The tubular nephron of hibernating and non-hibernating specimens of Testudo graeca (Chelonia) was studied by means of conventional light and electron microscopy and histochemistry. The tubular nephron was composed of proximal, intermediate, distal and collecting tubules in both hibernating and non-hibernating animals. The cells of the proximal tubule showed long microvilli, cytoplasmic vacuoles...

Distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers and VIP-receptor (VIP-R)-immunoreactive sites in the human submandibular gland were examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method using the specimens taken from patients that had not received radiotherapy. VIP-immunoreactive fibers were found around both serous and mucous acini, the duct system, and those aro...

Phase-contrast x-ray imaging using an x-ray interferometer has great potential to reveal the structures inside soft tissues, because the sensitivity of this method to hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen is about 1000 times higher than that of the absorption-contrast x-ray method. In this study, we used phase-contrast X-ray CT to investigate human resected esophagogastric junction. This techn...

Of the eight epithelial cell types of the airway surface epithelium three are secretory, the mucous, serous and Clara cells: the first two are also found in the submucosal glands. Organ culture results indicate that the pattern of control of the surface cells is different from that of the glands. Our recent studies show that in the surface epithelium Clara and serous cells can quickly convert t...

A case of mucous metaplasia of mesothelium in an 80 year old woman is described. Its cause is unknown, but it is important not to confuse it with secondary tumour.

Kindler syndrome (KS) is a rare, autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by skin blistering and photosensitivity in infancy, progressive poikiloderma, and diffuse cutaneous atrophy. It affects the skin, mucous membranes, and oral cavity and is caused by mutations in the KIND1 gene on 20p12.3. The first case of KS associated with periodontitis was reported in 1996, and have been infrequ...