Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33843931›Full record

ArticleJournal of visualized experiments : JoVE2021

Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM) of Biological Tissue Samples.

Justin A Courson, Paul T Landry, Thao Do, Eric Spehlmann, Pascal J Lafontant, Nimesh Patel, Rolando E Rumbaut, Alan R Burns

Abstract readVideo-Audio Media
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
24citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

24 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Nonaxonal content of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer in experimental glaucoma.Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry · 2026
    Article
  6. Multiscale mitochondrial cristae remodeling links Opa1 downregulation to reduced OXPHOS capacity in aged hearts.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2026
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Long Noncoding RNAInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Article
  10. Small science · 2025
    Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Review
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Article
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Justin A CoursonCollege of Optometry, University of Houston; jacourso@central.uh.edu.
Paul T LandryCollege of Optometry, University of Houston.
Thao DoCollege of Optometry, University of Houston.
Eric SpehlmannDepartment of Biology, DePauw University.
Pascal J LafontantDepartment of Biology, DePauw University.
Nimesh PatelCollege of Optometry, University of Houston.
Rolando E RumbautCenter for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Children's Nutrition Center, Baylor College of Medicine.
Alan R BurnsCollege of Optometry, University of Houston; Children's Nutrition Center, Baylor College of Medicine.

Funding

Research Programming ModuleP30EY007551 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · PI LAURA J. FRISHMAN · 1988 to 2026
$16.4M
OCULAR SURFACE INJURY: INFLAMMATORY CASCADE AND HEALING OF CORNEAL WOUNDSR01EY018239 · NEI · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · PI BURNS, ALAN R, RUMBAUT, ROLANDO E · 2008 to 2020
$3.7M
SHORT TERM TRAINING--STUDENTS IN HEALTH PROFESSIONST35EY007088 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · PI FRISHMAN, LAURA J. · 1985 to 2025
$2.3M
Endocardial Contribution to the Vascularization of the Zebrafish Heart during Development and RegenerationR15HD084262 · NICHD · DE PAUW UNIVERSITY · PI LAFONTANT, PASCAL J · 2015 to 2015
$287k
NEI NIH HHS P30 EY007551NEI NIH HHS R01 EY018239NEI NIH HHS T35 EY007088NICHD NIH HHS R15 HD084262
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) allows for the collection of hundreds to thousands of serially-registered ultrastructural images, offering an unprecedented three-dimensional view of tissue microanatomy. While SBF-SEM has seen an exponential increase in use in recent years, technical aspects such as proper tissue preparation and imaging parameters are paramount for the success of this imaging modality. This imaging system benefits from the automated nature of the device, allowing one to leave the microscope unattended during the imaging process, with the automated collection of hundreds of images possible in a single day. However, without appropriate tissue preparation cellular ultrastructure can be altered in such a way that incorrect or misleading conclusions might be drawn. Additionally, images are generated by scanning the block-face of a resin-embedded biological sample and this often presents challenges and considerations that must be addressed. The accumulation of electrons within the block during imaging, known as "tissue charging," can lead to a loss of contrast and an inability to appreciate cellular structure. Moreover, while increasing electron beam intensity/voltage or decreasing beam-scanning speed can increase image resolution, this can also have the unfortunate side effect of damaging the resin block and distorting subsequent images in the imaging series. Here we present a routine protocol for the preparation of biological tissue samples that preserves cellular ultrastructure and diminishes tissue charging. We also provide imaging considerations for the rapid acquisition of high-quality serial-images with minimal damage to the tissue block.

Indexed as

AnimalsFaceMicroscopy, Electron, Scanning

Identifiers

PMID33843931
PMCPMC8225236

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.