Valuable Specimens Research Articles

Xenotransfer and Detection of Adult Corturnix japonica Testicular Stem Cells to Stage 16 Gallus gallus Embryos.

Conservation of germplasm from endangered and genetically valuable individuals is a high priority for all classes of animals. However, the large avian oocyte and the inability to consistently super ovulate birds make techniques such as cloning and oocyte cryopreservation unlikely tools for avian conservation. Instead, the use of domestic birds as hosts to produce sperm of exotic species for use in artificial insemination may be a practical approach to conserve avian germplasm. During early embryonic development the primordial germ stem cells (PGCs) circulate in the blood vessels prior to colonization of the gonadal ridge. These circulating PGCs are the precursors for the adult germ stem cells (GSCs), which allow continual production of sperm throughout the lifetime of males. Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of embryonic PGC transfers for preserving rare chicken lines, introducing transgenes, or xenotransfer between chicken, quail and turkeys. We propose that the use of non-seasonal domesticated hosts (e.g. chickens or quail) can ensure year-round production of genetically valuable sperm for use in assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination. In this study adult quail testes were dispersed with collagenase prior to injection into the viteline vein of stage 15-18 chicken embryos coincident with endogenous PGC migration. Host chicken gonads were collected at day 8 of incubation and collagenase dispersed. Donor (quail) derived cells were detected by the quail specific antibody QH1 and counted by flowcytometry. Up to 2.3% of chicken embryo gonadal cells were positive for QH1 and presumably derived from the quail donor testis. This model system will be used to develop techniques for isolation and xenotransfer of GSCs collected during necropsy of adult birds, thereby enhancing the preservation of genetic material from endangered or genetically valuable specimens. (poster)

Is amino acid racemization a useful tool for screening for ancient DNA in bone?

Many rare and valuable ancient specimens now carry the scars of ancient DNA research, as questions of population genetics and phylogeography require larger sample sets. This fuels the demand for reliable techniques to screen for DNA preservation prior to destructive sampling. Only one such technique has been widely adopted: the extent of aspartic acid racemization (AAR). The kinetics of AAR are believed to be similar to the rate of DNA depurination and therefore a good measure of the likelihood of DNA survival. Moreover, AAR analysis is only minimally destructive. We report the first comprehensive test of AAR using 91 bone and teeth samples from temperate and high-latitude sites that were analysed for DNA. While the AAR range of all specimens was low (0.02–0.17), no correlation was found between the extent of AAR and DNA amplification success. Additional heating experiments and surveys of the literature indicated that d/l Asx is low in bones until almost all the collagen is lost. This is because aspartic acid is retained in the bone within the constrained environment of the collagen triple helix, where it cannot racemize for steric reasons. Only if the helix denatures to soluble gelatin can Asx racemize readily, but this soluble gelatine is readily lost in most burial environments. We conclude that Asx d/l is not a useful screening technique for ancient DNA from bone.

Proteomics on Fixed Tissue Specimens – A Review

The vast majority of clinical tissue samples are formalin-fixed and paraffin-preserved. This type of preservation has been considered an obstacle to protein extraction from these tissues. However, these are the very tissue samples that have associated patient histories, diagnoses and outcomes - ideal samples in the quest to translate bench research into clinical applications. Thus, until recently, these valuable specimens have been unavailable for proteomic analysis.Over the last decade, researchers have been exploring efficient methods to undo protein cross-linking caused by standard tissue fixatives and extract proteins from archived tissue specimens. These methods have been applied in different clinical proteomic studies. In this report, we attempt to review the development of these techniques, summarize the proteomic findings, and discuss the impact on future clinical proteomics.

Type specimens of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) at the museo entomológico Francisco Luís Gallego, Medellín, Colombia

Type specimens are the most scientifically valuable specimens of the natural history collections, and are very important to because they represent standards of reference that provide objectivity in scientific nomenclature (IZCN, 1999). In consideration of the recommendation 72F.4 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which indicates that the type lists should be published, we provide a list of the species of Coleoptera with types housed in the Museo Entomológico Francisco Luis Gallego (MEFLG). The MEFLG collection originated in 1937 at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín is the most important insect collection of the northeastern region of Colombia. This museum contains nearly 200,000 specimens of which about 50,000 represent the order Coleoptera, a majority of them are pinned adults and some are immature stages conserved in a liquid medium. The Coleoptera have been identified to subfamily and genus, and some to species level. Almost all of them were collected in Antioquia state, and others are from different localities in Colombia or are donations by foreign institutions.

Types of <i>Anthemis</i> in the Herbarium of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ)

A list of the type specimens of Anthemis (Compositae) housed in the type section of the Herbarium of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is presented for the first time. The collection comprises 460 sheets of specimens representing 143 Anthemis taxa used by Eig (Eig, A. 1938. Taxonomic studies on the oriental species of the genus Anthemis. Palestine J. Bot. Jerusalem Ser. 1(2): 161-224) and Z. Yavin (in her 1970-1972 studies) for their revisions of the genus in the Near East. The collection includes both type specimens designated by Eig and Yavin, as well as 64 type fragments, duplicates, and other valuable specimens donated to Eig in 1935 by different herbaria.

Efficient Term Development of Vitrified Ferret Embryos Using a Novel Pipette Chamber Technique1

Development of an efficient cryopreservation technique for the domestic ferret is key for the long-term maintenance of valuable genetic specimens of this species and for the conservation of related endangered species. Unfortunately, current cryopreservation procedures, such as slow-rate freezing and vitrification with open pulled straws, are inefficient. In this report, we describe a pipette tip-based vitrification method that significantly improves the development of thawed ferret embryos following embryo transfer (ET). Ferret embryos at the morula (MR), compact morula (CM), and early blastocyst (EB) stages were vitrified using an Eppendorf microloader pipette tip as the chamber vessel. The rate of in vitro development was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among embryos vitrified at the CM (93.6%) and EB (100%) stages relative to those vitrified at the MR stages (58.7%). No significant developmental differences were observed when comparing CM and EB vitrified embryos with nonvitrified control CM (100%) and EB (100%) embryos. In addition, few differences in the ultrastructure of intracellular lipid droplets or in microfilament structure were observed between control embryos and embryos vitrified at any developmental stage. Vitrified-thawed CM/EB embryos cultured for 2 or 16 h before ET resulted in live birth rates of 71.3% and 77.4%, respectively. These rates were not significantly different from the control live birth rate (79.2%). However, culture for 32 h (25%) or 48 h (7.8%) after vitrification significantly reduced the rate of live births. These data indicate that the pipette chamber vitrification technique significantly improves the live birth rate of transferred ferret embryos relative to current state-of-the-art methods.

Coleção entomológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz: resgate de acervo científico-histórico disperso pelo Massacre de Manguinhos

Uma das mais ricas, antigas e diversificadas coleções entomológicas da América Latina, que alberga relevante parcela de nossa biodiversidade, foi drasticamente penalizada durante o episódio que ficou conhecido como o Massacre de Manguinhos, no qual dez eminentes pesquisadores tiveram seus direitos políticos cassados. Esta nota relata uma ínfima parcela da tragédia que desmantelou parte desse acervo e como 8.554 exemplares valiosos da ordem Diptera, pertencentes a 35 famílias, incluindo 99 exemplares-tipos, foram reincorporados à Coleção Entomológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, em suas posições originais nos armários de aço, após 35 anos. Esta reincorporação representa o primeiro resgate científico-histórico desse acervo, após o período da ditadura militar no Brasil.

A Paean to the Epistemological Potency of ArtifactsMuseums, Anthropology, and Imperial Exchange. By Amiria Henare. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

A Paean to the Epistemological Potency of Artifacts<i>Museums, Anthropology, and Imperial Exchange</i>. By Amiria Henare. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

The Dangers of Pyramid-Mania

In his article “Mad about pyramids” (News Focus, 22 Sept., p. [1718][1]), J. Bohannon discusses the current Bosnian pyramid-mania and its ramifications, but there is one aspect he did not mention: the loss of important paleontological resources. At the invitation of Semir Osmanagic (also spelled Osmanagich), chairman of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation, I visited Visoko in late July and early August to study the “pyramids” and surrounding geology. The “pyramid” hills are composed of Late Miocene lacustrine and fluvial deposits; certain strata are highly fossiliferous, containing a variety of thus-far undocumented angiosperm leaves and other plant remains as well as animal trace fossils. I believe this area merits serious paleontological study. On the basis of the sedimentology, the hills could well yield scientifically valuable terrestrial vertebrate specimens. Presently, the fossils are being ignored and destroyed during the “excavations,” as crews work to shape the natural hills into crude semblances of the Mayan-style step pyramids with which Osmanagic is so enamored ([1][2]–[3][3]). 1. 1.[↵][4]1. S. Osmanagich , The World of the Maya (Gorgias, Piscataway, NJ, 2005). 2. 2.1. S. Osmanagic , Bosanska Piramida Sunca (Klepsidra, Sarajevo, 2005). 3. 3.[↵][5]1. S. Osmanagic , Bosanska Dolina Piramida (Maunagic, Sarajevo, 2006). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.313.5794.1718 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1. in text [5]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3. in text

Geology of southeast Alaska: rock and ice in motion

Geology of southeast Alaska: rock and ice in motion

Atherosclerosis research from past to present—on the track of two pathologists with opposing views, Carl von Rokitansky and Rudolf Virchow

It is now clear that inflammation plays a key role in atherogenesis. As a matter of fact, signs of inflammation of atherosclerotic plaques have been observed for centuries and also constituted the basis for a fierce controversy in the 19th century between the prominent Austrian pathologist Carl von Rokitansky and his German counterpart, Rudolf Virchow. While the former attributed a secondary role to these inflammatory arterial changes, Virchow considered them to be of primary importance. We had the unique opportunity to address this controversy by investigating atherosclerotic specimens from autopsies performed by Carl von Rokitansky up to 178 years ago. Twelve atherosclerotic arteries originally collected between the years 1827 to 1885 were selected from the Collection Rokitansky of the Federal Museum of Pathological Anatomy, Vienna Medical University. Using modern sophisticated immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques, it was shown that various cellular intralesional components, as well as extracellular matrix proteins, were preserved in the historic atherosclerotic specimens. Most importantly, CD3 positive cells were abundant in early lesions, thus, rather supporting Virchows's view, that inflammation is an initiating factor in atherogenesis. Furthermore, we hope to have opened a new and intriguing possibility to study various pathological conditions using valuable historical specimens.

Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) of total genomic DNA from Meloidogyne spp. and comparison to crude DNA extracts in PCR of ITS1, 28S D2-D3 rDNA and Hsp90

AbstractBecause the quantity of nematode specimens available for molecular analysis is often limited, the number of analyses possible is constrained by the availability of DNA. Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) was assessed for whole genome amplification of crude DNA from several Meloidogyne species. MDA produced microgram quantities of template that resulted in successful amplification of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and 28S D2-D3 expansion regions, producing PCR results that were comparable to template generated by the single nematode smash method. MDA greatly improved degenerate primer PCR of single-copy Hsp90, a gene which is more sensitive than multi-copy ribosomal genes to limited DNA template. MDA should expand the number of molecular analyses possible for single nematodes. MDA will also be useful for archiving DNA from valuable specimens and provide a way for laboratories to share identical genetic material for nematode diagnosis.

Interpretation of a 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) blood level: discussion by means of a distribution study in two fatalities

The amphetamine derivative 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy” is a currently used or abused designer drug and fatalities are frequently encountered in forensic practice. However, the question remains open whether an MDMA blood level can be toxic or even potentially lethal. In order to provide insight in the interpretation of a detected MDMA concentration, the distribution of MDMA and its metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in various body fluids and tissues was studied and discussed in two different fatalities. Apart from peripheral blood samples (such as femoral and subclavian blood), various blood samples obtained centrally in the human body and several body fluids (such as vitreous humour) were examined. In addition, various tissues such as cardiac muscle, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain lobes were analysed. In contrast to the peripheral blood levels, high MDMA and MDA levels were found in cardiac blood and the majority of the organs, except for the abdominal adipose tissue. The high concentrations observed in all lung lobes, the liver and stomach contents indicate that post-mortem redistribution of MDMA and MDA into cardiac blood can occur and, as a result, blood sampled centrally in the body should be avoided. Therefore, our data confirm that peripheral blood sampling remains “the golden standard”. In addition, a distinct difference in peripheral blood MDMA concentrations in our two overdose cases was established (namely 0.271 and 13.508μg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, our results suggest that, if a peripheral blood sample is not available and when putrefaction is not too pronounced, vitreous humour and iliopsoas muscle can be valuable specimens for toxicological analysis. Finally, referring to the various mechanisms of death following amphetamine intake, which can result in different survival times (e.g. cardiopulmonary complications versus hyperthermia), the anatomo-pathological findings and the toxicological results should be considered as a whole in arriving at a conclusion.

Morphological aspects of carcinogenesis in the lung

The origins of the various histological types of primary lung cancer are not well understood. Numerous recent studies have indicated that lung cancer is not a result of a sudden transforming event in the bronchial and alveolar epithelium and in the neuroendocrine cells, but a multistep process in which a sequence of morphological and genetic changes is occurring. New modern technical approaches like fluorescence bronchoscopy techniques and microdissection, provide facilities to obtain valuable specimens for morphological and genetic verification of the sequentional changes in lung cancerogenesis. With their help, cells with morphologically recognized changes thought to be preneoplastic, may be removed and prepared for molecular and genetic studies. Therefore, the knowledge of the morphological aspects of lung preneoplastic lesions is crucial to make progress in molecular studies of lung carcinogenesis. Presently the knowledge about the sequence of molecular events in the lung carcinogenesis and their relationship to morphology is not perfect. In this review we will describe morphological aspects of various preneoplastic lesions occurring in the bronchial and bronchiolo-alveolar compartments including neuroendocrine cells.

Magnetic resonance microscopy in cardiac development.

Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is a fast and non-destructive imaging technique that can analyze the three-dimensional structure of the embryonic heart both qualitatively and quantitatively. Intravascular contrast agents have been developed to accentuate the anatomy of cardiac chambers, the cardiac outflow tract, and major arteries and veins throughout the embryonic body. MRM generates non-distorted three-dimensional data of vascular anatomy in a fraction of the time required by conventional optical image reconstruction techniques. The three-dimensional nature of these data allows the creation of visual models that can be manipulated for fast and easy interpretation of the complex relationships between heart chambers and aortic arches. This is particularly helpful because these relationships change in complex ways during development. The non-destructive nature of MRM makes it well suited for investigating rare or valuable specimens and live subjects. MRM techniques have been developed for imaging the embryo in utero and in vitro, although MRM studies of fixed embryo specimens are easier to perform and produce data with better contrast and higher resolution.

The Possession of Kuru: Medical Science and Biocolonial Exchange

“Naturally, everyone would like to get their hands on kuru brains,” wrote D. Carleton Gajdusek in 1957. A young medical scientist, Gajdusek was writing from his bush laboratory in the eastern highlands of New Guinea, and he had in mind the competition among pathologists in Melbourne, Australia, and Bethesda, Maryland, for the valuable specimens. But he may also have considered his own recent transactions with the Fore people, afflicted with what he thought was the disease of kuru, and on whose hospitality he was then relying. Blood and brains, the germinal objects of his field research, were richly entangled in local community relations and global scientific networks; they could convey one meaning to the Fore, another to Gajdusek, and yet another to laboratory workers in Australia and the United States. These objects could be exchanged as gifts or commodities in different circumstances, or on the same occasion the different parties might confuse gift exchange with commodity transaction. At times, the scientist would try to obtain goods through barter, or even to appropriate them; and, then again, he might find that what he wanted was out of circulation altogether. In the field, Gajdusek had become enmeshed in a complex and fragile web of relationships with the Fore in order to acquire specimens that, through further exchanges with senior colleagues, might yet make his scientific reputation.

A protective hardboard folder for storing herbarium specimens

SummaryShchepanek, M. J.: A protective hardboard folder for storing herbarium specimens. – Taxon 48: 17‐21. 1999. – ISSN 0040‐0262.Many herbaria store their most valuable botanical specimens, such as types, mounted on herbarium paper, within closed or semi‐closed pliable cardboard folders. In order to minimise the risk of damage through handling and shipping, an archival hardboard folder was designed, to provide maximum protection. The design accommodates herbarium sheets of different sizes and specimens of various thickness. The folders can be made from materials available from art supply stores.

Low‐vacuum electron microscopy of carabid chemoreceptors: a new tool for the identification of live and valuable museum specimens

AbstractHigh‐vacuum scanning electron microscopy, following coating of specimens with gold, produces high quality images that have proved invaluable for the study of insect sensilla. Unfortunately, the technique is essentially destructive, and cannot be used on live or valuable museum specimens. In particular, high‐vacuum scanning usually causes the collapse of the tips of the palps, interfering with any examination of the sensilla in this area. A new low‐vacuum technique is described that avoids these problems. Insect cuticle does not need to be coated with gold, thus avoiding damage to important specimens. Examples are given of scans of the palp tips of live carabid beetles, anaesthetised with CO2. It was shown that the technique could consistently display these tips in their natural convex state. In all, four types of sensilla were identified by low‐vacuum scans of the maxillary palps, and four further types on the terminal segment of the antennae, plus glandular openings. The antennae revealed a type of sensilla that has not previously been described on carabids. These sensilla showed clear structural differences between the two species studied, Pterostichus melanarius Illiger and P. niger Schaller (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and can be used as a diagnostic character for both fresh and dried specimens. The low‐vacuum technique can be recommended for examining valuable ‘type’ specimens without risk of damage.

Techniques for human temporal bone removal: Information for the scientific community

Human temporal bones provide an irreplaceable resource for study of the pathology and pathophysiology of disorders of hearing, balance, taste, and facial nerve function. Additional specimens are needed to study disorders for which there are few human specimens; to increase the number of specimens for a given disorder to understand the natural variability and expression of the disease entity; to evaluate the accuracy of otologic diagnoses and the efficacy of otologic treatment modalities; to apply newly available scientific methods, including immunohistochemistry and molecular biologic or molecular genetic techniques; and to teach the anatomy of the human ear and modern otologic surgical techniques. This article provides information for the scientific community concerning techniques for temporal bone and auditory brain stem removal, including intracranial and extracranial approaches and methods to minimize postmortem autolysis and cosmetic defects. Close collaboration between physicians and funeral directors will maximize the yield and utility of these valuable specimens for scientific inquiry and training. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996;115:298-305.)

SNR gains with superconducting coils and hyperpolarized inert gas

Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) has advanced from a technical challenge to a practical tool in a wide range of basic sciences (1). The nondestructive nature of the technique allows for repeated studies of the same sample, retrospective studies through any arbitrary plane, registered studies using different contrast mechanisms, and examination of valuable specimens. "Proton contrast" is provided by making use of T1, T2, T1ρ , diffusion, and magnetization contrast weightings, thus permitting direct examination of the state of water in tissues; something not possible with other microscopic techniques. The technical hurdles imposed by a limited signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) have been partially overcome by improved RF coil design and by three dimensional Fourier transform encoding for large arrays. We have introduced two additional technologies that help to further redress this SNR deficit: superconducting RF coils and inert gas hyperpolarization.It has been argued elsewhere (2,3) that the dominant source of noise in the receiving chain for small objects in high fields is the pickup coil and the preamplifier.