426 research outputs found

    Flow Conductance of a Single Nanohole

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    The mass flow conductance of single nanoholes with diameter ranging from 75 to 100 nm was measured using mass spectrometry. For all nanoholes, a smooth crossover is observed between single-particle statistical flow (effusion) and the collective viscous flow emanating from the formation of a continuum. This crossover is shown to occur when the gas mean free path matches the size of the nanohole diameter. As a consequence of the pinhole geometry, the breakdown of the Poiseuille approximation is observed in the power-law temperature exponent of the measured conductance

    Can greater muscularity in larger individuals resolve the 3/4 power-law controversy when modelling maximum oxygen uptake?

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    BACKGROUND: The power function relationship, MR = a.m(b), between metabolic rate (MR) and body mass m has been the source of much controversy amongst biologists for many years. Various studies have reported mass exponents (b) greater than the anticipated 'surface-area' exponent 0.67, often closer to 0.75 originally identified by Kleiber. AIM: The study aimed to provide a biological explanation for these 'inflated' exponents when modelling maximum oxygen uptake (max), based on the observations from this and previous studies that larger individuals develop disproportionately more muscle mass in the arms and legs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A cross-sectional study of 119 professional soccer players from Croatia aged 18-34 was carried out. RESULTS: Here we confirm that the power function relationship between max and body mass of the professional soccer players results in an 'inflated' mass exponent of 0.75 (95% confidence interval from 0.56 to 0.93), but also the larger soccer players have disproportionately greater leg muscle girths. When the analysis was repeated incorporating the calf and thigh muscle girths rather than body mass as predictor variables, the analysis not only explained significantly more of the variance in max, but the sum of the exponents confirmed a surface-area law. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the pitfalls of fitting body-mass power laws and suggest using muscle-girth methodology as a more appropriate way to scale or normalize metabolic variables such as max for individuals of different body sizes

    Polymicrobial oral biofilm models: simplifying the complex

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    Over the past century, numerous studies have used oral biofilm models to investigate growth kinetics, biofilm formation, structure and composition, antimicrobial susceptibility and host–pathogen interactions. In vivo animal models provide useful models of some oral diseases; however, these are expensive and carry vast ethical implications. Oral biofilms grown or maintained in vitro offer a useful platform for certain studies and have the advantages of being inexpensive to establish and easy to reproduce and manipulate. In addition, a wide range of variables can be monitored and adjusted to mimic the dynamic environmental changes at different sites in the oral cavity, such as pH, temperature, salivary and gingival crevicular fluid flow rates, or microbial composition. This review provides a detailed insight for early-career oral science researchers into how the biofilm models used in oral research have progressed and improved over the years, their advantages and disadvantages, and how such systems have contributed to our current understanding of oral disease pathogenesis and aetiology

    High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering of CIGS Thin Films for High Efficiency Thin Film Solar Cells

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    In this work CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS) thin films with three different values of x (0; 0.28; 1) were preparedby nonreactive sputtering of Cu, In and Ga in HiPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) orDC magnetron and subsequently selenized in an Ar+Se atmosphere. Optical emission spectroscopy(OES) was used to monitor some basic plasma parameters during sputtering of metallic precursors. CIGSthin film characteristics were measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and other techniques

    Comparison of fusobacterium nucleatum and porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides clinically isolated from root canal infection in the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion

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    The aim of this study was to compare the biological activity of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) purified from Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis strains, both isolated from primary endodontic infection (PEI) in the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α released by macrophage cells. Moreover, LPS was purified from F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis American Type Collection (ATCC) and its biological activity was compared to respectively clinical isolates strains. F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis strains clinically isolated from PEI had their identification confirmed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. LPS from F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis and their respective ATCC strains were extracted by using Tri-reagent method. Macrophages (Raw 264.7) were stimulated with LPS at 100 ng/mL for 4, 8 and 12 h. Secretion of IL-1 β and TNF-α was also determined. Paired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA were employed. All LPS induced significant production of IL-1β and TNF-α, with the former being secreted at higher levels than the latter in all time-points. F. nucleatum induced a higher expression of both cytokines compared to P. gingivalis (p<0.05). No differences were observed between clinical and ATCC strains, as both presented the same potential to induce pro-inflammatory response. It was concluded that F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis LPS presented different patterns of activation against macrophages as seen by the IL-1β and TNF-α production, which may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of apical periodontitis. Moreover, clinical and ATCC strains grown under the same in vitro environment conditions presented similar biological activity272202207CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP302575/2009-0; 150557/2011-6; 308162/2014-510/19136-1; 10/17877- 4; 11/50051-5; 11/50510-0; 11/09047-4O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a atividade biológica de lipopolissacarídeos (LPS) purificados a partir de linhagens de Fusobacterium nucleatum e Porphyromonas gingivalis, ambas isoladas de infecções endodônticas primárias (IEP) nos níveis de IL-1β e TNF-α produzidos por macrófagos. Adicionalmente, LPS foi purificado de F. nucleatum e P. gingivalis "American Type Collection" (ATCC) e sua atividade comparada às respectivas linhagens clinicamente isoladas. Linhagens de F. nucleatum e P. gingivalis isoladas clinicamente de IEP tiveram sua identificação confirmada por sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA. LPS de F. nucleatum e P. gingivalis e das respectivas linhagens foram extraídos com o uso do método "Tri-reagent". Macrófagos (Raw 264.7) foram estimulados com LPS a 100 ng/mL por 4, 8 e 12 h. A secreção de IL-1β e de TNF-α foi determinada. Foram usados os testes t-pareado, ANOVA de medidas repetidas e ANOVA de um fator. Todos os LPS induziram a produção significante de IL-1β e TNF-α, sendo o primeiro secretado em mais altas concentrações que o último em todos os tempos avaliados. F. nucleatum induziu uma maior expressão de ambas as citocinas comparativamente ao P. gingivalis (p<0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças entre as linhagens clínica e ATCC, uma vez que ambas apresentaram o mesmo potencial de indução da resposta pró-inflamatória. Conclui-se que F. nucleatum e P. gingivalis possuem diferentes padrões de ativação dos macrófagos, como visto pela produção de IL-1β e TNF-α, o que pode contribuir para a imunopatogênese da periodontite apical. Ainda, linhagens clínica e ATCC mantidas no mesmo ambiente in vitro apresentaram ativação biológica semelhant

    Macrophage Subset Sensitivity to Endotoxin Tolerisation by Porphyromonas gingivalis

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    Macrophages (MΦs) determine oral mucosal responses; mediating tolerance to commensal microbes and food whilst maintaining the capacity to activate immune defences to pathogens. MΦ responses are determined by both differentiation and activation stimuli, giving rise to two distinct subsets; pro-inflammatory M1- and anti-inflammatory/regulatory M2- MΦs. M2-like subsets predominate tolerance induction whereas M1 MΦs predominate in inflammatory pathologies, mediating destructive inflammatory mechanisms, such as those in chronic P.gingivalis (PG) periodontal infection. MΦ responses can be suppressed to benefit either the host or the pathogen. Chronic stimulation by bacterial pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as LPS, is well established to induce tolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of MΦ subsets to suppression by P. gingivalis. CD14hi and CD14lo M1- and M2-like MΦs were generated in vitro from the THP-1 monocyte cell line by differentiation with PMA and vitamin D3, respectively. MΦ subsets were pre-treated with heat-killed PG (HKPG) and PG-LPS prior to stimulation by bacterial PAMPs. Modulation of inflammation was measured by TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 ELISA and NFκB activation by reporter gene assay. HKPG and PG-LPS differentially suppress PAMP-induced TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10 but fail to suppress IL-1β expression in M1 and M2 MΦs. In addition, P.gingivalis suppressed NFκB activation in CD14lo and CD14hi M2 regulatory MΦs and CD14lo M1 MΦs whereas CD14hi M1 pro-inflammatory MΦs were refractory to suppression. In conclusion, P.gingivalis selectively tolerises regulatory M2 MΦs with little effect on pro-inflammatory CD14hi M1 MΦs; differential suppression facilitating immunopathology at the expense of immunity
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