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Two-dimensional spreads of synaptonemal complexes from solanaceous plants. I. The technique.

Using beta-glucuronidase the cell walls of tomato and potato primary microsporocytes can be digested. When the resulting protoplasts are exposed to distilled water, they burst, and complete sets of synaptonemal complexes are released to settle on plastic coated slides. After drying and formalin fixation, the synaptonemal complexes can be stained with silver or phosphotungstic acid and observed in the light and/or electron microscope. Silver staining gives better contrast for both light and electron microscopy but stains only lateral elements and kinetochores. Phosphotungstic acid staining gives little or no contrast for light microscopy, but stains both the lateral and central elements of the synaptonemal complex, kinetochores, and structures that are probably recombination nodules for electron microscopy. This technique offers a powerful tool for genome analysis by allowing (1) the determination of relative and absolute lengths of synaptonemal complexes and chromosome arm ratios at pachytene, (2) the analysis of complex patterns of synapsis, and (3) the location of what are probably recombination nodules along the length of synaptonemal complexes.

Chromosomes↗

Electron densitometry of stained virus particles.

Methods are described for determining the relative mass of particles in electron microscope specimens through the measurement of photographic densities in recorded images. These methods were applied to a quantitative study of the amounts of electron stains that could be associated with the particles of tomato bushy stunt virus (BSV) and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). In the pH range above 2 where the viruses are stable, the amount of stain absorbed is too small to produce adequate contrast in the electron microscope. Maximum stain absorption was achieved at pH about 1 where with several reagents and combinations of reagents the mass of BSV could be increased to about four times that of the unstained particles. Optimum results were obtained with phosphotungstic acid alone or in combination with Pt, Th, or La ions. Since the pH conditions for high stain absorption are normally destructive, morphology is satisfactorily preserved only when the phosphotungstic acid is applied in concentrations of 10 per cent or greater or when the use of destructive reagents is preceded by a preliminary fixation under mild conditions. Maximum staining of TMV increased the mass of the particles to about two times that of the unstained. Estimates of the mass of heavily stained BSV particles indicate that their density is 3.3 gm./cm.(3) The high internal hydration of BSV probably accounts for the greater stain absorption and penetration compared to those of TMV which has very low or zero internal hydration. Anomalous images resulting from the use of electron stains are shown and discussed.

Coloring Agents↗

Cytochemistry and morphology of synaptic structures in the cerebral cortex of rat.

Studies have been carried out on the synapses in the cerebral cortex of rat by using impregnation with ethanolic solution of phosphotungstic acid, contrast staining with ruthenium red and impregnation with bismuth iodide, with or without subsequent uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining. It has been established that dense projections are adequately visualized with methods demonstrating basic chemical groups (phosphotungstic acid and bismuth iodide), whereas the synaptic vesicles are stained by techniques demonstrating acid chemical groups (ruthenium red and uranyl acetate and lead citrate). On the basis of these observations a hypothesis is forwarded concerning the mechanisms of migration of synaptic vesicles towards the presynaptic membrane. Measurements of the parameters of the dense projections suggest that the configuration of the presynaptic vesicular grid is not uniform along the presynaptic areas.

Acetates↗

Clinicopathological correlation of deep retinal vascular anomalous complex in age related macular degeneration.

AIMS: To analyse the histopathology of "deep retinal vascular anomalous complex" or "chorioretinal anastomosis". METHODS: Six patients with a deep retinal vascular anomalous complex (age range 66-88 years) had fundus photography and fluorescein angiography not more than 14 days before foveal translocation surgery. Four patients were also documented with indocyanine green angiography. The surgical specimens were serially sectioned and stained in a stepped fashion with Masson trichrome, periodic acid Schiff, and phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin, a histochemical stain for fibrin. RESULTS: A subretinal fibrovascular membrane was surrounded by a rim consisting of diffuse drusen (basal laminar deposits), retinal pigment epithelium, and amorphous, fibrinous material interspersed with remains of outer segments in all specimens. In two specimens vascular structures were identified that left the specimen towards the retina. Amorphous material with the remains of outer segments was not found on the retinal side of the fibrovascular tissue itself but in four specimens a small neuroretinal portion (outer nuclear layer) was adherent to the complex. In three specimens a thin fibrocellular membrane was seen at the choroidal side of the diffuse drusen. CONCLUSION: Deep retinal vascular anomalous complex represents histologically neovascularisation growing out of the neuroretina, into the subretinal space, which mimics choroidal neovascularisation. The term therefore appears rightly chosen.

Aged↗

Clinicopathological correlation in exudative age related macular degeneration: histological differentiation between classic and occult choroidal neovascularisation.

AIMS: To analyse the histopathology of classic and occult choroidal neovascular membrane surgical specimens in age related macular degeneration. METHODS: 35 membranes, from a consecutive series of surgically removed choroidal neovascular membranes in age related macular degeneration, were classified as classic or occult following the guidelines of the Macular Photocoagulation Study. Membranes with classic as well as occult components were considered as mixed membranes. The membranes were serially sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff, and phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin stain. The correlation has been made in a masked fashion. RESULTS: 31 membranes (19 classic, 10 occult, and two mixed membranes) could be analysed histologically. 18 classic choroidal neovascular membranes had a major subretinal fibrovascular component and 10 of these had an additional, minor fibrovascular component under the retinal pigment epithelium. The 10 occult membranes contained a fibrovascular component under the retinal pigment epithelium and the two mixed membranes contained fibrovascular tissue on both sides of the retinal pigment epithelium. Fibrin and remains of outer segments tended to occur at the lateral edges of classic membranes and to cover the inner surface of occult membranes. CONCLUSION: Classic choroidal neovascularisation in age related macular degeneration is predominantly composed of subretinal fibrovascular tissue while occult choroidal neovascularisation is composed of fibrovascular tissue at the choroidal side of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Aged↗

Ultrastructural histochemistry of infantile digital fibromatosis.

A case of infantile digital fibromatosis was studied by light and electron microscopy histochemistry. Using two different acidic solutions of phosphotungstic acid at varying pHs, the round inclusions characteristic of this tumor were shown to have a high protein content with little or no carbohydrates. The histochemical reactivity of the inclusions was similar to that of the cytoplasmic microfibrils in the tumors cells and consistent with the idea that both the inclusions and the microfibrils represent actin. There is, however, no definite proof that the tumor cells are myofibroblasts. At the present time, this tumor should be viewed as a peculiar expression of deranged assembly or metabolism of filamentous proteins or both.

Actins↗

Proteolysis in Manchego-type cheese salted by brine vacuum impregnation.

A new salting procedure based on the brine vacuum impregnation of porous products was tested on Manchego-type cheese and compared with conventional brine immersion. Its effect on cheese proteolysis throughout a 90-d ripening period was determined. Three cheese regions were evaluated (the rind, the middle, and the internal regions). The parameters analyzed were total N, water-soluble N, soluble N in trichloroacetic acid and soluble N in phosphotungstic acid by using the Kjeldahl method, casein profile by urea-PAGE, and peptide profile of the water soluble nitrogen extract by reverse-phase HPLC. Free amino acid formation was monitored with a spectrophotometric method by using a Cd-ninhydrin reagent. Globally, proteolysis was significantly affected by ripening stage (increasing throughout all the maturation period studied) and cheese region (rind showed a proteolysis pattern different from the middle and internal regions). The salting procedure only affected cheese proteolysis in the rind, whereas conventional brine-salted cheeses showed lower proteolysis than vacuum-impregnated cheeses.

Amino Acids↗

Proteolysis on Reggianito Argentino cheeses manufactured with natural whey cultures and selected strains of Lactobacillus helveticus.

Reggianito Argentino cheese is traditionally manufactured with whey starter cultures that provide typical and intense flavor but can cause poor quality standardization. In this study, the influence of natural and selected starters on Reggianito Argentino cheese proteolysis was investigated. Cheeses were manufactured with three strains of Lactobacillus helveticus (SF133, SF138 and SF209) cultured individually in sterile whey and used as single or mixed starters. Control cheeses were made with natural whey starter culture. Cheeses were analyzed to determine gross composition, as well as total thermophilic lactic flora. Proteolysis was assessed by N fractions, electrophoresis and liquid chromatography. Gross composition of the cheeses did not significantly differ, while viable starter cell counts were lower for cheeses made with strain SF209 alone or combined with other strains. Soluble N at pH 4.6 was the same for cheeses made with natural or selected starters, but soluble N in 12% trichloroacetic acid and 2.5% phosphotungstic acid was significantly higher in cheeses made with starters containing strain SF209. Nitrogen fractions results indicated that natural whey starter cultures could be replaced by several starters composed of the selected strains without significant changes to proteolysis patterns. Starter cultures prepared only with SF209 or with the three selected L. helveticus strains produced cheese products with significantly more proteolysis than control cheeses. Chromatographic profiles analyzed by principal components showed that three main peaks on chromatograms, presumptively identified as Tyr, Phe, and Trp, explained most of variability. Principal component scores indicated that cheese samples were grouped by ripening time, which was confirmed by linear discriminant analysis. On the contrary, samples did not cluster by Lactobacillus strain or type of starter.

Amino Acids↗

Observations on the contrasting reaction of some electron dense stains applied on epoxy-embedded tissue sections.

Epon sections from glutaraldehyde-fixed rat bone marrow were treated with aqueous solutions of the following electron contrasting agents: uranyl acetate, ruthenium red, potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate, stannous chloride, palladium (II) chloride, sodium molybdate, phosphomolybdic acid, molybdenum heteropolyblue, phosphotungstic acid, iron(II)-phenanthroline, aluminium-hematoxylin, mercurochrome, cuprolinic blue, and sirius light turquoise blue. At the ultrastructural level, a high degree of electron opacity was always observed in mast cell granules and the crystalline inclusion (internum) of eosinophil granules. The chromatin revealed a somewhat lower and variable contrasting reaction, while the matrix (externum) of eosinophil granules appeared with scarce or no contrast. This pattern of electron opacity showed no correlation with the type of agent used; therefore, it can be assumed that binding processes based on the own chemical reactivity of the compounds are rather of secondary importance. The differential epoxy resin embedding of cell structures and the variable access of aqueous reagents through the non-polar plastic could be the predominant factors which account for these contrasting reactions.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic blood plasma inclusions of canine hepatocytes demonstration by immunoperoxidase-labeling method.

Cytoplasmic inclusions in canine hepatocytes were scattered abundantly throughout hepatic lobules. They were mainly round, measured 3 microns to 20 microns in diameter, stained eosinophilic with hematoxylin and eosin stain, and were positive for diastase-resistant periodic acid-Schiff and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin stains. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed that most of the inclusions were positive for such blood plasma components as albumin, immunoglobulins G, M, A, and transferrin. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions were granular, floccular, fibrillar, or homogeneous with a low or high electron density. Fibrin fibers and erythrocytes were occasionally recognized in the inclusions. These inclusions were considered to have derived from engulfment of blood elements into hepatocytes, probably as a result of increase of the intrasinusoidal blood pressure.

Animals↗

[In vitro proteolysis of casein and gluten by pancreatic enzymes].

The time-course of proteolysis of casein and gluten by pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic juice) was studied in vitro with various concentrations of enzyme or substrate. The effect of a previous peptic proteolysis, with or without sodium phytate, on proteolysis by pancreatic juice was also studied. Proteolysis was evaluated by measuring the nitrogen in products solubilized in trichloroacetic acid (peptides + amino acids) and in phosphotungstic acid (amino acids). Without a previous peptic proteolysis, at a low enzyme/substrate ratio, the release of peptides and amino acids was greater for casein than for gluten. At a high enzyme/substrate ratio, peptide release by pancreatic juice and chymotrypsin was quite similar for casein and gluten but amino acid release was a little less for gluten. After a previous high peptic proteolysis without sodium phytate, pancreatic juice proteolysis, at a low enzyme/substrate ratio, was increased. Peptide release was similar for casein and gluten but amino acid release was a little less for the gluten. With sodium phytate, the release of peptides was quite similar for casein but was less for gluten. The release of amino acids was diminished in both cases. Thus, gluten was more resistant than casein to the action of pancreatic enzymes. Nevertheless, this was not necessarily observed when those enzymes were used for proteolysis at a high enzyme/substrate ratio or following a high peptic proteolysis. The differences between casein and gluten proteolyses have been discussed according to the specific action of the pancreatic enzymes. In conclusion, in comparing the proteolyses of various foods, it is important to use various enzyme/substrate ratios.

Amino Acids↗

Fibrillar structure of alpha-elastin methylester complexes with glycoproteins and proteoglycans.

alpha-Elastin methylester forms with proteoglycan subunits and structural glycoproteins water-insoluble complexes which after staining with phosphotungstic acid (pH 7.0), reveal at large magnification bundles of slender smooth fibrils with a diameter from 4 to 5 nm. Similar fibrils can be observed after interaction of alpha-elastin methylester with chondroitin sulfate, but only if fixation with glutaraldehyde is used prior to staining. Phosphotungstic acid alters the organization of the complexes, in particular those formed with ligands of low molecular weight. The possible biological significance of the interactions studied is discussed.

Animals↗

Human prions and plasma lipoproteins.

Prions are composed solely of an alternatively folded isoform of the prion protein (PrP), designated PrP(Sc). The polyoxometalate phosphotungstic acid has been used to separate PrP(Sc) from its precursor PrP(C) by selective precipitation; notably, native PrP(Sc) has not been solubilized by using nondenaturing detergents. Because of the similarities between PrP(Sc) and lipoproteins with respect to hydrophobicity and formation of phosphotungstic acid complexes, we asked whether these molecules are bound to each other in blood. Here we report that prions from the brains of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) bind to very low-density (VLDL) and low-density (LDL) lipoproteins but not to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or other plasma components, as demonstrated both by affinity assay and electron microscopy. Immunoassays demonstrated that apolipoprotein B (apoB), which is the major protein component of VLDL and LDL, bound PrP(Sc) through a highly cooperative process. Approximately 50% of the PrP(Sc) bound to LDL particles was released after exposure to 4 M guanidine hydrochloride at 80 degrees C for 20 min. The apparent binding constants of native human (Hu) PrP(Sc) or denatured recombinant HuPrP(90-231) for apoB and LDL ranged from 28 to 212 pM. Whether detection of PrP(Sc) in VLDL and LDL particles can be adapted into an antemortem diagnostic test for prions in the blood of humans, livestock, and free-ranging cervids remains to be determined.

Brain↗

Fine structure and cytochemistry of the mitotic plaques of Trypanosoma cruzi and Crithidia fasciculata.

The mitotic plaques are double, electron-dense structures which are located at the equator of the nucleus during the equatorial (metaphase) stage of mitosis in Trypanosoma cruzi, Crithidia fasciculata and other trypanosomatids. Each part of the equatorial plaques separates from the other and becomes an hemiplaque at the beginning of nuclear elongation. Variations of size of the plaques in different species of Trypanosomatidae are restricted to a limited range (less than 30% of the average thickness). At least two different components are found in the plaques with cytochemical methods: a) a basic protein with a high affinity for ethanolic-phosphotungstic acid, which is located in a narrow band towards the cleavage plane in each hemiplaque; and b) an osmiophilic component (possibly a protein) with a low affinity for uranyl acetate and which is located throughout the body of the plaque. The affinity for uranyl acetate can be abolished by methylation and acetylation, but remains after extraction with cold perchloric acid. No cytochemical evidence for the presence of DNA in the plaques is found. However, electron microscopy and cytochemical observations show that the PTA-affine band of the plaques is associated at its sides with chromatin fibers. Thus plaques, as the outer layer of kinetochores in higher eukaryots, have a component with high affinity for phosphotungstic acid, strengthening the hypothesis that these structures are phylogenetically related.

Acetylation↗

Membrane structure of parallel-fibre synaptic terminals in the cerebellum of the jaundiced Gunn rat: freeze-fracture and E-PTA study.

Parallel-fibre synaptic membranes were examined by freeze-fracture and ethanolic-phosphotungstic acid methods in the cerebellum of homozygous (j/j) Gunn rats with hereditary jaundice. Parallel-fibre synapses with dendritic spines of Purkinje cell were severely affected since many Purkinje cells degenerated during the early postnatal period. Some parallel-fibre synaptic terminals lacked their postsynaptic partners and faced astrocytic processes from 18 days of age to the adult stage. These parallel-fibre terminals contained clusters of synaptic vesicles adjacent to synaptic membranes, and synaptic membranes and synaptic cleft materials were identical to those of parallel fibres with postsynaptic partners, as visualized by conventional electron microscopy with osmium tetroxide postfixation and staining of sections with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. In freeze-fractured specimens, the presynaptic membrane of parallel fibres had diffusely distributed large particles and tiny pits on the P-face and protuberances on the E-face, together representing synaptic vesicle attachment sites. Such vesicle attachment sites were present on the presynaptic membranes of parallel fibres without postsynaptic partners from day 18 to the adult stage. After ethanolic-phosphotungstic acid staining, parallel-fibre terminals displayed presynaptic dense projections, intercleft materials and postsynaptic thickening, but some parallel fibres lacked postsynaptic thickening. These observations suggest that the presynaptic membrane structure of the parallel fibre is preserved, even in the absence of a postsynaptic partner, in j/j cerebella. A mechanism for persistence of presynaptic membrane structures without postsynaptic partners in j/j cerebella is discussed.

Animals↗