BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites on cosmetic contact lenses (CLs) with and without CL care multipurpose solution (MPS) treatment. METHODS: Acanthamoeba lugdunensis L3a trophozoites were inoculated onto disks trimmed from CLs: 1-day Acuvue moist, 1-day Acuvue define, Acuvue 2, and Acuvue 2 define. After 18-hour inoculation, the number of adherent trophozoites was counted under phase contrast microscopy. The effects of MPS, Opti-Free Express, soaking CLs for 6 hours, on Acanthamoeba adhesion were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopic examination was performed for assessment of Acanthamoeba attached on the lens surface. RESULTS: Acanthamoeba trophozoites showed greater adhesion to cosmetic CL (P = 0.017 for 1-day CL and P = 0.009 for 2-week CL) although there was no significant difference between the types of cosmetic CL. On all lenses, the number of adherent Acanthamoeba was significantly reduced after treatment with MPS (P < 0.001 for 1-day Acuvue moist, P = 0.046 for 1-day Acuvue define, P < 0.001 for Acuvue 2, and P = 0.015 for Acuvue 2 define), but there was still significant difference between conventional and cosmetic CLs (P = 0.003 for 1-day CL and P < 0.001 for 2-week CL, respectively). More attachment of Acanthamoeba was observed on colored area and the acanthopodia of Acanthamoeba was placed on the rough surface of colored area. CONCLUSION: Acanthamoeba showed a greater affinity for cosmetic CL and mostly attached on colored area. Although MPS that contained myristamidopropyl dimethylamine reduced the adhesion rate, there was a significant difference between conventional and cosmetic CLs.
Acanthamoeba ; Contact Lenses ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Trophozoites

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells of the immune system. They can be generated in vitro from peripheral blood monocytes supplemented with GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF alpha. During induction, DCs will increase in size and acquire multiple cytoplasmic projections when compared to their precursor cells such as monocytes or haematopoietic stem cells which are usually round or spherical. Morphology of DCs can be visualized by conventional light microscopy after staining or phase-contrast inverted microscopy or confocal laser scanning microscopy. In this report, we described the morphological appearances of DCs captured using the above-mentioned techniques. We found that confocal laser scanning microscopy yielded DCs images with greater details but the operating cost for such a technique is high. On the other hand, the images obtained through light microscopy after appropriate staining or phase contrast microscopy were acceptable for identification purpose. Besides, these equipments are readily available in most laboratories and the cost of operation is affordable. Nevertheless, morphological identification is just one of the methods to characterise DCs. Other methods such as phenotypic expression markers and mixed leukocyte reactions are additional tools used in the characterisation of DCs.
Dendritic Cells/*cytology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of phase contrast X-ray microtomography and microradiography, using a polychromatic synchrotron X-ray, for analysis of the mouse lung microstructure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal mice were used for experiments. Some of the mouse lungs were prepared by the lung fixation-inflation method. The resulting sponge-like inflated lung samples were used for microtomography. The remaining mouse lungs were cut into 10 um sections and were used for microradiography and optical microscopic correlation. The experiments on mouse lung samples were performed at the 7B2 beamline of the Pohang Light Source in Korea. RESULTS: Phase contrast X-ray microtomography of inflated lung samples showed individual alveolar structure on 3-D reconstruction. Phase contrast microradiographs of thin lung samples showed microstructure of lung, such as alveoli and bronchioles, and were well correlated with optical microscopic images. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the phase contrast X-ray microtomography and microradiography using polychromatic synchrotron X-ray is feasible for evaluation of microstructure of the lung.
Animals ; Lung/*cytology/*radiography ; Mice ; Microscopy/*methods ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; X-Ray Microtomography/*methods

This commentary presents the regulatory backgrounds and development of the national proficiency testing (PT) scheme on asbestos analysis in the Republic of Korea. Since 2009, under the amended Occupational Safety and Health Act, the survey of asbestos in buildings and clearance test of asbestos removal works have been mandated to be carried out by the laboratories designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) in the Republic of Korea. To assess the performance of asbestos laboratories, a PT scheme on asbestos analysis was launched by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) on behalf of the MOEL in 2007. Participating laboratories are evaluated once a year for fiber counting and bulk asbestos analysis by phase contrast microscopy and polarized light microscopy, respectively. Currently, the number of laboratory enrollments is > 200, and the percentage of passed laboratories is > 90. The current status and several significant changes in operation, sample preparations, and statistics of assigning the reference values of the KOSHA PT scheme on asbestos analysis are presented. Critical retrospect based on the experiences of operating the KOSHA PT scheme suggests considerations for developing a new national PT scheme for asbestos analysis.
Asbestos* ; Employment ; Korea* ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Microscopy, Polarization ; Occupational Health ; Reference Values ; Republic of Korea

The in vitro growth pattern of the human retinal pigment epithelial cell was carried out from enucleated eye. The cultured cell was observed serially under phase contrast microscopy and stained for light microscopy. The cultured retinal pigment epithelium no longer resembled the original pattern of the retinal pigment epithelium and lost pigment granules as tissue culture progressed. This work has shown that the retinal pigment epithelium was viable and possessed proliferative potency for up to 36 days after seeding without subculture.
Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans* ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium* ; Retinaldehyde*

PURPOSE: To investigate the differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) to lens fiber, and the transdifferentiation of LECs to fibroblast in capsular bag culture. METHODS: After observing the changes of LECs by using phase-contrast microscopy, we observed a cross section of capsular bag by using light microscope (LM) and electron microscope (EM). In addition, the expressions of alpha A-crystallin, a marker of differentiation of LEC to lens fiber, and of alpha-smooth muscle actin, a marker of LEC to fibroblast, were examined during the culture period by western blot. RESULTS: On phase-contrast microscopy, 7 to 14 days after culture, the portion of LECs was gradually elongated and cytoplasm became transparent, so that the differentiation resembled lens fiber. One to 7 days after culture, the portion of LECs changed to spindle shape and the transdifferentiation resembled fibroblast. LM and EM observations indicated that changes of each LEC were lens fiber, and fibroblast. According to Western blot, the expression of alpha A-crystallin was increased by 10 days after culture. The alpha-smooth muscle actin showed an increased expression 10 to 30 days after culture. CONCLUSIONS: From the capsular bag model, we observed the resemblances of the differentiation and transdifferentiation of LECs with lens fiber and fibroblast.
Actins ; alpha-Crystallin A Chain ; Blotting, Western ; Cytoplasm ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fibroblasts ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of two antimetabolites, mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), on proliferation of cultured human nasal mucosa fibroblasts. METHODS: Human nasal mucosa fibroblasts were primarily cultured, and exposed to various concentrations of MMC and 5-FU for 5 minutes. Control fibroblasts were exposed to only DMEM media without the drugs. Effect of drugs on cell morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] assay and Acridine orange/Hoechst (AO/HO) staining, respectively. RESULTS: In both experimental groups exposed to MMC and 5-FU, fibroblasts maintained standard spindle shape. The MTT assay showed that both MMC and 5-FU inhibited fibroblast proliferation in a dose dependent manner. AO/HO staining showed apoptotic cells in both experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both MMC and 5-FU have an antiproliferative effect on fibroblasts in vitro at least through induction of apoptosis. Therefore, adjuvant use of either MMC or 5-FU during endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy may improve the clinical outcome by inhibiting proliferation of the nasal mucosa.
Antimetabolites ; Apoptosis ; Cell Survival ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Fibroblasts ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Mitomycin ; Nasal Mucosa

The objectives are to compare the airborne asbestos concentrations resulted from mitering of abestos cement roof sheets by a high-speed motor and a hand saw, and to monitor whether other workers near the test sites are vulnerable to the fibers exceeding the occupational exposure limit. Four test cases were carried out and altogether 7 personal and 4 area air samples were collected. The NIOSH method 7400 was employed for the air samplings and analysis. Using the phase contrast microscopy, fiber counting was conducted under Rule A. The study showed that the fiber concentration medians for personal air samples gathered from the two tools were 4.11 fibers/cc (ranged: 1.33-12.41 fibers/cc) and 0.13 fibers/cc (ranged: 0.01-5.00 fibers/cc) respectively. The median for the area samples was 0.59 fibers/cc (ranged: 0.14-3.32 fibers/cc). Comparing each study case, the concentration level caused by the high-speed motor saw was more than twice that of the hand saw. According to the area samples, the workers nearby the test site are at risk from high exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos ; Hand ; Humans ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Occupational Exposure ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds

The purpose of this study was to assess the antimicrobial and clinical effects of acid water mouthrinse prepared by an electrolysis apparatus on chronic periodontitis and to evaluate the lasting period of these effects. The change in the pattern of colonization of bacteria within the subgingival pockets was monitored by phase contrast microscopy, in 40 patients, over a period of 8 weeks. In addition, changes in the clinical parameters of the diseased sites were also monitored. Site of pocket > or = 5mm was selected in each patient randomly divided into two groups. As a test group, acid water mouthrinse was used twice a day in 20 patients. As control, no mouthrinse was used in 20 patients The results were as follows: 1. The suppression of motile bacteria was maintained for up to 3-4 weeks at test group. 2. Two groups did not differ significantly in proportion of bacteria in subgingival plaque over a period of 8 weeks. 3. Loss of attachment showed a significant difference in test group and in test group compared with control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in control group. 4. No statistical difference was shown in two groups concerning the gingival index, plaque index, bleeding index. The results suggest that acid water mouthrinse is effective for reducing subgingival bacteria. It can be concluded that acid water may be useful as an mouthrinsing agent.
Bacteria ; Chronic Periodontitis* ; Colon ; Electrolysis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; Water*

This study was performed to observe the influence of the feeder layer on the culture of the human uveal melanoma cell. Two types of melanoma cells which were obtained from the patients with choroidal melanoma were implanted into the culture flask. The melanoma cell was seeded onto the culture dish covered with conjunctival fibroblast, Vero cell, and culture dish which did not contain the feeder layer respectively. The growth pattern of the melanoma cell was observed with phase contrast microscopy upto 30 days after seeding. There was no definite difference in growth pattern between each group. These results may indicate that the feeder layer is not an essential factor in the culture of uveal melanoma cell.
Choroid ; Feeder Cells ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Vero Cells