Elemental composition and mixing properties of atmospheric mineral particles collected in Hohhot, China

Cell culture systems have become increasingly popular as a means of screening toxic agents and studying toxic mechanisms of drugs and other chemicals at the cellular and subcellular levels. These in vitro tests can be conducted rapidly in a broad range of relevant mammalian culture systems; a variety of biological and biochemical cytotoxicity endpoints can be examined. The following study utilized human keratinocytes to evaluate the relative cytotoxicities of nitrofurazone (NF) and silver sulfadiazine (SS), the active ingredients of FURACIN(R) Topical Cream and SILVADENE(R) Cream, respectively. These compounds are anti-infectives used in the treatment of burn patients. Cell ultrastructure and elemental composition were utilized as cytotoxicity endpoints.Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (HK) were prepared from the EpiPackTM culture system (Clonetics Corporation, Boulder, CO). For scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cells were seeded on sterile 35 mm Falcon plastic dishes; for elemental microanalysis, cells were plated on polished pyrolytic carbon discs (E. Fullam, Latham, NY) placed in the culture dishes.

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Electron probe x-ray microanalysis and electron microscopy of amino acid absorption and transport by the small intestine: inhibition by chemical poisons and correlation to the elemental composition of the epithelial cells

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100142311 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 134-135

Author(s):

A. J. Tousimis

Keyword(s):

Small Intestine ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Elemental Composition ◽

Isotope Labeling ◽

Structural Components ◽

X Ray ◽

Human Small Intestine ◽

Transport Studies

The elemental composition of amino acids is similar to that of the major structural components of the epithelial cells of the small intestine and other tissues. Therefore, their subcellular localization and concentration measurements are not possible by x-ray microanalysis. Radioactive isotope labeling: I131-tyrosine, Se75-methionine and S35-methionine have been successfully employed in numerous absorption and transport studies. The latter two have been utilized both in vitro and vivo, with similar results in the hamster and human small intestine. Non-radioactive Selenomethionine, since its absorption/transport behavior is assumed to be the same as that of Se75- methionine and S75-methionine could serve as a compound tracer for this amino acid.

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The analysis of “Gels” in polymer films

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100153786 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 362-363

Author(s):

G. M. Brown ◽

D. F. Brown ◽

J. H. Butler

Keyword(s):

Molecular Weight ◽

Film Industry ◽

Local Stress ◽

Melt Index ◽

Polyethylene Films ◽

Crosslinked Polymer ◽

Polymeric Gels ◽

Mineral Particles ◽

Polymeric Species ◽

Special Concern

The term “gel”, in the jargon of the plastics film industry, may refer to any inclusion that produces a visible artifact in a polymeric film. Although they can occur in any plastic product, gels are a principle concern in films where they detract from the cosmetic appearance of the product and may compromise its mechanical strength by acting as local stress concentrators. Many film gels are small spheres or ellipsoids less than one millimeter in diameter whereas other gels are fusiform-shaped and may reach several centimeters in length. The actual composition of gel inclusions may vary from miscellaneous inorganics (i.e. glass and mineral particles) and processing additives to heavily oxidized, charred or crosslinked polymer. The most commonly observed gels contain polymer differing from the bulk of the sample in its melt viscosity, density or molecular weight.Polymeric gels are a special concern in polyethylene films. Over the years and with the examination of a variety of these samples three predominant polymeric species have been observed: density gels which have different crystallinity than the film; melt-index gels in which the molecular weight is different than the film and crosslinked gels which are comprised of crosslinked polyethylene.

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Long-term variations in individual particle types in the aerosol of Phoenix, Arizona, as determined using automated electron microprobe analysis and multivariate statistical techniques

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100149544 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 742-743

Author(s):

Karen A. Katrinak ◽

James R. Anderson ◽

Peter R. Buseck

Keyword(s):

Electron Microprobe ◽

Fine Fraction ◽

Coarse Fraction ◽

Motor Vehicles ◽

Multivariate Statistical Methods ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

X Ray ◽

Mineral Particles ◽

Anthropogenic Air Pollutants

Aerosol samples were collected in Phoenix, Arizona on eleven dates between July 1989 and April 1990. Elemental compositions were determined for approximately 1000 particles per sample using an electron microprobe with an energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer. Fine-fraction samples (particle cut size of 1 to 2 μm) were analyzed for each date; coarse-fraction samples were also analyzed for four of the dates.The data were reduced using multivariate statistical methods. Cluster analysis was first used to define 35 particle types. 81% of all fine-fraction particles and 84% of the coarse-fraction particles were assigned to these types, which include mineral, metal-rich, sulfur-rich, and salt categories. "Zero-count" particles, consisting entirely of elements lighter than Na, constitute an additional category and dominate the fine fraction, reflecting the importance of anthropogenic air pollutants such as those emitted by motor vehicles. Si- and Ca-rich mineral particles dominate the coarse fraction and are also numerous in the fine fraction.

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