Amorphous Mass Research Articles

Organic petrology, palynology, and geochemistry of soils from serpentine barrens, Chester and Lancaster counties, Pennsylvania: Notes on maceral development

An investigation of the soils developed on ultramafic rocks in the State Line Serpentinite Belt in southeastern Pennsylvania demonstrated that the mineral assemblages are dominated by quartz, with lesser amounts of the serpentine group minerals lizardite and antigorite, and clinochlore, among other minerals. The samples have up to 39.91% MgO, 22,500 μg/g Cr, and 3300 μg/g Ni (ash basis). The light rare earth elements have a significant correlation to MgO/(MgO + SiO2) while the distribution of Cr is random. The organic matter in the soil bears a strong similarity to lignite and subbituminous macerals. Wood-derived macerals showed variations from relatively pristine wood to degraded and attrital forms with evidence of fungal and faunal activity. Macrinite ranged from coprolitic forms to amorphous masses with little or no recognizable structure. The pollen assemblages were dominated by Pinus sp., Quercus sp., and Ribes sp. Analysis of the fungal assemblages and guild structures suggests that the Goat Hill Barrens assemblage differed from the New Texas Barrens and Nottingham Barrens assemblages and that the guild structures encountered are both similar to those encountered in peatlands while also very different, especially in the proportion of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal remains.

Amorphous Elastomeric Ultra-High Molar Mass Polypropylene in High Yield by Half-Titanocene Catalysts.

Propylene polymerizations with different ketimide-modified half-titanocene catalysts, Cp'TiCl2(N=CtBu2) [Cp' = C5H5 (1), C5Me5 (2), Me3SiC5H4 (3)], with MAO as a cocatalyst, were investigated. The obtained polymers were studied in detail by determining their microstructure, molar masses, thermal, and mechanical properties. The Cp*-ketimide, (C5Me5)TiCl2(N=CtBu2) (2), exhibited higher catalytic activities than Cp'TiCl2(N=CtBu2) (1,3), yielding higher molar mass polymers, Mw up to 1400 Kg/mol. All the synthesized polypropylenes (PP) are atactic and highly regioregular, with predominant rrrr pentads, especially PP prepared with catalyst 1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) established that the polymers are fully amorphous aPP, and no melting endotherm events are detected. Glass transition temperatures were detected between -2 and 2 °C. These polypropylenes have been established to be high-performance thermoplastic elastomers endowed with remarkably high ductility, and a tensile strain at break higher than 2000%.

Infantile systemic hyalinosis with lesions of the gastrointestinal tract manifested by malabsorption syndrome

Infantile systemic hyalinosis (ISH) is a rare genetic disease, which is associated with ANTXR2 gene defect. The disease is characterized by progressive deposition of amorphous hyaline masses in various organs and tissues. The main distinguishing features of ISH include thickening of the skin, erythema or hyperpigmentation of bone prominences, damage to internal organs, persistent diarrhea, frequent severe infections and developmental delay. This article presents a case of ISH diagnosis in a patient aged 2 years, the key feature of which is the establishment of a diagnosis based on the evaluation of the results of endoscopic and morphological studies. The purpose of our work is to increase awareness and alertness of doctors of different specialties in such a rare disease.

Kinetics of Aluminum and Scandium Extraction from Desilicated Coal Fly Ash by High-Pressure HCl Leaching

Coal fly ash (CFA) is a waste that forms via coal combustion in thermal power stations. CFA consists of numerous components, whose recovery can address environmental and resource concerns associated with sustainable development. Most of the alumina (Al2O3) and rare-earth elements (REEs) in CFA are contained in the amorphous glassy mass and in the refractory mullite phase (3Al2O3·SiO2), which can be dissolved only using high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL). In this paper, the method of preactivation of CFA by treatment with a highly concentrated NaOH solution is used to increase the efficiency of Al and Sc extraction during HPAL. This method allows for the elimination of an inert aluminosilicate layer from the surface of mullite, transferring the REEs into an acid-soluble form. The Al and Sc extraction can reach 80% after HCl HPAL at T = 170 °C and a 90 min duration. According to the kinetic data, the dissolution of Al follows the surface chemical reaction and intraparticle diffusion shrinking core models in the initial and later stages of leaching, respectively. A high activation energy of 52.78 kJ mol−1 was observed at low temperatures, and a change in the mechanism occurred after 170 °C when the activation energy decreased to 26.34 kJ mol–1. The obtained activation energy value of 33.51 kJ mol−1 for Sc leaching indicates that diffusion has a strong influence at all studied temperatures. The residue was analysed by SEM-EDX, XRF, BET, and XRD methods in order to understand the mechanism of DCFA HPAL process.

Expression of p53, p63, p16, Ki67, Cyclin D, Bcl-2, and CD31 Markers in Actinic Keratosis, In Situ Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Normal Sun-Exposed Skin of Elderly Patients

Background: Age and cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light are primary contributors to skin cancer development. Regulatory proteins within the cell cycle are essential for the homeostasis of squamous epithelium. Methods: This study assessed the expression of immunohistochemical markers p53, p63, p16, Ki67, Cyclin D, Bcl-2, and CD31 in keratinocyte intraepithelial neoplasia (actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma in situ) compared to normal skin. The objective was to distinguish disease-specific changes from those attributable to ageing and sun exposure in elderly skin. Results. Analysis included 22 actinic keratoses (AK), 7 in situ squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and 8 normal skin biopsies. The mean age was 78.1 years for the AK/SCC group and 73.8 years for controls, with no significant age difference noted between the groups. The AK/SCC group exhibited a higher occurrence of amorphous masses, higher intensity of p53, lower Bcl-2 expression in the epidermis, higher Bcl-2 expression in the dermis, and higher CD31 expression in the dermis, all of which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study identifies distinct differences in the presence of amorphous masses and the expression levels of p53, Bcl-2, and CD31 between sun-exposed skin and in situ cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, including actinic keratoses.

Effect of modification methods on the physical properties and immunomodulatory activity of particulate β-glucan.

β-Glucan is an immunoenhancing agent whose biological activities are linked to molecular structure. On that basis, the polysaccharide can be physiochemically modified to produce valuable functional materials. This study investigated the physical properties and immunostimulatory activity of modified β-glucan. Alkali-treated β-glucan had a distinct shape and smaller particle size than untreated β-glucan. The reduced particle size was conducive to the stability of the suspension because the β-glucan appeared to be completely dissolved by this treatment, forming an amorphous mass. Furthermore, alkali treatment improved the immunostimulating activity of β-glucan, whereas exposure of macrophages to heat-treated β-glucan decreased their immune activity. β-Glucan with reduced particle size by wet-grinding also displayed immunomodulatory activities. These results suggested that the particle size of β-glucan is a key factor in β-glucan-induced immune responses of macrophages. Thus, the modification of the β-glucan particle size provides new opportunities for developing immunoenhancing nutraceuticals or pharmacological therapies in the future.

Microstructure and properties analysis of AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy/iron-based amorphous composite coatings prepared by laser cladding

AlCoCrFeNi HEA coatings with iron-based amorphous powder mass fractions of 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% were fabricated on 316L stainless steel by laser cladding technique. The microstructure, phase composition, microhardness, and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings were analyzed by various characterization techniques. The results showed that the addition of iron-based amorphous powder has a significant influence on the crystal structure, phase, microhardness and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings, but the presence of excessively high of iron-based amorphous powder will disorder the crystal structure, which reduces the microhardness of the composite coatings.

Enhanced Coal Fly Ash Desilication Using Atmospheric NaOH Leaching with Simultaneous Magnetic Separation

Coal fly ash (CFA) is a technogenic waste formed during coal combustion in thermal power plants (TPPs). The extraction of valuable components from CFA is complicated by the presence of a large amount of amorphous glassy mass and iron. Herein, a novel method of CFA desilication with complete extraction of the amorphous glassy mass without desilication product (DSP) precipitation and simultaneous magnetic fraction recovery in one stage is presented. The Fe recovery in the magnetic fraction using the proposed method was significantly improved from 52% to 68%. After conventional wet magnetic separation, followed by the proposed method for desilication and magnetic fraction separation, the Fe recovery was increased to 73.8%. Because of the absence of DSP precipitation, the Na2O content in the solid residue after desilication was lower than 1 wt.%. The simultaneous desilication and magnetic separation of magnetite was achieved by installing a belt of permanent magnets on the outer surface of the reactor, where the CFA was leached by the highly concentrated NaOH solution. The effects of different parameters on the extraction of Si, Al, and Fe from the raw CFA were elucidated by varying the liquid-to-solid ratio (L:S ratio) from 5 to 10, the temperature from 100 to 120 °C, the leaching time from 10 to 30 min, and the particle size from −50 µm to −73 µm. The optimal leaching parameters were determined to be temperature = 110 °C, L:S ratio = 7.5, and leaching time = 20 min. The extraction of Si and Fe under these conditions was higher than 66 and 73%, respectively. The Al extraction was lower than 10%. The solid residue of NaOH leaching and the magnetic fraction were examined by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometry, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and laser diffraction analyses.

New pattern of nematode spermatogenesis revealed by ultrastructural observation of Anaplectus granulosus (Plectidae, Plectida)

Summary This paper presents the first comprehensive detailed transmission electron microscope observations of sperm development and structure of a plectid nematode. Sperm development of Anaplectus granulosus resembles that of nematodes of the order Rhabditida, known as the rhabditid pattern of spermatogenesis. It includes formation of complexes of fibrous bodies (FB) with membranous organelles (MO), which appear in spermatocytes; the complexes dissociate in the spermatids. The mature spermatozoa are bipolar cells subdivided into a pseudopod and a main cell body containing a nucleus with nine singlet centrioles, peripheral mitochondria and MOs. However, the development and structure of sperm in A. granulosus deviates remarkably from the common rhabditid pattern by an unusual early transformation of FBs into large amorphous masses in the spermatids; the subsequent formation of a concentric structure of immature spermatozoa with a predominant amorphous mass around the central nucleus and thin peripheral cytoplasm with organelles (MOs and mitochondria); and by the transformation of MO in mature spermatozoa into simple cisterns. Thus, the pattern of spermatogenesis of A. granulosus supports the close relations of Plectida and Rhabditida, but specific peculiarities of the sperm development delineate Plectida from Rhabditida and other orders.

Structure of coal-bearing sections of swampy coastal-marine lowlands of the Kama coal basin in the territory of the Tatarstan

The paper considers sections of the Visean coal-bearing formation of the Kama coal basin on the territory of the western slope of the South Tara arch. The sections are composed of coals, mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones, which were formed under continental conditions at the beginning of the Visean. The rocks of the coal-bearing formation were formed within the coastal shallow-marine plain with a lacustrine-marsh type of sedimentation. The formation of coals occurred during the formation of isolated swampy lakes on the surface of the floodplain lowlands. The source of organic matter was tree-like and herbaceous vegetation that develops in waterlogged lake water bodies in a hot, wet humid climate. According to the degree of coalification, coals belong to brown coals, their composition is dominated by a black, structureless, amorphous mass of coalified plant matter (fusen). As impurities, there are large fragments of plant remains belonging to the groups of intertinites and macerals. The coals are enriched in mineral, ash components, represented by kaolinite and finely dispersed quartz grains. Ash content will not exceed 20%.

Computed tomographic appearance, surgical management and outcome in a case of canine primary prostatic hemangiosarcoma

AbstractAn 8‐year‐old, neutered, male rottweiler presented for evaluation of pollakiuria and a large abdominal mass. Computed tomographic evaluation revealed a large caudal abdominal mass occupying the pelvic inlet, obscuring the prostate, as well as concurrent hepatic nodules. A prostatectomy, urethrotomy and liver biopsies were performed. Pollakiuria resolved, and the patient was discharged on Day 4 post‐operatively. Histopathological evaluation was consistent with primary prostatic hemangiosarcoma with no metastasis. The dog acutely decompensated 26 days post‐operatively and was re‐evaluated. Peritoneal effusion prompted computed tomographic re‐examination. An amorphous mass in the region of the previous prostatectomy site and changes to the previously normal urinary bladder wall and colon were identified. Concurrently, contrast extravasation from a urinary bladder wall defect was present. Uroabdomen was confirmed, suspected secondary to neoplastic infiltration. The dog was humanely euthanased. This is the first report to describe the computed tomographic appearance, surgical management and short‐term outcome of canine primary prostatic hemangiosarcoma.

Metastatic renal extraskeletal osteosarcoma in a dog: Clinical presentation, CT features and the role of ALP cytochemical staining for diagnosis

AbstractA 7‐year‐old beagle dog referred for investigations of haematuria was diagnosed with an amorphous mineralised mass of the right kidney and distant metastasis to several muscles, lymph nodes, interventricular septum, diaphragm and pulmonary parenchyma. Cytological examination of ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates taken from the right renal mass, right perineum nodule and abdominal wall nodules diagnosed a sarcoma with osteoblastic differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase cytochemical staining was performed on the slides from the renal aspirate and supported the diagnosis of an osteosarcoma. Due to the poor prognosis and extensive metastatic disease, the dog was euthanased. Computed tomography characteristics are described, as well as the use of alkaline phosphatase cytochemical staining, for diagnosis of extraskeletal osteosarcomas in dogs.

Compound Odontoma: Diagnosis and treatment: Case report

Odontomas are asymptomatic benign odontogenic tumors, generally discovered fortuitously, or when a tooth failed to erupt. They are mainly composed of enamel and dentin, cement and pulp tissue can also be present in variable amounts. In 2005, the World Health Organization classified two main types of odontoma, an amorphous and irregular mass of calcified dental tissues as complex odontoma and multiple miniature tooth-like structures as compound odontoma. This article is a case presentation of a compound odontoma diagnosed for an eleven year old girl upon a routine radiography, making it a lesion of childhood /adolescence. A retro-alveolar radiography of the anterior maxilla revealed a radiopaque mass with prominent external margins surrounded by a thin radiolucent rim in close contact with the root of the permanent right central incisor. In this case a surgical excision of the lesion was performed in order to prevent any risk of root resorption for the tooth in close contact. The results achieved indicate that the early diagnosis of odontomas allows the adoption of a less complex and inexpensive treatment and ensures better prognosis. A histological evaluation is imperative in order to confirm the exact diagnosis of odontoma.

Clinical case of severe visceral complications with atypical localization in a patient with gout

The diagnosed gout is a signal to search for unrecognized concomitant conditions and their underlying causes and mechanisms of development. Due to the fact that gout is a common metabolic disorder with symptoms of localized inflammation caused by chronic and/or episodic deposition of monosodium urate crystals (MSU) in joints and soft tissues, the understanding of the inflammation interaction in metabolic disorders has changed. In cases of severe visceral complications of gout, the most common sites of tophl are kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, pericardium, subcutaneous tissue and other soft tissues. The aim of this study was to outline the features of severe visceral complications with atypical localization in a patient with gout (identification of MSU crystals with polarization microscopy) and to determine the role of videothoracoscopy in this case. Patient N., 55 years old, complained of moderate chest pain, shortness of breath during exercise, general weakness and occasional cough. The patient was hospitalized in a multidisciplinary clinical institution. Examinations were performed, including polarization microscopy, spiral computed tomography (polytopic foci, formations), videothoracoscopy. Endoscopic resection of SVII of the lower lobe of the left lung with a biopsy of the lungs formations and mediastinal lymph nodes was performed. Results of histologic examination: amorphous masses are presented in combination with the organized chronic giant cell granulomatous structure (tophus), which contains clusters of crystals of MSU. Cytological examination of pleural cavity fluid revealed the presence of crystals of MSU. The presence of crystals of MSU was confirmed by polarization microscopy. From the anamnesis of the disease it became known that at the age of 38 the patient consulted a rheumatologist for moderate joint syndrome. On the basis of anamnesis, laboratory and instrumental data (X-ray, ultrasound examination) the diagnosis of gout, chronic gouty arthritis was established. Urate lowering therapy was prescribed. The patient took the drugs periodically without re-consultation with the doctor. The presented case of untreated gout has led to significant structural disorders in organs such as lungs, pleura. Endoscopic resection of the lower lobe of the left lung and revision of the thoracic cavity revealed atelectasis, hemorrhage, inflammatory infiltration, fibrous changes in tissues, amorphous masses with organized chronic giant cell granulomatous structure, presented by crystals of MSU. During the surgery, a powdery substance was found on the pleura surfaces. A video thoracoscopy in this case was a means to present a visceral damage in gout. The search for diagnostic tools to diagnose a severe visceral complications with atypical localization in gout still remains unsolved. Undoubtedly, the central role in the development of gout is played by the deposition of numerous crystals of MSU. In the patient under observation, crystals of MSU were found in pleural fluid and sputum consisting of sodium urate, like the known facts of their appearance in the joint fluid and urine. Uric acid salt crystals were also detected in the areas of pulmonary fibrosis formation according to the results of radiological examination, as well as endoscopic intervention in the lower lobe of the left lung.

An atypical death from Rapunzel syndrome: a case report

Trichotillomania is a psychiatric disorder characterized by recurring urges to pulling out hairs, eyelashes, or down in other parts of the body. Trichophagia, which is the urge to ingesting the pulled-out hairs, can cause Rapunzel syndrome, an unusual disorder where gastric trichobezoars can be found in the small intestine. Trichobezoars, amorphous masses composed of undigested food formed by hairs, can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract up to simulating symptoms typical of bowel obstruction. Rapunzel syndrome, named after Grimm’s tale, may cause death, especially in the pediatric population, being it seldom over the age of 6; moreover, developing countries and environmental and familiar issues are listed as uncertain risk factors. The present case report deals with the death of a 4-year-old female occurred after lunch and following a series of vomit events; while no traumatic or pathological findings were revealed at the external examination, the autopsy revealed three large trichobezoars localized in the stomach and the small intestine. Despite death was due to gastrointestinal obstruction for multiple trichobezoars and collateral bronchoaspiration of dietary material, histological findings were totally non-specific, meaning that it is sometimes difficult to conclude that death is related to the primary pathological condition.

Tissue Integration of Calcium Phosphate Compound after Subchondroplasty: 4-Year Follow-Up in a 76-Year-Old Female Patient

Subchondroplasty is a new minimally invasive surgical technique developed to treat bone marrow lesions (BML) and early osteoarthritis (OA). During the procedure, engineered calcium phosphate compound (CPC) is injected. It is claimed by the manufacturer that during the healing process, the CPC is replaced with new bone. The purpose of this study was to verify the replacement of CPC with new bone after subchondroplasty for the first time in humans. A 76-year old woman was referred for resistant medial knee pain. Standing radiographs showed varus knee OA and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed BML. She was treated with subchondroplasty of medial femoral condyle. Excellent relief of pain was achieved after procedure. Afterwards, the pain worsened, the radiographs confirmed the OA progression and the patient was treated with a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) 4 years after primary procedure. The resected bone was examined histologically and with micro-computed tomography (CT). Histologically, bone trabeculae of subcortical bone were embedded in the amorphous mass. However, no signs of CPC resorption and/or bone replacement have been found with micro-CT. In short term, excellent pain relief could be expected after the subchondroplasty procedure. However, there was no replacement of CPC with bone and the technique probably did not influence the natural process of knee OA.

Painful facial, oral, and genital ulcers

Painful facial, oral, and genital ulcers

On the Physical Stability of Leucine-Containing Spray-Dried Powders for Respiratory Drug Delivery.

Carrier-free spray-dried dispersions for pulmonary delivery, for which the demand is growing, frequently require the incorporation of dispersibility-enhancing excipients into the formulations to improve the efficacy of the dosage form. One of the most promising of such excipients, L-leucine, is expected to be approved for inhalation soon and has been studied exhaustively. However, during stability, small fibers protruding from the particles of leucine-containing powders have occasionally been observed. To clarify the origin of these fibers and assess their potential influence on the performance of the powders, three different classes of spray-dried leucine-containing formulation systems were studied over an 8-month accelerated stability program. These systems consisted of a large molecule biologic (bevacizumab) in conjunction with a glass former (trehalose), an amorphous small-molecular mass active (moxidectin), and a crystallizing active (mannitol). It was determined that the appearance of the fibers was due to the presence of small quantities of leucine in higher energy states, either because these were amorphous or present as a less stable crystalline polymorph. It was further shown that the growth of these leucine fibers caused no significant physicochemical instability in the powders. Nor, more importantly, did it decrease their aerosol performance in a dry powder inhaler or reduce the concentration of their active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Isolation, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Melanin from Auricularia auricula (Agaricomycetes).

The cell wall of Auricularia auricula fruit bodies is extremely tough, making it difficult to dissolve the melanin using the traditional preparation method. To investigate the efficient preparation of melanin and its resistance to oxidative stress, this paper first used ultrasound-assisted alkaline cellulase to optimize the optimal wall-breaking parameters through a Box-Behnken design based on a single-factor experiment. After optimization, the yield of melanin from A. auricula reached 3.201 ± 0.018%. Then, different types and different proportions of deep eutectic solvents (DES) were used for further extraction. When choline chloride and urea were selected and the ratio was 1:2, the melanin yield was up to 25.99% ± 2.36%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the melanin was amorphous mass with no crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the melanin was mainly composed of C (5.38%), O (15.69%) and N (30.29%), as was the typical composition of eumelanin. The melanin had a concentration-dependent relationship with both ABTS+ and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability; at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, it significantly prolonged Caenorhabditis elegans survival under hydrogen peroxide and methyl viologen stress and increased the glutathione level and enzyme (total superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities in vivo compared with the negative control (P < 0.05), indicating that the melanin enhances oxidative stress resistance in C. elegans.

Rare-Earth Elements Extraction from Low-Alkali Desilicated Coal Fly Ash by (NH4)2SO4 + H2SO4.

Coal fly ash (CFA) obtained from pulverized coal furnaces is a highly refractory waste that can be used for alumina and rare-earth elements (REEs) extraction. The REEs in this type of CFA are associated with a mullite and amorphous glassy mass that forms a core-shell structure. In this research, it was shown that complete dissolution of amorphous aluminosilicates from the mullite surface with the formation of the low-alkali mullite concentrate prior to sulfuric acid leaching with the addition of (NH4)2SO4 helps to accelerate the extraction of REEs. The extraction degree of Sc and other REEs reaches 70-80% after 5 h of leaching at 110 °C and acid concentration of 5 M versus less than 20% for the raw CFA at the same conditions. To study the leaching kinetics of the process, the effects of temperature (90-110 °C), liquid-to-solid ratio (5-10), and leaching time (15-120 min) on the degrees of Al and rare-earth elements (REEs) extraction were evaluated. After 120 min of leaching at 110 °C and L/S ratio = 10, the extraction of Al was found to be lower than 30%. At the same time, total REEs (TREE) and Fe extraction were greater than 60%, which indicates that a part of the TREE was transferred into the acid soluble phase. After leaching, the residues were studied by laser diffraction (LD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) to evaluate the leaching mechanism and the solubility of Al- and Fe-containing minerals, such as mullite, hematite, and amorphous aluminosilicate.