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Query: UMLS:C0432222 (SEM)
 47,337 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cryoinjury in ram sperm was investigated by direct observation, using cryomicroscopy, to validate model hypotheses of freezing injury in such a specialized cell. Fluorescein diacetate was used to determine when during the freeze-thaw cycle the sperm membrane became permeable. In noncryoprotected sperm plasma membrane, integrity was maintained throughout the cooling and freezing process, but fluorescein leakage occurred during rewarming. The temperature of post-thaw permeabilization varied in relation to the minimum temperature reached during freezing; cells cooled to -10 degrees C retained fluorescence into the post-thaw temperature range of 9-24 degrees C (mean +/- SEM; 13.25 +/- 0.91 degrees C), whereas cells cooled to -20 degrees C lost fluorescence shortly after thawing (mean +/- SEM; 2.62 +/- 0.91 degrees C). Sperm cooled to 5 degrees C, but not frozen, retained fluorescence during rewarming up to 20-30 degrees C. The inclusion of glycerol and egg yolk in the freezing medium significantly and independently increased the post-thaw permeabilization temperature. Maintenance of fluorescence was also correlated with ability to resume motility after thawing. Sperm reactivation experiments were undertaken to examine deleterious effects of freezing upon the flagellar microtubular assembly. No direct evidence for such effects was obtained. Instead, a highly significant correlation between minimum freezing temperature and post-thaw temperature of initial reactivation was detected.
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PMID:Freeze-induced membrane damage in ram spermatozoa is manifested after thawing: observations with experimental cryomicroscopy. 139 6

The aim of this study was to identify the percentage of the capillary and arteriolar beds that was perfused at a given time or that was capable of being perfused within subepicardium and subendocardium of ischemic and nonischemic myocardium of anesthetized, open-chest rabbits. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (150,000 MW) was injected intravenously to label perfused microvessels of rabbits that were subjected to 60 min of coronary artery occlusion. Fluorescent microscopy was used to identify the perfused vessels and an alkaline phosphatase stain was employed to locate the total microvasculature. Stereological principles were utilized to determine various morphometric parameters. After 14 sec of dextran injection, approximately 66 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM) of the capillaries and 65 +/- 5% of the arterioles (19-50 microns) were perfused within ischemic myocardium. Two minutes after dextran injection, 72 +/- 3% of the capillaries and 94 +/- 4% of the arterioles were perfused within the ischemic myocardium. In the nonischemic myocardium, 64 +/- 2% of the capillaries and 59 +/- 5% of the arterioles were perfused 14 sec after dextran injection, while 94 +/- 1% and 96 +/- 2% of the capillaries and arterioles, respectively, were perfused 2 min after dextran injection. It is concluded that a significant unperfused reserve of arterioles exists, but a significant portion of the capillary bed is incapable of being perfused within ischemic rabbit myocardium.
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PMID:Quantitative morphometric determination of arteriolar and capillary perfusion within ischemic rabbit left ventricle. 242 63

Differential localization of glycoconjugates was detected on microvilli and microridges of the intact cell surface of frog pronephric tumor cells in tissue culture. Alcian blue and Alcian blue/PAS staining showed a heavy concentration of dye limited to the unique short microvilli and extensive microridges of the tumor cells as previously seen with SEM (Tweedell and Williams 1976). Staining was absent or greatly reduced on microvilli of the normal pronephric cell surface. Previous exposure of each kind of cells to neuraminidase or extraction by mild hydrolysis removed the active staining sites but Alcian blue uptake was unaffected by prior digestion with testicular hyaluronidase. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) bound wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) produced a similar pattern of fluorescence on the microvilli of the tumor cells and a limited distribution on the normal cells. Digestion with neuraminidase preferentially removed but did not completely eliminate the surface binding of WGA on both the normal and tumor cells. Exposure of tumor cell monolayers to FITC bound limulin, a lectin specific for sialic acid, also produced an intense surface fluorescence on the microvilli and ridges of tumor cells. Prior treatment with neuraminidase prevented the surface fluorescence but not internal binding. Normal pronephric cells gave sparse surface fluorescence but extensive internal binding. Each procedure indicates a preferential localization of complex carbohydrates, including sialic acid, on the unique microvilli of the tumor cells. Concurrent assays for sialic acid recovered from the tumor cells indicated that lectin bound surface sialic acid was removable with neuraminidase.
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PMID:Localization of glycoconjugates on the surfaces of pronephric tumor cells in vitro. 618 38

Acrosomal status and viability were evaluated simultaneously on human spermatozoa using flow cytometry. Samples were divided into three aliquots and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (i) cryopreservation; (ii) 10 microM calcium ionophore [A23187 in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)] or (iii) DMSO alone (control). Acrosomal status was evaluated using monoclonal antibodies recognizing MH61 and CD46, respectively. Fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin (IgG) was used as a second antibody. Sperm viability was assessed using Hoechst 33258 (H258) exclusion. The following factors were analysed: (i) the specificity of the monoclonal antibodies for the human acrosome; (ii) the relative effectiveness of flow cytometry and direct fluorescent microscopy scoring and (iii) the acrosomal status and viability of the control, ionophore-treated, and cryopreserved spermatozoa. Across all treatments, the MH61 and CD46 monoclonal antibodies resulted in acrosomal status values (acrosome-reacted/viable spermatozoa) which were not significantly different (P > 0.05): control, 1.0 +/- 0.3% and 1.5 +/- 0.6% (mean +/- SEM); A23187, 42.8 +/- 3.5% and 38.1 +/- 3.5%; cryopreserved, 8.2 +/- 2.0% and 9.9 +/- 1.3%; respectively. However, acrosomal status among treatments differed significantly (P < 0.01). Flow cytometric and direct fluorescent microscopy assessments were significantly correlated (r2 = 0.96, P < 0.01). These results indicate that flow cytometry, using an acrosome-specific monoclonal antibody and a supravital dye, provides an objective and efficient method to evaluate human sperm acrosomal and viability status simultaneously.
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PMID:Assessment of the acrosomal status and viability of human spermatozoa simultaneously using flow cytometry. 828 54

We have examined the epididymal (caput, corpus and cauda) and ejaculated spermatozoa of bufallo-bull (Bubalus bubalis) employing microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated lectins namely concanavalin A (Con A), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Maclura pomifera (MPA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were used to study the changes in the sperm surface carbohydrate make up as the spermatozoa mature. Quantitative analysis of the lectin binding was made flow cytometrically. 31P-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra of the sperms obtained from different regions (head, body and tail) of the epididymis and of the ejaculate were analyzed to assess their metabolic activity. And the kinetics of spin label reduction of these samples was monitored with ESR (electron spin resonance) spectroscopy. These observations are supplemented with the electron microscopic (SEM and TEM) examination of the epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa.
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PMID:Spectroscopic and microscopic studies of buffalo-bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa. 838 30

The vascular architecture in the rat heart was investigated with SEM using a corrosion cast and light microscopy of paraffin sections stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Elastica-Domagk methods. In corrosion cast models of the left and right descending coronary arteries, Y- and T-type branching patterns were distinguished. The Y-type bifurcations were found at branching sites of the larger vessels and precapillary arterioles in the myocardium, whereas the T-type bifurcations were found at branching sites of the smaller vessels. On the surface of the corrosion cast of the T-type bifurcation symmetrical shallow depressions were observed at an orifice of a daughter vessel. The depression was confirmed to be produced by protrusions consisting of smooth muscles and elastic fibers of the vascular wall. The structure is presumed to be an arterial cushion which plays some role in avoiding plasm skimming and regulating blood flow.
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PMID:[Cushion-like structure in coronary arteries of rats]. 851 16

The effects of a clinically used purified micronized flavonoid fraction (S5682) containing 90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin on increased microvascular permeability induced by histamine, bradykinin and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were investigated by intravital microscopy in the cheek pouch preparation of diabetic hamsters. We also investigated the effects of S 5682 on macro- molecular permeability increase and leukocyte adhesion during ischemia-reperfusion using the same preparation. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). S 5682, suspended in 10% lactose solution, or vehicle (10% lactose) was administered orally for 25 days at 20 mg/kg/day (10 mg/kg twice a day), starting 5 days after the streptozotocin injection. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled dextran (molecular weight 150,000) was given intravenously, 30 min after completion of the cheek pouch preparation. The leukocytes were stained by continuous intravenous infusion of acridine orange (0.5 mg/ kg/min). Histamine (2 microMs), bradykinin (1 microM), and LTB4 (0.01 microM), applied topically for 5 min, increased the number of fluorescent vascular leakage sites in postcapillary venules. A temporary ischemia (duration: 30 min) with total circulatory arrest of the cheek pouch was obtained by clamping the neck of the everted pouch. The maximum number of leaky sites (per cm2 in the prepared area) which occurs either at 5 min after the beginning of each topical application or 10 min after the onset of reperfusion was quantified in UV light microscopy. The results from 60 animals divided into ten groups of 6 animals each are presented as means +/- SEM. In comparison with vehicle, S 5682 significantly inhibited the macromolecular permeability increasing the effect of histamine (343.8 +/- 18.5 vs. 91.0 +/- 8.2 leaks/ cm2; p > 0.001), bradykinin (347.0 +/- 14.6 vs. 110.3 +/- 8.5 leaks/cm2; p < 0.001) and LTB4 (323.0 +/- 15.5 vs. 161.3 +/- 13.8 leaks/cm2; p < 0.001). At reperfusion, after 30 min ischemia, S 5682 significantly decreased the observed macromolecular permeability (168.5 +/- 19.7 vs. 52.7 +/- 6.3 leaks/cm2; p < 0.01). Flavonoid-treated animals also tended to have a lower number of leukocytes adhering to the venular endothelium (104.8 +/- 11.0 vs. 75.8 +/- 9.7/6 mm2; p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that oral administration of S 5682 for 25 days at 20mg/kg body weight/day has a protective effect on leakage of macromolecules after application of permeability-increasing substances and during ischemia-reperfusion in the cheek pouch microvasculature of diabetic hamsters. In conclusion, the present data illustrating the inhibitory effect of a clinically relevant doses of S 5682 on the inflammatory processes induced in this in vivo model of microcirculation may serve as a rational basis to explain its clinical efficacy.
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PMID:Effects of oral administration of purified micronized flavonoid fraction on increased microvascular permeability induced by various agents and on ischemia/reperfusion in diabetic hamsters. 872 38

The acrosome reaction is a prerequisite for zona pellucida penetration by mammalian spermatozoa. In some species, the sperm undergo the acrosome reaction before binding to the zona pellucida, and in other species only acrosome-intact sperm can initiate binding to the zona. In the present investigation, we addressed the question whether acrosome-intact or acrosome-reacted boar sperm initiate binding to the pig zona pellucida by studying the acrosomal status of sperm bound to zonae pellucidae. Our approach was to vary the percentage of acrosome-intact sperm in suspension by long preincubation before incubation with hemizonae for 1 min. We hypothesized that if only acrosome-intact sperm are able to initiate binding to the zona pellucida, the majority of the sperm on the zona surface would be acrosome-intact regardless of the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm in suspension. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated peanut agglutinin (Arachis hypogaea; FITC-PNA) in combination with optical sectioning by confocal laser-scanning microscopy was used to study the acrosomal status of sperm bound to the hemizona. Electron microscope studies showed that the FITC-PNA binding site is mainly limited to the outer acrosomal membrane of boar sperm, thus validating the use of FITC-PNA as an accurate probe for studying boar sperm acrosome reaction. Over 90% of the sperm bound to a hemizona were acrosome-intact irrespective of whether the majority of sperm in the suspension were acrosome-intact, acrosome-reacting, or acrosome-reacted. There was a significant difference (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05) in the mean +/- SEM number of sperm bound to the outer side, inner side, and edge of a hemizona (48 +/- 8, 14 +/- 3, and 7 +/- 2; n = 58; respectively). The acrosomal status of sperm bound to the various surfaces of hemizonae was similar. Taking the respective zona pellucida surface area into consideration, it was calculated that an average of 1.9 +/- 0.3, 1.0 +/- 0.2, and 1.5 +/- 0.3 spermatozoa were bound per 1000 microm2 of outer side, inner side, and edge of a hemizona, respectively (mean +/- SEM, n = 38). These observations indicate that acrosome-intact boar spermatozoa initiate binding to the pig zona pellucida. A gradient of sperm binding sites also exists, decreasing from the outside to the inside of the zona pellucida.
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PMID:Acrosome-intact boar spermatozoa initiate binding to the homologous zona pellucida in vitro. 911 43

The effects of a clinically used purified micronized flavonoid fraction (S 5682) containing 90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin on increased microvascular permeability induced by histamine, bradykinin, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were investigated by intravital microscopy in the hamster cheek pouch preparation. The authors also investigated the effects of S 5682 on macromolecular permeability increase and leukocyte adhesion during ischemia-reperfusion by using the same preparation. S 5682, suspended in 10% lactose solution, or vehicle (10% lactose) was administered orally to male hamsters for ten days at 20 mg/kg/day (10 mg/kg twice a day). Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran (mol wt 150,000) was given intravenously, thirty minutes after completion of the cheek pouch preparation. The leukocytes were stained by continuous IV infusion of acridine orange (0.5 mg/kg/minute). Histamine (2 microM), bradykinin (1 microM), and LTB4 (0.01 microM), applied topically for five minutes, increased the number of fluorescent vascular leakage sites in postcapillary venules. A temporary ischemia with total circulatory arrest of the cheek pouch was obtained by clamping the neck of the everted pouch. The maximum number of leaky sites (per cm2 in the prepared area) that occurred either at five minutes after the beginning of each topical application or ten minutes after the onset of reperfusion was quantified in ultraviolet light microscopy. The results from 60 animals divided into 10 groups of 6 animals each are presented as means +/- SEM. In comparison with vehicle, S 5682 significantly inhibited the macromolecular permeability increasing effect of histamine (343.5 +/- 22.3 versus 207.5 +/- 32.0 leaks/cm2; P < 0.01), bradykinin (345.2 +/- 19.0 versus 206.2 +/- 21.6 leaks/cm2; P < 0.01), and LTB4 (353.3 +/- 27.5 versus 242.7 +/- 33.6 leaks/cm2; P < 0.05). At reperfusion, after thirty minutes of ischemia, S 5682 significantly decreased the observed macromolecular permeability (103.6 +/- 15.4 versus 42.6 +/- 9.3 leaks/cm2; P < 0.01). Flavonoid-treated animals also displayed a statistically significant lower number of adhering leukocytes to the venular endothelium (83.5 +/- 9.5 versus 48.4 +/- 12.3 per 6 mm2; P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that oral administration of S 5682 for ten days at 20 mg/kg body weight/day had a protective effect against leakage of macromolecules after application of permeability-increasing substances and during ischemia-reperfusion in the cheek pouch microvasculature. Since firm leukocyte attachment to the endothelial wall and subsequent emigration of leukocytes into the interstitium is a mechanism for tissue damage during inflammation, attenuation of this phenomenon during conditions of ischemia-reperfusion can in part explain previous observations that this purified micronized flavonoid fraction decreases edema formation. The present data illustrating the inhibitory effect of a clinically relevant dose of S 5682 on the inflammatory processes induced in this in vivo model of microcirculation may serve as a rational basis to explain its clinical efficacy.
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PMID:Effects of oral administration of purified micronized flavonoid fraction on increased microvascular permeability induced by various agents and on ischemia/reperfusion in the hamster cheek pouch. 915 83

We studied the interactions between platelet-activating factor (PAF) and phospholipase C (PLC) in the modulation of microvascular responses in the hamster cheek pouch using intravital microscopy and computer-assisted image analysis. Changes in arteriolar diameter and in integrated optical intensity (IOI, an index of vascular permeability) were measured. Fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled dextran 150 (FITC-Dx 150) served as a tracer for macromolecular transport. 2-Nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC) and 1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3, 5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5,-dione (U-73122), two PLC inhibitors, were applied topically in separate experiments. PAF at 10(-7) M elevated IOI from baseline to a mean +/- SEM value of 70. 7 +/- 8.9 units. Pretreatment with 10(-4) and 10(-5) M NCDC and with U-73122 at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M attenuated the maximal increment in mean IOI (+/-SEM) induced by PAF at 10(-7) M to mean +/- SEM values of 30.6 +/- 6.5, 39.3 +/- 6.0, 12.1 +/- 4.8, and 41.5 +/- 6.0, respectively. The simultaneous vasoconstrictor action of 10(-7) M PAF was expressed as the experimental-to-baseline ratio, with the baseline diameter adjusted to a value of 1. PAF constricted the arterioles to a mean +/- SEM ratio of 0.30 +/- 0.07. Pretreatment with the PLC inhibitors NCDC at 10(-4) and 10(-5) M NCDC and with U-73122 at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M attenuated 10(-7) M PAF-induced vasoconstriction to mean +/- SEM diameter ratios of 0.55 +/- 0.05, 0. 48 +/- 0.06, 0.55 +/- 0.08, and 0.58 +/- 0.06, respectively. Our results demonstrate that PLC is an element of the biochemical pathway involved in PAF modulation of microvascular permeability and in PAF modulation of arteriolar diameter.
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PMID:Platelet-activating factor modulates microvascular dynamics through phospholipase C in the hamster cheek pouch. 1062 66


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