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Lamellae
Kinds of Lamellae Selected AbstractsEquine laminitis: Ultrastructural lesions detected in ponies following hyperinsulinaemiaEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2009A. R. NOURIAN Summary Reasons for performing study: Anatomical changes in the hoof lamellar tissue induced by prolonged hyperinsulinaemia have not been described previously. Analysis of the induced lesions may promote understanding of hyperinsulinaemic laminitis pathogenesis and produce clinical benefit. Objectives: To use light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to document hoof lamellar lesions in ponies clinically lame after prolonged hyperinsulinaemia. Methods: Nine clinically normal, mature ponies were allocated randomly to either a treatment group (n = 5) or control group (n = 4). The treatment group received insulin via a modified, prolonged euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique (EHCT) and were subjected to euthanasia when clinical signs of Obel grade II laminitis occurred. The control group was sham treated with an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline and killed at 72 h. Lamellar tissues of the right front feet were harvested and processed for TEM. Results: Lamellae from insulin treated ponies were attenuated and elongated with many epidermal basal cells (EBC) in mitosis. Unlike carbohydrate induced laminitis in horses there was no global separation at the lamellar dermal/epidermal interface among ponies. Sporadic EBC basement membrane (BM) separation was associated with the proximity of infiltrating leucocytes. In 2 ponies, the lamellar BM was thickened. The number of hemidesmosomes/,m of BM was decreased in all insulin treated ponies. Conclusions: Prolonged hyperinsulinaemia causes unique lamellar lesions normally characteristic of acute and chronic laminitis. Lamellar proliferation may be an insulin effect through its mitogenic pathway. Aberrant lamellar mitosis may lengthen and weaken the lamellar, distal phalanx attachment apparatus and contribute to the clinical signs that developed. Potential relevance: The study shows that insulin alone, in higher than normal circulating concentrations, induces profound, changes in lamellar anatomy. Medical control of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia may ameliorate lesions and produce clinical benefit. [source] Morphology of Symmetric Diblock Copolymers Confined Between Two Stripe-Patterned Surfaces , Tilted Lamellae and MoreMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 2 2005Qiang Wang Abstract Summary: We report the first Monte Carlo simulations on the thin-film morphology of symmetric diblock copolymers confined between either symmetrically or antisymmetrically stripe-patterned surfaces. Under suitable surface configurations (where the lamellae can comply with the surface patterns and can have a period close to the bulk lamellar period L0), tilted lamellae are observed for film thicknesses D,,,2L0; the checkerboard morphology is obtained for smaller film thicknesses. The A-B interfaces in the tilted lamellae are basically perpendicular to the surfaces in their immediate vicinity, and exhibit undulations away from them. In some cases, the severe frustration imposed by the two patterned surfaces leads to irregular or unexpected morphologies, which represent locally stable states. The efficient sampling of our expanded grand-canonical Monte Carlo technique enables us to observe more than one locally stable morphologies and the flipping between them during a single simulation run. Tilted lamellae between symmetrically patterned surfaces (perpendicular to z) with a surface pattern period of 1.5L0 and a film thickness of 2.67L0. L0 is the bulk lamellar period and the black curves mark the A-B interfaces. [source] Development and fine structure of the yolk nucleus of previtellogenic oocytes in the medaka Oryzias latipesDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 6 2000Hirokuni Kobayashi The development and fine structure of yolk nuclei in the cytoplasm of previtellogenic oocytes were examined by electron microscopy during several stages of oogenesis in the medaka, Oryzias latipes. Shortly after oogenesis starts, oocytes 20,30 ,m in diameter have much electron-dense (basophilic) cytoplasm, within which a continuous or discontinuous, irregular ring-shaped lower electron-dense area of flocculent appearance (LF) begins to emerge around the nucleus. The yolk nucleus is first recognized within an LF area as a few fragments of dense granular thread measuring 20,25 nm in width. The threads consist of two rows of very dense granules resembling ribosomes or ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-like particles in size and electron density. These thread-like fragments gradually increase in number and length until they assemble into a compact, spherical mass of complicated networks. Analysis of serial sections suggests that the yolk nucleus is a complicated mass of numerous, small deformed vacuoles composed of a single lamella with double layers of ribosomes or RNP-like granules, rather than a mass of granular threads. When oocytes develop to greater than 100 ,m in diameter, the yolk nucleus begins to fragment before dispersing throughout the surrounding cytoplasm, concomitantly with the disappearance of LF areas. At this stage of oogenesis, a restricted region of the granulosa cell layer adjacent to the yolk nucleus becomes somewhat columnar in morphology, fixing the vegetal pole region of the oocyte. [source] Plants, gall midges, and fungi: a three-component systemENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2008Odette Rohfritsch Abstract Larvae of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) induce the activation of plant cells, partial cell lysis, and differentiation of nutritive tissue. Specialized nutritive tissue is essential for larval development and plays a key role in gall organization. Midges of the tribes Lasiopterini and Asphondyliini, however, do not induce nutritive tissues as part of the formation of their galls. Instead, these ,ambrosia galls' contain fungal mycelia that line the interior surface of the chambers. The fungi not only provide Lasiopterini with nutrition, they also penetrate the stems, induce the lysis of the middle lamella of host cells, and open a channel to the vascular bundles. Larvae of Lasioptera arundinis (Schiner) (Lasiopterini) follow the fungus and feed on its mycelium along with adjoining stem cells of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. (Poaceae). Eggs together with fungal conidia are deposited by the imago on the host. Asphondyliini use a needle-like ovipositor to introduce fungal conidia and eggs into the organs they attack. Larvae of Schizomyia galiorum Kieffer (Asphondyliini) are unable to initiate the gall or to develop in the flowers of Galium mollugo L. (Rubiaceae) without their fungal associate. In this article, I provide an overview of oviposition behaviour in the Asphondyliini, as well as descriptions of the ovipositor and the female post-abdominal segments. Gall formation by Lasiopterini and Asphondyliini and the role of associated fungi are discussed, as is the role of the fungus as an inquiline or an organizer of gall tissues and a nutritive device. [source] Seismic evidence for a sharp lithospheric base persisting to the lowermost mantle beneath the CaribbeanGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008Tadashi Kito SUMMARY Broad-band data from South American earthquakes recorded by Californian seismic networks are analysed using a newly developed seismic wave migration method,the slowness backazimuth weighted migration (SBWM). Using the SBWM, out-of-plane seismic P -wave reflections have been observed. The reflection locations extend throughout the Earth's lower mantle, down to the core,mantle boundary (CMB) and coincide with the edges of tomographically mapped high seismic velocities. Modelling using synthetic seismograms suggests that a narrow (10,15 km) low- or high-velocity lamella with about 2 per cent velocity contrast can reproduce the observed reflected waveforms, but other explanations may exist. Considering the reflection locations and synthetic modelling, the observed out-of-plane energy is well explained by underside reflections off a sharp reflector at the base of the subducted lithosphere. We also detect weaker reflections corresponding to the tomographically mapped top of the slab, which may arise from the boundary between the Nazca plate and the overlying former basaltic oceanic crust. The joint interpretation of the waveform modelling and geodynamic considerations indicate mass flux of the former oceanic lithosphere and basaltic crust across the 660 km discontinuity, linking processes and structure at the top and bottom of the Earth's mantle, supporting the idea of whole mantle convection. [source] Visualization of anterior skull base defects with intraoperative cone-beam CTHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2010Gideon Bachar MD Abstract Background The role of cone-beam CT (CBCT) in demonstrating anterior skull base defects (ASBDs), differing in size and location, was investigated. The study was designed to describe the potential advantage of CBCT in the setting of an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Methods In all, 120 ASBD were evaluated in 5 cadaver heads. Orthogonal and oblique slices were reconstructed. Observer studies assessed the visibility of ASBD in each location as a function of defect size. Results For 1-, 2-, and 4-mm defects, the percentage that were undetectable ranged from 20% to 33%, 0% to 14%, and 0% to 5%, respectively. Confident breach detection increased with defect size and was most challenging in the lateral lamella and cribriform. CBCT permitted confident detection of ASBD as small as about 2 mm in the fovea ethmoidalis and planum. Oblique views were found to be superior to orthogonal planes. Conclusions The ability to identify ASBD depended on the size and location of defect. Oblique viewing planes were optimal for ASBD visualization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010 [source] Disc structure function and its potential for repairINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 1 2002J. Melrose The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest predominantly avascular, aneural, alymphatic structure of the human body. It provides articulation between adjoining vertebral bodies and also acts as a weight-bearing cushion dissipating axially applied spinal loads. The IVD is composed of an outer collagen-rich annulus fibrosus (AF) and a central proteoglycan (PG)-rich nucleus pulposus (NP). Superior and inferior cartilaginous endplates (CEPs), thin layers of hyaline-like cartilage, cover the ends of the vertebral bodies. The AF is composed of concentric layers (lamellae) which contain variable proportions of type I and II collagen, this tissue has high tensile strength. The NP in contrast is a gelatinous PG-rich tissue which provides weight-bearing properties to the composite disc structure. With the onset of age, cells in the NP progressively die as this tissue becomes depleted of PGs, less hydrated and more fibrous as the disc undergoes an age-dependent fibrocartilaginous transformation. Such age-dependent cellular and matrix changes can decrease the discs' biomechanical competence and trauma can further lead to failure of structural components of the disc. Annular defects are fairly common and include vertebral rim-lesions, concentric (circumferential) annular tears (separation of adjacent annular lamellae) and radial annular tears (clefts which initiate within the NP). While vascular in-growth around annular tears has been noted, evidence from human post-mortem studies indicate they have a limited ability to undergo repair. Several experimental approaches are currently under evaluation for their ability to promote the repair of such annular lesions. These include growth of AF fibrochondrocytes on a resorbable polycaprolactone (PCL) bio-membrane.1 Sheets of fibrochondrocytes lay down type-I collagen and actin stress fibres on PCL. These matrix components are important for the spatial assembly of the collagenous lamella during annular development and correct phenotypic expression of cells in biomatrices.1 An alternative approach employs preparation of tissue engineered IVDs where AF and NP cells are separately cultured in polyglycolic acid and sodium alginate biomatrices, either separately or within a manifold designed to reproduce the required IVD dimensions for its use as a prospective implant device.2 AF and NP cells have also been grown on tissue culture inserts after their recovery from alginate bead culture to form plugs of tissue engineered cartilage.3 A key component in this latter strategy was the stimulation of the high density disc cell cultures with osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) 200 ng/mL.3 This resulted in the production of tissue engineered AF and NP plugs with compositions, histochemical characteristics and biomechanical properties approaching those of the native disc tissues.2,3 Such materials hold reat promise in future applications as disc or annular implants. The introduction of appropriate genes into disc cells by gene transduction methodology using adenoviral vectors or ,gene-gun' delivery systems also holds considerable promise for the promotion of disc repair processes.4 Such an approach with the OP-1 gene is particularly appealing.5 The anchoring of discal implants to vertebral bodies has also been evaluated by several approaches. A 3D fabric based polyethylene biocomposite holds much promise as one such anchorage device6 while biological glues used to seal fibrocartilaginous structures such as the AF and meniscus8 following surgical intervention, also hold promise in this area. Several very promising new experimental approaches and strategies are therefore currently under evaluation for the improvement of discal repair. The aforementioned IVD defects are a common cause of disc failure and sites of increased nerve in-growth in symptomatic IVDs in man and are thus often sources of sciatic-type pain. Annular defects such as those described above have formerly been considered incapable of undergoing spontaneous repair thus a clear need exists for interventions which might improve on their repair. Based on the rapid rate of progress and the examples outlined above one may optimistically suggest that a successful remedy to this troublesome clinical entity will be developed in the not so distant future. References 1JohnsonWEBet al. (2001) Directed cytoskeletal orientation and intervertebral disc cell growth: towards the development of annular repair techniques. Trans Orthop Res Soc26, 894. 2MizunoHet al. (2001) Tissue engineering of a composite intervertebral disc. Trans Orthop Res Soc26, 78. 3MatsumotoTet al. (2001) Formation of transplantable disc shaped tissues by nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells: biochemical and biomechanical properties. Trans Orthop Res Soc26, 897. 4NishidaKet al. (2000) Potential applications of gene therapy to the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders. Clin Orthop Rel Res379 (Suppl), S234,S241. 5MatsumotoTet al. (2001) Transfer of osteogenic protein-1 gene by gene gun system promotes matrix synthesis in bovine intervertebral disc and articular cartilage cells. Trans Orthop Res Soc26, 30. 6ShikinamiY , Kawarada (1998) Potential application of a triaxial three-dimensional fabric (3-DF) as an implant. Biomaterials19, 617,35. [source] Microbeam X-ray diffraction from twisted lamellar crystals: theory and computer simulationJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2009Valeriy A. Luchnikov The diffraction peak position, width and intensity distribution are calculated for the case of a helicoidally twisted crystalline lamella, both analytically and numerically. It is shown that the diffraction peak broadening depends on the orientation of the corresponding reciprocal-space vector with respect to the helicoid axis and the normal to the lamellar basal plane. The equatorial peaks, which are close to the normal direction to the lamellar basal plane, are characterized by the highest azimuthal width. By contrast, the reflections positioned close to the lamellar surface have the smallest azimuthal width. For non-equatorial peaks in the proximity of the twisting axis the intensity has an unusual asymmetric shape. The shape of the microbeam, as well as its position and direction with respect to the lamella, influences the shape of the diffraction peaks in reciprocal space and their appearance in two-dimensional diffractograms. The proposed approach can be useful, for example, for the interpretation of microbeam diffractograms of banded polymer spherulites. [source] Morphologies and mechanical properties of HDPE induced by small amount of high-molecular-weight polyolefin and shear stress produced by dynamic packing injection moldingJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008Zhanchun Chen Abstract To better understand the effect of a small amount of high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMWPE) on the mechanical properties and crystal morphology under the shear stress field, the dynamic packing injection molding (DPIM) was used to prepare the oriented pure polyethylene and its blends with 4% HMWPE. The experiment substantiated that the further improvement of tensile strength along the flow direction (MD) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/HMWPE samples was achieved, whereas the tensile strength along the transverse direction (TD) still substantially exceeded that of conventional molding. Tensile strength in both flow and TDs were highly enhanced, with improvements from 23 to 76 MPa in MD and from 23 to 31 MPa in TD, besides the toughness was highly improved. So, the samples of HDPE/HMWPE transformed from high strength and brittleness to high strength and toughness. The obtained samples were characterized via SEM and TEM. For HDPE/HMWPE, the lamellae of the one shish-kebab in the oriented region may be stretched into other shish-kebab structures, and one lamella enjoys two shish or even more. This unique crystal morphology could lead to no yielding and necking phenomena in the stress,strain curves of HDPE/HMWPE samples by DPIM. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Characterization of liquefied wood residues from different liquefaction conditionsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Hui Pan Abstract The amount of wood residue is used as a measurement of the extent of wood liquefaction. Characterization of the residue from wood liquefaction provides a new approach to understand some fundamental aspects of the liquefaction reaction. Residues were characterized by wet chemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Klason lignin content of the residues decreased, while the holocellulose and ,-cellulose contents increased as the phenol to wood ratio (P/W) increased. A peak at 1735 cm,1, which was attributed to the ester carbonyl group in xylan, disappeared in the FTIR spectra of the residues from liquefied wood under a sealed reaction system, indicating significantly different effects of atmospheric versus sealed liquefaction. The crystallinity index of the residues was higher than that of the untreated wood particles and slightly increased with an increase in the P/W ratio. The SEM images of the residues showed that the fiber bundles were reduced to small-sized bundles or even single fibers as the P/W ratio increased from 1/1 to 3/1, which indicated that the lignin in the middle lamella had been dissolved prior to the cellulose during liquefaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007 [source] Bilateral Systematized Porokeratotic Eccrine Ostial and Dermal Duct Nevus with Unilateral Breast HypoplasiaJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005A. Jayaraman Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus (PEODDN) is a rare hamartomatous malformation of the eccrine duct which typically presents at birth or early in life. Multiple punctate pits and verrucous papules and plaques with nonfollicular hyperkeratotic spines are seen over the palms and soles and may extend to the distal extremities. A linear distribution may be present. A wide range of involvement has been reported in the literature, including bilateral systematized involvement. No systemic involvement has been linked to PEODDN to date. Histologic findings are characteristic and include a dilated eccrine acrosyringium with an overlying parakeratotic column or cornoid lamella. There is slight dyskeratosis and loss of the granular layer under the cornoid lamella. Here, we present a case of bilateral systematized PEODDN in an otherwise healthy, 18 year-old Hispanic female. Physical examination is notable for marked hypoplasia of the left breast with overlying verrucous papules and plaques. Multiple punch biopsies were performed and showed findings diagnostic of PEODDN. To our knowledge, this is the most extensive involvement of PEODDN reported in the literature to date and the only case with associated hypoplasia of the breast. [source] Combining Ar ion milling with FIB lift-out techniques to prepare high quality site-specific TEM samplesJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2004Z. HUANG Summary Focused ion beam (FIB) techniques can prepare site-specific transmission electron microscopy (TEM) cross-section samples very quickly but they suffer from beam damage by the high energy Ga+ ion beam. An amorphous layer about 20,30 nm thick on each side of the TEM lamella and the supporting carbon film makes FIB-prepared samples inferior to the traditional Ar+ thinned samples for some investigations such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). We have developed techniques to combine broad argon ion milling with focused ion beam lift-out methods to prepare high-quality site-specific TEM cross-section samples. Site-specific TEM cross-sections were prepared by FIB and lifted out using a Narishige micromanipulator onto a half copper-grid coated with carbon film. Pt deposition by FIB was used to bond the lamellae to the Cu grid, then the coating carbon film was removed and the sample on the bare Cu grid was polished by the usual broad beam Ar+ milling. By doing so, the thickness of the surface amorphous layers is reduced substantially and the sample quality for TEM observation is as good as the traditional Ar+ milled samples. [source] Correlating Raman peak shifts with phase transformation and defect densities: a comprehensive TEM and Raman study on siliconJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 6 2009Thomas Wermelinger Abstract Silicon is the most often used material in micro electromechanical systems (MEMS). Detailed understanding of its mechanical properties as well as the microstructure is crucial for the reliability of MEMS devices. In this paper, we investigate the microstructure changes upon indentation of single crystalline (100) oriented silicon by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman microscopy. TEM cross sections were prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) at the location of the indent. Raman microscopy and TEM revealed the occurrence of phase transformations and residual stresses upon deformation. Raman microscopy was also used directly on the cross-sectional TEM lamella and thus microstructural details could be correlated to peak shape and peak position. The results show, however, that due to the implanted Ga+ ions in the lamella the silicon Raman peak is shifted significantly to lower wavenumbers. This hinders a quantitative analysis of residual stresses in the lamella. Furthermore, Raman microscopy also possesses the ability to map deformation structures with a lateral resolution in the submicron range. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] In vitro degradation of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) by endopoly- galacturonaseJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 15 2007Xuezhao Sun Abstract BACKGROUND: Leaves of forage chicory break down rapidly in the rumen despite little or no rumination. Because chicory cell walls contain high concentrations of pectin, degradation of leaf midrib and leaf lamina tissues by pectinolytic enzymes was investigated. RESULTS: Treatment with endopolygalacturonase (endo-PG) degraded fresh intact chicory leaves to particles of less than 1 mm in length and solubilised more than 70% of the dry matter within 16 h. Uronic acids were released more extensively than neutral monosaccharides. In similar treatments, 77% of white clover leaflets and 12% of perennial ryegrass leaf blades were solubilised or broken down to particles with a size of less than 1 mm. The degradation of pectic polysaccharides in chicory midribs was monitored by immunofluorescence labelling with monoclonal antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 which target partially methyl-esterified epitopes of the homogalacturonan (HG) domain of pectin. Examination by fluorescence microscopy revealed that cell separation in the cortical parenchyma of chicory midrib following endo-PG treatment was associated with loss of HG from the middle lamella, the corners of intercellular spaces and from the tricellular junctions. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggest that one of the main contributions to chicory breakdown in the rumen may be cell separation caused by degradation of HG by pectinolytic enzymes from rumen bacteria. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Novel Amphiphilic Styrene-Based Block Copolymers for Induced Surface ReconstructionMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 1 2008Lutz Funk Abstract This paper describes the synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers by living radical polymerization (NMP) of new styrene-like monomers. The polar monomers (ethylene oxide side chains and free hydroxyl- or amino-groups after deprotection) were polymerized in a "protected form" to adjust the solubility of the monomers. In this way high molar mass polymers with a narrow polydispersity (around or below 1.2) were accessible. In the bulk state hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains demix. By exposing thin films of these polymers to vacuum (air) or alternatively to water or a hydrophilic surface it becomes possible to switch the surface polarity reversibly between contact angles of about 105° and 83° as a result of surface reconstruction. Through side chains of different length and with different functionalities, it was possible to adjust the glass transition temperatures to values between ,2,°C to 140,°C for the hydrophilic blocks and ,30,°C to 100,°C for the hydrophobic block. The wide range of the glass temperatures allowed it to find a block copolymer system with a slow kinetic concerning the surface reconstruction process, so that a mechanistic examination of the process by AFM was possible. It got, thereby, possible to detect the break-up of the hydrophobic surface lamella and the upfold of the hydrophilic lamella in contact with water. [source] Thickening Processes of Lamellar Crystal Monolayers of a Low-Molecular-Weight PEO Fraction on a Solid SurfaceMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 6 2007Xuemei Zhai Abstract Using hot-stage atomic force microscopy, the thickening processes of monolayer crystals of PEO (,=,5,000 g,·,mol,1 and ,=,1.008) from one-folded (FC1) to extended-chain (EC) lamellae are experimentally monitored at three temperatures: 50, 52, and 58,°C. At 50,°C some small areas in large FC1 crystals spontaneously thicken into EC crystals. At 52,°C the spontaneously thickened area further expands so as to inductively thicken the entire FC1 lamella into EC lamella. At 58,°C EC crystals first force the adjacent FC1 crystals to melt and then absorb the melted molecules to grow laterally into large EC lamellae till all FC1 lamellae vanish. The three thickening steps express the main thickening process of lamellar crystals from a metastable state to another metastable (or equilibrium) state. The possible mechanisms are discussed in the text. [source] Monte Carlo Simulations of the Morphologies and Conformations of Triblock Copolymer Thin FilmsMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 2 2006Yongmin Huang Abstract Summary: The morphologies and conformations of triblock copolymer (ABA and ABC) thin films confined between two identical walls were investigated by Monte Carlo simulation using bond length fluctuation and cavity diffusion algorithm on cubic lattice. Effects of the wall-block interactions, copolymer chain composition and film thickness on morphologies, as well as on the fraction of chain "bridge" conformation fbridge are presented in detail. In ABA thin film, column, parallel, perforated and perpendicular lamellas were discriminated, furthermore, the transition of morphology and the variation of fbridge of ABA film along with the increase of thickness were revealed. In ABC thin film, lamella especially perpendicular lamella morphologies are predominant in varying the wall-block interactions and the thickness. The results are consistent with some theoretical predictions such as DDFT and simulations reported in literature. Isodensity profile of A5B5A5 thin film. [source] Mediterranean commercial sponges: over 5000 years of natural history and cultural heritageMARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Roberto Pronzato Abstract This paper deals with the history of the exploitation of a natural resource made up of various types of Mediterranean horny sponges. It also provides an update on trends in the trade of these sponges. The distribution and taxonomic status of Mediterranean species of commercial interest belonging to the genera Spongia and Hippospongia are reported upon and partly emended by (i) the selection of neotypes for Spongia mollissima, Hippospongia communis, and Spongia agaricina from the Indo-Pacific Ocean versus the Mediterranean Spongia lamella, and (ii) the discussion regarding the problematic status of Spongia zimocca. Attention is also focused upon species that have been of recent commercial interest as sources of metabolites with biomedical potential, such as Dysidea avara, which is considered endangered due to a pressing demand for the industrial extraction of chemicals it produces (e.g. Avarol). The wild harvesting of new target sponges is also discussed, together with a proposal for a rational, sustainable, long-term strategy for Mediterranean sponge management. Sponge culture in situ is suggested as a useful approach that may allow eco-compatible management and conservation of this natural resource. [source] Examination of the dehiscence zone in soybean pods and isolation of a dehiscence-related endopolygalacturonase genePLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 4 2002L. C. Christiansen Abstract Microscopic examination of cross sections of dorsal and ventral sutures of soybean pods (Glycine max cv. TGx1835-2E) at two different stages of maturity revealed that the dehiscence zone of soybean pods is functionally equivalent to the dehiscence zone known from crucifers. Enzymatic assays demonstrated the presence of endo-1,4- , -glucanases and endopolygalacturonases, the activity of which accumulated in the dehiscence zone and peaked during maturation. A single partial cDNA encoding an endopolygalacturonase was isolated by polymerase chain reaction and this clone was used to isolate the complete gene encoding the endopolygalacturonase in question. Approximately 1·2 kb of 5, upstream sequence was cloned in the plant transformation vector pCAMBIA1301 in front of the uidA (GUS) gene and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana. Expression analysis of the soybean endopolygalacturonase transcript revealed that the endopolygalacturonase is primarily found in dehiscence-related tissue and is presumably involved in the breakdown of the middle lamella prior to dehiscence. This result was corroborated by GUS stainings of the transgenic Arabidopsis lines [source] Changes in lamellar arrangement of crystalline and flexible fluorinated transparent films with drawingPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010Atsuhiro Fujimori In recent times, a "crystalline" and flexible optical waveguide candidate with excellent heat-resistance and dimensional stability are developed. For the practical use of this crystalline optical film in the near future, an accurate control of the solid-state structure is indispensable because of the necessity of reducing light refraction at the crystalline/amorphous interface. In this study, changes in the fine structure and lamella arrangement upon drawing poly[tetrafluoroethylene- co -(perfluoroethylvinylether)] (EFA) transparent crystalline films were investigated by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods. The EFA was crystallized as a lamella crystal in the films and formed a thicker lamella. Upon the drawing of the EFA films, four-point SAXS diagrams developed in the photograph at through direction to the film, which implied that a particular type of layer structure, an alternately tilted lamella arrangement known as the herringbone, was formed. From the result of WAXD and SAXS measurements at edge direction to the film, it is found that formation of isotropic disordered lamella arrangement. Therefore, it is indicated that three-dimensional lamella arrangement in this fluorinated transparent film forms uniaxially cylindrical symmetry. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Nanocomposites of silver nanoparticle and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid-doped thermoreversible polyaniline gelPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Ashesh Garai Silver/polyaniline-dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid (PANI-DNNDSA) gel nanocomposites are prepared from the reduction of silver salt by polyaniline in formic acid medium. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) indicate the presence of three-dimensional fibrillar network structure and the silver nanoparticles remain dispersed within the PANI-DNNDSA fibrillar network. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study shows reversible first-order phase transition characterizing the composite to behave as a thermoreversible gel. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) show a decrease of nanoparticle size with increasing AgNO3 concentration. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) patterns show lamellar structure in the gel as well as in the gel metal nanocomposites (GMNCs) and the two melting peaks in the DSC patterns correspond to the melting of monolayer and bilayer crystals produced from the interdigitation of DNNDSA tails anchored from PANI chains within the PANI lamella. The above melting points are greater in the GMNCs than that of pure gel indicating the formation of complex melting thermogram with crystallites produced from the anchored surfactants tails at the surface of Ag nanoparticles. The GMNCs show a higher thermal stability than that of pure PANI-DNNDSA gel. PANI-DNNDSA gel has an emission peak at 354 nm but fluorescence quenching occurs in the GMNCs and the emission peak becomes red shifted. Also in the UV,vis spectra the , band-polaron band transition peak shows a red shift and the DC conductivity increases with increasing Ag nanoparticle concentration in the GMNCs. The current (I),voltage (V) characteristic curves indicate Ohmic nature of conductivity of the gel and the current at the same voltage increases appreciably with increasing Ag nanoparticle concentration. These GMNCs are easily processible due to its thermoreversible nature. So, an easily processible, thermally stable and highly conducting DNNDSA-doped PANI-Ag gel nanocomposite with interesting photoluminescent property has been successfully developed suitable for optoelectronic applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Spatial orientation of nanoclay and crystallite in microcellular injection molded polyamide-6 nanocompositesPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Mingjun Yuan Three different types of characteristic structures-microcells, nanoclay, and crystallite lamella-exist in injection molded polyamide-6 microcellular nanocomposites. These structures are in completely different scales. The spatial orientation of these microscale structures crucially determines the material's bulk properties. Based on scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and two-dimensional X-ray diffractometry measurements, it was found that the nanoclay and the crystallite formed special geometric structures around the microcells and near the part skins. The nanoclay platelets lay almost parallel to the surfaces of the molded parts. Preferred orientation of the crystallites was induced by the presence of the nanoclay. A molecular-based model is proposed to describe the structural hierarchy and correlations among the microcells, nanoclay, and crystallite lamella. From the small-angle X-ray scattering experiments, it was found that microcellular injection molding produces relatively smaller crystallite lamella than that of conventional injection molding, and that for both solid and microcellular neat resin parts the crystallite lamella thickness at the part skin is smaller than that at the core. Polarized optical microscopy results also indicated that the size of crystallites in the microcellular neat resin and nanocomposite parts is smaller than that in the corresponding solid parts. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:765,779, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Domain structure and miscibility studies of blends of styrene,butadiene,styrene block copolymers (SBS) and styrene,glycidyl methacrylate statistical copolymers (PS-GMA) using SAXS and DMTAPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2007LB Canto Abstract The domain structure and miscibility in the solid state of a series of blends of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymers and styrene-glycidyl methacrylate (PS-GMA) statistical copolymers with varying molecular weights and compositions were studied using small angle X-ray scattering and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Depending on the molecular characteristics of each component, different types and degrees of solubilization of PS-GMA in SBS were found which, in addition to the initially SBS phase morphology, lead to materials with multiphase domain morphologies with differences in size and structure. The degree of solubilization of PS-GMA into the PS domains of SBS was found to be higher for blends containing PS-GMA with lower molecular weight (Mw = 18 100 g mol,1) and lower GMA content (1 wt%) and/or for SBS with higher PS content (39 wt%) and longer PS blocks (Mw = 19 600 g mol,1). Localized solubilization of PS-GMA in the middle of PS domains of SBS was found to be the most probable to occur for the systems under study, causing swelling of PS domains. However, uniform solubilization was also observed for SBS/PS-GMA blends containing SBS with composition in the range of a morphological transition (PS block Mw = 19 600 g mol,1 and 39 wt% of PS) causing a morphological transition in the SBS copolymer (cylinder to lamella). Copyright © 2006 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source] Comparative Cellular Morphology Suggesting the Existence of Resident Dendritic Cells Within Immune Organs of SalmonidsTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Jan Lovy Abstract This report is the first morphological description of cells that resemble dendritic cells, which appear to form resident populations within the spleen and anterior kidney of fish. Based on examination of three salmonid species, including, rainbow trout, brook trout, and Atlantic salmon, the cells were most abundant in the spleen, although they were always present in the anterior kidney. The cells appeared diffusely distributed, often near blood vessels of the spleen and kidney of healthy fish and within the epithelium, connective tissue, and blood vessels of rainbow trout gills with experimentally induced microsoporidial gill disease. The dendritic-like cells in this study contained granules that resemble Birbeck granules, which are considered to be morphological markers of Langerhans cells in mammals. The cells were approximately 6 ,m in diameter and contained Birbeck-like (BL) granules localized near centrioles. Although the dendritic-like cells in the three salmonid species shared many similarities, morphological differences were found in the fine structure of the rod portion of the BL granules. Rainbow trout BL granules contained amorphous material, while the other salmonid species contained particulate material arranged in a square-lattice arrangement. The BL granules in the cells of Atlantic salmon had a narrow diameter and contained four layers of particulate material when sectioned longitudinally; two layers enveloped by the granule membrane and two central layers making up a central lamella, which is common in mammalian Birbeck granules. Anat Rec, 291:456,462, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effect of lacunocanalicular architecture on hydraulic conductance in bone tissue: Implications for bone health and evolutionTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Sanjay Mishra Abstract Bone tissue health depends largely on efficient fluid and solute transport between the blood supply and cells that are the living component of the tissue. We hypothesized that the lacunocanalicular hydraulic network, which is defined by the pericellular fluid space that is common to all bone tissue, is optimized to transport fluid and solutes between the blood supply and bone cells. An analytical study was carried out to evaluate the effect of osteonal architecture, including the osteon diameter, number of annular lamellar regions, and number and length of canalicular channels, on fluid transport between the blood supply and bone cells. On the basis of this analysis, we conclude that osteon size is limited to the distance over which fluid and solutes can be transported efficiently between the blood supply and cells. This analytic model suggests that hydraulic conductivity is highest in lamellar regions closest to the Haversian canal (HC) and decreases with increasing distance from the blood supply, reaching a plateau after the fifth lamella (169 ,m radius). Furthermore, an increase in the diameter of the HC, or a decrease in the length of canaliculi, reduces the hydraulic conductivity within the lacunocanalicular network. Applying the principle of minimal expenditure of energy to this analysis, the path distance comprising five or six lamellar regions represents an effective limit for fluid and solute transport between the blood supply and cells; beyond this threshold, hydraulic resistance in the network increases and additional energy expenditure is necessary for further transportation. This suggests that transport is optimized to meet metabolic demands concomitant with a minimal expenditure of energy. This fundamental new insight into bone structure and physiology may provide a new basis of understanding for tissue engineering, bone physiology in health and disease, and evolutionary biology. Anat Rec Part A 273A:752,762, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hyperkeratotic variant of porokeratosis Mibelli with dermal amyloid depositsTHE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Toshiaki UENISHI Abstract We report a case of hyperkeratotic variant of porokeratosis Mibelli with dermal amyloid deposits. A 66-year-old man presented with multiple brownish keratotic lesions on the lower extremities, a verrucous nodule on the third toe of the left foot and brownish verrucous plaques on the buttocks for several years. Histopathological examination of the hyperkeratotic plaque in the right gluteal region revealed extreme hyperkeratosis and cornoid lamella. In the papillary dermis, there were prominent eosinophilic amorphous materials which were positive to Dylon staining. Treatment with oral etretinate resulted in a remission of the skin lesions in this case. [source] Cornoid lamellae associated with follicular infundibulum and acrosyringium in porokeratosisTHE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Masako MINAMI-HORI ABSTRACT Skin lesions of porokeratosis consist of an atrophic center bordered by a peripheral grooved keratotic ridge that corresponds histopathologically to the cornoid lamella. Originally porokeratosis was named based on the assumption that the columns of parakeratosis emerge from the ostia of eccrine ducts. Despite this, it is generally accepted that the cornoid lamellae are rarely related to the acrosyringium. We recently encountered two cases of porokeratosis, where the cornoid lamellae were related to the follicular infundibulums. Therefore, we analyzed the location of the cornoid lamellae in 86 lesions of porokeratosis from 73 patients from our archives. We found that many cornoid lamellae are also detected at follicular infundibulum and acrosyringium. The existence of so many cornoid lamellae at follicular infundibulum and acrosyringium inside the plaques cannot be explained by pure coincidence and may be more than fortuitous. [source] Toxic effect of triphenyltin chloride on the alga Spirulina subsalsaAPPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2002Guolan Huang Abstract A previous study on the deleterious effect of triphenyltin chloride (TPTCl) on the alga Spirulina subsalsa reported on four physiological and biochemical indices (or parameters): growth rate, chlorophyll content, phycocyanin content and nitrate reductase activity. In the present study, further research was performed to confirm the findings reported in the previous paper, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM images show significant changes in the screw-pitch of S. subsalsa, suggesting that TPTCl may damage the inheritance characteristics of S. subsalsa. The TEM images illustrate that the external pectin theca, limiting membrane and inter photosynthetically active lamella in the S. subsalsa cell are those targets that can be easily damaged. Reversible and irreversible cell damage (cell necrosis) are also observed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Distinction at the leading edge of the cellBIOESSAYS, Issue 4 2005Paul Timpson Cell locomotion is governed by spatially and temporally co-ordinated changes in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. In the highlighted manuscript,(1) the authors focus on actin remodelling at the front of moving cells to reveal the existence of two distinct yet spatially overlapping actin networks that play largely independent yet fundamental roles in cell migration. The first is defined as the lamellipodium, which assembles and disas sembles within the first 3 ,m of the leading edge. This serves to promote the random protrusion and retraction of the leading edge but has no role in productive cell translocation. The second actin network, the lamella, is responsible for the advancement of the cell by integrating contraction with cellular adhesions. BioEssays 27:349,352, 2005. © 2005 Wiley periodicals, Inc. [source] New milliliter-scale stirred tank bioreactors for the cultivation of mycelium forming microorganismsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010Ralf Hortsch Abstract A novel milliliter-scale stirred tank bioreactor was developed for the cultivation of mycelium forming microorganisms on a 10 milliliter-scale. A newly designed one-sided paddle impeller is driven magnetically and rotates freely on an axis in an unbaffled reaction vessel made of polystyrene. A rotating lamella is formed which spreads out along the reactor wall. Thus an enhanced surface-to-volume ratio of the liquid phase is generated where oxygen is introduced via surface aeration. Volumetric oxygen transfer coefficients (kLa),>,0.15,s,1 were measured. The fast moving liquid lamella efficiently prevents wall growth and foaming. Mean power consumption and maximum local energy dissipation were measured as function of operating conditions in the milliliter-scale stirred tank bioreactor (V,=,10,mL) and compared to a standard laboratory-scale stirred tank bioreactor with six-bladed Rushton turbines (V,=,2,000,mL). Mean power consumption increases with increasing impeller speed and shows the same characteristics and values on both scales. The maximum local energy dissipation of the milliliter-scale stirred tank bioreactor was reduced compared to the laboratory-scale at the same mean volumetric power input. Hence the milliliter impeller distributes power more uniformly in the reaction medium. Based on these data a reliable and robust scale-up of fermentation processes is possible. This was demonstrated with the cultivation of the actinomycete Streptomyces tendae on both scales. It was shown that the process performances were equivalent with regard to biomass concentration, mannitol consumption and production of the pharmaceutical relevant fungicide nikkomycin Z up to a process time of 120,h. A high parallel reproducibility was observed on the milliliter-scale (standard deviation,<,8%) with up to 48 stirred tank bioreactors operated in a magnetic inductive drive. Rheological behavior of the culture broth was measured and showed a highly viscous shear-thinning non-Newtonian behavior. The newly developed one-sided paddle impellers operated in unbaffled reactors on a 10 milliliter-scale with a magnetic inductive drive for up to 48 parallel bioreactors allows for the first time the parallel bioprocess development with mycelium forming microorganisms. This is especially important since these kinds of cultivations normally exhibit process times of 100,h and more. Thus the operation of parallel stirred tank reactors will have the potential to reduce process development times drastically. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 443,451. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||