scholarly journals Comparison of the Mechanical Properties Between the Convex and Concave Inner/Apical Surfaces of the Developing Cerebrum

Author(s):  
Arata Nagasaka ◽  
Takaki Miyata

The inner/apical surface of the embryonic brain wall is important as a major site for cell production by neural progenitor cells (NPCs). We compared the mechanical properties of the apical surfaces of two neighboring but morphologically distinct cerebral wall regions in mice from embryonic day (E) E12–E14. Through indentation measurement using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we first found that Young’s modulus was higher at a concave-shaped apical surface of the pallium than at a convex-shaped apical surface of the ganglionic eminence (GE). Further AFM analysis suggested that contribution of actomyosin as revealed with apical surface softening by blebbistatin and stiffness of dissociated NPCs were both comparable between pallium and GE, not accounting for the differential apical surface stiffness. We then found that the density of apices of NPCs was greater, with denser F-actin meshwork, in the apically stiffer pallium than in GE. A similar correlation was found between the decreasing density between E12 and E14 of NPC apices and the declining apical surface stiffness in the same period in both the pallium and the GE. Thus, one plausible explanation for the observed difference (pallium > GE) in apical surface stiffness may be differential densification of NPC apices. In laser ablation onto the apical surface, the convex-shaped GE apical surface showed quicker recoils of edges than the pallial apical surface did, with a milder inhibition of recoiling by blebbistatin than in pallium. This greater pre-stress in GE may provide an indication of how the initially apically concave wall then becomes an apically convex “eminence.”

2003 ◽  
Vol 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senthil N Sambandam ◽  
Shekhar Bhansali ◽  
Venkat R. Bhethanabotla

ABSTRACTMicrostructures of multi-component amorphous metallic glass alloys are becoming increasingly important due to their excellent mechanical properties and low coefficient of friction. In this work, thin films of Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be have been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering in view of exploring their potential technological applications in fields such as Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Their structure, composition, surface morphology, mechanical properties viz., hardness and Young's modulus were analyzed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Nanoindentation. Influence of the deposition parameters of sputtering pressure and power upon the composition and surface morphology of these films has been evidenced by SEM, and AFM analysis, showing that such a process yields very smooth films with target composition at low sputtering pressures. These studies are useful in understanding the multicomponent sputtering process.


1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 1105-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.H. Hoh ◽  
C.A. Schoenenberger

We describe the morphology and mechanical stability of the apical surface of MDCK monolayers by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Living cells could be imaged in physiological solution for several hours without noticeable deterioration. Cell boundaries appear as ridges that clearly demarcate neighboring cells. In some cases the nucleus of individual cells could be seen, though apparently only in very thin areas of the monolayer. Two types of protrusions on the surface could be visualized. Smooth bulges that varied in width from a few hundred nanometers to several micrometers, which appear to represent relatively rigid subapical structures. Another type of protrusion extended well above the membrane and was swept back and forth during the imaging. However, the microvilli that are typically present on the apical surface could not be resolved. For comparison, a transformed MDCK cell line expressing the K-ras oncogene was also examined. When cultured on solid substrata at low density, the R5 cells spread out and are less than 100 nm thick over large areas with both extensive processes and rounded edges. Many intracellular structures such as the nucleus, cytoskeletal elements and vesicles could be visualized. None of the intracellular structures seen in the AFM images could be seen by scanning electron microscopy. Both R5 cells and MDCK monolayers required imaging forces of > 2 nN for good image contrast. Force measurements on the MDCK monolayers show that they are very soft, with an effective spring constant of approximately 0.002 N/m for the apical plasma membrane, over the first micrometer of deformation, resulting in a height deformation of approximately 500 nm per nanoNewton of applied force. The mechanical properties of the cells could be manipulated by addition of glutaraldehyde. These changes were monitored in real time by collecting force curves during the fixation reaction. The curves show a stiffening of the apical plasma membrane that was completed in approximately 1 minute. On the basis of these measurements and the imaging forces required, we conclude that deformation of the plasma membrane is an important component of the contrast mechanism, in effect ‘staining’ structures based on their relative rigidity.


2000 ◽  
Vol 39 (Part 1, No. 6B) ◽  
pp. 3711-3716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatsuki Shiga ◽  
Yukako Yamane ◽  
Etsuro Ito ◽  
Kazuhiro Abe ◽  
Kazushige Kawabata ◽  
...  

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Divine Sebastian ◽  
Chun-Wei Yao ◽  
Lutfun Nipa ◽  
Ian Lian ◽  
Gary Twu

In this work, a mechanically durable anticorrosion superhydrophobic coating is developed using a nanocomposite coating solution composed of silica nanoparticles and epoxy resin. The nanocomposite coating developed was tested for its superhydrophobic behavior using goniometry; surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy; elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; corrosion resistance using atomic force microscopy; and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The nanocomposite coating possesses hierarchical micro/nanostructures, according to the scanning electron microscopy images, and the presence of such structures was further confirmed by the atomic force microscopy images. The developed nanocomposite coating was found to be highly superhydrophobic as well as corrosion resistant, according to the results from static contact angle measurement and potentiodynamic polarization measurement, respectively. The abrasion resistance and mechanical durability of the nanocomposite coating were studied by abrasion tests, and the mechanical properties such as reduced modulus and Berkovich hardness were evaluated with the aid of nanoindentation tests.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1661
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Adamiak ◽  
Katarzyna Lewandowska ◽  
Alina Sionkowska

Collagen films are widely used as adhesives in medicine and cosmetology. However, its properties require modification. In this work, the influence of salicin on the properties of collagen solution and films was studied. Collagen was extracted from silver carp skin. The rheological properties of collagen solutions with and without salicin were characterized by steady shear tests. Thin collagen films were prepared by solvent evaporation. The structure of films was researched using infrared spectroscopy. The surface properties of films were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Mechanical properties were measured as well. It was found that the addition of salicin modified the roughness of collagen films and their mechanical and rheological properties. The above-mentioned parameters are very important in potential applications of collagen films containing salicin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 513a
Author(s):  
Yuri M. Efremov ◽  
Mirian Velay-Lizancos ◽  
Daniel M. Suter ◽  
Pablo D. Zavattieri ◽  
Arvind Raman

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. El-Baz ◽  
Rasha A. Mosbah ◽  
Reham M. Goda ◽  
Basem Mansour ◽  
Taranum Sultana ◽  
...  

Candida albicans is the causative agent of fatal systemic candidiasis. Due to limitations of antifungals, new drugs are needed. The anti-virulence effect of plant essential oils (EOs) was evaluated against clinical C. albicans isolates including cinnamon, clove, jasmine and rosemary oils. Biofilm, phospholipase and hemolysin were assessed phenotypically. EOs were evaluated for their anti-virulence activity using phenotypic methods as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Among the C. albicans isolates, biofilm, phospholipase and hemolysins were detected in 40.4, 86.5 and 78.8% of isolates, respectively. Jasmine oil showed the highest anti-biofilm activity followed by cinnamon, clove and rosemary oils. SEM and AFM analysis showed reduced adherence and roughness in the presence of EOs. For phospholipase, rosemary oil was the most inhibitory, followed by jasmine, cinnamon and clove oils, and for hemolysins, cinnamon had the highest inhibition followed by jasmine, rosemary and clove oils. A molecular docking study revealed major EO constituents as promising inhibitors of the Als3 adhesive protein, with the highest binding for eugenol, followed by 1,8-cineole, 2-phenylthiolane and cinnamaldehyde. In conclusion, EOs have a promising inhibitory impact on Candida biofilm, phospholipase and hemolysin production, hence EOs could be used as potential antifungals that impact virulence factors.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e30204 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Martinez-Martin ◽  
Carolina Carrasco ◽  
Mercedes Hernando-Perez ◽  
Pedro J. de Pablo ◽  
Julio Gomez-Herrero ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayme Keist ◽  
Christine Orme ◽  
Frances Ross ◽  
Dan Steingart ◽  
Paul Wright ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThis investigation describes preliminary results of in-situ analysis of zinc deposition within an ionic liquid electrolyte utilizing electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC AFM). From the AFM analysis, the morphology of the zinc deposition was analyzed by quantifying the surface roughness using height-height correlation functions. These results will be used to analyze the scattering data obtained from zinc deposition analysis utilizing an electrochemical ultra-small angle x-ray scattering (EC USAXS). The goal of this research is to link the early nucleation and growth behavior to the formation of detrimental morphologies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document