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The major cell populations of the mouse retina.

We report a quantitative analysis of the major populations of cells present in the retina of the C57 mouse. Rod and cone photoreceptors were counted using differential interference contrast microscopy in retinal whole mounts. Horizontal, bipolar, amacrine, and Müller cells were identified in serial section electron micrographs assembled into serial montages. Ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells were counted by subtracting the number of axons in the optic nerve, learned from electron microscopy, from the total neurons of the ganglion cell layer. The results provide a base of reference for future work on genetically altered animals and put into perspective certain recent studies. Comparable data are now available for the retinas of the rabbit and the monkey. With the exception of the monkey fovea, the inner nuclear layers of the three species contain populations of cells that are, overall, quite similar. This contradicts the previous belief that the retinas of lower mammals are "amacrine-dominated", and therefore more complex, than those of higher mammals.

Animals↗

Probing large area surface plasmon interference in thin metal films using photon scanning tunneling microscopy.

The interference of surface plasmons can provide important information regarding the surface features of the hosting thin metal film. We present an investigation of the interference of optically excited surface plasmons in the Kretschmann configuration in the visible spectrum. Large area surface plasmon interference regions are generated at several wavelengths and imaged with the photon scanning tunneling microscope. Furthermore, we discuss the non-retarded dispersion relations for the surface plasmons in the probe-metal system modeled as confocal hyperboloids of revolution in the spheroidal coordinate systems.

Journal Article↗

Selective adhesion of functional microtubules to patterned silane surfaces.

We show that microtubule polymers can be immobilized selectively on lithographically patterned silane surfaces while retaining their native properties. Silane films were chemisorbed on polished silicon wafers or glass coverslips and patterned using a deep UV lithographic process developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. Hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon alkyl silanes, as well as amino and thiol terminal alkyl silanes, were investigated as substrates for microtubule adhesion with retention of biological activity. Microtubules were found to adhere strongly to amine terminal silanes while retaining the ability to act as substrates for the molecular motor protein kinesin. Aminosilane patterns with linewidths varying from 1 to 50 microns were produced lithographically and used to produce patterns of selectively adhered microtubules. Microtubules were partially aligned on the patterned lines by performing the immobilization in a fluid flow field. Patterns were imaged with atomic force microscopy and differential interference contrast microscopy. Motility assays were carried out using kinesin-coated beads and observed with differential interference contrast microscopy. Kinesin bead movement on the patterned microtubules was comparable to movement on microtubule control surfaces.

Animals↗

Collagen crimping in the intra-articular disc and articular surfaces of the human temporomandibular joint.

The presence of crimping within soft fibrous connective tissues has a considerable role in determining the biomechanical properties of the tissue. However, there is little or no information on crimping of collagen in the human temporomandibular joint. To remedy this situation, the presence and nature of any crimping was studied in sections of human temporomandibular joints from individuals varying in age from between 4.5-63 years, using polarized light microscopy and differential interference contrast microscopy. The presence of crimping was looked for in collagen within the intra-articular disc and the articular surfaces of the mandibular fossa and mandibular condyle. By polarized light, crimping was seen throughout all three tissues at all ages studied. Quantification from micrographs enlarged to x250 showed that the periodicity of the banding (representing half a complete crimp wave) had a mean varying between about 15-20 microm. Crimping was also directly visualized by differential interference contrast microscopy. The presence of such a fundamental feature needs to be considered when explaining the normal function of the temporomandibular joint.

Adolescent↗

Differential behavior of glial and neuronal cells exposed to hypotonic solution.

The comparative modes of swelling of glial and neuronal cells were examined by video-enhanced differential interference contrast (VEC) microscopy. When exposed to hypotonic solution, C6 cells swelled slowly to 5 times their normal volume and burst, whereas N18 cells swelled more rapidly, forming blebs, and then burst partially. The time to burst was 410.6 +/- 45.7 s (mean +/- SD, n = 5) for C6, and 69.3 +/- 10.4 s (n = 5, p < 0.01) for N18, respectively. The present findings suggest a great difference in physical strength of the cell membrane between glial and neuronal cells: the former cell membrane appears to be elastic and tolerant to high tension, while the latter cell membrane is relatively weak.

Animals↗

AVEC-DIC and electron microscopic analyses of axonally transported particles in cold-blocked squid giant axons.

Anterogradely and retrogradely transported membranous organelles were analysed separately by focally cooling axons (cold-blocking) for 2-4 h. Video-enhanced differential interference contrast light microscopy (AVEC-DIC) and dark field light microscopy showed that particles accumulated in large numbers on both the anterograde and the retrograde sides of the cold-block and that the accumulated particles resumed their transport when the preparation was rewarmed to 18 degrees C. The particles accumulated in files on both sides of the cold-block suggesting that particles move along linear pathways in the axoplasm. Comparisons of the results obtained by AVEC-DIC light microscopy with those obtained by electron microscopy indicate that the AVEC-DIC method is capable of detecting all of the different types of rapidly transported membranous organelles, including the smallest (35-80 nm) vesicles that move anterogradely. Electron microscopic analyses of the transported particles demonstrate that the anterogradely transported organelles are structurally distinct from those that are transported retrogradely. The anterogradely transported particles consisted of normal mitochondria and small (35-80 nm) tubulovesicular profiles. By contrast, the retrogradely transported particles were 150 nm or larger and they often contained complex membranous inclusions. The largest retrogradely transported particles appeared to be degenerating mitochondria. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the direction of organelle movement is related to the physiological state of the organelle. That is, organelles containing newly synthesized membrane components move primarily anterogradely and organelles that contain transformed and degraded membrane components move retrogradely.

Animals↗

Measurement of the optical thickness of transparent tissue layers.

The method of Duc de Chaulnes was employed to determine the mechanical and optical thickness, as well as the refractive index, of transparent tissue layers in living specimens. To this end the reproducible accuracy of the method and its dependence on the adjustment in focusing and on the numerical aperture of the objective was evaluated on test specimens using the procedures of transmitted light, phase-contrast (PC), and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The best working conditions were then applied to the actual measurements.

Animals↗

Transformations in flagellar structure of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and possible relationship to changes in swimming speed.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a photosynthetic bacterium which swims by rotating a single flagellum in one direction, periodically stopping, and reorienting during these stops. Free-swimming R. sphaeroides was examined by both differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, which allows the flagella of swimming cells to be seen in vivo, and tracking microscopy, which tracks swimming patterns in three dimensions. DIC microscopy showed that when rotation stopped, the helical flagellum relaxed into a high-amplitude, short-wavelength coiled form, confirming previous observations. However, DIC microscopy also revealed that the coiled filament could rotate slowly, reorienting the cell before a transition back to the functional helix. The time taken to reform a functional helix depended on the rate of rotation of the helix and the length of the filament. In addition to these coiled and helical forms, a third conformation was observed: a rapidly rotating, apparently straight form. This form took shape from the cell body out and was seen to form directly from flagella that were initially in either the coiled or the helical conformation. This form was always significantly longer than the coiled or helical form from which it was derived. The resolution of DIC microscopy made it impossible to identify whether this form was genuinely in a straight conformation or was a low-amplitude, long-wavelength helix. Examination of the three-dimensional swimming pattern showed that R. sphaeroides changed speed while swimming, sometimes doubling the swimming speed between stops. The rate of acceleration out of stops was also variable. The transformations in waveform are assumed to be torsionally driven and may be related to the changes in speed measured in free-swimming cells. The roles of and mechanisms that may be involved in the transformations of filament conformations and changes in swimming speed are discussed.

Acceleration↗

Elastic properties of polyelectrolyte capsules studied by atomic-force microscopy and RICM.

Mechanical properties of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules were studied using a new method combining atomic-force microscopy and reflection interference contrast microscopy. By measuring the force vs. deformation for poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine) capsules the existence of different deformation regimes depending on the applied deformation was shown. The present paper focuses on the small-deformation regime. The elastic response of the deformed capsule was studied as a function of the wall thickness and the capsule size, and showed the theoretically expected variations. The Young modulus obtained from the experiments ranges between 1.3 and 1.9 GPa.

Capsules↗

A new type of substratum adhesion structure in NRK cells revealed by correlated interference reflection and electron microscopy.

The substratum adherent membrane of NRK cells in vitro has been studied using correlated interference reflection and surface replica electron microscopy. Structures visualized by interference reflection microscopy were identified in the subsequently prepared platinum-carbon replicas of the adherent membranes. Substratum adherent membranes were prepared using a hypotonic shock/cell shearing technique (lysis-squirting). Typically 20% of the original ventral membrane surface area and 50% of the original focal adhesion number were retained. Microfilament bundle termini, clathrin-coated sheets and pits, cytotic vesicles having a ridged surface and groups of membrane associated particles were well preserved in the replicas. Two types of isolated adhesion structures were found after lysis-squirting. In addition to typical elongate focal adhesions containing actin and vinculin, we report the existence of adherent membrane patches lacking microfilament bundles and negative for vinculin labelling, but coated with clathrin and identifiable in interference reflection microscopy as less dark than focal adhesions and having dot, U- or sinusoidal shapes.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Interference contrast and phase contrast microscopy of sporulation and germination of Bacillus megaterium.

The techniques of Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy were compared for their utility in monitoring sporulation and germination in Bacillus megaterium. The Nomarski technique permitted rapid and easy delineation of septation and engulfment during sporulation, whereas with phase contrast microscopy these stages were not detected at all. The later stages of sporulation were easily seen by either technique. Thus, of the seven stages of sporulation as recognized by the electron microscopy of thin sections, five can now be routinely detected quantitatively by optical microscopy: septation (stage II), engulfment (stage III), phase-dark forespore (corresponding to cortex formation, stage IV), phase-bright spore in a sporangium (corresponding to coat formation, stage V), and the free spore (stage VII). This means that now only stage I (axial filament) and stage VI (maturation of the refractile spore) require electron microscopy for routine detection. There was no advantage in using Nomarski optics for germination studies.

Bacillus megaterium↗

Kinesin motion in the absence of external forces characterized by interference total internal reflection microscopy.

We study the motion of the kinesin molecular motor along microtubules using interference total internal reflection microscopy. This technique achieves nanometer scale resolution together with a fast time response. We describe the first in vitro observation of kinesin stepping at high ATP concentration in the absence of an external load, where the 8-nm step can be clearly distinguished. The short-time resolution allows us to measure the time constant related to the relative motion of the bead-motor connection; we deduce the associated bead-motor elastic modulus.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Some variability factors in the cytomorphological analysis of frozen bull semen.

Frozen bull semen was analyzed after fixation with glutaraldehyde (0.2% sol. in PBS) by clear field microscopy (after staining with Rose Bengal and Victoria blue B), phase contrast microscopy and differential-interference-contrast microscopy performed by two observers who analysed sets of 100 and 200 spermatozoa. The results obtained with phase-contrast microscopy did not differ significantly from those obtained using interference contrast microscopy, performed by two observers on sets on 100 and 200 spermatozoa, concerning the following sperm abnormalities: abnormal detached heads, acrosome ruptures, tail abnormalities and total abnormalities. In view of the importance of extending the evaluation of sperm cytomorphology among artificial insemination centres, and the fact the phase-contrast microscopy system is less expensive than a differential-interference-contrast system and easier to operate, the authors recommend the use of phase-contrast microscopy for the routine study of sperm cytomorphology.

Analysis of Variance↗

Video-enhanced microscopy with a computer frame memory.

Video-enhanced microscopy combined with the use of a computer frame memory extends considerably the useful range of our video enhanced contrast (AVEC) methods for polarizing, double-beam interference and differential interference contrast microscopy. Increased visual contrast is achieved by two stages of amplifications: the first optical, by using high bias retardation settings, and the second electronic. These steps are followed by a reduction of background brightness by means of a clamp voltage applied to a DC restoration circuit of the video camera. One of the limitations of the AVEC method alone is the inevitable appearance under high gain conditions of a pattern of mottle due to inaccessible dirt and defects in the lenses even of high quality. This limitation has been circumvented by storing the mottle pattern in the frame memory (frame store) and continuously subtracting it from each succeeding frame to clear the image. A major gain in image quality has resulted. In polarizing microscopy, the frame memory can be used also to subtract the image at one compensator setting from that at the equivalent setting of opposite sign, thus removing from the final image not only most of the mottle pattern but also the contrast due to the bright-field contrast. In the polarizing microscope, these manipulations of the raw video image make it possible to observe and measure the birefringence of various organelles and elements such as microtubules, intermediate filaments and bundles of as few as a half dozen actin filaments. Since scattered light is also removed from the image, features hidden from view in the unprocessed image become visible. In differential interference microscopy, the AVEC method makes visible (i.e. detectable) many linear elements and particles that are an order of magnitude smaller than the resolution limit and not visible in the optical image. Such features are inflated by diffraction, however, to Airy disk size.

Chloroplasts↗