Melanogenic melanocytes in human sebaceous glands.

Electron microscopic observations revealed for the first time a small number of active melanocytes synthesizing distinctive melanin-containing organelles (melanin granules)in the ducts and acini of human sebaceous glands.     

The action of estrogens on the sebaceous glands of the guinea-pig's nipple

Résumé Les glandes sébacées au niveau de la tétine du cobaye augmentent sous l'influence d'oestrogènes.     

Cholinesterase in human salivary glands

Zusammenfassung Operativ frisch entnommene menschliche Speicheldrüsen (Submaxillaris und Parotis) zeigen Cholinesteraseaktivität. Hauptsächlich werden spezifische Esterasen gefunden. Die Aktivität der männlichen Parotis ist höher als die der weiblichen. Letztere zeigt eine Aktivitätsabnahme mit zunehmendem Alter.     

Morphological classification of the basal melanocytes of the human skin

Zusammenfassung Sehr verschiedene Formen DOPA-positiver Melanozyten der menschlichen Epidermis werden beschrieben. Messungen der Zellen wurden durchgeführt.     

Absence of uricolytic activity in human parotid glands

Zusammenfassung In homogenisierter menschlicher Speicheldrüse liess sich entgegen den Angaben vonStern undIglesias ⁴ keine Urikase nachweisen.

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This work was performed during the tenure of Grants A 139 and A 139-C from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Disease, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service.     

Immunohistochemical localization of the iron-binding protein lactoferrin in human bronchial glands

Résumé Les techniques immunohistochimiques ont permis de localiser la lactoferrine dans les cellules séreuses des acini des glandes bronchiques.     

Myosin-like protein in the human parathyroid glands: An immunohistochemical study

Summary The immunofluorescent staining of the human parathyroid glands shows that the principal cells bind antimyosin-like antibodies. The presence of a myosin-like protein in the principal cells of the human parathyroid glands is presumably in rapport with parathormone secretion.     

VIP and histamine H2 receptor activity in human fetal gastric glands

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, EC50 = 6.4 X 10(-10)M) and histamine (EC50 = 3 X 10(-6)M) activated the cyclic AMP generating system in gastric glands isolated from two human fetuses at 23 weeks gestation. Histamine antagonism by the H2 receptor blockers cimetidine (Ki = 0.35 X 10(-6)M) and ranitidine (ki = 0.51 X 10(-7)M) clearly characterized the histaminic activation as being of the H2 type. It is suggested that these two vasoactive hormones may operate as neurocrine/paracrine regulators of the differentiation and/or function of the human gastric mucosa in utero.     

VIP and histamine H2 receptor activity in human fetal gastric glands

Summary Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, EC₅₀=6.4×10^–10 M) and histamine (EC₅₀=3×10^–6 M) activated the cyclic AMP generating system in gastric glands isolated from two human fetuses at 23 weeks gestation. Histamine antagonism by the H₂ receptor blockers cimetidine (Ki=0.35×10^–6 M) and ranitidine (ki=0.51×10^–7 M) clearly characterized the histaminic activation as being of the H₂ type. It is suggested that these two vasoactive hormones may operate as neurocrine/paracrine regulators of the differentiation and/or function of the human gastric mucosa in utero.     

Myosin-like protein in the human parathyroid glands: an immunohistochemical study.

The immunofluorescent staining of the human parathyroid glands shows that the principal cells bind antimyosin-like antibodies. The presence of a myosin-like protein in the principal cells of the human parathyroid glands is presumably in rapport with parathormone secretion.     

Giant pigment granules in dermal melanocytes of rat scrotal skin

Summary Giant melanosomes, ellipsoidal (1.5 m×1.3 m) or spherica (1.1 m–1.4 m in diameter) exist in the scrotal skin of the black pelted Long Evans rat. They are longer and wider than normal stage IV melanosomes (0.7 ×0.4 m) found in theses dermal melanocytes.The authors acknowledge with gratitude, the technical assistance of Evelyn Ann Flynn. This work was supported by grant AM 20669-16 from the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases, USPHS.     

Peroxisomes in the apocrine sweat glands of the human axilla and their putative role in pheromone production

The products of the human apocrine axillary glands contain volatile steroids which act as pheromones. The steroidal structure of these pheromones implies that the axillary glands should be able to synthesize cholesterol which is the essential precursor of these molecules. Since important steps in cholesterol synthesis are localized within peroxisomes, we investigated the occurrence and the putative role of peroxisomes in the axillary glands at protein and mRNA levels by immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, and RT-PCR. Numerous peroxisomes were localized in the cells of the apocrine glands by immunocytochemistry, and the presence of catalase was confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Additionally, RT-PCR revealed the presence of mRNAs of two peroxisome-associated enzymes of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, mevalonate kinase and farnesyl diphosphate synthase. The results suggest that the peroxisomes in the human apocrine axillary glands may play a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of pheromones.     

Hydrocarbons in tarsal glands ofBombus terrestris

Summary Chemical components of tarsal glands ofBombus terrestris workers were identified by combined gas chromatographic/mass-spectrometric analysis. The 17 components are exclusively saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.     

UV guided dendritic growth patterns and the networking of melanocytes

Whole skin organ cultures of vitiliginous, skin show that the marginal melanocytes are highly sensitive to a pulse of UV exposure (210–380 nm) during the G₂ phase of the cell cycle, as seen by prominent dendricity. Melanocytes are highly dendritic in the epidermis overlying rapidly growing tumors, as well as within proliferative lesions such as basal cell carcinomas and aggressive seborrheic keratosis. In the organ cultures the dendrites extend towards the source of UV, i.e. the surface, while the main body lies along the basement membrane. The epidermal melanocytes overlying tumors lie, almost vertically, dendrites aligned towards the underlying tumor on one side and the surface on the other. Within tumors dendritic elongation is guided by mitotic and PCNA positive (S-phase) tumor cells, which are a source of ultraweak UV emissions in the range of 210–330 nm. These observations indicate that ultraweak biophoton emissions from neighbouring cells can simulate environmental cues and contribute to the plasticity of networks such as the melanocytes or the visual pathways.     

Role of submaxillary glands in radiomanganese metabolism

Zusammenfassung Die submaxillaren Drüsen der Ratte, die Mn⁵⁴ inkorporieren, schienen sich wie Metall speichernde Organe zu verhalten. Die Radioaktivität der Drüsen bleibt einige Tage konstant, da sie offenbar ein Metall-Protein-Komplex mit langsamer Umsatzrate bindet. Das Isotop verteilt sich in allen Zellfaktoren, besonders in Mitochondrien und Mikrosomen.     

Renin in mouse but not in rat submandibular glands

Summary Renin was found in the submandibular glands of male Quackenbush mice in concentrations higher than has been reported for any tissue of any strain or species. However, no renin-like activity could be detected in glands from male and female Wistar rats using either pH 5.8 or 7.4 for assay and a radioimmunoassay specific for renin's reaction product, angiotensin I. Rabbit submandibular glands contained renin.We wish to express our sincere thanks to Dr E. Hackenthal for his suggestions. This study was supported by the National Heath and Medical Research Council of Australia.     

Peroxidase activity and thiocyanate accumulation in salivary glands

Summary Salivary glands with high, low, or no peroxidase activity do not differ in [S¹⁴CN^–] after the i.v. injection of KS¹⁴CN, nor do the glands differ from blood and muscle in [S¹⁴CN^–]. The content of SCN^– in a salivary gland does not mirror the gland's participation in the peroxidase-mediated antimicrobial mechanism.