Golgi staining has been modified and developed since Camillo Golgi introduced the black reaction in 1873. This study focuses on the commonly used Golgi staining methods and presents comprehensive data regarding three Golgi staining methods along with their strong and weak points. The Golgi-Cox method uses mercuric chloride for brain tissue impregnation and is a reliable technique for analyzing the complete dendritic tree of cortical neurons. However, specimens tend to shrink during the staining steps. Recent combination of the Golgi-Cox method and immunofluorescence provides additional options for neuroscientists. Rapid Golgi staining requires osmium tetroxide for the post-fixation process. It homogenously stains whole structures of neurons and provides their detailed anatomical morphology. This staining is influenced by the age of the specimen, temperature of the laboratory, and duration of each procedure. The Golgi-Kopsch method uses formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde instead of osmium tetroxide and can be used regardless of the age of the specimen and the duration after fixation. This method is suitable for research using human brain fixed for a long time or for specimens obtained from old-aged animals. Selecting a Golgi staining protocol that is appropriate for the specimen type and research purpose is important to achieve best results.

In the case of genus Nothobranchius, Nothobranchiidae, the morphology of fertilized eggs and ultrastructures of fertilized egg envelopes have been reported in only two fishes. Therefore it is hard for sure to these morphological characteristics show genus specificity because of lower research samples. So, we studied the morphology of fertilized egg, and compared the ultrastructures of outer surface, micropyle, and section of fertilized egg envelopes under the light and electron microscopes from the other two species, Nothobranchius foerschi and Nothobranchius rachovii, Nothobranchiidae to find out whether these structures have the species specificity or not. Both fertilized eggs were spherical, demersal and adhesive, and have a large oil droplet. The adhesive whip-like structures were distributed on the outer surface of egg envelope, and a micropyle located on the animal pole. The fertilized egg envelope consisted of two distinct layers: an outer electron-dense layer with adhesive structures and an inner lamellae layer in both species. The external shapes of fertilized egg and ultrastuctures of outer surface, micropyle, and section of fertilized egg envelope have same structure including results before. Our data indicate that these morphological characteristics of fertilized egg and fertilized egg envelope show genus Nothobranchius specificity.

Drastic development of ubiquitous devices requires more advanced batteries with high specific capacitance and high rate capability. Large-area microstructure characterization across the stacks of cathode, electrolyte and anode might reveal the origin of the instability or degradation of batteries upon cycling charge. In this study, sample preparation methods to observe the cross-section view of the electrodes for battery in SEM and several imaging tips are reviewed. For an accurate evaluation of the microstructure, ion milling which flats the surface uniformly is recommended. Pros and cons of cross-section polishing (CP) with Ar ion and focused ion beam (FIB) with Ga ion were compared. Additionally, a modified but new cross-section milling technique utilizing precision ion polishing system (PIPS) which can be an alternative method of CP is developed. This simple approach will make the researchers have more chances to prepare decent large-area cross-section electrode for batteries.