A comparative molecular and 3-dimensional structural investigation into cross-continental and novel avian Trypanosoma spp. in Australia.

Background: Molecular and structural information on avian Trypanosoma spp. throughout Australia is limited despite their intrinsic value in understanding trypanosomatid evolution, diversity, and structural biology. In Western Australia tissue samples (n = 429) extracted from 93 birds in 25 bird species were screened using generic PCR primers to investigate the diversity of Trypanosoma spp.

Accumulation and precipitation of magnesium, calcium, and sulfur in two Acacia (Leguminosae; Mimosoideae) species grown in different substrates proposed for mine-site rehabilitation.

Premise Of The Study: Few studies have investigated the effects of substrates on the accumulation and precipitation of magnesium, calcium, and sulfur in plants. Acacia stipuligera and A. robeorum growing in their natural habitats with different substrates show different accumulation and precipitation patterns of these elements.

Application of SEM and EDX in studying biomineralization in plant tissues.

This chapter describes protocols using formalin-acetic acid-alcohol (FAA) to fix plant tissues for studying biomineralization by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and qualitative energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). Specimen preparation protocols for SEM and EDX mainly include fixation, dehydration, critical point drying (CPD), mounting, and coating. Gold-coated specimens are used for SEM imaging, while gold- and carbon-coated specimens are prepared for qualitative X-ray microanalyses separately to obtain complementary information on the elemental compositions of biominerals.

Fibrin sealant promotes migration and proliferation of human articular chondrocytes: possible involvement of thrombin and protease-activated receptors.

Fibrin sealant (FS), a biological adhesive material, has been recently recommended as an adjunct in autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). While FS has been shown to possess osteoinductive potential, little is known about its effects on chondrogenic cells. In this study, we assessed the bioactivity of FS (Tisseel) on the migration and proliferation of human articular chondrocytes in vitro.

In situ characterisation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in adult mammalian optic nerve.

Oligodendrocyte progenitors from the adult rodent optic nerve were described in vitro more than a decade ago but their identification in vivo has been more elusive. We have previously traced newly-generated oligodendrocytes remyelinating focal demyelination of adult feline optic nerve back to their origin in surrounding fascicles. Extending the search to normal tissue has now enabled the description of an oligodendrocyte progenitor population in situ.