Structural Characteristics of the Lens in Presenile Cataract.

The purpose of this work is to examine the structure of the anterior lens epithelial cells (aLECs) of presenile idiopathic cortical cataract to investigate the possible structural reasons for its development. The anterior lens capsules (aLCs: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells) were obtained from routine uneventful cataract surgery of 5 presenile cataract patients (16 and 41 years old women and 29, 39, and 45 years old men). None of the patients had family history of cataract, medication, or trauma and they were otherwise healthy.

Classical lepidopteran wing scale colouration in the giant butterfly-moth .

The palm borer moth (Castniidae; giant butterfly-moths) has brown dorsal forewings and strikingly orange-coloured dorsal hindwings with white spots surrounded by black margins. Here, we have studied the structure and pigments of the wing scales in the various coloured wing areas, applying light and electron microscopy and (micro)spectrophotometry, and we analysed the spatial reflection properties with imaging scatterometry. The scales in the white spots are unpigmented, those in the black and brown wing areas contain various amounts of melanin, and the orange wing scales contain a blue-absorbing ommochrome pigment.

Anterior lens epithelium in cataract patients with retinitis pigmentosa - scanning and transmission electron microscopy study.

Purpose: In retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, relatively minor lens opacity in central part of posterior pole of the lens may cause disproportionate functional symptoms requiring cataract operation. To investigate the possible structural reasons for this opacity development, we studied the structure of the lens epithelium of patients with RP.

Methods: The anterior lens capsule (aLC: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells, LECs) was obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM).

Anterior lens epithelial cells attachment to the basal lamina.

Purpose: To study the structure of the anterior lens epithelial cells (aLECs) and the contacts of the aLECs with the basal lamina (BL) in order to understand their role in the lens epithelium's function.

Methods: The aLCs (BL and associated aLECs) were obtained from routine uneventful cataract surgery, prepared for and studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy.

Results: SEM shows that the basal surface of the aLECs (~10-15 μm) is with aLECs foldings (~1-3 μm) and extensions (~0.

Anterior lens epithelium in intumescent white cataracts - scanning and transmission electron microscopy study.

Purpose: Our purpose was to study the structure of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of intumescent white cataracts (IC) in comparison with nuclear cataracts (NC) in order to investigate possible structural reasons for development of IC.

Methods: The anterior lens capsule (aLC: basement membrane and associated LECs) were obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: We observed by SEM that in IC, LEC swelling was pronounced with the clefts surrounding the groups of LECs.

Morphological and proliferative studies on ex vivo cultured human anterior lens epithelial cells - relevance to capsular opacification.

Purpose: To determine the structural characteristics of lens epithelial cells (LECs) found on the anterior portion of the lens capsule and their pluripotency, proliferating and migrating potential when grown ex vivo with relevance to posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery.

Methods: The explants of anterior portion of the lens capsule consisting of monolayer of LECs were obtained from uneventful cataract surgery and were cultivated under adherent conditions. The size and shape of the outgrowing cells were recorded by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while their migration and proliferation potential were followed using light microscopy.

Calu-3 model under AIC and LCC conditions and application for protein permeability studies.

Broad area of respiratory epithelium with mild surface conditions is an attractive possibility when trans-mucosal delivery of protein drugs is considered. A mucus and cellular barrier of respiratory epithelium can be modelled in vitro by Calu-3 cell line. We have monitored morphology and barrier properties of Calu-3 culture on permeable supports while developing into liquid covered or air interfaced and mucus lined cellular barrier.

Effects of prolonged exposure to cold on the spontaneous activity of two different types of filiform sensilla in Pyrrhocoris apterus.

We recorded the spontaneous activity of T₁ and T₂ filiform sensilla from October to May in Pyrrhocoris apterus acclimatized to outdoor conditions. The aim of the study was to determine how prolonged exposure to cold affects two closely related mechanosensitive sensilla. We recorded the activity at seven temperatures from 5 to 35 °C.

Multiple mechanisms generate the resting activity of filiform sensilla in the firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus L.; Heteroptera).

The resting activity was studied in filiform sensilla of the firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus). Three functional types (T(1), T(2) and T(3)) were detected on the abdomen. A resting discharge of nerve impulses is present in all-always in types T(1) and T(2) and occasionally in type T(3).

Focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy studies of Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea) digestive gland epithelium cells.

The focused ion beam (FIB) was used to prepare cross sections of precisely selected regions of the digestive gland epithelium of a terrestrial isopod P. scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea) for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FIB/SEM system allows ad libitum selection of a region for gross morphologic to ultrastructural investigation, as the repetition of FIB/SEM operations is unrestricted.

Focused ion beam for microscopy and in situ sample preparation: application on a crustacean digestive system.

We prove that the focused ion beam (FIB) machine can be used as a microscope and as an in situ cutting device for tissue and cells. For the first time we obtain high-resolution ion images, complemented by electron imaging of different animal tissues both from uncoated and coated samples. In our study, we select the digestive system of Porcellio scaber (isopoda, crustacea) as a test system for FIB microscopy and in situ sample preparation.

Uptake of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) compounds in the yeast cell structure.

The study presented in this article investigated the influence of different Cr(III) and Cr(VI) compounds in the cultivation medium on the uptake and localization of chromium in the cell structure of the yeast Candida intermedia. The morphology of the yeast cell surface was observed by the scanning electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that the growth inhibitory concentration of Cr(III) in the cultivation medium induced changes in the yeast cell shape and affected the budding pattern, while inhibitory concentration of Cr(VI) did not cause any visible effects on morphological properties of the yeast cells.