Diffuse Interfaces and Small-Angle Scattering Intensity Behaviour

The contributions corresponding to the Porod, the oscillatory O(h−4) and the Kirste–Porod O(h−6) terms, present in the asymptotic expansion of the small-angle scattering (SAS) intensities, are numerically evaluated, in the presence of diffuse interfaces generated by different smoothing functions (Gaussian, spherical or Helfand–Tagami). It is shown that SAS experiments are generally unable to distinguish among different profiles, because any smoothing can be made to coincide with another type by scaling its thickness parameter. The oscillatory deviations are observable in the Porod plot of the intensities when the typical distance between parallel diffuse interfaces is greater than 50 A and the ratio of the thickness to this distance is less than 1/4. The same conclusion applies to the infinite-slit intensities

Prevalence of Buruli Ulcer in Akonolinga Health District, Cameroon: Results of a Cross Sectional Survey

As long as there is no strategy to prevent Buruli ulcer, the early detection and treatment of cases remains the most promising control strategy. Buruli ulcer is most common in remote rural areas where people have little contact with health structures. Information on the number of existing cases in the population and where they go to seek treatment is important for project planning and evaluation. Health structure based surveillance systems cannot provide this information, and previous prevalence surveys did not provide information on spatial distribution and coverage. We did a survey using centric systematic area sampling in a Health District in Cameroon to estimate prevalence and project coverage. We found the method was easy to use and very useful for project planning. It identified priority areas with relatively high prevalence and low coverage and provided an estimate of the number of existing cases in the population of the health district. The active case finding component of the method used served as an awareness campaign and was an integrated part of the project, creating a network of health delegates trained on Buruli ulcer

Developmental Localization and Methylesterification of Pectin Epitopes during Somatic Embryogenesis of Banana (Musa spp. AAA)

The plant cell walls play an important role in somatic embryogenesis and plant development. Pectins are major chemical components of primary cell walls while homogalacturonan (HG) is the most abundant pectin polysaccharide. Developmental regulation of HG methyl-esterification degree is important for cell adhesion, division and expansion, and in general for proper organ and plant development.Developmental localization of pectic homogalacturonan (HG) epitopes and the (1→4)-β-D-galactan epitope of rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) and degree of pectin methyl-esterification (DM) were studied during somatic embryogenesis of banana (Musa spp. AAA). Histological analysis documented all major developmental stages including embryogenic cells (ECs), pre-globular, globular, pear-shaped and cotyledonary somatic embryos. Histochemical staining of extracellularly secreted pectins with ruthenium red showed the most intense staining at the surface of pre-globular, globular and pear-shaped somatic embryos. Biochemical analysis revealed developmental regulation of galacturonic acid content and DM in diverse embryogenic stages. Immunodots and immunolabeling on tissue sections revealed developmental regulation of highly methyl-esterified HG epitopes recognized by JIM7 and LM20 antibodies during somatic embryogenesis. Cell walls of pre-globular/globular and late-stage embryos contained both low methyl-esterified HG epitopes as well as partially and highly methyl-esterified ones. Extracellular matrix which covered surface of early developing embryos contained pectin epitopes recognized by 2F4, LM18, JIM5, JIM7 and LM5 antibodies. De-esterification of cell wall pectins by NaOH caused a decrease or an elimination of immunolabeling in the case of highly methyl-esterified HG epitopes. However, immunolabeling of some low methyl-esterified epitopes appeared stronger after this base treatment.These data suggest that both low- and highly-methyl-esterified HG epitopes are developmentally regulated in diverse embryogenic stages during somatic embryogenesis. This study provides new information about pectin composition, HG methyl-esterification and developmental localization of pectin epitopes during somatic embryogenesis of banana

Predictors of loss to follow up among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a private not for profit urban diabetes clinic in Uganda : a descriptive retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing in Uganda, data on loss to follow up (LTFU) of patients in care is scanty. We aimed to estimate proportions of patients LTFU and document associated factors among patients attending a private not for profit urban diabetes clinic in Uganda. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive retrospective study between March and May 2017. We reviewed 1818 out-patient medical records of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus registered between July 2003 and September 2016 at St. Francis Hospital - Nsambya Diabetes clinic in Uganda. Data was extracted on: patients' registration dates, demographics, socioeconomic status, smoking, glycaemic control, type of treatment, diabetes mellitus complications and last follow-up clinic visit. LTFU was defined as missing collecting medication for six months or more from the date of last clinic visit, excluding situations of death or referral to another clinic. We used Kaplan-Meier technique to estimate time to defaulting medical care after initial registration, log-rank test to test the significance of observed differences between groups. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine predictors of patients' LTFU rates in hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: Between July 2003 and September 2016, one thousand eight hundred eighteen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were followed for 4847.1 person-years. Majority of patients were female 1066/1818 (59%) and 1317/1818 (72%) had poor glycaemic control. Over the 13 years, 1690/1818 (93%) patients were LTFU, giving a LTFU rate of 34.9 patients per 100 person-years (95%CI: 33.2-36.6). LTFU was significantly higher among males, younger patients (< 45 years), smokers, patients on dual therapy, lower socioeconomic status, and those with diabetes complications like neuropathy and nephropathy. CONCLUSION: We found high proportions of patients LTFU in this diabetes clinic which warrants intervention studies targeting the identified risk factors and strengthening follow up of patients

Analyses and localization of pectin-like carbohydrates in cell wall and mucilage of the green alga Netrium digitus

The unicellular, simply shaped desmid Netrium digitus inhabiting acid bog ponds grows in two phases. Prior to division, the cell elongates at its central zone, whereas in a second phase, polar tip growth occurs. Electron microscopy demonstrates that Netrium is surrounded by a morphologically homogeneous cell wall, which lacks pores. Immunocytochemical and biochemical analyses give insight into physical wall properties and, thus, into adaptation to the extreme environment. The monoclonal antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 directed against pectic epitopes with different degrees of esterification label preferentially growing wall zones in Netrium. In contrast, 2F4 marks the cell wall only after experimental de-esterification. Electron energy loss spectroscopy reveals Ca-binding capacities of pectins and gives indirect evidence for the degree of their esterification. An antibody raised against Netrium mucilage is not only specific to mucilage but also recognizes wall components in transmission electron microscopy and dot blots. These results indicate a smooth transition between mucilage and the cell wall in Netrium

SAXS analysis of the morphology of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone-b-glycolide) copolymers1

Poly(epsilon-caprolacrone-b-glycolide) diblock copolyesters have been synthesized by the sequential polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide as initiated by aluminium alkoxides. Copolymerization is typically ''living'' and yields copolyesters of perfectly controlled molecular weight and composition. Diblock molecular weight (Mn-PGA+Mn-PCL) ranges from 5700 to 42000 and the rho = Mn-PCL/Mn-PGA ratio varies from 1.5 to 13.1. Due to the inherent insolubility of the polyglycolide (PGA) segment in common organic solvent, the diblock copolyesters form stable non-aqueous colloidal dispersions e.g. in toluene, the stability of which results from the soluble poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) block. Combining all the experimental observations (PCS, TEM, WAXS, SAXS, AFM), a micelle model has been proposed which consists of a polyglycolide core surrounded with a corona of polycaprolactone (PCL). Both constituents are semi crystalline. From SAXS observations, the PGA core is better described by two concentric spheres. The internal sphere of a 5-6.7 nn diameter would essentially contain crystalline PGA. The diameter of the external sphere, D-PGA, is in the range from 6.2 to 9.6 nm, at least for the investigated diblock copolymers. As a rule, this diameter increases as rho decreases at constant molecular weight and as the diblock molecular weight increases at constant rho. A scattering peak (weak) is observed in the range from 10.8 to 15.5 nm and the Bragg distance is close mu D-PGA, where mu is equal to (1+3 rho/2)(1/3). From steric considerations, mu is the ratio between the diameter of the micelle and the diameter of the PGA core, so that this peak has been assigned to the characteristic intermicellar distance. At very small angles, several additional peaks are the signature of a hyperstructure which is possibly lamellar

Oscillating and non-oscillating contributions in the Porod law

Experimental Ih4 plots often show damped oscillating terms. The first non-oscillating term describing the interface curvature effects is given by the Kirste-Porod formula for regular surfaces. It provides a positive h-2 contribution to Ih4. In the presence of sharp edges and vertices on otherwise planar interfaces an additional negative h-2 term occurs. A cylinder cutted following a planar section parallel to its axis provides the simplest situation where oscillating, positive and negative h-2 terms have to be simultaneously taken into account. The three additional asymptotic contributions to Ih4 are evaluated. The exact correlation function is calculated. The difference between its fourier transform and the asymptotic intensity yields an estimate of the neglected contribution using the asymptotic expansion. The modification of the oscillating Ih4 pattern resulting from the positive and negative h-2 contributions is examined

SAXS analysis of hyperstructure in carboxylato-telechelic poly(tert.butyl acrylate)'s

A new class of Halato-Telechelic Polymers (HTP) has been prepared. Preleminary SAXS results on α, ω-carboxy poly (tert.butyl acrylate)s end-neutralized with Ba, Mg and Na alkoxides show that the "ionic peak" usually observed in ionomers goes undetected. In contrast, a series of peaks appear at very low angles corresponding to Bragg spacings from 70 to 14 nm. The successive peak positions are consistent with a hexagonal structure. In order to confirm this new experimental evidence, the effects of several parameters on the SAXS patterns have been investigated. Samples of various counterions and molecular weigths have been prepared under different conditions. Morphological changes have also been analyzed in the presence of a non-polar solvent (toluene)