Aspects of the phylogeny of Platyhelminthes based on 18S ribosomal DNA and protonephridial ultrastructure

DNA studies of 23 taxa (20 platyhelminths, 1 nemertean, Homo and Artemia) and electron-microscopic studies of the protonephridia of many platyhelminths (supported by some additional ultrastructural data) have led to the following conclusions: the Neodermata are monophyletic; Temnocephalida and Dalyelliida form one clade and are not the primitive sister group of the Neodermata; Gyrocotylidea, Amphilinidea and Eucestoda form one monophylum; Pterastericolidae and Umagillidae are dalyelliids and not the sister group of the Neodermata; and Proseriata are unlikely to be closely related with the Tricladida. A large taxon consisting of the Proseriata and some other turbellarians may represent the sister group of the Neodermata.     

Observations on rodlet cells found in the vascular system and extravascular space of angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare scalare)

In the angelfish ( Pterophyllum scalare scalare ) numerous rodlet cells were found in the large post-orbital blood vessel caudal to the eye and in the surrounding extravascular space. Within the vessel the rodlet cells formed striking regular arrays, along the inner aspect of the wall. The rodlets within the cells were positive to PAS but negative to Sudan Black B, Masson's, and the Fuelgen stain. The capsule around the cells was negative for all these stains. These rodlet cells appeared to be traversing the vessel endothelium, and to be pushing the endothelium aside without damaging it. Some discharged their contents into the vessel, but we never observed the release of intact rodlets. The nuclei of rodlet cells in actual contact with the vessel were at the end of the cell more distant from the endothelial wall. Cell-to-cell adhesion structures or communications junctions between rodlet cells and the endothelium were not evident. A putative rodlet cell precursor in the extravascular space contained large electron-dense granules, and extended pseudopodia that contacted nearby rodlet cells. Based on their morphology, tissue distribution, and their behaviour, we conclude that the rodlet cell is an endogeneous teleost cell type, and possibly represents a form of matured granulocyte.     

Biodiversity among haptophyte algae

The division Haptophyta is represented only by about 300 extant species showing wide diversity in morphology, biochemistry and ecology. They have a world-wide distribution and are numerically important in phytoplankton populations in nearly all marine environments. Evidence from the geological record shows that they have been the major constituent of calcareous deposits since the Late Triassic and, as they have evolved quickly through time, their coccoliths have always shown wide morphological diversity. In today's oceans they occasionally produce extensive blooms, visible by satellite imagery, which have ecological impact. As a consequence of these blooms the haptophyte algae are now receiving greater attention, as their role in the global sulphur and carbon cycles may influence the world's climate, and their potential as nuisance bloom algae have implications for commercial fishing and the marine ecosystem. As it is likely that these organisms have always produced such blooms, these effects may have been in operation for the last 200 million years.     

A study on pollen grains ofCrocus cartwrightianus (Iridaceae)

Crocus cartwrightianus andC. cartwrightianus cv.albus pollen have been studied from structural and ultrastructural points of view and the germination assayed in vivo and in vitro.C. cartwrightianus pollen is regularly shaped and sized, has a low percentage of anomalous grains and has a high germination rate in vitro, whileC. cartwrightianus cv.albus is less regularly shaped with some variation in size and has a high percentage of anomalous grains and a low germination percentage in vitro. Ultrastructural observations have revealed, in the pollen of both the taxa, the presence of a thin elongated vegetative nucleus and a generative cell surrounded by a thin membrane. However,C. cartwrightianus pollen shows a thicker intine, andC. cartwrightianus cv.albus shows numerous pollen germination anomalies which are in common withC. sativus.     

Chemical composition and ultrastructural changes in Scots pine needles in a forest decline area in southwestern Finland

Tree decline and deaths have been observed among 15 to 20-year-old Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) in a dry heath forest in southwestern Finland. The sudden decline in height growth, the dieback of leading shoots and the yellowing of needles in young shoots in the upper part of the tree are typical symptoms of the decline of these young pines. Needle ultrastructure and chemical composition of Scots pines with or without decline and fluctuations of them in different seasons were studied. Afflicted trees were found to suffer from a deficiency in calcium and magnesium with low concentration of foliar nitrogen and phosphorus observed in all the trees studied. Ultrastructural study revealed changes characteristic of different seasons and measured nutrient status of needles. A clear reduction of membrane system in chloroplasts, especially related to Mg deficiency, was observed in most samples. The symptoms related to N deficiency, the translucent appearance of the cytoplasm and chloroplast stroma, and the elongated chloroplasts, as well as swelling of mitochondria, indicating P deficiency, were also found in the needles sampled from this forest decline area. The present study showed that it is possible to detect specific nutrient deficiency symptoms in needle ultrastructure in field samples and for use as sensitive indicators of unbalanced nutrient status.     

鹅掌楸属植物引导组织和花粉管生长

应用光学显微镜和常规石蜡切片技术研究了鹅掌楸属（ＬｉｒｉｏｄｅｎｄｒｏｎＬ．）两种植物雌蕊引导组织的分布和个体发育,引导组织是由心皮边缘或内表面的表皮细胞层或亚细胞层发育形成,是由一层细胞组成的连续层,覆盖干柱头、花柱道和珠柄的表面,引导组织的细胞形态学因其所在部位不同而有差异。在电境水平上研究了柱头和花柱引导组织的超微结构,引导组织细胞是分泌型的传递细胞,其分泌面发育了明显的壁内突,细胞质中富含内质网、多聚核糖体、各种小泡、高尔基体和线粒体,大液泡通常远离分泌面。文中还探讨了花粉管生长后引导组织的变化。     

Characterization of freeze-thaw induced ultrastructural damage to endothelial cells in vitro

Summary The pathophysiology of endothelial cells is important to a variety of vascular conditions including coagulation and hemostasis resulting from clinical frostbite. Use of an in vitro model system demonstrated that when bovine endothelial cells were frozen at 1°C or 20°C/min and thawed immediately (20°C/min), a variety of ultrastructural alterations occurred. Membraneous structures were most extensively damaged, with mitochondria the most sensitive organelle. Low amplitude mitochondrial swelling, first evident at 0°C, progressed to high amplitude swelling by −10°C (frozen). In addition, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was dilated and formed large vesicles with a homogeneous matrix. Nuclear changes first occurred at −15°C. These included separation and distortion of the nuclear membrane, changes in chromatin distribution, and disruption of the nucleolus. Scanning electron microscopy revealed perforated plasma membranes in some cells at −10°C (frozen) and in most cells by −20°C. Cultures frozen at 20°C/min revealed mostly the same ultrastructural damage noted at 1°C/min except a higher percentage of cells exhibited alterations. Data from the recovery index and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release correlated well with observed ultrastructural changes. Early swelling of mitochondria and dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum was not lethal in the absence of freezing. Increased swelling in cytoplasmic organelles coupled with nuclear alterations at −15°C resulted in a decreased survival rate and release of significant quantities of LDH by −20°C. No unique morphological changes were temperature specific, but the total number of cells that displayed alterations increased as temperature decreased. The views, opinions or findings, or both, contained in this report are those of the authros and should not be construed as indicative of an official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision unless so designated by other official documentation.     

Morphological and ultrastructural characterization of mammalian spermatozoa processed for flow cytometric DNA analyses

The morphological and ultrastructural changes that occur during preparation of porcine, bovine, and murine spermatozoa for flow cytometric quantification of the relative DNA content of the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm populations were examined. Ejaculated spermatozoa from the boar and bull were washed using a series of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions prior to fixation, whereas the epididymal mouse spermatozoa were washed only in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Spermatozoa from all three species were then fixed in ethanol and processed for fluorochrome staining by a treatment regimen consisting of sulfhydryl reduction and proteolysis. The processed sperm nuclei were stained for DNA with the fluorochrome, 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) before quantification by flow cytometry. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs of sperm heads taken at various steps of the preparation and staining procedures show 1) that the rigorous washing procedure disrupted the plasma and outer acrosomal membranes, 2) that ethanol fixation resulted in removal of the outer membranes and disintegration of the nuclear envelope, and 3) that thiol and proteolysis treatment removed the remaining cellular organelles including the tail and rapidly induced partial decondensation of the tightly packed chromatin. Sequential micrographs showed that the nuclear matrix of all three species increased in thickness about twofold during the preparation and staining. Consequently, the harsh procedures currently used for quantitative staining of DNA for high-resolution flow cytometric analyses destroy most cellular organelles and thereby prevent simultaneous characterization of DNA content and other sperm cell constituents.     

Lack of invaginations of the plasma membrane during budding and cell division of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract The plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe in stationary phase had abundant invaginations. A round uninvaginated area emerged before budding when S. cerevisiae cells were given fresh medium. Middle-sized buds had some invaginations, whereas the neck between the bud and mother had very few. S. pombe which has neither the neck nor the predetermined position to divide had no uninvaginated ring area even in long cells during elongation in fresh medium. However, an uninvaginated ring area emerged as the earliest noticeable stage of cytokinesis. The uninvaginated state of the plasma membrane appeared to be correlated with budding and cell division.     

The larval midgut of the cassava hornworm (Erinnyis ello)

Summary Columnar cells of the larval midgut of the cassava hornworm, Erinnyis ello, display microvilli with vesicles pinching off from their tips (anterior and middle midgut) or with a large number of double membrane spheres budding along their length (posterior midgut). Basal infoldings in columnar cells occur in a parallel array with many openings to the underlying space (posterior midgut) or are less organized with few openings (anterior and middle midgut). Goblet cells have a cavity, which is formed by invagination of the apical membrane and which occupies most of the cell (anterior and middle midgut) or only its upper part (posterior midgut). The infolded apical membrane shows modified microvilli, which sometimes (posterior midgut) or always (anterior and middle midgut) contain mitochondria. The cytoplasmic side of the membrane of the microvilli that contain mitochondria are studded with small particles. The results suggest that the anterior and middle region of the midgut absorbs water, whereas the posterior region secretes it. This results in a countercurrent flux of fluid, which is responsible for the enzyme recovery from undigested food before it is expelled. Intermediary and final digestion of food probably occur in the columnar cells under the action of plasma membrane-bound and glycocalix-associated enzymes.