The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is an important vector for the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, Raju, Hung, Weisburg, Mandelco-Paul, and Brenner), which is associated with olive quick decline syndrome in southern Italy. The mouthparts of Hemiptera have important roles in host plant selection, feeding behavior and for vectoring pathogens that cause plant diseases. In this study, the functional morphology of the sensory structures located on the labium tip and precibarium of P. spumarius was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The labium tip is composed of two symmetrical sensory complexes, each with five different types of sensilla: aporous sensilla trichodea type 1 and 2; uniporous sensilla chaetica type 1 and 2; and multiporous sensilla basiconica. The precibarium of P. spumarius has two kinds of sensory structures: bulbous sensilla and papillae sensilla. In particular, two groups of sensilla are located on the epipharynx: a distal group that consists of ten papillae sensilla and a proximal group composed of six papillae sensilla and two bulbous sensilla, while the hypopharynx has only two papillae sensilla. The involvement of these sensory structures in the context of feeding behavior and pathogen transmission is discussed.

The spleen is considered a key player in birds’ immunity. The stroma and the parenchyma of the spleen of the adult quail were demonstrated histologically, histochemically, and ultrastructurally. A thin capsule and the absence of trabeculae were the most characteristics of spleen stroma. The demarcation between white pulp and red pulp was not observed in the quail. White pulp formed from the periarterial lymphatic sheath and the periellipsoidal lymphatic sheath, both of which were surrounded by arteriole and ellipsoid, respectively. Ellipsoids appeared more numerous and were characterized by cuboidal lining of the epithelium and supporting cells. Red pulp consisted of sinuses and cords. White pulp and red pulp of the quail spleen contained various cells, such as red blood cells, macrophages, heterophils with characteristic granules, lymphocytes of different sizes, dendritic cells, plasma cells, and telocytes. In addition, closed circulation and open circulation established the blood flow on the spleen.

The present study describes in detail the morphological characteristics of the process of ovarian follicular atresia in Redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) during the nonbreeding season using light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The follicular regression process was initiated with shrinkage and disintegration of the nuclear membrane of oocytes resulting in dispersing of chromatin within the ooplasm, followed by marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy of follicular and granulosa cells, which exhibited a strong phagocytic activity to engulf the liquefied yolk particles. Rodlet cells and granulocytes were recorded on the follicular wall and invaded the regressed follicles. Rodlet cells expressed a strong immunoreactivity to matrix metalloperoxidase (MMP-9) and α-smooth muscle actin, while neutrophils expressed a strong reactivity to Myeloperoxidase-3 (MPO). In the advanced stage of follicular atresia, the yolk was almost phagocytized and resorbed and the regressed follicle lost its integrity and appeared to be formed of a cellular mass of phagocytic cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of neutrophils, eosinophils, and dendritic cells within the atretic follicle in between these phagocytic cells. Moreover, numerous lysosomes, granules, and phagosomes were observed within the cytoplasm of both phagocytic cells and granulocytes. Telocytes were also demonstrated within the highly thickened richly vascularized theca layer during the late stages of follicular atresia. Immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 established the participation of apoptosis in the advanced stages of follicular regression. Immune cells, rodlet cells, and telocytes in combination with follicular cells play an essential role in follicular atresia. In conclusion, the present study provides a new evidence on the role of both somatic and immune cells in the phenomenon of ovarian follicular atresia in Redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) during the nonbreeding season.

In order to clarify fine structures of the hypothetical meridian conduits of Chinese traditional medicine (CTM) in the skin, the present study used light and transmission electron microscopy to examine fasciae in different vertebrate species. Collagen fiber bundles and layers were arranged in a crisscross pattern, which developed into a special tissue micro-channel (TMC) network, in a manner that was analogs to the proposed skin meridian conduits. It was further revealed that tissue fluid in lateral TMC branches drained into wide longitudinal channels, which were distinctly different from lymphatic capillary. Mast cells, macrophages, and extracellular vesicles such as ectosomes and exosomes were distributed around telocytes (TCs) and their long processes (Telopodes, Tps) within the TMC. Cell junctions between TCs developed, which could enable the communication between contiguous but distant Tps. On the other hand, winding free Tps without cell junctions were also uncovered inside the TMC. Tissue fluid, cell junctions of TCs, mast cells, macrophages, and extracellular vesicles within the TMC corresponded to the circulating “气血” (“Qi-Xue”, i.e., information, message, and energy) of meridian conduits at the cytological level. These results could provide morphological evidence for the hypothesis that “meridians are the conduit for Qi-Xue circulation” in CTM.

Genetic variability in organisms with sexual reproduction is produced by a complex mechanism of cell division of the germ line cells known as meiosis. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair and exchange genetic material (meiotic recombination), process that is essential to complete the meiotic division and to produce variability. Homologous chromosome pairing is mediated by the synaptonemal complex (SC). The SC is a proteinaceous structure composed of two lateral elements (LEs) and a central region (CR). Any defect in SC structure impairs meiotic recombination leading to blockage of the cell division process and infertility1. The SC has been observed since the introduction of the electron microscope (EM) in the biological field and it has been reported to be present in almost all the organisms with sexual reproduction, conserving a very similar structure and organisation along the different species2,3. The classic approach to study the SC structure is to chemically fixate the sexual tissues (gonads), dehydrate and embedded them in plastic resins that provide a support for sample sectioning and observation under the EM. However, chemical fixation followed by dehydration is well known to produce artefacts in the structure of many biological samples. Recently, we have combined fluorescence activated cell sorting of cells with SCs with high-pressure freezing and freeze- substitution and have found that the structure of the CR looks different from that observed in chemically fixated samples. These data have prompted us to analyse the organization of the CR components under cryo-processing.

Mauritia flexuosa palms inhabit wetland environments in the dry, seasonal Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) and produce mucilaginous secretions in the stem and petiole that have a medicinal value. The present study sought to characterize the chemical natures of those secretions and to describe the anatomical structures involved in their synthesis. Chemical analyzes of the secretions, anatomical, histochemical analyses, and electron microscopy studies were performed on the roots, stipes, petioles, and leaf blades. Stipe and petiole secretions are similar, and rich in cell wall polysaccharides and pectic compounds such as rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose, which are hydrophilic largely due to their hydroxyl and carboxylate groups. Mucilaginous secretions accumulate in the lumens of vessel elements and sclerenchyma fibers of the root, stipe, petiole, and foliar veins; their synthesis involves cell wall loosening and the activities of dictyosomes. The outer faces of the cell walls of the parenchyma tissue in the mesophyll expand to form pockets that rupture and release pectocellulose substances into the intercellular spaces. The presence of mucilage in the xylem, extending from the roots to the leaf veins and continuous with the leaf apoplast, and sub-stomatal chambers suggest a strategy for plant water economy.