1. Morphological characteristics of young and old murine hematopoietic stem cell niches, as modeled in vitroMojca Justin, Ema Rogac Randl, Veno Kononenko, Matej Hočevar, Damjana Drobne, Primož Rožman, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche undergoes detrimental changes with age. The molecular differences between young and
old niches are well studied and understood; however, young and old niches have not yet been extensively characterized in terms of
morphology. In the present work, a 2D stromal model of young and old HSC niches isolated from bone marrow was investigated
using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to characterize cell density after one, two, or three weeks of culturing, cell
shape, and cell surface morphological features. Our work is aimed at identifying morphological differences between young and
old niche cells that could be used to discriminate between their respective murine HSC niches. The results show several age-
specific morphological characteristics. The old niches differ from the young ones in terms of lower cell proliferating capacity,
increased cell size with a flattened appearance, increased number of adipocytes, and the presence of tunneling nanotubes. In
addition, proliferating cell clusters are present in the young niches but not in the old niches. Together, these characteristics
could be used as a relatively simple and reliable tool to discriminate between young and old murine HSC niches and as a
complementary approach to imaging with specific cellular markers.
Keywords: bone marrow, hematoopetic stem cell niche, aging, adipocytes, scanning electron microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 26.01.2024; Views: 180; Downloads: 84
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2. Attic dust: an archive of historical air contamination of the urban environment and potential hazard to health?Martin Gaberšek, Michael J. Watts, Mateja Gosar, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: A comprehensive study of attic dust in an urban area is presented. Its entire life cycle, from determining historical emission sources to recognising the processes that take place in attic dust and its potential to impact human health is discussed. Its chemical composition and morphological characteristics of individual solid particles reflect past anthropogenic activities. High levels of Be-Cd-Cu-Sb-Sn-Pb-Te-Zn and occurrence of Cu-Zn shavings are typical for an industrial zone characterised by a foundry and a battery factory. High levels of Co-Fe-Mo-Ni-W-Ba-Cr-Mg-Mn-Nb-Ti and occurrence of various solid Fe-oxides, particularly spherical particles, were identified in another industrial zone, which was dominated by the automotive and metal-processing industries. Emissions from coal combustion affected the distribution of S-Se-Hg-Tl-As-Ag-U. The predominant mineral in attic dust is gypsum, which was presumably formed in situ by the reaction of carbonate dust particles and atmospheric SO2 gas. The high oral bioaccessibility of As-Cd-Cu-Pb-Zn in the gastric phase and high bioaccessibility of As-Cu-Cd-Ni in the gastrointestinal phase were identified. Determined characteristics of attic dust and identified possibilities of prolonged human exposure to it indicate that attic dust should be treated as an excellent proxy for historical air contamination as well as a potentially hazardous material for human health.
Keywords: multi-element composition, scanning electron microscopy, oral bioaccessibility, unified BARGE method, urban geochemistry
Published in DiRROS: 23.06.2022; Views: 560; Downloads: 215
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3. The effect of Eutypella parasitica on the wood decay of three maple speciesAna Brglez, Barbara Piškur, Miha Humar, Jožica Gričar, Nikica Ogris, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Eutypella parasitica R.W. Davidson & R.C. Lorenz is the causative agent of Eutypella canker of maple, a destructive disease of maples in Europe and North America. The fungus E. parasitica is known to cause wood stain and decay. However, it is not known how effectively it decomposes the wood of the most widespread maple species in Europe. Wood samples of Acer pseudoplatanus L., A. platanoides L., and A. campestre L. were exposed to four isolates of E. parasitica and nine other fungal species for comparison, according to the modified EN 113 standard. After 15 weeks of incubation, mass loss and microscopical analysis of samples showed evidence of colonization and different wood decay potentials among fungal species. A highly significant positive correlation was found between mass loss and moisture content for all fungal species. Similarly, the measured cell wall thickness correlated well with the calculated mass loss of the samples. On average, the fungal species caused the lowest mass loss in A. pseudoplatanus (10.0%) and the highest in A. campestre (12.6%) samples. Among the samples exposed to E. parasitica isolates, the highest mass loss was recorded in A. pseudoplatanus (6.6%). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in mass loss and moisture content between different E. parasitica isolates. Based on the results of staining, we discuss the type of decay caused by E. parasitica. Although E. parasitica isolates caused smaller mass loss of samples compared to other more effective decay species, we should not disregard its capability of degrading maple wood. Because E. parasitica usually infects the lower portion of the trunk, which is the largest and most valuable part of the tree, any damage can cause significant economic and resource loss.
Keywords: wood decay, mass loss, moisture content, mini-block test, decay test, Acer spp., Eutypella parasitica, fungi, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 13.07.2020; Views: 1770; Downloads: 1218
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