Mucin glycoarray in gastric and gallbladder epithelia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mucins are critical cytoprotective glycoproteins and alterations of epithelial gastric mucins have been described in different pathological conditions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the putative usefulness of mucins in understanding the progression of gastric cancer and gallstone formation in a better perspective.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy specimens and surgically resected gallbladder tissue samples were sectioned. Alcian Blue (AB) staining was performed to identify sialomucins (staining blue at pH 2.5) and sulfomucins (staining brown at pH 1.0) and then Periodic acid-Schiff's (PAS) staining to visualize the neutral mucins (staining magenta).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In normal gastric and gallbladder mucosae, we found that neutral mucins were predominant, whereas in intestinal metaplasia, gastric carcinoma and stone-containing gallbladder, a significant increase of acidic mucins was found.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We suggest that the sulfomucins have a greater role in gallstone formation than the neutral mucins and also that the sialomucins and sulfomucins play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis. Our results challenge the glycobiologists to delve deeper in elucidating the role of mucins in gastric malignancy and in gallstone formation.</p

Enhancing the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanocomposite Films Based on Poly Lactic Acid/OMMT Nano Clay

Abstract: Organic (PLA) inorganic (OMMT nano clay) hybrid nanocomposite films were fabricated using poly lactic acid (PLA) with various weight percentages (1-3wt%) of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nano clay by means of one step solvent casting method. The thermal, mechanical and water absorption properties were determined as per standard testing methods to determine the optimum percentage of OMMT nano clay within the nanocomposite was investigated. The surface morphology of the organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposite films was analyzed through XRD, SEM, and TEM surface analytical techniques. The incorporation of OMMT clay in to PLA matrix is found to have enhanced the thermo-mechanical properties. The water absorption and solubility test results also support the data from thermo-mechanical tests. The 2 wt % OMMT clay loaded PLA films showed the best results among all. The obtained results showed that the thermal, mechanical and water absorption properties could be increased significantly with the optimum incorporation of OMMT nano clay in a PLA matrix, in comparision wih the neat PLA

Femtosecond-Laser-Based Inscription Technique for Post-Fiber-Bragg Grating Inscription in an Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer Pressure Sensor

In this paper, a novel fiber Bragg grating inscription technique based on a femtosecond laser is presented. The grating was inscribed in close proximity to the tip of an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI)-based optical fiber pressure sensor. This therefore represents an optical fiber pressure and temperature sensor (OFPTS) for simultaneous pressure and temperature measurement for use in exactly the same physical location. The temperature measurement can also be used to compensate thermal drift in the EFPI sensor

Fabrication and Qualitative Analysis of an Optical Fibre Efpi-Based Temperature Sensor

The following presents a comparison of an extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometer (EFPI)- based temperature sensor, constructed using a novel diaphragm manufacturing technique, with a reference all-glass EFPI temperature sensor. The novel diaphragm was manufactured using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The novel sensor fabrication involved fusing a single-mode fibre (SMF) to a length of fused quartz capillary, which has an inner diameter of 132 µm and a 220 µm outer diameter. The capillary was subsequently polished until the distal face of the capillary extended approximately 60 µm beyond that of the single mode fibre. Upon completion of polishing, the assembly is immersed in a solution of PVA. Controlled extraction resulted in creation of a thin diaphragm while simultaneously applying a protective coating to the fusion point of the SMF and capillary. The EFPI sensor is subsequently sealed in a second fluid-filled capillary, thereby creating a novel temperature sensor structure. Both temperature sensors were placed in a thermogravimetric analyser and heated from an indicated 30 °C to 100 °C to qualitatively compare sensitivities. Initial results indicated that the novel manufacturing technique both expedited production and produces a more sensitive sensor when compared to an all-glass construction

An Optical Fibre Depth (Pressure) Sensor for Remote Operated Vehicles in Underwater Applications

A miniature sensor for accurate measurement of pressure (depth) with temperature compensation in the ocean environment is described. The sensor is based on an optical fibre Extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) combined with a Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG). The EFPI provides pressure measurements while the Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) provides temperature measurements. The sensor is mechanically robust, corrosion-resistant and suitable for use in underwater applications. The combined pressure and temperature sensor system was mounted on-board a mini remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) in order to monitor the pressure changes at various depths. The reflected optical spectrum from the sensor was monitored online and a pressure or temperature change caused a corresponding observable shift in the received optical spectrum. The sensor exhibited excellent stability when measured over a 2 h period underwater and its performance is compared with a commercially available reference sensor also mounted on the ROV. The measurements illustrates that the EFPI/FBG sensor is more accurate for depth measurements (depth of ~0.020 m)

A Review on Sulfonated Polymer Composite/Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Membranes to Address Methanol Barrier Issue for Methanol Fuel Cells

This paper focuses on a literature analysis and review of sulfonated polymer (s-Poly) composites, sulfonated organic, inorganic, and organic&#8722;inorganic hybrid membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEM) systems, particularly for methanol fuel cell applications. In this review, we focused mainly on the detailed analysis of the distinct segment of s-Poly composites/organic&#8722;inorganic hybrid membranes, the relationship between composite/organic&#8722; inorganic materials, structure, and performance. The ion exchange membrane, their size distribution and interfacial adhesion between the s-Poly composites, nanofillers, and functionalized nanofillers are also discussed. The paper emphasizes the enhancement of the s-Poly composites/organic&#8722;inorganic hybrid membrane properties such as low electronic conductivity, high proton conductivity, high mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water uptake are evaluated and compared with commercially available Nafion&#174; membrane

Fabrication of tetraglycidyl epoxy nano-composites functionalized with amine-terminated zinc oxide with improved mechanical and thermal properties

The aim of the present work focuses on a newly developed ether-linked N, N-tetraglycidyl diamino-diphenyl ether (TGDDE) epoxy resin incorporated with the amine functionalized zinc oxide for the enhancement of the mechanical and thermal properties. TGDDE was synthesized using the starting material of 4,4-diamino-diphenyl ether (DDE) with epichlorohydrin (EPC). The synthesized TGDDE epoxy resin was characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral analyses. The amine-functionalized zinc oxide (F–ZnO) was synthesized via the condensation method using 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) and its preliminary structure was confirmed by FT-IR. The various weight percentages of F–ZnO (0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) were reinforced with TGDDE epoxy resin and cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). The mechanical and thermal behavior of the TGDDE epoxy matrix and nano-composites were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Consequently, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for the prediction of the structural and surface morphology of the synthesized epoxy nanocomposites. The mechanical and thermal properties of the synthesized epoxy nanocomposites were enhanced to a greater extent by the inclusion of F–ZnO. The highest values were achieved in the mechanical properties, thermal stability and DMA analysis at 1 wt% addition of F–ZnO nanoparticles. The result of the study clearly shows that 1 wt% of F-ZnO with TGDDE epoxy resin can be used in various high-performance applications

Histochemical analysis of neutral mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins in gastric and gallbaldder epithelia

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Mucin glycoarray in gastric and gallbladder epithelia"</p><p>http://www.carcinogenesis.com/content/6/1/10</p><p>Journal of Carcinogenesis 2007;6():10-10.</p><p>Published online 12 Jun 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC1904439.</p><p></p> Normal Gastric Epithelium (× 40).Histochemical analysis of neutral mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins in gastric and gallbaldder epithelia.Histochemical analysis of neutral mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins in gastric and gallbaldder epithelia. Gastric Carcinoma (× 40).Histochemical analysis of neutral mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins in gastric and gallbaldder epithelia. Normal gallbladder epithelium (× 40).Histochemical analysis of neutral mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins in gastric and gallbaldder epithelia. Stone-containing gallbladder epithelium (× 40)