Photomicroscopy Research Articles

Development and Evaluation of Nutraceutical Tablets from Selected Plant Extracts: A Novel Approach to Functional Medicine

The potential of a seed powder blend made of Cucumis melo, Punica granatum, and Linum usitatissimum in a 1:1:1 ratio is investigated in this study. In order to guarantee a consistent particle size distribution (10–30 µm), the seeds were ground into a fine powder. The parameters of bulk powder showed strong cohesion and poor flow ability. Photo microscopy, however, showed fibrous, capsular structures that were perfect for formulation. Significant growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum indicated that the mix had superior prebiotic potential compared to individual seed powders and the conventional chicory powder. It also showed remarkable antioxidant activity. Studies on animals verified the blend's effectiveness and safety. A 40-day feeding trial in Albino Wistar rats demonstrated its haematinic effects, raising haemoglobin levels from 12.1% to 16.5% and red blood cell counts from 7.46 to 9.55 million/mm³. Acute toxicity trials revealed no negative effects. Additionally, the combination decreased VLDL and triglycerides and raised serum protein levels, suggesting possible cardiovascular advantages. Its safety for those with diabetes is supported by the fact that blood glucose levels stayed within the usual range. The product, which was made as capsules, complied with pharmacopoeial requirements for disintegration time and weight variation. A shelf life of nine to twelve months is suggested by stability studies conducted under accelerated settings. Over the course of three months, the blend's prebiotic activity stayed steady, maintaining its capacity to promote probiotic growth. This nutraceutical formulation is a good option for treating anemia, malnutrition, and metabolic disorders since it provides a promising blend of antioxidant, prebiotic, and health-promoting qualities.

Comparison of the effect of olanzapine and pimozide on development and changes of oocytes , endocrine marker and aromatase enzyme in Trichogaster trichoptrus

In this survey the effects of olanzapine and pimozide on endocrine hormones and aromatase enzyme in Trichogaster trichopterus were analyzed. In this reason 120 mature female fishes were divided into 8 treatments and two control groups the fishes in one control group received ethanol 70% while the other control group was intact.All injections were done in muscles between dorsal fin and lateral line (0/02 mL per injection). Fishes were killed 7 days after the injection and their ovaries were dissected for histologic studies the fishes ovaries were fixed in formaline 10%. After tissue passage and cutting and Hand E staining the ovary tissues in all treatment groups were studied by optical microscope and were compared with control groups. Then, endocrine hormone and aromatase levels in all treatment groups were compared with fishes in control groups by SPSS software and DUNCAN and one way of ANOVA exams.the differences between averages in different treatment fishes were determined with p-value≤0/05. The results of comparison between control and treatment groups of 1, 2, 3 and 4 receiving 1, 3, 6, and 10 mg/kgb.w of olanzapine relatively and treatment groups of 5, 6, 7 and 8 receiving 1,3,6 and 10 mg/kgb.w of pimozide relatively showed the effects of dopamine antagonists on endocrine hormones and aromatase enzyme which decreases aromatase and testosterone and estradiol levels and thus had a reasonable difference with control fishes. Studying the oocytes histologic samples by photo microscopy in control group showed that cells were in vitellogenesis and maturation stages while in pimozide and olanzapine treatments by increasing the dosages despite presence of cells in cortical stage the cell number in prenuclear stage increase steadily. The results of this study showed that dopamine antagonists effect of oocyte maturation.

Photomicroscopy Made Easy by Converting Cell Phones into “CellCams”

Photo and video microscopy expand the utility of microscopic observations in education, but attachments needed for this have been prohibitively expensive or too fragile to allow students individual access to these techniques. We describe a do-it-yourself method using inexpensive materials that allows students to build an adaptor that will allow them to turn their cell phones into “CellCams” that they can use to capture microscopic images and videos. Activities are presented that give students ways to learn about concepts of microscopy using their self-collected images.

Formulation and development of industry feasible proniosomal transdermal drug delivery system of granisetron hydrochloride

Proniosomes gel is semisolid liquid crystal products of nonionic surfactants, which converted into niosomes upon hydration. A proniosome based transdermal drug delivery system of granisetron hydrochloride (GRA HCL) developed by coacervation phase separation method. Formulation optimized by use of 32 full factorial design. Span 60 and cholesterol selected as independent variables, while entrapment efficiency (EE) and flux selected as dependent variables. Proniosomes evaluated for EE, in vitro permeation study, stability study, microscopial examination by photomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis. F5 batch containing 90 mg span 60, and 10 mg cholesterol show maximum entrapment (66.57 ± 0.20%) and flux (7.94 ± 0390 μg/cm2/h). Comparative in vitro drug release study of plain drug solution and drug in proniosomal gel form was carried out for 48 h on guinea pig skin. It was found that cumulative release and flux of proniosomal gel was nearly two times more than drug solution containing same drug concentration.The study demonstrated the effectiveness of proniosomal transdermal patch containing GRA HCL for effective management of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Key words: Factorial design, industry feasible, niosomes, proniosomes, stability, transdermal drug delivery

Differential scanning calorimetry and optical photo microscopy examination for the analysis of failure of fusion bonded powder epoxy internal coating

Abstract An investigation was conducted to find out the reason behind the failure of the powder epoxy internal coating from production flow line of Large Scale Pilot Project (LSP) from an oil exploration in Kuwait. The internal coating was completely detached and peeled out in the form of curling from the substrate, and causing the production flow line to be plugged with the deposit of paint debris. The production operation of oil supply from the LSP well was stopped due to this failure and the pipeline was replaced. Multiple field techniques and laboratory approaches were used to find out the reason behind the coating failure. The research work involved utilizing the analysis of the surface carbon steel substrate with new epoxy coated sample as compared to the failed one using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical and photomicroscope examination. The overall results indicated that the failure was due to the combined effects of the improperly cured coating as determined by differences in the glass transition temperature (Tg), and differential thermal expansion properties between the steel tube and coating causing shrinkage stresses resulting in disbonded coating. This was enhanced by the expansion of corrosion oxide products as a sequence of ineffective substrate pre-treatment.

Tracking traction force changes of single cells on the liquid crystal surface.

Cell migration is a key contributor to wound repair. This study presents findings indicating that the liquid crystal based cell traction force transducer (LCTFT) system can be used in conjunction with a bespoke cell traction force mapping (CTFM) software to monitor cell/surface traction forces from quiescent state in real time. In this study, time-lapse photo microscopy allowed cell induced deformations in liquid crystal coated substrates to be monitored and analyzed. The results indicated that the system could be used to monitor the generation of cell/surface forces in an initially quiescent cell, as it migrated over the culture substrate, via multiple points of contact between the cell and the surface. Future application of this system is the real-time assaying of the pharmacological effects of cytokines on the mechanics of cell migration.

Evaluation of Synthesized Cross Linked Polyvinyl Alcohol as Potential Disintegrant

The present study deals with evaluation of crosslinked poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) as a potential disintegrant. Crosslinking of PVA was carried out using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker, in presence of acidic conditions. The crosslinking reaction was optimized for a) polymer: crosslinker ratio; b) temperature requirement and c) reaction duration. Certain physical parameters of the disintegrant (including sedimentation volume, hydration capacity, specific surface area and bulk and tap density) were determined and compared to the known disintegrants. Characterization was carried out using FT-IR, DSC, XRD, SEM and Photo microscopy studies. The developed excipient was also studied for acute toxicity in rats and found to be safe for oral use. Disintegration property of formed product was compared to known disintegrant (Ac-Di-Sol) and it was found to give better results. The disintegration mechanism of developed disintegrant was postulated based on results obtained from various physical evaluations including: Study of effect of disintegrant concentration, fillers, and hardness, mode of incorporation and method of granulation on disintegration activity. By changing the condition parameters of well known crosslinking reaction of PVA, we obtained a crosslinked product which had excellent disintegration activity, good flow and optimal tableting properties.

Determination, characterization and cytotoxicity on HELF cells of ZnO nanoparticles

Three kinds of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with different size were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). The potential cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs with various concentrations has been investigated using human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF) cells. The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs on the normal HELF cell was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenltetrazoliumhromide (MTT) assay and characterized with photo microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that ZnO NPs aqueous suspensions with concentrations varying from 2.5 to 150mgL(-1) were harmful to the HELF cells and the cytotoxicity to HELF showed obviously concentration dependence. With concentrations higher than 20mgL(-1), ZnO NPs led to the livability of the tested cells lower than 10%. These results highlighted the need for caution during the use of ZnO NPs above 1.2-1.6mgL(-1) for safety. Finally, an UV-vis spectroscopic approach was developed for the determination of ZnO NPs concentration in the linear range 2-50mgL(-1) (correlation coefficients more than 0.9990), and the detection limit was 1.0mgL(-1).

Hypoglycemic activity of dried extracts of Bauhinia forficata Link

Leaves of the pantropical genus Bauhinia (Fabaceae) are known popularly as cow's foot, due to their unique characteristic bilobed aspect. The species Bauhinia forficata (Brazilian Orchid-tree) is widely used in folk medicine as an antidiabetic. The present work investigates the hypoglycemic activity of the dried extracts of Bauhinia forficata leaves in vivo, as well as the influence of the drying and granulation processes on this activity. The fluid extract was dried to generate oven-dried (ODE), spray-dried (SDE) and wet granulation (WGE) extracts, with the aid of colloidal silicon dioxide and/or cellulose:lactose mixture. The dried extracts were characterized by spectrophotometric, chromatographic and photo microscopy image analysis. 200 mg/kg body wt., p.o. of each dried product were administered orally to male Wistar rats over 7 days old, for biomonitoring of the hypoglycemic activity profile. The effect of the extracts was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats. After 7 days of treatment, fasting glucose was determined, and the livers were removed, dried on tissue paper, weighed, and stored at -20 degrees C to estimate hepatic glycogen. Our results show that spray-drying or oven-drying processes applied to B. forficata extracts did not significantly alter its flavonoid profile or its hypoglycemic activity. Indeed, the dried extracts of B. forficata act differently from glibenclamide. Despite the lower active content in WGE, because of the higher concentration of adjuvants, the use of the granulation process improved the manufacturing properties of the ODE, making this material more appropriate for use in tablets or capsules.

Photomicroscopy for Gemologists

This article is dedicated to Dr. Edward J. Gübelin, one of the great pioneers of gemological photomicrography and the first gemologist to truly appreciate the unparalleled beauty of gems in nature’s microcosm.

Geometry of the melting interface in cylindrical metal rods under microgravity conditions

Abstract The melting interface geometries present within cylindrical iron rods in microgravity are examined. Melting samples are quenched in microgravity by immersion in a water bath. Samples are sectioned on multiple planes and photo microscopy analysis is used to determine the shape of the melting interface on each plane. Images from multiple cross-sections are assembled to produce a three-dimensional representation of the melting interface present in microgravity. Iron rods are shown to have an asymmetric, convex melting interface in microgravity, with a significantly different (increased) heat transfer area compared to the planar normal-gravity case. The change in surface area of the melting interface between normal gravity and microgravity is shown to provide excellent agreement with the observed change in melting rate, as predicted by simple one-dimensional heat transfer analysis. To cite this article: N.R. Ward, T.A. Steinberg, C. R. Mecanique 335 (2007).

Morphology of the sense organs of anchovy Engraulis japonicus

The morphology of the lateral line system, the inner ear, the olfactory epithelium and the taste bud of the wild adult anchovy Engraulis japonicus was examined by photo microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Hematoxylin solution was injected into the lateral line canals to show the arrangement of the lateral line system. The lateral line system has well-developed supraorbital, infraorbital and preoperculomandibular canals on the head, dense canal branches on the operculum, lateral line canals on the trunk, and no free neuromasts. The inner ear comprises three semicircular canals and three otholithic end organs: the sacculus, the lagena and the utriculus. The olfactory organs and taste buds were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The paired olfactory organs on the snout have rosettes of lamellae, whose sensory epithelium consists of receptor cells of both the ciliated and microvillous type. The taste buds are distributed only inside the mouth, and mostly between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws, and between the gill teeth on the gill rakers. Well-developed lateral lines on the head are advantageous for schooling, and the taste buds in the mouth and on the gill rakers are advantageous for filter-feeding on plankton.

Impaired Ca2+ Store Functions in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Cells from Sarcalumenin-deficient Mice

Sarcalumenin (SAR), specifically expressed in striated muscle cells, is a Ca2+-binding protein localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of the intracellular Ca2+ store. By generating SAR-deficient mice, we herein examined its physiological role. The mutant mice were apparently normal in growth, health, and reproduction, indicating that SAR is not essential for fundamental muscle functions. SAR-deficient skeletal muscle carrying irregular SR ultrastructures retained normal force generation but showed slow relaxation phases after contractions. A weakened Ca2+ uptake activity was detected in the SR prepared from mutant muscle, indicating that SAR contributes to Ca2+ buffering in the SR lumen and also to the maintenance of Ca2+ pump proteins. Cardiac myocytes from SAR-deficient mice showed slow contraction and relaxation accompanied by impaired Ca2+ transients, and the mutant mice exhibited a number of impairments in cardiac performance as determined in electrocardiography, ventricular catheterization, and echocardiography. The results obtained demonstrate that SAR plays important roles in improving the Ca2+ handling functions of the SR in striated muscle.

Emulsifying and self-emulsified properties of siloxane polymer grafted with easy hydrophile

A series of siloxane polymers (SHE) with varying weight percents of simple nonionic hydrophilic groups have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR and 13C-NMR. Emulsions have been made by self-emulsification of those polymers in pure water and also by emulsifying silicone oil using those polymers as oil-in-water type emulsifiers. The stability of those emulsions have been examined apparently from the phase separation and also from the particle size increase on storage by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and photo microscopy. The results reviled that SHE 40, having 40 wt % grafted hydrophile, formed the most stable self-emulsified emulsion, and SHE30 and SHE40 could be used as effective emulsifiers for silicone oil emulsification. The possible use of those emulsions as a defoamer for water-borne systems has also been investigated by measuring the reduction of foam height of a strongly foamed aqueous solution of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The defoaming ability decreases with the increase in hydrophile wt % in the polymer backbone; however, it increases with the emulsion (defoamer) concentrations. When compared with respect to the total wt % of hydrophobe contents in the emulsion defomer, the self-emulsified emulsion has shown better defoaming than the silicone oil emulsion, and the results are well in accord with the difference in size of the respective emulsion particles. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2408–2415, 2002

Aspectos da organografia e anatomia foliar do amendoim: genótipos so-53 e so-909

Estudos morfológicos foliares foram efetuados em dois genótipos de amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L.), do grupo Valência, completando informações contidas em trabalhos anteriores. O amendoim, importante cultura mundial, possui o Brasil como centro de origem e dispersão de suas espécies. Nenhuma pesquisa havia sido realizada em organografia nem em anatomia foliar, com genótipos em cultivo no País. O genótipo SO-53 ('Tatu') é suscetível às mais relevantes moléstias fúngicas foliares, ocupando a maior área do amendoim cultivado no Brasil. O SO-909 (PI-259747) tem sido freqüentemente citado como fonte de resistência às moléstias fúngicas foliares, em trabalhos de fitopatologia. Medições macroscópicas, com o uso de paquímetro, bem como observações microscópicas, através de fotomicroscópio, foram efetuadas. Um estudo organográfico foi executado com as folhas de plantas de campo, bem como o estudo anatômico, com o uso de lâminas semipermanentes, mediante desenhos esquemáticos e fotomicroscópio. Os idioblastos encontrados nos folíolos foram divididos em três tipos, de acordo com a presença de tanino, mucilagem ou cristal. Os mucilaginosos foram separados em dois tipos, aparecendo os longos somente na superfície adaxial do limbo foliolar, e os curtos, similares às células epidérmicas, em seção paradérmica em ambas as faces do limbo foliolar. Os pêlos foram separados em três tipos, de acordo com o tamanho: os longos, os curtos e os muito curtos. Todos têm de uma a quatro células basais e uma longa apical. As cerdas², presentes nos dois genótipos, foram classificadas em dois tipos, também conforme o tamanho: as grandes, observadas visualmente, presentes sobretudo na bainha, e as curtas, ao longo da margem foliolar, ambas multicelulares. Algumas características morfológicas, como a presença e freqüência de pêlos; a forma da terminação do sulco na inserção adaxial do pecíolo-raque; a freqüência de cerdas e a espessura da lâmina foliolar, podem ser utilizadas na caracterização dos genótipos de amendoim. A menor espessura dos folíolos e a presença de espaços aeríferos na epiderme da face abaxial do limbo foliolar podem ser correlacionadas à suscetibilidade a determinadas moléstias fúngicas foliares do 'Tatu'.

The Miniature Microscope in Forensic Science

A microscope is described which measures only 4 x 2 1 2 x 2 inches and weighs only 18 ounces, and yet which claims to be capable of every operation within the range of the largest conventional bench instrument, and of several other operations of which no other microscope is capable. Carrying standard optics, including an oil immersion objective, with a self-contained electric illuminator it provides magnifications up to 1,500X. It is capable of transmitted, incident, dark ground and phase contrast illumination, examination of large opaque surfaces and particles in volumes of fluid, polarising, comparison, measurement and counting, photo and cine microscopy, all with the instrument held in the hand, if necessary in the dark and under uncomfortable conditions, and even in the presence of vibration and movement, yet with an image equal in magnification and definition to any conventional instrument. It is designed for both scene-of-crime examinations and critical laboratory bench work.