ALBERTO J. SOLARI*, MONICA I. RAHN*, ALICIA SAURA**, HUGO D. LUJAN**

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.3, pp. 329-346, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.329

Abstract The fine structure of the binucleate, parasitic protist Giardia lamblia during interphase and divisional stages was studied by serial thin sectioning and three-dimensional reconstructions. The earlier sign of nuclear division is the development of a few peripheral areas of densely packed chromatin directly attached to the inner nuclear envelope. An intracytoplasmic sheet of ventral disk components grows from the cell periphery towards one of the nuclei, apparently constricting this nucleus, which becomes located at a ventral bulge. After the basal bodies become duplicated, a full nuclear division occurs in trophozoites, giving two pairs of parent-daughter nuclei.… More >

LUIS A. CARO¹, NATALIA SANTECCHIA¹, PABLO A. MARINANGELI¹, NÉSTOR R. CURVETTO^1,2, LUIS F. HERNÁNDEZ^1,3

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.3, pp. 311-318, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.311

Abstract The induction and improvement of in vitro rhizogenesis of microshoots of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz and Nothofagus alpina (Poep. et Endl. Oerst.) were compared using Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Ar) versus indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in the culture media. Microshoots of P. chilensis (1-2 cm length), coming from in vitro grown seedlings, were cultivated in a modified Broadleaved Tree Medium (BTMm) containing half salt concentration of macronutrients and 0.05 mg.L^-1 benzilaminopurine (BAP). After 30 days, microshoots with 2-4 leaves were selected and cultured in BTMm-agar in presence or abscense of Ar and in combination with IBA. For N. alpina, the apical shoots with the first 2 true… More >

Lidia M. Lopez*, Marta Dubin**, Patricia H. Carrizo**, Mario H. Burgos***, Amanda Pellegrino De Iraldi*, Andrés O. M. Stoppani**

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.2, pp. 213-224, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.213

Abstract CG 10-248 (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-9-chloro-2H-naphtho[1,2b]pyran- 5,6-dione; CG-NQ), a β-lapachone analogue, modified the ultrastructure of rat hepatocytes, as demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. After 4 h incubation with 100 µM CG-NQ, the following effects were observed: (a) nuclear chromatin condensation; (b) chromatin fragmentation; (c) displacement of mitochondria, concentrated around the nucleus; (d) disruption or expansion of mitochondrial outer or inner membranes, respectively; (e) displacement and alteration of endoplasmic reticulum (rough and smooth); (f) decrease of microvilli; (g) blebbing of plasma membrane and production of apoptotic bodies formed by folding of plasma membrane fragments around mitochondria or peroxysomes; More >

Ana Carolina Faraldo, Edy Lello

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.2, pp. 197-203, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.197

Abstract The defense reactions against biological (Histoplasma capsulatum and Escherichia coli) and non-biological materials (China ink and nylon thread) were tested in vivo in third instar larvae of Dermatobia hominis. The cellular defense performed by larval hemocytes was observed under electron microscopy. China ink particles were phagocytosed by granular cells 5 h after injection. E. coli cells were internalized by granular cells as early as 5 min after injection and totally cleared 180 min post-injection, when many hemocytes appeared disintegrated and others in process of recovering. H. capsulatum yeasts provoked, 24 h after being injected, the beginning of nodule formation. Nylon More >

Norma Risler, Claudia Castro, Montserrat Cruzado, Susana González, Roberto Miatello

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.2, pp. 189-196, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.189

Abstract Remodeling of large and small arteries contributes to the development and complications of hypertension. Artery structural changes in chronic sustained hypertension include vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) modifications. Extracellular constituents such as proteoglycans (PGs), may modulate vascular stiffness and VSMC growth and differentiation. We examined the effect of growth factors on secreted and membrane-bound PGs synthesis by cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) from 12- to 14- week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched Wistar rats. After stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) or 0.1%… More >

T.L. Rose*, V.M. Gomes*, M. Da Cunha**, K.V.S. Fernandes***, J. Xavier-Filho***

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.2, pp. 173-179, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.173

Abstract Vicilins (7S storage proteins) found in various legume seeds have been previously shown to interfere with the germination of spores or conidia of phytopathogenic fungi and inhibit yeast growth and glucose stimulated acidification of the medium by yeast cells. In the present work vicilins from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds were added to the growth medium of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and Fusarium oxysporum conidia. Helix pomatia lectin, wheat germ agglutinin and Ulex europaeus lectin were used to identify differences in the binding of the vicilins to the surface of cells of S. cerevisiae and F. oxysporum treated with this protein. After the growth More >

Gabriela Perdigón^1,2, Mónica Locascio¹, Marta Medici¹, Aida Pesce de Ruiz Holagado^1,2, Guillermo Oliver¹

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.1, pp. 1-9, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.001

Abstract Bifidobacteria are predominant in the lumen of the large intestine and confer various health benefits on the host. They are also used in the preparation of new fermented milks (bioyogurts) or added to conventional yogurt to generate probiotic effects. The colonization of the gut by bacteria tends to be host specific due partly to the way in which bacteria adhere to the intestinal wall. Using a homologous strain of Bifidobacterium animalis in an experimental mouse model, we analyzed by immunofluorescence labelledbacteria and transmission electronic microscopy the importance of this bacterial interaction with epithelial an immune cells… More >

A. Farías, G.N. Hermida, L.E. Fiorito

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.1, pp. 19-28, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.019

Abstract The ultrastructure of the intermediate segment (IS), distal tubule and collecting tubule (CT) of the south american toad Bufo arenarum, was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. The IS is composed of cubical ciliated cells which propel the urine along the renal tubule. The distal tubule is divided into two portions: the early distal tubule (EDT) and the late distal tubule (LDT). The EDT is characterized by only one type of cells with well developed basolateral interdigitations and numerous elongated mitochondria, which are oriented normal to the basal surface. The “macula densa - like” is… More >

I.Noher de Halac^1,2, I.A. Cismondi², M.I. Rodriguez-García³, G.Famá

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.1, pp. 11-18, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.011

Abstract Cell wall pectins are some of the most complex biopolymers known, and yet their functions remain largely mysterious. The aim of this paper was to deepen the study of the spatial pattern of pectin distribution in the aperture of Oenothera hookeri.velans ster/+ster fertile pollen. We used “in situ” immunocytochemical techniques at electron microscopy, involving monoclonal antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 directed against pectin epitopes in fertile pollen grains of Oenothera hookeri.velans ster/+ster. The same region was also analyzed by classical cytochemistry for polysaccharide detection. Immunogold labelling at the JIM7 epitope showed only in mature pollen labelling mainly located… More >

Concepción Marino¹, María T. Ponce^1,*, María E. Videla², Sonia Fioretti³, Miguel Cirrincione¹

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.1, pp. 57-60, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.057

Abstract Glandularia perakii is a perennial species with beautiful violet flowers that grows in the stony soil of Mendocine pedemont. A plentiful and prolonged flowering confers it an important ornamental potential. In this paper, a method of propagation of G. perakii from nodal segments is reported. Proliferating microshoot cultures were obtained by placing nodal segment on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 20 g.L^-1 of sucrose without growth regulators. In this medium multiplication rate after 20 days was 7.9. Rooted plants were acclimatized successfully . More >