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PubMed2004

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural comparative study of external lamina structure in 31 cases of cellular, classical, and melanotic schwannomas.

Unlike most soft tissue tumors, schwannoma is characterized by the presence of distinct linear, frequently duplicated external lamina (EL). Although electron microscopy remains the gold standard for demonstrating this unique feature and distinguishing its morphologic variants from mimickers, the use of two anti-EL antibodies, laminin and type IV collagen, appears to supersede electron microscopy in terms of current practice. To determine whether immunohistochemical expression correlates with ultrastructural findings, 10 cellular schwannomas, 18 classic schwannomas, and 3 melanotic schwannomas were evaluated ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically using antibodies to type IV collagen and laminin. Immunohistochemically, a moderate to strong intensity in more than 50% of tumor cells was detected using either antibody in most cases of cellular schwannomas (70%), the Antoni A areas of classic schwannomas (78%), and melanotic schwannomas (67%). Ultrastructurally, the presence of diffusely continuous, duplicated EL was observed in 30% of cellular schwannomas and 56% of classic schwannomas, while 50% of cellular schwannomas and 22% of classic schwannomas showed either continuous simple EL or discontinuous but duplicated EL alone. In addition, two cellular schwannomas (20%) and four classic schwannomas (22.2%) had only a simple layer of EL in focal areas. In contrast to the distinct immunostaining surrounding individual cells seen in the former two subtypes, all three melanotic schwannomas displayed a biphasic-staining pattern of the EL (ie, individual cell and nested), which was confirmed at the ultrastructural level. The authors found a significant difference in intensity between the Antoni A and B areas of classic schwannomas using both laminin and type IV collagen. In addition, the intensities of laminin and type IV collagen in the Antoni A areas of classic schwannomas were significantly stronger compared with those of cellular schwannomas. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference either between two antibodies or between cellular and classic variants with regard to the extent of immunoreaction. Only in classic schwannomas did the extent of immunoreaction against both laminin and type IV collagen correlate significantly with the ultrastructural EL distribution pattern (diffusely continuous vs. discontinuous). However, this association was not detected in cases of cellular schwannomas. On the other hand, the intensities of laminin and type IV collagen did not correlate with the ultrastructural thickness of EL, irrespective of the morphologic subtypes. In conclusion, both type collagen IV and laminin are still reliable markers of EL in various types of schwannomas. Schwannomas exhibiting a monolayered EL are as strong in immunoreaction as those displaying reduplicated/thickened EL, indicating that a single layer of EL is thick enough to be identified by both antibodies with sufficient sensitivity. The peculiar biphasic EL pattern seen in melanotic schwannoma remains under-recognized, which may lead to misdiagnosis as malignant melanomas, especially in limited biopsy specimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Influence of basic fibroblast growth factor and astroglial cells on the ultrastructure of developing rat brain neuronal precursors in vitro.

We have examined the ultrastructural aspect of neuronal precursors derived from 14-day-old rat embryos during their development under various culture conditions. Cells maintained in serum-free medium which have developed for 1 week in vitro present ultrastructural features of young neurons. They contain many free ribosomes and microtubules, but few other organelles and incompletely developed Golgi apparatus. In the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), besides cells remaining in aggregates and displaying morphological features of undifferentiated cells, dispersed neuroblasts underwent accelerated ultrastructural maturation. They present well-developed Golgi apparatus, axodendritic synapses and dense-core vesicles already after 3 days in culture. By contrast, in the presence of astroglial-conditioned medium a more homogeneous population developed showing ultrastructural features of relatively mature neurons. However, the neuronal precursors acquired the most mature ultrastructural aspect when they were cocultured with astroglial cells. The neuronal cell bodies contain highly developed Golgi complexes, well-differentiated ergastoplasm and Niss1 body formations, while in the complex neurite network much more numerous mature synapses with clear and dense-core vesicles are visible. These observations indicate that a combination of soluble factors and membrane-bound factors is essential for extensive ultrastructural development of neuronal precursors in vitro. Another finding was that in these cultured neurons neurofilaments (NF) were never seen, while NF protein subunits were found. These data suggest that the polymerization of the three NF subunits into intermediate filaments might need particular cellular factors which probably do not exist under our in vitro conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The effect of various cooling rates on the membrane ultrastructure of frozen human erythrocytes and its relation to the extent of haemolysis after thawing.

Human erythrocytes suspended in buffered isotonic saline were frozen to the temperature of liquid nitrogen at various cooling rates of 3, 140, 700, 1800, 3500, 8000 and 11 500 deg. C/min. The membrane ultrastructure in the frozen state and the extent of haemolysis after thawing were examined at each cooling rate. As the cooling rates increased from 3 to 3500 deg. C/min, the extent of lysis gradually decreased, but further increase in cooling rates in excess of 8000 deg. C/min resulted in an abrupt increase of lysis. Membrane-associated vesicles devoid of intramembrane particles (IMPs) were formed in the erythrocyte membranes frozen at cooling rates slower than 1800 deg. C/min. The frequency and size of these vesicles were highly cooling-rate-dependent and they were no longer formed in the erythrocyte membranes frozen at cooling rates faster than 3500 deg. C/min. Another membrane ultrastructural change associated closely with the formation of intracellular ice crystals appeared at cooling rates faster than 8000 deg. C/min. The membrane regions in direct contact with intracellular ice crystals were physically damaged and had an appearance resembling worm-eaten spots. The erythrocytes frozen at a cooling rate of 3500 deg. C/min exhibited ultrastructural integrity of the membrane by avoiding the membrane changes caused by either slow or fast freezing. It is suggested, from the close relation between membrane ultrastructure and the extent of haemolysis, that the ultrastructural integrity of membrane in the frozen state is important for avoiding haemolysis after thawing, and that the membrane ultrastructural changes caused by both slow and fast freezing were responsible for the lysis after thawing.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1998

Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings in Alport's syndrome: a study of 108 patients from 97 Italian families with particular emphasis on COL4A5 gene mutation correlations.

A total of 108 patients affected by Alport's syndrome, taken from 97 families, were enrolled in a genetic and ultrastructural study. Sixty-four families (75 patients) were X-linked, seven autosomal recessive, two autosomal dominant, five uninterpretable, and 19 sporadic. The ultrastructural features were consistent with Alport's syndrome in 66, doubtful in 20, and not significant for Alport's syndrome in 22 patients in the X-linked, sporadic, and genetically uninterpretable groups (without significant differences), as well as in the autosomal group. Mutations of the COL4A5 gene were present in 36 patients in the first three groups, without significant differences. More severe mutations were more frequently present in patients with an ultrastructural pattern consistent with Alport's syndrome. Nevertheless, there seems to be no strict correlation between mutation and ultrastructure, because a major rearrangement was found in a patient with no significant lesions, and different morphologic patterns were detected in patients Belonging to the same family. Immunohistochemical investigation into 24 patients for alpha (IV) chains showed that both alpha 3(IV) and alpha 5(IV) were lacking in the glomerular basement membrane of 13 patients (five with mutations) and were expressed in another six (three with mutations and one in the autosomal group). On the contrary, in this study the retained expression of alpha 3(IV) chain was found, despite the lack of alpha 5(IV) in the glomerular basement membrane of five patients (two with mutation). These different patterns could be related to both the type and severity of the COL4A5 mutations. All of the ultrastructural patterns were identified in all three immunohistochemical groups. Ultrastructural features and alpha 5(IV) chain production, even if an expression of a genetic mutation, do not strictly correlate. The combined use of analysis of collagen expression and electron microscopy made it possible to diagnose Alport's syndrome in 92% of the cohort, and therefore this approach is advisable. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended in the study of Alport's syndrome in an attempt to achieve a better diagnostic definition of and insight into the pathogenetic mechanisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The correlation between ciliary ultrastructure and ciliary beat frequency in experimental chronic sinusitis.

Ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities secondary to chronic sinusitis may cause abnormal mucociliary transport clearance. We examined the relationship between anatomic abnormalities of ciliary ultrastructure secondary to chronic sinusitis and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) before and after middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) in rabbits. Ultrastructural abnormalities of cilia included absence of axoneme membrane, blebs of the axoneme membrane, compound cilia, and ciliary orientation. Two groups of rabbits were studied: Uninfected (group A control, n = 3) and infected (group B, n = 10); 10(8) CFU S. pneumoniae were used to infect the animals in group B after sinus ostial occlusion and chronic sinusitis developed. After 6 weeks with infection, 6 of 10 group B animals underwent MMA and were restudied 6 weeks later. Uninfected animals had mean CBF = 11.75 Hz. Animals with chronic sinusitis had mean CBF = 8.5 Hz (p < 0.05). Six weeks after MMA, mean CBF = 11.82 Hz. This was not different from control. There were significant changes in ciliary ultrastructure when uninfected and infected rabbits were compared. These changes were reversed with MMA. Changes in ciliary ultrastructure correlated significantly with changes in CBF for all animals. Abnormalities in ciliary ultrastructure may account for the abnormal mucociliary transport clearance seen in chronic sinusitis in rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrastructural immunolabeling in the evaluation, diagnosis, and characterization of neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Neuroendocrine neoplasia represents a heterogenous entity with variable morphologic light microscopic expressions. In many cases a definite diagnosis is easily made by light microscopic examination, but in some cases this does not suffice. In the latter instances, immunocytochemistry, ultrastructural examination, or both are required to diagnose a neuroendocrine neoplasm. However, basing a diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasia exclusively on the results obtained from immunocytochemical or ultrastructural evaluation of these tumors may not be entirely accurate in some instances. Ultrastructural immunolabeling plays a key role in accurately defining localization of immunoreactive substances in well-characterized neuroendocrine neoplasms, can assess colocalization of antigenic epitopes, helps define specificity and significance of immunocytochemistry results obtained at the light microscopic level, and is more sensitive than light microscopic immunocyto-chemistry. Some evolving diagnostic entities can be further characterized by utilization of ultrastructural labeling techniques. Controversies concerning the neuroendocrine nature of electron-dense structures identifiable at the ultrastructural level can be readily and accurately resolved. By providing a way to evaluate combined immunomorphologic parameters, ultrastructural immunogold labeling can settle important questions pertaining to neuroendocrine neoplasia. The present article illustrates a series of cases where the above-mentioned applications were tested.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrastructural immunolabeling: a unique diagnostic tool in monoclonal light chain-related renal diseases.

Ultrastructural labeling can play a key role in the evaluation of morphologic expressions of monoclonal light chain-related renal diseases in cases where light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence data, even when combined, are not definitive in conveying a diagnosis and, in other cases, in clarifying the findings by providing immunomorphologic correlation. The important role of ultrastructural labeling is highlighted by the fact that in some of these cases bone marrow aspirates and biopsy specimens obtained at the time of the evaluation of the renal specimens are often unable to establish unequivocally a diagnosis of plasma cell dyscrasia. This is in part because renal manifestations commonly precede overt diagnostic bone marrow alterations. Overt bone marrow findings and clinical manifestations may be preceded for as long as 16 years by the renal manifestations. Determination or confirmation of monoclonality and detection of early deposition of monotypical light chains before the finding of ultrastructural morphologic correlates (ie, subendothelial, punctate, granular, electron-dense material) represent unique attributes of this technique. The increased sensitivity of ultrastructural immunolabeling compared with other available diagnostic techniques and its exquisite immunomorphologic correlative capabilities result in a comprehensive evaluation. Sixteen monoclonal light chain-related renal disease cases with early, unusual, or equivocal immunomorphologic manifestations that may have not been characterized properly if ultrastructural labeling had not been performed are presented. The crucial role played by ultrastructural labeling in evaluating these cases and establishing an accurate diagnosis is illustrated and emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Introduction: electron microscopy for fungal cell ultrastructure

Ultrastructural morphology is a principal study for almost all natural science, i.e., an inevitable and fundamental study to elucidate structures, functions and differentiation of a given tissue, cell, or molecule as a most understandable visual form. The number of young scientists, however, who have been engaged in this field is very small recently, since this field appears to be too old when compared with modern molecular biology and it takes much longer time for the beginner to master the methology for electron microscopy (EM). This symposium is designed for these young scientists and molecular biologists or biochemists, who are not so familiar to ultrastructural morphology, to better understand the applicability of EM, through new results and findings in ultrastructures of fungal cells and related organisms. EM includes several kinds of methods, which are shadowing EM, negative staining EM, ultrathin section EM, scanning EM, freeze-fracture EM, immuno-EM and diverse methods for staining the specimen. Shadowing EM and negative staining EM are suitable methods for the study molecular structures of proteins, and the former is prepared by shadowing with platinum palladium in a vacuum chamber, and the latter is a method to observe a relief prepared by dipping the sample in phosphotungsten solution. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy is suitable for the study of membrane plane ultrastructures, since it reveals a wide planar view of the membrane by splitting it along the hydrophobic membrane internal plane. Immunoelectron microscopy is an essential method for the study of intracellular localization of proteinous molecules. These methods will be introduced. This symposium will introduce new findings as for fungal cells, bacteria and protozoa obtained principally by using electron microscopy. These findings obtained through ultrastructures may provided a renewed knowledge of research approach from view points of ultrastructure.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1984

Ultrastructural analyses of uterovaginal sperm storage glands in fertile and infertile turkey breeder hens.

The ultrastructure of the uterovaginal (UV) sperm storage glands of fertile turkey breeder hens was characterized. Sperm glands were also studied over the course of an entire egg-laying season to determine if changes in ultrastructure occurred with time. In addition, ultrastructural comparisons were made between glands from fertile and infertile hens. Protein synthesis by the sperm gland epithelial cells appeared to be limited. The rough endoplasmic reticulum was not well developed. Intracellular glycogen storage was also minimal. However, lipid stores within the epithelial cells were relatively elevated. The degree of development of the apical microvilli and the presence of baso-lateral plasma membrane folds suggested that a primary function of the glandular epithelium was absorption. The length of time that a hen had been producing eggs did not influence the ultrastructure of UV gland epithelial cells. The morphology of glands from hens collected immediately prior to the commencement of egg production was similar to that of glands taken from hens that had completed an entire season of egg production. Aside from the observation that very few spermatozoa were found in the UV sperm glands of infertile hens, no detectable ultrastructural differences were observed between glands from fertile and infertile hens. Furthermore, there was no ultrastructural evidence of a microbial infection, nor was there evidence of an immunological response at the level of the sperm glands in the infertile hens.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Effects of simulated weightlessness on ultrastructure of soleus muscle spindle in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study changes in ultrastructure of soleus muscle spindle induced by simulated weightlessness in rats. METHOD: Weightlessness was simulated by tail suspension in female rats. The ultrastructure of isolated soleus muscle spindle were observed in 4 d, 7 d, 14 d tail-suspended and 14 d recovered rats. RESULT: Chaotic myofibril, hyperplasia of mitochondria, and enlargement of terminal cisterna were found in the ultrastructure of isolated soleus muscle spindle in 4 d tail-suspended rats. The ultrastructure of isolated soleus muscle spindle in 7 d tail-suspended rats showed more distinct changes, while that in 14 d tail-suspended rats showed obvious retrograde changes. The ultrastructure of isolated muscle spindle in 14 d recovered rats after 14 d tail-suspension were similar to that of control group. CONCLUSION: Simulated weightlessness could induce time-related and reversible changes in ultrastructure of soleus muscle spindle in rats.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrastructure of epithelium and ciliary receptors in the parasitic turbellarian Urastoma cyprinae (Turbellaria, "Prolecithophora") and position of the species within Platyhelminthes].

Ultrastructure of the epithelium of adult and juvenile Urastoma cyprinae has been studied. The epithelium of both adult and juvenile worms is cellular, ciliated and bears numerous microvilli. The cytoplasm is rich in large, numerous epitheliosomes of two types--electron-dense and with fibrillated content (fig. 1, a, [symbol: see text]; 2, a-[symbol: see text]). Besides large secrete granules small membrane-bounded vesicles were observed (fig. 2, a-[symbol: see text]). In juvenile worms the dense epitheliosomes are less abundant and the fibrillated content in the second type of granules has a different structure: the fibrils are very thin and more densely packed forming the structures of the less electron density (fig. 3, a, [symbol: see text], [symbol: see text] 1). The membrane-bounded vesicles in the epithelium of juvenile worms were not observed. All types of secrete are ejected by exocytosis (fig. 2, [symbol: see text]; 3, [symbol: see text], [symbol: see text]). The ultrastructure of the epithelium in juvenile U. cyprinae is strongly similar to that in parasitic turbellarian Kronborgia, especially to the epithelium in a male and a larva. The basal lamina consists of tree layers and forms numerous deep infoldings into the epithelium (fig. 1, a; 2, a; 3, a, [symbol: see text], [symbol: see text]). The basement membrane projects deep and numerous invaginations into the epithelium which may almost reach the apical membrane (fig. 1, a; 2, a, [symbol: see text], [symbol: see text]; 3, [symbol: see text]). Mitochondria are large and situated mainly near the projections of the basement membrane (fig. 2, [symbol: see text]-[symbol: see text]; 3, [symbol: see text]). Such ultrastructure implies an intensive process of the transmembrane transfer of the dissolved organic substances from the sea water. The same structures were found in the epithelium of Kronborgia. Uptake of organic compounds through the epithelium in the common ancestors of Urastoma and Kronborgia could be the preadaptation to the endoparasitic mode of life in Fecampiida. The differencies in ultrastructure of epithelium in U. cyprinae from the White Sea and from Mediterranean Sea (Noury-Sraïri e. a., 1990) may be explained by the differences in the method of fixation or by the parasitizing the another host--the mollusk Mytilus galloprovincialis. The ciliary receptors of five types were revealed in U. cyprinae (fig. 3, e, [symbol: see text]; 4; 5; 6). They differ in the shape and length of the ciliary rootlets and in the content of the nerve processes. All receptors lack of the real collars typical for the receptors of Neodermata. Urastoma is most close to the Neodermata amond parasitic turbellarians studied thus far, and the absence of collars in receptors of this species testifies that the collars are the veritable synapomorphy of the Neodermata. The diversity in the ultrastructure and possible functions of receptors correspond to the complicated adaptations of this species. The modern molecular data as well as the ultrastructural evidence attest that parasitic turbellarians of the genera Urastoma, Genostoma and Ichthyophaga are relatives and cannot be included in any turbellarian order known. Therefore Urastoma, Genostoma and Ichthyophaga have been erected in the separate order Urastomida ord. nov. The diagnosis of the new order is given.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Ultrastructure changes of the olfactory epithelium of the patients suffering from dysosmia caused by the chronic sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructural changes of olfactory epithelium (OE) in patients suffering from dysosmia caused by chronic sinusitis. METHODS: The specimens of olfactory epithelium were obtained from 35 patients operated for chronic sinusitis accompanied by dysosmia. According to the results of light microscope (LM) examination, the OE was divided into three groups by the types of pathological changes: normal, atrophic and respiratory epithelium metaplasia(REM). Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of each group. RESULTS: Under the LM, the surface ultrastructure of the OE showed some abnormal changes: (1) surface microvillus of the supporting cells disappeared; (2) olfactory vesicle changed their shape due to vacuolization; (3) disappearance of canaliculus structure in the olfactory vesicle; (4) the olfactory cilia changed the shape or reduced; some of the reduced cilia underwent metaplasia. The ultrastructural changes of atrophic OE included: (1) minor and moderate atrophy: the organelles and the membrane-limited electron dense vesicles on the upper section of the supporting cells obviously decreased or disappeared, even underwent vacuolization. The basic cell degenerated; (2) serious atrophy: the turbidity of the cell structure, even double cell structure, the nuclei of the cell aggregated as the plaque and vesiculose change or karyopyknosis. As for the cytoplasm, there were the dilation of the ERs, turgidity of the mitochondrion, the disarrangement, diminution and vacuolization. Fasciculate cilia were distributed separately in the REM group. CONCLUSION: There is a positive relationship between the atrophy degree and the degree of the abnormal ultrastructural changes of the OE. The ultrastructural changes of OE in patients suffering from dysosmia caused by chronic sinusitis may provide reference for assessment of the treatment of dysosmia.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The epidermis mitochondria ultrastructure evaluation of the etretinate-treated white rat.

Etretinate belongs to the group of drugs known as retinoids which are vitamin A derivates. It is a representative of second-generation retinoids, i.e. a synthetic, aromatic analog of transretinoic acid. The administration of etretinate induces clinical effects and morphological alterations in the structure of both pathological and healthy epidermis in men and animals. The aim of the present work was to examine the influence of long-term various doses of etretinate (Tigason) treatment on the ultrastructural design of white Wistar rats epidermis mitochondria. The mitochondria turned out to be reacting to Tigason. The drug dose-dependent changes as well as the ultrastructural mitochondria design, and the degree of other ultrastructural reproductive epidermis layer alterations cell organelle were observed. The increase in the mitochondria number and size was noticed. We concluded that etretinate application modulates the ultrastructural status of the epithelial mitochondria, and the administered drug dose correlates with the mitochondria ultrastructural design changes and the degree of ultrastructural alterations in the other organelle of the epidermis reproductive-layer cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Ultrastructural and histochemical changes of mitochondria in global ischemic cardiac muscle of rat.

Ultrastructural changes of mitochondria and histochemical changes of the cytochrome oxidase of mitochondria during global ischemia and in reperfused rat heart were observed under transmission electron microscope. The ultrastructural changes of mitochondria were evaluated by scoring the mitochondrial damages and by densitometry of the mitochondria as a marker of the density of the granules of the mitochondrial matrix. For demonstrating the cytochrome oxidase activity, 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) reaction was used. Histochemical modifications of the cytochrome oxidase activities were evaluated by using a scoring system of localization of the cytochrome oxidase and by densitometry of the mitochondria. In the ischemic groups, ultrastructural changes, such as a decrease of mitochondrial matrix granules and disruption of cristae, were observed from 60 min. ischemia. However, no particular ultrastructural changes were observed from 60 min. to 240 min. ischemia. In reperfusion, after 60 min. ischemia, the ultrastructures were recovered, but they were not recovered in reperfusion after 120 min. ischemia. The cytochrome oxidase activities did not change until 120 min. ischemia. However, in 240 min. ischemic groups the cytochrome oxidase was sparsely localized. Histochemical changes of cytochrome oxidase activities may lag behind the ultrastructural changes of mitochondria.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Structural basis of geriatric voiding dysfunction. V. Standardized protocols for routine ultrastructural study and diagnosis of endoscopic detrusor biopsies.

PURPOSE: Previous ultrastructural and clinical studies have established criteria for distinctive ultrastructural patterns in the normal, overactive, hypocontractile and obstructed detrusor of the elderly. This study was conducted to standardize procedures of detrusor biopsy processing, identify and address pitfalls and difficulties in applying the criteria to routine evaluation of biopsies in the surgical pathology laboratory, verify reproducibility of ultrastructural observations and diagnosis in biopsies from different sites in the bladder wall, and develop a standard approach to routine ultrastructural evaluation of the biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blinded to clinical information, 25 randomly selected detrusor biopsies were evaluated by a pathologist with prior knowledge of electron microscopy but none of detrusor ultrastructure. The observations and diagnoses made were subsequently correlated with urodynamic bladder behavior evaluated comprehensively before biopsy. Biopsies from different sites of 4 detrusors and specimen samples of multiple sites from a bladder obtained at autopsy were also blindly assessed to determine the reproducibility of single site biopsies. RESULTS: Essential parameters of all criteria were verified. Potential pitfalls and sources of difficulty in some were identified and corrected to refine the criteria. Diagnoses were reproducible in all 5 detrusors with multiple site biopsies. Detailed protocols for electron microscopic study and diagnosis of dysfunctional detrusor biopsies were generated. CONCLUSIONS: The protocols eliminate problems that may be encountered in ultrastructural evaluation of biopsies from dysfunctional detrusors, and have been applied readily and successfully in our subsequent studies. Uniformity of structural organization of detrusor allows valid application of the protocols and study criteria to small biopsies obtained from different sites in the bladder wall.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Pilot ultrastructural evaluation of human preauricular skin before and after high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser treatment.

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing has recently come into favor for the treatment of photodamaged skin. While the clinical and histologic effects of high-energy short-pulse carbon dioxide lasers on human skin have been investigated, the ultrastructural effects of these lasers have not been documented. Our objective was to study the ultrastructural effects of a high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser on photodamaged human skin. OBSERVATIONS: Before laser surgery, the ultrastructural changes characteristic of photodamaged skin were evident. Immediately after treatment, there was extensive coagulation necrosis of the epidermis and papillary dermis. Thirty days after treatment, there was no evidence of intercellular or intracellular edema, and ordered differentiation of the epidermal keratinocytes, with a loss of keratinocyte dysplasia, was seen. Increased numbers of desmosomes and tonofibrils were noted. New deposition of collagen was present in the papillary dermis. The ultrastructural findings seen at 90 days after treatment were similar to those seen at 30 days, apart from increased organization of collagen fibers in the papillary dermis. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser appears to reverse the epidermal and dermal changes of photoaging on an ultrastructural level. These changes appear morphologically to be consistent with previously described clinical and histologic changes following laser resurfacing.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Kartagener's syndrome. A blinded, controlled study of cilia ultrastructure.

We investigated respiratory mucosa cilia ultrastructure in patients homozygous for the gene for Kartagener's syndrome (KS) and patients apparently phenotypic for KS who had bronchiectasis and sinusitis but without situs inversus. Parents, as obligate carriers of the recessive KS gene, were also evaluated among other control groups. The four patients with KS had significantly fewer cilia outer dynein arms than normal subjects or parents of patients with KS. Two of five patients apparently phenotypic for KS demonstrated distinctive ultrastructural changes. No other subjects demonstrated explicit ultrastructural abnormalities. Internal control specimens showed that the number of outer dynein arms was consistent within a subject compared with variation between subjects. The outer dynein arm serves as a dependable ultrastructural marker. Carriers of KS do not demonstrate distinctive morphologic cilia abnormalities. Not every patient with chronic bronchiectasis and sinusitis demonstrates abnormal cilia ultrastructure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Ultrastructure of bovine embryos developed from in vitro-matured and -fertilized oocytes: comparative morphological evaluation of embryos cultured either in serum-free medium or in serum-supplemented medium.

The ultrastructure of bovine embryos developed from in vitro-matured and -fertilized oocytes, cocultured with bovine cumulus/granulosa cells either in a serum-free medium (IVMD101) or in a serum-containing medium (TCM199+CS) was compared. Embryos up to the eight-cell stage had many cellular organelles and cytoplasmic components that were randomly distributed in the cytoplasm. Mitochondria were spherical or ovoid and had only a few peripheral cristae. There were no obvious differences in the ultrastructure between embryos developed in IVMD101 and TCM199+CS up to the eight-cell stage. However, conspicuous differences in the ultrastructural features between the embryos cultured in IVMD101 and TCM199+CS were observed at the morula and blastocyst stages. At the morula stage, embryos cultured in IVMD101 had cells containing elongated mitochondria, well-developed Golgi apparatus, lipid droplets, and large vesicles resembling lysosomes. The lysosome-like vesicles were partially filled with electron-dense materials and were frequently fused with lipid droplets. The blastomeres of morulae cultured in TCM199+CS contained numerous large lipid droplets and fewer lysosome-like vesicles than those cultured in IVMD101. In blastocysts cultured in IVMD101, lysosome-like vesicles were frequently observed in the trophoblast cells and lipid droplets were present in the cytoplasm of trophoblast and inner cell mass (ICM)-cells, but they were not abundant. On the other hand, the blastocysts developed in TCM199+CS contained fewer lysosome-like vesicles and large numbers of lipid droplets. This accumulation of lipid droplets was higher in the trophoblast cells than in the ICM-cells. This study showed major differences in the ultrastructural features between the morulae and blastocysts from serum-free and serum-supplemented cultures, suggesting that the ultrastructural differences may reflect physiological characteristics of embryos.

Animals↗