Effects of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus on diapausing Heliothis virescens

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine effects of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus on diapausing Heliothis virescens. Most virus-infected individuals died in the larval stage. Infected pupae yielded as many moths as healthy. Females from surviving virus-infected larvae produced fewer eggs than those from healthy larvae, but there was no statistical difference in longevity of adults between healthy and infected groups. Infected moths yielded lower than normal quantities of extracted fatty acids.     

昆虫质型多角体病毒的研究进展

质型多角体病毒(Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus,CPV)隶属呼肠孤病毒科Reoviridae质型多角体病毒属Cypovirus,通常基因组由10个节段双链RNA构成。RNA分子量为3～27u。根据病毒基因组dsRNA片段在聚丙烯酰胺或琼脂糖凝胶中电泳图谱的差异,目前CPV已被分为19个电泳型。不同于呼肠孤病毒科其它成员,CPV为单层衣壳,而不是常见的双层衣壳结构,衣壳蛋白主要由衣壳蛋白、大突起蛋白及塔式突起蛋白组成。大部分质型多角体病毒引起昆虫慢性疾病,造成寄主死亡或适应性降低。随着RNA病毒基因序列测定技术的成熟,质型多角体病毒的序列测定方面取得较大进展,目前GenBank核苷酸序列数据库中已经公布了家蚕Bombyx mori CPV电泳型1两个株系(H株和I株)、舞毒蛾Lymantria dispar CPV电泳型1、舞毒蛾CPV电泳型14及粉纹夜蛾Trichoplusia ni CPV电泳型全基因组序列,为该病毒的进化与起源的研究提供更多的遗传信息。本文从结构功能、侵染特点、基因组特点及应用前景等方面综述了昆虫质型多角体病毒的研究进展。     

Scanning electron microscopy of human cerebellar cortex

Summary Scanning electron microscopy and cryofracture technique were applied to study neuronal architecture and synaptic connections of the human cerebellum. Samples were processed according to the technique of Humphreys et al. (1975) with minor modifications. The granule cells exhibit unbranched filiform axons and coniform dendritic processes. The latter show typical claw-like endings making gearing type synaptic contacts with mossy fiber rosettes. The unattached mossy rosettes appear as solid club-like structures. Some fractographs show individual granule cells, Golgi neurons and glomerular islands. The climbing fibers and their Scheibel's collaterals were also characterized. In the Purkinje layer the surface fracture was produced at the level of the Bergmann glial cells, which are selectively removed, allowing us to visualize the rough surface of Purkinje cells and the supra- and infraganglionic plexuses of basket cell axons which appeared as entangled threads. In the molecular layer the three-dimensional configuration of the Purkinje secondary and tertiary dendritic branches was obtained. The filiform parallel fibers make cruciform synaptic contacts with the Purkinje dendritic spines. The appearance of stellate neuronal somata closely resembled that of the granule cells. The subpial terminals of Bergmann fibers appeared attached to the exterior of the folia forming the rough surfaced external glial limiting membrane.     

Scanning electron microscopic studies on the synaptic bodies in the rat retina

Summary The ultrastructure of the synaptic bodies in the outer and inner plexiform layers of the rat retina was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy.The synaptic bodies in the outer plexiform layer are pear-shaped and their vitreal pole invaginated by processes from nerve cells. Their surfaces are covered with extracellular material, which is partly dissolved or redistributed during the fixation and rinsing procedure. The internal structure of the synaptic bodies is described.The synaptic bodies in the inner retinal plexiform layer are more difficult to identify with the scanning electron microscope. They are polyhedronal and also covered with extracellular material.The observations are discussed. The value of the application of two different preparation and analyzing methods, i. e. the scanning and the transmission electron microscopy, is stressed.Supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (B70-12X-2543-02), Expressens prenatalforskningsfond and Riksföreningen mot Cancer (265-B69-01X).     

The morphology of cultured melanophores from tadpoles of Xenopus laevis: Scanning electron microscopical observations

Summary Tail-fin melanophores of tadpoles of Xenopus laevis (Daudin) in primary culture were examined scanning electron microscopically in the aggregated and in the dispersed state. After isolation, the melanophores are spherical, but within 24 h they develop thin filopodia for attachment to the substratum. Subsequently, cylinder-like as well as flat sheet-like processes are formed, which adhere to the substratum with terminal pseudopodia and filopodia. The processes of adjacent melanophores contact each other, thus forming an interconnecting network between the melanophores.In the aggregated state the central part of the melanophore is spherical and voluminous. Both the central part and the processes bear microvilli. In melanophores with dispersed melanosomes the central part is much flatter; the distal parts have a thickness that equals a monolayer of melanosomes. The surface of the cell bears only scarce microvilli.These features indicate that melanophores do not have a fixed shape and that pigment migration is accompanied by reciprocal volume transformation between the cell body and its processes.     

Scanning electron microscopy of bone cells in culture

Summary Embryonic and young rat bone cells have been grown in culture and examined in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Compared with cells fixed in situ and taken directly from the animal, the cultured osteoblastic cells were smoother, flatter and more extensive and showed tighter intercellular contacts. Some matrix is formed in culture and undergoes at least partial mineralization as judged by the accumulation of Ca and P measured by energy dispersive x-ray analysis. Findings concerning the morphology of the collagen arrangement were indecisive. Some superficial cells, free of surrounding matrix, resembled osteocytes in normal in vivo bone. This may indicate that a proportion of the extracellular matrix produced by the cultured cells failed to polymerise into recognizable bone matrix, and that osteocytic morphology is not dependent upon the physical characteristics of the bone matrix.     

Scanning electron microscope studies of some internal surfaces in human skin

Summary The scanning electron microscope has been used to investigate the surfaces of epidermis, hair follicles, fat cells, glands and blood vessels in sections of human skin. The appearances of structures associated with these surfaces have been described. The results demonstrate that this new instrument can become an important tool in the investigation of surface changes that might accompany the application of loads (extensive, compressive or torsional), or physiological or pathological abnormalities.We wish to thank Prof. R. M. Kenedi for his continued encouragement of this work. One of us (I.A.B.) is also grateful to the Science Research Council for the provision of a post-graduate student grant.     

Scanning electron microscopy of echinoid podia

Summary Tube feet of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus were studied with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). By use of fractured preparations it was possible to obtain views of all components of the layered tube-foot wall.The outer epithelium was found to bear tufts of cilia possibly belonging to sensory cells. The nerve plexus was clearly revealed as being composed of bundles of varicose axons. The basal lamina, which covers the outer and inner surfaces of the connective tissue layer, was found to be a mechanically resistant and elastic membrane. The connective tissue appears as dense bundles of (collagen) fibers. The luminal epithelium (coelothelium) is a single layer of flagellated collar cells.There is no indication that the muscle fibers, which insert on the inner basal lamina of the connective tissue layer are innervated by axons from the basiepithelial nerve plexus.The results agree with previous conclusions concerning tube-foot structure based on transmission electron microscopy, and provide additional information, particularly with regard to the outer and inner epithelia.This investigation was supported by the Sonderforschungsbereich 138 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The work was carried out at the Friday Harbor Laboratories of the University of Washington. The authors are indebted to the Director, Professor A.O.D. Willows for use of the facilities, and to Drs. Christopher Reed and Tom Schroeder for invaluable instruction and assistance     

Scanning electron microscopy of the third ventricle of sheep

Summary Scanning electron microscopy of the third ventricle of sheep demonstrates areas of ciliated ependymal cells at the dorsal and middle third. The cilia of the dorsal portion of the ventricle have biconcave discs that are attached to each cilium by a slender stalk. The lower third and floor of the ventricular wall, as well as the pineal recess, are largely covered by ependymal cells that possess numerous microvilli with only a few isolated cilia scattered along cell surfaces. The infundibular recess is papillated with apical blebs of the ependymal cells that project into the lumen of the recess. Measurements of these surface elements indicate an average diameter of 0.28 for cilia, 0.10 for microvilli and 0.50 for the apical blebs of the infundibular recess. The functional significance of the regional differences in surface structures is discussed in relation to cerebrospinal fluid movement, ependymoabsorption and ependymosecretion.Supported by U.S.P.H.S. Grant NS 08171.Career Development Awardee KO4 GM 70001.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the human cerebral ventricular system

Summary Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the ultrastructural differences exhibited by the varigated ependymal lining of the near-term human fetal 4th ventricle. The central portion of the fourth ventricular floor, including the median sulcus is punctuated by numerous clumps of cilia. The density of cilia here is not as great as that described for other regions of the human cerebral ventricular system; accordingly, underlying substructure can be noted. There are distinct differences between ependymas that line the floor of the fourth ventricle with those of the adjacent area postrema. The latter region possesses not cilia, but instead exhibits a dense knap of microvilli. The ultra-architecture of the choroid plexus is relatively similar to that of other circumventricular organs with the exception that it possesses small isolated groups of cilia as well as microvilli. These findings are discussed with respect to the dynamics of local CSF movement and flow, ependymoabsorption and ependymosecretionSupported by U.S.P.H.S. Grant NS 08171.Career Development Awardee GM K04 70001.     

Comparative sensitivity of several plaque assay techniques employing TN-368 and IPLB-SF 21AE insect cell lines for plaque variants of Galleria mellonella nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Several plaque assay techniques employing TN-368 or IPLB-SF 21AE cells were evaluated for their usefulness in detecting and distinguishing MP (many polyhedra) and FP (few polyhedra) plaque variants of Galleria mellonella nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Both plaque morphologies were produced using either cell line. Of the overlays tested, the buffered 0.6% methylcellulose overlay yielded the most plaques and was best suited for titration. It was also the easiest overlay to prepare and use. The largest plaques were obtained using either cell line with the 1.0 or 0.75% agarose overlays. Plaque variants were most easily distinguished under 1.0 or 0.75% agarose overlays with IPLB-SF 21 cells. The 0.9% MC overlay was the only overlay which did not allow detection of FP plaques. However, FP plaques were detected using a buffered modification of this overlay. It is concluded that the FP variant of G. mellonella NPV is not a host-dependent phenomenon, and that its detection can be influenced by overlay formulation.     

Scanning electron microscopy of fused mouse placentas and associated uterine bed

Summary The decidual surface of two fused placentas and the associated uterine bed were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The compact decidua basalis fits into a uterine depression filled with coarse fibers which is surrounded by a smooth area that gradually becomes folded. Placental fusion due to twinning or crowding is discussed.Financial support was provided by an NIH Biomedical Research Support Grant 5 S07-RR05794-02 and by the Department of Anatomy, Wright State University. Technical assistance of Robert Principato is gratefully acknowledged     

Scanning electron microscopic studies of the rat incisor odontoblastema

Summary A scanning electron microscopic technique was used to investigate the surface structure of dentinogenically active odontoblasts.Thin pieces of rat incisors were fixed, rapidly frozen, freezedried at -70° C and fractured to expose new surfaces prior to examination in the SEM. Differences in the appearance of odontoblastic cell surfaces were seen, with the most extensive ridge formations at the distal part of the sides of the odontoblasts. The predentine area displayed a spongy structure which contrasted to the compact appearance of dentine. Results are discussed in relation to previous studies at the light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic levels.This study was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council and the Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden.     

Scanning electron microscopy of peripheral blood leukocytes of the chicken

Summary Polymorphonuclear leukocytes, e.g., neutrophilic granulocytes, were enriched from heparinized blood by a Ficoll-step-gradient centrifugation procedure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a surface morphology of narrow ridge-like profiles and small ruffles with occasional microprocesses. Mononuclear leukocytes were isolated by centrifugation over a Ficoll-Metrizoat gradient. The lymphocytes showed varying numbers of microvilli of different length, size and shape. B lymphocytes, characterized by their capability of sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-rosette formation, displayed a similar surface morphology. Completely smooth lymphocytes, described in the literature as T lymphocytes, could not be detected, although many lymphocytes with few microprocesses were observed. Thus, SEM is not a useful tool for distinguishing between B and T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of chickens. Monocytes were characterized by prominent membrane-like ruffles, but in some cases they closely resembled granulocytes. An influence of the various separation media on the surface morphology of the isolated cells could not be detected when compared with cells isolated by the buffy-coat method.     

Scanning electron microscopic study of spermatozoa from gossypol-treated rats

Summary Spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis of gossypol-treated rats exhibit distinctive departures from the morphology of spermatozoa from control rats: wrinkled and disorganized cell membrane in the head and tail regions, cell membrane missing from segments of the tail midpiece and principal piece regions, malformed heads, decapitate spermatozoa, retention of a cytoplasmic droplet at variable loci along tail midpieces, and looped tails. The observations suggest that gossypol exerts its contraceptive effect during spermatocytogenesis and spermiogenesis, including the posttesticular development and maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis.     

Dissolution of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus polyhedra by the digestive fluid of Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) larvae

The dissolution of polyhedra of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus by digestive fluid collected from 5th stage Trichoplusia ni larvae was studied in vitro. Observations were made at timed intervals using phase contrast microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Dissolution occurred rapidly and in a detectable sequence. Under phase contrast, most polyhedra lost their refringence by 0.5 min. The polyhedra became rounded in appearance with small protuberances on the surface and Brownian movement was observed within. After 1 min, the envelope of most polyhedra had ruptured, releasing the enclosed virions. The protuberances were also observed under the scanning electron microscope after digestion for 0.5 min. Many shell fragments devoid of internal contents were seen after more lengthy digestion. Internal structural changes were revealed by electron microscopy. After 1 min of exposure, polyhedra were observed in all stages of dissolution. By 3 min, only virions, scattered about in heterogeneous material, could be distinguished.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the cleft of the rat pituitary

Summary Scanning electron microscopy of the lining of the pituitary cleft was carried out in normal, lactating, castrated, adrenalectomized, and cyproterone-treated adult rats. Four cell types could be differentiated in the posterior wall in control and experimental animals: (1) cells with a smooth surface, (2) cells with microvilli located at the cellular borders, (3) ciliated cells, and (4) cells with evenly distributed microvilli. The anterior wall showed mainly cells with few microvilli located at their margins, and clusters of ciliated cells. In normal, and more frequently in experimental animals, the anterior wall showed shriveled cells, and variously sized cavities. Colloid appeared either as a network of finely granular material or as compact bodies adhering to the epithelial surface. These observations suggest that a compact component of the colloid is derived at least in part from degraded cells.Fellow of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina. The author owes many thanks to Professor I. Nouzeillez and Dr. J.C. Cavicchia for their assistance in translating this paper     

Scanning electron microscopy of dissociated pancreatic acinar cell surfaces

Summary The pancreatic acinar cell surfaces have been studied by SEM with a dissection technique and correlated with results obtained by TEM. The SEM results demonstrate characteristic arrangement of microplicae which in some areas are densely packed.In many areas, the microplicae are distributed in such a manner that they create zones with typical geometrical shapes and show a relatively smooth surface.These smooth areas may coincide, as indicated by correlated TEM results, with the limits of intimate contact between adjacent acinar cells which, in turn, represent part of the junctional complex. Another aspect revealed by these SEM preparations concerns the presence of groups of densely packed microplicae, arranged in regular rows and distributed along some grooves and/or infoldings of the cellular surface. On the basis of SEM and TEM information, it is likely that these structures correspond to intercellular (and possibly, in some cases, intracellular) canaliculi which topographically form a kind of extensive microlabyrinthine arrangement running along all the cell sides.One final point revealed by fractured samples concerns the finding of spherical zymogen droplets within the vesicles of the Golgi complex. Because in many scanning images these vesicles appear connected by small openings, it is suggested that they may represent a system of intercommunicating chambers (vacuoles) through which the zymogen droplets can be continuously accumulated and discharged into the acinar lumen.     

Scanning electron microscopic study on the structure of the lingual papillae of the Saanen goat

The morphology of lingual papillae of the ten male mature Saanen goats (11 months old, approximately 42 kg in weight and of a known pedigree) was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Tissues were taken from the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the apex, body and root of the tongue, and were prepared accordingly and observed under the scanning electron microscope. On the dorsal and ventro-lateral surfaces of the lingual mucosa, three types of mechanical papillae (filiform, lenticular, and conical) and two types of gustatory papillae (vallate and fungiform) were observed. The structure and density of the filiform papillae differentiated on the anterior, posterior and ventro-lateral aspects of the tongue. Two types of lenticular papillae, both possessing a prominent surrounding papillary groove, were determined. The pyramidal-shaped type I lenticular papilla had a pointed apex while the round-shaped type II lenticular papilla possessed a blunt apex. Certain number of the type I lenticular papillae had double apices. The larger conical papillae were hollow structures, differing structurally from the filiform papillae with their larger size, a tip without projections and lack of the secondary papillae. The vallate papillae were present on both rims of the torus linguae, were encircled by a prominent gustatory furrow which was also surrounded by a thick annular fold. The fungiform papillae were scattered among the filiform papillae in the anterior two-thirds of the dorsal and lateral surfaces, and each of them was highly protected by surrounding filiform papillae, yet encircled by a papillary groove. Our findings indicate that Saanen goat have profuse distribution of papillae on the tongue displaying morphological features characteristic of mechanical function.