Imaging with hard X-rays allows visualizing cochlear structures while maintaining intrinsic qualities of the tissue, including structure and size. With coherent X-rays, soft tissues, including membranes, can be imaged as well as cells making use of the so-called in-line phase contrast. In the present experiments, partially coherent synchrotron radiation has been used for micro-tomography. Three...

We developed a double-staining procedure involving NanoOrange dye (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) and membrane integrity stains (LIVE/DEAD BacLight kit; Molecular Probes) to show the morphological and membrane integrity changes of Campylobacter coli cells during growth. The conversion from a spiral to a coccoid morphology via intermediary forms and the membrane integrity changes of the C. col...

The motility of some kinds of bacteria depends on their spiral form, as does the virulence of certain pathogenic species. We propose a novel mechanism for the development of spiral shape in bacteria and the supercoiling of chains ('filaments') of many cells. Recently discovered actin-like proteins lying just under the cell wall form fibers that play a role in maintaining cell shape. Some specie...

OBJECTIVE We examined whether surgically induced membrane defects elevate connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in the wound edge of the amniotic membrane (AM) and drives structural changes in collagen that affects healing after fetoscopic surgery. METHOD Cell morphology and collagen microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and second harmonic generation in fetal membranes take...

Elucidating versatile configurations of spiral folding, and investigating the deployment performance is relevant interest to extend applicability deployable membranes towards large-scale functional configurations. In this paper we propose new schemes package flat curved finite thickness by using multiple spirals, whose governing equations render folding lines juxtaposing spirals accommodating m...

The fluid mosaic model of membrane structure has been revised in recent years as it has become evident that domains of different lipid composition are present in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Using membrane binding fluorescent dyes, we demonstrate the presence of lipid spirals extending along the long axis of cells of the rod-shaped bacterium Bacillus subtilis. These spiral structures are a...

Background: Perianal fistula is a complicated disorder and most difficult to manage. New treatment methods would help surgeons to achieve a better outcome in patients with perianal fistula. Human amniotic membrane (HAM) has positive effects on wound healing in several conditions. The present study aimed to further determine the effect of HAM on wound healing of perianal fistula in rabbits.Metho...

Resealing of a disrupted plasma membrane requires Ca(2+)-regulated exocytosis. Repeated disruptions reseal more quickly than the initial wound. This facilitated response requires both Ca(2+) and protein kinase C (PKC), and is sensitive to brefeldin A. There is also evidence that this response is polarized to the site where the cell membrane had previously been disrupted. Observations of GFP-tag...