Ultrastructural Pathology最新文献

{"title":"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): zinc suppresses cerebellar ultrastructural alterations and modulates the oxidative stress/gliosis/neuronal loss axis-mediated ASD.","authors":"Hind Zafrah, Abdulaziz M Abudasser, Faris Almasabi, Abdulaziz M Al-Garni, Razan A Alkhani, Rehab M Badi, Asmaa M Shams Eldeen, Abdulmohaimen M Salman, Mohamed Abd Ellatif, Fahaid Al-Hashem, Bahjat Al-Ani, Nourah M Alzamil, Sara A Hosny","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2683673","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2683673","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears in early childhood, and there is a link between ASD and zinc deficiency. Neither the potential protective effects of the trace element zinc on the cerebellum against ultrastructural damage in animal models of ASD, nor its ability to protect against the modulation of the oxidative stress/gliosis/neuronal loss axis implicated in autism, have been previously investigated. Young rats were injected with the short-chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria that is known to induce ASD, propionic acid (PPA) (500 mg/kg) for 5 days (model group) and the protection group was treated with 2 mg/kg zinc sulfate for two weeks following PPA injections. Cerebellum damage and behavioral impairment developed in the model group of rats as demonstrated by profound cerebellar ultrastructural alterations such as degeneration of Purkinje neurons and fragmented endoplasmic reticulum, as well as anxiety-like behavior and social interaction deficits. PPA also significantly (<i>p</i> < .05) modulated the cerebellar protein levels of the gliosis biomarker GFAP and the neuronal loss biomarker calbindin D28K, as well as the cerebellar tissue levels of zinc, glutathione, and the oxidative stress biomarker malondialdehyde (MDA). All these parameters were significantly (<i>p</i> < .05) protected by zinc treatment. Additionally, we observed a significant (<i>p</i> < .001) correlation between the degree of Purkinje cell damage and these parameters associated with autism. In conclusion, PPA-induced autistic behaviors in rats are associated with alteration to the cerebellar ultrastructure, modulation of the oxidative stress/gliosis/neuronal loss axis of ASD, and a decline in zinc and glutathione, which were protected by zinc treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"329-339"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148296442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From lamellar and storage bodies to mitophagy: a comprehensive view of mitochondrial ultrastructure in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells.","authors":"Jacques Gilloteaux, Valérie Suain, Corry Charlier, Charles Nicaise","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2668403","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2668403","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells used to model neurodegenerative defects, cholinergic neuron differentiation, neurotropic virus infection, and neurotoxicity have not been comprehensively studied with fine structure. Our goal is thus to further disclose their cytology. Differentiated <i>in vitro</i> with retinoic acid (RA), SH-SY5Y cells were processed for fine structure analyses with transmission, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy microanalysis. The neoplastic cells showed typical high nucleus: cytoplasm ratio with neuron-like profiles extending to one long neurite that can carry dense core vesicles and associated cytoskeletons. Among the organelles, one-fifth of mitochondria profiles were noted to bear prominent anomalies of both outer and internal membranes. These organelles formed bursts, long or folded lamellae, with the matrix either replaced by accumulated contrasted compound or striated content created through random sectioning sorts of appendages constituting views of so-called \"lamellar bodies,\" and other dense bodies accompanied by mitophagy. Most lining membranes joined the endoplasmic reticulum network with lipid storage droplets. RA differentiation of neuroblastoma cells involved cell genome and mitochondria metabolism to favor an increased lipid and phospholipids precursors to store associated endoplasm and mitochondria membrane and matrix changes resulting in defective fine structures and content. Some of them bore analogy with those noted when one or more mitochondria regulatory proteins (e.g. OPA1 and mitofusin) occurred in other neurodegenerative pathologies, including Parkinson's disease. Our observations should incite further molecular investigations about this neuroblastoma cell proteome and lipidome organelles because of this cell line usage in numerous biomedical investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"207-247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147975864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ultrastructural and elemental characterization of gallstones in patients ≤40 years: a scanning electron microscopy study with histopathology correlation.","authors":"Raquel Francine Liermann Garcia, Bruna Louise Silva, Marilena Valadares Folgueras, Camila Barbosa, José Guilherme Jasper Pickler, Francis Rossetti Pedack, Hercilio Fronza Junior, Camila Kricheski, Christian Evangelista Garcia, Karina Munhoz de Paula Alves Coelho, Paulo Henrique Condeixa de França","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2707293","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2707293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gallstone disease affects individuals of different ages, yet age-related variations in stone morphology, histology, and chemical composition remain insufficiently defined. Understanding these patterns may clarify pathogenic mechanisms and their potential links to clinical or metabolic profiles. This study investigated age-related differences in gallstone characteristics. Thirty-seven gallstones were analyzed and grouped into three age categories (<20, 21-30, and 31-40 years), with additional stratification by sex. Morphological classification was performed macroscopically and by scanning electron microscopy, while composition was assessed using energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Histological evaluation of the gallbladder wall focused on chronic inflammation, Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses, fibrosis, and metaplasia. Female predominance was observed in all groups, reaching 100% in the 31-40-year category. Patients under 20 years presented heterogeneous stones, including pigmented and amorphous patterns, early structural changes, and chemically diverse profiles containing Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Phosphorus (P), and Magnesium (Mg). Individuals aged 21-30 years showed mostly cholesterol stones, moderate histological alterations, and frequent Ca and Na incorporation with reduced elemental variability. In contrast, the 31-40-year group exhibited exclusively cholesterol stones with milder but consistent chronic changes and a homogeneous chemical composition mainly comprising Carbon (C) and Oxygen (O). These results demonstrate age-related transitions in gallstone morphology, chemistry, and associated gallbladder alterations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"409-419"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148607880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of brain fixation methods on ultrastructural preservation in experimental models.","authors":"Cristiane V Toledo, Aline S Santana, Ana Beatriz S Coimbra, Andrea A Borges, Rita C Sinigaglia","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2707310","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2707310","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High-quality brain fixation is essential in experimental neuropathology, as it determines tissue preservation for ultrastructural investigations and preclinical drug evaluation. This study examined the effects of two fixation methods - immersion and transcardial perfusion - on neural preservation of adult male Wistar rats. Ultrastructural analysis was performed on the pyramidal cortex and hippocampal CA1 layer under six experimental conditions: (1) brain immersion in fixative immediately after euthanasia; (2) brain immersion in fixative 6 h post-euthanasia; (3) transcardial perfusion fixation using peristaltic pump at physiological flow rate; (4) transcardial perfusion fixation using peristaltic pump at supraphysiological flow rate; (5) transcardial perfusion fixation using gravity-fed hydrostatic system at physiological pressure; and (6) transcardial perfusion fixation using gravity-fed hydrostatic system at supraphysiological pressure. Light microscopy revealed no major differences among groups fixed through transcardial perfusion, whereas immersion fixation was associated with artifactual dark neurons and spongiform-like appearance of the neuropil. Electron microscopy demonstrated that immersion fixation caused poor morphological preservation and prominent artifacts. In contrast, perfusion fixation achieved superior preservation with physiological volumes. However, deviations from appropriate volume or pressure resulted in autolytic changes and artifacts. These findings highlight the critical need for optimal fixation protocols in experimental neuropathological research to prevent fixation-induced artifacts and ensure ultrastructural integrity, especially in pre-clinical drug evaluation in animal models for neurological diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"341-352"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148631644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of AC-SDKP administration on the NLRP3 inflammasome complex and blood-spinal cord barrier in experimental spinal cord injury.","authors":"Ali Ufuk Keçebaş, Ammar Alnageeb, Tugce Sapmaz Erçakalli, Dilek Saker, Gülistan Sayan, Sait Polat, Faruk İldan, Kadir Oktay","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2710258","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2710258","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the effects of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (AC-SDKP) treatment on the NLRP3 inflammasome complex and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Male Wistar rats were divided into control, sham, and experimental groups, with the experimental group further divided into saline-treated and AC-SDKP-treated subgroups. SCI was induced using extradural clip compression, and AC-SDKP was administered intraperitoneally for 7 days post-injury. Spinal cord tissue samples were evaluated using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR. Biochemical analyses of IL-1β and IL-18 levels in blood and tissue samples were performed. Results showed that AC-SDKP treatment reduced edema, hemorrhage, and cavitation, and supported histological recovery. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased NeuN expression and decreased MMP-9 levels in the treatment group, indicating neuroprotection and reduced inflammation. AC-SDKP treatment also preserved BSCB integrity by increasing occludin, claudin-5, and VE-cadherin expression. Molecular analyses showed that AC-SDKP suppressed NF-κB activity and NLRP3 inflammasome levels, leading to decreased caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels in both blood and spinal cord tissue. These findings suggest that AC-SDKP exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating inflammation at the cellular level and preserving BSCB integrity, making it a promising therapeutic agent for reducing secondary tissue damage and supporting recovery following SCI.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"353-366"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148761584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The ultrastructure of a cast: the art and science of renal tubular pathology.","authors":"Sadhna Dhingra, Ziad El-Zaatari, Lillian Gaber, Luan Truong","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2670557","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2670557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Renal tubular casts are cylindrical structures formed primarily in the distal convoluted tubule or collecting tubule. They are composed of materials filling the tubular lumen and molding along its contour. The clinicopathologic attributes of tubular cast including light microscopic features are well described. In contrast, knowledge on the ultrastructural changes of these casts is limited. This communication focuses on the electron microscopic studies of renal tubular casts. It fully abstracts the current literature and, together with a meticulous review of institutional renal biopsy archive, confirms the current knowledge, expands it, and further reports novel observations. Distinctive and rarely pathognomonic ultrastructural features are expressed by most types of tubular casts, which are well correlated with light microscopic changes. This review further demonstrates that beyond the often elegant and artful images under the electron microscope, the ultrastructural morphology of the tubular casts not only offers diagnostic clue or initiate molecular/chemical studies, but can also provide definite diagnosis or pathogenetic insight unaffordable by other traditional studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"307-320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147949612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Progressive podocyte infolding glomerulopathy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by serial renal biopsies: a case report and literature review.","authors":"Yoshikuni Nagayama, Masako Otani, Kyoko Ono, Hiroyuki Hayashi","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2700998","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2700998","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Podocyte infolding glomerulopathy (PIG) is a rare pathological diagnosis based on characteristic electron microscopic findings of microspheres and/or microtubular structures associated with podocyte infoldings into the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and was proposed as a new entity from Japan in 2008. PIG has been increasingly reported not only in Japan but also worldwide; however, the precise cause and mechanisms of PIG are unknown. PIG cases investigated by repeated renal biopsies are even rarer. We herein report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who showed progressive podocyte infoldings into GBM by serial renal biopsies and review previous reports of PIG comparing the findings of serial renal biopsies. PIG may progress in association with the activity of the underlying disease, particularly in patients with autoimmune diseases. In the present case, proteinuria persisted, and PIG progressed independently of the activity of SLE. Although PIG appears to follow a progressive course accompanied by proteinuria, further accumulation of data on PIG cases with serial renal biopsies will contribute to elucidating its pathophysiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"385-393"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148472773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term changes of irradiated oral mucosa in patients with head and neck carcinoma.","authors":"Saga Ramsay, Hannah Dekker, Engelbert A J M Schulten, Jopi J W Mikkonen, Elisabeth Bloemena, Arja M Kullaa","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2709505","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2709505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Head and neck cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy (RT), often cause acute tissue changes, but still little is known about the long-term effects. This study aimed to identify pathological changes and the role of transmembrane MUC1 (tMUC1) in the oral mucosa and its correlation to RT. A total of 87 patients were recruited for the study: 34 irradiated patients and 53 healthy controls (HC). The data of irradiation dose, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and radiation-to-biopsy interval (RTBI) were collected. Samples of the patient's oral mucosa were prepared for histological, immunohistological, electron microscopical, and immunoelectron microscopical studies. Staining intensity of tMUC1 was significantly stronger in the irradiated patients than in the controls. Only patients with RTBI of 17 months or less presented cell hyperchromatism and low intensity of tMUC1 staining. Long-term changes were not affected by the local dose. HBOT redirected tMUC1 staining toward values of the control group. The irradiated oral mucosa appears to improve over time, and HBOT could also be a contributing factor in long-term positive changes. tMUC1 can be used as a biomarker when examining the oral mucosal health after cancer treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"420-430"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148621507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Intermittent fasting protocols on sperm parameters and testicular ultrastructure in rats fed a high-fructose diet.","authors":"Nazlı Çil, Mutlu Yaka, Gül Neşet, Özgen Kılıç-Erkek, Hatice Oruç Demirbağ, Melek Bor-Kucukatay, Gülşah Gündoğdu, Murat Serkant Ünal, Gülçin Abban Mete","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2724941","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2724941","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to evaluate two intermittent fasting (IF) protocols (8:16 and 5:2) on sperm parameters and testicular microarchitecture in rats fed a high-fructose (HF) diet. Forty 12-week-old male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control, HF(20% fructose), (8:16)+HF (16-h daily fast), and (5:2)+HF(two fasting days/week). Following the 8-week treatment, biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural (TEM) analyses were performed.HF-diet led to significant weight gain and hyperglycemia. Both IF protocols effectively reduced body weight, while 8:16 IF significantly lowered glucose levels (<i>p</i> < .05). The control group showed significantly higher sperm counts and motility compared to the HF and 5:2 IF groups (<i>p</i> < .001). The 5:2 IF group showed the most severe degeneration, with significantly reduced Johnsen scores compared to both control and HF groups(<i>p</i> = .001).Histopathologically, the HF group exhibited deformed seminiferous tubules and basement membrane disorganization. Ultrastructural findings confirmed mitochondrial cristae loss, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased apoptosis in both IF groups, with the 5:2 protocol showing more pronounced heterochromatic nuclei and lipid droplet accumulation. While IF - particularly the 8:16 - effectively manages metabolic parameters like weight and glucose under HF diet conditions, it may exacerbate testicular damage and impair spermatogenesis. Specifically, the 5:2 IF protocol appears to have a more detrimental effect on sperm quality and testicular ultrastructure.</p>","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"462-473"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148866919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/01913123.2026.2707879","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01913123.2026.2707879","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23430,"journal":{"name":"Ultrastructural Pathology","volume":"50 3","pages":"i-ii"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148593349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}