Differentiation of CD24- pancreatic ductal cell-derived cells into insulin-secreting cells

Pancreatic progenitor cells represent both a potential source of transplantable islets for the treatment of diabetes and a valuable instrument for the investigation of the tumorigenesis of pancreatic carcinoma. It has been reported that pancreatic ductal cells of adults have the characteristics of pancreatic progenitors, but whether these cells can generate endocrine cells requires verification. Here, the differentiation of daughter cells of CD24(-) pancreatic ductal cells into insulin-secreting cells in vitro is reported. Crude pancreatic ductal cells were first obtained from adult mice by gradient centrifugation, and then the CD24(-) cells were isolated with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The isolated cells were cultured in serum-containing medium at clonal density to form epithelial colonies (ECs). The ECs were then stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). After 72 h, insulin-secreting cells were observed in the ECs. These results indicate that the daughter cells of CD24(-) pancreatic ductal cells can differentiate into insulin-secreting cells in vitro when stimulated with exogenous bFGF. Therefore, CD24(-) pancreatic ductal cells have the potential to be pancreatic progenitor cells.     

In vitro root differentiation and essential-oil accumulation in Angelica archangelica

Summary We studied the relationship between root differentiation and the accumulation of essential oils in Angelica archangelica in in vitro cultures and in the intact plant. Root regeneration was obtained using stem and leaf explants subjected to treatment with the auxins indole-3-butyric acid, indole-3-acetic acid and α-naphthaleneacetic acid. In both stem and leaf explants, treatment with indole-3-butyric acid induced the highest rhizogenic response in terms of both percentage of explants with roots and number of roots per explant. Independently of hormonal treatment, stem explants produced a higher average number of roots per explant. Root meristemoids were already visible at day 7 of culture in the treatments with indole-3-butyric acid and indole-3-acetic acid; they were formed directly by cambial-cell division. In vitro-regenerated roots retained primary root structure and differentiated only two primary ephemeral ducts in the pericycle; no accumulation of essential oils was detected. Same-size roots taken from the intact plant showed secondary structure and essential-oil accumulation. The results of this study suggest that the synthesis and accumulation of essential oils in Angelica archangelica is closely linked to the differentiation of secondary secretory ducts.     

野生与栽培白头翁药用部位解剖结构和皂苷组织化学定位

利用解剖学和组织化学的方法,研究了野生和栽培白头翁（Pulsatilla chinensis）主根的解剖结构和皂苷组织化学定位。结果表明：野生白头翁根部韧皮纤维散在,而栽培白头翁的则多个聚集成环状或其它形状;栽培白头翁根的次生木质部导管管腔内富含侵填体;野生白头翁根中分泌腔和分泌道丰富;分泌腔与分泌道的数量及大小是决定白头翁皂苷物质含量高低的主要因子。因此,分泌腔与分泌道大小和数量的多寡可以作为判断所选育的白头翁品种是否优良的结构性指标。     

Morphology and immunolocalization of aquaporins 1 and 9 in the agouti (Dasyprocta azarae) testis excurrent ducts

This study investigated the morphology and immunoexpression of aquaporins (AQPs) 1 and 9 in the rete testis, efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens in the Azara’s agouti (Dasyprocta azarae). For this purpose, ten adult sexually mature animals were used in histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. The Azara’s agouti rete testis was labyrinthine and lined with simple cubic epithelium. Ciliated and non-ciliated cells were observed in the epithelium of the efferent ducts. The epididymal cellular population was composed of principal, basal, apical, clear, narrow, and halo cells. The epithelium lining of vas deferens was composed of the principal and basal cells. AQPs 1 and 9 were not expressed in the rete testis. Positive reaction to AQP1 was observed at the luminal border of non-ciliated cells of the efferent ducts, and in the peritubular stroma and blood vessels in the epididymis, and vas deferens. AQP9 was immunolocalized in the epithelial cells in the efferent ducts, epididymis and vas deferens. The morphology of Azara’s agouti testis excurrent ducts is similar to that reported for other rodents such as Cuniculus paca. The immunolocalization results of the AQPs suggest that the expression of AQPs is species-specific due to differences in localization and expression when compared to studies in other mammals species. The knowledge about the expression of AQPs in Azara’s agouti testis excurrent ducts is essential to support future reproductive studies on this animal, since previous studies show that AQPs may be biomarkers of male fertility and infertility.     

非洲雏鸵鸟消化管的组织学观察

为了给非洲鸵鸟(Struthio camelus)雏鸟的饲养管理、生理机能研究和疾病防治提供可靠的形态学依据,采用石蜡切片技术,对6羽50日龄非洲鸵鸟雏鸟消化管的组织学结构进行了观察。结果显示,其消化管具有一般的4层结构。食管有粗大的皱襞,肌层发达,有发达的食管腺;无嗉囊;腺胃的腺体由位于固有膜的单管状腺和位于黏膜下层发达的复管状腺组成;肌胃的黏膜肌层较明显,由内纵肌和外环肌组成;小肠绒毛较长,有分支现象,未见中央乳糜管结构;十二指肠的固有膜中有发达的腺体和集合淋巴小结,黏膜下层内无十二指肠腺;从十二指肠到回肠,肠绒毛的汇合及分支现象更加明显,固有膜内集合淋巴小结的数量逐渐减少,并且空肠的绒毛弯曲呈“S”型;具有一对发达的盲肠;结肠异常发达,黏膜上皮为复层柱状上皮,其间夹有杯状细胞,有黏膜皱襞,绒毛短且发达。非洲鸵鸟雏鸟消化管的特点可能与其食性有关,这决定了非洲鸵鸟具有较强的消化吸收能力。     

臭椿茎中分泌道的发育及其组织化学研究

利用植物解剖学方法研究臭椿茎和叶柄中分泌道的结构、分布和发育过程.结果表明:臭椿茎和叶柄中的分泌道分布于髓的周缘,次生木质部中无分泌道.分泌道是由一层分泌细胞围绕分泌腔而构成,分泌细胞外有1～2层鞘细胞.分泌道以裂生方式形成,其发育过程可分为3个阶段:原始细胞阶段、形成阶段和成熟阶段.在原始细胞阶段,一群原始细胞具浓厚细胞质,细胞核清晰可见;形成阶段,原始细胞的中央细胞间细胞壁中层降解,细胞壁分离,形成腔隙,随着分泌细胞数量的增加,分泌腔体积扩大;成熟阶段的分泌道具有12～16个分泌细胞,1～2层鞘细胞,分泌腔直径为30～50μm.组织化学研究表明,分泌细胞及分泌道内含物中含大量的萜类、多糖和脂类物质.机械创伤能够诱导次生木质部中产生创伤分泌道.臭椿茎中的分泌道和创伤性分泌道在抵御生物和非生物胁迫中起重要作用.     

不同生长年限白头翁根的解剖结构与皂苷组织化学定位研究

皂苷类物质是白头翁的重要药用成分,主要存在于根内。研究白头翁根的解剖结构与皂苷类物质的关系有重要意义。利用解剖学和组织化学定位方法对不同生长龄白头翁根的解剖结构和皂苷的储藏场所进行了研究.结果表明:栓内层和次生韧皮部中的分泌细胞团、分泌腔和分泌道是白头翁根的主要结构特征,是皂苷类物质的主要贮存场所;而分泌腔和分泌道的数量及分泌道的宽窄与生长年限相关,4~5年生达到最大值。推测白头翁的栽培年限应为4年。     

Seasonal spermatogenic cycle and morphology of germ cells in the viviparous lizard Mabuya brachypoda (Squamata,Scincidae)

We describe seasonal variations of the histology of the seminiferous tubules and efferent ducts of the tropical, viviparous skink, Mabuya brachypoda, throughout the year. The specimens were collected monthly, in Nacajuca, Tabasco state, Mexico. The results revealed strong annual variations in testicular volume, stages of the germ cells, and diameter and height of the epithelia of seminiferous tubules and efferent ducts. Recrudescence was detected from November to December, when initial mitotic activity of spermatogonia in the seminiferous tubules were observed, coinciding with the decrease of temperature, photoperiod and rainy season. From January to February, early spermatogenesis continued and early primary and secondary spermatocytes were developing within the seminiferous epithelium. From March through April, numerous spermatids in metamorphosis were observed. Spermiogenesis was completed from May through July, which coincided with an increase in temperature, photoperiod, and rainfall. Regression occurred from August through September when testicular volume and spermatogenic activity decreased. During this time, the seminiferous epithelium decreased in thickness, and germ cell recruitment ceased, only Sertoli cells and spermatogonia were present in the epithelium. Throughout testicular regression spermatocytes and spermatids disappeared and the presence of cellular debris, and scattered spermatozoa were observed in the lumen. The regressed testes presented the total suspension of spermatogenesis. During October, the seminiferous tubules contained only spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, and the size of the lumen was reduced, giving the appearance that it was occluded. In concert with testis development, the efferent ducts were packed with spermatozoa from May through August. The epididymis was devoid of spermatozoa by September. M. brachypoda exhibited a prenuptial pattern, in which spermatogenesis preceded the mating season. The seasonal cycle variations of spermatogenesis in M. brachypoda are the result of a single extended spermiation event, which is characteristic of reptilian species. J. Morphol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Leaf anatomy of the Pittosporaceae R. Br.

WILKINSON, H. P., 1992. Leaf anatomy of the Pittosporaceae R. Br. An anatomical study of the leaves of 58 species representing all nine genera has been made. The anatomical characters found to be of most use in distinguishing taxa are: in surface view-cuticular architecture as seen with the SEM, stomatal outline, occasionally stomatal density, presence/absence of hairs, hair type in adult leaves; in transverse section-petiole/midrib outline, midrib number of vascular bundles and number of secretory ducts, adaxial epidermis in 1/2 layers, dimensions of adaxial epidermal cells, thickness of outer wall of adaxial epidermis, occasionally chlorenchyma interrupted/not interrupted above the midrib vascular tissue in Pittosporum species; leaf margin.     

Anatomical studies of the secretory structures: Glandular trichomes and ducts, in Grindelia pulchella Dunal (Astereae, Asteraceae)

The ultrastructure of the glandular trichomes and secretory ducts of Grindelia pulchella was studied. Plastids, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum are involved in the secretory process of both, trichomes and ducts. A special tissue with “transfer cells” is associated with the duct epithelial cells. The secretion is produced in the transfer cells and then is transferred to the duct epithelial cells where it accumulates in the vacuoles. The occurrence of cavities within the cell walls of the trichome cells and duct epithelial cells is described. The secretion is accumulated between the cell wall and the cuticle of these cells. When the cuticle is broken the secretion is released. We conclude that granulocrine secretion operates in this species.