Fig 2: SFs and SFCs obtained from the synovial fluid of TMD patients. (A) Gross morphology of a SF under a stereomicroscope (M205A, Leica, Germany). (B) An HE-stained section of a SF. (C) Typical morphology of SFCs. (D) Immunofluorescent staining showed that almost all SFCs were positive for VCAM-1. Scale bar = 1 mm in (A) and 100 µm in (B-D).

Fig 3: Virulence of the mutant strains.In A and B, the germinated cucumber seeds in plastic pots were grown in the greenhouse at approximately 28°C for a 16 h photoperiod until the two-true leaves stage. The infected seedlings were analyzed after 45 days. Twelve plants were used for each treatment. In C, the root cross sections of infected plants were observed with M205A stereoscopic microscope (Leica Microsystems) (×20). In D, to quantify the relative mycelial biomass of the fungal strains in cucumber roots, DNAs were extracted from the cucumber roots cultured for 30 days after infection and subjected to quantitative PCR (qPCR) using primers EF1a-1/-2 for the transcription elongation factor gene of F. oxysporum as described in Materials and methods. In E, disease severity index (DSI) was calculated as previously described from 2 weeks of inoculation up to 45 days. The plant infection experiments were repeated for three times.

Fig 4: Micrograph of blunt-tipped and sharp-tipped microelectrodes taken with a M205A Stereomicroscope (Leica Microsystems, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA). Blue arrows show ionophore-cocktail meniscus.