Glycine targets NINJ1-mediated plasma membrane rupture to provide cytoprotection

First recognized more than 30 years ago, glycine is known to protect cells against plasma membrane rupture from diverse types of tissue injury. This robust and widely observed effect has been speculated to target a late downstream process common to multiple modes of tissue injury. The molecular target and mechanism of glycine cytoprotection, however, remain entirely elusive. We hypothesized that glycine targets ninjurin-1 (NINJ1), a newly identified executioner of plasma membrane rupture in pyroptosis, necrosis, and apoptotic cell death. This common terminal effector is thought to cluster within the plasma membrane to cause cell rupture. Here, we first demonstrate that NINJ1 knockout functionally and morphologically phenocopies glycine cytoprotection in macrophages stimulated to undergo lytic cell death. Glycine treatment in NINJ1 knockout cells provides no additional protective effect. Next, we show that glycine treatment prevents NINJ1 clustering within the plasma membrane thereby preserving its integrity. By identifying NINJ1 as a glycine target, our data help resolve the long-standing mechanism of glycine cytoprotection. This new understanding will inform the development of cell and tissue preservation strategies for pathologic conditions associated with lytic cell death pathways.

Correlative tomography of an exceptionally preserved Jurassic ammonite implies hyponome-propelled swimming

The extreme rarity of soft-tissue preservation in ammonoids has meant there are open questions regarding fundamental aspects of their biology. We report an exceptionally preserved Middle Jurassic ammonite with unrivaled information on soft-body organization interpreted through correlative neutron and X-ray tomography. Three-dimensional imaging of muscles and organs of the body mass for the first time in this iconic fossil group provides key insights into functional morphology. We show that paired dorsal muscles withdrew the body into the shell, rather than acting with the funnel controlling propulsion as in Nautilus. This suggests a mobile, retractable body as a defense strategy and necessitates a distinct swimming mechanism of hyponome propulsion, a trait that we infer evolved early in the ammonoid-coleoid lineage.

Late Ediacaran life on land: desiccated microbial mats and large biofilm streamers

The Ediacaran period witnessed transformational change across the Earth–life system, but life on land during this interval is poorly understood. Non-marine/transitional Ediacaran sediments preserve a variety of probable microbially induced sedimentary structures and fossil matgrounds, and the ecology, biogeochemistry and sedimentological impacts of the organisms responsible are now ripe for investigation. Here, we report well-preserved fossils from emergent siliciclastic depositional environments in the Ediacaran of Newfoundland, Canada. These include exquisite, mouldically preserved microbial mats with desiccation cracks and flip-overs, abundant Arumberia -type fossils and, most notably, assemblages of centimetre-to-metre-scale, subparallel, branching, overlapping, gently curving ribbon-like features preserved by aluminosilicate and phosphate minerals, with associated filamentous microfossils. We present morphological, petrographic and taphonomic evidence that the ribbons are best interpreted as fossilized current-induced biofilm streamers, the earliest record of an important mode of life (macroscopic streamer formation) for terrestrial microbial ecosystems today. Their presence shows that late Ediacaran terrestrial environments could produce substantial biomass, and supports recent interpretations of Arumberia as a current-influenced microbial mat fossil, which we here suggest existed on a ‘streamer–arumberiamorph spectrum’. Finally, the absence of classic Ediacaran macrobiota from these rocks despite evidently favourable conditions for soft tissue preservation upholds the consensus that those organisms were exclusively marine.

PSII-B-24 Use of the Elnady technique of tissue preservation to preserve specimens for use in undergraduate animal science courses

The use of tissue specimens for undergraduate instruction is a very valuable tool. However, fresh tissue specimens are not always available and many common preservation techniques can result in discoloration, offensive odors, and/or dangerous chemical residues. The Elnady Technique was developed as a means to produce tissue specimens that “are realistic, durable, have no offensive odor, and are dry, soft and flexible” (Elnady, F.A. 2016 The Elnady Technique: An innovative, new method for tissue preservation. Altex. 33:237–242. doi:10.14573/altex.1511091). Briefly for soft tissue, specimens were preserved by fixing in formalin for one week. The tissue specimen was then dehydrated with a series of acetone baths changed weekly. Once the tissue was fully dehydrated, the specimen was impregnated in glycerin by full immersion in a glycerin bath for one to two weeks. Excess glycerin was then removed by draining followed by immersion in cornstarch for one to two weeks. Cornstarch residue was removed with a soft brush, and the specimen was stored in a plastic bag. Multiple specimens (including female reproductive tract of the cat, goat, horse, and sow; digestive tract of barred owl, cat, chicken, and dog; one day old lamb stomach; goat rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum; deer testicle; and sheep heart and kidney) have been preserved and used in various animal science course laboratories (75 laboratory sections and over 1000 students at Berry College). Some of the specimens have been in use for five years and are still in usable condition. The Elnady Technique has proven to be a useful means of preserving tissue samples used in undergraduate animal science courses.

The Gogo Formation Lagerstätte: A view of Australia's first Great Barrier Reef

Discoveries from the Late Devonian Gogo Formation, in the Canning Basin, Western Australia have provided insights into the origin and evolution of many unique gnathostome features such as the origins of teeth, internal fertilisation, air-breathing, transitional tissues between bone and cartilage, and insights into the fin to limb transition. Although vertebrate studies have dominated evolutionary work, invertebrate studies have added important insights into the palaeoecology of the site and demonstrated close faunal affinities along the margins of northern Gondwana and China. Geochemical analyses have broadened the understanding of the pathways involved in the exceptional preservation of this Devonian Konservat-Lagerstätte. Fossils from the Gogo Formation show extensive soft tissue preservation through phosphatization recording anatomical details not normally obtained from fossil sites.

Breast Cancer Surgery, History and Current State: a Literature Review

Breasts symbolise femininity, sexuality and motherhood. The breast size and shape affect the woman’s self-esteem and social activity. Surgical treatment of malignant breast diseases concerns the medical, psychological, social and sexual aspects of life. Surgery for breast cancer dawns back to 1,600 B.C., with a milestone operation of radical mastectomy proposed in 1891–1894 by W. Halsted and W. Meyer and modified by D. Patey and W. Dyson in 1948. Tissue preservation has shaped a trend towards improving the technique. Since the 1990s, the modified J. Madden’s operation has become the treatment standard in breast cancer, irregardless of stage. The improvement of mass first-visit check-up advanced early diagnosis of initial breast tumourisation, which also influenced the choice of surgical tactics. U. Veronesi proposed a variant of organ-preserving surgery in 1970–80s involving three-level axillary lymph node dissection quadrantectomy, followed by radiotherapy. This combination facilitated aesthetic results at no compromise of radicality of the treatment. The need to observe radicality and sustain aesthetics contributed to the integration of plastic surgery into oncological cure and emergence of reconstructive and plastic breast surgery. The field has entered new cycle. Oncoplastic surgery is recognised safe, improves aesthetics and gives a salutary impact on psychological and social adjustment. Manifold surgical options in breast cancer coexist and develop towards maximal tissue preservation.

Preservation of human tissue by plastination: An anatomical perspective

The necessity of preserving human tissue has increased over the years because of various reasons. Preserved tissues play a crucial part in the teaching and research of anatomy. This review paper has compiled the basic techniques of human tissue plastination from the anatomical perspective and its advantages over typical methods. One of the most effective techniques we used to preserve human tissue is plastination. It was developed by German anatomist Dr. Gunther Von Hagens. After him, many improvements are made to get maximum results. Because of this technique's advancement, we can see an accurate 3-D sample of human tissue, which is anatomically correct and looks almost real. There are essential procedures for all types of plastination like fixation, dehydration, defatting, force impregnation, positioning, and hardening. Silicone, epoxy, and polyester are primarily used as the polymer. Acetone is used for dehydration. Removal of fat is crucial for tissue preservation by plastination. Plastinated specimens are used in laboratories for teaching anatomy, in research institutes for morphological studies, and also in forensic to solve crimes. After analyzing several research articles, it was concluded that plastination has much more advantages than other human tissue preservation techniques for anatomical usages.