Three-dimensional architecture and linearized mapping of vibrissa follicle afferents.

Understanding vibrissal transduction has advanced by serial sectioning and identified afferent recordings, but afferent mapping onto the complex, encapsulated follicle remains unclear. Here, we reveal male rat C2 vibrissa follicle innervation through synchrotron X-ray phase contrast tomograms. Morphological analysis identified 5% superficial, ~32 % unmyelinated and 63% myelinated deep vibrissal nerve axons.

Morphology and intervesicle distances in condensates of synaptic vesicles and synapsin.

Synaptic vesicle clusters or pools are functionally important constituents of chemical synapses. In the so-called reserve and the active pools, neurotransmitter-loaded synaptic vesicles (SVs) are stored and conditioned for fusion with the synaptic membrane and subsequent neurotransmitter release during synaptic activity. Vesicle clusters can be considered as so-called membraneless compartments, which form by liquid-liquid phase separation.

Volumetric changes of the enteric nervous system under physiological and pathological conditions measured using x-ray phase-contrast tomography.

Background And Aim: Full-thickness biopsies of the intestinal wall may be used to study and assess damage to the neurons of the enteric nervous system (ENS), that is, enteric neuropathy. The ENS is difficult to examine due to its localization deep in the intestinal wall and its organization with several connections in diverging directions. Histological sections used in clinical practice only visualize the sample in a two-dimensional way.

Sarcomere, troponin, and myosin X-ray diffraction signals can be resolved in single cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac function relies on the autonomous molecular contraction mechanisms in the ventricular wall. Contraction is driven by ordered motor proteins acting in parallel to generate a macroscopic force. The averaged structure can be investigated by diffraction from model tissues such as trabecular and papillary cardiac muscle using collimated synchrotron beams, offering high resolution in reciprocal space.