Uterine and eggshell structure and histochemistry in a lizard with prolonged uterine egg retention (Lacertilia,Scincidae, Saiphos)

The eggshell of lizards is a complex structure composed of organic and inorganic molecules secreted by the oviduct, which protects the embryo by providing a barrier to the external environment and also allows the exchange of respiratory gases and water for life support. Calcium deposited on the surface of the eggshell provides an important nutrient source for the embryo. Variation in physical conditions encountered by eggs results in a tradeoff among these functions and influences eggshell structure. Evolution of prolonged uterine egg retention results in a significant change in the incubation environment, notably reduction in efficiency of gas exchange, and selection should favor a concomitant reduction in eggshell thickness. This model is supported by studies that demonstrate an inverse correlation between eggshell thickness and length of uterine egg retention. One mechanism leading to thinning of the eggshell is reduction in size of uterine shell glands. Saiphos equalis is an Australian scincid lizard with an unusual pattern of geographic variation in reproductive mode. All populations retain eggs in the uterus beyond the embryonic stage at oviposition typical for lizards, and some are viviparous. We compared structure and histochemistry of the uterus and eggshell of two populations of S. equalis, prolonged egg retention, and viviparous to test the hypotheses: 1) eggshell thickness is inversely correlated with length of egg retention and 2) eggshell thickness is positively correlated with size of shell glands. We found support for the first hypothesis but also found that eggshells of both populations are surprisingly thick compared with other lizards. Our histochemical data support prior conclusions that uterine shell glands are the source of protein fiber matrix of the eggshell, but we did not find a correlation between size of shell glands and eggshell thickness. Eggshell thickness is likely determined by density of uterine shell glands in this species. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Evidence of probable scurvy in subadults from archeological sites in North America

The authors surveyed subadult human skeletons from Native American archeological sites in the United States for evidence of skeletal lesions associated with scurvy. Geographic regions surveyed include the Midatlantic area, the Southeast (Florida), the Southwest, and the Plains. The prevalence of probable subadult scurvy ranged from zero in the Plains samples to 38% in a small sample from Florida. These data indicate the likelihood that scurvy was a significant childhood disease in many Native American groups. Reasons for variation in prevalence remain speculative but include regional and seasonal variation in food types and abundance, cultural patterns of storage and utilization, periodic food shortages, and the relative importance of corn in the diet. These factors are part of a nutritional complex that is related to disease prevalence which can be studied through evidence seen in archeological human remains.     

Establishment and characterization of human uterine cervical epidermoid carcinoma cell line HHUS containing HPV 59 DNA

The cell line designated HHUS was established from human uterine cervical keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. The HHUS cell line was subcultivated more than 70 times within 3 years. The cultured cells, polygonal or spindle, with neoplastic and pleomorphic features, appeared epithelial in shape, with a pavement-like arrangement and grew in multi-layers without contact inhibition. The chromosome number was varied from 40 to 88, and the modal number was stable in diploid range. The cultured cells produced keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas by heterotransplantation into the subcutis of nude mice. The HHUS cells were characterized as producing large amounts of SCC, in vitro and possessing HPV-59 DNA genomes.     

High accumulation of calcium in human uterine artery with aging

To elucidate compositional changes of the rami of the internal iliac artery with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of the calcium content in the uterine, internal pudendal, umbilical, and obturator arteries by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. After an ordinary dissection was finished, the uterine, internal pudendal, umbilical, and obturator arteries were resected from 10 female subjects, and the internal pudendal, umbilical, and obturator arteries were resected from 10 male subjects. The female subjects ranged in age from 52 to 96 yr, and the male subjects ranged in age from 63 to 88 yr. The calcium content in the uterine artery began to increase in the seventies and increased markedly in the nineties. In the internal pudendal artery, the calcium content hardly increased up to the eighties and increased significantly in the nineties. In contrast, the calcium content did not change in both the umbilical and obturator arteries with advancing age. It was found that the average content of calcium was the highest in the uterine artery and decreased in the order internal pudendal, umbilical, and obturator arteries. The average content of calcium in the uterine arteries corresponded to 46-fold the amount of the women's obturartor arteries, in which it was the lowest. In the cases of men, the average content of calcium was higher in the order of the internal pudendal, umbilical, and obturator arteries. Regarding the average content of calcium, the order internal pudendal, umbilical, and obturator arteries of the men was consistent with that of the women.     

Uterine receptivity and the plasma membrane transformation

This review begins with a brief commentary on the diversity of placentation mechanisms, and then goes on to examine the extensive alterations which occur in the plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy across species. Ultrastructural, biochemical and more general morphological data reveal that strikingly common phenomena occur in this plasma membrane during early pregnancy despite the diversity of placental types--from epitheliochorial to hemochorial, which ultimately form in different species. To encapsulate the concept that common morphological and molecular alterations occur across species, that they are found basolaterally as well as apically, and that moreover they are an ongoing process during much of early pregnancy, not just an event at the time attachment, the term ‘plasma membrane transformation‘ is suggested which also emphasises that alterations in this plasma membrane during early pregnancy are key to uterine receptivity.     

The symptom difference induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tobacco mosaic virus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato mosaic virus</Emphasis> in tobacco plants containing the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> gene is determined by movement protein gene

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) are two closely related viruses in the genus Tobamovirus, but they induce obviously different sizes of necrotic lesions in tobacco plants containing the N gene. Comparison of the symptoms produced by TMV, ToMV and a chimaeric virus (T/OMP), in which the TMV movement protein (MP) gene was replaced by the ToMV MP gene, showed T/OMP caused necrotic lesions that were similar in size to those of ToMV in tobacco plants containing the N gene. The coat protein and MP of the three viruses accumulated in planta with similar levels, and the replication level of TMV and T/OMP in protoplasts also had no difference. Comparison of the activities of defense-related enzymes (PAL, POD and PPO) induced by the three viruses also showed that the variability of enzyme activity induced by T/OMP was similar to that induced by TMV, but different from that induced by ToMV. The results indicate that the size difference of necrotic lesions induced by TMV and ToMV in tobacco plants containing the N gene results from the functional difference of their MP genes.     

Establishment and characterization of a lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma cell line (HUUCLEC) derived from the human uterine cervix

A cell line designated HUUCLEC was established from a human uterine cervical lymphoepithelial carcinoma obtained from a 61-year-old Japanese woman. The cell line has grown slowly without interruption and serial passages were successively carried out 60 times within 3 years. The cultured cells were spindle or round in shape, showing anaplastic and pleomorphic features, a pavement cell arrangement and multilayering without contact inhibition. The population doubling time of the HUUCLEC line was 72 hours while the chromosomal number varied widely and showed aneuploidy. The modal chromosomal number was stable at the triploid range and marker chromosomes were present; the Ebstein-Barr virus was absent in the cultured cells.     

A case of acute gastric mucosal lesions associated with Helicobacter heilmannii infection

A 69-year-old-woman presented with acute epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and heartburn. Endoscopy disclosed acute gastric mucosal lesions including mucosal edema, erosions, and ulcers with blood crusts in the antrum. Touch cytology and histological assessment obtained from the affected mucosa revealed acute neutrophilic gastritis and single longer and more coiled organisms than Helicobacter pylori, suggesting Helicobacter heilmannii. Electron micropragh confirmed the characteristic morphology. Despite a positive rapid urease test, H. pylori was not isolated by culture or detected by histology and Gram smears. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of acute gastric mucosal lesions associated with H. heilmannii infection was established. This was successfully treated with a 2-week triple therapy consisting of lansoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole with persistent endoscopic and histological remission. This is a rare case of H. heilmannii-associated acute gastric mucosal lesions, diagnosed by morphology using touch cytology and histology. The patient might benefit from antimicrobial treatment employing the regimen effective for H. pylori.     

Benzo(a)pyrene,but not 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,alters cell adhesion proteins in human uterine RL95-2 cells

This study compared the effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), two aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists, on cell attachment and adherens junction proteins in RL95-2 human uterine endometrial cells. Exposure to 10 microM BaP significantly decreased cell attachment to Matrigel, whereas 10 nM TCDD had no effect. Immunocytochemistry and Western immunoblot analysis showed that BaP, but not TCDD, produced a marked loss of plasma membrane epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) localized along intercellular boundaries. BaP-treated cells exhibited significant decreases in beta-catenin and cadherin protein levels, while vinculin levels remained unchanged relative to control. In contrast, TCDD treatment had no effect on the levels of beta-catenin, cadherin, or vinculin. Further studies using the fluorescein labeled peptide phalloidin showed the presence of continuous subcortical actin filaments in control cells, whereas BaP-treated cells had subcortical actin aggregates. Thus, in contrast to TCDD, BaP produces a loss of cell attachment involving decreased localization of molecules important for cell-cell interactions in RL95-2 cells.