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, ki67 and α-SMA labelling, for selected detections systems. As for ECM components, the lamina propria was very rich in collagen and fibronectin, while the muscular body of the tongue showed only collagen and fibronectin positive areas between the muscle fibers. Moreover, α-SMA was clearly expressed in the walls of arteries and veins. The inflammatory marker PAR-2 on the other hand was prominently expressed in the salivary glands and to some extent in the walls of the vessels. Particular PAR-2 expression was found in the excretory ducts of the tongue. This technical note has the aim to provide baseline images that can be used to compare the pathological state of the diseased rabbit tongue as well as for inter-species comparison, such as mouse or rat tongue. Finally, it can be used for the comparison with the human situation.

Morfologi Kelenjar Parotis Dan Mandibularis Babi Timor (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Timor pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is classified as one of local Indonesia pigs breed of Sus scrofa. Salivary glands had huge contribution to the digestive system. This research aimed to identify the gross anatomy and histomorphology of the parotid and mandibular glands in Timor pigs. Five samples were taken from Atambua slaughter house. Observation of gross anatomy were carried out directed in slaughter house. Then, the glands were fixated in 10% formalin and stained with HE. The results showed the parotid gland was located on the ventral of the auricle and stretched superficially along the caudal masseter muscle to the caudal of the lower jaw. The parotid gland had brown triangle-shape lobules. The mandibular gland was located in the caudal of the lower jaw or profundus of the parotid gland and had pinkish irregular-shape with rounded edges. The asinar cells of the parotid gland were dominated by serous acini with pyramid-like cells. Serous cells were round-shaped in center of cell membrane. Other serous cells called special serous cells were round-shaped pressed into basal of cell membrane. The asinar cells of the mandibular gland were dominated by mucous acini and discovered serous acini and serous demilune. Pyramid-like mucous cells had flat nucleus in basal of cell membrane. Pyramid-like serous cells had round nucleus in center of cell membrane. Serous cell that arranged in peripheral mucous acini will form into serous demilune. The ducts on the parotid and mandibular glands comprised of the intercalated ducts, the striated ducts and the excretory ducts.

Gap junction-mediated contraction of myoepithelial cells induces the peristaltic transport of sweat in human eccrine glands

Eccrine sweat glands play an essential role in regulating body temperature. Sweat is produced in the coiled secretory portion of the gland, which is surrounded by obliquely aligned myoepithelial cells; the sweat is then peristaltically transported to the skin surface. Myoepithelial cells are contractile and have been implicated in sweat transport, but how myoepithelial cells contract and transport sweat remains unexplored. Here, we perform ex vivo live imaging of an isolated human eccrine gland and demonstrate that cholinergic stimulation induces dynamic contractile motion of the coiled secretory duct that is driven by gap junction-mediated contraction of myoepithelial cells. The contraction of the secretory duct occurs segmentally, and it is most prominent in the region surrounded by nerve fibers, followed by distension-contraction sequences of the excretory duct. Overall, our ex vivo live imaging approach provides evidence of the contractile function of myoepithelial cells in peristaltic sweat secretion from human eccrine glands.