Analysis Of Ultrastructural Changes Research Articles

A Morphometrical Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes during the Cell Cycle of Prorocentrum triestinum Using Stereology

The ultrastructural changes of the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum triestinum Schiller were quantitatively analyzed during its cell cycle using stereological procedures on ultrathin serial sections and transmission electron microscopy. The absolute volume growth and volume variations of different structural parameters were calculated during a cell cycle. Cell organization was characterized using relative parameters: volume change of nuclei, chloroplasts, mitochondria, storage products and other organelles. Storage products were the cellular compartment with the highest degree of variation during the cell cycle. The changes in the total numbers of mitochondria and chloroplasts were also estimated

An ultrastructural analysis of changes in surface architecture of intestinal mucosa followingGiardia lamblia infection in mice

The oral inoculation of Giardia lamblia trophozoites (Portland 1 strain) resulted in the establishment of infection by day 3-5 in NMRI mice. By 9-11 days postinfection, the trophozoites load reached maximum (acute phase) and later declined by day 17-21. The tissue sections from infected animals during the establishment phase of infection indicated limited changes in surface epithelium with normal villous length. Although trophozoites of G. lamblia were seen in all sections lying free in the lumen as discrete parasite, the active invasion by the parasite could not be demonstrated. During the acute phase of infection, fuzzy appearance of brush border, marked reduction in villous height and infiltration of intraepithelial lymphocytes were commonly seen in all tissues. Electron microscopic observation demonstrated large numbers of trophozoites of G. lamblia preferentially aggregated at the base of the villi. At some sites, adhesive marks indicating attachment of Giardia trophozoites were also seen by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, severe flattening and blunting of microvilli and occasional loss of basic morphology of intracellular organelles of columnar cells were noticed at the site of parasite colonization under electron microscopy. The brush border microvilli were noted to be damaged in areas where parasites were attached to surface epithelium with the help of suction discs. The morphological changes associated with Giardia infection tended to reverse as the parasite load declined by day 17-21. Thus we feel that malabsorption in giardiasis with total or varying degrees of morphological alterations of surface mucosa can be explained on the basis of reduced absorptive surface area.

Stereological Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes During Induced Epidermal Cell Redifferentiation in Developing Flowers of Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae)

Stereological Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes During Induced Epidermal Cell Redifferentiation in Developing Flowers of Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae)

Quantitative analysis of ultrastructural changes in synapses of the rat hippocampal field CA3 in vitro in different functional states

Transverse slices (250–350 μm) of the rat hippocampus were used for estimation of quantitative correlations between the ultrastructure and function of giant spinous synapses localized in stratum lucidum of the field CA3. Spontaneous and evoked spike discharges were used to determine the following five functional states of the neurons: (1) “control”; (2) “depletion” was achieved by long-term continuous stimulation (30–50 Hz for 1 h and longer); (3) “recovery” when the slices rested after “depletion” till the evoked response was recovered; (4) long-term potentiation I was achieved by short-term tetanic stimulation (5–15 s, 50–70 Hz); (5) long-term potentiation II was achieved by a similar tetanic stimulation as for long-term potentiation I after the “recovery”. For quantitative analysis of ultrastructural changes in the giant spinous synapses the following parameters were used: density of presynaptic vesicles determined as a ratio between the number of vesicles located within the giant bouton and the area of the latter (number of vesicles per 1 μm 2); vesicle diameter distribution; area and length of the postsynaptic densities. A correlation of these parameters with the functional state of CA3 neurons was found. The area and length of postsynaptic densities are the most statistically significant parameters of the giant spinous synapses in different functional states. In contrast to other states, an increase in the length and the area of postsynaptic densities in long-term potentiation was found. A hypothesis on postsynaptic densities' role in long-term potentiation formation is suggested. The role of presynaptic and postsynaptic ultrastructural rearrangements is discussed as a possible mechanism determining the efficiency of synaptic transmission.

Stereologic analysis of ultrastructural changes in cardiomyocytes in adriblastine-induced cardiomyopathy

Both single and graded administration of an anthracycline antibiotic adriablastine at a dose of 20 mg/kg to white rats have resulted in cardiomyocyte volume decrease, dystrophia and lysis of myofibrils, and reduction of mitochondrial surface density volume. Accumulations of myelin bodies of different configuration and diffuse myolysis were observed. Myelin bodies and diffuse myolysis of cardiomyocytes in adriablastine-induced cardiomyopathy are believed to be a morphological sign of lipid peroxidation.

Stereological Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes of Surrounding Tissues to Neuroectoderm during Chick Embryo Neurulation

The cytometric evolution of different subcellular components in the epiblast and the mesoderm of chick embryo during neurulation has been studied with stereological methods. The coefficient of cellular form (CFc) has specific values for each type, the epiblast having a mean CFc of 0.474, while the mesoderm, which has ellipsoidal cells, has a mean CFc of 0.643. The nucleus does not show any change of its coefficient of form although its surface density increases significantly. The proportion of mitochondria, present in the cells of each embryonic layer, remains constant during the 4 stages, being higher in the mesoderm cells (epiblast 3.6%; mesoderm 4.3%). The epiblast cells show a stable vitelline reserve, though the relative proportions of lipid bodies and yolk droplets vary: the volume density of yolk droplets increases from stage 5 (3.1%) to stage 8 (7.7%), while the lipid bodies diminish from 7 to 3.6% during this period. The mesoderm cells undergo a remarkable loss of vitelline volume during the same period. The rough endoplasmic reticulum of each cellular type has a remarkable length density increase, the significance of which is discussed in relation to production of extracellular matrix.

Ultrastructural analysis of changes in the lung parenchyma in the initial stage of experimental sepsis

Histological and ultrastructural alterations in the lung parenchyma of rats with sepsis induced by implantation of 3 X 10(10) microorganisms (P. aeruginosa) beneath the skin were studied. Microorganisms with micropili were detected in septal spaces and in the alveoli 10 hours after implantation. Their effects were linked with microcirculatory alterations and destruction of endotheliocytes, alveolocytes and septal cells.

An Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes during Oosphere-initial Development in Oogonia from Ca2+-sufficient and Ca2+-deficient cultures of Saprolegnia terrestris Cookson ex Seymour

An Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes during Oosphere-initial Development in Oogonia from Ca2+-sufficient and Ca2+-deficient cultures of Saprolegnia terrestris Cookson ex Seymour

Morphometric analysis of ultrastructural changes induced by Periconia circinata toxin in the outer root cap of sorghum

Outer root cap cells of sorghum seedlings treated with the host-specific toxin produced by Periconia circinata were analyzed morphometrically to detect changes in the quantities of cytomembranes and numbers of organelles and thus extend our observations of qualitative cytological responses to the toxin. In seedlings susceptible to the pathogen, brief (0.25 h) treatment with the toxin resulted in a marked and permanent decrease in the amounts of secretory vesicle membrane. By 2 h treatment, only secretory vesicle membrane was decreased, but longer treatments led to an increased amount of endoplasmic reticulum (4 h), which later decreased together with the amount of dictyosome membrane, while the amount of tonoplast increased (8 h). In resistant seedlings treated with the toxin, early but transient increases were detected in the quantities of plasma membrane, secretory vesicle membrane, dictyosome membrane, and endoplasmic reticulum and in the number of dictyosomes. Insensitivity to the toxin may involve the ability of resistant genotypes to recover from the toxic effects.

A quantitative ultrastructural analysis of changes in hamster cheek-pouch epithelium treated with vitamin A.

The ultrastructural changes induced by the topical application of retinol acetate on hamster cheek pouch epithelium were evaluated using stereological analysis. Electron micrographs were prepared of the basal and superficial regions of the nucleated cell layer of the epithelium obtained from 3 treated and 3 control animals and examined at two levels of magnification. A total of 528 micrographs were analyzed using a coherent double lattice test system. Although the mean thickness of the nucleated cell layer did not change significantly after 10 days of treatment with retinol acetate the formation of keratinized squames was completely inhibited. This was paralleled by significant changes in the volume density of a number of organelles in both the basal and superficial strata. Rough endoplasmic reticulum increased significantly whereas filaments, which maintained a constant diameter of approximately 9 nm, keratohyalin granules and membrane-coating granules decreased in both strata. Desmosomes also showed a significant decrease in numerical area density in the treated tissues. In contrast, no changes were observed in the volume density of the Golgi apparatus, free ribosomes or mitochondria in the treated epithelium. It is concluded that this treatment provides an epithelium lacking all features of keratinization and may be a useful model for examining metabolic activities specifically associated with keratinization.

A quantitative analysis of ultrastructural changes induced by electrical stimulation of identified spinal cord axons in the larval lamprey.

Microelectrodes filled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to label single identified giant axons in the isolated lamprey spinal cord. Subsequent to the iontophoretic injection of HRP, the spinal cord was stimulated at repetition rates of 20-30/s and the activity in labelled axons monitored. Immediately following failure of the action potential, the spinal cord was fixed by immersion and processed for light and electron microscopy. Electron micrographs were taken of synaptic contacts made by the labelled axons. Several quantitative measures were made from each synapse using a digitizing tablet interfaced with a digital computer. These measures included vesicle number (VN), vesicle area (VA), length of differentiated membrane (DM), vesicle density (VD = VN/VA), vesicle frequency (VF = VN/DM), and a relative measure of the amount of vesicle membrane added to the axolemma during the stimulation period, the curvature ratio (CR). Measures from 106 stimulated synapses were compared with 134 synapses from injected but unstimulated giant axons. The results from these experiments suggest that measurable ultrastructural changes occur during transmitter release at identified C.N.S. synapses, which are consistent with the hypothesis of synaptic vesicle recycling.

Quantitative evaluation of myocardial ultrastructure following hypothermic anoxic arrest

Thirty-six anesthetized mongrel dogs were subjected to systemic hypothermia and anoxic cardiac arrest while on cardiopulmonary bypass. Myocardial fine structure in the left ventricle was evaluated by quantitative analysis in the subepicardial, mid-myocardial, and subendocardial layers. The specimens were obtained by a transmural myocardial biopsy method. Graded hypothermia was employed at 36 degrees, 30 degrees, 28 degrees, 25 degrees, and 22 degrees C. The aorta was cross-clamped for 30 minutes at 36 degrees, 30 degrees, 28 degrees, and 25 degrees C. or for 45 minutes at 25 degrees and 22 degrees C. Observations indicated that pathological changes of the myocardial fine structure were significant after anoxic arrest in the normothermic group. Lesions were most extensive in the subendocardial layer after normothermic anoxic arrest, whereas hypothermia below 30 degrees C. preserved the myocardium throughout all layers without difference in pathological changes in the fine structure among the layers. Mitochondria and glycogen granules in the mid-myocardial layer and the subendocardial layer were best preserved with hypothermia at 25 degrees and 22 degrees C. after 30 minutes or 45 minutes of anoxic arrest, and dogs in these groups had a survival rate of 100 percent. Quantitative analysis of ultrastructural changes induced in these experiments suggest that a safe duration of anoxic arrest at 22 degrees to 25 degrees C. is between 30 and 45 minutes.

Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes in the Basement Membrane of Muscle Capillaries in Rhesus Monkeys Fed a Cholesterol, Peanut Oil Diet

Analysis of Ultrastructural Changes in the Basement Membrane of Muscle Capillaries in Rhesus Monkeys Fed a Cholesterol, Peanut Oil Diet