Ultrastructural artifacts regarding collapse and aggregation of cultured cells have been problematic, especially when investigated apoptotic cells. The infiltration process during sample preparation is considered to be the most crucial factor for this problem. This study was conducted using two culture systems: a suspension culture system of human T-lymphocyte Jurkat cells and rabbit mature dendritic cells and a monolayer culture system of human lung macrophages, human breast cancer cells (A-546 cells) and cat bone-invasive gingival cancer cells (sccf3 cells). Fixation was conducted prior to removing or detaching the cells from the culture dishes. Initial infiltration with a 1 : 3 volume ratio of epon resin : propylene oxide was found to be the most crucial step among these cultured cells. The improved epon-resin infiltration method could eliminate the artifacts. Thus, differentiation between artifactual images and true images is highly possible.

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Fetal hip joint is characterized by its highly flexion and lateral rotation although adult anatomy of the femoral nerve and iliofemoral ligament suggested the medial rotation. To investigate topographical anatomy of the femoral nerve, artery and vein in the femoral triangle, we histologically examined 11 fetuses (15-37 weeks). The nerve-vessel topographical relation was basically similar to that in adults, but the fan-like nerve division was seen in the horizontal plane in the smaller specimens in contrast to that included in the sagittal plane in the larger specimens. The medial or internal rotation of the nerve division seemed to occur in late stage fetuses, at birth and at infancy. Blood supply to the head of the femur might be also accelerated by changes in the hip joint position.

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The mammalian tongue has different functions for feeding. We investigated the morphological characteristics of the surface of the tongue of Egyptian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using scanning electron microscopy. The lingual surface exhibited different degrees of specialization. The tongue can be divided into the apex, body, and root. The lingual prominence was observed on the posterior area of the lingual body. The lenticular, conical, and vallate papillae were observed on the caudal part of the tongue. The filiform papillae were lingual papillae covering the entire dorsal and ventral surface of the tongue at the lingual apex; they consisted of a main process that functions to transport food materials towards the pharynx. The fungiform papillae were dispersed between the filiform papillae. Large lenticular papillae were found at the lingual prominence. The highly keratinized lenticular papillae aid the physical mastication of plant materials. Twelve vallate papillae were arranged in V shape on the lingual root. These anatomical characteristics of the lingual surface of Egyptian buffalo may enhance understanding of its feeding behavior adaptations.

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We examined the dorsal lingual surface of an adult black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) by using scanning electron microscopy. The filiform papilla on the lingual apex exhibited a crown-like shape with several pointed processes. The connective tissue core of the filiform papilla was U-shaped. The filiform papillae on the lingual body had several pointed processes. The connective tissue core of the filiform papillae consisted of one large and several small conical papillae. The fungiform papillae on the lingual apex and body had a smooth surface. The connective tissue core of the fungiform papillae was not hollow and did not have processes. The vallate papillae were surrounded by a groove and pad with many processes on the surface. The connective tissue core of the vallate papillae had many ditches. Thus, the tongue of the black-backed jackal more closely resembles that of the bush dog than those of the raccoon dog or fox.

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