Changes in Structural and Thermodynamic Properties of Starch during Potato Tuber Dormancy.

The main reserve polysaccharide of plants-starch-is undoubtedly important for humans. One of the main sources of starch is the potato tuber, which is able to preserve starch for a long time during the so-called dormancy period. However, accumulated data show that this dormancy is only relative, which raises the question of the possibility of some kind of starch restructuring during dormancy periods. Here, the effect of long-term periods of tuber rest (at 2-4 °C) on main parameters of starches of potato tubers grown in vivo or in vitro were studied. Along with non-transgenic potatoes, Arabidopsis phytochrome B (AtPHYB) transformants were investigated. Distinct changes in starch micro and macro structures-an increase in proportion of amorphous lamellae and of large-sized and irregular-shaped granules, as well as shifts in thickness of the crystalline lamellae-were detected. The degree of such alterations, more pronounced in AtPHYB-transgenic tubers, increased with the longevity of tuber dormancy. By contrast, the polymorphic crystalline structure (B-type) of starch remained unchanged regardless of dormancy duration. Collectively, our data support the hypothesis that potato starch remains metabolically and structurally labile during the entire tuber life including the dormancy period. The revealed starch remodeling may be considered a process of tuber preadaptation to the upcoming sprouting stage.

Methodological Approaches to Assessing the Size and Morphology of Microvesicles of Cell Lines.

Morphological properties and the size of microvesicles were assessed using atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, and granulometric analysis. As these methods require significant numbers of microvesicles, we chose microvesicles derived from cell lines for our research.

Impact of particle size on functional, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of cladode powder (Opuntia ficus-indica).

Particle size is an important quality parameter of pharmaceutical and processed food products. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of powder fractionation on the functional, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of cladode powder with particle size ranging from < 45 to 500 µm. Granulometric study presented bimodal granules' volume distribution explaining the irregular shape of particles. The results indicated that functional properties were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by particle size distribution and the critical fraction size was 63-80 µm. Scanning electron microscopy showed that morphology of cladode powder granules was highly related to the grinding treatment. Physicochemical analysis showed that ash content and soluble solids were more affected contrary to moisture, pH and titratable acidity. Chlorophylls (a, b) and carotenoids content of fractionated powder were affected significantly unlike color (b* value). The granulometric classes (80-100 µm) had the highest polyphenol and flavonoids content (605.30 mg GAE/100 g and 476.33 mg CE/100 g respectively). Two fractions "100-200 µm" and "80-100 µm" exhibited a high rise in the antioxidant activity as determined by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP essays compared to other fractions. The chemical composition and bioactive compounds analysis of cladode powder confirmed a differential distribution of chemical composition and bioactive compounds according to particle size.

Spatial and vertical distribution analysis of heavy metals in urban retention tanks sediments: a case study of Strzyza Stream.

Concentrations of seven heavy metals (HMs): Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Fe in core samples of bottom sediments from four retention tanks (RTs) located along the Strzyza Stream in northern Poland (Gdansk) were measured to obtain a general view of sediment quality. The recognition of contamination and potential environmental impacts is the main aim of this paper. A total of 96 sediment samples were collected from eight sampling sites at depths of 0-2 cm, 8-10 cm, 16-18 cm, 24-26 cm. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe, Ni, and Cr were measured with AAS while Cd concentration was measured with ICP-MS. Granulometric analyses with normalized sieve apertures were carried out. Geochemical indices: enrichment factor, anthropogenic factor, and modified degree of contamination (mCd) were used to assess the contamination level. Concentrations of HMs in sediments changed in the range: Cu (3.24-119 mg/kg d.w.), Zn (12.5-584 mg/kg d.w.), Pb (4.91-309 mg/kg d.w.), Cd (0.003-0.716 mg/kg d.w.), Ni (1.57-25.8 mg/kg d.w.), Cr (2.45-74.5 mg/kg d.w.), and Fe (3993-63817 mg/kg d.w.). The sequential extraction verified the bonding of HMs with non-mobile fractions. Geochemical indices showed widespread pollution by Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn. Cluster and factor analysis distinguished three related subgroups of HMs: Pb, Ni-Cr, and Fe-Cd-Cu-Zn, suggesting possible common source of each subgroup. Strongly contaminated sediments were distinguished in sediment cores in two middle stream RTs characterized by intense urbanization in their direct catchments.

Identification and red blood cell automated counting from blood smear images using computer-aided system.

Red blood cell count plays a vital role in identifying the overall health of the patient. Hospitals use the hemocytometer to count the blood cells. Conventional method of placing the smear under microscope and counting the cells manually lead to erroneous results, and medical laboratory technicians are put under stress. A computer-aided system will help to attain precise results in less amount of time. This research work proposes an image-processing technique for counting the number of red blood cells. It aims to examine and process the blood smear image, in order to support the counting of red blood cells and identify the number of normal and abnormal cells in the image automatically. K-medoids algorithm which is robust to external noise is used to extract the WBCs from the image. Granulometric analysis is used to separate the red blood cells from the white blood cells. The red blood cells obtained are counted using the labeling algorithm and circular Hough transform. The radius range for the circle-drawing algorithm is estimated by computing the distance of the pixels from the boundary which automates the entire algorithm. A comparison is done between the counts obtained using the labeling algorithm and circular Hough transform. Results of the work showed that circular Hough transform was more accurate in counting the red blood cells than the labeling algorithm as it was successful in identifying even the overlapping cells. The work also intends to compare the results of cell count done using the proposed methodology and manual approach. The work is designed to address all the drawbacks of the previous research work. The research work can be extended to extract various texture and shape features of abnormal cells identified so that diseases like anemia of inflammation and chronic disease can be detected at the earliest.

Caracterização de uma haste femoral de Ti-6Al-4V não cimentada / Characterization of a cementless Ti-6Al-4V femoral stem

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a viabilidade de produção de uma prótese femoral de titânio garantindo a qualidade da matéria prima e as características das superfícies. Um protótipo foi criado pelo Método de Elementos Finitos em AutoCad® 2000. A simulação dos esforços demonstrou uma tensão de von Mises 8,1 vezes menor que a tensão crítica para escoamento do material. Na determinação dos constituintes metálicos, obteve-se: Fe  =   0,06%, Al  = 6,20%, V  = 3,57%, O  = 0,115%, N  = 0,003%, H  = 0,010%, e ausência de metais pesados. As propriedades elasto-plásticas da amostra tiveram valor médio de dureza de 4,45 (3,92 a 4,79) GPa e o módulo de elasticidade variou de 112,12 a 140,77  GPa (média  = 134,33). O coeficiente de rugosidade médio (DP) no cone foi de 0,60  (0,03) μm; na região jateada de 12,2 (0,8) μm e na ponta de 0,41 (0,01) μm. Nos ensaios de fadiga e de corrosão não foram observadas alterações. A análisegranulométrica do pó do material depositado demonstrou predominância de partículas médias (75  μm a 180  μm; 84%). A espessura da camada do material depositado apresentou valor médio de 52,7  μm (0 a 318  μm), porosidade média de 16% (variandode 3% a 41%), poros de diâmetro médio de 88,5  μm e profundidade média de 28,2  μm. A tensão (força por unidade de área) de adesão da camada porosa depositada revelou valoresde 15 a 17  MPa. Em conclusão, os resultados dos testes e ensaios técnicos estão dentro das normas internacionalmente recomendadas e padronizadas para implantes metálicos em titânio estando essa prótese de acordo com os padrões internacionaisde qualidade e segurança.

The objective of this work was to study the feasibility of manufacturing a cementless femoral prosthesis in Brazil, in compliance with internationalstandards of quality assurance. A virtual prototype by the Finite Elements Model in AutoCad® 2000 was assessed and demonstrated a von Mises tension 8.1 below the deformation point. In determining the metallic components, the percentages were Fe  = 0.06%, Al  = 6.20%, V  = 3.57%, O  = 0.115%, N  = 0.003%, H  = 0.010% without any contamination due to heavy metals. The elasto-plastic properties showed an average value of hardness of 4.45 (3.92 to 4.79) GPa and elasticity module varied from 112.12 to 140.77  GPa (mean  = 134.33). The average coefficient of roughness (SD) in the cone was 0.60 (0.03) μm, 12.2 (0.8) μm in the plasma spray coating region, and 0.41 (0.01) μm in the tip. In the assays for fatigue and corrosion no changes were observed. The grain size analysis of the deposited material dust demonstrated predominantly (84%) medium size particles (75  μm to 180  μm). The thickness of the deposited material layer presented average value of 52.7  μm (0 to 318  μm), average porosity of 16% (varying from 3% to 41%) and pores of average diameterof 88.5  μm and average depth of 28.2  μm. The force of adhesion of the deposited porous layer showed values between 15  and  17  MPa. Results were in accordance with the norms and tests internationally recommended and standardized for metallic implants in titanium alloy and  the femoral prosthesis manufactured with national technology was in accordance with international standards of design, quality and safeness.