General morphology and ultrastructure of the female reproductive apparatus of Trichomalopsis shirakii crawford (Hymenoptera,Pteromalidae)

The morphology and ultrastructure of the female reproductive system were examined for a larval–pupal parasitoid Trichomalopsis shirakii Crawford of Oulema oryzae Kuwayama using light and electron microscopes. The reproductive system includes two ovaries, two pairs of accessory glands, an unbranched venom gland, a large venom reservoir and a Dufour gland. Each ovariole contains follicles and oocytes at different stages of maturation. A fibrous layer covers the surface of mature egg. The accessory glands are made up of a layer of secretory cells surrounded by muscle fibers. In these secretory cells, numerous mitochondria, electron‐dense secretory granules and vesicles filled with dense granular particles are present. These granular particles appear as virus‐like particles (VLPs). The venom gland consists of a single layer of secretory cells which are organelle rich with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and vesicular organelles, a layer of duct cells and an inner intima. The reservoir consists of a muscular sheath, epidermal cells with few organelles and an intima layer. The Dufour gland has a relatively large lumen surrounded by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells which are characterized by clusters of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. Aside from the venom, the fibrous layer coating the egg and the granular particles which may be VLPs have been discovered in our study. They may serve as one of the parasitoid‐associated factors in their host–parasitoid relationship and play a role in host immune suppression. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:625–636, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Venom apparatus of the endoparasitoid wasp Opius caricivorae Fischer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): morphology and ultrastructure

The morphology and ultrastructure of the venom apparatus of the endoparasitoid wasp, Opius caricivorae Fischer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were observed using light and electron microscopes. The venom apparatus consists of one venom reservoir and several gland filaments. The gland filaments join together at the end of the reservoir and consist of an outer single layer of secretory cells, a layer of degenerated epidermal cells, and an inner intima that encloses the lumen. The secretory cells are organelle rich, with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and vacuole, in which vesicular organelles secrete the components of venom. The reservoir consists of a muscular sheath, secretory cells, and squamous cells. The intima has an unevenly thickened chitinous coat. The vesicular organelles of the reservoir secretory cells differ from those of the gland filament: the microvilli being much longer and radiating in all directions. The venom reservoir not only serves to store but also secretes the venom. Virus-like particles were discovered in the secretory cells of the gland filaments. The structural features of venom apparatus of this species are discussed in a biological context.     

The histomorphological structure of the male reproductive system of maize leaf weevil Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyllenhal, 1834 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The histomorphology of the reproductive system and the germ cells has been useful to establish phylogenetic relationships in many insects. However, these elements remain little known in the Curculionidae. In this study, histomorphological structure of the male reproductive system of Tanymecus dilaticollis, which is economically important, is described, illustrated using stereomicroscopy, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques, and discussed in relation to other Coleoptera species. Results showed that distinctive features of the male reproductive system of T. dilaticollis consist of a pair of yellowish testes, a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair of vasa deferentia, an ejaculatory duct, accessory glands, prostate glands, and aedeagus. Each testis is subdivided into two testicular follicles, enclosed by a peritoneal sheath. Each follicle of the mature testes is full sperm cysts with germ cells at various stages development of spermatogenesis. The testes have four types of germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa). They are occupied by the growth zone containing spermatogonia and spermatocytes, the maturation zone containing spermatids, while differentiation zone containing spermatozoa. There is a seminal vesicle at the center of each testis. Most mature sperms are stored in the seminal vesicle. Each testis is attached to the vas deferens by a stalk‐like seminal vesicle. In the distal part, vasa deferentia fuse with the ejaculatory duct. It is linked to the aedeagus. The provided results will contribute to the understanding of the reproductive cell biology of Curculionidae.     

Structural changes and cell properties of human ovarian surface epithelium in ovarian pathophysiology

The surface epithelial cells of the ovary, which are modified peritoneal cells, form a single, focally pseudostratified layer. The Müllerian ducts differentiate after invagination of the coelomic mesothelium over the gonadal ridges during the 6th week of embryonic life. On the basis of the embryologically putative Müllerian potential of this epithelium, endometriosis can be explained by coelomic metaplasia from the peritoneum, including ovarian surface epithelium. Some pelvic endometriosis specimens have shown that epithelial cells on the ovary or pelvis are serially changed to endometriotic gland cells. Immunohistochemistry as well as scanning electron microscopy also reinforce the light-microscopical findings. A three-dimensional culture system demonstrated that human ovarian surface epithelial cells exhibited a glandular-stromal structure when they were cocultured with endometrial stromal cells in an estrogen-rich environment. Ovarian carcinomas in the epithelial-stromal category are thought to arise from the surface epithelium and its inclusions. The ovarian surface epithelium is physiologically involved in follicular rupture, oocyte release, and the subsequent repair of follicle wall during reproductive age. Simultaneously, ovulation may cause a loss of integrity of the surface epithelium, followed by accumulation of multiple mutations. The cortical invagination, surface stromal proliferation, and Müllerian differentiation of these cells are likely not to be an early step in the cancer development. However, the inclusion cysts are closely related with carcinogenesis because they are significantly more common in ovaries contralateral to those containing epithelial cancers than in control ovaries. As an in vitro study, ovarian carcinoma cell lines were established from simian virus 40 large T antigen-transformed human surface epithelial cells of the ovary. Further investigations of these cell lines may lead to insights into the preneoplastic and early stages of carcinomas. To clarify the pathogenesis of endometriosis and epithelial ovarian cancer, specifically designed studies of ovarian surface epithelium are required.     

Electron microscopic study of the morphology and morphogenesis of virus of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

The morphology and morphogenesis of the virus of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and the associated ultrastructural changes in neurons of the infected mouse brain were examined by electron microscopy. The primary location of the infection in large neurons was in the Golgi apparatus, which had highly proliferated laminar and vesicular profiles. A small number of matured virus particles were found later individually or in small groups within the distended Golgi cisternae and vesicles. Most of the virus particles were round, oval, or elongated and measured about 70–110 nm in diameter. A lipid bilayered viral envelope with an external fringe of surface projections could be resolved at high magnification. The maturation (budding) of the virus occurred exclusively at smooth membrane vesicles, and predominantly at membranes in, or adjacent to, Golgi cisternae. Viral inclusion bodies containing fine filamentous material were seen frequently in close proximity to sites of virus maturation. The known morphological and morphogenetic characteristics of the virus particles observed in infected mouse brain gave further evidence for taxonomic identification of HFRS virus as a member of the family of Bunyaviridae.     

Light and electron microscopy study of the spermatheca of Eupholidoptera chabrieri bimucronata (Ramme, 1927) and Uromenus brevicollis trinacriae La Greca 1964 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

A study by both optical and electron microscopy has been carried out on the spermatheca of Eupholidoptera chabrieri bimucronata and Uromenus brevicollis trinacriae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). In both the examined species, the spermatheca consists of a sac/kidney‐shaped seminal receptacle and a more or less tortuous spermathecal duct that opens into the common oviduct. The wall of both the organs consists of a pseudostratified epithelium surmounted by a cuticular intima; the latter is made up of a thicker endocuticle and an epicuticle. The epithelium shows two different cell types, irregularly arranged and with well differentiated functions: cuticle‐forming and gland cells. In both the species, the cuticle‐forming cells perform other functions, in addition to producing the cuticular intima. The gland cells never come in contact with the cuticular intima, have inside the reservoir a secretion whose appearance can diversify also in contiguous zones of the seminal receptacle. Based on our findings in both the species, the functions of the seminal receptacle would differ from those of the spermathecal duct. In the latter, some areas of the wall of the connecting tract show an activity of lysis, by contiguous epithelial cells, that could play a role in control and selection of spermatozoa. As for the feather‐shaped spermatodesms, similar in both the species, freeze‐fracture observations have shown that the acrosome of each spermatozoon regularly covers three‐quarters of the extension of the acrosome of the following spermatozoon. Finally, the significance of our findings, compared with what is known in literature, is discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:577–586, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Adenovirus mediated gene transfer to skeletal muscle

Transfer of therapeutic genes into muscle tissue has promise for the treatment of a variety of muscular dystrophies. Various vectors have been used to deliver genes to skeletal muscle but their application has faced several major limitations including: (1) the lack of transgene persistence caused by the immune rejection of transduced myofibers and/or vector toxicity, and (2) the maturation dependence of viral transduction. While the immunorejection and/or cytotoxic problems are being overcome with the development of new vectors, maturation-dependent viral transduction is still a major hurdle in gene transfer to skeletal muscle. Poor adenoviral transduction in mature myofibers has been attributed to: (1) the extracellular matrix of mature myofibers may form a physical barrier and prevent the passage of large viral particles; (2) viral receptors are down-regulated with muscle maturation; and (3) loss of myoblasts with muscle maturation, which serve as intermediaries in the viral transduction. In this review, we will focus on recent developments in overcoming those hurdles of gene therapy in skeletal muscle, especially to adenovirus (Ad), including: (1) new mutant vectors lacking all viral genes to decrease immunogenicity, and hence, improve persistence of transgene expression in muscle in vivo; (2) using tissue specific promoters to evade immunorejection; (3) permeabilization of the extracellular matrix; (4) modifying the viral receptors in mature myofibers; and (5) myoblast or muscle stem cell mediated ex vivo gene transfer.     

Fine structural aspects of secretion and extrinsic innervation in the olfactory mucosa.

The mucus at the surface of the olfactory mucosa constitutes the milieu in which perireceptor events associated with olfactory transduction occur. In this review, the ultrastructure of olfactory mucus and of the secretory cells that synthesize and secrete olfactory mucus in the vertebrate olfactory mucosa is described. Bowman's glands are present in the olfactory mucosa of all vertebrates except fish. They consist of acini, which may contain mucous or serous cells or both, and ducts that traverse the olfactory epithelium to deliver secretions to the epithelial surface. Sustentacular cells are present in the olfactory epithelium of all vertebrates. In fish, amphibia, reptiles, and birds, they are secretory; in mammals, they generally are considered to be "non-secretory," although they may participate in the regulation of the mucous composition through micropinocytotic secretion and uptake. Goblet cells occur in the olfactory epithelium of fish and secrete a mucous product. Secretion from Bowman's glands and vasomotor activity in the olfactory mucosa are regulated by neural elements extrinsic to the primary olfactory neurons. Nerve fibers described in early anatomical studies and characterized by immunohistochemical studies contain a variety of neuroactive peptides and have several targets within the olfactory mucosa. Ultrastructural studies of nerve terminals in the olfactory mucosa have demonstrated the presence of adrenergic, cholinergic and peptidergic input to glands, blood vessels, and melanocytes in the lamina propria and of peptidergic terminals in the olfactory epithelium. The neural origins of the extrinsic nerve fibers and terminals are the trigeminal, terminal, and autonomic systems.     

Structural and histological observations on the male reproductive system of adult red poplar leaf beetle Chrysomela populi Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

This study described the anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system in Chrysomela populi, which is an economically important species belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. Therefore, reproductive biology has been studied to combat this insect. As well as, the characters associated with the reproductive tract have been potential to discuss aspects of the system and to better understand the reproductive dynamics. The male reproductive system of C. populi has a pair of testes, a pair of vas efferentia and deferentia, a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair of accessory glands, an ejaculatory bulb, an ejaculatory duct, and an aedeagus. The testis consists of two flower-shaped lobes. Each testis has 20 sperm tubules (testicular follicles) containing cysts of germ cells at various developmental stages within the light orange peritoneal sheath. Testicular follicles are composed of three different (growth, maturation, and differentiation) zones. In the middle region of each testis joins with the vas efferens. The testis is attached to the seminal vesicle by a small stalk like vas efferens. In the lumen of the vas efferens, seminal vesicle, and vas deferens, sperms form clumps in the form of thin threads. The proximal end of the vas deferens is connected to the common ejaculatory duct. It joins with the ejaculatory bulb. Around the ejaculator bulb, there is a pair of convoluted, flat-surface tubular structure accessory glands. Posterior ejaculatory duct joins with the aedeagus.     

Morphological and histological structure of the male reproductive system of the water strider Gerris lacustris (Linnaeus 1758) (Gerridae,Heteroptera)

This work presents the male reproductive system morphology and histology of the water strider Gerris lacustris (Linnaeus 1758) (Gerridae, Heteroptera) using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The male reproductive system of G. lacustris comprise of a pair of testes, two vasa deferentia, two seminal vesicles, an ejaculatory duct. There is no bulbus ejaculatorius and the long vas deferantia uniting to form a simple ductus ejaculatorius which is connected to the aedeagus. The testes are white colored and this cylindiric‐shaped structure lies along genital abdominal segment. The testicular follicles have three different development zones (growth zone, maturation zone, differentiation zone). Each testis has two follicles, which are not lined by a common peritoneal sheath and involving many cysts arranged in a progressive order of maturation from the distal to the proximal region; spermiogenesis occurs in mature males, finishing with the organization of sperm bundles. The testes are connected to the seminal vesicles, specialized sperm storage places, by the vas deferentia.     

Unique features of the basal cells of human prostate epithelium

The prostate gland is globally composed of epithelium and stroma. The epithelium plays an important role in the development of both benign and malignant disorders while the stroma is involved in benign prostatic hyperplasia. While the prostatic epithelium of the majority of laboratory animals is well recognized as a pseudostratified columnar, the classification of the human prostatic epithelium is controversial. Moreover, the role of the basal cells of the human prostatic epithelium is still uncertain. These cells have been described as undifferentiated cells, precursors of luminal cells, reserve and myoepithelial cells. The objective of the present study was to assess the similarities and/or differences between the epithelium of the human prostate and that of other laboratory animals and thus derive information about the potential functions of basal cells in the human prostate. In the human, basal cells form a continuous layer of cells resting on the basement membrane and upon which rests a layer of luminal cells. This results in a stratified columnar epithelium of two layers of cells, unlike the sporadic appearance of basal cells observed in other species where it results in a pseudostratified epithelium. In addition, the ratio of basal to luminal cells in the human is about 1:1, while the average ratio in the other animal species examined is about 1:7. Furthermore, the gap junctional proteins connexin 26 and 43, are present between basal and luminal cells in the human, thus suggesting that these cells communicate directly with each other. In addition, the ultrastructure of the human basal cells shows morphological evidence of differentiated but not of undifferentiated cells. Moreover, the presence of junction-like structures between adjacent basal cells suggests that these cells form a blood-prostate barrier. In this way, basal cells could prevent substances derived from the blood from directly coming in contact with the luminal cells. Human basal cells could thus regulate functions of the luminal cells by being part of a two-cell mechanism somewhat analogous to thecal and granulosa cells in the ovary.     

ICP-MS法测定添食金属纳米颗粒后家蚕组织中的金属含量

为研究添食金属或金属氧化物纳米颗粒后家蚕体内金属元素含量的变化规律,建立了微波消解结合电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）测定家蚕血液、中肠和丝腺中Cu和Ti元素含量的方法。实验中分别给5龄3天家蚕喂食浓度为500.00 mg/L纳米Cu和纳米TiO₂悬浮液;72 h后,剪破家蚕腹足收集家蚕血淋巴,并解剖收集中肠和丝腺。实验发现,Cu和Ti元素的标准曲线呈良好的线性关系,相关系数分别为0.999 95和0.999 89,两种元素的加标回收率均在96.6%～105.4%之间,相对标准偏差RSD小于3.7%。结果表明,对于纳米TiO₂实验组,家蚕血液和丝腺中的Ti元素含量与空白组相比变化不大,而中肠的Ti元素含量明显增加为（181.46±9.58） μg/g,约为空白组含量（63.39±6.44） μg/g的3倍(p＜0.05);在纳米Cu组中,家蚕血液中的Cu元素含量有轻微的变化,而中肠和丝腺中的含量增加较多,分别为（82.73±1.72） μg/g和（3.88±0.17） μg/g,约为空白组含量（11.68±0.46） μg/g和（1.77±0.26） μg/g 的7和2倍(p＜0.05)。该方法可准确地检测喂食纳米颗粒后,家蚕组织中的金属元素含量及其变化,可为进一步研究家蚕的纳米生物效应提供有力支持。     

Fine structure of the pinealopetal innervation of the mammalian pineal gland.

The mammalian pineal gland is innervated by peripheral sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers as well as by nerve fibers originating in the central nervous system (central innervation). The perikarya of the sympathetic fibers are located in the superior cervical ganglia, while the fibers terminate in boutons containing small granular vesicles and a few large granular vesicles. Both noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y are contained in these neurons. The parasympathetic fibers originate from perikarya in the pterygopalatine ganglia. The neuropeptides, vasoactive intestinal peptide and peptide histidine isoleucine, are present in these fibers, the boutons of which contain small clear transmitter vesicles and larger granular vesicles. The fibers of the central innervation originate predominantly from perikarya located in hypothalamic and limbic forebrain structures as well as from perikarya in the optic system. These fibers terminate in boutons containing small clear and, in certain fibers, an abundant number of large granular vesicles. In rodents, the majority of the central fibers terminate in the deep pineal gland and the pineal stalk. From these areas impulses might be transmitted further caudally to the superficial pineal gland via neuronal structures or processes from pinealocytes. Several hypothalamic neuropeptides and monoamines might be contained in the central fibers. The intrapineal nerve fibers are located both in the perivascular spaces and intraparenchymally. The majority of the intraparenchymally located fibers terminate freely between the pinealocytes. However, some nerve terminals make synaptic contacts with the pinealocytes and in some species with intrapineal neurons. In fetal mammals, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and central fibers are also present. In addition, an unpaired nerve, connecting the caudal part of the pineal gland with the extreme rostral part of the mesencephalon, is present. This nerve is a homologue to the pineal nerve (nervus pinealis) observed in lower vertebrates.     

Endocytic pathways in the olfactory and vomeronasal epithelia of the mouse: ultrastructure and uptake of tracers.

Mammalian olfactory neurons possess a well-developed system of endocytic vesicles, endosomes, and lysosomes in their dendrites and perikarya. Vomeronasal neurons are similar and also contain much perikaryal agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AER). Olfactory supporting cells contain endocytic vesicles and endosomes associated closely with abundant fenestrated AER, and vesicles and numerous large dense vacuoles are present basally. Vomeronasal supporting cells have little AER, and few dense vacuoles occur in their bases. In olfactory neurons, ultrastructural tracers (0.08% horseradish peroxidase, thorium dioxide, ferritin) are endocytosed by olfactory receptor endings and transported to the cell body, where their movement is halted in lysosomes. Higher concentrations (1%) of horseradish peroxidase penetrate olfactory receptor plasma membranes and intercellular junctions. In olfactory supporting cells, endocytosed tracers pass through endosomes to accumulate in dense basal vacuoles. These observations indicate that olfactory sensory membranes are rapidly cycled and that endocytosed materials are trapped within the epithelium. It is proposed that in the olfactory epithelium, endocytosis presents redundant odorants to the enzymes of the supporting cell AER to prevent their accumulation, whereas in the vomeronasal epithelium the receptor cells carry out this activity.     

Cytopathological changes induced by selected Brazilian flaviviruses in mouse macrophages

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyse the ultrastructure of peritoneal mouse macrophage cells infected with Brazilian flavivirus (yellow fever, Rocio, Bussuquara and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses). Macrophage cells collected 3 days after viral infection had a flattened shape, with an increased number of large spikes of cytoplasm prolongations, giving an appearance of hairy cells. Cytopathological changes to the macrophage cells were similar regardless of the infecting flavivirus. Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the macrophage cells infected with flavivirus were abundant, hypertrophic and enlarged. A large number of free ribosomes were seen in the cytoplasm of these infected cells. Spherical particles approximately 50–70 nm in diameter, some of which were empty, were observed in the cytoplasm, generally inside vesicles. These particles probably correspond to viral particles.     

The blood-testis barrier and Sertoli cell junctions: structural considerations.

In this review, a few well-established axioms have been challenged while others were viewed from a new perspective. The extensive literature on the blood-testis barrier has been scrutinized to help probe its mechanics and hopefully to promote understanding of the constant adaptation of the barrier function to germ cell development. Our principal conclusions are as follows: (1) Although the barrier zonule is topographically located at the base of the seminiferous epithelium it actually encircles the apex of the Sertoli cell. Consequently the long irregular processes specialized in holding and shaping the developing germ cells should be considered as apical appendages analogous to microvilli. (2) The development of the barrier zonule does not coincide with the appearance of a particular class of germ cells. (3) The barrier compartmentalizes the epithelium into only two cellular compartments: basal and lumenal. (4) Although the blood-testis barrier does sequester germ cells usually considered antigenic, immunoregulator factors other than the physical barrier seem to be involved in preventing autoimmune orchitis. (5) Structurally, a Sertoli cell junctional complex is composed of occluding, gap, close, and adhering junctions. The Sertoli cell membrane segments facing germ cells are presumably included in the continuum of the Sertoli cell junctional complex that extends all over the lateral and apical Sertoli cell membranes. (6) The modulation (i.e., formation and dismantling) of the junctions in a baso-apical direction is characteristic of the seminiferous epithelium and may be dictated by germ cell differentiation. The formation of tubulobulbar complexes and the following internalization of junction vesicles conceivably represent sequential steps of a single intricate junction elimination process that involves junction membrane segments from different cell types as part of a continual cell membrane recycling system. (7) The preferential association of junctional particles with one or the other fracture-face reflect a response to various stimuli including seasonal breeding. Changes in the affinity of the particles are generally coincidental with cytoskeletal changes. However, changes in the cytoskeleton are not necessarily accompanied by permeability changes. The number of strands seems to reflect neither the junctional permeability nor the transepithelial resistance. The diverse orientation of the strands seems to be related to the plasticity of the Sertoli cell occluding zonule. (8) Cooperation between all constituents (Sertoli cells, myoid cells, cell substratum, and germ cells) of the epithelium seems essential for the barrier zonule to function in synchrony with the germ cell differentiation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Endocytosis: The different energy requirements for the uptake of particles by small and large vesicles into peritoneal macrophages

The uptake of various, different-sized particles by macrophages was studied using the electron microscope. In addition to observing normal cells, cells were examined which had been inhibited by exposing them to low temperature (4°C), and to a number of metabolic poisons. It was found that large particles (> 01 μm) enter the cells and are contained in large vesicles (0·1–5 μm). Small particles (< 50 nm) may also enter the cells by this process. They enter most frequently, however, by passing into small (～ 70 nm) vesicles. These may later coalesce and their contents adhere to give a second kind of large vesicle. The various inhibitors prevented the ingestion of the large particles (and of the small particles en masse) into large vesicles, but did not prevent their initial adsorption onto the plasma membranes. They did not prevent nearly normal numbers of small particles from entering the pre-existing small vesicles, nor their subsequent fusion into the second class of large vesicles.     

Imaging of intracellular spherical lamellar structures and tissue gross morphology by a focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope (FIB/SEM)

We report the use of a focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope (FIB/SEM) for simultaneous investigation of digestive gland epithelium gross morphology and ultrastructure of multilamellar intracellular structures. Digestive glands of a terrestrial isopod (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea) were examined by FIB/SEM and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results obtained by FIB/SEM and by TEM are comparable and complementary. The FIB/SEM shows the same ultrastructural complexity of multilamellar intracellular structures as indicated by TEM. The term lamellar bodies was used for the multillamellar structures in the digestive glands of P. scaber due to their structural similarity to the lamellar bodies found in vertebrate lungs. Lamellar bodies in digestive glands of different animals vary in their abundance, and number as well as the thickness of concentric lamellae per lamellar body. FIB/SEM revealed a connection between digestive gland gross morphological features and the structure of lamellar bodies. Serial slicing and imaging of cells enables easy identification of the contact between a lamellar body and a lipid droplet. There are frequent reports of multilamellar intracellular structures in different vertebrate as well as invertebrate cells, but laminated cellular structures are still poorly known. The FIB/SEM can significantly contribute to the structural knowledge and is always recommended when a link between gross morphology and ultrastructure is investigated, especially when cells or cellular inclusions have a dynamic nature due to normal, stressed or pathological conditions.     

Comparative immunohistological study on using capsaicin,piperine, and okadaic acid for the transepithelial passage of the inactivated viral and bacterial vaccines in fish

The practical difficulty of parenteral application of fish vaccines against devastating fish diseases diverted the interest toward oral vaccination. Search for effective methods to enhance the oral uptake of viral and bacterial vaccines is continuing. The current research focus on a new role of mucosal fish vaccine adjuvants inducing the antigen uptake by enhancing vascularity or increasing intestinal permeability. Some inflammatory substances cause reversible pathology to the intestinal epithelium, which could be employed for the transepithelial passage of vaccine particles. The natural inflammatory substances used were capsaicin, piperine, and okadaic acid as 1 mg, 2 mg, and 1 μg/fish, respectively. Two inactivated vaccines were used as antigens to test the effect of these inflammatory substances in two different fish hosts. Tested vaccines were inactivated redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus vaccine in sevenband grouper (Epinephelus septemfasciatus) and inactivated Edwardsiella tarda vaccine in red sea bream (Pagrus major) fish models. The inflammatory substances and each vaccine were anally intubated to fish. Capsaicin proved to be effectively aiding the transepithelial passage of vaccine particles more than piperine, while okadaic acid had no detectable effect.     

Morphology and histology of P. argentinus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridea) digestive tract.

This work describes the morphology and histology of the P. argentinus digestive tract. The foregut comprises the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach and is lined by a simple cylindrical epithelium overlain by cuticle. There are tegumental glands in the oral region and in the first portion of the oesophagus and of the hindgut. The cardiac stomach is an oval dorsal sac in the cephalothorax and has no calcified structures. The pyloric stomach comprises an upper chamber and a lower gland filter. The filter consists of an outer row of elongated setae and an inner row of dorsally curved setae forming longitudinal channels 16-18 microm wide. The midgut runs from the dorsal chamber of the pyloric stomach to the sixth abdominal somite without caeca. The hindgut runs from the sixth abdominal somite to the ventral anus. The mid-gut epithelium comprises dominant cylindrical cells and small undifferentiated cells in the first portion. The hindgut wall presents longitudinal folds, conspicuous muscular bundles, and a folded cuticle. The digestive tract of P. argentinus is basically similar to that of most of decapods. The absence of calcified structures in the stomach and the width of the longitudinal channels in the filter are related to the predominantly detritivorous diet.