scholarly journals Quantitative Analysis of Surface Contouring with Pulsed Bipolar Radiofrequency on Thin Chondromalacic Cartilage

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Michaela Huber ◽  
Daniela Schlosser ◽  
Susanne Stenzel ◽  
Johannes Maier ◽  
Girish Pattappa ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of surface contouring of chondromalacic cartilage by bipolar radio frequency energy using different treatment patterns in an animal model, as well as examining the impact of the treatment onto chondrocyte viability by two different methods. Our experiments were conducted on 36 fresh osteochondral sections from the tibia plateau of slaughtered 6-month-old pigs, where the thickness of the cartilage is similar to that of human wrist cartilage. An area of 1 cm2 was first treated with emery paper to simulate the chondromalacic cartilage. Then, the treatment with RFE followed in 6 different patterns. The osteochondral sections were assessed for cellular viability (live/dead assay, caspase (cell apoptosis marker) staining, and quantitative analysed images obtained by fluorescent microscopy). For a quantitative characterization of none or treated cartilage surfaces, various roughness parameters were measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy (Olympus LEXT OLS 4000 3D). To describe the roughness, the Root-Mean-Square parameter (Sq) was calculated. A smoothing effect of the cartilage surface was detectable upon each pattern of RFE treatment. The Sq for native cartilage was Sq=3.8±1.1 μm. The best smoothing pattern was seen for two RFE passes and a 2-second pulsed mode (B2p2) with an Sq=27.3±4.9 μm. However, with increased smoothing, an augmentation in chondrocyte death up to 95% was detected. Using bipolar RFE treatment in arthroscopy for small joints like the wrist or MCP joints should be used with caution. In the case of chondroplasty, there is a high chance to destroy the joint cartilage.

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
pp. 5218
Author(s):  
Laxmi Mohandas ◽  
Anju T. R. ◽  
Sarita G. Bhat*

An assortment of redox-active phenazine compounds like pyocyanin with their characteristic blue-green colour are synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens, which are also considered one of the most commercially valuable microorganisms. In this study, pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1 from food sample was assessed for its antibiofilm activity by micro titer plate assay against strong biofilm producers belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium and Micrococcus. Pyocyanin inhibited biofilm activity in very minute concentrations. This was also confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Both SEM and CLSM helped to visualize the biocontrol of biofilm formation by eight pathogens. The imaging and quantification by CLSM also established the impact of pyocyanin on biofilm-biocontrol mainly in the food industry.


Cellulose ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 9645-9659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Palange ◽  
Marcus A. Johns ◽  
David J. Scurr ◽  
Jonathan S. Phipps ◽  
Stephen J. Eichhorn

Abstract Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is a highly expanded, high surface area networked form of cellulose-based reinforcement. Due to the poor compatibility of cellulose with most common apolar thermoplastic matrices, the production of cellulose-reinforced composites in industry is currently limited to polar materials. In this study, a facile water-based chemistry, based on the reaction of MFC with tannic acid and subsequent functionalisation with an alkyl amine, is used to render the surface of the MFC fibrils hydrophobic and enhance the dispersion of the cellulose-based filler into an apolar thermoplastic matrix. The level of dispersion of the compatibilized MFC reinforced composites was evaluated using Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and multi-channel Spectral Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. The agglomeration of cellulosic filler within the composites was reduced by functionalising the surface of the MFC fibrils with tannic acid and octadecylamine. The resulting composites exhibited an increase in modulus at a high cellulose content. Despite the dispersion of a large portion of the functionalised filler, the presence of some remaining aggregates affected the impact properties of the composites produced.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 457-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. D. M. Smith ◽  
K. M. Milto ◽  
C. J. Doherty ◽  
S. G. B. Amyes ◽  
A. H. R. W. Simpson ◽  
...  

ObjectivesStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most commonly implicated organism in septic arthritis, a condition that may be highly destructive to articular cartilage. Previous studies investigating laboratory and clinical strains of S. aureus have demonstrated that potent toxins induced significant chondrocyte death, although the precise toxin or toxins that were involved was unknown. In this study, we used isogenic S. aureus mutants to assess the influence of alpha (Hla)-, beta (Hlb)-, and gamma (Hlg)-haemolysins, toxins considered important for the destruction of host tissue, on in situ bovine chondrocyte viability.MethodsBovine cartilage explants were cultured with isogenic S. aureus mutants and/or their culture supernatants. Chondrocyte viability was then assessed within defined regions of interest in the axial and coronal plane following live- and dead-cell imaging using the fluorescent probes 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide, respectively, and confocal laser-scanning microscopy.ResultsHla-producing mutants caused substantial chondrocyte death compared with the toxin-deficient control (Hla-Hlb-Hlg-), whilst mutants producing Hlb and Hlg in the absence of Hla induced minimal chondrocyte death. Coronal studies established that Hla-induced chondrocyte death started in the superficial zone of cartilage and spread to deeper layers, whereas Hlb and Hlg toxins were without significant effect.ConclusionThis study identified Hla as a highly potent S. aureus toxin that caused rapid chondrocyte death in bovine cartilage, with other toxins or metabolic products produced by the bacteria playing a minor role. The identification of Hla in mediating chondrocyte death may assist in the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the extent of cartilage damage during and after an episode of septic arthritis. Cite this article: I. D. M. Smith, K. M. Milto, C. J. Doherty, S. G. B. Amyes, A. H. R. W. Simpson, A. C. Hall. A potential key role for alpha-haemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus in mediating chondrocyte death in septic arthritis. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:457–467. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.77.BJR-2017-0165.R1.


Cosmetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Samia Almoughrabie ◽  
Chrisse Ngari ◽  
Romain Briandet ◽  
Valérie Poulet ◽  
Florence Dubois-Brissonnet

The reliability of the challenge test depends, among other parameters, on the spatial distribution of microorganisms in the matrix. The present study aims to quickly identify factors that are susceptible to impair a uniform distribution of inoculated bacteria in cosmetic matrices in this context. We used mosaic confocal laser scanning microscopy (M-CLSM) to obtain rapid assessment of the impact of the composition and viscosity of cosmetic matrices on S. aureus spatial distribution. Several models of cosmetic matrices were formulated with different concentrations of two thickeners and were inoculated with three S. aureus strains having different levels of hydrophobicity. The spatial distribution of S. aureus in each matrix was evaluated according to the frequency distribution of the fluorescence values of at least 1350 CLSM images. We showed that, whatever the thickener used, an increasingly concentration of thickener results in increasingly bacterial clustered distribution. Moreover, higher bacterial hydrophobicity also resulted in a more clustered spatial distribution. In conclusion, CLSM-based method allows a rapid characterization of bacterial spatial distribution in complex emulsified systems. Both matrix viscosity and bacterial surface hydrophobicity affect the bacterial spatial distribution which can have an impact on the reliability of bacterial enumeration during challenge test.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
László Trif ◽  
Abdul Shaban ◽  
Judit Telegdi

AbstractSuitable application of techniques for detection and monitoring of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of the interactions and for selecting inhibition and control approaches. This paper presents a review of the application of electrochemical and surface analytical techniques in studying the MIC process of metals and their alloys. Conventional electrochemical techniques, such as corrosion potential (Ecorr), redox potential, dual-cell technique, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), electrochemical noise (EN) analysis, and microelectrode techniques, are discussed, with examples of their use in various MIC studies. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, which is newly used in MIC study, is also discussed. Microscopic techniques [scanning electron microscopy (SEM), environmental SEM (ESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal laser microscopy (CLM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), confocal Raman microscopy] and spectroscopic analytical methods [Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)] are also highlighted. This review highlights the heterogeneous characteristics of microbial consortia and use of special techniques to study their probable effects on the metal substrata. The aim of this review is to motivate using a combination of new procedures for research and practical measurement and calculation of the impact of MIC and biofilms on metals and their alloys.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahima Drame ◽  
Christine Lafforgue ◽  
Cecile Formosa-Dague ◽  
Marie-Pierre Chapot-Chartier ◽  
Jean-Christophe Piard ◽  
...  

AbstractLactic acid bacteria, in particular Lactococcus lactis, are widely used in the food industry, for the control and/or the protection of the manufacturing processes of fermented food. While L. lactis has been reported to form compact and uniform biofilms it was recently shown that certain strains able to display pili at their surface form more complex biofilms exhibiting heterogeneous and aerial structures. As the impact of those biofilm structures on the biomechanical properties of the biofilms is poorly understood, these were investigated using AFM force spectroscopy and imaging. Three types of strains were used i.e., a control strain devoid of pili and surface mucus-binding protein, a strain displaying pili but no mucus-binding proteins and a strain displaying both pili and a mucus-binding protein. To identify potential correlations between the nanomechanical measurements and the biofilm architecture, 24-h old biofilms were characterized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Globally the strains devoid of pili displayed smoother and stiffer biofilms (Young Modulus of 4–100 kPa) than those of piliated strains (Young Modulus around 0.04–0.1 kPa). Additional display of a mucus-binding protein did not affect the biofilm stiffness but made the biofilm smoother and more compact. Finally, we demonstrated the role of pili in the biofilm cohesiveness by monitoring the homotypic adhesion of bacteria to the biofilm surface. These results will help to understand the role of pili and mucus-binding proteins withstanding external forces.


2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Rychert ◽  
Thomas Neu

Protozoan impact on bacterial biofilm formationConfocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with digital image analysis was used to assess the impact of protozoa on bacterial colonisation of surfaces. Bacterial biofilms were developed from activated sludge in microscope flow cells and were exposed to the grazing pressure of protozoa. The protozoan community from healthy activated sludge and a culture of flagellateBodo saltanswere used as grazers. Experiments comprised 48-h incubations in 3 treatment variants: bacteria with protozoa, bacteria with protozoa added after some time and bacteria without protozoa. When necessary, the elimination of protozoa from the inoculum was carried out with cycloheximide and NiSO4. Experiments demonstrated that protozoa from healthy activated sludge initially disturbed the biofilm development but later they could stimulate its growth. Similar results could be established in the experiment withBodo saltans(inoculum: 1000 cells/ml), however differences were not statistically significant. The finding that protozoa support biofilm development during specific stages may be relevant for biofilm studies with mixed environmental biofilm communities.


1996 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 1195-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kurz ◽  
S Lampel ◽  
J E Nickolenko ◽  
J Bradl ◽  
A Benner ◽  
...  

The intranuclear position of a set of genes was analyzed with respect to the territories occupied by the whole chromosomes in which these genes are localized. Genes and their respective chromosome territories were simultaneously visualized in three-dimensionally preserved nuclei applying dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization. Three coding (DMD, MYH7, and HBB) and two noncoding sequences (D1Z2 and an anonymous sequence) were analyzed in four different cell types, including cells where DMD and MYH7 are actively transcribed. Spatial analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the genes are preferentially located in the periphery of chromosome territories. This positioning was independent from the activity of the genes. In contrast, the non-expressed anonymous fragment was found randomly distributed or localized preferentially in the interior of the corresponding chromosome territory. Furthermore, the distribution of the analyzed genes within the territorial peripheries was found to be highly characteristic for each gene, and, again, independent from its expression. The impact of these findings with regard to the three-dimensional arrangement of the linear DNA string within chromosome territories, as well as with respect to a putative nuclear subcompartment confining gene expression, are discussed.


Author(s):  
Luke D. Buck ◽  
Maddison M. Paladino ◽  
Kyogo Nagashima ◽  
Emma R. Brezel ◽  
Joshua S. Holtzman ◽  
...  

Biofilm growth and survival pose a problem in both medical and industrial fields. Bacteria in biofilms are more tolerant to antibiotic treatment due to the inability of antibiotics to permeate to the bottom layers of cells in a biofilm and the creation of altered microenvironments of bacteria deep within the biofilm. Despite the abundance of information we have about E. coli biofilm growth and maturation, we are still learning how manipulating different signaling pathways influences the formation and fitness of biofilm. Understanding the impact of signaling pathways on biofilm formation may narrow the search for novel small molecule inhibitors or activators that affect biofilm production and stability. Here, we study the influence of the minor sigma transcription factor FliA (RpoF, sigma-28), which controls late-stage flagellar assembly and chemotaxis, on biofilm production and composition at various temperatures in the E. coli strain PHL628, which abundantly produces the extracellular structural protein curli. We examined FliA’s influence on external cellular structures like curli and flagella and the biomolecular composition of the biofilm’s extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) using biochemical assays, immunoblotting, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). At 37°C, FliA overexpression results in the dramatic growth of biofilm in polystyrene plates and more modest yet significant biofilm growth on silica slides. We observed no significant differences in curli concentration and carbohydrate concentration in the EPS with FliA overexpression. Still, we did see significant changes in the abundance of EPS protein using CLSM at higher growth temperatures. We also noticed increased flagellin concentration, a major structural protein in flagella, occurred with FliA overexpression, specifically in planktonic cultures. These experiments have aided in narrowing our focus to FliA’s role in changing the protein composition of the EPS, which we will examine in future endeavors.


2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (2) ◽  
pp. C292-C302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon A. Buras ◽  
Gregory L. Stahl ◽  
Kathy K. H. Svoboda ◽  
Wende R. Reenstra

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is being studied as a therapeutic intervention for ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We have developed an in vitro endothelial cell model of I/R injury to study the impact of HBO on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) induction of ICAM-1 required simultaneous exposure to both hypoxia and hypoglycemia as determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy, ELISA, and Western blot. HBO treatment reduced the expression of ICAM-1 to control levels. Adhesion of PMNs to BAECs was increased following hypoxia/hypoglycemia exposure (3.4-fold, P < 0.01) and was reduced to control levels with exposure to HBO ( P = 0.67). Exposure of HUVECs and BAECs to HBO induced the synthesis of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The NOS inhibitor nitro-l-arginine methyl ester attenuated HBO-mediated inhibition of ICAM-1 expression. Our findings suggest that the beneficial effects of HBO in treating I/R injury may be mediated in part by inhibition of ICAM-1 expression through the induction of eNOS.


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