Tapping-mode atomic force microscopy on intact cells: optimal adjustment of tapping conditions by using the deflection signal

Difficulties in the proper adjustment of the scanning parameters are often encountered when using tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) for imaging thick and soft material, and particularly living cells, in aqueous buffer. A simple procedure that drastically enhances the successful imaging of the surface of intact cells by TMAFM is described. It is based on the observation, in liquid, of a deflection signal, concomitant with the damping of the amplitude that can be followed by amplitude-distance curves. For intact cells, the evolution of the deflection signal, steeper than the amplitude damping allows a precise adjustment of the feedback value. Besides its use in finding the appropriate tapping conditions, the deflection signal provides images of living cells that essentially reveal the organization of the membrane cytoskeleton. This allows to show that changes in the membrane surface topography are associated with a reorganization of the membrane skeleton. Studies on the relationships between the cell surface topography and membrane skeleton organization in living cells open a new field of applications for the atomic force microscope.     

Comparison of different theoretical models for flash temperature calculation under fretting conditions

The wear and friction properties of tribological interfaces depend significantly on the contact temperature, and its determination is therefore important for each tribological application. Temperature calculation methods available in the literature use quite different physical, dynamic and geometrical assumptions. Furthermore, the assumptions necessary for temperature calculations also include various interfacial properties, which are usually unknown due to many difficulties in their exact determination. It is therefore important to know the possible differences between several frequently used models for flash temperature calculation and also the effect of these pre-assumed input parameters. In the present work the effects of the tribological interface between silicon nitride and steel under dry and boundary lubricated fretting conditions were studied. Effects of the change of thermal properties, as well as the coefficient of friction and the real contact area on the calculated flash temperature are presented. Ten different theoretical models were selected for the purposes of this investigation. The results show crucial differences between the various models and the significant importance of the tribological interface properties on the calculated temperatures. Based on these calculations, supported by experimental evidence, it is clear that their severe limitations must be considered and care in the interpretation of the results taken when such models are used.     

Epidemiology of end‐stage renal disease and hemodialysis treatment in Serbia at the turn of the millennium

The study presents the epidemiological features of patients treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Serbia from 1997 to 2009 and compares the results of hemodialysis treatment in 1999 and 2009. Epidemiological data were obtained from the National Registry of RRT patients and data on hemodialysis treatment from special surveys conducted in 1999 and 2009. Within the period 1997–2009 the incidence of patients on RRT increased from 108 to 179 per million population (pmp), prevalence rose from 435 to 699 pmp, while mortality rate fell from 20.7% to 16.7%. The frequency of patients with glomerulonephritis decreased, while that of patients with diabetes and hypertensive nephropathy increased. In late 2009 there were 5208 patients receiving RRT in Serbia. Within the examined period new hemodialysis and reverse osmosis equipment were purchased, high‐flux dialyzers with synthetic membranes were increasingly used and the number of patients receiving hemodiafiltration increased to 17.6%. Kt/V greater than 1.2 was recorded in 16% of the patients in 1999 but 52% in 2009. Options for correction of anemia and mineral disorders have also improved. The percentage of patients with HbsAg (13.8% vs. 4.8%) as well as anti‐hepatitis C virus antibodies positive patients (23.2% vs. 12.7%) was significantly lower in 2009 than in 1999. Both the incidence and prevalence of RRT patients in Serbia are rising continuously, while the mortality rate is falling. More favorable conditions for dialysis treatment have brought about significant improvement in the results over the last 10 years.     

Biological control of postharvest pear diseases using a bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2.

Epiphytic microorganisms isolated from the fruits and leaf surfaces of apples and pears were screened for antagonistic activity against Penicillium expansum on pears. From 247 microorganisms tested for antagonistic properties against P. expansum, a bacterium strain identified as Pantoea agglomerans (CPA-2) was selected. This bacterium was very effective against Botrytis cinerea, P. expansum and Rhizopus stolonifer. Complete control at the three tested concentrations (2 x 10(7), 8 x 10(7) and 1 x 10(8) CFU ml(-1)) was obtained on wounded pears inoculated with 10(3), 10(4) and 10(5) conidia ml(-1) of P. expansum and R. stolonifer. At 8 x 10(7) CFU ml(-1), Pan. agglomerans reduced B. cinerea decay by more than 80% at the three concentrations of the pathogen. In over 3 years of experiments in semicommercial trials, Pan. agglomerans provided excellent control against B. cinerea and P. expansum under cold storage, either in air or in low oxygen atmospheres. Equal control was obtained with Pan. agglomerans at 8 x 10(7) CFU ml(-1), as with the fungicide imazalil at commercial doses, against both pathogens. Pan. agglomerans grew well inside wounds on pears at both room and cold temperatures and under modified atmospheres. In contrast, it grew poorly on the surface of intact fruit.     

Composition and food properties of Pachyrhizus ahipa roots and starch

The aims of this work were to evaluate productivity and postharvest handling conditions for ahipa roots; to establish a starch extraction procedure and to characterise the morphological, physicochemical and pasting properties of ahipa starch. Plants were grown in Misiones (Argentina), evaluating three planting densities and the application of a flower pruning (FP) practice. FP increased roots yield without modifying the functional properties of the starch. Storage assays allowed to rule out refrigeration and select 25 °C as an appropriate temperature. Starch extraction yield was 56.54 g 100 g^?1 roots (dry basis). Amylose content was 10.75%. The starch diffractograms were assigned to a type C pattern. Ahipa starch pastes gelatinised at relatively low temperature and showed low retrogradation tendency under refrigeration conditions. Rheological properties indicated that ahipa starch might be adequate as a food thickener. Thus, native ahipa starch seems to be an alternative to other traditional starch sources.     

Study of the shade tabs of the toothguide 3D master through cluster analysis

To find out whether the 26 shade tabs of the Toothguide 3D Master can be grouped according to the five groups of lightness proposed by the manufacturer (Vita‐Zahnfabrik) the three color coordinates L*, C*, and h were studied. Upper central incisor color was measured through the Easyshade Compact spectrophotometer using 1361 participants aged between 16 and 89. The color of the middle third was registered in the Toothguide 3D Master nomenclature and in the CIELCh‐system. Principal Component Analysis and Cluster analysis, were applied for data processing. The statistical analysis reveals the existence of five cluster groups. Cluster 1 comprises samples 1M1 ‐ 2L1.5 ‐ 2M1 ‐ 2R1.5 ‐ 3L1.5 ‐ 3M1. Cluster 2 comprises 1M2 ‐ 2L2.5 ‐ 2M2 ‐ 2M3 ‐ 2R2.5 ?3M2 ‐ 3L2.5. Cluster 3 comprises 3R1.5 ‐ 4L1.5 ‐ 4L2.5 ‐ 4M1 ‐ 4M2 ‐ 4R1.5 ‐ 5M1. Cluster 4 comprises 3M3 ‐ 3R2.5 ‐ 4M3 ‐ 4R2.5. And, finally, Cluster 5 comprises: 5M2 ‐ 5M3. The 26 shade tabs in the Toothguide 3D Master can be grouped into five clusters following coordinates L*, C*, and h resulting from the dental spectrophotometer Vita Easyshade compact. The shade tabs that compose each cluster do not belong to the same lightness group. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 194–200, 2015     

Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Targeting HER2 Breast Cancer: A Novel Approach

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in women globally and is the primary cause of cancer mortality in females. BC is highly heterogeneous with various phenotypic expressions. The overexpression of HER2 is responsible for 15–30% of all invasive BC and is strongly associated with malignant behaviours, poor prognosis and decline in overall survival. Molecular imaging offers advantages over conventional imaging modalities, as it provides more sensitive and specific detection of tumours, as these techniques measure the biological and physiological processes at the cellular level to visualise the disease. Early detection and diagnosis of BC is crucial to improving clinical outcomes and prognosis. While HER2-specific antibodies and nanobodies may improve the sensitivity and specificity of molecular imaging, the radioisotope conjugation process may interfere with and may compromise their binding functionalities. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides capable of targeting biomarkers with remarkable binding specificity and affinity. Aptamers can be functionalised with radioisotopes without compromising target specificity. The attachment of different radioisotopes can determine the aptamer’s functionality in the treatment of HER2(+) BC. Several HER2 aptamers and investigations of them have been described and evaluated in this paper. We also provide recommendations for future studies with HER2 aptamers to target HER2(+) BC.     

Performance influences on metamodelling for aerodynamic surrogate-based optimization of an aerofoil

It is now common in aerospace design to build and adapt a surrogate model to use during optimization. This process starts with a training stage based on an initial database of high-fidelity results. However, it is difficult to have a priori knowledge of the database size necessary to achieve a particular level of accuracy. Thus, many optimization processes, such as aerodynamic optimization, start with a large number of initial cases, which usually implies long computational times on high-performance computers. This article identifies and analyses key variables which influence the surrogate performance, as applied to the aerodynamic optimization of an aerofoil, such as the database size, the number of geometric design parameters, variation from the baseline geometry, Reynolds number and angle of attack. Their relationship is explored by means of sensitivity analysis and a multivariable polynomial model, and general guidelines for the selection of the most suitable database size are presented.