Previously, we showed that isolated stem cells from midguts of Heliothis virescens can be induced to multiply in response to a multiplication protein (MP) isolated from pupal fat body, or to differentiate to larval types of mature midgut cells in response to either of 4 differentiation factors (MDFs) isolated from larval midgut cell-conditioned medium or pupal hemolymph. In this work, we show t...

The larval mosquito midgut exhibits one of the highest pH values known in a biological system. While the pH inside the posterior midgut and gastric caeca ranges between 7.0 and 8.0, the pH inside the anterior midgut is close to 11.0. Alkalization is likely to involve bicarbonate/carbonate ions. These ions are produced in vivo by the enzymatic action of carbonic anhydrase. The purpose of this st...

Over a quarter of a century ago, Mykles described the presence of putative endocrine cells in the midgut epithelium of the crab Cancer magister (Mykles, 1979). In the years that have followed, these cells have been largely ignored and nothing is known about their hormone content or the functions they play in this species. Here, we used a combination of immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometri...

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is capable of transmitting a variety of pathogens to man and to other vertebrates. The midgut of this insect has been well-studied both as the tissue where the first contact occurs between ingested pathogens and the insect host, and as a model system for blood meal digestion in blood-sucking insects. To understand better the nature of the midgut surface encountered by...

Most developmentally programmed cell death in metazoans is mediated by caspases. During Drosophila metamorphosis, obsolete tissues, including the midgut and salivary glands, are removed by programmed cell death [1]. The initiator caspase Dronc and its activator Ark are required for the death of salivary glands, but not for midgut removal [2, 3]. In addition to caspases, complete removal of sali...

Malaria parasites must undergo development within mosquitoes to be transmitted to a new host. Antivector transmission-blocking vaccines inhibit parasite development by preventing ookinete interaction with mosquito midgut ligands. Therefore, the discovery of novel midgut antigen targets is paramount. Jacalin (a lectin) inhibits ookinete attachment by masking glycan ligands on midgut epithelial s...

BACKGROUND Many microorganisms in midgut of mosquito challenge with their host and also other pathogens present in midgut. The aim of this study was presence of non-pathogens microorganisms like fungal flora which may be crucial on interaction between vectors and pathogens. METHODS Different populations of Anopheles stephensi were reared in insectary and objected to determine fungal flora in ...

Multiple diverticulosis of the jejunum is an uncommon pathology small bowel. The incidence diverticulum intestine varies from 0.3 to 1.2%, out which duodenal diverticula are common that jejunal. This rare jejunal usually asymptomatic in course, made it more difficult establishing this diagnosis. may rarely lead complications such as perforation, haemorrhage, obstruction be due adhesions, volvul...

Intestinal malrotation is defined as an alteration in the rotation and fixation of intestine during fetal stage. It can present with a wide clinical spectrum ranging from acute volvulus to chronic duodenal obstruction. Its presentation therefore also very varied, asymptomatic patients whom diagnosis be made finding, extremely serious symptoms such midgut volvulus. Midgut most severe manifesta...

Mosquitoes reproduce by laying eggs. While in some species both the male and female adults feed on nectar, only the female requires a blood meal in order to produce viable progeny. Upon feeding, the blood meal is stored in the midgut while meals of nectar are diverted to the crop (Clements, 1992). Not surprisingly, the midguts of adult females and males in these species present differences. The...