scholarly journals PREFERENTIAL STAINING OF NUCLEIC ACID-CONTAINING STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

1961 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Huxley ◽  
G. Zubay
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Test Material ◽  
Intense Staining ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide Solution ◽  
Thymus Tissue ◽  
Lead Hydroxide ◽  
Staining Methods

Oriented fibres of extracted nucleohistone were employed as test material in a study of satisfactory fixation, embedding, and staining methods for structures containing a high proportion of nucleic acid. Fixation in buffered osmium tetroxide solution at pH 6, containing 10-2 M Ca++, and embedding in Araldite enabled sections of the fibres to be cut in which the orientation was well preserved. These could be strongly stained in 2 per cent aqueous uranyl acetate, and showed considerable fine structure. Certain regions in the nuclei of whole thymus tissue could also be strongly stained by the same procedure, and were identical with the regions stained by the Feulgen procedure in adjacent sections. Moreover, purified DNA was found to take up almost its own dry weight of uranyl acetate from 2 per cent aqueous solution. Strongest staining of whole tissue was obtained with very short fixation times-5 minutes or so at 0°C. Particularly intense staining was obtained when such tissue stained in uranyl acetate was further stained with lead hydroxide. Although the patterns of staining by lead hydroxide alone and by uranyl acetate were similar in tissues fixed for longer times (½ hour to 2 hours, at 0°C or 20°C), in briefly fixed material the DNA-containing regions appeared relatively unstained by lead hydroxide alone, whilst often there was appreciable staining of RNA-containing structures. Observations on the staining of some viruses by similar techniques are also described.

scholarly journals INTRAMITOCHONDRIAL FIBERS WITH DNA CHARACTERISTICS

1963 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margit M. K. Nass ◽  
Sylvan Nass
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Chick Embryo ◽  
Potassium Permanganate ◽  
Fibrous Material ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Lead Hydroxide ◽  
Dna Characteristics

Chick embryo mitochondria, studied with the electron microscope, show crista-free areas of low electron opacity. These areas are observable after fixation with osmium tetroxide, calcium permanganate, potassium permanganate, formaldehyde, acrolein, acrolein followed by osmium tetroxide, uranyl acetate followed by calcium permanganate, and acetic acid-alcohol. Staining of sections with lead hydroxide or uranyl acetate, or with both, resulted in an increased density of a fibrous material within these areas. The appearance of the fibrous structures varied with the fixative employed; after fixation with osmium tetroxide the material was clumped and bar-like (up to 400 A in diameter), whereas after treatment of osmium tetroxide-fixed tissues with uranyl acetate before dehydration the fibrous structures could be visualized as 15 to 30 A fibrils. Treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) in place of uranyl acetate coarsened the mitochondrial fibrils. After fixation with calcium permanganate or potassium permanganate, or a double fixation by uranyl acetate followed by calcium permanganate, the fibers appeared to have a pattern and ultrastructure similar to that observed after the osmium tetroxide-uranyl acetate technique, except that some of them had a slightly greater diameter (up to 50 A). Other fixatives did not preserve the fibers so well. The fibers appeared strongly clumped by formaldehyde fixation, and were difficult to identify after fixation with acrolein or acetic acid-alcohol. The staining of nucleic acid-containing structures by uranyl acetate and lead hydroxide was improved by treatment of osmium tetroxide-fixed sections with hydrogen peroxide, and the mitochondrial fibers also had an increased density in the electron beam after this procedure. The staining characteristics suggest the fibrous material of chick embryo mitochondria to be a nucleic acid-containing structure, and its variable appearance after different fixations parallels that previously reported, or described in this paper, for the nucleoplasm of bacteria and blue-green algae. The results, in addition to those described in the accompanying communication, indicate that these mitochondria contain DNA.

The Ultrastructure of Metastatic Human Mammary Carcinoma After Prolonged Estrogen Therapy

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 180-181
Author(s):  
John H.L. Watson ◽  
John L. Swedo ◽  
R.W. Talley
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Carcinoma ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Estrogen Therapy ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Human Mammary Carcinoma ◽  
Surgical Biopsy ◽  
Lead Hydroxide ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Hormonal Therapies

A preliminary study of human mammary carcinoma on the ultrastructural level is reported for a metastatic, subcutaneous nodule, obtained as a surgical biopsy. The patient's tumor had responded favorably to a series of hormonal therapies, including androgens, estrogens, progestins, and corticoids for recurring nodules over eight years. The pertinent nodule was removed from the region of the gluteal maximus, two weeks following stilbestrol therapy. It was about 1.5 cms in diameter, and was located within the dermis. Pieces from it were fixed immediately in cold fixatives: phosphate buffered osmium tetroxide, glutaraldehyde, and paraformaldehyde. Embedment in each case was in Vestopal W. Contrasting was done with combinations of uranyl acetate and lead hydroxide.

Uranyl Acetate as a Fixative—from pH 2.0 to 8.0

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 490-491
Author(s):  
V. R. Mumaw ◽  
B. L. Munger
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Oxalic Acid ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Tissue Sections ◽  
Normal Rat ◽  
Lead Hydroxide ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Rat Tissue

Numerous applications utilizing uranyl acetate as an electron stain for electron microscopy have been described. Uranyl acetate has become a routine stain used in conjunction with lead hydroxide for staining ultrathin sections. En bloc staining with uranyl acetate following osmium tetroxide post-fixation produces undesirable effects on some cytoplasmic components, especially glycogen. Recent studies using uranyl acetate as a fixative and en bloc stain at pH 7.2 before osmification has shown uranyl acetate to have desirable fixation and staining qualities. Tissues treated with uranyl acetate at a pH of 2.0-8.0 were studied. Normal rat tissue was fixed in Karnovsky's paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative. The tissue was post-fixed in 0.5% uranyl acetate in water at pH 2.0 and 0.5% uranyl acetate in 0.1M s-collidine with 0.01M oxalic acid at pH 4, pH 6.0, pH 7.2, and pH 8.0 for 1 hour at 4°C. Following several rinses of 0.1M s-collidine buffer, the tissues were treated with 1.33% osmium tetroxide 1 hour at 4°C followed by rapid dehydration in ethanol and embedded in Durcupan ACM. Tissue sections were stained with lead hydroxide.

scholarly journals ULTRASTRUCTURE OF DYADS IN MUSCLE FIBERS OF ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES

1969 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 817-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Rosenbluth
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Structure ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Double Staining ◽  
Glutaraldehyde Fixation ◽  
Negative Images ◽  
Lead Hydroxide ◽  
T Tubules ◽  
Conventional Methods

The dyads of Ascaris body muscle cells consist of flattened intracellular cisternae applied to the sarcolemma at the cell surface and along the length of T-tubules. In specimens prepared by conventional methods (glutaraldehyde fixation, osmium tetroxide postfixation, double staining of sections with uranyl acetate and lead hydroxide), both the sarcolemma and the limiting membrane of the cisterna exhibit unit membrane structure and the space between them is occupied by a layer of peg-shaped densities which is referred to as the subsarcolemmal lamina. The lumen of the cisterna contains a serrated layer of dense material referred to as the intracisternal lamina. In specimens fixed in glutaraldehyde, dehydrated, and then postfixed in phosphotungstic acid, with no exposure to osmium tetroxide or heavy metal stains, the membranous components of the dyads appear only as negative images, but the subsarcolemmal and intracisternal laminae still appear dense. Except for the lack of density in membranes and in glycogen deposits, the picture produced by the latter method is very much like that of tissue prepared by conventional methods.

Cellular Contacts Within the Interhemal Membrane of the Rat Placenta at Term

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 146-147
Author(s):  
William P. Jollie
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Capillary Endothelium ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Aldehyde Fixation ◽  
Chorioallantoic Placenta

By routine EM preparative techniques, the tissues which, collectively, separate maternal and fetal bloods in the fully formed chorioallantoic placenta of the rat have been shown to consist of three chorionic layers, or trophoblast, and a layer of allantoic capillary endothelium [Fig. 1]. Relationships between these layers are best demonstrated by special techniques, viz., cacodylate-buffered aldehyde fixation, collidine-buffered osmium tetroxide postfixation, and en bloc staining with uranyl acetate. By using this method on placentas at term, the cells of the outermost chorionic layer (Trophoblast 1) appear to be attached to each other by means of maculae adherentes which sometimes occur in clusters [Fig. 2].

Junction of the Epithelium and Lamina Propria of the Bovine Rumen Mucosa

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 68-69
Author(s):  
Al W. Stinson
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Squamous Epithelium ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Chloride Ions ◽  
Fermentation Products ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Protective Shield ◽  
Stratified Squamous Epithelium ◽  
Lead Hydroxide ◽  
Acetic Acids

The stratified squamous epithelium which lines the ruminal compartment of the bovine stomach performs at least three important functions. (1) The upper keratinized layer forms a protective shield against the rough, fibrous, constantly moving ingesta. (2) It is an organ of absorption since a number of substances are absorbed directly through the epithelium. These include short chain fatty acids, potassium, sodium and chloride ions, water, and many others. (3) The cells of the deeper layers metabolize butyric acid and to a lesser extent propionic and acetic acids which are the fermentation products of rumen digestion. Because of the functional characteristics, this epithelium is important in the digestive process of ruminant species which convert large quantities of rough, fibrous feed into energy.Tissue used in this study was obtained by biopsy through a rumen fistula from clinically healthy, yearling holstein steers. The animals had been fed a typical diet of hay and grain and the ruminal papillae were fully developed. The tissue was immediately immersed in 1% osmium tetroxide buffered to a pH of 7.4 and fixed for 2 hrs. The tissue blocks were embedded in Vestapol-W, sectioned with a Porter-Blum microtome with glass knives and stained with lead hydroxide. The sections were studied with an RCA EMU 3F electron microscope.

Membranous alterations in the cytoplasm and nucleus in a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the brain

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 628-629
Author(s):  
C. N. Sun ◽  
C. Araoz ◽  
H. J. White
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Neuroectodermal Tumor ◽  
Annulate Lamellae ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
The Brain

The ultrastructure of a cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumor has been reported previously. In the present case, we will present some unusual previously unreported membranous structures and alterations in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the tumor cells.Specimens were cut into small pieces about 1 mm3 and immediately fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer for two hours, then post-fixed in 1% buffered osmium tetroxide for one hour. After dehydration, tissues were embedded in Epon 812. Thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.In the cytoplasm of the tumor cells, we found paired cisternae (Fig. 1) and annulate lamellae (Fig. 2) noting that the annulate lamellae were sometimes associated with the outer nuclear envelope (Fig. 3). These membranous structures have been reported in other tumor cells. In our case, mitochondrial to nuclear envelope fusions were often noted (Fig. 4). Although this phenomenon was reported in an oncocytoma, their frequency in the present study is quite striking.

Cytoplasmic Invaginations in Trophoblasts and Epithelial Cells of Rat

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 524-525
Author(s):  
Iracema M. Baccarini
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Nuclear Inclusions ◽  
Mucous Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cervical Epithelium ◽  
Intact Membrane ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Abnormal Cells ◽  
Nuclear Features

Some morphological nuclear features (invaginations) in normal and abnormal cells have been described in several electron microscopic studies. They have been referred to by others as blebs, loops, pockets, sheets, bodies, nuclear inclusions and cytoplasmic invaginations. Identical appearing structures were found in cells of the uterine cervical epithelium, in trophoblasts of blastocysts and in trophoblasts of rat placenta.Methods. Uterine cervix (normal rats), rat placenta (9-10 days gestation) and blastocyst were placed in 3% glutarahdehyde for 3 hours. The tissue was washed in phosphate buffer for 24 hours, postfixed in 1%. buffered osmium tetroxide for 1-2 hours and embedded in epon araldite. Sections were double stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and viewed in E. M. Siemens 200.Observations. Nuclear invaginations were found in basal, parabasal and mucous cells of the cervix epithelium, in trophoblasts of blastocyst and in trophoblasts of placenta. An oval, round or elongated invagination contained heterogenously cytoplasm surrounded by a double intact membrane; usually several invaginations were found in the same nucleus.

Uranyl Acetate and Rotary Shadowing to Increase the Contrast of Small Aggregated Virus Particles

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 424-425
Author(s):  
Lee F. Ellis ◽  
Richard M. Van Frank ◽  
Walter J. Kleinschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Density Gradient ◽  
Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Interferon Inducer ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Staining Methods ◽  
Rotary Shadowing

The extract from Penicillum stoliniferum, known as statolon, has been purified by density gradient centrifugation. These centrifuge fractions contained virus particles that are an interferon inducer in mice or in tissue culture. Highly purified preparations of these particles are difficult to enumerate by electron microscopy because of aggregation. Therefore a study of staining methods was undertaken.

Reactivity of Pulmonary Alveolar Cells to Crocidolite Asbestos Fibers

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 334-335
Author(s):  
Charles L. Sanders ◽  
Roy R. Adee
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Intratracheal Instillation ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Fiber Suspension ◽  
Nacl Solution ◽  
Alveolar Cells ◽  
Asbestos Fibers ◽  
Fischer Rats ◽  
Mineral Silicates

Asbestos is a generic name for a group of hydrated mineral silicates that occur naturally in a fibrous form. The early interactions of asbestos fibers with alveolar cells in large part determines their long-term toxicity. Young adult, SPF, Fischer rats were given a single intratracheal instillation of 2 mg crocidolite asbestos suspended in 0.5 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution. About 80% of the fibers had lengths of less than 10 ym as measured on light micrographs of the fiber suspension. Two rats were killed at 3 hr, 1 d and 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 wk after instillation and the lungs instilled with 8 ml McDowell - Trumps at 20 cm H2O. Lung tissue was dehydrated and sputtered coated with palladium-gold for SEM or post-fixed in osmium tetroxide, embedded in epoxy resin and sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate for TEM.

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