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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

A comparison of the Eimer's organs of three North American moles: the hairy-tailed mole (Parascalops breweri), the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), and the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus).

Eimer's organ is a tactile sensory structure found predominantly on the snouts of moles. It consists of a raised papilla of epidermis containing a column of cells associated with sensory receptors. This study compares the Eimer's organs of the hairy-tailed mole, Parascalops breweri, the star-nosed mole, Condylura cristata, and the eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus, by using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Eimer's organs are visible on the snout of the hairy-tailed and the star-nosed moles, but not the eastern mole. The Eimer's organs of the hairy-tailed mole are similar in external appearance, distribution, and internal structure to those found in most species examined. The Eimer's organs of the star-nosed mole and the eastern mole diverge from this basic form in seemingly opposite directions. The Eimer's organs of the star-nosed mole are more numerous, smaller, and highly organized units with a consistent pattern of neuronal terminal swellings within a cell column, below a thin keratinized epidermis. By contrast, the Eimer's organs of the eastern mole lie below a thick keratinized epidermis, are less organized in structure, and have no central cell column. The extreme differences between the Eimer's organs of the star-nosed mole and thos of the eastern mole may be the result of the habitat of each species, saturated mud allowing a more elaborate and delicate sensory apparatus in the star-nosed mole and drier soil requiring a thick keratinized epidermis over the organ in the eastern mole.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A clinical, histopathological and flow cytometric study of 149 complete moles, 146 partial moles and 107 non-molar hydropic abortions.

We have compared the clinical and histological features of 149 complete moles with 146 triploid partial moles and 107 diploid non-molar hydropic abortions initially registered as moles for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) follow-up. Forty-one patients with complete moles, five with partial moles and one with hydropic abortion received chemotherapy for hCG elevations interpreted as persistent trophoblastic disease. Complete moles were aborted or were evacuated significantly earlier than partial moles (means of 12.1 and 15.4 weeks; P < 0.001) and hydropic abortions significantly earlier than complete moles (mean 10.7 weeks; P < 0.005). The means of the highest recorded hCG were higher in complete moles (184,056 i.v.) than in partial moles (66,259 i.v.) and hydropic abortion (7942 i.v.). When hCG became normal without chemotherapy, this occurred earlier in patients with hydropic abortion than in those with partial moles (means of 46.7 days and 62.8 days; P < 0.001) and earlier in partial moles than in complete moles (mean 78.3 days; P < 0.005). The incidence of partial moles was comparable throughout fertile years but rose to 1.9 times the average after 40 years. Complete moles were commoner between 14 and 25 years and after 35 years, reaching 4.8 times the average after 40 years. Hydropic abortions were rare before 25 years and increased with age to 12 times the average after 40 years. Stromal karyorrhexis and shape of villi, before they become hydropic, discriminate well between complete and partial mole. Hydrops increased and vascularity decreased with molar age and the presence of non-hydropic villi or vessels did not discriminate between partial mole and the younger complete moles evacuated nowadays.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1994

Investigation of numbers and motility of spermatozoa in reproductively active and socially suppressed males of two eusocial African mole-rats, the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) and the Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis).

Reproductive tracts and spermatozoa from reproductively active and reproductively suppressed non-breeding males from two species of eusocial African mole-rats Cryptomys damarensis and Heterocephalus glaber were examined. In two captive colonies of Heterocephalus glaber, reproductive tracts from seven non-breeding males removed from their colonies, and housed singly for 5-6 weeks to cause reproductive activation, were compared with reproductive tracts from seven non-breeding males. The body weight of the separated, reproductively active males increased significantly (P < 0.01), and the mean testis weights relative to body weight of the reproductively active males were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than those of non-breeding males. The number of spermatozoa, in one half of the reproductive tract, was higher in active males than in non-breeding males (mean +/- SEM: 8.59 x 10(6) +/- 2.69 x 10(6) versus 1.78 x 10(6) +/- 1.43 x 10(6), respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, six of the seven reproductively active males, but only two of seven non-breeding males, had motile spermatozoa. A total of 28 wild Cryptomys damarensis from two colonies were examined in the field. The testis weights relative to body weight of breeding males (n = 7) were higher than those of non-breeding males (n = 19; P < 0.01), but the number of spermatozoa did not differ significantly between the two groups (0.13 x 10(6) +/- 0.06 x 10(6), n = 7 versus 0.29 x 10(6) +/- 0.14 x 10(6), n = 21, respectively). Breeding and non-breeding males produced similar numbers of motile spermatozoa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of moles, shrew moles, and desmans from the new and old worlds.

A Rich variety of anatomical and physiological specializations has enabled members of the family Talpidae (moles, shrew moles, and desmans) to exploit a diverse range of habitats: terrestrial, semi-aquatic, aquatic/fossorial, semi-fossorial, and fossorial. While numerous morphological and biochemical studies pertaining to the origin and radiation of the Talpidae have been completed, phylogenetic hypotheses remain controversial. To address this shortcoming we sequenced the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene (1140bp) from 29 individuals spanning 12 talpid species. Phylogenetic trees incorporating 12 New and Old World genera (18 species; all 3 extant subfamilies) were then constructed using NJ, MP, ML, and NJ-ML (NJ with ML parameters) methods. Our results provide molecular support for a mononphyletic Talpidae, and suggest that the 12 genera are clustered into seven major clades; (1) Asiatic shrew-like moles (Uropsilus), (2) North American aquatic/fossorial moles (Condylura), (3) North American fossorial moles (Parascalops, Scalopus, and Scapanus), (4) North American semi-fossorial shrew moles (Neurotrichus), (5) Japanese semi-fossorial shrew moles (Dymecodon and Urotrichus), (6) European semi-aquatic desmans (Desmana), and (7) Eurasian fossorial moles (Euroscaptor, Mogera, and Talpa). None of these groupings comprised mole species from both continents. In fact, North American moles and shrew moles do not appear to have specific affinities with Asian moles and shrew moles, respectively. Although low bootstrap support was generally found for evolutionary nodes uniting the major talpid clades, all gene trees constructed identified fossorial North American and Eurasian mole lineages as nonmonophyletic groups, suggesting subterranean specializations arose independently at least twice during the evolution of the Talpidae. Additionally, our data set provides molecular support for a basal divergence and long independent history of Uropsilus from the main talpid line, and refutes the traditional taxonomic status and secondarily basal phylogenetic placement of the subfamily Desmaninae within the Talpidae.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Subsequent pregnancy outcome in patients with spontaneous resolution of HCG after evacuation of hydatidiform mole: comparison between complete and partial mole.

This study compared subsequent pregnancy outcome in patients with complete and partial hydatidiform moles. Among 1052 patients with molar pregnancy (complete mole, 801; partial mole, 251) monitored at Chiba University Hospital between 1981 and 1999, 891 patients (84.7%) had spontaneous resolution of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) after mole evacuation, and 161 patients (15.3%) required chemotherapy. Of the 891 patients, 438 (49.2%) had 650 subsequent pregnancies. The pregnancy outcome was not significantly different in patients with complete and partial moles, and was comparable with that in the general Japanese population. The incidence of repeat molar pregnancy in patients with complete and partial mole (1.3 and 1.5% respectively) was 5-fold higher than that of the general population, while no increased risk of persistent gestational trophoblastic tumour (GTT) associated with later molar pregnancy was observed. During HCG follow-up, 10 patients (1.1%) developed secondary high-risk GTT between 14 and 54 months after mole evacuation. The incidence of high-risk GTT in patients with and without subsequent pregnancies was 0.46% (2/438) and 1.8% (8/453) respectively (P = 0.1243). In conclusion, patients with complete and partial mole can anticipate a normal future reproductive outcome, and pregnancies after experiencing hydatidiform mole may not affect the development of high-risk GTT.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

The syndromes of hydatidiform mole. II. Morphologic evolution of the complete and partial mole.

Hydatidiform moles studied with respect to cytogenetics and morphologic constitution were divisible into two syndromes: (1) complete, classical mole giving a 46 XX karyotype and (2) partial mole with an ascertainable embryo/fetus, dead or alive, giving a triploid karyotype. The complete moles undergo early and total hydatidiform change from edema to central cistern formation, the embryos proper having perished before the establishment of a functioning circulation. Trophoblastic hyperplasia is conspicuous and the connection of this group to chorioncarcinoma is well established. In the partial moles there is a slow hydatidiform change that affects only some of the villi, but which seems to follow along the same lines as in complete moles. There is focal moderate trophoblastic hyperplasia, villous "trophoblastic inclusions" (that appear in triploids only), and maze-like central cisterns in the later cases. The partial mole, 46 XX, partakes of morphologic characteristics of both main syndromes and may represent an unusual syndrome of its own. The two main syndromes can now be distinguished morphologically and the question of the association of the partial mole with chorioncarcinoma has now to be further studied.

Female↗

PubMed1982

Genetic studies on hydatidiform moles. II. The origin of complete moles.

An investigation of 50 histologically complete hydatidiform moles was made by examining the molar tissue after termination of pregnancy. Attempts were made to study chromosomes and 11 polymorphic enzymes in the moles and in the blood of the patient and her spouse, although not all studies were possible on every case. Useful information about the origin of the mole was obtained in 28 cases. In no case was there evidence of a maternal contribution and in 14 cases a maternal contribution was definitely excluded. In 27 cases, including the 5 tested who have subsequently required treatment, the mole was homozygous for all genetic markers examined. There were 32 examples, arising in 21 moles, of loci homozygous in the mole where the male parent was known to be heterozygous. There was a single example of a mole heterozygous at one proximal locus (PGM3). The findings are in favour of the doubling of a haploid genome as the most likely origin of the vast majority of complete moles.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMed1993

Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin-activin subunits in hydatidiform mole and invasive mole.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cellular localization of each inhibin subunit in hydatidiform mole and invasive mole. METHODS: Tissues were collected and fixed in Bouin's solution and studied with the immunohistochemical technique avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. RESULTS: In the villous trophoblasts of hydatidiform mole and invasive mole, distinct immunostaining for inhibin alpha-subunit was observed in proliferative syncytiotrophoblasts, but not in the cytotrophoblasts. Positive immunostaining for beta A- and beta B-subunits was observed in both syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. In extravillous trophoblasts of the invasive mole, staining for beta A- and beta B-subunits was observed, whereas staining for alpha-subunit was not detected. CONCLUSION: Inhibin-activin subunits may be produced in the trophoblasts of hydatidiform mole and invasive mole, and inhibin and activin may play a role in trophoblastic proliferation and invasion.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Association between Breus' mole and partial hydatidiform mole: chance or can hydropic villi precipitate placental massive subchorionic thrombosis?

Breus' mole (massive subchorionic hematoma) is a rare entity most often found in the placentae of macerated stillborn fetuses. Previously considered to represent a postmortem event, recent evidence suggests that it occurs prior to fetal demise. A 23-week gestation male neonate was delivered of a 23-year-old gravida 3, para 2 woman and survived for 49 min. An autopsy with chromosomal studies resulted in a diagnosis of triploidy. Placental examination showed the presence of both Breus' mole and also partial hydatidiform mole. DNA samples extracted from portions of the fresh hematoma and from the fetal spleen were compared using molecular techniques. PCR analysis showed the presence of Y chromosome specific DNA in the placental clot, but a semiquantitative Southern blot demonstrated that roughly 85% of the clot DNA was of maternal origin. These findings suggest that Breus' mole represents primarily maternal thrombosis rather than fetal hemorrhage. We hypothesize that the partial mole could have contributed to the formation of the Breus' mole as some of the hydropic villi may have focally obstructed the maternal venous return from the intervillus space causing sluggish flow and promoting thrombosis. A review of the literature on Breus' mole shows that the majority of reported cases have not included cytogenetic findings. However, several authors have reported an association with triploidy and other chromosomal anomalies characterized by scattered placental hydropic villi. Thus, we suggest that obstruction of maternal venous return by hydropic villi may have played a contributory role in some of these other reported cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Evolution of crystallins: expression of lens-specific proteins in the blind mammals mole (Talpa europaea) and mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi).

The mole (Talpa europaea; Insectivora) and the mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi; Rodentia) both have degenerated eyes as a convergent adaptation to subterranean life. The rudimentary eye lenses of these blind mammals no longer function in a visual process. The crystallin genes, which display a lens-specific expression pattern, were studied in these blind mammals and in related species with normal eyes by hybridizing their genomic DNAs with probes obtained from cDNA clones for alpha A-, alpha B-, and beta Bp-crystallins from calf and gamma 3-crystallin from the rat. For all crystallin genes examined, the hybridization signals of mole and mole rat genomic DNA were comparable, respectively, with those of shrew and of rat and mouse, normal-vision representatives of the orders Insectivora and Rodentia. The expression of the crystallins at the protein level was tested by using antiserum specific for alpha-crystallin in immunofluorescence reactions on lens sections of mole and mole rat eyes and by using antisera against the beta- and gamma-crystallins on sections of the mole eye. All antisera gave positive fluorescence reactions exclusively with lens tissue of these blind mammals, indicating that the crystallins are still normally expressed despite the fact that these lenses have had no function in a visual process in these mammals for at least many million years. These findings apparently imply that some unknown selective advantage has conserved the crystallin genes and their expression after the loss of normal function of the lenses.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1969

Choriocarcinoma after hydatidiform mole. Studies related to effectiveness of follow-up practice after hydatidiform mole.

Chemotherapy, in conjunction with other methods of treatment, was used in 100 patients with invasive hydatidiform mole or choriocarcinoma following mole. When treatment was instituted within two to six months of the antecedent mole serious drug resistance was not encountered, drug toxicity was slight, the duration of treatment was comparatively short, and sustained remissions were obtained in 57 out of 60 patients. When the start of chemotherapy was delayed beyond six months drug resistance occurred in many instances, toxicity was often severe, the duration of treatment was much longer, and sustained remissions were obtained in 22 out of 40 patients.The practice of giving prophylactic chemotherapy to all patients with mole is not established as effective or safe. Differences in the social background to hydatidiform mole in different geographical areas may be such that conclusions based on evidence from one area are not necessarily applicable to another.Careful follow-up after mole remains essential, though present methods often fail to ensure recognition of choriocarcinoma while it is still curable. Standard qualitative and quantitative methods for detecting the continued excretion of chorionic gonadotrophin, though useful, are sometimes too insensitive. It is suggested that to supplement local arrangements some form of centralized or regionalized follow-up service based on notification of patients with hydatidiform mole, and making use of radioimmunoassays for chorionic gonadotrophin, could reduce deaths attributable to late diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Reproductive features of the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) and star-nose mole (Condylura cristata).

Since moles are closely related to shrews, the gametes and reproductive tracts of the star-nose mole (Condylura cristata) and the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) were examined to gain further insight into unusual reproductive traits of the Soricidae. Moles display many of these soricid traits, but with some important differences. The cumulus oophorus of Scalopus, ovulated about 16 h after hCG injection, was largely dispersed by hyaluronidase and, though quite dense, was nevertheless more similar to that of higher mammals than to the compact 'ball of the soricid cumulus. Within the female tract in these moles, approximately 85% of the length of the oviduct comprises a narrow ampulla with numerous differentiated crypts that, in shrews, house spermatozoa. However, in contrast to shrews, moles produce considerably larger numbers of spermatozoa, which challenges the proposal that, in shrews, oviductal sperm crypts specifically permit lower sperm production by the males. In the sperm head of these two moles, the acrosome displays the long rostrum that is typical of other Insectivora, and the perforatorium has the barbs by which soricid spermatozoa probably bind to the zona pellucida. Perhaps allied to this, immunoblots indicated that the immunoreactive acrosomal matrix of Scalopus spermatozoa is simpler than the polypeptide complex of the bovine and hamster acrosomal matrix.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Eusociality in African mole-rats: new insights from patterns of genetic relatedness in the Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis).

After the discovery of eusociality in the naked mole-rat, it was proposed that inbreeding and high colony relatedness in this species were the major underlying factors driving cooperative breeding in African molerats. By contrast, field and laboratory studies of the eusocial Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis) have raised the possibility that this species is an obligate outbreeder, although the build-up of inbreeding over several generations could still occur. Using microsatellite markers, we show that most breeding pairs in wild colonies of the Damaraland mole-rat are indeed unrelated (R = 0.02 +/- 0.04) and that mean colony relatedness (R = 0.46 +/- 0.01), determined across 15 colonies from three separate populations, is little more than half that previously identified in naked mole-rats. This finding demonstrates that normal familial levels of relatedness are sufficient for the occurrence of eusociality in mammals. Variation in the mean colony relatedness among populations provides support both for the central role played by ecological constraints in cooperative breeding and for the suggestion that inbreeding in naked mole-rats is a response to extreme constraints on dispersal. Approaches that determine the relative importance of an array of extrinsic factors in driving social evolution in African mole-rats are now required.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Heterogeneity in the origin of recurrent complete hydatidiform moles: not all women with multiple molar pregnancies have biparental moles.

Hydatidiform moles of two women, each with three molar pregnancies, were examined in order to study their origin. Multiple recurrences have previously been associated with women who have biparental complete hydatidiform moles (CHM). However, all the moles examined in this study were androgenetic CHM (AnCHM), indicating that recurrent (>2) moles, particularly in the absence of a positive family history, may be androgenetic rather than biparental. These data suggest that some women have a specific liability for having AnCHM. Making the distinction between a biparental or an androgenetic origin of recurrent moles is of relevance for counselling and when considering therapeutic options. Therefore, we propose that all recurrent moles should be investigated using molecular techniques.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Gastric H/K-ATPase liberates two moles of Pi from one mole of phosphoenzyme formed from a high-affinity ATP binding site and one mole of enzyme-bound ATP at the low-affinity site during cross-talk between catalytic subunits.

The maximum amount of acid-stable phosphoenzyme (E32P)/mol of alpha chain of pig gastric H/K-ATPase from [gamma-32P]ATP (K(1/2) = 0.5 microM) was found to be approximately 0.5, which was half of that formed from 32P(i) (K(1/2) = 0.22 mM). The maximum 32P binding for the enzyme during turnover in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP or [alpha-32P]ATP was due to 0.5 mol of E32P + 0.5 mol of an acid-labile enzyme-bound [gamma-32P]ATP (EATP) or 0.5 mol of an acid-labile enzyme-bound [alpha-32P]ATP, respectively. The K(1/2) for EATP formation in both cases was 0.12 approximately 0.14 mM. The turnover number of the enzyme (i.e., the H+-ATPase activity/(EP + EATP)) was very close to the apparent rate constants for EP breakdown and P(i) liberation, both of which decreased with increasing concentrations of ATP. The ratio of the amount of P(i) liberated to that of EP that disappeared increased from 1 to approximately 2 with increasing concentrations of ATP (i.e., equal amounts of EP and EATP exist, both of which release phosphate in the presence of high concentrations of ATP). This represents the first direct evidence, for the case of a P-type ATPase, in which 2 mol of P(i) liberation occurs simultaneously from 1 mol of EP for half of the enzyme molecules and 1 mol of EATP for the other half during ATP hydrolysis. Each catalytic alpha chain is involved in cross-talk, thus maintaining half-site phosphorylation and half-site ATP binding which are induced by high- and low-affinity ATP binding, respectively, in the presence of Mg2+.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1981

[Familial multiple naevogene melanomas. Electronmicroscopical findings in pigmented moles of the B-K-mole syndrome (author's transl)].

Report of a patient with familial melanocytic moles and melanomas as designated by Clark et al. as B-K-mole-syndrome. Beside the typical clinical and histological features, the ultrastructural changes of B-K-moles are described. Nevus cells in these moles showed lobed nuclei, active Golgi complexes and swollen mitochondriae. Membrane rich melanosomes and melanosome complexes were found. The B-K-moles had no distinctive ultrastructure. An ultrastructural differentiation between tumor cells of the B-K-moles and melanoma cells was not possible.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

[Immunological analysis of hydatidiform mole and invasive mole (author's transl)].

Thirty-two cases of hydatidiform mole without endometrial invasion of chorial tissue and 17 of invasive mole were studied to ascertain whether these two diseases can be differentiated by various immune parameters. All of hydatidiform 11 of invasive mole were sampled at a state of "mole in utero" (pre-evacuation), but 6 of invasive mole were at a post-evacuation state, respectively. The results were summarized in the following items; 1. Serum total protein, especially albumin decreased with no significant difference in both groups. Globulin fractionation (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, gamma-globulin) showed no characteristic changes. 2. A variation of immunoglobin (IgG, IgM, IgA) was similar in both. 3. Beta 1 C (a component of complement) increased in two groups, but no difference was revealed. 4. Leucocytosis was observed, but lymphocytosis was not detected in both groups. 5. Active E-RFC slightly increased, although total E-RFC and EAC-RFC were within normal range. But these findings were not statistically different in both. 6. In vitro lymphocyte-PHA-response was fairly depressed without a significant difference in two groups. 7. Suppressive effect of serum on lymphocyte-response was also slightly strengthened, but a difference in both was not significant. 8. The results of immune skin tests (PHA, PPD, SK-SD, Candida) could not be debated with liquid numbers studied.

Blood Proteins↗

PubMed2000

Epidermal sensory organs of moles, shrew moles, and desmans: a study of the family talpidae with comments on the function and evolution of Eimer's organ.

The epidermal sensory organs of members of the family Talpidae (moles, shrew-moles, and desmans) were investigated and compared to determine the range of sensory specializations and better understand how they evolved. Small domed mechanosensory organs called 'Eimer's organs' were present on the rhinarium of nearly all species of talpids, but not among the sister group of shrews (Soricidae) or other insectivore families. This suggests that the common ancestor to the talpids possessed Eimer's organs. Two species of moles from the driest habitats did not exhibit Eimer's organs - suggesting that their sensory organs degenerated in response to harsh, abrasive soil conditions. The semi-aquatic desmans uniquely possessed tiny sensory hairs interspersed with their Eimer's organs; these may act to sense water currents. Some species exhibited a subdivided, star-like, rhinarium - resembling an early embryonic stage of the star-nosed mole and providing clues to the evolution of the star. A single genera (Uropsilus) that branched off early in the evolution of the talpids had Eimer's organ-like structures but lacked some typical components. These findings fill a major gap in our knowledge of talpid sensory biology and suggest (1) how Eimer's organs evolved, (2) how the unusual appendages of the star-nosed mole evolved, (3) that the evolution of Eimer's organ is convergent with the mechanosensory push-rod of monotremes. The results also demonstrate the features that distinguish Eimer's organ from similar configurations of sensory receptors in other mammalian skin surfaces. Finally, a mechanism for Eimer's organ function in detecting object and prey specific surface features is proposed.

Animals↗