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Disrupted lipid metabolism is a characteristic of gliomas. This study utilizes an ultrastructural approach to characterize the prevalence and distribution of lipids within gliomas. This study made use of tissue from IDH1 wild type (IDH1-wt) glioblastoma (n = 18) and IDH1 mutant (IDH1-mt) astrocytoma (n = 12) tumors. We uncover a prevalent and intriguing surplus of lipids. The bulk of the lipids manifested as sizable cytoplasmic inclusions and extracellular deposits in the tumor microenvironment (TME); in some tumors the lipids were stored in the classical membraneless spheroidal lipid droplets (LDs). Frequently, lipids accumulated inside mitochondria, suggesting possible dysfunction of the beta-oxidation pathway. Additionally, the tumor vasculature have lipid deposits in their lumen and vessel walls; this lipid could have shifted in from the tumor microenvironment or have been produced by the vessel-invading tumor cells. Lipid excess in gliomas stems from disrupted beta-oxidation and dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation pathways. The implications of this lipid-driven environment include structural support for the tumor cells and protection against immune responses, non-lipophilic drugs, and free radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms of the pathogenesis of neck paraganglioma (PGL) and the possible role of mast cells (MCs) in its development and metastasis are still poorly understood. We analyzed MCs' morphologic characterization, activation, and the properties of their cytoplasmic/released granules in PGLs, using light and transmission electron microscopy. Paragangliomas showed a large tumor‐associated MC population both in the connective tissue layers of the tumor and between the tumor cells. Notably, MCs were presented by a high expression of specific proteases, size variation, polymorphism, and variable ultrastructural phenotype of granules. A massive number of granules were released surrounding the degranulated MCs while the integrity of MC membrane was maintained. Granules were electron‐dense with or without a membrane, ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 μm in diameter. MC plasmalemma was not found at the site of MC‐collagen fibrils contact, whereas the secretome and fibrils were directly contacted. We observed direct and mediator‐based interactions between MCs and paraganglioma cells. The latter preserved their membrane integrity when MC granules were not in proximity. The effects of the MC secretome on the paraganglioma microenvironment demonstrated its pathogenetic role in tumor progression and allow its application to new diagnostic criteria and the development of protocols for personalized therapy. Research Highlights: Ultrastructural analysis reveals novel regulatory effects of mast cells via diverse secretory pathways on the pathogenesis of parasympathetic paraganglioma, including fibrous extracellular matrix remodeling and mediator‐based interactions between MCs and cells of the tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of the implant prosthesis–abutment complex appears crucial for shaping healthy and stable peri-implant soft tissues. The aim of the present animal study was to compare two implants with different healing abutment geometries: a concave design (TEST) and a straight one (CTRL). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to quantify the three-dimensional topography and morphological properties of collagen at nanoscale resolution. 2 swine were included in the experiment and 6 implants per animal were randomly placed in the left or right hemimandible in either the physiologically mature bone present between the lower canine and first premolar or in the mandibular premolar area, within tooth extraction sites. Each CTRL implant was positioned across from its respective TEST implant on the other side of the jaw. After 12 weeks of healing, 8 specimens (4 CTRL and 4 TEST) were retrieved and prepared for histological and TEM analysis. The results showed a significantly higher percentage of area covered by collagen bundles and average bundle size in TEST implants, as well as a significant decrease in the number of longitudinally oriented bundles with respect to CTRL implants, which is potentially due to the larger size of TEST bundles. These data suggest that a concave transmucosal abutment design serves as a scaffold, favoring the deposition and growth of a well-organized peri-implant collagen structure over the implant platform in the early healing phase, also promoting the convergence of collagen fibers toward the abutment collar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus recently associated with large outbreaks in many parts of the world. Infection is typically manifested as a febrile and self-limited illness, characterized by joint pain and myalgia, albeit severe neurological manifestations are also reported. Although CHIKV is not recognized as a truly neurotropic virus, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes are susceptible to infection in vitro. Here we employed a model of 3D cell culture to obtain neurospheres from ATRA/BNDF differentiated human neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrate that CHIKV is able to establish a productive infection, resulting in ultrastructural changes in cell morphology and impaired neuronal differentiation. Ultrastructural analysis of neurospheres infected with CHIKV during neuronal differentiation revealed diminished neuron dendrite formation, accumulation of viral particles associated with the plasma membrane, numerous cell vacuoles, and swollen mitochondria. Apoptotic cells were significantly increased at 72 h postinfection. Compared to Zika virus, a well-characterized neurotropic arbovirus, CHIKV infection resulted in a more discrete, albeit detectable upregulation of IL-6 levels. Finally, we found that CHIKV infection resulted in an altered profile expression, mainly downregulation, of a group of transcription factors named Hox genes. Altogether our findings highlight important features of CHIKV in the CNS, as well as the feasibility of neurospheres as robust experimental models that can support further studies for novel pharmacological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDespite the growing interest in investigating the reproductive biology of Vochysiaceae A.St.-Hil., more in-depth descriptions of the floral details of its group are needed. Within this context, the present study was conducted to evaluate the stages of microsporogenesis, viability and pollen morphology of the Vochysiaceae species found in a fragment of the Cerrado in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. For this purpose, flower buds were collected and prepared for meiotic analysis, acetolysis and scanning electron microscopy. In all analyzed species (Qualea grandiflora Mart., Qualea multiflora Mart., Qualea parviflora Mart., Vochysia cinnamomea Pohl and Vochysia divergens Pohl), meiosis was regular, with a meiotic index greater than 90%, correlating with a high pollen viability rate (greater than 70%). The pollen grains of the five species showed similarities in terms of dispersion, symmetry, polarity and apertural pattern and varied in size between small and medium, oblate-spheroidal and prolate shapes. Based on the multivariate multidimensional scaling analysis, when including quantitative and categorical variables of pollen morphology, the species were able to be satisfactorily differentiated. This approach for the species of Vochysiaceae in the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado) is novel, provides an important source of data for future research on the distribution and evolution of this family, and can be used to foster discussions regarding the delimitation of priority areas for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus recently associated with large outbreaks in many parts of the world. Infection is typically manifested as a febrile and self-limited illness, characterized by joint pain and myalgia, albeit severe neurological manifestations are also reported. Although CHIKV is not recognized as a truly neurotropic virus, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes are susceptible to infection in vitro. Here we employed a model of 3D cell culture to obtain neurospheres from ATRA/BNDF differentiated human neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrate that CHIKV is able to establish a productive infection, resulting in ultrastructural changes in cell morphology and impaired neuronal differentiation. Ultrastructural analysis of neurospheres infected with CHIKV during neuronal differentiation revealed diminished neuron dendrite formation, accumulation of viral particles associated with the plasma membrane, numerous cell vacuoles, and swollen mitochondria. Apoptotic cells were significantly increased at 72 h post-infection. Compared to Zika virus, a well-characterized neurotropic arbovirus, CHIKV infection resulted in a more discrete, albeit detectable upregulation of IL-6 levels. Finally, we found that CHIKV infection resulted in an altered profile expression, mainly downregulation, of a group of transcription factors named Hox genes. Altogether our findings highlight important features of CHIKV in the CNS, as well as the feasibility of neurospheres as robust experimental models that can support further studies for novel pharmacological interventions.

ABSTRACT Calolisianthus speciosus, an endemic species of cerrado and campos rupestres in Brazil, bears colleters in both the leaf base and sepal. These colleters (leaf and sepal) were anatomically compared to identify differences in their structure and secretion mechanism. Samples of sepals and leaves in different development stages were collected and processed according to standard methodologies for anatomical and ultrastructural studies. Sepal and leaf colleters were anatomically similar, being non-vascularized, sessile or short-stalked and composed of a multicellular secretory head with large intercellular spaces where secretion, with a predominance of protein and polysaccharides, is accumulated. The secretory cells have thin walls, dense cytoplasm with granular endoplasmic reticulum, numerous dictyosomes and mitochondria. The ultrastructural characters are in agreement with the production of mucilaginous/protein secretion. The large secretion-filled vacuole merges with the plasma membrane releasing its contents to the periplasmic space where it remains until release outside of the cell wall, where it is accumulated in intercellular spaces formed by schizogeny. This accumulation generates pressure that promotes the passage of secretion through the external wall and the cuticle of superficial secretory cells of the head of the colleter.

Abstract Introduction COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is a severe systemic thrombotic syndrome that emerged in 2019, with an ensuing pandemic. To evaluate the impact of this disease on placental tissue and perinatal outcome, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses of placental tissue were performed for five cases of pregnant women with COVID-19. Case reports All five pregnant women in this series developed COVID-19 in late pregnancy. Two patients experienced respiratory distress, and computed tomography revealed signs of pneumonia, with bilateral involvement, multiple lobular and subsegmental areas of consolidation and ground-glass opacities. Histological studies of placental tissue revealed the presence of slight signs of maternal vascular underperfusion (MVUs) or foetal vascular underperfusion (FVUs) lesions and mild inflammatory lesions. CD15 immunoreactivity in the placental tissue was low in all cases, demonstrating that in these cases there was not severe foetal hypoxia/asphyxia risk for newborns or distal vascular immaturity. In all cases examined, ultrastructural analyses showed spherical-like coronavirus particles with an electron intermediate-density core as well as projections from the surface as spike-like structures in the syncytiotrophoblasts. At term, all of the women delivered newborns who were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal testing in their first day of life. All newborns were exclusively breastfed and were discharged on the 3rd day of life. Conclusions In conclusion, placental patterns in pregnancy due to COVID-19 in the late stage of gestation indicate no evidence of vertical trans-placental SARS-CoV-2 transmission or a significant impact on the perinatal outcome of newborns, in both mild and more severe cases.

The design of the implant prosthesis–abutment complex appears crucial for shaping healthy and stable peri-implant soft tissues. The aim of the present animal study was to compare two implants with different healing abutment geometries: a concave design (TEST) and a straight one (CTRL). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to quantify the three-dimensional topography and morphological properties of collagen at nanoscale resolution. 2 swine were included in the experiment and 6 implants per animal were randomly placed in the left or right hemimandible in either the physiologically mature bone present between the lower canine and first premolar or in the mandibular premolar area, within tooth extraction sites. Each CTRL implant was positioned across from its respective TEST implant on the other side of the jaw. After 12 weeks of healing, 8 specimens (4 CTRL and 4 TEST) were retrieved and prepared for histological and TEM analysis. The results showed a significantly higher percentage of area covered by collagen bundles and average bundle size in TEST implants, as well as a significant decrease in the number of longitudinally oriented bundles with respect to CTRL implants, which is potentially due to the larger size of TEST bundles. These data suggest that a concave transmucosal abutment design serves as a scaffold, favoring the deposition and growth of a well-organized peri-implant collagen structure over the implant platform in the early healing phase, also promoting the convergence of collagen fibers toward the abutment collar.

The invasive nature of Toxoplasma gondii is closely related to the properties of its cytoskeleton, which is constituted by a group of diverse structural and dynamic components that play key roles during the infection. Even if there have been numerous reports about the composition and function of the Toxoplasma cytoskeleton, the ultrastructural organization of some of these components has not yet been fully characterized. This study used a detergent extraction process and several electron microscopy contrast methods that allowed the successful isolation of the cytoskeleton of Toxoplasma tachyzoites. This process allowed for the conservation of the structures known to date and several new structures that had not been characterized at the ultrastructural level. For the first time, characterization was achieved for a group of nanofibers that allow the association between the polar apical ring and the conoid as well as the ultrastructural characterization of the apical cap of the parasite. The ultrastructure and precise location of the peripheral rings were also found, and the annular components of the basal complex were characterized. Finally, through immunoelectron microscopy, the exact spatial location of the subpellicular network inside the internal membrane system that forms the pellicle was found. The findings regarding these new structures contribute to the knowledge concerning the biology of the Toxoplasma gondii cytoskeleton. They also provide new opportunities in the search for therapeutic strategies aimed at these components with the purpose of inhibiting invasion and thus parasitism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adapting to environmental changes and formulating behavioral strategies are central to the nervous system, with the prefrontal cortex being crucial. Chronic stress impacts this region, leading to disorders including major depression. This review discusses the roles for prefrontal cortex and the effects of stress, highlighting similarities and differences between human/primates and rodent brains. Notably, the rodent medial prefrontal cortex is analogous to the human subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in terms of emotional regulation, sharing similarities in cytoarchitecture and circuitry, while also performing cognitive functions similar to the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It has been shown that chronic stress induces atrophic changes in the rodent mPFC, which mirrors the atrophy observed in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of depression patients. However, the precise alterations in neural circuitry due to chronic stress are yet to be fully unraveled. The use of advanced imaging techniques, particularly volume electron microscopy, is emphasized as critical for the detailed examination of synaptic changes, providing a deeper understanding of stress and depression at the molecular, cellular and circuit levels. This approach offers invaluable insights into the alterations in neuronal circuits within the medial prefrontal cortex caused by chronic stress, significantly enriching our understanding of stress and depression pathologies., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site–for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Despite the widespread use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in different fields and the amount of investigations available, to date, there are many contradictory results on their potential toxicity. In the present study, extensively characterized 20‐nm AgNPs were investigated using optimized protocols and standardized methods to test several toxicological endpoints in different cell lines. The agglomeration/aggregation state of AgNPs in culture media was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). DNA and chromosomal damage on BEAS‐2B and RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated by comet and micronucleus assays, while oxidative DNA damage by modified comet assay and 8‐oxodG/8‐oxodA detection. We also investigated immunotoxicity and immunomodulation by cytokine release and NO production in RAW 264.7 and MH‐S cells, with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulus. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis was used to analyze cellular uptake of AgNPs. Our results indicate different values of AgNPs hydrodynamic diameter depending on the medium, some genotoxic effect just on BEAS‐2B and no or slight effects on function of RAW 264.7 and MH‐S in absence or presence of LPS stimulus. This study highlights the relevance of using optimized protocols and multiple endpoints to analyze the potential toxicity of AgNPs and to obtain reliable and comparable results. In this study, optimized protocols and standardized methods were used for evaluating the potential in vitro toxicity of extensively characterized 20‐nm silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). AgNPs dispersions, characterized in culture media, were tested for cytotoxicological, genotoxicological, and immunotoxicological effects on cell lines representative of different route of exposure. Cellular uptake was also investigated. This study highlights the relevance of using optimized protocols and multiple endpoints to investigate the potential toxicity of AgNPs in order to obtain reliable and comparable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is a severe systemic thrombotic syndrome that emerged in 2019, with an ensuing pandemic. To evaluate the impact of this disease on placental tissue and perinatal outcome, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses of placental tissue were performed for five cases of pregnant women with COVID-19. Case reports: All five pregnant women in this series developed COVID-19 in late pregnancy. Two patients experienced respiratory distress, and computed tomography revealed signs of pneumonia, with bilateral involvement, multiple lobular and subsegmental areas of consolidation and ground-glass opacities. Histological studies of placental tissue revealed the presence of slight signs of maternal vascular underperfusion (MVUs) or foetal vascular underperfusion (FVUs) lesions and mild inflammatory lesions. CD15 immunoreactivity in the placental tissue was low in all cases, demonstrating that in these cases there was not severe foetal hypoxia/asphyxia risk for newborns or distal vascular immaturity. In all cases examined, ultrastructural analyses showed spherical-like coronavirus particles with an electron intermediate-density core as well as projections from the surface as spike-like structures in the syncytiotrophoblasts. At term, all of the women delivered newborns who were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal testing in their first day of life. All newborns were exclusively breastfed and were discharged on the 3rd day of life. Conclusions: In conclusion, placental patterns in pregnancy due to COVID-19 in the late stage of gestation indicate no evidence of vertical trans-placental SARS-CoV-2 transmission or a significant impact on the perinatal outcome of newborns, in both mild and more severe cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here the interactions between bacterial ectosymbionts and two Caribbean mangrove crabs: Aratus pisonii (Sesarmidae) and Minuca rapax (Ocypodidae). Specimens of A. pisonii and M. rapax were collected in Guadeloupe from mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle) and from the mangrove mud, respectively. Ectosymbionts colonizing gills in all host individuals were observed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). No intracellular bacteria were observed in gills cells suggesting that the biofilm only occurs on the surface of the gills. For A. pisonii and M. rapax, four different bacterial morphotypes were distributed throughout the surface of gill lamellae. Different sizes and lengths were observed in the bacterial population colonizing A. pisonii and M. rapax. Either symbionts cover the entire surface of the gills, or they formed irregularly distributed patches. Molecular analyses (high-throughput amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA-encoding genes) confirmed the occurrence of multiple bacterial taxonomic units, with dominance of Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in both host species. However, dominant bacterial phylotypes were not shared between A. pisonii and M. rapax. This suggests that each species of these semiterrestrial crabs may harbor a specific and distinct bacterial community despite living in the same mangroves. The discussion compares the bacterial compositions of the two species and their potential functions are hypothesized. Further investigations are needed to confirm the specificity and nature of the symbiosis, including potential exchanges occurring between the partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global climate change, recurrent freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) and concurrent exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) directly impact crop growth and indirectly affect resilience to abiotic stress. In January 2023, experiments at the Environmental Biology Laboratory, Jilin University, Changchun, China, exposed rye seedlings to 100 nm PSNPs at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, and 100 mg/L for seven days, followed by three FTC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that PSNPs migrated from the roots to the leaves, with FTC significantly exacerbating their accumulation within plant tissues. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed that FTC disrupted normal cell division, and combined stress from NPs damaged plant organs, particularly chloroplasts, thereby substantially inhibiting photosynthesis. FTC delayed plant phenological stages. Under combined stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in plant tissues increased by 15.6%, while hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) content decreased. Simultaneously, the activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased by 34.2% and 38.6%, respectively. Molecular docking unveiled that PSNPs could bind to the active center of POD/CAT through hydrogen bonding or hydrophobic interactions. The Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) index highlighted FTC as a crucial determinant for pronounced effects. Moreover, an apparent dose-dependent effect was observed, with antioxidant enzyme activities in rye seedlings induced by low pollutant concentrations and inhibited by high concentrations. These results indicate that FTC and PSNPs can disrupt plant membrane systems and cause severe oxidative damage. Overall, this study provides compelling scientific evidence of the risks associated with NPs exposure in plants subjected to abiotic stress. [Display omitted] • FT exacerbates the migration and accumulation of NPs from plant roots to leaves. • FTC delay plant phenology. • FTC in conjunction with NPs exposure suppress photosynthesis in rye seedlings. • NPs disrupts cell membranes in rye seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural features of a synapse help determine its function. Synapses are extremely small and tightly packed with vesicles and other organelles. Visualizing synaptic structure requires imaging by electron microscopy, and the features in micrographs must be quantified, a process called morphometry. Three parameters are typically assessed from each specimen: (1) the sizes of individual vesicles and organelles; (2) the absolute number and densities of organelles; and (3) distances between organelles and key features at synapses, such as active zone membranes and dense projections. For data to be meaningful, the analysis must be repeated from hundreds to thousands of images from several biological replicates, a daunting task. Here we report a custom computer program to analyze key structural features of synapses: SynapsEM. In short, we developed ImageJ/Fiji macros to record x,y-coordinates of segmented structures. The coordinates are then exported as text files. Independent investigators can reload the images and text files to reexamine the segmentation using ImageJ. The Matlab program then calculates and reports key synaptic parameters from the coordinates. Since the values are calculated from coordinates, rather than measured from each micrograph, other parameters such as locations of docked vesicles relative to the center of an active zone can be extracted in Matlab by additional scripting. Thus, this program can accelerate the morphometry of synapses and promote a more comprehensive analysis of synaptic ultrastructure.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most devastating parasitic disease in the world. Schistosoma spp. survive for decades within the vasculature of their human hosts. They have evolved a vast array of mechanisms to avoid the immune reaction of the host. Due to their sexual dimorphism, with the female worm lying within the gynecophoric canal of the male worm, it is the male that is exposed to the immediate environment and the soluble parts of the host's immune response. To understand how the worms are so successful in fending off the immune attacks of the host, comparative analyses of both worm sexes in human serum (with or without Praziquantel) were performed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. Further, gene expression analyses of tegument-specific genes were performed. Following the incubation in human serum, males and females out of pairs show morphological changes such as an altered structure of the pits below the surface and an increased number of pits per area. In addition, female schistosomes presented a marked tuft-like repulsion of their opsonized surface. The observed resistance of females to Praziquantel seemed to depend on active proteins in the human serum. Moreover, different expression profiles of tegument-specific genes indicate different functions of female_single and male_single teguments in response to human serum. Our results indicate that female schistosomes developed different evasion strategies toward the host's immune system in comparison to males that might lead to more robustness and has to be taken into account for the development of new anti-schistosomal drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of electron microscopic studies of morphogenesis in yeast Candida guilliermondii NP‐4, the formation of new structures of volutin acidocalcisomes has been established within the cell cytoplasm. Under influence of X‐irradiation, the changes in morphometric and electron‐dense properties of yeast cells were identified: in yeast cytoplasm, the electron‐dense volutin granules were increased up to 400 nm in size. After 24‐h post‐irradiation incubation of yeasts, the large volutin pellets are fragmented into smaller number particles in size up to 25–150 nm. The ATPase activity in yeast mitochondria was changed under X‐irradiation. In latent phase of growth, ATPase activity was decreased 1·35‐fold in comparison with non‐irradiated yeasts. In logarithmic phase of growth, ATPase activity was three times higher than in latent phase, and in stationary phase of growth it has a value similar to the latent phase. Probably, the cells receive the necessary energy from alternative energy sources, such as volutin. Electron microscopy of volutin granule changes might serve as convenient method for evaluation of damages and repair processes in cells under influence of different environmental stress‐factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We introduce a novel immersive framework for analyzing nanoscale brain cell reconstructions. • The framework is based on medial axis representations of branched cells like neurons or glia. • The system features semiautomatic external and internal interfaces for creating and editing skeletons. • The framework is designed to be used on stereoscopic HMD-based setups and large scale monoscopic displays. • We tested and evaluated the system on cells extracted from the somatosensory cortex of a juvenile rat. We present a novel virtual reality (VR) based framework for the exploratory analysis of nanoscale 3D reconstructions of cellular structures acquired from rodent brain samples through serial electron microscopy. The system is specifically targeted on medial axis representations (skeletons) of branched and tubular structures of cellular shapes, and it is designed for providing to domain scientists: i) effective and fast semi-automatic interfaces for tracing skeletons directly on surface-based representations of cells and structures, ii) fast tools for proofreading , i.e., correcting and editing of semi-automatically constructed skeleton representations, and iii) natural methods for interactive exploration , i.e., measuring, comparing, and analyzing geometric features related to cellular structures based on medial axis representations. Neuroscientists currently use the system for performing morphology studies on sparse reconstructions of glial cells and neurons extracted from a sample of the somatosensory cortex of a juvenile rat. The framework runs in a standard PC and has been tested on two different display and interaction setups: PC-tethered stereoscopic head-mounted display (HMD) with 3D controllers and tracking sensors, and a large display wall with a standard gamepad controller. We report on a user study that we carried out for analyzing user performance on different tasks using these two setups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease in China, which can seriously affect the heart, brain, kidney and other vital organs of the human body, and is the main cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and even death. Chronic hypertension can lead to remodeling of the right atrium, mainly due to factors such as pressure and volume overload of the right atrium and overactivation of neuroendocrine factors. It mainly includes cardiac remodeling and myocardial tissue remodeling. The purpose of this study was to observe the ultrastructure of myocardial cells in the right atrium of spontaneous hypertension rats. In this study, 10 12-week-old SHR rats were selected as the experimental group (SHR group), and WKY rats of the same age and sex were selected as the control group (WKY group, n = 10). Blood pressure was measured at the beginning and end of the 18-week trial. A section of the rat right atrium was taken for staining, and the percentage of the vascular wall area, the vascular lumen area (LA), and the vascular wall area of the heart wall were calculated by using the computer-assisted imaging system. The results showed that WKY's blood pressure remained at the normal level (106.65±6.55) mmHg. The blood pressure of SHR group increased from 8 weeks of age, and the systolic blood pressure of SHR8, SHR16 and SHR24 groups were (121.4±5.60), (204.7±5.60) and (226.45±6.60) mmHg, respectively, which were significantly higher than the WKY group of the same week (P < 0.05). In 30-week old SHR rats, the intima of the myocardial wall arterioles were significantly thickened and lumen decreased. This mechanism may be related to the imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis of medium smooth muscle cells. This paper introduces the characteristics of myocardial arteriole remodeling in SHR, which provides a basis for the study of hypertension and its vascular remodeling as well as the prevention and treatment of target organ damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the ultrastructure of neurons of the medulla oblongata (MO) in fish during wintering and to identify the role of components of the synthesis and degradation systems in adapting to unfavorable conditions (hypoxia, hypothermia, starvation). Mautner neurons (MNs) localized in the MO have a wide set of metabolic and functional capabilities. They were shown to be able to accumulate glycogen, having their own system of glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, and deposition of glycogen, which is an alternative source of energy during wintering. The study of MO neurons located near the somatic part of the MN showed that some of these cells, like the MNs, are able to induce a similar additional energy source—glycogen—as indicated by the appearance of glycogen fields in their cytoplasm during wintering. In such cells, as in MNs, during this period, the components of the ultrastructure remain in an active state. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes retain an intact structure in them. At the same time, the Golgi apparatus is reorganized significantly and the catabolic system is activated. In other cells adjacent to MNs, in which there is no accumulation of glycogen, structural degradation is observed. Thus, the features of the ultrastructure of the studied MO neurons indicate the important role of glycogen in their functioning during the wintering period. It can be suggested that, in the medulla oblongata, MNs and some other neurons retain their activity, forming specific centers that are involved in the adaptation of fish to adverse wintering conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim to investigate the mechanisms of action of nano plastics (nano PS) on plants, seeds of Allium cepa were germinated for 72 h in the presence of polystyrene nano PS (50 nm size, at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 g L−1) and, subsequently, roots were analysed by a multifaceted approach. No effect was induced by any concentration of nano PS on the percentage of seed germination while root growth was inhibited by 0.1 and 1 g L−1 nano PS. Cytological analysis of the root meristems indicated cytotoxicity (reduction of mitotic index) and genotoxicity (induction of cytogenetic anomalies and micronuclei) starting from the lowest dose. Moreover, the biochemical and histochemical analysis of oxidative stress markers gave evidence of stress induction, especially at the highest doses. Damages reported could be due to mechanical surface contact in root external layers, as evidenced by histological localization, and to the internalization of nano PS in different cellular compartments, observed under TEM. The present research underlines the hazardous nature of nano PS, that for their ability to be internalized into crop plants, can enter into different trophic levels of the food chain. Image 1 • Cyto-physiological traits in onion roots treated by nano-polystyrene were studied. • Nano PS reduced root elongation in onion seedlings during germination. • Nano PS induced cyto/genotoxicity on root meristem. • The highest applied concentrations of nano PS triggered oxidative stress. • Nano PS were internalized in different root cellular compartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathophysiological role of intracellular bacteria in osteomyelitis is still a matter of debate. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of Staphylococcus aureus internalized into osteoblasts in human tissue samples of a case with a chronic osteomyelitis using ultrastructural transmission electron microscope analysis.

In this article, we present a case of anastomosing hemangioma that shows cystic change. The tumor was a unilocular cystic lesion consisting of 2 distinct layers. The inner layer was composed of a proliferation of capillary-sized blood vessels resembling red pulp of the spleen. The outer layer was composed of stromal cells that resembled Leydig or steroid cell tumor of the ovary. An immunohistochemical examination confirmed endothelial and stromal characteristics of the layers, respectively. An ultrastructural analysis revealed absence of Reinke crystalloids in the stromal cells. We conclude that anastomosing hemangioma may rarely arise from the ovary as a cystic tumor and may be accompanied with luteinization of stromal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large areas of crop yields in northern China have faced with cadmium (Cd) contamination problems. Mercapto-modified palygorskite (MP), as a highly efficient immobilization material, could reduce Cd absorption in wheat and alleviate its biotoxicity. However, the molecular mechanism underlying MP-mediated Cd reduction and detoxification processes in wheat is not well understood. This aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the reduction in Cd accumulation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The results showed that MP application decreased the Cd concentration by 68.91–74.32% (root) and 70.68–77.2% (shoot), and significantly increased the glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) contents in root and shoot. In addition, with the application of MP, the percentage of Cd in the cell walls and organelles of wheat decreased, while that of Cd in soluble components was increased. The content of Cd in all components was significantly reduced. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that MP thickened the cell wall, promoted vesicle formation in the membrane and protected the integrity of intracellular organelles in wheat. Transcriptome analysis further confirmed the above results. MP upregulated the expression of several genes (CCR, CAD COMT and SUS) involved in cell wall component biosynthesis and promoted vesicle formation on cell membranes by upregulating the expression of PLC and IPMK genes. In addition, genes related to antioxidant synthesis (PGD, glnA and GSS) and photosynthesis (Lhca, Lhcb) were altered by MP to alleviate Cd toxicity in wheat. This present work will help to more thoroughly elucidate the molecular mechanism by which wheat defends against Cd contamination under MP application and provide and important research basis for the application of this material in the future. [Display omitted] • MP reduced the Cd content and Cd subcellular distribution in wheat • MP increases the content of sulfhydryl compounds (GSH and PCs) in wheat. • MP increases cell wall thickness and produces extracellular vesicles to reduce Cd toxicity. • MP enhances the transcriptional response of wheat to confer Cd tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cysts of free-living protozoa have an impact on the ecology and epidemiology of bacteria because they may act as a transmission vector or shelter the bacteria against hash environmental conditions. Detection and localization of intracystic bacteria and examination of the en- and excystment dynamics is a major challenge because no detailed protocols for ultrastructural analysis of cysts are currently available. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is ideally suited for those analyses; however, conventional TEM protocols are not satisfactory for cysts of free-living protozoa. Here we report on the design and testing of four protocols for TEM sample preparation of cysts. Two protocols, one based on chemical fixation in coated well plates and one on high-pressure freezing, were selected as the most effective for TEM-based ultrastructural studies of cysts. Our protocols will enable improved analysis of cyst structure and a better understanding of bacterial survival mechanisms in cysts.

Disrupted lipid metabolism is a characteristic of gliomas. This study utilizes an ultrastructural approach to characterize the prevalence and distribution of lipids within gliomas. This study made use of tissue from IDH1 wild type (IDH1-wt) glioblastoma (n = 18) and IDH1 mutant (IDH1-mt) astrocytoma (n = 12) tumors. We uncover a prevalent and intriguing surplus of lipids. The bulk of the lipids manifested as sizable cytoplasmic inclusions and extracellular deposits in the tumor microenvironment (TME); in some tumors the lipids were stored in the classical membraneless spheroidal lipid droplets (LDs). Frequently, lipids accumulated inside mitochondria, suggesting possible dysfunction of the beta-oxidation pathway. Additionally, the tumor vasculature have lipid deposits in their lumen and vessel walls; this lipid could have shifted in from the tumor microenvironment or have been produced by the vessel-invading tumor cells. Lipid excess in gliomas stems from disrupted beta-oxidation and dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation pathways. The implications of this lipid-driven environment include structural support for the tumor cells and protection against immune responses, non-lipophilic drugs, and free radicals., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The susceptibility of the kidneys to fluoride toxicity can largely be attributed to its anatomy and function. As the filtrate moves along the complex tubular structure of each nephron, it is concentrated in the proximal and distal tubules and collecting duct. It has been frequently observed that the children suffering from renal impairments also have some symptoms of dental and skeletal fluorosis. The findings suggest that fluoride somehow interferes with renal anatomy and physiology, which may lead to renal pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride-associated nephrotoxicity. A total of 156 patients with childhood nephrotic syndrome were screened and it was observed that 32 of them had significantly high levels (p ≤ 0.05) of fluoride in urine (4.01 ± 1.83 ppm) and serum (0.1 ± 0.013 ppm). On the basis of urinary fluoride concentration, patients were divided into two groups, namely group 1 (G-1) (n = 32) containing normal urine fluoride (0.61 ± 0.17 ppm) and group 2 (G-2) (n = 32) having high urine fluoride concentration (4.01 ± 1.83 ppm). Age-matched healthy subjects (n = 33) having normal levels of urinary fluoride (0.56 ± 0.15 ppm) were included in the study as control (group 0 (G-0)). Kidney biopsies were taken from G-1 and G-2 only, who were subjected to ultrastructural (transmission electron microscopy) and apoptotic (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling) analysis. Various subcellular ultrastructural changes including nuclear disintegration, chromosome condensation, cytoplasmic ground substance lysis, and endoplasmic reticulum blebbing were observed. Increased levels of apoptosis were observed in high fluoride group (G-2) compared to normal fluoride group (G-1). Various degrees of fluoride-associated damages to the architecture of tubular epithelia, such as cell swelling and lysis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear condensation, apoptosis, and necrosis, were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the ultrastructure of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) in patients with idiopathic congenital cataract.Methods: This is a prospective interventional study. The anterior lens capsules (aLC: basement membrane and associated LECs) were taken from 16 eyes of 12 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having idiopathic congenital cataracts. The aLCs were obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Results: Some significant ultrastructural changes were observed in all aLCs of the participants. The anterior LECs showed alterations in different areas which were partly cuboidal and partly squamous in shape. The LECs had euchromatic nucleus and included some vacuoles in the cytoplasms as a remarkable alteration. The sizes of these intraepithelial cell vacuoles were changeable.Conclusions: We identified remarkable changes in LECs of the eyes with idiopathic congenital cataract by TEM. It can be assumed that oxidative damage may be associated with these ultrastructural changes in LECs of the eyes with idiopathic congenital cataracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our recent studies we have designed fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite (FNP/DOX) as the new drug nanocarrier. This research has demonstrated that this novel nanocomposite has had better implications on the liver tissue in vivo (Wistar rats treated intraperitoneally), than treatment based only on DOX. FNP/DOX has been characterised by DLS, TEM and AFM measurements which have shown that DOX loaded onto FNP did not influence fullerenol nanoparticle's size. FNP/DOX affected oxidative status in blood causing a significant decrease of catalase and SOD activity in comparison to DOX, implicating the reduction in oxidative stress. qRT-PCR results on the mRNA level of antioxidative enzymes (catalase and MnSOD) revealed that the effect of oxidative stress is significantly reduced by the treatment with FNP/DOX ( p  < .05). The ultrastructural analysis of the liver tissue has revealed that FNP/DOX nanocomposite generated considerably less damage in the liver tissue, than DOX applied at the same dose. Hence, our results have indicated that FNP, within FNP/DOX nanocomposite, exhibits protective effects to the liver tissue of the healthy rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The acropetiolar glands of J. princeps are extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). • EFNs are anatomically similar to those described for other Euphorbiaceae. • Nectar is chemically complex including mainly fructose, besides polysaccharides, mucilage, and proteins. • Nectar exudation involves the subcuticular accumulation and cuticle disruption. Joannesia princeps presents two acropetiolar glands, with topography and morphology similar to extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). In the present study we described the anatomy and the ultrastructure of acropetiolar glands, and analyzed the histochemistry and chemical composition of secretion in order to (i) verify if these glands are nectaries and (ii) understand the complexity of secretion and the cell compartment involved with the production and exudation. The samples were processed according to the standard methodology for anatomical and ultrastructural studies. The gland has uniseriate epidermis composed by palisade secretory cells. The secretion produced by the secretory epidermis is accumulated in a subcuticular space, which causes distention of the cuticle until it be broken, allowing the exudation. Xylem and phloem vascularize the gland, with the phloem reaching the nectariferous parenchyma, even close to the secretory epidermis. The histochemical tests revealed polysaccharides, mucilage and protein in the secretion, whereas the exudate chemical analysis showed that glucose, fructose and sucrose are components of the nectar, being fructose the sugar predominant. The secretion is complex and different organelles are involved in this synthesis and secretion process. Secretory parenchyma cells presented a large peripheral nucleus, vacuole with granular material, conspicuous endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria, plastids, and plasmodesmata. During the secretion process, a granular material is accumulated into the vacuole, which merges with the plasma membrane of the secretory epidermis, releasing this material into the periplasmatic spaces. After crossing the cell wall of the epidermal cell, the secretion is accumulated in a subcuticular space, until ready to be released by the cuticle disruption. Based on this study, we can affirm that the glands of it are extrafloral nectaries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 57-year-old male had been suffering from an itchy map-shaped symmetrical erosive erythema with a crust that was attached to his upper arm and buttock, and occasionally he suffered from spiking fever. Laboratory examinations showed neither anti-desmoglein 1/3 antibodies nor anti-BP 180 antibodies, and he fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Histologically, there was eosinophilic necrosis of keratinocytes, liquefaction and degradation with severe lymphocyte infiltration into the epidermis and subepidermal blister formation, suggestive of a variant of SLE, bullous lupus erythematosus (BLE). One month after remission of BLE, peculiar annular hypopigmentation appeared on the peripheral borders. An immunohistochemical analysis showed a decrease in Melan A-positive melanocytes and concomitant pigment incontinentia, with dense infiltration of CD8+ T cells and IL-17A+ Th17 cells. An ultrastructural analysis revealed a decrease, but not a complete disappearance, of both melanocytes and melanosomes, and no impairment in melanosomal transfer. In this case report, we would like to introduce the development of annular depigmentation complicated with BLE, and discuss the effects of lupus condition on melanocyte damage based on immunohistological and electromicroscopic findings of those vitiliginous lesions.

Gastric ulcer affects people worldwide, and its inefficacy and recurrence have fueled the search for new therapeutic strategies. Despite the well-known use of allantoin in medicines and cosmetic products, its effect has not yet been studied with regard to gastric ulcer. Hence, the aim of the present study was to explore the pharmaco-mechanistic efficacy of allantoin against commonly harmful agents that cause injuries to the stomach. Ethanol, indomethacin, and stress-induced gastric ulcer models were adopted, in addition to pylorus ligature, a quantification of vascular permeability, glutathione (GSH), gastric adhered mucus, prostaglandin (PGE 2 ), pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and catalase (CAT) activities. The gastric lesions were examined by gross, histological, and ultrastructural features. The results showed that treatment with allantoin (60 mg/kg, per oral ) reduced the gastric ulcer formation in all models. Furthermore, allantoin reduced the parameters of gastric acid secretion and attenuated both the vascular permeability and MPO activity. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also reduced, accompanied by a restoration of CAT activity and GSH levels. Notably, allantoin treatment preserved the gastric-adhered mucus and PGE 2 levels after ethanol administration. Microscopic and ultrastructural analysis revealed that allantoin maintained tissue integrity and prevented morphological changes in cells caused by ethanol. In summary, we demonstrated for the first time that allantoin possesses gastroprotective activity through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, antisecretory, and cytoprotective mechanisms. The antisecretory and cytoprotective mechanisms are probably associated with an increase in PGE 2 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ciliates represent a diversified group of protists known to establish symbioses with prokaryotic micro-organisms. They are mainly phagotrophs and symbiotic relationships with bacteria can give them an important advantage in chemosynthetic environments. The aim of this study is to describe the thiotrophic association that occurs between the peritrich ciliate Pseudovorticella sp. and potential sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Investigations at microscopic scale (LM, SEM, TEM) showed ectosymbiotic bacteria covering the surface of the body of Pseudovorticella sp. According to 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis, these ectosymbiotic bacteria belong to γ-proteobacteria and are phylogenetically close to the symbiont of the recently described Zoothamnium ignavum , which inhabits shallow-water wood falls. FISH experiments, using symbiont specific probes, clearly indicate that these ectosymbiotic bacteria are also ingested into food vacuoles. Electron lucent granules observed in TEM in the cytoplasm of the ectosymbiotic bacteria have been identified as sulfur granules by Raman microspectrometry analyses. Raman microspectrometry analyses confirmed the thiotrophic nature of this relationship already suggested by the results obtained by TEM and phylogeny. A complete sulfur map was then performed to investigate the sulfur distribution in the zooid. Results show that the relationship between this protist and its bacterial partner is a thiotrophic ectosymbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, interest has been increasing for human decellularized matrices, due to their ability to reduce numerous side effects related to hernia repair. To date, only animal studies investigated the biological interaction post-implant of human decellularized matrices for soft tissue repair. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological response one year post implant of human decellularized matrix, through morphological analysis of human biopsies. The histological and ultrastructural results revealed a perfect cellular repopulation and neoangiogenesis, with minimal inflammatory response and a well-organized collagen matrix. The results have indicated that this scaffold can be an effective treatment for hernia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) have been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic fluoride ion (F) toxicity. Many studies have shown that F-induced apoptosis may be associated with oxidative stress and provoke the initiation of the apoptotic process. Apoptosis is mainly regulated by complex pro- and anti-apoptotic gene families. The Bcl-2 family of regulator proteins has been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of apoptosis with Bcl-2 inhibiting apoptosis and Bax promoting it. Both genes are widely present in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of the cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate F-associated mitochondriopathy in human renal cells. The patient sample comprised 64 children, aged 4-12 yr, with nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease (NS-MCD) who were divided into two groups: (i) group 1 (n=32) with a normal urinary F (=1 mg/L) and (ii) group 2 (n=32) with a high urinary F (>1 mg/L). Renal biopsies, taken for clinical diagnostic indications, were processed for ultrastructural analysis of the tubular parts by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The group 2 patients showed a remarkably high level of mitochondriopathy including mitochondrial edema, cristolysis, and electron dense deposits in the mitochondrial matrix. These findings may help in understanding F-associated nephrotoxicity in humans and in paving the way for the early diagnosis of F-induced renal impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hitherto, the role of the osteocyte as transducer of mechanical stimuli into biological signals is far from settled. In this study, we used an appropriate model represented by the cortex of Xenopus laevis long bone diaphysis lacking (unlike the mammalian one) of vascular structures and containing only osteocytes inside the bone matrix. These structural features allow any change of protein profile that might be observed upon different experimental conditions, such as bone adaptation to stress/mechanical loading, to be ascribed specifically to osteocytes. The study was conducted by combining ultrastructural observations and two-dimensional electrophoresis for proteomic analysis. The osteocyte population was extracted from long bones of lower limbs of amphibian skeletons after different protocols (free and forced swimming). The experiments were performed on 210 frogs subdivided into five trials, each including free swimming frogs (controls) and frogs submitted to forced swimming (stressed). The stressed groups were obliged to swim (on movable spheres covering the bottom of a pool on a vibrating plate) continuously for 8 h, and killed 24 h later along with the control groups. Long bones free of soft tissues (periosteum, endosteum and bone marrow), as well as muscles of posterior limbs, were processed and analyzed for proteins differentially expressed or phosphorylated between the two sample groups. The comparative analysis showed that protein phosphorylation profiles differ between control and stressed groups. In particular, we found in long bones of stressed samples that both Erk1/2 and Akt are hyperphosphorylated; moreover, the different phosphorylation of putative Akt substrates (recognized by specific Akt phosphosubstrates-antibody) in stressed vs. control samples clearly demonstrated that Akt signaling is boosted by forced swimming (leading to an increase of mechanical stress) of amphibian long bones. In parallel, we found in posterior limb muscles that the expression of heat shock protein HSP27 and HSP70 stress markers increased upon the forced swimming condition. Because the cortexes of frog long bones are characterized by the presence of only osteocytes, all our results establish the suitability of the X. laevis animal model to study the bone response to stress conditions mediated by this cell type and pave the way for further analysis of the signaling pathways involved in these signal transduction mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marburg and Ebola viruses cause a severe hemorrhagic disease in humans with high fatality rates. Early target cells of filoviruses are monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The infection spreads to the liver, spleen and later other organs by blood and lymph flow. A hallmark of filovirus infection is the depletion of non-infected lymphocytes; however, the molecular mechanisms leading to the observed bystander lymphocyte apoptosis are poorly understood. Also, there is limited knowledge about the fate of infected cells in filovirus disease. In this review we will explore what is known about the intracellular events leading to virus amplification and cell damage in filovirus infection. Furthermore, we will discuss how cellular dysfunction and cell death may correlate with disease pathogenesis.

Subplate cells are among the first generated neurons in the mammalian cerebral cortex and have been implicated in the establishment of cortical wiring. In rodents some subplate neurons persist into adulthood. Here we would like to highlight several converging findings which suggest a novel secretory function of subplate neurons during cortical development. Throughout the postnatal period in rodents, subplate neurons have highly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are under an ER stress condition. By comparing gene expression between subplate and layer 6, we found that several genes encoding secreted proteins are highly expressed in subplate neurons. One of these secreted proteins, neuroserpin, encoded by the serpini1 gene, is localised to the ER in subplate cells. We propose that subplate might influence cortical circuit formation through a transient secretory function.

Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a hemostatic agent of plant origin, has been registered for the prevention of clinical hemorrhages. Currently there is no data regarding the ultrastructural analysis of ABS at the tissue level. The aim of this study is to assess renal tissue effects via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses for the ABS and ABS nanohemostat (formed by the combination of self-assembling peptide amphiphile molecules and ABS). SEM experiments were performed with FEI Nova NanoSEM 230, using the ETD detector at low vacuum mode with 30 keV beam energy. SEM analyses revealed that significant erythroid aggregation are present inside the capillary bed of the renal tissue. However, neither the signs of necrosis nor any other sign of tissue damage are evident in the surrounding renal tissue supplied by the microcapillary vasculature. Our study is important for several reasons. Firstly, in our study we used ABS nanohemostat which was recently developed. This study adds valuable information to the literature regarding ABS nanohemostat. Secondly, this study is the first ultrastructural analysis of ABS that was performed at the tissue level. Thirdly, we disclosed that ABS nanohemostat could induce vital erythroid aggregation at the renal tissue level as detected by SEM. Lastly, we detected that ABS nanohemostat causes no harm to the tissues including necrosis and any other detrimental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex study, including genetic and karyological approaches, as well as an analysis of the ultrastructural organization of spermatozoa of the Nozawa's prickleback Stichaeus nozawae (Jordan et Snyder, 1902) and Grigorev's prickleback S. grigorievi (Herzenstein, 1890) from Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan, is considered in the present work. The species exhibit differences in the spermatozoon head width and flagellum length. These characters are species-specific and, along with morphological traits, can be used as a proof of the validity of the species under study. The similarity between S. nozawae and S. grigorievi, as established based on genetic and karyological analyses (2 n = 48, NF = 70, localization of nucleolar organizers), does not correspond to inter-species differences in morphological and biological characters. The lack of variations in DNA and the chromosome set that are suitable for species differentiation, between Nozawa's and Grigorev's pricklebacks is an evidence for the evolutionary adolescence of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been extensively studied and reported, but the number of studies that have investigated diabetes-related changes in the central nervous system are limited, with even fewer studies on the cerebellum. The aim of this experimental study was to perform a histologic analysis of the diabetes-related changes in the cerebellums of diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Twenty Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 200 and 220 g were included in the study. Diabetes was induced in 14 of these rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin dissolved in saline, while 6 animals constituted the control group. The induction of diabetes was confirmed by measuring the blood glucose levels in the tail blood with a glucometer. Levels equal to or above 200 mg/dL were considered diabetic. Induction of diabetes failed in 3 animals, who were then excluded from the study. Results: Light and electron microscopic studies revealed that the neurons and glial cells in the diabetic group had degenerative changes, irregularities and disruption in the myelin sheath, disintegration in the presynaptic vesicles, engorged axon terminals, perivascular and mitochondrial swelling, mitochondrial structural changes, and fragmentation of the neurofilaments. Conclusion: Ultrastructural alterations are observed in the diabetic rat cerebellum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phagocytes have been proved to play vital roles in the innate immune response. However, the cellular characteristics of phagocytes in invertebrates, especially in molluscs, remain largely unknown. In the present study, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) was employed to sort the phagocytes from the non-phagocytic haemocytes of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas . The cytochemical staining analysis revealed that phagocytes were positive staining for α-naphthyl acetate esterase and myeloperoxidase, while negative staining for toluidine blue and periodic acid-Schiff. The non-phagocytic haemocytes exhibited positive staining for periodic acid-Schiff, weak positive staining for toluidine blue, but negative staining for α-naphthyl acetate esterase and myeloperoxidase. In addition, phagocytes exhibited ultrastructural cellular features similar to those of macrophages, with large cell diameter, rough cell membrane and extended pseudopodia revealed by the scanning electron microscopy, while the non-phagocytic haemocytes exhibited small cell diameter, smooth cell surface and round spherical shape. Transmission electron microscopy further demonstrated that phagocytes were abundant of cytoplasmic bodies and mitochondria, while non-phagocytic haemocytes were characterized as the comparatively large cell nucleus with contorted and condensed heterochromatin adherent to the nuclear envelope. Moreover, compared with non-phagocytic haemocytes, phagocytes exhibited significantly higher levels of intracellular cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor, interferon-like protein and interleukin-17, and significantly higher abundance of lysosome and reactive oxygen species, which were of great importance to the activation of immune response and pathogen clearance. Taken together, these findings revealed the different cytochemical and ultrastructural features between phagocytes and non-phagocytic haemocytes in C. gigas , which would provide an important clue to investigate the mechanism of phagocytosis underlying the innate immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]