The cytoskeleton plays an orchestrating role in polarized cell growth. Microtubules (MTs) not only play critical roles in chromosome alignment and segregation but also control cell shape, division, and motility. A member of the plus-end tracking proteins, end-binding protein 1 (EB1), regulates MT dynamics and plays vital roles in maintaining spindle symmetry and chromosome alignment during mitosis. However, the role of EB1 in mouse oocyte meiosis remains unknown. Here, we examined the localization patterns and expression levels of EB1 at different stages. EB1 protein level was found to be stable during meiosis. EB1 mainly localized along the spindle and had a similar localization pattern as that of α-tubulin. The EB1 protein was degraded with a Trim-Away method, and the results were further confirmed with western blotting and immunofluorescence. At 12 h of culture after EB1 knockdown (KD), a reduced number of mature MII oocytes were observed. EB1 KD led to spindle disorganization, chromosome misalignment, and missegregation; β-catenin protein binds to actin via the adherens junctional complex, which was significantly reduced in the EB1 KD oocytes. Collectively, we propose that the impairment of EB1 function manipulates spindle formation, thereby promoting chromosomal loss, which is expected to fuel aneuploidy and possibly fertilization failure.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.

Biological membranes are constituted of lipids organized as a two dimensional bilayer supporting peripheral and integral proteins, providing a barrier between the inside and the outside of a cell [1]. Similar membranes can be prepared from the lipid mixtures forming liposomes. The liposomes are multi or unilamellar spherical vesicles in which an aqueous volume is enclosed and can be used to encapsulate some drugs [2]. In order to better expose the details of their structure, these membranes are generally deposited on the surface of a flat substrate. These supported planar lipid membranes can also provide a model system for investigating the properties and functions of the complex cell membrane and membrane mediated processes such as recognition events and biological signal transduction. Various methods have been used to create artificial lipid membranes supported on a solid surface, being the most used the Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers formation [3], the vesicle fusion or liposome adsorption [4] and the solution spreading [5].

In this study, every effort was exerted to determine and accumulate data to correlate microstructural and compositional elements in ultra-low-carbon (ULC) steels to variation of carbon content (12–44 ppm), manganese (0.18–0.36%), and sulfur (0.0066–0.001%). Quantitative analysis of the ULC steel using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and three-dimensional atom probe revealed the decrease of grain size and dislocation density with the increase of carbon contents and/or increase of the final delivery temperature. For a given carbon content, the grain interior carbon concentration increases as the grain size increases.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at MC 2007, 33rd DGE Conference in Saarbrücken, Germany, September 2 – September 7, 2007

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

The blood supply of the liver is of dual origin, namely the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The physiological implications of this dual blood supply are well understood (1), the morphological details of the terminal afferent vessels, however, still need to be further investigated. Particularly the various possible types of entry of the terminal afferent vessels into the sinusoids are not yet fully understood. With the aid of a newly developed method, i.e. the combination of detection of a marker substance (with the aid of EDX) and scanning electron microscopy, many of the morphological parameters have been elucidated (2). This new method involves the injection of the liver from two sides (arterial and portal vessels) with methacrylate or Mercox containing either of two different marker substances, both of which can be detected with the aid of an EDX detector. Thus the terminal afferent vessels can easily be told apart (2, 3).

Message from the President; and lists of MNZ officers, past MNZ presidents, and 2005 MNZ society awards.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2008 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, August 3 – August 7, 2008

Each astrocyte forms an extensive network of fine processes within the surrounding neural tissue, interacting extensively with neighboring neurons and blood vessels. Fine glial processes surround synapses and probably modulate synaptic transmission. Glial endfeet on capillaries are responsible for transport of ions and metabolites and possibly control blood flow. Alterations in these fine structures may be of significance in brain function and disease. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament found in astrocytes of the central nervous system. GFAP is commonly found in the perikarya and processes of protoplasmic and fibrous type astrocytes. Immunohistochemical labeling of GFAP is extensively used as a means of determining the location and shape of astrocytes. However, its labeling pattern varies with brain region (e.g. cortex vs. hippocampus), with cell state (natural vs. reactive astrocytes), and with the specific α- GFAP antibody used. Furthermore, Golgi-stained or dye-filled astrocytes show numerous small appendages or vellate structures that conform to the surrounding tissue and do not stain for GFAP.

Introduction: There is considerable interest in the use of three-dimensional porous scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The presence of an interconnected framework of pores with large surface area facilitates the formation of extracellular matrix and permits cellular ingrowth into implanted structures. For scaffolds to be useful for tissue regeneration, they must maintain good dimensional stability during the lifetime of the implant. While the initial scaffold architecture is often well characterized, a systematic study of the influence of incubation on the scaffold architecture is critical to ensure that the scaffolds retain their interconnected network of pores during their useful lifetime. Herein, we report on the evaluation of the architecture of polyarylate scaffolds and their stability under in vitro conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The polymers used in this study were selected from a library of degradable polyarylates. This library is the first reported combinatorial library of biodegradable condensation polymers.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, August 5 – August 9, 2007

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, August 5 – August 9, 2007

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.