Analysis of secretory processes in Dipteran salivary glands

Summary This study indictes the complexity of cell function in one tissue. Cells of the larval salivary gland produce their secretion both by synthesis of some proteins and extraction of different proteins from the hemolymph by selective uptake and concentration. Uptake and transport are not dependent on de novo protein synthesis, at least for several hours and, as would be expected, are also not immediately dependent on new RNA synthesis. De novo synthesis of secretory proteins by the gland is almost completely inhibited by puromycin but occurs on RNA templates which are stable for at least 12 hr. Both the large cells forming most of the gland and the smaller cells forming the duct and the base of the duct are capable of taking up hemal, proteins, but synthesis of secretory proteins probably occurs only in the large cells.     

Evaluation of crystallization processes in the calculi of the submandibular salivary glands

Four patients were subjected to sialolithotomy of the submandibular gland in the Department of Otolaryngology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University in Cracow. The resected calculi were examined under a scanning electron microscope and chemical analysis of their structure was carried out. Results of these studies were compared with clinical observations. It has been found that sialoliths are built up by inorganic salts, mainly calcium compounds. Crystallization processes proceed at variable rates and are related to duration of the disease and intensity of inflammatory reaction.     

Use of biometric characteristics of major salivary glands as a base line to develop a formula for the quantitative estimation of posttraumatic regeneration of glandular tissue

In experiments conducted on 903 rats, we have studied biometric characteristics of the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands) during ontogenesis. We have calculated the indices of non-directional fluctuation asymmetry for the submandibular and sublingual glands and determined correlation coefficients and coefficients of linear regression between salivary glands, rat body weight, and the weight of the femoral bone (the largest bone in the rat). The strongest correlation was found between the dry weight of the submandibular gland and the rat body weight. Mathematical analysis of the growth of the submandibular gland after sialotomy allowed us to derive a formula for the quantitative estimation of regeneration, taking into account the natural growth of the rat.     

Note on rhinoceros salivary glands

Limited observations are submitted upon the anatomy of the hitherto undescribed salivary gland formations in the rhinoceros genera Rhinoceros, Diceros and Ceratotherium.