Neutral Mucins Research Articles

A Study of Histochemical Characteristics of Mucosubstances in Normal Endocervical Glands

Background: The apical epithelial surfaces of mammalian respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts are coated by mucus, a mixture of water, ions, glycoproteins, proteins, and lipids. Mucins are mainly of two types- Neutral and Acidic. Mucus plays an important role in reproductive function and defence of the female reproductive tract. Objectives: To know the mucin distribution in normal endocervical glands. Methodology: This is a retrospective, observational , analytical, case control study aimed to evaluate mucin histochemical pattern in normal endocervical glands. Ten histologically proven blocks of normal endocervical glands were taken. Tissue sections were stained by, PAS, PAS-diastase, Phenylhydrazine-PAS, Alcian blue pH 2.5, Alcian Blue pH 1, combined Alcian blue-PAS, Aldehyde fuschin and combined Aldehyde fuchsin Alcian blue techniques. Results: Results were tabulated according to colour intensity into different grades ranging from + to ++++. Regarding mucin histochemistry of normal endocervical glands; the epithelium and glands show mixture of both neutral and acidic mucins. Acidic mucins are more in amount than neutral. In acidic mucins, sialomucins are predominantly seen. Conclusion: Mucin histochemical patterns serve as valuable, cost-effective tool for diagnosis in histopathology and for the researchers in histology, where a slight change in the mucin pattern may help in the early diagnosis of the disease process.

Protective effect of nutraceutical food on the intestinal mucosa of juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus under high stocking density

Nutraceuticals have been evaluated for their ability to protect and heal the gastrointestinal mucosa, especially in adverse conditions. Thus, the present study evaluated the effect of a nutraceutical diet composed of bovine first milk secretion in the intestinal health of juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus subjected to high stocking density. Juveniles (140 ± 10 g) distributed into 16 cages and stocked at 50 kg m−3 were fed twice daily with a pelleted and semi-purified diet containing nutraceutical food (NF) in increasing levels, being 0, 10, 20, and 30% of inclusion (n = 4). Quantification of goblet cells containing neutral, acidic (including sialo and sulfomucins) and acidic-neutral mucins, volume (Vv), and surface density (Sv) of the mucosa and thickness of the internal circular muscle layer was determined after 28 experimental days in the middle gut and rectum (RT). The apoptotic rate was analyzed qualitatively according to the intensity (high, medium, and low) of caspase-3 immunostaining in epithelial cells. Performance parameters were not affected by the inclusion of NF in the diets. Juveniles fed 20% and 30% of NF showed a lower number of goblet cells containing sulfomucins than juveniles fed 0% and 10% of NF (P = 0.01) in the RT. In the last segment of the middle gut (S2) and RT, the intensity of caspase-3 immunostaining in enterocytes was inversely related to the concentration of NF added in the diet. The inclusion of 20% and 30% of nutraceutical food in the diet of P. mesopotamicus reduced the rate of apoptosis and the number of goblet cells containing sulfomucin in the last intestinal segments of juveniles subjected to high stocking density, mitigating the effects caused by the adverse condition and being, therefore, beneficial for intestinal health.

Effects of dietary Hermetia illucens meal inclusion on cecal microbiota and small intestinal mucin dynamics and infiltration with immune cells of weaned piglets

BackgroundThe constant interaction between diet and intestinal barrier has a crucial role in determining gut health in pigs. Hermetia illucens (HI) meal (that represents a promising, alternative feed ingredient for production animals) has recently been demonstrated to influence colonic microbiota, bacterial metabolite profile and mucosal immune status of pigs, but no data about modulation of gut mucin dynamics are currently available. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary HI meal inclusion on the small intestinal mucin composition of piglets, as well as providing insights into the cecal microbiota and the mucosal infiltration with immune cells.ResultsA total of 48 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments (control diet [C] and 5% or 10% HI meal inclusion [HI5 and HI10], with 4 replicate boxes/treatment and 4 animals/box) and slaughtered after 61 days of trial (3 animals/box, 12 piglets/diet). The cecal microbiota assessment by 16S rRNA amplicon based sequencing showed higher beta diversity in the piglets fed the HI-based diets than the C (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the HI-fed animals showed increased abundance of Blautia, Chlamydia, Coprococcus, Eubacterium, Prevotella, Roseburia, unclassified members of Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcus and Staphylococcus when compared to the C group (FDR < 0.05). The gut of the piglets fed the HI-based diets showed greater neutral mucin percentage than the C (P < 0.05), with the intestinal neutral mucins of the HI-fed animals being also higher than the sialomucins and the sulfomucins found in the gut of the C group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the piglets fed the HI-based diets displayed lower histological scores in the jejunum than the other gut segments (ileum [HI5] or ileum and duodenum [HI10], P < 0.05).ConclusionsDietary HI meal utilization positively influenced the cecal microbiota and the small intestinal mucin dynamics of the piglets in terms of selection of potentially beneficial bacteria and preservation of mature mucin secretory architecture, without determining the development of gut inflammation. These findings further confirm the suitability of including insect meal in swine diets.

Trioxolone Methyl, a Novel Cyano Enone-Bearing 18βH-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Derivative, Ameliorates Dextran Sulphate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Semi-synthetic triterpenoids, bearing cyano enone functionality in ring A, are considered to be novel promising therapeutic agents with complex inhibitory effects on tissue damage, inflammation and tumor growth. Previously, we showed that the cyano enone-containing 18βH-glycyrrhetinic acid derivative soloxolone methyl (SM) effectively suppressed the inflammatory response of macrophages in vitro and the development of influenza A-induced pneumonia and phlogogen-stimulated paw edema in vivo. In this work, we reported the synthesis of a novel 18βH-glycyrrhetinic acid derivative trioxolone methyl (TM), bearing a 2-cyano-3-oxo-1(2)-en moiety in ring A and a 12,19-dioxo-9(11),13(18)-dien moiety in rings C, D, and E. TM exhibited a high inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (II) production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774 macrophages in vitro and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, displaying higher anti-inflammatory activity in comparison with SM. TM effectively suppressed the DSS-induced epithelial damage and inflammatory infiltration of colon tissue, the hyperproduction of colonic neutral mucin and TNFα and increased glutathione synthesis. Our in silico analysis showed that Akt1, STAT3 and dopamine receptor D2 can be considered as mediators of the anti-colitic activity of TM. Our findings provided valuable information for a better understanding of the anti-inflammatory activity of cyano enone-bearing triterpenoids and revealed TM as a promising anti-inflammatory candidate.

Development of the digestive system of Argentine hake, Merluccius hubbsi, larvae.

The Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi is an important fishery resource of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean and it is also a potential species for cultivation. In this work, the digestive system development in field-caught hake larvae was studied using histological and histochemical approaches. The digestive tract of larvae was divided into: oropharyngeal cavity (OPC), esophagus, stomach (that develops in the preflexion stage), and intestine. The annexed digestive glands consisted of the liver and the exocrine pancreas. At the beginning of the preflexion stage, teeth were developed in the OPC. There were mucous cells in the esophagus secreting different glycoconjugates from hatching. The enterocytes in the posterior intestine exhibited supranuclear vesicles associated with protein absorption. Mucous cells were observed in the posterior intestine in the preflexion stage and, in the anterior region, ending the flexion stage. Each type of glycoconjugates has a specific role. Acidic mucins lubricate and protect from mechanical damage, sialomucines protect from bacterial infections and neutral mucins regulate the acidity of mucus secretion, protect against abrasion and participate in the formation of the chyme, indicating a pregastric digestion. The liver was present since hatching with pancreatic tissue inside and increased in size acquiring the typical structure with hepatocyte cords, sinusoids, vacuoles, and hepatic duct. The hepatocytes vacuolization increased with larval development. The pancreas became extra-hepatic, with basophilic acinar cells and acidophilic zymogen granules. Throughout the ontogeny, the increased structural and functional complexity of the digestive system reflected the transition to exogenous feeding and nutritional increasing needs.

Effect Of Peppermint Oil On The Gastric Restriction Model With Phytobezoar In Wistar Rats

Obesity is a public health problem and many patients resort to bariatric surgeries as a form of treatment. However, surgical weight loss mechanisms, histopathological changes and long‐term consequences of bariatric surgery remain unclear. Among the main histopathological changes in the intestine we have increased expression of neutral mucins, acid mucins, caliciform cells and collagen in animals submitted to the gastric restriction model. Currently there is no therapeutic tool to reduce histopathological and oxidative changes promoted by gastric restriction surgeries. Based on these premises, the aim of this work was to investigate whether Peppermint essential oil reduces histopathological and oxidative changes in the experimental gastric restriction model. Adult male Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 400 grams were used. The animals were submitted to surgical gastrostomy and a cylindrical natural sponge (1.5 cm in diameter) was inserted into the stomach. The rats were separated into 3 groups, namely: Control (treated only with saline), Sham (surgical procedure only) and treatment (peppermint oil 100mg/Kg orally). Weight, water and food consumption were measured daily. On the last day all animals were euthanized and had the biological material collected (stomach, duodenum and jejunum) for histopathological evaluation and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in tissue. It was found that peppermint oil was able to reduce histopathological changes caused by the phytobenzoar in duodenum and jejunum, as well as to reduce the concentration of MDA in the jejunum (Figure 2). Regarding feed intake, the control group presented lower average consumption (98.7g/animal) when compared with Sham (134g/animal) and treatment groups (132g/animal). Regarding the average weight of the animals, it was observed that there was no statistically significant difference. It was found that peppermint essential oil presented moderate protective effect on phytobenzoar‐induced gastric restriction and reduced the loss of the architecture of intestinal viles.

The olfactory mucosa of river catfish, Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822): Histochemical studies

Miscellany in histochemical peculiarity of the olfactory mucosa was studied for localization of axons, mucopolysaccharides, glycogen, protein and lipid in schilbid catfish, Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822). Silver deposition was detected in the abundance of receptor cells in the olfactosensory epithelium and well as marked in the knob and dendrite process of primary receptor cells. The mucous cells with various stages of maturity containing different degrees of mucopolysaccharides were identified by employing the Periodic Acid Schiff's (PAS) reaction in combination with Alcian Blue (AB) test. This combined test imparted purple colour due to PAS for neutral mucin and blue colour for AB reaction due to the presence of acid mucin exclusively. The results of Best’s carmine test indicated considerable amount of glycogen present in the receptor cells, basal cells and supporting cells in the olfactory mucosa. Basic protein and bound lipid were ascertained in the various cells of the epithelial lining and in blood cells of the central core were discussed with behavioural activities of the fish interested.

Foamy Gland Variant of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma (FGVPA), diagnostic pitfalls: A case report and literature review

A transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) specimen was received from a 72-year-old male who presented with a recent history of urinary tract infection and increased serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) of 15 ng/mL. There was an atypical glandular proliferation of which a predominant population demonstrated abundant pale xanthomatous cytoplasm with small hyperchromatic nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli. A minor component of conventional prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma was identified focally in the background. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. FGVPA is a rare variant, with foamy cytoplasm due to intracytoplasmic vesicles not lipid or neutral mucin, and usually with small pyknotic nuclei with minimal atypia. Gleason scoring is performed by the underlying architectural pattern. Immunohistochemistry of basal cell markers and AMACR are often used to confirm a diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma; however, it is to be noted that variants of prostate cancer including FGVPA are labelled with AMACR in only 60–70% of cases. It is important for the pathologist to be aware of FGVPA as in its pure form can easily be missed especially on needle core biopsy. The differential diagnoses of benign mimics with clear cytoplasm include xanthoma, Cowper’s glands, clear cell cribriform hyperplasia and mucinous metaplasia.

Anatomical features of the tongue of two chiropterans endemic in the Egyptian fauna; the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii)

The current study aimed to investigate the tongue (lingual) morphometry, histology, and histochemistry of two chiropterans endemic in the Egyptian fauna, and having different feeding preferences. The tongues of nine adult individuals of each species were utilized in our investigation. The tongue of fruit-eating bat was observed relatively longer than the one of insect-eating bat. Grossly, the insect-eating bat had a lingual prominence on the dorsum of lingual body, while the fruit-eating bat had a concave midline over the lingual body. Histologically, numerous forms of lingual papillae were scattered along the dorsal epithelium of the tongue. The lingual papillae of the fruit-eating bat seem to be well adapted for piercing the skin of a fruit and liquid sap retention. The lingual glands of both species were lodged in the muscular layer. Two main sets were identified; the serous von Ebner's gland usually seen accompanied by the circumvallate papillae and Weber's gland with mixed mucoserous secretions. Von Ebner's gland showed more prominent acidic mucins, while Weber's gland expressed neutral mucins. The lingual epithelium of the fruit-eating bat had an outer covering of cornified non-nucleated epithelium. On the other hand, the insect-eating bat had an outer covering of nucleated epithelium. It is for the first time to record the existence of the entoglossal plates of both species which consisted of a bony core in the fruit-eating bat and a cartilaginous element in the insect-eating bat. The current study represents an attempt to shed more light on the tongue evolution among mammalian vertebrates.

Clinicopathological features of stratified mucin-producing neoplastic lesions of the cervix

Objective: To investigatethe clinicopathological features of stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE) and invasive stratified mucin-producing carcinoma (ISMC) of the cervix with review of the literature. Methods: Sixteen patients with SMILE/ISMC components of the cervix were collected from files in the Department of Pathology at Xijing Hospital from January 2007 to March 2019. Clinicopathological data included age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, histological type, depth of invasion measurement, the status of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and lymph node metastasis, FIGO staging and follow-up. Histochemistry AB and PAS-D staining and immunostaining for cytokeratin (CK) 7, p16, p63, p40, PAX8, MUC6, p53 were performed simultaneously. In addition, twelve cases with invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma were evaluated using three-tiered pattern-based system (also called Pattern Classification). Results: The average age at diagnosis for patients was 49.7 years (range, 33 to 65 years), and vaginal bleeding occurred in the majority of cases (13/16). The characteristic morphology of SMILE and ISMC was present as non-invasive and invasive stratified epithelium that the full-thickness cells contained different amount of cytoplasmic mucin, respectively. Five cases of SMILE coexisted with adenocarcinoma in situ (1 case), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (1 case), and invasive adenocarcinoma (3 cases). Thirteen cases with ISMC components included pure ISMC (3 cases), mixed with usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (8 cases) or squamous cell carcinoma (2 cases). All pure ISMC had lymph vascular space invasion and depth of invasion exceeded 10 mm. All eleven cases of invasive adenocarcinoma with ISMC components belonged to Pattern C tumors, which typically showed diffusely destructive stromal invasion, solid or poorly differentiated components. The results of histochemical staining confirmed that SMILE/ISMC cells were rich in acidic and neutral mucin. The immunohistochemical staining for CK7 and p16 was diffusely strong positive in SMILE (4/4) and ISMC (8/8) components. The positive expressions of p63 and p40 was located in peripheral cells of stratified epithelial nests or merely in a few cells of SMILE (1/3) and ISMC (2/8) components. In ISMC tissues, there were partial expression of MUC6 (5/7), focal expression of PAX8 (2/8), and wild-type expression pattern (4/10) or completely negative expression (6/10) of p53 protein. All thirteen patients with follow-up data were alive (mean 50.5 months, range 4 to 140). Conclusions: As new tumor entities, SMILE is a rare and unique endocervical intraepithelial lesion, while ISMC belongs to an invasive leison. Given that the tumors with ISMC components may have aggressive behavior, it is important for clinicians and pathologists to fully understand the clinicopathological features of SMILE and ISMC.

Morphometric analysis and mucin histochemistry of gallbladdersurface and glandular epithelium in swine

The aim of thestudy was to perform morphometric analysis and to distinguishhistochemically the variety of mucins in surface and glandular gallbladderepithelium in swine at different ages. The histochemical analyses by usingalcian blue staining at different pH and alcian blue-PAS technique alloweddistinguishing neutral and acidic mucin expression in the surface andglandular epithelium of gallbladder’s fundus, body and neck where age- andsite-specific localisation of mucin content was defined. Goblet cells alsoexpressed both neutral and acidic mucins. Morphometric analysis allowedestimating the height of the surface and glandular epithelium, diameter ofglands and crypts, and comparing these parameters between the three agegroups and three gallbladder parts. The goblet cells were observed in thegallbladder neck only. The morphometric and histochemical analyses extendthe knowledge on structural and topographic features of the studiedgallbladder components that could be useful as reference data for variety ofexperiments on this organ.

Anatomical and histological studies on the cervical canal of Rahmani sheep

Macroscopic and microscopic findings of Rahmani sheep cervical canal were evaluated for designing a trans-cervical catheter. The study was carried out on 160 cervices divided into four groups: (Group A; young follicular, Group B; old follicular, Group C; young luteal and Group D; old luteal). All morphometric parameters of cervical canals of each group including length, average length and the external os diameter and shape were measured and tabulated. Epoxy casts were made to demonstrate the anatomic variations of each group. Data collected were statistically analysed using ANOVA. One hundred and twenty tissue sections from each group were sectioned and stained with Harris haematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome stain for demonstration of collagen fibres, Alcian blue pH 2.5 for demonstration of acidic mucins and PAS technique for demonstration of neutral mucins. In conclusion, the current study is the first report on the morphometric structure of the cervical canal of native Egyptian Rahmani ewes.

Morphological and histochemical characterisation of the mucosa of the digestive tract in matrinxã Brycon amazonicus (Teleostei: Characiformes).

This study describes anatomical, histological and histochemical features of the digestive tract mucosal layer of the matrinxã Brycon amazonicus, an omnivorous freshwater fish endemic from the Amazon basin. This species presents short thick oesophagus with longitudinal folds, that allow the passage of large food items. The mucosa is lined with a stratified secretory epithelium rich in goblet cells that secrete neutral and acid mucins. The two mucin types provide different viscosity in anterior and posterior oesophagus related to the protective and lubricant functions, respectively. The stomach is a highly distensible Y-shaped saccular organ. Here, it is proposed that this anatomical shape plays an essential role in food storage when food availability is abundant. The stomach mucosa is composed of epithelial cells with intense neutral mucin secretion to protects against gastric juice. The intestine is slightly coiled and presents internally a complex pattern of transversal folds that increases the absorption surface and the retention time of food. Goblet cells in the intestine secrete acid and neutral mucins that lubricate the epithelium and aid in the digestive processes. In the rectum, an increase in goblet cells population occurs that may be related to better lubrication.

Hystometric evaluation of nickel chronic exposure effects on large instestine of adult Wistar male rats

The ingestion of considerable amounts of water or food contaminated with nickel can be very toxic. The present work was conducted aiming to evaluate the effects of nickel exposures on ascending colon of adult Wistar male rats at hystometric level. We used 12 animals that were divided in a control (ingested uncontaminated water) and a nickel-contaminated (i.e., 25 mg de nickel/L of water) groups. Nickel chloride was offered in declorinated water and the experiment had a 56 days exposure period. A portion of the ascending colon was removed of the animals and subjected to hystological labelling processes using blue toluidin (for general hystometric description), Alcian Blue (AB, for acid mucins) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique (for neutral mucins). The potential differences between groups were desgined by applying the Whitney test and t test (p &lt; 0.05). The crypts were smaller for the nickel-contaminated group, even though these organism exhibited broader and higher crypts. Nickel-contaminated animals exhibited a smaller amount of calyceform cells with AB and PAS positive reactions as well as a less mucus quantities when compared with nickel-uncontaminated animals. Such reductions on the amount of calyceform cells with AB and PAS positive reactions may be related wiht the shallower crypts, which possibly reduced the synthesis and secretion of mucins, compromissing the functional aspects (e.g., lubrification and intestinal mucosa protection) of the nickel-contaminated large intestines. Interestingly, the wider and higher crypts and higher epithelium collumn on the nickel-contaminated animals may represent a relevant trade-off for the intestinal mucosa protection.

The Histochemical Alterations of Mucin in Colorectal Carcinoma Quantified by Two Efficient Algorithms of Digital Image Analysis.

The practical use of knowledge on the diagnostic-prognostic role of polysaccharide components of mucins in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been difficult, due to the number of histochemical (HC) reaction types, as well as lack of standard methods of computer-assisted analysis of tissue expression of these molecules. Using two algorithms of digital image analysis (by application of Image-Pro Premier and our originally designed program Filter HSV), we evaluated the expression of polysaccharides in tissue samples of CRC patients (n = 33), and fragments of normal colorectal tissue from the same patients (control) using periodic acid Schiff reaction (PAS) (neutral mucins) and alcian blue staining (AB) (acidic mucins). Our results indicate lower expression of the PAS+ and AB+ mucins in CRC, as compared to the control samples. The higher expression of PAS+ polysaccharides was detected in flat tumors than in protruded CRC, while higher AB+ mucins expression was a feature of mucinous CRC subtypes. Positive correlation between mutual PAS+ and AB+ expression, as well as correlations with glucose concentration (PAS+ mucins), and hemoglobin level (AB+ mucins) were observed exclusively in unchanged colorectal samples (control). Both algorithms of digital image analysis (smart segmentation and Filter HSV) work properly and can be used interchangeably in daily practice of pathologists, as useful tools of quantitative evaluation of HC reaction in both normal and cancerous tissues.

Mucin histochemical profile in a variety of human colonic non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions

Mucin histochemical profile in a variety of human colonic non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions - JDPO- Print ISSN No: - 2581-3714 Online ISSN No:- 2581-3706 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.jdpo.2019.034, IP Journal of Diagnostic Pathology and Oncology-IP J Diagn Pathol Oncol

Remission in Crohn\u2019s disease is accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiota and mucins production

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in remission do not exhibit an improvement in gut microbiota composition, which might trigger relapses. The present study investigated the dysbiosis and mucins production in CD patients during remission. We performed an analytical cross-sectional single center study, which recruited 18 CD patients and 18 healthy controls (CG) residing in the same home, meaning that all of the participants experienced the same environmental factors, with similar hygiene status, diet, pollution and other common lifestyle characteristics that may influence the composition of the gut microbiota. When compared to healthy controls, the CD patients exhibited lower microbial α-diversity (p = 0.047), a greater abundance of the Proteobacteria phylum (p = 0.037) and a reduction in the Deltaproteobacteria class (p = 0.0006). There was also a reduction in the Akkermansia (p = 0.002) and Oscillospira (p = 0.024) genera and in the proportion of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (p = 0.01). Additionally, CD patients in remission presented increased neutral (p = 0.001) and acid mucin (p = 0.002) concentrations. The reductions in the proportions of Oscollospira and Akkermansia genera, sulfate-reducing bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, observed in the CD group, may account for the increased mucins production observed in these patients.

COMPARISON OF IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL MARKER WITH SPECIAL STAINS IN THE PROGNOSIS OF THE DIFFERENT GRADES OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare the efficiency of Ki-67 with special stains in the stroma of different grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and to evaluate the influence of these changes in predicting the prognosis of these tumors.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A total of 30 cases of different grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and 6 cases of control were sections and stained with Picrosirus red (PR), combined Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff reagent (AB-PAS) and Immunohistochemical (IHC) marker Ki-67.&#x0D; Results: Collagen fibre nature using PR stain and proliferative activity of malignant epithelial cells using IHC marker Ki-67 was found to be statistically significant. Mucin presence using AB-PAS was statistically insignificant.&#x0D; Conclusion: Prognosis in different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma can be accessed by change in collagen fibres birefringence, as the tumour progresses there is change from mature to immature collagen. Ki-67 is a good proliferative marker and shows that there is positive correlation with histological grading of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Presence of acidic or neutral mucin in OSCC needed to be further studied. For assessing the prognosis in different grades of OSCC, special stains can also be used.&#x0D; Keywords: Collagen, Mucin, Squamous cell carcinoma, Ki-67.

Mucous cell distribution and mucus production during early growth periods of the giant African snail (Achatina fulica)

The giant African snail (Achatina fulica) secretes mucus for crawling and protection from moisture loss and pathogenic infections. The snail mucus has been popularly used as a bioactive reagent in medical and cosmeceutical products. This study observed the distribution of pedal mucous cells of A. fulica and the snail growth effect (1–3 mth) on pedal mucus production and the types of mucous cells. Foot tissues were processed using a paraffin technique and stained with Masson’s trichrome, periodic acid Schiff, and periodic acid Schiff-Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. Visualization under a light microscope showed that the pedal mucus of A. fulica was mainly produced from two types of mucous glands: 1) tubular mucous gland cells located on the dorsal part of foot that produced acid mucopolysaccharide mucus; and 2) round mucous gland cells located on the ventral part of foot that produced acid and neutral mucopolysaccharide mucus. A positive correlation between the acid mucin level and snail age was only observed on the dorsal area. The level of neutral mucin from both sides was highest after 2 mth. The average length of the mucous cells on the dorsal surface significantly increased during growth. This study revealed the change and distribution of the mucous cells in early A. fulica development to inform further applications in snail bioactive compounds.

Anatomical and scanning electron microscopic study of the tongue in the African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse)

The African giant pouched rat is a nocturnal, fossorial and omnivorous wild rodent widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. The morphology of lingual surface has not previously examined and was investigated by gross dissection, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron and light microscopy. Grossly, it was elongated and dorso-ventrally flattened with rounded tip. It measured 3.48±0.33cm in length, with a median groove of 1.4±0.1cm in length and well-developed lingual prominence. Stereomicroscopically, filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae were indicated in the apex, body and root. Fungiform papillae intermingled with filiform on the ventral and dorsal surface of the apex and body. Three vallate papillae were located in triangular arrangement on the root. The surface ultrastructural features distinguished four types of filiform which varied in size, shape and distribution: first type with long pointed process was preponderant on the apex and body of tongue; the second with robust base was located on central lingual prominence; the third (caudal body) was conically shaped with pointed process; and the fourth type (root) had forked filamentous process. Large oval-shaped fungiform papillae were apparent. Each vallate was surrounded by a circumferential groove into which taste pores opened. Histologically, the tongue surface displayed moderately keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, and lamina propria that varied in places. Fungiform and vallate showed spindle-shaped taste buds. Serous and mucous acini containing neutral and acidic mucins were observed in lamina propria of root. The structural adaptations of the tongue to omnivorous diet and food manipulation in oral cavity were comparatively discussed.