Morphometrics of the Southern Green Stink Bug [Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)] Stylet Bundle.

The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a cosmopolitan pest of high-value cash crops, including cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.; Malvales: Malvaceae). The pest can ingest and transmit disease-causing bacterial and fungal pathogens of cotton. We hypothesized that the size of the food canal may contribute to selective transmission, as observed in previous reports. The objective of this study was to examine food canal size and other morphometric parameters of the southern green stink bug stylet bundle at two locations (labium and head) to improve our understanding of factors that may contribute to pathogen transmission. For the food canal, females possessed significantly larger canals than males, major axes were significantly longer than minor axes, and canal sizes were numerically higher at the labium compared with the head. For salivary canal, mean axes lengths were similar between sexes and the head and labium. For both food and salivary canals, axes lengths were longer and area was larger at the labium compared with the head. These findings indicate the presence of a "funnel effect" with canals becoming narrower proximally. Sex and location significantly affected the size of the intact stylet bundle. Results indicate the food canal size was not a factor affecting previously observed selective passive transmission. Major and minor axes measurements, coupled with morphological observations of canal shapes and observed "funnel effect" in the food and salivary canals, improve our understanding of the hemipteran stylet bundle and its relationship with the insect's internal morphology.

Niels Stensen and the discovery of the parotid duct / Niels Stensen y el descubrimiento del conducto parotídeo

Niels Stensen was a renowned Danish scientist, theologian and Catholic bishop. Stensen's early career was devoted to anatomy and it is in this discipline that he made many important contributions. His method in anatomy was rooted in systematic observations based on meticulously executed dissections of human and animal cadavers, as well as experiments on animals. His first important discovery in the field of anatomy, which is the main focus of this paper, was the discovery of the parotid duct. The discovery brought Stensen recognition and fame but only after a controversy in which he was accused of plagiarism by his mentor Gerard Blaes. Although still in an early stage of his career Stensen dealt with the accusation masterfully, producing further research which confirmed him as the discoverer of the parotid duct.

Niels Stensen fue un renombrado científico danés, obispo y teólogo católico. A principios de su carrera Stensen se dedicó a la anatomía, disciplina en la cual logró muchas contribuciones importantes. Su método de anatomía se fundamentaba en observaciones sistemáticas basadas en disecciones de cadáveres humanos y de animales ejecutadas meticulosamente, así como los experimentos con animales. Su primer descubrimiento importante en el campo de la anatomía, que constituye el tema principal de este trabajo, fue el descubrimiento del conducto parotídeo. El descubrimiento le trajo el reconocimiento y fama a Stensen, pero sólo después de una polémica en la que se le acusaba de plagio por su mentor Gerard Blaes. A pesar de haber estado en una etapa temprana de su carrera, Stensen se hizo cargo de la acusación con maestría, produciendo una mayor investigación que lo confirma como el descubridor del conducto parotídeo.

An unusually located human accessory parotid gland: a case report

The parotid gland is one of the most important major salivary gland in human beings. Often a small detached accessory gland lying away from the main parotid duct, known as the accessory parotid gland (APG) may be found in individuals. In the present work, an interesting case of APG in a 54 year old male cadaver, is being reported. This APG was located below the main parotid duct and related to the buccal branch of the facial nerve on its surface. The five to six ductules connected the gland to the main parotid duct. The triangular shaped APG was located at a distance of 2.9 cm from the angle of the mouth. It should be pointed out that the APG may be related to congenital developmental anomalies and may also be a site of tumors, and that anatomical knowledge of the APG may be important for performing sialographic studies and surgeries on the face.

Vascular endothelial growth factor in minor salivary glands: effect of ageing.

Morphological and physiological age changes are described in human salivary glands. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is neoangiogenic growth factor found in normal salivary glands. Considering the neoangiogenic properties of VEGF and its important function in inflammation, repair and, probably, in oral mucosa homeostasis, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ageing on the immunolocalization of VEGF in minor salivary glands. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks containing normal labial salivary glands were retrieved and classified according to the patients' age in two groups (< 20 and > 40-year-old). The biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase system was used to detect the VEGF antigen. The results demonstrated that the mean level of VEGF immunoreaction in the young group was not statistically different from the old group when compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test (P = 0.54). This may indicate that although salivary flow reduction may develop in old patients, some properties of the salivary glands may not be affected.

Endoscopic excision of the submandibular gland by an intraoral approach.

The recent advent of endoscopic procedures has compelled both plastic and neck and head surgeons to reconsider the conventional methods by which the excision of submandibular gland is classically achieved. An endoscopic intraoral approach for excision of the submandibular gland is described. This procedure is anatomically safe and can be made with minimal morbidity; a transcervical incision is avoided. Both specific instruments and solid anatomical knowledge are necessary to perform a safe and efficient glandular endoscopic excision. The essential surgical steps are as follows: 1) Careful identification of the Wharton duct and lingual nerve; 2) Retraction of the mylohyoid muscle; 3) Protection of the sublingual gland and lingual nerve; 4) Extraoral manipulation of the submandibular gland obtaining intraoral protrusion; and 5) Careful dissection of the posterior third of gland, avoiding injury on the facial artery and vein. Two patients were operated on with this technique and were very pleased with their results. No complications were registered. With advanced endoscopic instruments, new surgical technique, and surgeon experience, endoscopic intraoral excision of the submandibular gland can be the method of choice in benign neoplasia, sialolith, sialoadenitis and plunging ranula.