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… 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,… 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 % of total 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 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 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… More >

S.K. VILA*, H.Y. REY, L.A. MROGINSKI

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.1, pp. 35-41, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.035

Abstract In vitro regeneration of shoots from leaf explants of the Paradise tree (Melia azedarach L.) was studied. Three different portions (proximal portion, distal portion and rachis of the leaflets) of three developmental stages (folded, young still expanding and completely expanded) of leaves of 10 – 15 years old plants of seven genotypes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemented with 1mg.l^-1 benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.1mg.l^-1 kinetin (KIN) + 3 mg.l^-1 adenine sulphate (ADS).
The rachis of the leaflets of the completely expanded leaves was found to be the most responsive tissue, in most of the More >

MARÍA DE LOS ANGELES ALVAREZ, VALERIA E. P. ZARELLI, NORA B.PAPPANO, NORA B. DEBATTISTA

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.1, pp. 31-34, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.031

Abstract In previous work the bacteriostatic action of trihydroxylated chalcones against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25 923 was investigated. In this work the action of 2´, 4´, 2-(OH)₃ -chalcone, 2´, 4´, 3-(OH)_3^- chalcone and 2´, 4´, 4-(OH)₃ –chalcone against Escherichia coli ATCC 25 922 was evaluated. Growth kinetic curves of E.coli were made in nutritive broth added with increasing drug concentrations. The specific growth rates of the microorganisms were calculated by a kinetic turbidimetric method, which was previously probed and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC´s) were evaluated by a mechanism of action proposed. The MICs of 2´, 4´, 3-(OH)₃ -chalcone and 2´, More >

RENATO SIMÕES CORDEIRO*, WELLERSON RODRIGO SCARANO*, REJANE MAIRA GÓES**, SEBASTIÃO ROBERTO TABOGA**

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.1, pp. 21-30, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.021

Abstract The flutamide antiandrogenic effects on the Guinea pig male prostate morphology in puberal, post-puberal and adult ages were evaluated in the present study. Daily-treated group animals received flutamide subcutaneous injection at a dose of 10 mg/Kg body weight for 10 days. The control group animals received a pharmacological vehicle under the same conditions. The lateral prostate was removed, fixed and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed an increase of the acinus diameter in the treated puberal animals and straitness in the stromal compartment around the acini. The epithelial cells exhibited cubic More >

M. ISOLDE RUDOLPH¹, I. GINA ROJAS², ALICIA B. PENISSI³

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.1, pp. 1-11, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.001

Abstract Birth is the result of complex, well-defined, and coordinated events, that are tightly regulated by endocrine, nervous, and immune responses, and take place primarily in the female reproductive tract. Various mechanisms and mediators involved in pregnancy, labor, and delivery, are highly conserved among different mammalian species and mast cells emerge as potential and crucial participants in these processes, as it is discussed in this review. More >