Escherichia coli chemotaxis to competing stimuli in a microfluidic device with a constant gradient

In natural systems bacteria are exposed to many chemical stimulants; some attract chemotactic bacteria as they promote survival, while others repel bacteria because they inhibit survival. When faced with a mixture of chemoeffectors, it is not obvious which direction the population will migrate. Predicting this direction requires an understanding of how bacteria process information about their surroundings. We used a multiscale mathematical model to relate molecular level details of their two-component signaling system to the probability that an individual cell changes its swimming direction to the chemotactic velocity of a bacterial population. We used a microfluidic device designed to maintain a constant chemical gradient to compare model predictions to experimental observations. We obtained parameter values for the multiscale model of Escherichia coli chemotaxis to individual stimuli, α-methylaspartate and nickel ion, separately. Then without any additional fitting parameters, we predicted the response to chemoeffector mixtures. Migration of E. coli toward α-methylaspartate was modulated by adding increasing concentrations of nickel ion. Thus, the migration direction was controlled by the relative concentrations of competing chemoeffectors in a predictable way. This study demonstrated the utility of a multiscale model to predict the migration direction of bacteria in the presence of competing chemoeffectors.

Identification of B-Cell Epitopes of HspA from Helicobacter pylori and Detection of Epitope Antibody Profiles in Naturally Infected Persons

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), heat-shock protein A (HspA), is a bacterial heat-shock chaperone that serves as a nickel ion scavenging protein. Ni2+ is an important co-factor required for the maturation and enzymatic activity of H. pylori urease and [NiFe] hydrogenase, both of which are key virulence factors for pathogen survival and colonization. HspA is an important target molecule for the diagnosis, treatment, and immune prevention of H. pylori. In this work, HspA was truncated into five fragments to determine the location of an antigen immunodominant peptide. A series of overlapping, truncated 11-amino-acid peptides in immunodominant peptide fragments were synthesized chemically and screened by ELISA. The immunogenicity and antigenicity of the screened epitope peptides were verified by ELISA, Western blot, and lymphocyte proliferation tests. Two novel B-cell epitopes were identified, covering amino acids 2–31 of HspA, which are HP11 (2–12; KFQPLGERVLV) and HP19 (18–28; ENKTSSGIIIP). The antiserum obtained from HP11-KLH and HP19-KLH immunized mice can bind to naive HspA in H. pylori SS2000, rHspA expressed in E. coli, and the corresponding GST fusion peptide. Among HspA seropositive persons, the seropositive rates of HP11 and HP19 were 21.4% and 33.3%, respectively. Both of the B-cell epitopes of HspA are highly conserved epitopes with good antigenicity and immunogenicity.

Brewed Robusta Coffee Increases Nickel Ion Release from Dental Alloys: An In Vitro Study

Alloys in oral cavity always interact with dynamic oral environment, such as pH, temperature, salivary conditions, and dietary habits. Coffee can further decrease pH in the oral cavity. Thus, coffee may increase the release of metal ions that may lead to various health diseases. This study aimed to quantitively investigate the effect of brewed Robusta coffee on the nickel ion release and their morphological structures; Methods: 20 alloy specimens were divided into 4 groups and placed in solutions for 48 and 168 h: (1) distilled water, (2) artificial saliva, (3) Robusta coffee, and (4) mixture of artificial saliva and Robusta coffee. AAS, XRF, and SEM were used for examinations; Results: The release of Ni2+ was found in all groups and robust release were found in the coffee only and mixture of coffee + artificial saliva solution after 168 h. Likewise, SEM showed that internal oxidation was high after 168 h of immersion; Conclusions: The concentration of nickel increased in saliva of low pH due to brewed coffee. Though the release of these ions is still within the tolerable amount in human body, it should be realized that it usually lasts for months or years. Dentists should be cautious when using instructions for patients with a history of allergies especially for dietary with low acidity.

Effect of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Concentration in an Electroless Bath on Microstructure and Composition of Ni/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Nanocomposite

The effect of the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticle loading in an electro-less bath was considered as one of the vital synthesis variables for control Ni content and microstructure of prepared nanocomposite particles, which are two crucial factors to achieving high-performance SOFC anode. Nanocomposite particles were prepared using a simple electroless method without any expensive pretreatment of sensitizing by Sn2+ ions as well as activating by Pd2+ ions that are usually used to apply nickel coating on the surface of a non-conductive substrate. The process was performed by adding YSZ nanoparticles into NaOH solution, separating them from the solution by the centrifugal method, then providing several water-based nanofluids with different concentrations of activated YSZ nanoparticles, mixing them with NiCI2 solution, followed by adding the hydrazine and then NaOH solution. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis were used to analyze the prepared nanocomposite particles. It is observed that after adding YSZ nanoparticles into the NaOH solution, the pH of the solution varied gradually from a starting pH of 10.2 to 9. Also, by increasing the YSZ nanoparticles loading in the electroless bath from 76 mg/l to 126 mg/l, the grain size of Ni deposits, the Ni content and the average size of the prepared nanocomposite particles decreased. The electrochemical mechanism previously proposed for the nickel ion reduction was modified, and a novel analytical model was proposed for variation of the efficiency of Ni deposition with YSZ nanoparticles loading.

Release of nickel ions and changes in surface microstructure of stainless steel archwire after immersion in tomato and orange juice

Stainless steel archwire is an important component of orthodontic appliances that have the potential to corrode. Consumption of foods and beverages with a low pH, such as fruit-based juices, can trigger the release of nickel ions in stainless steel archwire. This study aimed to determine the difference in the amount of nickel ions release and the surface microstructure of stainless steel archwire after immersed in tomato and orange juice. The sample used is stainless steel archwire with a diameter of 0.016 inches and length of 5 cm immersed in 15 ml of solution and then stored at 37°C in an incubator for 24 hours. The samples were divided into three groups (immersed in tomato juice,orange juice and artificial saliva), each group consisted of 9 samples. The solution was tested using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) to determine the number of nickel ions released. The archwire surface microstructure was tested using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results showed that the average amount of nickel ion release in orange juice is more than tomato juice. There was a significant difference between the amount of nickel ion released and surface microstructure on stainless steel archwire after being immersed in tomato and orange juice.

Release of nickel ion and surface microstructure of NiTi archwire after immersion in tomato and orange juice

One of wires commonly used in orthodontic treatment is nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwire. NiTi archwire has the potential to release ions that can cause allergic and cytotoxic reactions. This study aimed to specify the difference in the amount of nickel ion release and surface microstructure of NiTi archwires after immersing in tomato and orange juice. NiTi archwire with a diameter of 0.016 inches and a length of 5 cm was used as the sample, which was immersed in 15 ml of solution and then stored at 37°C in an incubator for 24 hours. The samples were divided into two tretment groups (immersed in tomato and orange juice), each with nine samples. The immersion solution was tested for ion release using an Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometer. The microstructure of the wire surface was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results revealed that group 1 has higher average amount of nickel ion release than group 2 and control. SEM result showed that the surface microstructure of the NiTi archwire in group 1 is roughest. There was a significant difference between the amount of nickel ion released and surface microstructure on NiTi archwire after being immersed in tomato and orange juice.

Titanium Nitride Plating Reduces Nickel Ion Release from Orthodontic Wire

The leaching of metal ions from orthodontic appliances is a problem for their use in patients with metal allergies. Despite the development of a number of non-metal orthodontic appliances, including brackets, non-metal wires are not yet available. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the surfaces of orthodontic wires to prevent the leaching of metal ions into the oral environment for use in such patients. This study was performed to examine whether plating of orthodontic wire with titanium nitride (TiN), which does not impair its mechanical properties, could prevent the leaching of metal ions from the wire on immersion in acid. To investigate the acid corrosion resistance of the wire, the amount of metal ions eluted from the wire immersed in acid was measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test, the properties of the wire surface were examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the surface roughness was measured using a surface roughness tester. The results indicated that TiN plating of orthodontic wire significantly suppressed the elution of metal ions on immersion in acid.