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Intercellular protuberances (IPs) are projections on the cell surface and have been reported for families of ferns, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms. Data on the type, chemical composition, and distribution of these structures among vascular plants are still scarce. Here, we investigate the occurrence, distribution, type of IPs among species of eight Dennstaedtiaceae genera and verify the taxonomic significance of these protuberances in the family. Rhizomes of 23 species of Dennstaedtiaceae from field and herbaria collections were analyzed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical tests were performed to identify the main classes of IPs chemical compounds. Two types of IPs were observed in Dennstaedtiaceae species: strand and filament types. They were observed in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma in the cortex and pith regions. Overall, protuberances are irregularly shaped, with angustate or spheroidal apices. Their polysaccharide nature and pectic constitution were confirmed by histochemical tests. Concerning Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Maxon subsp. arachnoideum, IPs have confirmed phenolic composition. Evidence indicates that IPs in Dennstaedtiaceae originate from the fragmentation of the middle lamella and that they have a structural function as well as protection against pathogens. In lateral-line aerenchyma, the occurrence of filament-type IPs may be related to the larger intercellular spacing in the cortex region, providing greater mechanical resistance. We have expanded the data on the occurrence of IPs in the Dennstaedtiaceae, which appear to be notable characters for the family. Moreover, the data presented herein confirmed the polysaccharide and pectic nature of these structures. However, we were unable to find links between IPs and taxonomy and evolution of the Dennstaedtiaceae. On the other hand, different IPs types were identified between the clades Dennstaedtioideae (strand-type IPs) and Hypolepidoideae (filament-type IPs, with exceptions).

Intercellular protuberances (IPs) are projections on the cell surface and have been reported for families of ferns, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms. Data on the type, chemical composition, and distribution of these structures among vascular plants are still scarce. Here, we investigate the occurrence, distribution, type of IPs among species of eight Dennstaedtiaceae genera and verify the taxonomic significance of these protuberances in the family. Rhizomes of 23 species of Dennstaedtiaceae from field and herbaria collections were analyzed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical tests were performed to identify the main classes of IPs chemical compounds. Two types of IPs were observed in Dennstaedtiaceae species: strand and filament types. They were observed in the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma in the cortex and pith regions. Overall, protuberances are irregularly shaped, with angustate or spheroidal apices. Their polysaccharide nature and pectic constitution were confirmed by histochemical tests. Concerning Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Maxon subsp. arachnoideum, IPs have confirmed phenolic composition. Evidence indicates that IPs in Dennstaedtiaceae originate from the fragmentation of the middle lamella and that they have a structural function as well as protection against pathogens. In lateral-line aerenchyma, the occurrence of filament-type IPs may be related to the larger intercellular spacing in the cortex region, providing greater mechanical resistance. We have expanded the data on the occurrence of IPs in the Dennstaedtiaceae, which appear to be notable characters for the family. Moreover, the data presented herein confirmed the polysaccharide and pectic nature of these structures. However, we were unable to find links between IPs and taxonomy and evolution of the Dennstaedtiaceae. On the other hand, different IPs types were identified between the clades Dennstaedtioideae (strand-type IPs) and Hypolepidoideae (filament-type IPs, with exceptions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the shrinkage of onion cells, single and multi-layer onion section, and expansion of intercellular pathways during dehydration. For macro and bulk-level studies, moisture analyzer and hot air convective dryer were used, respectively. Shrinkage, size retention, and color changes due to dehydration and rehydration of onion shreds were compared. At micro-level, CaCl2 and water blanched samples dehydrated at 70 °C, citric acid blanched samples dehydrated at 60 and 80 °C showed less shrinkage compared to unblanched samples. On rehydration, single layer section showed comparable cell size and intercellular space retention. Multi-layer section of CaCl2 blanched samples dehydrated at 70 °C retained better structure. At macro-level dehydration, shrinkage of CaCl2 blanched samples was the least. At bulk-level, all blanched samples shrank by 82–90%. Bulk level rehydration at 50 °C achieved better size retention. Blanching resulted a porous structure of onion shreds with an improved rehydration characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the new molecular-based classification was reported to be useful for predicting prognosis, the T2-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch sign has gained interest as one of the promising methods for detecting lower grade gliomas (LGGs) with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations and chromosome 1p/19q non-codeletion (IDH mut-Noncodel) with high specificity. Although all institutions could use T2-FLAIR mismatch sign without any obstacles, this sign was not completely helpful because of its low sensitivity. In this study, we attempted to uncover the mechanism of T2-FLAIR mismatch sign for clarifying the cause of this sign's low sensitivity. Among 99 patients with LGGs, 22 were T2-FLAIR mismatch sign-positive (22%), and this sign as a marker of IDH mut-Noncodel showed a sensitivity of 55.6% and specificity of 96.8%. Via pathological analyses, we could provide evidence that not only microcystic changes but the enlarged intercellular space was associated with T2-FLAIR mismatch sign (p = 0.017). As per the molecular analyses, overexpression of mTOR-related genes (m-TOR, RICTOR) were detected as the molecular events correlated with T2-FLAIR mismatch sign (p = 0.020, 0.030. respectively). Taken together, we suggested that T2-FLAIR mismatch sign could pick up the IDH mut-Noncodel LGGs with enlarged intercellular space or that with overexpression of mTOR-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Some species of Diospyros form the black wood that is known as ebony. Infrequently, D. kaki forms wood with black patterning that is called “kurogaki” in Japan and is highly valued. To understand the mechanism of formation of the blackened xylem, we attempted to clarify the pathways of diffusion of colored substances from the site of their biosynthesis to their deposition in secondary xylem. We observed colored substances in pits and intercellular spaces and we recorded the deposition of colored substances in the cell walls of wood fibers. In gray and black regions, we found colored substances in the pits between xylem cells, in blind pits and in intercellular spaces. At the boundary between whitish and black regions, areas of coloration in the cell walls of wood fibers gradually increased in size from the whitish to the black regions. Heavy deposition of colored substances was observed in the inner region of the secondary walls of wood fibers. Furthermore, coloration of the outer region of the secondary walls and compound middle lamella (CML) of wood fibers gradually became stronger toward the black regions. Our observations suggest that pit-pairs and intercellular spaces might provide the pathways for inter- and extracellular diffusion of colored substances, respectively. In addition, colored substances might penetrate the cell walls of wood fibers, moving from the lumen into the cell wall.

Understanding the biomechanical phenomena governing the intercellular space can be considered as an effective tool for the treatment of tumors and cancerous tissues. One of the factors that plays a significant role in the quality and efficiency of the drug delivery process to tumors and cancerous tissues as one of the influential biomechanical factors is the osmotic pressure in the interstitial fluid in the intercellular space of tumors. In this study, the effect of osmotic pressure on the distribution of stress and strain in a tumor tissue is investigated in two modes using a poro-elastic and two-dimensional model. The results of this study show that the effect of osmotic pressure and change in the circumference of tumor tissue causes a decrease or increase in mechanical stress and strain, which can be used to control the tumor growth for treatment. In fact, according to the results, by isolating the tumor tissue (This refers to a condition in which tumor cells have grown in rigid containers) and considering the osmotic pressure, the stress created in the tissue is reduced, but if the tumor tissue is surrounded by healthy tissue and osmotic pressure is applied to it, the stress to increase by about 30 Pa compared to when these two assumptions are not considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytomelanin is a brown to black pigment found in plant tissues, mainly in Asparagales and Asteraceae species. However, few studies deal with the processes of its synthesis, and there are still many questions to be answered regarding the organelles involved in this process and their functions, especially in vegetative organs. In a previous study with stems and leaves of 77 Vernonieae (Asteraceae) species, phytomelanin was demonstrated to always be associated with sclereids, which suggests the involvement of these cells in the pigment synthesis. Thus, we selected another species of tribe Vernonieae, Piptocarpha axillaris (Less.) Baker, which produces abundant phytomelanin secretion in stem tissues, to investigate which cells and organelles are involved in the synthesis and release of this pigment, as well as its distribution in the tissues. To achieve this goal, stems in different developmental phases were analyzed under light and transmission electron microscopy. Anatomical analysis showed that the polymerization of phytomelanin in P. axillaris starts at the second stem node, in the pith region, and occurs simultaneously with sclereid differentiation. The plastids of cells that will differentiate into sclereids actively participate in the phenolic material synthesis, following the "tannosome" and the "pearl necklace" models, giving rise to the main precursor of phytomelanin, which is then polymerized in the intercellular spaces during the sclerification process of sclereids. In stems with an established secondary structure, the pigment can be observed more frequently in the cortex, pericycle, primary phloem, secondary phloem, and pith. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Because stomata in bryophytes are uniquely located on sporangia, the physiological and evolutionary constraints placed on bryophyte stomata are fundamentally different from those on leaves of tracheophytes. Although losses of stomata have been documented in mosses, the extent to which this evolutionary process occurred remains relatively unexplored. We initiated this study by plotting the known occurrences of stomata loss and numbers per capsule on the most recent moss phylogeny. From this, we identified 40 families and 74 genera that lack stomata, of which at least 63 are independent losses. No trends in stomata losses or numbers are evident in any direction across moss diversity. Extant taxa in early divergent moss lineages either lack stomata or produce pseudostomata that do not form pores. The earliest land plant macrofossils from 400 ma exhibit similar sporangial morphologies and stomatal distribution to extant mosses, suggesting that the earliest mosses may have possessed and lost stomata as is common in the group. To understand why stomata are expendable in mosses, we conducted comparative anatomical studies on a range of mosses with and without stomata. We compared the anatomy of stomate and astomate taxa and the development of intercellular spaces, including substomatal cavities, across mosses. Two types of intercellular spaces that develop differently are seen in peristomate mosses, those associated with stomata and those that surround the spore sac. Capsule architecture in astomate mosses ranges from solid in the taxa in early divergent lineages to containing an internal space that is directly connected to the conducing tissue and is involved in capsule expansion and the nourishment, hydration and development of spores. This anatomy reveals there are different architectural arrangements of tissues within moss capsules that are equally effective in accomplishing the essential processes of sporogenesis and spore dispersal. Stomata are not foundational to these processes.

Some species of Diospyros form the black wood that is known as ebony. Infrequently, D. kaki forms wood with black patterning that is called "kurogaki" in Japan and is highly valued. To understand the mechanism of formation of the blackened xylem, we attempted to clarify the pathways of diffusion of colored substances from the site of their biosynthesis to their deposition in secondary xylem. We observed colored substances in pits and intercellular spaces and we recorded the deposition of colored substances in the cell walls of wood fibers. In gray and black regions, we found colored substances in the pits between xylem cells, in blind pits and in intercellular spaces. At the boundary between whitish and black regions, areas of coloration in the cell walls of wood fibers gradually increased in size from the whitish to the black regions. Heavy deposition of colored substances was observed in the inner region of the secondary walls of wood fibers. Furthermore, coloration of the outer region of the secondary walls and compound middle lamella (CML) of wood fibers gradually became stronger toward the black regions. Our observations suggest that pit-pairs and intercellular spaces might provide the pathways for inter- and extracellular diffusion of colored substances, respectively. In addition, colored substances might penetrate the cell walls of wood fibers, moving from the lumen into the cell wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because stomata in bryophytes are uniquely located on sporangia, the physiological and evolutionary constraints placed on bryophyte stomata are fundamentally different from those on leaves of tracheophytes. Although losses of stomata have been documented in mosses, the extent to which this evolutionary process occurred remains relatively unexplored. We initiated this study by plotting the known occurrences of stomata loss and numbers per capsule on the most recent moss phylogeny. From this, we identified 40 families and 74 genera that lack stomata, of which at least 63 are independent losses. No trends in stomata losses or numbers are evident in any direction across moss diversity. Extant taxa in early divergent moss lineages either lack stomata or produce pseudostomata that do not form pores. The earliest land plant macrofossils from 400 ma exhibit similar sporangial morphologies and stomatal distribution to extant mosses, suggesting that the earliest mosses may have possessed and lost stomata as is common in the group. To understand why stomata are expendable in mosses, we conducted comparative anatomical studies on a range of mosses with and without stomata. We compared the anatomy of stomate and astomate taxa and the development of intercellular spaces, including substomatal cavities, across mosses. Two types of intercellular spaces that develop differently are seen in peristomate mosses, those associated with stomata and those that surround the spore sac. Capsule architecture in astomate mosses ranges from solid in the taxa in early divergent lineages to containing an internal space that is directly connected to the conducing tissue and is involved in capsule expansion and the nourishment, hydration and development of spores. This anatomy reveals there are different architectural arrangements of tissues within moss capsules that are equally effective in accomplishing the essential processes of sporogenesis and spore dispersal. Stomata are not foundational to these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Zebrafish larval bones are labelled within minutes by dyes injected into the blood. • In the tail fin there is a direct intercellular connection between artery and bone. • An intercellular continuous space connects also between the vein and forming bone. • The intercellular space creates fast route for material transport from blood to bone. The pathway of ion supply from the source to the site of bone deposition in vertebrates is thought to involve transport through the vasculature, followed by ion concentration in osteoblasts. The cells deposit a precursor mineral phase in vesicles, which are then exocytosed into the extracellular matrix. We observed that the entire skeleton of zebrafish larvae, is labelled within minutes after injection of calcein or FITC-dextran into the blood. This raised the possibility that there is an additional pathway of solute transport that can account for the rapid labelling. We used cryo-FIB-SEM serial block face imaging to reconstruct at high resolution the 3D ultrastructure of the caudal tail of the zebrafish larva. This reconstruction clearly shows that there is a continuous intercellular pathway from the artery to the forming bone, and from the forming bone to the vein. Fluorescence light microscopy shows that calcein and FITC-dextran form a reticulate network pattern in this tissue, which we attribute to the dye being present in the intercellular space. We conclude that this intercellular continuous space may be a supply route for ions, mineral and other solute or particulate material to the fast forming bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: Skin care via moisturization compensates for the lack of skin barrier function. However, moisturizer application methods are not clearly decided. Here, we focused on and examined the retention of externally applied ceramide in the stratum corneum (SC) using fluorescent imaging method. This study aimed to compare ceramide retention in the SC between normal skin and dry skin using an animal model. Methods: Nine‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into two groups: normal skin and dry skin model. The dry skin model group was treated with acetone‐diethyl ether solution. A fluorescently labeled ceramide solution was prepared and applied to rats' back skin. Skin samples were taken at 0 minute and 12 hours after ceramide application. Fluorescently labeled ceramide was evaluated and observed under a microscope. Results: The intensity of externally applied ceramide in the normal skin group showed no significant change from 0 minute to 12 hours after application. In contrast, in the dry skin model group, the intensity of externally applied ceramide increased significantly from 0 minute to 12 hours after application. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the externally applied ceramide penetrated the SC of dry skin more than that of normal skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes of impedance at 2 kHz, muscle contraction and ATP content in cultured yellowtail were measured during 0 (ice), 5, 10, 15, 20 °C storage, and histological changes were analyzed by light microscope during ice storage. The relative impedance at each temperature increased during early storage and then deceased, while each muscular contractile percentage increased with ATP consumption. The increasing speed of relative impedance was synchronous with the increasing speed of muscle contraction at any storage temperatures, and their increasing speeds were followed by 0°C ≒ 20°C > 5°C > 10°C > 15°C. In addition, the narrowed and expanded intercellular spaces were respectively observed at 4 h and at 20 h, which were accompanied by the development of muscle contraction and impedance. These results suggest that the temporal rise in impedance during early storage has a significant relationship with rigor mortis and narrowing of intercellular space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaporin-8 (AQP8) is a water channel protein expressed exclusively in granulosa cells (GCs) in mouse ovary. Our previous studies of AQP8-deficient (AQP8-/-) mice demonstrated that AQP8 participates in folliculogenesis, including in the formation of follicles, ovulation, and atresia. However, its physiological function in formation of the antral follicle is still largely unknown. In the present study, we observed significantly increased numbers of antral follicles in AQP8-/- ovaries as well as significantly increased follicular antrum formation in in vitro 3D culture of AQP8-/- follicles. Functional detection of AQP8-/- GCs indicated that cell proliferation is impaired with FSH treatment, and wound healing and Transwell migration are also impaired with or without FSH treatment, compared with that in WT. However, the biosynthesis of estradiol and progesterone as well as the mRNA levels of key steroidogenic enzyme genes (CYP19A1 and StAR) in AQP8-/- GCs did not change, even with addition of FSH and/or testosterone. In order to estimate the influence of the impaired proliferation and migration on the density of GC mass, preantral follicles were injected with FITC-dextran, which distributes only in the intercellular space, and analyzed by confocal microscopy. The micrographs showed significantly higher transmission of fluorescence in AQP8-/- follicles, suggesting increased intercellular space of GCs. Based on this evidence, we concluded that AQP8 deficiency leads to increased formation of follicular antra in vivo and in vitro , and the mechanism may be associated with increased intercellular space of GCs, which may be caused by defective proliferation and migration of GCs. This study may offer new insight into the molecular mechanisms of the formation of follicular antrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of a mangrove ecosystem depends on the potential of its propagules to disperse. In case of the Rhizophoraceae mangrove species, propagules are elongated cylinder-shaped seedlings that have an initial ability to float upon abscission from the parent tree. During the hydrochoric dispersal period, propagule traits ( e.g. volume and density) change over time, which in parallel influences propagule buoyancy behaviour. Recently abscised, mature propagules of three rhizophoracean mangrove species ( Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Sav., Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob., Rhizophora mucronata Lam.) were submitted to a three-month floating experiment to investigate the timing and pattern in their buoyancy behaviour linked to changes in propagule density. Anatomical analyses of the aerenchymatous tissues complemented the floatation data. Initial propagule density (between 0.96 ( C. tagal ) and 0.99 g cm −3 ( B. gymnorrhiza and R. mucronata )) was on slightly lower than that of seawater and increased over time in all species but at dissimilar rates. Intra-individual density increased from the plumule- towards the radicle end, and corresponded with a decrease in proportion of intercellular surface area per unit area. The interplay between propagule traits and surface water conditions determine the fate of each propagule and its capacity to escape the local forest and reach open water. The combination of techniques used and hence combination of data obtained in this study, contribute to an increased understanding of mangrove forest dynamics: the potential and the limits therein to expand the species range or to replenish existing populations with new recruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare esophageal infusion with 0.1 N hydrochloridric acid (HCl) to esophageal infusion with saline in patients presenting with typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis. METHODS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on 44 prospective subjects, 29 of whom were included in the study. Eighteen patients presented with normal esophagi (Control Group "C"), nine of whom were infused with HCl and nine with saline. Eleven patients presented with erosive esophagitis (Lesion Group "L"), five of whom were infused with HCl and six with saline. Biopsies of the esophageal mucosa were collected before and after infusions. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the two types of infusions in terms of the dilation of the intercellular space of the esophageal epithelium, regardless of the status of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Response to HCl infusion cannot be used as a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The objective of this study was to investigate the anatomical causes of the softening of Wonhwang oriental pear by digitizing changes in cell size and intercellular space (IS). We attempted to identify differences affected by growth stage, storage conditions, and harvest timing. Fruit softening was a process caused by changes in cell size, IS widening, and the breaking of cell wall concatenation. Fruits in the growth stage were softened primarily by cell expansion and subsequent widening of the IS. For fruits stored at room temperature, softening proceeded very rapidly; the reason underlying rapid softening appeared to be the empty spaces created by cell wall destruction. For fruits stored at low temperature, rapid softening caused by the destruction of cell walls was delayed, but the fruits softened continually due to IS widening. Furthermore, cell size exhibited a positive correlation with firmness, which caused IS widening and softening of the fruits due to cell contraction. Thus, decreased cell size and widened IS caused softening under low-temperature conditions, and the relationship between softening and cell size was different than that observed during the growth stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms are constantly exposed to environmental stimuli and have evolved mechanisms of protection and adaptation. Various effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on crops have been described and some results confirm that NPs could enhance plant growth at the physiological and genetic levels. This study comparatively analysed the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on rice growth. The results showed that single‐wall CNTs were located in the intercellular space while multi‐wall CNTs penetrated cell walls in roots. CNTs could promote rice root growth through the regulation of expression of the root growth related genes and elevated global histone acetylation in rice root meristem zones. These responses were returned to normal levels after CNTs were removed from medium. CNTs caused the similar histone acetylation and methylation statuses across the local promoter region of the Cullin‐RING ligases 1 (CRL1) gene and increased micrococcal nuclease accessibility of this region, which enhanced this gene expression. The authors results suggested that CNTs could cause plant responses at the cellular, genetic, and epigenetic levels and these responses were independent on interaction modes between root cells and CNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The routine diagnostic procedure of actinic keratosis (AK) and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a histological examination after taking a biopsy. In the past decades, non-invasive optical methods for skin examination have been developed. Patients with clinical diagnosis of AK or SCC were examined. The morphological criteria were determined for healthy, AK and SCC skin and compared for statistically significant differences. In this study, the applicability of multiphoton tomography (MPT) as an in vivo diagnostic tool for AK and SCC was evaluated. Changes in the morphology of the keratinocytes such as broadened epidermis, large intercellular spaces, enlarged nucleus and a large variance in cell shape could easily be recognized. The cell nuclei of AK and SCC were significantly larger compared to healthy skin cells in all cell layers. The nucleus-cytoplasm ratio was also significantly higher for AK and SCC than for the healthy skin cells. It was even higher in SCC compared to spinous and basal cell layer of AK. The cell density in AK and SCC was significantly lower than in the basal and spinous cell layers of healthy skin. In SCC, the cell density was significantly lower than in AK. Concerning the intercellular spaces, significant differences were found for AK and healthy skin in spinous and basal cell layer and for SCC compared to AK and healthy skin. In this study, MPT proved to be a valuable non-invasive imaging method for in vivo detection and discrimination of AK and SCC from healthy skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims When the orientation of the stems of conifers departs from the vertical as a result of environmental influences, conifers form compression wood that results in restoration of verticality. It is well known that intercellular spaces are formed between tracheids in compression wood, but the function of these spaces remains to be clarified. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of these spaces in artificially induced compression wood in Chamaecyparis obtusa seedlings. Methods We monitored the presence or absence of liquid in the intercellular spaces of differentiating xylem by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. In addition, we analysed the relationship between intercellular spaces and the hydraulic properties of the compression wood. Key Results Initially, we detected small intercellular spaces with liquid in regions in which the profiles of tracheids were not rounded in transverse surfaces, indicating that the intercellular spaces had originally contained no gases. In the regions where tracheids had formed secondary walls, we found that some intercellular spaces had lost their liquid. Cavitation of intercellular spaces would affect hydraulic conductivity as a consequence of the induction of cavitation in neighbouring tracheids. Conclusions Our observations suggest that cavitation of intercellular spaces is the critical event that affects not only the functions of intercellular spaces but also the hydraulic properties of compression wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mansoo is a russet pear cultivar cultivated in Korea and susceptible to cracking at maturity. Cracked regions were studied using light (LM), stereo (SM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to compare the prevalence of this phenomenon in Mansoo and Niitaka cultivars. The initial cracking stage was observed as a short-length-shaped crack (SLSC) on the lenticel, followed by an enlargement and extension of the cracked region as a long-length-shaped crack (LLSC). Although the cracked region on the lenticel was discovered with the naked eye, cracking also occurred in the surrounding filling tissue region, which has a thin hypodermis because of a crevice of cork tissue. The cracking occurred in the intercellular space of parenchymal tissue and between stone cell clusters. Mansoo fruit has thinner, more irregular, and less numerous hypodermis layers than that of Niitaka. Stone cell clusters in the peripheral parenchyma were concentrated because they were larger and had a smaller distance between them in Mansoo cultivars than in Niitaka. These results demonstrate that the morphological and anatomical features observed in Mansoo fruit are cracking susceptibility factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]