Increase In Volume Density Research Articles

Novel lead-free KNN-based ceramic with giant energy storage density, ultra-high efficiency and excellent thermal stability via relaxor strategy

(1-x)(0.9 K0.5Na0.5NbO3-0.1Ba0.4Sr0.6TiO3)-xBi(Zn0.5Zr0.5)O3 ceramics (abbreviated as (1-x)KNNBST-xBZZ, x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method and their structure and electrical characteristics, including dielectric and ferroelectric properties, were systematically investigated. The incorporation of Bi/Zn/Zr (BZZ) elements into the KNNBST system results in a substantial increase in volume density, a dominant cubic crystal structure, and enhanced relaxor behaviour. Consequently, these modifications have led to superior energy storage performance. The 0.9KNNBST-0.1BZZ ceramics shows excellent recoverable energy storage density (Wrec = 5.42 J/cm3), and ultra-high energy efficiency (η = 91.09 %) at 470 kV/cm. Moreover, the 0.9KNNBST-0.1BZZ ceramics exhibits favorable frequency stability (1–1000 Hz) and temperature stability (27–190 ℃). The outstanding energy storage characteristics of (1-x)KNNBST-xBZZ ceramics make them highly promising for advanced pulse power capacitors and various energy storage applications.

Stereological Estimation and Zonal Distribution of the Hepatotoxic Effects of Doxorubicin on the Female Albino Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)

Background: Doxorubicin is an anti-neoplastic agent widely indicated for a variety of cancers. One of its adverse effects is hepatotoxicity which presents with hepatocyte necrosis, sinusoidal dilation, and fibrosis. However, there remains a dearth in the quantification and zonal distribution of this damage. Methods: Twenty-three adult female Wister albino rats were placed into baseline, control, and experimental group receiving 2.5mg/kg bodyweight Doxorubicin intra-peritoneally thrice weekly for 3-weeks. Rats were sacrificed on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 and livers harvested for processing. Masson’s Trichrome was used in staining 7 µm thick sections. Images were taken and analyzed via STEPanizer, and data entered into SPSS for analysis. Results: Rats treated with Doxorubicin had increased liver to body weight ratios from 5.00% at baseline to 6.15%, 6.69% and 7.56% on days 7, 14 and 21 (p=0.090). There was a decrease in hepatocyte densities from 51.88/mm2 to 48.61/mm2, 46.65/mm2 and 42.24/mm2 on day 7, 14 and 21 (p=0.779). Collagen fiber deposition increased from 0.12±0.06 cm3 to 0.47±0.55 cm3, 1.64±0.11 cm3 and 1.88±0.24 cm3 on days 7, 14 and 21 (p=0.009). Deposition was greatest periportally and least pericentrally. Volume of sinusoidal spaces increased from 5.46±0.50 cm3 to 5.49±0.15 cm3, 5.53±0.24 cm3 and 5.50±0.17 cm3 on days 7, 14 and 21 respectively (p=0.827). Sinusoids were larger pericentrally than periportally. Conclusion: Doxorubicin administration is associated with an increase in volume density of fibrotic tissue and sinusoidal spaces but decrease in hepatocytes. The quantitative changes presented may facilitate histopathological grading of Doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Structural and proteomic repercussions of growth hormone receptor deficiency on the pituitary gland: Lessons from a translational pig model.

Growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD) results in low serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and high, but non-functional serum growth hormone (GH) levels in human Laron syndrome (LS) patients and animal models. This study investigated the quantitative histomorphological and molecular alterations associated with GHRD. Pituitary glands from 6 months old growth hormone receptor deficient (GHR-KO) and control pigs were analyzed using a quantitative histomorphological approach in paraffin (9 GHR-KO [5 males, 4 females] vs. 11 controls [5 males, 6 females]), ultrathin sections tissue sections (3 male GHR-KO vs. 3 male controls) and label-free proteomics (4 GHR-KO vs. 4 control pigs [2 per sex]). GHR-KO pigs displayed reduced body weights (60% reduction in comparison to controls; p < .0001) and decreased pituitary volumes (54% reduction in comparison to controls; p < .0001). The volume proportion of the adenohypophysis did not differ in GHR-KO and control pituitaries (65% vs. 71%; p = .0506) and GHR-KO adenohypophyses displayed a reduced absolute volume but an unaltered volume density of somatotrophs in comparison to controls (21% vs. 18%; p = .3164). In GHR-KO pigs, somatotroph cells displayed a significantly reduced volume density of granules (23.5%) as compared to controls (67.7%; p < .0001). Holistic proteome analysis of adenohypophysis samples identified 4660 proteins, of which 592 were differentially abundant between the GHR-KO and control groups. In GHR-KO samples, the abundance of somatotropin precursor was decreased, whereas increased abundances of proteins involved in protein production, transport and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were revealed. Increased protein production and secretion as well as significantly reduced proportion of GH-storing granules in somatotroph cells of the adenohypophysis without an increase in volume density of somatotroph cells in the adenohypophysis could explain elevated serum GH levels in GHR-KO pigs.

30 Intrinsic skeletal muscle mitochondrial function decreases while mitochondrial volume density increases from 6 months to 3-years-old in Thoroughbreds

As the primary source of cellular energy, mitochondria are critical for athletic performance, and the intricacies of mitochondrial electron transfer may be related to Thoroughbred race performance. However, little is known about specific mitochondrial adaptations to growth in the equine athlete. To test the hypothesis that mitochondrial metrics would increase with age, gluteus medius samples were collected from the same Thoroughbred horses as weanlings (4 colts, 9 fillies; mean ± SD, 6 ± 1mo), yearlings (4 colts, 10 fillies; 20 ± 1mo), 2-year-olds (2yo; 3 geldings, 10 mares; 32 ± 1mo), and 3yo (2 geldings, 3 mares; 44 ± 1mo) from the same Kentucky farm over 4 years. Thoroughbreds were broke to ride in August of their yearling year then began race training. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (P) and electron transfer (E) capacities were determined via high-resolution respirometry. Citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activities were quantified as measures of mitochondrial volume density and function, respectively. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SASv9.4 with age and sex as fixed effects, sire and dam as random effects, and age as a repeated effect with horse as the subject. Intrinsic (relative to CS activity) CCO activity, P supported by complex I (PCI), maximal P (PCI+II), and maximal E (ECI+II) weregreatest in weanlings compared with all other ages (P ≤ 0.003) and greater in yearlings than 2yo (P ≤ 0.05). Intrinsic E supported by complex II only (ECII) was greater in weanlings than 2 or 3yo (P ≤ 0.01) and greater in yearlings than 2yo (P ≤ 0.04). Weanlings also had a greater contribution of PCI+II to ECI+II than yearlings, 2yo, or 3yo (P ≤ 0.05). However, CS activity was greatest in 3yo (P ≤ 0.03) and lowest in weanlings (P ≤ 0.0001) with yearlings and 2yo intermediate, indicating expansion of the mitochondrial network with age and training. Additionally, 3yo had the greatest integrative (per mg tissue) PCI of all ages (P ≤ 0.005). Two and 3yo had greater integrative PCI+II, ECI+II, and ECII capacities than weanlings (P ≤ 0.05). Overall, weanlings had the greatest intrinsic mitochondrial capacities and function but 2 and 3yo Thoroughbreds had greater mitochondrial volume density resulting in greater integrative capacities. Skeletal muscle mitochondria of young Thoroughbreds appear to adapt to meet energetic demands of growth and race training by increasing volume density rather than intrinsic capacity, but further research is warranted to characterize the impacts of various training programs on mitochondrial metrics.

Ультраструктура эпителия проксимальных канальцев почки при пероральном введении карбоната лития в условиях опухолевого роста

Introduction. Although new biological effects of lithium salts are being constantly discovered, they are still used as nephrotoxins. Recently, experimental data have appeared on regenerative and protective properties of short-term lithium administration in various kidney pathologies. The paper aimed to evaluate ultrastructural organization of the kidney proximal tubule cells in peripheral tumor growth and lithium carbonate peroral administration. Materials and methods. The study was carried out on CBA male mice (n=20). We formed four groups, 5 animals each: “control”, “control + lithium”, “tumor” and “tumor + lithium.” To stimulate tumor growth in the thigh muscle tissue, we used a cell line of hepatocellular carcinoma-29. Lithium carbonate was administered per os at a dose of 125 mg/kg of body weight every other day, starting from day 3 after inoculation of tumor cells. Animals were sacrificed on day 30 of tumor development, and kidney fragments were collected for electron microscopy. Results. We compared and analyzed ultrastructural organization of the apical and perinuclear zones as well as autophagic structures of the kidney proximal tubule cells. The animals with peripheral tumor growth showed decreased numerical density of endosomes and dense apical tubules as well as decreased volume density of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. In these animals, we also revealed increased volume density of autolysosomes in the cytoplasm of the epitheliocytes. The intact animals that received lithium carbonate demonstrated an increase in the volume density of free polysomal ribosome complexes. The animals that developed tumors and were administered lithium carbonate showed a growth in both numerical density of dense apical tubules and the volume density of autophagic structures. Conclusion. Peroral administration of lithium carbonate to intact animals every other day for 30 days did not cause any destructive changes to the kidney proximal tubule cells. The administration of lithium carbonate to animals with peripheral tumor growth had a protective effect on the ultrastructural organization of the kidney proximal tubules cells (probably due to autophagy activation). Keywords: peripheral tumor, lithium carbonate, renal proximal tubules, ultrastructure, endocytosis, autophagy

Effect of caffeine on mitochondrial biogenesis in the skeletal muscle - A narrative review.

Caffeine is one of the most widely used substances as recreational drug for performance-enhancement in sport, underpinned by a strong evidence base. Although the effects of caffeine are widely investigated within the scope of performance physiology, the molecular effects of caffeine within skeletal muscle remain unclear. Evidence from invitro and invivo models suggest that caffeine regulates the glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscle. Moreover, caffeine seems to stimulate CaMKII, PPARδ/β, AMPK and PGC1α, classical markers of exercise-adaptations, including mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial content. This review summarizes evidence to suggest caffeine-effects within skeletal muscle fibers, focusing on the putative role of caffeine on mitochondrial biogenesis to explore whether caffeine supplementation might be a strategy to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis.

The structure of human retinal vasculature and interstitium in the terminal stage of primary openangle glaucoma

Purpose: to study the structural organization of the vascular bed of human retina in the terminal stage of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Material and methods. We performed a comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the content of vessels in the retina of 13 eyes of patients in the terminal stage of POAG, enucleated for medical reasons, and 17 eyes with uveal melanoma, using the markers of blood vessels endothelium CD34. The ultrastructural organization of the interstitium and endothelial cells of retinal microvessels was studied by electron microscopy and morphometry.Results. A significant increase in the volume density of the interstitium and a decrease in the volume density of CD34+-blood vessels in the retina of patients in the terminal stage of POAG, as compared with uveal melanoma, were revealed. An increased volume density of luminal and basal caveolae and the formation of transendothelial channels in the cytoplasm of endotheliocytes of retinal blood capillaries in the terminal stage of POAG were noted.Conclusion. In the terminal stage of POAG, the interstitial spaces of the retina are increased and the volume density of blood vessels is dropping. The increased volume density of luminal and basal caveolae and the formation of transendothelial channels in the cytoplasm of blood capillary endotheliocytes indicate the growth of transcytosis and the permeability of the blood-retinal barrier.

Moisture and Thermal Transport Properties of Different Polyester Warp-Knitted Spacer Fabric for Protective Application

Abstract Warp-knitted spacer fabrics are generally used for sportswear, functional clothing, protective clothing, and other applications. This article studied the heat and mass transfer properties of polyester warp-knitted spacer fabrics from low thickness (2 mm) to high thickness (20 mm), from low mass (247.34 g/m2) to high mass (1,585.9 g/m2), and surface structure in plain or mesh construction. Water vapor permeability, air permeability, water absorption, and thermal insulation property were conducted to evaluate the spacer fabrics. The results revealed that with increasing volume density the water vapor permeability of spacer fabrics decreased, but the water absorption ratio increased. The water vapor permeability of fabrics increased when thickness decreased and volume density increased. It was further found that spacer fabrics with mesh worn nearby the skin and plain structure worn far from the skin could facilitate water vapor and air transmission. The difference of 8.82% for water vapor permeability and 14.19% for air permeability were found between testing mesh side up and down for the spacers (2.56 and 3.37 mm), respectively. Thermal insulation ratio was highly and significantly correlated with heat transfer coefficient at −0.958 and with thickness at 0.917. Thermal insulation ratio is highly and significantly correlated with air permeability at 0.941.

Prostatotropic Action of Glycyrrhizic Acid Disodium Salt in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Models.

The prostatotropic activity of glycyrrhizic acid disodium salt (Na2GA) was studied in the models of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced by chronic injection of sulpiride (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 8 weeks) or testosterone propionate (20 mg/kg subcutaneously for 4 weeks) in the Wistar rats. The oral administration of Na2GA in a dose of 100 mg/kg produced a moderate antiproliferative effect in both BPH models resulting in reduced volume density of prostatic epithelium (in the testosterone model) and increased volume density of the glandular lumen (in both models). The observed prostatotropic effects of Na2GA were similar to those of Permixon and finasteride, but they were less pronounced as confirmed by smaller drops in epithelial volume density and epithelial-to-stromal ratio compared to the effects of both reference drugs.

Inherent strain homogenization for fast residual deformation simulation of thin-walled lattice support structures built by laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

Numerical simulation of residual deformation in metallic components with dense lattice support structures by the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing process has been a significant challenge due to the very high computational expense in performing both finite element meshing and analysis. In this work, the modified inherent strain method is extended to enable efficient residual deformation simulation of l-PBF components with lattice support structures. The asymptotic homogenization method is employed to obtain the equivalent mechanical properties including the anisotropic elastic modulus and inherent strains given the topological configuration and laser scanning strategy of the thin-walled lattice support structures. A key finding is that the in-plane homogenized inherent strain values decrease with increasing volume density, which can be attributed to the directional dependence of inherent strains for the AM-processed material. Based on the homogenized mechanical properties and inherent strains, the thin-walled lattice support structures can be considered to be an effective solid continuum so that the simulation can be accelerated significantly to obtain residual deformation. Good accuracy of the homogenized mechanical property and inherent strains is validated by comparing the simulated residual deformation with experimental deformation measurement of several lattice structured beams of different volume densities. Efficiency of the proposed method is also demonstrated through numerical examples to have 80 % reduction in number of elements and nearly 10x speedup in computing time. In addition, the scalability of the proposed method is also verified through application to a complex L-PBF component fabricated with thin-walled support structures.

The Impact of Basalt Components on the Structure of Bricks Formed as a Result of Hydrothermal Treatment

The article focuses on brick products, the production of which is based on natural components, such as lime (CaO), quartz sand (SiO2) and water (H2O), and which are created during the process of the so-called hydrothermal treatment. In the production process of the modified brick, basalt components (basalt aggregate, with graining of 2–4 mm, basalt powder and basalt fibers) were used because of their natural origin, mineralogical composition, high volume density, and possibly minimal absorbability. In the article thermodynamic properties of minerals forming the construction of basalt components were determined, as well as the phases that arise during the autoclaving process. Compressive strength and density were investigated due to acoustic properties. The product modified with basalt aggregate shows decrease in water absorption as a result of capillary action and in absorbability up to 9% (in the reference sample up to 16%). The sample with basalt aggregate shows compressive resistance of 33 MPa on average, with the increase of volume density to 2.29 kg/dm3. Modification of sand-lime mixture presented satisfying results with 10% basalt powder additive. Application of basalt fibers slightly changed the volume density and absorbability compared with the norm sample. However, it affected the compressive resistance.

Considerations in the study of trophies

Roe deer is Laurasiatherian mammal from the family of Cervidae. It is autochthonous and one of the most valued trophy game species in Croatia (Zorić 2014.). Antlers (left and right branch) with complete or part of the skull are regarded as trophy. Despite the fact that roe deer antlers are easily accessible trophies, formulas for their evaluations are still largely debated. It is a consequence of large number of elements that need to be evaluated, possible use of coefficient instead of measuring volume and mass, and potential differences in trophy preparation. Guidelines of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) instructs that skulls should be cut through the eye cavities leaving intact nasal bones on the trophy. If otherwise cut or left intact with maxillar teeth, deduction of 65 or 90g is foreseen. Considering the fact that weight and density of bones varies between populations, we hypothesize that above mentioned deductions do not represent real values. Therefore the aim of this research was to determine the deviations from actual mass. A total of 40 roe buck skulls originating from the area of Central Croatia were analysed. All skulls were weighed 3 times, initially when intact, after shallow cut and after proscribed cut. Obtained data were statistically analysed. Following the shallow cut, skull is lighter for 25 to 52 g, which is 11 g less than proscribed 65 g. In other words application of shallow cut will result in the loss in trophy value. In cases of intact skulls loss in weight is related to gross skull mass. In this case even 68 to 70% of variability are explained by gross skull mass (R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=0.680; p&amp;lt;0.0001 – linear function, or R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=0.699; p&amp;lt;0.01 – potency function). According to the intersection of the lines (obligate deduction of 90 g and dependence of mass loss due to the cutting) milestone in the mass is at 310 g gross. In other words trophies lighter than 310 g should be cut according to proscriptions as they will lose less than 90 g, while heavier skulls should be left intact as they will lose more than proscribed 90 g. Regardless of the skull preparation, all obtained masses show statistically significant relation to volume. With increase in volume density of trophies decreases (R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=0.813; p&amp;lt;0.001), with the fact that cutting of the skull results in removal of denser, heavier parts of the trophy. Application of the coefficient 0.23 depends on the density of the trophy, meaning that its application in the case of heavier antlers with lower volume will increase the trophy value. In the case of porous antlers the real coefficient should be higher, as application of 0.23 results in lower trophy values. In the case of intact skulls we do not advice application of 0.23 coefficient as this will decrease the trophy value.

MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE ADRENAL GLANDS IN THE EARLY DEADLINE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF STREPTOSOTOCIN DIABETES MELLITUS

Relevance of research. The medical and social problem of diabetes involves a steady increase in the prevalence of diseases, high rates of mortality and disability in patients. Disorders of the pituitary-adrenal system play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease and its complications. Thus, the aim of the research was to determine the specific features of the morpho-functional changes of the adrenal gland in experimental streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus and in response to its management. Aim of the study. To establish the peculiarities of morphofunctional restructuring of the adrenal cortex in the early stages (7-14 days) of experimental diabetes. On the 7th day of the development of streptozotocin diabetes mellitus in the adrenal glands, the stage of reactive changes in response to metabolic disorders in the body is traced. Significant thickening of zona fasciculata by 23.95 % (р=0.0007) is noticed in adrenal cortex in this observation period, while the thickness of zona glomerulosa and zona reticularis does not significantly differ from the control indices (р&lt;0.05 in all cases). The endocrinocytes’ profile area is significantly decreased in zona fasciculata that under permanent nucleus area leads to the increase of nucleocytoplasmic index. Morphometric changes in cells are associated with the decrease of lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. It is confirmed by statistical study on the ultrastructural level (volume density of lipid droplets decreases by 48.85 %). These changes in endocrinocytes of zona fasciculata point to significant release of glucocorticoid hormones into blood and is confirmed by biochemical findings, namely, the cortisol level increases by 1.5 times (р=0.0074). Linear proportional associations are revealed between the glucose and cortisol levels r=+0.82 (р=0.0244). On the 14th day of streptozotocin diabetes mellitus is observed to the increase of morphofunctional activity of adrenal cortex, which is evident in: significant thickening of all its zones; significant increase of endocrinocytes’ profile area of all zones and their nuclei; increase of volume density of lipid granules in endocrinocytes of zona fasciculata by 4.73 times respectfully. Blood cortisol level also increases to 18.27±2.21 ng/ml on the 14th day of experiment by 1.7 times.

Pilot, Open, Randomized, Prospective Trial for Normothermic Machine Perfusion Evaluation in Liver Transplantation From Older Donors.

Ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) might minimize ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) of liver grafts. In this study, 20 primary liver transplantation recipients of older grafts (≥70years) were randomized 1:1 to NMP or cold storage (CS) groups. The primary study endpoint was to evaluate graft and patient survival at 6months posttransplantation. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate liver and bile duct biopsies; IRI by means of peak transaminases within 7 days after surgery; and incidence of biliary complications at month 6. Liver and bile duct biopsies were collected at bench surgery, end of ex situ NMP, and end of transplant surgery. Interleukin (IL) 6, IL10, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) perfusate concentrations were tested during NMP. All grafts were successfully transplanted. Median (interquartile range) posttransplant aspartate aminotransferase peak was 709 (371-1575) IU/L for NMP and 574 (377-1162) IU/L for CS (P=0.597). There was 1 hepatic artery thrombosis in the NMP group and 1 death in the CS group. In NMP, we observed high TNF-α perfusate levels, and these were inversely correlated with lactate (P<0.001). Electron microscopy showed decreased mitochondrial volume density and steatosis and an increased volume density of autophagic vacuoles at the end of transplantation in NMP versus CS patients (P<0.001). Use of NMP with older liver grafts is associated with histological evidence of reduced IRI, although the clinical benefit remains to be demonstrated.

Histološke karakteristike i volumenska gustina elastičnih vlakana u dermu tokom starenja

Introduction: Elastic fibers are constituents of the dermal extracellular matrix, determining the histoarchitecture of the dermal connective tissue. Organization and density of elastic fibers change as skin ages. The aim of this paper was to determine the similarities and differences between the photo-aging and the physiological aging of skin by examining organization and quantifying the elastic fibers in the dermis during aging. The material included samples of photoexposed and photoprotected skin, obtained from 90 cadavers aged 0-82 years. The samples were classified into five age groups: newborns, young age, middle age, mature age and the oldest age. Skin samples were stained using the Halmi modification of Aldehyd fucshin staining method, as well as Alcian blue staining (the Spicer method). Volume density (VD) of the elastic fibers was measured using Image J program. Results: In the skin of newborns and young age group (neck and abdomen) elastic fibers appeared to form a network structure. In the photoexposed skin of the mature age and the oldest group, elastic fibers showed tendency to fragment, while the elastic material exhibited tendency to accumulate. VD of elastic network in the skin of the neck in the middle, mature and the oldest age group was greater than VD of abdominal skin of the respective age groups (3.66±0.28%, 5.61±0.22%, 6.24±0.21% respectively). Age-related statistically significant increase in VD of the elastic network in the skin of the neck, as well as a statistically significant reduction of elastic network VD in the abdominal skin, has been observed (middle age - oldest). Conclusion: Correlation of the organization and quantity of elastic fibers with age exhibits different pattern in photoexposed compared to photoprotected skin. A quantitative evaluation of the volume density of elastic fibers correlates with clinically visible signs of photo-aging, primarily with solar elastosis.

Parabronchial remodeling in chicks in response to embryonic hypoxia.

The embryonic development of parabronchi occurs mainly during the second half of incubation in precocious birds, which makes this phase sensitive to possible morphological modifications induced by O2 supply limitation. Thus, we hypothesized that hypoxia during the embryonic phase of parabronchial development induces morphological changes that remain after hatching. To test this hypothesis, chicken embryos were incubated entirely (21 days) under normoxia or partially under hypoxia (15% O2 during days 12 to 18). Lung structures, including air capillaries, blood capillaries, infundibula, atria, parabronchial lumen, bronchi, blood vessels larger than capillaries and interparabronchial tissue, in 1- and 10-day-old chicks were analyzed using light microscopy-assisted stereology. Tissue barrier and surface area of air capillaries were measured using electron microscopy-assisted stereology, allowing for calculation of the anatomical diffusion factor. Hypoxia increased the relative volumes of air and blood capillaries, structures directly involved in gas exchange, but decreased the relative volumes of atria in both groups of chicks, and the parabronchial lumen in older chicks. Accordingly, the surface area of the air capillaries and the anatomical diffusion factor were increased under hypoxic incubation. Treatment did not alter total lung volume, relative volumes of infundibula, bronchi, blood vessels larger than capillaries, interparabronchial tissue or the tissue barrier of any group. We conclude that hypoxia during the embryonic phase of parabronchial development leads to a morphological remodeling, characterized by increased volume density and respiratory surface area of structures involved in gas exchange at the expense of structures responsible for air conduction in chicks up to 10 days old.

D2-40 Immunoreactivity of Lymphatic Vessels Endothelium and Representation of Lymphatic Vessels in the Liver of Human Fetuses of Different Gestational Age

Summary In the reference literature, there are a few studies on the development of the lymphatic system in the liver, especially human. This study aims to establish the presence, time of appearance, distribution and representation of expression D2-40 molecule – a marker of lymph vessels endothelial cells during the fetal period of the human liver development. The livers obtained from 20 human fetuses (10 male and 12 female), aged 12-37 gestational weeks, constituted our study material. Paraffin sections, 4 µm thick, were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis, and with LSAB2/HRP method for immunohistochemistry using the D2-40 monoclonal antibody to mark lymphatic endothelial cells. The presence of lymphatic vessels was determined by morphometry, calculating their numerical and volume density. The study showed that expression of D2-40 molecule was absent in the liver lymphatic vessels in the first trimester of development, while in the second trimester intensive D2-40 immunoreactivity was observed in the lymph vessels of the liver capsule, and low D2-40 immunopositivity of the lymph vessels in large portal spaces. In the third trimester, intensive D2-40 immunoreactivity was observed in the lymph vessels of the liver capsule and in the endothelium of numerous lymphatic vessels of various shape and size, located in the smaller and larger portal areas. Volume and numerical density of lymphatic vessels in the portal areas of the liver during fetal development increased from the second to the third trimester of pregnancy, which was proportional to the increase in volume density of the hepatic portal spaces. Based on the obtained results, a conclusion may be drawn that the lymph vessels in the liver can be identified in the first half of the second trimester, and their number was growing proportionally by the end of pregnancy.

V0.5Mo0.5Nx/MgO(001): Composition, nanostructure, and mechanical properties as a function of film growth temperature

V0.5Mo0.5Nx/MgO(001) alloys with the B1-NaCl structure are grown by ultra-high-vacuum reactive magnetron sputter deposition in 5 mTorr mixed Ar/N2 atmospheres at temperatures Ts between 100 and 900 °C. Alloy films grown at Ts ≤ 500 °C are polycrystalline with a strong 002 preferred orientation; layers grown at Ts ≥ 700 °C are epitaxial single-crystals. The N/Metal composition ratio x ranges from 1.02 ± 0.05 with Ts = 100–500 °C to 0.94 ± 0.05 at 700 °C to 0.64 ± 0.05 at Ts = 900 °C. N loss at higher growth temperatures leads to a corresponding decrease in the relaxed lattice parameter ao from 4.212 Å with x = 1.02 to 4.175 Å at x = 0.94 to 4.120 Å with x = 0.64. V0.5Mo0.5Nx nanoindentation hardnesses H and elastic moduli E increase with increasing Ts from 17 ± 3 and 323 ± 30 GPa at 100 °C to 26 ± 1 and 370 ± 10 GPa at 900 °C. Both polycrystalline and single-crystal V0.5Mo0.5Nx films exhibit higher toughnesses than that of the parent binary compound VN. V0.5Mo0.5Nx films deposited at higher Ts also exhibit enhanced wear resistance. Valence-band x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses reveal an increased volume density of shear-sensitive d-t2g – d-t2g metallic states for V0.5Mo0.5Nx compared to VN and the density of these orbitals increases with increasing deposition temperature, i.e., with increasing N-vacancy concentration.

Acceleration of the Rate of Silver Nanoparticle Formation Using Microbubbles in a Sonochemical Process

The effect of the addition of microbubbles on the formation of silver nanoparticles produced in an ultrasonic radiation-mediated process was investigated. The addition of microbubbles with an area-based median diameter of 26.0 µm and a bubble volume density of 0.18 cm3/L significantly increased the silver nanoparticle formation rate during the sonochemical process. The size distribution of the silver nanoparticles was largely unaffected by the addition of the microbubbles. The influence of changes in the microbubble volume density on the formation of the silver nanoparticles was also investigated; it was confirmed that the rate of formation of the silver nanoparticles increased moderately with increasing volume density. The gradient in absorption spectra was approximately 30 times larger for the case when microbubbles (median diameter: 28.3 µm) were added at 0.74 cm3/L, compared with the case without microbubbles. The results suggested that the microbubbles provided reaction sites similar to cavitation bubbles in the ultrasonic reaction.

A87: Proliferative activity, lymphatic and blood vessel density in different clinical stages of melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive human neoplasms that can quickly metastasize to regional lymph nodes. Currently, prognosis is determined by measuring tumor thickness but more reliable markers for metastatic spread are urgently needed. It is well known that tumors require a microvasculature development in order to grow and metastasize. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play an important role not only in the tumor growth, but also in the tumor metastasis. As malignancy is a disorder of cellular growth control, the assessment of cell proliferation rates in tumors has intuitive appeal as a prognostic marker. One such biomarker is Ki-67, a cell cycle dependent protein. Recent reports related to its role as a prognostic factor have been contradictory. The purpose of this study was to investigate lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis and tumor tissue proliferative activity depending on the clinical stages of melanoma. The objects of the study were the samples of tumor tissue obtained during surgical treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma. To analyze tumor angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and proliferation, we performed immunostains of the primary melanomas for the vascular marker CD34, for the lymphatic-specific markers LYVE-1, D2 -40 (Podoplanin) and marker of proliferation – Ki-67. Samples of tumor tissue from 40 patients with IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIC melanoma stages were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, processed by standard histological techniques and embedded in paraffin. All steps of the immunohistochemical reaction were performed by using BENCHMARK/XT slide stainer (Ventana). Determination of blood vessel volume density revealed its growth an average of 2 times in peritumoral areas. Similar data were obtained about the location lymphatic vessels. Greater content peritumoral blood and lymphatic vessels, then intratumoral could be detected in all stages of melanoma. In addition more significantly greater volume density both intratumoral and peritumoral blood vessels, than lymphatic vessels was found. A greater degree expression of endothelium lymphatic vessels markers Podoplanin, compared with the LYVE-1 was shown. It was noted an increasing volume density of the peritumoral blood and lymphatic vessels in primary tumors with expansion clinical stage melanoma. Three levels of proliferative activity of tumor tissue were determined (low, an average degree and high Ki-67 expression). Results of the analysis have shown, that the high proliferative activity corresponded to significant content of blood and lymphatic vessels. High level of these markers was observed in patients with regional lymph nodes metastases. In recent years there have been appeared publications suggesting that lymphatic vessel density (particularly in a peritumoral location) and lymphatic vessel invasion are predictors of sentinel node metastasis and poorer survival. It was noted, that “larger, carefully conducted and well-reported studies that confirm these preliminary findings are required before it would be appropriate to recommend the routine application of costly and time-consuming immunohistochemistry for lymphatic markers in the routine clinical assessment of primary cutaneous melanomas”. In our opinion, one must consider not only the lymphatic vessels density, but also blood vessels, and the tumor tissue proliferative activity. Conclusion This study has shown that the complex markers of lymphangiogenesis (Podoplanin), angiogenesis (CD34) and proliferation (Ki-67) may be predictors of high risk early melanoma metastasis.