Pair Of Glands Research Articles

KISSING SUPERIOR PARATHYROID GLANDS: A CASE REPORT

Parathyroid glands are responsible for maintaining the calcium level in blood and usually a pair of superior and inferior parathyroid glands are located in the thyroid gland. Parathyroid glands are smaller and have variations in their size, shape, number and location. Thus, it is difficult to identify the parathyroid gland and leads to its accidental removal during thyroidectomy. This case report is an incidental finding of two superior parathyroid glands in the left lobe of thyroid gland in 68-year female cadaver. Both superior parathyroid glands were located at the first tracheal ring, 2 mm in size, circular in shape, tan yellow in colour, covered by a thin capsule and separated from each other in a distance less than 1 mm. They appear similar as a twin pair and seems to kiss each other. Both were confirmed by the histological method as parathyroid tissues. Superior parathyroid gland developed from the dorsal wing of fourth pharyngeal pouch, get detached from its origin and assumed a relatively constant final location either at the cricothyroid junction or at first tracheal ring. In this present case, the dorsal wing of the fourth pharyngeal pouch have undergone earlier embryological division into two separate superior glands during its descent to the cervical region in the left side. Embryological development of thyroid gland is linked with the development of parathyroid, thymus and ultimobranchial body. Thyroid gland developed from two sources. The median one contributes to thyroid isthmus and parts of the lateral lobe of thyroid. Lateral thyroid lobes derived its contributions from the caudal pharyngeal endoderm of the 4th and 5th pharyngeal pouches. The fusion of median and lateral thyroid forms the Zuckerkandl’s tubercle. Superior parathyroid gland might have travelled along the superior border of isthmus and any changes in the development of thyroid might have influence in the development of parathyroid glands. Up to now a very few cases of kissing parathyroid glands are reported in the literature and this will provide an additional anatomical information of kissing superior parathyroid glands. KEY WORDS: Kissing superior parathyroid glands, Complications of thyroidectomy, Parathyroidectomy, Cricothyroid junction, Twin parathyroid.

CLINICAL ANATOMY OF RAT'S SALIVARY GLANDS

In an experiment found that the parotid salivary gland in rats, unlike people, located on ventrolateral surface of the neck behind the ear and reach the outer part of the clavicle. Straits form three main trunks which penetrate the mouth. Mandibular salivary glands (submandibular salivary glands counterparts in humans) are located on the ventral surface of the neck, on the way from the hyoid bone to the handle of the sternum, touching each other by their medial edges. Stereometric parameters obtained branching blood vessels can form the basis for comparison and setting the dynamics of pathological changes in modeling various pathological processes. The similarity in the structural organization of organs and tissues of humans and animals determines the use of the latter for experimental modeling of pathological processes manifested in the clinic. At the same time, for a detailed understanding of the dynamics of modeled pathological conditions and an adequate interpretation of the results obtained, one should take into account the species characteristics and those differences that are characteristic of animals of different species, as well as refer to the initial values of the quantitative characteristics of their tissues, organs and systems. The spatial organization of the bloodstream was studied by contrast X-ray angiography. For this, the arterial bed was injected with an aqueous suspension of red lead. In order to eliminate the superimposed shadows of the contralateral vessels, a sagittal cut of the head was performed before X-ray angiography with the removal of the brain along with the branching of the internal carotid artery. Radiography was performed without the use of an intensifying screen in lateral projection using a Koch & Sterzel apparatus. Rats normally have four pairs of large salivary glands: parotid, mandibular, large and small sublingual. The largest are the parotid and mandibular. The features of the structure, size and location of the salivary glands in rats are determined both by the features of the structure of the skull and the horizontal position of the body, and by the features of the functional purpose of the glands themselves. The largest of the salivary glands is the parotid. The ducts are formed from three main trunks and, bypassing the masticatory muscle along the surface, penetrate into the oral cavity. To the front edge of the gland, the lacrimal gland is quite tightly attached, the duct of which passes to the outer corner of the orbit.

Morphology of the male and female reproductive tracts of virgin and mated Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Predatory insects have reproductive organs rich in complex changes that may be responsible for the success of their population growth. The species Chrysoperla externa is a predator used in biological control programs in Latin America. However, there is no morphological data about the morphology of the reproductive tract in this insect. This study describes the morphology of the reproductive organs of virgin and mated C. externa male and female. The male has a pair of testes yellow in color and five pairs of accessory glands closely associated with the seminal vesicles. The testis follicles are twisted filled with cysts in different developmental stages. The pair of ovaries in the females shows asymmetry with 9-11 ovarioles per ovary with oocytes in different developmental stages and a spherical spermatheca. Virgin and mated males have no differences in the size of the testes, seminal vesicle, and accessory glands. C. externa females show morphological changes in the reproductive tract according to sexual maturation, which is triggered by mating. The ovary activation occurs after female mating. The ovaries are of merotistic polytrophic type. The spermathecal reservoir is lined by a flattened epithelium with a thin cuticular intima and associated with well-developed muscles. It is concluded that the reproductive tract of C. externa is similar in virgin and mated males and females. Egg production is activated only after mating and the development of reproductive tract structures is faster in mated females.

Morphology and histology of the male reproductive tract of Caecilia thompsoni (amphibia: Gymnophiona).

We studied the male reproductive tract of individuals of different body sizes of Caecilia thompsoni to describe morphological characteristics in comparison to other Gymnophiona. The reproductive tract consists of paired testes segmented into chains of primary and secondary lobes, sperm ducts that empty to Wolffian ducts, the cloaca that receives the Wolffian ducts and possesses a phallodeum. Müllerian ducts are present and develop into paired glands that empty into the cloacal urodeum. Testicular secondary lobes contain lobules with cysts of the entire germinal cell line, whereas primary lobes, in the terminal ends of the chains, only have spermagonia, Sertoli cells, and connective tissue. The smallest individual examined (21 cm body length) was immature and only possessed a few testicular primary lobes. Once the individuals reach sexual maturity, the morphological characteristics are quite consistent at macroscopic and histological level among males of very different body sizes. The histological features of the Wolffian and Müllerian glands suggest a complementary secretory role between the two ducts. In the cloaca we found the propulsor muscle, venous sinuses, and blind sacs in the phallodeum, which differentiate C. thompsoni from other species of the genus. Despite these slight differences, the general morphological characteristics, both macroscopic and microscopic, of the reproductive tracts of adult males of C. thompsoni follow the pattern known for the reproductively active males of Gymnophiona.

The Life Cycle of Heterophyes yacyretana n. sp. (Digenea, Heterophyidae), Parasitic in the Endemic Snail Aylacostoma chloroticum (Caenogastropoda, Thiaridae) in Argentina.

Here we describe a new heterophyid species, Heterophyes yacyretana n. sp., and resolve its life cycle experimentally. We found the prosobranch snail Aylacostoma chloroticum in Candelaria, Province of Misiones, Argentina (a sector of the High Paraná River affected by the Yacyretá Dam), naturally infected with opisthorchioid cercariae. These cercariae lacked pigmented eyespots as well as body pigment and possessed 7 pairs of penetration glands arranged in 2 lateral bands, together with 18 pairs of flame cells and a V-shaped excretory vesicle. We exposed specimens of 21 fish species to emerging cercariae and obtained metacercariae from the muscles of the caudal peduncle of 3 species of siluriform fish, and adults from chicks infected with experimentally obtained metacercariae from the albino variety of the bronce corydoras, Corydoras aeneus. The new species differs from other species in the genus by the number of sclerites on the genital sac, the distribution of the vitelline follicles, and the combination of the size relationship of the suckers and the genital sac with respect to the posterior extent of intestinal ceca. Heterophyes yacyretana is the first species of the genus reported from the Americas.

Anatomy and histology of reproductive system of adult male mint leaf beetle Chrysolina herbacea (Duftschmid, 1825) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

In this study, anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system of Chrysolina herbacea (Duftschmid 1825) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are described and illustrated by using light and scanning electron microscopies. Data from the male gonad of this species provide more extended and precise knowledge regarding the histoanatomical structure of the reproductive system in Chrysomelidae. The male reproductive system in C. herbacea consists of paired bilobed testes, two paired vas efferentia, paired seminal vesicles, paired vas deferentia, paired tubular accessory glands, a ductus ejaculatorius, and an aedeagus. Each testis consists of 40 follicles enveloped in a yellow pigmented sheath. In the light and scanning electron microscope examinations of male reproductive system of C. herbacea, different spermatogenesis stages (spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa) are found. Each testes follicle joins with the vas efferens surrounded by monolayered cubic epithelium with oval nuclei. Epithelial cells are covered from the outside with a thin layer of muscle and sheath. Vas efferens connect to vas deferens that may have an enlarged and differentiated region = seminal vesicle. Mature spermatozoa are seen in the lumen of the vas efferens, seminal vesicle, and vas deferens. There is a pair of accessory glands with a convoluted appearance in the tubular structure around the vas deferens. The vas deferens is a straight tube which leads into the proximal end of the ductus ejaculatorius. Ductus ejaculatorius wall is surrounded by intima, monolayer epithelium, and a thick muscle layer with many nuclei. The distal section of the ductus ejaculatorius is housed within the aedeagus.

Comparative evaluation of salivary glands proteomes from wild Phlebotomus papatasi-proven vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran.

BackgroundZoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is increasing in the world and Phlebotomus papatasi as a proven vector was considered in different aspects for disease control. Sandfly saliva contains proteins which provoke host immune system. These proteins are candidates for developing vaccines.ObjectivesThe main purpose of this research was comparing evaluation of salivary glands proteomes from wild P. papatasi. Extracting these proteins and purifying of original SP15 as inducer agent in vector salivary glands from endemic leishmaniasis foci were other objectives.MethodsAdult sandflies were sampled using aspirators and funnel traps from three endemic foci in 2017–2018. Each pair of salivary glands of unfed females was dissected and proteins were extracted using thermal shocking and sonication methods. Purification was performed through RP‐HPLC. All equivalent fractions were added together in order to reach sufficient protein concentration. Protein content and profile determination were examined with SDS‐PAGE.ResultsThe protein concentration of whole‐salivary glands of specimens was determined approximately 1.6 µg/µl (Isfahan) and 1 µg/µl (Varamin and Kashan). SDS‐PAGE revealed 10 distinct bands between 10 and 63 kDa. Analysis of proteomes showed some similarities and differences in the chromatograms of different foci. SDS‐PAGE of all collected fractions revealed SP15‐like proteins were isolated in 24 min from Varamin, 26 to 30 min from Kashan and 29.4 min from Isfahan and were around 15 kDa.ConclusionsIsolation of salivary components of Iranian wild P. papatasi is very important for finding potential proteins in vaccine development and measuring control strategy of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran and this could be concluded elsewhere in the world.

Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of an important place of sexual communication of Rhodnius prolixus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae): the Metasternal Glands

Rhodnius prolixus is an important vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Insect adults have a pair of Metasternal Glands (MGs) and the secretion emitted by these glands acts as sex pheromone. Recent studies have focused on the chemical composition of this pheromone, electrophysiological responses to MGs compounds and mating behavior assays. Morphological studies of these glands are still scarce. Thus, considering the relevance of MGs in the sex pheromone biosynthesis, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of R. prolixus MGs. The glandular apparatus presents a tubular structure containing secretory cells with canalicules that fuse with the central duct which conducts the secretion to a pear-shaped reservoir connected to the exterior by a droplet-shape orifice. The secretory cells are classified as class III, they present a well-developed rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is a site of lipid biosynthesis that may be involved in the mevalonate pathway, a probable route of the sex pheromone biosynthesis in this insect. The presence of rough endoplasmic reticulum indicates a possible peptides/proteins secretions site which were still not characterized in MGs. Several mitochondria are scattered in the cytoplasm that may suggest a high metabolic activity. Further studies should be carried out to correlate these data with the sex pheromone biosynthesis in this vector.

Gross morphology and ultrastructure of the salivary glands of the stink bug predator Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff).

Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a native generalist predator which attacks and kills its prey by first inserting its stylet into the prey's body and then injecting saliva into it. Here, we describe the histology and ultrastructure of its salivary glands. The study showed that the salivary glands were made up of pairs of principal and tubular accessory salivary glands. The principal salivary glands were bilobed and consisted of a smaller anterior lobe and a larger elongated posterior lobe. The ducts of the principal and accessory salivary glands were located in a narrow region between the anterior and posterior lobe known as the hilum. The principal salivary gland was lined with a single-layered epithelium. The cells cytoplasm was enriched with rough endoplasmic reticulum and secretory, and the nucleus showed a higher level of uncondensed chromatin. The basal region of the cell had plasma membrane infoldings. The cytoplasm of the accessory gland was rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum and many large cavities. The ducts of the principal salivary gland were made up of a single layer of flattened cells which had a thin cuticle lining the apical portion. Variation in the lumen content of the different lobes, which made up the principal gland suggested that their chemical products also varied. These results indicate that these two salivary glands produce the proteins found in the saliva.

The Nucho-dorsal Glands of Rhabdophis guangdongensis (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae), with Notes on Morphological Variation and Phylogeny Based on Additional Specimens

We report the presence of nucho-dorsal glands in Rhabdophis guangdongensis. This recently described species is the 18th member of the genus known to possess integumentary defensive glands. Nine to ten pairs of nuchal glands, separated by a diastema from 116–118 pairs of dorsal glands were observed in two specimens. Because the species was previously known only from the female holotype, we also report data on the size and scalation of five additional specimens and on the morphology of the hemipenis.

The male reproductive accessory glands of the blister beetle Meloe proscarabaeus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Meloidae): Anatomy and ultrastructure of the cantharidin-storing organs

Blister beetles owe their name to their ability to release cantharidin, a blistering terpene, the highest concentration of which is retained in male accessory glands. The anatomy and ultrastructure of the three pairs of male reproductive accessory glands and the glandular region of the two vasa deferentia of Meloe proscarabaeus were investigated using light, electron and ion beam microscopy. All of the mesodermal glands here analysed share a common structural organization with an outer muscular layer and an inner glandular epithelium facing a broad lumen in which the secretory products are released. Developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi systems, abundant mitochondria, numerous secretory vesicles and a microvillated apical membrane are commonly found in the cells of different glandular epithelia, suggesting that all accessory gland pairs as well as the vasa deferentia are involved in an active synthesis. Nevertheless, each pair of glands appears specialized in the production of a specific set of substances, as suggested by the peculiarities in cellular ultrastructure and by the different aspect of the secretions stored in their glandular lumen. The above cited features of male accessory glands of M. proscarabaeus are compared with those of other beetles and some hints on their potential role in producing and/or concentrating cantharidin are provided.

Fine structure of the silk spinning system in the caddisworm, Hydatophylax nigrovittatus (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

Silk is produced by a variety of insects, but only silk made by terrestrial arthropods has been examined in detail. To fill the gap, this study was designed to understand the silk spinning system of aquatic insect. The larvae of caddis flies, Hydatophylax nigrovittatus produce silk through a pair of labial silk glands and use raw silk to protect themselves in the aquatic environment. The result of this study clearly shows that although silk fibers are made under aquatic conditions, the cellular silk production system is quite similar to that of terrestrial arthropods. Typically, silk production in caddisworm has been achieved by two independent processes in the silk glands. This includes the synthesis of silk fibroin in the posterior region, the production of adhesive glycoproteins in the anterior region, which are ultimately accumulated into functional silk dope and converted to a silk ribbon coated with gluey substances. At the cellular level, each substance of fibroin and glycoprotein is specifically synthesized at different locations, and then transported from the rough ER to the Golgi apparatus as transport vesicles, respectively. Thereafter, the secretory vesicles gradually increase in size by vesicular fusion, forming larger secretory granules containing specific proteins. It was found that these granules eventually migrate to the apical membrane and are exocytosed into the lumen by a mechanism of merocrine secretion.

Three new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater snails of Kerala.

Three new species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae infecting the freshwater snails of Malabar, Kerala is described. Cercaria sp. XXVI Malabar n. sp. recovered from Bellamya bengalensis collected from Malappuram district of Kerala is characterized by an elongate-oval, spinose body and a highly contractile and spinose tail; dagger-shaped stylet with reinforced walls; coma-shaped virgula organ; muscular pharynx; short, narrow oesophagus; three pairs of penetration glands; bean-shaped excretory bladder and 12 pairs of flame cells. Cercaria sp. XXVII Malabar n. sp. recovered from Thiara tuberculata collected from Wayanad district of Kerala has a round to elongate-oval, spinose body; a highly contractile, spinose tail; dagger-shaped stylet; muscular pharynx; short oesophagus; narrow caeca extending up to ventral sucker; three pairs of penetration glands; bicornuate, thin-walled excretory bladder, and 12 pairs of flame cells. Cercaria sp. XXVII Malabar n. sp. infecting Paracrostoma huegelii also collected from Wayanad district, Kerala is characterized by elongate-oval, spinose body; contractile and spinose tail; dagger-shaped, inwardly curved stylet; virgula organ with elongated lobes; globular pharynx; three pairs of penetration glands; bicornuate, transversely elongate excretory bladder and 18 pairs of flame cells. All the three cercariae developed in sporocysts within the heapatopancreatic tissues of their respective snail hosts. The cercariae were compared with related species to establish their systematic position.

From pancreatic neoplasm to increase of glands: A case report of IgG4-related disease and its spectrum

Background: IgG4-Related Diseases (IgG4-RD) represent a fibroinflammatory immune-mediated condition that might affect several organs. Due to its variable clinical presentation and differential diagnosis, early and accurate diagnosis is a real challenge. This case report aims to improve the general knowledge about IgG4-RD, enabling early and correct diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary interventions, and ensuring the best quality of life for the patient. Case Report: A 44-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia presented with submandibular glands hypertrophy and a positive rheumatoid factor. He had a recent medical history of undiagnosed urinary symptoms and findings of renal nodules on an abdominal Computed Tomography. Besides that, he had undergone laparotomy with enteroanastomosis after pancreatic cancer was suspected, one year before the glands’ hypertrophy appeared. After he has been reassessed by a rheumatologist, the IgG4-RD was considered due to increase in serum IgG4, affection of a pair of salivary glands, presence of low-density areas in the renal cortex, bilaterally, affection of the pancreas and biliary ducts with dense inflammatory infiltrate and storiform fibrosis in the pancreas biopsy. The treatment with prednisone was started and the patient evolved with clinical, laboratory, and radiologic resolution after that. Conclusions: The IgG4-RD is worth reporting due to the many different clinical presentations. In this case, the diagnosis was done after years of the initial symptoms, and the patient evolved with significant improvement after the right treatment was prescribed. Corroborating to the importance of correct and early diagnosis.

Study on anatomy and postnatal development of sublingual salivary glands in Black Bengal goat

There are three pairs of salivary glands in Black Bengal goat namely parotid, mandibular and sublingual salivary gland. Information regarding the sublingual salivary gland is very limited and confined in adult goat only, no reports available concerning the postnatal development of the goat sublingual gland to date. Present study is carried out to fill up the gap of information regarding this gland. In day old kid the sublingual gland is measured 2.5 ± 0.30 cm in length, 0.25 ± 0.08 cm in breadth, 0.15 ± 0.01 cm in thickness and 0.09 ±0.01 g in weight which became little more than double in each parameter in adult. The main sublingual duct is formed by the union of 5-7 radicles from monostomatic part of the gland and opened at sublingual caruncle. 26-30 small tortuous ducts arise from the polystomatic part and opened independently in a row of microscopic orifices of the sublingual fold. Gradual histological development shows the glandular units composed of tubule-alveolar acini which are mostly mucous in type. The mucous acini composed of pyramidal shape cells resting on a basement membrane. In day old kid, the acini have distinct lumen. The cells contain rounded nuclei at their basal part and lack of zymogenic granules indicating less functional state of the glands. Along the advancement of age the size of lobes and lobules are increased, the lumens of the mucous acini reduced in size, nuclei of the cells became flattened the zymogenic granules increased gradually. Mixed acini are more than the serous acini where a serous demilune is attached on a mucous acinus. The serous acini were less in number.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2020, 6(2): 328-333

Morphology and histology of the male reproductive system of Collaria oleosa (Distant, 1883) (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Collaria oleosa (Distant, 1883) is a phytophagous bug often observed causing injuries in wheat, barley, and oat crops, besides grass pastures. The male reproductive system of C. oleosa has been studied anatomically and histologically. It consists of a pair of testes, each one with two follicles, one pair of seminal vesicles, two pairs of external accessory glands, and an ejaculatory bulb. The testicular follicles exhibit cysts with spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa bundles. The testes are connected to the seminal vesicles by the vas deferens. The seminal vesicles are connected to the ejaculatory bulb and are bound by the accessory glands. In mirids belonging to the Stenodemini tribe, the general morphology of the male reproductive system is similar. However, two follicles per testis may be characteristic of the genus Collaria. The anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system in C. oleosa provides new information and also contributes to the understanding of the systematics of Stenodemini as well as the Miridae family in general.

Sperm ultrastructure and spermatogenesis in the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

Popillia japonica is an invasive scarab beetle native to Japan that in 1916 invaded New Jersey in USA. From that moment onwards, the insect has spread invading several US states, Canada, the Azores, Italy and, recently, Switzerland. It is a severe agricultural pest included in the EU priority pest list being able to feed on more than 300 plant species and having an important biotic potential. The general morphology of the reproductive apparatus shows paired testes, each of them having six testicular lobes grouped in threes. From the ventral part of each testicular lobe, each containing about 20 follicles, an efferent vessel originates that fuses with the other efferent vessels to form the deferent duct. A pair of long tubular accessory glands is present. The deferent ducts and accessory glands fuse together into an ejaculatory duct before entering the aedeagus. The sperm is a typical pterygote sperm, 110 μm long, composed of a head and a tail. In the head a three-layered acrosome of about 6 μm in length and a nucleus of about 18 μm long are present. During sperm maturation two C-shaped structures appear in the cytoplasm from the opposite sides of the nucleus that then disappear in late spermatids. In the tail a typical 9 + 9 + 2 flagellar axoneme and two mitochondrial derivatives are present. Moreover, in the head-tail transition region the centriolar adjunct forms a sheath from which three elongated accessory bodies originate. Two of these accessory bodies are placed alongside the axoneme, whilst the third one is placed beneath the mitochondrial derivatives. Mature sperm are grouped in cysts containing about 256 sperm cells. A morphological comparison with related species is provided.

Bacterial Endotoxin Induces Oxidative Stress and Reduces Milk Protein Expression and Hypoxia in the Mouse Mammary Gland.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the reduced milk production during mastitis. We hypothesized that bacterial endotoxin induces hypoxia, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis while inhibiting milk gene expression in the mammary gland. To test this hypothesis, the left and right sides of the 4th pair of mouse mammary glands were alternatively injected with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS, E. coli 055: B5, 100 μL of 0.2 mg/mL) or sterile PBS through the teat meatus 3 days postpartum. At 10.5 and 22.5 h postinjection, pimonidazole HCl, a hypoxyprobe, was injected intraperitoneally. At 12 or 24 h after the LPS injection, the 4th glands were individually collected (n = 8) and analyzed. LPS treatment induced mammary inflammation at both 12 and 24 h but promoted cell apoptosis only at 12 h. Consistently, H2O2 content was increased at 12 h (P < 0.01), but dropped dramatically at 24 h (P < 0.01) in the LPS-treated gland. Nevertheless, the total antioxidative capacity in tissue tended to be decreased by LPS at both 12 and 24 h (P = 0.07 and 0.06, respectively). In agreement with these findings, LPS increased or tended to increase the mRNA expression of antioxidative genes Nqo1 at 12 h (P = 0.05) and SLC7A11 at 24 h (P = 0.08). In addition, LPS inhibited mammary expression of Csn2 and Lalba across time and protein expression of Csn1s1 at 24 h (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hypoxyprobe staining intensity was greater in the alveoli of the PBS-treated gland than the LPS-treated gland at both 12 and 24 h, demonstrating a rise in oxygen tension by LPS treatment. In summary, our observations indicated that while intramammary LPS challenge incurs inflammation, it induces oxidative stress, increases cell apoptosis and oxygen tension, and differentially inhibits the milk protein expression in the mammary gland.

TAXONOMIC NOVELTIES IN HETEROPTERYS GROUP APTYCHIA (MALPIGHIACEAE) FROM THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST

We describe two new species of Heteropterys (Malpighiaceae) endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Heteropterys eucalyptifolia and H. follianum belong to the Aptychia informal group, due to their petioles with a pair of glands at the base, sessile pedicels, petals exposed in the enlarging bud, and strongly heteromorphic filaments. Morphological descriptions, illustrations, a distribution map and information on the conservation status of the species are provided.

Ultrastructure of the prosomal gland complex in unfed larvae of the fresh-water mite Limnesia maculata (Müller, 1776) (Acariformes, Limnesiidae)

The salivary and coxal glands in unfed larvae of the fresh-water mite Limnesia maculata (Müller, 1776) (Acariformes, Limnesiidae) were studied using light and electron microscopy. Three pairs of the salivary and one pair of the coxal glands constitute the prosomal gland complex. The salivary glands pertain to simple alveolar glands consisting of the single acinus with prismatic cells arranged around the intra-alveolar lumen. Owing to their spatial distribution, the salivary glands may be termed as medial, ventral and lateral. While the ventral and lateral glands are arranged symmetrically, the medial glands are disposed one after another at the frontal wall of the synganglion (brain). The medial and the ventral glands possess mostly electron-dense secretory granules supposedly of protein nature. The lateral glands show variable organization mainly having electron-lucent vacuoles. No well pronounced rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies were discernible in the salivary glands. The coxal glands are well developed and composed of (i) the main portion (the so-called labyrinth) including at least two tightly opposed loops and extending backward along the brain, and (ii) the very short anterior portion/end piece transforming anteriorly into the terminal sac/bladder. The cells of the main portion are provided with apical microvilli, whereas the basal infolding/basal labyrinth is lacking. The cells of the anterior portion do not show the apical microvilli and the basal infoldings. The terminal sac is lined by a cuticle and has an ectodermal origin. The ducts of the salivary glands come together at the dorsal aspect of the bladder, to which they open forming the common podocephalic duct anteriorly. The latter opens on each side into the subcheliceral space. The well-developed podocephalic system suggests its active role in the living processes such as feeding and ion-water balance.