Morphological detection of X- and Y-chromosomes in smears and paraffin-embedded tissues using a non-isotopic in situ hybridization technique (NISH)

Pharyngeal smears and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens (skeletal muscle, kidney) obtained from 10 male and 10 female individuals were evaluated using non-isotopic in situ hybridization (NISH) with commercial X- and Y-specific biotinylated probes which recognize the pericentromeric regions DXZ1 and DYZ1/DYZ3 of the X- and Y-chromosome, respectively. The results provide evidence that the morphological sex determination of a single cell can be performed by critical application of this staining method leading to one nuclear signal in ldquomalerdquo cells using the Y-specific probe whereas ldquofemalerdquo cells are negative. In situ hybridization of ldquofemalerdquo tissues with an X-specific probe results regularly in 2 signals whereas ldquomalerdquo cells show only one spot in the nucleus

The immunohistochemical analysis of fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 in putrified skin

Fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 were visualized in normal skin and in skin showing early or advanced signs of autolytic decomposition to prove whether the immunohistochemical analysis of these antigens can provide useful information for an age-estimation of skin wounds obtained from putrified corpses. In cases with early signs of decomposition (visible course of veins, greenish discoloration) and without microscopic alterations like relaxation of the epidermal cell layers or destruction of the blood vessel structures, the staining pattern was identical to that found in normal, non-putrefied skin. In skin already showing microscopic alteration of the tissue structure, fibronectin and collagen type III could not be localized unambiguously. The distribution of laminin and cytokeratin 5, however, was well preserved. In advanced putrefied skin no reliable staining results could be obtained for fibronectin, collagen type III, and laminin. Even though cytokeratin 5 was still detectable in remnants of decomposition-resistant skin appendages, no information useful for an age-estimation of skin wounds can be obtained due to the autolytic detachment of the epidermal layers

Comparison of the solophenyl-red polarization method and the immunohistochemical analysis for collagen type III

In the present study, we have compared the staining pattern of the Solophenyl-Red 3 BL-method for the visualization of collagen type III with the immunohistochemical staining in serial sections from 7 skin wounds (wound age 3 days up to 4 weeks) to elucidate the specifity of the histochemical staining method. Large amounts of collagen type III were clearly detectable in the investigated wounds using the immunohistochemical technique. In the sections stained with Solophenyl-Red, however, only 3 out of 7 skin lesions showed a significant positive red staining at the wound margin or in the granulation tissue, while the adjacent normal connective tissue revealed a typical intensive staining. Using polarization microscopy no characteristic bright green fibrils, as reported for collagen type 111, could be seen in the wound areas without positive Solophenyl-Red staining. Since the localization of collagen type III detected by immunohistochemistry and the presumed distribution of this collagen type by the Solophenyl-Red method was not identical, the histochemical polarization method has to be regarded as non-specific for visualization of this collagen type

Fracking on YouTube: exploring risks, benefits and human values

Fracking or the extraction of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing of rock has become a contested topic, especially in the United States, where it has been deployed on a large scale, and in Europe where it is still largely speculative. Research is beginning to investigate the environmental and economic costs and benefits as well as public perceptions of this new energy technology. However, so far the social and psychological impact of fracking on those involved in it, such as gas workers, or those living in the vicinity of fracking sites, has escaped the attention of the social science research community. In this article we begin to fill this gap through a small-scale thematic analysis of representations of fracking in fifty YouTube videos, where the trailer of a controversial film, Gasland (Fox, 2010), has had a marked impact. Results show that the videos discuss not only environmental and economic costs and benefits of fracking but also social and psychological impacts on individuals and communities. These videos reveal a human face of fracking that remains all too often hidden from view

Alveolar macrophages and the diagnosis of drowning

In the present study, we examined the number of alveolar macrophages in lung tissue from 17 cases of fresh water drowning, 22 cases of acute death and 6 cases of lung emphysema. When counting only the number of alveolar macrophages per alveolus without consideration of the alveolar size we found no relevant differences between the groups investigated. To exclude any influence of the alveolar size on the results the surface density of the alveolar macrophages and interstitial tissue was estimated and compared in the different groups. In cases of drowning, the lungs showed significantly lower values in both categories. The ratio of ‘alveolar macrophages/interstitial tissue’ was also reduced in cases of drowning in comparison to the other groups, however, without significant differences. These morphometrical results characterizing the ‘emphysema aquosum’ with almost ‘empty’ and dilated alveoli could be explained by a wash-out effect of the drowning fluid leading to a partial removal of the macrophages from the alveoli. This hypothesis was confirmed by the detection of alveolar macrophages in the drowning froth by immunohistochemical analysis. Even though alveolar macrophages were unambiguously identified in advanced putrefied lungs in HE-stained sections as well as by immunohistochemical staining, an estimation of the number of these cells cannot provide further information for the diagnosis of drowning in putrefied corpses due to the autolytic destruction of the lung architecture providing no reliable values

Sensory textile-bacterial hybrids: textile-bacteria fusion to impart forest-associated scents

This research paper presents a study on the development of living textile-bacterial hybrids, focusing on the scent produced by Streptomyces violaceruber, a bacterial species, throughout its growth phase. The objective of this study was to observe scent profiles of S. violaceruber on two different fibres, cotton, and linen, and analyse the potential impact of fibre properties on scent profile, intensity, and duration. In doing so the research suggests potential opportunities to curate living scent through textiles and the generation of sensory textile-bacterial hybrids. Interdisciplinary methods were applied to compare changes in the volatile compounds present and identify fibres and fabrication processes most suitable to create a living textile. The paper reports on the development of textile samples that are infused with S. violaceruber and observed for their subjective scent as well as the volatile compounds, which were analysed via gas chromatography. The findings of this study confirmed the presence and development of bacterial scents on textiles during bacterial growth. The scents identified included earthy, soil-like, floral, jasmine, and fruity notes, offering potential for further exploration in fibre and yarn selection, as well as the structural design of the textile. This research contributes to the field of biotextiles by examining the influence of textile fibres and knitted textiles on bacterial volatile compounds. It establishes a platform for investigating how different fibres and structural factors influence the bacterial scent profile and provides valuable insights for the future development of living sensory textiles and their integration into various applications