Glandular Lobes Research Articles

The pathological characteristics and prognostic analysis of medullary thyroid microcarcinoma

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of medullary thyroid microcarcinoma (MTMC). Methods: A case series studies. The clinical data of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) diagnosed by postoperative pathology and with complete follow-up data who were initially treated in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were a total of 170 cases, including 70 males and 100 females, aged (49.7±12.3) years old. Among them, there were 61 patients with MTMC. They were divided into group A (with a maximum tumor idameter of ≤0.5 cm, n=13) and group B (with a maximum tumor diameter >0.5~≤1.0 cm, n=48) based on whether the maximum diameter of the tumor was >0.5 cm. Analysis was conducted on their pathological results and prognosis. Results: Among the MTC, MTMC accounted for 26.4% (61/231) with 26 males and 35 females aged M［Q1，Q3］51.0 (41.0, 59.0) years. Among the MTMC patients, 57.4% (35/61) were in stage Ⅰ, 16.4% (10/61) were in stage Ⅲ, and 26.2% (16/61) were in stage Ⅳ. For MTMC with a maximum diameter of≤0.5 cm and a maximum diameter of >0.5-≤1.0 cm, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, mixed cancer, invasion of glandular lobes, multifocal, central lymph node metastasis, lateral neck lymph node metastasis rate and other pathological characteristics(both P>0.05). In terms of prognosis, the recurrence free survival time of MTMC patients was 83.1 (68.0, 97.0) months. Among them, structural tumor recurrence occurred in 5 patients (8.2%) after surgery, and 1 patient (1.6%) died. The expected 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 93.4% and 89.0%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in recurrence free survival time among MTMC patients, MTC patients with a maximum diameter of >1.0-≤2.0 cm, and MTC patients with a maximum diameter of >2.0 cm (all P>0.05). Conclusion: MTMC has strong invasiveness, and although the prognosis of most MTMCs is relatively good, the risk of long-term recurrence and death is still high.

NOLC1 was identified as a tumor suppressor gene in thyroid cancer and correlated with prognosis by bioinformatics.

Thyroid cancer (THCA) is the most common endocrine malignancy, mainly affecting women's unilateral glandular lobes. However, for relapsed and distant metastasis of THCA patients, the existing early diagnosis and treatment methods were still insufficient, and a new method was urgently needed to diagnose and treat them. Nucleolar and coiled-body phosphoprotein 1 (NOLC1) was one of the most phosphorylated proteins in the cell, which was located mainly in the nucleolus. In addition, more and more studies have confirmed that NOLC1 plays a crucial role in various pathological processes, such as the occurrence and progression of cancer and viral infection. A previous study showed that NOLC1, as a member of RNA-binding protein, was significantly correlated with the prognosis of THCA patients. However, further exploration of NOLC1 in THCA is limited. To further explore the role of NOLC1 in THCA, we conducted expression and survival prognosis analysis of NOLC1 using multiple databases. We also evaluated the correlation between NOLC1 gene expression and clinical characteristics of THCA patients. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between NOLC1 and other genes, followed by enrichment analysis to investigate its metabolic pathways and molecular metabolism processes. Additionally, we examined the association between immune cell infiltration in tumor microenvironment and NOLC1. Notably, through vitro experiments, we confirmed the tumor suppressive effect of NOLC1 on the proliferation and migration of human THCA cells, providing evidence for clinical diagnosis of THCA. Furthermore, we confirmed the tumor suppressive effect of NOLC1 in vivo xenograft assay. To sum up, our results suggest that NOLC1 is a tumor suppressor gene for THCA.

Morphology of the male reproductive system and sperm ultrastructure of the green lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur, 1838) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

BackgroundChrysopa pallens is one of the most beneficial and effective natural predators, and is famous for its extensive distribution, wide prey spectrum, and excellent reproductive performance. This study examined the anatomy and fine structure of the C. pallens reproductive system and spermatogenesis.ResultsThe male reproductive system of C. pallens comprises a pair of testes, a vas deferens, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, and short ejaculatory ducts. The testes were already mature on the day of emergence, but the accessory glands did not mature until 5 days post-emergence. In early spermatids, the flagellum had an axoneme on one side of the two mitochondrial derivatives. The nucleus was surrounded by parallel crystalline and paracrystalline materials. The spermatid envelope extends towards the paracrystalline material in a tail-shaped wing. In mature spermatids, the axoneme is located between the two accessory bodies and mitochondrial derivative sets. The parallel-crystalline and paracrystalline materials disappeared. In the testes, the wall of seminal cysts consists of a layer of epithelium, a muscular-connective sheath, and several vesicles of different sizes. The mature seminal cysts contained 128 spermatozoa. The accessory gland is composed of six parts: ventral papilla-like protuberance, anterior glandular lobe, lateral glandular lobe, seminal cyst, posterior kidney-shaped lobe, and posterior papilla-like protuberance. Muscle fibers and secretory granules are extensive.ConclusionsThis study provides information on the reproductive system of C. pallens and offers a resource for taxonomy and reproductive biology.

Peculiarities of neoplasms appeared after total body irradiation and homeostasis parameters in rats

Background: Tissue damage and disruption of metabolic processes as a result of total body irradiation (TBI) could lead to tumorigenesis. Methods: Female rats (25 of 32) were X-irradiated with a 6-Gy dose. On month 12±1 animals were sacrificed. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Ca 2+, creatinine, glucose, phosphorus, urea, uric acid, total protein, pO2, pCO2, pH, and blood cell count were evaluated in blood. Tumors were examinated histologically. Results: On 12±1 months after TBI, 76% of rats had visually detected tumors, histologically classified as benign fibro adenomas. Metabolic, hematological changes versus healthy control indicated disturbances in the homeostasis system. The blood lactate level was typically higher in animals with tumors than without. The ratio of tumor weight to lactate (or LDH) level in blood was 1±0.5 in the 63% of rats and histological analysis revealed the signs of biphasic hyperplasia of glandular lobes and connective tissue stroma, associated with secretory and proliferative activities in tumor. In animals with high values of this ratio (≥1.5) neoplasms were represented by fibrous and glandular tissues presenting a predominant stromal fibrous component, associated with the prevalence of high proliferation in tumor. While in 20% of tumor bearing rats with the low ratio (<0.5) predominated an epithelial structure with homogeneous basophilic content in the glandular lumens, suggesting the domination of secretory activity in tumor. Conclusions: TBI promoted the alterations of hematological and biochemical parameters of homeostasis in rats and provoked the appearance of benign tumors one year after. The ratio of tumor mass to lactate (or LDH) level in blood seems to be an informative indicator of the histological particularities of tumors, suggesting the prevalence of proliferative or secretory activity, or the balance between them.

Preen gland of the laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis aegyptiaca): Light and electron microscopic analysis.

This work reviews the microscopic anatomy of the preen gland in laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis aegyptiaca) using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopes. The gland possessed two large pea-shaped lobes. The glandular lobules of each lobe were huddled in elliptical, triangle, round shapes, connected with each other by strands of connective tissue septae. The lobule was composed of glandular follicles, each follicle folded and enclosed by a sheath of connective tissue connected with the neighboring ones by interfollicular septae. The gland's parenchyma was coated with a dense connective tissue capsule composed of collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers. The secretory tubules were divided into peripheral tubules and central tubules. The central ones were located close to the major cavity and lined with thin epithelium, whereas the peripheral tubules were adjacent to the capsule and characterized by taller epithelium. The central secretory tubules were lined with four cell layers: flattened basal, large-sized polyhedral intermediate, and secretory cell layers, as well as a degenerative cells layer that formed of small cells with pale cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Variable sizes and shapes of Herbst corpuscles were detected alongside the papillary duct and near the glandular lobe. Transmission electron microscopy view revealed that the cytoplasm of the intermediate cells contained a dense population of mitochondria, while the secretory and degenerative cells contained fewer mitochondria. In conclusion, these structures will be beneficial for understanding the habitat differences of laughing doves. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Grossly, the preen gland (PG) of the laughing dove formed of two large pea-shaped lobes. The glandular lobule was composed of glandular follicles, each follicle was folded and enclosed by a sheath of connective tissue connected with the neighboring ones by interfollicular septae. The central secretory tubules were lined with four cell layers: basal, intermediate, secretory, and degenerative cell layers. Variable sizes and shapes of Herbst corpuscles were detected alongside the papillary duct and near the glandular lobe of the PG. In transmission electron microscopic analysis, the cytoplasm of the intermediate cells contained a dense population of mitochondria, while the secretory and degenerative cells contained fewer mitochondria.

The Value of Clinical Anatomy, Imaging, Breast Gland Surgery and Therapeutic Implications in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a common disease in women over the age of 50. The risk of breast cancer in women between the ages of 30 to 39 is 1 in 250 women, and in women between the ages of 40 to 49 is 1 in 70 women. Material and method. We analysed clinicopathological data of the breast cancer on a series of 32 cases that underwent surgery between 2020–2021 in General Surgery Department of ”Providenta” Hospital Iasi, Romania. This includes the mammary gland and the cellular-adipose tissue placed between the glandular lobes and lobules together with blood and lymphatic vessels, and nerves. The study was conducted after the surgery on the parts resected through it, but we also used the explorations performed for diagnosis and stage evaluation such as breast ultrasound, mammography, staging CT. The patients ranged between 58 and 71 years old and came from rural areas. The anatomopathological examination confirmed the preoperative diagnosis, the patients being referred to oncology for evaluation followed by adjuvant treatment.

Peculiarities of neoplasms appeared after total body irradiation and homeostasis parameters in rats

Background: Tissue damage and disruption of metabolic processes as a result of total body irradiation (TBI) could lead to tumorigenesis. Methods: Female rats (25 of 32) were X-irradiated with a 6-Gy dose. On month 12±1 animals were sacrificed. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Ca 2+, creatinine, glucose, phosphorus, urea, uric acid, total protein, pO2, pCO2, pH, and blood cell count were evaluated in blood. Tumors were examinated histologically. Results: On 12±1 months after TBI, 76% of rats had visually detected tumors, histologically classified as benign fibro adenomas. Metabolic, hematological changes versus healthy control indicated disturbances in the homeostasis system. The blood lactate level was typically higher in animals with tumors than without. The ratio of tumor weight to lactate (or LDH) level in blood was 1±0.5 in the 63% of rats and histological analysis revealed the signs of biphasic hyperplasia of glandular lobes and connective tissue stroma, associated with secretory and proliferative activities in tumor. In animals with high values of this ratio (≥1.5) neoplasms were represented by fibrous and glandular tissues presenting a predominant stromal fibrous component, associated with the prevalence of high proliferation in tumor. While in 20% of tumor bearing rats with the low ratio (<0.5) predominated an epithelial structure with homogeneous basophilic content in the glandular lumens, suggesting the domination of secretory activity in tumor. Conclusions: TBI promoted the alterations of hematological and biochemical parameters of homeostasis in rats and provoked the appearance of benign tumors one year after. The ratio of tumor mass to lactate (or LDH) level in blood seems to be an informative indicator of the histological particularities of tumors, suggesting the prevalence of proliferative or secretory activity, or the balance between them.

Histological and histochemical observations of the prostate gland at resting and stimulating status in adult local Dog (Canis familiaris)

The present investigation was done to clarify the histological and histochemical characteristics of the well-developed prostate gland in the adult local dogs (Canis familiaris). The tissue specimens were taken from the prostate gland, the samples were processed by routine histological techniques and stained. Histologically, the body of the prostate in resting was characterized by abundant amounts of fibrous tissue with little glandular lobes that were surrounded by a very thick fibromuscular capsule. Each lobe was composed of numerous variable size lobules that contained several alveoli lined by simple cuboidal cells. While in stimulating status, the gland is characterized by much amount of glandular tissue, thin fibro muscular capsule and thin interlobar connective tissue. The disseminated part of the prostate gland was composed of little scattered small size glandular lobules within the subepithelial cavernous tissue of the urethra about (1-2) cm post body of prostate. Histochemical, the stimulating prostate showed marked intense magenta colour which referred to the presence of both acidic and neutral glycoprotein secretory products when stained with Combine Alcian blue (2.5 pH) + PAS stain. In conclusion, this study showed the differences between the prostate glands in the resting and stimulating status in local breed dogs.

The Analysis of Clinical Biological and Pathological Features in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common thyroid tumors in clinic. The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma is increasing year by year, especially in Cangzhou area, which brings great physical and mental pain to patients. Object: The understanding is further strengthened, and the level of diagnosis and treatment is improved, through the analysis of the biological and clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Method: Hospitalized cases with papillary thyroid carcinoma were collectedand biological and pathological characteristics were analyzed. Result: Among 110 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma, 11 cases were male (10%), 99 cases were female (90%). There was no significant difference in invasiveness, lymph node metastasis, proportion of papillary microcarcinoma, number of lesions and involvement of glandular lobe, which were divided into groups according to different ages and different genders, (P>0.05). The average age of 46 cases with invasion was younger than that without invasion (P<0.001). There was less invasion and lymph node metastasis in papillary microcarcinoma (P<0.001). 16 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis were female, the average age of onset was higher, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001) and TSH level was also higher than the patients without Hashimoto's thyroiditis (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma in different age groups and gender groups, but in the invasive study, the average age of patients with invasion was lower. Patients with papillary microcarcinoma are less likely to have invasion and lymph node metastasis. TSH levels are generally high in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The Analysis of Clinical Biological and Pathological Features in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common thyroid tumors in clinic. The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma is increasing year by year, especially in Cangzhou area, which brings great physical and mental pain to patients. <i>Object:</i> The understanding is further strengthened, and the level of diagnosis and treatment is improved, through the analysis of the biological and clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma. <i>Method:</i> Hospitalized cases with papillary thyroid carcinoma were collectedand biological and pathological characteristics were analyzed. <i>Result:</i> Among 110 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma, 11 cases were male (10%), 99 cases were female (90%). There was no significant difference in invasiveness, lymph node metastasis, proportion of papillary microcarcinoma, number of lesions and involvement of glandular lobe, which were divided into groups according to different ages and different genders, (P>0.05). The average age of 46 cases with invasion was younger than that without invasion (P<0.001). There was less invasion and lymph node metastasis in papillary microcarcinoma (P<0.001). 16 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis were female, the average age of onset was higher, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001) and TSH level was also higher than the patients without Hashimoto's thyroiditis (P<0.05). <i>Conclusion:</i> There was no significant difference in the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma in different age groups and gender groups, but in the invasive study, the average age of patients with invasion was lower. Patients with papillary microcarcinoma are less likely to have invasion and lymph node metastasis. TSH levels are generally high in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Effect of PM2.5 on inflammatory factors and pathology of nasal mucosa in a rat model of allergic rhinitis

Objective: To investigate the effect of PM2.5 exposure on nasal inflammatory cytokines and nasal mucosal pathology in a rat model of allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: Twenty-four healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups by random number table method, with 8 rats in each group: normal control group (NC group), ovalbumin (OVA) induced AR model (AR group), and AR model group inhaled to PM2.5 at 200 μg/m(3), 3 h/d, for 30 d (ARE group). Nasal symptoms including sneezing, nasal rubs and nasal secretion were recorded. Levels of OVA specific IgE in serum, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ) in nasal irrigating solution were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The histopathological changes of nasal mucosa were observed by HE staining. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The number of sneezing, nasal rubs and the amount of nasal secretion in the ARE group were significantly higher than that in the AR group and the NC group (number of sneezing (15.38±1.68) times/15 min vs (11.63±1.13) times/15 min vs (1.75±0.71) times/15 min, number of nasal rubs (27.75±2.12) times/15 min vs (21.25±2.96) times/15 min vs (5.25±1.04) times/15 min, amount of nasal secretion (18.90±2.07) mg vs (13.83±1.81) mg vs (3.78±0.41) mg, F values was 236.089, 224.139, 183.971, respectively, all P<0.001). Statistically significant differences in OVA specific IgE, IL-6 and TNF-ɑ levels were observed in ARE group exceeded AR group and NC group (OVA specific IgE (25.42±2.51) ng/ml vs (18.07±1.07) ng/ml vs (1.47±0.26) ng/ml, IL-6 (123.30±18.86) pg/ml vs (63.49±11.29) pg/ml vs (16.87±3.29) pg/ml, TNF-ɑ (162.50±38.15) pg/ml vs (72.96±11.28) pg/ml vs (27.52±4.15) pg/ml, F values was 481.604, 138.277, 63.938, respectively, all P<0.001). HE staining showed that the nasal epithelial cells of NC group were intact and neatly arranged. Nasal mucosa epithelial cells were arranged in disorder in AR group, with tissue structure swelling. Partial shedding of nasal epithelial cells, mucosal basement membrane thickening, submucosal tissue interstitial edema, vasodilation and gland hyperplasia were found in ARE group. Conclusion: An increase inflammatory factors level such as IL-6 and TNF-ɑ aggravates pathological damage of nasal mucosa in a rat model of AR by exposure to PM2.5.

A new genus and species of uncertain phylogenetic position within the family Hydrobiidae (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea) discovered in Tunisian springs

The species richness of the aquatic (non-marine) gastropod family Hydrobiidae Stimpson, 1865 reaches its peak in the European region partly because other areas, such as North Africa, remain to be extensively surveyed. Most of the hydrobiid species described in North Africa have been ascribed to the subfamilies Pseudamnicolinae, Hydrobiinae and the genus Mercuria. Little is known about the presence of other hydrobiid subfamilies. This study examines several specimens of gastropods collected from two springs in Tunisia. Based on a comprehensive literature review and rigorous anatomical and molecular comparisons with known species from North Africa, Europe and Asia Minor of similar morphology, we here describe a new genus, Bullaregia gen. nov., and new species Bullaregia tunisiensis gen. et sp. nov. Although the shell shape of this Tunisian species resembles that of European hydrobiid genera such as Belgrandiella, it differs in other anatomical structures (i.e., penis with a glandular strap-like lobe, and two seminal receptacles, SR1 pedunculate, SR2 sessile and less developed). Using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches, phylogenetic relationships inferred from mtCOI sequences point to an independent evolutionary lineage for this new taxon outside Belgrandiella and other known hydrobiid subfamilies.

Clinical features of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with (131)I treatment

Objective To analyze the clinical features of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC). Methods 198 patients with PTMC who have underwent total thyroidectomy and at least one 131I treatment were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of lymph node metastasis. The clinical features of lymph node metastasis in PTMC were retrospective analyzed, and independent risk factors of the central and lateral lymph node metastasis in PTMC patients were further analyzed. Results Clinical features of PTMC patients with cervical lymph node metastasis: (1)Most of them were<45 years old(63.4% vs 44.9%, P=0.012); (2)More patients with cancer in bilateral lobes and extrathyroidal extension in lymph node metastasis groups(56.7% vs 42.0%, P=0.043; 63.6% vs 36.4%, P=0.034); (3)The average tumor size of the patients of lymph node metastasis was larger than that of the patients without lymph node metastasis[(0.71±0.25 vs 0.64±0.24)cm, P=0.047]; (4)Preoperative thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb)level of PTMC patients with cervical lymph node metastasis was higher than the control group[(65.27±139.179 vs 36.36±95.647)IU/L, P=0.03]; (5)After the 131I treatments and by 1-6 years of follow-up, it is found no statistically significant difference in cure rate between patients with cervical lymph node metastasis after total thyroidectomy and its control group. But the frequency of 131I treatment required in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis was higher than that of the control group(1.77±0.77 vs 1.49±0.74, P=0.006). Univariate analysis revealed that central lymph node metastasis was correlated with age, tumor size and other factors. There were more patients with cancer in bilateral lobes and extrathyroidal extension in lymph node metastasis group. And lateral lymph node metastasis was correlated with Hashimoto′s thyroiditis. Multivariate analysis showed that age, tumor size, involvement of bilateral glandular lobes and extrathyroidal extension were independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis. Conclusion The risk factors of lymph node metastasis should be fully evaluated to carry out individualized treatment for the first operation of PTMC patients. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2016, 32: 900-905) Key words: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; Lymph node metastasis; Clinical feature; Risk factors

Primulina rubribracteata, a new species of Gesneriaceae from southern Hunan, China

Primulina rubribracteata Z.L. Ning &amp; M. Kang, a new species of Gesneriaceae from southern Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species morphologically resembles P. polycephala (Chun) Mich. Möller &amp; A. Weber and P. porphyria X.L. Yu &amp; Ming Li, but it can be easily distinguished by having ovate or broadly ovate leaf blade, purple red bracts and calyx, shorter peduncle and pedicel, thoroughly purple corolla, unbranched cymes with 1–4 flowers, and densely glandular pubescent inside corolla lobes.

A new ultrasound and clinical classification for management of prostatic abscess.

In literature, most of the published data regarding prostatic abscess (PA) are case reports, whereas there is no standardization of the diagnostic and therapeutic routines. The purpose of this study is a new classification of ultrasound imaging of PA with clinical features correlation. We retrospectively analysed the ultrasound database archives and performed a MEDLINE® research of the peer reviewed literature on diagnosis and case reports of PA using the terms "prostate and abscess". PA can be classified into five Types: Type I - PA is present focally in a prostate lobe (≤ 10 mm). Type II - PA is present in a prostate lobe (&gt; 10 mm) and/or partially overcrosses the border of the midline prostatic glandular. Type III - PA is present in both glandular lobes form of multifocal areas (≤ 10 mm). Type IV - PA is present in both glandular lobes form of multifocal areas (&gt; 10 mm). Type V - PA involving intra or extraprostatic structures (bladder, urethra, seminal vesicles and prostatic capsule). The different ultrasound imaging and diagnostic criteria are listed for each type and subtype. The sonographic pattern of PA is usually characteristic and easily differentiated from other glandular lesions. The purpose of the study was to associate the use of TRUS to a clinical standardized classification in order to facilitate PA diagnosis and localization directing the clinician treatment to the correct management and adequate therapeutic treatment.

A new species of Amphictene (Annelida, Pectinariidae) from the Gulf of Mexico, with a redescription of Amphictene guatemalensis (Nilsson, 1928)

The genus Amphictene is reported for the first time from Mexico. Previous records for America are restricted to Brazil (Amphictene catharinensis) (Grube, 1870), and Guatemala (Amphictene guatemalensis) (Nilsson, 1928). In this paper we describe a new species, Amphictene helenae sp. n., characterized by the presence of three pairs of tentacular cirri, while other species have only two pairs. The new species is closely similar to Amphictene catharinensis, and can be distinguished by the presence of a circular group of glandular papillae inserted between the lines of glandular cirri present from the second segment. Amphictene guatemalensis is redescribed based on type material; it differs from the new species in the presence of two pairs of tentacular cirri on segments 1 and 2, six pairs of glandular cirri on the third segment, and four glandular lobes fused in pairs on the fourth segment.

Ovicides paralithodis (Nemertea, Carcinonemertidae), a new species of symbiotic egg predator of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) (Decapoda, Anomura).

Ovicides paralithodis sp. n. is described from the egg mass of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) from the Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan, and Alaska, USA. Among four congeners, Ovicides paralithodis can be distinguished from Ovicides julieae Shields, 2001 and Ovicides davidi Shields and Segonzac, 2007 by having no eyes; from Ovicides jonesi Shields and Segonzac, 2007 by the presence of basophilic, vacuolated glandular lobes in the precerebral region; and from Ovicides jasoni Shields and Segonzac, 2007 by the arrangement of the acidophilic submuscular glands, which are not arranged in a row. Ovicides paralithodis represents the third described species of egg-predatory nemertean from Paralithodes camtschaticus, the second described carcinonemertid species from Japan, and the 21st described species in the family. The intensity of infestations may exceed 24,000 worms per a single egg-bearing pleopod of Paralithodes camtschaticus. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes among selected monostiliferous hoplonemertean species supported the monophyly of Carcinonemertidae, suggesting that within the lineage of the family, evolution of the unique vas deferens, Takakura’s duct, preceded loss of accessory stylets and accessory-stylet pouches.

A novel image processing method to determine the nutritional condition of lobsters

The digestive gland of crustacean is involved in various metabolic activities, including the synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes that begin the process of food digestion, intracellular digestion and absorption of nutrients, storage of reserves, and disposal of waste products. It consists of two glandular lobes which extensively subdivide to form a complex of blind-ending tubules, whose size, surface area, and digestive cells are associated with intracellular digestion and the nutritional status of the organism. The aim of this paper was to study the morphology of the digestive gland in various lobster species and calculate the surface area of tubules, lumen and digestive cells (R-, F-, and B-cells) and their ratios to total tubule surface area. The similarity in ratios obtained in this study between individual lobsters suggests that the method developed in this study can be successfully applied to a range of species. This study describes a novel image processing algorithm for the automatic measurement of the hepatopancreas structure using stained cross sections of digestive gland tubules. The proposed new methodology could be used for studying the physiology and nutrient metabolism of lobsters and other crustaceans. The computer-aided analysis described in this paper is accurate for the quantitative assessment of the lobster's digestive gland structure.

The roles of Dippu-allatostatin in the modulation of hormone release in Locusta migratoria

Dippu-allatostatins (ASTs) have pleiotropic effects in Locusta migratoria. Dippu-ASTs act as releasing factors for adipokinetic hormone I (AKH I) from the corpus cardiacum (CC) and also alter juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis and release from the corpus allatum (CA). Dippu-AST-like immunoreactivity is found within lateral neurosecretory cells (LNCs) of the brain and axons within the paired nervi corporis cardiaci II (NCC II) to the CC and the CA, where there are extensive processes and nerve endings over both of these neuroendocrine organs. There was co-localization of Dippu-AST-like and proctolin-like immunoreactivity within these regions. Dippu-ASTs increase the release of AKH I in a dose-dependent manner, with thresholds below 10 −11 M (Dippu-AST 7) and between 10 −13 and 10 −12 M (Dippu-AST 2). Both proctolin and Dippu-AST 2 caused an increase in the cAMP content of the glandular lobe of the CC. Dippu-AST 2 also altered the release of JH from the locust CA, but this effect depended on the concentration of peptide and the basal release rates of the CA. These physiological effects for Dippu-ASTs in Locusta have not been shown previously.

Comparison of Extended Field of View and Dual Image Ultrasound Techniques for the Measurement of the Longitudinal Dimension of Enlarged Thyroid Glands

Extended field of view (EFOV) ultrasound (US) provides images with a large anatomic field of view and is a technical modification of conventional US. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of EFOV US in the accurate measurement of the longitudinal dimension of hyperplastic thyroid glands which were too big to be documented in a single image. In addition, the accuracy and reliability of EFOV US were compared with those of dual image US. The actual longitudinal dimensions of 22 surgical specimens of thyroid glandular lobes excised by thyroidectomy were measured manually in the postoperative period. The longitudinal dimensions were also measured by two radiologists using EFOV US and dual image US after the surgical specimens were being placed in containers filled with gel. The accuracy and the reliability of EFOV US ( r = 0.997–0.999; reproducibility, 99.88%; repeatability, 99.88–99.92) were found to be higher than the dual imaging technique ( r = 0.970–0.986; reproducibility, 99.51%; repeatability, 99.56–99.59) in measuring the longitudinal dimension of enlarged thyroid glands. However, our results revealed that both US techniques can be considered in the evaluation of hyperplastic thyroid gland size. Dual image US should be regarded as the second choice for longitudinal dimension measurement of hyperplastic thyroid glands. Based on our findings, we propose the use of EFOV US for accurate and reliable measurements in patients with an enlarged thyroid gland. EFOV US has a crucial role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients undergoing medical therapy for diffuse or nodular goiter.