Glandular Systems Research Articles

Functional subtyping of muscarinic receptors on canine esophageal mucosa

Serosal addition of muscarinic agonists elicited rapid changes in electrical parameters across the isolated canine esophageal epithelium set up in vitro. Both carbachol and the M1-selective agonist, McNeil A343 (McN), increased transmucosal potential differences (PDs), decreased transmucosal resistances (R), and increased short-circuit currents (Isc). Carbachol was more potent and more effective than McN. Muscarinic antagonists were used to define the muscarinic receptor involved. The pA2 values obtained with Schild plots were as follows: atropine 9.14, 4-DAMP 8.98, AFDX-116 6.71, and pirenzepine 7.12. Low concentrations of pirenzepine (10(-8) M), produced a rightward shift in the dose-response curve to McN, without inhibiting responses to carbachol. Thus the receptor subtype is clearly not an M2. As in other glandular systems, M3 receptors are present. Whether M1 receptors also exist requires better definition of receptor densities-reserves in this tissue. Carbachol induced net secretion of Na and Cl and converted a predominantly absorptive tissue to a secretory one.

The influence of diet on the tear film

Can diet cure dry eyes? This is the question would like to address today. Now would love to say yes but unfortunately there is no proof that this is so. Rather can give you a strong I think so and back this opinion up through my perspective on the scientific literature to date. This talk will be in 4 parts: 1. a quick review of the tear glands and how they work 2. a statement of what is known about dietary influence on the tears 3. a look at 3 other glandular systems of the body and the role that diet plays in their function 4. and finally a dry eye diet that you may choose to use in your practice. To substantiate my theory there are several known premises we must agree upon 1. what we eat influences our blood composition 2. our blood supplies the necessary nutrients for tear gland health 3. our blood carries the raw material for tear formulation to the tear glands.

Literature as Textual Palingenesis: On Some Principles of Literary History

You can throw overboard every mental heritage that consciousness has prized. When you have done so, where are you? What has become of you? You remain incapable of uttering a word that has not its roots buried deep in the remotest past. You cannot open your lips without being used as a mouthpiece by myriads upon myriads of the dead. You are little more than a disk recording the reproducing traditions that no awareness can fathom, traditions deposited during countless thousands of years in your anatomical and physiological structure, in your tissues, in your nervous and glandular systems. Yet you fancy that you are free to start afresh as man did hundreds of mil-

Histochemical Analyses of Laticifers and Glandular Trichomes in Cannabis sativa

The unbranched nonarticulated laticifer, including its latex, and capi.tate glandubr trichomes from Cannabis saliva L. were analyzed in fresh and cryo­ stat preparati ons with histochemical procedures for the presence of cannabinoids, alkaluius, aml other selected celiular components. A positive response to cannabinoid indicators, Duquenois-Negm, fast blue salt B, Gibb, and Beam reagents occurred in laticifers, as well as exuded latex and in disc cells of epidermal capitate glandular trichomes. No response or only an apparent background response to these reagents was detected in other cells. Alkaloids were detected histochemically in laticifers and exuded latex with Wagner, Dittmar, Ellram, chromic acid, Hager, and Dragendorff reagents. Alkaloid indicators also reacted with capitate glandular trichomes but did not show a positive response in other cells of the plant. Laticifers also contained other specialized contents including the enzymes, cytochrome oxidase, and lipase. Free lipids and storage proteins were not detected in laticifers. Qualitative responses to these histochemical procedures were similar in laticifers and capitatelandular trichomes from various regions and organs of the plant axis. Histochemical indi­ cators can be useful for preliminary surveying of specialized cell types and tissues for the presence of specialized substances. Recent investigations of the chemistry of Cannabis sativa L. have identified a group of terpenophenols, the cannabinoids, which occur only in this genus (1, 2, 3). The major cannabinoids, including � 9 -tetrahydrocanna binol (� 9 -THC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD), are utilized in the chemical characteri­ zation of drug, nondrug, or fiber strains of Cannabis (4, 5). These compounds appear to be most abundant in actively growing regions of the shoot system of both pistillate and staminate plants (6). Several recent studies have indicated that these cannabinoids accumulate in epidermal glandular trichomes (7, 8, 9). However, there have been few studies of the relationship of cannabinoids to laticifers, an internal secretory system, or to other specific cells or tissue systems in the plant. Similarly, the presence of alkaloids, including choline and trigonelline, already noted in the early literature (10) have been reported from Cannabis tissues (11, 12, 13). Other investigators have identified a group of cannabimine (14) as well as hordenine, neurine, and spermidine (15, 16, 17, 18) alkaloids from various portions of this plant. The presence of alkaloids has not been related to specific cell types or tissues in this genus, although alkaloids are common constituents in specialized cells such as the laticifer in other plants. The purpose of this study is to examine whether histochemical procedures can be utilized effectively to survey plant tissues for their general composition. Histochemical techniques are applied to the laticifer and glandular systems as well as other cells to determine sites of accumulation of cannabinoids, alkaloids and other specific compounds in these cells. We will show that these techniques can be useful for preliminary surveying of cells and tissues for the presence of specialized substances.

The influence of ovine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on the male reproductive system and the skin of the Mediterranean blenniid fish Blennius sphinx (Valenciennes).

AbstractThe Mediterranean Blenniid fish Blennius sphinx has a unique male reproductive system: the testes lie close to voluminous lipid bodies through which the sperm must pass. The tubules, through which the sperm travel, lead to a collection duct opening ventrally into locally enlarged sperm ducts. These taper off caudally and join in an unpaired terminal section which opens into a genital papilla. Slightly posterior to the union, the duct forms two blind pouches extending laterally to the caudal third of the testes. In addition, during spawning, Blennius sphinx shows a glandular system of unknown function in the first and second spines of the anal fin.In this paper, the reactions of the sex‐linked structures described above, and of the mucous cells in the epidermis of post‐spawning fishes, to injections of mammalian FSH and LH are studied. By LH‐treatment the proportion of the animals with fully active testes is increased from 36% (controls) to 83%. The height of the lipid body is increased about 26% by LH‐injections, as compared with the controls. This effect is correlated with an increase in the size of the lipid vacuoles of about 28%. In the epithelium of the paired portions of the sperm duct, LH promotes the formation of aldehyde fuchsin‐positive granules in the cells. The proportion of this type of secretion rises from 18% (controls) to 68% after LH‐treatment. In the terminal unpaired part of the sperm duct, within the genital papilla, the epithelium is thickened by about 38% by this hormone. Injections of LH decrease the height of the blind pouch epithelium, which is well developed, and actively secreting in most of the controls. They also suppress secretion and vascularisation in this structure. LH promotes the formation of the anal gland system, increasing the proportion of the animals with maximally developed glandular systems from 0% (untreated controls) or about 17% (H2O‐treated controls) to 91%. This effect is correlated with an increase of the diameter of the single glands of about 40%. This is also the case in FSH‐treated fishes (23%). The number of the mucous cells in the epidermis decreases by 46% and 45% after FSH‐ and LH‐treatment, respectively. In no case were the effects strictly correlated with the hormone dose. The problems of the action of mammalian gonadotrophins, especially FSH, in fishes; the possible functions of the organs associated with the male genital tract of Bl. Sphinx, and the possible role of the mucous cells in the osmoregulation of fishes are discussed.

Formal mechanisms of affective experience: Outline for a formal theory of affect

The affects and emotions, the former more subjective, the latter more associated with bodily changes and better explored as a neurohumoral state of affairs, yet at times interchangeably referred to, have been variously conceived of as quantities or discharges of psychic energy; 1 as flow of psychic energy; 1 as accompaniments of instinctual impulses; 1 as behavior confined to the subject's body, particularly the visceral and glandular systems; 1 as “forces” combined into “composite resultants”; 1 to mention only the better known views. The general tendency today is to view affects as unable to reach any degree of structural organization, similar to that of cognition, beyond the level of classifications based on secondary intellectual reflections. Piaget has been the only investigator to formulate a theory of affect as a particular psychological structure obeying its own formal laws. This paper attempts to expand on some of Piaget's basic ideas and outline a formal theory of affect applying to normality as well as psychopathology.

A neuroectodermal syndrome of dominant inheritance

Ten members of a family consisting of 68 individuals spread over five generations were affected in some measure with a characteristic syndrome, which involved the nervous, ectodermal, skeletal, and glandular systems. The familial condition described showed certain resemblances to the syndromes of Werner, Refsum and Cockayne. Distinct differences, however, also were found. The nature of inheritance in the family described was discussed in terms of its being due to a dominant gene. This was in contrast with the recessive inheritance in the other neuroectodermal syndromes considered. In spite of the differences between our family and the other syndromes reported, our study has suggested the possibility of a spectrum of neuroectodermal disorders, which may include the three syndromes mentioned and possibly others, as well as the syndrome described in the present report. The incidence in the family of adeno-hypophyseal insufficiency was described and a possible mechanism for this was suggested. A possible etiologic mechanism was suggested in terms of a genetically determined enzymic defect.

ORIGIN OF NEURAMINIC ACID IN HUMAN SEMINAL FLUID.

THE occurrence and possible function of the neuraminic acids in mammalian tissues and fluids is a matter of great interest. Large amounts of N-acetylneuraminic acid have been demonstrated in the seminal fluid of man1,2, bull3 and boar4. Analysis of the secretions of the accessory genital organs of the boar showed that the mucin from the bulbourethral glands contained 4–4.5 per cent (fresh weight) of neuraminic acid. The concentration was less in the seminal vesicles and negligible in the other glandular secretions5. In man the average concentration of neuraminic acid was in the seminal vesicle fluids 231.9 mg/100 ml., in the prostatic secretions 60.6 mg/100 ml., and in the seminal fluid 124.2 mg/100 ml. From these data, Warren2 calculated that approximately two-thirds of the seminal fluid came from the prostate gland. It is, however, difficult to calculate the relative contribution of the various glandular systems to the ejaculate by using data obtained from extracts of autopsy material.

Involvement of Abdominal Organs in Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas

Summary Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas is a generalized, hereditary disease affecting many or all exocrine glands. It is not primarily a disease of the pancreas, but one in which this organ is frequently, but not necessarily, involved. In fully developed cases there are chronic lung disease, pancreatic deficiency, abnormally high electrolytes, and, at times, cirrhosis of the liver. Characteristic of the disorder is involvement of various organs or glandular systems, leading to marked variations in the clinical picture. The sweat test because of its simplicity and reliability, is the cornerstone for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Involvement of abdominal organs in cystic fibrosis and its consequences are described. Meconium ileus, pancreatic achylia, prolapse of the rectum, cirrhosis of the liver, fecal masses, pancreatic calcifications and diabetes mellitus, and pancreatitis and abdominal pain are described. Case reports are presented on 4 patients with cystic fibrosis exemplifying complications of this disease not recorded previously. Studies relating cystic fibrosis to some chronic pulmonary and gastrointestinal disorders of adults are briefly related and thought to be one of the most challenging recent developments.

INTRAMURAL INFLAMMATION OF THE COLON SIMULATING CANCER

Recognition of the fact that inflammatory processes ofttimes simulate malignant neoplasms to a remarkable degree is important, not only from a clinical and surgical standpoint, but also because of the fact that prognostic errors, so frequently made in this type of case, cause serious future embarrassment to the surgeon. Well known examples of this similarity obtain in chronic inflammatory masses of the breast, chronic thyroiditis, Mikulicz's disease of the submaxillary glands and various other inflammatory tumors of the muscular, osseous and glandular systems. In no location in the body, however, is the clinical diagnosis more difficult or the prognosis of more importance than in inflammatory tumors of the intestinal tract, the majority of which are found in the colon. The occurrence of these lesions was first reported by Virchow in 1853 when he described isolated inflammatory tumors of the large bowel. Mayo Robson 1 reported several cases in 1908. Hamman