Hydrostatic Pressure Gradient Research Articles

Metabolic engineering of raffinose-family oligosaccharides in the phloem reveals alterations in carbon partitioning and enhances resistance to green peach aphid

Many plants employ energized loading strategies to accumulate osmotically-active solutes into the phloem of source organs to accentuate the hydrostatic pressure gradients that drive the flow of water, nutrients and signals from source to sinks. Proton-coupled symport of sugars from the apoplasm into the phloem symplasm is the best studied phloem-loading mechanism. As an alternative, numerous species use a polymer trapping mechanism to load through symplasm: sucrose enters the phloem through specialized plasmodesmata and is converted to raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs) which accumulate because of their larger size. In this study, metabolic engineering was used to generate RFOs at the inception of the translocation stream of Arabidopsis thaliana, which loads from the apoplasm and transports predominantly sucrose, and the fate of the sugars throughout the plant determined. Three genes, GALACTINOL SYNTHASE, RAFFINOSE SYNTHASE and STACHYOSE SYNTHASE, were expressed from promoters specific to the companion cells of minor veins. Two transgenic lines homozygous for all three genes (GRS63 and GRS47) were selected for further analysis. Three-week-old plants of both lines had RFO levels approaching 50% of total soluble sugar. RFOs were also identified in exudates from excised leaves of transgenic plants whereas levels were negligible in exudates from wild type (WT) leaves. Differences in starch accumulation between WT and GRS63 and GRS47 lines were not observed. Similarly, there were no differences in vegetative growth between WT and engineered plants, but the latter flowered slightly earlier. Finally, since the sugar composition of the translocation stream appeared altered, we tested for an impact on green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) feeding. When given a choice between WT and transgenic plants, green peach aphids preferred settling on the WT plants. Furthermore, green peach aphid fecundity was lower on the transgenic plants compared to the WT plants. When added to an artificial diet, RFOs did not have a negative effect on aphid fecundity, suggesting that although aphid resistance in the transgenic plants is enhanced, it is not due to direct toxicity of RFO toward the insect.

A Possible Mechanism for Protrusions Formation at the Metal/Oxide Interface During Short Time Oxidation of Ferritic Stainless Steel

High temperature oxidation of ferritic stainless steel for short durations leads to the formation of an original morphology at the metal/oxide interface. This interface is composed of metallic protrusions localized in a chromium-rich oxide layer through a discontinuous silica film. In this paper we propose a mechanism based on preferential diffusion paths for the oxygen through the oxide that are governed by the distribution of the hydrostatic pressure in this layer. We point out that the mechanical contrast between the oxide and the metal subjected to creep can be critical for the hydrostatic pressure gradient magnitude inside the oxide layer. This observation is likely to promote the formation of protrusions for specific conditions of temperature and time of exposure to oxidation.

Convection Enhanced Delivery of Macromolecules for Brain Tumors

The blood brain barrier (BBB) poses a significant challenge for drug delivery of macromolecules into the brain. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) circumvents the BBB through direct intracerebral infusion using a hydrostatic pressure gradient to transfer therapeutic compounds. The efficacy of CED is dependent on the distribution of the therapeutic agent to the targeted region. Here we present a review of convection enhanced delivery of macromolecules, emphasizing the role of tracers in enabling effective delivery anddiscuss current challenges in the field.

Does oxygen tune cellular mechanotransduction?

Does oxygen tune cellular mechanotransduction?

One dimensional blood flow in a planetocentric orbit

All life on earth is accustomed to the presence of gravity. When gravity is altered, biological processes can go awry. It is of great importance to ensure safety during a spaceflight. Long term exposure to microgravity can trigger detrimental physiological responses in the human body. Fluid redistribution coupled with fluid loss is one of the effects. In particular, in microgravity blood volume is shifted towards the thorax and head. Sympathetic nervous system-induced vasoconstriction is needed to maintain arterial pressure, while venoconstriction limits venous pooling of blood prevents further reductions in venous return of blood to the heart. In this paper, we modify an existing one dimensional blood flow model with the inclusion of the hydrostatic pressure gradient that further depends on the gravitational field modified by the oblateness and rotation of the Earth. We find that the velocity of the blood flow VB is inversely proportional to the blood specific volume d, also proportional to the oblateness harmonic coefficient J2, the angular velocity of the Earth ωE, and finally proportional to an arbitrary constant c. For c=−0.39073 and ξH=−0.5mmHg, all orbits result to less blood flow velocities than that calculated on the surface of the Earth. From all considered orbits, elliptical polar orbit of eccentricity e=0.2 exhibit the largest flow velocity VB=1.031m/s, followed by the orbits of inclination i=45°and 0°. The Earth’s oblateness and its rotation contribute a 0.7% difference to the blood flow velocity.

Body height and blood pressure regulation in humans during anti-orthostatic tilting

The hypothesis was tested that the cardiovascular changes during an upper body anti-orthostatic maneuver in humans are more pronounced in tall than in short individuals, because of the larger intravascular hydrostatic pressure gradients. In 34 males and 41 females [20-30 yr, body height (BH) = 147-206 cm], inter-individual multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for gender and body weight were conducted between changes in cardiovascular variables versus BH during tilting of the upper body from vertical to horizontal while keeping the legs horizontal. In all the subjects, tilting induced increases in stroke volume and arterial pulse pressure and a decrease in heart rate, which each correlated significantly with BH. In males (n = 51, BH = 163-206 cm), 24-h ambulatory mean arterial pressure increased significantly with BH (P = 0.004, r = 0.40, α = 0.15 mmHg/cm) so that systolic/diastolic blood pressure increased by 2/2 mmHg per 15 cm increase in BH. There was no significant correlation between mean arterial pressure and BH in females (n = 53, BH = 147-193 cm). In conclusion, a larger BH induces larger cardiovascular changes during anti-orthostatic tilting, and in males 24-h ambulatory mean arterial pressure increases with BH. The lack of a mean arterial pressure to BH correlation in females is probably because of their lower BH and greater variability in blood pressure.

Radiation-induced changes in microcirculation and interstitial fluid pressure affecting the delivery of macromolecules and nanotherapeutics to tumors

The immature, chaotic microvasculature of most solid tumors can present a significant impediment to blood-borne delivery, uneven distribution, and compromised penetration of macromolecular anticancer drugs and diagnostic agents from tumor microvessels across the interstitial space to cancer cells. To reach viable tumor cells in relevant concentrations, macromolecular agents are confronted with several barriers to vascular, transvascular, and interstitial transport. Amongst those (1) heterogeneous and poor blood supply, (2) distinctly reduced or even abolished hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradients across the microvessel wall abrogating the convective transport from the vessel lumen into the interstitial space (impairment of transvascular transport), and (3) impediment of convective transport within the interstitial compartment due to elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) (resulting from hyperpermeable blood vessels coupled with non-functional lymphatics) and a dense structure of the interstitial matrix are the major mechanisms hindering drug delivery. Upon irradiation, changes in these barrier functions are inconclusive so far. Alterations in vascular transport properties following fractionated radiation up to 40 Gy are quite inconsistent in terms of direction, extent, and time course. Total doses above 45 Gy can damage tumor microvessels, additionally impeding vascular delivery. Vascular permeability for macromolecules might be enhanced up to a total dose of 45 Gy. However, this effect is counteracted/abolished by the elevated IFP in solid tumors. When assessing IFP during fractionated radiotherapy in patient tumors, inconsistent alterations have been observed, both in direction and extent. From these data it is concluded that modulations in vascular, transvascular, and interstitial transport by irradiation of solid tumors are rather unclear so far. Translation of experimental data into the clinical setting thus needs to be undertaken with especial care.

Abstract P350: Interstitial Volume Regulation in the Heart: Mechanistic Insights from ex Vivo Fluid Dynamics in Pig Myocardia

Developing and testing specific therapies for myocardial edema require understanding their mode and site of action. However, parsing determinants of interstitial volume/pressure relationships in vivo is difficult, particularly in the myocardium, where rhythmic contractions add to the confounding components of fluid-transfer driving pressures. Here, we describe a novel ex-vivo model system based on osmotic stress techniques and illustrate its application to analyses of local myocardial fluid dynamics that exclude systemic influences and systole/diastole compressive cycles. Freshly harvested ventricular explants were equilibrated in physiologic media at colloidosmotic pressures ranging from 3 to 219 mmHg, and fluid transfer in/out was measured gravimetrically as a function of time and pressure. The relationship between the change in explant volume and the imposed colloidosmotic pressure of the media was linear. The hydration potential , defined empirically as the pressure at which explant volume did not change, was calculated from the abscissa intercept at volume change = 0 , and the compliance from the slope of volume/pressure regression lines. Fluid-transfer rates and energies were derived from volume versus time trajectories measured at 4 and 37 °C. Hydration potential was 71.3 ± 10.6 and 23.0 ± 15.2 mmHg at 4 and 37°C (significant, P = 0.002), while compliance was 1.09 ± 0.3 and 1.22 ± 0.2 µl/g/ mmHg (not significant, P = 0.2, n = 5). Temperature-dependent differences between in/out flow rates were also significant, giving experimental activation energies of −5.9 ± 2.2 and 1.4 ± 0.7 kcal/mol for inflow and outflow, respectively. Results show that at physiologic temperatures, even without vascular hydrostatic pressure gradients and lymphatic drainage, the myocardial bias toward interstitial fluid efflux persists. These findings are consistent with local fluid-control mechanisms actuated by colloidosmotic and tensional forces rather than passive changes in flow resistance. This new approach allows quantitative evaluation of interstitial components of Starling’s forces and should help in mechanistic preclinical characterization of treatments to correct interstitial myocardial edema.

Modeling low Reynolds number incompressible flows with curved boundaries using SPH

SUMMARY In this paper, a method that can be used to model low Reynolds number incompressible flows with curved boundaries using SPH was presented. In contrast to that usually used for the flows with flat and straight boundaries, the hydrostatic pressure gradient is treated as a variable body force in this method, and thus, it can be applied to simulate the flows with curved boundaries. Three numerical examples of low Reynolds number incompressible flows, including Poiseuille flow, flow in a section of blood vessel with a local expansion, and flow between inclined plates were calculated to test the method. The results obtained with the proposed method were in good agreement with the analytical solutions. It implies that the method presented in this paper can be successfully used to simulate low Reynolds number incompressible flows not only with flat and straight boundaries but also with curved boundaries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Surfactant-induced delay of leveling of inkjet-printed patterns

Due to its flexibility, inkjet printing has become a widespread technique for the non-contact deposition of liquids, solutions and melts on a variety of substrates with a lateral resolution down to about 10 μm. Because the patterns are formed via coalescence of many individual droplets, ripples and undulations can appear in the deposited layers, which gradually disappear if sufficient time before ink solidification is given. In this manuscript, we study this spontaneous leveling process of inkjet printed lines that is driven by surface tension and hydrostatic pressure gradients. We show that the process can be significantly retarded if the ink contains soluble or insoluble surfactants, which are common additives to improve print quality. We present qualitative experiments as well as theoretical and numerical models that allow estimation of the leveling time for arbitrary ripple amplitudes and realistic surfactant properties.

Imaging of Convection Enhanced Delivery of Toxins in Humans

Drug delivery of immunotoxins to brain tumors circumventing the blood brain barrier is a significant challenge. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) circumvents the blood brain barrier through direct intracerebral application using a hydrostatic pressure gradient to percolate therapeutic compounds throughout the interstitial spaces of infiltrated brain and tumors. The efficacy of CED is determined through the distribution of the therapeutic agent to the targeted region. The vast majority of patients fail to receive a significant amount of coverage of the area at risk for tumor recurrence. Understanding this challenge, it is surprising that so little work has been done to monitor the delivery of therapeutic agents using this novel approach. Here we present a review of imaging in convection enhanced delivery monitoring of toxins in humans, and discuss future challenges in the field.

In Situ Scanning Electron Microscope Observation and Finite Element Method Analysis of Delayed Hydride Cracking Propagation in Zircaloy-2 Fuel Cladding Tubes

Abstract The objective of the present research is to build a modeling method for delayed hydride cracking (DHC) of zirconium alloys. DHC tests were carried out on Zircaloy-2 cladding tubes in the chamber of a scanning electron microscope to directly observe the crack propagation and measure the crack velocity in the radial direction. These in situ observations showed that a sharply tipped crack propagated at a relatively high rate, while the velocity decreased when the crack tip was blunted, supporting the occurrence of intermittent crack propagation that could be expected from the DHC mechanism. V-KI curves or diagrams of crack velocity, V, versus stress intensity factor at a crack tip, KI, were obtained as a function of 0.2 % offset yield stress, hydride orientation, and pre-crack depth. The steady state crack velocity and the threshold stress intensity factor for the onset of the crack propagation tended to increase or decrease, respectively, with an increase in the 0.2 % offset yield stress. Analyses of stress distribution and hydrogen diffusion around a crack tip were made using a finite element computer code. The analyses showed that a strong hydrostatic pressure field was generated concentrically around the crack tip and hydrogen diffused towards the crack tip according to the hydrostatic pressure gradient. The crack velocity was estimated from the calculated hydrogen flux rate assuming the critical hydrogen quantity for the crack propagation. There was good agreement between the experiments and the calculations regarding the crack velocity and its dependency on KI. Calculations showed that the increase in the 0.2 % offset yield stress would accelerate the crack propagation by increasing the hydrostatic pressure at the crack tip.

IMPROVEMENT OF BOTTOM BOUNDARY LAYERS MODELING UNDER INTERACTIONS OF WAVE AND WAVE-INDUCED CURRENT

The bottom boundary layer characteristics beneath waves transforming on a natural beach are specifically affected both by wave and wave-induced current. This study presents an improved approach for coastal bottom boundary layers modeling under interactions of wave and wave-induced current. The improvement is achieved by formulating the mean horizontal pressure gradient term in the boundary layer equation with wave parameters and mean water level. This formulation represents the balance between the wave excess momentum flux gradient and the hydrostatic pressure gradient in a spatially transforming wave field, accounting for the effect of the wave-induced cross-shore current. Model is validated with experimental data for normally incident shoaling wave over a sloping bed. Calculated results agree well with data for instantaneous velocity profiles, wave oscillating amplitudes and mean velocity profiles. In particular, model reasonably reproduces the observed local onshore mean flow near the bottom beneath shoaling wave. It is revealed that the proposed formulation of the mean horizontal pressure gradient plays an important role in bottom boundary layer modeling under wave transforming over an variable near-shore bathymetry, and that the present model can be conveniently and reliably coupled with a sediment transport model to study coastal processes in engineering applications.

Homeostatic regulation of the endoneurial microenvironment during development, aging and in response to trauma, disease and toxic insult

The endoneurial microenvironment, delimited by the endothelium of endoneurial vessels and a multi-layered ensheathing perineurium, is a specialized milieu intérieur within which axons, associated Schwann cells and other resident cells of peripheral nerves function. The endothelium and perineurium restricts as well as regulates exchange of material between the endoneurial microenvironment and the surrounding extracellular space and thus is more appropriately described as a blood–nerve interface (BNI) rather than a blood–nerve barrier (BNB). Input to and output from the endoneurial microenvironment occurs via blood–nerve exchange and convective endoneurial fluid flow driven by a proximo-distal hydrostatic pressure gradient. The independent regulation of the endothelial and perineurial components of the BNI during development, aging and in response to trauma is consistent with homeostatic regulation of the endoneurial microenvironment. Pathophysiological alterations of the endoneurium in experimental allergic neuritis (EAN), and diabetic and lead neuropathy are considered to be perturbations of endoneurial homeostasis. The interactions of Schwann cells, axons, macrophages, and mast cells via cell–cell and cell–matrix signaling regulate the permeability of this interface. A greater knowledge of the dynamic nature of tight junctions and the factors that induce and/or modulate these key elements of the BNI will increase our understanding of peripheral nerve disorders as well as stimulate the development of therapeutic strategies to treat these disorders.

Modeling wave–current bottom boundary layers beneath shoaling and breaking waves

The boundary layer characteristics beneath waves transforming on a natural beach are affected by both waves and wave-induced currents, and their predictability is more difficult and challenging than for those observed over a seabed of uniform depth. In this research, a first-order boundary layer model is developed to investigate the characteristics of bottom boundary layers in a wave–current coexisting environment beneath shoaling and breaking waves. The main difference between the present modeling approach and previous methods is in the mathematical formulation for the mean horizontal pressure gradient term in the governing equations for the cross-shore wave-induced currents. This term is obtained from the wave-averaged momentum equation, and its magnitude depends on the balance between the wave excess momentum flux gradient and the hydrostatic pressure gradient due to spatial variations in the wave field of propagating waves and mean water level fluctuations. A turbulence closure scheme is used with a modified low Reynolds number k-e model. The model was validated with two published experimental datasets for normally incident shoaling and breaking waves over a sloping seabed. For shoaling waves, model results agree well with data for the instantaneous velocity profiles, oscillatory wave amplitudes, and mean velocity profiles. For breaking waves, a good agreement is obtained between model and data for the vertical distribution of mean shear stress. In particular, the model reproduced the local onshore mean flow near the bottom beneath shoaling waves, and the vertically decreasing pattern of mean shear stress beneath breaking waves. These successful demonstrations for wave–current bottom boundary layers are attributed to a novel formulation of the mean pressure gradient incorporated in the present model. The proposed new formulation plays an important role in modeling the boundary layer characteristics beneath shoaling and breaking waves, and ensuring that the present model is applicable to nearshore sediment transport and morphology evolution.

Water cotransport in pigmented epithelial cells

Water cotransport in pigmented epithelial cells

Ultrasound lung “comets” increase after breath-hold diving

The purpose of the study was to analyze the ultrasound lung comets (ULCs) variation, which are a sign of extra-vascular lung water. Forty-two healthy individuals performed breath-hold diving in different conditions: dynamic surface apnea; deep variable-weight apnea and shallow, face immersed without effort (static maximal and non-maximal). The number of ULCs was evaluated by means of an ultrasound scan of the chest, before and after breath-hold diving sessions. The ULC score increased significantly from baseline after dynamic surface apnea (p = 0.0068), after deep breath-hold sessions (p = 0.0018), and after static maximal apnea (p = 0.031). There was no statistically significant difference between the average increase of ULC scores after dynamic surface apnea and deep breath-hold diving. We, therefore, postulate that extravascular lung water accumulation may be due to other factors than (deep) immersion alone, because it occurs during dynamic surface apnea as well. Three mechanisms may be responsible for this. First, the immersion-induced hydrostatic pressure gradient applied on the body causes a shift of peripheral venous blood towards the thorax. Second, the blood pooling effect found during the diving response Redistributes blood to the pulmonary vascular bed. Third, it is possible that the intense involuntary diaphragmatic contractions occurring during the "struggle phase" of the breath-hold can also produce a blood shift from the pulmonary capillaries to the pulmonary alveoli. A combination of these factors may explain the observed increase in ULC scores in deep, shallow maximal and shallow dynamic apneas, whereas shallow non-maximal apneas seem to be not "ULC provoking".

Gravity, the hydrostatic indifference concept and the cardiovascular system

Gravity, like any acceleration, causes a hydrostatic pressure gradient in fluid-filled bodily compartments. At a force of 1G, this pressure gradient amounts to 10 kPa/m. Postural changes alter the distribution of hydrostatic pressure patterns according to the body's alignment to the acceleration field. At a certain location--referred to as hydrostatically indifferent--within any given fluid compartment, pressure remains constant during a given change of position relative to the acceleration force acting upon the body. At this specific location, there is probably little change in vessel volume, wall tension, and the balance of Starling forces after a positional manoeuvre. In terms of cardiac function, this is important because arterial and venous hydrostatic indifference locations determine postural cardiac preload and afterload changes. Baroreceptors pick up pressure signals that depend on their respective distance to hydrostatic indifference locations with any change of body position. Vascular shape, filling volume, and compliance, as well as temperature, nervous and endocrine factors, drugs, and time all influence hydrostatic indifference locations. This paper reviews the physiology of pressure gradients in the cardiovascular system that are operational in a gravitational/acceleration field, offers a broadened hydrostatic indifference concept, and discusses implications that are relevant in physiological and clinical terms.

Experimental investigation of coolability behaviour of irregularly shaped particulate debris bed

In case of a severe nuclear reactor accident, the core can melt and form a particulate debris bed in the lower plenum of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). Due to the decay heat, the particle bed, if not cooled properly, can cause failure of the RPV. In order to avoid further propagation of the accident, complete coolability of the debris bed is necessary. For that, understanding of various phenomena taking place during the quenching is important. In the frame of the reactor safety research, fundamental experiments on the coolability of debris beds are carried out at IKE with the test facility “DEBRIS”. In the present paper, the boiling and dry-out experimental results on a particle bed with irregularly shaped particles mixed with stainless steel balls have been reported. The pressure drops and dry-out heat fluxes of the irregular-particle bed are very similar to those for the single-sized 3 mm spheres bed, despite the fact that the irregular-particle bed is composed of particles with equivalent diameters ranging from 2 to 10 mm. Under top-flooding conditions, the pressure gradients are all smaller than the hydrostatic pressure gradient of water, indicating an important role of the counter-current interfacial drag force. For bottom-flooding with a liquid inflow velocity higher than about 2.7 mm/s, the pressure gradient generally increases consistently with the vapour velocity and the fluid-particle drag becomes important. The system pressures (1 and 3 bar) have negligible effects on qualitative behaviour of the pressure gradients. The coolability of debris beds is mainly limited by the counter-current flooding limit (CCFL) even under bottom-flooding conditions with low flow rates. The system pressure and the flow rate are found to have a distinct effect on the dry-out heat flux. Different classical models have been used to predict the pressure drop characteristics and the dry-out heat flux (DHF). Comparisons are made among the models and experimental results for DHF and pressure drop characteristics. Considering the overall trend in prediction of DHF and two-phase pressure drop, it was observed that none of the models could provide accurate predictions for both DHF and pressure drop under top- and bottom-flooding conditions. This implies that developments of more accurate models are needed including the effects of non-uniform particle sizes and the multidimensional nature of particulate debris beds, which are not reflected so far in these models.

Case Scenario: Acute Postoperative Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema

A 25-yr-old man (weight, 68 kg; height, 183 cm) presentedto the surgery center for excision of back and thigh schwan-nomas on the same day. The patient’s medical history wassignificant only for his history of multiple schwannoma re-sections and a history of smoking one pack of cigarettes perweek for the past 5 yr. He denied previous problems withgeneral anesthesia, and his baseline peripheral oxygen satu-ration was 99% on ambient air.Thepatientwaspremedicatedwith2mgmidazolam,andanesthesia was induced with 250 mg fentanyl, 500 mg thio-pental, and 8 mg vecuronium given for facilitation of tra-cheal intubation. He was atraumatically intubated with a7-mm ID endotracheal tube using a no. 3 Macintosh laryn-goscope (Teleflex Medical, Research Triangle Park, NC) onthe first attempt with direct visualization of the vocal cords.The patient was turned prone, bilateral breath sounds werereconfirmed, and schwannoma excisions were performed ontheleftthighandtheleftflank.Atotalof0.5mghydromor-phone was administered for analgesia. The intraoperativecoursewasunremarkable.Thepatientwashemodynamicallystable with minimal blood loss and was easily ventilated andoxygenated. A total of 500 ml lactated Ringer’s solution wasadministeredduringthe65-minsurgicalprocedure.Thepa-