PABLO A. VALDECANTOS, MARTÍN E. ARGAÑARAZ, CARLOS M. ABATE, DORA C. MICELI

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 287-297, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.287

Abstract As a step towards the identification of genes preferentially expressed in the oviduct during early rat embryo development, we isolated a cDNA fragment (Pr14) by using RNA arbitrarily primed PCR (RAP-PCR), being its expression restricted to oviduct and uterus; its mRNA is mainly expressed in oviduct during late luteal phase and early pregnancy. This fragment is 100% identical to a rat DNA sequence (Accession No. NW_047400) downstream the terminal exon of a Rattus norvegicus gene (Locus Link Accession No. LOC289316) similar to ebaf (endometrial bleeding-associated factor), a novel member of the Transforming Growth Factor superfamily. Northern analyses showed that this… More >

MARÍA ESTHER DIUPOTEX-CHONG¹, NÉSTOR J. CAZZANIGA², ALEJANDRA HERNÁNDEZ-SANTOYO³, JOSÉ MIGUEL BETANCOURT-RULE⁴

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 279-285, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.279

Abstract Mitotic chromosomes of the freshwater snail Pomacea patula catemacensis (Baker 1922) were analyzed on gill tissue of specimens from the type locality (Lake Catemaco, Mexico). The diploid number of chromosomes is 2n = 26, including nine metacentric and four submetacentric pairs; therefore, the fundamental number is FN = 52. No sex chromosomes could be identified. The same chromosome number and morphology were already reported for P. flagellata, i.e., the other species of the genus living in Mexico. The basic haploid number for family Ampullariidae was reported to be n° =°14 in the literature; so, its reduction to n° =°13 is… More >

PABLO HORACIO MASEDA¹, JORGE HUGO LEMCOFF¹, MERCEDES MURÚA², NORA FRAYSSINET³, MARTA SUSANA CARCELLER^1†

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 271-277, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.271

Abstract Lycium chilense, a deciduous perennial shrub, is one of the endangered native species of Patagonia due to sheep overgrazing. Chances of recolonization by seeds are scarce due to the limited density of propagules in the soil and very specific requirements for germination. The objective was to develop an in vitro propagation protocol that would help to perform reestablishment of this species in degraded areas of the Patagonian steppe. Seeds came from two provenances with different somatic number due to differences in ploidy level. Defoliated microcuttings were planted in test tubes with different growing media and taken to a growth chamber.… More >

CECILIA I. IBAÑEZ DE BARRETT, JUAN PABLO BOZZINI, MARTA MARIANO DE BOZZINI*

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 259-269, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.259

Abstract The post-embryonic development of the female gonads in Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera, Heteroptera), insects of importance in health affairs as harbors and vectors of different tripanosomatidea flagellates, is presented in a complete follow-up since insect hatches from the egg up to the last molt in the fifth instar stage. The detailed description of the morphological changes which occur in each instar as well as careful measurements evaluating its size increase have been analyzed by stereomicroscopy, phase contrast, dark field, and oblique illumination, in order to optimize the observations as well the photographic register of gonad morphology and structure.
The analysis… More >

GRACIELA CRISTINA CALABRESE*, ROSA WAINSTOK**

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 251-258, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.251

Abstract Endothelial cells, at the cell-cell borders, express PECAM-1, and have been implicated in vascular functions. The monoclonal antibody MEC 13.3 recognizes PECAM-1 molecule from mouse vessels and allows to analyze the ontogeny of mouse endothelium. At the present, little is known about the molecular basis of differentiation pathways of endothelial cells, that enables its morphological heterogeneity. The purpose of this study was to analyze the pattern of PECAM-1 expression, employing monoclonal antibody MEC 13.3, in cellular suspensions obtained from different mouse organs at pre and postnatal stages.
Fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis showed a different profile of the glycoprotein… More >

ELIANE VICTORIANO, ELISA A. GREGÓRIO

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.2, pp. 165-169, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.165

Abstract The Lyonet’s gland is found in Lepidoptera larvae, close to the excretory duct of the silk gland. The role played by this gland is still uncertain. This work aims to describe the ultrastructure of the Lyonet’s gland in Diatraea saccharalis larvae, offering suggestions regarding its possible function. The insects were reared under laboratory-controlled conditions. The glands were conventionally prepared for transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. SEM showed that Lyonet’s glands are paired small structures located in the ventral side of the head. They are composed by clustered long cells resembling leaves. Under TEM observations, each cell is surrounded… More >

C. D. GAMARRA-LUQUES, I. A. VEGA, E. KOCH, A. CASTRO-VAZQUEZ

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.2, pp. 155-164, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.155

Abstract A new species of cyclopoid copepod, Ozmana huarpium, is described as a symbiont to Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck 1822) (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae). Rather large numbers (about one hundred copepods per snail) were found, although there was no evidence of harm to the host. To our knowledge, O. haemophila (symbiont to P. maculata), and the currently described species, O. huarpium, are the only copepod species ever recorded as endosymbionts to freshwater invertebrates. While O. haemophila is restricted to the haemocoel of its host, O. huarpium predominate in the penis sheath, the ctenidium and the mantle cavity, figuring in these pallial organs 63-65 %… More >

MOUYU YANG¹, V.BENNO MEYER-ROCHOW^1,2

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.2, pp. 151-154, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.151

Abstract Only one insect (the scale insect Eriococcus sp.) is known, in which photoreceptive lamellae appear to have replaced the usual arthropod rhabdom microvilli. We are now reporting the presence of photoreceptive membranes, which also appear to resemble lamellae rather than microvilli, but they are in the ocellus of the tiny wasp Centrodora sp., which parasitizes scale insect eggs. The apparently optically homogenous lens of the Centrodora ocellus measures approximately 10 µm in diameter and, thus, operates at the limits of diffraction. We calculated that the lens is capable of focusing a parallel bundle of rays on the retina of the… More >

DIANA B. DOCK*, JOSÉ E. AGUILAR-NASCIMENTO**, MARCIA Q. LATORRACA*

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.2, pp. 143-150, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.143

Abstract AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics on the recovery of the bowel atrophy induced by malnutrition in rats. METHODS: Twenty-and-six Wistar rats (200-250g) were fed with either a normoproteic (sham group, n=6) or a free-protein diet (n=20) during 12 days. Twelve malnourished rats were randomized to recover during 15 days with either a hydrolyzed diet (control group, n=6) or the same diet enriched with probiotics (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus; probiotic group, n=6). RESULTS: Probiotic group showed similar gain of body, liver and bowel weight than controls. At the jejunum, both the villus… More >

NILZA CRISTINA BUTTOW, MIRIAM SANTIN, LUCIANA CONCI MACEDO, ALINE CRISTINA NERES TEIXEIRA, GISELE CAROLINE NOVAKOWSKI, TAÍSE ROBERTA BOLONHEIS ARMELIN, KATHYA ASSMANN

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.2, pp. 135-142, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.135

Abstract A morphological and quantitative study in the ileal and colonic myenteric and submucous plexuses of rats after BAC denervation was performed. Four groups were employed: SI – ileum control; CBI – denervated ileum; SC – colon control; and CBC – denervated colon. We used the Myosin-V immunohistochemistry technique to study the myenteric and submucous plexuses. In the submucous plexus of the ileum and colon there was not a significant decrease in the number of neurons/mm2 and of ganglia/mm2 . The denervation of the myenteric plexus in the group CBI was 44.7% and in the group CBC, 68.3%. In the myenteric… More >