ADVANCED MICROSTRUCTURAL INSIGHTS INTO BENTONITE-BASED ANTIBACTERIAL NANOCOATINGS FOR SURGICAL MESH APPLICATIONS

The aim of this article is to summarize and update, through an integrated analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after osmium-dimethyl sulfoxide-osmium (ODO) maceration, the studies of our research group on the morphodynamics of oocyte-follicle cell associations during follicle development in humans. In resting oocytes, follicular cells project few and short cytoplasmic processes in the perioocytic space. They often form bulbous terminals very close to the oolemma where zonulae adherentes, maculae adherentes, and gap junctions are present. The oolemma mostly appears smooth with short and scanty microvilli. In early growing follicles, follicular cell projections appear as (a) long and tortuous microvilli or (b) large and short extensions. The oolemma shows numerous short microvilli. By TEM, long and thin follicular "intraooplasmic processes" have been seen to penetrate deeply into some oolemma invaginations. In macerated samples, they are observed by SEM to come very close to the nucleus and contact different oocyte organelles. These processes are more likely involved in early oocyte growth. In late growing follicles, oocyte-somatic cell interactions-now established through the interposition of the zona pellucida (ZP)-preserve the general features of early growth stage, with the exceptions of "intraooplasmic processes," which are no more present. In mature follicles subjected to a long ODO maceration, corona cells appear to contact the oocyte through an apical plume of numerous very long "curly hair-like microvilli." Corona cell microvilli, quite likely provide a sort of cytoplasmic skeleton for the ZP and they are possibly involved in (a) release of nutrients or removal catabolites to/from oocyte and vice versa and (b) transfer of substances to build up ZP. In conclusion, among oocyte and somatic cells a structural and functional association is revealed. This association, certainly highly dynamic in vivo, plays a key role in regulating the healthy folliculogenesis to assure a correct and timed oocyte maturation and ovulation.

Morphodynamics of oocyte follicle cells association during the development of human ovarian follicles were studied by transmission electron microscopy and high resolution scanning electron microscopy including the ODO method. For this study primordial, primary, growing preantral and antral follicles were systematically analysed in a total of 20 adult and fetal (3-8 months and at term) ovaries. In early stages of follicle development (primordial and primary stages) the flattened and/or polyhedral cells, closely associated with the growing oocyte, project an increasing number of microvillous processes. These are in apposition with the oolemma, and form bulbous terminals presenting attachment zones such as zonula adherens, desmosomes and communicating junctions (gap junctions). "Focal contacts" between oolemma, and lateral microvillous extensions of follicle cells were also present. Unusual forms of contact between follicle cell microvilli and oocytes in the early stages of growing primordial and primary follicles were also observed. These consist of long, thin extensions penetrating into the oocyte through deep invaginations of the oolemma. The aid of high resolution SEM of specimens subjected to the ODO method clearly reveals their 3-D arrangement within the ooplasm. They appear as long tortuous microvilli coming very close to the nucleus, and in their course are closely associated with a variety of organelles such as Golgi vesicles, endoplasmic reticulum membranes and nascent forms of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Using integrated observations by TEM and SEM, there may be as many as 3-5 "intraooplasmic processes" even in only one plane of fracture of an oocyte. Therefore, if the total volume of the oocyte and associated cells is considered, their amounts appear to be higher than previously reported. Thus, they have to be considered as normal devices of deep contact between the ooplasm and associated follicle cell extensions. The presence of such structures within the ooplasm in early developing follicles well coincides with the great increase in volume of the oocyte. Although it is commonly believed that the activation of the growing oocyte may depend on the numerous contacts between the oolemma and follicle cells (mostly via gap junctions), the finding of these additional intraoocytic extensions suggests that they may in someway contribute to the initiation of growth in the human. In fact, these microvilli penetrate deep into the ooplasm, much like a sword in its sheath.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The plants of Euphorbiaceae have high medicinal values and their phytochemical composition plays a major role in metal ion reduction. In this research, Euphorbia granulata (EG) the “spurge family” plant extract was used to reduce silver ions to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This nanoparticle formation was observed by UV‐VIS spectrophotometric analysis at different times and temperatures to achieve the most optimal conditions. The synthesized biogenic silver nanoparticles (EG‐AgNPs) were subjected to FTIR studies. The obtained low‐intensity bands of fingerprint region bands (612 cm-1) and aromatic OH bands (3385 cm-1) are identified that the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) into metallic silver (Ag0) nanoparticles. Further, the charge, size, and morphology of the synthesized EG‐AgNPs were studied using various spectroscopic methods including powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), FESEM‐EDX elemental mapping, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The notable efficacy of the EG‐AgNPs in antimicrobial activity including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) suggested the EG‐AgNPs are noteworthy material for biomedical applications. EG‐AgNPs exhibited an efficient photocatalytic activity by degrading environmental pollutants, methylene blue (MB), and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The antioxidant property by radical scavenging (DPPH) assay of synthesized AgNPs was studied. Furthermore, the studied antioxidant behavior of EG‐AgNPs by DPPH assay strongly supports that the EG‐AgNPs are highly suitable materials for anticancer agents.

Investigation of dielectric, magnetic and impedance spectroscopic properties of CaCu3-XMnXTi4-XMnXO12 (X = 0.10) nano-ceramic synthesized through semi-wet route

New aspects on pulsed laser deposition of aligned carbon nanotubes

Colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted much attention in recent years as diagnostics and new drug delivery system in cancer medicine. To study the effects of plumbagin (PLB), a relatively non-toxic napthaquinone isolated from the roots of Plumbago indica in human cervical cancer cell line and developed a formulation to enhance its cytotoxic activities. Silver nanoparticles were synthesised by chemical reduction method and complexed with PLB. Both the AgNPs and the complex PLB-AgNPs were characterised by dynamic light scattering, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The amount of PLB and PLB-AgNPs internalised was determined by ultra-violet-visible spectrophotometer. Cell inhibition was determined by sulphorhodamine B assay. Mitotic index was determined by Wright-Giemsa staining. Apoptosis induction was assessed by western blot using cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase antibody. The scanning electron microscope analysis indicated an average particle size of 32±8 nm in diameter. Enhanced internalisation of PLB into the HeLa cells was observed in PLB-AgNPs. PLB inhibited proliferation of cells with IC50 value of about 18±0.6 µM and blocked the cells at mitosis in a concentration-dependent manner. PLB also inhibited the post-drug exposure clonogenic survival of cells and induced apoptosis. The antiproliferative, antimitotic and apoptotic activities were also found to be increased when cells were treated with PLB-AgNPs. The authors results support the idea that AgNP could be a promising and effective drug delivery system for enhanced activity of PLB in cancer treatment.

Ultrastructural changes in the podocytes were studied during the development of, and recovery from, acute puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (hrSEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the process of development of PAN nephrosis, four types of early structural changes were observed before total loss of foot processes: formation of cytoplasmic blebs, masking of filtration clefts, flattening of foot processes, and retraction of foot processes. The masking of filtration clefts visualized by hrSEM corresponded to the multiplication of slit diaphragms and adhesion of foot processes in the TEM findings, and preceded retraction of the foot processes. Changes of podocyte configuration were produced. Recovery from this change of podocyte configuration began as islands of podocyte interdigitation, and was proceeded by expansion of the islands. During recovery, the primary processes were re-established either by retraction or perforation of the thin cytoplasm after the formation of foot processes. We conclude that loss of foot processes begins with the masking of filtration clefts. Recovery from the change in podocyte configuration begins with the formation of new foot processes.

The classical description of the neural elements that compose the lining of brain ventricles introduces us to the single layer of ependymal cells. However, new findings, especially in the lateral ventricle (LV)—the major niche for the generation of new neurons in the adult brain—have provided information about additional cell elements that influence the organization of this part of the ventricular system and produce important contributions to neurogenesis. To complement the cell neurochemistry findings, we present a three-dimensional in situ description that demonstrates the anatomical details of the different types of ciliated cells and the innervation of these elements. After processing adult rat brains for ultrastructural analysis by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and transmission electron microscopy, we observed a heterogeneous pattern of cilia distribution at the different poles of the LV surface. Furthermore, we describe the particular three-dimensional aspects of the ciliated cells of the LV, in addition the fiber bundles and varicose axons surrounding these cells. Therefore, we provide a unique ultrastructural description of the three-dimensional in situ organization of the LV surface, highlighting its innervation, to corroborate the available neurochemical and functional findings regarding the factors that regulate this neurogenic niche.

The gadolinium vanadate doped with samarium (GdVO4:Sm3+) nanopowder was prepared by the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method. After synthesis, in order to achieve full crystallinity, the material was annealed in air atmosphere at 900 °C. Phase identification in the post-annealed powder samples was performed by X-ray diffraction, and morphology was investigated by high-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Photoluminescence characterization of emission spectrum and time resolved analysis was performed using tunable laser optical parametric oscillator excitation and streak camera. In addition to samarium emission bands, a weak broad luminescence emission band of host VO43− was also observed by the detection system. In our earlier work, we analyzed the possibility of using the host luminescence for two-color temperature sensing, improving the method by introducing the temporal dependence in line intensity ratio measurements. Here, we showed that further improvements are possible by using the machine learning approach. To facilitate the initial data assessment, we incorporated Principal Component Analysis (PCA), t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) clustering of GdVO4:Sm3+ spectra at various temperatures. Good predictions of temperature were obtained using deep neural networks. Performance of the deep learning network was enhanced by data augmentation technique.

Interfacial activity and leaching patterns of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans on pyrite

A novel approach was adopted to incur bending fracture in carbon nanotubes (CNTs).Expanded graphite (EG) was made by intercalating and exfoliating natural graphite flakes.The EG was deposited with nickel particles, from which CNTs were grown by chemicalvapor deposition. The CNTs were tip-grown, and their roots were fixed on the EG flakes.The EG flakes were compressed, and many CNTs on the surface were fragmented due tothe compression-induced bending. Two major modes of the bending fracture wereobserved: cone-shaped and shear-cut. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine thecrack growth within the graphene layers. The bending fracture is characterized bytwo-region crack growth. An opening crack first appears around the outer-tube due tothe bending-induced tensile stress. The crack then branches to grow along aninclined direction toward the inner-tube due to the presence of the shear stressin between graphene layers. An inner-tube pullout with inclined side surface isformed. The onset and development of the crack in these two regions are discussed.

Microcosmic gas adsorption mechanism on clay-organic nanocomposites in a marine shale

Novel AlCu solute cluster precipitates in the Al–Cu alloy by elevated aging and the effect on the tensile properties

High resolution nanoscale imaging in liquid environments is crucial for studying molecular interactions in biological and chemical systems. In particular, electron microscopy is the gold-standard tool for nanoscale imaging, but its high-vacuum requirements make application to in-liquid samples extremely challenging. Here we present a new graphene based wet cell device where high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-rays (EDX) analysis can be performed directly inside a liquid environment. Graphene is an ideal membrane material as its high transparancy, conductivity and mechanical strength can support the high vacuum and grounding requirements of a SEM while enabling maximal resolution and signal. In particular, we obtain high resolution ( nm) SEM video images of nanoparticles undergoing Brownian motion inside the graphene wet cell and EDX analysis of nanoparticle composition in the liquid enviornment. Our obtained resolution surpasses current conventional silicon nitride devices imaged in both a SEM and transmission electron microscope under much higher electron doses.

Synergistic contribution of potassium sulfide doped with silver nanoparticles on the performance of thin film organic solar cells