Lamb Wave Imaging and V(Z) Using a Broadband System

The work reported here has been motivated by the need to characterise thin ceramic coatings on metallic substrates. In addition to measuring the elastic constants of the coating, which among other things is dependent on the deposition technique, it is desirable to inspect the condition of the interface between the coating and the substrate. One deposition technique involves plasma-spraying of the ceramic onto a grit-blasted metal surface. Although the top surface of the film can be polished for ultrasonic inspection, the film/substrate interface will be very rough. The Lamb wave V(z) technique has been demonstrated to be effective for the calculation of the elastic constants of thin films on substrates. The effect of surface roughness on the Lamb wave dispersion curves must be well understood however, before this method can be applied to the problem of interest here. As such, a series of tests have been performed on glass slides that have different degrees of roughness introduced on one surface

Dietary Lactoferrin Alleviates Age-Related Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction in Mice

BACKGROUND: Decrease in lacrimal gland secretory function is related to age-induced dry eye disease. Lactoferrin, the main glycoprotein component of tears, has multiple functions, including anti-inflammatory effects and the promotion of cell growth. We investigated how oral administration of lactoferrin affects age-related lacrimal dysfunction. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Twelve-month-old male C57BL/6Cr Slc mice were randomly divided into a control fed group and an oral lactoferrin treatment group. Tear function was measured at a 6-month time-point. After euthanasia, the lacrimal glands were subjected to histological examination with 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) antibodies, and serum concentrations of 8-OHdG and hexanoyl-lysine adduct (HEL) were evaluated. Additionally, monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression levels were determined by real-time PCR. The volume of tear secretion was significantly larger in the treated group than in the control. Lactoferrin administration reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and the MCP-1 and TNF-α expression levels. Serum concentrations of 8-OHdG and HEL in the lactoferrin group were lower than those in the control group and were associated with attenuated 8-OHdG immunostaining of the lacrimal glands. CONCLUSION: Oral lactoferrin administration preserves lacrimal gland function in aged mice by attenuating oxidative damage and suppressing subsequent gland inflammation