Viscoelastic Properties of a Mixed Culture Biofilm from Rheometer Creep Analysis

The mechanical properties of mixed culture biofilms were determined by creep analysis using an AR1000 rotating disk rheometer. The biofilms were grown directly on the rheometer disks which were rotated in a chemostat for 12 d. The resulting biofilms were heterogeneous and ranged from 35?μm to 50?μm in thickness. The creep curves were all viscoelastic in nature. The close agreement between stress and strain ratio of a sample tested at 0.1 and 0.5 Pa suggested that the biofilms were tested in the linear viscoelastic range and supported the use of linear viscoelastic theory in the development of a constitutive law. The experimental data was fit to a 4-element Burger spring and dashpot model. The shear modulus (G) ranged from 0.2 to 24 Pa and the viscous coefficient (η) from 10 to 3000 Pa. These values were in the same range as those previously estimated from fluid shear deformation of biofilms in flow cells. A viscoelastic biofilm model will help to predict shear related biofilm phenomena such as elevated pressure drop, detachment, and the flow of biofilms over solid surfaces.     

Viscoelastic and light scattering studies on thermally induced sol to gel phase transition in fish myosin solutions

Viscoelastic (VE) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses of fish (white croaker) myosin solutions were performed at myosin concentrations of 30 mg/mL for VE and 0.1 mg/mL for DLS at 0.6M KCl and pH 7.0 to clarify thermally induced gelation. The hydrodynamic radius R(h) considerably decreased around 30-35 degrees C. The shear modulus G was constant below 25 degrees C and increased by incubating the sample at 30 degrees C. G further increased as the temperature of the incubated sample decreased. The curves of G vs T for different time courses showed a sharp peak around 35 degrees C and a moderate peak around 60 degrees C in the heating process, while a stepwise increase in G was observed around 30 degrees C in the cooling process when the temperature was elevated to not more than 60 degrees C. No distinct stepwise change was observed once the temperature of the sample exceeded 60 degrees C. The absolute value of G strongly depended on the maximum elevated temperature and the incubation time at that temperature. The corresponding behavior of the viscosity eta was observed for each time course. Based on these results, the mechanism of thermally induced gelation of myosin solutions is discussed in view of S-S bridge formation in the head and tail portions and unwinding/rewinding of coiled-coil alpha-helices in the tail portion.     

Effects of Pulsed Electric Field on the Viscoelastic Properties of Potato Tissue

We have investigated whether transient permeabilization caused by the application of pulsed electric field would give rise to transient changes in the potato tissue viscoelastic properties. Potato tissue was subjected to nominal field strengths (E) ranging from 30 to 500 V/cm, with a single rectangular pulse of 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁴, or 10⁻³ s. The changes on the viscoelastic properties of potato tissue during pulsed electric fields (PEF) were monitored through small amplitude oscillatory dynamic rheological measurements. The elastic (G′) and viscous moduli (G″) were measured every 30 s after the delivery of the pulse and the loss tangent change (tan-δ) was calculated. The results were correlated with measurements of changes on electrical resistance during the delivery of the pulse. Results show a drastic increase of tan-δ in the first 30 s after the application of the pulse, followed by a decrease 1 min after pulsation. This response is strongly influenced by pulsing conditions and is independent of the total permeabilization achieved by the pulse. Our results, supported by similar measurements on osmotically dehydrated control samples, clearly show that PEF causes a rapid change of the viscoelastic properties of the tissue that could be attributed to a partial loss in turgor pressure. This would be an expected consequence of electroporation. The recovery of tan-δ to values similar to those before pulsation strongly suggests recovery of cell membrane properties and turgor, pointing at reversible permeabilization of the cells. A slight increase of stiffness traduced by a negative change of tan-δ after application of certain PEF conditions may also give an indication of events occurring on cell wall structure due to stress responses. This study set the basis for further investigations on the complex cell stress physiology involving both cell membrane functional properties and cell wall structure that would influence tissue physical properties upon PEF application.     

碱性成纤维生长因子（bFGF）对软骨生物学的影响

bFGF的生物学作用极其广泛,特别在促进创伤愈合与组织修复、组织再生起着十分重要的作用,它作为重要的有丝分裂促进因子,可传递发育的信号促进软骨细胞分裂,同时也是软骨细胞形态发生和分化的诱导因子,参与软骨的生长发育和组织损伤修复过程,特别是在软骨细胞的增殖分化起到重要作用,在解决软骨工程中面临的问题以及治疗骨关节炎等研究中具有的参考意义。本文对bFGF对软骨的分化、增殖、凋亡等不同生物学阶段的影响作用做一个综述。     

碱性成纤维生长因子(bFGF)对软骨生物学的影响

bFGF的生物学作用极其广泛,特别在促进创伤愈合与组织修复、组织再生起着十分重要的作用,它作为重要的有丝分裂促进因子,可传递发育的信号促进软骨细胞分裂,同时也是软骨细胞形态发生和分化的诱导因子,参与软骨的生长发育和组织损伤修复过程,特别是在软骨细胞的增殖分化起到重要作用,在解决软骨工程中面临的问题以及治疗骨关节炎等研究中具有的参考意义。本文对bFGF对软骨的分化、增殖、凋亡等不同生物学阶段的影响作用做一个综述。     

Study on Biotribological Behavior of the Combined Joint of CoCrMo and UHMWPE/BHA Composite in a Hip Joint Simulator

UHMWPE composites reinforced with Bovine Bone Hydroxyapatite(BHA)in different contents were prepared by heatpressing formation method.A hip joint wear simulator was used to investigate the biotribological behavior of UHMWPE/BHAcomposite acetabular cups against CoCrMo alloy femoral heads in bovine synovia lubrication at 37±1 ℃.It was found that theaddition of BHA powder to UHMWPE can improve the hardness and creep modulus of UHMWPE/BHA composites,anddecrease their wear rates under bovine synovia lubrication.When the content of BHA filler particles was up to 30 wt%,UHMWPE/BHA composites demonstrated the well design performances of the surface and biotribological properties.Fatigue,ploughing and slight adhesive wear were the main wear mechanisms for UHMWPE and its composites.In addition,the sizes ofwear particles became larger with an increase in BHA powder addition.These results suggest that BHA filler is a desirablecomponent to increase the wear resistance of UHMWPE/BHA composites for biomedical applications.     

超声波对猪胰脂肪酶催化活性影响的机理研究

猪胰脂肪酶(porcine pancreas Lipase,PPL)反应系统经适宜参数的超声波处理,催化活性提高了11.22%～24.42%。PPL经超声波处理后,其动力学参数Km和Vmax都变小,酶分子的紫外吸收光谱不变,荧光发射光谱不变。而酶分子经超声波处理后,其紫外差示光谱出现了明显的正峰或负峰。探讨了超声波影响PPL活性的作用机理。     

柑桔锈螨种群动态研究

在桔柑园中设置观察区和防治区,对桔柑锈螨Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead种群消长动态进行2周年（1999－2000年）观察。了解桔柑诱螨种群消长规律;年度间的种群变化;桔柑叶、果上锈螨群体动态差异;锈螨发生量与锈果率的关系等。提出药物防治的最适时期及方法。     

Investigation of the Effects of Hydroalcoholic Solutions on Textural and Rheological Properties of Various Controlled Release Grades of Hypromellose

Hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, HPMC) matrices are widely used in the formulation of sustained release dosage forms. The integrity and performance of an HPMC matrix formulation depends on rapid hydration and gel formation upon ingestion. Due to the recent alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration regarding the potential negative influence of alcoholic beverages on extended release (ER) formulations, several researchers have evaluated the potential influence of hydroalcoholic media on drug release from ER dosage forms. It has been reported that HPMC matrix formulations do not show “dose dumping” in hydroalcoholic media. The purpose of this study was a fundamental investigation on the effect of hydroalcoholic solutions (0–40% v/v ethanol) on textural and rheological properties of different viscosity grades of neat HPMC, as the functional ingredient within a hydrophilic matrix. In general, hydroalcoholic solutions had little effect on gel formation and mechanical properties of hydrated compacts, while the rheological behavior of HPMC showed dependency on the ethanol content of such solutions.     

A computational model for dynamic analysis of the human gait

Biomechanical models are important tools in the study of human motion. This work proposes a computational model to analyse the dynamics of lower limb motion using a kinematic chain to represent the body segments and rotational joints linked by viscoelastic elements. The model uses anthropometric parameters, ground reaction forces and joint Cardan angles from subjects to analyse lower limb motion during the gait. The model allows evaluating these data in each body plane. Six healthy subjects walked on a treadmill to record the kinematic and kinetic data. In addition, anthropometric parameters were recorded to construct the model. The viscoelastic parameter values were fitted for the model joints (hip, knee and ankle). The proposed model demonstrated that manipulating the viscoelastic parameters between the body segments could fit the amplitudes and frequencies of motion. The data collected in this work have viscoelastic parameter values that follow a normal distribution, indicating that these values are directly related to the gait pattern. To validate the model, we used the values of the joint angles to perform a comparison between the model results and previously published data. The model results show a same pattern and range of values found in the literature for the human gait motion.     

Structure and Conformational Properties of the HIVThailand gp120 Immunodominant Epitope

NMR data and the previously developed theoretical method were used to determine the three-dimensional structure of the immunodominant epitope (IDE) of the HIV_Thailand protein gp120. The best energy IDE conformers consistent with the theoretical and experimental data were calculated, and their ensemble was shown to give rise to the main chain folds found earlier in examining the HIV_MN IDE structure. The gp120 IDE is supposed to behave as a metastable oligopeptide that, depending on the microenvironment, largely assumes one of the conformations from the ensemble. The results are discussed in the light of literature data on HIV-1 IDE structure.     

PLGA的不同组成对支架材料性能的影响研究

研究PLGA的不同组成对支架材料的力学性能、降解性能和生物学性能的影响。采用溶液浇注/颗粒沥取法制备出不同组成的PLGA多孔支架,对支架的力学性能和降解速率进行考察,同时将人真皮成纤维细胞接种于不同组成的PLGA支架材料上,培养不同时间后,检测细胞的粘附率和增殖率,以及细胞产生的总胶原含量,并通过扫描电镜观察支架上的细胞形态。结果显示,随PLA比例的增加,支架的力学强度增加,降解速率降低,但都不是线性变化。70:30比例的支架,拉伸强度最高,而70:30和80:20两种比例的支架,其降解速率没有显著性差异。PLGA不同组成的支架,均具有良好的细胞相容性,成纤维细胞粘附率和增殖率在三种比例的支架上没有显著性差异,细胞在支架表面生长良好,分泌大量的细胞外基质,细胞基本铺满整个支架。本文研究发现,PLGA的组成对支架力学性能、降解性能和生物学性能有细小但显著的影响,这将对组织构建选用PLGA支架材料提供有益的帮助。     

机械拉伸下人肺上皮细胞增殖及整联蛋白再分布

应用体外周期性拉伸装置研究机械拉伸对人肺上皮细胞A5 4 9增殖及其膜表面受体———整联蛋白α5、β1再分布的调控作用。结果表明 :在应变为 15 % ,频率为 2 0次 /min、4 0次 /min的拉伸刺激下 ,4 8h后 ,应用流式细胞技术检测细胞的增殖活性指数明显降低 ,A5 4 9细胞的DNA合成受到显著抑制。在 4 0次 /min的拉伸频率下 ,整联蛋白α5、β1的分布发生重组并向基底层转移 ,形成局部粘附连接。研究表明 :整联蛋白α5、β1可能在肺上皮细胞感应机械应力过程中起了重要的作用。     

Effects of sodium chloride,guanidine hydrochloride,and sucrose on the viscoelastic properties of sodium hyaluronate solutions

Effects of sodium chloride (NaCl), guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), or sucrose on the viscoelasticity of sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) solutions were studied. NaCl and GuHCl decreased both storage and loss moduli, while sucrose increased both moduli. The critical concentration C* was determined as an inflection point in the plot of zero shear specific viscosity vs concentration for NaHA solutions with and without NaCl, GuHCl, or sucrose. It is suggested that sodium ions or guanidinium ions shield the electrostatic repulsion of NaHA molecules, hence reduce the coil dimension, and C* shifted to higher concentrations. However, sucrose enhances the entanglement coupling between NaHA molecules and retards the disentanglement of molecular chains or promotes to create hydrogen bonds, and then C* for NaHA solutions with sucrose shifts to lower concentrations. This is in agreement with the results of light scattering measurements in the presence of 0.2M NaCl. Both the radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius of NaHA were reduced in dilute solutions by the addition of sucrose, and added sucrose enhances the interaction between NaHA monomer units. In the case of concentrated NaHA solution, such interactions result to increase the storage and loss moduli because of the enhancement of temporary network formation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 50: 23–34, 1999     

人类活动对普氏原羚分布的影响

根据卫星遥感（ＴＭ）影像与野外——ＧＰＳ（全球定位系统）定位的实地考察资料,结合数字化的地形图、植被图与土地利用图、交通图,利用地理信息系统软件——生态信息系统（ＥＩＳ）建立了地理信息系统模型,采用生境评价方法ＨＥＰ就人类活动对青海湖地区普氏原羚生境的影响进行了分析。影响普氏原羚生境适合度的因素主要为基质类型、坡度、水源远近、植被类型与人类活动。当不考虑人类活动影响时,普氏原羚活动区的面积为７９５５ｋｍ ２,最佳生境为典型草原,其次为灌丛沙地,折合适宜生境面积４６６４ｋｍ ２。由于交通、居民点、农业用地等土地利用的影响,普氏原羚仅分布在草地沙地边缘,其适宜分布区迅速减小,生境的适合度等级出现明显变化,最适生境缺损,折合最适生境面积５１１ｋｍ ２。只占原来适合生境面积１１％ 。典型草原围栏与人为放牧影响,普氏原羚实际分布区面积只有３５０ｋｍ ２,讨论了普氏原羚的保护对策。     

Using Viscoelastic Properties of the Woody Tissue from Tobacco Plants (Nicotiana tabacum) to Comment on the Molecular Structure of Cell Walls

Lignin in the cell walls of woody tissue has a much lower crosslinkdensity in tobacco wood than in tree wood. This causes tobaccowood to show very different viscoelastic behaviour. With theaid of genetically modified plants, it is shown that the ligninin tobacco plant cell walls behaves in much the same way asa polymer solution. It exhibits both rate stiffening and ratethinning behaviour due to the entangled nature of the ligninnetworks. The hydrophobic portions of lignin have a very lowpolymer chain crosslink density, hence entanglements make asignificant contribution.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Tobacco plants, lignin, polymer solution, shear thinning, stress relaxation.     

机械伤害和外施茉莉酸对巴西橡胶树次生乳管分化的局部效应及其与茉莉酸分布的关系

采用同位素示踪技术和实验形态学的方法揭示茉莉酸在木本植物巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis Mull.Arg.)中的分布和运输的特点,并分析其与机械伤害和外施茉莉酸对巴西橡胶树次生乳管分化的诱导效应之间的关系.外施的茉莉酸进入体内后,在较长时间内大部分集中在施用部位.机械伤害阻止外施的茉莉酸进入体内,同时,又使进入的茉莉酸阻滞在受伤部位的附近.与茉莉酸在草本植物中可以向上和向下运输的情况不同,茉莉酸在木本植物巴西橡胶树中主要是向下运输的.机械伤害和外施茉莉酸对巴西橡胶树次生乳管分化的诱导效应是局部的,只在受伤和施用茉莉酸部位的树皮中诱导次生乳管的形成.机械伤害削弱外源茉莉酸对次生乳管分化的诱导效应,这与机械伤害阻止外源茉莉酸进入有关.研究结果表明,体内高水平的茉莉酸是诱导巴西橡胶树次生乳管分化所必需的.     

NMR studies on the flexibility of nucleoside diphosphate kinase

Human NDP kinase B, product of the nm23-H2 gene, binds DNA. It has been suggested that a helix hairpin on the protein surface, part of the nucleotide substrate binding site, could accommodate DNA binding by swinging away. The presence of flexible regions was therefore investigated by ¹H NMR dynamic filtering. Although TOCSY peaks could be assigned to five residues at the N terminus of Dictyostelium NDP kinase, no flexible region was detected in the human enzyme. These data favor the idea that the protein offers different binding sites to mono- and polynucleotides. Proteins 28:150–152, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.