Novel reports of glands in Neotropical species of Indigofera L. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae)

By considering controversial discussions in the literature with regard to gland denomination in Indigofera species, as well as the taxonomic value of secretory structures in Leguminosae, we aim to morphologically detail glands that had been previously observed in I. microcarpa and I. sabulicola, and to investigate the occurrence of glands in vegetative and reproductive organs of other six Neotropical species that belong to the genus. Glands analyzed through scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) in combination with anatomic analyses correspond to secretory trichomes that Lire classified into seven types. Main variations in relation to types occurred with regard to head shape and peduncle size. Trichome heads were multicellular, with a thin cuticle. Hollow heads with conspicuous inner space characterized only one type (type I); the other trichome types had massive heads. Peduncles, which varied from biseriate to multiseriate, had thick, pecto-cellulosic cell walls. Trichomes were found on sterns, stipules, petioles, rachis, petiolules, leaflets, bracteoles, sepals, standards and fruits, more commonly along the margins. Each of the eight Indigofera species analyzed had at least two different trichome types out of the seven types that occurred in reproductive and vegetative organs of these taxa. Various types of secretory trichomes were found in I. campestris, I. lespedezioides, I. microcarpa, I. spicata. I. Suffruticosa and I. truxillensis. Stems and rachis were the vegetative organs in which a greater variety of trichomes occurred, and sepals were parts of reproductive organs with the same status. Five out of the seven secretory trichome types occurred on both vegetative and reproductive organs. Distribution and gland types differed between species and these gland distribution patterns can be used as diagnostic characters. Reports of glands in Indigofera campestris, I. hirsuta, I. lepedezioides, I. suffruticosa, I. spicata and I. truxillensis, their recognition as secretory trichomes. and the morphological variety of types found for such trichomes are novel data for Indigofera. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.FAPESP Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo[04/08383-7]FAPESP Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo[02/11834-5

Estudo histológico e ultra-estrutural da mucosa do seio maxilar em pacientes com rinossinusite crônica e polipose nasossinusal Histology and ultrastructural study of the mucosa of the maxillary sinus in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasosinusal polyposis

Na rinossinusite crônica, a inflamação da mucosa nasossinusal provoca alterações qualitativas e quantitativas do epitélio respiratório que recobre toda a cavidade nasossinusal, levando à manutenção do quadro inflamatório. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Caso-controle. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram avaliados histopatologicamente dez pacientes com rinossinusite crônica (RC) e polipose nasossinusal (PN) por meio da história clínica e alérgica, estudo microbiológico, microscopia óptica, eletrônica de transmissão e varredura. RESULTADO: A diminuição do número de células colunares ciliadas, o aumento das células caliciformes, a diminuição do número de cílios por célula afetada e a metaplasia escamosa foram alterações freqüentemente encontradas nos casos de rinossinusite, explicando a persistência do quadro pela destruição no epitélio e quebra do sistema mucociliar.<br>In chronic rhinosinusitis, inflammation of the rhinosinusal mucosa provokes qualitative and quantitative changes in the respiratory epithelium that lines the entire rhinosinusal cavity, leading to the maintenance of an inflammatory picture. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In the present study we evaluated histopathologically ten patients with chronic rhinosinusitis on the basis of clinical and allergic history, microbiological study, and light, electron and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: A reduced number of ciliated columnar cells, an increase in goblet-like cells, a reduction in the number of cilia per affected cell and squamous metaplasia were changes frequently detected in the cases of rhinosinusitis, explaining the persistence of the signs and symptoms due to the destruction of the epithelium and to the breakdown of the mucociliary system

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved