Unusual Crystals Research Articles

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis With Unusual Hexagonal Crystals in Addition to Usual Charcot-Leyden Crystals. Report of a Patient With Possible Process of Crystal Formation and Clinical Significance of a "Necrotic" Change.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare neoplastic disorder characterized by the proliferation of Langerhans cells and often accompanied by eosinophil infiltration. Charcot-Leyden crystals, composed of galectin 10, are occasionally observed in Langerhans cell histiocytosis; however, histological images are rarely reported. We herein present a patient with Langerhans cell histiocytosis with Charcot-Leyden crystals and hexagonal crystals by describing the histologic and immunohistochemical features of a lymph node. A unique distribution of Charcot-Leyden crystals and hexagonal crystals was observed in this patient, shedding light on their possible formation process of the latter. We discuss the biological significance of eosinophilic abscesses in Langerhans cell histiocytosis and propose that these crystals may be linked to extracellular trap-cell death (ETosis). This example challenges the conventional characterization of "necrosis" in Langerhans cell histiocytosis and underscores the importance of recognizing ETosis as a potential mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Further studies are underway to validate significance of these findings in a larger cohort of Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients.

Self-Assembled Ring-Based Complex Colloidal Particles by Lock-And-Key Interaction and Their Self-Assembly into Unusual Colloidal Crystals.

Creating hierarchical crystalline materials using simple colloids or nanoparticles is very challenging, as it is usually impossible to achieve hierarchical structures without nonhierarchical colloidal interactions. Here, we present a hierarchical self-assembly (SA) route that employs colloidal rings and anisotropic colloidal particles to form complex colloids and uses them as building blocks to form unusual colloidal columnar liquid crystals or crystals. This route is realized by designing hierarchical SA driving forces that is controlled by the colloidal shape and shape-dependent depletion attraction. Depletion-induced lock-and-key interaction is the first driving force, which ensures a high efficiency (>90%) to load colloidal particles of other shapes such as spheres, spherocylinders, and oblate ellipsoids into rings, providing high-quality building blocks. Their SA into ordered superstructures has to require a second driving force such as higher volume fraction and/or stronger depletion attraction. As a result, unusual hierarchical colloidal (liquid) crystals, which have previously been difficult to fabricate by simple binary assembly, can be achieved. This work presents a significant advancement in the field of hierarchical SA, demonstrating a promising strategy for constructing many unprecedented crystalline materials by the SA route.

Spatiotemporal distribution of giant magnetofossils holds clues to their biological origin

Abstract Micrometer-size magnetite crystals with peculiar morphologies, such as spearhead, spindle, needle, and giant bullet, known as giant magnetofossils, were previously identified in marine sediments mainly during the Eocene epoch. The origin of these unusual magnetite crystals remains unclear because no known modern analogues have been found, and data about their spatiotemporal distribution are sparse. Here, using electron microscope observations, we performed a large-scale spatiotemporal search for these mysterious magnetite crystals. We report the occurrence of giant magnetofossils in variable marine sedimentary environments, including the first report in modern South Atlantic and Indian Ocean environments and the oldest occurrence at ca. 93 Ma in the North Atlantic Ocean. Grain-size data for the giant magnetofossils in the Southwest Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans suggest that the dimension of spearheads is sensitive to regional environments during similar warming periods but is insensitive to environmental conditions across the distinct geological periods at the same locality. The grain-size distributions of needles and giant bullets do not show significant changes in diverse environments. These observations greatly expand the known temporal and geographic distribution of giant magnetofossils, shedding new light on their likely biological origin.

Morphoanatomy and histochemistry of Baccharis palustris: insights into a highly endangered endemic species from Southeastern America

Abstract Morphoanatomy and histochemistry of Baccharis palustris: insights into a highly endangered endemic species from Southeastern America. The phenotypic plasticity of the Baccharis genus makes species identification difficult, even at the flowering stage. In this context, morphoanatomical studies are a powerful tool for botanical authentication, mainly emphasizing the recognition of diagnostic characteristics that may be useful for distinguishing similar species. Given the limited knowledge available about the endemic species B. palustris, this work aimed to characterize the morphoanatomy and histochemistry of its vegetative aerial parts to identify characters with diagnostic value and to elucidate the sites of synthesis and accumulation of metabolites of medicinal importance. B. palustris leaf showed pinnate, camptodrome-brochidodrome venation patterns. Blade with dorsiventral mesophyll, aerenchymatous spongy parenchyma, collateral vascular bundles, and different types of stomata and trichomes, including glandular trichomes with a multi-layered base evidenced and described for the first time in the genus. The petiole was winged, with three collateral vascular bundles. The stem showed a penta-lobulated contour with unusual growth, starch, and crystals in the pith. The presence of secretory ducts and glandular trichomes, which synthesized lipids, terpenes/polyacetylenes, and phenolic compounds, was observed. The morphological/histochemical characteristics described in this work contribute to the knowledge of the species, highlighting the importance of its preservation as a valuable resource.

Factors Controlling Complex Morphologies of Isomorphous Metal-Organic Frameworks.

We demonstrate here how nitrate salts of bivalent copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, along with an achiral organic ligand, assemble into various structures such as symmetrical double-decker flowers, smooth elongated hexagonal bipyramids, and hexagonal prisms. Large morphological changes occur in these structures because of different metal cations, although they maintain isomorphous hexagonal crystallographic structures. Metal cations with stronger coordination to ligands (Cu and Ni) tend to form uniform crystals with unusual shapes, whereas weaker coordinating metal cations (Mn and Co) produce crystals with more regular hexagonal morphologies. The unusual flower-like crystals formed with copper nitrate have two pairs of six symmetrical petals with hexagonal convex centers. The texture of the petals indicates dendritic growth. Two different types of morphologies were formed by using different copper nitrate-to-ligand ratios. An excess of the metal salt results in uniform and hexagonal crystals having a narrow size distribution, whereas the use of an excess of ligand results in double-decker morphologies. Mechanistically, an intermediate structure was observed with slightly concave facets and a domed center. Such structures most likely play a key role in the formation of double-decker crystals that can be formed by fusion processes. The coordination chemistry results in isostructural chiral frameworks consisting of two types of continuous helical channels. Four pyridine units from four separate ligands are coordinated to the metal center in a plane having a chiral (propeller-type) arrangement. The individual double-decker flower crystals are homochiral and a batch consists of crystals having both handedness.

Structural Self-Destruction of Deep Eutectic Solvents Induced the Formation of Unusual Diamond-Shaped Crystals of Honokiol and Its Mechanistic Study

Structural Self-Destruction of Deep Eutectic Solvents Induced the Formation of Unusual Diamond-Shaped Crystals of Honokiol and Its Mechanistic Study

U-Pb DATING OF APATITE FROM SILVERMINES DEPOSIT, IRELAND: A MODEL FOR HYDROTHERMAL ORE GENESIS

AbstractUranium-Pb dating of unusual coarse-grained apatite crystals from hydrothermal dolostone breccia in the barite-rich Magcobar zone at the Silvermines deposit, Ireland, indicates an age of 331 ± 5.6 Ma for hydrothermal alteration. This age is in agreement with an Re-Os age on pyrite-sphalerite but differs from previous estimates that were based on palemomagnetism and sphalerite Rb-Sr geochronology at Silvermines. The new U-Pb age indicates the deposit largely formed epigenetically rather than as a synsedimentary deposit. The trace element composition of the apatite provides additional constraints on the geochemical evolution of the Silvermines hydrothermal system indicating that it was initiated with the expulsion of oxidizing fluids responsible for early hematite-silica precipitation. This was followed by the formation of hydrothermal dolostone breccias containing barite and the apatite dated here. The infiltration of metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids, likely derived from the basement, overlapped and followed the development of hydrothermal dolostone breccias, interacting with Carboniferous seawater during dolomitization and barite precipitation. Near-sea-floor biogenic activity, possibly enhanced due to escape of hydrothermal fluids, resulted in the reduction of seawater sulfate and formation of the sulfide-bearing fluids that facilitated the development of the Silvermines Zn-Pb deposit.

Discovery of giant magnetofossils within and outside of the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum in the North Atlantic

Giant magnetofossils have exceptionally large grain sizes and peculiar morphologies compared to conventional biogenic magnetite nanoparticles. The origin of these unusual magnetic crystals is a mystery because there are no known modern analogues. Giant magnetofossils have so far been identified in marine sediments deposited during past warming periods, leading to the assumption that these fossils were uniquely tied to ancient hyperthermal events. Here we describe the occurrence of abundant giant magnetofossils within North Atlantic pelagic sediments from International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Sites U1403 and U1409 at distinct palaeodepths not only during the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ∼56 Ma) intervals but also far before (>700 ky earlier than the PEB, Palaeocene-Eocene boundary) and after (>300 ky later than the PEB) the PETM, and in a sample of ∼70 Ma age. Our results indicate that giant biogenic magnetite crystals were not uniquely produced during ancient hyperthermal events. Magnetic domain states of giant magnetite particles are investigated using dimensional analysis and micromagnetic simulations. Morphological, compositional, and crystallographic data point towards a potential biogenic origin of those unusual crystals.

Unusual porous crystals via catenation of 1D ladders: unprecedented mixture effects on the adsorption of xylene isomers in a SCSC mode

The pseudo 2D open-channel crystals formed via catenation of 1D ladders show unusual mixture effects on the adsorption of o-, m-, and p-xylene isomers in a SCSC mode, and are a practical template for structural determination of small hydrocarbons.

Natural blue zircon from Vesuvius

Zircon from syenitic ejecta of Vesuvius (Campania, Italy) is unusually blue, a property shared with gem zircon from Ratanakiri province (Cambodia), which turns from natural reddish-brown to blue when heated under reducing conditions. Here, the origins of these unusual crystals were traced through geochronology, trace elements, and O-Hf isotopic compositions. The causes of its colour were investigated through optical and electron microscopy, optical absorption spectroscopy, and Raman microspectroscopy. Colour stability upon heating and ultraviolet light (UV) exposure was tested using Ratanakiri zircon as a control. Vesuvius zircon contains vesiculated zones with abundant inclusions ~2.5 μm to <100 nm in diameter (mostly U-rich thorianite and pyrochlore-group minerals), while homogeneous zircon domains are high in Th and U (up to 5.9 and 1.8 wt%, respectively). Its blue colouration is stable under UV radiation, as well as heat-treatment under reducing conditions (1000 °C; >15 h). Turbid domains rich in large inclusions change to yellow-brown after heating under oxidizing conditions, while transparent domains remain pale blue or colourless. Optical absorption spectra display sharp absorption lines attributed to U4+, and slightly elevated absorption towards shorter wavelengths. The ~1007 cm−1 ν3(SiO4) Raman band is broadened due to lattice distortion by non-stoichiometric elements in high-Th/-U zircon, whereas narrow bands in inclusion-rich domains indicate a decrease in lattice strain due to inclusion precipitation. Blue colouration in Vesuvius zircon is explained by the effect of light scattering (Rayleigh and/or Mie scattering) on highly refractive actinide-rich inclusions ranging in size from <1/10 to few multiples of the wavelengths of visible light. Inclusions likely formed during fluid-mediated coupled dissolution-reprecipitation that locally transformed lattice-strained actinide-rich zircon within several hundreds of years prior to eruption.

High-power lithium-ion capacitor using orthorhombic Nb2O5 nanotubes enabled by cellulose-based electrospun scaffolds

Orthorhombic Nb2O5-based nanoarchitectures have shown promise as electrode materials for Li-ion capacitors because they improve lithium ion transport and conductivity of Nb2O5 with high theoretical capacity. However, despite the several advantages of nanotubes, the facile synthesis of Nb2O5 nanotubes remains challenging. Herein, we present Nb2O5 nanotubes as an efficient ion- and electron-conducting electrode using environmentally friendly cellulose as sacrificial templates. The rational synthetic design based on sol–gel interactions with hydroxyl groups on the cellulosic surface enables uniformly covering the electrospun-cellulose one-dimensional templates with Nb2O5, resulting in unusual nanotubular Nb2O5 crystals featuring crystallographic iso-orientation owing to a controlled two-step calcination. Such crystallographically oriented nanotubes are favorable to fast Li+ intercalation kinetics for pseudocapacitive behavior with efficient lithium ion channels. The orthorhombic Nb2O5 nanotubes provide electrodes with a high initial capacity (163 mAh g−1), excellent rate capability (95 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1), and stable cycle performance (81.8% retention after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1) without any carbon composite and are thus superior to previously reported Nb2O5 electrodes. This simple strategy can open a new avenue for fabricating nanotubes of various transition metal oxides.

The Interaction of Urinary Components with Biomaterials in the Urinary Tract: Ureteral Stent Discoloration.

Purpose: Ureteral stents are fraught with complications. Not much is known regarding what causes these issues. Studies suggested that discoloration of indwelling stents changes surface characteristics to promote stent-associated complications. Occasional stent discoloration has been observed; however, underlying mechanisms and potential material changes are unknown. In this study, we identify a potential mechanism for stent discoloration and characterize potential changes in stent surface characteristics and their impact on encrustation and bacterial colonization. Materials and Methods: Twenty Polaris Ultra and 20 Percuflex Plus stents (same polymer material) with varying degrees of discoloration were collected from Japanese and Canadian patients. Surface characterization using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy was conducted. Encrustation of variably discolored stents was assessed via atomic absorption spectroscopy and bacterial adhesion to discolored and control stents via colony-forming unit counts. Results: Bismuth subcarbonate was found in control stents, and discoloration was induced via incubation in 1% sodium sulfide and increasing concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Discoloration of either patient-derived stents or in vitro discolored stents did not result in significant changes in stent material or increased rates of encrustation or bacterial adhesion. Conclusions: Ureteral stent discoloration may be triggered by sulfur containing urinary components reacting with bismuth subcarbonate in the stent material, rather than the surface deposition of unusual crystals as previously proposed. Stent discoloration does not result in increased levels of encrustation or bacterial adhesion. Given this, stent discoloration appears to be cosmetic and has no effect on the functionality of the indwelling stent.

Colloidal interactions and unusual crystallization versus de-mixing of elastic multipoles formed by gold mesoflowers

Colloidal interactions in nematic liquid crystals can be described as interactions between elastic multipoles that depend on particle shape, topology, chirality, boundary conditions and induced topological defects. Here, we describe a nematic colloidal system consisting of mesostructures of gold capable of inducing elastic multipoles of different order. Elastic monopoles are formed by relatively large asymmetric mesoflower particles, for which gravity and elastic torque balancing yields monopole-type interactions. High-order multipoles are instead formed by smaller mesoflowers with a myriad of shapes corresponding to multipoles of different orders, consistent with our computer simulations based on free energy minimization. We reveal unexpected many-body interactions in this colloidal system, ranging from de-mixing of elastic monopoles to a zoo of unusual colloidal crystals formed by high-order multipoles like hexadecapoles. Our findings show that gold mesoflowers may serve as a designer toolkit for engineering colloidal interaction and self-assembly, potentially exceeding that in atomic and molecular systems.

Новый углистый хондрит CM2 из Северо-Западной Африки (Northwest Africa 11781)

Research subject . The article presents the results of a study of a new meteorite Northwest Africa 11781. Material and methods. The material for the study was a fragment of a meteorite weighing 15.56 g, from which 4 transparent polished sections with a total area of 10.5 cm 2 were produced. The mineralogy and structural features of the meteorite were studied using a scanning electron microscope JSM-6390LV by JEOL, an electron probe microanalyzer Cameca SX-100 and a quadrupole mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ELAN 9000. All analyses were performed in core facilities “Geoanalytic” IGG UB RAS. Results. The meteorite is CM2 carbonaceous chondrite comprising ≈ 20-30% of chon-drules and 60-70% of a fine-grained matrix. Refractory inclusions (CAI, AOAs, forsterite rich objects) occupy no more than 3-5%. The average chondrule size is 0.3 mm. Porphyritic olivine (PO) and olivine-pyroxene (POP) chondrules predominate. The meteorite matrix consists of layered silicates and iron hydroxides. CAIs are small in size (0.05-0.3 mm). The main minerals of CAIs are spinel, Ca-pyroxene, hibonite and perovskite. Olivone in AOAs mainly contains spinel-diopside inclusions. The forsterite-rich object presents a low-Fe forsterite with a low-Fe enstatite margin. The meteorite also features an unusually large (1 mm) forsterite-rich object. This object has a transitional position from refractory forsterite to magnesian chondrules. Unusual isolate crystals of high-Fe (FeO 15.35-38.89 wt %) olivine were identified in the meteorite matrix. The mechanism of their formation remains controversial. Conclusion. It is established that the discovered fragment is a carbonaceous chondrite, therefore being a meteorite that has not been studied before. The meteorite has been recorded as a new carbonaceous chondrite called Northwest Africa 11781 (NWA 11781). The meteorite shows no signs of a shock impact and demonstrates a high grade of terrestrial weathering.

Controlled evolution of spin waves in unconventional defective honeycomb antidot lattices

Abstract Efficacious control of spin wave dynamics is demonstrated in two-dimensional magnonic crystals in the form of defective honeycomb antidot lattices. The spin wave dynamics of this system is investigated using broadband ferromagnetic resonance spectrometer. A stark modification in magnonic spectra is achieved with the modulation in the lattice spacing and with the bias magnetic field strength and its orientation. A rich band of spin wave modes are obtained for the lattice with smallest periodicity, which finally converges to two modes in case of the largest one. The spin wave modes in all lattices possess a strong anisotropic behaviour with a six- and two-fold rotational symmetries as a function of the bias field orientation originating from the strong modulation of internal field distribution at different regions of such unorthodox system. The experimentally observed spin wave modes have been qualitatively well reproduced by micromagnetic simulations and the simulated mode profiles unravel the presence of diverse genres of extended and localized standing modes in these unusual magnonic crystals. These observations are significant for tunability and anisotropic propagation of spin waves leading towards the development of efficient magnonic devices competent with the future microwave communication systems.

Présentations atypiques des maladies microcristallines

All three crystal-related rheumatic diseases are well known from physicians. They are clearly associated with typical anatomical sites, including enthesis and tendons for basic calcium phosphate crystals, joints and periarticular sites for gout and calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposit disease. However their location at the spine level or even at the sacroiliac joints might be difficult to diagnose. Destructive arthropathies related to these crystals can lead to differential diagnosis including septic arthritis or neuroarthropathy. In very rare cases, other unusual crystals such as crystal cryoglobulin, cholesterol, and phospholipid spherulites, can be difficult to identify.

What is your diagnosis? Unusual urinary crystals from a cat.

What is your diagnosis? Unusual urinary crystals from a cat.

Structure fluctuation in Gd- and Mg-substituted BaTiO3 with cubic structure

Gd- and Mg-substituted barium titanate crystals (Ba1−xGdx)(Ti1−x/2Mgx/2)O3 with the Gd composition range of x > 0.1 show no ferroelectric phase transition. To discuss atomic thermal fluctuations in such unusual barium titanate crystals with cubic symmetry, accurate crystal structure analyses were performed by the maximum entropy method (MEM)/Rietveld method with the split-atom model and anharmonic temperature factor model using high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction data. The off-centered positions of Gd ions at the Ba site in the probability density function were clearly observed at a low temperature but smeared in the high-temperature region by the over-barrier motion of Gd ions.

The rediscovery of Billburttia vaginoides, with notes on the morphology, anatomy, traditional uses and conservation status of the genus Billburttia (Apieae, Apiaceae)

Recent field studies of the hitherto poorly known Madagascar-endemic genus Billburttia, including the rediscovery of the rare B. vaginoides, have resulted in a more complete understanding of the morphology, anatomy, ethnobotany and conservation status of the two aromatic shrubby species from Central Madagascar. Billburttia capensoides is relatively common and occurs in rocky places from Andringitra to Arivonimamo, while B. vaginoides is a rare species known only from around the Akaratra massif. The two species can easily be distinguished from one another by their habit (erect or spreading branches) and leaflet shape (obovate to linear-elliptic or filiform-linear). The leaves have numerous secretory canals; organic crystals occur in the epidermis, ground tissue and vascular bundles. Studies of fresh fruits confirmed the lack of wings, the position of the vascular bundles in the tips of the ribs and especially the reported presence of unusual acicular crystals in sheaf-like and spherical aggregates (not only in the epidermis, but also in groups close to the epidermis and around the vascular bundles). X-ray microanalysis showed that the crystals do not contain calcium, only carbon and oxygen, indicating that they are organic and precipitate during drying or fixation in alcohol. Updated descriptions of the morphology and anatomy are presented, together with a key to the species and notes on their traditional uses, conservation status and known geographical distributions.

Cholesteatoma affected incus bone surface shows unusual iron-rich crystals, microvesicles and altered bone turnover

Cholesteatoma is a noncancerous cystic lesion consisting in an abnormal growth of keratinizing squamous epithelium that invades the middle ear cavity. Due to its capacity of intracranial complications, cholesteatoma is cause of pediatric morbidity and death in countries with scarce hygiene and low possibility to access to advanced medical care (1). In order to understand cholesteatoma etiopathogenesis, we performed a SEM morphological analysis of 11 incus bones affected by cholesteatoma. Samples were fixed immediately upon recovery in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in PBS at 4°C for 48 h, then they were gently sonicated (to remove excess of keratinizing squamous epithelium, that would have prevented surface observation) and finally they were prepared with standard method for scanning electron microscopy observation. Five consecutive fields at 100X magnification aligned in 3 raws, the first one proximal and the last one distal to surgical removal point were analized. Images were obtained in secondary electron mode and in backscattering, bidimensional EDX analysis and mapping was also carried on. Incus bone surface analysis reveals the existence of an environment in which abnormal bone turnover takes place, in fact area of marked erosion were present together with areas of new bone formation. Resorbing bone surfaces with their characteristic lacunae were observed, resting surfaces (smooth and with collagen fibre bundles evident) were found and forming bone surface (collagen bundles in which calcium salts were just deposited) were also observed. Unusual flower-like apatite crystals rich in iron were uncovered in one sample. Iron presence may be due to cholesteatoma itself, being it made up of corneocytes that are iron-rich cells (2). Microvesicles of cellular origin, alone or clustered in groups or in about to fusing together, were found. Macrophages, lymphocytes osteoblast and osteoclast were observed in fully activated stage. The picture of these cell near to each other is the morphological representation of the complex cytochemical dialog existing among them. Taken all together our morphological results let us hypothesize that cholesteatoma creates an environment of chronic infection with peculiar biochemical characteristics that alters normal bone turnover on incus bone.This work was supported by grants from MIUR.