Potassium Permanganate Staining Research Articles

Distribution of Lignin, Hemicellulose, and Arabinogalactan Protein in Hemp Phloem Fibers.

The distribution of lignin, 8-5' and 8-8' linked lignin substructure, and noncellulosic polysaccharides in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) phloem fibers were explored based on histochemical and immunological methods. Ultraviolet absorption and potassium permanganate staining were observed mainly in the compound middle lamella (CML) and S1 layers, and rarely in the G-layer of phloem fibers, suggesting that lignin concentration is high at the CML and S1 layers, and very low at the G-layer of hemp fibers. Acriflavine staining, uniform KM1 labeling (8-5' linked lignin substructure), and no KM2 labeling (8-8' linked structure) were observed in the G-layer, suggesting that there is a small amount of lignin-like compound with 8-5' linked structure in the G-layer. In addition, some fiber cells showed a multilayered structure. Uniform arabinogalactan protein (AGP) labeling was observed on the S1 layers and G-layers using JIM14, but little appeared in the CML of hemp fibers, indicating that these layers of the phloem fibers contain AGP. Immunogold labeling of xylan (LM11) and glucomannan (LM21) showed that xylan and glucomannan were mainly present in the S1 layers and the G-layers, respectively. In some phloem fibers, LM21 immunofluorescence labeling showed multilayered structure, suggesting the heterogeneous distribution of glucomannan.

Lignification of developing maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm transfer cells and starchy endosperm cells

Endosperm transfer cells in maize have extensive cell wall ingrowths that play a key role in kernel development. Although the incorporation of lignin would support this process, its presence in these structures has not been reported in previous studies. We used potassium permanganate staining combined with transmission electron microscopy – energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry as well as acriflavine staining combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy to determine whether the most basal endosperm transfer cells (MBETCs) contain lignified cell walls, using starchy endosperm cells for comparison. We investigated the lignin content of ultrathin sections of MBETCs treated with hydrogen peroxide. The lignin content of transfer and starchy cell walls was also determined by the acetyl bromide method. Finally, the relationship between cell wall lignification and MBETC growth/flange ingrowth orientation was evaluated. MBETC walls and ingrowths contained lignin throughout the period of cell growth we monitored. The same was true of the starchy cells, but those underwent an even more extensive growth period than the transfer cells. Both the reticulate and flange ingrowths were also lignified early in development. The significance of the lignification of maize endosperm cell walls is discussed in terms of its impact on cell growth and flange ingrowth orientation.

Lignification in poplar tension wood lignified cell wall layers

The lignification process in poplar tension wood lignified cell wall layers, specifically the S(1) and S(2) layers and the compound middle lamella (CML), was analysed using ultraviolet (UV) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Variations in the thickness of the gelatinous layer (G-layer) were also measured to clarify whether the lignified cell wall layers had completed their lignification before the deposition of G-layers, or, on the contrary, if lignification of these layers was still active during G-layer formation. Observations using UV microscopy and TEM indicated that both UV absorbance and the degree of potassium permanganate staining increased in the CML and S(1) and S(2) layers during G-layer formation, suggesting that the lignification of these lignified layers is still in progress during G-layer formation. In the context of the cell-autonomous monolignol synthesis hypothesis, our observations suggest that monolignols must go through the developing G-layer during the lignification of CML and the S(1) and S(2) layers. The alternative hypothesis of external synthesis (in the rays) does not require that monolignols go through the G-layer before being deposited in the CML, or the S(1) and S(2) layers. Interestingly, the previous observation of lignin in the poplar G-layer was not confirmed with the microscopy techniques used in the present study.

Pathological Features of Amyloidosis in Stranded California Sea Lions ( Zalophus californianus)

Amyloidosis was diagnosed in 26 stranded adult California sea lions between 1983 and 2006 by retrospective case analysis. The kidneys (92.3% of animals), blood vessels (80.7%) and thyroid glands (65.4%) were most commonly affected. Macroscopically, affected kidneys were swollen, with pale tan cortices and loss of corticomedullary differentiation. Amyloid deposits in the kidney were located in the glomeruli, blood vessels, and peritubular interstitium, most prominently in the outer stripe of the medulla. The amyloid deposits were identified as type amyloid A (AA) by potassium permanganate staining and immunolabelling with antibodies against AA protein. Concurrent diseases, including inflammatory processes and genital carcinoma, were common in affected animals. Serum amyloid A concentrations were high (>1200 microg/ml) in six of seven affected sea lions, while the median value in clinically healthy animals was <10 microg/ml. These findings suggest that renal amyloidosis contributes to morbidity and mortality in stranded adult California sea lions.

Identification of forensically important fly eggs using a potassium permanganate staining technique

Fly eggs found in corpses can be utilized as entomological evidence in forensic investigations of deaths if the species of fly and the developmental rate at a temperature similar to the death scene are known. The species identification of fly eggs is particularly important, and previously, scanning electron microscope has been used for this purpose. Herein, we report a simple technique, using light microscopy, to identify forensically important eggs of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Chrysomya pacifica Kurahashi, Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin, Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Musca domestica L. and Megaselia scalaris (Loew). A 1% potassium permanganate solution was used to stain egg surfaces for 1 min, followed by dehydration in 15, 70, and 95%, absolute alcohol (each solution for 1 min) and the eggs were permanently mounted. The characteristics are based on the width of plastron, morphology of plastron area surrounding the micropyle and chorionic sculpturing, with the length of egg being used as supplemental feature.

Mechanical constraints on lignin deposition during lignification

Summary. The ultrastructure of lignifying cell walls in Pinus radiata D.Don was investigated using potassium permanganate staining and transmission electron microscopy. Lignin deposition occurred at numerous discrete sites within various cell wall regions, suggesting the presence of some initiating agent at these sites. In the middle lamella region, lignin deposition occurred by addition of protolignin monomers to spherical particles of lignin. Lignification was completed by expansion of these spherical particles, initially forming irregular patterns of lignification followed by infilling of adjacent areas. In contrast, lignification in the secondary wall occurred by deposition of protolignin monomers onto the ends of expanding lignin lamellae between cellulose microfibrils leading to greatly elongated patches of lignin due to the greater rate of deposition along the micro fibril axis compared to that across it. It is concluded that the cellulose matrix in which lignin deposition occurs, in the secondary wall, can exert a mechanical influence which limits the rate of lignin deposition in the direction perpendicular to the microfibril axis.

Lignin Distribution During Latewood Formation in Pinus Radiata D. Don

Lignin distribution during formation of latewood tracheids in Pinus radiata, was determined by quantitative interference microscopy, and by potassium permanganate staining combined with transmission electron microscopy. Lignin distribution varied among trees sampled on the same date in late winter. In one tree, latewood tracheids were fully lignified up to the growth ring boundary. However in most trees sampled, latewood was only partially lignified. The extent of lignification varied from tree to tree but in all cases, at least some lignin was present in the middle lamella and primary wall at the growth ring boundary. Latewood was ideal for examining the lignification process because of the large number of different stages present in a single specimen.

Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis of Potassium Permanganate Staining of Pentachlorophenol in Treated Douglas-Fir

Article Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis of Potassium Permanganate Staining of Pentachlorophenol in Treated Douglas-Fir was published on January 1, 1985 in the journal Holzforschung (volume 39, issue 5).

Study of novel potassium permanganate staining in comparison with conventional ZN staining for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

An estimated 1.8 billion individuals are infected worldwide with the Tuberculosis and there is one death due to it every 15 minutes. It is essential that a fast, effective and inexpensive diagnostic test for TB is developed as early diagnosis stands central to the control of the disease. Traditional diagnosis of tuberculosis is still dependent on sputum microscopy by ZN stain that requires expertise and lacks sensitivity. In this study, we tried to evaluate the use of potassium permanganate staining which is easy, inexpensive and does not require much expertise for screening. Potassium permanganate oxidises Mycolic acid present in cell wall of Mycobacterium sp. which evolves an identifiable oxidation pattern. This study was undertaken to investigate this property of potassium permanganate as a typical laboratory test bridging the gap between sensitivity and time restraint required for an early diagnosis of tuberculosis. The sputum samples (early morning – spot) were collected from patients. From each sample two slides were prepared; one was stained with ZN stain and other with modified potassium permanganate staining. Sputum samples were simultaneously cultured on LJ media after decontamination and concentration. The pattern evolved on staining with potassium permanganate was observed under light microscope and assessed as a diagnostic tool. We found that the pattern formed on oxidation was in association with the AFB status of the sputum (p= 0.0001). Keywords: Acid-Fast bacilli; Mycolic acid; Potassium permanganate oxidation. DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v7i1.3959SAARC J. TUBER. LUNG DIS. HIV/AIDS 2010 VII(1) 22-25