Biology Commons^™

Diluted And Undiluted Mercox Severely Destroy Unfixed Endothelial Cells. A Light And Electron Microscopic Study Using Cultured Endothelial Cells And Tadpole Tail Fin Vessels, J. Gassner, A. Lametschwandtner, T. Weiger, H. C. Bauer

Scanning Microscopy

Mercox is a methylmethacrylate-based resin which is widely used for vascular corrosion casting with subsequent scanning electron microscopic analysis. In the present study the effect of undiluted and diluted Mercox (4+1; volume + volume; Mercox: monomeric methylmethacrylate (MMA); 0.02 g catalyst MA/ml Mercox) and methylmethacrylate with and without catalyst MA (0.625 g/10 ml MMA) on fixed and unfixed endothelial cells was studied. Light microscopy (LM) of cultured capillary endothelial cells (ECs), which were replicated with diluted or undiluted Mercox shows degranulation and membrane perturbation of ECs, while no morphological changes occur in glutaraldehyde-prefixed ECs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of replicas …

Methodological Aspects Of Spontaneous Crystalluria Studies In Calcium Stone Formers, C. A. Bader, A. Chevalier, C. Hennequin, P. Jungers, M. Daudon, O. Beaugendre, M. P. Hoarau

Scanning Microscopy

Despite nearly a half-century of study, the clinical value of spontaneous crystalluria (Cx) examinations in calcium stone formers (CaSF) is still uncertain. The analytical complexity of urine particle study is largely responsible for this situation. As a result, there is no consensus regarding technical methods in Cx with several techniques for urine sampling and three different instruments currently used for particle study, namely, particle counting (PC), light microscopy (LM) and petrographic microscopy (PM). In this work, we first examined urine sampling and instrument methods regarding their appropriateness for Cx studies. Then we performed a comparative analysis of Cx studies in …

Glycol Methacrylate Embedding And Microwave Staining For Light Microscopy Of The Mouse Cochlea, Bharti Katbamna, Atha Ralston

Scanning Microscopy

This study examined the utility of a methacrylate-based embedding medium and microwave staining for light microscopic quantification of hair cells and spiral ganglion cells in the mouse cochlea. The most important phase of the preparation process involved slowing down the polymerization process. The tissue molecules so locked within the plastic matrix produced excellent preservation of the organ of Corti and adjacent structures including the spiral ganglion, as well as tissue ionic charges. Excitable by microwaves, these ionic charges accelerated the movement of the basic dye (hematoxylin) into the tissue, reducing the time for this segment of the staining process from …

The Microvasculature Of Human Infant Oral Mucosa Using Vascular Corrosion Casts And India Ink Injection Ii. Palate And Lip, Q. X. Yu, K. M. Pang, W. Ran, H. P. Philipsen, X. H. Chen

Scanning Microscopy

The microvasculature of human hard and soft palate and lip originating from four infant males and six females, aged 6 months to 2 years was studied by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts and light microscopy of India ink injected specimens. The capillary loops of the hard palate mucosa and vermilion border of the lips were found to be tall, numerous and consisted of primary, secondary and tertiary loops. Those of the soft palatal and labial mucosa were short, few in number and demonstrated a simple hair-pin shape originating directly from the subpapillary vascular network. It was concluded that …

Observations On The Enamel Of Odontomas, Carla Marchetti, Cesare Piacentini, Paolo Menghini, Marcella Reguzzoni

Scanning Microscopy

The morphological study of odontomas provides an alternative model for observing the formation of dental tissues, since different maturing stages are present simultaneously. Investigations were performed on decalcified samples (using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) and on undecalcified samples of complex odontoma enamel (using transmission electron microscopy). Simultaneous presence of prismatic enamel at various maturing stages with different structural characteristics was observed. Such enamel was sometimes associated with layers of ameloblastic cells with characteristics of cells in functional activity. In other sites, the enamel did not present a prismatic structure but it appeared as unstructured material clusters with abundant …

Immunological Pathogenesis Of Endolymphatic Hydrops And Its Relation To Meniere's Disease, S. Tomiyama, T. Yagi, M. Sakagami, K. Fukazawa

Scanning Microscopy

This study was designed to investigate an immunologically induced endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) and to focus on the issue of its pathogenesis in relation to Meniere's disease. The time course of ELH was evaluated by light microscopy in a 2-hour to 7-month period following direct antigen challenge to the endolymphatic sac (ELS) in systemically pre-sensitized guinea pigs. ELH began to appear in the vestibule and the basal turn 5-7 hours after inner ear challenge and developed gradually. During the interval from the second day to the first week, ELH rapidly developed in all the cochlear turns and reached a maximum size. …

Keynote Paper: The Scanning Electron Microscope (Sem) Supplemented By The Polarized Light Microscope (Plm), And Vice Versa, Walter C. Mccrone

Scanning Microscopy

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) yields excellent topographic and other shape information and, when fitted with an energy dispersive system (EDS), elemental composition. The polarized light microscope (PLM) on the other hand, delivers information on the internal properties of small particles, fibers, and films. By determining optical properties as well as shape, PLM determines molecular, rather than elemental, composition. Both SEM and PLM have impressive records for problem solving in the research and development world and each is usually applied without aid from the other. Examples are given of important problems that have been solved by supplementary PLM with SEM …

Effect Of Chronic Treatment With Diuretics On Mouse Liver: A Morphological And Microanalytical Investigation, Ann-Christin Mork, Anne Von Euler, Godfried M. Roomans

Scanning Microscopy

In an attempt to produce an animal model for the disease cystic fibrosis (CF), mice were treated chronically with the diuretics amiloride and furosemide, in order to cause chronic inhibition of transepithelial ion transport. Experiments were carried out on adult mice (2 months treatment); in addition, pregnant mice were treated with diuretics, and tissue from offspring 2 and 7 days post partum was investigated. Since biliary cirrhosis is a common occurrence in CF, hepatocytes in the treated mice were investigated by X-ray microanalysis and by light and electron microscopy.

Treatment with amiloride caused a significant decrease in cellular Na concentration …

The Normal, Cryptorchid And Retractile Prepuberal Human Testis: A Comparative Morphometric Ultrastructural Study Of 101 Cases, Saverio Cinti, Giorgio Barbatelli, Claudia Pierleoni, Manlio Caucci

Scanning Microscopy

Fifty-two surgical biopsies from retractile testes of patients in pediatric age (3-14 years), of which 25 were treated with hormonal therapy (RT) and 27 did not undergo therapy before orchidopexy (RNT), were compared with the biopsies of 19 normal (N) and 30 cryptorchid or ectopic (E) testes. A light and electron microscopic morphologic and morphometric study was performed. For the quantitative investigation 4 parameters were selected: a) the mean tubular diameter (on 20 cross-sections); b) the mean spermatogonial number per tubular section; c) the mean nucleolar area of the Sertoli cells; and d) the mean thickness …

Response Of The Esophageal Epithelium To Concomitant Cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum(Ii) And Radiation Treatment. An Electron Microscopic Study In Rabbits, M. Albertsson, M. Cwikiel, C. H. Håkansson, M. Palmegren

Scanning Microscopy

The rabbit esophageal mucosa was irradiated with daily fractions of 2 Gy up to an accumulated dose of 20 Gy (total dose 2, 6, 10. 16 or 20 Gy). Fifteen to forty-five minutes before the start of each irradiation 0.3 mg Cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (cis-DDP, cisplatinum) was given by intraperitoneal injection to each rabbit. Examinations were carried out 1-10 days after each fractionation schedule, when specimens were taken for morphological investigations.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination showed a gradual development of damage with cell loss and structural disarrangement of the microridges and whorls on the surface. However, with further treatment the esophageal …

Morphological Study Of Gastric Lesions Developing In The Rat Under Several Damaging Conditions: Modifications Induced By Pretreatment With Zinc Acexamate, M. Luisa Bravo, Ginés Escolar, Carmen Navarro, Ramón Fontarnau, Oriol Bulbena

Scanning Microscopy

Lesions developing in the gastric mucosa of the rat after exposure to different gastric damaging agents (100 mg/kg aspirin, and 70% or 100% ethanol) were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The severity of the lesions was quantified according to morphological criteria. Modifications in the severity of these lesions induced by pretreatment with zinc acexamate were also analyzed. The scanning electron microscope revealed that with the exception of absolute ethanol, which caused distinctive morphological features, lesions found under the different experimental agents shared a common pattern of progression. Ultrastructural lesions on surface epithelial cells preceded further alterations of parietal cells. After …

Review And New Case Reports On Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Pili Annulati, Monilethrix And Trichothiodystrophy, K. Meyvisch, M. Song, N. Dourov

Scanning Microscopy

Pili annulati, Monilethrix and Trichothiodystrophy are uncommon conditions in which the hair shaft has a distinct appearance as seen by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We report several new cases and review the characteristic ultrastructural abnormalities investigated by SEM.

Pili annulati: abnormal areas which show a longitudinal, "curtain-like" folding of the cuticular cells, alternating with normal areas. The latter present regularly non-systematized, superficial depressions. Hair specimens of the patient's mother show the same surface irregularities.

Monilethrix: most hair shafts show variations in thickness giving a typical nodal appearance. In the isthmus area we noticed longitudinal ridging …

A Light, Transmission And Scanning Electron Microscope Study Of Snuff-Treated Hamster Cheek Pouch Epithelium, S. H. Ashrafi, A. Das, R. Worowongvasu, B. Mehdinejad, J. P. Waterhouse

Scanning Microscopy

The effects of smokeless tobacco (snuff) on hamster cheek mucosa were studied by light microscopy, transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two grams of commercially available smokeless tobacco were placed into the blind end of the right cheek pouch of each experimental animal, once a day and five days a week for 24 months. The control animals did not receive smokeless tobacco. After 24 months treatment with smokeless tobacco, hamster cheek mucosal epithelium lost its translucency and had become whitish in color. By light microscopy hyperorthokeratosis, prominent granular cell layers with increased keratohyalin granules and hyperplasia were seen. At …

The Microvasculature Of Human Oral Mucosa Using Vascular Corrosion Casts And India Ink Injection I. Tongue Papillae, Q. X. Yu, W. Ran, K. M. Pang, H. P. Philipsen, J. Theilade, X. H. Chen, Y. C. Mok

Scanning Microscopy

The microvasculature of human tongue papillae originating from 9 males and 6 females, aged 0.5 to 2 years was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of vascular corrosion casts and by light microscopy (LM) of India ink injected specimens. All papillae showed a microvasculature characterized by primary, secondary and tertiary capillary loops. In the filiform papillae the loops were generally arranged in a corolla-like pattern with the tertiary loops demonstrating a hair-pin shape. The fungiform papillae showed basically a similar architectural pattern although the loops were somewhat more compact and complex in structure. A small, shallow depression of the tertiary …

Thin Sectioning Of Carbonaceous Adsorbent Spheres For Visualization By Light Microscopy And Scanning Electron Microscopy, Samuel H. Cohen, Ronald A. Segars

Scanning Microscopy

Three different types of Rohm and Haas carbonaceous adsorbent spheres (XE-340, XE-347 and XE-348) were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy by embedding in resin and by thin sectioning. Spurr's low viscosity resin, because of its penetrating and wetting ability, contributed to the production of the most uniform and artifact free thin sections. In addition to thin sectioning, gas adsorption surface area measurements were made on batches of each type of sphere.

There was an apparent relationship between the surface area measurements of 417.8 m²/g for XE-340, 583.4 m²/g for XE-347 and 752.9 m^{2 …}

Conventional And High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Biological Sectioned Material, C. Scala, G. Cenacchi, P. Preda, M. Vici, R. P. Apkarian, Gianandrea Pasquinelli

Scanning Microscopy

Intracellular structures of embedded biological tissues (rat kidney, myocardium and small intestine) were observed by conventional-scanning electron microscopy (C-SEM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) after glass knife sectioning. C-SEM of semi -thin sections of material processed the same way as conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided strong backscattered electron (BSE)-dependent, two-dimensional secondary electron images (SEI(-)) which precisely integrated and further extended previous light microscopy (LM) observation of the same specimen. In addition, the three-dimensional (3-D) arrangement of intracellular organelles was appreciated using a mixture of acetone-soluble acrylic resin in place of epoxy resin embedding. Since the identification of such …

Digital Correlation Of Ion And Optical Microscopic Images: Application To The Study Of Thyroglobulin Chemical Modification, J. C. Olivo, E. Kahn, S. Halpern, P. Fragu

Scanning Microscopy

A method has been developed in order to digitally correlate ion and optical microscopic images of the same sample areas. Serial cross-sections of human thyroid tissue were analyzed by secondary ion mass microscopy and by light microscopy. The resulting chemical and immunochemical map images were superimposed and correlated by means of a two-pass registration algorithm which allows to correct for geometrical distortions introduced by the ion microscope. Results are presented for the study of thyroglobulin chemical modification in pathological thyroid tissue that demonstrates heterogeneous molecular activity.

Characteristics Of Granulation Tissue Which Promote Hypertrophic Scarring, C. Ward Kischer, Jana Pindur, Peggy Krasovitch, Eric Kischer

Scanning Microscopy

Hyper trophic scars and keloids are characterized by nodules of collagen that originate in granulation tissue arising from full thickness or deep 2° injuries to the skin. Fifty-six granulation tissues of varying ages post-injury were examined morphologically for evidences of how the nodules and, thus, the scar form. New microvessels grow in ascension towards the free surface in a milieu of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. Collagen deposition increases with time from the base of the wound to the free surface and begins to concentrate between lateral branching of the new microvessels. Computer derived serial reconstructions of hypertrophic scar nodules indicate …

Changes In The Esophageal Epithelium In Rabbits Treated By Cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum As Studied By Electron Microscopy, M. Albertsson, C. -H. Hakansson, M. Palmegren

Scanning Microscopy

The esophageal mucosa of the rabbit was investigated after a single dose of 5 mg Cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum (Cis-DDP). Specimens were taken for scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and light microscopy. Examination was performed daily for 20 consecutive days. A cytotoxic effect was observed already the first day after injection with an intracellular oedema. Thereafter the height of the esophageal epithelium and the basal cell layer steadily decreased to a minimum day 11. This parallels the damaged microridges and an increased cell loss as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. At the end of the observation period the esophageal mucosa had completely …

The Effect Of 10 And 20 Gy Single Dose Irradiation On The Esophageal Mucosa Of The Rabbit. An Electron Microscopic Study, C. H. Hakansson, M. Albertsson, M. Palmegren

Scanning Microscopy

The mucosa of rabbit esophagus was irradiated with single doses of 10 and 20 Gy respectively. Specimens were taken for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and light microscopy investigations. Examinations were made 1-14 days after 10 Gy and 1-17 days after 20 Gy. Irradiation resulted in edema during the first days. The thickness of the epithelium was at its lowest value around day 5 after the administration of 10 Gy, and on days eight to ten after the administration of 20 Gy. Damage of the epithelium surface, as scored on SEM micrographs, was most pronounced on days eight to eleven after …

Scanning Electron Microscopy Of The Small Intestine Mucosa In Children With Celiac Disease After Long-Term Dietary Treatment, M. Morroni, A. Sbarbati, G. D'Angelo, C. Catassi, P. L. Giorgi, S. Cinti

Scanning Microscopy

Jejunal mucosal specimens from twenty children with celiac disease were studied by light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after one year of dietary treatment. An ultrastructural morphometric study was performed in five patients who had an intestinal permeability (IP) test. Seventeen patients were tested for serum antigliadin antibodies (AGA). In ten children, in whom LM showed partial villous atrophy, SEM and TEM examination confirmed the lesion. In the second group (10 children) with normal morphology at routine LM, SEM showed lesions of variable degree in 70% of cases. The morphological ultrastructural investigation showed good …

3-Dimensional Imaging Of Biological Structures By High Resolution Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy, G. J. Brakenhoff, H. T. M. Van Der Voort, E. A. Van Spronsen, N. Nanninga

Scanning Microscopy

Imaging in confocal microscopy is characterized by the ability to make a selective image of just one plane inside a specimen, virtually unaffected -within certain limits-by the out-of-focus regions above and below it. This property, called optical sectioning, is accompanied by improved imaging transverse to the optical axis. We have coupled a confocal microscope to a computer system, making the combination of both an excellent instrument for mapping the 3-dimensional structure of extended specimens into a computer memory/data array. We measured that the volume element contributing to each data point has, under typical fluorescence conditions, a size of 0.2 x …

Surface Studies Of Duodenal Lesions Induced By Thoracic Irradiation, K. E. Carr, S. Ellis, A. Michalowski

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Acute duodenal ulcers are produced in mice as a remote ("abscopal") effect of irradiation to the lower mediastinum. Such lesions have been examined with scanning electron microscopy at 5, 8 and 28 days after irradiation with 18 Gy of X-rays. All the ulcers occur within the first 1 cm long segment of the duodenum which is endowed with Brunner's glands. The single lesions vary in size, shape and position. The damaged area often includes much of the duodenal circumference and is distinguished by conical or rudimentary villi, or even by the complete absence of villi. In contrast, around the periphery …

Simulation With Pharmacological Agents Of Radiation Damage To Small Intestinal Villi, M. Indran, F. C. Boyle, K. E. Carr

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Irradiation induces damage to intestinal villi, resulting in a progressive decline in villous height and changes in topography. Gamma and neutron radiation are reported to cause changes in the structure of smooth muscle and nerve twigs of the intestinal wall. It is possible, therefore, that villous collapse may be due partly to changes in the underlying stromal elements as a result of damage to nerve or muscle.

To test this hypothesis, mice were treated with the drug reserpine which is known to affect the neural control of intestinal smooth muscle function and the small intestine was examined for topographical and …

Structural Changes In Mouse Small Intestinal Villi Following Lower Body Hyperthermia, H. M. H. Kamel, K. E. Carr, S. P. Hume, J. C. L. Marigold

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Heating an exteriorised loop of mouse small intestine resulted in marked changes in the shape of the villi as reported earlier. However, the exteriorisation techniques resulted in non-uniformity in both temperature and effect around circumference of intestine and, in addition, the extent to which handling contributed to the observed damage was not known. The work has therefore been extended using lower-body heating in the temperature range 37.5° - 43.0°C.

Heating in the temperature range 37.5° to 41.0°C produced minimal to moderate structural changes, manifested as scattered, vertically collapsed villi amongst predominantly "normal" villi. No villi showed conical or rudimentary forms …

In Vivo Light Microscopy Of Organs, Robert S. Mccuskey

Scanning Electron Microscopy

High resolution, brightfield and fluorescence, light microscopic methods have been developed for examining living organs in situ. The methods permit study of the rate, duration, magnitude and direction of dynamic histologic, pathologic, physiologic and pharmacologic events. In addition, morphometric analyses of such living preparations can provide basic information needed to evaluate alterations induced by fixation and processing of these organs for electron microscopy. Most organs are amenable to such investigations. In anesthetized animals, the selected organ is trans-and/or epi-illuminated with selected wavelengths of monochromatic light, imaged with water immersion objectives and the resulting monochromatic optical images televised using silicon …