Morphological changes in the white rats’ thyroid gland 14 days after simulated thermal trauma of the skin on the background of the administration of 0.9 % NaCl solution

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 11 million burns in the world each year, of which 180,000 are fatal. One of the systemic consequences of burn injuries is the so-called burn-associated hypermetabolism, the clinical picture of which includes immunological dysfunction, loss of bone mineral density, endocrine disorders, including thyroid dysfunction. The aim of the study was to establish histological and ultrastructural changes of the thyroid gland of experimental animals 14 days after the simulated thermal trauma of the skin on the background of using first 7 days 0.9 % NaCl solution. At the optical and ultrastructural levels of the study 14 days after thermal skin burn on the background of 0.9 % NaCl solution in the thyroid gland of experimental animals found: follicles – mostly large, overstretched (epithelium flat, with desquamation); cytoplasm of thyrocytes is poor in organelles, part of mitochondria with damaged cristae and enlightened matrix, available electron-dense lysosomes, apical surface smoothed; there is swelling of the capsule and trabeculae, leukocyte infiltration; components of the arterial and venous bed are dilated, there is a deformation of the lumen of blood vessels; hemocapillaries are dilated with numerous erythrocytes and perivascular edema. The detected changes cause a violation of the secretory cycle of thyrocytes, transendothelial metabolism and lead to an imbalance in the production and excretion of thyroid hormones.

Seminal Vesicles and Bulbourethral Glands of Mammals: Morphology, Physiology, Ecology, Action of Extreme Destabilizing Factors

In mammals, the adnexal sex glands are represented by seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, urethral and bulbourethral glands, as well as glands that coagulate sperm and ampullary glands. The secret of the accessory genital glands increases the volume of the ejaculate (the share of secretions of these glands accounts for about 95% of the volume of ejaculate) promotes sperm, causes increased contraction of smooth muscle cells in the walls of the female genital tract.The purpose of this review is to analyze the morphofunctional organization of seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands of mammalian animals and humans.The presence or absence of seminal vesicles is a species-specific feature. Among mammals, seminal vesicles are well developed in some rodents, insectivores, a number of domestic animals (cattle, pigs), and primates. These glands are absent in cloacae, marsupials, some carnivores, a number of insectivores, artiodactyls. Bulbourethral glands are well developed in rodents, bats, primates, and some ungulates.In the wall of the seminal vesicles, the mucous, muscular and outer membranes are isolated. The epithelium of the secretory parts is pseudomultitial, the interstitium is represented by loose fibrous connective tissue and a significant number of smooth muscle cells. In the wall of the bulbourethral glands, the mucosa and adventitial membrane are isolated. The secretory end sections of the bulbourethral glands are lined with a single-layer single-row epithelium, glandular cells produce a mucosal or mixed secret. The seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands are androgen-dependent glands. In species with a seasonal pattern of reproduction, their morphofunctional characteristics undergo significant changes during the circannual rhythm of reproduction.The epithelium of seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands is very sensitive to the action of various adverse factors (heavy metal compounds, organic xenobiotics, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, etc.). When exposed to various negative factors in the adnexal glands, a complex of changes occurs (edema of connective tissue and epithelium, decreased secretory activity of epithelial cells, desynchronization of the secretory cycle, desquamation of glandular epithelial cells, proliferation of interstitial connective tissue).There is a lack of information on many aspects of the characteristics of the adnexal glands of the male reproductive system, primarily on the morphology and physiology of the adnexal glands of animals in natural ecosystems, on the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of these glands, as well as on the mechanisms of regulation of morphofunctional rearrangements of the adnexal glands during seasonal reproduction rhythms, in the conditions of adaptation to various negative influences.

Peritoneal fluid biomarkers in patients with endometriosis: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesElevated concentrations of numerous molecules have been reported in the peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis. Until now, no factor proved sufficiently specific to endometriosis. We aimed to investigate several biomarkers in endometriosis and report their association with the menstrual cycle in a large sample size study.MethodsPatients of reproductive age undergoing laparoscopic procedures for benign pathology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bern between 2007 and 2018 were included. Exclusion criteria were the use of hormonal treatment in the three months prior to surgery, patients suffering from other inflammatory diseases, pregnancy, malignancy and surgery performed in an emergency. The concentrations of 13 different biomarkers in the peritoneal fluid (PF) were compared between patients with and without endometriosis both in the proliferative and the secretory cycle phase.ResultsOut of 1,256 patients in the database, 521 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Glycodelin (PP14) and Midkine concentrations were significantly higher in patients with endometriosis compared to controls irrespective of the cycle phase in which the PF was collected. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) concentrations were higher in patients with endometriosis only in the proliferative cycle phase. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, CCL2 (MCP-1) and Defensin concentrations were higher in patients with endometriosis only in the secretory cycle phase.ConclusionsCertain pathophysiological processes may take place only in the one cycle phase leading to a temporary increase of specific PF biomarkers. Correlation with clinical outcomes is mandatory to establish their potential as prognostic or therapeutic tools in endometriosis.

Apicomplexan motility depends on the operation of an endocytic-secretory cycle

ABSTRACTApicomplexan parasites invade host cells in an active process, involving their ability to move by gliding motility and invasion. While the acto-myosin-system of the parasite plays a crucial role in the formation and release of attachment sites during this process, there are still open questions, such as how the force powering motility is generated. In many eukaryotes a secretory-endocytic cycle leads to recycling of receptors (integrins), necessary to form attachment sites, regulation of surface area during motility and generation of retrograde membrane flow. Here we demonstrate that endocytosis operates during gliding motility in Toxoplasma gondii and appears to be crucial for the establishment of retrograde membrane flow, since inhibition of endocytosis blocks retrograde flow and motility. We identified lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as a potent stimulator of endocytosis and demonstrate that extracellular parasites can efficiently incorporate exogenous material, such as nanogold particles. Furthermore, we show that surface proteins of the parasite are recycled during this process. Interestingly, the endocytic and secretory pathways of the parasite converge, and endocytosed material is subsequently secreted, demonstrating the operation of an endocytic-secretory cycle. Together our data consolidate previous findings and we propose a novel model that reconciles parasite motility with observations in other eukaryotes: the fountain-flow-model for apicomplexan parasite motility.

Features of the thyroid gland structural components remodeling in the toxemia stage after experimental thermal injury

Thermal injury causes severe structural and metabolic disturbances not only of the skin itself, but also of all organs and systems of the affected organism, is a manifestation of a complex symptom complex - a burn disease. Of particular importance in patients with burns are changes in the endocrine system. The aim of the study was to establish the microscopic and electron-microscopic reorganization of the components of the thyroid gland of animals after thermal damage on 14 day after experimental thermal injury. A III degree burn was applied under ketamine anesthesia with copper plates heated in boiled water to a temperature of 97-100°C. The size of the lesion area was 18-20% of the epilated surface of the body of rats. An experimental study of the structural components of the thyroid gland after a burn injury was performed on laboratory white male rats weighing 160-180 g. Rats euthanasia was performed after ketamine anesthesia by decapitation. In the experiment, the study of the microscopic and submicroscopic state of the follicles and hemocapillaries of the thyroid gland after thermal injury of the III degree. It has been established that in the toxemia stage after the application of the burn injury on 14 day (late toxemia stage), significant destructive and degenerative changes are found in the thyrocytes of the wall of the follicles and hemocapillaries, the organ acquires a macrofollicular structure. The height of thyrocytes decreases, the nuclei and organelles of cytoplasm are significantly damaged, the number and height of microvilli on their apical surface decreases, which negatively affects the cell's secretory cycle and transcapillary organ metabolic processes. The established destructive changes in the blood capillaries and thyrocytes of the follicles are the morphological manifestation of the suppression of the secretory activity of the thyroid gland during thermal injury and corresponds to the hypofunctional state of the organ.

Novel Types of Ca2+ Release Channels Participate in the Secretory Cycle of Paramecium Cells

ABSTRACT A database search of the Paramecium genome reveals 34 genes related to Ca2+-release channels of the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) or ryanodine receptor type (IP3R, RyR). Phylogenetic analyses show that these Ca2+ release channels (CRCs) can be subdivided into six groups (Paramecium tetraurelia CRC-I to CRC-VI), each one with features in part reminiscent of IP3Rs and RyRs. We characterize here the P. tetraurelia CRC-IV-1 gene family, whose relationship to IP3Rs and RyRs is restricted to their C-terminal channel domain. CRC-IV-1 channels localize to cortical Ca2+ stores (alveolar sacs) and also to the endoplasmic reticulum. This is in contrast to a recently described true IP3 channel, a group II member (P. tetraurelia IP3RN-1), found associated with the contractile vacuole system. Silencing of either one of these CRCs results in reduced exocytosis of dense core vesicles (trichocysts), although for different reasons. Knockdown of P. tetraurelia IP3RN affects trichocyst biogenesis, while CRC-IV-1 channels are involved in signal transduction since silenced cells show an impaired release of Ca2+ from cortical stores in response to exocytotic stimuli. Our discovery of a range of CRCs in Paramecium indicates that protozoans already have evolved multiple ways for the use of Ca2+ as signaling molecule.