Calcium translocation, calcium oxalate accumulation, and hyphal sheath morphology in the white-rot fungus Resinicium bicolor

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 927-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon H. Connolly ◽  
Jody Jellison

The white-rot fungus Resinicium bicolor was cultured on wood blocks in a modified soil block assay and was observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Resinicium bicolor was found to translocate calcium in mycelial cords in quantities greater than that found in the wood blocks and accumulated this calcium in the form of calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate crystal clusters of mycelial cords were 3 × larger and far more numerous than the crystal clusters produced by the same fungus within the wood. Environmental scanning electron microscopy technology allowed for the examination of the hyphal sheath in a hydrated state. The hydrated hyphal sheath was found to be much thicker than the desiccated sheath observed after standard scanning electron microscope preparations. Calcium oxalate crystals were found to be embedded in the thick hyphal sheath, suggesting that previous observations of within-wall calcium oxalate precipitation may perhaps be better interpreted as artifacts generated during sample preparation. Key words: calcium oxalate, hyphal sheath, environmental scanning electron microscopy.

Author(s):  
Howard S. Kaufman ◽  
Keith D. Lillemoe ◽  
John T. Mastovich ◽  
Henry A. Pitt

Gallstones contain precipitated cholesterol, calcium salts, and proteins. Calcium (Ca) bilirubinate, palmitate, phosphate, and carbonate occurring in gallstones have variable morphologies but characteristic windowless energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectra. Previous studies of gallstone microstructure and composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX have been limited to dehydrated samples. In this state, Ca bilirubinates appear as either glassy masses, which predominate in black pigment stones, or as clusters, which are found mostly in cholesterol gallstones. The three polymorphs of Ca carbonate, calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, have been identified in gallstones by x-ray diffraction, however; the morphologies of these crystals vary in the literature. The purpose of this experiment was to study fresh gallstones by environmental SEM (ESEM) to determine if dehydration affects gallstone Ca salt morphology.Gallstones and bile were obtained fresh at cholecystectomy from 6 patients. To prevent dehydration, stones were stored in bile at 37°C. All samples were studied within 4 days of procurement.


2001 ◽  
Vol 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. Bache ◽  
Catherine M. Ramsdale ◽  
D. Steve Thomas ◽  
Ana-Claudia Arias ◽  
J. Devin MacKenzie ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCharacterising the morphology of thin films for use in device applications requires the ability to study both the structure within the plane of the film, and also through its thickness. Environmental scanning electron microscopy has proved to be a fruitful technique for the study of such films both because contrast can be seen within the film without the need for staining (as is conventionally done for electron microscopy), and because cross-sectional images can be obtained without charging artefacts. The application of ESEM to a particular blend of relevance to photovoltaics is described.


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