Cation-distribution in developing follicles of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster

Elemental composition of pyroantimonate precipitates analysed by electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in vitellogenic ovarian follicles of Drosophila

Ca2+ was precipitated with potassium antimonate in vitellogenic follicles of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the distribution of the precipitates formed was studied by electron microscopy. The microvilli of the oolemma in mid- and late vitellogenic follicles were lined with precipitates. The chemical composition of the precipitates was analysed by electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI). The images produced by inelastically scattered electrons at specific ionization edges were compared, and the non-specific background signals were subtracted by an image processing system. The presence of Ca2+, antimony and oxygen in the precipitates formed could be demonstrated. The elemental composition of the precipitates and of yolk spheres was also analysed by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). With respect to the precipitates, signals at the calcium L2,3-edge, the oxygen K-edge and the antimony M4,5-edge were recorded without deconvolution and background subtraction. The yolk spheres, which were free of precipitates, gave the characteristic signal of the nitrogen K-edge. The applied techniques combine good ultrastructural resolution with the possibility of analysing the elemental composition of histochemical reaction products and cellular structures.

Polyploidization and localisation of poly(A)+ RNA in the different cell types of the vitellogenic meroistic ovary of the fleshfly, Sarcophaga bullata

The degree of polyploidization, the level of transcriptional activity and the volume of the different cell types present in the meroistic ovary of Sarcophaga bullata were measured during different vitellogenic stages. The nurse cells and the germinal vesicle exhibited very pronounced differences with regard to DNA content and mRNA synthesis, even though they are genetically identical. During the 4C stage (late vitellogenesis), we observed different degrees of polyploidy in follicle cells adjacent to the oocyte and those surrounding the nurse cells. Although the chromatin of the germinal vesicle is condensed into a karyosome, in situ hybridisation revealed the presence of transcriptional activity. The volume of the germinal vesicle, which contains only 4C DNA, is big enough to contain 2048C DNA. The meroistic ovary is a highly polarized differentiating system. Our results are discussed in the light of the fact that the polytrophic ovary is a miniature electrophoresis chamber.

Applications of laser microprobe mass analysis in medicine

An instrument for laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) has been available for applied research for several years. The value of this sensitive microanalytical technique has been demonstrated in various fields of science, including medicine and biology. The LAMMA instrument comprises two laser systems. The first is a weak continuous pilot laser that can be aimed at a region of interest of the sample, e.g., a histological microtome section, using a light microscope. The second is a powerful pulsed laser that can evaporate the selected area. The generated ions are then analyzed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The advantages of LAMMA present new perspectives in biomedical research. Elements can be located and analyzed down to the parts per million-level with a 1 micron spatial resolution. Speciation and/or fingerprinting of (in)organic molecules may be obtained. However, the technique is destructive, the quality of the light-microscopic view is poor, and quantification is still under investigation. In this review, the analytical characteristics of LAMMA are evaluated, including instrumental features, detection sensitivity, ionization parameters, molecular speciation, and quantification. Applications of LAMMA in medicine are reviewed, covering the microanalysis of a wide range of physiological and toxic constituents (alkali metals, calcium, aluminum, titanium, fluorine and iodine, heavy metals, transition elements, and molecular compounds).

Laser microprobe mass analysis: a review of applications in the life sciences

The characteristics and analytical utility of laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) are described and evaluated, and a short history of this recent microanalytical technique is presented. A review of the areas of application of LAMMA and related laser microprobes is presented with special emphasis on applications in the life sciences.