Encapsulation, vacuolation, and phagocytosis of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus in the liver of an immunocompetent host.

The cellular characteristics of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus species were investigated in the infected liver of an immunocompetent host using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). With no records of immunodeficiency, the 3-year-old female patient displayed a high-grade fever, lethargy, and increasing jaundice. TEM analysis revealed the presence of round yeast cells in the patient's liver.

Age-related leaf characteristics of surface features and ultrastructure of Dendropanax morbifera.

Age-related morphological and anatomical changes were investigated by light and electron microscopy with juvenile and adult leaves of Dendropanax morbifera. Most juvenile leaves were glossy and palmate with five deep and narrow lobes divided nearly to two-thirds of the leaf base. Adult leaves were thick and possessed three lobes divided nearly to half of the leaf base.

Fine structure and X-ray microanalysis of silicified woods from a Tertiary basin Pohang, Korea by scanning electron microscopy.

Anatomical descriptions are provided on silicified woods from a Tertiary basin Pohang, Korea by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The silicified woods appeared to retain the original exterior morphology of the once grown trees, and exhibited various colors on the surface. As a component of the axial system in the secondary xylem, pores were oval to globose and measured approximately 200-300 microm in diameter in transverse planes.

Anatomical descriptions of silicified woods from Madagascar and Indonesia by scanning electron microscopy.

Fine structure and tissue substitution by minerals were investigated in silicified woods from Madagascar and Indonesia by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The silicified woods maintained the exterior morphology of once grown trees and showed typical inner structures of conifers. Radial planes of the silicified wood from Madagascar revealed tracheids as a major component of the axial system in the secondary xylem.

Efficient induction of oligodendrocytes from human embryonic stem cells.

Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons to support rapid nerve conduction in the central nervous system (CNS). Damage to myelin can cause severe CNS disorders. In this study, we attempted to devise a protocol for the induction of oligodendrocytes from human embryonic stem (ES) cells to treat demyelinated axons.

Derivation and characterization of new human embryonic stem cell lines: SNUhES1, SNUhES2, and SNUhES3.

Here we report the derivation and characterization of new human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, SNUhES1, SNUhES2, and SNUhES3. These cells, established from the inner cell mass using an STO feeder layer, satisfy the criteria that characterize pluripotent hESCs: The cell lines express high levels of alkaline phosphatase, cell surface markers (such as SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81), transcription factor Oct-4, and telomerase. When grafted into severe combined immunodeficient mice after prolonged proliferation, these cells maintained the developmental potentials to form derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers.