A new method for aesthetic reduction of labia minora (the deepithelialized reduction of labioplasty)

An enlarged labium minus can be bothersome for functional, aesthetic, and social reasons. Labia minora hypertrophy can be congenital or acquired by chronic irritation, exogenous androgenic hormones, or stretching with weights. This can cause inflammation, poor hygiene, interference with sexual intercourse, or intermittent urinary self-catheterization in myelodysplastic women. Aesthetically, an asymmetric or enlarged labium minus causes self-consciousness sexually and when the subject wears tight pants. Previously, labia minora reduction was performed by amputation of the protuberant segment and oversewing the edge, or a wedge of protuberant labial tissue was excised and reapproximated. However, the former technique removes the natural contour and color of the edge of the labium minus, and the latter can result in an incomplete or tight reduction. Therefore, rather than an amputation or a wedge resection, we preserved the natural contour and anatomy of the labium minus by simply reducing its central width through bilateral deepithelialization and reapproximation of the central portion with preservation of the neurovascular supply to the edge. Six patients have undergone this reduction method with excellent results without specific complications.     

Quantitative evaluation of sensory nerve endings in hypertrophy of labia minora pudendi in women.

The authors studied the types of sensory nerve endings in hypertrophic labia minora pudendi in women aged between 18 and 69. The nervous tissue was impregnated with silver nitrate by Lavrentyev's modification of the Bielschowski-Gross method. The sensory nerve endings were divided into the following groups: free endings and arborizations, spray-like endings, seven types of clew-like nerve endings, and Pacinian corpuscles. It is the clew-like endings that absolutely predominate, they were 2,027 in number. The arborizations and spray-like endings found were 105 in number and only 4 of Pacinian corpuscles were found. As compared with normal labia there are no principal differences among the types of sensory nerve endings. The main difference consists in the rate of occurrence (89.6 as against 57.8) and in the thickness of the capsule, while the nerve clew proper does not grow in diameter. Therefore, we are of theopinion that a more frequent occurrence and larger size of the capsule is associated with local changes in the organ (especially with hypertrophy of the connective tissue). We observed no differences due to age either in the occurrence of the individual types or in the thickness of the capsule. Great individual variability in both directions was seen. The findings corroborated again the rare occurrence of meissner's endings in the labia minora in woman. Therefore it may be assumed that it is rather a random finding and that it is a type of clew-like nerve ending. Finally, we presume that the individually varying rate of occurrence of the nerve endings in the external genitals could also affect general sensitivity in this region, including sexual sensitivity.     

Congenitally caused fused labia in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

In this paper, the occurrence of an external genital abnormality in female marmoset monkeys (fused labia) is discussed. This malformation was detected, for the first time, in a group of animals at the German Primate Center (GPC), Goettingen. The malformed vulva was completely sealed except for an opening of 1.5-2.5 mm around the urethra sufficient for urination. Because of this defect the animals were not able to copulate. As a consequence, the affected females were functionally infertile although they had a normal genital tract and a regular cycle. This vulvar abnormality was found in 12 females, offspring of 10 pairs in which either one or both came to the German Primate Center from two genetically related colonies in Munich, Germany, and one colony in Basel, Switzerland. The abnormality appeared to be recessive and inheritable from either parent. In pairs in which both animals were from one of the mentioned colonies, 45% of the female offspring were affected. In pairs where only one partner came from these colonies, 26% of female offspring had the malformation. These results indicate that avoidance of inbreeding, which is frequently performed in primate colonies, may reduce, but not eliminate the expression of abnormalities of genetic origin. Therefore selective breeding is required, and, in colonies where these recessive mutations are widespread, the development of genetic screening tests would be advantageous.     

Comparative study of the diaphragm (gular membrane) in Terebelliformia (Polychaeta, Annelida)

The structure and location of the diaphragm (gular membrane) was studied in five families of Terebelliformia: Terebellidae, Trichobranchidae, Pectinariidae, Ampharetidae and Alvinellidae, using dissections, histology, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Position, shape, and structure of the diaphragm differ in these taxa. In Terebellidae and Pectinariidae the diaphragm is straight. In Trichobranchidae, Ampharetidae and Alvinellidae it is funnel-shaped. Diaphragm possesses two contractile sacs in Terebellidae and Pectinariidae, one in Alvinellidae and none at all in Trichobranchidae. The relative size and form of the sacs varied. Representatives of the family Ampharetidae have one or two sacs or none at all. Four kinds of the diaphragm can be distinguished: strait with two sacs, funnel-shaped with two sacs, funnel-shaped with one sac, funnel-shaped without sacs. In some Alvinellidae, the diaphragm is fenestrated, while in all other taxa it is continuous. The wall of the sacs is more muscular than the wall of the remaining diaphragm. The diaphragm is attached to the body wall at different levels: between the third and fourth segments in pectinariids or between the fourth and fifth in terebellids, ampharetids, alvinellids and trichobranchids. In most cases, the diaphragm contains two coelothelial layers with a well-developed extra-cellular matrix in between, and one or two muscle layers. The maximum development of the muscle fibres occurs in Terebellidae; probably related to the length of buccal tentacles. Significance of morphological and ultrastructural peculiarities of the diaphragm is discussed.     

Comparative study of catalase-peroxidases (KatGs)

Catalase-peroxidases or KatGs from seven different organisms, including Archaeoglobus fulgidus,Bacillus stearothermophilus, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Rhodobacter capsulatus and Synechocystis PCC 6803, have been characterized to provide a comparative picture of their respective properties. Collectively, the enzymes exhibit similar turnover rates with the catalase and peroxidase reactions varying between 4900 and 15,900 s⁻¹ and 8-25 s⁻¹, respectively. The seven enzymes also exhibited similar pH optima for the peroxidase (4.25-5.0) and catalase reactions (5.75), and high sensitivity to azide and cyanide with IC₅₀ values of 0.2-20 μM and 50-170 μM, respectively. The K_Ms of the enzymes for H₂O₂ in the catalase reaction were relatively invariant between 3 and 5 mM at pH 7.0, but increased to values ranging from 20 to 225 mM at pH 5, consistent with protonation of the distal histidine (pKa approximately 6.2) interfering with H₂O₂ binding to Cpd I. The catalatic k_cat was 2- to 3-fold higher at pH 5 compared to pH 7, consistent with the uptake of a proton being involved in the reduction of Cpd I. The turnover rates for the INH lyase and isonicotinoyl-NAD synthase reactions, responsible for the activation of isoniazid as an anti-tubercular drug, were also similar across the seven enzymes, but considerably slower, at 0.5 and 0.002 s⁻¹, respectively. Only the NADH oxidase reaction varied more widely between 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻² s⁻¹ with the fastest rate being exhibited by the enzyme from B. pseudomallei.     

A case report of spontaneous opening of congenitally fused labia in a female common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) followed by pregnancy and birth of twins

A first case of spontaneous opening of congenitally fused labia (CFL phenotype) in a captive common marmoset followed by pregnancy and birth is presented here. The occurrence of this phenotype has been previously published in captive marmosets, but so far the etiology is unknown.     

Comparative study of the metatibial gland in ants (Hymenoptera,formicidae)

A novel glandular structure is described within the metatibia in ants of the poneroid group. This metatibial gland has been considered a major synapomorphic character of the subfamilies belonging to the doryline section. Histological investigations combined with scanning electron micrograph studies revealed a remarkably complex gland, consisting of a glandular epithelium and a cuticular pore plate, the morphology of which varies considerably between the species. This gland is also present in species of the generaDiacamma andPachycondyla (Ponerini). Based on the morphology of glandular epithelia and pore plates, it is not possible to decide whether this structure is homologous or analogous to that of the doryline section subfamilies. In workers of certain species of the genusDiacamma, the secretions of this gland are involved in sexual calling behavior.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the labia of Baylisascaris procyonis (Nematoda)

The labial organization of adult Baylisascaris procyonis was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and found to be similar for males and females. The apical part of each lip was smooth, and the basal part reticulated. The dorsal lip possessed two dorsolateral double papillae and two internal labial papillae; the two subventral lips each had one ventrolateral double and one externolateral papilla, two internal labial papillae, and an amphid. The small papilla of each double set was dome-shaped and smooth, whereas the large papilla was broad and had a prominent central pore. The externolateral papillae had raised, highly sculptured surfaces with numerous slits and creases present. Amphids resembled those of previously studied nematodes. The internal labial papillae consisted of pits. Denticles arose as a single row from the apical edge of the inner labial surface, were usually evenly spaced, and pyramidal or conoidal in shape. They were typically unicuspid, but bicuspid denticles were occasionally seen. Denticle shape and size varied between specimens and on each specimen. A pit was seen in the cuticle in the central region of the denticular row of all lips. Several of these findings represent new information concerning ascaridoid nematodes.     

Comparative study of musculature in goldon monkey (Rhinopithecus)

Some differences between the muscular system of three species of golden monkeys were shown. The major features of the myology in these animals, besides that ofCercopithecoidea, are similar to the anthropoid apes and humans. Although most of the features between taxa of golden monkeys are largely homologous, there are also some differences. Our results differ slightly from thosePatterson (1942) obtained inR. roxellanae. Some conclusions reported by Patterson were obviously incorrect, since the specimen he used did not have a head. Many mylogical characters are similar to other species ofCercopithecoidea while some resemble those of apes. Many are similar to those of the leaf monkey, though some of them show much more development. The golden monkey is more advanced than any other species ofCercopithecoidea. We hypothesize that in terms of the myological characters the golden monkeys seem to occupy a position between the leaf monkeys and the apes.     

Comparative histological and immunohistochemical study of sea star tube feet (Echinodermata, Asteroidea)

Adhesion in sea stars is the function of specialized structures, the tube feet or podia, which are the external appendages of the water-vascular system. Adhesive secretions allow asteroid tube feet to perform multiple functions. Indeed, according to the sea star species considered, the tube feet may be involved in locomotion, fixation, or burrowing. Different tube foot shapes usually correspond to this variety of function. In this study, we investigated the variability of the morphology of sea star tube feet as well as the variability of the composition of their adhesive secretions. This second aspect was addressed by a comparative immunohistochemical study using antibodies raised against the adhesive material of the forcipulatid Asterias rubens. The tube feet from 14 sea star species representing five orders and 10 families of the Class Asteroidea were examined. The histological study revealed three main tube foot morphotypes, i.e., knob-ending, simple disc-ending, and reinforced disc-ending. Analysis of the results suggests that tube foot morphology is influenced by species habitat, but within limits imposed by the evolutionary lineage. In immunohistochemistry, on the other hand, the results were very homogeneous. In every species investigated there was a very strong immunolabeling of the adhesive cells, independently of the taxon considered, of the tube foot morphotype or function, or of the species habitat. This indicates that the adhesives in all the species considered are closely related, probably sharing many identical molecules or, at least, many identical epitopes on their constituents.     

团毛菌目粘菌个体发育比较研究

利用有饲培养方法,对团毛菌目粘菌的盖碗菌属、团网菌属、半网菌属、变毛菌属及团毛菌属 7个种的个体发育进行了比较研究。描述了其原质团发育特征及小胞囊的特点,并将团毛菌目粘菌原质团划分为两种类型,即原始中间型和发达中间型。同时利用光学显微镜及电子显微镜观察描述了子实体的主要发育特征。结果表明,孢丝或孢子表面纹饰不明显的种类较原始,表面纹饰明显的种类为发达类型。