Application of Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy for the Visualization of in Lung Tissue Samples with Weak Ziehl-Neelsen Staining.

One of the key requirements for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is the identification of in tissue. In this paper, we present the advantages of specific fluorescent antibody labelling, combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), for the detection of in histological specimens of lung tissues. We demonstrate that the application of LSCM allows: (i) The automatic acquisition of images of the whole slice and, hence, the determination of regions for subsequent analysis; (ii) the acquisition of images of thick (20-40 μm) slices at high resolution; (iii) single bacteria identification; and (iv) 3D reconstruction, in order to obtain additional information about the distribution, size, and morphology of solitary ; as well as their aggregates and colonies, in various regions of tuberculosis inflammation.

Neuronal Development in the Larvae of the Invasive Biofouler Dreissena polymorpha (Mollusca: Bivalvia), with Special Attention to Sensory Elements and Swimming Behavior.

Although understanding of the neuronal development of Trochozoa has progressed recently, little attention has been paid to freshwater bivalves, including species with a strong ecological impact, such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). Therefore, an important question might concern how the developing nervous system is involved in the formation of the rapid and successful invasive behavior of this species. Our aim was to reveal the neuronal development of trochophore and veliger larvae of Dreissena, with special attention to the organization of sensory structures and their possible involvement in detecting environmental cues.

Development of the nervous system in (Nereididae, Annelida).

Background: The structure and development of the nervous system in Lophotrochozoa has long been recognized as one of the most important subjects for phylogenetic and evolutionary discussion. Many recent papers have presented comprehensive data on the structure and development of catecholaminergic, serotonergic and FMRFamidergic parts of the nervous system. However, relatively few papers contain detailed descriptions of the nervous system in Annelida, one of the largest taxa of Lophotrochozoa.

Serotonin Mediates Maternal Effects and Directs Developmental and Behavioral Changes in the Progeny of Snails.

Many organisms survive in constantly changing environments, including cycling seasons. Developing embryos show remarkable instant adaptations to the variable environmental challenges they encounter during their adult life, despite having no direct contact with the changing environment until after birth or hatching. The mechanisms by which such non-genetic information is transferred to the developing embryos are largely unknown.

Mechanisms underlying dual effects of serotonin during development of Helisoma trivolvis (Mollusca).

Background: Serotonin (5-HT) is well known as widely distributed modulator of developmental processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates. It is also the earliest neurotransmitter to appear during neuronal development. In aquatic invertebrates, which have larvae in their life cycle, 5-HT is involved in regulation of stages transition including larval metamorphosis and settlement.

Muscle and neuronal differentiation in primary cell culture of larval Mytilus trossulus (Mollusca: Bivalvia).

Molluscan in vitro technology allows the study of the differentiation of isolated cells undergoing experimental manipulations. We have used the immunofluorescence technique and laser scanning microscopy to investigate the organization of muscle proteins (actin, myosin, paramyosin, and twitchin) and the localization of neurotransmitters (serotonin and FMRFamide) in cultured mussel larval cells. Differentiation into muscle and neuron-like cells occurs during the cultivation of mussel cells from premyogenic and prenervous larval stages.

Individual olfactory sensory neurons project into more than one glomerulus in Xenopus laevis tadpole olfactory bulb.

An essential step in the coding of odorants is the way olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) convey their information to the olfactory bulb. This projection determines how the specificities of OSNs are mapped onto the spatial activity patterns of the olfactory bulb (OB). Despite the fact that virtually nothing is known about how individual OSN axons project to glomeruli, it is generally believed that OSNs always project to one glomerulus each.

Apical sensory neurones mediate developmental retardation induced by conspecific environmental stimuli in freshwater pulmonate snails.

Freshwater pond snails Helisoma trivolvis and Lymnaea stagnalis undergo larval development and metamorphosis inside egg capsules. We report that their development is permanently under slight tonic inhibitory influence of the anterior sensory monoaminergic neurones, which are the remnants of the apical sensory organ. Conspecific juvenile snails, when reared under conditions of starvation and crowding, release chemical signals that are detected by these neurones in encapsulated larvae and reversibly suppress larval development, thus providing a link between environmental signals and developmental regulation.

Organization of glomeruli in the main olfactory bulb of Xenopus laevis tadpoles.

Structural and functional investigations were carried out to study olfactory glomeruli in the main olfactory bulb (OB) in tadpoles of the clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Calcium imaging of odor response patterns of OB neurons revealed that the synapses within the glomeruli are functional. Tracing axons of individual olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), dendrites of mitral/tufted (M/T) cells and processes of periglomerular interneurons indicate that the glomerular architecture is solely determined by terminal branches of ORN axons and tufts of M/T primary dendrites.

Localization of serotonin and its possible role in early embryos of Tritonia diomedea(Mollusca: Nudibranchia).

A classical neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) was detected immunochemically using laser scanning microscopy at the early stages of Tritonia diomedea development. At the one- to eight-cell stages, immunolabeling suggested the presence of 5-HT in the cytoplasm close to the animal pole. At the morula and blastula stages, a group of micromeres at the animal pole showed immunoreactivity.

Neuronal development in larval polychaete Phyllodoce maculata (Phyllodocidae).

The existing view on neuronal development in polychaetes, as undergoing neurogenesis beginning in the rudiments of central ganglia and then extending peripherally, has been contrasted with the latest findings in molluscs, their sister trochozoan group, which show a peripheral to central mode of neurogenesis. The current study addresses this issue by examining early neuronal development in the polychaete Phyllodoce maculata using immunolabeling against acetylated alpha-tubulin, serotonin, and the FMRFamide. The first nervous cell was detected 20 hours before hatching, at the early trochophore stage.

Neuronal development in larval chiton Ischnochiton hakodadensis (Mollusca: Polyplacophora).

Chitons are the most primitive molluscs and, thus, a matter of considerable interest for understanding both basic principles of molluscan neurogenesis and phylogeny. The development of the nervous system in trochophores of the chiton Ischnochiton hakodadensis from hatching to metamorphosis is described in detail by using confocal laser scanning microscopy and antibodies raised against serotonin, FMRFamide, and acetylated alpha tubulin. The earliest nervous elements detected were peripheral neurons located in the frontal hemisphere of posthatching trochophores and projecting into the apical organ.