Adhesion forces measured at the level of a terminal plate of the fly's seta

The attachment pads of fly legs are covered with setae, each ending in small terminal plates coated with secretory fluid. A cluster of these terminal plates contacting a substrate surface generates strong attractive forces that hold the insect on smooth surfaces. Previous research assumed that cohesive forces and molecular adhesion were involved in the fly attachment mechanism. The main elements that contribute to the overall attachment force, however, remained unknown. Multiple local force-volume measurements were performed on individual terminal plates by using atomic force microscopy. It was shown that the geometry of a single terminal plate had a higher border and considerably lower centre. Local adhesion was approximately twice as strong in the centre of the plate as on its border. Adhesion of fly footprints on a glass surface, recorded within 20 min after preparation, was similar to adhesion in the centre of a single attachment pad. Adhesion strongly decreased with decreasing volume of footprint fluid, indicating that the layer of pad secretion covering the terminal plates is crucial for the generation of a strong attractive force. Our data provide the first direct evidence that, in addition to Van der Waals and Coulomb forces, attractive capillary forces, mediated by pad secretion, are a critical factor in the fly's attachment mechanism.     

Microfluidic cartridges preloaded with nanoliter plugs of reagents: an alternative to 96-well plates for screening

In traditional screening with 96-well plates, microliters of substrates are consumed for each reaction. Further miniaturization is limited by the special equipment and techniques required to dispense nanoliter volumes of fluid. Plug-based microfluidics confines reagents in nanoliter plugs (droplets surrounded by fluorinated carrier fluid), and uses simple pumps to control the flow of plugs. By using cartridges pre-loaded with nanoliter plugs of reagents, only two pumps and a merging junction are needed to set up a screen. Screening with preloaded cartridges uses only nanoliters of substrate per reaction, and requires no microfabrication. The low cost and simplicity of this method has the potential of replacing 96-well and other multi-well plates, and has been applied to enzymatic assays, protein crystallization and optimization of organic reactions.     

Biochemical and binding characteristics of boar epididymal fluid proteins

During the passage through the epididymis, testicular spermatozoa are directly exposed to epididymal fluid and undergo maturation. Proteins and glycoproteins of epididymal fluid may be adsorbed on the sperm surface and participate in the sperm maturation process, potentially in sperm capacitation, gamete recognition, binding and fusion. In present study, we separated proteins from boar epididymal fluid and tested their binding abilities. Boar epididymal fluid proteins were separated by size exclusion chromatography and by high-performance liquid chromatography with reverse phase (RP HPLC). The protein fractions were characterized by SDS-electrophoresis and the electrophoretic separated proteins after transfer to nitrocellulose membranes were tested for the interaction with biotin-labeled ligands: glycoproteins of zona pellucida (ZP), hyaluronic acid and heparin. Simultaneously, changes in the interaction of epididymal spermatozoa with biotin-labeled ligands after pre-incubation with epididymal fluid fractions were studied on microtiter plates by the ELBA (enzyme-linked binding assay) test. The affinity of some low-molecular-mass epididymal proteins (12-17 kDa and 23 kDa) to heparin and hyaluronic acid suggests their binding ability to oviductal proteoglycans of the porcine oviduct and a possible role during sperm capacitation. Epididymal proteins of 12-18 kDa interacted with ZP glycoproteins. One of them was identified as Crisp3-like protein. The method using microtiter plates showed the ability of epididymal fluid fractions to change the interaction of the epididymal sperm surface with biotin-labeled ligands (ZP glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid and heparin). These findings indicate that some epididymal fluid proteins are bound to the sperm surface during epididymal maturation and might play a role in the sperm capacitation or the sperm-zona pellucida binding.     

The Maintenance of Discrete Bacterial Colonies on the Surface of Objects Embedded in Agar

Summary: Bacterial colonies grown on objects embedded in agar sometimes show a tendency to become confluent. Glass coverslips and polytetrafluorethylene (Teflon) discs were inoculated with Staphylococcus lactis and completely embedded in serum agar. If the surface of the agar were flooded with broth before the plates were incubated the colonies had a tendency to run together, but not if the plates were incubated after thorough drying. Drying also prevented confluence occurring when broth had been injected on to the surface of the embedded object. Drying the poured plate probably acts by removing fluid squeezed out at the interface.     

A new fluid distribution system for scale-flexible expanded bed adsorption

A new fluid distribution system designed for expanded bed adsorption was introduced and studied in a 150-cm diameter column. Based on fluid application through a rotating distributor, it eradicates the need for perforated plates, meshes, or local mixers. The effect of rotation rate on column performance was examined by fluidizing a 30-cm high bed of supports with tap water and introducing pulses of dye or acetone tracer. Linear bed expansion was seen as the superficial fluid velocity was raised from 170 x h(-1) to 450 cm x h(-1) (3000 L x h(-1) to 8000 L x h(-1)), and there was little change in expansion characteristics as distributor rotation rate was increased from 2.5 to 10 rpm. The distributor was observed to generate a flow pattern suitable for expanded bed adsorption when the supports were fluidized at a superficial fluid velocity of 283 cm center dot h(-1) and dye pulses introduced. At a rotation rate of 2.5 rpm, no significant dead zones were observed, and a discrete band was formed that moved up through the bed. Furthermore, the pattern of dye movement could be used to calculate interstitial linear fluid velocities of 460 cm x h(-1) and 572 cm x h(-1) at the column wall and center, respectively, indicating a parabolic flow profile. The distributor rotation rate giving the best operating conditions was found to be 2.5 rpm when the bed was fluidized at a flow velocity of 283 cm x h(-1) and the residence time distribution of acetone tracer examined. Under these conditions, the coefficient of axial dispersion was 6.1 x 10(-6) m(2) x s(-1) and 29 theoretical plates were measured. When the rotation rate was raised to 10 rpm, the coefficient of axial dispersion increased to 8.08 x 10(-6) m(2) x s(-1) and the number of theoretical plates decreased to 22.     

Selection, differentiation and counting of haemolytic Listeria spp. on PALCAM medium

An agar overlay containing sheep erythrocytes and the supernatant fluid of a blood culture of Staphylococcus aureus , poured onto inoculated PALCAM agar plates, allows a reliable visual reading of haemolysis. The method gave up to 95% recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from raw food samples.     

Oxygen transfer in a pulse bioreactor

Oxygen transfer in a novel pulse bioreactor has been evaluated. The agitator consists of a series of alternately fixed and movable parallel plates mounted so that the movable plates vibrate at 30 Hz causing a pulsating fluid motion. Pure oxygen, at pressures up to 5 atm, diffuses through silicone rubber tubing that also vibrates at 30 or 60 Hz. The main feature of this bioreactor is high oxygen transfer with low shear to prevent damage to fragile animal cell membranes. We estimate that sufficient oxygen can be supplied to support over 10(8) cells/mL of human diploid foreskin cells growing on microcarriers. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Complex formation of platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa with the fibrinogen D domain

Glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) and glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) form a macromolecular complex on the activated platelet surface which contains the fibrinogen-binding site necessary for normal platelet aggregation. To identify the specific region of the fibrinogen molecule responsible for its interaction with the GPIIb-GPIIIa complex, purified fragment D1 (Mr = 100,000) and fragment E (Mr = 50,000) were prepared from plasmin digests of purified human fibrinogen. In addition, the polypeptide chain subunits A alpha, B beta, and gamma of fibrinogen were prepared. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay we have demonstrated that isolated fragment D1 in a solid phase system forms a complex with a mixture of GPIIb and GPIIIa. The binding of the GPIIb-GPIIIa mixture to fragment D1-coated plates reached saturation at 8 nM and to fibrinogen-coated plates at 24 nM. Isolated A alpha, B beta, and gamma chains were not reactive with added glycoproteins. Fragment E coated directly on plastic plates or immobilized on antibody-coated plastic plates did not form a complex with GPIIb-GPIIIa. Only fluid phase fibrinogen and fragment D1 but not fragment E were inhibitory toward formation of a complex between solid phase fibrinogen and GPIIb-GPIIIa. Isolated A alpha, B beta, and gamma chains at concentrations equivalent to fluid phase fibrinogen were inactive. Binding of fragment D1 but not fragment E to the GPIIb-GPIIIa complex was also demonstrated by rocket immunoelectrophoresis of the membrane glycoprotein mixture through a gel containing the individual fragments and subsequent autoradiography of the complex following exposure to 125I-anti-fibrinogen. These observations with isolated platelet membrane glycoproteins provide strong evidence that each of the D domains of the fibrinogen molecule interacts directly with the GPIIb-GPIIIa complex on the activated platelet surface, thus allowing formation of a tertiary molecular "bridge" across the surface of two adjacent activated platelets.     

Protein B: a versatile bacterial Fc-binding protein selective for human IgA

Protein B, a selective bacterial IgA Fc-binding protein isolated from group B streptococci, has been used to quantify fluid phase and immobilized human IgA. Protein B detects both human IgA1 and IgA2 subclasses and is also reactive with secretory IgA. Protein B can be used immobilized to microtiter plates to capture IgA or following biotinylation as a tracer for fluid phase or immobilized human IgA. The studies presented here suggest protein B will prove to be a valuable reagent for quantitative immunochemical procedures involving human IgA antibodies and facilitate a variety of studies of IgA responses in man.     

Convective diffusion in parallel flow fields

Laminar motion of two viscous incompressible fluids through each other is treated for two cases: flow along the axis of a circular cylinder, and flow between parallel flat plates. Motion of either fluid entails that of the other. Regarding one fluid as a solvent, the other as a solute, and supposing the system to have ends impermeable to the former, it is found that the solvent streams with the solute down the center of the system, to return in the opposite direction out nearer the walls. Thus diffusion of a dissolved substance through a region in which the solvent is confined produces continual streaming in the latter.     

Development and application of competitive ELISA assays for rat LH and FSH

Rat LH (rLH) and FSH (rFSH) were measured by sensitive and specific competition ELISAs. The rat LH ELISA used rLH-I-9 coated plates, an antiserum against rLH and an antibody against rabbit IgG labeled with peroxidase. Using rLH-RP-3 as a standard, rat LH was determined by binding of the anti-LH antibody to rLH-I-9 coated plates. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.8 ng/mL. Similarly, the rat FSH-ELISA used rFSH-I-8 coated plates, an antiserum against rFSH and an antibody against rabbit IgG labeled with peroxidase. Using rFSH-RP-3 as a standard, the FSH-ELISA was also determined by binding of the anti-FSH antibody to rFSH-I-8 coated plates. The sensitivity of this assay was 1.25 ng/mL. Both rat LH and FSH ELISA assays are highly specific and provide accurate determination of gonadotrophins in buffers, sera, cell culture media, and anterior pituitary extracts. These assays were used for monitoring the gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF) and inhibin activities present in human follicular fluid (hFF). The 2 new ELISA procedures have practical advantages (safety, convenience, economy) over the RIA methods, and they perform as well as the RIA techniques at the same range of concentrations.     

An analysis of the unconfined compression of articular cartilage

Analytical solutions have been obtained for the internal deformation and fluid-flow fields and the externally observable creep, stress relaxation, and constant strain-rate behaviors which occur during the unconfined compression of a cylindrical specimen of a fluid-filled, porous, elastic solid, such as articular cartilage, between smooth, impermeable plates. Instantaneously, the "biphasic" continuum deforms without change in volume and behaves like an incompressible elastic solid of the same shear modulus. Radial fluid flow then allows the internal fluid pressure to equilibrate with the external environment. The equilibrium response is controlled by the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the solid matrix.     

Dynamic shear stress in parallel-plate flow chambers

An in vitro model using a parallel-plate fluid flow chamber is supposed to simulate in vivo fluid shear stresses on various cell types exposed to dynamic fluid flow in their physiological environment. The metabolic response of cells in vitro is associated with the wall shear stress. However, parallel-plate flow chambers have not been characterized for dynamic fluid flow experiments. We use a dimensionless ratio h / lambda(v), in determining the exact magnitude of the dynamic wall shear stress, with its oscillating components scaled by a shear factor T. It is shown that, in order to expose cells to predictable levels of dynamic fluid shear stress, two conditions have to be met: (1) h / lambda(v) < 2, where h is the distance between the plates and lambda(v) is the viscous penetration depth; and (2) f(0) < f(c) / m, where the critical frequency f(c) is the upper threshold for this flow regime, m is the highest harmonic mode of the flow, and f(0) is the fundamental frequency of fluid flow.     

On Computations for Thermal Radiation in MHD Channel Flow with Heat and Mass Transfer

This study examines the simultaneous effects of heat and mass transfer on the three-dimensional boundary layer flow of viscous fluid between two infinite parallel plates. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and thermal radiation effects are present. The governing problems are first modeled and then solved by homotopy analysis method (HAM). Influence of several embedded parameters on the velocity, concentration and temperature fields are described.     

96-well microtiter plates for biofouling simulation in biomedical settings

Microtiter plates with 96 wells are routinely used in biofilm research mainly because they enable high-throughput assays. These platforms are used in a variety of conditions ranging from static to dynamic operation using different shaking frequencies and orbital diameters. The main goals of this work were to assess the influence of nutrient concentration and flow conditions on biofilm formation by Escherichia coli in microtiter plates and to define the operational conditions to be used in order to simulate relevant biomedical scenarios. Assays were performed in static mode and in incubators with distinct orbital diameters using different concentrations of glucose, peptone and yeast extract. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the flow inside the wells for shaking frequencies ranging from 50 to 200?rpm and orbital diameters from 25 to 100?mm. Higher glucose concentrations enhanced adhesion of E. coli in the first 24?h, but variation in peptone and yeast extract concentration had no significant impact on biofilm formation. Numerical simulations indicate that 96-well microtiter plates can be used to simulate a variety of biomedical scenarios if the operating conditions are carefully set.     

鲍曼不动杆菌临床菌株生物膜形成能力的研究

目的对鲍曼不动杆菌临床菌株的生物膜形成能力进行对比研究,并分析生物膜形成的一些可能的影响因素。方法利用在聚苯乙烯板上构建生物膜的技术对51株全耐药的鲍曼不动杆菌的生物膜形成能力进行检测,同时对分离自下呼吸道和无菌体液的各20株鲍曼不动杆菌的生物膜形成能力进行研究,然后对新近报道的鲍曼不动杆菌生物膜形成相关基因abaI在所有菌株中的分布情况进行检测。结果 51株全耐药的鲍曼不动杆菌中35株(68.6%)可以形成生物膜,并且形成生物膜的能力较强。50%(10/20)分离自下呼吸道的鲍曼不动杆菌能够形成生物膜,20株无菌体液中分离的菌株仅有1株可以形成生物膜。78.0%(71/91)鲍曼不动杆菌中abaI基因扩增阳性。结论分离自下呼吸道的鲍曼不动杆菌临床菌株有较强的生物膜形成能力,abaI基因广泛存在于鲍曼不动杆菌临床菌株中。临床在治疗鲍曼不动杆菌感染的同时需要考虑其在感染部位形成生物膜的因素,可能在治疗的同时有必要加入一些对生物膜有穿透性的药物。     

A novel in vitro loading system to produce supraphysiologic oscillatory fluid shear stress

A multi-well fluid loading (MFL) system was developed to deliver oscillatory subphysiologic to supraphysiologic fluid shear stresses to cell monolayers in vitro using standard multi-well culture plates. Computational fluid dynamics modeling with fluid-structure interactions was used to quantify the squeeze film fluid flow between an axially displaced piston and the well plate surface. Adjusting the cone angle of the piston base modulated the fluid pressure, velocity, and shear stress magnitudes. Modeling results showed that there was near uniform fluid shear stress across the well with a linear drop in pressure across the radius of the well. Using the MFL system, RAW 264.7 osteoclastic cells were exposed to oscillatory fluid shear stresses of 0, 0.5, 1.5, 4, 6, and 17 Pa. Cells were loaded 1 h per day at 1 Hz for two days. Compared to sub-physiologic and physiologic levels, supraphysiologic oscillatory fluid shear induced upregulation of osteoclastic activity as measured by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and formation of mineral resorption pits. Cell number remained constant across all treatment groups.     

Pectinolytic activity of Saccharomyces fragilis cultured in controlled environments

Seven of 30 yeast stock cultures, covering nine genera, and 13 of 39 yeasts isolated from grapes gave positive reactions when screened for pectinolytic activity on pectin gel plates. The seven stock cultures covered six species and four genera. Only one of the yeasts, Saccharomyces fragilis Y49, excreted discernible pectinolytic activity into the fluid of shake flask cultures; the activity was partially constitutive and was repressed by high oxygen tensions.     

Fine structure of the triturating devices in the food pump of Notonecta (Heteroptera: Notonectidae)

The cibarial food pump of heteropteran insects conveys fluid food from the piercing stylets to the pharynx. In aquatic Heteroptera the pump also grinds and filters particulate matter in the food stream. The pump's sclerotized triturating devices differ from one family to the next and are often quite elaborate: because of their small size they are best studied by means of the scanning electron microscope. In Notonecta the main triturating devices occur on the transverse plates of the epipharyngeal roof of the pump. They consist of a complex anterior zone with raised nodes and bifurcating longitudinal ridges, and a simpler posterior zone with small nodules. Additional triturating surfaces occur on the hypopharyngeal floor of the pump. The oblique folds of the epipharynx, which lie anterior to the transverse plates, play only an accessory role. The fine structure of the grinding surfaces on the transverse plates of Gelastocoris (Gelastocoridae), Ambrysus (Naucoridae), and Aphelocheirus (Aphelocheiridae) is here briefly described and compared with that of Notonecta.     

Beta-endorphin administered into the lateral ventricle of the brain causes pulmonary platelet trapping in rabbits

Human beta-endorphin was injected into the cerebrospinal fluid in rabbits by means of a needle inserted into the lateral ventricle of the brain. Control rabbits received an equal amount of saline. beta-Endorphin induced a significant pulmonary platelet trapping compared to control. beta-Endorphin had no effect on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, platelet aggregability ex vivo or fibrinolytic activity (fibrinolytic plates). The plasma activity of antithrombin III, kallikrein-like activity and kallikrein inhibitor determined by means of chromogenic substrates was not influenced by beta-endorphin.