A new species of Vexillata (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina: Ornithostrongylidae) parasite of Heteromys desmarestianus (Rodentia: Heteromyidae) from Costa Rica

In July 1999, 2 heteromyid rodents Heteromys desmarestianus Gray, 1868, were collected from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and examined for parasites. Individuals of a new species of Vexillata (Travassos, 1937) Durette-Desset, 1970, were found from the intestine of hosts. Vexillata brooksi n. sp. differs from all other congeners by the presence of spicules divided at the tip instead of simple spicules. The new species closely resembles Vexillata legallae Denke, 1977, and Vexillata convoluta (Caballero and Cerecero, 1943); however, it can be distinguished from both species by possessing a smaller number of cuticular ridges at the posterior part of the body in males (9 vs. 11 and 12, respectively) and by the absence of a carene at this level.     

Heliconema brooksi n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the ophichthid eel Ophichthus gomesi in the Gulf of Mexico

Heliconema brooksi n. sp. is described from the shrimp eel, Ophichthus gomesi, in Mississippi Sound. This species is distinguished from other members of the genus by possessing in the male 40 or more tessellated longitudinal ridges, a spicule ratio averaging 1:10.6, 4 precloacal papillae, and 6 postcloacal papillae. Females have a protruding vulvular flap. Both sexes have a prominent sclerotized cardium. Heliconema brooksi is morphologically most closely related to Heliconema heliconema. A juvenile worm from the white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, in the same locality may be the infective stage.     

Lymphocytic Infiltration of Epithelium in Diagnosis of Gluten-sensitive Enteropathy

The macroscopic appearance of the mucosa of the small intestine and the lymphocytic infiltration of the epithelium were studied in 27 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and in 11 control subjects. The mucosa was abnormal in appearance in 13 of the patients and normal in 14 patients and in all the controls. In 25 (93%) of the patients the intraepithelial lymphocyte count was significantly raised compared with the controls. The increased lymphocytic infiltration of the epithelium in the patients probably represented an underlying immunological reaction of the small intestine to gluten, since the infiltration lessened in five out of six patients after a year on a gluten-free diet and in all of four patients after three years on a gluten-free diet.Increased lymphocytic infiltration of the epithelium of the small intestine seems a surer sign of gluten sensitivity than the macroscopic appearance of the mucosa, and a diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy may no longer be excluded when the mucosa appears normal. Further evidence of the significance of increased lymphocytic infiltration is that patients with normal-looking mucosa but with raised intraepithelial lymphocyte counts often had low serum folate levels.     

Comparative pathology of some monogenean and copepod ectoparasites on the gills of Acanthopagrus australis (family Sparidae)

The monogenean Haliotrema spariensis was associated with several foci of hyperplastic epithelium and varying amounts of cellular infiltration resulting from attachment by hamuli penetrating the lamellar blood vessels and, presumably, from feeding. Lamellodiscus major was associated with fewer but larger foci containing more extensive infiltration, suggesting a more sessile habit. The copepod Dermoergasilus acanthopagri encircled the filament with its second antenna, occluded arteries and compressed the epithelium, resulting in hyperplasia, oedema and infiltration. Ergasilus lizae inserted its second antennae into the epithelium and subepithelial region and was associated with a localized proliferative response occasionally fusing adjacent filaments. The large copepod Lernanthropus atrox caused tissue disruption, hyperplasia, haemorrhage, oedema and infiltration. Hyperplastic epithelial cells had a rounded nucleus containing variable amounts of heterochromatin, dilated organelles, deposits of glycogen-like particles, cyoplasmic vesicles and vacuoles. Oedematous epithelial cells were less altered. Degenerating chloride cells were present in both oedematous and proliferated epithelia.     

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: Mast cell kinetics at small intestinal sites in infected rats

Mast cell kinetics during infection with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis were studied at various sites in the small bowel of rats and in heterotopically transplanted isografts of foetal small intestine placed under the kidney capsule. Infection produced an increase in the number of mast cells not only in the proximal jejunum, where most of the worms are located, but also in the distal ileum and in isografts of small intestine. However, globule leucocyte infiltration of the gut epithelium was confined to the proximal small intestine and did not occur in the distal ileum or isografts. These results show that the mast cell increase in the small bowel of N. brasiliensis-infected rats is a property of the whole organ, and is not restricted to sites of worm infection; but that in contrast, globule leucocyte infiltration of the epithelium is dependent upon the presence of worms within the bowel lumen.     

斑点杂交检测对虾白斑综合征病毒青岛株在螯虾体内的动态分布

A fragment sized 400bp of White spot syndrome virus（WS SV,formerly de signated NOSV）,recovered from recombinant plasmid pAFD, was labeled with Digox igenin as a probe to detect dynamic distribution of WSSV within 120h and 72h in crawfishes（Cambarus proclarkii） inoculated WSSV by oral taking and injecti on r espectively. Stomach epithelium, intestine epithelium, heart, gill, haemolymph, muscle, hepatopancreas, hypoderm, connective tissue and ovary of infected crawfi shes were examined for WSSV. In both groups, WSSV was first detected in heamoly mph at 12h p.i. and then disappeared. Again it was detected at 96h p.i. only in oral infection group and maintained till 120h p.i., but it didn't appear at 72h p.i. in injection group. WSSV in heart, muscle was detected at 36h p.i. in oral infection group and 24h p.i. in injection group respectively, and then increased generally. In addition, WSSV in intestine epithelium, connective tissue, ovary of oral infection group and intestine epithelium, hypoderm, ovary of injection g roup could also be detected. In dead crawfishes after 120h and 72h p.i. in two groups, WSSV could be detected in all the examined tissues and it demonstrated t hat systemic infection occurred in the animales. The tissue containing more amo unts of WSSV was hypoderm in oral infection group, while intestine epithelium, g ill, hypoderm, ovary in injection infection group. It deduced that WSSV first a ppears in haemolymph and then goes into heart, muscle and other tissues and prol iferates in them. Once again, WSSV is released into heamolymph resulting in syst emic infection till crawfishes' death.     

斑点杂交检测对虾白斑综合征病毒青岛株在螯虾体内的动态分布

近年来 ,我国学者对人工养殖对虾暴发性病毒病的病原进行了较为系统的研究[1～ 5] ,本试验应用螯虾这一动物模型[6] ,利用斑点杂交方法 ,研究了白斑综合征病毒 (ＷＳＳＶ ,前称无包埋体对虾病毒Ｎｏｎ -Ｏｃｃｌｕｄｅｄ -ＳｈｒｉｍｐＶｉｒｕｓＮＯＳＶ )青岛株在螯虾体内的动态分布 ,为研究该病毒的传播途径、增殖致病机理提供了参考。1　材料与方法1.1　实验动物克氏原螯虾 (Ｃａｍｂａｒｕｓｐｒｏｃｌａｒｋｉｉ ,以下简称螯虾 ) 40尾 ,购自南京某农贸市场 ,实验室饲养一周以上 ,健康存活。1.2　种毒处理及接种白斑综合征病毒青岛株 (…     

Diversity, relative abundance and metabolic potential of bacterial endosymbionts in three Bathymodiolus mussel species from cold seeps in the Gulf of Mexico

Cold seeps in the Gulf of Mexico are often dominated by mussels of the genus Bathymodiolus that harbour symbiotic bacteria in their gills. In this study, we analysed symbiont diversity, abundance and metabolic potential in three mussel species from the northern Gulf of Mexico: Bathymodiolus heckerae from the West Florida Escarpment, Bathymodiolus brooksi from Atwater Valley and Alaminos Canyon, and 'Bathymodiolus' childressi, which co-occurs with B. brooksi in Alaminos Canyon. Comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis confirmed a single methanotroph-related symbiont in 'B.' childressi and a dual symbiosis with a methanotroph- and thiotroph-related symbiont in B. brooksi. A previously unknown diversity of four co-occurring symbionts was discovered in B. heckerae: a methanotroph, two phylogenetically distinct thiotrophs and a methylotroph-related phylotype not previously described from any marine invertebrate symbiosis. A gene characteristic of methane-oxidzing bacteria, pmoA, was identified in all three mussel species confirming the methanotrophic potential of their symbionts. Stable isotope analyses of lipids and whole tissue also confirmed the importance of methanotrophy in the carbon nutrition of all of the mussels. Analyses of absolute and relative symbiont abundance in B. heckerae and B. brooksi using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and rRNA slot blot hybridization indicated a clear dominance of methanotrophic over thiotrophic symbionts in their gill tissues. A site-dependent variability in total symbiont abundance was observed in B. brooksi, with specimens from Alaminos Canyon harbouring much lower densities than those from Atwater Valley. This shows that symbiont abundance is not species-specific but can vary considerably between populations.     

Effect of anthracyclines on the intestine and its lymphoid organs (literature review)]

Anthracycline drugs after their administration first of all affect the cells with active proliferation and differentiation resulting not only in inhibition of the processes but also in induction of apoptosis, that precisely explains the pathological shifts in the intestinal epithelium, i.e. in the tissue with many dividing and maturating cells. The damaged epithelium after the use of anthracycline drugs becomes permeable for many substance of the antigenic nature from the intestine lumen that stimulate the response of the lymphoid organs.     

Structure of the Digestive Tube in the Holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix (Holothuroidea: Dendrochirota)

In the holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix,the gut wall exhibits trilaminar organization. It consists of an inner digestive epithelium, a middle layer of connective tissue, and an outer mesothelium (coelomic epithelium). The pharynx, esophagus, and stomach are lined with a cuticular epithelium composed of T-shaped cells. The lining epithelium of the intestine and cloaca lacks a cuticle and consists of columnar vesicular enterocytes. Mucocytes are also encountered in the digestive epithelium. The connective tissue layer is composed of a ground substance, which houses collagen fibers, amoebocytes, morula cells, and fibroblasts. The gut mesothelium is a pseudostratified epithelium, which is dominated by peritoneal and myoepithelial cells and also includes the perikarya and processes of the neurons of the hyponeural plexus and vacuolated cells.     

Morphology of Urospora chiridotae (Sporozoa: Gregarinomorpha: Eugregarinida) from sea cucumber Chiridota laevis (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Apoda)

Several morphological forms (morphotypes) of Urospora chiridotae gamontes are found in White Sea holothuroid Chiridota laevis. All these morphotypes are differed by localization in the body of host, form and cytological features. The gregarines are situated in several host biotopes, such as blood vessels, intestine and mesenteries. In the blood vessels elongate skittle-like cells supplied with long thin cytopillia are observed. On the external surface of the intestine spherical gregarines are found. These parasites commonly covered with one layer of coelomic epithelium's cells. In some holothuria intratissue spherical cells of parasites located in intestinal epithelium are presented. Both of these types of parasites lack cytopillia, and folds or ridges on its surface. On different mesenteries, connections between intestine and body wall, and also on intestine elongate ounce-shaped cells and gamontocysts are observed. These cells are situated on the apices of finger-like processes of the intestine and mesenteries surface. Ounce-shaped gregarines have cytopillia shorter than in skittle-like gregarines. The differences between morphotypes of Urospora chiridotae are probably caused by different environmental conditions. In the narrow rift of blood vessel elongate cells are developed. The cytopillia may serve for making more or less wide space around gregarines, which is necessary for food uptake. Spherical cells surrounded by host's cells and have the form typical for tissue parasites. In the wide coelomic cavity where convection of liquid proceeds better than in blood vessel, ounce-shaped gregarines with short cytopillia are developed. We found only typical for Urospora chiridotae ovoid oocysts with dissimilar ends, anterior collar and spine-like posterior end. Thus, the all above-mentioned morphotypes undoubtedly belong to the same species. The relationships between defense host cells and the different morphotypes of trophozoites are variable.     

T-cell factor 4 (Tcf7l2) maintains proliferative compartments in zebrafish intestine

Previous studies have shown that Wnt signals, relayed through beta-catenin and T-cell factor 4 (Tcf4), are essential for the induction and maintenance of crypts in mice. We have now generated a tcf4 (tcf7l2) mutant zebrafish by reverse genetics. We first observe a phenotypic defect at 4 weeks post-fertilization (wpf), leading to death at about 6 wpf. The phenotype comprises a loss of proliferation at the base of the intestinal folds of the middle and distal parts of the intestine. The proximal intestine represents an independent compartment, as it expresses sox2 in the epithelium and barx1 in the surrounding mesenchyme, which are early stomach markers in higher vertebrates. Zebrafish are functionally stomach-less, but the proximal intestine might share its ontogeny with the mammalian stomach. Rare adult homozygous tcf4(-/-) 'escapers' show proliferation defects in the gut epithelium, but have no other obvious abnormalities. This study underscores the involvement of Tcf4 in maintaining proliferative self-renewal in the intestine throughout life.     

齐口裂腹鱼肠粘膜上皮透射电镜观察

作用用透射电镜观察了齐口裂腹鱼肠粘膜上的皮的超微结构,肠上皮共有五种细胞,吸收细胞,杯状细胞,内分泌细胞,巨噬细胞,淋巴细胞等,文中详细描述了这些细胞的形态结构,并对其结构与功能之间的关系进行了初步讨论。     

Electron microscopic studies of the digestive tract and absorption from the gut lumen of a feather star,oligometra serripinna (Echinodermata)

Summary The gut of a crinoid echinoderm is described for the first time by transmission electron microscopy. The gut comprises a short esophagus, a relatively long intestine and a short rectum. From the luminal side to the coelomic side, the layers of the gut wall are an inner epithelium, an epineural plexus (much reduced or absent in the intestine and rectum), haemal fluid, smooth muscles mixed with a hyponeural plexus, and a visceral peritoneum. The inner epithelium of the esophagus consists of numerous flagellated enterocytes and some mucous cells containing abundant mucous granules. The luminal surface of the esophagus, but not that of the other gut regions, is covered by a conspicuous cuticle. The inner epithelium of the intestine consists of some exocrine cells, presumably exporting digestive enzymes to the gut lumen, and numerous vesicular enterocytes that are flagellated and contain a few apical mucous granules. The inner epithelium of the rectum is made up entirely of vesicular enterocytes most of which lack a flagellum. The uptake of macromolecules from the gut lumen was demonstrated by feeding the feather stars food mixed with ferritin. By 4 h after feeding, ferritin was identified in presumed secondary lysosomes within the enterocytes of the esophagus and within the vesicular enterocytes of the intestine and rectum. The functional implications of the new fine structural results are discussed.     

Histochemical and ultrastructural study of the digestive tract of the tortoise Testudo graeca (Testudines)

The digestive tract of the tortoise Testudo graeca (Testudines) was investigated by means of light and electron microscopy. The esophagus of T. graeca was lined by two types of epithelium: non-keratinized stratified squamous in the upper portion and stratified columnar in the lower. The lamina propria of the esophagus contained tubular or tubuloacinar glands. The mucosa of the stomach showed similar characteristics to those of other reptiles. The small intestine exhibited longitudinal folds lined by absorptive and goblet cells. The large intestine was lined by columnar mucous cells. Within the lamina propria of the large intestine, masses of 10–15 epithelial cells connecting with the surface epithelium by means of slender cytoplasmic processes were observed. A battery of six lectins (Con-A, PNA, WGA, DBA, SBA, and LTA) was used to identify the epithelial mucins. WGA and DBA reacted with all types of mucous cells throughout the alimentary canal. PNA was only unreactive in the intestine, LTA in the esophagus, and SBA in the large intestine. These results indicate a similar lectin-binding pattern throughout the gut of T. graeca.     

Complementary distribution of carbamoylphosphate synthetase (ammonia) and glutamine synthetase in rat liver acinus is regulated at a pretranslational level

We studied the distribution of the mRNAs for carbamoylphosphate synthetase (ammonia) and glutamine synthetase in frozen sections of adult rat liver by in situ hybridization to [35S]-labeled cDNA probes. The density of silver grains resulting from hybridization to the labeled cDNA probe for carbamoylphosphate synthetase is highest around the portal venules, decreases towards the central venule, and is virtually absent from an area two to three cells wide that lines the central venules in which mRNA for glutamine synthetase is predominantly localized. Therefore, both mRNAs show the same complementary distribution within the liver acinus that was found for the proteins they encode, demonstrating that compartmentalization of the expression of these enzymes is controlled at a pretranslational level. In addition, we found that carbamoylphosphate synthetase mRNA is present mainly in the epithelium of the crypts of the proximal part of the small intestine, whereas carbamoylphosphate synthetase protein is present in the epithelium of both crypts and villi.     

Morphology of the intestine of prefeeding and feeding adult lampreys,Petromyzon marinus (L): The mucosa of the posterior intestine and hindgut

The epithelium of the posterior intestine and hindgut of recently metamorphosed adult lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L.) prior to and during spontaneous feeding was examined using light and electron microscopy. These two regions differ slightly in their general morphology but possess the same mucosal cell types. Included are caveolated absorptive and mucous cells, which are not present in more cephalic regions of the intestine, and ciliated and enteroendocrine cells. During feeding, the caveolated cells undergo dramatic transformation in their structure, namely, through the acquisition of numerous heterophagic vacuoles. Due to their morphology and to the fact that there are low amounts of lipid, it is suspected that caveolated cells are primarily involved in the absorption of protein components from the ingested host blood and body fluids. Iron in caveolated cells may result from the degradation of ingested heme or reflect the excretion of bile products at this location in the intestine. Mucous cells are likely responsible for lubrication of the luminal surface and may be important as a stem cell for the mucosal epithelium.     

Histological and ultrastructural specialization of the digestive tract of the intestinal air breather hoplosternum thoracatum (teleost)

The digestive tract of Hoplosternum thoracatum consists of an esophagus, gastric area, anterior digestive intestine with elaborate folds, digestive intestine with decreasing folds and thin, smooth-surfaced respiratory intestine. The upper tract has a mucoid columnar lining which is gently folded, whereas the gastric area has numerous pits opening into the tubular secretory glands. Striated muscle comprises the anterior muscularis but is replaced by inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers in the gastric region. The digestive intestinal mucosa is elaborately folded, consisting of columnar cells with prominent brush borders. Mucosa, submucosa, circular and longitudinal muscularis and serosa layers are present throughout the tract. Goblet cells occur in both the digestive and respiratory intestine. Major changes that appear in the respiratory intestine are a drastic reduction in mucosa epithelial thickness and the penetration of an elaborate capillary bed into the epithelium. The other basic layers are not significantly reduced in thickness. The air-blood barrier consists of the thin epithelium, basement lamina and very thin capillary endothelium. Regional cellular composition and ultrastructural features are correlated with respective digestive and respiratory functions.