Evaluación de la técnica de conteo de grasas y ajuste de enzimas pancreáticas en un grupo de pacientes con insuficiencia pancreática secundaria a fibrosis quística con seguimiento en un hospital de alta complejidad / Evaluation of the fat counting technique and pancreatic enzyme adjustment in a group of patients with pancreatic insufficiency secondary to cystic fibrosis followed-up in a tertiary-level hospital

Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la técnica de conteo de grasas y ajuste de enzimas pancreáticas en un grupo de pacientes con insuficiencia pancreática secundaria a fibrosis quística (FQ). Materiales y métodos: En un grupo de pacientes con FQ, sin otra patología asociada, mayores de 1 año, con >10 000 UKD (unidades por kilo por día) de lipasa; se realizó educación y aplicación de técnica de conteo de grasas con ajuste enzimático, solicitando Van de Kamer y registro alimentario de 5 días durante la recolección de la muestra con un intervalo de 3 meses entre ambas determinaciones. Se evaluó la efectividad de la misma y las dosis de enzimas utilizadas mediante el porcentaje de excreción grasa (PEG), así como las variaciones en la cantidad de enzimas utilizadas y la ganancia de peso. Los datos se registraron en RED Cap (Research Electronic Data Capture) y se analizaron mediante Stata 12. Resultados: De un total de 21 pacientes, 16 completaron la intervención. El 50% presentó un índice de masa corporal (IMC) mayor del Plo 25 antes y después, un 87% alcanzó adecuación calórica mayor del 120% de la ingestas diarias recomendadas (RDA) al final, logrando un aumento promedio de z score de peso de 0,28 con una media inicial de 17 kg y final de 18,2 kg. En cuanto a la media del requerimiento enzimático fue de 14 800 UKD antes y 10 145 UKD después (z=0,002), asimismo el porcentaje de excreción grasa (PEG) tuvo una disminución del 38% (p=0,1705). Conclusiones: La implementación de la técnica de conteo de grasas y ajuste enzimático, podría ser una estrategia válida para aquellos pacientes con FQ que tienen dosis altas de enzimas e inadecuada ganancia de peso (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the fat counting technique and pancreatic enzyme adjustment in a group of patients with pancreatic insufficiency secondary to cystic fibrosis (CF). Materials and methods: A group of patients with CF without other associated diseases, older than 1 year of age, lipase dose >10 000 UKD (units per kilo per day), received education on the fat counting technique with enzyme adjustment followed by its implementation of the intervention. Van de Kamer was requested and a 5-day food record was kept during the sample collection with an interval of 3 months between both measurements. The effectiveness of the technique and the enzyme doses used were evaluated based on the percentage of fat excretion (PFE), as well as the variations in the amount of enzymes used and weight gain. Data were recorded in RED Cap (Research Electronic Data Capture) and analyzed using Stata 12. Results: Of a total of 21 patients, 16 completed the intervention. Fifty percent had a body mass index (BMI) greater than Plo 25 before and after the intervention; 87% had achieved a caloric increase greater than 120% of the recommended daily intake (RDA) at the end of the study and an average increase in weight z score of 0.28 with an initial mean of 17 kg and a final mean of 18.2 kg. Mean enzyme requirement was 14 800 UKD before and 10 145 UKD after the intervention (z=0.002). PFE decreased by 38% (p=0.1705). Conclusions: The implementation of the technique of fat counting and enzyme adjustment may be a valid strategy for CF patients with high enzyme doses and inadequate weight gain. (AU)

Actividad de las enzimas pancreáticas exocrinas en ratas hembras diabéticas / Activity of exocrine pancreatic enzymes in diabetic female rats

The study designed to evaluated the activity of pancreatic exocrine enzymes in diabetic male rats induced by alloxan. The hyperglycaemia was induced in forty-five rats after fasting of the animals for 24 hours by single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of Alloxan100mg/kg B.W., three days after injection fasting blood glucose was measured when the concentration higher than 150mg/dL, were considered as hyperglycemic/ diabetes. A total of sixty adult male rats (45 diabetes and 15 non- diabetes) divided in to two groups as follows. The first group serves as control groups (15 animals) will be single i.p injection with distilled water. the second group diabetic groups (45 animals from first experiment) were subdivided into three subgroups as following (15 for each). Group (G1), Group (G2) and Group (G3) serves as 20, 40- and 60-days diabetic animals respectively. The blood samples collection were take through cardiac puncture technique from each rat for each period days for measurement the following parameters: (Serum glucose, total protein, insulin, cholesterol, albumin, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C and VLDL-C) concentration, the rats pancreatic tissue were be taken for measured tissue pancreatic lipase, amylase, and trypsin concentration. The results demonstrate a significant increase in serum glucose concentration and a decrease in serum insulin and total protein in the diabetic group as compared with the control rats' group in all experimental days. The results showed a significant rise in serum total cholesterol concentration within the diabetic group when compared with the control group at day 20 and 60. Meanwhile, a significant increase in serum triglyceride and LDL concentration and a significant decrease in serum HDL concentration within the diabetic group when compared with the control rats group at day 20, 40 and 60. But the serum VLDL concentration depicted a significant increase in the group of diabetic when compared with the control rats group at day 40 and 60. The value of pancreatic tissue protease activity clarified there was a significant decrease of protease action in the group of diabetic rats when compared with the control rats group on both day 20 and day 60. And a significant decrease in amylase activity in the diabetic groups when compared with the group of control rats in both day 20, 40 and day 60. While the results of pancreatic tissue lipase show there were non-significant changes within the diabetics group when compared with the control group. In conclusion, the exocrine pancreatic function is very frequently and severely altered in diabetes mellitus male rats and the metabolic disorder effect of diabetes mellitus was manifested by hyperlipidemic and hypoprotenimic .

Compromiso pulmonar como manifestación inicial en síndrome de Sjögren primario / Pulmonary involvement as the initial manifestation in primary Sjögren's syndrome

Resumen El síndrome de Sjögren es una enfermedad autoinmune sistémica que afecta principalmente a las glándulas exocrinas, particularmente a las glándulas salivales y lagrimales, pero también puede afectar a otros órganos como la piel, y a regiones extraglandulares como el corazón, los riñones, el cerebro, el sistema hematopoyético y el pulmón. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con síndrome de Sjögren primario cuya primera manifestación de la enfermedad fue hipertensión pulmonar y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial no especificada, con ausencia de síntomas secos. El paciente recibió tratamiento con esteroides y azatioprina, con una respuesta adecuada. Además, se presenta una revisión de la literatura de las principales manifestaciones pulmonares en el síndrome de Sjögren.

Abstract Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the exocrine glands, particularly the salivary and the lacrimal glands, but which can also affect other organs such as the skin, and extra-glandular regions such as the heart, kidney, brain, the haematopoietic system and the lung. The case is presented of a patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome, whose first manifestation of the disease was pulmonary hypertension and a non-specific interstitial lung disease, with an absence of sicca symptoms. The patient received treatment with steroids and azathioprine, with an appropriate response. A literature review is also presented on the main pulmonary manifestations in Sjögren's syndrome.

Autoantibody-Mediated Dysfunction of Salivary Glands Leads to Xerostomia in SKG Mice

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic heterogeneous disease that mainly affects exocrine glands, leading to sicca syndromes such as xerostomia. Despite the second highest prevalence rate among systemic autoimmune diseases, its pathophysiology remains largely unknown. Here we report that SKG mice, a cardinal model of Th17 cell-mediated arthritis, also develop a secondary form of SS-like disorder upon systemic exposure to purified curdlan, a type of β-glucan. The reduced production of saliva was not caused by focal immune cell infiltrates but was associated with IgG deposits in salivary glands. Sera from curdlan-injected SKG mice contained elevated titers of IgG (predominantly IgG1), autoantibody to the muscarinic type 3 receptor (M3R) and inhibited carbachol-induced Ca2+ signaling in salivary acinar cells. These results suggest that the Th17 cells that are elicited in SKG mice promote the production of salivary gland-specific autoantibodies including anti-M3R IgG; the antibodies are then deposited on acinar cells and inhibit M3R-mediated signaling required for salivation, finally leading to hypofunction of the salivary glands. This type II hypersensitivity reaction may explain the origin of secondary SS occurring without focal leukocyte infiltrates.

An Expression Levels Analysis of the Bitter Taste Receptors in the Murine Exocrine Glands

Recent findings indicate that Type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed outside the gustatory system, including in the gastrointestinal tracts and the exocrine glands, such as the submandibular (SM), parotid (P), lacrimal (L) glands and pancreas (PC). Specifically, T2Rs are found in some of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells, and these cells secreted peptide hormones in response to stimulation by bitter-tasting compounds. The results show that T2Rs may have significant physiological roles besides bitter taste reception. The functions of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands remain poorly understood. An expression levels analysis of T2Rs will help to determine those functions in the exocrine glands. The expression levels of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands were discovered via the qPCR. C57BL/6J mice of 42~60-day-old were used. Messenger RNAs were extracted from S, P, L and PC. Cloned DNAs were synthesized by reverse transcription. Quantitative PCRs were performed using the SYBR Green method. The expression levels of the T2Rs were calculated as relative expression levels to that of the GAPDH. The statistical significance among the observed exocrine glands was tested using the variance analysis (ANOVA test). Tas2r108, out of murine 35 T2Rs, was the most highly expressed in every observed exocrine gland. This finding was similar to previous results from tongue papillae, but the expression levels were lower than those of the tongue papillae. Tas2r137 of SM, P, L and PC were expressed a little lower than that of tongue papillae. The T2Rs in the exocrine glands may play slightly different roles from those in the tongue. We suggest that physiological studies such as a patch clamp and functional Ca²⁺ imaging of acinar cells are necessary for understanding the Tas2r108 functions.

Trypanosoma evansi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ): prevalence, effect and sexual selection / Trypanosoma evansi(Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) en capibaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris):prevalencia, efecto y selección sexual

AbstractParasites play a crucial role in the ecology of animals. They also appear to be important in mechanisms underlying sexual selection processes. In this article we study the prevalence, effect and potential role in sexual selection of the protozoon Trypanosoma evansi in capybaras, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. We collected our samples from the annual capybara cull of a ranch in Venezuela, using the volume of the snout scent gland as an indicator of dominance; the residuals of body weight as indicators of condition; and the residuals of the spleen mass as indicators of immune function. Overall prevalence was 30.9 % (N= 97) with no difference between males and females, and no relation between infection with T. evansi and condition. However, we found that infected animals had larger spleens (residuals), indicating an immunological cost of the infection. Furthermore, males with larger snout scent glands (more dominant) were less likely to be infected than males with smaller glands (less dominant), suggesting that by choosing males with a large glands, females may be using the gland as an indicator of health, which is consistent with the "good genes" view of sexual selection. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 229-237. Epub 2017 March 01.

ResumenLos parásitos juegan un papel crucial en la ecología de todos los animales. También parecen ser importantes en los mecanismos subyacentes a la selección sexual. En este artículo estudiamos la prevalencia, el efecto y el papel potencial en procesos de selección sexual del protozoario Trypanosoma evansi sobre el capibara (chigüire o carpincho), Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. Recolectamos las muestras en una finca ganadera en Venezuela donde se lleva a cabo la matanza anual de capibaras para aprovechar su carne. Usamos el volumen de la glándula del hocico (el "morrillo") como indicador de dominancia; los residuales del peso como indicadores de condición física; y los residuales del peso del bazo como indicadores de la función inmunológica. La prevalencia total fue de 30.9 % (N= 97) y no encontramos diferencia entre machos y hembras ni tampoco detectamos correlación entre estado de infección y condición física. Sin embargo, encontramos que los animales infectados tenían el bazo inflamado, lo que indica un costo inmunológico de la infección. Además los machos con morrillos más grandes (más dominantes) tendían a estar menos infectados que los machos con morrillos más pequeños (subordinados), lo cual sugiere que al escoger machos con morrillos grandes, las hembras pueden estar escogiendo machos saludables, lo cual es consistente con la visión "buenos genes" de la selección sexual.

Renal Tubular Acidosis in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands resulting in decreased saliva and tear production. It uncommonly involves the kidneys in various forms, including tubulointerstitial nephritis, renal tubular acidosis, Fanconi syndrome, and rarely glomerulonephritis. Its clinical symptoms include muscle weakness, periodic paralysis, and bone pain due to metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalance. Herein, we describe the cases of two women with pSS whose presenting symptoms involve the kidneys. They had hypokalemia and normal anion gap metabolic acidosis due to distal renal tubular acidosis and positive anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B autoantibodies. Since one of them experienced femoral fracture due to osteomalacia secondary to renal tubular acidosis, an earlier diagnosis of pSS is important in preventing serious complications.

Ocular Manifestations of Sjögren Syndrome / 한양의대학술지

Sjögren Syndrome (SS) is one of the most frequent systemic autoimmune disorders, mainly involving the eye and mouth due to inflammation of lacrimal and salivary glands. Exocrine glands affected with a typical focal lymphocytic infiltration potentially lead to dry eyes and dry mouth. In addition to the known pathogenic mechanism of SS through autoimmunity, corneal neuropathy, as a peripheral neuropathy which is a relatively frequent extraglandular systemic manifestation of SS, recently draws attention as a possible pathogenic mechanism of ocular symptoms and dry eye induction. The diagnostic criteria of SS changed recently, proposed by the American College of Rheumatology/Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (ACR/SICCA) in 2012, and the ocular surface staining score is the only required test for ocular manifestation of SS. However, other diagnostic methods evaluating tear film status, though excluded from the new criteria, are still important for the staging and treatment planning, including direct observation of tear film, tear film break up time, Schirmer test, and measurement of the tear film levels of inflammatory mediators. Eye-specific symptoms and signs and ocular treatment options for SS including tear substitutes, secretogogue, topical anti-inflammatory therapy with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, punctal occlusion, autologous serum, and mucolytic therapy were summarized and discussed in this review article.

Two Cases of Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis accompanied by Sjogren's Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a syndrome characterized by hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and an inability to excrete highly acid urine, in which the impaired acid excretion is disproportional to the reduction in the glomerular filtration rate. Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is frequently associated with immune-mediated disease, including Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects exocrine glands, such as the lacrimal and salivary glands, resulting in xerophthalmia and xerostomia. Extraglandular manifestations are frequent and may include renal involvement. Recently, we experienced two cases of renal tubular acidosis in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. The first patient had lower extremity weakness and hypokalemia and the second had nephrocalcinosis. We discuss the frequency and pathogenesis of dRTA in Sjogren's syndrome.

A Case of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Ocular Adnexa and Lung in a 17-year-old with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocyte-mediated destruction of exocrine glands, which produces classical symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth. Aside from the clinical manifestations associated with exocrine glands, extraglandular features of SS include a major long-term concern for development of lymphoma. The lifetime risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in an SS patient is approximately 5% to 10%, 20 times higher than that of the normal population. This case report describes a rare occurrence of NHL in the eyelid and lung of an adolescent female with SS, whose disease activity had been monitored closely. This is the first reported case in Korea.

Review of Sjogren's Syndrome for Primary Physicians / 대한내과학회지

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands resulting in a dry mouth and eyes. The disease can present either alone or in association with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory myopathy. In addition to symptoms caused by exocrinopathy, about half of patients present with extraglandular (systemic) manifestations including arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, lymphadenopathy, vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, and interstitial nephritis. Patients often suffer from severe fatigue, myalgia, and dryness, which lead to a poor quality of life. Physicians should be aware of the increased risk of lymphoma development in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Currently, there are no drugs available that are able to improve the natural course of disease, making symptom relief the primary goal of therapy. Currently, pilocarpine is the only drug clinically proven for the treatment of dry eyes and mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

Multiple Sclerosis in a Patient with Primary Sjogren Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Sjogren syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder involving the exocrine glands, which often presents with salivary and tear gland dysfunction leading to dry mouth and eyes (sicca symptoms). This disease occurs alone as primary SS, or in the background of connective tissue diseases as secondary SS. Neurological involvement is seen in 20-25% of SS cases. Cerebral involvement is generally heterogeneous both in terms of localization (focal or diffuse) and progression (acute, progressive or reversible) and may resemble the clinical and radiological findings of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we present the case of a patient with primary SS who experienced acute progressive diffuse MS.

A Case of Multiple Sialolithiasis in the Parotid Gland with Sjogren's Syndrome / 대한이비인후과학회지

Multiple calcification in the major salivary glands is very rare. Sjogren's syndrome is characterized by tissue damage due to chronic lymphocyte infiltration of exocrine glands, and the involvement of the major salivary glands is followed by typical symptoms such as multiple formation of sialolith, blockage of salivary duct, and edema of the parenchyme. When multiple calcification is found in the parenchyme of parotid gland on the computed tomography imaging, Sjogren syndrome should be considered, where the primary solution is conservative treatment and preventing recurrent inflammation.

Fisiopatologia da Fibrose Cística e drogas habitualmente utilizadas nas manifestações respiratórias: o que devemos saber / Pathophysiology of Cystic Fibrosis and drugs commonly used in respiratory manifestations: what should we know

INTRODUÇÃO: A fibrose cística é caracterizada por infecções crônicas nas vias respiratórias e alterações no trato digestório. É uma doença de herança autossômica recessiva e pode ser diagnosticada na infância através de programas como a triagem neonatal e, dessa forma, estabelecer tratamento precoce. OBJETIVO: Identificar a fisiopatologia das manifestações respiratórias causada pela fibrose cística, relacionando o tratamento com as principais drogas administradas. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura, com ênfase nos últimos 12 anos, utilizando-se artigos científicos publicados em revistas indexadas nas bases de dados SciELO, Lilacs, PubMed e MedLine, nos idiomas português e inglês. Foram selecionados estudos clínicos randomizados, observacionais, experimentais, epidemiológicos, entre outros, com significância estatística de 5%. RESULTADOS: A divulgação de forma mais ampla da doença e seu tratamento está relacionada a locais onde hajam centros de referência. O estudo da fisiopatologia da enfermidade e as drogas habitualmente utilizadas nas manifestações respiratórias visa demonstrar quais medicamentos e posologias vem sendo habitualmente utilizado com eficácia , com isso , uma melhora do quadro clinico dos pacientes e qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÃO: É uma doença que acomete uma variedade de órgãos e que há uma variedade de fármacos disponíveis para o tratamento, acompanhamento e melhora na sobrevida dos fibrocísticos, principalmente quando são oferecidos a estes pacientes o acesso às políticas públicas de saúde como o diagnóstico precoce e a assistência para a aquisição de medicamentos especializados, disponíveis para os usuários de programas especializados e de alta complexidade do Sistema Único de Saúde.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis is a disease characterized by chronic airway infections and changes in the digestive tract. It is an autosomal recessive disease and can be diagnosed in children through programs such as newborn screening and thus establish early treatment. OBJECTIVE: Identify the pathophysiology of respiratory disease caused by cystic fibrosis, correlating with the main treatment administered drugs. METHODS: This is a review of the literature with emphasis on the last 12 years, using scientific articles published in journals indexed in databases SciELO, Lilacs, PubMed and MedLine, in Portuguese and English. After the survey were selected randomized clinical trials, observational, experimental, epidemiological, among others, with statistical significance of 5%. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The dissemination more broadly the disease and its treatment is related to places where there are reference centers and several difficulties encountered in the treatment and monitoring. Thus, the study of the pathophysiology of the disease and drugs commonly used in respiratory symptoms aims to demonstrate current drugs, which has shown a proven and significant improvement in the clinical picture of patients and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that affects a variety of organs and that there are a variety of drugs available for treatment, monitoring and improvement in survival of CF patients, especially when these patients are offered access to public health policies as early diagnosis and assistance for the acquisition of specialized medicines available for users of specialized programs and high complexity of the Unified Health System

Histological description of the skin glands of Phyllobates bicolor (Anura: Dendrobatidae) using three staining techniques / Descripción histológica de las glándulas cutáneas de Phyllobates bicolor (Anura: Dendrobatidae) usando tres técnicas de tinción

The mechanisms to obtain and store skin toxins in frogs in of the family Dendrobatidae are not completely understood. In order to contribute to understand how toxins are stored, we provide a histological description of the cutaneous glands of the species Phyllobates bicolor. The skin of two adult frogs was examined through three histological staining techniques (hematoxilin-eosin, PAS and Masson Trichrome) using conventional optic microscopy. The skin of Phyllobates bicolor contains two types of exocrine glands: mucous and serous, which empty their products to the epidermal surface through an intra-epithelial duct that leads to a stoma. The mucous and serous glands and the intercalated ducts are surrounded by a discontinuous sheath of myoepithelial cells, which colapse the lumen of the acinus and the lumen of ducts and facilitate the secretion and release of their content. The serous glands have a polarized syncytium of tall cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells. Both glands have a mixed secretion, thus, the contents of mucous glands tend to be neutral and basophilic, while the contents of the serous glands are basophilic and acidophilic.

A la fecha no existe mayor información con respecto a los mecanismos para obtener y almacenar las toxinas cutáneas de ranas de la familia Dendrobatidae. Con el fin de contribuir y entender cómo son almacenadas estas toxinas, realizamos una descripción histológica de las glándulas cutáneas de la especie Phyllobates bicolor. La piel de dos ranas adultas se examinó mediante tres técnicas de tinción histológica (hematoxilina-eosina, PAS y tricrómico de Masson) mediante microscopía óptica convencional. La piel de P. bicolor contiene dos tipos de glándulas exocrinas: mucosas y serosas, que vierten sus productos a la superficie epidérmica a través de un conducto intra-epitelial que conduce a un estoma. Las glándulas mucosas, serosas y los conductos intercalados están rodeados por una funda discontinua de células mioepiteliales, las que colapsan el lumen de los acinos y conductos, facilitando la secreción y liberación de su contenido. Las glándulas serosas tienen un sincitio polarizado de células epiteliales columnares cúbicas. Ambas glándulas tienen una secreción mixta, por lo tanto, los contenidos de las glándulas mucosas tienden a ser neutral y basófilas, mientras que los contenidos de las glándulas serosas son basófilas y acidófilas.

Histologia e histoquímica do tubo digestório de Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines, Chelidae) / Histology and histochemistry of the digestive tract of Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines, Chelidae)

Phrynops geoffroanus is the omnivorous chelonian with widest geographical distribution in South America. This work describes the histology and histochemistry of the digestive tube of this species, to relate the characteristics of these organs to the species' eating habit. The esophagus, stomach and intestine of four specimens were fixed in 10% formal and embedded in paraffin by routine histological techniques. Afterwards, 5-µm sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue (AB) pH 0.4 and 2.5. The tube is formed by the mucosa, submucosa, muscular and adventitia or serosa layers. The mucosa layer of the esophagus and stomach is lined with a simple cylindrical epithelium with mucus-secreting cells, where are intraepithelial glands inserted in the portion of the esophagus and gastric fossettes emptying into glands in the stomach. The stomach is divided into an anterior, middle and posterior region, according to the depth of the fossettes and the concentration of gastric glands. The intestine is lined by a simple cylindrical epithelium with striated boundaries and goblet cells and is divided into an anterior and posterior regions, according to the pattern of folds of the mucosa layer and the number of goblet cells. Reactivity to PAS and AB is observed in the entire tube. Smooth muscle fibers are present in mucosa layer of all the segments. The muscular layer is formed by two sub-layers of smooth muscle, except for the posterior stomach. This study will help understanding of the digestive physiology of P. geoffroanus and provide data for comparative analyzes with other turtles.

Phrynops geoffroanus é o quelônio onívoro com mais ampla distribuição geográfica na América do Sul. Este trabalho descreve a histologia e histoquímica do tubo digestório desta espécie, relacionando as características dos órgãos com seu hábito alimentar. O esôfago, estômago e intestino de quatro espécimes foram fixados em formol 10% e incluídos em parafina por técnica histológica de rotina. Depois, cortes de 5 µm de espessura foram corados com hematoxilina-eosina (HE), ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS) e alcian blue (AB) pH 0.4 e 2.5. O tubo é formado pelas camadas mucosa, submucosa, muscular e adventícia ou serosa. A mucosa do esôfago e do estômago é revestida pelo epitélio simples cilíndrico com células mucossecretoras, onde estão inseridas glândulas intraepiteliais na porção do esôfago e fossetas gástricas desembocando em glândulas no estômago. O estômago divide-se em anterior, médio e posterior, de acordo com a profundidade das fossetas e a concentração de glândulas gástricas. O intestino é revestido pelo epitélio simples cilíndrico com borda estriada e células caliciformes e divide-se em anterior e posterior, de acordo com o padrão de dobramentos da mucosa e o número de células caliciformes. Reatividade ao PAS e AB é observada em todo o tubo. Fibras musculares lisas estão presentes na camada mucosa de todos os segmentos. A camada muscular é formada por duas subcamadas de músculo liso, exceto na porção posterior do estômago. Este estudo ajudará no entendimento da fisiologia digestiva da espécie investigada e fornecerá dados para análises comparativas com outros quelônios.

Research progress on musk secretion mechanism of forest musk deer / 中国中药杂志

Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), a rare wild medicinal animal, is listed under the category of the state key protected wildlife list of China. Musk, secreted by the musk glands, is with high economic and medicinal value and used as precious traditional medicine in China. In order to meet the needs of musk in Chinese traditional medicine, forest musk deer farming was conducted in 1950s, but the research progress on musk secretion mechanism was slow. Therefore, by reviewing the histological and anatomical structure of forest musk deer musk gland, the relationship between sex hormones and the musk secretion process, and the molecular mechanism of the musk secretion, the existing problems in investigating the musk secretion mechanism were analyzed and the development trends in this field were also discussed, in order to provide a reference for further studies on the musk secretion mechanism and improve musk production of forest musk deer.

Preputial gland activates olfactory receptor neurons in rat: Calcium imaging study using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

The rodent preputial gland is one of the major sources of odours and is reported to be involved in several behavioural activities. However, how the preputial gland initiates the olfactory response to manifest the effects is not known. Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) present in the olfactory epithelium are involved in the perception of odorant/pheromonal compounds. In the present study, the response of rat ORNs to preputial gland extract was evaluated by calcium imaging analysis. We found that some rat ORNs responded to the preputial gland extract by exhibiting an intracellular calcium response. By contrast, the ORNs did not respond at all to the foot pad extract (control). The results indicated that the substances contained in the preputial gland might interact with a type of receptor expressed in the female rat ORNs, suggested to manifest the behavioural responses, such as social and sexual interactions. This study provided the first evidence of activation of ORNs by the preputial gland extract.

[Comparative evaluation of the effect of Malva sylvestris and bromhexine on mucociliary system of trachea in chicken]

Malva sylvestris [M.S] with various drug effects, especially on mucociliary system as dilutor drug and sputum collection is known. This study examined the effects of M.S and Bromhexine HCL [B.H] in mucociliary system of trachea chicken. In this experimental study five groups of Leghorn chickens were studied under identical conditions. Four groups received oral B.H and oral M.S extract and nebulas normal saline and nebulas M.S extract during 12 days, respectively and one group was considered as control. After 12 days the chicks were killed and the biopsy samples from the middle tracheal were taken for histopathology study using PAS and H and E methods under light microscopy. Finally Image tools II Software were used for counting of size and number of mucous glands and cilia. Results of the analysis of data showed that nebulizing of M.S increases the number and the size of mucous glands, also the size of cilia compare to 3 groups: control, oral B.H, normal saline significantly. The oral M.S extract group showed significant differences in number of the mucous glands compared with other 3 groups. According to more mucolitic effects of M.S extract than Bromhexine HCL and side effects for drugs mucolitic is recommended to be used that respiratory and inflammatory diseases of the M.S extract

The activation effect of nobiletin on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel / 药学学报

Aim of the present study is to investigate activation effect of nobiletin on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel activity. CFTR-mediated iodide influx assay and patch-clamp tests were done on FRT cells stably co-transfected with human CFTR and EYFP/H148Q. Nobiletin potently activated CFTR chloride channel activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The CFTR blocker CFTR(inh)-172 could completely reverse the effect. Preliminary mechanism study indicated that nobiletin activated CFTR chloride channel through a direct binding way. In addition, ex vivo tests done on mice trachea showed that nobiletin time-dependently stimulated submucosal gland fluid secretion. Nobiletin may be a therapeutic lead compound in treating CFTR-related diseases including disseminated bronchiectasis.