Considering increasing interest in calcium stores in protozoa, including parasitic forms, and specifically in subplasmalemmal stores in higher eukaryotes, we have isolated subplasmalemmal calcium stores (alveolar sacs) from the ciliated protozoan, Paramecium tetraurelia. Using antibodies against established sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Caz+-ATPases (SERCAs) we detected in Western blots of subce...

The present study set out to elucidate the structure and function of the large subcuticular air sacs encountered in the gaster of the Oriental hornet Vespa orientalis (Hymenoptera, Vespinae). Gastral segments I, II, III, together with the anterior portion of segment IV, comprise the greater volume of the gaster, and inside them, beneath the cuticle, are contained not only structures that extend...

It has been shown in rd1 and rd10 models of photoreceptor degeneration (PD) that inner retinal neurons display spontaneous and rhythmic activities. Furthermore, the rhythmic activity has been shown to require the gap junction protein connexin 36, which is likely located in AII amacrine cells (AII-ACs). In the present study, an autosomal dominant PD model called rhoΔCTA, whose rods overexpress a...

Juice tissues of citrus lack phloem; therefore, photosynthates enroute to juice sacs exit the vascular system on the surface of each segment. Areas of extensive phloem unloading and transport (vascular bundles + segment epidermis) can thus be separated from those of assimilate storage (juice sacs) and adjacent tissues where both processes occur (peel). Sugar composition, dry weight accumulation...

The fine structure of the cone and rod outer segments of the toad was studied under the electron microscope after fixation in osmium tetroxide and fixation in formaldehyde followed by chromation. In the OsO(4)-fixed specimens, the rod outer segment appears to be built of a stack of lobulated flattened sacs, each of which is made of two membranes of about 40 A separated by an innerspace of about...

Isolated, surviving sacs of everted small intestine were used to characterize ammonia transport in the golden hamster. Jejunal and ileal sacs incubated aerobically in ammonia-free test solution liberated the same quantity of ammonia as did sacs that were filled and immediately emptied of their contents, indicating no significant evolution of metabolic ammonia. Under aerobic conditions, ileal sa...

This study was conducted to provide normal reference features for canine and feline anal sacs using ultrasound, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiograph contrast as diagnostic imaging tools. A total of ten clinically normal beagle dogs and eight clinically normally cats were included. General radiography with contrast, ultrasonography and low-field MRI scans were performed. The...

OBJECTIVE To report a case of a triplet heterotopic caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) with two gestational sacs implanted in the caesarean scar after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. DESIGN Case report. SETTINGS Private reproductive medicine center and obstetric department of a university hospital. PATIENT(S) A 31-year-old woman with previous caesarean section affected by secondary in...

Mechanical forces associated with fluid flow and/or circumferential stretch are sensed by renal epithelial cells and contribute to both adaptive or disease states. Non-selective stretch-activated ion channels (SACs), characterized by a lack of inactivation and a remarkably slow deactivation, are active at the basolateral side of renal proximal convoluted tubules. Knockdown of Piezo1 strongly re...

Lymph flux rates in anuran amphibians are high relative to those of other vertebrates owing to 'leaky' capillaries and a high interstitial compliance. Lymph movement is accomplished primarily by specialised lymph muscles and lung ventilation that move lymph through highly compartmentalised lymph sacs to the dorsally located lymph hearts, which are responsible for pumping lymph into the circulat...