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Notes: Abstract This paper reports the electron microscopy results obtained from two patients who were treated with 5 W of yellow (578 nm) light from a copper vapour laser with an illumination time of 3.6 ms and a 0.3 mm spot diameter. The endpoint of treatment was transient blanching. Following treatment, erythema was observed. There was minimal damage to the epidermis and non-vascular tissue such as the nerve fibres. There was severe damage to the endothelial cells of the ectatic vessels. Twenty-four hours after treatment, platelet activation and collagen were present, indicating that these vessels were no longer viable. Theoretical calculations are used to determine the flow of heat within and away from a 50μm diameter vessel. From this, heating of the entire vessel is shown to occur with illumination times of 4 ms, with minimal heating of the non-vascular tissue. Shorter illuminations do not heat the entire vessel, while the use of longer illumination times will cause excessive damage to the surrounding non-vascular tissue. Illumination times close to 4 ms must be regarded as optimal.

Notes: Abstract Light microscopic and ultrastructural findings in patients suffering from chloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy are reviewed. Based on our own observations in an autopsy case, functional and morphological similarities between chloroquine effects and hereditary lysosomal storage diseases are discussed.

Notes: Abstract Subnuclear blebbing of the superficial colonic epithelium, a rarely described light and electron microscopic change in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), was studied in a murine model of GVHD. Severity of changes induced by transfer of various donor T cell subsets to irradiated, allogeneic recipients, and association with more severe alterations such as erosions and ulceration were evaluated. By light microscopy the basal region of the superficial enterocytes was greatly expanded by eosinophilic to amphophilic, flocculent, sometimes vacuolated material. By electron microscopy these changes were found to be organelle-poor, cytoplasm-filled protrusions from the basal surface of the epithelium. In this model, helper T cells (CD4+-enriched, CD8+-depleted T cells) transplanted after high dose irradiation were capable of causing the change suggesting cytokine responses may be involved in mediating the cellular injury seen histologically. Close association of blebbing and erosions suggest the blebbing may be the precursor to epithelial erosion or denudation seen in severe intestinal GVHD.

Notes: Abstract Osteoclastic cells from giant cell tumour of bone (GCT) of bone provide a rich source for investigation of cellular mechanisms leading to formation of multinucleated cells, the resorption process and involvement of hormones and cytokines in these events. In the present study we investigated the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on the resorbing potential of osteoclast of GCT origin using quantitative image-analysis of resorption lacunae in an in vitro dentine model. While VD3 unsignificantly increased the number of resorption pits and implicated surface after 7 days of GCT cell culturing, the stimulative effect of LIF was statistically significant. In cultures supplemented with LIF (5000 U/ml) the number of lacunae and resorption surface increased by 38% and 55%, respectively, when compared with control cultures. We suggest that both osteotropic agents increased osteoclastic activity, as the number of multinucleated cells was similar in control and experimental cultures. Seeding of GCT cells on biphasic calcium phosphate substratum revealed the relative inability of osteoclastic cells to resorb this synthetic material.

Notes: Abstract A 21-year-old woman with a family history of von Hippel-Lindau disease presented with a mass in the head of the pancreas. Light microscopic features of the tumour suggested neuroendocrine differentiation and although it displayed positive immunostaining for the antigens expected in a neuroendocrine neoplasm, S-100 staining was also present. This unusual feature prompted further evaluation by routine and post-embedding protein-A gold immunoelectron microscopy, which demonstrated the presence of neuroendocrine granules. Tumour cell DNA content was normal by flow cytometry. Although this patient exhibited no other signs of von Hippel-Lindau disease, the presence of a pancreatic tumour with neuroendocrine differentiation demonstrated that she was affected. Future surveillance and genetic counselling will be influenced by this diagnosis.

Notes: Abstract In this contribution the results of some electron microscopy studies on microstructures related with phase transitions in a variety of materials will be presented. The materials include binary and ternary alloys, high TC superconductors as well as C60 and C70 fullerenes, while the transitions can be diffusional, displacive or both.

Notes: Abstract This report describes an experimental model of chronic tonsillar herniation and its effects on the spinal cord. In ten rats, a small piece of chemically induced mammary cancer was transplanted to the supraoccipital bone. In all cases, the transplanted cancers grew into the posterior fossa, destroying the supraoccipital bone and compressing the cerebellum extradurally. In six of the ten rats, tonsillar herniation was observed at 8–14 weeks after transplantation. Transdural infiltration of the tumor cells was not apparent in any animal. In those rats with tonsillar herniation (n = 6), the spinal cord from the C5 to the T8 segments showed enlargement of the central canal without exception. Histological examination revealed the following changes: stretching and thinning of the ependymal cells; swelling of the astrocytic processes; and extracellular edema, predominantly in the dorsal gray matter, but also in the ventral inner portion of the dorsal column. In the control group (n = 4) and those rats without tonsillar herniation (n = 4), such histological changes of the spinal cord were not observed. Although the lesions can not be regarded as representing mature syringomyelia, they most likely constitute an earlier evolutionary stage.

Notes: Abstract The microanatomy and ultrastructure of the feline and canine thoracic duct and afferent lymphatics were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We found that the lymphatic vessels were always terminated by ostial valves of two shapes, crescent- and navicular-like, in a ratio of 4∶1. Specific regulatory structures along the free edges of the valves, including marginal thickenings and buttresses, are described. The tissue and cellular organization of the valve endothelium showed distinct peculiarities, particularly in the orientation and shape of the cells and their microrelief. We found that valvular endothelial cells, especially „tip cells”, which are situated in unfavourable lymphodynamic conditions, were characterized by an increased volume density of intermediate (probably vimentin-based) filaments, suggesting an accommodative mechanism involving such filaments.

Notes: Abstract This report describes an experimental model of chronic tonsillar herniation and its effects on the spinal cord. In ten rats, a small piece of chemically induced mammary cancer was transplanted to the supraoccipital bone. In all cases, the transplanted cancers grew into the posterior fossa, destroying the supraoccipital bone and compressing the cerebellum extradurally. In six of the ten rats, tonsillar herniation was observed at 8–14 weeks after transplantation. Transdural infiltration of the tumor cells was not apparent in any animal. In those rats with tonsillar herniation (n=6), the spinal cord from the C5 to the T8 segments showed enlargement of the central canal without exception. Histological examination revealed the following changes: stretching and thinning of the ependymal cells; swelling of the astrocytic processes; and extracellular edema, predominantly in the dorsal gray matter, but also in the ventral inner portion of the dorsal column. In the control group (n=4) and those rats without tonsillar herniation (n=4), such histological changes of the spinal cord were not observed. Although the lesions can not be regarded as representing mature syringomyelia, they most likely constitute an earlier evolutionary stage.

Notes: Abstract To investigate if Alzheimer paired helical filaments (PHF) closely resemble twisted ribbons, as indicated by recent high-resolution ultrastructural studies, we compared physical models of twisted ribbons with electron microscopic images of PHF. Uranyl-acetate-stained, isolated PHF with one or two helical turns were compared with scale models of twisted ribbons with one and two helical turns rotated at different angles. The various rotations of the twisted ribbon model corresponded well with the different orientations of randomly dispersed PHF. The electron-dense regions of individual PHF turns previously thought to represent a cross-over site of paired filaments corresponded to the edge of the twisted ribbon when the ribbon was oriented perpendicular to the filament axis. These data indicate that the overall configuration of PHF is a twisted ribbon but does not exclude possible configuration restrictions due to an ordered arrangement of subunits.

Notes: Abstract To investigate if Alzheimer paired helical filaments (PHF) closely resemble twisted ribbons, as indicated by recent high-resolution ultrastructural studies, we compared physical models of twisted ribbons with electron microscopic images of PHF. Uranyl-acetate-stained, isolated PHF with one or two helical turns were compared with scale models of twisted ribbons with one and two helical turns rotated at different angles. The various rotations of the twisted ribbon model corresponded well with the different orientations of randomly dispersed PHF. The electron-dense regions of individual PHF turns previously thought to represent a cross-over site of paired filaments corresponded to the edge of the twisted ribbon when the ribbon was oriented perpendicular to the filament axis. These data indicate that the overall configuration of PHF is a twisted ribbon but does not exclude possible configuration restrictions due to an ordered arrangement of subunits.

Notes: Abstract The ultrastructure of muscle spindles de-efferented by the extirpation of the lumbosacral spinal cord at the age of 2 days and subsequently deprived of their sensory innervation by the section of the sciatic nerve at 3–4 weeks of age was studied in serial sections of 2-month-old rat hindlimb muscles. De-efferentation leaves the primary sensory neurons and their peripheral axons intact and capable of inducing the muscle spindle morphogenesis during the critical period of their development. In de-efferented and subsequently denervated muscle spindles, new supernumerary intrafusal muscle profiles (SIPs) appeared in the muscle spindle A region. They were formed in intimate spatial relation with the original intrafusal muscle fibres (IMFs) predominantly from activated satellite cells derived from both nuclear bag (larger diameter) and nuclear chain fibres. SIPs, however, lacked the typical nuclear accumulations, as well as other ultrastructural distinctions present in control IMFs. The majority of differentiated SIPs separated from original IMFs, whereas the less differentiated SIPs were usually closely apposed to the surface of the parent IMFs and both were covered by the common basal lamina. In some spindles, the original IMFs and/or new SIPs at different stages of their differentiation were found together and they formed clusters of variable shape and composition. In the majority of clusters, all profiles seemed to be isolated along their entire length, although in few clusters, occasional cytoplasmic connections of variable length between intrafusal profiles were found. This result is important for the interpretation of the forthcoming study of expression of muscle spindle-specific myosin heavy chain isoforms in denervated SIPs in rat muscle spindles gradually deprived of their motor and sensory innervation.

Notes: Abstract Ultrastructural investigation of the hippocampal CA1 and CA4 of nine sutopsy-proven cases of dementia of the Alzheimer type (duration of disease: 3–16 years; age: 76–92 years) revealed paired helical filaments (PHFs) and straight tubules (STs) in astrocytes of three advanced cases of long duration (〉13years). The PHFs and STs were indistinguishable from those seen in neurons. The abnormal glial fibrils were confined to the astrocytic processes that were associated with small vessels or, more frequently, with ghost tangles. In both locations the astrocytic PHFs and STs were located in the cytoplasm without limiting membranes, and were thicker than the straight filaments that composed ghost tangles. These findings, combined with the presence of regular constrictions of astrocytic PHFs, suggest that abnormal astrocytic fibers are produced by the glial cells, not engulfed by them. In addition, the presence of these abnormal glial filaments in only advanced, long-duration cases of dementia of the Alzheimer type suggests that disease duration has a significant effect upon the formation of these astrocytic profiles.

Notes: Abstract Ultrastructural investigation of the hippocampal CA1 and CA4 of nine autopsy-proven cases of dementia of the Alzheimer type (duration of disease: 3–16 years; age: 76–92 years) revealed paired helical filaments (PHFs) and straight tubules (STs) in astrocytes of three advanced cases of long duration (〉13 years). The PHFs and STs were indistinguishable from those seen in neurons. The abnormal glial fibrils were confined to the astrocytic processes that were associated with small vessels or, more frequently, with ghost tangles. In both locations the astrocytic PHFs and STs were located in the cytoplasm without limiting membranes, and were thicker than the straight filaments that composed ghost tangles. These findings, combined with the presence of regular constrictions of astrocytic PHFs, suggest that abnormal astrocytic fibers are produced by the glial cells, not engulfed by them. In addition, the presence of these abnormal glial filaments in only advanced, long-duration cases of dementia of the Alzheimer type suggests that disease duration has a significant effect upon the formation of these astrocytic profiles.

Notes: Abstract During the development of somites in mouse embryos, widespread activity of unspecific cholinesterase (BuChE) was demonstrated after prolonged incubation. Independent of their position, all somite cells and their derivatives (dermatome, myotome and sclerotome) exhibited enzyme activity in the perinuclear space and in the endoplasmic reticulum. The plasmalemma did not show any enzyme activity. Differentiation of the sclerotome into vertebrae was accompanied by a reduction of BuChE. However, a low enzyme reaction was still present in the first typical differentiated chondroblasts. Notochordal cells were detectable by their high BuChE content. This was also found in cells already showed severe degeneration. In addition to BuChE, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was first visible on day 9 of embryonic development in newly formed myotubes of the myotomes. Some hypotheses on the functional significance of embryonic BuChE are discussed in the light of these results.

Notes: Abstract Bone sialoprotein was immunolocalized at the EM level in thin Lowicryl K4M sections of rat bone. Because of the unconventional EM morphology of the bone matrix seen in thin demineralized acrylate sections, the pattern of immunolabeling was compared with detailed structural images of demineralized bone obtained using an en bloc treatment of tissue samples with the cationic electron ‘dye’, Malachite Green (MG), which provides stabilization and retention of anionic material throughout specimen processing. A system of structures corresponding to the sites of bone sialoprotein (BSP) immunoreactivity, as seen in Lowicryl K4M thin sections, could be readily identified in the MG-treated, expoxy thin sections. This system includes the cement lines, and aggregates of similar material within mineralized bone and mineralizing osteoid. The virtual identity of BSP distribution with the arrangement of the MG-visualized material indicates that a BSP-enriched, noncollagenous phase can be demonstrated using different, unrelated tissue preparation and imaging protocols for EM. Besides improving our understanding of the distribution of bone sialoprotein in bone, these data assign a previously unrecognized structural dimension to noncollagenous material in the bone matrix.

Notes: Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effects of specific and potent cathepsin inhibitors on osteoclastic resorptive functions in vitro by means of a novel ultrastructural assay system. Mouse bone marrow cell-derived osteoclasts were suspended on dentine slices and cultured for 48 hours in the presence of either E-64 (a generalized cysteine proteinase inhibitor) or Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2 (a selective cathepsin L inhibitor). After the removal of cultured osteoclasts, co-cultured dentine slices were examined using electron microscopy: backscattered (BSEM), scanning (SEM), and atomic force (AFM). In morphometric analyses of BSEM images, there were no significant differences in the areas of demineralized dentine surfaces between control and inhibitor-treated groups, suggesting that cathepsin inhibitors had no effect on dentine demineralization by cultured osteoclasts. However, in SEM and AFM observations, both inhibitors remarkably reduced to the same extent, the formation of deep resorption lacunae on dentine slices that had resulted from degradation of matrix collagen. In addition, Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2 treatment produced deeper, ring-like grooves with little collagen exposure in shallow resorption lacunae. These results strongly suggest that (1) cathepsins released by osteoclasts are involved in the formation of deep resorption lacunae, and (2) cathepsin L plays a key role in bone resorption.

Notes: Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate whether reduced bronchial mucus transport velocity (BTV) is associated with a loss of cilia or ultrastructural abnormalities of cilia in intubated patients. Design The patients were studied prospectively in a convenience sample trial. Setting The study took place in a university hospital. Patients and participants 29 orally intubated patients in a surgical ICU. Interventions BTV was measured with radiolabeled microspheres in the right and left primary bronchus. Following these measurements, biopsy samples were taken from the bronchi for scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron-microscopic investigations. Measurements and results SEM: Patients with normal or slight impaired BTV (group 1,n=14: BTV: 8.5 mm/min (3.8–11.5); median with range) showed more cilia on the luminal surface than patients with markedly depressed BTV (p〈0.05) (group 2,n=15: BTV: 0(0–2.1)). The difference was statistically significant. The BTV values correlated moderately with the number of cilia on the luminal surface (r=0.46;p=0.02). TEM: In group 1, 6.5% (3.9–14.9) of cilia were abnormal (median with range) vs 9.3% (4.9–13.7) in group 2; these differences were not statistically significant. Neither was there any significant correlation between BTV and the frequency of abnormal cilia. Conclusions Impaired mucociliary transport in intubated patients is associated with a loss of cilia rather than ultrastructural abnormalities of cilia, which are less relevant.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Bei einer 22jährigen Patientin mit ausgedehnten, ab dem 3. Lebensjahr auftretenden Angiokeratomen im Sinne eines Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, welche zusätzlich eine Intelligenzminderung und Dysmorphiezeichen aufwies, konnte trotz intensiver Suche laborchemisch keine assoziierte Stoffwechselstörung gefunden werden. Der fehlende Nachweis einer lysosomalen Speicherung in der Elektronenmikroskopie stützte diesen Befund. Somit liegt bei dieser Patientin die seltene Situation eines Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum ohne assoziierte Stoffwechselkrankheit (idiopathisches Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) vor.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Unter nerval-neuroendokrinen Komplexen (N-NE-K) versteht man in der Lamina propria mucosae des Magen-Darm-Traktes gelegene Nester neuroendokriner Zellen, die in direktem Kontakt zu Nervenfasern des Meissner-Plexus stehen. Es wird über einen Patienten mit sporadischem Zollinger-Ellison-Syndrom (ZES) berichtet, bei dem sich elektronenmikroskopisch in nonantraler Magenschleimhaut multiple N-NE-K fanden. Möglicherweise stellt die Hypergastrinämie bei ZES einen trophischen Stimulus für die Proliferation von N-NE-K in der Magenschleimhaut dar.

Notes: Abstract The hydroxylamine oxidoreductase from Nitrosomonas europaea was prepared to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity. Electron microscopy of negatively stained preparations of the sample revealed an overall diameter of about 8.8 nm of the enzyme particle. The native structure was determined as a tetrahedron-like assembly of identical subunits exhibiting four protein masses.

Notes: Abstract The hydroxylamine oxidoreductase from Nitrosomonas europaea was prepared to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity. Electron microscopy of negatively stained preparations of the sample revealed an overall diameter of about 8.8 nm of the enzyme particle. The native structure was determined as a tetrahedron-like assembly of identical subunits exhibiting four protein masses.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Es wird über einen 49jährigen Patienten berichtet, bei dem seit Jahren ein Morbus Hailey-Hailey bekannt ist. Bei einem Rezidiv der Erkrankung kam es trotz hoher Glukokortikosteroidgaben zu keiner Remission. Erst die erneute diagnostische Abklärung des Rezidivs durch eine Hautprobe ergab den Verdacht auf eine Herpessimplex-Virus-Infektion, die über elektronenmikroskopische Negativkontrastierung und über Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR) bestätigt werden konnte. Anhand dieser Kasuistik wird auf ein neueres molekularbiologisches Verfahren hingewiesen, das eine sensitive und schnelle Methode zum Virusnachweis darstellt.

Notes: Abstract We report a case in which an adult form of Niemann-Pick disease (type B of NPD) was associated with a rapidly progressive generalized AL amyloidosis of kappa type. Both diagnosis were made by biopsy, the NPD by bone marrow biopsy and fibroblast culture, the amyloidosis by liver biopsy. Malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma was not found. The patient, a 67-year-old woman, died from hepatic coma subsequent to a progressive liver failure. We discuss possible relations between the lysosomal storage disease and the development and rapid progression of amyloidosis.

Notes: Abstract. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the left dorsal column nuclei of adult cats. Large dorsal funiculi axons of the C3, C5, C8 and L7 segments were searched for HRP-activity after 12, 24, 36 and 48 h using light and electron microscopy. Accumulations of intra-axonal HRP-positive bodies occurred at nodes of Ranvier in the C3–C8 segments at 12, 24 and 36 h and in the L7 segments at 24, 36, and 48 h. The accumulations of HRP in three spatio-temporally different consecutive patterns, noted earlier at nodes of Ranvier in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) portion of feline alpha motor axons for more than 70 h after an intramuscular injection of the enzyme, were not observed in the present material. We suggest that the differences in the modes in which large PNS and CNS axons interact with retrogradely transported HRP are due to differences in the organization of the respective nodal regions. We also emphasize that endocytosis via axon terminals in the CNS normally represents uptake of material from an extracellular space which is controlled and protected by the blood-brain barrier. This is in contrast to endocytosis via axon terminals in a muscle, which represents uptake of material from an extracellular space openly exposed to influx of different substances from the blood stream.

Notes: Abstract. Both allatostatin immunoreactivity (AS-IR) and FMRFamide immunoreactivity (FMRFa-IR) have been demonstrated light-microscopically in the lateral heart nerve of Periplaneta americana. The identical labeling of some fibers suggests the coexistence of the two antigens. Electron-microscopically, six granule types in the peripheral part of the lateral heart nerve can be distinguished according to their size and density (types 1–6). These granule types can be subdivided immunocytochemically by means of a new mirror-section technique. Granules of types 4 and 5 always exclusively show FMRFa-IR. In the populations of fibers containing granules of types 1 and 6, axon profiles can be found that contain granules colocalizing FMRFa-IR and AS-IR. Other axon profiles of these populations only contain immunonegative granules of the same ultrastructure. Granules of type 2 can be differentiated immunocytochemically in three forms in the same section: In some fibers, they are nonreactive; in other fibers of the same section, they show FMRFa – IR, whereas in a third fiber type, granules show AS – IR. Finally, granules of type 3 can be observed with FMRFa-IR. In other fibers, they occur with the same ultrastructure but exhibit no immunoreactivity. Two soma types occur in the lateral heart nerve. Soma type I is characterized by the production of electron-dense granules that show FMRFa-IR. Type II is in close contact with various fibers, forming different types of axosomatic synapses, hitherto unknown in Insecta.

Notes: Abstract. This study utilised a commercially available monomaleimido-nanogold reagent to directly label cellular thiol groups (SH) of marsupial (tammar wallaby) spermatozoa before and after reduction of disulphides (S-S) with mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride (MEA). The sperm surface, mitochondrial membranes, axoneme and tail fibres were all labelled with gold particles before MEA treatment and the label intensity was increased after S-S reduction. The acrosomal membranes and matrix of spermatozoa contained no detectable SH prior to MEA treatment. However, after moderate MEA treatment (1 mg/ml) gold label was associated with the acrosomal membrane and invaginated acrosomal membrane within the acrosomal matrix. After exposure to 5 and 10 mg/ml MEA, gold particles heavily labelled the acrosomal matrix. Thus, the acrosomal membranes and matrix of tammar wallaby spermatozoa both contain S-S cross-linked structures, and this may contribute to the unusual stability of the marsupial acrosome. Under all treatment conditions the nucleus remained unlabelled. This is consistent with early studies which indicated that cysteine was absent from the nuclear protamines. The study also demonstrated that monomaleimido-nanogold can be used to resolve SH- and S-S-rich cellular structures directly, in addition to its use to label antibodies and Fab fragments for immunochemical localisation.

Notes: Abstract The anterior pituitary tissue of male rats injected with growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) was either processed for stereology at the light-and electron-microscopic levels, or homogenized for growth hormone (GH) assay 2–60 min after GRF injection. Secretory granules of somatotrophs became smaller but increased in numerical density 2 min after GRF injection. Their volume density began to increase at 5 min. The frequency of exocytosis of the granules was most prominent as early as 2 min after GRF injection and reduced thereafter. GH levels in the tissue were lowest at 2–5 min, and returned to the control value by 60 min. Serum GH levels were highest at 15 min; even at 60 min, this value was higher than in the controls. These findings suggest that secretory granules in somatotrophs are stimulated to divide by GRF, resulting in a decrease in size and an increase in number. The discrepancy between the earlier formation of new secretory granules and the later restoration of intracellular GH levels implies that GRF first stimulates the synthesis of constituents of granules other than GH, and only later the synthesis of GH, and that newly formed small secretory granules contain less GH. From the clearance rate of serum GH and the frequency of granule exocytosis, it can be estimated that about a half million granules are released to maintain 1 ng/ml of serum GH in rats.

Notes: Abstract The adhesion of human blood platelets is studied with an in vitro model using reflection contrast microscopy and an image analysis system. The adhesive feature is promoted by oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein, which also induces functional morphological changes of platelets. However, when washed platelets are pretreated with 0.05 mM cytochalasin D, oxidized low density lipoprotein (100 μg/ml) causes a slower increase of the adhesion area (11.6 μm2/min) compared to untreated platelets (15.7 μm2/min) or platelets treated by oxidized low density lipoprotein alone (20.5 μm2/min, P〈0.01). These results are supported by light transmission analysis and by transmission electron microscopy. Our experiments suggest that cytochalasin D inhibits the change of platelets in shape induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein, hinders the adhesion, but does not prevent the adhesion entirely.

Notes: Abstract In the submucous plexus of the guinea-pig ileum, previous light-microscopic studies have revealed that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunoreactive terminals are found predominantly in association with VIP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. In this study, double-label immunohistochemistry at the light-microscopic level demonstrated co-localization of NOS-immunoreactivity and VIP-immunoreactivity in axon terminals in submucous ganglia. About 90% of nerve fibres with NOS-immunoreactivity or VIP-immunoreactivity were immunoreactive for both antigens; only about 10% of labelled varicosities contained only NOS-immunoreactivity or VIP-immunoreactivity. The VIP/NOS varicosities were more often seen in the central parts of the ganglia, close to the VIP-immunoreactive cell bodies. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry with antibodies to VIP was used to determine if NOS/VIP terminals synapse exclusively with VIP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. We examined the targets of VIP-immunoreactive boutons in two submucous ganglia from different animals. Serial ultrathin sections were taken through the ganglia after they had been processed for VIP immunocytochemistry. For each cell body, the number of VIP inputs (synapses and close contacts) was determined. The number of VIP-immunoreactive synapses received by the cell bodies of submucous neurons varied from 0–4 and the number of VIP-immunoreactive close contacts varied from 3–10. There was no significant difference between VIP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies and non-VIP nerve cell bodies in the number of VIP-immunoreactive synapses and close contacts they received. Thus, the implication from light microscopy that NOS/VIP terminals end predominantly on VIP nerve cells was not vindicated by electron microscopy.

Notes: Abstract CD44 is a multifunctional adhesion molecule that binds to hyaluronic acid, type I collagen, and fibronectin. We have studied the immunohistochemical localization of CD44 in bone cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in order to clarify its role in the cell-cell and/or cell-matrix interaction of bone cells. In round osteoblasts attached to bone surfaces, immunoreactivity is restricted to their cytoplasmic processes. On the other hand, osteocytes in bone matrices show intense immunoreactivity on their plasma membrane. Intense immunoreactivity for CD44 can be detected on the basolateral plasma membranes of osteoclasts. There is considerably less reactivity observed in the area of the plasma membrane that is in direct contact with bone. The pre-embedding electron-microscopical method has revealed that CD44 is mainly localized on the basolateral plasma membrane of osteoclasts. However, the ruffled border and clear zone show little immunoreactivity. A CD44-positive reaction can be detected on both plasma membranes in the contact region between osteoclasts and osteocytes. These findings suggest that: 1) cells of the osteoblast lineage express CD44 in accordance with their morphological changes from osteoblasts into osteocytes; 2) osteoclasts express CD44 on their basolateral plasma membrane; 3) CD44 in osteoclasts and osteocytes may play an important role in cell-cell and/or cell-matrix attachment via extracellular matrices.

Notes: Abstract Ultrastructural investigation of nitrix oxide synthase-immunoreactive nerves closely associated with blood vessels in rat and guinea-pig hearts revealed many labelled nerve fibres in the walls of the main branches of the coronary arteries, and in arterioles, capillaries and post-capillary venules. The number of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibres associated with different vessels, even those of the same calibre, varied. Terminal regions of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive fibres were observed in the endocardium and myocardium. Nitric oxide synthase-labelled fibres displayed electrondense immunoproduct in both varicose and intervaricose regions. Immunoreactive axonal varicosities contained both small and large synaptic vesicles. The characteristics of the nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive nerve fibres observed in the heart and the possibility that these fibres represent the processes of intracardiac neurones and/or sensory neurones of extrinsic origin are discussed.

Notes: Abstract Granules consisting of periodically arranged membranous lamellae and amorphous electron-opaque material, i.e., periodic lamellar granules, are present in human neutrophils. To date, no extensive ultrastructural studies have been carried out on these granules because of their infrequent presence in neutrophils. The bone marrow of 18 cases of chronic myeloproliferative disorders, including one case of chronic neutrophilic leukemia in which periodic lamellar granules were frequently seen in neutrophils, was investigated by electron microscopy. Periodic lamellar granules were seen in neutrophils in 12 of the 18 cases at varying frequencies. They were preferentially seen in immature neutrophils. The transverse profiles of these granules revealed concentric complete/incomplete rings or periodic parallel straight lines, i.e., various patterns of lamellar arrangement were present. Periodic lamellar granules were positive for myeloperoxidase and lysozyme at the electron-microscopic level. These results suggest that these granules represent a primary neutrophil granule subtype. However, their functional and pathologic significance remains unknown.

Notes: Abstract. The ultrastructure of ellipsoids in the spleen of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is described. The endothelium of terminations of arterioles bulged into the lumen, and gaps between the endothelial cells were evident. A continuous basal lamina was not present, and there were extensive interdigitations between the endothelial cells and surrounding reticular cells. The interdigitating processes were rich in microfilaments. Intravenously injected colloidal carbon, approximately 0.03 μm in diameter, was held in the reticular matrix of the ellipsoidal wall and taken up by macrophages that extended cellular processes among the reticular and endothelial cells. The intravenous injection of fluorescent polystyrene microspheres of known diameter showed that microspheres with a diameter of 0.5 or 1.0 μm were localised in the red pulp, whereas microspheres with a diameter of 0.15 μm were retained in ellipsoidal walls. Thus, the terminations of splenic arterioles in rainbow trout were found to be consistent with descriptions of ellipsoids in other vertebrates in that they possessed a specialised cuboidal endothelium, lacked a continuous basal lamina, were surrounded by a sheath of macrophages and reticular cells, and had a role in the selective filtration and retention of blood-borne particles.

Notes: Abstract Both allatostatin immunoreactivity (AS-IR) and FMRFamide immunoreactivity (FMRFa-IR) have been demonstrated light-microscopically in the lateral heart nerve of Periplaneta americana. The identifical labeling of some fibers suggests the coexistence of the two antigens. Electron-microscopically, six granule types in the peripheral part of the lateral heart nerve can be distinguished according to their size and density (types 1–6). These granule types can be subdivided immunocytochemically by means of a new mirror-section technique. Granules of types 4 and 5 always exclusively show FMRFa-IR. In the populations of fibers containing granules of types 1 and 6, axon profiles can be found that contain granules colocalizing FMRFa-IR and AS-IR. Other axon profiles of these populations only contain immunonegative granules of the same ultrastructure. Granules of type 2 can be differentiated immunocytochemically in three forms in the same section: In some fibers, they are nonreactive; in other fibers of the same section, they show FMRFa-IR, whereas in a third fiber type, granules show AS-IR. Finally, granules of type 3 can be observed with FMRFA-IR. In other fibers, they occur with the same ultrastructure but exhibit no immunoreactivity. Two soma types occur in the lateral heart nerve. Soma type I is characterized by the production of electron-dense granules that show FMRFa-IR. Type II is in close contact with various fibers, forming different types of axosomatic synapses, hitherto unknown in Insecta.

Notes: Abstract Catecholaminergic fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of adult rats were investigated by use of light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. The suprachiasmatic nucleus receives a modest density of tyrosine hydroxylase-containing axons, homogeneously distributed in the nucleus and forming varicosities throughout its entire rostro-caudal extension. Immunolabeling with antibodies against dopamine showed that this catecholamine input comprises a dopaminergic component. Many tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells were localized at the immediate periphery of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. With electron-microscopic examination, dendrites of these neurons were found within the limits of the nucleus as well as at a border zone between the suprachiasmatic nucleus proper and the optic tract where they received unlabeled synapses, providing a morphological support for a possible role of dopaminergic neurons in the integration and/or transfer of light-related signals. More than 91% of catecholaminergic axonal varicosities were found to establish morphologically defined synapses with dendrites. To investigate whether these synapses might be shared with neurons of one or both of the two main peptidergic populations of the nucleus, namely vasoactive intestinal peptide- and vasopressin-containing neurons, we carried out doublelabeling experments combining immunoperoxidase and immunogold-silver labeling. Results showed only a few cases of direct association of the catecholaminergic terminals with these peptidergic categories. In both types of dually stained sections, catecholaminergic synapses were preferentially made with unlabeled dendrites. The homogeneous distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus could therefore reflect a lack of significant catecholaminergic innervation of both vasoactive intestinal peptide- and vasopressin-synthesizing neurons.

Notes: Abstract The possible function of globules and irregular membrane-bound masses in the gonadotropin cells of the pituitary of Clarias gariepinus was studied. Strong secretory stimulation led to the disappearance of the secretory granules from gonadotropin cells but globules and irregular masses remained present. Acid phosphatase was detected enzyme-cytochemically in both globules and irregular masses. Radiolabelling with tritiated amino acids followed by autoradiography demonstrated that globules received radioactive material after secretory granules. The latter received radioactive material within 75 min of administration of radioactive amino acids but globules and irregular masses did not. Although some globules became radioactively labelled within 24 h of the administration of radioactive amino acids, irregular masses remained unlabelled during this period. Secretory granules reacted positively with antisera against α and β gonadotropin subunits, whereas globules and irregular masses only reacted with the antiserum against the β subunit. A moderate anti-7B2 immunoreactivity was demonstrated in secretory granules and globules, whereas irregular masses labelled strongly. The combined cytological results indicate that globules and irregular masses are degradative, possibly crinophagic structures which develop by fusional events from secretory granules to globules and then to irregular masses.

Notes: Abstract. The possible function of globules and irregular membrane-bound masses in the gonadotropin cells of the pituitary of Clarias gariepinus was studied. Strong secretory stimulation led to the disappearance of the secretory granules from gonadotropin cells but globules and irregular masses remained present. Acid phosphatase was detected enzyme-cytochemically in both globules and irregular masses. Radiolabelling with tritiated amino acids followed by autoradiography demons trated that globules received radioactive material after secretory granules. The latter received radioactive material within 75 min of administration of radioactive amino acids but globules and irregular masses did not. Although some globules became radioactively labelled within 24 h of the administration of radioactive amino acids, irregular masses remained unlabelled during this period. Secretory granules reacted positively with antisera against α and β gonadotropin subunits, whereas globules and irregular masses only reacted with the antiserum against the β subunit. A moderate anti-7B2 immunoreactivity was demonstrated in secretory granules and globules, whereas irregular masses labelled strongly. The combined cytological results indicate that globules and irregular masses are degradative, possibly crinophagic structures which develop by fusional events from secretory granules to globules and then to irregular masses.

Notes: Abstract. The adhesion of human blood platelets is studied with an in vitro model using reflection contrast microscopy and an image analysis system. The adhesive feature is promoted by oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein, which also induces functional morphological changes of platelets. However, when washed platelets are pretreated with 0.05 mM cytochalasin D, oxidized low density lipoprotein (100 μg/ml) causes a slower increase of the adhesion area (11.6 μm2/min) compared to untreated platelets (15.7 μm2/min) or platelets treated by oxidized low density lipoprotein alone (20.5 μm2/min, P〈0.01). These results are supported by light transmission analysis and by transmission electron microscopy. Our experiments suggest that cytochalasin D inhibits the change of platelets in shape induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein, hinders the adhesion, but does not prevent the adhesion entirely.

Notes: Abstract. Catecholaminergic fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of adult rats were investigated by use of light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. The suprachiasmatic nucleus receives a modest density of tyrosine hydroxylase-containing axons, homogeneously distributed in the nucleus and forming varicosities throughout its entire rostro-caudal extension. Immunolabeling with antibodies against dopamine showed that this catecholamine input comprises a dopaminergic component. Many tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells were localized at the immediate periphery of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. With electron-microscopic examination, dendrites of these neurons were found within the limits of the nucleus as well as at a border zone between the suprachiasmatic nucleus proper and the optic tract where they received unlabeled synapses, providing a morphological support for a possible role of dopaminergic neurons in the integration and/or transfer of light-related signals. More than 91% of catecholaminergic axonal varicosities were found to establish morphologically defined synapses with dendrites. To investigate whether these synapses might be shared with neurons of one or both of the two main peptidergic populations of the nucleus, namely vasoactive intestinal peptide- and vasopressin-containing neurons, we carried out double-labeling experiments combining immunoperoxidase and immunogold-silver labeling. Results showed only a few cases of direct association of the catecholaminergic termin als with these peptidergic categories. In both types of dually stained sections, catecholaminergic synapses were preferentially made with unlabeled dendrites. The homogeneous distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus could therefore reflect a lack of significant catecholaminergic innervation of both vasoactive intestinal peptide- and vasopressin-synthesizing neurons.

Notes: Abstract. The effects of thyro-parathyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy or thyroidectomy upon enamel formation in the rat incisor were studied. One control group and four groups of surgically treated rats were used: parathyroid autotransplanted, thyroidectomized, parathyroidectomized, and thyro-parathyroidectomized. One month after surgery, the incisors were processed for light and electron microscopy. The present study revealed perturbations of the Tomes’ process morphology, of the rod pattern in the inner enamel formation, of the enamel surface, and of the mineralization after thyro-parathyroidectomy. After parathyroidectomy, only mineralization defects could be visualised. No effects were observed in enamel after thyroidectomy. A severe hypocalcemic state as seen in thyro-parathyroidectomized rats affects the enamel shape, and mineralization, and the morphology and function of secretory ameloblasts. Knowledge of the way in which the alteration of the enamel surface is produced should contribute to a better understanding of the development of tooth enamel.

Notes: Abstract In the optic tectum of goldfish, the outer, middle and inner layers of the endomeninx were evident in animals ranging in age from 1 month to several years. The outer layer in young animals consisted of closely overlapping cells with intertwined processes, whereas in the older animals it contained large extracellular spaces. The intermediate layer cells were always arranged in a single continuous layer, but in young animals they overlapped extensively with one another toward their edges whereas in the oldest animals they became extremely flat and non-overlapping. The inner layer included an outer tier of cells with their bases adhering to the intermediate layer, and an inner tier of cells detached from both the intermediate layer and the basal lamina overlying the brain parenchyma. Inner layer cells contained many large vacuoles that were in continuity with the extracellular space. With age, the extracellular space and the vacuolar system expanded, and the inner layer evolved into a meshwork of attenuated cytoplasmic processes embedded in the granular extracellular matrix. Another age-related feature was the accumulation adjacent to the basal lamina of uniform disc-shaped membranous structures, resembling multilamellar bodies of lung surfactant. These “disc bodies” were apparently generated by the coalescence of vesicles formed at the surface of the inner layer cells, possibly as a by-product of protein secretion by these cells.

Notes: Abstract. In the submucous plexus of the guinea-pig ileum, previous light-microscopic studies have revealed that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunoreactive terminals are found predominantly in association with VIP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. In this study, double-label immunohistochemistry at the light-microscopic level demonstrated co-localization of NOS-immunoreactivity and VIP-immunoreactivity in axon terminals in submucous ganglia. About 90% of nerve fibres with NOS-immunoreactivity or VIP-immunoreactivity were immunoreactive for both antigens; only about 10% of labelled varicosities contained only NOS-immunoreactivity or VIP-immunoreactivity. The VIP/NOS varicosities were more often seen in the central parts of the ganglia, close to the VIP-immunoreactive cell bodies. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry with antibodies to VIP was used to determine if NOS/VIP terminals synapse exclusively with VIP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. We examined the targets of VIP-immunoreactive boutons in two submucous ganglia from different animals. Serial ultrathin sections were taken through the ganglia after they had been processed for VIP immunocytochemistry. For each cell body, the number of VIP inputs (synapses and close contacts) was determined. The number of VIP-immunoreactive synapses received by the cell bodies of submucous neurons varied from 0–4 and the number of VIP-immunoreactive close contacts varied from 3–10. There was no significant difference between VIP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies and non-VIP nerve cell bodies in the number of VIP-immunoreactive synapses and close contacts they received. Thus, the implication from light microscopy that NOS/VIP terminals end predominantly on VIP nerve cells was not vindicated by electron microscopy.

Notes: Abstract. CD44 is a multifunctional adhesion molecule that binds to hyaluronic acid, type I collagen, and fibronectin. We have studied the immunohistochemical localization of CD44 in bone cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in order to clarify its role in the cell-cell and/or cell-matrix interaction of bone cells. In round osteoblasts attached to bone surfaces, immunoreactivity is restricted to their cytoplasmic processes. On the other hand, osteocytes in bone matrices show intense immunoreactivity on their plasma membrane. Intense immunoreactivity for CD44 can be detected on the basolateral plasma membranes of osteoclasts. There is considerably less reactivity observed in the area of the plasma membrane that is in direct contact with bone. The pre-embedding electron-microscopical method has revealed that CD44 is mainly localized on the basolateral plasma membrane of osteoclasts. However, the ruffled border and clear zone show little immunoreactivity. A CD44-positive reaction can be detected on both plasma membranes in the contact region between osteoclasts and osteocytes. These findings suggest that: 1) cells of the osteoblast lineage express CD44 in accordance with their morphological changes from osteoblasts into osteocytes; 2) osteoclasts express CD44 on their basolateral plasma membrane; 3) CD44 in osteoclasts and osteocytes may play an important role in cell-cell and/or cell-matrix attachment via extracellular matrices.

Notes: Abstract. Ultrastructural investigation of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive nerves closely associated with blood vessels in rat and guinea-pig hearts revealed many labelled nerve fibres in the walls of the main branches of the coronary arteries, and in arterioles, capillaries and post-capillary venules. The number of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibres associated with different vessels, even those of the same calibre, varied. Terminal regions of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive fibres were observed in the endocardium and myocardium. Nitric oxide synthase-labelled fibres displayed electron-dense immunoproduct in both varicose and intervaricose regions. Immunoreactive axonal varicosities contained both small and large synaptic vesicles. The characteristics of the nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive nerve fibres observed in the heart and the possibility that these fibres represent the processes of intracardiac neurones and/or sensory neurones of extrinsic origin are discussed.

Notes: Abstract. Granules consisting of periodically arranged membranous lamellae and amorphous electron-opaque material, i.e., periodic lamellar granules, are present in human neutrophils. To date, no extensive ultrastructural studies have been carried out on these granules because of their infrequent presence in neutrophils. The bone marrow of 18 cases of chronic myeloproliferative disorders, including one case of chronic neutrophilic leukemia in which periodic lamellar granules were frequently seen in neutrophils, was investigated by electron microscopy. Periodic lamellar granules were seen in neutrophils in 12 of the 18 cases at varying frequencies. They were preferentially seen in immature neutrophils. The transverse profiles of these granules revealed concentric complete/incomplete rings or periodic parallel straight lines, i.e., various patterns of lamellar arrangement were present. Periodic lamellar granules were positive for myeloperoxidase and lysozyme at the electron-microscopic level. These results suggest that these granules represent a primary neutrophil granule subtype. However, their functional and pathologic significance remains unknown.

Notes: Abstract. Coated membranes and vesicles play an important role in receptor-mediated endocytosis and intracellular trafficking in various cell types, and are also present in blood platelets. Platelets take up certain proteins from the blood plasma, such as von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen, and these substances are transferred to storage granules. The receptors for these plasma proteins on the platelet plasma membrane have been well characterized, but morphological evidence for their transport to the storage granules is not yet available. In an attempt to clarify this aspect, we employed postembedding immunocytochemistry on platelets embedded in the acrylic resin LR White. Clathrin as the major coat component of coated vesicles was localized in the cytoplasm, on the plasmic faces of α-granules and the open canalicular system, and on the plasmic face of the plasma membrane. Colocalizations of the adhesive proteins, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen and fibronectin, with clathrin could be observed at the same typical locations as coated vesicles were seen in Araldite-embedded material. These colocalizations have not been reported to date and furnish further evidence for a coated vesicle-mediated transport of blood plasma-derived adhesive proteins from their receptors on the outer plasma membrane to the α-granules.

Notes: Abstract. In the optic tectum of goldfish, the outer, middle and inner layers of the endomeninx were evident in animals ranging in age from 1 month to several years. The outer layer in young animals consisted of closely overlapping cells with intertwined processes, whereas in the older animals it contained large extracellular spaces. The intermediate layer cells were always arranged in a single continuous layer, but in young animals they overlapped extensively with one another toward their edges whereas in the oldest animals they became extremely flat and non-overlapping. The inner layer included an outer tier of cells with their bases adhering to the intermediate layer, and an inner tier of cells detached from both the intermediate layer and the basal lamina overlying the brain parenchyma. Inner layer cells contained many large vacuoles that were in continuity with the extracellular space. With age, the extracellular space and the vacuolar system expanded, and the inner layer evolved into a meshwork of attenuated cytoplasmic processes embedded in the granular extracellular matrix. Another age-related feature was the accumulation adjacent to the basal lamina of uniform disc-shaped membranous structures, resembling multilamellar bodies of lung surfactant. These ”disc bodies” were apparently generated by the coalescence of vesicles formed at the surface of the inner layer cells, possibly as a by-product of protein secretion by these cells.

Notes: Abstract. The distribution of estradiol receptor in serial sections of estradiol-deprived and estradiol-stimulated MCF7 cells was studied by using mouse monoclonal antibodies reacting with different domains of the receptor and goat-antimouse IgG/6 nm gold. In the nucleus and the cytoplasm of estradiol-deprived cells, the receptor was detected by all three monoclonals (13H2, HT 65 and MA1-310). The antibodies 13H2 and MA1-310 detected receptor associated to the microfilament bundles in the cytoplasm. Higher densities of antireceptor attachment to the nuclear areas were accompanied by a reduction in the attachment to the cytoplasm after estradiol stimulation of the cells. The results confirm earlier observations on the presence of cytoplasmic estrogen receptor in estradiol-deprived cells and support the premise of an es- tradiol-induced translocation of this ligand-dependent transcription regulator.

Notes: Abstract The distribution of estradiol receptor in serial sections of estradiol-deprived and estradiol-stimulated MCF7 cells was studied by using mouse monoclonal antibodies reacting with different domains of the receptor and goat-antimouse IgG/6 nm gold. In the nucleus and the cytoplasm of estradiol-deprived cells, the receptor was detected by all three monoclonals (13H2, HT 65 and MA1-310). The antibodies 13H2 and MA1-310 detected receptor associated to the microfilament bundles in the cytoplasm. Higher densities of antireceptor attachment to the nuclear areas were accompanied by a reduction in the attachment to the cytoplasm after estradiol stimulation of the cells. The results confirm earlier observations on the presence of cytoplasmic estrogen receptor in estradiol-deprived cells and support the premise of an estradiol-induced translocation of this ligand-dependent transcription regulator.

Notes: Abstract Coated membranes and vesicles play an important role in receptor-mediated endocytosis and intracellular trafficking in various cell types, and are also present in blood platelets. Platelets take up certain proteins from the blood plasma, such as von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen, and these substances are transferred to storage granules. The receptors for these plasma proteins on the platelet plasma membrane have been well characterized, but morphological evidence for their transport to the storage granules is not yet available. In an attempt to clarify this aspect, we employed postembedding immunocytochemistry on platelets embedded in the acrylic resin LR White. Clathrin as the major coat component of coated vesicles was localized in the cytoplasm, on the plasmic faces of α-granules and the open canalicular system, and on the plasmic face of the plasma membrane. Colocalizations of the adhesive proteins, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen and fibronectin, with clathrin could be observed at the same typical locations as coated vesicles were seen in Araldite-embedded material. These colocalizations have not been reported to date and furnish further evidence for a coated vesicle-mediated transport of blood plasma-derived adhesive proteins from their receptors on the outer plasma membrane to the α-granules.

Notes: Abstract The ultrastructure of ellipsoids in the spleen of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is described. The endothelium of terminations of arterioles bulged into the lumen, and gaps between the endothelial cells were evident. A continuous basal lamina was not present, and there were extensive interdigitations between the endothelial cells and surrounding reticular cells. The interdigitating processes were rich in microfilaments. Intravenously injected colloidal carbon, approximately 0.03 μm in diameter, was held in the reticular matrix of the ellipsoidal wall and taken up by macrophages that extended cellular processes among the reticular and endothelial cells. The intravenous injection of fluorescent polystyrene microspheres of known diameter showed that microspheres with a diameter of 0.5 or 1.0 μm were localised in the red pulp, whereas microspheres with a diameter of 0.15 μm were retained in ellipsoidal walls. Thus, the terminations of splenic arterioles in rainbow trout were found to be consistent with descriptions of ellipsoids in other vertebrates in that they possessed a speciallised cuboidal endothelium, lacked a continuous basal lamina, were surrounded by a sheath of macrophages and reticular cells, and had a sheath of macrophages and reticular cells, and had a role in the selective filtration and retention of bloodborne particles.

Notes: Abstract This study utilised a commercially available monomaleimido-nanogold reagent to directly label cellular thiol groups (SH) of marsupial (tammar wallaby) spermatozoa before and after reduction of disulphides (S-S) with mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride (MEA). The sperm surface, mitochondrial membranes, axoneme and tail fibres were all labelled with gold particles before MEA treatment and the label intensity was increased after S-S reduction. The acrosomal membranes and matrix of spermatozoa contained no detectable SH prior to MEA treatment. However, after moderate MEA treatment (1 mg/ml) gold label was associated with the acrosomal membrane and invaginated acrosomal membrane within the acrosomal matrix. After exposure to 5 and 10 mg/ml MEA, gold particles heavily labelled the acrosomal matrix. Thus, the acrosomal membranes and matrix of tammar wallaby spermatozoa both contain S-S cross-linked structures, and this may contribute to the unusual stability of the marsupial acrosome. Under all treatment conditions the nucleus remained unlabelled. This is consistent with early studies which indicated that cysteine was absent from the nuclear protamines. The study also demonstrated that monomaleimido-nanogold can be used to resolve SH- and S-S-rich cellular structures directly, in addition to its use to label antibodies and Fab fragments for immunochemical localisation.

Notes: Abstract. The anterior pituitary tissue of male rats injected with growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) was either processed for stereology at the light- and electron-microscopic levels, or homogenized for growth hormone (GH) assay 2–60 min after GRF injection. Secretory granules of somatotrophs became smaller but increased in numerical density 2 min after GRF injection. Their volume density began to increase at 5 min. The frequency of exocytosis of the granules was most prominent as early as 2 min after GRF injection and reduced thereafter. GH levels in the tissue were lowest at 2–5 min, and returned to the control value by 60 min. Serum GH levels were highest at 15 min; even at 60 min, this value was higher than in the controls. These findings suggest that secretory granules in somatotrophs are stimulated to divide by GRF, resulting in a decrease in size and an increase in number. The discrepancy between the earlier formation of new secretory granules and the later restoration of intracellular GH levels implies that GRF first stimulates the synthesis of constituents of granules other than GH, and only later the synthesis of GH, and that newly formed small secretory granules contain less GH. From the clearance rate of serum GH and the frequency of granule exocytosis, it can be estimated that about a half million granules are released to maintain 1 ng/ml of serum GH in rats.

Notes: Abstract The ultrastructure of preserved ossicles at different shelf lives was compared. Homograft ossicles were harvested and preserved in 70% alcohol, 1:5000 Cialit (sodium-2-ethyl-mercuri-mercapto-benzoxazole-5-carboxylate), and buffered 4% formaldehyde at pH 7. The ultrastructure of each ossicle was studied by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy and was compared to that of fresh controls placed in 0.9 N saline solution. The results indicated clearly the superiority of 70% alcohol as a long-term preservative and 1:5000 Cialit as a short-term preservative.

Notes: Abstract Light microscopy of vocal cord mucosa in patients with Reinke's edema revealed highly ramified fissured spaces in the subepithelial tissue that were generally lined with flat cells. The ultrastructure of the parietal cells resembled fibroblasts whose cytoplasmic extensions overlapped in two to three layers in some places. Cell contacts were not observed. Neither electron microscopy nor immunohistochemical testing with antibody against laminin demonstrated a basal membrane. It was possible to distinguish between light and dark cells in the specimens examined. The cytoplasm of the light cells contained intermediate filaments, mitochondria, lysosomes, coated vesicles, caveolae and broad cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The dark cells were more numerous and typically exhibited a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes. The parietal cells showed no immunoreaction against human vascular endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical demonstration of mesenchymal intermediate filaments using antibody against vimentin yielded a positive reaction for some of the cells in the walls of the crevices and subepithelial tissue. It was also possible to demonstrate a few cells with monoclonal antibody against macrophages (KiM6). These findings contradict the concept of lymphatic distension in cases of Reinke's edema. Since the parietal cells seen resembled synoviocytes in their structure and immunohistochemical reactions, findings indicate that the hollow spaces of Reinke's edema develop like neobursae from mechanical strain.

Notes: Abstract Carcinoid tumors belong to the group of neuroendocrine tumors of epithelial origin, i.e., neuroendocrine carcinomas. These neoplasms usually occur in the gastrointestinal tract or bronchial system but are very rare neoplasms in the larynx. Since carcinoid tumors in this latter site may appear to be undifferentiated by light microscopy, they may possibly be misinterpreted and their neuroendocrine characteristics may remain unrecognized. Using immunohistochemical methods, three carcinoid tumors were studied and showed positive immunostaining for markers of epithelial origin (cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, carcino-embryonic antigen) and, in particular, for markers of neuroendocrine differentiation (chromogranin, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase). All tumors expressed calcitonin-, serotonin- and adrenocorticotropic-hormone-like immunoreactivity. In contrast, three poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas showed positive immunostaining for epithelial markers but did not show any immunoreactivity with markers of endocrine characteristics. Fine structurally, carcinoid tumor cells contained neurosecretory-type granules scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The present study demonstrated that (1) carcinoid tumors of the larynx possess distinct immunohistochemical characteristics that allow a clear classification, (2) it is advisable to use a battery of primary antibodies rather than rely on specificity and sensitivity of a single marker to establish diagnosis and (3) the fine structural demonstration of neurosecretory-type granules serves as a reliable adjunct to diagnosis.

Notes: Abstract A case of an organ-limited amyloid tumor of the left parotid gland is described with a history of recurrence. A slowly growing parotid mass was the only symptom. After 5.5 years following local excision, the patient was readmitted with a slowly growing recurrence in the superficial lobe of the previously treated gland. Lateral parotidectomy was performed with wide excision of the infiltrated tissue and preservation of the facial nerve. Primary amyloidosis of the AL type was confirmed with immunohistochemical studies revealing staining for lambda but not kappa light chains of immunoglobulins. There has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of systemic amyloidosis or recurrence after 2 years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a recurrent amyloid tumor of the parotid gland.

Notes: Abstract To evaluate the protective function of the mucous blanket (MB) against lectin substances, we examined at the ultrastructural level whether intraluminal colloidal gold-labelled wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) could enter the MB-covered epithelial cell surface of the guinea pig tubotympanic mucosa. Post-embedding staining with WGA/gold on thin tissue sections was done in parallel for comparison. The cell surface glycoconjugate of the eustachian tubal and transitional epithelium had a typical bilayered structure: the outer MB and the microvilli-associated glycocalyx (MAG), which were interposed by the interciliary fluid zone. In squamous epithelium of the distal middle ear, the MB adhered to the MAG, thereby forming a monolayered coat of glycoconjugates at the cell surface. In the pre-embedding staining, WGA/gold did not bind with the MB and MAG in the eustachian tube, and exclusively bound with MB in the transitional area. Direct binding was also found with MAG and the apical plasmic membrane in the squamous epithelium. These findings indicate that MAG is occluded by MB lined with the interciliary fluid zone for luminal access of lectin at the proximal lumina of the tubotympanic epithelium. It is also suggested that MB existing at two sites possesses a different WGA-binding capacity: shielding as a “dust cover” in the eustachian tube and entrapping as a “flypaper” against lectin in the transitional area of the middle ear.

Notes: Abstract An 81-year-old Japanese man noticed red papules and subcutaneous tumors on his face and trunk about 2 months before entering our clinic. He had been suffering from biliary system cancer for about one year.Light microscopic findings: Tumor cells, which formed various-sized glands lined by columnar cells, were observed in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.Electron microscopic findings: In tumor cells, intracytoplasmic lumina lined with microvilli were observed. Cell organelles, such as mitochondria and rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, were relatively well-developed. From these findings, it seems that the characteristics of these tumor cells resemble those of the biliary system.

Notes: Abstract In order to clarify the relationship between calcium mobilization and morphological changes in the arterial wall after subarachnoid hemorrhage, electron microscopic histochemical assessments of the intracellular calcium in the arterial wall of human subjects showing vasospasm angiographically were conducted. Intracellular calcium ions in the arterial wall after subarachnoid hemorrhage were significantly more numerous than those of the control specimens. However, reaction products of calcium ions in the arterial wall were distributed mainly in the areas which morphologically revealed spastic changes such as myonecrosis and vacuoles, and there were no or extremely few reaction products of calcium ions in the areas showing no morphological changes in the arterial wall. These findings were consistent with the data for a feline model with experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage previously studied by the authors and indicated that increased intracellular calcium mobilization detected histochemically might be related to the morphological changes in the arterial wall after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Notes: Abstract Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the vocal cord occurring in a 46-year-old male was studied immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. The tumor consisted of the two main areas, pleomorphic and storiform. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for α1-antitrypsin and α1-antichymotrypsin, and negative for desmin, keratin, myoglobin, actin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and S100 protein. Ultrastructurally, this MFH consisted of four different types of cells which were either fibroblast-like, histiocyte-like, myofibroblast-like, or with features of both the fibroblast and histiocyte types. Transition forms between the four types of cells were also found. This suggests that cells of MFH are derived from the same undifferentiated stem cells.

Notes: Abstract Escherichia coli-derived endotoxin was introduced into the middle ears of 10 guinea pigs 24 hr after intraperitoneal injection of the same endotoxin. The cochleae were removed 24 hr after the introduction of the endotoxin into the middle ears and observed by light and electron microscopy. Inflammatory cell infitration and bleeding were observed in both endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces. Inflammatory cells also infiltrated the stria vascularis, spiral ligament, spiral prominence and the organ of Corti. Blood sludge was observed in almost all of the strial capillaries of the upper three turns, but in few of the basal turns. The hair cells were intact in every turn except for a small number of degenerated mitochondria. Intermediate cells of the stria vascularis were shrunken, and some of them showed degenerative changes. Marginal cells had also shrunken, but they were less shrunken than the intermediate cells. The shrinking of both cells caused the enlargement of the intercellular space of the stria vascularis.

Notes: Abstract Tissue samples of adrenal ganglioneuromas were obtained from two patients: 35- and 47-year-old males. Light microscopic studies showed that these tumors contained Schwann cells and ganglion cells. Electron microscopic examinations revealed numerous unmyelinated and myelinated axons surrounded by Schwann cells. The ganglion cells in the tumors had abundant organelles, such as well-developed cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, many profiles of the Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, lysosomes, microtubules and neurofilaments. Electron dense cored granules resembling catecholamine granules were present in the ganglion cell bodies and neural processes. These features resmebled those of normal sympathetic ganglion cells. It is concluded that adrenal ganglioneuroma originates from sympathetic ganglion tissue.

Notes: Abstract Muscle plasma membrane undercoats were investigated by conventional electron microscopy in both Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD). The densities of the plasma membrane undercoats were rarefied in the parts of the plasma membranes overlying the degenerating focus in both DMD and FCMD myofibers. The degree of rarefaction tended to be parallel to the degree of degeneration in the myofibers. It was hard to distinguish the undercoat densities of normal-looking myofibers of DMD and FCMD muscles from those of control myofibers from histochemically-normal muscles. On the other hand, the undercoats of regenerating myofibers in DMD and FCMD muscles were denser than normal.

Notes: Abstract The corrosion cast method for scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and auto-injection of tracers for light microscopy were used to examine the cardiac coronary development and the forming of the ventricular compact wall to the embryonal sponge-work wall. Our observations suggest that the coronary artery first extends over outer layer, and later over middle and inner layers. As intertrabecular spaces are closed by fusion to each endocardium in the inner layer position, the veins are formed by the remaining expanded sinusoidal intertrabecular spaces. The capillaries of the coronary vessels are then connected to the veins to finally complete the cardiac vascular system.

Notes: Abstract A case of central neurocytoma was studied by electron microscopic and immunohistochemical methods. Immunohistochemical examinations showed the tumor cells to be positive for neuron-specific enolase, sporadically positive for synaptophysin, and negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein. The Ki-67 (MIB-1) positive index value for the tumor cells was a low 1.5%. Ultrastructurally, thin cytoplasmic processes of tumor cells showed differentiation to neuronal cells containing parallel bundles of microtubules and abortive synapses with dense core vesicles and/or clear vesicles. Microvessels composed of endothelial cells without fenestrations and tight junctions in the endothelial clefts appeared in fibrillary stromas as revealed by light microscopy. Neurosecretory granules in thin cell processes may have been secreted around microvessels.

Notes: The use of effective core potentials in the calculation of the geometrical parameters of the ferrocene molecule and its heavier analogs is reported. It is shown that a critical factor in these calculations is the efective core-core (ECC) potential and, in the absence of ECCs for first-row atoms that are involved in short bonds, calculations of the geometrical parameters are not reliable. Good agreement with experimental geometries may be obtained by using the Los Alamos ECPs for atoms of the second and higher rows of the periodic table at the MP2 level. DFT calculations have been performed and found to give numerical results comparable to MP2 in the same basis. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: In this article, we report an efficient computational procedure for electron scattering matrix elements in the previously developed cubic-grid Gaussian basis sets. The Green function matrix elements derived for the cubic-grid basis set are simpler and easier to calculate than are those available in the literature for conventional Gaussian basis sets. Special features of the cubic-grid basis sets may also be exploited for a very efficient computation of Coulomb and exchange integrals. Inelastic scattering amplitudes for vibrational excitations may be efficiently calcualted in the harmonic approximation by numerical differention of the T-matrix elements. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: Previously developed cubic-grid basis sets of various sizes were used for the calculation of cross sections for elastic and inelastic electron scattering by the He and Ne atoms and the H2O molecule by the T-matrix expansion method. The aim was to test the invariance of calculated cross sections with respect to the translation of the target molecule and to examine the effect of basis-set size on the results. We also present a simple procedure for accounting for long-range interactions from the part of space that lies outside the volume that contains the cubic-grid basis set. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: Atomic charge and momentum densities of 91 atoms (He—U) are classified in terms of their L1, L2, and entropic measures of distance from the densities of the preceding atoms. The relationship between these distances and the first ionization energies is also considered. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The subject of this article is the self-consistent-field (SCF) treatment of low-lying molecular vibrations in molecules subject to solvent effects and light atom migration. The analyses use a Cartesian Gaussian basis and Gaussian functional expansions of potential energy operators. The objective of the work was to establish approximate and practical methods of analysis of vibrational degrees of freedom in molecules that build on and compare well with the highly accurate treatments of vibrations in small molecular systems of the past decade. An application to a system in which hydrogen bonding contributes the major anharmonic effect illustrates the method. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: This article presents methods for computing matrix elements with Cartesian Gaussian wave functions of potential energy operators that depend on functions of the form (r-r0)n exp[-a(r - r0)] as well as matrix elements of the class of polynomial many-body potentials developed by Murrell et al. The matrix elements arise in the analyses of anharmonic vibrations in molecules. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The extension of the PPP Hamiltonian for alternant cyclic polyenes to noninteger values of the pseudomomentum by imposing modified boundary conditions is discussed in detail. It is shown that a computer program for periodic boundary conditions can be easily adapted to the new boundary conditions. Full CI computations are carried out for some low-lying states of the PPP model of altemant cyclic polyenes (CH)N, (N even) at half-filling. The energy values obtained by using periodic (Bloch) and antiperiodic (Möbius) orbitals are used to perform energy extrapolations for N → ∞. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: General formalism for evaluation of multiparticle integrals involving J̌2 and J̌z operators over explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian functions is presented. The integrals are expressed in terms of the general overlap integrals. An explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian function is a product of spherical orbital Gaussian functions, powers of the Cartesian coordinates of the particle, and exponential Gaussian factors, which depend on interparticular distances. This development is relevant to both adiabatic and nonadiabatic calculations of energy and properties of multiparticle systems. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The molecular g-tensors for the molecules NO2, CO2-, C3H5, H2CO+, and NF3+ are calculated at the unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) level using the Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation approach. All one-electron terms have been evaluated, including the relativistic mass correction, the one-electron spin-Zeeman gauge correction, and a second-order term involving the spin-orbit coupling and the orbital-Zeeman interaction. The relative importance of the first-order terms is found to be quite substantial. For first-row molecules, their total contribution is often of the same order of magnitude as of the second-order contribution, in some instances even larger. A study on the basis-set dependence of these g-tensors has been conducted. At this level, the most important basis-set criterion is shown to be a satisfactory description of the valence regions. Finally, the gauge dependence of these g-tensor calculations has been systematically studied. This dependence seems to be substantially reduced for basis sets which include polarization functions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: A scaling procedure is used for the force constants generated by the SINDO1 method in internal coordinates to achieve better agreement with experimental frequencies of molecules. The procedure is subsequently used to calculate frequency shifts for adsorbed molecules. The results for CO2 and CO adsorption at NaCl cluster surfaces are in good agreement with experimental data. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: Ab initio self-consistent-field calculations are reported for electronic states of beryllium clusters comprised of 93, 105, 111, and 123 atoms. The respective clusters correspond to coordination shells 12-15 of a central Be atom with internuclear separations derived from the lattice constants of the bulk metal. Ab initio effective core potentials have been employed to replace the 1 s electrons, thereby reducing the complexity of the calculations. In addition, use of the full D3h point group symmetry of the clusters results in a substantial reduction of the numbers of two-electron integrals that must be computed and processed. Binding energies, orbital energies, electric field gradient, nuclear-electrostatic potential, diamagnetic shielding constant, second moments, and Mulliken populations are calculated for selected electronic states. Calculated binding energies when compared among the different clusters as well as to smaller and larger fragments from earlier studies provide evidence for the onset of convergence to the Hartree-Fock limit of the bulk. Lowest-state ionization potentials are consistently above and agree to within 14% of the experimental workfunction. The net charge on the central beryllium atom decreases toward zero. The variability of observed bulklike behavior for the different properties indicates that the transition between cluster and bulklike behavior is not sharp and depends on the quantity of interest. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The discrete variable representation method (DVR) is applied to the calculation of the J = 0 vibrational energy levels of the ground electronic state of nitrogen dioxide, a molecule which shows a large amplitude bending vibration. The Hamiltonian is expressed in Johnson hyperspherical coordinates and developed on a DVR basis set for each coordinate. A successive diagonalization-truncation method is applied which gives accurate values for the energy levels up to ≃ 7000 cm-1. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: A procedure for finding transition states ( TS) that does not require the evaluation of the second derivatives during the search is proposed. The procedure is based on connecting a series of points representing products Pi and reactants Ri and taking conservative steps along the difference vector from Pi toward Ri and from Ri toward Pi until the two points coalesce. Although the points Po and Ro represent the product and reactant specifically, other Pi and Ri are determined by minimization in hyperplanes perpendicular to Pi -1 and Ri-1. We apply this technique to six well-known potential functions and compare these results with those obtained from other well-known procedures. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: Potential energy curves for the ground and low-lying excited states of the AH2+ (A = Mg - Ar) dications have been calculated using high-level ab initio methods with large atomic orbital basis sets. Quasi-bound potential energy curves with local minima and deprotonation barriers have been found for most of the dications studied. The energies, tunneling lifetimes, and widths of the quasi-bound states have been calculated by numerical solution of the radial Schrodinger equation using the Numeov method. All these dications except ArH2+ have low-lying states which support quasi-bound vibrational states. The ArH2+ dication has a 2∏i potential energy curve with a minimum so shallow that it does not support any quasi-bound vibrational states. Results of our calculations are compared with previous ab initio calculations and available experimental data. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: A bond-energy formula deduced by means of the Hellmann-Feynman theorem is applied to selected simple hydrocarbons. The required potentials at the nuclei are calculated with the help of large basis-set expansions including polarization functions. The carbon-carbon bond energy of ethane is evaluated at ∼ 70 kcal mol-1. The CC bond energies of ethane, ethylene, acetylene, benzene, and cyclopropane are approximately in a ratio of 1: 2.0: 3.0: 1.65 1.0. Limitations and possible improvements in future applications of this energy formula are discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: Ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations with the 3-21G and 6-31G basis sets are carried out on a series of complexes of NH3 with Li+, C≡N-, LiCN, and its isomer LiNC. The BSSE-corrected interaction energies, geometrical parameters, internal force constants, and harmonic vibrational frequencies are evaluated for 15 species. Complexes with trifurcated (C3v) structures are calculated to be saddle points on the potential energy surfaces and have one imaginary frequency each. Calculated energies, geometrical parameters, internal force constants, and harmonic vibrational frequencies of the various species considered are discussed in terms of the nature of association of LiCN with ammonia. The vibrational frequencies of the relevant complexed species are compared with the experimental frequencies reported earlier for solutions of lithium cyanide in liquid ammonia. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: When two electronic potentials present an avoided crossing, the adiabatic approximation breaks down in the energy region near to the crossing. In particular, the correspondence between exact energy levels of the two-state system and the adiabatic levels of the lower and upper adiabatic potentials becomes ambiguous. This implies that the term “nonadiabatic effect,” used for the difference between exact and adiabatic energy eigenvalues, loses its meaning in the crossing regime unless an unambiguous way of assigning an adiabatic to an exact level is defined. This is important in order to investigate where nonadiabatic schemes, such as the generator coordinate approximation, fit in between the adiabatic approximation and quasi-exact approaches. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The application of the Σ-separation method to the calculation of multicenter two-electron molecular integrals with Slater-type basis functions is reported. The approach is based on the approximation of a scalar component of the two-center atomic density by a two-center expansion over Slater-type functions. A least-squares fit was used to determine the coefficients of the expansion. The angular multipliers of the atomic density were treated exactly. It is shown that this approach can serve as a sufficiently accurate and fast algorithm for the calculation of multicenter two-electron molecular integrals with Slater-type basis functions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The intersystem crossing (ISC) between the lowest triplet and singlet states occurring in the reaction of atomic oxygen with ethylene was studied. The importance of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in oxirane biradicals (ĊR′R″ - CRR* - Ȯ) is stressed through calculations where the spin-orbit matrix elements over the full Breit-Pauli SOC operator has been obtained in the singlet-triplet crossing region. The calculations are performed with a multiconfigurational linear response approach, in which the spin-orbit couplings are obtained from triplet response functions using differently correlated singlet-reference-state wave functions. Computational results confirm earlier semiempirical predictions of the spin-orbit coupling as an important mechanism behind the ring opening of oxiranes and addition of oxygen O(3P) atoms to alkenes. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: We consider a crystal as partitioned into a localized molecular cluster (containing a defect or not) and an embedding region. Within the Hartree-Fock formalism, an expression is derived for an effective potential due to the embedding region of crystal. This potential is part of the cluster Fock operator and requires input from a perfect crystal calculation. Special features of the derivative are rigorous inclusion of cluster-embedding overlap and orthogonality between single-electron states of the embedding region and the function-space manifold of the cluster; physically correct normalization of the Fock eigenstates; and a nontrivial total-energy algorithm. Computational requirements are qualitatively compared with those for an isolated cluster. The method allows for intracluster (and intraembedding) correlation and can be adapted straightforwardly to local density functional approaches. Fundamental aspects of the embedding problem are addressed in a general formulation that is, nevertheless, oriented toward explicit calculations. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: An efficient procedure for third-order electron propagator calculations of ionization energies and electron affinities is reported. Diagonal self-energy expressions that are suitable for large molecules are empolyed. The outer-valence Green's function method also is implemented. An integral transformation program for direct and semidirect algorithms is modified to store only nonzero integrals according to Abelian point group symmetry. Contributions to self-energy matrix elements that depend on electron repulsion integrals with four virtual orbital indices are computed in a direct way. Intermediate batches of integrals are created by sort procedures while avoiding storage of transformed integrals in the main memory. This method permits calculation of electron binding energies for C72- with a 231 atomic orbital basis and for Zn(C5H5)2 with a 220 atomic orbital basis on an IBM RISC/6000 Model 550. During these calculations, the CPU is engaged approximately 90% of the time. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The intermolecular potentials for the X 2σ and A2Π states of Li… Ar were studied by a variety of multiconfiguration, single-configuration, and perturbation methods (CASPT2). The A 2Π excited state was calculated to have a well depth of 811 cm-1 at an internuclear separation of 2.59 Å, in excellent agreement with the 810 cm-1 derived from experimental data. A smaller well of 77 cm-1 was found for the X 2σ ground state at an intermolecular separation of 4.8 Å. These results are in better agreement with experimental results than were the previously reported pseudopotential calculations. The comparison of CI calculation with the CAPST2 results shows that the latter is able to give good results for interacting metal-rare gas systems. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: This article is a brief review of the work formalism of electronic structure, its recent developments, and the results of its application to spherically symmetric and nonspherical density atoms. The formalism, which is founded in Schrödinger theory, is derived by physical arguments based on Coulomb's law. The fundamental quantity in the formalism is the pair-correlation density that constitutes the nonlocal quantum-mechanical source charge distribution giving rise to both a local potential representing electron correlations as well as the electron interaction energy. The potential is the work done to move an electron in the force field of the pair-correlation density and the energy the interaction energy between the electronic and pair-correlation densities. (For systems for which the curl of the force field may not vanish, the potential is obtained from the irrotational component of the field, the solenoidal component being neglected). The differential equation governing the system is a Sturm-Liouville equation, and as such, the exact wave function can in principle be obtained as an infinite linear combination of Slater determinants of the self-consistently determined spin-orbitals of the occupied and virtual states. The correctness of the interpretation for the local potential representing electron interaction is evidenced as follows: In the Pauli-correlated and central field approximations, ground-state energies of atoms (2 He -86Rn) lie within 50 ppm of those of Hartree-Fock theory, differing by less than 10 ppm for atoms with Z 〉 35. The densities thus generated clearly exhibit atomic shell structure and also satisfy the Kato-Steiner electron-nucleus cusp condition to 2 ppm. Another attribute of the formalism is that the asymptotic structure of the potential (when both Pauli and Coulomb correlations are considered) is that of the Pauli-correlated approximation. This is rigorously the case as shown for the He atom for which the potential vanishes in the classically forbidden region, the potential there being the exchange potential. As such, it is meaningful to compare the highest occupied eigenvalue of the differential equation in the Pauli-correlated approximation to experiment. A comparison for atoms and atomic ions of this eigenvalue to experimental ionization potentials and electron affinities show them to be consistently superior to the corresponding eigenvalue of Hartree-Fock theory. Transition energies determined from eigenvalue differences are also superior to those obtained from total energy calculations via Hartree-Fock theory when compared to experiment. Further, by considering the carbon atom in one of its degenerate ground states for which the curl of the field due to the Fermi hole does not vanish, it is shown that the solenoidal component of the field is negligible and two orders of magnitude smaller than is the irrotational component. Thus, the approximation of obtaining a path-independent potential for nonspherical density systems from the irrotational component of the field is accurate. Finally, Coulomb correlation effects can be incorporated within the work formalism in practice via the configuration interaction approximation. The self-consistent orbitals thus obtained explicitly incorporate the effects of both Pauli and Coulomb correlations in their structure because the source charge from which they are generated is a pair-correlation density. Furthermore, these orbitals possess the correct asymptotic structure since they are also generated by a potential that is local. The work formalism also provides a physical interpretation for the local potential representing electron correlations of Kohn-Sham density functional theory. Further, the exchange potential of the work formalism satisfies analytically two requisite conditions of the Kohn-Sham theory exchange potential. These are the scaling requirement and the sum rule relating the exchange energy to its functional derivative. The work formalism also leads to a deeper understanding of electron correlations in various approximations within Kohn-Sham theory. For example, it can be rigorously shown that the pair-correlation density in the local density approximation contains a term proportional to the gradient of the density. Thus, in contrast to the Kohn-Sham theory interpretation that electron correlations in this approximation are those of the uniform electron gas assumed valid locally, we learn that the nonuniformity of the electronic density is, in fact, explicitly accounted for by the approximation. This then explains the accuracy of the approximation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The aziridine analogues of the epoxide metabolites of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have greater mutagenic potency than the epoxides. Like their well-studied analogues, the aziridines undergo a pH-dependent decomposition that leads to a reactive carbocation intermediate. In aqueous solution the nucleophile with which the carbocation generally reacts is water. The kinetics of this pH-dependent reaction have been experimentally characterized by others. Although the effect of DNA on this reaction has not been studied, we hypothesize that, like their epoxide analogues, the aziridine derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons undergo a DNA-catalyzed reaction leading through a carbocation to either a DNA-adduct or a hydrolysis product. Using Poisson-Boltzmann calculations in conjunction with Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations and energy-minimized conformations, we predict the DNA-dependence of the acidcatalyzed decomposition of the K-region aziridine, phenanthrene[9,10]imine. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: A QSAR analysis of a series of Valproic Acid (vpa) derivatives is given, which shows the importance of hydrophobic and electronic effects as determinants of the anticonvulsivant activity. The statistical analysis allows one to infer that the electron acceptor capability of the carboxylic carbon atom may guide electrostatic interactions of the molecules with the receptor site, in those cases where the lipophilic requirements are satisfied. Both the anticonvulsivant activity and the calculated lipophilic parameters (log P values) are taken from the literature, whereas the electronic descriptors result from Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap calculations at the Configuration Interaction level, (INDO/S-CI parametrization), for the most stable conformers of each derivative. The protein environment is modeled as a dielectric continuum in a Self-Consistent Reaction Field approach. The conformational analysis is based on AMI calculations. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: A new form of second-order multireference perturbation theory coupled with finite-field perturbation theory is applied to evaluate some one-electron molecular properties. Several possible definitions of the zeroth-order Hamiltonian are considered and results tested against bench-mark full CI calculations. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Notes: The correlation present in the nondegenerate ground state of an interacting Fermi system is discussed in terms of reduced density matrices and their cumulant expansion. By generalizing a result obtained for the interacting uniform electron gas (correlation induced exchange-hole narrowing), possible measures of the correlation strength in terms of natural occupation numbers (the eigenvalues of the true one-particle density matrix) are introduced. These quantities-the v-order nonidempotency and the information entropy of the natural occupation numbers-result from the correlated many-body wave function and characterize the ground-state correlation in addition to the usual correlation energy. The uniform electron gas serves as a first illustrative example. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.