High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) of mitochondria from various rat tissues

Author(s):  
P.J. Lea ◽  
M.J. Hollenberg

Our current understanding of mitochondrial ultrastructure has been derived primarily from thin sections using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This information has been extrapolated into three dimensions by artist's impressions (1) or serial sectioning techniques in combination with computer processing (2). The resolution of serial reconstruction methods is limited by section thickness whereas artist's impressions have obvious disadvantages.In contrast, the new techniques of HRSEM used in this study (3) offer the opportunity to view simultaneously both the internal and external structure of mitochondria directly in three dimensions and in detail.The tridimensional ultrastructure of mitochondria from rat hepatocytes, retinal (retinal pigment epithelium), renal (proximal convoluted tubule) and adrenal cortex cells were studied by HRSEM. The specimens were prepared by aldehyde-osmium fixation in combination with freeze cleavage followed by partial extraction of cytosol with a weak solution of osmium tetroxide (4). The specimens were examined with a Hitachi S-570 scanning electron microscope, resolution better than 30 nm, where the secondary electron detector is located in the column directly above the specimen inserted within the objective lens.

Author(s):  
G. E. Korte ◽  
M. J. Song

While examining thin sections of regenerating rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) we observed profound changes in ultrastructure as the cells matured. To assist in studying this problem serial thick sections (0.25 μm) through regenerating RPE cells were studied by highvoltage electron microscopy (HVEM) and a computer program (STERECON) used to generate stereo reconstructions.Tissue was obtained from rabbits that received sodium iodate iv -- which destroys large expanses of RPE and permits examination of regeneration from surviving cells. One-two weeks after iodate administration the rabbits were euthanized, the eyes removed and tissue processed for transmission electron microscopy by routine procedures. Serial sections 0.25 μm thick were mounted on Formvar coated slot grids, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and examined with an AEI EM7 1.2 MV HVEM at 1000 kV. Figure 1 illustrates observations made on six sections through the cell seen in Fig. 2. The cell was photographed at 5000x and printed as a montage at 15,000x.


1973 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Breipohl ◽  
N. Bornfeld ◽  
G. J. Bijvank ◽  
H. Laugwitz ◽  
M. Pfautsch

Author(s):  
P.J. Lea ◽  
R.J. Temkin ◽  
T. Banoub ◽  
M. Silverman ◽  
M.J. Hollenberg

The principal applications of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to renal ultrastructure have been in the study of the surface topography of various kidney cell types and their orientation and distribution in both health and disease. SEM study, however, has been limited in a major way by a lack of resolution sufficient to readily examine in detail and in three dimensions such features as glomerular basement membrane substructure and the structural organization at high magnification of the glomerular, capillary endothelium. Consequently, most of our current information about the 3D ultrastructure of rat kidney glomerulus has been obtained from transmission electron (TEM) micrographs obtained from thin sections cut at various planes followed by computer assisted, serial reconstructions. Recent advances in specimen preparation techniques and scanning electron microscope design have permitted ultrastructural examination of the glomerular capillary wall in three dimensions using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). Specimens in which the cytosol and cytoskeleton have been extracted, but cell membranes nuclear structures and organelles left in place, were studied using a Hitachi SEM with a resolution of approximately 3 nm.


Author(s):  
Nakazo Watari ◽  
Yasuaki Hotta ◽  
Yoshio Mabuchi

It is very useful if we can observe the identical cell elements within the same sections by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sequentially, because, the cell fine structure can not be indicated by LM, while the color is; on the other hand, the cell fine structure can be very easily observed by EM, although its color properties may not. However, there is one problem in that LM requires thick sections of over 1 μm, while EM needs very thin sections of under 100 nm. Recently, we have developed a new method to observe the same cell elements within the same plastic sections using both light and transmission (conventional or high-voltage) electron microscopes.In this paper, we have developed two new observation methods for the identical cell elements within the same sections, both plastic-embedded and paraffin-embedded, using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and/or scanning electron microscopy (Fig. 1).


Author(s):  
G.E. Korte ◽  
M. Marko ◽  
G. Hageman

Sodium iodate iv. damages the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in rabbits. Where RPE does not regenerate (e.g., 1,2) Muller glial cells (MC) forma subretinal scar that replaces RPE. The MC response was studied by HVEM in 3D computer reconstructions of serial thick sections, made using the STEREC0N program (3), and the HVEM at the NYS Dept. of Health in Albany, NY. Tissue was processed for HVEM or immunofluorescence localization of a monoclonal antibody recognizing MG microvilli (4).


Author(s):  
William Krakow ◽  
Alec N. Broers

Low-loss scanning electron microscopy can be used to investigate the surface topography of solid specimens and provides enhanced image contrast over secondary electron images. A high resolution-condenser objective lens has allowed the low-loss technique to resolve separations of Au nucleii of 50Å and smaller dimensions of 25Å in samples coated with a fine grained carbon-Au-palladium layer. An estimate of the surface topography of fine grained vapor deposited materials (20 - 100Å) and the surface topography of underlying single crystal Si in the 1000 - 2000Å range has also been investigated. Surface imaging has also been performed on single crystals using diffracted electrons scattered through 10−2 rad in a conventional TEM. However, severe tilting of the specimen is required which degrades the resolution 15 to 100 fold due to image forshortening.


2018 ◽  
Vol 484 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Worden ◽  
James E. P. Utley ◽  
Alan R. Butcher ◽  
J. Griffiths ◽  
L. J. Wooldridge ◽  
...  

AbstractChlorite is a key mineral in the control of reservoir quality in many siliciclastic rocks. In deeply buried reservoirs, chlorite coats on sand grains prevent the growth of quartz cements and lead to anomalously good reservoir quality. By contrast, an excess of chlorite – for example, in clay-rich siltstone and sandstone – leads to blocked pore throats and very low permeability. Determining which compositional type is present, how it occurs spatially, and quantifying the many and varied habits of chlorite that are of commercial importance remains a challenge. With the advent of automated techniques based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it is possible to provide instant phase identification and mapping of entire thin sections of rock. The resulting quantitative mineralogy and rock fabric data can be compared with well logs and core analysis data. We present here a completely novel Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by SCANning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN®) SEM–energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) methodology to differentiate, quantify and image 11 different compositional types of chlorite based on Fe : Mg ratios using thin sections of rocks and grain mounts of cuttings or loose sediment. No other analytical technique, or combination of techniques, is capable of easily quantifying and imaging different compositional types of chlorite. Here we present examples of chlorite from seven different geological settings analysed using QEMSCAN® SEM–EDS. By illustrating the reliability of identification under automated analysis, and the ability to capture realistic textures in a fully digital format, we can clearly visualize the various forms of chlorite. This new approach has led to the creation of a digital chlorite library, in which we have co-registered optical and SEM-based images, and validated the mineral identification with complimentary techniques such as X-ray diffraction. This new methodology will be of interest and use to all those concerned with the identification and formation of chlorite in sandstones and the effects that diagenetic chlorite growth may have had on reservoir quality. The same approach may be adopted for other minerals (e.g. carbonates) with major element compositional variability that may influence the porosity and permeability of sandstone reservoirs.


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