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Kinds of Insert Terms modified by Insert Selected AbstractsSelektion des "richtigen" Klons mittels Blau-Weiß-SelektionBIOLOGIE IN UNSERER ZEIT (BIUZ), Issue 4 2010Andrea Schrödel Durch Ligation wird das zu klonierende DNA-Fragment nach der Aufreinigung und Amplifikation als "Insert" in den Vektor geschleust. Die anschließende Transformation der rekombinanten DNA in Bakterien erzeugt nach Beimpfung von Agarplatten mit einigem Glück viele Bakterienkolonien. Doch welche der Kolonien enthält das klonierte DNA-Fragment? [source] Pore-Forming Properties of Alamethicin F50/5 Inserted in a Biological MembraneCHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 6 2007Natascia Vedovato Abstract The pore-forming properties of native and synthetic alamethicins were investigated in photoreceptor rod outer segments (OS) isolated from frog retina, and recorded in whole-cell configuration. The peptaibols were applied (and removed) to (from) the OS within less than 50,ms by means of a computer-controlled micro-perfusion system. Once blocked with light, the main OS endogenous conductance, the OS membrane resistance was >1,G,, allowing low-noise and high-resolution recordings. Currents of ca. 700,pA were recorded in symmetric K+ (100,mM) and Ca2+ (1,mM), upon applying 1,,M of alamethicin F50/5 or its [L -Glu(OMe)7,18,19] analogue to the OS membrane (clamped at ,20,mV). In the latter peptide, the Gln residues at positions 7, 18, and 19 were substituted with side-chain esterified Glu residues. For both peptides, the current activated exponentially, with a delay from peptide application, and exponentially returned to zero without any delay, upon removing the peptide from the external solution. The delay as well as the activation (,a) and deactivation (,d) time constants of the current produced by the modified alamethicin were much slower, and the current noise was much larger, with respect to the corresponding values for alamethicin F50/5. Therefore, the above three Gln residues are not a key factor for pore formation, but the [L -Glu(OMe)7,18,19] analogue produces larger pores with a lower probability of formation. [source] Performance of Four Ceramic-Matrix Composite Divergent Flap Inserts Following Ground Testing on an F110 Turbofan EngineJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 7 2000James M. Staehler Four ceramic-matrix composite flap inserts were evaluated following ground testing on a General Electric F110 turbofan engine. Three of the composites accumulated ,117 h of engine time. The fourth composite, a NextelTM 720 material with aluminosilicate matrix, accumulated ,40 h. Large through-thickness cracks developed along the longitudinal edges of a NicalonÔ/Al2O3 insert and the Nextel 720/aluminosilicate insert. The cracks developed because of high tensile stresses caused by the steep in-plane thermal gradients induced across the flap width during afterburner lights. The Nextel 720/aluminosilicate insert also exhibited severe surface wear associated with the acoustic environment and contact with the adjacent divergent seals. Neither a Nicalon/silicon nitrocarbide insert nor a Nicalon/C insert exhibited significant signs of distress. [source] Red Blood Cell Templated Polyelectrolyte Capsules: A Novel Vehicle for the Stable Encapsulation of DNA and ProteinsMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 6 2006Oliver Kreft Abstract Summary: A novel method for the encapsulation of biomacromolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, into polyelectrolyte microcapsules is described. Fluorescence-labelled double-stranded DNA and human serum albumin (HSA) are used as model substances for encapsulation in hollow microcapsules templated on human erythrocytes. The encapsulation procedure involves an intermediate drying step. The accumulation of DNA and HSA in the capsules is observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, UV spectroscopy, and fluorimetry. The mechanism of encapsulation is discussed. Confocal fluorescence microscopy images of encapsulated TRITC-HSA (left) and dsDNA (right). Inserts demonstrate fluorescence profiles for both compounds. [source] Sandwich structures with composite inserts: Experimental studiesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2009N.K. Naik Experimental studies are presented on the performance of insert assemblies of the sandwich structures under localized through-the-thickness compressive loading. Through-the-thickness and partially inserted fully potted inserts are studied. Insert materials considered are: aluminum and 3D woven composite. Experimental results are compared with the analytical predictions. It is observed that the specific strength of 3D woven composite inserts is more than that of aluminum inserts. Further, it is observed that the specific strength of through-the-thickness inserts is more than that of partially inserted fully potted inserts. Delamination between upper face plate and core material and sliding of attachment/insert within the core are the main modes of failure initiation. Quantitative results are presented for typical cases. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Time course of changes in angiogenesis-related factors in denervated muscleACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2006A. Wagatsuma Abstract Aim:, Denervation leads to capillary regression in skeletal muscle. To gain insight into the regulation of this process, we investigated the time course of changes in capillary supply and gene expression of angiogenesis-related factors during muscle denervation. Method:, Female mice underwent surgery to transect the sciatic nerve, and then the gastrocnemius muscles were isolated at 12 h, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 days after surgery. The capillary supply was assessed by immunohistochemistry using anti-PECAM-1/CD31 antibody. The mRNA levels for angiogenesis-related factors were analysed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:, We found that the capillary-to-fibre ratio began to decrease 10 days after muscle denervation and decreased by 52% after 30 days. The levels of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptors [fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1) and a kinase insert domain-containing receptor/fetal liver kinase-1 (KDR/Flk-1)], angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 of denervated muscle were immediately down-regulated after 12 h and remained lower than control muscle until 30 days after muscle denervation. The levels of mRNA for the VEGF receptor, neuropilin-1, angiopoietin receptor and Tie-2 decreased within 12,24 h, but returned to near those of control muscle after 10,20 days, and again decreased after 30 days. Conclusions:, These findings suggest that denervation-induced capillary regression may be associated with down-regulation of VEGF and angiopoietin signalling. [source] Coupling of solid-phase microextraction continuous bed (monolithic) capillaries with capillary zone electrophoresis for direct analysis of drugs in biological fluids,ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 8 2008Reda Jarmalavi Abstract Hyperlink robust biocompatible solid-phase microextraction (SPME) devices were prepared using continuous bed (monolithic) restricted-access media (RAM) as the SPME capillary insert. The RAM-based SPME approach was able to simultaneously separate proteins from a biological sample, while directly extracting the active components of caffeine, paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid from the drug NeoCitramonum. The devices were interfaced with a CZE system and fully automated analysis for sample preconcentration, desorption, separation and quantification of analytes was evaluated. Comparative study of in-line coupled SPME,CZE using RAM and RP capillary inserts was carried out. Using an SPME (RAM) insert, the calculated caffeine, paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid LODs in a bovine plasma sample were 0.3, 0.8 and 1.9,ng/mL, respectively. [source] Assessment of genotoxicity in rats treated with the antidiabetic agent, pioglitazoneENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 3 2008Abdulkerim Bedir Abstract Pioglitazone (PIO), a member of the thiazolidinedione class of antidiabetic agents, specifically targets insulin resistance. Drugs of this class act as ligands for the gamma subtype of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. Although troglitazone, another drug in this class, displayed unacceptable hepatotoxicity, PIO was approved for human use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. To our knowledge, there are no published reports on the genotoxicity of PIO; however, the package insert indicates that it has minimal genotoxicity. In this study, we used the comet assay to investigate the DNA damage in the peripheral blood and liver cells of rats treated with PIO. Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into four groups, and dosed daily for 14 days by oral gavage with 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day PIO. A dose-dependent increase in DNA damage, as assessed by % tail DNA, was observed in both hepatocytes and blood lymphocytes of the PIO-treated groups, with significant increases detected between the rats treated with all the doses of PIO and the control, and between the rats treated with different PIO doses (P < 0.005 to P < 0.0001). Treating nuclei from the exposed animals with an enzyme cocktail containing Fpg and Endonuclease III prior to performing the comet assay increased the level of DNA damage, which reflects oxidized purine and pyrimidine. Taken together, our data indicate that PIO is able to dose-dependently induce DNA damage in both the liver and blood lymphocytes of rats, which is partially due to the generation of oxidative lesions. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A metagenomic analysis of soil bacteria extends the diversity of quorum-quenching lactonasesENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Kashif Riaz Summary A metagenomic library of 10 121 clones, generated from bacteria inhabiting a pasture soil from France, was screened for the presence of fosmids conferring either N -acylhomoserine lactone (NAHL) synthesis or NAHL degradation ability upon their Escherichia coli host. No clone producing NAHLs was identified whereas one, containing a 31 972 bp insert in fosmid p2H8, allowed NAHL degradation. This led to the cloning and identification of a gene, qlcA, encoding an NAHL-lactonase activity, as judged by lactone-ring closure and HPLC/MS analyses of NAHL degradation products. The qlcA gene efficiently quenched quorum-sensing regulated pathogenic functions when expressed in Pectobacterium carotovorum. The QlcA peptide belongs to the family of zinc-dependent metallohydrolases and appears to be distantly related to other NAHL-lactonases discovered in Agrobacterium, Bacillus, Photorhabdus and Rhizobium. In-silico analysis of the metagenomic insert revealed the occurrence of 20 orf, with a constant GC% and codon usage, suggesting a unique bacterial origin. Nine out of these 20 orf were homologous to genes encoding biosynthesis of arginine; they were clustered with an unusual succession argFJADBCRGH. The fosmid p2H8 is able to complement the argA, argB and argC mutants in E. coli. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 9 orf out of 20 were related to sequences from members of the Acidobacteria, supporting the hypothesis that the analysed insert might be originated from an organism related to this phylum. [source] Capillary supply and gene expression of angiogenesis-related factors in murine skeletal muscle following denervationEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A. Wagatsuma Capillary supply of skeletal muscle decreases during denervation. To gain insight into the regulation of this process, we investigated capillary supply and gene expression of angiogenesis-related factors in mouse gastrocnemius muscle following denervation for 4 months. Frozen transverse sections were stained for alkaline phosphatase to detect endogenous enzyme in the capillary endothelium. The mRNA for angiogenesis-related factors, including hypoxia inducible factor-1, (HIF-1,), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), kinase insert domain-containing receptor/fetal liver kinase-1 (KDR/Flk-1), fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1), angiopoietin-1 and tyrosine kinase with Ig and epidermal growth factor(EGF) homology domain 2 (Tie-2), was analysed using a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The fibre cross-sectional area after denervation was about 20% of the control value, and the capillary to fibre ratio was significantly lower in denervated than in control muscles. The number of capillaries around each fibre also decreased to about 40% of the control value. These observations suggest that muscle capillarity decreases in response to chronic denervation. RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of VEGF mRNA was lower in denervated than in control muscles, while the expression of HIF-1, mRNA remained unchanged. The expression levels of the KDR/Flk-1 and Flt-1 genes were decreased in the denervated muscle. The expression levels of angiopoietin-1 but not Tie-2 genes were decreased in the denervated muscle. These findings indicate that reduction in the expression of mRNAs in the VEGF/KDR/Flk-1 and Flt-1 as well as angiopoietin-1/Tie-2 signal pathways might be one of the reasons for the capillary regression during chronic denervation. [source] Fatigue life prediction and failure analysis of a gas turbine disc using the finite-element methodFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 9 2004R. A. CLÁUDIO ABSTRACT A numerical prediction of the life of a gas turbine model disc by means of the finite-element technique is presented and the solution is compared with an experimental rim-spinning test. The finite-element method was used to obtain the K solution for a disc with two types of cracks, both at the notch root of the blade insert and located in the corner and in the centre. A crack aspect ratio of (a/c) = 1 was assumed. The fracture mechanics parameters J -integral and K were used in the assessment, which were computed with linear elastic and elastic,plastic material behaviour. Using a crack propagation program with appropriate fatigue-creep crack growth-rate data, previously obtained in specimens for the nickel-based superalloy IN718 at 600 °C, fatigue life predictions were made. The predicted life results were checked against experimental data obtained in real model discs. The numerical method, based on experimental fatigue data obtained in small laboratory specimens, shows great potential for development, and may be able to reduce the enormous costs involved in the testing of model and full-size components. [source] Insertion of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein into the thylakoidFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2000Topographical studies The major light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b -binding protein (Lhcb1,2) of photosystem II is inserted into the thylakoid via the signal recognition particle dependent pathway. However, the mechanism by which the protein enters the membrane is at this time unknown. In order to define some topographical restrictions for this process, we constructed several recombinant derivatives of Lhcb1 carrying hexahistidine tags at either protein terminus or in the stromal loop domain. Additionally, green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused to either terminus. None of the modifications significantly impair the pigment-binding properties of the protein in the in vitro reconstitution of LHCII. With the exception of the C-terminal GFP fusion, all mutants stably insert into isolated thylakoids in the absence of Ni2+ ions. The addition of low concentrations of Ni2+ ions abolishes the thylakoid insertion of C-terminally His-tagged mutants whereas the other His-tagged proteins fail to insert only at higher Ni2+ concentrations. The C-terminus of Lhcb1 must cross the membrane during protein insertion whereas the other sites of Lhcb1 modification are positioned on the stromal side of LHCII. We conclude that a Ni2+ -complexed His tag and fusion to GFP inhibit translocation of the protein C-terminus across the thylakoid. Our observations indicate that the N-terminal and stromal domain of Lhcb1 need not traverse the thylakoid during protein insertion and are consistent with a loop mechanism in which only the C-terminus and the lumenal loop of Lhcb1 are translocated across the thylakoid. [source] Haloarchaeal diversity in 23, 121 and 419 MYA saltsGEOBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009J. S. PARK DNA was extracted from surface-sterilized salt of different geological ages (23, 121, 419 million years of age, MYA) to investigate haloarchaeal diversity. Only Haloarcula and Halorubrum DNA was found in 23 MYA salt. Older crystals contained unclassified groups and Halobacterium. The older crystals yielded a unique 55-bp insert within the 16S rRNA V2 region. The secondary structure of the V2 region completely differed from that in haloarchaea of modern environments. The DNA demonstrates that unknown haloarchaea and the Halobacterium were key components in ancient hypersaline environments. Halorubrum and Haloarcula appear to be a dominant group in relatively modern hypersaline habitats. [source] An insert in the Hpy region of hscp in Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reveals a possible CORE-SINE of insectsINSECT SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Sujin Park Abstract, A new putative transposon was identified in the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens. This transposon was characterized as a full length CORE-SINE (65 bp of "CORE" core specific nucleotide short interspersed elements) that resembled sequences from three other lepidopterans and humans. In particular, the A-box and B-box regions of this sequence most closely conformed to the signature of CORE-SINEs from widely divergent species. This CORE-SINE was present as a polymorphism in a hypervariable region of the gene hscp, which is the target of pyrethroid insecticides and other xenobiotics in the nerve axon. We described this new putative transposon as Noct-1 due to its presence in a noctuid moth. This is the first description of a full-length CORE-SINE with the A-box, B-box, target site duplication, and candidate core domain from an insect. [source] Heat transfer from a plate impinging swirl jetINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Kadir Bilen Abstract Heat transfer and flow visualization experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of swirling and multi-channel impinging jets and compare the results with those of a multi-channel impinging jet (MCIJ) and conventional impinging jet (CIJ) for the present work at the same conditions. Swirling impinging jets (SIJs) employed the fixed blade lengths of 12.3 mm with four blades at the exit of the housing tube to divert the air flow through four narrow channels with a desired swirl angle (, of 22.5, 41 and 50°). The MCIJ jet had the same dimensions as the SIJs, except that the narrow channels in the solid insert were vertical (,=0°). The local and surface average Nusselt numbers of MCIJ were generally higher than those of the CIJ and SIJs. The SIJs, however, demonstrated significant improvement in radial uniformity of heat transfer compared to the MCIJ and CIJ. In the region of 2.7,X/D,0 for H/D=8 and Re=20 000, the average Nusselt number for the MCIJ was 11, 33, 72 and 98 per cent higher than that of the CIJ, ,=22.5, ,=41 and ,=50°, respectively. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Two C-Terminal Variants of NBC4, a New Member of the Sodium Bicarbonate Cotransporter Family: Cloning, Characterization, and LocalizationIUBMB LIFE, Issue 1 2000Alexander Pushkin Abstract We report the cloning, characterization, and chromosomal assignment of a new member of the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) family, NBC4. The NBC4 gene was mapped to chromosome 2p13 and is a new candidate gene for Alstrom syndrome. Two variants of the transporter have been isolated from human testis and heart, which differ in their C termini. NBC4a encodes a 1137-residue polypeptide and is widely expressed in various tissues, including liver, testis, and spleen. NBC4b is identical to NBC4a except that it has a 16-nucleotide insert, creating a C-terminal frame shift. NBC4b encodes a 1074-residue polypeptide and is highly expressed in heart. Amino acids 1-1046 are common to both NBC4 variants. NBC4a has two protein-interacting domains that are lacking in NBC4b: a proline-rich sequence, PPPSVIKIP (amino acids 1102-1110), and a consensus PDZ-interacting domain, SYSL (1134-1137). NBC4b lacks the stretch of charged residues present in the C terminus of NBC4a and other members of the NBC family.Unlike other members of the NBC family, both NBC4a and NBC4b have a unique glycine-rich region (amino acids 440- 469). In comparison with other members of the bicarbonate transport superfamily, NBC4a and NBC4b are most similar structurally to the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporters (NBC1). [source] Rapid replication of nanostructures made with a polymer using simple injection moldingJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008C. K. Huang Abstract It is possible to fabricate nanostructures of 25.5 nm by replication using injection molding. In this study, a silicon calibration grating was used as a mold insert to replicate high-quality nanostructures with a simple custom-made injection machine. The replicated grating with 25.5-nm nanofeatures made with a polymer was of high quality when a high mold temperature was employed and the mold was evacuated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Cover Picture: J. Basic Microbiol.JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 20101/2010 This issue gives excellent examples for basic mycology, both from mushroom forming basidioymcetes and ascomycetes, including yeasts. The composite title photo shows two fungi, one basidiomycete and a yeast. A mitotic spindle of the mushroom forming basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, stained for tubulin by immunofl uorescence and for DNA using DAPI (photo: Elke-Martina Jung, Jena) is shown, as well as a fruitbody forming in culture (insert on the left, photo: Nicole Knabe, Jena). Endocytosis of fl uorescein labelled, linear DNA is shown in a second insert (green stain) which is accompanied by a phase-contrast picture of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells used (see article by Lang et al. in this issue). (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Cover Picture: J. Biophoton.JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS, Issue 8-9 20098-9/200 Diffraction images of melanoma cells using a microscope objective (background) and cross-sectional view of the 3D structure of a B16/GPR4 cell (insert) (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Characterization of the upstream mouse Cbfa1/Runx2 promoter,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2001Z. S. Xiao Abstract Cbfa1 (or Runx2/AML-3/PEPB2,) is a transcriptional activator of osteoblastic differentiation. To investigate the regulation of Cbfa1 expression, we isolated and characterized a portion of the 5,-flanking region of the Cbfa1 gene containing its "bone-related" or P1 promoter and exon 1. We identified additional coding sequence in exon 1 and splice donor sites that potentially give rise to a novel Cbfa1 isoform containing an 18 amino acid insert. In addition, primer extension mapping identified in the Cbfa1 promoter a minor mRNA start site located ,0.8 kb 5, upstream of the ATG encoding the MASN/p57 isoform and ,0.4 kb upstream of the previously reported start site. A luciferase reporter construct containing 1.4 kb of the mouse Cbfa1 promoter was analyzed in Ros 17/2.8 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cell lines that express high levels of Cbfa1 transcripts. The activity of this construct was also examined in non-osteoblastic Cos-7 and NIH3T3 cells that do not express Cbfa1 and mesenchymal-derived cell lines, including CH3T101/2, C2C12, and L929 cells, that express low levels of mature Cbfa1 transcripts. The 1.4 kb 5, flanking sequence of the Cbfa1 gene directed high levels of transcriptional activity in Ros 17/2.8 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts compared to non-osteoblasts Cos-7 cells, but this construct also exhibited high levels of expression in C310T1/2, L929, and C2C12 cells as well as NIH3T3 cells. In addition, Cbfa1 mRNA expression, but not the activity of the Cbfa1 promoter, was upregulated in a dose-dependent manner in pluripotent mesenchymal C2C12 by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). These data indicate that Cbfa1 is expressed in osteogenic as well as non-osteogenic cells and that the regulation of Cbfa1 expression is complex, possibly involving both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Additional studies are needed to further characterize important regulatory elements and to identify additional regions of the promoter and/or post-transcriptional events responsible for the cell-type restricted regulation of Cbfa1 expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 647,659, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] An improved microalbumin method (µALB_2) with extended analytical measurement range evaluated on the ADVIA® chemistry systemsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2009Pradip Datta Abstract Quantitative determination of albumin (ALB) in human urine is important to assess kidney functions in a variety of diseases. Recently, Siemens released an improved Microalbumin assay (µALB_2) to measure urinary ALB on the automated, random access ADVIA 1650/1800, ADVIA 2400, and ADVIA 1200 Chemistry Systems. We evaluated analytical performances of this new method. All ADVIA Chemistry Systems use the same microalbumin reagent packs, µALB_2 calibrators, and commercial controls. The within-run and total CVs of the improved method with two-level BioRad Liquichek Urine Chemistry controls (,2 and 9,mg/dl ALB) and a urine pool (,29,mg/dl ALB) on all ADVIA Chemistry systems were <4.1 and <6.1%, respectively (40 replicates per sample). The analytical range/linearity of the method (all ADVIA systems) was from 0.3,mg/dl to theALB concentration in the highest level of calibrator (,38,42,mg/dl). The improved method (µALB_2) on the ADVIA 1650/1800 (y) correlated well with both the Beckman DXC 800 Microalbumin and the old microalbumin method on the ADVIA 1650/1800 analyzers. The improved method showed <10% interference with 16 chemicals from acetaminophen to uric acid that may be present in urine. The improved method has a minimum of 60 days' on-system stability on all systems with the calibration frequencies of (with/without a Reagent Container insert) 20/30 days (ADVIA1200), 50/60 days (ADVIA1650/1800), and 20/60 days (ADVIA2400). No prozone was observed with the method on any platform up to the highest ALB concentration tested in a sample (4,000,mg/dl). J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:314,318, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Significant influence of scaler tip design on root substance loss resulting from ultrasonic scaling: a laserprofilometric in vitro studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 11 2004Søren Jepsen Abstract Objectives: Ultrasonic scalers have become increasingly popular for subgingival debridement. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different working tip designs (narrow versus wide) on root substance loss caused by either magnetostrictive or piezoelectric ultrasonic devices. Methods: In this in vitro study, a magnetostrictive ultrasonic system with either Slimline or TFI-10 inserts and a piezoelectric ultrasonic system with either Perioprobe or Type-A inserts were compared at different application forces. Loss of root dentin was determined by defect width, defect depth and defect volume resulting from standardized instrumentation using laser profilometry. Results: There were consistent and statistically significant differences between all groups. The mean observed dentin alterations for the magnetostrictive ultrasonic device operating a Slimline insert at a lateral force of 0.3 N were 254.4 ,m, 6.3 ,m and 22.5 ,m3 and for the TFI-10 tip 759.0 ,m, 23.5 ,m and 160.2 ,m3 for the parameters defect width, depth and volume, respectively. For the piezoelectric ultrasonic system operating a Perioprobe insert, the corresponding mean values were 352.0 ,m/12.1 ,m/56.4 ,m3 and for the universal Type-A insert they were 402.4 ,m/14.0 ,m/133.4 ,m3. With application forces of 0.7 N, root substance removal increased up to twofold. Conclusion: The present investigation could demonstrate that the aggressiveness of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic devices to root substance was significantly influenced by the scaler tip designs, increasing for wider scaler tips as compared with narrow, probe-shaped inserts. [source] Subgingival polishing with a teflon-coated sonic scaler insert in comparison to conventional instruments as assessed on extracted teethJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 8 2001(II). Subgingival roughness Abstract Aim: To assess the root surface roughness and topography on extracted teeth using different instruments. Material and Methods: In the present study, laser profilometry was used to examine the 3-D roughness values Ra and Rz and topography of root surfaces of periodontally-involved teeth instrumented in vivo with curette, conventional ultrasonic device, conventional or teflon-coated sonic scaler insert, or the Periotor instrument (12 teeth per instrument type), and compare these with uninstrumented cementum surfaces. Results: The roughness values Ra and Rz of the roots treated with the different instruments showed a similar pattern: curettes and the Periotor instrument produced the smoothest surfaces (Ra about 1.5 ,m, Rz 30 ,m); the 4 other instruments created similar Ra values of approximately 2,3 ,m and Rz roughness of about 50,70 ,m, which equals the untreated root surface. For Ra, the difference between the curette or the Periotor instrument and the teflon-coated sonic insert or ultrasonic insert was significant, and for Rz, a significant difference was found between the curette or the Periotor instrument and ultrasonic insert. As opposed to surfaces debrided with the Periotor and teflon-coated sonic scaler, it appears that hand instruments markedly reconfigure surfaces. Conclusion: The lowest root-surface roughness values were obtained with hand instruments. The teflon tubing on the sonic scaler insert effected no change of topography or roughness as compared to uninstrumented, control surfaces. However, it must be pointed out that hard-tissue removal was not investigated. Zusammenfassung Einführung: Wir wollten die Rauhigkeit und die Topographie der Wurzeloberfläche an extrahierten Zähnen infolge unterschiedlicher Instrumentation einschätzen. Material und Methoden: In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Laserprofilometrie genutzt, um die 3D Rauhigkeitswerte Ra und Rz sowie die Topographie der Wurzeloberfläche von parodontal erkrankten Zähnen, die in vivo mit Küretten, konventionellen Ultraschallgeräten, konventionellen oder mit Teflon beschichteten Schallscalereinsätzen oder mit dem Periotorgerät (12 Zähne pro Instrumentenart) bearbeitet worden waren, zu überprüfen und dies mit unbehandelten Zementoberflächen zu vergleichen. Ergebnisse: Die Rauhigkeitswerte Ra und Rz der Wurzeln, die mit verschiedenen Instrumenten behandelt worden waren, zeigten ein ähnliches Muster: Küretten und das Periotorinstrument erbrachten die glattesten Oberflächen (Ra ungefähr 1.5 ,m, Rz 30 ,m); die 4 anderen Instrumente schufen gleiche Ra-Werte von ungefähr 2,3 ,m und Rz-Rauhigkeit von ungefähr 50,70 ,m, was den unbehandelten Wurzeloberflächen glich. Für Ra war die Differenz zwischen Kürette oder Periotorinstrument und mit Teflon beschichteten Schalleinsätzen oder Ultraschalleinsätzen signifikant, und für Rz wurde eine signifikante Differenz zwischen der Kürette oder dem Periotorinstrument und dem Ultraschalleinsatz gefunden. Im Gegensatz zu Oberflächen, die mit Periotor und mit Teflon beschichteten Schallscalern bearbeitet wurden, scheint es, daß Handinstrumente die Oberflächen deutlich rekonfigurieren. Schlußfolgerung: Die geringsten Wurzeloberflächenrauhigkeitwerte wurden mit Handinstrumenten erzielt. Die Teflonröhrchen auf den Schallscalereinsätzen erbrachten keine Veränderungen der Topographie oder der Rauhigkeit im Vergleich zu unbehandelten Kontrolloberflächen. Jedoch muß ausgeführt werden, daß die Entfernung des Hartgewebes nicht untersucht wurde. Résumé Nous voulions mettre en évidence la rugosité de la surface radiculaire et sa topographie sur des dents extraites à la suite de polissage avec différents instruments. Dans cette étude, la profilométrie par laser a été utilisée pour examiner les valeurs Ra et Rz de rugosité tridimensionnelle et la topographie des surfaces radiculaires de dents atteintes de maladies parodontales instrumentées in vivo à l'aide de curettes, d'un appareil ultrasonique conventionnel, d'insert de détargrage sonique recouvert de téflon ou du Periotor (12 dents par type d'instrument) et de les comparer avec les valeurs des surfaces cémentaires non-instrumentées. Les valeurs Ra et Rz de rugosité des racines traitées avec les différents instruments montraient des caractéristiques similaires: les curettes et le Periotor produisait les surfaces les plus lisses (Ra environ 1.5 ,m, Rz 30 ,m); les 4 autres instruments donnaient des valeurs Ra de 2,3 ,m approximativement et une rugosité Rz d'environ 50,70 ,m, équilavent aux surfaces non traitées. Pour Ra, la différence entre les curettes ou le Periotor et les inserts soniques recouverts de téflon ou l'insert ultrasonique étaient significatifs, et pour Rz, une différence significative apparaissait entre les curettes ou le priotor et les inserts ultrasoniques. Contrairement aux surfaces débridées avec le periotor et le détartreur sonique recouvert de téflon, il apparaissait que les instruments manuels reconfiguraient la surface remarquablement. Les valeurs les plus basses de rugosité de la surface radiculaire étaient obtenues avec les instruments à mains. Le revètement de téflon sur l'insert sonique n'entrainait pas de modifications de topographie ni de rugosité par rapport au surfaces controles non-instrumentées. Cependant, il faut signaller que l'élimination des tissus durs n'a pas étéétudiée. [source] Substance loss caused by scaling with different sonic scaler inserts , an in vitro studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Thomas Kocher Abstract Background, aims: Depending on the phase of periodontal treatment, power-driven inserts with different power levels are necessary: during initial treatment and flap operations, it must be possible to remove calculus which firmly adheres to the root surface with great efficiency; in contrast, gentle root-surface instrumentation has a high priority during maintenance treatment. Recently, modified sonic scaler inserts have been introduced: diamond-coated inserts for open flap operations and slim probe-shaped sonic scaler inserts for deplaqueing during maintenance. Method: We compared the substance removal by these inserts to that of a conventional insert. In a bench system which allows application force, stroke height, and width and frequency of instrumentation to be monitored and also permits assessment of the topography before and after instrumentation (yielding depth removal and removed volume), we instrumented aluminum rods in triplicate and bovine roots in a 5-fold repetition. Results: With high application forces (1.0 N), the diamond-coated inserts removed 30 to 50% more substance than the conventional one. Except for the slim inserts, there was a significant linear relationship between increasing force and removed volume. Probe-shaped inserts do not remove considerable substance even with increasing pressures. Conclusions: Diamond-coated inserts remove tooth substance very effectively and must thus be handled with care: more pressure effects more removal. Probe-shaped inserts can be used without risk during maintenance visits. [source] Diamond-coated sonic tips are more efficient for open debridement of molar furcationsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2000A comparative manikin study Abstract Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of open debridement of class II and III furcations by a new diamond-coated sonic instrument tip (Sonicparo) with a conventional sonic insert (Sonicrecall) and hand instruments (Gracey curettes). Method: Open debridement was simulated using a manikin head and standardised plastic teeth. The efficacy of debridement was examined by 3 parameters: residual root surface marker, ,tooth' weight loss and time taken for debridement. The teeth used were 1st and 2nd upper and lower molars. Upper left and lower right molars were chosen to represent class II furcation involvements and upper right and lower left molars class III furcation involvements. Each tooth was debrided 4 times with each instrument for both class of furcations. Results: The results of this study showed significantly less residual marker area comparing Sonicparo with Gracey curettes (mean difference 2.52 mm2, p<0.001). However, no significant differences in marker removal were observed between Sonicrecall inserts and the other instruments. Sonicparo inserts also took significantly less time to debride the furcation than Gracey curettes (mean difference 98.3 s, p<0.001) or Sonicrecall instruments (mean difference 74.3 s, p<0.001). However no significant differences were found between instruments concerning weight loss of the plastic teeth. Conclusions: It was concluded from this in-vitro study that the Sonicparo insert was a more efficient instrument for open molar furcation debridement than Sonicrecall and hand instruments (Gracey curettes) when considering both marker removal and debridement time. [source] Ceramometal Bonded Inlays and OnlaysJOURNAL OF ESTHETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2000HARRY F. ALBERS DDS ABSTRACT Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) is presently the most popular crown and bridge technique. Its success is attributable to the use of a metal substructure to support the porcelain, resulting in good esthetics, limited ceramic flexure, and better longevity than all-porcelain restorations. A new concept suggests encapsulating the metal substructure with ceramic and placing the insert under the occlusal surface, thereby combining the best properties of the esthetics of porcelain and the support of metal to achieve improved restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The ceramometal bonded restoration (CMBR) addresses the known limitations of PFMs by providing a more esthetic, more conservative, and more durable alternative. The CMBR eliminates the potential for tooth darkening, leaves more of the natural tooth intact, and offers good resistance to fracture or displacement under occlusal forces. This combination of features makes the CMBR inlay or onlay an excellent alternative for the conservative esthetic restoration of posterior teeth. [source] Effects of Processing Conditions on Qualities of Rice FriesJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2001R.S. Kadan ABSTRACT Two rice flour mixtures, 2 extruding temperatures, and 2 insert sizes were used to develop rice fries. The extruded material was cut into pieces 7 to 8-cm long, prefried in rice oil at 180°C for 20 s, and kept frozen until final frying for another 70 s. The rice fries were evaluated 5 min and 10 min after final frying for their lipid, moisture, and instrumental texture characteristics. Extruding temperature, rice cultivar, and insert size were significantly related to fat content, moisture, hardness, and fracturability values. A mixture consisting of 80:20 (waxy:long-grain), and extruded at 70 °C using a 6 mm insert, 5 min after frying, gave a texture profile analysis value for hardness, cohesive-ness, and gumminess values comparable to commercial potato French fries. The rice fries made by the process also had less than 50% fat than potato fries. [source] The musculotendinous system of an anguilliform swimmer: Muscles, myosepta, dermis, and their interconnections in Anguilla rostrataJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Nicole Danos Abstract Eel locomotion is considered typical of the anguilliform swimming mode of elongate fishes and has received substantial attention from various perspectives such as swimming kinematics, hydrodynamics, muscle physiology, and computational modeling. In contrast to the extensive knowledge of swimming mechanics, there is limited knowledge of the internal body morphology, including the body components that contribute to this function. In this study, we conduct a morphological analysis of the collagenous connective tissue system, i.e., the myosepta and skin, and of the red muscle fibers that sustain steady swimming, focusing on the interconnections between these systems, such as the muscle-tendon and myosepta-skin connections. Our aim is twofold: (1) to identify the morphological features that distinguish this anguilliform swimmer from subcarangiform and carangiform swimmers, and (2) to reveal possible pathways of muscular force transmission by the connective tissue in eels. To detect gradual morphological changes along the trunk we investigated anterior (0.4L), midbody (0.6L), and posterior body positions (0.75L) using microdissections, histology, and three-dimensional reconstructions. We find that eel myosepta have a mediolaterally oriented tendon in each the epaxial and hypaxial regions (epineural or epipleural tendon) and two longitudinally oriented tendons (myorhabdoid and lateral). The latter two are relatively short (4.5,5% of body length) and remain uniform along a rostrocaudal gradient. The skin and its connections were additionally analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The stratum compactum of the dermis consists of ,30 layers of highly ordered collagen fibers of alternating caudodorsal and caudoventral direction, with fiber angles of 60.51 ± 7.05° (n = 30) and 57.58 ± 6.92° (n = 30), respectively. Myosepta insert into the collagenous dermis via fiber bundles that pass through the loose connective tissue of the stratum spongiosum of the dermis and either weave into the layers of the stratum compactum (weaving fiber bundles) or traverse the stratum compactum (transverse fiber bundles). These fiber bundles are evenly distributed along the insertion line of the myoseptum. Red muscles insert into lateral and myorhabdoid myoseptal tendons but not into the horizontal septum or dermis. Thus, red muscle forces might be distributed along these tendons but will only be delivered indirectly into the dermis and horizontal septum. The myosepta-dermis connections, however, appear to be too slack for efficient force transmission and collagenous connections between the myosepta and the horizontal septum are at obtuse angles, a morphology that appears inadequate for efficient force transmission. Though the main modes of undulatory locomotion (anguilliform, subcarangiform, and carangiform) have recently been shown to be very similar with respect to their midline kinematics, we are able to distinguish two morphological classes with respect to the shape and tendon architecture of myosepta. Eels are similar to subcarangiform swimmers (e.g., trout) but are substantially different from carangiform swimmers (e.g., mackerel). This information, in addition to data from kinematic and hydrodynamic studies of swimming, shows that features other than midline kinematics (e.g., wake patterns, muscle activation patterns, and morphology) might be better for describing the different swimming modes of fishes. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Kinematic analysis of kneeling in cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplastiesJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Satoshi Hamai Abstract Kneeling is an important function of the knee for many activities of daily living. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo kinematics of kneeling after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using radiographic based image-matching techniques. Kneeling from 90 to 120° of knee flexion produced a posterior femoral rollback after both cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilized TKA. It could be assumed that the posterior cruciate ligament and the post-cam mechanism were functioning. The posterior-stabilized TKA design had contact regions located far posterior on the tibial insert in comparison to the cruciate-retaining TKA. Specifically, the lateral femoral condyle in posterior-stabilized TKA translated to the posterior edge of the tibial surface, although there was no finding of subluxation. After posterior-stabilized TKA, the contact position of the post-cam translated to the posterior medial corner of the post with external rotation of the femoral component. Because edge loading can induce accelerated polyethylene wear, the configuration of the post-cam mechanism should be designed to provide a larger contact area when the femoral component rotates. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:435,442, 2008 [source] In vivo kinematics of total knee arthroplasty: Flat compared with concave tibial joint surfaceJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 6 2000J. Uvehammer This study evaluated the influence of the geometric configuration of the tibial joint area on the kinematics of the knee. Twenty-two patients with noninflammatory arthritis and minor preoperative deformity were studied. They each received an AMK total knee replacement with retention of the posterior cruciate ligament. Eleven patients without any knee abnormalities were used as controls. The patients were stratified to either the flat (terminology of the manufacturer: standard) or concave (terminology of the manufacturer: constrained) polyethylene insert (n = 11 in each group). Knee kinematics were assessed 1 year after the operation by having the patient ascend a platform corresponding to an extension of the knee from 50 to 70° of flexion. During this motion, two film-exchangers simultaneously exposed six to 13 pairs of serial stereoradiographs. The concave geometric configuration of the tibial insert resulted paradoxically in increased anterior-posterior translations compared with the flat insect but no significant change of rotations and translations in the other directions. Compared with normal knees, the most obvious abnormality was increased anterior-posterior translations (p < 0.004). At 50° of flexion, the implants with the flat tibial polyethylene insert had displaced 2 times and the concave ones had displaced 2.5 times more posteriorly than the normal knees (p , 0.001). Less internal tibial rotation was also recorded in the flexed positions for both types of inserts compared with the normal knees (p < 0.02). Four knees in four patients, who reported symptoms of instability and abnormal knee function, showed significantly increased proximal displacement of the center of the tibial plateau in the flexed position. The findings suggest that current prosthetic designs and surgical technique do not restore normal knee kinematics and indicate that design improvements should rely on in vivo kinematic studies. [source] |