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Mucous Secretion (mucous + secretion)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

A histochemical study of the reproductive structures in the flatworm Dugesia leporii (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)

INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
Gavina Corso
Abstract. The functional morphology and the topographic distribution of tissues in the reproductive system of specimens of Dugesia leporii, an endemic Sardinian free-living planarian, are investigated. Data are provided on the nature of epithelial and glandular secretions, spermatophores, and cocoons by histochemistry, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. All secreting epithelial cells produce strongly acidic sulfated glycoproteins. Glandular cells secrete strongly acidic sulfated glycoproteins or keratohyalin-like material in the penis bulb, and prekeratin-like material in atrial glands. Secretions of the bursa copulatrix may be involved in the activation of sperm while material produced by the bursa canal and oviducts probably serves to propel spermatophores or sperm and eggs. Mucous secretion of the seminal vesicle may serve to dilute and activate sperm before copulation. The viscous secrete of the ejaculatory duct and vasa deferentia may play a protective role to maintain sperm viability. Materials produced by the penis papilla and atrium probably lubricate the epithelial surface. The bilayered wall of spermatophore made of keratohyalin-like material and strongly acidic sulfated glycoproteins is produced by two gland types of the penis bulb. The bilayered shell of cocoon made of prekeratin-like and keratohyalin-like materials is secreted by both atrial glands and vitelline cells. The cocoon stalk is made of keratohyalin-like material produced by cement glands. Shell glands, producing GAG, are not involved in cocoon formation, but they may be implicated in the dilution and activation of seminal material to favor sperm movement toward the oviducts. [source]

Sulphur, thiols, and disulphides in the fish epidermis, with remarks on keratinization

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
W. Meyer
Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis and qualitative and quantitative histochemistry were applied to study the distribution and contents of sulphur, thiols and disulphides in the epidermis of the river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, the lesser spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula and the brown trout Salmo trutta fario. Thiols generally reacted weakly throughout the entire epidermis, whereas disulphide reactions were more distinct and differentiated. In the river lamprey, the concentrations of -S-S- groups clearly increased in the developing mucous cells from the stratum basale to the stratum superficiale; skein cells and granular cells reacted negatively to weakly. In the lesser spotted dogfish, amounts of disulphides appeared at moderate concentrations, and only goblet cells displayed a strong reaction. In the brown trout, filament cells showed low concentrations or weak reactions of disulphides, goblet cells and the most outer superficial cells stained strongly. Sulphur distribution and contents generally supported the histochemical observations in normal epidermis cells (absolute sulphur contents: 41,59 mM), only the brown trout showed high amounts of sulphur in the stratum basale (81 mM). The findings corroborate the view that there is an inverse correlation between keratinization and mucous secretion in normal fish epidermis. The sometimes distinct contents of disulphides in the outer mucous layer indicate that this system could endure higher mechanical stress than predictable from its large amounts of neutral glycoproteins. [source]

Ventilation Time of the Middle Ear in Otitis Media With Effusion (OME) After CO2 Laser Myringotomy

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2002
Benedikt Sedlmaier MD
Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the transtympanic ventilation time, the healing course of the tympanic membrane, the early and late complications, and the recurrence rate of otitis media with effusion (OME) within 6 months after CO2 laser myringotomy with the CO2 laser otoscope Otoscan. Study Design Prospective clinical study. Materials and Methods In this study, laser myringotomy was performed with the CO2 laser otoscope Otoscan in a patient population comprising 81 children (159 ears) with a history of otitis media with effusion (OME) associated with adenoidal and sometimes tonsillar hyperplasia. The procedure on the tympanic membrane was accordingly combined with an adenoidectomy, a CO2 laser tonsillotomy, or a tonsillectomy and therefore performed under insufflation anesthesia. In all ears, approximately 2 mm circular perforations were created in the lower anterior quadrants with a power of 12 to 15 W, a pulse duration of 180 msec, and a scanned area of 2.2 mm in diameter. Results None of the children showed postoperative impairment of cochleovestibular function such as sensorineural hearing loss or nystagmus. Otomicroscopic and videoendoscopic monitoring documented the closure time and healing pattern of tympanic membrane perforations. The mean closure time was found to be 16.35 days (minimum, 8 days; maximum, 34 days). As a rule, an onion-skin-like membrane of keratinized material was seen in the former myringotomy perforations at the time of closure. At the follow-up 6 months later, the condition of the tympanic membrane of 129 ears (81.1%) could be checked by otomicroscopy and videoendoscopy and the hearing ability by audiometry and tympanometry. The CO2 laser myringotomy sites appeared normal and irritation-free. Two of the tympanic membranes examined (1.6%) showed atrophic scar formation, and 1 (0.8%) had a perforation with a diameter of 0.3 mm. The perforation was seen closed in a control otoscopy 15 months postoperatively. OME recurred in 26.3% of the ears seen intraoperatively with mucous secretion (n = 38) and in 13.5% of the ears with serous secretion (n = 37;P <.05). Conclusion The most important principle in treating OME is ventilation of the tympanic cavity. CO2 laser myringotomy achieves this through a self-healing perforation in which its diameter roughly determines the duration of transtympanic ventilation. Laser myringotomy competes with ventilation tube insertion in the treatment of OME. It may be a useful alternative in the surgical management of secretory otitis media. [source]

Cysteinyl leukotrienes as common mediators of asthma and allergic disease

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY REVIEWS, Issue 2 2003
S-E. Dahlén
Summary The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) induce a number of pro-inflammatory effects including smooth muscle contraction, an increase in blood flow, plasma exudation, mucous secretion, and activation of inflammatory cells. They play a key role in asthma and allergy, and can be recovered from different body fluids (e.g. bronchoaleveolar or nasal lavage and urine) during allergen-induced hypersensitivity reactions. The advent of antileukotriene agents (i.e. leukotriene receptor antagonists or leukotriene synthesis inhibitors) has helped clarify how the different mechanisms contribute to inflammation, as well as offer new treatment options for both asthma and allergy. It is now clear that the release of leukotrienes is the final common path for the many different factors causing airway obstruction and inflammation. In asthma, clinical studies have shown that treatment with antileukotrienes can improve pulmonary function, alleviate symptoms, reduce asthma exacerbations, and decrease the need for bronchodilator therapy. Similarly, in patients with allergic rhinitis, improvements have been seen in nasal symptoms, eye symptoms and quality of life. Antileukotrienes provide a new opportunity for simultaneous management of allergic diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and are a rational treatment approach to the concept of ,one airway' disease. In future, their utility may also extend to inflammatory disorders of other organ systems (e.g. skin). [source]