Study of Colloidal Polysaccharides Produced by Iron Oxidizing Bacteria Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC

Iron and sulfur oxidizing bacteria produce capsular and colloidal extracellular polymeric substances. The properties and functional role of capsular polysaccharides are well studied. However, colloidal polysaccharides produced by iron oxidizing bacteria have not been sufficiently explored. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of colloidal polysaccharides produced by the iron oxidizing bacterial isolate Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC have been studied. Colloidal polysaccharides were extracted and further investigated by optical polarized microscopy and analytical programs (LobVIEW15 and NOVA) that allowed determining the size, changes in shape, perimeter, degree of hydration, and crystallization of polysaccharides. Computer modeling of the experimental data has revealed that polysaccharides concentration does not contribute to the size of colloids but influence the number of particles.     

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

The behavior of confined colloidal suspensions with attractive interparticle interactions is critical to the rational design of materials for directed assembly^1-3, drug delivery⁴, improved hydrocarbon recovery^5-7, and flowable electrodes for energy storage⁸. Suspensions containing fluorescent colloids and non-adsorbing polymers are appealing model systems, as the ratio of the polymer radius of gyration to the particle radius and concentration of polymer control the range and strength of the interparticle attraction, respectively. By tuning the polymer properties and the volume fraction of the colloids, colloid fluids, fluids of clusters, gels, crystals, and glasses can be obtained⁹. Confocal microscopy, a variant of fluorescence microscopy, allows an optically transparent and fluorescent sample to be imaged with high spatial and temporal resolution in three dimensions. In this technique, a small pinhole or slit blocks the emitted fluorescent light from regions of the sample that are outside the focal volume of the microscope optical system. As a result, only a thin section of the sample in the focal plane is imaged. This technique is particularly well suited to probe the structure and dynamics in dense colloidal suspensions at the single-particle scale: the particles are large enough to be resolved using visible light and diffuse slowly enough to be captured at typical scan speeds of commercial confocal systems¹⁰. Improvements in scan speeds and analysis algorithms have also enabled quantitative confocal imaging of flowing suspensions^11-16,37. In this paper, we demonstrate confocal microscopy experiments to probe the confined phase behavior and flow properties of colloid-polymer mixtures. We first prepare colloid-polymer mixtures that are density- and refractive-index matched. Next, we report a standard protocol for imaging quiescent dense colloid-polymer mixtures under varying confinement in thin wedge-shaped cells. Finally, we demonstrate a protocol for imaging colloid-polymer mixtures during microchannel flow.     

A Colloidal Singularity Reveals the Crucial Role of Colloidal Stability for Nanomaterials In-Vitro Toxicity Testing: nZVI-Microalgae Colloidal System as a Case Study

Aggregation raises attention in Nanotoxicology due to its methodological implications. Aggregation is a physical symptom of a more general physicochemical condition of colloidal particles, namely, colloidal stability. Colloidal stability is a global indicator of the tendency of a system to reduce its net surface energy, which may be achieved by homo-aggregation or hetero-aggregation, including location at bio-interfaces. However, the role of colloidal stability as a driver of ENM bioactivity has received little consideration thus far. In the present work, which focuses on the toxicity of nanoscaled Fe° nanoparticles (nZVI) towards a model microalga, we demonstrate that colloidal stability is a fundamental driver of ENM bioactivity, comprehensively accounting for otherwise inexplicable differential biological effects. The present work throws light on basic aspects of Nanotoxicology, and reveals a key factor which may reconcile contradictory results on the influence of aggregation in bioactivity of ENMs.     

A review of the potential and versatility of colloidal gold cytochemical labeling for molecular morphology.

In the present article we review several postembedding cytochemical techniques using the colloidal gold marker. Owing to the high atomic number of gold, the colloidal gold particles are electron dense. They are spherical in shape and can be prepared in sizes from 1 to 25 nm, which renders this marker among the best for electron microscopy. In addition, because it can be bound to several molecules, this marker has the advantage of being extremely versatile. Combined to immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin-binding proteins (protein A), it has been applied successfully in immunocytochemistry. Colloidal gold particles 5-15 nm in size are excellent for postembedding cytochemistry. Particles of smaller size, such as 1 nm, must be silver enhanced to be visualized by transmission electron microscopy. We have elected to review the superiority of indirect immunocytochemical approaches using IgG-gold or protein A-gold (protein G-gold and protein AG-gold). Lectins or enzymes can be tagged with colloidal gold particles, and the corresponding lectin-gold and enzyme-gold techniques have specific advantages and great potential. Using an indirect digoxigenin-tagged nucleotide and an antidigoxigenin probe, colloidal gold technology can also be used for in situ hybridization at the electron microscope level. Affinity characteristics lie behind all cytochemical techniques and several molecules displaying high affinity properties can also be beneficial for colloidal gold electron microscopy cytochemistry. All of these techniques can be combined in various ways to produce multiple labelings of several binding sites on the same tissue section. Colloidal gold is particulate and can easily be counted; thus the cytochemical signal can be evaluated quantitatively, introducing further advantages to the use of the colloidal gold marker. Finally, several combinations and multiple step procedures have been designed to amplify the final signal which renders the techniques more sensitive. The approaches reviewed here have been applied successfully in different fields of cell and molecular biology, cell pathology, plant biology and pathology, microbiology and virology. The potential of the approaches is emphasized in addition to different ways to assess specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of results.     

A Review of the Potential and Versatility of Colloidal Gold Cytochemical Labeling for Molecular Morphology

In the present article we review several postembedding cytochemical techniques using the colloidal gold marker. Owing to the high atomic number of gold, the colloidal gold particles are electron dense. They are spherical in shape and can be prepared in sizes from 1 to 25 nm, which renders this marker among the best for electron microscopy. In addition, because it can be bound to several molecules, this marker has the advantage of being extremely versatile. Combined to immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin-binding proteins (protein A), it has been applied successfully in immunocytochemistry. Colloidal gold particles 5–15 nm in size are excellent for postembedding cytochemistry. Particles of smaller size, such as 1 nm, must be silver enhanced to be visualized by transmission electron microscopy. We have elected to review the superiority of indirect immunocytochemical approaches using IgG-gold or protein A-gold (protein G-gold and protein AG-gold). Lectins or enzymes can be tagged with colloidal gold particles, and the corresponding lectin-gold and enzyme-gold techniques have specific advantages and great potential. Using an indirect digoxigenin-tagged nucleotide and an antidigoxigenin probe, colloidal gold technology can also be used for in situ hybridization at the electron microscope level. Affinity characteristics lie behind all cytochemical techniques and several molecules displaying high affinity properties can also be beneficial for colloidal gold electron microscopy cytochemistry. All of these techniques can be combined in various ways to produce multiple labelings of several binding sites on the same tissue section. Colloidal gold is particulate and can easily be counted; thus the cytochemical signal can be evaluated quantitatively, introducing further advantages to the use of the colloidal gold marker. Finally, several combinations and multiple step procedures have been designed to amplify the final signal which renders the techniques more sensitive. The approaches reviewed here have been applied successfully in different fields of cell and molecular biology, cell pathology, plant biology and pathology, microbiology and virology. The potential of the approaches is emphasized in addition to different ways to assess specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of results.     

Zooming in on biological processes with fluorescence nanoscopy

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Highlights► Fluorescence nanoscopy can be used to decipher subcellular structures in biological systems. ► We review the underlying principles and biological application of STED, PALM, and STORM. ► For super-resolution imaging methods, there is a tradeoff between temporal and spatial resolution. ► Improving probe brightness and probe photostability are key factors for achieving higher resolution.     

Gold Nanostar Synthesis with a Silver Seed Mediated Growth Method

The physical, chemical and optical properties of nano-scale colloids depend on their material composition, size and shape ^1-5. There is a great interest in using nano-colloids for photo-thermal ablation, drug delivery and many other biomedical applications ⁶. Gold is particularly used because of its low toxicity ^7-9. A property of metal nano-colloids is that they can have a strong surface plasmon resonance ¹⁰. The peak of the surface plasmon resonance mode depends on the structure and composition of the metal nano-colloids. Since the surface plasmon resonance mode is stimulated with light there is a need to have the peak absorbance in the near infrared where biological tissue transmissivity is maximal ^{11, 12}.We present a method to synthesize star shaped colloidal gold, also known as star shaped nanoparticles ^13-15 or nanostars ¹⁶. This method is based on a solution containing silver seeds that are used as the nucleating agent for anisotropic growth of gold colloids ^17-22. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the resulting gold colloid showed that 70 % of the nanostructures were nanostars. The other 30 % of the particles were amorphous clusters of decahedra and rhomboids. The absorbance peak of the nanostars was detected to be in the near infrared (840 nm). Thus, our method produces gold nanostars suitable for biomedical applications, particularly for photo-thermal ablation.     

Membrane mobility and the Concanavalin A binding system of the plasmalemma of higher plant protoplasts

The binding of a colloidal gold-Concanavalin A (ConA) complex to the plasmalemma of tobacco leaf protoplasts has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy. At 5° C the particles of gold-ConA appear to be randomly distributed over the surface of the protoplast. If the temperature is raised, the particles associate into clusters. Saturation of the membrane with particles can only occur when the weight of ConA in solution exceeds 1 g/10⁴ protoplasts in suspension, and when its concentration exceeds 15 g/ml. These results are discussed in terms of the properties of the ConA binding site and the mobility of such sites within the membrane surface.Abbreviations ConA Concanavalin A - AuConA Colloidal gold-Concanavalin A complex     

A Flexible and Ultrahigh Energy Density Capacitor via Enhancing Surface/Interface of Carbon Cloth Supported Colloids

Pseudocapacitors are now reaching the energy density limits set by the surface redox reaction of their electrode materials, requiring new cation paradigms for a fast cation Faradaic reaction with high capacitance. In this work, a flexible and ultrahigh energy density capacitor is reported via enhancing surface/interface of active colloids and supported carbon cloth. A flexible asymmetrical capacitor assembled with Ni²⁺ colloidal cathode and Fe³⁺ colloidal anode displays a high energy density of 353 W h kg^?1 at the power density of 2250 W kg^?1, outperforming recent reported pseudocapacitors, and shows superior cycling stability after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles at current density of 30 A g^?1. This work demonstrates that the optimized surface/interface of carbon cloth and colloids can lead to the enhancement of both stability and activity of colloidal electrode.     

Adsorption of Copper and Cadmium by Cu- and Cd-Resistant Bacteria and Their Composites with Soil Colloids and Kaolinite

Abstract

Remediation of toxic metals by bacteria offers a relatively inexpensive and efficient way for the decontamination of soil and associated environments. The present study was carried out to investigate the surface characteristics, adsorption, and remobilization of Cd and Cu on bacteria and their composites with soil colloidal components, which are the most active constituents in soils. The bacterial strain NTG-01 (Enterobacter aerogenes), which was both Cd- and Cu-resistant, was isolated from a heavily Cu-contaminated soil of the mining area in Daye suburb of Hubei Province, China. Batch laboratory experiments with NTG-01 and soil colloids were performed to quantify adsorption of Cu and Cd. The surface area of kaolinite and the soil colloids from an Alfisol and Ultisol increased by 3.0–8.8% after the introduction of the bacteria. In the presence of bacterial cells, the negative charges of soil colloid systems increased and the positive charges decreased, shifting pH from 4.0 to 6.5. Our results demonstrate that bacteria promote the adsorption of Cd and Cu by kaolinite and soil colloid systems. However, the heavy metals bound by the bacterial composites could also be easily released by NH₄NO₃ and EDTA. Caution should be taken when using such bacterial strains in bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.     

Chemical colloids versus biological colloids: a comparative study for the elucidation of the mechanism of protein fiber formation

Fiber formation from murine serum amyloid A1 (SAA) was compared to the linear aggregation and fiber formation of colloidal gold particles. Here we report the similarities of these processes. Upon incubation with acetic acid, SAA misfolds and adopts a new conformation, which we termed saa. saa apparently is less soluble than SAA in aqueous solution; it aggregates and forms nucleation units and then fibers. The fibers appear as a string of the nucleation units. Additionally, an external electric field promotes saa fiber formation. These properties of saa are reminiscent of colloidal gold formation from gold ions and one-dimensional aggregation of the gold colloids. Colloidal gold particles were also found to be capable of aggregating one-dimensionally under an electric field or in the presence of polylysine. These gold fibers resembled in structure that of saa fibers. In summary, protein aggregation and formation of fibers appear to follow the generalized principles derived in colloidal science for the aggregation of atoms and molecules, including polymers such as polypeptides. The analysis of colloidal gold formation and of one-dimensional aggregation provides a simple model system for the elucidation of some aspects of protein fiber formation.     

Colloidal crystal-like structure of sporopollenin in the megaspore walls of Recent Selaginella and similar fossil spores

HEMSLEY, A. R., COLLINSON, M. E. & BRAIN, A. P. R., 1992. Colloidal crystal-like structure of sporopollenin in the megaspore walls of Recent Selaginella and similar fossil spores. TEM and SEM studies of iridescent fossil Erlansonisporites and Recent Selaginella spores reveal a wall composed of three regions. The central region consists of close-packed particles in a semi-crystalline arrangement. This organization is compared with that of aggregated Iridoviridae, prolamellar bodies, lipid micelles and precious opal. Our observations suggest that the structure of this wall region (and that of the remaining regions) can be explained by derivation from colloidal mixtures. It is concluded that colloids and their precursors may play a far more significant part in spore and pollen wall structure than was previously believed.     

Colloidal organic carbon and trace metal (Cd, Fe, and Zn) releases by diatom exudation and copepod grazing

Colloidal macromolecular organic compounds are important intermediaries between solution and particle phases and play a critical role in the biogeochemistry of trace metals and organic carbon. The releases of colloidal organic carbon and trace metals (Cd, Fe, and Zn) mediated by copepod grazing and decomposition, and direct diatom exudation, were examined using a radiotracer approach. The colloidal phase was operationally defined in this study as the size fraction between 5 kDa and 0.2 μm and the dissolved phase as the ≤0.2 μm filter passing phase. About 13-60% of dissolved carbon exuded by the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana was partitioned into the colloidal phase, and this fraction increased considerably as the diatom cells grew older. A lower fraction of dissolved ¹⁴C (12-23%) excreted by the copepods Acartia erythraea was detected in the colloidal phase compared to carcass (13-35%) and feces decomposition (21-34%). In contrast to carbon, a lower fraction of regenerated dissolved Cd (1-11%) and Zn (0-20%) from copepods and diatoms was consistently detected in the colloidal phases. Copepod excretion and carcass decomposition resulted in more colloidal Fe (51-91%) than diatom exudation (46-62% for Thalassiosira weissflogii, and 3-33% for T. pseudonana) and copepod feces decomposition (16-30%). Copepod (Calanus sinicus) grazing reduced the colloidal fraction of dissolved ¹⁴C, although a higher concentration of the diatom's (T. weissflogii) carbon was regenerated into the dissolved phase. The grazing of these copepods did not have any influence on the colloidal metal partitioning. The release of trace metals and carbon was enhanced by a higher density of copepod's grazing. Thus, different biological processes (grazing, excretion, exudation, and decomposition) may contribute differently to the production and dynamics of colloidal carbon and metals in planktonic systems.     

Solubility, absorption, and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of bismuth subnitrate and colloidal bismuth subcitrate: In vitro data Do not predict In vivo efficacy

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the dissolution, bioavailability, and anti– Helicobacter pylori activity of bismuth subnitrate and colloidal bismuth subcitrate. This could, first, provide insights into the mechanism of action of bismuth and, second, help to develop optimal therapeutic strategies.
Methods. Solubility and aquated size of bismuth species were determined in human gastric juice, while absorption into blood and urinary excretion of bismuth was determined in volunteers. Activity against H. pylori was determined in vitro in the presence and absence of antibiotics, while H. pylori eradication was compared in vivo.
Results. Bismuth from colloidal bismuth subcitrate was at least 10% soluble and ultrafilterable and was absorbed in volunteers (>0.5%), whereas that from bismuth subnitrate was insoluble and not absorbed (<0.01%). Colloidal bismuth subcitrate was active against H. pylori (mean inhibitory concentration, ≤12.5 μg/ml), while bismuth subnitrate was inactive (>400 μg/ml); neither was synergistic with antibiotics. With in vivo triple therapy, bismuth subnitrate was as effective as colloidal bismuth subcitrate in eradicating H. pylori (74% and 70% eradicated, respectively).
Conclusions. Colloidal bismuth subcitrate, unlike bismuth subnitrate, is partially soluble, absorbed in humans, and directly toxic to H. pylori in vitro. Surprisingly, however, these preparations had similar efficacy in vivo against H. pylori within triple therapy, suggesting that bismuth compounds may also exhibit indirect antimicrobial effects. We propose that this is an effect on the gastric mucus layer. Nonabsorbable bismuth compounds should be preferentially considered in bismuth-based therapies against H. pylori , as they would minimize toxicity while maintaining efficacy.     

Characterization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles imprinted for tyrosine by flow field-flow fractionation and spectrofluorimetric analysis

Films based on TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully used as sensing elements in chemical sensors. TiO₂ colloidal suspensions can be obtained by spontaneous hydrolysis in acidic solutions of Ti(IV) compounds. The obtained TiO₂ NPs can be employed to build up nanostructured films. With the purpose of preparing TiO₂-based nanostructured, imprinted materials as sensing elements for piezoelectric sensors, we obtained TiO₂ NP dispersions by hydrolyzing potassium titanyl oxalate in the presence of a target analyte (tyrosine). Since morphological properties of the synthesized NPs are known to influence the nanostructured film characteristics, an analytical strategy to characterize such colloidal systems can combine a size-based separation method with spectroscopic analysis to correlate the particle size distribution (PSD) with the particle-target interaction properties able to determine the sensing efficiency.In this work, we present the characterization of colloidal tyrosine-TiO₂ NP systems by flow field-flow fractionation (FlFFF) with online, UV/Vis absorption detection and offline fluorescence analysis. FlFFF eliminates the possible contribution of free tyrosine to the absorption and fluorescence properties of the NPs. FlFFF also fractionates NPs on a size basis. Particle size distribution (PSD) profiles of the fractionated NPs are then obtained by conversion of the multi-wavelength UV/Vis fractograms. Size of the fractionated NPs is finally related to fluorescence properties of the collected NPs fractions. Good correlation between the fluorescence intensity, which is proportional to the tyrosine uptake, and the FlFFF-based, NP mass-size frequency distribution finally confirms the existence of tyrosine-TiO₂ NP interaction.     

胶体纳米银对白假丝酵母菌的抑制作用

目的 探讨胶体纳米银对白假丝酵母菌的抑制作用。方法 以白假丝酵母菌为研究对象,采用倍比稀释及涂布法,检测胶体纳米银对白假丝酵母菌的抑制作用及影响因素。结果 化学纳米银及物理纳米银对白假丝酵母菌的最小抑菌浓度及最小杀菌浓度相同,分别为3.13 μg/mL和6.25 μg/mL。12.50 μg/mL的化学纳米银及物理纳米银可在5 min内完全杀死白假丝酵母菌。胶体纳米银的抑菌作用受到杀菌环境的影响,特别氯离子对胶体纳米银的杀菌作用有明显的影响。结论 胶体纳米银对白假丝酵母菌具有明显的抑菌作用,其抑制作用易受到氯离子及蛋白质的的影响。     

Analysis of colloidal gold probes by isoelectric focusing in agarose gels

Colloidal gold particles of different size (3-20 nm in diameter) were prepared by tannic acid-citrate and citrate reduction methods. From these colloids, different probes were prepared using sheep anti-rabbit antiserum, sheep anti-rabbit IgG, bovine serum albumin, polyethylene glycol, and protein A as the primary stabilizers and polyethylene glycol and/or bovine serum albumin as secondary and tertiary stabilizers, in different combinations. The probes were analyzed by isoelectric focusing in agarose gels, which allow the migration of particles in the size range 3-20 nm. (P. Sewer and S. J. Hayes, 1986, Anal. Biochem. 158, 72-78). Isoelectric focusing revealed that the surface charge of colloidal gold probes is dependent upon the size of the gold particle, the reduction method used, the primary ligand, and the pH at which this is adsorbed, as well as upon the secondary and tertiary stabilizers used. It is proposed that such differences in surface charge may underlie the different results which may sometimes be observed in colloidal gold labeling, especially when novel ligands are used.     

The quantitative variability and monosaccharide composition of sediment carbohydrates associated with intertidal diatom assemblages

The extracellular secretions of epipelic diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) axe an important source of carbohydrates on intertidal sediments. For analytical purposes, sediment carbohydrates have been operationally separated into colloidal and bulk fractions that are often assumed to be similar in their chemical properties. However, there has been little investigation into the nature of the two fractions. In this study, carbohydrate fractions were sampledin situ, isolated, purified and biochemically characterised using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both carbohydrate fractions were found to contain similar sugars although in different proportions. Glucose represented more than 80% of the monosaccharides identified in the colloidal carbohydrate fraction while only 37% of monosaccharides present in the bulk carbohydrate fraction. Colloidal carbohydrate concentrations showed short-term variability and were correlated with diatom biomass (as chlorophylla) suggesting the colloidal fraction is labile and may be of recent origin, perhaps representing diatom activity. Concentrations of the bulk carbohydrate fraction did not show significant short-term variation and was therefore more refractory. This combination of biochemical and field data suggested that the bulk and colloidal carbohydrate fractions were chemically and physically different. These findings have relevance to studies of estuarine carbon cycling.Abbreviations LTSEM Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy - GC-MS Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy - EPS Extracellular polymeric substances     

Liquid-Like Behavior in Solids

Abstract

The van der Waals approach to predict liquid-vapor coexistence, becomes exact in the limit of weak, long-ranged attractive forces. However, for shorter ranged attractions, the liquid range shrinks and eventually disappears altogether. When the width of the attractive well becomes very small (less than 7% of the diameter of particles), an iso-structural solid-solid transition, reminiscent of the liquid-vapor transition, appears in the crystalline phase. This transition, that should be experimentally observable in certain colloidal suspensions, ends in a critical point. In quasi-two dimensional systems (e.g. confined colloids), this critical point induces the formation of a stable hexatic phase.