Contribution of microscopic techniques to anatomical and morphological knowledge on Styrax officinalis L

The aim of this study was to precise anatomical and morphological features of the species Styrax officinalis with the help of current microscopic techniques, those features being of interest as valuable taxonomic characters. Typical hairy structures were observed on all surfaces of the aerial organs and their location, density and size were specified. Moreover, we demonstrated the occurrence of secretory glands in the leaf blades. These structures were revealed for the first time for this species.     

L'épiphyse d'un serpent: Tropidonotus natrix L.

Résumé La sérotonine n'a pu être localisée dans les pinéalocytes et ne semble pas s'accumuler dans les grains de sécrétion. Les techniques cytochimiques et autoradiographiques font envisager un état diffus de cette amine biogène. Les terminaisons nerveuses sympathiques peuvent capter de la NA-3H, du 5-HTP-3H et de la 5-HT-3H. Les grandes vésicules à coeur dense aussi bien que les petites vésicules contiennent de la 5-HT. L'utilisation d'un faux médiateur chimique, la 5-HO-DA, souligne le caractère aminergique des terminaisons nerveuses. Des dénervations chimiques par la 6-HO-DA n'entraînent pas des modifications très sensibles dans les pinealocytes. Les fibres sympathiques sont beaucoup plus résistantes aux drogues utilisées que les fibres épiphysaires des Mammifères. La pharmacologie donne peu de résultats dans l'étude des grains de sécrétion; l'inhibition de la monoamine oxydase semble activer la synthèse protéique dans les pinealocytes.

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The pineal organ of the snake Tropidonotus natrix L.II. Cytochemical, autoradiographic, and pharmacological studies

Summary Cytochemical and autoradiographic studies suggest that serotonin (5HT) may be present in snake pinealocytes in a diffuse form, but not localized nor accumulated in secretory granules. Sympathetic nerve endings can take up NA-3H, 5HTP-3H, and 5HT-3H. Large dense-core vesicles as well as small vesicles contain 5HT. The use of a false neurochemical transmitter, 5HO-DA, emphasizes the aminergic character of the sympathic nerve endings. Chemical denervation by 6HO-DA does not significantly modify the apparent structure of the pinealocytes. The snake sympathetic nerve fibers are more resistant to drugs used in our experiments than the epiphyseal nerve fibers of mammals. Pharmacological methods have provided few results in the study of the secretory granules apart from an activation of protein synthesis in pinealocytes by an inhibition of monoamine oxidase.

     

Two peptidases that convert 125I-Lys-Arg(Met)enkephalin and 125I-(Met)enkephalin-Arg6, respectively,to 125I-(Met)enkephalin in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin granules

Two peptidases which convert ¹²⁵I-Lys-Arg-ME and ¹²⁵I-ME-Arg⁶, respectively, to ¹²⁵I-ME, have been identified and characterized in bovine adrenomedullary chromaffin granules. The former is referred to as a secretory granule peptidase (SGP) and the latter as a carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme (CPB-like) [7] which is here further characterized. SGP cleaved ¹²⁵I-Lys-Arg-ME to produce only ¹²⁵I-ME and was localized in chromaffin granules which contained co²⁺-stimulated CPB-like activity, ME, and catecholamines. Both the SGP and the CPB-like enzymes appear to be thiol-metalloproteases. While the CPB-like enzyme seems likely to be involved in processing the enkephalin precursors [7], SGP may function as a trypsin-like or aminopeptidase enzyme in secretory granules.     

Morphology,anatomy, and histochemistry of three species of Jatropha: a contribution to plant recognition and selection

• Jatropha, a traditional medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticoagulant properties, was the subject of our study.
• We examined the morphology and chemical composition of three Jatropha species using cross- and longitudinal sections of fresh samples, observed with light microscopy. Histochemical analysis was conducted using various reagents to reveal the metabolites present.
• Anatomically, the distinguishing feature among the three Jatropha species was the presence of secretory cavities. These structures were identified in the petiole and stem bark of J. multifida, while in J. gossypiifolia and J. curcas they were present in roots. The stem bark cells of J. gossypiifolia were roundish in shape, whereas the others were rectangular. Laticifers were detected in the leaves, petioles, and stem bark of all three Jatropha species, while idioblasts were present in almost all organs. Histochemical tests revealed that excretory idioblasts and laticifers in Jatropha species contained alkaloids, phenolics, lipophilic compounds, and terpenoids. The cuticle of non-glandular trichomes contained terpenoids, while phenolic compounds were found within the secretory cavities.
• These findings contribute to the identification of Jatropha species and provide valuable insights for the selection and collection of specific plant organs containing bioactive compounds.

     

Elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen am Saccus vasculosus einiger Knorpelfische

Zusammenfassung Das Epithel des Saccus vasculosus zweier Arten von Selachiern und von einem Holocephalen wurde, nach Perfusionsfixierung der Tiere mit Glutaraldehyd, elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht.Krönchenzellen werden von kleineren Stützzellen unterschieden. Beide Zellarten sitzen der Basalmembran auf und begrenzen apikal das Lumen des III. Ventrikels. Das gut entwickelte agranuläre endoplasmatische Reticulum der Krönchenzellen deutet auf eine hohe biochemische Aktivität hin. Feinstruktur, Gestalt und Lage der Krönchenzellen im Epithel sprechen für ihre Rezeptorennatur. Neben Krönchenzellen ragen einzelne birnenförmige Zellen in das Lumen des Saccus vasculosus der Haie. Zahlreiche Vesikel im apikalen Cytoplasma weisen ebenso wie ein großer Golgi-Apparat auf sekretorische Funktion dieser Zellart. Basisnah splittern Bündel markloser Axone in Einzelfasern auf. Synaptische Verbindungen zwischen Krönchenzellen und solchen Axonen wurden nicht beobachtet.

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Electronmicroscopical observations on the Saccus vasculosus of some Chondrichthyes

Summary The Saccus vasculosus of two species of Selachians and one species of Holocephala was investigated with the electron-microscope after perfusion of the animals with glutaraldehyde.Coronet cells are distinguished from smaller polymorphic supporting-cells. Both types of cells extend from the basement membrane to the lumen of the IIIrd. ventricle. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is well developed in the coronet cells, and indicates a high biochemical activity. Ultrastructure, shape and position of the coronet cells in the epithelium speak in favour of the receptor hypothesis of these elements. Besides coronet cells occur pear shaped cells which project into the lumen of the Saccus vasculosus of the two species of sharks. Their submicroscopical structure points out secretory function of these cells. Bundles of nonmyelinated nerve fibers split into individual fibers near the basement lamina. Synaptic connections between these axons and the coronet cells have not been observed.

Herrn Prof. Dr. H. Leonhardt danke ich für Themenstellung und zahlreiche Anregungen, Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. W. Bargmann für einen Arbeitsplatz im Anatomischen Institut Kiel.     

Comparative and functional morphology of the buccal cavity of Diplogastrina (Nematoda) and a first outline of the phylogeny of this taxon*

The Diplogastrina include about 290 species of free living nematodes. Traditional classifications of this taxon are not based upon hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships. The highly variable structures of the buccal cavity were examined in 21 species using light microscopy and SEM. The function of the stomatal structures was studied with the aid of video recordings of living worms. The morphological data were used to reconstruct a first outline of the phylogenetic relationships of the Dipolgastrina. A rhabditoid gymnostomatal tube which is longer than wide, a short stegostom and a small dorsal tooth as in Pseudodiplogasteroides belong to the stem species pattern of Diplogastrina. Diplogastrina with a ' Rhabditis '-like gymnostomatal tube feed on bacteria and small fungal spores. A short and broad gymnostom as well as a right subventral tooth which forms a functional unit with the dorsal tooth were acquired step by step in the ancestral line leading to Mononchoides and Tylopharynx . The cuticularized cheilostom was divided into six plates connected by pliable regions twice independently within the Diplogastrina. The teeth-bearing posterior part of the buccal capsule can move forewards by pushing apart the plates of the cheilostom so that the teeth can get in contact with food items that are too big to be sucked into the buccal cavity. Diplogastrina with a divided cheilostom can feed not only on bacteria, but also on larger fungal spores, ciliates or other nematodes. Tylopharynx is specialized to rip apart the cell wall of fungal hyphae with the movements of a dorsal and a subventral tooth in order to suck out the contents of the fungus. This shows that the transformation of the buccal cavity in Diplogastrina is linked with an expansion of ecological niches.     

Early stages of ciliogenesis in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity of rabbit embryos

Summary Previous studies have shown that ciliogenesis in the epithelial cells of various species exhibits similarities as well as differences. In an attempt to establish whether this process is identical in epithelial cells of a single species, early stages of centriole formation not previously described were encountered. Ciliogenesis was investigated in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity of 18 to 23-day-old rabbit embryos. The appearance of groups of deuterosomes and fibrous granules is followed by the radial formation of procentrioles around the deuterosomes and parent centrioles. The majority of the procentrioles, forming acentriolarly, occur in pairs, with their distal ends facing each other, between the deuterosomes. Subsequent growth of these procentrioles between deuterosomes in a group results in separating the deuterosomes from one another. The deuterosomes, however, still remain interconnected by means of the growing procentrioles. Accordingly, long chains and networks consisting of the above-mentioned structures are formed. After the procentrioles have attained a certain length, the chains and networks split into separate deuterosome-procentriole complexes. During these earlier stages of ciliogenesis fibrous granules are present, however, their function is yet to be determined.     

Design and application of a flexible and implantable sensor for detecting uterine musculature contraction

It is very important to obtain the parameters of deformation size and contraction frequency of women's uterine musculature in medical research. This paper proposes a type of sensor for measuring these parameters and analyzes its force situation. The flexibility of the sensor makes it easy for doctors to let the sensor pass through woman's narrow cervix and get to her uterine cavity. The experiment shows that the sensitivity of three coils in the sample sensor achieves 22.38 nH/mm² both for left and right coils, 22.84 nH/mm² for top coil, which can meet the requirements of sensitivity for testing the contraction situation of uterine musculature. Furthermore, an interface designed in the back end system can display the parameters of deformation size and vivid contraction situation of women's uterine musculature in real-time. The sensor has been applied in some medical fields.     

Nasal cavity carcinosarcoma in a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata)

An example of a rare, highly aggressive malignant intranasal neoplasm in a male Bonnet macaque is presented. The tumor invaded the bony orbit, distorted the position of the globe, and metastasized to regional lymph nodes and lungs. Histologically the tumor was composed of both mesenchymal and epithelial components and probably was of minor salivary gland origin.