The effect of axotomy on firing and ultrastructure of the crayfish mechanoreceptor neurons and satellite glial cells.

Neurotrauma is among main causes of human disability and death. We studied effects of axotomy on ultrastructure and neuronal activity of a simple model object - an isolated crayfish stretch receptor that consists of single mechanoreceptor neurons (MRN) enwrapped by multilayer glial envelope. After isolation, MRN regularly fired until spontaneous activity cessation. Axotomy did not change significantly MRN spike amplitude and firing rate. However, the duration of neuron activity from MRN isolation to its spontaneous cessation decreased in axotomized MRN relative to intact neuron. [Ca2+] in MRN axon and soma increased 3-10 min after axotomy. Ca2+ entry through ion channels in the axolemma accelerated axotomy-stimulated firing cessation. MRN incubation with Ca2+ionophore ionomycin accelerated MRN inactivation, whereas Ca2+-channel blocker Cd2+ prolonged firing. Activity duration of either intact, or axotomized MRN did not change in the presence of ryanodine or dantrolene, inhibitors of ryanodin-sensitive Ca2+ channels in endoplasmic reticulum. Thapsigargin, inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, or its activator ochratoxin were ineffective. Ultrastructural study showed that the defect in the axon transected by thin scissors is sealed by fused axolemma, glial and collagen layers. Only the 30-50 µm long segment completely lost microtubules and contained swelled mitochondria. The microtubular bundle remained undamaged at 300 µm away from the axotomy site. However, mitochondria within the 200-300 µm segment were strongly condensed and lost matrix and cristae. Glial and collagen layers exhibited greater damage. Swelling and edema of glial layers, collagen disorganization and rupture occurred within this segment. Thus, axotomy stronger damages glia/collagen envelope, axonal microtubules and mitochondria.

Method of preparation, visualization and ultrastructural analysis of a formulation of probiotic Bacillus subtilis KATMIRA1933 produced by solid-phase fermentation.

Probiotic preparations are used in medical treatment and in agricultural practice. They modulate numerous activities in eukaryotic hosts, such as: inhibition of pathogenic microbiota; stimulation of immunological responses; and production of antioxidants, anti-mutagens, and DNA protectors. Also, probiotic bacteria are used as a preventive measure to prevent bacterial diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Solid-phase fermentation is reported as being used in the production of probiotic formulations where a solid substratum, such as soy and oil meal, is utilized for the growth of beneficial microorganisms. However, there are insufficient reports in the literature related to methodological approaches enabling evaluation of the final products of solid-phase fermentation. We suggest a novel method enabling evaluation of probiotic solid-state fermentation dry powders and observation of their morphology, ultrastructure, and elucidation of the quantitative distribution of probiotic microorganisms in solid substrates using electron microscopy. •The method is intended for ultrastructure microphotography of dry substances - for example, ultrastructure of solid-phase fermentation products.•The method allows preserving the ultrastructure of substrates that are damaged when soaking.•The method does not require additional equipment and reagents and can be used in all laboratories using electron microscopy.

FEATURES ULTRASTRUCTURAL ORGANIZAITION OF SENSORY NEURONS IN THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES RECEPTOR ORGANS CRAYFISH ASTACUS LEPTODACTYLUS.

Despite the fact that abdominal muscle receptor organ crayfish is one of the most thoroughly studied objects in neurobiology, the ultrastructural mechanisms that make up its two different operating systems are disclosed insufficiently as the focus of these papers was paid to the area of representation of dendrites of sensory neurons in the receptor muscles. Detailed comparative analysis of the fine structure of the soma sensory cells was not conducted. In the present study, we have investigated the ultrastructure of soma of slow- and fast-adapting sensory neurons of abdominal muscle receptor organ Astacus leptodactylus with special attention to the differences between the two systems. Differences in the fine structure of the main cell organelles have been identified and quantified. We have discovered a relatively high concentration of mitochondria in sensitive cells of slow type receptor as well as a large total area of tanks of the endoplasmic reticulum cells in neurons of faster system. We have assumed that the differences revealed in the fine structure of organelles in soma of sensory neurons between the two types of receptors might be partially responsible for the speed of adaptation and for sensitivity thresholds observed in the physiological experiments.

Dynamics of ultrastructural alterations in photosensitized crayfish glial and neuronal cells: Structures involved in transport processes and neuroglial interactions.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used for cancer treatment, including brain tumors. To explore the dynamics of photodynamic injury of glial cells and neurons and corresponding neuroglial interactions, we studied ultrastructure of the PDT-treated crayfish stretch receptor that consists of a single sensory neuron enwrapped by glial cells. Just after PDT, swelling of some mitochondria, dictyosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum cisterns occurred in neurons and glial cells. Tubular lattices involved in intraglial transport became swollen and disintegrated. At 1 hr postirradiation, these alterations were expanded to the whole cells. Segregation of the neuronal cytoplasm by Nissl bodies, which were involved in protein synthesis and transport along neurites, was lost. Swelling of submembrane cisterns prevented formation of glial protrusions and double-wall vesicles involved in the glia-to-neuron transport. Five hours later, glial layers lost organelles, stuck together, or dilated locally as a result of edema. In the neuronal cytoplasm, only demises of ER and swollen mitochondria were present, but few mitochondria retained normal structure. Thus, swelling of intracellular organelles, the first sign of photodynamic injury, occurred simultaneously in neurons and glia, but glial organelles were eliminated more quickly. Therefore, glial cells were less resistant to PDT than neurons. Adjacent glial layers were damaged less than remote ones, suggesting their protection by the neuron. The structures involved in glia-to-neuron (neuronal submembrane cisterns, glial protrusions, double-wall vesicles), intraglial (tubular lattices), and intraneuronal (Nissl bodies, Golgi apparatus, microtubular bundles) transport were impaired at the earlier stages of stretch receptor damage.