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Windfelder AG, Steinbart J, Graser L, Scherberich J, Krombach GA, Vilcinskas A. An enteric ultrastructural surface atlas of the model insect Manducasexta. iScience 2024; 27:109410. [PMID: 38558941 PMCID: PMC10981077 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The tobacco hornworm is a laboratory model that is particularly suitable for analyzing gut inflammation, but a physiological reference standard is currently unavailable. Here, we present a surface atlas of the healthy hornworm gut generated by scanning electron microscopy and nano-computed tomography. This comprehensive overview of the gut surface reveals morphological differences between the anterior, middle, and posterior midgut, allowing the screening of aberrant gut phenotypes while accommodating normal physiological variations. We estimated a total resorptive midgut surface of 0.42 m2 for L5d6 larvae, revealing its remarkable size. Our data will support allometric scaling and dose conversion from Manduca sexta to mammals in preclinical research, embracing the 3R principles. We also observed non-uniform gut colonization by enterococci, characterized by dense biofilms in the pyloric cone and downstream of the pylorus associated with pore and spine structures in the hindgut intima, indicating a putative immunosurveillance function in the lepidopteran hindgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton G. Windfelder
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jessica Steinbart
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Leonie Graser
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Scherberich
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele A. Krombach
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Department of Applied Entomology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Schulz-Weidner N, Wang J, Steinbart J, Windfelder AG, Krombach GA, Krämer N, Schlenz MA, Scherberich J. Evaluation of Mechanical Versus Manual Root Canal Preparation in Primary Molars-A Comparative In Vitro Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7718. [PMID: 38137787 PMCID: PMC10743663 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The endodontic treatment of primary teeth is to maintain the function of the tooth free of symptoms until its physiological exfoliation. A critical factor for success is how quickly and effectively the root canal preparation can be performed. Therefore, the aim of this comparative in vitro study was to analyze the efficiency of two mechanical root canal preparation systems FM (FlexMaster) and HF (HyFlex EDM) to manual KF (K-file) on extracted primary molars. A total of 45 teeth were divided into three groups (n = 15): KF (#15-35), FM (04#30) and HF (25/~ OneFile). Root canal preparation was performed, and the preparation time was measured. All root canals were non-destructively analyzed by micro-computed tomography in the cervical, middle and apical thirds before and after preparation with regard to the parameters of canal transport (in μm) and centering ratio (0-1). Statistical analysis was performed at a 5% significance level using non-parametric tests. HF caused the lowest canal transport in the apical third (p = 0.008). The centering ratio value of HF was significantly higher in the middle third of the root canals than in the other two groups (p < 0.01). The mean instrumentation time was significantly higher for KF (6.67 min) than for FM (4.69 min) and HF (4.03 min, p < 0.01). HF can be recommended for primary molar root canal treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Schulz-Weidner
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Clinic, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.S.-W.); (J.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Jiameng Wang
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Clinic, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.S.-W.); (J.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Jessica Steinbart
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.S.); (A.G.W.)
| | - Anton G. Windfelder
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.S.); (A.G.W.)
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele A. Krombach
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany;
| | - Norbert Krämer
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Clinic, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.S.-W.); (J.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Maximiliane A. Schlenz
- Department of Prosthodontics, Dental Clinic, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Jan Scherberich
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.S.); (A.G.W.)
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Windfelder AG, Steinbart J, Flögel U, Scherberich J, Kampschulte M, Krombach GA, Vilcinskas A. A quantitative micro-tomographic gut atlas of the lepidopteran model insect Manduca sexta. iScience 2023; 26:106801. [PMID: 37378344 PMCID: PMC10291339 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The tobacco hornworm is used extensively as a model system for ecotoxicology, immunology and gut physiology. Here, we established a micro-computed tomography approach based on the oral application of the clinical contrast agent iodixanol, allowing for a high-resolution quantitative analysis of the Manduca sexta gut. This technique permitted the identification of previously unknown and understudied structures, such as the crop or gastric ceca, and revealed the underlying complexity of the hindgut folding pattern, which is involved in fecal pellet formation. The acquired data enabled the volume rendering of all gut parts, the reliable calculation of their volumes, and the virtual endoscopy of the entire alimentary tract. It can provide information for accurate orientation in histology uses, enable quantitative anatomical phenotyping in three dimensions, and allow the calculation of locally effective midgut concentrations of applied chemicals. This atlas will provide critical insights into the evolution of the alimentary tract in lepidopterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton G. Windfelder
- Branch Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jessica Steinbart
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Flögel
- Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jan Scherberich
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marian Kampschulte
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele A. Krombach
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Branch Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Scherberich J, Windfelder AG, Krombach GA. Analysis of fixation materials in micro-CT: It doesn't always have to be styrofoam. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286039. [PMID: 37315002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Good fixation of filigree specimens for micro-CT examinations is often a challenge. Movement artefacts, over-radiation or even crushing of the specimen can easily occur. Since different specimens have different requirements, we scanned, analysed and compared 19 possible fixation materials under the same conditions in the micro-CT. We focused on radiodensity, porosity and reversibility of these fixation materials. Furthermore, we have made sure that all materials are cheap and easily available. The scans were performed with a SkyScan 1173 micro-CT. All dry fixation materials tested were punched into 5 mm diameter cylinders and clamped into 0.2 ml reaction vessels. A voxel size of 5.33 μm was achieved in a 180° scan in 0.3° steps. Ideally, fixation materials should not be visible in the reconstructed image, i.e., barely binarised. Besides common micro-CT fixation materials such as styrofoam (-935 Hounsfield Units) or Basotect foam (-943 Hounsfield Units), polyethylene air cushions (-944 Hounsfield Units), Micropor foam (-926 Hounsfield Units) and polyurethane foam, (-960 Hounsfield Units to -470 Hounsfield Units) have proved to be attractive alternatives. Furthermore, more radiopaque materials such as paraffin wax granulate (-640 Hounsfield Units) and epoxy resin (-190 Hounsfield Units) are also suitable as fixation materials. These materials often can be removed in the reconstructed image by segmentation. Sample fixations in the studies of recent years are almost all limited to fixation in Parafilm, Styrofoam, or Basotect foam if the fixation type is mentioned at all. However, these are not always useful, as styrofoam, for example, dissolves in some common media such as methylsalicylate. We show that micro-CT laboratories should be equipped with various fixation materials to achieve high-level image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Scherberich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Experimental Radiology), University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Anton G Windfelder
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Experimental Radiology), University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Gabriele A Krombach
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Experimental Radiology), University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
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Windfelder AG, Müller FHH, Mc Larney B, Hentschel M, Böhringer AC, von Bredow CR, Leinberger FH, Kampschulte M, Maier L, von Bredow YM, Flocke V, Merzendorfer H, Krombach GA, Vilcinskas A, Grimm J, Trenczek TE, Flögel U. High-throughput screening of caterpillars as a platform to study host-microbe interactions and enteric immunity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7216. [PMID: 36433960 PMCID: PMC9700799 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34865-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian models of human disease are expensive and subject to ethical restrictions. Here, we present an independent platform for high-throughput screening, using larvae of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, combining diagnostic imaging modalities for a comprehensive characterization of aberrant phenotypes. For validation, we use bacterial/chemical-induced gut inflammation to generate a colitis-like phenotype and identify significant alterations in morphology, tissue properties, and intermediary metabolism, which aggravate with disease progression and can be rescued by antimicrobial treatment. In independent experiments, activation of the highly conserved NADPH oxidase DUOX, a key mediator of gut inflammation, leads to similar, dose-dependent alterations, which can be attenuated by pharmacological interventions. Furthermore, the developed platform could differentiate pathogens from mutualistic gastrointestinal bacteria broadening the scope of applications also to microbiomics and host-pathogen interactions. Overall, larvae-based screening can complement mammals in preclinical studies to explore innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions, thus representing a substantial contribution to improve mammalian welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton G. Windfelder
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany ,grid.418010.c0000 0004 0573 9904Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany ,grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Benedict Mc Larney
- grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Michael Hentschel
- grid.411656.10000 0004 0479 0855Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Christina Böhringer
- grid.5836.80000 0001 2242 8751Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Christoph-Rüdiger von Bredow
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Applied Zoology, Department of Biology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian H. Leinberger
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marian Kampschulte
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Laboratory of Experimental Radiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lorenz Maier
- grid.411656.10000 0004 0479 0855Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yvette M. von Bredow
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vera Flocke
- grid.411327.20000 0001 2176 9917Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- grid.5836.80000 0001 2242 8751Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Gabriele A. Krombach
- grid.411067.50000 0000 8584 9230Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University-Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- grid.418010.c0000 0004 0573 9904Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany ,grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Department of Applied Entomology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Grimm
- grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.5386.8000000041936877XPharmacology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA ,grid.51462.340000 0001 2171 9952Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.413734.60000 0000 8499 1112Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Tina E. Trenczek
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Institute of Zoology and Developmental Biology; Cellular Recognition and Defense Processes, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Flögel
- grid.411327.20000 0001 2176 9917Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Laussmann T, Urspruch P, Flocke V, Windfelder AG, Aberle H, Lunau K, Flögel U. Dynamic monitoring of vital functions and tissue re-organization in Saturnia pavonia (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) during final metamorphosis by non-invasive MRI. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1105. [PMID: 35058520 PMCID: PMC8776771 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05092-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the key whole-body imaging technology for observing processes within a living object providing excellent resolution and contrast between soft tissues. In the present work, we exploited the non-destructive properties of MRI to track longitudinally the dynamic changes that take place in developing pupae of the Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) during the last days before eclosion. While in diapause pupae, body fluid was almost homogeneously distributed over the internal compartments, as soon as wings, legs, flight muscles and the head region were fully developed, a significant redistribution of water levels occurred between thoracic and abdominal regions. During the last two days before eclosion, the developing moths transferred substantial amounts of liquid into the gut and the labial gland, and in case of females, into developing eggs. Concomitantly, the volume of the air sacs increased drastically and their expansion/compression became clearly visible in time-resolved MR images. Furthermore, besides ventilation of the tracheal system, air sacs are likely to serve as volume reservoir for liquid transfer during development of the moths inside their pupal case. In parallel, we were able to monitor noninvasively lipid consumption, cardiac activity and haemolymph circulation during final metamorphosis.
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