Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure最新文献

Context: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, has been a persistent threat to human health for centuries, causing significant illnesses and fatalities. The rise of drug-resistant strains has diminished the efficacy of conventional antimalarial medications, necessitating the exploration of alternative treatments. Ellagic acid has emerged as a promising candidate, demonstrating effectiveness in laboratory experiments by impeding beta-hematin (hemozoin) formation in mature Plasmodium falciparum stages. This research endeavors to elucidate the ellagic acid's mechanism of action against malaria parasites by examining its impact on hemoglobin ingestion, transport, and digestion in both chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) P. falciparum strains in vitro.

Aim: This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of ellagic acid antimalarial action against 3D7 and W2 strains of P. falciparum in vitro by using a transmission electron microscope.

Materials and methods: 3D7 and W2 strains of P. falciparum were cultured in flasks with a complete culture medium and washed red blood cells (type O⁺) at a hematocrit of 2%. Synchronized ring-stage parasite-infected erythrocytes, approximately 2 h post-synchronization, were utilized for the antimalarial activity assay. Based on the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of ellagic acid, three different sub-lethal concentrations of the compound against the 3D7 and W2 strains. Samples were prepared for real-time microscopic analysis. Samples were immediately fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for 2 h. Then, the samples were washed, postfixed with 2% osmium tetroxide in 0.1 M phosphate buffer for 1 h, washed with distilled water, dehydrated, infiltrated, and embedded. The sample blocks were cut by using an ultramicrotome. These thin sections were stained with 1% lead citrate and 1% uranyl acetate.

Statistical analysis used: The IC₅₀ of ellagic acid against the 3D7 and W2 parasites was analyzed using computerized GraphPad Prism 8.0 software.

Results: Findings show significant inhibition by ellagic acid (P < 0.001) against 3D7 and W2 parasites. The IC₅₀ values were 1.0 ± 0.7 and 1.3 ± 0.1 nM, respectively, surpassing the artemisinin's effectiveness (IC_{50-3D7 parasite} = 2.2 ± 0.2 nM; IC_{50-W2 parasite} = 4.3 ± 0.3 nM). Transmission electron microscopy elucidated the ellagic acid's impact on the early trophozoite stage of 3D7 and W2 parasites, highlighting the disruption of hemoglobin metabolism within the parasites.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the ellagic acid's potential as a promising antimalarial agent, targeting hemoglobin processes in both 3D7 and W2 P. falciparum strains.

[This corrects the article on p. 108 in vol. 9, PMID: 34729350.].

Atorvastatin (ATOR) has been reported to increase the risk for diabetes mellitus. Therefore, in the current study, we focused on studying the effect of ATOR on the structure of islets of Langerhans including their various cellular components as well as on glucose homeostasis. We detected a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in β-cell mass and percentage with a significant decrease in α-cell area and percentage in animals that received ATOR compared to control ones. In addition, a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the β-cell proliferation was observed in the ATOR group with negligible change in expression of inflammatory cytokines of the islets. A significant downregulation in apoptosis alongside a significant upregulation in anti-apoptosis were detected in islets of animals treated with ATOR. Moreover, there was a significant impairment in various parameters of glucose homeostasis in the ATOR-treated group. Therefore, ATOR may induce insulin resistance-like state that was demarcated at cellular as well as at biochemical levels with little or no inflammatory response.

Red blood cells (RBCs) play a crucial role in the normal functioning of the human body, primarily through their ability to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. Various diseases, including anemia and other hemolytic disorders, can arise when there is an abnormality in RBC structure or function. The pathophysiology of other conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease can also involve changes in RBCs. Advances in RBC research have led to a better understanding of their structure, function, and pathophysiology. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the critical role of RBCs in disease pathology, with research suggesting that RBCs may be directly affected by the virus. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of RBCs in health and disease, including recent advances in diagnosis, treatment, and the role of RBCs in disease pathology.

Objective: Technological advancements in the new era have introduced a plethora of new methods, as well as synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural (bio) materials with improved properties for wound closure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of isoamyl 2-cyanoacrylate for wound closure over facial lacerations and surgical incisions compared to conventional methods.

Materials and methods: The present prospective clinical study comprised two groups, including group I (incision) and group II (laceration), with 20 patients in each group in whom isoamyl 2-cyanoacrylate was used in the management of facial lacerations and surgical incisions. Various parameters related to wound healing, including the time taken to perform the procedure, step-off borders, contour irregularity, edge inversion, wound margins, fibrous tissue growth and scarring, and the total duration of healing, were assessed and compared over a period of time. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: The present study revealed excellent overall cosmetic results with the use of isoamyl 2-cyanoacrylate. However, the results achieved were more surprising in group I (incision) than in group II (laceration), with a kind of complete satisfaction experienced by the patients as well as the operating surgeon.

Conclusions: Based on the results obtained in the present study, it can be concluded that isoamyl 2-cyanoacrylate can serve as a better wound closure material compared to the standard method of incision closure with the help of sutures over the facial tissues.

Background: Molecular monitoring of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors at various time points after diagnosis is indispensable for therapeutic stratification. Thus, standardization and reproducibility of these tests to an international scale are of paramount importance. Standard TRUPCR BCR-ABL1 by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Xpert BCR-ABL Ultra performed on the Cepheid GeneXpert^® Instrument Systems (GeneXpert) were used to perform molecular monitoring in CML patients.

Materials and methods: Twenty-six samples (6 diagnostic and 20 monitoring samples) were tested on both platforms, and the BCR-ABL1 transcript ratio was compared. Kappa statistic was applied to calculate the agreement between the two tests, and Chi-square test was used to evaluate the difference in proportions in the two groups. The costs between the two tests were also compared, however, no statistical analysis was done for the same.

Results: All six diagnostic samples were detected by TRUPCR, but only four could be detected by GeneXpert. One of these was a minor BCR-ABL1 transcript (p190) which cannot be detected by GeneXpert. Among the 20 monitoring samples, there was moderate agreement between the two tests, with a P = 0.01. The cost of TRUPCR was significantly less compared to GeneXpert.

Conclusion: Standard BCR-ABL1 estimation by TRUPCR is superior and much more cost-effective than GeneXpert. GeneXpert inspite being an easy-to-use, fully automated platform lacks the benefit of customization with a high cost making the standard reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques more feasible and usable for molecular monitoring in CML patients.

Introduction: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is widely used nowadays in various fields due to rapid expansion of technology and affects different organs such as endocrine glands. Antioxidants protect the cells and act as a free radical scavenger.

Aim of work: The aim of the study was to clarify the effect of EMR emitted from Wi-Fi router on the thyroid gland of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of combined Vitamin C and zinc.

Materials and methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three groups: Group I (control group), Group II (received combined Vitamin C and Zinc in one tablet called IMMUNO-MASH), and Group III (experimental groups). Group III was divided into two subgroups (A and B) according to the duration of exposure: 6 h and 24 h/day. Each of these groups was divided into two equal subgroups. One was exposed only to EMR while the other was exposed to EMR and received combined Vitamin C and zinc. All rats were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The thyroid gland was prepared for general histological, anti-calcitonin immunostaining, and ultrastructural study. Furthermore, measurement of total serum T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) hormone levels and quantitative analysis of immunoreactive C-cells were done. Then, statistical analysis was done on the number of immunoreactive C-cells, data of the body weight, and the hormonal levels.

Results: A highly significant increase in the body weight in subgroups exposed to EMR for 24 h/day was observed. Furthermore, they showed a highly significant decline in T3 and T4 levels together with a highly significant increase in TSH level. With increasing period of exposure, there was a variable degree of deterioration in the form of congestion and dilatation of blood vessels, cellular infiltration, follicular disintegration, vacuolar degeneration, and desquamated follicular cells in the colloid. The C-cells showed a significant increase in the mean number compared with the control group. Ultrastructural analysis of follicular cells revealed colloid droplets, deteriorations in rough endoplasmic reticulum, degenerating nuclei, and swollen mitochondria according to the dose of exposure. There was apparent improvement with the use of combined Vitamin C and zinc.

Conclusion: Wi-Fi radiation has a very serious effect on thyroid gland morphology and activity. Moreover, experimentally induced hypothyroidism by radiation resulted in increased C-cell number. Combined Vitamin C and zinc could have a protective role against this tissue damage.