Morphological changes in the reproductive organs of male and female Schistosoma mansoni worms caused by streptozotocin, a drug used to induce diabetes mellitus

Parasitology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. HULSTIJN ◽  
L. A. BARROS ◽  
R. H. NEVES ◽  
E. G. MOURA ◽  
J. R. MACHADO-SILVA
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Alkylating Agent ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser

Host metabolic changes have been observed to affect Schistosoma mansoni egg production, worm survival and morphology. We examined worms recovered from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by morphometric and morphological analysis through brightfield and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Tegument thickness was slightly smaller and changes in the reproductive organs were observed in 23–30% and consecutively 88–100% of the worms. The testicular lobes had a large diminution of cells in one or more of the lobes, which was associated with a lack of spermatozoids in the seminal vesicle. Ovaries were atrophied, manifested by a complete or large reduction in oocytes but other parts of the reproductive system like the vitelline glands were mainly unaffected. Streptozotocin (STZ) instead of hyperglycaemia caused the degeneration since worms from mice injected with a non-diabetogenic dose, or with nicotinamide to prevent diabetes showed the same alterations. The drug did not affect worm survival or pairing. We conclude that STZ, an alkylating agent that provokes chromosome and DNA damage, changes the morphology of ovaries and testicular lobes in S. mansoni worms in vivo. This is the first report of STZ action in helminths and we suggest that STZ affects oogenesis and spermatogenesis and might cause sterilization of schistosomes.

Vacuoles Induced in Mammalian Cells by Helicobacter Cytotoxin are Acidic Organelles

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-169
Author(s):  
M. H. Chestnut ◽  
C. E. Catrenich
Keyword(s):  
Acridine Orange ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Gastroduodenal Disease ◽  
H Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a non-invasive, Gram-negative spiral bacterium first identified in 1983, and subsequently implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal disease including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Cytotoxic activity, manifested by intracytoplasmic vacuolation of mammalian cells in vitro, was identified in 55% of H. pylori strains examined. The vacuoles increase in number and size during extended incubation, resulting in vacuolar and cellular degeneration after 24 h to 48 h. Vacuolation of gastric epithelial cells is also observed in vivo during infection by H. pylori. A high molecular weight, heat labile protein is believed to be responsible for vacuolation and to significantly contribute to the development of gastroduodenal disease in humans. The mechanism by which the cytotoxin exerts its effect is unknown, as is the intracellular origin of the vacuolar membrane and contents. Acridine orange is a membrane-permeant weak base that initially accumulates in low-pH compartments. We have used acridine orange accumulation in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy of toxin-treated cells to begin probing the nature and origin of these vacuoles.

scholarly journals Targeted Liposomal Chemotherapies to Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3749
Author(s):  
Yingnan Si ◽  
Ya Zhang ◽  
Hanh Giai Ngo ◽  
Jia-Shiung Guan ◽  
Kai Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Surface Binding ◽  
Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Tnbc Cell

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are highly aggressive and recurrent. Standard cytotoxic chemotherapies are currently the main treatment options, but their clinical efficacies are limited and patients usually suffer from severe side effects. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate targeted liposomes-delivered combined chemotherapies to treat TNBCs. Specifically, the IC50 values of the microtubule polymerization inhibitor mertansine (DM1), mitotic spindle assembly defecting taxane (paclitaxel, PTX), DNA synthesis inhibitor gemcitabine (GC), and DNA damage inducer doxorubicin (AC) were tested in both TNBC MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Then we constructed the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) tagged liposomes and confirmed its TNBC cell surface binding using flow cytometry, internalization with confocal laser scanning microscopy, and TNBC xenograft targeting in NSG female mice using In Vivo Imaging System. The safe dosage of anti-EGFR liposomal chemotherapies, i.e., <20% body weight change, was identified. Finally, the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy studies in TNBC cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models revealed that the targeted delivery of chemotherapies (mertansine and gemcitabine) can effectively inhibit tumor growth. This study demonstrated that the targeted liposomes enable the new formulations of combined therapies that improve anti-TNBC efficacy.

scholarly journals Degradation of Drug Delivery Nanocarriers and Payload Release: A Review of Physical Methods for Tracing Nanocarrier Biological Fate

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 770
Author(s):  
Patrick M. Perrigue ◽  
Richard A. Murray ◽  
Angelika Mielcarek ◽  
Agata Henschke ◽  
Sergio E. Moya
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Correlation Spectroscopy ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
Systemic Delivery

Nanoformulations offer multiple advantages over conventional drug delivery, enhancing solubility, biocompatibility, and bioavailability of drugs. Nanocarriers can be engineered with targeting ligands for reaching specific tissue or cells, thus reducing the side effects of payloads. Following systemic delivery, nanocarriers must deliver encapsulated drugs, usually through nanocarrier degradation. A premature degradation, or the loss of the nanocarrier coating, may prevent the drug’s delivery to the targeted tissue. Despite their importance, stability and degradation of nanocarriers in biological environments are largely not studied in the literature. Here we review techniques for tracing the fate of nanocarriers, focusing on nanocarrier degradation and drug release both intracellularly and in vivo. Intracellularly, we will discuss different fluorescence techniques: confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, lifetime imaging, flow cytometry, etc. We also consider confocal Raman microscopy as a label-free technique to trace colocalization of nanocarriers and drugs. In vivo we will consider fluorescence and nuclear imaging for tracing nanocarriers. Positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography are used for a quantitative assessment of nanocarrier and payload biodistribution. Strategies for dual radiolabelling of the nanocarriers and the payload for tracing carrier degradation, as well as the efficacy of the payload delivery in vivo, are also discussed.

Morphometric characteristics of the metacestode Echinococcus vogeli Rausch & Bernstein, 1972 in human infections from the northern region of Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Almeida ◽  
F. Oliveira ◽  
R. Neves ◽  
N. Siqueira ◽  
R. Rodrigues-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Total Width ◽  
Morphometric Characteristics ◽  
Blade Area ◽  
Echinococcus Vogeli

AbstractPolycystic echinococcosis, caused by the larval stage (metacestode) of the small-sized tapeworm, Echinococcus vogeli, is an emerging parasitic zoonosis of great public health concern in the humid tropical rainforests of South and Central America. Because morphological and morphometric characteristics of the metacestode are not well known, hydatid cysts from the liver and the mesentery were examined from patients following surgical procedures. Whole mounts of protoscoleces with rostellar hooks were examined under light and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Measurements were made of both large and small hooks, including the total area, total length, total width, blade area, blade length, blade width, handle area, handle length and handle width. The results confirmed the 1:1 arrangement of hooks in the rostellar pad and indicated, for the first time, that the morphometry of large and small rostellar hooks varies depending upon the site of infection. Light and confocal microscopy images displayed clusters of calcareous corpuscles in the protoscoleces. In conclusion, morphological features of large and small rostellar hooks of E. vogeli are adapted to a varied environment within the vertebrate host and such morphological changes in calcareous corpuscles occur at different stages in the maturation of metacestodes.

Probing Enhanced Cytochrome P450 2B1/2 Activity in Rat Hepatocyte Spheroids through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanouhl S. Tzanakakis ◽  
Chang-Chun Hsiao ◽  
Taku Matsushita ◽  
Rory P. Remmel ◽  
Wei-Shou Hu
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome P450 ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Rat Hepatocytes ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning ◽  
Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are essential for xenobiotic metabolism. Although CYP450s are found in many tissues, CYP2B1/2 are primarily expressed in the rat liver. The constitutive expression in vivo of CYP2B1/2 is low but it is induced in the presence of various drugs such as phenobarbital (PB). In this study, CYP2B1/2 activity in cultured hepatocytes was assessed in situ with the introduction of a fluorogenic sub-strate, pentoxyresorufin. The product of 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylation (PROD), which is catalyzed specifically by CYP2B1/2, was detected using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Primary hepatocytes cultured as monolayers on collagen-coated surfaces exhibited background PROD activity and minimal PB inducibility after 4 days in culture. In contrast, rat hepatocytes organized in compacted aggregates, or spheroids, exhibited higher levels of PROD activity and retained their ability for PB induction. The results from the CLSM analysis were verified by RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting analysis. Furthermore, CLSM in conjunction with image processing techniques and three-dimensional reconstruction revealed the localization of enhanced PROD activity in the center of spheroids. The results support the use of CLSM as a powerful tool for investigating CYP2B1/2 activity in cultured rat hepatocytes.

scholarly journals The Interaction of N-Acetylcysteine and Serum Transferrin Promotes Bacterial Biofilm Formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 1399-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supeng Yin ◽  
Bei Jiang ◽  
Guangtao Huang ◽  
Yulong Zhang ◽  
Bo You ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Serum ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Venous Catheter ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Strains

Background/Aims: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a novel and promising agent with activity against bacterial biofilms. Human serum also inhibits biofilm formation by some bacteria. We tested whether the combination of NAC and human serum offers greater anti-biofilm activity than either agent alone. Methods: Microtiter plate assays and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to evaluate bacterial biofilm formation in the presence of NAC and human serum. qPCR was used to examine expression of selected biofilm-associated genes. Extracellular matrix (ECM) was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The antioxidants GSH or ascorbic acid were used to replace NAC, and human transferrin, lactoferrin, or bovine serum albumin were used to replace serum proteins in biofilm formation assays. A rat central venous catheter model was developed to evaluate the effect of NAC on biofilm formation in vivo. Results: NAC and serum together increased biofilm formation by seven different bacterial strains. In Staphylococcus aureus, expression of genes for some global regulators and for genes in the ica-dependent pathway increased markedly. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, transcription of las, the PQS quorum sensing (QS) systems, and the two-component system GacS/GacA increased significantly. ECM production by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was also enhanced. The potentiation of biofilm formation is due mainly to interaction between NAC and transferrin. Intravenous administration of NAC increased colonization by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa on implanted catheters. Conclusions: NAC used intravenously or in the presence of blood increases bacterial biofilm formation rather than inhibits it.

Confocal Microscopy in Ecophysiological Studies of Algae: A Door to Understanding Autofluorescence in Red Algae

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Teresa Coronado-Parra ◽  
Mónica Roldán ◽  
Marina Aboal
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Monochromatic Light ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Light Intensities

Alga in the genus Chroothece have been reported mostly from aquatic or subaerial continental environments, where they grow in extreme conditions. The strain Chroothece mobilis MAESE 20.29 was exposed to different light intensities, red and green monochromatic light, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, high nitrogen concentrations, and high salinity to assess the effect of those environmental parameters on its growth. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used as an “in vivo” noninvasive single-cell method for the study. The strain seemed to prefer fairly high light intensities and showed a significant increase in allophycocyanin (APC) and chlorophyll a [photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII)] fluorescence with 330 and 789 μM/cm2/s intensities. Green monochromatic light promoted a significant increase in the fluorescence of APC and chlorophyll a (PSI and PSII). UV-A significantly decreased phycocyanin and increased APC, while UV-A + B showed a greater decreasing effect on c-Phycocyanin but did not significantly change concentrations of APC. The increase in nitrogen concentration in the culture medium significantly and negatively affected all pigments, and no effect was observed with an increase in salinity. Our data show that CLSM represents a very powerful tool for ecological research of microalgae in small volumes and may contribute to the knowledge of phycobiliproteins in vivo behavior and the parameters for the large-scale production of these pigments.

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