Lower Epidermis (lower + epidermis)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effects of infection with the ectoparasite Argulus japonicus (Thiele) and administration of cortisol on cellular proliferation and apoptosis in the epidermis of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., skin

JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 3 2000
A L Van Der Salm
The host-parasite interaction between juvenile carp, Cyprinus carpio, and the ectoparasitic branchiuran, Argulus japonicus, together with the role of cortisol in this interaction, was examined at the level of the host skin epidermis. Epidermal mucous cell numbers, and proliferation and apoptosis of the epithelial cells were studied over 32 days. Apoptotic cell numbers in the uppermost epidermis were reduced at 26 days post-infection with A. japonicus, while the other parameters were unaffected. Administration of cortisol-containing food resulted in reduced apoptosis in the cells in the upper skin epidermis at 24 h and at 28 days post-feeding. Cortisol feeding combined with A. japonicus infection reduced numbers of apoptotic cells in the upper epidermis more than either individual treatment. Further, combining the treatments also significantly increased apoptosis in the lower epidermis in cells morphologically identified as leucocytes apparently migrating macrophages and lymphocytes. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated cortisol receptor presence and cellular localization in the teleost epidermis. Receptors only occurred in pavement cells in the upper epidermis and in leucocytes in the lower parts of the epidermis. The ectoparasites, or administered cortisol, induced effects which may be functionally adaptive in the upper pavement cells, while combining the two treatments also induced changes indicative of immunosuppression. [source]


Paederus dermatitis in Egypt: a clinicopathological and ultrastructural study

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 10 2010
M Assaf
Abstract Background, Outbreaks of paederus dermatitis (PD) have been observed in different parts of the world, yet the histopathological and ultrastructural changes and their relationship to pederin toxin have not been described. Objective, To describe the clinical presentations of PD in Egypt and to study the effects of pederin toxin on the skin by evaluating the histopathological and ultrastructural changes of some representative cases. Methods, One hundred and thirteen patients with PD were studied clinically and epidemiologically. Skin biopsies were taken from 40 patients for histopathological examination and from 20 patients for electron microscopic (EM) examination. Results, Clinically, the most common presentation comprised erythematous plaques with micropustules. Blisters exhibited a linear configuration in 40% of the patients and kissing lesions were observed in 13%. Multiple lesions occurred in 78% of the patients and the face was the most commonly involved site (48%). The insect was identified as Paederus alfierii. Histopathological examination revealed features of acute irritant dermatitis in the upper epidermis. Mitotic figures and apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were identified in the basal and suprabasal layers. These features were confirmed by EM. Conclusions, Clinical, histopathological and, for the first time, ultrastructural characteristics of paederus dermatitis are described. The pathological abnormalities of the upper epidermis are caused by the irritant effect of pederin toxin. The presence of apoptosis within the lower epidermis can be related to this toxin, a point that needs further research, hoping for its future implications in the management of hyperproliferative disorders. [source]


Blue light inhibits stomatal development in soybean isolines containing kaempferol-3- O -2G -glycosyl-gentiobioside (K9), a unique flavonoid glycoside

PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 8 2000
L. Liu-Gitz
ABSTRACT Stomata have a fundamental role in controlling plant photosynthesis and transpiration, but very little is known about factors controlling stomatal differentiation and development. Lines of soybean that contain a specific flavonol glycoside, kaempferol-3- O -2-glycosyl-gentiobioside (K9), as well as greatly reduced stomatal density, especially on the adaxial epidermis, have been identified. The specific effects of blue light photoreceptors on stomatal development in K9 lines and their isoline pairs containing no K9 were studied. Low irradiances of blue light (7% of total photosynthetically active radiation) added to high irradiances from low-pressure sodium lamps strongly inhibited stomatal development on the adaxial epidermis of K9 lines, but not in isoline pairs differing putatively in only one gene and lacking K9. Overall, blue light slightly increased stomatal density on the abaxial epidermis in all isolines, demonstrating differential regulation of stomatal development in the upper and lower epidermis. Blue light also caused an increase in leaf area in all isolines, indicating that changes in stomatal density were not the non-specific result of alterations in leaf area. Morphological studies revealed that the blue light-induced reduction in stomatal density in K9 lines was due to reduced stomatal initiation as well as aborted or abnormal stomatal development. As the phytochrome photostationary state was kept constant, the results indicate that one or more blue light receptors are involved in the control of stomatal development. This system should be useful for the study of mechanisms controlling stomatal development, even if the photo-inhibitory response is unique to K9 lines. [source]


Distribution of Zn in functionally different leaf epidermal cells of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens

PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 7 2000
B. Frey
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to show the potential of Thlaspi caerulescens in the cleaning-up of a moderately Zn -contaminated soil and to elucidate tolerance mechanisms at the cellular and subcellular level for the detoxification of the accumulated metal within the leaf. Measured Zn concentrations in shoots were high and reached a maximum value of 83 mmol kg,1 dry mass, whereas total concentrations of Zn in the roots were lower (up to 13 mmol kg,1). In order to visualize and quantify Zn at the subcellular level in roots and leaves, ultrathin cryosections were analysed using energy-dispersive X-ray micro-analysis. Elemental maps of ultrathin cryosections showed that T. caerulescens mainly accumulated Zn in the vacuoles of epidermal leaf cells and Zn was almost absent from the vacuoles of the cells from the stomatal complex, thereby protecting the guard and subsidiary cells from high Zn concentrations. Observed patterns of Zn distribution between the functionally different epidermal cells were the same in both the upper and lower epidermis, and were independent of the total Zn content of the plant. Zinc stored in vacuoles was evenly distributed and no Zn-containing crystals or deposits were observed. From the elemental maps there was no indication that P, S or Cl was associated with the high Zn concentrations in the vacuoles. In addition, Zn also accumulated in high concentrations in both the cell walls of epidermal cells and in the mesophyll cells, indicating that apoplastic compartmentation is another important mechanism involved in zinc tolerance in the leaves of T. caerulescens. [source]


Incidence of leaf mining in different vegetation types across rainfall, canopy cover and latitudinal gradients

AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
ROBYN J. SINCLAIR
Abstract Leaf miners are insects whose larval stages live between layers of leaf epidermis, feeding on mesophyll and lower epidermis to create mine-like cavities. Little is known about the ecology or distribution of leaf miners in Australia. We investigated the incidence of leaf miners in relation to aridity, vegetation types, host plant taxonomy, leaf traits, canopy cover and latitude. We surveyed leaf miners at 15 sites in NSW, eastern Australia, situated along a rainfall gradient from 300 to 1700 mm per annum and a latitudinal gradient of 28°S to 33°S, within four vegetation types (mallee, heath, woodland and rainforest). Leaf mining was recorded from 36 plant species, 89% of which had no previous record of mining. The proportion of mined plant species at each site varied, but there was no significant difference between vegetation types. Leaf mining presence was positively correlated with both total leaf length and leaf thickness. No significant correlations were found between the proportion of mined species at a site and rainfall, latitude or foliar projected cover. We conclude that leaf mining is a widespread type of insect herbivory whose distribution patterns are more likely to be influenced by biotic than abiotic factors. [source]