Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Plastic Embedding”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources

A novel method for embedding neonatal murine calvaria in methyl methacrylate suitable for visualizing mineralization, cellular and structural detail.

The study of undecalcified bone by histological methods is essential in the field of bone research. Culturing skeletal tissues such as neonatal murine calvaria provides a reliable bridge between assessment of bone formation in vitro and anabolic activity in vivo and contains most of the essential elements of bone for studying bone formation. Neonatal calvarial assay, supported by histological methods, is used to study the anabolic effects of a wide variety of factors and compounds on bone tissue. To optimize visualization and histomorphometric measurements using neonatal calvaria, we developed a method that provides high quality tissue sections suitable for routine and histochemical staining. Undecalcified neonatal mouse calvaria were processed and embedded using a low temperature methyl methacrylate procedure. Various staining methods were performed on deplastisized and floated sections to examine mineralization and to identify cells. The Von Kossa stain counterstained with a modified H & E yielded precise images of unmineralized bone including mineralization sites, and distinct osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Toluidine blue, Ladewig's trichrome, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, Goldner, H & E and Villanueva stains also were tested on the undecalcified neonatal calvaria sections.

Animals↗

Comparison of nuclear hydration in boar spermatozoa before and after freeze-thawing: contrast analysis of cells embedded in bromide-labeled medium.

Epon labeled with bromide was used to embed ejaculated and freeze-thawed spermatozoa, with the hypothesis that it replaces most of cell water. Image analysis of relative contrasts between sperm nuclei and the surrounding medium revealed that when used in low concentrations, bromide is mostly adsorbed to the nuclear structures. For higher concentrations, the chromatin is saturated, and the increase in contrast can be used to calculate relative differences in the hydration of nuclei. Boar sperm nuclei are more hydrated after freeze-thawing than before.

Animals↗

Modification of Unicryl composition for rapid polymerization at low temperature without alteration of immunocytochemical sensitivity.

We introduced a slight modification of Unicryl for fast polymerization at low temperature (in the range-20 degree C to-35 degree C) without modification of both physical properties and immunocytochemical yield. An UV initiator benzoin ethyl ether (BEE) is added at 0.05% concentration in neat resin during infiltration and final polymerization at-35 degree C. Immunogold labeling of amylase of mouse pancreas embedded in standard conditions recommended by the manufacturer or with our modification were compared by counting colloidal gold particles over zymogen granules using MACS, a specialized software dedicated to this operation. We noticed that addition of 0.05% BEE in Unicryl reduces the curing time to 16 h, which can be extended up to a maximum of 48 h at-35 degree C without noticeable modification of ultrastructural morphology, physical properties and immunocytochemical yield.

Acrylic Resins↗

Celloidin mounting (embedding without infiltration) - a new, simple and reliable method for producing serial sections of high thickness through complete human brains and its application to stereological and immunohistochemical investigations.

Celloidin mounting (embedding without infiltration) of the human central nervous system (CNS) proved to be superior to gelatin embedding for the production of serial sections ranging in thickness from 220 to 500 microm. After gallocyanin-staining, a comprehensive neuroanatomical as well as neuropathological survey of the human brain is possible, including diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Details of a fractionator analysis of the total striatal neuron number are described and the possible quantitative analysis of parallel immunohistochemically stained sections is discussed.

Adult↗

Large specimen bone embedment and cement line staining.

Undecalcified embedment of large bone specimens is often challenging. A method is presented here that is suitable for methacrylate embedment of sections of canine vertebrae while retaining the ability to localize tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity. Specimens also retained tetracycline labelling, and sectioned preparations were readily stained with routine bone procedures. A modification of the Bodian silver stain, used for examining the nerves and spinal cord in these specimens, provided a useful stain for canaliculi and cement lines in trabecular and cortical bone. This stain is advantageous when both bone and nerve tissue are of interest, as in spinal fusion studies.

Animals↗

High osmotic pressure enables fine ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on Pneumocystis carinii. I. Epon embedding.

High osmotic pressure was used to preserve the ultrastructure of rabbit-, SCID mouse-, and rat-derived Pneumocystis carinii organisms from osmotic stress during fixation. Organelles and cytosol were well preserved within the tonicity range of 850-1,300 mosmol. Under these experimental conditions, we determined that the endoplasmic reticulum was well developed in all parasite stages and could observe the Golgi complex, autophagic vacuoles, dense bodies, type II endoplasmic saccules, and the recently described outer surface membrane, which was found in all parasite stages. The biological implications of these findings are discussed.

Animals↗

Assessment of the acrylic resin Technovit 7200 VLC for studying the gingival mucosa by light and electron microscopy.

Technovit 7200 VLC is an acrylic resin formulated for embedding undecalcified hard tissues which are prepared for light microscopy according to a cutting-grinding technique. To employ this resin for embedding and cutting soft tissues by ultramicrotomy, we carried out a qualitative study on biopsies of canine gingival mucosa using light and transmission electron microscopy. For a critical evaluation of this resin, some biopsies were embedded in Agar 100, an epoxy resin widely used in morphological studies. At the light microscopic level the samples embedded in Technovit 7200 VLC showed good morphology and excellent toluidine blue staining of different cell types and extra cellular matrix. At the ultrastructural level, nuclei, cytoplasmic organelles, collagen fibrils and ground substance appeared well preserved and showed high electron density. The acrylic resin was stable under the electron beam and its degree of shrinkage appeared to be very low. We conclude that Technovit 7200 VLC can be employed for ultramicrotomy for both light and electron microscopic investigation of soft tissues.

Acrylic Resins↗

Improved cytochemical methods for demonstrating cell death using LR White as an embedding medium.

A series of techniques based on LR White resin are described, which permit the use of an anti-histone antibody for the in situ localization of DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis at both the light and the electron microscope level. The methods, applied to an untreated squamous carcinoma of the pharynx, allow direct comparison of light microscopic localization of exposed nucleosomal histones using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and silver-enhanced techniques with a colloidal gold-based anti-histone technique at the electron microscope level. Parallel histochemical localization of acid phosphatase activity is also presented.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Histochemical and immunohistochemical protocols for routine biopsies embedded in Lowicryl resin.

Tissue processing and analysis require good preservation of both the shape and content of cells. Lowicryl resin is one of the few embedding media that allow good preservation of both tissue architecture and cellular contents. Therefore, different histochemical and immunohistochemical reactions can be applied to semithin sister sections from one biopsy. Further examination of a zone of interest can be carried out under the electron microscope. The hydrophilic property of Lowicryl resins makes possible different histochemical reactions; however, the technique used for paraffin sections must be adapted for each reaction. Antigenic preservation of cells by low temperature embedding allows immunolabeling on either semithin sections or in the zone of interest on ultrathin sections. We have shown the application and adaptation of different histochemical and immunohistochemical reactions on semithin and ultrathin sections from hepatic biopsies that were large, but thin. The variety of techniques that can be used on sister Lowicryl sections of a single biopsy makes this medium useful for extensive pathological studies of precious needle biopsies.

Acrylic Resins↗

Immunohistochemical localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in rat pineal stalk astrocytes.

In the present work, the presence and distribution of astrocytes in the rat pineal stalk is investigated applying an immunohistochemical technique for the demonstration of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) on Epon-embedded semithin sections (0.5 micron thick). GFAP-immunoreactive cells are evenly and regularly distributed along the entire pineal stalk. The GFAP-immunoreactive cells display a stellate shape showing variable numbers of cell processes that are mainly oriented parallel to the longitudinal stalk axis. Astrocytic processes show a clear tendency to encircle the remaining elements of the pineal stalk; i.e., pinealocytes, nerve fibres and blood vessels. Furthermore, glial processes form a cover layer separating the stalk from surrounding anatomical structures.

Animals↗

Tissue characteristics of root resorption areas in transplanted maxillary canines.

The aim of the present study was to describe some histopathologic features of tissues collected from root resorption areas of maxillary canines after transalveolar transplantation surgery. In 8 of 101 transplanted canines, complications including cervical root resorption occurred between 6 and 11 years after treatment. The resorptive processes were located at the supra-alveolar portions of the distal and/or mesial aspects of the teeth and were scheduled for treatment involving surgical exploration. The resorption cavities, which extended from the cementoenamel junction to a position immediately below the bone crest, were filled with a granulation tissue. In four of the diagnosed complication cases, this granulation tissue was carefully excised concomitant with the adjacent gingival tissue after flap elevation and placed in a buffered fixative. After proper soft-tissue healing, the cavities were filled with a glass-ionomer material. The collected biopsy specimens were, after fixation and, in one case, decalcification in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, dehydrated and embedded in Epon. Sections 3 microns thick were produced, stained in periodic acid-Schiff and toluidine blue, and used for histometric and morphometric analyses. The histologic analysis showed that the dissected tissue harbored well-encapsulated areas of inflammatory infiltrates. The lesions comprised a relatively low volume of collagen and a large number of inflammatory cells, predominantly lymphocytes.

Adult↗

Compartmentalization of secretory proteins in pancreatic zymogen granules as revealed by immunolabeling on cryo-fixed and molecular distillation processed tissue.

Immunogold labeling of amylase obtained over zymogen granules of rat pancreatic acinar cells processed through cryofixation, molecular distillation drying and embedding in resins was found to be of high intensity and displayed a particular pattern. Indeed, it was concentrated in certain areas of the granules leaving others devoid of gold particles. This pattern of labeling reflects a strong compartmentalization of the secretory proteins within each granule. In order to assess this phenomenon, we have compared the intensities and the pattern of distribution of the labelings in tissues processed through: chemical fixation with embedding in various resins, cryo-ultramicrotomy and cryo-fixation followed by molecular distillation drying. Serials sections and double labeling experiments were performed for further evaluation of the results and for assessing artefactual displacement of proteins during tissue preparation. The results obtained indicate that the secretory proteins are indeed segregated within the granule which appears thus as a well organized structure. Cryo-fixation combined with molecular distillation appears thus to be superior in terms of preservation of protein antigenicity and retention of cellular components close to their living state.

Amylases↗

High osmotic pressure for Pneumocystis carinii London Resin White embedding enables fine immunocytochemistry studies: I. Golgi complex and cell-wall synthesis.

A method for embedding Pneumocystis carinii in hydrophilic resin (London Resin White) has been developed for immunocytochemistry studies. Using high osmotic pressure (about 850 mosmol) from fixation to embedding, this method improved the preservation of the fine structure as well as the antigenicity of rabbit- and SCID mouse-derived P. carinii. Cytochemistry studies were performed using colloidal gold-conjugated lectins (concanavalin A, glycine max, Ulex europaeus) that reacted with the cytoplasmic components (endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi vesicles). Colloidal gold-conjugated streptavidin was also tested and was found to be reactive with the parasite cell wall and cytoplasmic components, which precludes its indiscriminate use in P. carinii immunocytochemistry studies.

Animals↗

Autofluorescence and mineral content of carious dentine: scanning optical and backscattered electron microscopic studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of natural intrinsic fluorescence in carious human dentine and any correspondence of such autofluorescence (AF) to the mineral distribution within the lesion. Two investigative techniques were used, both employing the same sample set and fields in diamond-polished block surfaces of polymethylmethacrylate-embedded carious teeth. AF at emission wavelengths >515 nm, excited by 488-nm laser light, was assessed using a confocal laser scanning optical microscope (CLSM), the recordings made under standard operating conditions. The relative mineral content was assessed using digital backscattered scanning electron microscopy (20 kV BSE-SEM). The AF intensity correlated with the level of demineralisation as seen by BSE, but the depth of the lesion as seen by CLSM was significantly greater implying that the AF is not directly related to the mineral component.

Bromides↗

Selective axonal argentaffin staining in rat central nervous system after protein mercuration.

The mercury-silver (Hg-Ag) argentaffin technique, known to stain specifically proteins in the lateral components of triads/diads in striated muscle cells, was applied to the central nervous system of adult rats. Following fixation in glutaraldehyde, axons in white and gray matter were selectively stained, but not perikarya or their proximal axon and dendrites. Neural tissues were postfixed 24 hr in 5% (w/v) mercuric acetate in 2% (v/v) acetic acid in distilled water, stained for 12-24 hr in darkness at 37-43 C with ammoniacal silver nitrate solution, freshly prepared by adding concentrated ammonia to 60% (w/v) silver nitrate solution until a small amount of silver oxide precipitate remained undissolved. Samples were then washed with freshly prepared 5% (w/v) sodium sulfite and distilled water. All steps were carried out using dark-colored glass flasks. Samples were dehydrated with ethanol and embedded in Paraplast or Poly Bed. Electron microscopy showed the silver-reducing protein inside the axons. Methylation abolished Hg-Ag axonal reactivity indicating that carboxyl groups were necessary for silver staining. Proteins with solubility properties characteristic of neurofilament proteins were involved in Hg-Ag staining. In the cerebellum the plexus of parallel fibers in the molecular layer were not stained, while basket cell axonal processes reacted intensely. The method appears to distinguish neuronal protein variants related to cytotypic differences in cytoskeletal neurofilaments.

Animals↗

The presence and arrangement of type II collagen in the basilar membrane.

Previous studies demonstrating the presence of collagen II in the basilar membrane have used a biochemical approach or have used immunohistochemistry at the light microscopic level. In this investigation both the presence and arrangement of collagen II were demonstrated at the ultrastructural level using pre- and post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Labeling was dependent on the development of protocols to expose epitopes while maintaining identifiable ultrastructure. Both positive and negative controls indicate that the labeling was specific for collagen II. Collagen II was detected in the fibrous sheet of the pars tecta and in the two fibrous layers of the pars pectinata. It was detected in situ and on isolated individual 10-12 nm fibrils. The presence of collagen II in all the fibrous layers of the basilar membrane places constraints on the biomechanical properties of this important structure.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural changes in malignant transformation of oral mucosa.

Transmission electron microscopy (EM) has been used to identify the ultrastructural details of normal and cancerous human oral mucosa. However, inconsistent reports of structural descriptions have rendered transmission EM valueless in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or as a prognostic indicator. To identify features of dysplasia for diagnostic purposes, normal mucosa, severe dysplasia, oral SCC and normal margin adjacent to oral SCC were used to compare the ultrastructural features of normal and premalignant oral mucosa and oral SCC. The preparatory stages of dehydration, embedding, cutting and positive staining for transmission EM were modified and tested to improve ultrastructural definition. Thin and discontinuous basal laminas were found in mucosa with severe dysplasia and normal margin adjacent to oral SCC. No basal lamina was identified in oral SCC. This study has shown that there are some ultrastructural changes during malignant transformation of oral mucosa. Together with other laboratory investigative techniques, transmission EM may be helpful in detecting malignant changes in oral mucosa.

Acrylic Resins↗

Improved method for post-embedding cytochemistry using reduced osmium and LR white resin.

We established an improved method for post-embedding cytochemistry by which highly specific cytochemical reactions on excellent cellular ultrastructures are possible. The method is a combination of post-fixation in potassium ferrocyanide-reduced OsO4 and embedment in acrylic-based LR White resin. It permits both immuno- and lectin-gold cytochemistry with fine ultrastructures comparable to those obtained by conventionally osmicated and epoxy-embedded tissues. Fixation with reduced osmium appeared to contribute to the preservation of immunoreactivity and membranous structures. By this method, the immunocytochemical localization of secretory proteins (amylase and chymotrypsinogen), actin filaments by polyclonal antibodies, 105 KD Golgi-associated protein by a monoclonal antibody (GF-1), and binding sites for gold-labeled lectin could be demonstrated. Also possible was multiple staining with enzyme cytochemistry of thiamine pyrophosphatase and immunocytochemistry of GF-1 and anti-amylase antibodies. This multiple staining made possible partial characterization of the trans-Golgi network in parotid acinar cells.

Acrylic Resins↗