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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Simulation of atomic-scale high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images.

Image simulations for high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) based on the Bethe's eigen-value method are presented. The effects of aperture size and defocus of a probe-forming lens, both of which determine the shape of the probe, and the effect of the distortion, influencing the Bloch wave field on atomic columns channelled by electrons, on the HAADF-image intensity are discussed in terms of dynamical effect. These effects are illustrated by our experimental atomic-scale HAADF-STEM images, detected in a detector range of 50-110 mrad. It is emphasized that the image simulations are indispensable for quantification of experimental HAADF-STEM images and as such provide a valuable compositional analysis for every atomic column along the incident beam.

Journal Article↗

Conformational analysis of 16 S ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli by scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Digitized images of molecules of 16 S rRNA from Escherichia coli, obtained by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), provide quantitative structural information that is lacking in conventional electron micrographs. We have determined the morphology, total molecular mass, mass distribution within individual rRNA molecules and apparent radii of gyration. From the linear density (M/L) we have assessed the number of strands in the structural backbone of rRNA and studied the pattern of branching and folding related to the secondary and tertiary structure of rRNAs under various buffer conditions. Even in reconstitution buffer 16 S RNA did not show any resemblance to the native 30 S subunit.

Escherichia coli↗

Scanning transmission electron microscopy at high resolution.

We have shown that a scanning transmission electron microscope with a high brightness field emission source is capable of obtaining better than 3 A resolution using 30 to 40 keV electrons. Elastic dark field images of single atoms of uranium and mercury are shown which demonstrate this fact as determined by a modified Rayleigh criterion. Point-to-point micrograph resolution between 2.5 and 3.0 A is found in dark field images of micro-crystallites of uranium and thorium compounds. Furthermore, adequate contrast is available to observe single atoms as light as silver.

Crystallography↗

The molecular mass of adenovirus type 5 as determined by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).

The mass of adenovirus type 5 was determined by means of computer-assisted scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Arithmetic mean of 157 +/- 10(SD) X 10(6) daltons and mode between 160 and 170 X 10(6) daltons compare favourably with previously reported data. The advantages of the STEM-procedure over the physical and chemical techniques are: low amounts of purified virus particles are needed; visual control of the physical state of virus particles; no need to know the chemical composition or protein concentration of the virus sample.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Quantitative structural analysis of eukaryotic ribosomal RNA by scanning transmission electron microscopy.

The conformation of 28S ribosomal RNA isolated from baby hamster kidney cells was studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and circular dichroic spectroscopy to establish the conditions under which STEM images of unstained freeze-dried rRNA are a meaningful representation of the conformation of rRNA in solution. We have determined the conformation of 28S rRNA under various buffer conditions, the molecular mass, the mass distribution, and the number of polynucleotide strands within the individual molecules, and the apparent radii of gyration. The 28S rRNA molecule is highly extended in water and becomes compact with increasing ionic strength. However, even in the "reconstitution buffer" (30 mM Tris/HCl/20 mM MgCl2/360 mM KCl, pH 7.6) the compactness does not reach a state in which the rRNA molecule appears structurally similar to the 60S ribosomal subunit. Our approach has a broad application in high-resolution structural studies of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein interactions.

Animals↗

Structure of fibroblastic intermediate filaments: analysis of scanning transmission electron microscopy.

The structure of fibroblastic intermediate filaments from Chinese hamster ovary cells has been investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy. Freshly extracted (native) filaments were compared with filaments reassembled in vitro from purified decamin. From digital micrographs of unstained specimens, direct measurements of linear mass density were performed on many individual filaments. Native filaments beyond a certain minimal length constitute a homogeneous population, averaging 38 +/- 4 kilodaltons (kDal)/nm. A minor but distinct polymorphic variant (23 +/- 4 kDal/nm) was also present as very short filaments or end-segments; these may represent breakdown products or assembly intermediates. Analysis of reassembled filaments demonstrates that the in vitro assembly reaction is--in the main--faithful, although the distribution of their mass measurements is appreciably broader than that of the native data. In addition to the predominant type at 37 +/- 4 kDal/nm and a minor component at 26 +/- 4 kDal/nm, small amounts of a third, more massive, polymorphic variant at 52 +/- 5 kDal/nm were also present. Micrographs of negatively stained specimens clearly demonstrate that the filaments are composed of bundles of protofilaments--each 2-3 nm in diameter--and also reveal an axial periodicity of about 46 nm. The implications of these findings are discussed for three classes of model previously proposed for the structure of intermediate filaments.

Animals↗

Direct observations of atomic diffusion by scanning transmission electron microscopy.

The feasibility of using a high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope to study the diffusion of heavy atoms on thin film substrates of low atomic number has been investigated. We have shown that it is possible to visualize the diffusion of individual uranium atoms adsorbed to thin carbon film substrates and that the observed motion of the atoms does not appear to be induced by the incident electron beam.

Journal Article↗

Morphologic changes in the human amnion epithelium that accompany labor as seen with scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess the influence of normal, active labor on the ultrastructure of the human amnion epithelial membrane. Amnion membranes (reflected and placental portions) were obtained from patients either in active labor who were delivered vaginally or by cesarean section after 6 to 12 hours of labor or from patients who underwent elective cesarean section before clinical signs of overt labor. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that reflected amnion membranes that were obtained from patients who were not in labor consisted of a uniform single layer of epithelial cells with numerous microvilli on the apical surface and closely associated cellular borders. In contrast, amnion membranes that were obtained from patients who were in labor consisted of a single layer of epithelial cells, which was interrupted by wide intercellular gaps and extracellular extrusions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that intercellular junctions tended to be less complex in patients who were in labor versus patients who were not in labor. Although lipid droplets were prevalent in both patient groups, specimens that were obtained from patients who were in labor had more lipid droplets per cell than specimens from patients who were not in labor. These results support the theory that the complex biochemical events that culminate in parturition are accompanied and/or preceded by demonstrable morphologic changes in the amnion membrane.

Amnion↗

Electron microscopic studies of the lung of the frog. II. Topography of the inner surface by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the inner architecture of the frog lung. In some specimens the alveolar surface mucus layer was removed to permit the examination of underlying features. The inner surface of the frog's lung is covered by a layer of microvilli belonging to only one type of epithelial cells. The boundaries of these epithelial cells are demarcated by small ridges. Different degrees of lung expansion cause variations of the surface topography. The morphology of certain surface features is examined in detail. Several methods of drying the specimens are compared.

Animals↗

Low-voltage electron microscopy of polymer and organic molecular thin films.

We have demonstrated the capabilities of a novel low-voltage electron microscope (LVEM) for imaging polymer and organic molecular thin films. The LVEM can operate in transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron diffraction modes. The microscope operates at a nominal accelerating voltage of 5 kV and fits on a tabletop. A detailed discussion of the electron-sample interaction processes is presented, and the mean free path for total electron scattering was calculated to be 15 nm for organic samples at 5 kV. The total end point dose for the destruction of crystallinity at 5 kV was estimated at 5 x 10(-4) and 3.5 x 10(-2) C/cm2 for polyethylene and pentacene, respectively. These values are significantly lower than those measured at voltages greater than 100 kV. A defocus series of colloidal gold particles allowed us to estimate the experimental contrast transfer function of the microscope. Images taken of several organic materials have shown high contrast for low atomic number elements and a resolution of 2.5 nm. The materials studied here include thin films of the organic semiconductor pentacene, triblock copolymer films, single-molecule dendrimers, electrospun polymer fibers and gold nanoparticles.

Electrons↗

Quaternary structure of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from Escherichia coli.

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli and subcomplexes derived from it by selective removal of component enzymes have been subjected to quaternary structural analysis by scanning transmission electron microscopy. Scanning transmission electron microscopic images of the intact complex (E1E2E3), the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase-dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E2E3) subcomplex, and the E2 core enzyme appear as cubic particles in various orientations. Mass distributions within this complex and its subcomplexes have been determined by radial mass analysis of similarly oriented scanning transmission electron microscopic images of each type. The data show that mass attributable to dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) is well integrated into the structural framework of the E2 core, dihydrolipoyl transacetylase, whereas mass attributable to pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) is located about the periphery of the core enzyme. The mass distributions are fully consistent with a structural model in which 6 E3 dimers are integrated into the six faces of the cubic E2 core, and 12 E1 dimers are associated along the 12 edges of the core enzyme.

Escherichia coli↗

Acute toxicity of lead particulates on pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Ultrastructural and microanalytical studies.

Although it is well established that respiratory uptake of lead-containing particles plays a substantial role in the epidemiology of plumbism, relatively little is known about the role of the pulmonary alveolar macrophage in lead poisoning. An in vitro system was designed to investigate the effects of lead oxide particles of respirable size on the rabbit alveolar macrophage. The studies were concerned with the intracellular solubility of PbO and Pb3O4 and changes in fine structure attributable to lead toxicity. The distribution of phagocytosed lead and its intracellular reprecipitation complexes was established by electron microprobe analysis and secondary ion mass spectroscopy in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and backscatter imaging. It was found that Pb3O4, PbO and PbO-coated particles were ingested by the rabbit alveolar macrophages and that each of these lead oxide compounds produced similar damage to the fine structure of the cell. Swelling of the mitochondria, nuclear membrane, and endoplasmic reticulum was common, as well as were characteristic reprecipitation complexes of lead, phosphorous, and calcium within the nuclear heterochromatin and cytoplasm of the cell. The precipitation complexes were not seen in cells incubated with the particles if phagocytosis was blocked by 0.22-microns, membrane filters. It was concluded that phagocytosis of these lead oxide particles was necessary to produce the cytopathic changes. It is suggested that solubilization of lead from the ingested particles in phagosomes of macrophages results in the liberation of intracellular lead with the resultant formation of reprecipitation complexes.

Animals↗

At least one of the protofilaments in flagellar microtubules is not composed of tubulin.

BACKGROUND: The core of the eukaryotic flagellum is the axoneme, a complex motile organelle composed of approximately 200 different polypeptides. The most prominent components of the axoneme are the central pair and nine outer doublet microtubules. Each doublet microtubule contains an A and a B tubule; these are composed, respectively, of 13 and 10-11 protofilaments, all of which are thought to be made of tubulin. The mechanisms that control the assembly of the doublet microtubules and establish the periodic spacings of associated proteins, such as dynein arms and radial spokes, are unknown. Tektins, a set of microtubule-associated proteins, are present in the axoneme as stable filaments that remain after the extraction of doublet microtubules; they are localized near to where the B tubule attaches to the A tubule and near to the binding sites for radial spokes, inner dynein arms and nexin links. Tektin filaments may contribute in an interesting way to the structural properties of axonemes. RESULTS: We have fractionated doublet microtubules from sea urchin sperm flagella into ribbons of stable protofilaments, which can be shown to originate from the A tubule. Using cryo-electron microscopy, conventional electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, three-dimensional reconstruction and kinesin decoration, we have found that one protofilament in the ribbon is not composed of tubulin. This protofilament is an integral protofilament of the A tubule wall, has less mass per unit length than tubulin and does not bind kinesin. CONCLUSION: Contrary to what is generally assumed, at least one protofilament in the wall of the A tubule is not composed of tubulin. Our data suggest that this nontubulin protofilament is primarily composed of tektins, proteins that show some structural similarity to intermediate filament proteins. A 480 A axial periodicity within these ribbons, revealed by scanning transmission electron microscopy, can be related to the structure of tektin, and may determine the large-scale structure of the axoneme in terms of the binding of dynein, nexin and radial spokes to the doublet microtubule.

Animals↗

Cryo-electron microscopy of trichocyte (hard alpha-keratin) intermediate filaments reveals a low-density core.

Trichocyte intermediate filaments (IF) are the principal components of epidermal appendages such as hair and nail. Based on studies by a variety of techniques, it has been inferred that trichocyte IF are structurally similar to other kinds of IF. However, some basic structural attributes have yet to be established: in particular, it has remained unclear whether IF are hollow. We have examined trichocyte IF isolated from rat vibrissae and human hair follicles by electron microscopy. Scanning transmission electron microscopy of freeze-dried specimens yielded mass-per-unit-length values of approximately 32 kDa/nm, with the human preparations also containing filaments at half this density, corresponding to two rather than four protofibrils. Radial density profiles calculated from cryo-electron micrographs of vitrified specimens preserved in a near-native state revealed a low-density region of approximately 3 nm diameter around the filament axis. A minor species of filament with the same internal structure was surface-decorated with material arranged with a helical pitch length of 9.3 nm. These filaments appear to represent IF coated with associated proteins-perhaps, "high-sulfur" proteins-readied for incorporation into the filament-matrix biocomposite of the mature hair.

Animals↗

A study of endometrial adenocarcinoma treated with tamoxifen by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

By scanning and transmission electron microscopy the Authors studied four cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma (stage I, G1) after 15-days treatment with Tamoxifen (20 mg X 2) before surgery. The ultrastructural findings, similar to those observed in untreated adenocarcinomas but quite different from those obtained in MAP-responsive cases - as other Authors reported too - seem to indicate an almost complete absence of secretory or cytotoxic induction at least as far as 15-days treatment is concerned. According to the Authors this study raises many doubts about the usefulness of a first-instance therapeutical protocol based on Tamoxifen alone. However they believe that Tamoxifen can be utilized combined with a progestational agent in a simultaneous or sequence treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Filling single-wall carbon nanotubes with d- and f-metal chloride and metal nanowires.

Nanowires of magnetic metals (Fe, Co, Ho, Gd) have been synthesized inside the hollow interiors of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by filling SWNTs with precursor metal chlorides and subsequent reduction. SWNTs have been filled by either the melt-phase sealed-tube reaction or a solution-phase method. Among the metal chlorides investigated in this study, HoCl3 and GdCl3 filled the SWNTs to a significantly higher extent. The nanowires have been imaged by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy carried out in conjunction with TEM and STEM confirmed the presence of metal chloride and metal nanowires.

Chlorides↗

Localization of bacteria on the rat tongue with scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Scanning microscopy of rat tongue showed that bacterial habitation of the tongue was almost completely localized to the middle third of the anterior surface of the filiform papillae. Transmission microscopy showed coccal forms attached to the surface of the epithelium by means of fibrillar strands and present up to four cell layers deep within the epithelium.

Animals↗