Cell surface regulators of complement, 5I2 antigen, and CD59, in the rat eye and adnexal tissues

PURPOSE: Cell surface complement regulatory proteins have been identified in high levels in ocular tissues, but no experimental model is available for examining their physiological roles. To develop such a model, the distribution of 5I2 antigen, a protein possessing the functions of the human decay-accelerating factor (DAF [CD55]) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP [CD46]), and rat inhibitory protein (CD59), the homologue of the human membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (MIRL[CD59]) were characterized in the rat eye and ocular adnexal structures. METHODS: After euthanasia of female Wistar rats, followed by orbital exenteration, eyelids and orbital tissue including the lacrimal gland were separated from the globes and immediately snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen at -70 degrees C. Tissues then were sectioned at -20 degrees C and examined immunohistochemically for 5I2 antigen and rat CD59. RESULTS: Both molecules were found to be present in high levels in multiple sites. Corneal and conjunctival epithelia showed moderate to intense labeling for both regulators. Fibroblasts in the corneal stroma, conjunctiva, and sclera labeled similarly. Corneal endothelial cells showed intense labeling for rat CD59 but not for 5I2 antigen. The iris and ciliary body showed intense labeling for both proteins. The retina showed labeling at multiple levels, with that of rat CD59 being more intense than that of 5I2 antigen. The lacrimal gland labeled for both regulators. Vessels, muscle, and nerves in the orbit labeled intensely for both antigens. In the eyelid, conjunctiva, sebaceous glands, and muscle and nerve tissues labeled moderately to intensely for both molecules, whereas skin epithelium labeled less intensely. CONCLUSIONS: 5I2 antigen and rat CD59 are expressed in high levels and distributed similarly in the rat eye and lacrimal gland to DAF, MCP, and MIRL in the human eye and lacrimal gland. These findings establish the rat ocular surface as a model for studying the role of cell surface complement regulators in this site. This first identification of copious expression of these proteins in eyelid structures, which also participate in protection of the ocular surface, further suggests an important role for surface complement regulatory proteins in this location.     

Diffusion and transfer of antibody proteins from a sugar-based hydrogel

Diffusion of antibody protein from hydrogel films and hydrogel encapsulated in a microcapillary was studied. Thin hydrogel films were formed by crosslinking 6-acryloyl-B-O-methylgalactoside with N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide and the diffusive transport of monoclonal antimouse IgG-FITC into and out of the hydrate films was measured. Diffusion coefficients in 2 and 4% crosslinked hydrogel films were measured. The measured diffusion constants determined for IgG in both the 2 and 4% hydrogel films were comparable to the free diffusion of IgG in bulk water (Dmean approximately 10(-7) cm2/s). In addition, 2% crosslinked hydrogels were prepared in a capillary tube and the transport of antimouse IgG-FITC into and out of the hydrated hydrogel was measured. Kinetic analysis indicated that the protein transport through the capillary hydrogel was faster than would be expected for a simple diffusion process. Finally, by utilizing the diffusion of antibody from the capillary hydrogel, transfer of antibody to a silica surface was demonstrated. A capillary hydrogel loaded with antimouse IgG-FITC was used to transfer the protein to a silica surface forming a 30-micron spot of antibody, which was imaged using fluorescence microscopy. These results may lead to the development of a nonlithographic method of patterning antibodies on surfaces for use in integrated microimmunosensors.     

Characterization of bonding and crystalline phases in fluxed pellets using peat moss and bentonite as binders

Pellets in the basicity range of 0.2 to 1.6 were produced from specular hematite concentrates using bentonite or peat moss as a binder. Specific pellet basicities were achieved through the addition of (1) limestone and (2) a combination of dolomite and limestone. Mineralogical study and microanalysis of the bonding and crystalline phases were done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In limestone-fluxed pellets with bentonite as a binder, although formation of calcium ferrite was noted at the basicity of 0.8, its formation in appreciable quantities was delayed until the basicity of 1.6. For the pellets produced with a combination of dolomite and limestone, even at the basicity of 1.6, only minor amounts of this phase were present. In these pellets, some magnesioferrites were formed which did not conform to the stoichiometric composition (MgOFe₂O₂), but they were quite deficient in MgO. The silicate glass phases, which essentially provided the bonding in the pellets, showed a two-zone structure: (1) magnesian-ferruginous and (2) glass containing high quantities of Si and Ca. However, in pellets with only limestone addition, the zoned structure was less prevalent, probably due to low Mg content. The results indicate that using peat moss in conjunction with limestone, pellet sticking can be minimized at higher basicities. The factors influencing the pellet bonding and the change in the physical and chemical properties of these pellets are discussed.     

Silicon Nanowire GAA-MOSFET: a Workhorse in Nanotechnology for Future Semiconductor Devices

Silicon - In today’s world, semiconductor nanowire GAA-MOSFET devices have stimulated a lot of scientific research interest in the field of semiconductor. It has been observed as one of the...     

Analytical estimation of energy dissipations: Viscous,Joulian, and Darcy of viscoelastic fluid flow phenomena over a deformable surface

In this paper, analytical estimation of energy dissipations, such as viscous, Joulian, and Darcy dissipation of viscoelastic flow phenomena over a deformable surface has been presented. This supplement to the study of many transport processes, which occur in nature, and various experimental setups that are driven or modified by the composition of the various flow characteristics and material or phase constitution. These processes are very important and have received considerable attention in the literature. The estimation of dissipative energy in the process of transport energy is an important phenomenon to investigate. The present analysis is carried out on steady MHD viscoelastic liquid due to deformable domains. Moreover, the impact of internal heat sources and prescribed thermal conditions, such as surface temperature and heat flux, are carefully studied. Analytical solutions to governing equations are obtained with the help of Kummer's function. The solutions are presented graphically as well as in tables to estimate the energy losses and their effects on transport processes, which serve as the salient features of the current analysis. The outcomes serve as a guideline due to the process of transport properties as per the design requirements. Looking into the current scenario, dissipative heat energies have several applications in industries and technological processes, such as electric heaters, fuses, food processing, and several others.     

Retesting Defective Circuits to Allow Acceptable Faults for Yield Enhancement

Journal of Electronic Testing - Applications like Recognition, Mining, and Synthesis (RMS) with error-resilience properties can use circuits that produce acceptable results. In other words, the...     

Ant Lion Optimization Based Medical Data Classification Using Modified Neuro Fuzzy Classifier

Wireless Personal Communications - The progression of converting depiction of medical analysis and measures into widespread medical code numbers is known as medical classification. According to the...