This work reports on the electron microscopy analysis of the structure and morphology of gold nanoparticles produced by ion implantation as well as their relationship to their optical properties. Metalic nanoparticles by ion implantation are usually spherical and formed beneath the surface of a dielectric matrix. In this experiment, the matrix was sapphire. After high-energy Si ion irradiation, the gold nanoparticles were elongated into prolate spheroids. Since the nanoparticles are embedded in a dielectric matrix, secondary electron imaging in a JEOL JSM-7800F at low voltage did not allow their analysis. This work proposes an analysis using backscattered electron imaging in a field emission scanning electron microscopy at higher voltages (20 kV) to explore the morphology of the embedded nanoparticles. The samples were observed by cross-sectional view as well as a top view of the surface of the sapphire matrix for exploration and recognition of their morphology, dimensions, distribution, and composition. The analysis was extended by means of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and optical extinction spectroscopy. The nanoparticles exhibited structural and optical properties correlated directly to the morphology observed by microscopy. The beam interaction with the sample and the used parameters was simulated in the CASINO code, from which the depth of exploration with distinct parameters used in microscopy analysis was estimated.

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Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used flavor enhancer that may contribute to male infertility. Sodium selenite is inorganic chemical form of selenium (Se). Se is best known as an antioxidant. This study was designed to investigate the possible ameliorating role of sodium selenite against MSG-induced testicular toxicity and histological changes. Forty male albino rats were allocated into four groups. Control group received distilled water, SE group received sodium selenite (0.25 mg/kg/day) dissolved in distilled water orally, MSG group received MSG (6 mg/g/day) dissolved in distilled water orally, and MSG + SE group received both MSG and sodium selenite for 45 days. Testicular samples were prepared for biochemical, light, and electron microscopic studies. Immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 was done. MSG group demonstrated a significant increase in malondialdehyde level, marked damage of seminiferous tubules with a significant reduction in diameter and height of the lining epithelium. Spermatogenic cells showed disorganization, dark nuclei, reduction in number, and maturation arrest. Vacuolations of interstitial tissue and Leydig cells were also observed. Percent area of fibrosis and caspase-3 immunoexpression was significantly increased. Ultrastructurally, irregular tubular basement membrane and damaged germ cells were found. The spermatogenic, Sertoli, and Leydig cells showed irregular shrunken nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and swollen mitochondria. MSG + SE group showed much better histological and ultrastructural picture and improvement of the measured biochemical and morphometric parameters. Percent area of caspase-3 immunoexpression was significantly decreased. In conclusion, sodium selenite ameliorated the testicular damaging effect of MSG through reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

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Background and Significance: Still vast majority of the population in urban and rural set up using varied water quality for their day today washing of their hair in many parts of the countries may suffer or experience rough hair or uncombable syndrome. The quality of maintaining healthy hair may be impaired due to salty ions from water sources, dyes, or pollutants etc., We have identified a well-known instrumental technique SEM/SDD-EDS method to identify and estimate the waterborne minerals in the scalp hair cuticle in a non-destructive way. Materials and Methods: Identify volunteers of urban and rural folks using treated or untreated water for their routine hair wash at least for two consecutive years and examine their scalp hair cuticle using SEM/SDD- EDS. Results: Water borne minerals calcium and aluminium pick up were distinctly identified in the scalp hair cuticle as reflected by the quality of water used in urban and rural set up. Further restoration of lipid layer through prior application of coconut oil and or usage of conditioners prevents calcium pick up. Thereby, SEM/SDD-EDS is one of the suitable techniques to estimate the concentration of waterborne minerals in the scalp hair cuticle.

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Pseudapocryptes lanceolatus (Bloch and Schneider) is a monomorphic protogynous hermaphrodite teleost that possesses ovotestis as gonadal unit of reproductive structure. At the onset of breeding season (i.e., June–July), the ovarian tissue is gradually differentiating into female-phased P. lanceolatus. At the same time, the pear-shaped crypt cells (a type of neuron) are frequently appeared at apical part of pseudostratified olfactory neuroepithelium of P. lanceolatus. The crypt neuron is characterized by the presence of sunken cilia and microvilli at the proximal region. The features of subcellular organelles are also explored in lieu of their probable functional significance. The nucleoplasm of mature crypt neuron shows chromatin granules having diameter: 15–25 nm. This cell undergoes neural apoptosis at the end of breeding phase (i.e., October–November). Fragmented chromatin fibers with numerous chromatin granules (diameter: 25–30 nm) in nucleoplasm and lysosomal diversity are the most notable characters of apoptotic crypt neuron. The large accumulation of heterochromatin chromatins in nucleoplasm is also marked under fluorescence microscope. The frequent presence of acetylcholinesterase-positive vesicles in axoplasm of crypt neurons is also a prime subcellular indicator for inhibition of neural transmission of olfactory signals. Therefore, it is concluded that the sex differentiation in P. lanceolatus and occurrence of crypt neuron in olfactory neuroepithelium are interrelated events during the reproductive period. Consequently, we hypothesized that the crypt neuron plays an active role in the implementation of unique reproductive strategy through recognition of pheromonal cues within the social organization of P. lanceolatus.

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Short Introduction: Nanoparticles (NPs) represent a new line in the investigations and treatment of group of diseases. Furthermore, it is found in many products and enters the body by different roots as ingestion and inhalation. Lung is more liable to exposure to these particles. Safety of these particles on the lung needs to be examined. Aim of the Work: To study the effect of gold NPs (GNPs) on the histological structure of the lung tissue. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six healthy male albino rats were randomly divided into three groups including control group (Group I) and two GNP-treated groups (Group II received low dose and Group III received high dose daily for 14 days). At the end of the experiment, all the rats were sacrificed; lungs were dissected and processed to be examined by light and electron microscopy. Results: GNPs induced inflammatory infiltration dilatation and congestion of the blood vessels in association with the collapse of lung alveoli and extravasations of red blood cells. Caspase-3 immunohistochemical reaction showed strong positive reaction in Group III mainly. Ultrastructure observation revealed affection of type II pneumocyte and thickening in the alveolar wall. Conclusions: GNPs led to histological changes in the lung tissue.

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This study examines the distribution and depletion of stored lipids in Gyrodactylus gasterostei Gläser, 1974, migrating off its three-spine stickleback host Gasterosteus aculeatus L., with the prospect that it might prove informative for interpreting the biology of other gyrodactylids species more generally. Nonfeeding life cycle stages, such as the dispersal stages of parasites, are dependent for survival upon finite energy reserves gathered during feeding phases. Thus, those individuals with more limited reserves will die sooner and consequently have less time available to find a new host once detached. At this stage, the principal energy reserves in gyrodactylids are stored as large lipid droplets. Confocal laser scanning microscopy has been used to investigate the distribution of lipid droplets in Gyrodactylus, which have migrated off their fish host, testing the hypothesis that these droplets function as a proxy for the nutritional state. This study demonstrated that the lipid droplets were particularly associated with the gut and that there is a significant variability in the volume of stored lipid carried out by each individual. Transmission electron microscopy showed that gyrodactylids carry lipid droplets at all stages of their life cycle, including at release from the birth pore. It is likely that transferring worms requires stored energy reserves to survive in the event of failure to establish contact with a new host. These reserves could allow the parasite to survive without a host for several days.

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Introduction: Mastitis is caused by different Staphylococcus species, produce great economic loss to farmers. Present study was conducted to know pathological changes in mice inoculated with Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus and S. aureus isolated from bovine milk. Materials and Methods: Mice were inoculated with 50 μl (2x104 cfu organisms) per mammary gland and euthanized at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Mammary gland weight, gross and histopathological changes of mammary gland, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung and inguinal lymph node were studied. Results: Mammary gland weight and percentage of body weight increased at 6 and 96 h in S. aureus and S. haemolyticus infected mice. Gross changes were observed in mammary gland but not in other organs. Mammary gland revealed gross changes from 24 to 72 h in three Coagulase negative staphylococcal (CNS) species and persisted up to 96 h in S. aureus infected mice. Histopathological changes in mammary glands was severe in S. aureus and moderate in CNS species. S. aureus infected mice revealed severe damage to alveoli and loss of alveolar architecture at 96 h but three CNS species infection was overcome by host factors which was evident by proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells. No histological changes were observed in kidney, spleen, lung, heart and inguinal lymph nodes. Conclusions: S. aureus caused severe mastitis in mice when compared to CNS species. Further, it is first report of mice to study CNS mastitis, and in future it can be used as model for CNS mastitis.

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