Glandular System Research Articles

The Reproductive Systems of the Nudibranchia (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia): Comparative Histology and Ultrastructure of the Nidamental Glands with Aspects of Functional Morphology

The histology and ultrastructure of the nidamental glands (glandular oviduct) of 11 species of Nudibranchia are described and compared. Conclusions about functional morphology can be drawn from examination of animals preserved during the process of spawning. Generally speaking, all investigated species possess three structurally and functionally different parts in the nidamental glandular system. The proximal capsule gland forms an inner albuminous layer in the egg capsules, the following membrane gland builts the membrane around the embryo and the albuminous layer and in the distal mucous gland different mucus layers forming the spawn ribbon are successively added.

Ultrastructural study of two glandular systems in the proboscidial glandular epithelium of Riseriellus occultus (Nemertea, Heteronemertea)

Two different types of glandular system in the proboscidial epithelium of Riseriellus occultus have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. As expected, most of the epithelial cells are glandular in nature. With regard to differences in the ultrastructure of these gland cells and in the formation and morphology of their secretory granules, we have categorized and described four types of gland cell, indicated as G1, G2, G3, and G4. Each gland cell has a completely intraepithelial body characterized by a prominent nucleus, developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, and numerous secretory granules at different stages of maturation. These four types of gland cell appear associated in pairs forming numerous glandular systems of two types (A, B). These glandular systems are restricted to the ventral surface of the proboscis and are scattered irregularly throughout its length. Each glandular system consists of two gland cells of different types. The gland cell necks in each glandular system extend together to the epithelial surface; they protrude onto this and form a papilla where they open in a common area. The epithelial supportive cells adjacent to the glandular systems have long, stout microvilli which have a core of tonofilaments. These tonofilaments gather into dense bundles which pass vertically through the supportive cells and attach to the extracellular matrix underlaying the cells by hemidesmosomes. Moreover, a single sensory process stands close to each papilla. The ultrastructural morphology of the type A glandular systems suggests that they have an adhesive function operating in a similar way to that of the duo-gland adhesive systems in other invertebrate groups, although they are not homologous with these. The spatial arrangement of the secreted products of the type B glandular systems suggests that these may contribute to increasing the grip of the proboscis on the prey. The secretory granules (=pseudocnids) of the type G3 gland cells are very likely an autapomorphy of the Anopla, providing a character by which the relationships within the Nemertea can be evaluated.

SIALOGRAFIA DE PARÓTIDAS CLINICAMENTE NORMAIS: CLASSIFICAÇÃO ANATÔMICA E CORRELAÇÃO COM A FUNÇÃO GLANDULAR

O presente estudo teve por finalidade analisar e correlacionar as características anatômicas e a atividade funcional de glândulas parótidas saudáveis, empregando técnica sialográfica. O estudo anatômico foi realizado em 55 indivíduos, dos quais 37 participaram do exame funcional, que consistiu na verificação da eliminação da substância de contraste Lipiodol UF,, em glândulas estimuladas e não estimuladas. Os resultados demonstraram que a análise das imagens sialográficas pela observação do sistema de ductos glandulares permitiu a constituição de 5 grupos anatômicos distintos. Na avaliação funcional, as glândulas estimuladas levaram períodos de tempo mais uniformes e curtos para a eliminação do Lipiodol UF em relação às não estimuladas. A correlação dos achados anatômicos e funcionais mostrou que a média do tempo de eliminação da substância de contraste em glândulas estimuladas no Grupo I foi significantemente maior que as médias dos Grupos II e III; o tempo máximo para o esvaziamento de glândulas estimuladas foi de 5 minutos em todos os Grupos, enquanto que as glândulas não estimuladas não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os Grupos. Ao final, concluiu-se que a avaliação conjunta do modelo anatômico e da função excretora de glândulas deve ser realizada com a utilização de estímulo.

Expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein in gastrointestinal and uterine carcinomas and their premalignant lesions

Expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein (Bcl-2) in carcinomas and their precursor lesions in the colon, stomach, uterine cervix (squamous and glandular epithelium), and endometrium was examined immunohistochemically using clone 124 monoclonal antibody. Most cases of premalignant lesions in the colon (adenoma, 80.6%), stomach (metaplastic gastritis, 77.1%, mainly positive in the proliferative zone), endocervix (glandular dysplasia, 87.5%) and endometrium (endometrial hyperplasia, 65.4%) showed intense immunoreactivity for Bcl-2, whereas fewer than 30% of adenocarcinomas in these tissues had no or weak Bcl-2 expression. In the stomach, adenomas with definite Bcl-2 expression were 37.5% of the cases examined. Conversely, most of both squamous intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix showed weak or no Bcl-2 expression. These results suggest that upregulation of Bcl-2 in premalignant lesions and downregulation after malignant change is, to some extent, a common event in the glandular system, but not in the squamous epithelium of the uterine cervix. Bcl-2 may play an important role in keeping the transformed cells alive at the early stage of multistep carcinogenesis in the glandular tissue by an escape from a regulatory mechanism of apoptosis for further accumulation of gene abnormalities.

Differential expression of odorant-binding protein genes in rat nasal glands: implications for odorant-binding proteinII as a possible pheromone transporter.

We examined the distribution and ontogeny of two odorant-binding proteins in the rat at various stages of development from newborn to adult using northern blot and in situ hybridization methods. Our results demonstrated spatial segregation between odorant-binding protein and odorant-binding proteinII in nasal glandular tissues. Odorant-binding protein messenger RNA was expressed in the glandular system opening into the nasal vestibule, whereas odorant-binding proteinII messenger RNA was seen in the posterior glands of the nasal septum and in the vomeronasal glands. In addition, odorant-binding protein and odorant-binding proteinII messenger RNA levels increased during early postnatal stages with time courses that paralleled the anatomical development of the main olfactory system and the vomeronasal system, respectively. Our results suggest that odorant-binding proteinII functions as a pheromone transporter in the vomeronasal system.

Translational research in urology: From the laboratory to the clinic

Translational research in urology: From the laboratory to the clinic

A survey of the pattern of glandular distribution in the larynges of human infants.

We studied the development of glandular structures and the pattern of distribution of serous and mucous-type glands in the larynges of 77 human infants obtained at autopsy. The subglottic larynx was subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis, using an image binarization procedure. The areas of mucosa and inner space of the subglottic larynx tended to increase with age. The area occupied by the glands differed considerably in younger infants and the areas of total glands and serous-type glands increased with age. There was no correlation between the area of the mucous glands and age. These findings indicate that local immune function of the secretory glandular system in the larynx of human infants increases with advancing age.

Intrahepatic peribiliary glands of humans. I. Anatomy, development and presumed functions

The intrahepatic biliary tree is regarded as an excretory duct of two secretory units: hepatocytes and intrahepatic peribiliary glands. This review describes the anatomy, development and presumed functions of the latter. These glands are preferentially located around the intrahepatic large bile ducts, and are histologically divided into intramural and extramural structures. The former consist of simple tubular glands with much mucin, and are sparsely and irregularly distributed within the ductal wall. The latter are characterized by the presence of excretory units that consist of seromucinous acini and a conducting system in the periductal tissue. Pancreatic exocrine acini are occasionally admixed with extramural glands. These peribiliary glands appear in the late fetal period and complete their development about 15 years after birth. Extramural and intramural glands secrete neutral and acid mucin into the ductal lumen. Extramural glands contain several enzymes for digestion of protein and lipids. Neural and vascular supply of these glands may be related to the regulation of their secretion. Specific and non-specific immune responses within this glandular system may also be essential in the sterility of bile.

Intrahepatic peribiliary glands of humans. II. Pathological spectrum.

The pathological spectrum of intrahepatic peribiliary glands is reviewed here. Several categories of histopathological changes such as necro-inflammation, cystic dilatation, hyperplasia and neoplasia have been identified in this glandular system. Necro-inflammation is associated with biliary tract diseases and chronic advanced liver diseases and may also appear in the livers of subjects with extrahepatic diseases such as sepsis. Cystic changes of microscopic sizes are not uncommon in autopsy livers of chronic advanced liver diseases, portal hypertensive diseases and also polycystic liver of adult type. Grossly recognizable cysts are, however, infrequent and occasionally cause compression of the adjoining bile ducts. Hyperplasia of these glands, which occurs consistently in hepatolithiasis and more variably in other conditions (e.g. biliary tract infection and submassive hepatic necrosis), may be associated with hypersecretion of seromucinous substances. Hyperplasia of peribiliary glands may then lead to mucin-related biliary diseases. In addition, these glands, particularly the hyperplastic ones, could be a precursor of cholangiocarcinoma. The pathological spectrum of the intrahepatic peribiliary glands is being expanded, although a clinical pathological correlation remains uncharted. Furthermore, age-related variations and non-specific reactive changes of these glands remain unexplored.

타석에 관한 임상적 고찰

Sialolithiasis is the formation of calcific concretions within the ductal system of a major or minor salivary gland. Submandibular glandular system is more susceptible to sialolith formation when compared with the other glands. The authors analyzed 24 cases of the salivary stone which were diagnosed and treated from Jan. 1984 to Mar. 1992 at the department of Otolaryngology, Chunan Hospital, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University. The results were as follows; Age distribution was even from 10 to 73 years old. Males(62.5%) were more frequently affected than females(37.5%). Right side(66.6%) was more frequent than left(29.2%). Submandibular duct was the most common site in 19 cases(79.2%). Number of calculi was various from 1 to 4 and single stone was most commonly present in 18 cases(75.0%). Size was diverse from 1 to 23mm in the longest diameter and 16 stones (47.0%) were from 2 to 5mm, 11 stones(32.4%) from 6 to 10mm. Common symptoms were swelling of submandibular area in 12 cases(50.0%), painful swelling of submandibular area at meal in 10 cases(41.7%) and odynophagia in 7 cases(29.2%) in order. In physical examination, hard mass in mouth floor was in 20 cases(83.3%) and tenderness of submandibular gland in 12 cases(50.0%). Diagnosis was made with physical examination, plain X-ray and sialogram in 16 cases (66.6%). 17 cases were treated by intraoral removal and 7 cases by submandibular gland resection and recurrence or any specific complications were not noted.

Impact of some dietary patterns on the glandular system of the large-intestine walls

Dietary patterns influence the morphology of the digestive organs and the functional anatomy of the glandular system in the wails of internal organs, as has been established in animal experiments and discussed in the literature in the light of comparative theriological data. In carnivorous mammals the initial portion of the digestive tract is abundantly supplied with glands located within its walls [4]. Herbivorous animals, on the other hand, have a greatly enlarged stomach and, especially, an increased size of the large bowel, which consists of (several divisions [6]. As the size of this part of the digestive tract increases, so does the number of mucosal glands whose endocrine activity is essential for the digestion of carbohydrate- and fiberrich foods. As has been found experimentally, force-feeding of rats with fiber-rich plant foods leads to greater numbers and size of the duodenal (Brurmer's) glands, expansion of the area occupied by them in the duodenal walls, and enhanced secretory activity of these glands [9]. Experimental animal data are often extrapolated to modem man, though not always justifiably so: most mammals consume more specialized diets than do people today, who are omnivorous and whose ancestors were never exclusively carnivorous. Yet many of the structural features of the digestive tract demonstrated by theriologists and experimental biologists have been shown to be shared by man. The objectives of this study were to compare large-intestine glands of persons who had been

Effects of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy using GT XIII on blood coagulation tests and the renal kallikrein-kinin system

Forty-six sclerotherapy sessions were performed on liver cirrhotics with high-risk esophageal varices using GT XIII, a sclerosant composed of gelatin, thrombin and coagulation factor XIII. GT XIII was effective for the prevention of temporary symptoms and transient hypotension observed in 55 sclerotherapy sessions using thrombin. In 42 (91%) sessions, patients underwent sclerotherapy with no symptoms, and in the other four (9%) sessions, only slight symptoms of general fatigue and headache were observed. Changes in the mean arterial pressure were significantly smaller in sessions using GT XIII than in those using thrombin (-12.3 +/- 13.6 vs. -26.8 +/- 20.7 mmHg, P less than 0.01). Changes in coagulation tests, similar to those of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), were also reduced in sessions using GT XIII. Urinary kallikrein and kinin excretion significantly increased after the procedure (P less than 0.01), indicating activation of the renal kallikrein-kinin system. Increases in urinary kallikrein and kinin excretion showed a significant relationship with the consumed plasma fibrinogen levels (r = -0.51, P less than 0.01 and r = -0.58, P less than 0.01, respectively), and it was suggested that activation of the glandular kallikrein-kinin system caused by abrupt DIC-like changes in the hemostatic system might play a role in manifestations of temporary complications occurring with the use of hemostatic agents containing thrombin.

Morphology of the Excretory System of Hysterothylacium haze (Nematoda: Anisakidae: Raphidascaridinae)

The morphology of the excretory system of Hysterothylacium haze was examined by serial histological sections. The excretory system was H-shaped and glandular, consisting of lateral filaments and a commissure, with the exretory pore opening posterior to the nerve ring. A large excretory nucleus was present in the left filament. The cuticularized excretory duct was confined to the left side of the commissure. The glandular excretory system is rare among the Raphidascaridinae.

Ultrastructural alterations of the thyroid follicular cells in domestic fowls following neonatal olfactory bulbectomy.

1. In order to investigate if ultrastructural alterations of thyroid follicular cells are induced by removal of the olfactory bulb at hatching, chicks were olfactory bulbectomised within 24 h after hatching and the thyroid follicular cells were examined at 5 months of age by electron microscopy. 2. Olfactory bulbectomised chickens showed a well-developed Golgi area, a highly-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, many mitochondria and a paucity of secretory granules and lysosomes in thyroid follicular cells. 3. These hypertrophic ultrastructural changes in follicular cells of operated birds indicated that the thyroids glands were stimulated by neonatal olfactory bulbectomy. 4. This finding may suggest an establishment of the olfactory bulbothyroid glandular system during the early days of life in the chicken.

Internal anatomy of Hypochthonius rufulus (acari: Oribatida).

The internal anatomy of juveniles and adults of Hypochthonius rufulus selected as a model species representing the lower Oribatida was investigated histologically and compared with the published characteristics of higher oribatid internal anatomy. In this species, the cuticle is weak and flexible, consisting of epicuticle and endocuticle on the body, but including an exocuticle between the epicuticle and endocuticle of the legs. Walls of the mesenteron in the digestive tract are of uniform thickness and structure without any regional thickening, and there are no proventricular glands. The hindgut is apparently divided into five parts: colon 1 and 2, rectum 1 and 2, and anal atrium; food bolus exhibits a multilamellar structure in this section. The glandular system is less diversified than in some other oribatids. Tracheae are apparently lacking. Females possess only two relatively large eggs, filling one-half of opistosoma, and they lack ovipositors. Eggs are present in females during the whole year. Gonad buds appear first in the protonymph stage. Only one male was found among 146 adults studied. No male external organ (aedeagus or penis) is present.

Carcinogenicity and organ specificity of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-N-nitrosourea (TMS-MNU), N-neopentyl-N-nitrosourea (neoPNU), and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in rats.

The carcinogenicity and organ specificity of TMS-MNU and neoPNU, a carbon-analogue of TMS-MNU, in rats were investigated and compared with those of MNU. Compounds were dissolved in olive oil and rats in the experimental groups received 20 weekly intragastric intubations of 10 mg/kg of MNU or equimolar amounts of TMS-MNU or neoPNU in the same manner. The experiment was terminated when the survivors were sacrificed at the 52nd week after the final administration. In the TMS-MNU and MNU groups, tumors of the forestomach were induced and the incidence was 100% in the groups of both sexes. In addition, tumors of the glandular stomach, nervous system, kidney, and lung were also observed in these groups. Neurogenic tumors were found more frequently in the MNU group than in the TMS-MNU group. The incidence of lung tumors, however, was higher in the TMS-MNU group than in the MNU group. On the other hand, in the control and neoPNU groups, no tumor was found in these organs except the lung, and all tumors observed in these two groups were histologically similar to spontaneous ones in this strain of rats. These results indicate that the carcinogenicity of N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas is dependent on the chemical structure of their alkyl chain. The result of the present study coincides with the previous result that the species of TMS-MNU in the alkylating step is the same as that of MNU, but different from neoPNU. The difference in the organ specificity between TMS-MNU and MNU demonstrates that the organ specificity is dominantly dependent on the distribution of the chemicals, since TMS-MNU may possibly be distributed differently from MNU because of its different partition property.

The exocrine glands of Dysdercus cingulatus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae): Morphology and function of nymphal glands.

The exocrine glandular system of the nymphs and the adults of Dysdercus cingulatus were studied. The D. cingulatus nymphs present 3 dorso-abdominal glands (lying under the 3rd, 4th, and 5th abdominal terga) and a pair of dorso-lateral pygidial glands on the pygidium (tergum 8). Histological and ultrastructural studies show that the upper and lower walls of the dorso-abdominal glands differ in structure; 3 types of cells were described: epidermal cells, unicellular secretory cells, and multicellular secretory units. Each of these exocrine glands plays an important part in the behavior of the nymphs (gregariousness, alarm, defense). The morphology of the various glands is discussed, and the chemistry of their secretions and their biological functions are considered.

Three-Dimensional Pattern of Ductuloacinar Associations in Normal and Pathological Human Pancreas

To explain the changes that must occur to produce the characteristic lesions of chronic calcifying pancreatitis, a three-dimensional reconstruction of pancreatic ductules and acini has been undertaken in normal subjects and in patients presenting with disease. This has been done with 3-micron serial sections of tissue embedded in plastic. Two approaches were used. In the first, ductules were reconstructed along with the acini directly associated with them. Using this method, adhesions or anastomoses between acini were not evident in normal specimens, and the quantity of acini associated with the ductules seemed small. The second method involved tracing the association of acini and ductules, beginning in the periphery of lobules, with the aid of a drawing tube. It became evident that an acinus was not necessarily the termination of the glandular system, but that intercalated ducts could be formed on the other side of the acinus, extending the quantity of acinar contributions that could be made to a primary ductular system. Evidence of dilation of ducts, atrophy of acini, formation of cul-de-sacs, and localized obstruction were found by three-dimensional reconstruction of serial sections from patients with chronic pancreatitis along with anastomosis between acini. It is probable that anastomosis becomes more detectable in patients as duct lumina enlarge. Anastomoses in the ductules in chronic pancreatitis may result from loss of some lobular structures, emphasizing preexisting connections or fusions of pancreatic elements, or both, as part of the pathological process.

Obesity and the Endocrine System

The entire endocrine system including the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads, has been examined for the cause of obesity. This article discusses the relationship between obesity and the endocrine glandular system. Guidelines for treating obesity caused by specific endocrine dysfunction are presented in detail.

Cation excretion and kallikrein secretion by the rat parotid gland in various hypertensive models.

The major salivary glands are distinguished by a high kallikrein content, localized particularly in regions with intense electrolyte transport (the apical border of striated duct cells and the luminal border of the main excretory ducts). For this reason we used the parotid gland as a test model for investigations on electrolyte (sodium and potassium) and kallikrein transport in various forms of experimental hypertension [spontaneously hypertensive rats, renovascular (two-kidney one-clip) hypertension, and deoxycorticosterone trimethylacetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension]. As compared with values for the controls, the sodium concentration in parotid saliva was decreased in all hypertensive models studied, indicating enhanced sodium reabsorption in the glandular duct system. In DOCA-salt hypertension the flow rate dependency of the sodium concentration was preserved. In contrast, in genetic and renovascular hypertension, the decreased sodium concentration was independent of the salivary flow rate. Salivary potassium concentration showed an inverse relationship to sodium level and was slightly increased in DOCA-salt and renovascular hypertension. In genetic hypertension potassium concentration in saliva was lowered. Salivary kallikrein activity was enhanced in all forms of hypertension studied, with the highest increase in genetic hypertension (factor 3.5), followed by DOCA-salt hypertension (factor 3.0) and finally by renovascular hypertension (factor 2.5). The pathogenesis of the exaggerated kallikrein secretion observed in hypertension is discussed with regard to a counterregulatory mechanism as well as sympathicoadrenergic activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)