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Hildebrand T, Humphris Y, Haugen HJ, Nogueira LP. Contrast-Enhanced Micro-CT Imaging of Murine Mandibles: A Multi-Method Approach for Simultaneous Hard and Soft Tissue Analysis. J Clin Periodontol 2024. [PMID: 39363430 DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.14077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
AIM To develop and evaluate a novel multi-method micro-computed tomography (μCT) imaging protocol for enhanced visualization of both hard and soft tissues in murine mandibles, addressing the limitations of traditional imaging techniques in dental research. MATERIALS AND METHODS We employed a contrast-enhanced (CE) μCT imaging technique using Lugol's iodine as a contrast agent to visualize the intricate structures of murine mandibles. The protocol involved the combination of conventional μCT imaging as well as CE-μCT, including decalcification with EDTA, allowing for simultaneous assessment of hard and soft tissues. The method is compared with standard imaging modalities, and the ability to visualize detailed anatomical features is discussed. RESULTS The CE-μCT imaging technique provided superior visualization of murine mandibular structures, including dental pulp, periodontal ligaments and the surrounding soft tissues, along with conventional μCT imaging of alveolar bone and teeth. This method revealed detailed anatomical features with high specificity and contrast, surpassing traditional imaging approaches. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the potential of CE-μCT imaging with Lugol's iodine as a powerful tool for dental research. This technique offers a comprehensive view of the murine mandible, facilitating advanced studies in tissue engineering, dental pathology and the development of dental materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Hildebrand
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Oral Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yolanda Humphris
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Håvard Jostein Haugen
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liebert Parreiras Nogueira
- Oral Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Tkachev S, Chepelova N, Galechyan G, Ershov B, Golub D, Popova E, Antoshin A, Giliazova A, Voloshin S, Efremov Y, Istranova E, Timashev P. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Micro-CT Visualization within Collagen Scaffolds in an Aqueous Environment. Cells 2024; 13:1234. [PMID: 39120266 PMCID: PMC11311787 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Among all of the materials used in tissue engineering in order to develop bioequivalents, collagen shows to be the most promising due to its superb biocompatibility and biodegradability, thus becoming one of the most widely used materials for scaffold production. However, current imaging techniques of the cells within collagen scaffolds have several limitations, which lead to an urgent need for novel methods of visualization. In this work, we have obtained groups of collagen scaffolds and selected the contrasting agents in order to study pores and patterns of cell growth in a non-disruptive manner via X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT). After the comparison of multiple contrast agents, a 3% aqueous phosphotungstic acid solution in distilled water was identified as the most effective amongst the media, requiring 24 h of incubation. The differences in intensity values between collagen fibers, pores, and masses of cells allow for the accurate segmentation needed for further analysis. Moreover, the presented protocol allows visualization of porous collagen scaffolds under aqueous conditions, which is crucial for the multimodal study of the native structure of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Tkachev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Natalia Chepelova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Gevorg Galechyan
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Boris Ershov
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Danila Golub
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Popova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Artem Antoshin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Aliia Giliazova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Sergei Voloshin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Yuri Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Istranova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Gersing AS, Kimm MA, Bollwein C, Ilg P, Mogler C, Gassert FG, Feuerriegel GC, Knebel C, Woertler K, Pfeiffer D, Busse M, Pfeiffer F. Chondrosarcoma evaluation using hematein-based x-ray staining and high-resolution 3D micro-CT: a feasibility study. Eur Radiol Exp 2024; 8:58. [PMID: 38735899 PMCID: PMC11089022 DOI: 10.1186/s41747-024-00454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chondrosarcomas are rare malignant bone tumors diagnosed by analyzing radiological images and histology of tissue biopsies and evaluating features such as matrix calcification, cortical destruction, trabecular penetration, and tumor cell entrapment. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 16 cartilaginous tumor tissue samples from three patients (51-, 54-, and 70-year-old) diagnosed with a dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma at the femur, a moderately differentiated chondrosarcoma in the pelvis, and a predominantly moderately differentiated chondrosarcoma at the scapula, respectively. We combined a hematein-based x-ray staining with high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) microscopic x-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) for nondestructive 3D tumor assessment and tumor margin evaluation. RESULTS We detected trabecular entrapment on 3D micro-CT images and followed bone destruction throughout the volume. In addition to staining cell nuclei, hematein-based staining also improved the visualization of the tumor matrix, allowing for the distinction between the tumor and the bone marrow cavity. The hematein-based staining did not interfere with further conventional histology. There was a 5.97 ± 7.17% difference between the relative tumor area measured using micro-CT and histopathology (p = 0.806) (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.92, p = 0.009). Signal intensity in the tumor matrix (4.85 ± 2.94) was significantly higher in the stained samples compared to the unstained counterparts (1.92 ± 0.11, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Using nondestructive 3D micro-CT, the simultaneous visualization of radiological and histopathological features is feasible. RELEVANCE STATEMENT 3D micro-CT data supports modern radiological and histopathological investigations of human bone tumor specimens. It has the potential for being an integrative part of clinical preoperative diagnostics. KEY POINTS • Matrix calcifications are a relevant diagnostic feature of bone tumors. • Micro-CT detects all clinically diagnostic relevant features of x-ray-stained chondrosarcoma. • Micro-CT has the potential to be an integrative part of clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra S Gersing
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany.
- Department of Neuroradiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Melanie A Kimm
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany.
- Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, Munich, 81377, Germany.
| | - Christine Bollwein
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstrasse 18, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Patrick Ilg
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Chair of Biomedical Physics, Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstrasse 18, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Felix G Gassert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Georg C Feuerriegel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Carolin Knebel
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Klaus Woertler
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
- Musculoskeletal Radiology Section, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Daniela Pfeiffer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Chair of Biomedical Physics, Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Munich Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Madleen Busse
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Chair of Biomedical Physics, Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Franz Pfeiffer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Chair of Biomedical Physics, Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
- Munich Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
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Boix-Lemonche G, Hildebrand T, Haugen HJ, Petrovski G, Nogueira LP. Contrast-enhanced Micro-CT 3D visualization of cell distribution in hydrated human cornea. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25828. [PMID: 38356495 PMCID: PMC10865036 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The cornea, a vital component of the human eye, plays a crucial role in maintaining visual clarity. Understanding its ultrastructural organization and cell distribution is fundamental for elucidating corneal physiology and pathology. This study comprehensively examines the microarchitecture of the hydrated human cornea using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Method Fresh human corneal specimens were carefully prepared and hydrated to mimic their in vivo state. Contrast enhancement with Lugol's iodine-enabled high-resolution Micro-CT imaging. The cells' three-dimensional (3D) distribution within the cornea was reconstructed and analyzed. Results The micro-CT imaging revealed exquisite details of the corneal ultrastructure, including the spatial arrangement of cells throughout its depth. This novel approach allowed for the visualization of cells' density and distribution in different corneal layers. Notably, our findings highlighted variations in cell distribution between non-hydrated and hydrated corneas. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential of contrast-enhanced micro-CT as a valuable tool for non-destructive, 3D visualization and quantitative analysis of cell distribution in hydrated human corneas. These insights contribute to a better understanding of corneal physiology and may have implications for research in corneal diseases and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Boix-Lemonche
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, and Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia
- UKLO Network, University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola, Bitola, Macedonia
| | - Liebert Parreiras Nogueira
- Oral Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Väänänen V, Christensen MM, Suhonen H, Jernvall J. Gene expression detection in developing mouse tissue using in situ hybridization and µCT imaging. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301876120. [PMID: 37279266 PMCID: PMC10268296 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301876120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
High resolution and noninvasiveness have made soft-tissue X-ray microtomography (µCT) a widely applicable three-dimensional (3D) imaging method in studies of morphology and development. However, scarcity of molecular probes to visualize gene activity with µCT has remained a challenge. Here, we apply horseradish peroxidase-assisted reduction of silver and catalytic gold enhancement of the silver deposit to in situ hybridization in order to detect gene expression in developing tissues with µCT (here called GECT, gene expression CT). We show that GECT detects expression patterns of collagen type II alpha 1 and sonic hedgehog in developing mouse tissues comparably with an alkaline phosphatase-based detection method. After detection, expression patterns are visualized with laboratory µCT, demonstrating that GECT is compatible with varying levels of gene expression and varying sizes of expression regions. Additionally, we show that the method is compatible with prior phosphotungstic acid staining, a conventional contrast staining approach in µCT imaging of soft tissues. Overall, GECT is a method that can be integrated with existing laboratory routines to obtain spatially accurate 3D detection of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Väänänen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
| | - Mona M. Christensen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
| | - Heikki Suhonen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
| | - Jukka Jernvall
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
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OCT Meets micro-CT: A Subject-Specific Correlative Multimodal Imaging Workflow for Early Chick Heart Development Modeling. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9110379. [DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9110379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural and Doppler velocity data collected from optical coherence tomography have already provided crucial insights into cardiac morphogenesis. X-ray microtomography and other ex vivo methods have elucidated structural details of developing hearts. However, by itself, no single imaging modality can provide comprehensive information allowing to fully decipher the inner workings of an entire developing organ. Hence, we introduce a specimen-specific correlative multimodal imaging workflow combining OCT and micro-CT imaging which is applicable for modeling of early chick heart development—a valuable model organism in cardiovascular development research. The image acquisition and processing employ common reagents, lab-based micro-CT imaging, and software that is free for academic use. Our goal is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to implement this workflow and to demonstrate why those two modalities together have the potential to provide new insight into normal cardiac development and heart malformations leading to congenital heart disease.
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Handschuh S, Glösmann M. Mouse embryo phenotyping using X-ray microCT. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:949184. [PMID: 36187491 PMCID: PMC9523164 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.949184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (microCT) is a structural ex vivo imaging technique providing genuine isotropic 3D images from biological samples at micron resolution. MicroCT imaging is non-destructive and combines well with other modalities such as light and electron microscopy in correlative imaging workflows. Protocols for staining embryos with X-ray dense contrast agents enable the acquisition of high-contrast and high-resolution datasets of whole embryos and specific organ systems. High sample throughput is achieved with dedicated setups. Consequently, microCT has gained enormous importance for both qualitative and quantitative phenotyping of mouse development. We here summarize state-of-the-art protocols of sample preparation and imaging procedures, showcase contemporary applications, and discuss possible pitfalls and sources for artefacts. In addition, we give an outlook on phenotyping workflows using microscopic dual energy CT (microDECT) and tissue-specific contrast agents.
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Albers J, Svetlove A, Alves J, Kraupner A, di Lillo F, Markus MA, Tromba G, Alves F, Dullin C. Elastic transformation of histological slices allows precise co-registration with microCT data sets for a refined virtual histology approach. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10846. [PMID: 34035350 PMCID: PMC8149420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89841-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although X-ray based 3D virtual histology is an emerging tool for the analysis of biological tissue, it falls short in terms of specificity when compared to conventional histology. Thus, the aim was to establish a novel approach that combines 3D information provided by microCT with high specificity that only (immuno-)histochemistry can offer. For this purpose, we developed a software frontend, which utilises an elastic transformation technique to accurately co-register various histological and immunohistochemical stainings with free propagation phase contrast synchrotron radiation microCT. We demonstrate that the precision of the overlay of both imaging modalities is significantly improved by performing our elastic registration workflow, as evidenced by calculation of the displacement index. To illustrate the need for an elastic co-registration approach we examined specimens from a mouse model of breast cancer with injected metal-based nanoparticles. Using the elastic transformation pipeline, we were able to co-localise the nanoparticles to specifically stained cells or tissue structures into their three-dimensional anatomical context. Additionally, we performed a semi-automated tissue structure and cell classification. This workflow provides new insights on histopathological analysis by combining CT specific three-dimensional information with cell/tissue specific information provided by classical histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Albers
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Angelika Svetlove
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Justus Alves
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | - M Andrea Markus
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Frauke Alves
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Clinic for Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Metscher B. A simple nuclear contrast staining method for microCT-based 3D histology using lead(II) acetate. J Anat 2020; 238:1036-1041. [PMID: 33140846 PMCID: PMC7930760 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray microtomography (microCT) enables histological-scale 3D imaging of many types of biological samples, but it has yet to rival traditional histology for differentiation of tissue types and cell components. This report presents prima facie results indicating that a simple lead(II) acetate staining solution can impart preferential X-ray contrast to cell nuclei. While not strictly selective for nuclei, the staining reflects local cell-density differences. It can be applied in a single overnight treatment and does not require hematoxylin staining or drying of the sample. The stain is removable with EDTA, and it may enhance early calcifications. A basic protocol is given as a guide for further testing and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Metscher
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Theoretical Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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