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Background. Mucus derived from many land snails has been extensively utilised in medicine and cosmetics, but some biological activities of the mucus need to be well documented. Nevertheless, most mucus is obtained from land snails, while mucus from freshwater snails has yet to be attended. Methods. This study aims to determine and compare mucus's antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activities from the land snail Lissachatina fulica and the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata. ABTS, DPPH, reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells was performed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the histochemical analysis of mucous cells in each snail foot was conducted to compare the distribution of mucous cells and types of mucins using periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue staining. Results. Mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata exhibited antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activities in different parameters. L. fulica mucus has higher total antioxidant (44.71 ± 2.11 mg AAE/g) and nitric oxide inhibitory activities (IC50 D 9.67 ±0.31 mg/ml), whereas P. canaliculata mucus has better-reducing power activity (43.63 ± 2.47 mg AAE/g) and protein denaturation inhibition (IC50 D 0.60 ± 0.03 mg/ml). Histochemically, both species' dorsal and ventral foot regions contained neutral and acid mucins in different quantities. In the dorsal region, the neutral mucins level in L. fulica (16.64 ± 3.46%) was significantly higher than that in P. canaliculata (11.19 ±1.50%), while the acid mucins level showed no significant difference between species. Levels of both mucins in the ventral foot region of L. fulica (15.08 ± 3.97% and 10.76 ± 3.00%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of P. canaliculata (2.25 ± 0.48% and 2.71 ± 0.56%, respectively). This study revealed scientific evidence of the biological capacity of mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata as well as provided helpful information on the region of the foot which produces effective mucus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Hydrobiology is the property of Editorial Department of Journal of Hydrobiology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Holothurians are marine invertebrates that are among the most widespread benthic megafauna communities by both biomass and abundance in shallow‐water and deep‐sea ecosystems, their functions supporting important ecological services worldwide. Despite their simple appearance as sea cucumbers, holothurians show a wide range of feeding practices. However, information on what and how these animals eat is scattered and potentially confusing. We provide a comprehensive review of holothurian nutrition in coastal and deep‐sea ecosystems. First, we describe morphological aspects of holothurian feeding and the ultrastructure of tentacles. We discuss the two processes for food capture, concluding that mucus adhesion is likely the main method; two mucous cells, type‐1 and type‐2, possibly allow the adhesion and de‐adhesion, respectively, of food particles. Secondly, this review aims to clarify behavioural aspects of holothurian suspension‐ and deposit‐feeding. We discuss the daily feeding cycle, and selective feeding strategies. We conclude that there is selectivity for fine and organically rich particles, and that feeding through the cloaca is also a route for nutrient absorption. Third, we provide a wide description of the diet of holothurians, which can be split into two categories: living and non‐living material. We suggest that Synallactida, Molpadida, Persiculida, Holothuriida and Elasipodida, ingest the same fractions, and emphasise the importance of bacteria in the diet of holothurians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olfactory organs of two African lungfishes, Protopterus amphibius and P. dolloi, were investigated using a stereo microscope and a compound light microscope and were described anatomically, histologically, and histochemically. Like other lungfishes, these species present the following general features: i) elongated olfactory chamber (OC), ii) anterior nostril at the ventral tip of the upper lip, iii) posterior nostril on the palate of the oral cavity, iv) lamellae with multiple cell types such as olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells, and mucous cells (MC), and vi) vomero-like epithelial crypt (VEC) made of glandular epithelium (GE) and crypt sensory epithelium. Some of these features exhibit differences between species: MCs are abundant in both the lamellar and inner walls of the OC in P. amphibius but occur only in lamellae in P. dolloi. On the other hand, some between feature differences are consistent across species: the GE of both P. amphibius and P. dolloi is strongly positive for Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff (deep violet coloration), and positive with hematoxylin and eosin and with Masson's trichrome (reddish-brown staining), unlike the MCs of the two species which stain dark red with both Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff and Masson's trichrome but respond faintly to hematoxylin and eosin. The differing abundance of MCs in the two lungfishes might reflect different degrees in aerial exposure of the olfactory organ, while the neutral and acid mucopolysaccharide-containing VEC, as indicated by staining properties of the MCs, is evolutionary evidence that P. amphibius and P. dolloi are the closest living relatives to tetrapods, at least in the order Dipnoi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish gills are heavily exposed to the external milieu and may react against irritants with different cellular responses. We describe variations in mucous cell counts in gills from healthy Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) presmolts in five recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) farms and one flow‐through farm. Based on certain criteria, mucous cells were histologically quantified in a defined lamellar region of the gills and the counts were analysed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to investigate epithelial responses. The median number of total mucous cells in the defined region was 59 per fish. Between the farms, the medians varied from 31 to 101 with the lowest in the flow‐through farm. A regression model was fitted with "total mucous cells" as the dependent variable and with "fish length" and "fish farm" as independent variables. The proportion of variation in mucous cell counts explained by the model was twice as high when "fish farm" was included compared to only "fish length." IHC revealed proliferative responses in coherence with high mucous cell numbers. Conclusively, the variation in mucous cell counts depends on combined farm‐related factors. Establishing a baseline for mucous cell counts is fundamental in the development of high‐throughput monitoring programmes of gill health in farmed fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study is to explore the morphology and histochemistry of the digestive tract of Acipenser dabryanus (Duméril, 1869). The digestive system of the Dabry's sturgeon contained an oropharyngeal cavity, esophagus, stomach, pyloric caeca, duodenum, valvula intestine, and rectum. Both the pyloric caeca, and the valvula intestine, which belonged to elasmobranch, were present simultaneously in the digestive system of the Dabry's sturgeon, which indicated that it was an archaic species. According to the results, we found four types of mucous cells exist in the digestive tracts of the Dabry's sturgeon. The statistical results showed that there were various types and densities of mucous cells in different parts. In comparison, large quantities of mucous cells existed in intestines. The difference in type and distribution of mucous cells are closely related to the functions of the organs where they are found; 5‐hydroxytryptamine were used to identify the endocrine cells in the digestive tract of the Dabry's sturgeon.The 5‐hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive cells were distributed throughout the digestive tract except the esophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was aimed to explain about operculum movement and microanatomy skin structure of P. schlosseri with interval calculation of oxygen uptake by operculum while P. schlosseri stay on the land and undergo skin preparation to observe part of skin and mucous cell microscopically. Sampling was conducted by using the endangered animal catching method with line transect. The observation of operculum movement was done using camera video or direct observation. The observation of skin microanatomy was done using paraffin method and then observed under the microscope. The result of this research showed that average of interval oxygen uptake is 7.25 minute. The result shows that mucous cell is on skin layer of P. schlosseri found in epidermis layer with average range between mucous cell equal to 16.96 μm and average broad size is 73.87 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Southern Agriculture is the property of Journal of Southern Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We investigated the effects of hydrogen peroxide on mucous cells and lysozymes in gill tissue of olive flounder. Morphological analysis revealed significant changes in the number of mucous cells after exposure to 300 and 500 mg L −1 hydrogen peroxide; however, there was no detectable difference in the 100 mg L −1 group. Lysozyme activities declined gradually in the gill mucus, but in contrast activities in serum increased significantly following the completion of treatment. The hepatic c- and g-type lysozyme levels showed significant responses, indicating that the liver is a major lysozyme producer in response to stress condition; however, in the head kidney, there were no significant changes in the g-type lysozyme level in all the groups, while the only detectable difference with the c-type gene in the 300 mg L −1. While the treatments showed no significant changes compared with the control for either branchial lysozyme, there were significant differences in c-type lysozyme between the 3rd treatment and 5 day. Taken together, our data indicate that hydrogen peroxide treatment may lead to modulation of the innate immune response of olive flounder; therefore, the application of hydrogen peroxide in a field system will require more attention to dose and timing effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is an uncommon developmental odontogenic cyst of jaws with a relative frequency between 0.012 and 1.3%. GOC is very rare and only 111 cases have been documented in the English literature so far. Generally, this cyst is encountered in the anterior areas of the mandible and is more common with a wide age range, the mean age being 49.5 years and has a tendency to recur. GOC is often misdiagnosed because of its overlapping histopathological features with that of other odontogenic cysts such as lateral periodontal cyst (LPC) or botryoid cyst and central low-grade Mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Histopathological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of GOC is challenging for pathologist. Here, we present a case of GOC in a 40 year old male patient in left mandibular region that crossed the midline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of iron in the form of iron sulphate (FeSO·7HO), over the range 0.01-1 mM on rainbow trout primary gill cells cultured on semi-permeable membranes. The endpoints measured were cell proliferation, mucous cell numbers, area of mucus in mucous cells, ultrastructural analysis and transepithelial resistance. Regardless of the concentration, FeSO did not modify the apical surface of pavement cells (microridge) and mucous cells. However, at 1 mM, this metal reduced cell numbers, by inhibiting cell proliferation and causing cell death, and induced a decrease in transepithelial resistance. It is interesting to note that cell numbers were also reduced in the presence of 0.5 mM iron salt, although this reduction did not modify transepithelial resistance. FeSO reduced mucous cell number but did not change mucus area in mucous cells suggesting that this metal could induce a discharge of mucous cells, but mucus secretion would be total and not partial. In conclusion, our in vitro model has allowed to study some toxic effect but also resistance of gill epithelium in presence of iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntingtin-interacting protein 1-related (Hipir) is highly expressed in gastric parietal cells, where it participates in vesicular trafficking associated with acid secretion. Hip 1 r-deficient mice have a progressive remodeling of the mucosa, including apoptotic loss of parietal cells, glandular hypertrophy, mucous cell metaplasia, and reduced numbers of zymogenic cells. In this study, we characterized gastric gland development in wild-type and Hip lr-deficient mice to define normal development, as well as the timing and sequence of the cellular transformation events in the mutant stomach. Postnatal (newborn to 8-wk-old) stomachs were examined by histological and gene expression analysis. At birth, gastric glands in wild-type and mutant mice were rudimentary and mature gastric epithelial cells were not apparent, although marker expression was detected for most cell lineages. Interestingly, newborns exhibited unusual cell types, including a novel surface cell filled with lipid and cells that coexpressed markers of mature mucous neck and zymogenic cells. Glandular morphogenesis proceeded rapidly in both genotypes, with gastric glands formed by weaning at 3 wk of age. In the Hiplr-deficient stomach, epithelial cell remodeling developed in a progressive manner. Initially, in the perinatal stomach, cellular changes were limited to parietal cell apoptosis. Other epithelial cell changes, including apoptotic loss of zymogenic cells and expansion of metaplastic mucous cells, emerged several weeks later when the glands were morphologically mature. Thus, parietal cell loss appeared to be the initiating event in Hiplr-deficient mice, with secondary remodeling of the other gastric epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study histologically examined the effects of glucan-containing and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-containing diets on intestinal damages inflicted on Nile tilapia by Aeromonas challenges. Tilapia were fed control, glucan, and LGG diets for 2 weeks and were subsequently challenged with Aeromonas. The intestines were then histologically examined at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection. Mortality following the challenge was lower for the fish fed the glucan and LGG diets. The intestines of these groups also showed increased inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced intestinal damage from Aeromonas. Moreover, inflammatory cell infiltration occurred more rapidly in the glucan-fed than in the LGG-fed fish following the challenge. Before the challenge, the dominant mucous cell was the acid type in all the tests. After the challenge, the main mucus cell type in the proximal intestine of the glucan-fed fish shifted to AB-PAS double-staining cells, while in the LGG-fed fish, it remained the acid type throughout the test period, and the number of double-staining cells was smaller than in the control fish after the challenge. Thus, the different mucous cell and inflammatory cell responses show that glucan and LGG might have different immunostimulative effects, although they both reduced the intestinal damage following Aeromonas challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are two main epithelial cell types in the secretory tubules of mammalian glands: serous and mucous. The former is believed to secrete predominantly water and antimicrobials, the latter mucins. Primary cultures of human airway gland epithelium have been available for almost 20 yr, but they are poorly differentiated and lack clear features of either serous or mucous cells. In this study, by varying growth supports and media, we have produced cultures from human airway glands that in terms of their ultrastructure and secretory products resemble either mucous or serous cells. Of four types of porous-bottomed insert tested, polycarbonate filters (Transwells) most strongly promoted the mucous phenotype. Coupled with the addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF), this growth support produced “mucous” cells that contained the large electron-lucent granules characteristic of native mucous cells, but lacked the small electron-dense granules characteristic of serous cells. Furthermore, they showed high levels of mucin secretion and low levels of release of lactoferrin and lysozyme (markers of native serous cells). By contrast, growth on polyethylene terephthalate filters (Cyclopore) in medium lacking EGF produced “serous” cells in which small electron-dense granules replaced the electron-lucent ones, and the cells had high levels of lactoferrin and lysozyme but low levels of mucins. Measurements of transepithelial resistance and short-circuit current showed that both “serous” and “mucous” cell cultures possessed tight junctions, had become polarized, and were actively secreting Cl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bivalve mussels can concentrate pollutants which, in high amounts, can cause cellular, physiological and behavioral changes. The gill mucus is essential for many metabolic and behavioral procedures on marine mussels including the response to environmental pollution. The present work analyzed the mucous cell number in Mytella falcata gill filaments from three sites of Santos estuary (Brazil) with different levels of sediment contamination named as sites A, B, and C. Site A is located at a low impacted region of the estuary, and sites B and C are under influence of port activities, domestic sewage, and industries like a still mill located in front of site C (the most contaminated area with high amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). An increase in mucous cell number was detected in animals from sites B and C, when compared to site A; this increase occurred preferentially in the frontal zone and was related to sediment contamination. Mucous cell analysis can be used as an efficient biomarker. It is suggested that mucus produced in lateral and abfrontal zones is responsible for eliminating pollutants previously absorbed and mucus produced in frontal zone is responsible for pollutant arrest and elimination as pseudofeces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor, composed of several different cell types, with controversial histogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of cytokeratins in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, comparing to cytokeratin expression in normal salivary glands, in order to establish a possible correlation between tumor cells immunostaining and mucoepidermoid carcinoma histogenesis and differentiation. Eighty cases of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma were immunohistochemically examined with the use of antibodies against cytokeratins 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 18, and 19. Cytokeratin expression varied according to the cellular type: squamous cells presented high expression of cytokeratins 6, 7, 8, 14, 18, and 19; intermediate and mucous cells of cytokeratin 7; clear and columnar cells of cytokeratins 6, 7, 8 and the latter also expressed cytokeratin 18. Cytokeratin 13 expression was low in all cell types. Cytokeratin immunoexpression in mucoepidermoid carcinoma was variable according to the cellular type; but regardless of the cellular type studied, cytokeratins 7 and 13 were, respectively, constantly high and low expressed. The immunoprofile of the normal salivary glands was variable according to the component but, in general, cytokeratin profile in mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed similarity to the immunoexpression on the excretory duct unit of normal salivary glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucous cells of the airway epithelium play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory airway diseases. Therefore, it is of importance to complement in vivo studies that use murine models of allergic asthma with in vitro mechanistic studies that use murine airway epithelial cells, including mucus-containing cells. In this study, we report the development and characterization of an in vitro culture system for primary murine tracheal epithelial (MTE) cells comprising ciliated cells and a substantial number of mucous cells. The increase in mucous cell number over that observed in the native murine airway, or in previously described murine cultures, creates a culture intermediate between the in vivo murine airway epithelium and in vitro cultures of human airway epithelial cells. To establish the usefulness of this culture system for the study of epithelial effects during inflammatory airway diseases, the cells were exposed to interleukin (IL)-13, a central inflammatory mediator in allergic asthma. The IL-13 induced two characteristic epithelial effects, proliferation and modulation of MUC5AC gene expression. There was a concentration dependence of these events, wherein high concentrations of IL-13 (10 ng/ml) induced proliferation, whereas lower concentrations (1 ng/ml) increased MUC5AC mRNA (where mRNA is messenger RNA). Interestingly, these effects occurred in an inverse manner, with the high concentration of IL-13 also provoking a significant decrease in MUC5AC gene expression. Thus, MTE cells cultured in this manner may provide an important link between experimental findings from animal models of allergic asthma and their application to human disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of fish to stressors leads to multiple changes in the skin epithelium. We investigated the role of the stress hormone cortisol in the control of these changes by exposure of pieces of skin from the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss with an in vitro tissue culture incubation procedure. The effects of 24 h exposure to 4 cortisol concentrations (0, 50, 500 and 1000 ng/ml) were determined. Numbers of mucous, mitotic and apoptotic cells were quantitatively assessed using immunohistochemical techniques, in situ DNA nick end labelling (TUNEL), as well as conventional light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cortisol receptor blocker mifepristone was used to investigate whether the effects could be attributed to the direct action of the hormone via glucocorticoid receptors. Overall, cortisol had no effect on the mucous cell population at 24 h. Incubation with the receptor blocker reduced the number of mucous cells. Cell proliferation was stimulated by the addition of 50 and 500 ng/ml cortisol, but not at 1000 ng/ml. Incubation with the receptor blocker increased proliferation in the control group (0 ng/ml) only. An increase in apoptosis occurred at 500 and 1000 ng/ml cortisol. This increase was blocked by incubation with the receptor blocker, which resulted in lower numbers of apoptotic cells in all except the 0 ng/ml controls. SEM observations corroborated the quantitative data. The results indicated that the effects of stressors on the fish epidermis mentioned above are mediated by cortisol, with the exception of mucous cell release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Our goal was to offer a comprehensive cytological study of the changes in the trachea after experimental transplantation of the organ. Study Design Autografting of four tracheal rings was done in rabbits and tracheal samples were observed by electron microscopy from 1 week to 6 months after the surgery was performed. Methods Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the fine structure of tracheal samples of rabbits submitted to autotransplantation, and quantitative methods were used to compare several cytological parameters of the different groups of animals. Results We found that tracheal autografting was associated with acute injury of ciliated cells expressed by loss of more than 90% of cilia density on the tracheal epithelium 1 week after the transplantation was performed. The loss of cilia was balanced by an increase in mucous cells present on the tracheal lumen. Recovery of ciliated cells was observed 1 month after the tracheal autografting was performed. In contrast, only mild cytological modifications were seen in the cartilage tissue of the autografted trachea during the first weeks of transplantation; the structural alterations of the cartilage progressed up to the third month after transplantation, resulting in a moderate tracheal stenosis. Conclusions The data indicate that 1) autotransplantation of four tracheal rings is a viable surgical procedure; 2) tracheal grafting causes severe acute changes of the epithelium that are, however, reversible in nature; whereas 3) the initial mild alterations induced by the autografting in the cartilage may evolve into tracheal stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The features of mucous cells in 10% formalin (FA)-fixed submandibular glands differ markedly from those fixed in glutaraldehyde (GA). We therefore studied morphological changes in mucous cells during 10% FA fixation. Mucous cells were fixed in either 10% FA, neutral sodium-phosphate-buffered (Na-PBed) 10% FA, ice-cold 10% FA or an ice-cold fixative mixture of 2.0% paraformaldehyde (PA) and 0.5% GA. Two different methods were used: immersion fixation and venous perfusion fixation. The 10% FA-fixed tissues had elliptical or flattened nuclei, a clear cytoplasm and no secretory granules. Tissues fixed with the fixative mixture displayed almost round nuclei, a broad endoplasmic reticulum and abundant secretory granules in the cytoplasm. Tissues immersion-fixed with neutral Na-PBed 10% FA or perfusion-fixed with ice-cold 10% FA had almost the same light microscopic appearance as that of the mixture-fixed tissues. To elucidate the process of morphological changes during 10% FA fixation at room temperature, samples immersed in 10% FA for varying periods of time were postfixed immediately in the fixative mixture and exposed to microwave irradiation. This method produced a variety of findings, even within the same section. There was a significant difference in the findings seen in the center of the section and at the periphery. The initial changes caused by 10% FA were rupture of the secretory granules located in the perinuclear region and destruction of the perinuclear organelles such as Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Absorption of the endoplasmic reticulum progressed so that the pennuclear region became translucent. To obtain a better structure in mucous cells from the fixed submandibular gland tissues, an appropriate fixative such as GA should be used and the fixative should infiltrate into the tissue as quickly as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvae of the two southern hemisphere lamprey genera, Mordacia and Geotria, possess one and two intestinal diverticula, respectively, each originating at the oesophageal-intestinal junction. These diverticula comprise an inner layer of simple columnar epithelium composed solely of zymogen and mucous cells, a middle layer consisting mainly of a blood sinus, and an outer serosa layer covered by a simple squamous epithelium (mesothelium). The inner surface is highly folded only in Mordacia. The secretion of mucus probably protects the epithelium from the effects of digestive enzymes secreted by the zymogen cells and/or bile, which enters the diverticulum at its tip. Unlike the situation in southern hemisphere lampreys, the zymogen cells of the larvae of holarctic lampreys are located in the anterior intestine, a condition considered to be 'primitive'. It is thus proposed that intestinal diverticula were developed during the evolution of southern hemisphere lampreys. The relocation of zymogen cells in the diverticula increases the area for these cells, and thus the capacity for the synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes, particularly in Mordacia where the inner surface is folded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproducible techniques for the isolation and culture of conducting airway epithelial cells from various species including human are described. Tissues recovered after necropsy or surgery are treated with 0.1% protease at 4°C overnight. The epithelial lining cells are liberated from adventitia by flushing with ice-cold minimal essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The resulting suspension of single cells and cell clusters is centrifuged and then plated on type 1 collagen gel substratum in a serum-free F12 medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, epidermal growth factor, cholera toxin, hydrocortisone (or dexamethasone), bovine hypothalamus extract, and retinol. Increased calcium concentration in the medium to 1 to 3 m M augments in vitro mucous cell differentiation. Both a squamouslike and mucociliary differentiation of the cultured epithelium can be identified by biochemical, immunohistologic, and morphologic means. The polarity of epithelial cell cultures is promoted by use of biphasic culture methods, in which epithelial cells are fed basally and are in direct contact with the air phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In three cell types of slug tissue-the crypt, mucous and storage cell-ultrastructural alterations of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be induced by oral application of the pesticides Cloethocarb, metaldehyde, or Dimilin. In the crypt cells of the hepatopancreas, the narrow-luminar cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum which are parallelly arranged in controls get slightly dilated, vesiculated and form circular arrays. Intermediate stages between narrow luminar, vesiculated and circularly arranged ER can be observed. In the mucous cells of the skin and the stomach, the wideluminar cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum the lumen of which contains tubular-like structures become heavily dilated. Also in this cell type, intermediate stages between dilated cisternae without tubular-like structures and non-dilated cisternae can be observed. In the storage cells of the crop, in which lipid storage is reduced after molluscicide application, the formation of a special type of ER characterized by locally enlarged ER-cisternae, broken through by several cytoplasmic strings, becomes obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]