Life Sciences Commons^™

Microvascular System Of The Human Fetal Inner Ear: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study Of Corrosion Casts, A. J. Miodoński, J. Gorczyca, M. Nowogrodzka-Zagórska, J. A. Litwin, J. Składzień

Scanning Microscopy

The vascular system of the inner ear was investigated in 18-21 weeks old human fetuses, using the corrosion cast technique in scanning electron microscopy. At that developmental stage, vascularization of the cochlea and semicircular canals shows a pattern very similar to that described for adults. The most important differences which can be regarded as fetal features include: (1) denser limbus vessels, (2) the marginal vessels of the spiral lamina appearing as irregular network which shows a less clear arcade-like arrangement, (3) some radiating arterioles of the spiral lamina and marginal vessels possessing connections with the vascular system of the external …

Degeneration And Reorganization Of Vestibular Epithelia After Local Aminoglycoside Application In The Mammalian Inner Ear, J. Dupont, A. Guilhaume, J. -M. Aran

Scanning Microscopy

The development of degeneration of vestibular end organs and their possible reorganization have been observed over a 2 year period after local application of sisomicin in the inner ear using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Degeneration of stereocilia took place as early as 5 days after the treatment in the utricule, the saccule and the cristae. At 10 days, almost the entire surface of these sensory epithelia presented a smooth aspect without specific structure. However, after 15 days, an epithelial reorganization developed with clear limits between cells. At 25 days, systematic kinociliary structures were observed at the apical surface of the …

Cochlear And Vestibular Epithelia From A Patient With Meniere's Disease: A Case Study, K. C. Horner

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy observations were carried out on the cochlear and vestibular epithelia of the left temporal bone of a Meniere' s patient. There was almost complete absence of hair cells in the basal turn of the cochlea. The outer hair cells of the second turn presented an abnormal shortening of the shorter stereocilia within a tuft, reminiscent of the specific atrophy of the short and middle stereocilia in the ciliary tufts of outer hair cells in the guinea pig with experimental hydrops. The cilia of the inner hair cells showed fusion and giant cilia formation. Hair cells were observed …

Silicified Mississippian Paleosol Microstructures: Evidence For Ancient Microbial-Soil Associations, Ray Kenny, David H. Krinsley

Scanning Microscopy

Silica-replaced microfeatures in a well-developed, Upper Mississippian paleosol from north-central Arizona, were examined by scanning electron microscopy using back-scattered electron imagery. Preserved microfeatures include hollow and solid tubiform filaments and mycelium-like stringers which radiate from problematic (biogenic?) soil structures. Preservation of these features suggest that microstructures in the soil zone are not uniformly destroyed during post-diagenetic silica replacement and that biological soil symbionts may have occurred as early as the Upper Mississippian (~280 Mya).

Seed Testa Morphology Of 18 Species Of Rafnia Thunb. (Fam. Fabaceae, Sub-Family Papilionoideae), G. R. Richardson, R. Cross

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to conduct a micromorphological study of testae of the seeds of 18 species of Rafnia Thunb. (Fam. Fabaceae, Sub-family Papilionoideae). The testa patterns revealed diagnostic taxonomic features which proved useful in the construction of a key for the identification of the various Rafnia species. Comparisons between air-dried freshly collected, and long-term stored herbarium specimens revealed that testa patterns remained consistent and valid for taxonomic purposes.

The Vestibular Epithelia In Experimental Hydrops, K. C. Horner, S. Rydmarker

Scanning Microscopy

Morpho-pathological features, observed by scanning electron microscopy, in guinea pigs with endolymphatic hydrops of 4-14 months included shortening of the hair cell tufts, loss of tufts, retraction of sensory hair cells away from the surrounding tissue and hair cell loss. After 22 months of hydrops, there was complete loss of hair cells with indifferentiation of the epithelium. The loss of ciliary tufts involved loss of both stereocilia and kinocilia identified as short stubs and holes respectively. Control macular epithelia showed no hair tuft loss although ampullae in control ears could show some loss.

Backscattered Electron Imaging For High Resolution Surface Scanning Electron Microscopy With A New Type Yag-Detector, Paul Walther, Rudolf Autrata, Ya Chen, James B. Pawley

Scanning Microscopy

Double Layer Coating for backscattered electron imaging is a coating and imaging method especially suitable for high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of large biological samples. Since the backscattered electron (BSE) signal from thin metal coating layers is quite low, field emission SEM's and very sensitive BSE-detectors are required for this method. In this study an improved BSE-detector of the YAG type was used with an in-lens type field emission SEM. Two samples were investigated in order to demonstrate and to improve the potential of this new approach: (1) cryo-prepared cultured kidney cells were shadowed by electron beam evaporation with …

Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies Of The Oral Tissue Responses To Dental Implants, David E. Steflik, Ralph V. Mckinney, Allen L. Sisk, Gregory R. Parr, David L. Koth

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy ( SEM) and its associated technologies have proven invaluable in elucidating the interfacial oral tissue responses to dental implants. Since the dental implant must extend from the mandibular or maxillary jaw, through the oral mucosa, and into the oral cavity, these tissue responses include epithelium, connective tissue and bone. The continual occlusal forces acting upon these tissues reinforce the dynamic character of these tissue responses. Immediately upon implantation, a healing phase begins as a response to the implanted biomaterial. Following this immediate response a longer healing phase occurs, beginning approximately 1 week after implantation, resulting in the …

Kidney Structure Investigations Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Corrosion Casts - A State Of The Art Review, H. Ditrich, H. Splechtna

Scanning Microscopy

The corrosion casting technique using acrylic resins in the scanning electron microscope (SEM), was originally developed to investigate renal microvascular structure and is now also successfully used in studies on various other organs. However, in the last two decades nearly 100 papers have been published on the renal vascular anatomy of various taxa of vertebrates or on pathomorphological structures of kidneys, using this technique. Analyzing these works, trends and developments in this field can be summed up as follows: The majority of studies are anatomical works on the vascular system of kidneys from all vertebrate classes. In addition, experimental pathological …

Advances In Corrosion Casting Methods, K. C. Hodde, D. A. Steeber, R. M. Albrecht

Scanning Microscopy

This paper briefly discusses the concept of corrosion cast preparation (primarily of blood vessels), the use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study these casts and the observations which can be made, together with the merits and the limitations in various applications. A number of reviews and surveys are quoted in which the different injection media, injection methods, animal preparations and corrosion procedures are described. A new procedure of cleaning the corrosion casts with sodium hydroxide and Triton X-100 is described. The observations which can be made are listed and illustrated both on the cellular level as well as …

Morphological Changes Of Hair Cell Stereocilia And Tectorial Membrane In Guinea Pigs With Experimentally Induced Hydrops, Sven Rydmarker, K. C. Horner

Scanning Microscopy

Endolymphatic hydrops was surgically induced in guinea pigs. Atrophy of middle and short stereocilia on the outer hair cells in the upper 13 mm of the cochlea was systematically observed by scanning electron microscopy in guinea pigs with hydrops between 5-22 months. Light microscope and scanning electron microscope observations indicated that the tectorial membrane in the apical three turns was often abnormally elevated, and could be vertically positioned in longstanding hydrops. The atrophy of outer hair cell middle and short stereocilia and the elevation of the tectorial membrane certainly contribute to the pathophysiology of experimental hydrops and might be implicated …

A Three-Dimensional Study Of The Morphology And Topography Of Pericytes In The Microvascular Bed Of Skeletal Muscle, E. Gaudio, L. Pannarale, A. Caggiati, G. Marinozzi

Scanning Microscopy

Digested tissue specimens and corrosion casts of rat soleus and tibialis anterior muscles were employed for this Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study. The shape, morphology, and position of pericytes were compared to corresponding imprints on the cast surfaces. Pericytes, observed in digested tissue specimens, showed a typical morphological pattern: a central body with two primary processes that run along the capillary in opposite directions. From these primary processes, secondary ones arise and often encircle the vessel almost completely.

On the surface of corrosion casts, roundish imprints were found in the microvascular tree at the same level where digested tissue specimens …

Characterization Of Kalimashi Chromite Ore (Albania) By Scanning Electron Microscopy, Giuseppe Bonifazi, Sokol Mati

Scanning Microscopy

The textural and structural characteristics of chrome ores mined in Albania have been examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Elemental mapping and microanalysis of Cr, Fe and Al (to identify the chromite phase) and of Mg and Si (to identify the olivine) have been carried out. A study has been made of the kind of micro-inclusions found in the ore, in order to evaluate the products of the beneficiation processes.

Textural complexity of the ore explains the difficulties involved in obtaining good recoveries and high-quality concentrates.

Dermatophyte Morphology: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study, R. Vazquez, J. M. Riesco, A. Martin Pascual

Scanning Microscopy

The Dermatophytes are a broad group of fungi belonging to the class Fungii imperfecti that are the causative agents of dermophytosis (ringworm infections). The present work offers an overview of the morphology of these fungi found in cultures according to the scanning electron microscope. The fungi were obtained from cultures left to develop over variable periods of time that would be sufficient for growth. The morphological features of some dermatophytes obtained in artificial cultures are detailed: M. canis, M. gypseum, M. audouini, M. cookei, T. mentagrophytes, T. schoulemu, T. verrucosuin, T. ajelloi, T. prohferans, and E. floccosum. In all …

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis Of Polyethylene Oxide Hydrogels For Blood Contact, Sylvie Laliberté Verdon, Elliot L. Chaikof, James E. Coleman, Lori L. Hayes, Raymond J. Connolly, Karen Ramberg, Edward W. Merrill, Allan D. Callow

Scanning Microscopy

Hydrogels are a class of synthetic material, composed of a polymer-water matrix and have been proposed as tissue substitutes and drug delivery vehicles. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) hydrogels were synthesized and used to produce coated wires and conduits for baboon blood compatibility studies. Blood-material interactions were studied both by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and ¹¹¹In labeled platelet deposition.

SEM processing modifications were first evaluated in order to reduce shrinkage and surface distortion incurred during sample preparation of these high water content materials. Pretreatment with 1% tannic acid reduced bulk shrinkage associated with critical point drying by 10-20%. This effect is …

Scanning Electron Microscope Study Of Wohlfahrtia Magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) I. Structures With Parasitic And Possible Taxonomic Meaning, I. Ruíz-Martínez, M. D. Soler-Cruz, R. Benítez-Rodríguez, J. M. Pérez-Jiménez, C. Adalid-Fuentes, M. Díaz-López

Scanning Microscopy

The larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (the most important dipteran causing sheep myiasis in the Palearctic region) has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of mouth-hooks, oral ridges, labial lobes, body spines and anterior and posterior peritremes is described for the first time. Their possible adaptations to a parasitic lifeway are also discussed. Thus, the use of new structures in the Sarcophagidae taxonomy is proposed from the point of view of their ultrastructure and adaptative morphology.

Comparative Analysis Of The Proliferative Response Of The Rat Urinary Bladder To Sodium Saccharin By Light And Scanning Electron Microscopy And Autoradiography, Samuel M. Cohen, Maria J. Fisher, Takao Sakata, Martin Cano, Gerald P. Schoenig, Clifford I. Chappel, Emily M. Garland

Scanning Microscopy

Three methods used to detect proliferative changes in the rat urothelium, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and autoradiography, were compared for their sensitivity in detecting changes produced by administration of sodium saccharin. Weanling male F344 rats were fed sodium saccharin as 0, 3, 5, or 7.5% of the diet, and the bladders were evaluated after 4, 7, and 10 wks of feeding. Light microscopic changes and an increase in labeling index were seen at all time points in rats fed 7.5 % sodium saccharin, but not at the lower doses. A slight increase in labeling index was also observed at …

Surface Corrections To Bulk Energy Losses In Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Of Spheres, A. Rivacoba, P. M. Echenique

Scanning Microscopy

The interaction of a fast electron penetrating a spherical target is studied, in the frame of the classical dielectric theory. Expressions for ω the Fourier component of the induced scalar field and energy loss probability are obtained. The reduction in the bulk loss probability due to the surface boundary correction is calculated to all orders in a multipole expansion. The dependence of this correction on the impact parameter and on the radius of the sphere is also studied and compared with the results for films.

Quantitative Measurement From Vascular Casts, Ralph G. Kratky, Christine M. Zeindler, Dorian K. C. Lo, Margot R. Roach

Scanning Microscopy

A review of quantitative measurements show casting materials shrink from 0.2 - 20% and have viscosities ranging from 1.4 - 100,000 centipoise. Blood vessels have highly variable mechanical properties. Some microvessels are very stiff having little change in dimensions with pressure. Larger vessels generally change diameter significantly but show highly variable changes in length with pressure. Perfusion fixation does not fix the dimensions of blood vessels. Dog carotid arteries well fixed with glutaraldehyde at physiologic dimensions retain ≈20% of their elastic recoil circumferentially and ≈30% longitudinally. We recommend vascular casting as a method of accurately measuring the vasculature if care …

The Opisthonephric Blood Vascular System Of The Chicken Embryo As Studied By Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Microvascular Corrosion Casts And Critical Point Dried Preparations, H. Ditrich, H. Splechtna

Scanning Microscopy

Microvascular corrosion casts of chicken embryos between four and 19 days after fertilization have been prepared. The developing kidney was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The injection technique and resin composition were modified in order to facilitate the complete replication of native blood vascular systems of specimens as small as 15 mm body length. The development of the opisthonephros was followed from near the beginning of its function until a vascular development comparable to the adult situation was reached. Critical point dried glomeruli show the differentiation of the glomerular visceral epithelium (podocytes) from initially epithelioid to highly branched forms. …

Calcium Levels In Ruffle-Ended And Smooth-Ended Maturation Ameloblasts, S. H. Ashrafi, D. R. Eisenmann, A. E. Zaki

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to distinguish the topographical characteristics of two maturation ameloblast types in freeze-dried blocks of enamel organ tissue. This distinction was based primarily upon the configuration of the distal ends of the ameloblasts and the presence or absence of wide intercellular spaces.

Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry was applied to compare calcium levels in various regions of tissue identified as constituting either ruffle-ended or smooth ended ameloblasts. Greater levels of calcium were found in the distal ends of the ruffle-ended cells than in their proximal ends. In addition, greater calcium levels were found in the distal ends …

Determination Of Fiber Content In Long Fiber Reinforced Composites By Scanning Electron Microscopy And Image Analysis, R. F. Antrim

Scanning Microscopy

Currently, there is a wide interest in further developing long fiber reinforced composites. Due to the dependence of a material's mechanical properties to its microstructure, further development of microanalytical techniques is needed to quantify the amount of fiber. In response, a standardless technique was developed to determine the volumetric fiber content and its variation in an oriented long fiber reinforced composite. The method utilizes scanning electron microscopy to acquire backscattered electron images of polished cross-sections. The images are then processed to determine the fiber area fraction which, in this particular case, is equal to the volume fraction. The results presented …

Scanning Electron Microscope, Freeze Etching And Glycosaminoglycan Cytochemical Studies Of The Cerebellar Climbing Fiber System, Orlando J. Castejón, Haydée V. Castejón

Scanning Microscopy

Mouse and teleost fish cerebelli were processed by the freeze-fracture methods for scanning and transmission electron microscopy in order to study the three-dimensional morphology and intramembrane features of climbing fiber-Purkinje spine synapses. In addition, Alcian Blue and ruthenium chloride stainings were applied to mouse cerebellar tissue to investigate the polyanion composition of these excitatory synapses under the transmission electron microscope. In the granular layer, tendril and glomerular collaterals of climbing fibers were observed. In the molecular layer climbing fibers exhibited a characteristic crossing-over or arborescence pattern type of bifurcation, Scheibel's collaterals and multiple thorn synapses with Purkinje spiny dendrites. At …

Ultrastructural Characteristics Of The Fetal And Neonatal Rat Urinary Bladder, Samuel M. Cohen, Martin Cano, Takao Sakata, Sonny L. Johansson

Scanning Microscopy

The embryologic and neonatal development of the normal rat urinary bladder was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy from day 11 of gestation through 21 days of age. The epithelium at day 11 of gestation is composed of small, loosely-connected, rounded cells with occasional short microvilli on their surfaces. The large polygonal cells characteristic of the adult bladder begin to appear by day 15, but the microridges are not apparent until day 17. By day 20, the epithelium appears morphologically similar to the adult bladder. Several morphological features are observed at different times of gestation …

Clinical Applications Of Electron Microscopy In The Analysis Of Collagenous Biomaterials, Arthur J. Wasserman, Charles J. Doillon, Alvin I. Glasgold, Y. Pedro Kato, David Christiansen, Azam Rizvi, Eric Wong, Jack Goldstein, Frederick H. Silver

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy are of clinical value in assessing the interaction between biomaterials and ingrowing tissues. Ultrastructural information allows the clinician and biomaterials specialist to determine events occurring during wound healing and the biocompatibility of prosthetic devices. This paper reviews some of the experimental and clinical studies done in our laboratory on the use of natural and reconstituted collagen as replacements for connective tissues. Consideration is given to collagen flakes used for the treatment of dermal ulcers, a collagen fiber prosthesis used for tendon and ligament replacement, the effects of chemical preservatives on cartilage used for replacement of …

Scanning Electron Microscope And Intragingival Microorganisms In Periodontal Diseases, F. R. Saglie

Scanning Microscopy

During the past two decades there has been an increased understanding of bacterial invasion as a pathogenic mechanism of periodontal diseases. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has played a key role in supporting the idea that bacterial invasion may be another pathogenic mechanism in periodontal disease. This has been due to the fact that SEM has a larger depth of focus and better resolving power than the Light Microscope (LM) and also allows for observation of rather large areas of tissue showing in depth the surface of the sample.

This review deals with information obtained by using SEM as the fundamental …

Scanning Electron Microscope Diagnosis Of Wear Patterns Versus Artifacts On Fossil Teeth, Mark F. Teaford

Scanning Microscopy

Recent work with modern mammalian teeth has shown that, during an animal's lifetime, microscopic wear patterns are generally laid down in a regular fashion at specific locations on the teeth. These regularities make it possible to distinguish real dental microwear (resulting from behaviors during life) from artifacts of preservation and preparation (postmortem wear) on fossil teeth. The size, shape, location, and orientation of microscopic wear features can all aid in making such distinctions.

Several types of postmortem wear are identifiable on fossil teeth. Since some of these effects are intimately tied to the taphonomic history of the fossil, some postmortem …

The Dento-Gingival Junction As Seen With Light Microscopy And Scanning Electron Microscopy, J. J. Garnick, R. D. Ringle

Scanning Microscopy

The purpose of this paper is to review the anatomical relationship of the Dento-Gingival Junction as seen in the human dentition. The junction is described under light microscopy and then reviewed as seen in the SEM with the authors' unpublished findings. The authors' material was derived from extracted human teeth with remaining marginal gingival tissue. The specimens were fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde in O.15M sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.2) for 24 h. The specimens were then washed and freeze-fractured in Freon 113 using liquid nitrogen. Afterwards they were processed by freeze-drying or CPD methods, coated with gold, and placed in …

A Review Of Methodology And Quantification In Dental Microwear Analysis, K. D. Gordon

Scanning Microscopy

Dental microwear analysis is a method of inferring oral events (primarily food processing and aspects of masticatory biomechanics) from microscopic abrasion patterns retained on the enamel surfaces of teeth. Although some qualitative pattern differences may be easily distinguishable, most of the significant results produced thus far have derived from quantified studies of SEM images of occlusal enamel. It often goes unnoticed by readers of microwear reports who are not themselves specialists that microwear analysis is essentially a statistical method, not a visual one. In this review of current techniques and methods, several problems in current approaches are detailed. It is …

A Review Of Dental Microwear And Diet In Modern Mammals, Mark F. Teaford

Scanning Microscopy

Recent work has shown that microscopic wear patterns on teeth may yield insights into variations in diet and tooth use in modern and prehistoric mammals. This paper presents a review of dental microwear and diet in modern mammals, plus a discussion of topics for further research. To date, incisor and molar microwear have been examined, although there are far fewer studies of the former. Facilitated by the use of high-resolution casts and scanning electron microscopy, analyses have ranged from: qualitative to quantitative, low magnification to high magnification, and experimental studies to comparative studies of museum collections. Results are encouraging and …