Nature and fate of the ureteric membrane closing the primitive ureterovesical opening.

83 albino rat embryos were used to investigate and ascertain the presence of the ureteric membrane closing the mouth of the primitive ureterovesical opening. The membrane is found to be derived from the stratified etithelium lining the urogenital sinus and later the developing urinary bladder. It progressively thins out and bulges in the bladder cavity as a result of the increasing functional differentiation and activity of the developing kidney, where the excreted urine dilates the lower end of the ureter till it forms a small cyst-like dilatation before the membrane finally ruptures. The destruction of the ureteric membrane occurs caudal to its center and is immediately followed by dilatation of the bladder cavity and differentiation of mits musculature and lining epitherlium.     

Spatial organization of musculature in the Himasthla elongata cercaria (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae)

Somatic muscles (body-wall and "parenchyma" musculature), muscles of suckers, alimentary tract and excretory bladder of Himasthla elongata cercaria were investigated using fluorescent phalloidin labelling and confocal microscopy. The arrangement of body-wall muscles differs between the certain parts of cercarial body and appears to be the most complicated in the collar district. Among the body-wall musculature, we described U-shaped muscles, which have never been found previously in trematodes. Muscles of oral and ventral suckers are grouped into 6-7 independent layers. In some of those layers, they are arranged bilaterally, which contradicts the tradition to consider the sucker as radially symmetric.     

Congruence between comparative morphology and molecular phylogenies: Evolution of the male genital skeletal/muscular system in the subtribe Polyommatina (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae)

The skeleton and musculature of male genitalia were studied in species of a model butterfly group (subtribe Polyommatina, Lycaenidae). In total, we analyzed 45 species of the tribe Polyommatini most of which were previously used in the molecular phylogenetic study (Talavera et al., 2013). The studied morphological characters were mapped on the molecular trees, which allowed us to reveal trends of morphological changes and to estimate the age of their origin. As a result, chronology of evolution of skeleton and musculature traits was established. It was shown that periods of slow morphological evolution alternated in the subtribe Polyommatina with those of a high rate of origin of new traits. For example, topography of the intravalvar muscles has not changed for 26 MY preserving their initial fan-shaped attachment. The evolution of intravalvar muscles started 10 MYA, proceeded slowly during the first 5 MY, and then accelerated during the last 5 MY resulting in the extensive splitting of the musculature in most monophyletic lineages. Mapping the morphological characters on the phylogeny demonstrated that the rates of skeleton and muscle evolution within the skeleton/musculature apparatus were different. In most cases the intravalvar musculature evolved much faster than the skeleton. The cladistic interpretation of states of morphological traits was found to be consistent with phylogenetic reconstructions based on analysis of multiple molecular markers. Moreover, morphological synapomorphies were found for the lineages Alpherakya + Glabroculus and Aricia + (Alpherakya + Glabroculus), which had low statistical support in molecular phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, in some cases molecular studies helped to reveal trends in the evolution of morphological traits. For example, the unpaired uncus and the compact juxta are not plesiomorphic for Cupidina as previously thought; instead, they were shown to have evolved secondarily within this subtribe.     

The adult musculature of two pseudostomid species reveals unique patterns for flatworms (Platyhelminthes,Prolecithophora)

We analyzed the adult musculature of two prolecithophoran species, Cylindrostoma monotrochum (von Graff, 1882) and Monoophorum striatum (von Graff, 1878) using a phalloidin-rhodamine technique. As in all rhabdithophoran flatworms, the body-wall musculature consisted of three muscle layers: on the outer side was a layer of circular muscle fibers and on the inner side was a layer of longitudinal muscle fibers; between them were two different types of diagonally orientated fibers, which is unusual for flatworms. The musculature of the pharynx consisted of a basket-shaped grid of thin longitudinal and circular fibers. Thick anchoring muscle fibers forming a petal-like shape connected the proximal parts of the pharynx with the body-wall musculature. Male genital organs consisted of paired seminal vesicles, a granular vesicle, and an invaginated penis. Peculiar ring-shaped muscles were only found in M. striatum, predominantly in the anterior body part. In the same species, seminal vesicles and penis only had circular musculature, while in C. monotrochum also longitudinal musculature was found in these organs. Female genital organs were only present in M. striatum, where we characterized a vagina interna, and a bursa seminalis. Transverse, crossover, and dorsoventral muscle fibers were lacking in the middle of the body and greatly varied in number and position in both species.     

Ultrasonography compared with intravenous urography in the investigation of adults with haematuria.

OBJECTIVE--To compare ultrasonography with intravenous urography in the investigation of adults with haematuria. DESIGN--Prospective study entailing the examination of all patients with both investigations concurrently. The investigations were performed independently on routine lists by different duty radiologists. Each was aware of the details of the request form but not of the findings of the other investigation. SETTING--Radiology department of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS--155 Consecutive adult patients (aged 18-93) referred from general practitioners and hospital outpatient clinics with a history of haematuria. FOLLOW UP--When results of both examinations proved normal no clinical or radiological follow up was sought. All abnormal findings of either investigation were correlated with results of subsequent imaging studies or operative findings. RESULTS--81 Patients (52%) had normal findings on urography and ultrasonography. Overall, the findings of ultrasonography concurred with those of urography in 144 cases (93%). Among the discrepant findings of the two investigations ultrasonography missed two ureteric calculi; one was in a non-dilated ureter, and in the other case ultrasonography detected the secondary ureteric dilatation. Ultrasound examination alone detected four bladder tumours not visible on urography with sizes ranging from 5 to 21 mm, representing one fifth of the 20 cystoscopically proved bladder tumours detected in the series. Ultrasonography detected all the 22 neoplastic lesions discovered in the study (20 bladder, two renal). Ultrasonography clarified the nature of renal masses evident in three urograms (simple cysts). CONCLUSIONS--Ultrasonography is a safe and accurate method of investigating the urinary tract in adults with haematuria. When combined with a single plain abdominal radiograph it proved to be superior to urography as the primary imaging study in this series. Ultrasonography should certainly be preferred to urography if cystoscopy is not planned. No urothelial tumours of the upper urinary tract were found in the series, reflecting their rarity. For those patients in whom ultrasonography and plain radiography have shown no abnormality and in whom cystoscopic appearances are normal urography would be advisable to exclude urothelial tumours of the upper urinary tract.     

Effects of TCDD on embryonic ureteric epithelial EGF receptor expression and cell proliferation

The potent toxin 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is teratogenic in mice, producing hydronephrosis and cleft palate. Because of the long half-life of TCDD, the urinary tract is exposed throughout development after a single dose on gestation day (GD) 10 or earlier. TCDD-induced hydronephrosis is a consequence of occlusion of the ureter by epithelial cells. Since embryonic growth factors and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor are probably involved in regulation of embryonic cell proliferation, this study examines the effects of TCDD on expression of EGF receptors and proliferation of ureteric epithelial cells in vivo and in culture. After exposure to TCDD by gavage (12, 24, or 30 micrograms/kg on GD 10; 6 or 24 micrograms/kg on GD 12) the mean cell depth of the ureteric and bladder epithelia was increased. EGF receptors were detected immunohistochemically in sectioned urinary tracts. The expression of receptors decreased with advancing development in control ureteric epithelia. However, after TCDD exposure the level of EGF receptors failed to decline. The incorporation of 3H-TdR was observed in sections by autoradiography, and after exposure to TCDD more epithelial cells showed incorporation than was apparent in controls. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of embryonic ureters from fetuses exposed to TCDD in vivo showed no cytotoxicity in basal cells and the cells remained undifferentiated, as in controls. Ureters taken from GD 12 embryos and cultured with 1 x 10(-10)M TCDD showed ureteric epithelial hyperplasia without cytotoxicity, but at 1 x 10(-8)M TCDD evidence of cytotoxicity was observed by TEM. The levels of TCDD found in fetuses after in vivo exposure (204-307 pg/fetus, with 1-2 pg in the urinary tract) compare well with the in vitro level (32 pg/ml), which was most effective in producing hyperplasia of the epithelial cells. The present study correlates a TCDD-induced increase in cell depth with altered regulation of EGF receptors and excessive proliferation, both in vivo and in cultured embryonic ureters.     

Reversal of muscle hypertrophy in the rat urinary bladder after removal of urethral obstruction

We studied the ultrastructure of the bladder musculature after first inducing hypertrophy by means of urethral obstruction and subsequently removing the obstruction. With hypertrophy the bladder musculature increases ten-fold or more in volume; after de-obstruction approximately 4/5 of the hypertrophic muscle weight and volume is lost within six weeks. In spite of this very large decrease in muscle mass there is no degeneration of muscle cells or nerve endings or of other cell types in the de-obstructed bladder either at 5 days or at 6 weeks. The individual muscle cells are smaller in size than in the hypertrophic bladder but still larger than control muscle cells. The decrease in muscle cell size is more substantial than the decrease in muscle cell surface. There are no lysosomes or other signs of intracellular degradation in any cells of the muscle layer. The musculature contains a very large amount of intercellular material, mainly collagen. This study documents the great plasticity of the musculature in the reduction of muscle mass after de-obstruction. However, some of the fine structural features are almost as different from the controls as in the hypertrophic muscle.     

Distribution of afferent axons in the bladder of rats

The distribution of afferent axons in the bladder of rats was studied by means of immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), in frozen sections and in wholemount preparations of mucosa and muscle coat. Synaptophysin-immunofluorescence was used for the general detection of all intramural axons. The afferent axons were distributed over four distinct targets: at the base of the epithelium, inside the epithelium, on blood vessels (both arteries and veins) and along muscle bundles. In the mucosa, all the afferent axons, except the perivascular ones, lay either inside the epithelium or in a subepithelial plexus very close to the basal surface of the epithelium. The plexus was thickest in the neck of the bladder and in the initial portion of the urethra, and it became progressively less dense in the adjacent regions; it did not extend beyond the equatorial region, and therefore the mucosa of the cranial region of the bladder had no afferent axons. Most of the axons in the subepithelial plexus were terminal axons and included conspicuous varicosities arranged in very long chains; branching points were numerous, usually at right angles and located at the level of a varicosity; some axons split and then rejoined, forming closed axonal loops. The afferent innervation of the musculature was more diffuse, and appeared uniform throughout the bladder. After unilateral surgical denervation (by excision of the pelvic ganglion 5–7 days earlier) areas of complete denervation were observed, but there were large areas where the innervation was only reduced. The results showed that there is a bilateral innervation of many regions of the mucosa and the musculature, including individual muscle bundles. A substantial number of fibres crossed the midline into the contralateral side of the bladder. CGRP-immunofluorescence in mucosal afferent axons is enhanced in the surviving axons 5 days after contralateral denervation, a change which is interpreted as an early sign of regeneration.     

The buoyancy and orientation of the upside-down catfishes of the genus Synodontis (Pisces: Siluroidei)

The forces involved in the buoyancy of the genus Synodontis are unusually large owing to the well-developed cephalo-nuchal shield possessed by all members of the genus, and the large swim bladder and high levels of body fat needed to counteract this. A new method of determining the quantity of crude lipid in the tissues was developed and tested against a recognized method. Negative correlations were found between the total quantities of fat present and the volumes of the swim bladder for several species. Two species which maintained neutral buoyancy but occupied different ecological niches were found to achieve neutrality by different means, one possessing an abnormally large swim bladder and the other very large quantities of fat. The amount of bone present was found to be considerably greater than in species from other genera.
Several species of this genus regularly invert and swim on their backs. Three of the species known to do this were found amongst the 16 species present in the man-made Lake Kainji on the River Niger in Nigeria. The orientations of many of the species were studied both under natural conditions and in the laboratory. Several possible causes of inversion were investigated, including both physical and behavioural factors. The position of the food source was found to be the most important factor controlling the orientation of the species. By manipulating this it was possible to persuade normally orientating species to invert, and inverting species to return to normal orientation. Three theories to explain the inverting habit are advanced and their merits discussed.     

Musculature of the ovipositor of Lenitovena trigona (Matsumura) (Diptera, Tephritidae) with reference to the larval saprophagy

The larvae of most Tephritidae are endobiotic in various living plants and are therefore convenient objects for analysis of the associations of this dipteran family with seed plants. The structure of the sclerites and musculature of the ovipositor of Lenitovena trigona (Matsumura) a Far Eastern tephritid of the tribe Acanthonevrini with initially saprobiont larva, was investigated to facilitate understanding of the morphological changes in the adults associated with larval shift from saprophagous to herbivorous habit. Differences between the ovipositor of L. trigona and those of species of the genera Urophora, Ceratitis, and Rhagoletis with endophytic larvae have been found; the ovipositor musculature of these genera has been described by Dean (1935), Nanna (1938), and Berube and Zacharuk (1983).     

Evolution of body-wall musculature in the Platyhelminthes (Acoelomorpha, Catenulida, Rhabditophora)

In an effort to understand the phylogeny of the Platyhelminthes, the patterns of body-wall musculature of flatworms were studied using fluorescence microscopy and Alexa-488-labeled phalloidin. Species of the Catenulida have a simple orthogonal gridwork of longitudinal and circular muscles. Members of the Rhabditophora have the same gridwork of musculature, but also have diagonal muscles over their entire body. Although a few species of Acoelomorpha possessed a simple orthogonal grid of musculature, most species typically have distinctly different patterns of dorsal and ventral body-wall musculature that include sets of longitudinal, circular, U-shaped, and several kinds of diagonal muscles. Several distinct patterns of musculature were identified, including 8 patterns in 11 families of acoels. These patterns have proven to be useful in clarifying the phylogeny of the Acoelomorpha, particularly with regard to the higher acoels. Patterns of musculature as well as other morphological characters are used here for revisions of acoel systematics, including the return of Eumecynostomum sanguineum (Mecynostomidae) to the genus Aphanostoma (Convolutidae), the revision of the family Childiidae, and the formation of a new family, Actinoposthiidae.     

Myoanatomy of the marine tardigrade Halobiotus crispae (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae)

The muscular architecture of Halobiotus crispae (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) was examined by means of fluorescent‐coupled phalloidin in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy and computer‐aided three‐dimensional reconstruction, in addition to light microscopy (Nomarski), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The somatic musculature of H. crispae is composed of structurally independent muscle fibers, which can be divided into a dorsal, ventral, dorsoventral, and a lateral musculature. Moreover, a distinct leg musculature is found. The number and arrangement of muscles differ in each leg. Noticeably, the fourth leg contains much fewer muscles when compared with the other legs. Buccopharyngeal musculature (myoepithelial muscles), intestinal musculature, and cloacal musculature comprise the animal's visceral musculature. TEM of stylet and leg musculature revealed ultrastructural similarities between these two muscle groups. Furthermore, microtubules are found in the epidermal cells of both leg and stylet muscle attachments. This would indicate that the stylet and stylet glands are homologues to the claw and claw glands, respectively. When comparing with previously published data on both heterotardigrade and eutardigrade species, it becomes obvious that eutardigrades possess very similar numbers and arrangement of muscles, yet differ in a number of significant details of their myoanatomy. This study establishes a morphological framework for the use of muscular architecture in elucidating tardigrade phylogeny. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

TROP2 expressed in the trunk of the ureteric duct regulates branching morphogenesis during kidney development

TROP2, a cell surface protein structurally related to EpCAM, is expressed in various carcinomas, though its function remains largely unknown. We examined the expression of TROP2 and EpCAM in fetal mouse tissues, and found distinct patterns in the ureteric bud of the fetal kidney, which forms a tree-like structure. The tip cells in the ureteric bud proliferate to form branches, whereas the trunk cells differentiate to form a polarized ductal structure. EpCAM was expressed throughout the ureteric bud, whereas TROP2 expression was strongest at the trunk but diminished towards the tips, indicating the distinct cell populations in the ureteric bud. The cells highly expressing TROP2 (TROP2(high)) were negative for Ki67, a proliferating cell marker, and TROP2 and collagen-I were co-localized to the basal membrane of the trunk cells. TROP2(high) cells isolated from the fetal kidney failed to attach and spread on collagen-coated plates. Using MDCK cells, a well-established model for studying the branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud, TROP2 was shown to inhibit cell spreading and motility on collagen-coated plates, and also branching in collagen-gel cultures, which mimic the ureteric bud's microenvironment. These results together suggest that TROP2 modulates the interaction between the cells and matrix and regulates the formation of the ureteric duct by suppressing branching from the trunk during kidney development.     

Genetics of Vesicoureteral Reflux

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the retrograde passage of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract. It is the most common congenital urological anomaly affecting 1-2% of children and 30-40% of patients with urinary tract infections. VUR is a major risk factor for pyelonephritic scarring and chronic renal failure in children. It is the result of a shortened intravesical ureter with an enlarged or malpositioned ureteric orifice. An ectopic embryonal ureteric budding development is implicated in the pathogenesis of VUR, which is a complex genetic developmental disorder. Many genes are involved in the ureteric budding formation and subsequently in the urinary tract and kidney development. Previous studies demonstrate an heterogeneous genetic pattern of VUR. In fact no single major locus or gene for primary VUR has been identified. It is likely that different forms of VUR with different genetic determinantes are present. Moreover genetic studies of syndromes with associated VUR have revealed several possible candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of VUR and related urinary tract malformations. Mutations in genes essential for urinary tract morphogenesis are linked to numerous congenital syndromes, and in most of those VUR is a feature. The Authors provide an overview of the developmental processes leading to the VUR. The different genes and signaling pathways controlling the embryonal urinary tract development are analyzed. A better understanding of VUR genetic bases could improve the management of this condition in children.     

Muscles of the pes of hylid frogs

Complete or partial dissection of the foot musculature of 404 hylid frogs representing 247 species and 33 genera, along with representatives of eight other families, revealed a number of apomorphic characters that distinguish the hyloid frogs (Hylidae plus Allophryne and Centrolenidae) from other bufonoid frogs. Additional characters were found to define some of the hylid subfamilies. Addition of characters from the foot musculature to Duellman's phylogenetic tree of the hyloids produced a tree in which Allophryne and Centrolenidae are nested within Hylidae. Support was found for the monophyly of the 30-chromosome group within Hyla, and for a large number of the groups that comprise "Boana," viz., the Hyla albomarginata, H. albopunctata, H. boans (except H. vasta), H. geographica, and H. pulchella groups, but foot muscle characters provide no information relating to relationships of the West Indies hylines.     

Comparative histomorphology of intrinsic vibrissa musculature among primates: implications for the evolution of sensory ecology and “face touch”

Macrovibrissae are specialized tactile sensory hairs present in most mammalian orders, used in maxillary mechanoreception or “face touch.” Some mammals have highly organized vibrissae and are able to “whisk” them. Movement of vibrissae is influenced by intrinsic vibrissa musculature, striated muscle bands that attach directly to the vibrissa capsule. It is unclear if primates have organized vibrissae or intrinsic vibrissa musculature and it is uncertain if they can move their vibrissae. The present study used histomorphological techniques to compare vibrissae among 19 primates and seven non‐primate mammalian taxa. Upper lips of these mammals were sectioned and processed for histochemical analysis. While controlling for phylogenetic effects the following hypotheses were tested: 1) mammals with well‐organized vibrissae possess intrinsic vibrissa musculature and 2) intrinsic vibrissa musculature is best developed in nocturnal, arboreal taxa. Our qualitative analyses show that only arboreal, nocturnal prosimians possess intrinsic musculature. Not all taxa that possessed organized vibrissae had intrinsic vibrissa musculature. Phylogenetic comparative analyses revealed a 70% probability that stem mammals, primates, and haplorhines possessed intrinsic vibrissa musculature and well‐organized vibrissae. These two traits most likely coevolved according to a discrete phylogenetic analysis. These results indicate that nocturnal, arboreal primates have the potential to more actively use their vibrissae in spatial recognition and navigation tasks than diurnal, more terrestrial species, but there is a clear phylogenetic signal involved in the evolution of primate vibrissae and “face touch.” Am J Phys Anthropol, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Some regularities of the regeneration of the musculature of internal organs]

The paper summarizes the data of the author and his co-workers on regulation of the musculature of vessels, digestive tract, uterus, ureters and urinary bladder. The smooth muscle cells have different degrees of differentiation. The muscular tissue of the vessels is most differentiated. The uterus musculature is very plastical. After injury mature myocytes are the first to undergo destruction. The intermedial substance is more stable. Myoblasts, young elements of the fibroblast row and the subendothelial layer cells are the origin of muscular regeneration. Figures of mitosis and amitosis are noted. Mature myocytes and intercellular substance are formed in the process of differentiation of the regeneration. The content of RNP in the regeneration cells is high, but in the process of differentiation of its elements it becomes lower. The DNP level has inconsiderable fluctuations. In early experiments PAS-positive substances are revealed in greater degree than in later ones. The content of acid mucopolysaccharides decreases in the process of fibrillogenesis. In all internal organs under study the muscular tissue regenerated. The degree of differentiation, severity of the lesion and functional peculiarities of the organ determine the completeness of the tissue reparation. The musculature of the intestinal tract and vessels regenerates more completely. Mighty layers of connective tissue with de novo formed blood vessels are disposed among the bundles of the repaired muscular tissue of the uterus and urine bladder wall. Simultaneously a part of regeneration cells are destroyed. These are two sides of a single process of development.     

Density of Parasites in Various Organs and the Relation to Numbers of Trypomastigotes in the Blood during Acute Infections of Trypanosoma cruzi in Mice*

Quantitative methods were used to (a) determine the density of Trypanosoma cruzi in organs of CF₁ mice following intraperitoneal inoculation of 50,000 trypomastigotes of a Brazil strain of T. cruzi and (b) study the relation of the numbers of these intracellular stages to the numbers of trypomastigotes in the blood. Tissue stages (predominantly amastigotes) in heart, skeletal muscle (triceps), diaphragm, cerebrum, cerebellum, and musculature of stomach, duodenum, esophagus, jejunum, cecum, and rectum increased in numbers during the 1st 3 weeks of infection, reached maximum density 21–28 days after inoculation and subsequently declined in numbers until mice were histologically negative for intracellular parasites by 30–40 days. The density of tissue stages in the urinary bladder, uterine body, and ileum was similar with the exception that maximum numbers of parasites were observed slightly earlier at 15 days. The greatest density of intracellular stages was seen in heart, urinary bladder, diaphragm, and triceps muscle where mean counts of 44.6–60.0 × 10⁶ parasites/cc of muscle were recorded while maximum density of parasites in the uterine body, cerebrum, stomach, cerebellum, duodenum, esophagus, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and rectum was 13.0 × 10⁶/cc of muscle or less. Amastigotes were not observed in sections of lymph node, thymus, salivary glands, liver, spleen, or kidney and only a single pseudocyst containing 5 amastigotes was seen in lung. With the exception of the brain and lung, intracellular parasites were located exclusively in the musculature. Trypomastigotes in the blood increased during the 1st 3 weeks of infection, reached maximum numbers 21–28 days after initiation of infection, and subsequently decreased until by 30–40 days parasites were observed only rarely in the blood of a few animals. Thus generally close correlation was noted between the numbers of intracellular stages of T. cruzi in the organs and trypomastigotes in the blood throughout acute Chagas’ disease in mice as evidenced by the concomitant increase in numbers of both stages, the coincidence of days of maximum parasite levels, and the simultaneous decline in numbers of both stages. The mean number of parasites/pseudocyst section varied in the organs studied. Of the 15 positive organs studied, the pseudocyst sections in skeletal muscle contained the highest mean number of parasites (64.3 parasites/pseudocyst section) and those pseudocyst sections seen in the musculature of the small intestine contained the lowest mean number (5.5–6.8 parasites/pseudocyst section respectively in ileum and jejunum). Serial sections of skeletal muscle, heart, urinary bladder, and stomach revealed the largest pseudocysts in skeletal muscle while those in the musculature of the urinary bladder were the smallest.