Standard Preparation Techniques Research Articles

Preparation of Powder from Butterfly Pea Plant (Clitoria Ternatea) for Pharmaceutical Applications

The butterfly pea plant, scientifically known as Clitoria ternatea, is valuable medicinal herb with long history of traditional use in various cultures. This research focuses on the preparation of powder from the butterfly pea plant, exploring the optimal methods for drying, grinding, and storing the plant material. The study also evaluates the phytochemical content, physical properties, and potential pharmaceutical applications of the resulting powder. The findings suggest that standardized preparation techniques can enhance the medicinal value of the butterfly pea plant, making it a viable option for use in various pharmaceutical formulations

Effects of Sample Handling on Visible and Near-Infrared Soil Reflectance

Soil reflectance is a cumulative attribute determined by interactions between light (photons) and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil properties such as organic matter, moisture, mineral oxide contents, soil texture, and surface roughness all influence soil reflectance at unique wavelengths. Many standard sample preparation techniques are designed to alter soil properties, so as to homogenize samples to improve the consistency of reflectance data collected. This study aims to quantify the effects of one standard sample preparation activity, drying, and repeated wetting–drying cycles on visible–near-infrared soil reflectance, by collecting reflectance data from nine samples which were dried then wetted for a total of three times. This study demonstrates the major, permanent effects of a drying and wetting cycle on soil reflectance, and then presents a model which can be used to correct for these effects. These results have direct implications for remote sensing activities, soil libraries, and soil spectral libraries. These results show that without correction, data from soil spectral libraries, spectral data collected from stored samples, and spectral data transferred between studies, have limited utility for characterizing soils as they exist in the field. Soil spectral data collected in the lab requires correction before it may be used to predict soil properties in the field, as standard sample handling procedures change intrinsic soil properties and introduce systematic error into these data.

Versatile injector for inline renewable solid-phase extraction: Application to cyclodextrin-based bioaccessibility assessment in environmental solids

BackgroundSolid phase extraction (SPE) is a standard sample preparation technique in HPLC workflows. Inline cartridges are high-performance alternatives to manual or robotic systems but at long term, they suffer from irreversible sorption of matrix components and sorbent compaction. Bead injection (BI) is a niche fluidic technique that allows renewing a sorbent bed through the manipulation of its suspension. However, there is a need for a versatile and reliable tool in HPLC that can exchange the inline sorbent automatically, resorting to inexpensive and assorted bulk sorbents. ResultsWe present a new flow path for a liquid chromatographic injector to perform inline micro-solid phase extraction. The sample is processed at real time, trapping the analytes and discarding the matrix. Cleaning the matrix and injecting 10 μL of sample takes 70 s, comparable with the injection in commercial HPLC systems. If the aim is to preconcentrate the analytes, average enrichment factors of 250 have been obtained after processing sample volumes of 3200 μL in 16 min (interleavable with the chromatographic step), keeping the peak position and width independent of the injected volume (compared to large volume direct injection).The desired bed mass is automatically and pressure-driven manipulated in the valve, retained by an inline frit, and optionally, after the analysis, removed by forward flow.The chromatographic performance of the new design is compared to the standard 6-port, 2-position HPLC injector. As a case study, we have monitored the extraction kinetics of a cyclodextrin-based bioaccessibility extraction test of persistent organic contaminants in soil, by extracting several fractions in valve, process them with inline SPE with a balanced hydrophilic-hydrophobic reversed-phase sorbent, and inject the bioaccessible compounds into HPLC. Aiming at avoiding carryover, the sorbent bed (ca. 3 mg) is exchanged before every run. It should be noted that this contribution focuses on HPLC, but other non-separative techniques, such as Flow Injection Analysis, can equally benefit from this injection platform. SignificanceThis contribution reports the first use of inline BI-solid phase extraction in HPLC workflows, without heart-cut eluate injection, in which the sorbent can be exchanged automatically by forward flow. This performance is enabled by prototyping a valve that can autonomously swap sorbents in real-time for diverse samples, as a cartridge exchanger, but using cost-effective and environmentally friendlier bulk sorbents (bed masses from sub-mg to 5 mg) without requiring additional hardware.

Stereologically corrected particle size distributions for polymer-mounted additive manufacturing powders

Well-defined particle size distributions are required for good flowability and powder packing properties of additive manufacturing powders. Mounting powders within a polymer and using standard metallurgical preparation techniques to cross-section and prepare powder particles for optical analysis allows for simple characterisation processes. However, measured diameters of cross-sectioned particles are typically underestimates of actual particle diameters and hence require stereological correction. The effectiveness of three stereological corrections are investigated in this work, namely the Scheil-Schwartz-Saltykov method, the Goldsmith-Cruz-Orive method and a Finite Difference Method. These methods are investigated against plasma-atomised, gas-atomised and ultrasonically processed Ti-6Al-4V powders. The corrected outputs are compared to laser size diffraction, benchmark data for each powder. Although all three stereological corrections produce improved estimations of the particle size distributions, the Finite Difference Method is recommended producing cumulative mean absolute error values of 2.4%, 3.1% and 7.5% for the plasma-atomised, gas-atomised and ultrasonically processed powders respectively.

GOLDIC Therapy Holds Promise as an Orthobiologic Agent: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Orthobiologic agents play a significant role in regenerative medicine. The quest for newer and more effective Orthobiologic agents is never-ending, leading to the evolution of more reformed products. GOLDIC (GOLD Induced cytokine) is a recently evolving Orthobiologic agent developed by conditioning autologous serum with gold particles. We aim to collate the available evidence on GOLDIC and provide a systematic literature review. Using Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines literature search was done for GOLDIC. After duplicate removal and exclusions, 62 articles were scrutinized, of which 8 articles qualified for full-text review. A risk-of-bias assessment of the included studies was done. All articles showed standardized preparation methods of GOLDIC and uniformity in the number of doses administered, except one study. Reproducible results were noted like an increase in plasma gelsolin and improved KOOS, WOMAC, and VAS scores. GOLDIC has the potential to be a significant Orthobiologic modality considering its standardized preparation techniques, method of administration, and uniformly reproducible outcome measures. However, further high-quality evidence is needed to analyze the clinical efficiency and safety profile of GOLDIC. INPLASY202350027 [https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2023.5.0027].

Impossible to press? – Succulents in Renaissance herbaria

Several Renaissance herbaria, including the herbarium by Caspar Bauhin, contain preserved specimens of different succulent plants, such as cacti, stonecrops, palm lilies or aloes. In view of the difficulties experienced even today when preparing succulents for the herbarium, the efforts of the Renaissance botanists to meet this challenge is remarkable. The view that succulents by definition are unsuitable for pressing for the herbarium, as for instance expressed by Richard Bradley in his 1716 book, prevails to these days. We first provide a condensed overview of standard preparation techniques for succulents advocated in the literature of the past forty years. Then, a selection of specimens of succulents in early herbaria, from several plant families, is discussed and the preparation methods used at that time, and possible solutions of the difficulties involved, are outlined.

Longitudinal evaluation of environmental contamination with hazardous drugs by surface wipe sampling.

Exposure of healthcare workers to hazardous drugs can lead to adverse health effects supporting the importance of a continuous monitoring program, for example, by taking surface wipe samples. The objective was to describe the results of repeated monitoring of contamination with hazardous drugs on multiple surfaces in a hospital pharmacy and at two wards using standardized preparation techniques and cleaning procedures. Twelve surfaces in the hospital pharmacy and at two wards were sampled and analyzed for contamination with the hazardous drugs cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, methotrexate, and paclitaxel. The drugs were prepared with a closed-system drug transfer device (CSTD). Sampling of the drugs was performed in four trials during eight months. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of the drugs. During the four trials, contamination with five of the six hazardous drugs was found on half of the surfaces in the pharmacy and in a ward. Seventeen out of 288 possible outcomes were positive (6%), with the biological safety cabinet grate (n = 6) and scanner (n = 5) most frequently contaminated. The highest level of contamination was observed on the pass-thru window (cyclophosphamide: 2.90 ng/cm2) and the touch screen of the Diana device (5-fluorouracil: 2.38 ng/cm2). Both levels were below the action level of 10 ng/cm2. The long-term use of a CSTD in combination with appropriate cleaning has proven effective in achieving low levels of surface contamination with hazardous drugs.

Particle size distribution for additive manufacturing powder using stereological corrections

Additive manufacturing powders require well-defined Particle Size Distributions (PSDs) and spherical morphology for good powder flowability. To simplify characterisation processes, powders can be prepared using standard metallurgical preparation techniques, followed by optical imaging to determine the PSD of cross-sectioned particles. However, this measured PSD typically provides underestimates of the true diameters; hence, stereological corrections must be applied. Three stereological correction methods: the Scheil-Schwartz-Saltykov (SSS) method; the Goldsmith and Cruz-Orive (GCO) method and a Finite Difference Method (FDM) are assessed. Laser Size Diffraction (LSD) analysis provided the ground truth data. Particle cross-sections of 2,280 powder particles (Ti-6Al-4V) were analysed in the size range of 9–76 μm. The mean absolute errors were found to be 2.3% for the SSS method, 2.4% for the GCO method, and 1.6% for the FDM method. Hence, whilst all three methods provided an improved estimate of the PSD, FDM was determined the most effective method in this case.

High-Resolution Biostratigraphic, and Paleoenvironmental Analysis of AJAYI-01 Well, Niger Delta, Nigeria

A high-resolution biostratigraphy study and paleoenvironment analysis were carried out on composited fifteen (15) ditch-cutting samples retrieved from AJAYI-01 well, offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria. The studied intervals range from 4060feet – 4960feet and were subjected to foraminifera, calcareous nannofossil and palynological analysis to determine their age, biozonation and environment of deposition. The standard laboratory preparation techniques of wet sieving, simple smear method, and Hydrofluoric (HF) and Hydrochloric (HCl) acids maceration techniques respectively. A sedimentological description of the ditch-cutting samples was carried out.
 Three major foraminifera zones of Turborotalia peripheroacuta/Bolivina mandoroveensis Zone, Praeorbulina glomerosa/Nonion centrosulcatum Zone and Catapsydrax dissimilis/Buliminella subfusiformis Zone and the important marker Heterostegina sp. was recognized in the well based on the critical evaluation of bioevents and correlatable datums. The nannofossil zones of Helicosphaera ampliaperta and Sphenolithus heteromorphus were erected for this well based on the index taxa and fossil assemblage recorded. The palynological data consists of highly diversified assemblages dominated by terrestrial forms such as Zonocostites ramonae, Monoporites annulatus, Laevigatosporites sp., Verrucatosporites sp., Retitricolporites sp., Acrostichum aureum. The important marker recorded was Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni (FDO) at 4420feet. The well is dated early to middle Miocene (NN4 –NN5) based on the occurrence of marker species Helicosphaera ampliaperta and Sphenolithus heteromophus which corresponds to Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni - Echitricolporites spinosus Zone (P720-P680) subzones.
 A tentative sequence stratigraphic framework for the studied sequences was established. A condensed section that is associated with the Maximum Flooding Surface (MFS) was dated 15.20Ma at 4480 feet based on peak faunal abundance and diversity. The environment of deposition has sediments deposited in the marine environment fluctuating between middle neritic and inner neritic to the littoral, including coastal deltaic settings based on deductions from foraminiferal, palynological and sedimentological data.

How big is the little brain in the gut? Neuronal numbers in the enteric nervous system of mice, Guinea pig, and human.

Despite numerous studies on the enteric nervous system (ENS), we lack fundamental knowledge on neuronal densities or total neuron numbers in different species. There are more anecdotal than actual figures on nerve counts. We used standardized preparation techniques and immunohistochemistry with validated panneuronal markers (human or mouse anti-HuD/C) to determine neuronal densities in specimen from the entire gastrointestinal tract of mice, guinea pig, and humans. In parallel, we measured the dimensions of the gastrointestinal regions in mouse and guinea pig. For humans, we had to rely on literature data. The average neuronal densities along the gastrointestinal tract were 35,011 ± 25,017 1/cm2 for the myenteric and 16,685 ± 9098 1/cm2 for the submucous plexus in mice, 24,315 ± 16,627 and 11,850 ± 6122 1/cm2 for guinea pig myenteric and submucous plexus, respectively, and 21,698 ± 9492 and 16,367 ± 5655 1/cm2 for human myenteric and submucous plexus, respectively. The total number of neurons in the ENS was 2.6million for mice, 14.6million for guinea pig, and 168million for human. This study reports the first comprehensive nerve cell count in mice, guinea pig, and human ENS. Neuronal densities were comparable between the three species and the differences in the total numbers of enteric neurons are likely due to body size and intestinal length. The number of enteric neurons is comparable to the number of neurons in the spinal cord for all three species.

Musculus peroneus longus in foetal period.

The lateral compartment of the leg, due to its distal and concurrent superficial positioning, is a multiple trauma site. Detailed knowledge of compartimentum lateralis cruris (CLC) structure is crucial for physicians. Musculus peroneus longus (MPL) is located within the structures of the CLC most superficially. There is a lot of data on the morphology of the MPL but there is no publication analysing in detail its anatomy in the foetal period. The aim of the study was to determine the variability of metric and morphological parameters of MPL in a studied period of prenatal ontogenesis. The analysis included 207 human foetuses (101 males and 106 females) at calendar age from 113 to 222 days. The analysed material comes from the local anatomy collection. Foetuses were stored in typical preservation solutions. Access to the muscle was obtained on the basis of standard preparation techniques. The authors evaluated the metric parameters of the muscle showing the presence of variable dynamics of metric increments of the examined muscle in particular age classes. In the studied period of prenatal ontogenesis, MPLs of the foetuses increased by about 60% in the length and width dimension and by about 100% in the thickness dimension. The topography of the initial and final muscle attachment was also evaluated. Statistically significant dimorphic differences were found in some aspects of muscle attachment topography. The analysis of the place of the origin and insertion of MPL showed a relatively large variety of these features.

An in vitro investigation of the fracture strength of root-filled - posterior teeth restored with polymer full-coverage crowns

Objectives: To investigate, by an in vitro study, the fracture strength of root-filled teeth restored with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) full-coverage crowns.Materials and Methods: Two single-rooted maxillary second premolar Typodont teeth were prepared according to the standardized preparation guidelines for two different full-coverage crown restorations: computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing monolithic lithium disilicate crowns (E.max) for the control samples and machine pressed monolithic PEEK crowns for the test samples. Teeth were duplicated in a polyurethane-based resin, with properties analogous to human dentin; n = 5 for each category. Replicas were embedded in polyurethane-based resin material using a retaining copper ring, with a simulated 200-μ periodontal ligament. Subsequently, all samples received orthograde root canal treatment using standardized preparation and obturation techniques. Crowns were cemented with resin-modified glass ionomer cement using a standardized cementation force. All teeth were subjected to a monotonic, axial static load of 2500 N to the point of fracture.Results: All control group samples displayed failure as a combined crown/tooth fracture. The crowns in the test group samples (PEEK) did not fracture under the experimental loads. Under the maximum loads, the crowns exhibited plastic deformation visible as an indentation created on the occlusal surface. Subsurface cohesive damage of the interface cement was noted. T-test showed that the resistance to fracture of the test group compared to the control group was highly significant (P < 0.001).Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, PEEK crowns help preserve the remaining tooth structure and provide more predictable protection when compared to E.max crowns. They demonstrate failure by surface deformation and subsurface cohesive damage to the interface cement layer. It is unknown if this failure mode would occur under normal masticatory loads.

Automated, Compact Mixing Device for Gases, Hydrocarbon Fuels Developed

The apparatus creates a hybrid of two standard mixture preparation techniques to enable high speed, high repetition rate experiments requiring a lot of gas.

TIBIAL PHYSEAL RESPECTING TUNNEL DRILLING TECHNIQUE FOR ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION IN SKELETALLY IMMATURE ATHLETES

Background:ACL reconstruction is common in young patients.Hypothesis/Purpose:To report outcomes of a novel tibial drilling technique using an inside-out socket drilling method, with a drill pin and epiphyseal socket drilling in skeletally immature patients. Minimizing disruption to the tibial physis, attempting to prevent growth disturbance with an anatomic ACL that eliminates the graft bend angle at the tibial tunnel.Methods:We used a standard all-epiphyseal drilling technique for femoral preparation. The tibial drill guide, set at 55° for our tibial physeal respecting approach, is positioned in the posterior third of the ACL footprint in-line with the posterior aspect of the lateral meniscus anterior root. The FlipCutter (Arthrex Inc., Naples, FL) is drilled from the external proximal tibia. Thus, only a 3.5mm diameter tunnel crosses the proximal tibial physis. With the FlipCutter deployed, the cutting radius is checked to confirm proper position without risk of damage to the meniscal root, PCL, or articular cartilage. With fluoroscopic guidance, the tibial socket is drilled from the intra-articular surface towards the physis, stopping proximal to the physis. This results in a 15 to 20 mm all-epiphyseal socket length. We collected demographics, re-tear rate, physeal arrest (partial/complete), and patient reported outcomes in order to understand potential problems and mid-term outcomes of this procedure.Results:Eight male patients were included in the study (average age=10.6±1.5 years). All patients had radiographs >6months post-surgery, and no patient had a clinically significant leg length discrepancy (>2cm) or deformity. The two patients followed >24months post-operatively were cleared to return to sports by one year. No patients demonstrated a positive Lachman or pivot shift test at >6months follow-up. No Patients had a ROM deficit at >6months follow-up. Five patients completed Pedi-IKDC and Lysholm assessments (time from surgery=16.2months+10.6months; range 7–28.8months). Average IKDC and Lysholm scores were 88+10 and 95+9, respectively. There were no graft ruptures in the cohort (average follow-up: 13.8months±8.9 months; range 6.8–30.6months).Conclusion:Our preliminary data from this novel tibial physeal respecting technique suggest it may be appropriate for skeletally immature patients with sufficiently large enough femoral epiphyses to hold a 10mm graft tunnel without disturbance to the physis. This technique seems successful in terms of graft survival, patient reported outcomes, and no growth disturbance within 2 years of surgery, although we recognize our small sample size as a limitation. Further studies will better evaluate long-term outcomes of this pediatric ACLR technique.

Silane Heat Treatment Could Eliminate the Hydrofluoric Acid Etching of Lithium Disilicate Overlays: A Four-Year Follow-Up

A four-year follow-up of a novel silane heat treatment method for bonding lithium disilicate overlays to tooth structures without hydrofluoric acid etching of the ceramic surface is presented in this case report. Silane heat treatment modifies the silane layer and thus enhances resin ceramic bond strength without hydrofluoric acid etching. The standard ceramic preparation technique prior to bonding silicate ceramics to tooth structure is hydrofluoric acid etching and applying a silane coupling agent, followed by dental adhesive. In this case, the micromechanical roughening of the ceramic surface was performed by air abrasion with Al2O3. Silane heat treatment with constant 120°C airflow, applied for 60 sec, followed by dental adhesive application enhanced the resin-ceramic bond strength. After a four-year follow-up, the restorations' clinical appearance could be defined as excellent/very good according to the FDI clinical criteria for the evaluation of direct and indirect restorations. This clinical result supports many in vitro studies regarding the resin-ceramic bond strength and durability obtained through postsilanization heat treatment.

Comparison between modified LST Fastfloat and conventional HF methods for pollen preparation in highly minerogenic sediments

Pollen analysis is a commonly used method to interpret vegetation and environmental change. The standard pollen preparation technique in minerogenic sediments involves the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF) which is highly toxic. Currently the European legislation requires that hazardous chemicals should be substituted with less hazardous or non-toxic chemicals if possible. In the present paper the authors introduce a safer pollen preparation method, based on the use of low-toxic heavy liquid lithium heteropoly-tungstate (LST Fastfloat) and provide instructions for pollen preparation with the LSTFastflow method. Furthermore, five paired samples were processed from clayey and silty sediments with LST Fastfloat and conventional HF methods and the pollen and spore counting results obtained from these two methods were compared to test if there is statistically significant differences between the taxa. Calculation of the 95% confidence interval revealed statistical agreement in all studied taxa except one taxon in one sample pair. However, the study revealed systematic differences within two taxa, Betula and Pinus. Thus caution is needed when comparing results obtained by HF and heavy liquid (LST Fastfloat) methods.

Is pre-freeze sperm preparation more advantageous than post-freeze?

SummaryHuman sperm cryopreservation is characterised to this day by sub-optimal success rates. Interestingly, a traditional approach to improving post-thaw outcome has been to integrate standard sperm preparation techniques into freezing protocols as a means of selecting sperm with the highest fertilisation potential prior to insemination. However, no consensus has been reached yet regarding the optimal timing (before or after freezing) of this selection step. Following analysis of a total of 20 human semen samples, which were divided into two aliquots prepared by density gradient centrifugation either before or after freezing, this study demonstrated higher post-thaw total (P < 0.0001), progressively motile (P = 0.005) and vital (P < 0.0001) sperm counts for frozen-prepared semen samples. The present study suggests that direct insemination with frozen-prepared sperm with minimal intervening post-thaw processing might be a more advantageous approach to current clinical practices, particularly for donor and patient intrauterine insemination programmes. Further research into cryopreservation-induced coiled sperm tail morphology is also warranted.Lay summaryFreezing and storing of sperm in liquid nitrogen (’sperm cryopreservation') is the current method of choice for preserving the fertility of a wide scope of men. Nevertheless, sub-optimal sperm survival is still associated with traditional cryopreservation methods, namely 'slow freezing', and may affect fertility treatment success rates. Interestingly, a widely applied approach for selecting high-quality sperm before treatment has been to incorporate 'sperm preparation' techniques, such as density gradient centrifugation, in slow freezing protocols. There is, however, an ongoing debate regarding which is the optimal timing of this selection step: before or after freezing. In this study, we collected 20 human semen samples which were divided into two portions and subjected to density gradient centrifugation either before or after freezing. Post-thaw semen analyses demonstrated significantly improved sperm counts (P < 0.05) when density gradient centrifugation was performed before freezing, thus suggesting this approach to be more advantageous for current clinical practices.

The 2020 "WHO Technical Specifications for Automated Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Measuring Devices With Cuff".

High systolic blood pressure (BP) is the single leading modifiable risk factor for death worldwide. Accurate BP measurement is the cornerstone for screening, diagnosis, and management of hypertension. Inaccurate BP measurement is a leading patient safety challenge. A recent World Health Organization report has outlined the technical specifications for automated noninvasive clinical BP measurement with cuff. The report is applicable to ambulatory, home, and office devices used for clinical purposes. The report recommends that for routine clinical purposes, (1) automated devices be used, (2) an upper arm cuff be used, and (3) that only automated devices that have passed accepted international accuracy standards (eg, the International Organization for Standardization 81060-2; 2018 protocol) be used. Accurate measurement also depends on standardized patient preparation and measurement technique and a quiet, comfortable setting. The World Health Organization report provides steps for governments, manufacturers, health care providers, and their organizations that need to be taken to implement the report recommendations and to ensure accurate BP measurement for clinical purposes. Although, health and scientific organizations have had similar recommendations for many years, the World Health Organization as the leading governmental health organization globally provides a potentially synergistic nongovernment government opportunity to enhance the accuracy of clinical BP assessment.

Full-thickness Skin Microcolumns Implanted into a Dermal Regeneration Template: A Novel Method for “Donor-free” Skin Replacement Therapy

BACKGROUND: Split-thickness skin graft is the current standard in the treatment of large full-thickness skin defects. The donor site resulting from tangential skin harvest is well recognized as painful and unsightly, even after it has healed. Several efforts have been made in the past to address this problem by limiting the amount of skin harvested while significantly expanding the skin elements (ReCell, Meek). These efforts suffer from short comings such as graft fragility and failure to achieve adequate closure in a reasonable period of time. Full-thickness skin columns are a novel concept in skin harvest with little to no donor site when the diameter of the columns falls below a certain threshold. There is also a theoretical advantage that the columns harvested contain elements of full-thickness skin including sweat glands and hair follicles. Here, we present 2 cases where full-thickness skin columns were harvested and implanted into a bilayer dermal regenerative template (Integra) to achieve durable single-stage skin replacement. METHODS: Wounds in 2 elderly patients were treated using standard excisional preparation techniques. Both patients refused a standard split-thickness skin graft with concerns of difficulty healing the donor site. Informed consent using full-thickness skin columns and Integra combination were obtained. Full-thickness skin columns were harvested from a small area of the upper thigh using skin biopsy punches (1.5–2 mm). The columns were implanted orthotopically into a sheet of Integra dermal matrix with the epidermis placed immediately deep to the silicone layer. The Integra-skin column composites were applied onto the wounds similar to a traditional skin graft. The punch biopsy donor sites were allowed to heal secondarily. RESULTS: Patient 1 was 90 years old and had a small lower extremity wound treated with 2 mm skin columns (n = 9) and a 3 × 1.5 cm2 Integra. Patient 2 was 88 years old had a larger volar forearm wound treated with 1.5 mm skin columns (n = 51) and an 8 × 5 cm2 Integra. Visual evaluation showed centripetal healing with epithelial cells radiating from the columns as well as from the periphery. Complete healing was achieved in 3–4 weeks; donor sites healed in less than a week with minimal evidence of skin harvest at 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Full-thickness skin columns implanted into a dermal regeneration template represent a novel technique for skin replacement that allows single-stage healing of full-thickness skin wounds with little to no donor site, and without any biochemical processing of the tissue.

High-resolution Biostratigraphic Studies of Step-1 Well, Offshore, Western Niger Delta

Abstract A high-resolution biostratigraphic study of the STEP-1 well, offshore Western Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria, was carried out using foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs. The study was aimed at identifying the biostratigraphic zones, age deductions as well as palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstructions. From the studied well section of 609 m (1,829–2,438 m), 50 ditch cuttings were used for foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, while 25 samples were used for palynological studies at 12 m and 24 m intervals, respectively. Standard laboratory preparation techniques were employed for the three microfossil groups. Due to the occurrence of some forms such as Globigerina praebulloides, Haplophragmoides spp, Bolivina scalprata miocenica, Valvulina flexilis and Cyclammina cf. minima, two planktonic and one benthonic foraminifera zones were identified as follows: Lower N18, Upper N17 zone (early Pliocene, late Pliocene) and Cyclammina minima zone (late Miocene), respectively. Two biozones were recognized for the nannofossils and include NN12 (Ceratolithus cristatus zone) and NN11 (Discoaster berggrenii zone). These zones were assigned to early Pliocene and late Miocene, respectively. Other forms include Discoaster pentaradiatus, Sphenolithus abies and Ceratolithus armatus. Echitricolporites spinosus/P800zone has been assigned for the Palynomorph assemblages and was dated late Miocene due to the quantitative occurrence of Cyperaceaepollis spp. Four identified major condensed sections include intervals at 1,926, 1,987, 2,097 and 2,316 m, which have been dated 5.0, 5.8, 6.3 and 7.0 Ma, respectively. Based on the benthonic foraminiferal species and Palynological Marine Index, a shallow marine environment is deduced for the studied interval which was interpreted to be deposited under both wet and dry palaeoclimatic conditions. The findings, no doubt could serve as a template for a sequence stratigraphic model, generally beyond the resolution of seismic stratigraphy.