Organ and tissue-specific localisation of selected cell wall epitopes in the zygotic embryo of Brachypodium distachyon

The plant cell wall shows a great diversity regarding its chemical composition, which may vary significantly even during different developmental stages. In this study, we analysed the distribution of several cell wall epitopes in embryos of Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium). We also described the variations in the nucleus shape and the number of nucleoli that occurred in some embryo cells. The use of transmission electron microscopy, and histological and immunolocalisation techniques permitted the distribution of selected arabinogalactan proteins, extensins, pectins, and hemicelluloses on the embryo surface, internal cell compartments, and in the context of the cell wall ultrastructure to be demonstrated. We revealed that the majority of arabinogalactan proteins and extensins were distributed on the cell surface and that pectins were the main component of the seed coat and other parts, such as the mesocotyl cell walls and the radicula. Hemicelluloses were localised in the cell wall and outside of the radicula protodermis, respectively. The specific arrangement of those components may indicate their significance during embryo development and seed germination, thus suggesting the importance of their protective functions. Despite the differences in the cell wall composition, we found that some of the antibodies can be used as markers to identify specific cells and the parts of the developing Brachypodium embryo

Preparation of homopolymer, block copolymer, and patterned brushes bearing thiophene and acetylene groups using microliter volumes of reaction mixtures

The synthesis of surface-grafted polymers with variable functionality requires the careful selection of polymerization methods that also enable spatially controlled grafting, which is crucial for the fabrication of, e.g., nano (micro) sensor or nanoelectronic devices. The development of versatile, simple, economical, and eco-friendly synthetic strategies is important for scaling up the production of such polymer brushes. We have recently shown that poly (3-methylthienyl methacrylate) (PMTM) and poly (3-trimethylsilyl-2-propynyl methacrylate) (PTPM) brushes with pendant thiophene and acetylene groups, respectively, could be used for the production of ladder-like conjugated brushes that are potentially useful in the mentioned applications. However, the previously developed syntheses of such brushes required the use of high volumes of reagents, elevated temperature, or high energy UV-B light. Therefore, we present here visible light-promoted metal-free surface-initiated ATRP (metal-free SI-ATRP) that allows the economical synthesis of PMTM and PTPM brushes utilizing only microliter volumes of reaction mixtures. The versatility of this approach was shown by the formation of homopolymers but also the block copolymer conjugated brushes (PMTM and PTPM blocks in both sequences) and patterned films using TEM grids serving as photomasks. A simple reaction setup with only a monomer, solvent, commercially available organic photocatalyst, and initiator decorated substrate makes the synthesis of these complex polymer structures achievable for non-experts and ready for scaling up

Association of Gender, Painkiller Use, and Experienced Pain with Pain-Related Fear and Anxiety among University Students According to the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9

Anxiety and fear are determinants of acute and chronic pain. Effectively measuring fear associated with pain is critical for identifying individuals’ vulnerable to pain. This study aimed to assess fear of pain among students and evaluate factors associated with pain-related fear. We used the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9 to measure this fear. We searched for factors associated with fear of pain: gender, size of the city where the subjects lived, subject of academic study, year of study, the greatest extent of experienced pain, frequency of painkiller use, presence of chronic or mental illness, and past hospitalization. We enrolled 717 participants. Median fear of minor pain was 5 (4–7) fear of medical pain 7 (5–9), fear of severe pain 10 (8–12), and overall fear of pain 22 (19–26). Fear of pain was associated with gender, frequency of painkiller use, and previously experienced pain intensity. We found a correlation between the greatest pain the participant can remember and fear of minor pain (r = 0.112), fear of medical pain (r = 0.116), and overall fear of pain (r = 0.133). Participants studying medicine had the lowest fear of minor pain while stomatology students had the lowest fear of medical pain. As students advanced in their studies, their fear of medical pain lowered. Addressing fear of pain according to sex of the patient, frequency of painkiller use, and greatest extent of experienced pain could ameliorate medical training and improve the quality of pain management in patients

Organ and Tissue-Specific Localisation of Selected Cell Wall Epitopes in the Zygotic Embryo of Brachypodium distachyon

The plant cell wall shows a great diversity regarding its chemical composition, which may vary significantly even during different developmental stages. In this study, we analysed the distribution of several cell wall epitopes in embryos of Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium). We also described the variations in the nucleus shape and the number of nucleoli that occurred in some embryo cells. The use of transmission electron microscopy, and histological and immunolocalisation techniques permitted the distribution of selected arabinogalactan proteins, extensins, pectins, and hemicelluloses on the embryo surface, internal cell compartments, and in the context of the cell wall ultrastructure to be demonstrated. We revealed that the majority of arabinogalactan proteins and extensins were distributed on the cell surface and that pectins were the main component of the seed coat and other parts, such as the mesocotyl cell walls and the radicula. Hemicelluloses were localised in the cell wall and outside of the radicula protodermis, respectively. The specific arrangement of those components may indicate their significance during embryo development and seed germination, thus suggesting the importance of their protective functions. Despite the differences in the cell wall composition, we found that some of the antibodies can be used as markers to identify specific cells and the parts of the developing Brachypodium embryo

Structure and Ultrastructure of the Endodermal Region of the Alimentary Tract in the Freshwater Shrimp <i>Neocaridina heteropoda</i> (Crustacea, Malacostraca)

<div><p>The freshwater shrimp <i>Neocaridina heteropoda</i> (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Decapoda) originates from Asia and is one of the species that is widely available all over the world because it is the most popular shrimp that is bred in aquaria. The structure and the ultrastructure of the midgut have been described using X-ray microtomography, transmission electron microscopy, light and fluorescence microscopes. The endodermal region of the alimentary system in <i>N</i>. <i>heteropoda</i> consists of an intestine and a hepatopancreas. No differences were observed in the structure and ultrastructure of males and females of the shrimp that were examined. The intestine is a tube-shaped organ and the hepatopancreas is composed of two large diverticles that are divided into the blind-end tubules. Hepatopancreatic tubules have three distinct zones – proximal, medial and distal. Among the epithelial cells of the intestine, two types of cells were distinguished – D and E-cells, while three types of cells were observed in the epithelium of the hepatopancreas – F, B and E-cells. Our studies showed that the regionalization in the activity of cells occurs along the length of the hepatopancreatic tubules. The role and ultrastructure of all types of epithelial cells are discussed, with the special emphasis on the function of the E-cells, which are the midgut regenerative cells. Additionally, we present the first report on the existence of an intercellular junction that is connected with the E-cells of Crustacea.</p></div

Digestive system of <i>Neocaridina heteropoda</i> with the midgut epithelium.

<p>(A) <i>Neocaridina heteropoda</i>. XMT. Bar = 2 mm. (B-C) A fragment of the digestive system of <i>N</i>. <i>heteropoda</i>. (B) XMT. Bar = 2 mm. (C) Stereomicroscopy. Bar = 272 µm. (D) The beginning of two diverticles of the hepatopancreas (arrows). Light microscopy. Bar = 28 µm. (E) Diagrammatic representation of epithelia in the intestine and zones of hepatopancreas. Intestine (in), hepatopancreas (hp), stomach (white arrow), midgut lumen (l), intestine epithelium (in), basal lamina (arrowhead).</p

The scanning parameters used during the tests using X-ray microtomography.

<p>The scanning parameters used during the tests using X-ray microtomography.</p

The role and the localization of epithelial cells in endodermal region of the digestive system in Crustacea.

<p>The role and the localization of epithelial cells in endodermal region of the digestive system in Crustacea.</p

Distal region of hepatopancreatic tubules in <i>N</i>. <i>heteropoda</i>.

<p>(A) Longitudinal section through the distal (arrows) and differentiating (arrowheads) regions of tubule with regenerative cells (rc). Light microscopy. Bar = 26 µm. (B) Cross section through the distal region with regenerative cells (rc). Light microscopy. Bar = 19 µm. (C) Regenerative cells (rc). TEM. Bar = 3.15 µm. (D) Regenerative cells (rc). TEM. Bar = 2.43 µm. (E) Septate junctions (arrow) between regenerative cells. TEM. Bar = 1 µm. Hepatopancreatic lumen (l), visceral muscles (mc), intestine (in), basal lamina (bl), nucleus (n), mitochondria (m), cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).</p

Secretion in the midgut epithelium.

<p>(A-B) Apocrine secretion in the intestine. Digestive cells (dc) with distinct evaginations of the apical membrane (arrows). (A) TEM. Bar = 1.7 µm. (B) TEM. Bar = 1.3 µm. (C) Microapocrine secretion: small bulges of microvilli (arrows) of the digestive cells (dc). TEM. Bar = 0.33 µm. Autophagosome (au), midgut lumen (l), microvilli (mv), nucleus (n), cortical layer of the apical cytoplasm (star), smooth septate junction (arrowhead).</p