Morphological investigations on the lips and cheeks of the goat (Capra hircus): A scanning electron and light microscopic study.

The current study was done to provide comprehensive information on the anatomical features of the lips and cheeks of the goat by gross examination and morphometric analysis in addition to scanning electron microscope (SEM). Samples from 12 normal healthy adult goat's heads of both sexes were collected directly after slaughtering. The lips and cheeks were dissected, and specimens were collected for both light and SEM. The lips of goat were soft and mobile. The free border of both lips was characterized rostrally by the presence of labial projections. The number, size, and arrangement of labial projections differed in the upper and lower lips. On the other hand, the buccal papillae were arranged into 6-8 longitudinal rows parallel to the cheek teeth. The length of these papillae decreased caudally while they were absent on the most caudal part of the cheek. Presence of several types and shapes of labial projections and papillae, and buccal papillae suggest a high degree of mechanical adaptation of the lips and cheeks of the goat. This study provides baseline data for clinical studies. This study is the first report to shed light on the morphology of the lips and cheeks of the goat by gross and scanning electron microscopy.

Ultrastructural characterization of normal Merkel cells in the dog.

BACKGROUND: Involvement of Merkel cells (MKs) in different cutaneous diseases as well as in the growth, differentiation and homeostasis of the skin has been previously documented. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess the ultrastructural features of MKs in canine skin, including morphometrics, highlighting their similarities with and differences from those described for other mammals. ANIMALS: Hard palate, nasal planum, lower lip and whisker pad samples were taken from two healthy young dogs destined for academic purposes. METHODS: Ultrathin sections of samples fixed in osmium tetroxide and embedded in Epon 812 resin were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and examined using a JEOL JEM 2010 transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Ultrastructural characteristics included the following: (i) arrangement in clusters in the basal layer of the epidermis, oral mucosa and external follicular root sheath; (ii) inconstant link with nerve terminal; (iii) oval (10.27 ± 1.64 µm major axis) cell shape with large lobulated nuclei (5.98 ± 1.16 µm major axis); (iv) spine-like and thick cytoplasmic processes interdigitating with surrounding keratinocytes; (v) presence of desmosomes in the cell body or at the base of spine-like processes attaching to neighbouring keratinocytes; and (vi) cytoplasm containing loosely arranged intermediate filaments (10.04 ± 1.17 nm) and numerous dense-core granules (100.1 ± 17.12 nm) arranged in the basal portion of the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study provides the first complete description of the ultrastructural characteristics of MKs in the dog, enhancing our knowledge of the skin structure in this species and providing a basis for future physiological and pathological studies of the role of these cells in normal and damaged canine tissues.

Hyaluronic acid: in vitro and in vivo analysis, biochemical properties and histological and morphological evaluation of injected filler.

BACKGROUND: No human model has emerged as an accepted standard to evaluate tissue filler longevity. OBJECTIVES: To validate a human model adequate to compare soft tissue filler degradation and tissue reaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated in 18 patients the persistence of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injected into labial tissue analyzing hyaluronidase (HYAL) activity by means of in vitro and in vivo tests, MRI and histological and ultra-structural examination at 3 and 6 months postop. RESULTS: MRI examination revealed the presence of HA filler in a clear hyperintense area. Histology demonstrated fibroblast activation. The amount and the degradation rate of HYAL and HA did not show a linear correlation. CONCLUSION: MRI demonstrated the presence of HA in lip tissue even after 6 months. Biopsies at 3 months revealed tissue maturation and at 6 months confirmed the ability of HA to reorganize and integrate the extracellular matrix. The absence of linear correlation between HYAL and HA revealed that the result clinically is probably dependent on systemic factors which can determine HYAL activity and therefore HA longevity.

Essence of keratin in lips and associated structures of a freshwater fish Puntius sophore in relation to its feeding ecology: histochemistry and scanning electron microscope investigation.

Morphological specializations in the lips and associated structures of Puntius sophore were examined by scanning electron microscopy and histochemically. The upper lip (UL), in P. sophore, is associated with the horny upper jaw sheath (HUJS) on its ventral side and with the rostral cap (RC) on its dorsal side through a thin and extensive fold of skin (FSUR). The lower lip (LL) is greatly enlarged, conspicuous and associated with horny lower jaw sheath (HLJS) on the dorsal side and ventrally continues with ventral head skin (VHS). On the lateral sides there is a thin and extensive fold of skin (FSLS) between the lower lip and VHS. In contrast to the mucogenic epithelia of the UL, LL, the RC and fold of skins, the horny jaw sheaths are keratinized in nature and surface epithelial cells are characteristically modified into unculi. The UL and the LL are equipped with epithelial cells (EC), mucous cells (MC) and taste buds (TB) while in addition to these cells club cells (CC) are also present in the RC. Keratin found in unculi is an extremely strong protein which is tough and insoluble, they form the hard but un-mineralized structures. Keratin in unculi could be regarded as an adaptation for browsing or scraping food materials from the substrate as the fish grubs about the bottom. The elaboration of mucus is considered to lubricate the surface and protect the epithelia from abrasions. Taste buds are associated to locate and select palatable food and to trigger a 'pick-up' reflex.

Ultrastructural localization of salivary mucins MUC5B and MUC7 in human labial glands.

As a result of their presence throughout the mouth in the submucosa or between muscle fibers, minor salivary glands secrete directly and continuously into the oral cavity, providing mucosal surfaces with highly glycosylated proteins that are active in bacterial aggregation and in oral tissue lubrication. In this study, we investigated the ultrastructural localization of the MUC5B and MUC7 mucins in human labial glands by means of a postembedding immunogold technique. Thin sections of normal human labial glands, obtained during surgery, were incubated with polyclonal antibodies to human salivary mucins MUC5B and MUC7, and then with gold-labeled secondary antibodies. Specific MUC5B reactivity was found in the secretory granules of mucous cells of all glands examined, and was associated with the luminal membrane of duct cells. MUC7 labeling was observed in the granules of both mucous and seromucous secretory cells of the glandular parenchyma. Quantitative analyses demonstrated that seromucous granules have higher immunogold labeling densities for MUC7 than mucous granules. Our immunohistochemical data extend the results of previous light microscopic studies of MUC5B and MUC7 localizations, pointing out the significant contribution of human labial glands in the secretion process of these two mucins.

Microscopical examination of particles on smoked cigarette filters.

Cigarette butts collected from crime scenes can play an important role in forensic investigations by providing a DNA link to a victim or suspect. Microscopic particles can frequently be seen on smoked cigarette filters with stereomicroscopy. The authors are not aware of previous published attempts to identify this material. These particles were examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy and were found to consist of two types of superficial epithelial tissue, consistent with two areas of the lip surface. The particles were often composed of several layers of non-nucleated and nucleated epithelium with the former being the most common. It was further determined that both of these cell types are easily transferred from the lip. The results of this study indicate that the most visible source of DNA obtained from cigarette butts and other objects in contact with the lip may be lip epithelial tissue.

Dermatoscopy of an invasive melanoma on the upper lip shows possible association with Laugier-Hunziker syndrome.

We report mucosal melanoma of the upper lip in a patient affected by the Laugier-Hunziker disease. Using dermatoscopy, two distinct parts were identified in the same mucosal area: nodular (malignant) and macular (benign). A complete surgical excision was performed and the patient has been free of disease for 16 months.

Immunohistochemical study of differences between the muscle fiber types in the pars peripheralis and marginalis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical differences between the muscular fiber types in the pars peripheralis and pars marginalis of human orbicularis oris muscle. Five upper lips of fresh human adult cadavers were used. Full thickness of the upper lip, 5 mm in width, was harvested vertically at a peak point of cupid's bow. Troponin I-SS and Troponin I-FS antibodies were used to determinate the slow and fast skeletal muscle fibers. The pars peripheralis is composed of slow fibers (22%) and fast fibers (73%). The pars marginalis is composed of slow fibers (30%) and fast fibers (66%). We assume that the pars peripheralis and pars marginalis should be repaired sortably because the muscle reaction and endurance are not the same.

Development of the upper lip: morphogenetic and molecular mechanisms.

The vertebrate upper lip forms from initially freely projecting maxillary, medial nasal, and lateral nasal prominences at the rostral and lateral boundaries of the primitive oral cavity. These facial prominences arise during early embryogenesis from ventrally migrating neural crest cells in combination with the head ectoderm and mesoderm and undergo directed growth and expansion around the nasal pits to actively fuse with each other. Initial fusion is between lateral and medial nasal processes and is followed by fusion between maxillary and medial nasal processes. Fusion between these prominences involves active epithelial filopodial and adhering interactions as well as programmed cell death. Slight defects in growth and patterning of the facial mesenchyme or epithelial fusion result in cleft lip with or without cleft palate, the most common and disfiguring craniofacial birth defect. Recent studies of craniofacial development in animal models have identified components of several major signaling pathways, including Bmp, Fgf, Shh, and Wnt signaling, that are critical for proper midfacial morphogenesis and/or lip fusion. There is also accumulating evidence that these signaling pathways cross-regulate genetically as well as crosstalk intracellularly to control cell proliferation and tissue patterning. This review will summarize the current understanding of the basic morphogenetic processes and molecular mechanisms underlying upper lip development and discuss the complex interactions of the various signaling pathways and challenges for understanding cleft lip pathogenesis.

Taste bud form and distribution on lips and in the oropharyngeal cavity of cardinal fish species (Apogonidae, Teleostei), with remarks on their dentition.

The oral dentition and type and number of taste buds (TB) on the lips and in the oropharyngeal cavity were compared by means of SEM in 11 species of cardinal fishes (Apogonidae) belonging to five genera. The occurrence of a dense cover of skin papillae on the lips of some species (e.g., Apogon frenatus), as well as differences in structure of vomer, tongue, and palatinum, expose additional morphological characters important for clarification of the taxonomy of this group of fishes. Differences are also revealed in the type of dentition, such as on the vomer and epi-hypopharyngeal bones. Strong and dense dentition of the anterior part of the oral cavity and a high number of TB on this site in species feeding on larger prey (e.g., Cheilodipterus spp) is compared to the relatively feeble jaw armor and richness of TB on the more pharyngeal site in species feeding on smaller prey (e.g., Apogon angustatus, A. frenatus). In addition to the three types of TB (Types I-III) previously described from various teleost fish, a fourth type (Type IV), comprising very small buds, was found in some cardinal fish (Apogon angustatus, A. frenatus). The various TB are distributed from the lips to the pharyngeal bones, on the breathing valves, tongue, palatinum, and pharyngeal bones; their number and type on the various sites differ in the different species. In all species studied the Types I and II TB, elevated above the surrounding epithelium, dominated the lips and anterior part of mouth, while Types III and IV, which end apically at the level with the epithelium, dominated the more posterior pharyngeal region. The highest number of TB, around 24,600, were found in Fowleria variegata, a typical nocturnal species, and the lowest in the diurnal and crepuscular Apogon cyanosoma (1,660) and Cheilodipterus quinquestriatus (2,400). Differences are also revealed in the type of dentition, such as on the vomer and epi-hypopharyngeal bones. The number of TB increased with growth of the fishes. The differences in the total number of TB and their distribution in the oropharyngeal cavity in the various species indicates possible different mechanisms of foraging and food-recognition.

[Ultrastructure of Manganotti cheilitis]. / Ul'trastruktura kheilita Manganotti.

Electron-microscopic examination of 5 cases with histological diagnosis of Manganotti's cheilitis was made. As distinct from other types of heilitis, disintegration of the basement membrane (up to its disappearance in some areas) and pronounced changes in the basement layer of the epithelium are characteristic for this type. Shedding of plasmalemms, a decrease of desmosomal complexes, appearance of microvilli were seen in the basal cells of the epithelium. A pronounced reaction of blood and connective tissue cells which invade basal and spinous layer of the epithelium was observed.

Fiber-optic confocal reflectance microscope with miniature objective for in vivo imaging of human tissues.

We have built a fiber-optic confocal reflectance microscope capable of imaging human tissues in near real time. Miniaturization of the objective lens and the mechanical components for positioning and axially scanning the objective enables the device to be used in inner organs of the human body. The lateral resolution is 2 micrometers and axial resolution is 10 micrometers. Confocal images of fixed tissue biopsies and the human lip in vivo have been obtained at 15 frames/s without any fluorescent stains. Both cell morphology and tissue architecture can be appreciated from images obtained with this microscope.

Histologic, histochemical, and ultrastructural analysis of soft tissues from cleft and normal lips.

The cause of cleft lip remains speculative. The nature and extent of pathophysiologic changes in cleft lip muscle are controversial. This study was undertaken to better understand the developmental processes at work. There were two groups of patients. In group 1, 40 fresh tissue specimens were taken from 22 patients who were 2 to 5 months old-their age at the time of their primary cleft lip repair. In group 2, eight control specimens were collected from six children who were seen in the emergency department with lip lacerations. Fresh specimens fixed in neutral buffered formalin were evaluated by the use of hematoxylin and eosin with Luxol fast blue, Bielschowsky, and Masson trichrome stains. Fresh frozen tissue was histochemically assessed by the use of hematoxylin and eosin, modified Gomori trichrome, and adenosine triphosphatase. Ultrastructural analysis was performed on fine sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue. Histologic examination revealed increased endomysial and perimysial collagen in cleft specimens with evidence of muscle-bundle size variation and nonneurogenic atrophy. Insignificant differences were observed between cleft-side and noncleft-side specimens when the means of 200 counts of neural-tissue bundles in the subdermis were compared (p = 0.093). Histochemical examination revealed no typical checkerboard pattern, but a preponderance of type 2 fiber was seen. By means of electron microscopy, increased numbers of subsarcolemmal mitochondria were found in cleft, noncleft, and control specimens. Increased absolute numbers of mitochondria and variations in size, shape, and crystal arrangement were identified. In conclusion, there is no evidence of deficient neural supply in the cleft lip. There is also no evidence of neurogenic muscle atrophy or a metabolic abnormality. There are characteristic myopathic changes. These, in concert with the observed interstitial fibrosis, may have far-reaching implications for growth and function.

Degeneration and regeneration of the lip mucosal epithelium after cryo treatment in mice.

The process of degeneration and regeneration of the lip mucosal epithelium after cryo treatment was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The epithelial cells were degenerated by the formation of ice crystals and subsequently detached from the basement membrane, forming a blister cavity. The separation occurred between the epithelial cells and the lamina densa, leaving a small amount of cell debris on the lamina densa. The surviving cells at the periphery of the blister cavity, especially the cells in the basal half of the epithelium, provided the regeneration cells. They migrated over the cell debris, attached to the lamina densa and gradually phagocytozed it. Finally, they formed hemidesmosomes with the old lamina densa. The connections between the epithelial cells by desmosomes were so tight that desmosomes were preserved even between dead cells and between dead and living cells. Regenerating cells were moving in a multilayered form, remaining connected to each other by the dosmosomes. They were seen to divide by mitosis and thereby increase the number of the cell layer, whilst maintaining their connections with the neighbouring cells.

Distribution of type VII collagen in the epithelial basement membranes of mouse palate, tongue and lip mucosa.

Dithiothreitol effectively separated the laminae densae and the laminae fibroreticulares of the basement membranes of oral mucosal epithelia as it does the epidermis and dermis. Dithiothreitol-separated epithelial basement membranes of palate, tongue, and lip were immunoreacted with colloidal gold-conjugated anti-type VII collagen antibody. By transmission electron microscopy, gold particles were observed only on the anchoring fibrils. For three-dimensional observation of the distribution of type VII collagen by scanning electron microscopy, secondary and backscattered electron images were compared. The secondary image showed the fine structure of the laminae densae and anchoring fibrils, and the backscattered images showed the gold particles conjugated with the antibody. By using an osmium conductive metal coating under optimal conditions, secondary and backscattered electron images of sufficient quality could be obtained. With the osmium coating, the backscattered electron image could show not only the gold particles but also the general morphological outline, making possible a comparison of the two images, which revealed the three-dimensional distribution of type VII collagen. Type VII collagen was also seen only on the anchoring fibrils, as in the epidermal basement membrane.

The Twirler mouse, a model for the study of cleft lip and palate.

Twirler (Tw) is a semidominant mutation in the mouse affecting the embryonic development of the midfacial region. Most heterozygous Tw mice, +/-, become obese at adulthood with a concomitant decrease in fertility. Homozygous mice have clefts of the midfacial region and a disrupted nasal cavity. Midfacial clefts included clefts of the palate combined with either unilateral or bilateral clefts of the lip. The clefts of the lip were either complete or incomplete. The palatal shelves in Tw/Tw were very much reduced. Apart from these defects, homozygous Tw looked normal, and were born alive, although they reportedly die within 24 h after birth. It is proposed that the Twirler model can be used to improve understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in the normal development of the midfacial region.

A scanning and transmission electron microscope study of the human minor salivary glands.

All human minor salivary glands, apart from the posterior deep lingual (von Ebner's) glands which were serous, contained a minor population of seromucous cells that increased from palatine and posterior superficial lingual (Weber's) to labial, anterior lingual (Blandin and Nuhn's) and buccal glands, in that order. Unlike the predominant mucous cells, whose structure was uniform, serous and seromucous cells exhibited, in each gland, peculiar cytological and cytoarchitectural characters.

Cleft lip: a histochemical and ultrastructural analysis of lip muscles.

AIMS: In order to evaluate the pathogenesis of cleft-lip in relation to both the anatomical and structural anomalies of the mesenchymal tissues, the authors concluded that the presence of structural anomalies in the examined tissues could not explain the malformation, but might be a consequence of it. Delayed muscular development, asymmetrical distribution of the muscular fibres and their anomalous insertion suggest that the anatomical/functional loss clinically detectable in the orbicular muscle could be the result of a perinatal dysmorphological process rather than of a simple mesenchymal hypoplasia. METHODS: Schendel et al. suggested that a metabolic defect in the mitochondrial function could cause a deficiency in cell migration and proliferation responsible for the malformation in question. To establish whether the pathogenesis of the cleft-lip is associated with an alteration in mitochondrial functionality, eight patients affected by unilateral cleft-lip were subjected to a biopsy of the orbicular muscle during the course of reparative surgery. RESULTS: The results obtained showed: 1) a great variation in the size of muscle fibres; 2) the absence of ragged red fibres; 3) a normal oxidative function in the muscle fibres examined; 4) the absence of typologically significant groupings positive for myofibral ATPases. Furthermore, the morphology of the mitochondria was preserved in all cases and neither inclusions nor morphological or volumetric changes were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary data did not confirm the constant presence of mitochondrial pathology responsible for the malformation in question. In our opinion, the growth deficiency of the maxillary segment could be ascribed to the cicatrization of the surgical repair of the cleft-lip.

Human oral mucosa studies with varying blood glucose concentration by non-invasive ATR-FT-IR-spectroscopy.

During the last few years infrared spectrometry has been investigated as a non-invasive clinical tool for improved understanding of in-vivo processes. Oral mucosa has been suggested as an especially suited subject for drug delivery and in vivo monitoring of endogenous body metabolites due to histological and physicochemical reasons. The attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique was used to characterize the outmost epidermal layer of human oral mucosa by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The penetration depth of the probing radiation in the mid-infrared fingerprint region, using a ZnSe-crystal for the horizontal ATR accessory, is in the order of a few micrometers so that microlayer information can be obtained by such a technique. Spectra of outer human lip and saliva components are presented for comparison. For several test persons, lip spectra were recorded during oral glucose tolerance tests. The individually varying blood glucose concentration was followed by means of frequent blood testing. Variability of the outmost microlayer has been studied using factor analysis of the ATR inner-lip spectra. There is no clear evidence that blood glucose concentration can be followed by ATR-spectroscopy of oral mucosa. Non-invasive spectroscopic methods exploiting trace signals require special attention paid to the variability due to person-to-person differences and changes in physiological conditions.

Ultraestrutura da parede da fístula congênita de lábio inferior na Síndrome de Van Der Woude / Ultrastructure of the wall of congenital fistula of the lower lip in the Van Der Woude Syndrome

A parede mucosa de fístulas congênitas de lábio inferior de 4 pacientes do Hospital de Pesquisa e Reabilitaçäo de Lesöes Lábio-Palatais de Bauru-SP, foram analisadas ao microscópio eletrônico de transmissäo. A fístula de um dos pacientes, em sua porçäo proximal apresentou revestida por epitélio pavimentoso estratificado paraqueratinizado, nas porçöes média e do fundo, o epitélio foi sempre do tipo näo queratinizado. Nos demais pacientes, a parede das fístulas em toda sua profundidade estava constituída por epitélio näo queratinizado. As características ultraestruturais, de ambos os tipos de epitélio näo foram semelhantes às descritas na literatura, para a mucosa humana paraqueratinizada e näo queratinizada. A lâmina própria em todos os casos estava formada por tecido conjuntivo denso näo modelado constituído de densa rede de fibras colágenas