Size-dependent and sex-specific negative effects of micro- and nano-sized polystyrene particles in the terrestrial invertebrate model Drosophila melanogaster.

Microplastic pollution is believed to be one of the most widespread and long-lasting changes on a global scale. Our understanding that microplastics significantly impact terrestrial systems and are a global change stressor continues to grow. In the present study, we investigated the negative effect of long-term (28 days of exposure in food) polystyrene particles of micro (1.

Influence of the modifiers in polyol method on magnetically induced hyperthermia and biocompatibility of ultrafine magnetite nanoparticles.

Magnetite nanoparticles (FeO NPs) are widely tested in various biomedical applications, including magnetically induced hyperthermia. In this study, the influence of the modifiers, i.e.

Ultra-Morphology and Mechanical Function of the Trichoideum Sensillum in (Linnaeus, 1758) (Insecta: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha).

The present study aims to investigate the morphological features of the antennal sensilla by using SEM and TEM. The construction of a 3D model of trichoideum sensillum using Amira software is presented in this paper. Five sensillum types, namely trichoideum, chaeticum, campaniformium, coeloconicum, and basiconicum, were recorded.

Hazards related to the presence of cadmium in food - Studies on the European soil centipede, Lithobius forficatus.

The soil is an environment rich in numerous potentially toxic substances/elements when present at elevated concentrations. They can be transported through the successive levels of the trophic chain. Animals living in a contaminated environment or eating contaminated food can accumulate potentially toxic elements in their bodies.

Star Polymers as Non-Viral Carriers for Apoptosis Induction.

Apoptosis is a widely controlled, programmed cell death, defects in which are the source of various diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer. The use of apoptosis in the therapy of various human diseases is of increasing interest, and the analysis of the factors involved in its regulation is valuable in designing specific carriers capable of targeting cell death. Highly efficient and precisely controlled delivery of genetic material by low-toxic carriers is one of the most important challenges of apoptosis-based gene therapy.

Ovaries and testes of Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) react differently to the presence of cadmium in the environment.

Proper reproduction depends on properly functioning gonads (ovaries and testes). Many xenobiotics, including heavy metals, can cause changes in somatic and germ line cells, thus damaging the reproductive capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the heavy metal cadmium on the gonads, including germ line and somatic cells.

A microscopy investigation of the complex problem of infertility of insect hybrids. Studies on the reproductive systems, eggshells, and karyotypes of the representatives of the genus Platymeris (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) and their hybrids.

Hybridisation is still a widely studied phenomenon that allows us to look at some processes differently. However, obtaining fertile hybrids, which we might consider in the long term as precursors of a new species, is still a field that requires research. Much of the research done so far indicates that hybrids are sterile - either sex or both.

Verification of Hypsibius exemplaris Gąsiorek et al., 2018 (Eutardigrada; Hypsibiidae) application in anhydrobiosis research.

Anhydrobiosis is considered to be an adaptation of important applicative implications because it enables resistance to the lack of water. The phenomenon is still not well understood at molecular level. Thus, a good model invertebrate species for the research is required.

All for one: changes in mitochondrial morphology and activity during syncytial oogenesis†.

The syncytial groups of germ cells (germ-line cysts) forming in ovaries of clitellate annelids are an attractive model to study mitochondrial stage-specific changes. Using transmission electron microscopy, serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescent microscopy, we analyzed the mitochondria distribution and morphology and the state of membrane potential in female cysts in Enchytraeus albidus. We visualized in 3D at the ultrastructural level mitochondria in cysts at successive stages: 2-celled, 4-celled, 16-celled cysts, and cyst in advanced oogenesis.

3,4-Dehydro-L-proline Induces Programmed Cell Death in the Roots of .

As cell wall proteins, the hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) take part in plant growth and various developmental processes. To fulfil their functions, HRGPs, extensins (EXTs) in particular, undergo the hydroxylation of proline by the prolyl-4-hydroxylases. The activity of these enzymes can be inhibited with 3,4-dehydro-L-proline (3,4-DHP), which enables its application to reveal the functions of the HRGPs.

Microorganization of ovaries and oogenesis of Haplotaxis sp. (Clitellata: Haplotaxidae).

Ovaries of Haplotaxis sp. were studied in active and nonactive states, that is, in a sexually mature specimen and in specimens outside of the reproductive period. Two pairs of ovaries were found in segments XI and XII.

Effects of short- and long-term exposure to cadmium on salivary glands and fat body of soil centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda, Chilopoda): Histology and ultrastructure.

Cadmium (Cd) is the most widely studied heavy metal in terms of food-chain accumulation and contamination because it can strongly affect all environments (e.g., soil, water, air).

Can Ceylon Leadwort ( L.) Acclimate to Lead Toxicity?-Studies of Photosynthetic Apparatus Efficiency.

Ceylon leadwort () is ornamental plant known for its pharmacological properties arising from the abundant production of various secondary metabolites. It often grows in lead polluted areas. The aim of presented study was to evaluate the survival strategy of to lead toxicity via photosynthetic apparatus acclimatization.

Characterisation of white and yellow eye colour mutant strains of house cricket, Acheta domesticus.

Two eye-colour mutant strains, white (W) and yellow (Y) of house cricket Acheta domesticus were established in our laboratory. We phenotyped and genotyped the mutants, performed genetic crossings and studied the eye structure and pigment composition using light and electron microscopy and biochemical analysis. We show that W and Y phenotypes are controlled by a single autosomal recessive allele, as both traits are metabolically independent.

5-Azacitidine Induces Cell Death in a Tissue Culture of .

Morphological and histological observations revealed that, at a concentration of 50 µM, 5-azacitidine (5-azaC) totally inhibited the induction of embryogenic masses (EM), while the cultivation of explants (zygotic embryos; ZEs) in the presence of 5 µM of 5-azaC led to the formation of a callus with EM in 10% of the cases. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyzes revealed the presence of the morphological and ultrastructural features that are typical for the vacuolar type of cell death in the callus cells that were treated. A TUNEL assay confirmed the presence of DNA double-strand breaks for the callus cells that had been treated with both 5 and 50 µM 5-azaC concentrations.

The ovary organization in the marine limnodriloidin Thalassodrilides cf. briani (Annelida: Clitellata: Naididae) resembles the ovary of freshwater tubificins.

In Thalassodrilides cf. briani, the paired ovaries are inconspicuous and polarized structures with developmental gradient of germ cells along their long axis. The about 300 germ cells in the ovary are consolidated into one syncytial cyst and each cell is connected to a common and branched mass of cytoplasm via one stable cytoplasmic bridge.

Organ and Tissue-Specific Localisation of Selected Cell Wall Epitopes in the Zygotic Embryo of .

The plant cell wall shows a great diversity regarding its chemical composition, which may vary significantly even during different developmental stages. In this study, we analysed the distribution of several cell wall epitopes in embryos of (Brachypodium). We also described the variations in the nucleus shape and the number of nucleoli that occurred in some embryo cells.

Micromorphology of ovaries and oogenesis in Grania postclitellochaeta (Clitellata: Enchytraeidae).

The genus Grania comprises over 70 species of exclusively marine clitellate annelids belonging to the family Enchytraeidae. Morphologically, this genus is well separated from other enchytraeids, with thick cuticles, anterior segments I-IV fused into a "head", chaetal bundles consisting only of one stout chaeta, and reduction of circular musculature. The aim of the present study is to describe the ovary organization and the course of oogenesis in Grania postclitellochaeta, and to compare it with other known systems of ovary organization and oogenesis in clitellate annelids, especially in enchytraeids.

Ovaries of the white worm (Enchytraeus albidus, Annelida, Clitellata) are composed of 16-celled meroistic germ-line cysts.

The paired ovaries of E. albidus are like a bunch of grapes and are composed of clearly separated units, syncytial germ cysts (clusters), which are surrounded by a thin layer of somatic cells. Each cyst maintains the connection with the ovary by an extended stalk that is composed of somatic cells.

The structure of the desiccated Richtersius coronifer (Richters, 1903).

Tun formation is an essential morphological adaptation for entering the anhydrobiotic state in tardigrades, but its internal structure has rarely been investigated. We present the structure and ultrastructure of organs and cells in desiccated Richtersius coronifer by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and histochemical methods. A 3D reconstruction of the body organization of the tun stage is also presented.

The Ovary of Tubifex tubifex (Clitellata, Naididae, Tubificinae) Is Composed of One, Huge Germ-Line Cyst that Is Enriched with Cytoskeletal Components.

Recent studies on the ovary organization and oogenesis in Tubificinae have revealed that their ovaries are small polarized structures that are composed of germ cells in subsequent stages of oogenesis that are associated with somatic cells. In syncytial cysts, as a rule, each germ cell is connected to the central cytoplasmic mass, the cytophore, via only one stable intercellular bridge (ring canal). In this paper we present detailed data about the composition of germ-line cysts in Tubifex tubifex with special emphasis on the occurrence and distribution of the cytoskeletal elements.

Structure and Ultrastructure of the Endodermal Region of the Alimentary Tract in the Freshwater Shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda (Crustacea, Malacostraca).

The freshwater shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Decapoda) originates from Asia and is one of the species that is widely available all over the world because it is the most popular shrimp that is bred in aquaria. The structure and the ultrastructure of the midgut have been described using X-ray microtomography, transmission electron microscopy, light and fluorescence microscopes. The endodermal region of the alimentary system in N.

The fine structure of the midgut epithelium in a centipede, Scolopendra cingulata (Chilopoda, Scolopendridae), with the special emphasis on epithelial regeneration.

Scolopendra cingulata has a tube-shaped digestive system that is divided into three distinct regions: fore-, mid- and hindgut. The midgut is lined with a pseudostratified columnar epithelium which is composed of digestive, secretory and regenerative cells. Hemocytes also appear between the digestive cells of the midgut epithelium.

Fine structure of the midgut epithelium of Nicoletia phytophila Gervais, 1844 (Zygentoma: Nicoletiidae: Nicoletiinae) with special emphasis on its degeneration.

The midgut epithelium of Nicoletia phytophila is composed of columnar digestive cells and regenerative cells that form regenerative nests. The cytoplasm of midgut epithelial cells shows typical regionalization in organelle distribution. Two types of regenerative cells have been distinguished: cells which are able to divide intensively and cells which differentiate.