Effect of Konjac Glucomannan (KGM) on the Reconstitution of the Dermal Environment against UVB-Induced Condition

Skin layers serve as a barrier against unexpected critical changes in the body due to environmental factors. Excessive ultraviolet (UV) B exposure increases the levels of age-related factors, leading to senescent cells and damaged skin tissues. Widely used as a dietary supplement, konjac (Amorphophallus konjac) glucomannan (KGM) has shown skin regeneration potential in patch or sheet form with anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effects. However, the ability of KGM to reconstitute senescent/damaged skin following UV radiation has not been explored. Here, we demonstrate that KGM alleviates skin damage by increasing the proportion of young cell populations in UVB-exposed senescent human epidermal primary melanocytes. Young cell numbers increased depending on KGM dosage, but the senescent cells were not removed. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis showed that mRNA and protein levels of age- and pigmentation-related factors decreased in a manner dependent on the rate at which new cells were generated. Moreover, an analysis of mRNA and protein levels indicated that KGM facilitated youth by increasing cell proliferation in UVB-damaged human fibroblasts. Thus, KGM is a highly effective natural agent for maintaining skin homeostasis by promoting the reconstitution of the dermal environment against UVB-induced acute senescence or skin damage.

An Ultrastructural Study of the Phloem of Drimys (Winteraceae)

The ultrastructural features of mainly primary phloem of three species of Drimys (Winteraceae), D. winteri J. R. ' G. Forst., D. lanceolata (Poiret) Baill. and D. granadensis L. f. var. mexicana (DC.) A. C. Smith are similar to those usually observed in dicotyledons. The sieve element is early discernible by its association with a companion cell, the deposition of callose in nascent sieve areas, and the appearance in the cytoplasm of the nondispersing paracrystalline protein body. Plastids with starch (and in D. lanceolata also with paracrystalline protein granules), mitochondria, sparse endoplasmic reticulum cisternae (ER), dictyosomes, and ribosomes are present in the young cell. Stacking of ER was not conspicuous. The nucleus is moderately chromatic before its breakdown. P-protein occurs in more or less dense aggregates that usually become dispersed after the tonoplast disappears. The subunits of the P-pro tein have tubular structure before the dispersal. The plasmalemma is retained. The sieve areas are combined into sieve plates on long radial walls and on some transverse walls originating during secondary partitioning of sieve element precursors. The numerous lateral sieve areas intergrade with those of the sieve plates. The pores develop from plasmodesmatal connections and may involve the formation of median cavities. The connections between sieve elements alld companion cells consist of the usual combination of a pore embedded in callose and one plasmodesma or several branches of one on the companion cell side.

Cytoplasmic induction of changes in the ultrastructure of the Acetabularia nucleus and perinuclear cytoplasm

The ultrasturcture of the cell nucleus and perinuclear cytoplasm in Acetabularia is quite different in young and old cells. When a nucleus of an old cell was implanted into the cytoplasm of a young cell the nucleus assumed the morphology typical of a young cell within less than 10 days. The cytoplasm of an old cell was able to induce the reverse change in an implanted nucleus from a young cell. This cytoplasmic induction of nuclear ageing appeared to proceed more rapidly than rejuvenation.

Ultrastructural aspects of spore germination and outgrowth in Clostridium sporogenes

The process by which dormant spores of Clostridium sporogenes are transformed into vegetative cells has been studied in thin sections with the electron microscope. The resting spore appears very similar to that of other Bacillaceae for it possesses a rather featureless core which is surrounded by a core membrane, cortex, and spore coat(s); beyond lies a sac-like exosporium. At an early stage in germination the core becomes differentiated into peripheral areas of nuclear material and a ribosome-packed cytoplasm; a germ cell wall develops beyond the core membrane. The later stages of germination coincide with the beginning of outgrowth: the cortex disintegrates into a sponge-like mass of fibrils, and the young cell grows while still retained within the unbroken spore coats. The young cell now has a fibrillar nucleoplasm, a ribosome-rich cytoplasm, an occasional mesosome, a plasma membrane, and a relatively thick cell wall. Subsequently, the cortex vanishes completely, and the new vegetative cell elongates and finally emerges terminally through the spore coats and the exosporium. The exosporium of C. sporogenes consists of two layers: a thick inner one which is laminated, and a thin outer one possessing a fringe of hair-like projections.