Growth Kinetics (growth + kinetics)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Life Sciences

Kinds of Growth Kinetics

  • tumor growth kinetics


  • Selected Abstracts


    GROWTH KINETICS OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS IN COOKED BEEF,

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2003
    LIHAN HUANG
    ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to investigate the growth kinetics of a three-strain cocktail of Clostridium perfringens in cooked beef. The study was conducted by growing the heat-activated spores in ground beef under isothermal conditions between 17,50C. A four-parameter Gompertz equation was used as a primary model to fit the growth curves along with a modified Ratkowsky model to analyze the temperature dependence of the bacterial growth. Results indicated that the Gompertz model could accurately describe the growth of C. perfringens in cooked beef. The estimated theoretical minimum, optimum, and maximum growth temperatures of this organism in cooked beef were 9.8, 47.1, and 50.8C, respectively. A linear relationship between the durations of the lag and exponential phases of growth curves was observed in this study. Such a linear relationship can be used to generate a linear isothermal growth curve complete with the lag, exponential, and stationary phases without complex mathematical computation. The kinetic models and growth parameters obtained from this study potentially can be applied to the food industry to design appropriate cooling schedules and estimate the growth of C. perfringens in thermally processed beef products under temperature abuse conditions. [source]


    Crystallization and Grain Growth Kinetics for Precipitation-Based Ceramics: A Case Study on Amorphous Ceria Thin Films from Spray Pyrolysis

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 21 2009
    Jennifer L. M. Rupp
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Crystallization and Grain Growth Kinetics for Precipitation-Based Ceramics: A Case Study on Amorphous Ceria Thin Films from Spray Pyrolysis

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2009
    Jennifer L. M. Rupp
    Abstract The introductory part reviews the impact of thin film fabrication, precipitation versus vacuum-based methods, on the initial defect state of the material and microstructure evolution to amorphous, biphasic amorphous-nanocrystalline, and fully nanocrystalline metal oxides. In this study, general rules for the kinetics of nucleation, crystallization, and grain growth of a pure single-phase metal oxide thin film made by a precipitation-based technique from a precursor with one single organic solvent are discussed. For this a complete case study on the isothermal and non-isothermal microstructure evolution of dense amorphous ceria thin films fabricated by spray pyrolysis is conducted. A general model is established and comparison of these thin film microstructure evolution to kinetics of classical glass-ceramics or metallic glasses is presented. Knowledge on thermal microstructure evolution of originally amorphous precipitation-based metal oxide thin films allows for their introduction and distinctive microstructure engineering in devices-based on microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology such as solar cells, capacitors, sensors, micro-solid oxide fuel cells, or oxygen separation membranes on Si-chips. [source]


    Effect of Moderate Electric Field Frequency on Growth Kinetics and Metabolic Activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2008
    Laleh Loghavi
    Moderate electric fields (MEF) have been previously shown to alter the metabolic activity of microbial cells; thus, the effect of frequency and electric field would be of considerable interest. We investigated herein the effects of MEF frequency on microbial growth kinetics and bacteriocin (Lacidin A) production of Lactobacillusacidophilus OSU 133 during fermentation. The following fermentation treatments were compared: conventional (for 40 h), MEF (1 V cm -1, for 40 h), combination of MEF (1 V cm -1, for the first 5 h) and conventional (for 35 h) at various frequency levels (45, 60, and 90 Hz) all at 30 °C, and control (conventional) fermentation at 37 °C. MEF treatments with purely sinusoidal waveforms at all frequencies at 30 °C produced a shorter lag phase than conventional fermentation. However, no lag phase reduction was found for a 60 Hz waveform that contained high-frequency harmonics. There was, however, a significant increase in the bacteriocin production under early MEF treatment at 60 Hz with high-frequency harmonics. On the basis of these observations, the fermentation process is accelerated by applying pure sinusoidal MEF at the early stage of growth while a significant increase in the bacteriocin production occurs when sinusoidal field at 60 Hz with harmonics is applied at the early stage of the growth. [source]


    On "Feedback Stabilization of Fed-Batch Bioreactors: Non-Monotonic Growth Kinetics"

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2005
    H. De Battista
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Growth kinetics of microorganisms isolated from Alaskan soil and permafrost in solid media frozen down to ,35°C

    FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    Nicolai S. Panikov
    Abstract We developed a procedure to culture microorganisms below freezing point on solid media (cellulose powder or plastic film) with ethanol as the sole carbon source without using artificial antifreezes. Enrichment from soil and permafrost obtained on such frozen solid media contained mainly fungi, and further purification resulted in isolation of basidiomycetous yeasts of the genera Mrakia and Leucosporidium as well as ascomycetous fungi of the genus Geomyces. Contrary to solid frozen media, the enrichment of liquid nutrient solutions at 0°C or supercooled solutions stabilized by glycerol at ,1 to ,5°C led to the isolation of bacteria representing the genera Polaromonas, Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter. The growth of fungi on ethanol,microcrystalline cellulose media at ,8°C was exponential with generation times of 4.6,34 days, while bacteria displayed a linear or progressively declining curvilinear dynamic. At ,17 to ,0°C the growth of isolates and entire soil community on 14C-ethanol was continuous and characterized by yields of 0.27,0.52 g cell C (g of C-substrate),1, similar to growth above the freezing point. The ,state of maintenance,' implying measurable catabolic activity of non-growing cells, was not confirmed. Below ,18 to ,35°C, the isolated organisms were able to grow only transiently for 3 weeks after cooling with measurable respiratory and biosynthetic (14CO2 uptake) activity. Then metabolic activity declined to zero, and microorganisms entered a state of reversible dormancy. [source]


    Endomyocardial biopsy derived adherent proliferating cells,A potential cell source for cardiac tissue engineering

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2010
    Marion Haag
    Abstract Heart diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac stem cells (CSC) are considered as candidates for cardiac-directed cell therapies. However, clinical translation is hampered since their isolation and expansion is complex. We describe a population of human cardiac derived adherent proliferating (CAP) cells that can be reliably and efficiently isolated and expanded from endomyocardial biopsies (0.1,cm3). Growth kinetics revealed a mean cell doubling time of 49.9,h and a high number of 2.54,×,107 cells in passage 3. Microarray analysis directed at investigating the gene expression profile of human CAP cells demonstrated the absence of the hematopoietic cell markers CD34 and CD45, and of CD90, which is expressed on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and fibroblasts. These data were confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. CAP cells could not be differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, or myoblasts, demonstrating the absence of multilineage potential. Moreover, despite the expression of heart muscle markers like ,-sarcomeric actin and cardiac myosin, CAP cells cannot be differentiated into cardiomyocytes. Regarding functionality, CAP cells were especially positive for many genes involved in angiogenesis like angiopoietin-1, VEGF, KDR, and neuropilins. Globally, principal component and hierarchical clustering analysis and comparison with microarray data from many undifferentiated and differentiated reference cell types, revealed a unique identity of CAP cells. In conclusion, we have identified a unique cardiac tissue derived cell type that can be isolated and expanded from endomyocardial biopsies and which presents a potential cell source for cardiac repair. Results indicate that these cells rather support angiogenesis than cardiomyocyte differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 564,575, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Cell growth and Trametes versicolor laccase production in transformed Pichia pastoris cultured by solid-state or submerged fermentations

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
    Marcos López
    Abstract BACKGROUND: Growth kinetics of Pichia pastoris and heterologous expression of Trametes versicolor laccase were compared. This is the first study of its kind between solid-state yeast cultures done on polyurethane foam (PUF) and submerged liquid fermentations (SmF). RESULTS: The maximum values of biomass were similar for SSF (solid-state fermentation) and SmF experiments when the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) was lower than 100 g L,1. For higher BOD levels, the maximum values of biomass were 55 g L,1 (SSF) and 35 g L,1 (SmF). Micrographs of PUF preparations showed yeast growing within liquid lamellae, thinner than 100 µm, forming large horizontal aggregates. Yeast aggregates were much smaller in SmF than in SSF experiments; however, laccase expression was lower in PUF than in SmF, unless the methanol concentration was increased to 63 g L,1, which was inhibitory only to the SmF system. CONCLUSION: The results show that oxygen mass transfer is more efficient in SSF, which is related to the higher area/volume ratio compared with SmF. Induction differences may also be due to hindered diffusion of methanol within large yeast aggregates. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Influence of light quality and intensity in the cultivation of Spirulina platensis from Toliara (Madagascar) in a closed system

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
    Pierre H Ravelonandro
    Abstract BACKROUND:Spirulina platensis (Toliara, Madagascar) provides a food supplement which can fight against malnutrition and food insufficiency in Madagascar. In this country, the current production from three open basins is not sufficient to cover needs, and presents drawbacks such as low productivity and possible contamination. Thus cultivation of S. platensis in a closed photobioreactor opens the possibility of extending this microalga production. In this study, the influence of colour and intensity of the light on S. platensis growth and protein content was investigated in a bubble column. RESULTS: Growth kinetics were obtained for four colours (green, white, red and blue) and four intensities (400, 800, 1000 and 1200 lux) of light. The influence of light colour on Spirulina growth was discussed. The highest productivity (183.6 mg L,1 d,1) and concentration (2643 mg L,1) were obtained for green light at 1200 lux. The protein content was 58%. CONCLUSION: Using green light allows improvement of S. platensis growth. Performance obtained with the closed system was higher than that reported in the literature. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Effects of penconazole on two yeast strains: Growth kinetics and molecular studies

    MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 6 2006
    Dalal Jawich
    Abstract The aim of this study consisted to evaluate the impact of a pesticide (penconazole) on the growth kinetics and genotoxicity on two yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Metschnikowia pulcherrima). When the penconazole was added at different phases of the growth of M. pulcherrima, no effect was noticed on the kinetics of yeast growth but DNA adducts were observed when penconazole was added in the exponential phase. Increasing doses (1,15 maximum residue limit) of the pesticide added at the beginning of the fermentation did not induce DNA adducts while kinetics were affected. [source]


    Growth kinetics of AlxGa1,xN layers (0 < x < 1) in plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

    PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7-8 2010
    A. M. Mizerov
    Abstract Comparative study of growth kinetics of the AlxGa1-xN (x = 0-1) layers of different polarity, grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA MBE) under different growth conditions (substrate temperature, group III to activated nitrogen and Al to Ga flux ratios) and on different buffer layers, is presented. The 60 °C higher temperature stability of N-face AlGaN layers is detected. The strong influence of elastic stress on growth kinetics of metal-polar AlxGa1-xN (x > 0.2) layers is observed and discussed. It was found that two-dimensional growth of AlGaN films of the same composition on different buffer layers at TS = 700 °C can be achieved at different group III surface enrichment, the AlGaN(0001)/c-Al2O3 films exhibiting the atomically smooth surface at group III to activated nitrogen flux ratio FIII/FN *gradually increased from 1.3 to 2 with the x variation from 0.1 to 0.8. In this case the alloy composition is controlled by the variation of Al flux only (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Growth kinetics and properties of ZnO/ZnMgO hetero- structures grown by radical-source molecular beam epitaxy

    PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 1 2007
    S. V. Ivanov
    Abstract A phenomenological approach to quantitative description of Zn(Mg)O growth by radical-source molecular beam epitaxy, based on the experimental studies of RHEED intensity oscillations, has been developed. It allows a precise control of growth rate, composition and stoichiometry at any growth temperature, Along with optimization of a growth initiation procedure on a c-sapphire, it is necessary condition for fabrication of high quality ZnO epilayers and ZnO/ZnMgO heterostructures in a wide Mg composition range. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Recombinant shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) trypsinogen production in Pichia pastoris

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 5 2009
    Martha Guerrero-Olazarán
    Abstract Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) trypsinogen has never been isolated from its natural source. To assess the production of L. vannamei trypsinogen, we engineered Pichia pastoris strains and evaluated two culture approaches with three induction culture media, to produce recombinant shrimp trypsinogen for the first time. The trypsinogen II cDNA was fused to the signal sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha mating factor, placed under the control of the P. pastoris AOX1 promoter, and integrated into the genome of P. pastoris host strain GS115. Using standard culture conditions for heterologous gene induction of a GS115 strain in shake flasks, recombinant shrimp trypsinogen was not detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Growth kinetics revealed a toxicity of recombinant shrimp trypsinogen or its activated form over the cell host. Thus, a different culture approach was tested for the induction step, involving the use of high cell density cultures, a higher frequency of methanol feeding (every 12 h), and a buffered minimal methanol medium supplemented with sorbitol or alanine; alanine supplemented medium was found to be more efficient. After 96 h of induction with alanine supplemented medium, a 29-kDa band from the cell-free culture medium was clearly observed by SDS-PAGE, and confirmed by Western blot to be shrimp trypsinogen, at a concentration of 14 ,g/mL. Our results demonstrate that high density cell cultures with alanine in the induction medium allow the production of recombinant shrimp trypsinogen using the P. pastoris expression system, because of improved cell viability and greater stability of the recombinant trypsinogen. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source]


    Kinetic studies on the influence of temperature and growth rate history on crystal growth

    CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
    P. M. Martins
    Abstract Crystallization experiments of sucrose were performed in a batch crystallizer to study the effect of temperature and growth rate history on the crystal growth kinetics. In one of the growth methods adopted, the isothermal volumetric growth rate (RV) is determined as a function of supersaturation (S) at 35, 40 and 45 şC. In the other, crystals are allowed to grow at constant supersaturation by automatically controlling the solution temperature as the solute concentration decreased. Using the latter method RV is calculated as the solution is cooled. The obtained results are interpreted using empirical, engineering and fundamental perspectives of crystal growth. Firstly, the overall activation energy (EA) is determined from the empirical growth constants obtained in the isothermal method. The concept of falsified kinetics, widely used in chemical reaction engineering, is then extended to the crystal growth of sucrose in order to estimate the true activation energy (ET) from the diffusion-affected constant, EA. The differences found in the isothermal and constant supersaturation methods are explained from the viewpoint of the spiral nucleation mechanism, taking into account different crystal surface properties caused by the growth rate history in each method. Finally, the crystal growth curve obtained in the batch crystallizer at 40 şC is compared with the one obtained in a fluidized bed crystallizer at the same temperature. Apparently divergent results are explained by the effects of crystal size, hydrodynamic conditions and growth rate history on the crystallization kinetics of sucrose. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    In situ measurement of growth kinetics of {100} KDP crystal faces in the presence of polyphosphate impurities

    CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
    Bing Liu
    Abstract The face growth rate and critical supersaturation of {100} face were in situ measured using the laser-polarization-interference technique in the presence of potassium pyrophosphate, trimetric sodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate impurities. The polyphosphate impurities inhibit the growth rate of prismatic faces. The face growth rate as a function of supersaturation at different impurity concentrations, as well as critical supersaturation as a function of impurity concentrations, was found in good agreement with a two-dimensional nucleation model in the pure system and Kubota and Mullin's model in the presence of impurities. The average distance L between active sites available for impurity adsorption as well as the edge free energy was calculated. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Investigation of growth kinetics and morphology of sodium fluorosilicate ice-analogue crystals in solutions and gels

    CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2007
    M. J. Krasi
    Abstract The effect of growth method (solution or gel growth) and growth conditions on the morphology of ice analogue crystals (sodium fluorosilicate) has been studied. Many habits typical for atmospheric ice crystals (hexagonal columns, plates, different types of stars or dendrites) were obtained during experiments. The dependence of growth rate of basal and prism faces of columnar crystals on supersaturation was measured for crystals growing by evaporation of solvent. The experiments establish evaporation rate and growth rate ranges at which appearance of certain types of crystals is most probable. The experiments have also shown that good quality sodium fluorosilicate crystals can be obtained in TMS gel. These crystals were significantly bigger than those obtained in solution. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Equilibrium and growth shapes of crystals: how do they differ and why should we care?

    CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4-5 2005
    Robert F. SekerkaArticle first published online: 15 MAR 200
    Abstract Since the death of Prof. Dr. Jan Czochralski nearly 50 years ago, crystals grown by the Czochralski method have increased remarkably in size and perfection, resulting today in the industrial production of silicon crystals about 30 cm in diameter and two meters in length. The Czochralski method is of great technological and economic importance for semiconductors and optical crystals. Over this same time period, there have been equally dramatic improvements in our theoretical understanding of crystal growth morphology. Today we can compute complex crystal growth shapes from robust models that reproduce most of the features and phenomena observed experimentally. We should care about this because it is likely to result in the development of powerful and economical design tools to enable future progress. Crystal growth morphology results from an interplay of crystallographic anisotropy and growth kinetics by means of interfacial processes and long-range transport. The equilibrium shape of a crystal results from minimizing its anisotropic surface free energy under the constraint of constant volume; it is given by the classical Wulff construction but can also be represented by an analytical formula based on the ,-vector formalism of Hoffman and Cahn. We now have analytic criteria for missing orientations (sharp corners or edges) on the equilibrium shape, both in two (classical) and three (new) dimensions. Crystals that grow under the control of interfacial kinetic processes tend asymptotically toward a "kinetic Wulff shape", the analogue of the Wulff shape, except it is based on the anisotropic interfacial kinetic coefficient. If it were not for long range transport, crystals would presumably nucleate with their equilibrium shape and then evolve toward their "kinetic Wulff shape". Allowing for long range transport leads to morphological instabilities on the scale of the geometric mean of a transport length (typically a diffusivity divided by the growth speed) and a capillary length (of the order of atomic dimensions). Resulting crystal growth shapes can be cellular or dendritic, but can also exhibit corners and facets related to the underlying crystallographic anisotropy. Within the last decade, powerful phase field models, based on a diffuse interface, have been used to treat simultaneously all of the above phenomena. Computed morphologies can exhibit cells, dendrites and facets, and the geometry of isotherms and isoconcentrates can also be determined. Results of such computations are illustrated in both two and three dimensions. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Influence of heavy metals on microbial growth kinetics including lag time: Mathematical modeling and experimental verification,

    ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2009
    S. Sevinç, engör
    Abstract Heavy metals can significantly affect the kinetics of substrate biodegradation and microbial growth, including lag times and specific growth rates. A model to describe microbial metabolic lag as a function of the history of substrate concentration has been previously described by Wood et al. (Water Resour Res 31:553,563) and Ginn (Water Resour Res 35:1395,1408). In the present study, this model is extended by including the effect of heavy metals on metabolic lag by developing an inhibitor-dependent functional to account for the metabolic state of the microorganisms. The concentration of the inhibiting metal is explicitly incorporated into the functional. The validity of the model is tested against experimental data on the effects of zinc on Pseudomonas species isolated from Lake Coeur d'Alene sediments, Idaho, USA, as well as the effects of nickel or cobalt on a mixed microbial culture collected from the aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Athens, Greece. The simulations demonstrate the ability to incorporate the effect of metals on metabolism through lag, yield coefficient, and specific growth rates. The model includes growth limitation due to insufficient transfer of oxygen into the growth medium. [source]


    Intralesional bovine papillomavirus DNA loads reflect severity of equine sarcoid disease

    EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010
    R. HARALAMBUS
    Summary Reasons for performing study: Sarcoids are nonmetastasising, yet locally aggressive skin tumours that constitute the most frequent neoplasm in equids. Infection by bovine papillomaviruses types 1 and 2 (BPV-1, BPV-2) has been recognised as major causative factor in sarcoid pathogenesis, but a possible correlation of intralesional virus load with disease severity has not been established thus far. Hypothesis: Given the pathogenic role of BPV-1 and BPV-2 in sarcoid disease, we suggest that intralesional viral DNA concentration may reflect the degree of affection. Methods: Severity of disease was addressed by recording the tumour growth kinetics, lesion number and tumour type for 37 sarcoid-bearing horses and one donkey. Viral load was estimated via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) of the E2, E5, L1 and L2 genes from the BPV-1/-2 genome for one randomly selected lesion per horse and correlated with disease severity. Results: Quantitative PCR against E2 identified viral DNA concentrations ranging from 0,556 copies/tumour cell. Of 16 horses affected by quiescent, slowly growing single tumours or multiple mild-type lesions, 15 showed a viral load up to 1.4 copies per cell. In stark contrast, all equids (22/22) bearing rapidly growing and/or multiple aggressive sarcoids had a viral load between 3 and 569 copies per cell. Consistent results were obtained with qPCR against E5, L1 and L2. Conclusions: While tumours of the same clinical type carried variable virus load, confirming that viral titre does not determine clinical appearance, we identified a highly significant correlation between intralesional viral load and disease severity. Potential relevance: The rapid determination of BPV viral load will give a reliable marker for disease severity and may also be considered when establishing a therapeutic strategy. [source]


    The F1FO ATP synthase genes in Methanosarcina acetivorans are dispensable for growth and ATP synthesis

    FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2009
    Regina Saum
    Abstract There is a long-standing discussion in the literature, based on biochemical and genomic data, whether some archaeal species may have two structurally and functionally distinct ATP synthases in one cell: the archaeal A1AO together with the bacterial F1FO ATP synthase. To address a potential role of the bacterial F1FO ATP synthase, we have exchanged the F1FO ATPase gene cluster in Methanosarcina acetivorans against a puromycin resistance cassette. Interestingly, the mutant was able to grow with no difference in growth kinetics to the wild type, and cellular ATP contents were identical in the wild type and the mutant. These data demonstrate that the F1FO ATP synthase is dispensable for the growth of M. acetivorans. [source]


    Small-scale fluid motion mediates growth and nutrient uptake of Selenastrum capricornutum

    FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
    T. A. WARNAARS
    Summary 1. A fluid-flow reactor using submersible speakers was constructed to generate small-scale fluid motion similar to conditions measured in open water environments; flow was quantified by particle image velocimetry. Additionally a Couette-type rotating cylinder was used to generate shear flows; flow was quantified using an optical hotwire probe and torque measurements. Growth rates of the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum were determined from changes in cell counts and viability was tested using the fluorogenic probe fluoresceine diacetate. 2. Evidence that fluid motion directly affects growth rates was obtained as a significant difference between growth in a moving versus non-moving fluid. A near 2-fold increase in growth rate was achieved for an energy dissipation rate of , = 10,7 m2 s,3; a rate common in lakes and oceans. The onset of the viability equilibrium, identified as the day of the test period when the number of active cells equalled non-active cells, was delayed by 2 days for moving fluid conditions as compared with a non-moving fluid. 3. Nutrient uptake was determined by a decrease in the bulk fluid concentration and cellular phosphorus concentration was also estimated. The thickness of the diffusive sublayer surrounding a cell, a zone dominated by molecular diffusion, was estimated. Increasing fluid motion was found to decrease the thickness of this layer. The Sherwood number (ratio of total mass flux to molecular mass flux) showed that advective flux surrounding cells dominated molecular diffusion flux with regard to Péclet numbers (ratio of advective transport to molecular diffusion transport). Fluid motion facilitated uptake rates and resulted in increased growth rates, compared with no-flow conditions. The rate-of-rotation and the rate-of-strain in a moving fluid equally mediated the diffusive sublayer thickness surrounding the cells. Our study demonstrates that small-scale fluid motion mediates algal growth kinetics and therefore should be included in predictive models for algal blooms. [source]


    Spontaneous Outcropping of Self-Assembled Insulating Nanodots in Solution-Derived Metallic Ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 Films

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 13 2009
    César Moreno
    Abstract A new mechanism is proposed for the generation of self-assembled nanodots at the surface of a film based on spontaneous outcropping of the secondary phase of a nanocomposite epitaxial film. Epitaxial self-assembled Sr,La oxide insulating nanodots are formed through this mechanism at the surface of an epitaxial metallic ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) film grown on SrTiO3 from chemical solutions. TEM analysis reveals that, underneath the La,Sr oxide (LSO) nanodots, the film switches from the compressive out-of-plane stress component to a tensile one. It is shown that the size and concentration of the nanodots can be tuned by means of growth kinetics and through modification of the La excess in the precursor chemical solution. The driving force for the nanodot formation can be attributed to a cooperative effect involving the minimization of the elastic strain energy and a thermodynamic instability of the LSMO phase against the formation of a Ruddelsden,Popper phase Sr3Mn4O7 embedded in the film, and LSO surface nanodots. The mechanism can be described as a generalization of the classical Stranski,Krastanov growth mode involving phase separation. LSO islands induce an isotropic strain to the LSMO film underneath the island which decreases the magnetoelastic contribution to the magnetic anisotropy. [source]


    Detection of different tumor growth kinetics in single transgenic mice with oncogene-induced mammary carcinomas by flat-panel volume computed tomography

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2009
    Katharina Jannasch
    Abstract Transgenic mouse models offer an excellent opportunity for studying the molecular basis of cancer development and progression. Here we applied flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) to monitor tumor progression as well as the development of tumor vasculature in vivo in a transgenic mouse model for oncogene-induced mammary carcinogenesis (WAP-T mice). WAP-T mice develop multiple mammary carcinomas on oncogene induction within 3 to 5 months. Following induction, 3-dimensional fpVCT data sets were obtained by serial single scans of entire mice in combination with iodine containing contrast agents and served as basis for precise measurements of tumor volumes. Thereby, we were able to depict tumors within the mammary glands at a very early stage of the development. Tumors of small sizes (0.001 cm3) were detected by fpVCT before being palpable or visible by inspection. The capability to determine early tumor onset combined with longitudinal noninvasive imaging identified diverse time points of tumor onset for each mammary carcinoma and different tumor growth kinetics for multiple breast carcinomas that developed in single mice. Furthermore, blood supply to the breast tumors, as well as blood vessels around and within the tumors, were clearly visible over time by fpVCT. Three-dimensional visualization of tumor vessels in high resolution was enhanced by the use of a novel blood pool contrast agent. Here, we demonstrate by longitudinal fpVCT imaging that mammary carcinomas develop at different time points in each WAP-T mouse, and thereafter show divergent growth rates and distinct vascularization patterns. © 2009 UICC [source]


    Surface free energies of isotactic polybutene-1 tetragonal and trigonal crystals: the role of conformational entropy of side chains

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2007
    Motoi Yamashita
    Lateral and end surface free energies of melt-crystallized isotactic polybutene-1 (it-PB1) trigonal and tetragonal crystals have been determined by small-angle X-ray scattering and in situ observation of the crystal growth kinetics. The lateral surface free energy , of the trigonal phase is about seven times as large as the value ,Hoff calculated according to Hoffman's equation [Hoffman (1992). Polymer, 33, 2643,2644], while that of the tetragonal phase is roughly in agreement with the estimation. The discrepancy between the values of , and ,Hoff for the trigonal phase can be attributed to the loss of conformational entropy of the ethyl side chains of it-PB1. [source]


    Mycelium cultivation, chemical composition and antitumour activity of a Tolypocladium sp. fungus isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
    P.H. Leung
    Abstract Aims:, To examine and illustrate the morphological characteristics and growth kinetics of Cs-HK1, a Tolypocladium fungus, isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis in solid and liquid cultures, and the major chemical constituents and antitumour effects of Cs-HK1 mycelium. Methods and Results:, The Cs-HK1 fungus was isolated from the fruiting body of a wild C. sinensis and identified as a Tolypocladium sp. fungus. It grew rapidly at 22,25°C on a liquid medium containing glucose, yeast extract, peptone and major inorganic salts, with a specific growth rate of 1·1 day,1, reaching a cell density of 23·0 g dw l,1 in 7,9 days. Exopolysaccharides accumulated in the liquid culture to about 0·3 g l,1 glucose equivalent. In comparison with natural C. sinensis, the fungal mycelium had similar contents of protein (11·7,,g) and carbohydrate (654·6,,g) but much higher contents of polysaccharide (244·2 mg vs 129·5 mg), adenosine (1116·8,,g vs 264·6 ,g) and cordycepin (65·7 ,g vs 20·8 ,g) (per gram dry weight). Cyclosporin A, an antibiotic commonly produced by Tolypocladium sp., was also detected from the mycelium extract. The hot water extract of mycelium showed low cytotoxic effect on B16 melanoma cells in culture (about 25% inhibition) but significant antitumour effect in animal tests, causing 50% inhibition of B16 cell-induced tumour growth in mice. Conclusions:, The Tolypocladium sp. fungus, Cs-HK1, can be easily cultivated by liquid fermentation. The mycelium biomass contained the major bioactive compounds of C. sinensis, and the mycelium extract had significant antitumour activity. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The Cs-HK1 fungus may be a new and promising medicinal fungus and an effective and economical substitute of the wild C. sinensis for health care. [source]


    Cell-type specific evaluation of biocompatibility of commercially available polyurethanes

    JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009
    Karla Lehle
    Abstract The biocompatibility of different commercially available poly(ether)urethane (PUR), medically used as main component for pump chambers of implantable ventricular assist devices (VAD), was evaluated. We investigated the influence of the PUR manufacturing process in an in vitro cytotoxicity screening assay. Human saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSVEC) and a mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) were cultivated with different PUR specimens. Tissue-cultured polystyrole (TCP) was used as a reference. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by morphology (phase contrast microscopy), cell viability (mitochondrial acitvity), cell growth kinetics, and proliferation (incorporation of 3H-methyl-thymidine) tests. Fibronectin-coating guaranteed the adhesion of both cell types onto the reference material. Sterilization procedure of test materials did not affect adhesion properties. L929 completely covered the surfaces of Tecothane®, Carbothane®, and Mecora specimens, whereas HSVEC formed an imperfect monolayer onto the PUR. The mitochondrial activity was reduced in all cell types attached to PUR. In addition, proliferation of cells was not observed when using these materials. Commercially available PUR provided an unfavorable support for colonization of patient-derived HSVEC, which demanded a surface modification. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009 [source]


    Experimental and mathematical study of the influence of growth factors on the growth kinetics of adult human articular chondrocytes,

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
    Andrea Barbero
    This study aimed at determining how kinetic parameters of adult human articular chondrocytes (AHAC) growth are modulated by the growth factor combination TGF,1, FGF-2, and PDGF BB (TFP), recently shown to stimulate AHAC proliferation. AHAC, isolated from cartilage biopsies of three individuals, were cultured in medium without (CTR) or with TFP. For growth curves, AHAC were seeded at 1,000 cells/cm2 and cultured for 12 days, with cell numbers measured fluorimetrically in the same wells every 12 h. For microcolony tests, AHAC were seeded at 2.5 cells/cm2 and cultured for 6 days, with cell numbers determined for each microcolony by phase contrast microscopy every 8 h. A mathematical model combining delay and logistic equations was developed to capture the growth kinetic parameters and to enable the description of the complete growth process of the cell culture. As compared to CTR medium, the presence of TFP increased the number of cells/well starting from the fifth day of culture, and a four-fold larger cell number was reached at confluency. For single microcolonies, TFP reduced the time for the first cell division by 26.6%, the time for subsequent cell divisions (generation time) by 16.8%, and the percentage of quiescent cells (Qc) by 42.5%. The mathematical model fitted well the experimental data of the growth kinetic. Finally, using both microcolony tests and the mathematical model, we determined that prolonged cell expansion induces an enrichment of AHAC with shorter first division time, but not of those with shorter generation time. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Efficiency of naphthalene biodegradation by Pseudomonas putida G7 in soil

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
    Andrei E Filonov
    Abstract The efficiency of naphthalene degradation by Pseudomonas putida G7 in soil was assessed using a mathematical model. The number of microorganisms and the concentration of naphthalene in soil samples were monitored. The feasibility of a spectrofluorometric method for naphthalene assay in soil samples was compared with high pressure liquid chromatography. A proposed mathematical model described the growth of the naphthalene-degrading strains and the consumption of substrates (naphthalene, naphthalene degradation intermediates and soil organic substances) in soil. To describe the growth kinetics of microorganisms having high affinity to substrates with low solubility, two differential equations with substrate exponent 2/3 were proposed. These equations were used to describe utilization of soil organic matter. The model parameters characterize the growth rates for different substrates and respective yield coefficients, specific bacterial death and adaptation rates, and also the rates of PAHs degradation and evaporation. These characteristics can be used in choosing the bacterial strains for biopreparations and efficient clean-up biotechnology of polluted soils. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    GROWTH KINETICS OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS IN COOKED BEEF,

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2003
    LIHAN HUANG
    ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to investigate the growth kinetics of a three-strain cocktail of Clostridium perfringens in cooked beef. The study was conducted by growing the heat-activated spores in ground beef under isothermal conditions between 17,50C. A four-parameter Gompertz equation was used as a primary model to fit the growth curves along with a modified Ratkowsky model to analyze the temperature dependence of the bacterial growth. Results indicated that the Gompertz model could accurately describe the growth of C. perfringens in cooked beef. The estimated theoretical minimum, optimum, and maximum growth temperatures of this organism in cooked beef were 9.8, 47.1, and 50.8C, respectively. A linear relationship between the durations of the lag and exponential phases of growth curves was observed in this study. Such a linear relationship can be used to generate a linear isothermal growth curve complete with the lag, exponential, and stationary phases without complex mathematical computation. The kinetic models and growth parameters obtained from this study potentially can be applied to the food industry to design appropriate cooling schedules and estimate the growth of C. perfringens in thermally processed beef products under temperature abuse conditions. [source]


    VARIATION OF LAG TIME AND SPECIFIC GROWTH RATE AMONG 11 STRAINS OF SALMONELLA INOCULATED ONTO STERILE GROUND CHICKEN BREAST BURGERS AND INCUBATED AT 25C,

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2000
    THOMAS P. OSCAR
    ABSTRACT One strain of 11 serotypes or 11 strains of Salmonella, which were isolated from the ceca of broilers, were surveyed for their growth kinetics on sterile ground chicken breast burgers incubated at 25C to determine the variation of lag time and specific growth rate. Growth curves, four per strain, were fit to a two-phase linear model to determine lag time (h) and specific growth rate (log10/h). Repeatability of growth kinetics measurements for individual strains had a mean coefficient of variation of 11.7% for lag time (range: 5.8 to 17.3%) and a mean coefficient of variation of 6.7% for specific growth rate (range: 2.7 to 13.3%). Lag time among strains ranged from 2.2 to 3.1 h with a mean of 2.8 h for all strains, whereas specific growth rate among strains ranged from 0.3 to 0.38 log10 per h with a mean of 0.35 log10per h for all strains. One-way analysis of variance indicated that lag time (P =0.029) and specific growth rate (P =0.025) differed slightly among strains. S. Haardt had a shorter (P < 0.05) lag time than S. Agona and S. Brandenburg, whereas the specific growth rate of S. Enteritidis was less than (P < 0.05) the specific growth rates of S. Typhimurium and S. Brandenburg. All other strains had similar lag times and specific growth rates. The coefficient of variation among strains was 9.4% for lag time and 5.7% for specific growth rate. These results indicate that there were only minor differences in the lag times and specific growth rates among the strains of Salmonella surveyed. Thus, the growth kinetic values obtained with one strain of Salmonella may be useful for predicting the growth of other strains of Salmonella for which data do not currently exist. [source]