Correlation between loose density and compactibility of granules prepared by various granulation methods.

PubMed

Murakami, H; Yoneyama, T; Nakajima, K; Kobayashi, M

2001-03-23

The objectives of this study were to prepare the lactose granules by various granulation methods using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) as a binder and to evaluate the effects of granulation methods on the compressibility and compactibility of granules in tabletting. Lactose was granulated by seven granulation methods -- four wet granulations including wet massing granulation, wet high-speed mixer granulation, wet fluidized bed granulation and wet tumbling fluidized bed granulation; and three melt granulations including melt high-speed mixer granulation, melt fluidized bed granulation and melt tumbling fluidized bed granulation. The loose density, angle of repose, granule size distribution, mean diameter of granules, and the tensile strength and porosity of tablets were evaluated. The compactibilities of granules were varied by the granulation methods. However, the difference in compactibility of granules could not be explained due to the difference in compressibility, since there was no difference in Heckel plots due to granulation methods. Among their granule properties, the loose density of granules seemed to have a correlation with the tablet strength regardless of the granulation methods.

Analysis of the release process of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride from ethylcellulose matrix granules V. Release properties of ethylcellulose layered matrix granules.

PubMed

Fukui, Atsuko; Fujii, Ryuta; Yonezawa, Yorinobu; Sunada, Hisakazu

2008-04-01

In the pharmaceutical preparation of a controlled release drug, it is very important and necessary to understand the release properties. In previous papers, a combination of the square-root time law and cube-root law equations was confirmed to be a useful equation for qualitative treatment. It was also confirmed that the combination equation could analyze the release properties of layered granules as well as matrix granules. The drug release property from layered granules is different from that of matrix granules. A time lag occurs before release, and the entire release property of layered granules was analyzed using the combination of the square-root time law and cube-root law equations. It is considered that the analysis method is very useful and efficient for both matrix and layered granules. Comparing the granulation methods, it is easier to control the manufacturing process by tumbling granulation (method B) than by tumbling-fluidized bed granulation (method C). Ethylcellulose (EC) layered granulation by a fluidized bed granulator might be convenient for the preparation of controlled release dosage forms as compared with a tumbling granulator, because the layered granules prepared by the fluidized bed granulator can granulate and dry at the same time. The time required for drying by the fluidized bed granulator is shorter than that by the tumbling granulator, so the fluidized bed granulator is convenient for preparation of granules in handling and shorter processing time than the tumbling granulator. It was also suggested that the EC layered granules prepared by the fluidized bed granulator were suitable for a controlled release system as well as the EC matrix granules.

Alkali activation of recovered fuel-biofuel fly ash from fluidised-bed combustion: Stabilisation/solidification of heavy metals.

PubMed

Yliniemi, Juho; Pesonen, Janne; Tiainen, Minna; Illikainen, Mirja

2015-09-01

Recovered fuel-biofuel fly ash from a fluidized bed boiler was alkali-activated and granulated with a sodium-silicate solution in order to immobilise the heavy metals it contains. The effect of blast-furnace slag and metakaolin as co-binders were studied. Leaching standard EN 12457-3 was applied to evaluate the immobilisation potential. The results showed that Ba, Pb and Zn were effectively immobilised. However, there was increased leaching after alkali activation for As, Cu, Mo, Sb and V. The co-binders had minimal or even negative effect on the immobilisation. One exception was found for Cr, in which the slag decreased leaching, and one was found for Cu, in which the slag increased leaching. A sequential leaching procedure was utilized to gain a deeper understanding of the immobilisation mechanism. By using a sequential leaching procedure it is possible fractionate elements into watersoluble, acid-soluble, easily-reduced and oxidisable fractions, yielding a total 'bioavailable' amount that is potentially hazardous for the environment. It was found that the total bioavailable amount was lower following alkali activation for all heavy metals, although the water-soluble fraction was higher for some metals. Evidence from leaching tests suggests the immobilisation mechanism was chemical retention, or trapping inside the alkali activation reaction products, rather than physical retention, adsorption or precipitation as hydroxides. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bio-oil production via fast pyrolysis of biomass residues from cassava plants in a fluidised-bed reactor.

PubMed

Pattiya, Adisak

2011-01-01

Biomass residues from cassava plants, namely cassava stalk and cassava rhizome, were pyrolysed in a fluidised-bed reactor for production of bio-oil. The aims of this work were to investigate the yields and properties of pyrolysis products produced from both feedstocks as well as to identify the optimum pyrolysis temperature for obtaining the highest organic bio-oil yields. Results showed that the maximum yields of the liquid bio-oils derived from the stalk and rhizome were 62 wt.% and 65 wt.% on dry basis, respectively. The pyrolysis temperatures that gave highest bio-oil yields for both feedstocks were in the range of 475-510 °C. According to the analysis of the bio-oils properties, the bio-oil derived from cassava rhizome showed better quality than that derived from cassava stalk as the former had lower oxygen content, higher heating value and better storage stability. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous organic nitrogen and sulfate removal in an anaerobic GAC fluidised bed reactor.

PubMed

Fdz-Polanco, F; Fdz-Polanco, M; Fernandez, N; Urueña, M A; García, P A; Villaverde, S

2001-01-01

A granular activated carbon (GAC) anaerobic fluidised bed reactor treating vinasse from an ethanol distillery of sugar beet molasses was operated for 250 days under three different organic loading rates. The reactor showed good performance in terms of organic matter removal and methane production but an anomalous behaviour in terms of unusual high concentrations of molecular nitrogen and low concentration of hydrogen sulphide in the biogas. The analysis of the different nitrogenous and sulphur compounds and the mass balances of these species in the liquid and gas phases clearly indicated an uncommon evolution of nitrogen and sulphur in the reactor. Up to 55% of the TKN and up to 80% of the sulphur disappear in the liquid phase. This is the opposite to any previously reported results in the bibliography. The new postulated anaerobic process of ammonia and sulphate removal seems to follow the mechanism: SO4 = +2 NH4+-->S + N2 + 4H2O (delta G degree = -47.8 kJ/mol).

Solidification of nanosuspensions for the production of solid oral dosage forms and inhalable dry powders.

PubMed

Malamatari, Maria; Somavarapu, Satyanarayana; Taylor, Kevin M G; Buckton, Graham

2016-01-01

Nanosuspensions combine the advantages of nanotherapeutics (e.g. increased dissolution rate and saturation solubility) with ease of commercialisation. Transformation of nanosuspensions to solid oral and inhalable dosage forms minimises the physical instability associated with their liquid state, enhances patient compliance and enables targeted oral and pulmonary drug delivery. This review outlines solidification methods for nanosuspensions. It includes spray and freeze drying as the most widely used techniques. Fluidised-bed coating, granulation and pelletisation are also discussed as they yield nanocrystalline formulations with more straightforward downstream processing to tablets or capsules. Spray-freeze drying, aerosol flow reactor and printing of nanosuspensions are also presented as promising alternative solidification techniques. Results regarding the solid state, in vitro dissolution and/or aerosolisation efficiency of the nanocrystalline formulations are given and combined with available in vivo data. Focus is placed on the redispersibility of the solid nanocrystalline formulations, which is a prerequisite for their clinical application. A few solidified nanocrystalline products are already on the market and many more are in development. Oral and inhalable nanoparticle formulations are expected to have great potential especially in the areas of personalised medicine and delivery of high drug doses (e.g. antibiotics) to the lungs, respectively.

Thermal treatment of electronic waste in a fluidised bed and chemical digestion of solid products.

PubMed

Woynarowska, Amelia; Żukowski, Witold; Żelazny, Sylwester

2016-07-01

The article presents the results of e-waste thermal treatment in a fluidised bed reactor and solid products digestion under acidic conditions. During the processes, measurements of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, phenol, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrogen fluoride and phosgene were carried out. Several digestion tests of the solid residue in sulphuric acid (VI) at 25 °C-65 °C, for 55 min-24 h were conducted. In each case, the dilution method was used, i.e. preliminary digestion in concentrated sulphuric acid (VI) (95%) for 40 min, and then dilution to expected concentrations (30%-50%). Most preferred results were obtained using sulphuric acid (VI) with a target concentration of 40% at 65 °C, where the leaching degrees were 76.56% for copper, 71.67% for iron, 91.89% for zinc and 97.40% for tin. The time necessary to effectively carry out the digestion process was 220 min. © The Author(s) 2016.

Hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis during low-temperature anaerobic digestion of dilute dairy wastewater in an inverted fluidised bioreactor.

PubMed

Bialek, Katarzyna; Cysneiros, Denise; O'Flaherty, Vincent

2014-10-01

The application of low-temperature (10 °C) anaerobic digestion (LtAD) for the treatment of complex dairy-based wastewater in an inverted fluidised bed (IFB) reactor was investigated. Inadequate mixing intensity provoked poor hydrolysis of the substrate (mostly protein), which resulted in low chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency throughout the trial, averaging ~69 % at the best operational period. Overgrowth of the attached biomass to the support particles (Extendospheres) induced bed stratification by provoking agglutination of the particles and supporting their washout by sedimentation, which contributed to unstable bioprocess performance at the organic loading rates (OLRs) between 0.5 and 5 kg COD m(-3) day(-1). An applied OLR above 2 kg COD m(-3) day(-1) additionally promoted acidification and strongly influenced the microbial composition and dynamics. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens appeared to be the mostly affected group by the Extendospheres particle washout as a decrease in their abundance was observed by quantitative PCR analysis towards the end of the trial, although the specific methanogenic activity and maximum substrate utilisation rate on H2/CO2 indicated high metabolic activity and preference towards hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis of the reactor biomass at this stage. The bacterial community in the bioreactor monitored via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) also suggested an influence of OLR stress on bacterial community structure and population dynamics. The data presented in this work can provide useful information in future optimisation of fluidised reactors intended for digestion of complex industrial wastewaters during LtAD.

Near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring and control of the fluidized bed granulation and coating processes-A review.

PubMed

Liu, Ronghua; Li, Lian; Yin, Wenping; Xu, Dongbo; Zang, Hengchang

2017-09-15

The fluidized bed granulation and pellets coating technologies are widely used in pharmaceutical industry, because the particles made in a fluidized bed have good flowability, compressibility, and the coating thickness of pellets are homogeneous. With the popularization of process analytical technology (PAT), real-time analysis for critical quality attributes (CQA) was getting more attention. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, as a PAT tool, could realize the real-time monitoring and control during the granulating and coating processes, which could optimize the manufacturing processes. This article reviewed the application of NIR spectroscopy in CQA (moisture content, particle size and tablet/pellet thickness) monitoring during fluidized bed granulation and coating processes. Through this review, we would like to provide references for realizing automated control and intelligent production in fluidized bed granulation and pellets coating of pharmaceutical industry. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Two-compartmental population balance modeling of a pulsed spray fluidized bed granulation based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

PubMed

Liu, Huolong; Li, Mingzhong

2014-11-20

In this work a two-compartmental population balance model (TCPBM) was proposed to model a pulsed top-spray fluidized bed granulation. The proposed TCPBM considered the spatially heterogeneous granulation mechanisms of the granule growth by dividing the granulator into two perfectly mixed zones of the wetting compartment and drying compartment, in which the aggregation mechanism was assumed in the wetting compartment and the breakage mechanism was considered in the drying compartment. The sizes of the wetting and drying compartments were constant in the TCPBM, in which 30% of the bed was the wetting compartment and 70% of the bed was the drying compartment. The exchange rate of particles between the wetting and drying compartments was determined by the details of the flow properties and distribution of particles predicted by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The experimental validation has shown that the proposed TCPBM can predict evolution of the granule size and distribution within the granulator under different binder spray operating conditions accurately. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On-line monitoring of fluid bed granulation by photometric imaging.

PubMed

Soppela, Ira; Antikainen, Osmo; Sandler, Niklas; Yliruusi, Jouko

2014-11-01

This paper introduces and discusses a photometric surface imaging approach for on-line monitoring of fluid bed granulation. Five granule batches consisting of paracetamol and varying amounts of lactose and microcrystalline cellulose were manufactured with an instrumented fluid bed granulator. Photometric images and NIR spectra were continuously captured on-line and particle size information was extracted from them. Also key process parameters were recorded. The images provided direct real-time information on the growth, attrition and packing behaviour of the batches. Moreover, decreasing image brightness in the drying phase was found to indicate granule drying. The changes observed in the image data were also linked to the moisture and temperature profiles of the processes. Combined with complementary process analytical tools, photometric imaging opens up possibilities for improved real-time evaluation fluid bed granulation. Furthermore, images can give valuable insight into the behaviour of excipients or formulations during product development. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solids feed nozzle for fluidized bed

DOEpatents

Zielinski, Edward A.

1982-01-01

The vertical fuel pipe of a fluidized bed extends up through the perforated support structure of the bed to discharge granulated solid fuel into the expanded bed. A cap, as a deflecting structure, is supported above the discharge of the fuel pipe and is shaped and arranged to divert the carrier fluid and granulated fuel into the combusting bed. The diverter structure is spaced above the end of the fuel pipe and provided with a configuration on its underside to form a venturi section which generates a low pressure in the stream into which the granules of solid fuel are drawn to lengthen their residence time in the combustion zone of the bed adjacent the fuel pipe.

Breakage and drying behaviour of granules in a continuous fluid bed dryer: Influence of process parameters and wet granule transfer.

PubMed

De Leersnyder, F; Vanhoorne, V; Bekaert, H; Vercruysse, J; Ghijs, M; Bostijn, N; Verstraeten, M; Cappuyns, P; Van Assche, I; Vander Heyden, Y; Ziemons, E; Remon, J P; Nopens, I; Vervaet, C; De Beer, T

2018-03-30

Although twin screw granulation has already been widely studied in recent years, only few studies addressed the subsequent continuous drying which is required after wet granulation and still suffers from a lack of detailed understanding. The latter is important for optimisation and control and, hence, a cost-effective practical implementation. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to increase understanding of the drying kinetics and the breakage and attrition phenomena during fluid bed drying after continuous twin screw granulation. Experiments were performed on a continuous manufacturing line consisting of a twin-screw granulator, a six-segmented fluid bed dryer, a mill, a lubricant blender and a tablet press. Granulation parameters were fixed in order to only examine the effect of drying parameters (filling time, drying time, air flow, drying air temperature) on the size distribution and moisture content of granules (both of the entire granulate and of size fractions). The wet granules were transferred either gravimetrically or pneumatically from the granulator exit to the fluid bed dryer. After a certain drying time, the moisture content reached an equilibrium. This drying time was found to depend on the applied airflow, drying air temperature and filling time. The moisture content of the granules decreased with an increasing drying time, airflow and drying temperature. Although smaller granules dried faster, the multimodal particle size distribution of the granules did not compromise uniform drying of the granules when the target moisture content was achieved. Extensive breakage of granules was observed during drying. Especially wet granules were prone to breakage and attrition during pneumatic transport, either in the wet transfer line or in the dry transfer line. Breakage and attrition of granules during transport and drying should be anticipated early on during process and formulation development by performing integrated experiments on the granulator, dryer and mill. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Encapsulated Liver Cell Spheroids in a Fluidised-Bed Bioartificial Liver for Treatment of Ischaemic Acute Liver Failure in Pigs in a Translational Setting

PubMed Central

Selden, Clare; Spearman, Catherine Wendy; Kahn, Delawir; Miller, Malcolm; Figaji, Anthony; Erro, Eloy; Bundy, James; Massie, Isobel; Chalmers, Sherri-Ann; Arendse, Hiram; Gautier, Aude; Sharratt, Peter; Fuller, Barry; Hodgson, Humphrey

2013-01-01

Liver failure is an increasing problem. Donor-organ shortage results in patients dying before receiving a transplant. Since the liver can regenerate, alternative therapies providing temporary liver-support are sought. A bioartificial-liver would temporarily substitute function in liver failure buying time for liver regeneration/organ-procurement. Our aim: to develop a prototype bioartificial-liver-machine (BAL) comprising a human liver-derived cell-line, cultured to phenotypic competence and deliverable in a clinical setting to sites distant from its preparation. The objective of this study was to determine whether its use would improve functional parameters of liver failure in pigs with acute liver failure, to provide proof-of-principle. HepG2cells encapsulated in alginate-beads, proliferated in a fluidised-bed-bioreactor providing a biomass of 4–6×1010cells, were transported from preparation-laboratory to point-of-use operating theatre (6000miles) under perfluorodecalin at ambient temperature. Irreversible ischaemic liver failure was induced in anaesthetised pigs, after portal-systemic-shunt, by hepatic-artery-ligation. Biochemical parameters, intracranial pressure, and functional-clotting were measured in animals connected in an extracorporeal bioartificial-liver circuit. Efficacy was demonstrated comparing outcomes between animals connected to a circuit containing alginate-encapsulated cells (Cell-bead BAL), and those connected to circuit containing alginate capsules without cells (Empty-bead BAL). Cells of the biomass met regulatory standards for sterility and provenance. All animals developed progressive liver-failure after ischaemia induction. Efficacy of BAL was demonstrated since animals connected to a functional biomass (+ cells) had significantly smaller rises in intracranial pressure, lower ammonia levels, more bilirubin conjugation, improved acidosis and clotting restoration compared to animals connected to the circuit without cells. In the +cell group, human proteins accumulated in pigs' plasma. Delivery of biomass using a short-term cold-chain enabled transport and use without loss of function over 3days. Thus, a fluidised-bed bioreactor containing alginate-encapsulated HepG2cell-spheroids improved important parameters of acute liver failure in pigs. The system can readily be up-scaled and transported to point-of-use justifying development at clinical scale. PMID:24367515

Characteristics of ash and particle emissions during bubbling fluidised bed combustion of three types of residual forest biomass.

PubMed

Ribeiro, João Peres; Vicente, Estela Domingos; Alves, Célia; Querol, Xavier; Amato, Fulvio; Tarelho, Luís A C

2017-04-01

Combustion of residual forest biomass (RFB) derived from eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus), pine (Pinus pinaster) and golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) was evaluated in a pilot-scale bubbling fluidised bed reactor (BFBR). During the combustion experiments, monitoring of temperature, pressure and exhaust gas composition has been made. Ash samples were collected at several locations along the furnace and flue gas treatment devices (cyclone and bag filter) after each combustion experiment and were analysed for their unburnt carbon content and chemical composition. Total suspended particles (TSP) in the combustion flue gas were evaluated at the inlet and outlet of cyclone and baghouse filter and further analysed for organic and elemental carbon, carbonates and 57 chemical elements. High particulate matter collection efficiencies in the range of 94-99% were observed for the baghouse, while removal rates of only 1.4-17% were registered for the cyclone. Due to the sand bed, Si was the major element in bottom ashes. Fly ashes, in particular those from eucalypt combustion, were especially rich in CaO, followed by relevant amounts of SiO 2 , MgO and K 2 O. Ash characteristics varied among experiments, showing that their inorganic composition strongly depends on both the biomass composition and combustion conditions. Inorganic constituents accounted for TSP mass fractions up to 40 wt%. Elemental carbon, organic matter and carbonates contributed to TSP mass fractions in the ranges 0.58-44%, 0.79-78% and 0.01-1.7%, respectively.

Investigation of Physicochemical Drug Properties to Prepare Fine Globular Granules Composed of Only Drug Substance in Fluidized Bed Rotor Granulation.

PubMed

Mise, Ryohei; Iwao, Yasunori; Kimura, Shin-Ichiro; Osugi, Yukiko; Noguchi, Shuji; Itai, Shigeru

2015-01-01

The effect of some drug properties (wettability and particle size distribution) on granule properties (mean particle size, particle size distribution, sphericity, and granule strength) were investigated in a high (>97%) drug-loading formulation using fluidized bed rotor granulation. Three drugs: acetaminophen (APAP); ibuprofen (IBU); and ethenzamide (ETZ) were used as model drugs based on their differences in wettability and particle size distribution. Granules with mean particle sizes of 100-200 µm and a narrow particle size distribution (PSD) could be prepared regardless of the drug used. IBU and ETZ granules showed a higher sphericity than APAP granules, while APAP and ETZ granules exhibited higher granule strength than IBU. The relationship between drug and granule properties suggested that the wettability and the PSD of the drugs were critical parameters affecting sphericity and granule strength, respectively. Furthermore, the dissolution profiles of granules prepared with poorly water-soluble drugs (IBU and ETZ) showed a rapid release (80% release in 20 min) because of the improved wettability with granulation. The present study demonstrated for the first time that fluidized bed rotor granulation can prepare high drug-loaded (>97%) globular granules with a mean particle size of less than 200 µm and the relationship between physicochemical drug properties and the properties of the granules obtained could be readily determined, indicating the potential for further application of this methodology to various drugs.

Granule size control and targeting in pulsed spray fluid bed granulation.

PubMed

Ehlers, Henrik; Liu, Anchang; Räikkönen, Heikki; Hatara, Juha; Antikainen, Osmo; Airaksinen, Sari; Heinämäki, Jyrki; Lou, Honxiang; Yliruusi, Jouko

2009-07-30

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effects of pulsed liquid feed on granule size. The secondary aim was to increase knowledge of this technique in granule size targeting. Pulsed liquid feed refers to the pump changing between on- and off-positions in sequences, called duty cycles. One duty cycle consists of one on- and off-period. The study was performed with a laboratory-scale top-spray fluid bed granulator with duty cycle length and atomization pressure as studied variables. The liquid feed rate, amount and inlet air temperature were constant. The granules were small, indicating that the powder has only undergone ordered mixing, nucleation and early growth. The effect of atomizing pressure on granule size depends on inlet air relative humidity, with premature binder evaporation as a reason. The duty cycle length was of critical importance to the end product attributes, by defining the extent of intermittent drying and rewetting. By varying only the duty cycle length, it was possible to control granule nucleation and growth, with a wider granule size target range in increased relative humidity. The present study confirms that pulsed liquid feed in fluid bed granulation is a useful tool in end product particle size targeting.

Steady and unsteady fluidised granular flows down slopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jessop, D. E.; Hogg, A. J.; Gilbertson, M. A.; Schoof, C.

2017-09-01

Fluidisation is the process by which the weight of a bed of particles is supported by a gas flow passing through it from below. When fluidised materials flow down an incline, the dynamics of the motion differ from their non-fluidised counterparts because the granular agitation is no longer required to support the weight of the flowing layer. Instead, the weight is borne by the imposed gas flow and this leads to a greatly increased flow mobility. In this paper, a framework is developed to model this two phase motion by incorporating a kinetic theory description for the particulate stresses generated by the flow. In addition to calculating numerical solutions for fully developed flows, it is shown that for sufficiently thick flows there is often a local balance between the production and dissipation of the granular temperature. This phenomenon permits an asymptotic reduction of the full governing equations and the identification of a simple state in which the volume fraction of the flow is uniform. The results of the model are compared with new experimental measurements of the internal velocity profiles of steady granular flows down slopes. The distance covered with time by unsteady granular flows down slopes and along horizontal surfaces and their shapes are also measured and compared with theoretical predictions developed for flows that are thin relative to their streamwise extent. For the horizontal flows, it was found that resistance from the sidewalls was required in addition to basal resistance to capture accurately the unsteady evolution of the front position and the depth of the current and for situations in which side-wall drag dominates, similarity solutions are found for the experimentally-measured motion.

High-rate sulphidogenic fluidised-bed treatment of metal-containing wastewater at high temperature.

PubMed

Sahinkaya, E; Ozkaya, B; Kaksonen, A H; Puhakka, J A

2007-01-01

The applicability of fluidised-bed reactor (FBR) based sulphate reducing bioprocess was investigated for the treatment of iron containing (40-90 mg/L) acidic wastewater at 65 degrees C. The FBR was inoculated with sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) originally enriched from a hot mining environment. Ethanol or acetate was supplemented as carbon and electron source for the SRB. A rapid startup with 99.9, 46 and 29% ethanol, sulphate and acetate removals, in respective order, was observed even after 6 days. Iron was almost completely removed with a rate of 90 mg/L.d. The feed pH was decreased gradually from its initial value of 6 to around 3.7 during 100 days of operation. The wastewater pH of 4.3-4.4 was neutralised by the alkalinity produced in acetate oxidation and the average effluent pH was 7.8 +/- 0.8. Although ethanol removal was complete, acetate accumulated. Later the FBR was fed with acetate only. Although acetate was present in the reactor for 295 days, its oxidation rates did not improve, which may be due to low growth rate and poor attachment ability of acetate oxidising SRB. Hence, the oxidation of acetate is the rate limiting step in the sulphidogenic ethanol oxidation by the thermophilic SRB.

Nutrients removal in hybrid fluidised bed bioreactors operated with aeration cycles.

PubMed

Martin, Martin; Enríquez, L López; Fernández-Polanco, M; Villaverde, S; Garcia-Encina, P A

2007-01-01

Abstract Two hybrid fluidised bed reactors filled with sepiolite and granular activated carbon (GAC) were operated with short cycled aeration for removing organic matter, total nitrogen and phosphorous, respectively. Both reactors were continuously operated with synthetic and/or industrial wastewater containing 350-500 mg COD/L, 110-130 mg NKT/L, 90-100 mg NH3-N/L and 12-15 mg P/L for 8 months. The reactor filled with sepiolite, treating only synthetic wastewater, removed COD, ammonia, total nitrogen and phosphorous up to 88, 91, 55 and 80% with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 h, respectively. These efficiencies correspond to removal rates of 0.95 kgCODm(-3)d(-1) and 0.16 kg total N m(-3)d(-1). The reactor filled with GAC was operated for 4 months with synthetic wastewater and 4 months with industrial wastewater, removing 98% of COD, 96% of ammonia, and 66% of total nitrogen, with an HRT of 13.6 h. No significant phosphorous removing activity was observed in this reactor. Microbial communities growing with both reactors were followed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) techniques. The microbial fingerprints, i.e. DGGE profiles, indicated that biological communities in both reactors were stable along the operational period even when the operating conditions were changed.

Comparison of coal/solid recovered fuel (SRF) with coal/refuse derived fuel (RDF) in a fluidised bed reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wagland, S.T.; Kilgallon, P.; Coveney, R.

2011-06-15

An experimental study was undertaken to compare the differences between municipal solid waste (MSW) derived solid recovered fuel (SRF) (complying with CEN standards) and refuse derived fuel (RDF). Both fuels were co-combusted with coal in a 50 kW fluidised bed combustor and the metal emissions were compared. Synthetic SRF was prepared in the laboratory by grinding major constituents of MSW such as paper, plastic, textile and wood. RDF was obtained from a local mechanical treatment plant. Heavy metal emissions in flue gas and ash samples from the (coal + 10% SRF) fuel mixture were found to be within the acceptablemore » range and were generally lower than that obtained for coal + 10% RDF fuel mixture. The relative distribution of heavy metals in ash components and the flue gas stream shows the presence of a large fraction (up to 98%) of most of the metals in the ash (except Hg and As). Thermo-gravimetric (TG) analysis of SRF constituents was performed to understand the behaviour of fuel mixtures in the absence and presence of air. The results obtained from the experimental study will enhance the confidence of fuel users towards using MSW-derived SRF as an alternative fuel.« less

Fluidized-Bed Drying and Storage Stability of Cryptococcus flavescens OH 182.9, a Biocontrol Agent of Fusarium Head Blight

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A method to produce dried granules of Cryptococcus flavescens (formerly Cryptococcus nodaensis) OH 182.9 was developed and the granules evaluated for storage stability. Small spherical granules were produced and dried using a fluidized bed dryer. A drying and survival curve was produced for the pr...

Fluidised Bed Microencapsulation of Ascorbic Acid: Effectiveness of Protection under Simulated Tropical Storage Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

example, probiotics (Kailasapathy, 2002; Rokka and Rantamäki, 2010), folic acid (Madziva et al., 2006) and ascorbic acid (Wijaya et al., 2011...Kailasapathy, K. 2002. Microencapsulation of Probiotic Bacteria: Technology and Potential Applications. Current Issues in Intestinal Microbiology, 3: 39-48...Re´, M. I. 1998. Microencapsulation by spray drying. Drying Technology, 16:1195–1236. Rokka, S., and Rantamäki, P. 2010. Protecting probiotic

Influence of in line monitored fluid bed granulation process parameters on the stability of Ethinylestradiol.

PubMed

Roßteuscher-Carl, Katrin; Fricke, Sabine; Hacker, Michael C; Schulz-Siegmund, Michaela

2015-12-30

Ethinylestradiol (EE) as a highly active and low dosed compound is prone to oxidative degradation. The stability of the drug substance is therefore a critical parameter that has to be considered during drug formulation. Beside the stability of the drug substance, granule particle size and moisture are critical quality attributes (CQA) of the fluid bed granulation process which influence the tableting ability of the resulting granules. Both CQA should therefore be monitored during the production process by process analytic technology (PAT) according to ICH Q8. This work focusses on the effects of drying conditions on the stability of EE in a fluid-bed granulation process. We quantified EE degradation products 6-alpha-hydroxy-EE, 6-beta-hydroxy-EE, 9(11)-dehydro-EE and 6-oxo-EE during long time storage and accelerated conditions. PAT-tools that monitor granule particle size (Spatial filtering technology) and granule moisture (Microwave resonance technology) were applied and compared with off-line methods. We found a relevant influence of residual granule moisture and thermic stress applied during granulation on the storage stability of EE, whereas no degradation was found immediately after processing. Hence we conclude that drying parameters have a relevant influence on long term EE stability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparing the greenhouse gas emissions from three alternative waste combustion concepts.

PubMed

Vainikka, Pasi; Tsupari, Eemeli; Sipilä, Kai; Hupa, Mikko

2012-03-01

Three alternative condensing mode power and combined heat and power (CHP) waste-to-energy concepts were compared in terms of their impacts on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a heat and power generation system. The concepts included (i) grate, (ii) bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) and (iii) circulating fluidised bed (CFB) combustion of waste. The BFB and CFB take advantage of advanced combustion technology which enabled them to reach electric efficiency up to 35% and 41% in condensing mode, respectively, whereas 28% (based on the lower heating value) was applied for the grate fired unit. A simple energy system model was applied in calculating the GHG emissions in different scenarios where coal or natural gas was substituted in power generation and mix of fuel oil and natural gas in heat generation by waste combustion. Landfilling and waste transportation were not considered in the model. GHG emissions were reduced significantly in all of the considered scenarios where the waste combustion concepts substituted coal based power generation. With the exception of condensing mode grate incinerator the different waste combustion scenarios resulted approximately in 1 Mton of fossil CO(2)-eq. emission reduction per 1 Mton of municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerated. When natural gas based power generation was substituted by electricity from the waste combustion significant GHG emission reductions were not achieved. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of image processing on struvite recovery from swine wastewater by using the fluidized bed.

PubMed

Ye, Zhi-Long; Deng, Yujun; Ye, Xin; Lou, Yaoyin; Chen, Shaohua

2018-01-01

Fluidized granulation is one of the common methods used in wastewater treatment and resource recovery with harvesting millimeter-scale large particles. Presently, effective methods are lacking to measure the fluidized granules ranging from micro- to millimeter scales, with the consequence of ineffectively controlling and optimizing the granulation process. In this work, recovering struvite (MgNH 4 PO 4 ·6H 2 O) from swine wastewater by using a fluidized bed was taken as an example. Image processing was applied to analyze the properties of different types of struvite granules, including morphology, particle size distribution, number density and mass concentration. Four stages of the struvite crystal evolution were therefore defined: aggregation, aggregate compaction, cluster-agglomerating and coating growth. These stages could occur simultaneously or sequentially. Up-flow rates of 30-80 mm/s in the fluidized bed sustained 600-876 g/L granular solids. Results revealed that the coating-growth granules were formed with compact aggregates or cluster-agglomerating granules as the nuclei. The growth rates for the different types of particles, including population growth, mass increase and particle size enlargement, were determined. In final, a schematic illustration for struvite granulation process is also presented.

Application of quality by design concepts in the development of fluidized bed granulation and tableting processes.

PubMed

Djuris, Jelena; Medarevic, Djordje; Krstic, Marko; Djuric, Zorica; Ibric, Svetlana

2013-06-01

This study illustrates the application of experimental design and multivariate data analysis in defining design space for granulation and tableting processes. According to the quality by design concepts, critical quality attributes (CQAs) of granules and tablets, as well as critical parameters of granulation and tableting processes, were identified and evaluated. Acetaminophen was used as the model drug, and one of the study aims was to investigate the possibility of the development of immediate- or extended-release acetaminophen tablets. Granulation experiments were performed in the fluid bed processor using polyethylene oxide polymer as a binder in the direct granulation method. Tablets were compressed in the laboratory excenter tablet press. The first set of experiments was organized according to Plackett-Burman design, followed by the full factorial experimental design. Principal component analysis and partial least squares regression were applied as the multivariate analysis techniques. By using these different methods, CQAs and process parameters were identified and quantified. Furthermore, an in-line method was developed to monitor the temperature during the fluidized bed granulation process, to foresee possible defects in granules CQAs. Various control strategies that are based on the process understanding and assure desired quality attributes of the product are proposed. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Attrition of fluid cracking catalyst in fluidized beds

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boerefijn, R.; Ghadiri, M.

1996-12-31

Particle attrition in fluid catalytic cracking units causes loss of catalyst, which could amount to a few tonnes per day! The dependence of attrition on the process conditions and catalyst properties is therefore of great industrial interest, but it is however not well established at present. The process of attrition in the jetting area of fluidised beds is addressed and the attrition test method of Forsythe & Hertwig is analysed in this paper. This method is used commonly to assess the attrition propensity of FCC powder, whereby the attrition rate in a single jet at very high orifice velocity (300more » m s{sup -1}) is measured. There has been some concern on the relevance of this method to attrition in FCC units. Therefore, a previously-developed model of attrition in the jetting region is employed in an attempt to establish a solid basis of interpretation of the Forsythe & Hertwig test and its application as an industrial standard test. The model consists of two parts. The first part predicts the solids flow patterns in the jet region, simulating numerically the Forsythe & Hertwig test. The second part models the breakage of single particles upon impact. Combining these two models, thus linking single particle mechanical properties to macroscopic flow phenomena, results in the modelling of the attrition rate of particles entrained into a single high speed jet. High speed video recordings are made of a single jet in a two-dimensional fluidised bed, at up to 40500 frames per second, in order to quantify some of the model parameters. Digital analysis of the video images yields values for particle velocities and entrainment rates in the jet, which can be compared to model predictions. 15 refs., 8 figs.« less

Chemical and ecotoxicological characterization of ashes obtained from sewage sludge combustion in a fluidised-bed reactor.

PubMed

Lapa, N; Barbosa, R; Lopes, M H; Mendes, B; Abelha, P; Boavida, D; Gulyurtlu, I; Oliveira, J Santos

2007-08-17

In 1999, the DEECA/INETI and the UBiA/FCT/UNL started a researching project on the partition of heavy metals during the combustion of stabilised sewage sludge (Biogran), in a fluidised-bed reactor, and on the quality of the bottom ashes and fly ashes produced. This project was entitled Bimetal and was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. In this paper only the results on the combustion of Biogran are reported. The combustion process was performed in two different trials, in which different amounts of sewage sludge and time of combustion were applied. Several ash samples were collected from the bed (bottom ashes) and from two cyclones (first cyclone and second cyclone ashes). Sewage sludge, bed material (sand) and ash samples were submitted to the leaching process defined in the European leaching standard EN 12457-2. The eluates were characterized for a set of inorganic chemical species. The ecotoxicological levels of the eluates were determined for two biological indicators (Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna). The results were compared with the limit values of the CEMWE French Regulation. The samples were also ranked according to an index based on the chemical characterization of the eluates. It was observed an increase of the concentration of metals along the combustion system. The ashes trapped in the second cyclone, for both combustion trials, showed the highest concentration of metals in the eluates. Chemically, the ashes of the second cyclone were the most different ones. In the ecotoxicological point of view, the ecotoxicity levels of the eluates of the ashes, for both combustion cycles, did not follow the same pattern as observed for the chemical characterization. The ashes of the first cyclone showed the highest ecotoxicity levels for V. fischeri and D. magna. This difference on chemical and ecotoxicological results proves the need for performing both chemical and ecotoxicological characterizations of the sub-products of such type of thermal processes.

Layered growth with bottom-spray granulation for spray deposition of drug.

PubMed

Er, Dawn Z L; Liew, Celine V; Heng, Paul W S

2009-07-30

The gap in scientific knowledge on bottom-spray fluidized bed granulation has emphasized the need for more studies in this area. This paper comparatively studied the applicability of a modified bottom-spray process and the conventional top-spray process for the spray deposition of a micronized drug during granulation. The differences in circulation pattern, mode of growth and resultant granule properties between the two processes were highlighted. The more ordered and consistent circulation pattern of particles in a bottom-spray fluidized bed was observed to give rise to layered granule growth. This resulted in better drug content uniformity among the granule batches and within a granule batch. The processes' sensitivities to wetting and feed material characteristics were also compared and found to differ markedly. Less robustness to differing process conditions was observed for the top-spray process. The resultant bottom-spray granules formed were observed to be less porous, more spherical and had good flow properties. The bottom-spray technique can thus be potentially applied for the spray deposition of drug during granulation and was observed to be a good alternative to the conventional technique for preparing granules.

An evaluation of fluid bed drying of aqueous granulations.

PubMed

Hlinak, A J; Saleki-Gerhardt, A

2000-01-01

The purpose of the work described was twofold: (a) to apply heat and mass balance approaches to evaluate the fluid bed drying cycle of an aqueous granulation, and (b) to determine the effect of the temperature and relative humidity of the drying air on the ability to meet a predetermined moisture content specification. Water content determinations were performed using Karl Fischer titration, and Computrac and Mark 1 moisture analyzers. The water vapor sorption isotherms were measured using a gravimetric moisture sorption apparatus with vacuum-drying capability. Temperature, relative humidity, and air flow were measured during the drying cycle of a production-scale fluid bed dryer. Heat and mass balance equations were used to calculate the evaporation rates. Evaporation rates calculated from heat and mass balance equations agreed well with the experimental data, whereas equilibrium moisture content values provided useful information for determination of the upper limit for inlet air humidity. Increasing the air flow rate and inlet temperature reduced the drying time through the effect on the primary driving force. As expected, additional drying of granules during the equilibration period did not show a significant impact on reducing the final moisture content of granules. Reducing the drying temperature resulted in measurement of higher equilibrium moisture content for the granules, which was in good agreement with the water vapor sorption data. Heat and mass balance equations can be used to successfully model the fluid bed drying cycle of aqueous granulations. The water vapor sorption characteristics of granules dictate the final moisture content at a given temperature and relative humidity.

Fluidized Bed Hot-Melt Granulation as a Tool to Improve Curcuminoid Solubility.

PubMed

Teixeira, Cristiane C C; de Paiva Junior, Elias; de Freitas, Luis Alexandre Pedro

2018-04-01

Curcumin is the main bioactive component of Curcuma longa L. and has recently aroused growing interest from the scientific community. Unfortunately, the medicinal properties attributed to curcuminoids are impaired by their low oral bioavailability or low solubility in aqueous solutions. Many strategies have been studied to improve curcumin solubility; however, the preparation of granules using hydrophilic materials has never been attempted. The aim of this work was to develop curcumin granules by fluidized bed hot-melt granulation using the hydrophilic carrier Gelucire® 50:13. A two-level factorial design was used to verify the influence of Gelucire® 50:13 and lactose contents found in the granules on their size, morphology, bulk and tapped densities, flow, moisture content, and water activity. The granules obtained were also evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and infrared spectrometry. The curcumin solubility and dissolution rates in water were determined by liquid chromatography. The best formulation provides an increase of curcumin solubility of 4642-fold and 3.8-fold compared to the physical mixture. The dissolution tests showed a maximum drug release from granules after 45 min of 70% at pH 1.2 and 80% at pH 5.8 and 7.4, while for non-granulated curcumin, the release was below 20% in all pH. The solid-state characterization and solubility measurement showed good stability of granules over 9 months. The results attest that the fluidized bed hot-melt granulation with hydrophilic binders is an attractive and promising alternative to obtain solid forms of curcumin with enhanced bioavailability.

Combining microwave resonance technology to multivariate data analysis as a novel PAT tool to improve process understanding in fluid bed granulation.

PubMed

Lourenço, Vera; Herdling, Thorsten; Reich, Gabriele; Menezes, José C; Lochmann, Dirk

2011-08-01

A set of 192 fluid bed granulation batches at industrial scale were in-line monitored using microwave resonance technology (MRT) to determine moisture, temperature and density of the granules. Multivariate data analysis techniques such as multiway partial least squares (PLS), multiway principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate batch control charts were applied onto collected batch data sets. The combination of all these techniques, along with off-line particle size measurements, led to significantly increased process understanding. A seasonality effect could be put into evidence that impacted further processing through its influence on the final granule size. Moreover, it was demonstrated by means of a PLS that a relation between the particle size and the MRT measurements can be quantitatively defined, highlighting a potential ability of the MRT sensor to predict information about the final granule size. This study has contributed to improve a fluid bed granulation process, and the process knowledge obtained shows that the product quality can be built in process design, following Quality by Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) principles. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Rapid ignition of fluidized bed boiler

DOEpatents

Osborn, Liman D.

1976-12-14

A fluidized bed boiler is started up by directing into the static bed of inert and carbonaceous granules a downwardly angled burner so that the hot gases cause spouting. Air is introduced into the bed at a rate insufficient to fluidize the entire bed. Three regions are now formed in the bed, a region of lowest gas resistance, a fluidized region and a static region with a mobile region at the interface of the fluidized and static regions. Particles are transferred by the spouting action to form a conical heap with the carbonaceous granules concentrated at the top. The hot burner gases ignite the carbonaceous matter on the top of the bed which becomes distributed in the bed by the spouting action and bed movement. Thereafter the rate of air introduction is increased to fluidize the entire bed, the spouter/burner is shut off, and the entire fluidized bed is ignited.

Gaseous emissions during concurrent combustion of biomass and non-recyclable municipal solid waste

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Biomass and municipal solid waste offer sustainable sources of energy; for example to meet heat and electricity demand in the form of combined cooling, heat and power. Combustion of biomass has a lesser impact than solid fossil fuels (e.g. coal) upon gas pollutant emissions, whilst energy recovery from municipal solid waste is a beneficial component of an integrated, sustainable waste management programme. Concurrent combustion of these fuels using a fluidised bed combustor may be a successful method of overcoming some of the disadvantages of biomass (high fuel supply and distribution costs, combustion characteristics) and characteristics of municipal solid waste (heterogeneous content, conflict with materials recycling). It should be considered that combustion of municipal solid waste may be a financially attractive disposal route if a 'gate fee' value exists for accepting waste for combustion, which will reduce the net cost of utilising relatively more expensive biomass fuels. Results Emissions of nitrogen monoxide and sulphur dioxide for combustion of biomass are suppressed after substitution of biomass for municipal solid waste materials as the input fuel mixture. Interactions between these and other pollutants such as hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide indicate complex, competing reactions occur between intermediates of these compounds to determine final resultant emissions. Conclusions Fluidised bed concurrent combustion is an appropriate technique to exploit biomass and municipal solid waste resources, without the use of fossil fuels. The addition of municipal solid waste to biomass combustion has the effect of reducing emissions of some gaseous pollutants. PMID:21284885

A comparative assessment of waste incinerators in the UK.

PubMed

Nixon, J D; Wright, D G; Dey, P K; Ghosh, S K; Davies, P A

2013-11-01

The uptake in Europe of Energy from Waste (EfW) incinerator plants has increased rapidly in recent years. In the UK, 25 municipal waste incinerators with energy recovery are now in operation; however, their waste supply chains and business practices vary significantly. With over a hundred more plant developments being considered it is important to establish best business practices for ensuring efficient environmental and operational performance. By reviewing the 25 plants we identify four suitable case study plants to compare technologies (moving grate, fluidised bed and rotary kiln), plant economics and operations. Using data collected from annual reports and through interviews and site visits we provide recommendations for improving the supply chain for waste incinerators and highlight the current issues and challenges faced by the industry. We find that plants using moving grate have a high availability of 87-92%. However, compared to the fluidised bed and rotary kiln, quantities of bottom ash and emissions of hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide are high. The uptake of integrated recycling practices, combined heat and power, and post incineration non-ferrous metal collections needs to be increased among EfW incinerators in the UK. We conclude that one of the major difficulties encountered by waste facilities is the appropriate selection of technology, capacity, site, waste suppliers and heat consumers. This study will be of particular value to EfW plant developers, government authorities and researchers working within the sector of waste management. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanistic modelling of fluidized bed drying processes of wet porous granules: a review.

PubMed

Mortier, Séverine Thérèse F C; De Beer, Thomas; Gernaey, Krist V; Remon, Jean Paul; Vervaet, Chris; Nopens, Ingmar

2011-10-01

Fluidized bed dryers are frequently used in industrial applications and also in the pharmaceutical industry. The general incentives to develop mechanistic models for pharmaceutical processes are listed, and our vision on how this can particularly be done for fluidized bed drying processes of wet granules is given. This review provides a basis for future mechanistic model development for the drying process of wet granules in pharmaceutical processes. It is intended for a broad audience with a varying level of knowledge on pharmaceutical processes and mathematical modelling. Mathematical models are powerful tools to gain process insight and eventually develop well-controlled processes. The level of detail embedded in such a model depends on the goal of the model. Several models have therefore been proposed in the literature and are reviewed here. The drying behaviour of one single granule, a porous particle, can be described using the continuum approach, the pore network modelling method and the shrinkage of the diameter of the wet core approach. As several granules dry at a drying rate dependent on the gas temperature, gas velocity, porosity, etc., the moisture content of a batch of granules will reside in a certain interval. Population Balance Model (ling) (PBM) offers a tool to describe the distribution of particle properties which can be of interest for the application. PBM formulation and solution methods are therefore reviewed. In a fluidized bed, the granules show a fluidization pattern depending on the geometry of the gas inlet, the gas velocity, characteristics of the particles, the dryer design, etc. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) allows to model this behaviour. Moreover, turbulence can be modelled using several approaches: Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANS) or Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Another important aspect of CFD is the choice between the Eulerian-Lagrangian and the Eulerian-Eulerian approach. Finally, the PBM and CFD frameworks can be integrated, to describe the evolution of the moisture content of granules during fluidized bed drying. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Flow regions of granules in Dorfan Impingo filter for gas cleanup

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuo, J.T.; Smid, J.; Hsiau, S.S.

1999-07-01

Inside a two-dimensional model of the louvered Dorfan Impingo panel with transparent front and rear walls the flow region of filter granules without gas cross flow were observed. The white PE beads were used as filter granules. Colored PE beads served as tracers. Filter granules were discharged and circulated to the bed. The flow rate of filter medium was controlled by the belt conveyor. The image processing system including a Frame Grabber and JVC videocamera was used to record the granular flow. Every image of motion was digitized and stored in a file. The flow patterns and the quasi-stagnant zonesmore » history in the moving granular bed were evaluated. The experiment showed fast central moving region (flowing core) of filter granules and quasi-stagnant zones close to louver walls.« less

In-line moisture monitoring in fluidized bed granulation using a novel multi-resonance microwave sensor.

PubMed

Peters, Johanna; Bartscher, Kathrin; Döscher, Claas; Taute, Wolfgang; Höft, Michael; Knöchel, Reinhard; Breitkreutz, Jörg

2017-08-01

Microwave resonance technology (MRT) is known as a process analytical technology (PAT) tool for moisture measurements in fluid-bed granulation. It offers a great potential for wet granulation processes even where the suitability of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is limited, e.g. colored granules, large variations in bulk density. However, previous sensor systems operating around a single resonance frequency showed limitations above approx. 7.5% granule moisture. This paper describes the application of a novel sensor working with four resonance frequencies. In-line data of all four resonance frequencies were collected and further processed. Based on calculation of density-independent microwave moisture values multiple linear regression (MLR) models using Karl-Fischer titration (KF) as well as loss on drying (LOD) as reference methods were build. Rapid, reliable in-process moisture control (RMSEP≤0.5%) even at higher moisture contents was achieved. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen Production by Sorption Enhanced Steam Reforming (SESR) of Biomass in a Fluidised-Bed Reactor Using Combined Multifunctional Particles

PubMed Central

Zheng, Liya; Zhang, Zili; Fennell, Paul S.

2018-01-01

The performance of combined CO2-sorbent/catalyst particles for sorption enhanced steam reforming (SESR), prepared via a simple mechanical mixing protocol, was studied using a spout-fluidised bed reactor capable of continuous solid fuel (biomass) feeding. The influence of particle size (300–500 and 710–1000 µm), CaO loading (60–100 wt %), Ni-loading (10–40 wt %) and presence of dicalcium silicate support (22.6 wt %) on SESR process performance were investigated. The combined particles were characterised by their density, porosity and CO2 carrying capacity with the analysis by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). All experiments were conducted with continuous oak biomass feeding at a rate of 0.9 g/min ± 10%, and the reactor was operated at 660 ± 5 °C, 1 atm and 20 ± 2 vol % steam which corresponds to a steam-to-carbon ratio of 1.2:1. Unsupported combined particles containing 21.0 wt % Ni and 79 wt % CaO were the best performing sorbent/catalyst particle screened in this study, when accounting for the cost of Ni and the improvement in H2 produced by high Ni content particles. SESR tests with these combined particles produced 61 mmol H2/gbiomass (122 g H2/kgbiomass) at a purity of 61 vol %. Significant coke formation within the feeding tube and on the surfaces of the particles was observed which was attributed to the low steam to carbon ratio utilised. PMID:29883427

Characterising boiler ash from a circulating fluidised bed municipal solid waste incinerator and distribution of PCDD/F and PCB.

PubMed

Zhang, Mengmei; Buekens, Alfons; Li, Xiaodong

2018-05-31

In this study, ash samples were collected from five locations situated in the boiler of a circulating fluidised bed municipal solid waste incinerator (high- and low-temperature superheater, evaporator tubes and upper and lower economiser). These samples represent a huge range of flue gas temperatures and were characterised for their particle size distribution, surface characteristics, elemental composition, chemical forms of carbon and chlorine and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF) and biphenyls (PCB). Enrichment of chlorine, one of the main elements of organochlorinated pollutants, and copper, zinc and lead, major catalytic metals for dioxin-like compounds, was observed in lower-temperature ash deposits. The speciation of carbon and chlorine on ash surfaces was established, showing a positive correlation between organic chlorine and oxygen-containing carbon functional groups. The load of PCDD/F and PCB (especially dioxin-like PCB) tends to rise rapidly with falling temperature of flue gas, reaching their highest value in economiser ashes. The formation of PCDD/F congeners through the chlorophenol precursor route apparently was enhanced downstream the boiler. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to study the links between the ash characteristics and distribution of chloro-aromatics. The primary purpose of this study is improving the understanding of any links between the characteristics of ash from waste heat systems and its potential to form PCDD/F and PCB. The question is raised whether further characterisation of fly ash may assist to establish a diagnosis of poor plant operation, inclusive the generation, destruction and eventual emission of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Fluidised-bed spray-drying formulations of Candida sake CPA-1 by adding biodegradable coatings to enhance their survival under stress conditions.

PubMed

Carbó, Anna; Torres, Rosario; Usall, Josep; Solsona, Cristina; Teixidó, Neus

2017-11-01

The biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1 has demonstrated to be effective against several diseases on fruit. However, for application of CPA-1 under field conditions, it was necessary to mix it with a food coating to improve survival under stress conditions, as well as adherence and distribution on fruit surfaces. The objective of this study was to obtain a more competitive formulation under field conditions to be applied independently of any product. To achieve this purpose, the drying process of CPA-1 by a fluidised-bed spray-drying system together with biodegradable coatings was optimised. This approach is novel for the drying system used and the formulation obtained which was able to form a film or coating on fruit surfaces. Several substances were tested as carriers and binders, and drying temperature was optimised. The addition of protective compounds was also tested to improve survival of CPA-1 during the dehydration process. Product shelf life, biocontrol efficacy on grapes against Botrytis cinerea, and the improvement of C. sake behaviour under stress conditions were tested. The optimal temperature of drying was 55 °C and two formulations that were able to develop a coating on fruit surfaces were obtained. One of the formulations was created by using a combination of native and pregelatinised potato starch; the other formulation was obtained using maltodextrin and by adding skimmed milk and sucrose as protectant compounds. The formulated products reduced the incidence and severity of B. cinerea, and CPA-1 survival rate was increased under stress conditions of temperature and humidity.

Pyrolysis of waste tyres: A review

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, Paul T., E-mail: p.t.williams@leeds.ac.uk

2013-08-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Pyrolysis of waste tyres produces oil, gas and char, and recovered steel. • Batch, screw kiln, rotary kiln, vacuum and fluidised-bed are main reactor types. • Product yields are influenced by reactor type, temperature and heating rate. • Pyrolysis oils are complex and can be used as chemical feedstock or fuel. • Research into higher value products from the tyre pyrolysis process is reviewed. - Abstract: Approximately 1.5 billion tyres are produced each year which will eventually enter the waste stream representing a major potential waste and environmental problem. However, there is growing interest inmore » pyrolysis as a technology to treat tyres to produce valuable oil, char and gas products. The most common reactors used are fixed-bed (batch), screw kiln, rotary kiln, vacuum and fluidised-bed. The key influence on the product yield, and gas and oil composition, is the type of reactor used which in turn determines the temperature and heating rate. Tyre pyrolysis oil is chemically very complex containing aliphatic, aromatic, hetero-atom and polar fractions. The fuel characteristics of the tyre oil shows that it is similar to a gas oil or light fuel oil and has been successfully combusted in test furnaces and engines. The main gases produced from the pyrolysis of waste tyres are H{sub 2}, C{sub 1}–C{sub 4} hydrocarbons, CO{sub 2}, CO and H{sub 2}S. Upgrading tyre pyrolysis products to high value products has concentrated on char upgrading to higher quality carbon black and to activated carbon. The use of catalysts to upgrade the oil to a aromatic-rich chemical feedstock or the production of hydrogen from waste tyres has also been reported. Examples of commercial and semi-commercial scale tyre pyrolysis systems show that small scale batch reactors and continuous rotary kiln reactors have been developed to commercial scale.« less

Fluidized bed heat treating system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ripley, Edward B; Pfennigwerth, Glenn L

Systems for heat treating materials are presented. The systems typically involve a fluidized bed that contains granulated heat treating material. In some embodiments a fluid, such as an inert gas, is flowed through the granulated heat treating medium, which homogenizes the temperature of the heat treating medium. In some embodiments the fluid may be heated in a heating vessel and flowed into the process chamber where the fluid is then flowed through the granulated heat treating medium. In some embodiments the heat treating material may be liquid or granulated heat treating material and the heat treating material may be circulatedmore » through a heating vessel into a process chamber where the heat treating material contacts the material to be heat treated. Microwave energy may be used to provide the source of heat for heat treating systems.« less

Antimicrobial-Coated Granules for Disinfecting Water

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akse, James R.; Holtsnider, John T.; Kliestik, Helen

2011-01-01

Methods of preparing antimicrobialcoated granules for disinfecting flowing potable water have been developed. Like the methods reported in the immediately preceding article, these methods involve chemical preparation of substrate surfaces (in this case, the surfaces of granules) to enable attachment of antimicrobial molecules to the surfaces via covalent bonds. A variety of granular materials have been coated with a variety of antimicrobial agents that include antibiotics, bacteriocins, enzymes, bactericides, and fungicides. When employed in packed beds in flowing water, these antimicrobial-coated granules have been proven effective against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Composite beds, consisting of multiple layers containing different granular antimicrobial media, have proven particularly effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. These media have also proven effective in enhancing or potentiating the biocidal effects of in-line iodinated resins and of very low levels of dissolved elemental iodine.

In-line monitoring of granule moisture in fluidized-bed dryers using microwave resonance technology.

PubMed

Buschmüller, Caroline; Wiedey, Wolfgang; Döscher, Claas; Dressler, Jochen; Breitkreutz, Jörg

2008-05-01

This is the first report on in-line moisture measurement of pharmaceutical products by microwave resonance technology. In order to meet the FDA's PAT approach, a microwave resonance sensor appropriate for pharmaceutical use was developed and implemented into two different fluidized-bed dryers. The novel sensor enables a continuous moisture measurement independent from the product density. Hence, for the first time precise real time determination of the moisture in pharmaceutical granules becomes possible. The qualification of the newly developed sensor was performed by drying placebo granules under experimental conditions and the validation using drug loaded granules under real process conditions. The results of the investigations show good correlations between water content of the granules determined by the microwave resonance sensor and both reference methods, loss on drying by infrared light exposure and Karl Fischer titration. Furthermore, a considerable time saving in the drying process was achieved through monitoring the residual water content continuously by microwave resonance technology instead of the formerly used discontinuous methods.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nixon, J.D., E-mail: j.nixon@kingston.ac.uk; Wright, D.G.; Dey, P.K.

Highlights: • We evaluate operational municipal solid waste incinerators in the UK. • The supply chain of four case study plants are examined and compared in detail. • Technical, financial and operational data has been gathered for the four plants. • We suggest the best business practices for waste incinerators. • Appropriate strategy choices are the major difficulties for waste to energy plants. - Abstract: The uptake in Europe of Energy from Waste (EfW) incinerator plants has increased rapidly in recent years. In the UK, 25 municipal waste incinerators with energy recovery are now in operation; however, their waste supplymore » chains and business practices vary significantly. With over a hundred more plant developments being considered it is important to establish best business practices for ensuring efficient environmental and operational performance. By reviewing the 25 plants we identify four suitable case study plants to compare technologies (moving grate, fluidised bed and rotary kiln), plant economics and operations. Using data collected from annual reports and through interviews and site visits we provide recommendations for improving the supply chain for waste incinerators and highlight the current issues and challenges faced by the industry. We find that plants using moving grate have a high availability of 87–92%. However, compared to the fluidised bed and rotary kiln, quantities of bottom ash and emissions of hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide are high. The uptake of integrated recycling practices, combined heat and power, and post incineration non-ferrous metal collections needs to be increased among EfW incinerators in the UK. We conclude that one of the major difficulties encountered by waste facilities is the appropriate selection of technology, capacity, site, waste suppliers and heat consumers. This study will be of particular value to EfW plant developers, government authorities and researchers working within the sector of waste management.« less

Evaluation of validation of a fully instrumented Hüttlin HKC 05-TJ laboratory-scale fluidized bed granulator.

PubMed

Wöstheinrich, K; Schmidt, P C

2000-06-01

The instrumentation and validation of a laboratory-scale fluidized bed apparatus is described. For continuous control of the process, the apparatus is instrumented with sensors for temperature, relative humidity (RH), and air velocity. Conditions of inlet air, fluidizing air, product, and exhaust air were determined. The temperature sensors were calibrated at temperatures of 0.0 degree C and 99.9 degrees C. The calibration of the humidity sensors covered the range from 12% RH to 98% RH using saturated electrolyte solutions. The calibration of the anemometer took place in a wind tunnel at defined air velocities. The calibrations led to satisfying results concerning sensitivity and precision. To evaluate the reproducibility of the process, 15 granules were prepared under identical conditions. The influence of the type of pump used for delivering the granulating liquid was investigated. Particle size distribution, bulk density, and tapped density were determined. Granules were tableted on a rotary press at four different compression force levels, followed by determination of tablet properties such as weight, crushing strength, and disintegration time. The apparatus was found to produce granules with good reproducibility concerning the granule and tablet properties.

Extraction Techniques for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils

PubMed Central

Lau, E. V.; Gan, S.; Ng, H. K.

2010-01-01

This paper aims to provide a review of the analytical extraction techniques for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils. The extraction technologies described here include Soxhlet extraction, ultrasonic and mechanical agitation, accelerated solvent extraction, supercritical and subcritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, solid phase extraction and microextraction, thermal desorption and flash pyrolysis, as well as fluidised-bed extraction. The influencing factors in the extraction of PAHs from soil such as temperature, type of solvent, soil moisture, and other soil characteristics are also discussed. The paper concludes with a review of the models used to describe the kinetics of PAH desorption from soils during solvent extraction. PMID:20396670

Development of metoprolol tartrate extended-release matrix tablet formulations for regulatory policy consideration.

PubMed

Nellore, R V; Rekhi, G S; Hussain, A S; Tillman, L G; Augsburger, L L

1998-01-02

This research study was designed to develop model extended-release (ER) matrix tablet formulations for metoprolol tartrate (100 mg) sufficiently sensitive to manufacturing variable and to serve as the scientific basis for regulatory policy development on scale-up and post approval changes for modified-release dosage forms (SUPAC-MR). Several grades and levels of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel K4M, K15M, K100M and K100LV), fillers and binders and studied. Three granulation processes were evaluated; direct compression, fluid-bed or high-shear granulation. Lubrication was performed in a V-blender and tablets were compressed on an instrumented rotary tablet press. Direct compression formulations exhibited poor flow, picking and sticking problems during tableting. High-shear granulation resulted in the formation of hard granules that were difficult to mill but yielded good tablets. Fluid-bed granulations were made using various binders and appeared to be satisfactory in terms of flow and tableting performance. In vitro drug release testing was performed in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer using USP apparatus 2 (paddle) at 50 rpm. At a fixed polymer level, drug release from the higher viscosity grades (K100M) was slower as compared to the lower viscosity grades (K100LV). In addition, release from K100LV was found to be more sensitive to polymer level changes. Increased in polymer level from 10 to 40% and/or filler change from lactose to dicalcium phosphate resulted in about 25-30% decrease in the amount of metoprolol release after 12 h. The results of this study led to the choice of Methocel K100LV as the hydrophilic matrix polymer and fluid-bed granulation as the process of choice for further evaluation of critical and non-critical formulation and processing variables.

[Study on spray-drier preparation technology of weitai granules using orthogonal experiments].

PubMed

Qu, Cai-Hong; Yang, Li; Chen, Zhi-Liang

2006-04-01

To screen preparation technique in order to raise the end-product and economical efficiency of spray-drier preparation technology of weitai granules. Newly Fluid-bed-spray-drier-granulation technique was adoped and taken extracting technique, temperature of exit and entry and the matching of accessories as inspecting factors, two levels of each factors, end-product and the water content of semi-finished weitai granules as inspecting marker, the best preparation technique of weitai granules was screened by orthogonal desing. Among the 3 factors, the matching of accessories was most notalbe (P < 0.01), next was the temperature of exit and entry (P < 0.05). However, the extracting technique was of little importance (P > 0.05). The optimum spray-drier granulation technique of weitai granules is A3B1C3.

USE OF CORTICAL BONE FENESTRATION, AUTOGENOUS FREE SKIN GRAFT, AND THERMOGRAPHY FOR WOUND TREATMENT AND MONITORING IN A RED WOLF (CANIS RUFUS GREGORYI).

PubMed

Hurley-Sanders, Jennifer L; Sladky, Kurt K; Nolan, Elizabeth C; Loomis, Michael R

2015-09-01

A 2-yr-old female red wolf (Canis rufus gregoryi) sustained a degloving injury to the left thoracic limb while in a display habitat. Initial attempts to resolve the extensive wound by using conservative measures were unsuccessful. Subsequent treatment using a free skin graft consisted first of establishment of an adequate granulation bed via cortical bone fenestration. After establishment of a healthy granulation bed was achieved, free skin graft was harvested and transposed over the bed. To monitor viability and incorporation of the graft, serial thermographic imaging was performed. Thermography noninvasively detects radiant heat patterns and can be used to assess vascularization of tissue, potentially allowing early detection of graft failure. In this case, thermography documented successful graft attachment.

Validation of material point method for soil fluidisation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolognin, Marco; Martinelli, Mario; Bakker, Klaas J.; Jonkman, Sebastiaan N.

2017-06-01

The main aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the modelling of vertical column tests that undergo fluidisation by the application of a hydraulic gradient. A recent advancement of the material point method (MPM), allows studying both stationary and non-stationary fluid flow while interacting with the solid phase. The fluidisation initiation and post-fluidisation processes of the soil will be investigated with an advanced MPM formulation (Double Point) in which the behavior of the solid and the liquid phase is evaluated separately, assigning to each of them a set of material points (MPs). The result of these simulations are compared to analytic solutions and measurements from laboratory experiments. This work is used as a benchmark test for the MPM double point formulation in the Anura3D software and to verify the feasibility of the software for possible future engineering applications.

Effect of filter media size, mass flow rate and filtration stage number in a moving-bed granular filter on the yield and properties of bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of biomass.

PubMed

Paenpong, Chaturong; Inthidech, Sudsakorn; Pattiya, Adisak

2013-07-01

Fast pyrolysis of cassava rhizome was performed in a bench-scale fluidised-bed reactor unit incorporated with a cross-flow moving-bed granular filter. The objective of this research was to examine several process parameters including the granular size (425-1160 μm) and mass flow rate (0-12 g/min) as well as the number of the filtration stages (1-2 stages) on yields and properties of bio-oil. The results showed that the bio-oil yield decreased from 57.7 wt.% to 42.0-49.2 wt.% when increasing the filter media size, the mass flow rate and the filtration stage number. The effect of the process parameters on various properties of bio-oil is thoroughly discussed. In general, the bio-oil quality in terms of the solids content, ash content, initial viscosity, viscosity change and ageing rate could be enhanced by the hot vapour granular filtration. Therefore, bio-oil of high stability could be produced by the pyrolysis reactor configuration designed in this work. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparing the greenhouse gas emissions from three alternative waste combustion concepts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vainikka, Pasi, E-mail: pasi.vainikka@vtt.fi; Tsupari, Eemeli; Sipilae, Kai

2012-03-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Significant GHG reductions are possible by efficient WtE technologies. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CHP and high power-to-heat ratio provide significant GHG savings. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer N{sub 2}O and coal mine type are important in LCA GHG emissions of FBC co-combustion. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Substituting coal and fuel oil by waste is beneficial in electricity and heat production. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Substituting natural gas by waste may not be reasonable in CHP generation. - Abstract: Three alternative condensing mode power and combined heat and power (CHP) waste-to-energy concepts were compared in terms of their impacts on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a heat and power generation system.more » The concepts included (i) grate, (ii) bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) and (iii) circulating fluidised bed (CFB) combustion of waste. The BFB and CFB take advantage of advanced combustion technology which enabled them to reach electric efficiency up to 35% and 41% in condensing mode, respectively, whereas 28% (based on the lower heating value) was applied for the grate fired unit. A simple energy system model was applied in calculating the GHG emissions in different scenarios where coal or natural gas was substituted in power generation and mix of fuel oil and natural gas in heat generation by waste combustion. Landfilling and waste transportation were not considered in the model. GHG emissions were reduced significantly in all of the considered scenarios where the waste combustion concepts substituted coal based power generation. With the exception of condensing mode grate incinerator the different waste combustion scenarios resulted approximately in 1 Mton of fossil CO{sub 2}-eq. emission reduction per 1 Mton of municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerated. When natural gas based power generation was substituted by electricity from the waste combustion significant GHG emission reductions were not achieved.« less

Influence of granulating method on physical and mechanical properties, compression behavior, and compactibility of lactose and microcrystalline cellulose granules.

PubMed

Horisawa, E; Danjo, K; Sunada, H

2000-06-01

The physical and mechanical properties of lactose (LC) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) granules prepared by various granulating methods were determined, and their effects on the compression and strength of the tablets were examined. From the force-displacement curve obtained in a crushing test on a single granule, all LC granules appeared brittle, and MCC granules were somewhat plastically deformable. Inter-granular porosity epsilon inter clearly decreased with greater spherical granule shape for both materials. Decrease in intragranular porosity epsilon intra enhanced the crushing force of a single granule Fg. Agitating granulation brought about the most compactness and hardness of granules. In granule compression tests, the initial slope of Heckel plots K1 appeared closely related to ease of filling voids in a granule bed by the slippage or rolling of granules. The reciprocal of the slope in the succeeding step 1/K2 in compression of MCC granules indicated positive correlation to Fg, while in LC granules, no such obvious relation was evident. 1/K2 differed only slightly among granulating methods. Tensile strength of tablets Tt obtained by compression of various LC granules was low as a whole and was little influenced by granulating method. For MCC granules, which are plastically deformable, tablet strength greatly depended on granulation. Granules prepared by extruding or dry granulation gave strong tablets. Tablets prepared from granules made by the agitating method showed particularly low Tt. From stereomicroscopic observation, the contact area between granule particles in a tablet appeared smaller; this would explain the decrease in inter-granular bond formation.

Phenotypic properties and microbial diversity of methanogenic granules from a full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor treating brewery wastewater.

PubMed

Díaz, Emiliano E; Stams, Alfons J M; Amils, Ricardo; Sanz, José L

2006-07-01

Methanogenic granules from an anaerobic bioreactor that treated wastewater of a beer brewery consisted of different morphological types of granules. In this study, the microbial compositions of the different granules were analyzed by molecular microbiological techniques: cloning, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We propose here that the different types of granules reflect the different stages in the life cycle of granules. Young granules were small, black, and compact and harbored active cells. Gray granules were the most abundant granules. These granules have a multilayer structure with channels and void areas. The core was composed of dead or starving cells with low activity. The brown granules, which were the largest granules, showed a loose and amorphous structure with big channels that resulted in fractured zones and corresponded to the older granules. Firmicutes (as determined by FISH) and Nitrospira and Deferribacteres (as determined by cloning and sequencing) were the predominant Bacteria. Remarkably, Firmicutes could not be detected in the brown granules. The methanogenic Archaea identified were Methanosaeta concilii (70 to 90% by FISH and cloning), Methanosarcina mazei, and Methanospirillum spp. The phenotypic appearance of the granules reflected the physiological condition of the granules. This may be valuable to easily select appropriate seed sludges to start up other reactors.

Design Space Approach in Optimization of Fluid Bed Granulation and Tablets Compression Process

PubMed Central

Djuriš, Jelena; Medarević, Djordje; Krstić, Marko; Vasiljević, Ivana; Mašić, Ivana; Ibrić, Svetlana

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to optimize fluid bed granulation and tablets compression processes using design space approach. Type of diluent, binder concentration, temperature during mixing, granulation and drying, spray rate, and atomization pressure were recognized as critical formulation and process parameters. They were varied in the first set of experiments in order to estimate their influences on critical quality attributes, that is, granules characteristics (size distribution, flowability, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio, and moisture content) using Plackett-Burman experimental design. Type of diluent and atomization pressure were selected as the most important parameters. In the second set of experiments, design space for process parameters (atomization pressure and compression force) and its influence on tablets characteristics was developed. Percent of paracetamol released and tablets hardness were determined as critical quality attributes. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were applied in order to determine design space. ANNs models showed that atomization pressure influences mostly on the dissolution profile, whereas compression force affects mainly the tablets hardness. Based on the obtained ANNs models, it is possible to predict tablet hardness and paracetamol release profile for any combination of analyzed factors. PMID:22919295

Multivariate statistical process control of a continuous pharmaceutical twin-screw granulation and fluid bed drying process.

PubMed

Silva, A F; Sarraguça, M C; Fonteyne, M; Vercruysse, J; De Leersnyder, F; Vanhoorne, V; Bostijn, N; Verstraeten, M; Vervaet, C; Remon, J P; De Beer, T; Lopes, J A

2017-08-07

A multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) strategy was developed for the monitoring of the ConsiGma™-25 continuous tablet manufacturing line. Thirty-five logged variables encompassing three major units, being a twin screw high shear granulator, a fluid bed dryer and a product control unit, were used to monitor the process. The MSPC strategy was based on principal component analysis of data acquired under normal operating conditions using a series of four process runs. Runs with imposed disturbances in the dryer air flow and temperature, in the granulator barrel temperature, speed and liquid mass flow and in the powder dosing unit mass flow were utilized to evaluate the model's monitoring performance. The impact of the imposed deviations to the process continuity was also evaluated using Hotelling's T 2 and Q residuals statistics control charts. The influence of the individual process variables was assessed by analyzing contribution plots at specific time points. Results show that the imposed disturbances were all detected in both control charts. Overall, the MSPC strategy was successfully developed and applied. Additionally, deviations not associated with the imposed changes were detected, mainly in the granulator barrel temperature control. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved bioavailability and antiasthmatic efficacy of poorly soluble curcumin-solid dispersion granules obtained using fluid bed granulation.

PubMed

Jang, Dong-Jin; Kim, Sung Tae; Lee, Kooyeon; Oh, Euichaul

2014-01-01

The intestinal absorption and antiasthmatic efficacy of poorly water-soluble curcumin (CUR), which has low solubility and permeability, was increased by fabricating solid dispersion granules (SDGs). The SDG containing CUR (SDG-CUR) was prepared by dispersing CUR in excess Cremophor RH40 as a solubilizer and Ryoto sugar ester L-1695 as an absorption enhancer using fluid bed granulation. We evaluated the physicochemical properties such as crystallinity and dissolution, pharmacokinetics, and antiasthmatic efficacy of SDG-CUR. Our results showed that CUR was molecularly dispersed, and the dissolution of SDG-CUR was significantly higher than that of native CUR. In addition, the blood concentration of SDG-CUR in rats was much higher than that of native CUR. Compared to CUR, SDG-CUR showed a 9.1- and 13.1-fold increase in area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), respectively. Further, SDG-CUR effectively alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness and levels of T-helper 2 cytokines (interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13) in a murine model of asthma. In conclusion, our results suggest that the SDGs could be considered as a potential oral formulation to enhance the absorption and efficacy of CUR.

An innovative method for the preparation of high API-loaded hollow spherical granules for use in controlled-release formulation.

PubMed

Asada, Takumi; Kobiki, Mitsuaki; Ochiai, Yasushi; Iwao, Yasunori; Itai, Shigeru

2017-05-15

The aim of this study was to prepare controlled-release (CR) granules with suitable particle strength, flowability, particle size distribution (PSD) and density characteristics for blending with other excipients. We also wanted these CR granules to contain large quantities of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). A high shear mixer was used to mix an API with various polymers at various feed ratios, and the resulting granulated materials were sprayed with solvent. The wet granules were dried using a fluidized bed dryer to give CR granules. The API content of the granules was determined to be 95wt%. The granules were found to be spherical in shape with smooth surfaces by scanning electron microscopy. The inner structure of each granule was determined to be hollow by X-ray computed tomography, highlighting the unusual mechanism of this granulation process. The PSD of the granules was found to be dependent on that of the constituent polymer, and a narrow PSD was obtained by adjusting the PSD of the polymer. The dissolution profile of the granules was also dependent on the constituent polymer. Taken together, these results show that we have successfully developed a new manufacturing technology for the simple and low-cost preparation of ideal CR granules. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Monitoring fluidized bed drying of pharmaceutical granules.

PubMed

Briens, Lauren; Bojarra, Megan

2010-12-01

Placebo granules consisting of lactose monohydrate, corn starch, and polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared using de-ionized water in a high-shear mixer and dried in a conical fluidized bed dryer at various superficial gas velocities. Acoustic, vibration, and pressure data obtained over the course of drying was analyzed using various statistical, frequency, fractal, and chaos techniques. Traditional monitoring methods were also used for reference. Analysis of the vibration data showed that the acceleration levels decreased during drying and reached a plateau once the granules had reached a final moisture content of 1–2 wt.%; this plateau did not differ significantly between superficial gas velocities, indicating a potential criterion to support drying endpoint identification. Acoustic emissions could not reliably identify the drying endpoint. However, high kurtosis values of acoustic emissions measured in the filtered air exhaust corresponded to high entrainment rates. This could be used for process control to adjust the fluidization gas velocity to allow drying to continue rapidly while minimizing entrainment and possible product losses.

Segregation of large granules from close-packed cluster of small granules due to buoyancy.

PubMed

Yang, Xian-qing; Zhou, Kun; Qiu, Kang; Zhao, Yue-min

2006-03-01

Segregation of large granules in a vibrofluidized granular bed with inhomogeneous granular number density distribution is studied by an event-driven algorithm. Simulation results show that the mean vertical position of large granules decreases with the increase of the density ration of the large granules to the small ones. This conclusion is consistent with the explanation that the net pressure due to the small surrounding particle impacts balances the large granular weight, and indict that the upward movement of the large granules is driven by the buoyancy. The values of temperature, density, and pressure of the systems are also computed by changing the conditions such as heating temperature on the bottom and restitution coefficient of particles. These results indicate that the segregation of large granules also happen in the systems with density inversion or even close-packed cluster of particles floating on a low-density fluid, due to the buoyancy. An equation of state is proposed to explain the buoyancy.

Utilizing borehole electrical images to interpret lithofacies of fan-delta: A case study of Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation in Mahu Depression, Junggar Basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Rui; Zhang, Changmin; Tang, Yong; Qu, Jianhua; Guo, Xudong; Sun, Yuqiu; Zhu, Rui; Zhou, Yuanquan (Nancy)

2017-11-01

Large-scale conglomerate fan-delta aprons were typical deposits on the slope of Mahu Depression during the Early Triassic. Without outcrops, it is difficult to study the lithofacies only by examining the limited cores from the main oil-bearing interval of the Baikouquan Formation. Borehole electrical imaging log provides abundant high-resolution geologic information that is obtainable only from real rocks previously. Referring to the lithology and sedimentary structure of cores, a case study of fan-deltas in the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation of the Mahu Depression presents a methodology for interpreting the complicated lithofacies utilizing borehole electrical images. Eleven types of lithologies and five types of sedimentary structures are summarized in borehole electrical images. The sediments are fining upward from gravel to silt and clay in the Baikouquan Formation. Fine-pebbles and granules are the main deposits in T1b1 and T1b2, but sandstones, siltstones and mudstones are more developed in T1b3. The main sedimentary textures are massive beddings, cross beddings and scour-and-fill structures. Parallel and horizontal beddings are more developed in T1b3 relatively. On integrated analysis of the lithology and sedimentary structure, eight lithofacies from electrical images, referred to as image lithofacies, is established for the fan-deltas. Granules to coarse-pebbles within massive beddings, granules to coarse-pebbles within cross and parallel beddings, siltstones within horizontal and massive beddings are the most developed lithofacies respectively in T1b1, T1b2 and T1b3. It indicates a gradual rise of the lake level of Mahu depression during the Early Triassic, with the fan-delta aprons retrograding towards to the margin of the basin. Therefore, the borehole electrical imaging log compensate for the limitation of cores of the Baikouquan Formation, providing an effective new approach to interpret the lithofacies of fan-delta.

Biological treatment process of air loaded with an ammonia and hydrogen sulfide mixture.

PubMed

Malhautier, Luc; Gracian, Catherine; Roux, Jean-Claude; Fanlo, Jean-Louis; Le Cloirec, Pierre

2003-01-01

The physico-chemical characteristics of granulated sludge lead us to develop its use as a packing material in air biofiltration. Then, the aim of this study is to investigate the potential of unit systems packed with this support in terms of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions treatment. Two laboratory scale pilot biofilters were used. A volumetric load of 680 g H2S m(-3) empty bed day(-1) and 85 g NH3 m(-3) empty bed day(-1) was applied for eight weeks to a unit called BGSn (column packed with granulated sludge and mainly supplied with hydrogen sulfide); a volumetric load of 170 g H2S m(-3) empty bed day(-1) and 340 g NH3 m(-3) empty bed day(-1) was applied for eight weeks to the other called BGNs (column packed with granulated sludge and mainly supplied with ammonia). Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide elimination occur in the biofilters simultaneously. The hydrogen sulphide and ammonia removal efficiencies reached are very high: 100% and 80% for BGSn; 100% and 80% for BGNs respectively. Hydrogen sulfide is oxidized into sulphate and sulfur. The ammonia oxidation products are nitrite and nitrate. The nitrogen error mass balance is high for BGSn (60%) and BGNs (36%). This result could be explained by the denitrification process which would have occurred in anaerobic zones. High percentages of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide are oxidized on the first half of the column. The oxidation of high amounts of hydrogen sulfide would involve some environmental stress on nitrifying bacterial growth and activity.

Assessment of elemental mobility in soil using a fluidised bed approach with on-line ICP-MS analysis.

PubMed

Beeston, Michael Philip; Glass, Hylke Jan; van Elteren, Johannes Teun; Slejkovec, Zdenka

2007-09-19

A new method has been developed to analyse the mobility of elements within soils employing counter-current flow soil contacting in a fluidised bed (FB) column. This method alleviates the problem of irreproducible peaks suffered by state-of-the-art micro-column techniques as a result of particle compaction. Reproducible extraction profiles are produced through the leaching of soil with a linear gradient of 0.05 mol L(-1) ammonium sulphate to 0.11 mol L(-1) acetic acid using a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) quaternary pump, and the continuous monitoring of the elements in the leachate with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Quantification of the procedure is achieved with an external flow injection (FI) calibration method. Flow rate and FB column length were investigated as critical parameters to the efficiency of the extraction methodology. It was found that an increase in the column length from 10 to 20 cm using a flow rate of 0.15 mL min(-1) produced the same increase in extracted elemental concentration as an increase in flow rate from 0.15 to 0.30 mL min(-1). In both examples, the increase in the concentration of elements leached from the soil may be ascribed to the increase in the concentration gradient between the solid and liquid. The exhaustive nature of the technique defines the maximum leachable concentration within the operationally defined leaching parameters of the exchangeable phase, providing a more accurate assessment of the risk associated with the elements in the soil for the phase providing the greatest risk to the environment. The multi-elemental high sensitivity nature of the on-line detector provides an accurate determination of the associations present between the elements in the soil, and the identification of multiple phases within the exchangeable phase through the presence of multiple peaks in the extraction profiles. It is possible through the deconvolution of these extraction profiles that the concentration corresponding to the peaks identified can be defined.

Assessment of intra-granular and extra-granular fracture in the development of tablet tensile strength.

PubMed

Mitra, Biplob; Hilden, Jon; Litster, James D

2018-05-24

When a tablet is compacted from deformable granules and then broken, the fracture plane may cleave granules in two (intra-granular fracture) or separate neighboring granules (extra-granular fracture). In this study, a novel method was developed to quantify the extent of intra- versus extra-granular fracture by compacting tablets from multi-colored ideal granules and evaluating fracture surfaces. The proportions of intra-granular and extra-granular fracture were quantified and modeled in light of a new metric, the deformation potential, Δ, reflecting the solid fraction increase as an initial granule bed is compressed into a final tablet. Results show that a measurable tablet strength is achieved at Δ > 0.18, but intra-granular fracture is not observed until Δ > 0.21. At very large Δ, tablets experience almost exclusively intra-granular fracture, yet the tablet tensile strength is considerably lower than that of a tablet compacted from raw powders versus pre-compacted granules. Thus, secondary compaction of granules appears to weaken the granule matrix, leading to reduced tablet tensile strength even in the presence of strong extra-granular bonding. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

FUEL ELEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS AND PROCESS OF MAKING

DOEpatents

Roake, W.E.

1958-08-19

A process is described for producing uranium metal granules for use in reactor fuel elements. The granules are made by suspending powdered uramiunn metal or uranium hydride in a viscous, non-reactive liquid, such as paraffin oil, aad pouring the resulting suspension in droplet, on to a bed of powdered absorbent. In this manner the liquid vehicle is taken up by the sorbent and spherical pellets of uranium metal are obtained. The

Enhancing tablet disintegration characteristics of a highly water-soluble high-drug-loading formulation by granulation process.

PubMed

Pandey, Preetanshu; Levins, Christopher; Pafiakis, Steve; Zacour, Brian; Bindra, Dilbir S; Trinh, Jade; Buckley, David; Gour, Shruti; Sharif, Shasad; Stamato, Howard

2018-07-01

The objective of this study was to improve the disintegration and dissolution characteristics of a highly water-soluble tablet matrix by altering the manufacturing process. A high disintegration time along with high dependence of the disintegration time on tablet hardness was observed for a high drug loading (70% w/w) API when formulated using a high-shear wet granulation (HSWG) process. Keeping the formulation composition mostly constant, a fluid-bed granulation (FBG) process was explored as an alternate granulation method using a 2 (4-1) fractional factorial design with two center points. FBG batches (10 batches) were manufactured using varying disingtegrant amount, spray rate, inlet temperature (T) and atomization air pressure. The resultant final blend particle size was affected significantly by spray rate (p = .0009), inlet T (p = .0062), atomization air pressure (p = .0134) and the interaction effect between inlet T*spray rate (p = .0241). The compactibility of the final blend was affected significantly by disintegrant amount (p < .0001), atomization air pressure (p = .0013) and spray rate (p = .05). It was observed that the fluid-bed batches gave significantly lower disintegration times than the HSWG batches, and mercury intrusion porosimetry data revealed that this was caused by the higher internal pore structure of tablets manufactured using the FBG batches.

Formulation of a poorly water-soluble drug in sustained-release hollow granules with a high viscosity water-soluble polymer using a fluidized bed rotor granulator.

PubMed

Asada, Takumi; Yoshihara, Naoki; Ochiai, Yasushi; Kimura, Shin-Ichiro; Iwao, Yasunori; Itai, Shigeru

2018-04-25

Water-soluble polymers with high viscosity are frequently used in the design of sustained-release formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs to enable complete release of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract. Tablets containing matrix granules with a water-soluble polymer are preferred because tablets are easier to handle and the multiple drug-release units of the matrix granules decreases the influences of the physiological environment on the drug. However, matrix granules with a particle size of over 800 μm sometimes cause a content uniformity problem in the tableting process because of the large particle size. An effective method of manufacturing controlled-release matrix granules with a smaller particle size is desired. The aim of this study was to develop tablets containing matrix granules with a smaller size and good controlled-release properties, using phenytoin as a model poorly water-soluble drug. We adapted the recently developed hollow spherical granule granulation technology, using water-soluble polymers with different viscosities. The prepared granules had an average particle size of 300 μm and sharp particle size distribution (relative width: 0.52-0.64). The values for the particle strength of the granules were 1.86-1.97 N/mm 2 , and the dissolution profiles of the granules were not affected by the tableting process. The dissolution profiles and the blood concentration levels of drug released from the granules depended on the viscosity of the polymer contained in the granules. We succeeded in developing the desired controlled-release granules, and this study should be valuable in the development of sustained-release formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Batch statistical process control of a fluid bed granulation process using in-line spatial filter velocimetry and product temperature measurements.

PubMed

Burggraeve, A; Van den Kerkhof, T; Hellings, M; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C; De Beer, T

2011-04-18

Fluid bed granulation is a batch process, which is characterized by the processing of raw materials for a predefined period of time, consisting of a fixed spraying phase and a subsequent drying period. The present study shows the multivariate statistical modeling and control of a fluid bed granulation process based on in-line particle size distribution (PSD) measurements (using spatial filter velocimetry) combined with continuous product temperature registration using a partial least squares (PLS) approach. Via the continuous in-line monitoring of the PSD and product temperature during granulation of various reference batches, a statistical batch model was developed allowing the real-time evaluation and acceptance or rejection of future batches. Continuously monitored PSD and product temperature process data of 10 reference batches (X-data) were used to develop a reference batch PLS model, regressing the X-data versus the batch process time (Y-data). Two PLS components captured 98.8% of the variation in the X-data block. Score control charts in which the average batch trajectory and upper and lower control limits are displayed were developed. Next, these control charts were used to monitor 4 new test batches in real-time and to immediately detect any deviations from the expected batch trajectory. By real-time evaluation of new batches using the developed control charts and by computation of contribution plots of deviating process behavior at a certain time point, batch losses or reprocessing can be prevented. Immediately after batch completion, all PSD and product temperature information (i.e., a batch progress fingerprint) was used to estimate some granule properties (density and flowability) at an early stage, which can improve batch release time. Individual PLS models relating the computed scores (X) of the reference PLS model (based on the 10 reference batches) and the density, respectively, flowabililty as Y-matrix, were developed. The scores of the 4 test batches were used to examine the predictive ability of the model. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Moisture and drug solid-state monitoring during a continuous drying process using empirical and mass balance models.

PubMed

Fonteyne, Margot; Gildemyn, Delphine; Peeters, Elisabeth; Mortier, Séverine Thérèse F C; Vercruysse, Jurgen; Gernaey, Krist V; Vervaet, Chris; Remon, Jean Paul; Nopens, Ingmar; De Beer, Thomas

2014-08-01

Classically, the end point detection during fluid bed drying has been performed using indirect parameters, such as the product temperature or the humidity of the outlet drying air. This paper aims at comparing those classic methods to both in-line moisture and solid-state determination by means of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tools (Raman and NIR spectroscopy) and a mass balance approach. The six-segmented fluid bed drying system being part of a fully continuous from-powder-to-tablet production line (ConsiGma™-25) was used for this study. A theophylline:lactose:PVP (30:67.5:2.5) blend was chosen as model formulation. For the development of the NIR-based moisture determination model, 15 calibration experiments in the fluid bed dryer were performed. Six test experiments were conducted afterwards, and the product was monitored in-line with NIR and Raman spectroscopy during drying. The results (drying endpoint and residual moisture) obtained via the NIR-based moisture determination model, the classical approach by means of indirect parameters and the mass balance model were then compared. Our conclusion is that the PAT-based method is most suited for use in a production set-up. Secondly, the different size fractions of the dried granules obtained during different experiments (fines, yield and oversized granules) were compared separately, revealing differences in both solid state of theophylline and moisture content between the different granule size fractions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of screw configuration on the particle size distribution of granules produced by twin screw granulation.

PubMed

Vercruysse, J; Burggraeve, A; Fonteyne, M; Cappuyns, P; Delaet, U; Van Assche, I; De Beer, T; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C

2015-02-01

Twin screw granulation (TSG) has been reported by different research groups as an attractive technology for continuous wet granulation. However, in contrast to fluidized bed granulation, granules produced via this technique typically have a wide and multimodal particle size distribution (PSD), resulting in suboptimal flow properties. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of granulator screw configuration on the PSD of granules produced by TSG. Experiments were performed using a 25 mm co-rotating twin screw granulator, being part of the ConsiGma™-25 system (a fully continuous from-powder-to-tablet manufacturing line from GEA Pharma Systems). Besides the screw elements conventionally used for TSG (conveying and kneading elements), alternative designs of screw elements (tooth-mixing-elements (TME), screw mixing elements (SME) and cutters) were investigated using an α-lactose monohydrate formulation granulated with distilled water. Granulation with only conveying elements resulted in wide and multimodal PSD. Using kneading elements, the width of the PSD could be partially narrowed and the liquid distribution was more homogeneous. However, still a significant fraction of oversized agglomerates was obtained. Implementing additional kneading elements or cutters in the final section of the screw configuration was not beneficial. Furthermore, granulation with only TME or SME had limited impact on the width of the PSD. Promising results were obtained by combining kneading elements with SME, as for these configurations the PSD was narrower and shifted to the size fractions suitable for tableting. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Computational domain discretization in numerical analysis of flow within granular materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sosnowski, Marcin

2018-06-01

The discretization of computational domain is a crucial step in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) because it influences not only the numerical stability of the analysed model but also the agreement of obtained results and real data. Modelling flow in packed beds of granular materials is a very challenging task in terms of discretization due to the existence of narrow spaces between spherical granules contacting tangentially in a single point. Standard approach to this issue results in a low quality mesh and unreliable results in consequence. Therefore the common method is to reduce the diameter of the modelled granules in order to eliminate the single-point contact between the individual granules. The drawback of such method is the adulteration of flow and contact heat resistance among others. Therefore an innovative method is proposed in the paper: single-point contact is extended to a cylinder-shaped volume contact. Such approach eliminates the low quality mesh elements and simultaneously introduces only slight distortion to the flow as well as contact heat transfer. The performed analysis of numerous test cases prove the great potential of the proposed method of meshing the packed beds of granular materials.

Economic and clinical benefit of collagenase ointment compared to a hydrogel dressing for pressure ulcer debridement in a long-term care setting.

PubMed

Waycaster, Curtis; Milne, Catherine

2013-06-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of collagenase ointment relative to autolysis with a hydrogel dressing when debriding necrotic pressure ulcers in a long-term care setting. A Markov decision process model with 2 states (necrotic nonviable wound bed transitioning to a granulated viable wound bed) was developed using data derived from a prospective, randomized, 6-week, single-center trial of 27 institutionalized subjects with pressure ulcers that were ≥ 85% necrotic nonviable tissue. Direct medical costs from the payer perspective included study treatments, wound treatment supplies, and nursing time. Clinical benefit was measured as "granulation days" and was derived from the time-dependent debridement rates of the alternative products. The average cost per patient for 42 days of pressure ulcer care was $1,817 in 2012 for the collagenase group and $1,611 for the hydrogel group. Days spent with a granulated wound were 3.6 times higher for collagenase (23.4 vs 6.5) than with the hydrogel. The estimated cost per granulation day was > 3.2 times higher for hydrogel ($249) vs collagenase ($78). In this economic analysis based on a randomized, controlled clinical trial, collagenase ointment resulted in a faster time to complete debridement and was more cost-effective than hydrogel autolysis for pressure ulcers in a long-term care setting. Even though collagenase ointment has a higher acquisition cost than hydrogel, the clinical benefit offsets the initial cost difference, resulting in lower cost per granulation day to the nursing home over the course of the 42-day analysis.

Palaeogeography of Late Triassic red-beds in Singapore and the Indosinian Orogeny

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliver, Grahame; Prave, Anthony

2013-10-01

A red-bed facies of the Upper Triassic Jurong Formation has been logged on Sentosa Island, Singapore. An overall coarsening and thickening-upward pattern is well developed. The lower part of the section is dominated by purple-red, massive to finely laminated illite-smectite-kaolin-rich mudstones containing thin, discontinuous lenses of fine sandstone marked by low-angle lamination and small ripples. One dinosaur-like foot print has been discovered in a loose block of red mudstone. It is concluded that this is a lacustrine sequence and it is proposed to name the lake, Lake Sentosa. The upper part of the sequence consists of flat-laminated to trough cross-bedded medium-grained sandstone and granule to cobble conglomerates alternating with purple-red mudstone. The mudstone-sandstone packages are arranged in decametre-scale coarsening-upward cycles. The channelling and decimetre-scale cross-bedding characterising the sandstone and conglomeratic beds is evidence for deposition by flashy fluvial flood processes, possibly feeding into the lake as a fresh water delta. One possible dinosaur trackway in granule size conglomerate has been located. Detrital zircon U-Pb ages vary from 2.7 Ba to 209 Ma with significant populations at ˜245 Ma and 220 Ma. These ages throw light on the timing of the Indosinian Orogeny. The molasse red-beds of the Jurong Formation were deposited in a half graben formed in the hangingwall of the Bukit Timah Fault when central Peninsular Malaysia went into extension following the climax of the Indosinian Orogeny in the Late Triassic.

Influence of a glass wool hot vapour filter on yields and properties of bio-oil derived from rapid pyrolysis of paddy residues.

PubMed

Pattiya, Adisak; Suttibak, Suntorn

2012-07-01

This article reports experimental results of rapid or fast pyrolysis of rice straw (RS) and rice husk (RH) in a fluidised-bed reactor unit incorporated with a hot vapour filter. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of pyrolysis temperatures and the use of glass wool hot vapour filtration on pyrolysis products. The results showed that the optimum pyrolysis temperatures for RS and RH were 405 and 452 °C, which gave maximum bio-oil yields of 54.1 and 57.1 wt.% on dry biomass basis, respectively. The use of the hot filter led to a reduction of 4-7 wt.% bio-oil yield. Nevertheless, the glass wool hot filtered bio-oils appeared to have better quality in terms of initial viscosity, solids content and ash content than the non-filtered ones. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Semicontinuous production of ethanol from agricultural wastes by immobilised coculture in a two stage bioreactor.

PubMed

Dey, Sabita

2002-10-01

The seed testing laboratories of Maharashtra discard 10 tonnes of grains and oil seeds treated with pesticides per annum. These agricultural wastes could be converted to reducing sugar and ethanol in a two stage semicontinuous fluidised bed bioreactor containing immobilised, Bacillus sp. and Zymomonas mobilis in the 1st stage and Saccharomyces diastaticus and S. cerevisae in the 2nd stage. The optimum temperature and pH for fermentation in both the stages were 30 degrees C and 7.2 respectively. In this process 600 g (approximately 400 g starch) waste seeds could yield 402 g of reducing sugar in the 1st stage after 20 h and 205 g ethanol in the 2nd stage after 40 h incubation with a yield factor 0.51. Using these system 10 tonnes of agricultural wastes could be converted to 3.4 x 107 g of ethanol.

Production of a nitrogeneous humic fertilizer by the oxidation-ammoniation of lignite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coca, J.

1984-12-01

Two lignite samples were oxidised with HNO/sub 3/ (20% wt) at 75 C and treated afterwards with NH/sub 3/ in a fluidised-bed reactor in a temperature range 100-375 C. The effects of temperature, NH/sub 3/ flow rate, and reaction time on the total N/sub 2/ content of the product are reported. The product contained 7-13% wt of total N/sub 2/ which increased as the ammoniation temperature increased. Soil nitrification measurements of the N/sub 2/-enriched lignites showed that the maximum conversion to nitrates and rate of nitrification are exhibited by the product obtained at the lowest ammoniation temperature, i.e. 100 C.more » Maximum conversion to nitrates at that temperature was 45%, which compares well with similar products such as ammoniated peat (35%) and ammonium nitrohumates (45%).« less

Evaluation of various processes for simultaneous complexation and granulation to incorporate drug-cyclodextrin complexes into solid dosage forms.

PubMed

Gyanani, Vijay; Siddalingappa, Basavaraj; Betageri, Guru V

2015-01-01

Insoluble drugs often formulated with various excipients to enhance the dissolution. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are widely used excipients to improve dissolution profile of poorly soluble drugs. Drug-CD complexation process is complex and often requires multiple processes to produce solid dosage form. Hence, this study explored commonly used granulation processes for simultaneous complexation and granulation. Poorly soluble drugs ibuprofen and glyburide were selected as experimental drugs. Co-evaporation of drug:CD mixture from a solvent followed by wet granulation with water was considered as standard process for comparison. Spray granulation and fluid bed processing (FBP) using drug:CD solution in ethanol were evaluated as an alternative processes. The dissolution data of glyburide tablets indicated that tablets produced by spray granulation, FBP and co-evaporation-granulation have almost identical dissolution profile in water and 0.1% SLS (>70% in water and >60% in SLS versus 30 and 34%, respectively for plain tablet, in 120 min). Similarly, ibuprofen:CD tablets produced by co-evaporation-granulation and FBP displayed similar dissolution profile in 0.01 M HCl (pH 2.0) and buffer pH 5.5 (>90 and 100% versus 44 and 80% respectively for plain tablets, 120 min). Results of this study demonstrated that spray granulation is simple and cost effective process for low dose poorly soluble drugs to incorporate drug:CD complex into solid dosage form, whereas FBP is suitable for poorly soluble drugs with moderate dose.

Fluidizable zinc titanate materials with high chemical reactivity and attrition resistance

DOEpatents

Gupta, Raghubir P.; Gangwal, Santosh K.; Jain, Suresh C.

1993-01-01

Highly durable and chemically reactive zinc titanate materials are prepared in a particle size range of 50 to 400 .mu.m suitable for a fluidized-bed reactor for removing reduced sulfur species in a gaseous form by granulating a mixture of fine zinc oxide and titanium oxide with inorganic and organic binders and by optional additions of small amounts of activators such as CoO and MoO.sub.3 ; and then indurating it at 800.degree. to 900.degree. C. for a time sufficient to produce attrition-resistant granules.

Fluidizable zinc titanate materials with high chemical reactivity and attrition resistance

DOEpatents

Gupta, R.P.; Gangwal, S.K.; Jain, S.C.

1993-10-19

Highly durable and chemically reactive zinc titanate materials are prepared in a particle size range of 50 to 400 [mu]m suitable for a fluidized-bed reactor for removing reduced sulfur species in a gaseous form by granulating a mixture of fine zinc oxide and titanium oxide with inorganic and organic binders and by optional additions of small amounts of activators such as CoO and MoO[sub 3]; and then indurating it at 800 to 900 C for a time sufficient to produce attrition-resistant granules.

A new low-cost negative-pressure wound therapy versus a commercially available therapy device widely used to treat complex traumatic injuries: a prospective, randomized, non-inferiority trial.

PubMed

Kamamoto, Fabio; Lima, Ana Lucia Munhoz; Rezende, Marcelo Rosa de; Mattar-Junior, Rames; Leonhardt, Marcos de Camargo; Kojima, Kodi Edson; Santos, Carla Chineze Dos

2017-12-01

Negative-pressure wound therapy has been widely adopted to reduce the complexity of treating a broad range of acute and chronic wounds. However, its cost is high. The objective of this study was to evaluate the following two different methods of negative-pressure wound therapy in terms of healing time: a low-cost method of negative-pressure wound therapy (a pressure stabilizer device connected to a hospital wall-vacuum system with a gauze-sealed dressing, USP) and the standard of care (vacuum-assisted closure, VAC). This is a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority, unblinded trial. Patients admitted with complex injuries to a trauma center in a public referral hospital who were indicated for orthopedic surgery were randomized to a USP or VAC group. The primary outcome was the time required to achieve a "ready for surgery condition", which was defined as a wound bed with healthy granulation tissue and without necrosis or purulent secretion. Wound bed area contraction, granulation tissue growth and the direct costs of the dressings were secondary outcomes. Variation in area and granulation tissue growth were essentially the same between the systems, and healing time was equal between the groups (p=0.379). In both systems, serial debridement increased wound area (p=0.934), and granulation tissue was also increased (p=0.408). The mean treatment cost was US$ 15.15 in the USP group and US$ 872.59 in the VAC group. For treating complex traumatic injuries, USP was non-inferior to and less expensive than VAC.

Enzyme immobilisation in biocatalysis: why, what and how.

PubMed

Sheldon, Roger A; van Pelt, Sander

2013-08-07

In this tutorial review, an overview of the why, what and how of enzyme immobilisation for use in biocatalysis is presented. The importance of biocatalysis in the context of green and sustainable chemicals manufacture is discussed and the necessity for immobilisation of enzymes as a key enabling technology for practical and commercial viability is emphasised. The underlying reasons for immobilisation are the need to improve the stability and recyclability of the biocatalyst compared to the free enzyme. The lower risk of product contamination with enzyme residues and low or no allergenicity are further advantages of immobilised enzymes. Methods for immobilisation are divided into three categories: adsorption on a carrier (support), encapsulation in a carrier, and cross-linking (carrier-free). General considerations regarding immobilisation, regardless of the method used, are immobilisation yield, immobilisation efficiency, activity recovery, enzyme loading (wt% in the biocatalyst) and the physical properties, e.g. particle size and density, hydrophobicity and mechanical robustness of the immobilisate, i.e. the immobilised enzyme as a whole (enzyme + support). The choice of immobilisate is also strongly dependent on the reactor configuration used, e.g. stirred tank, fixed bed, fluidised bed, and the mode of downstream processing. Emphasis is placed on relatively recent developments, such as the use of novel supports such as mesoporous silicas, hydrogels, and smart polymers, and cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs).

DEVELOPMENT OF A FABRICATION PROCESS FOR SOL-GEL/METAL HYDRIDE COMPOSITE GRANULES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hansen, E; Eric Frickey, E; Leung Heung, L

An external gelation process was developed to produce spherical granules that contain metal hydride particles in a sol-gel matrix. Dimensionally stable granules containing metal hydrides are needed for applications such as hydrogen separation and hydrogen purification that require columns containing metal hydrides. Gases must readily flow through the metal hydride beds in the columns. Metal hydrides reversibly absorb and desorb hydrogen and hydrogen isotopes. This is accompanied by significant volume changes that cause the metal hydride to break apart or decrepitate. Repeated cycling results in very fine metal hydride particles that are difficult to handle and contain. Fine particles tendmore » to settle and pack making it more difficult to flow gases through a metal hydride bed. Furthermore, the metal hydrides can exert a significant force on the containment vessel as they expand. These problems associated with metal hydrides can be eliminated with the granulation process described in this report. Small agglomerates of metal hydride particles and abietic acid (a pore former) were produced and dispersed in a colloidal silica/water suspension to form the feed slurry. Fumed silica was added to increase the viscosity of the feed slurry which helped to keep the agglomerates in suspension. Drops of the feed slurry were injected into a 27-foot tall column of hot ({approx}70 C), medium viscosity ({approx}3000 centistokes) silicone oil. Water was slowly evaporated from the drops as they settled. The drops gelled and eventually solidified to form spherical granules. This process is referred to as external gelation. Testing was completed to optimize the design of the column, the feed system, the feed slurry composition, and the operating parameters of the column. The critical process parameters can be controlled resulting in a reproducible fabrication technique. The residual silicone oil on the surface of the granules was removed by washing in mineral spirits. The granules were dried in air at 40 C. The granules were heated to 230 C for 30 minutes in argon to remove the remaining water and organic materials. The resulting product was spherical composite granules (100 to 2000 micron diameter) with a porous silica matrix containing small agglomerates of metal hydride particles. Open porosity in the silica matrix allows hydrogen to permeate rapidly through the matrix but the pores are small enough to contain the metal hydride particles. Additional porosity around the metal hydride particles, induced using abietic acid as a pore former, allows the particles to freely expand and contract without fracturing the brittle sol-gel matrix. It was demonstrated that the granules readily absorb and desorb hydrogen while remaining integral and dimensionally stable. Microcracking was observed after the granules were cycled in hydrogen five times. The strength of the granules was improved by coating them with a thin layer of a micro-porous polymer sol-gel that would allow hydrogen to freely pass through the coating but would filter out metal hydride poisons such as water and carbon monoxide. It was demonstrated that if a thin sol-gel coating was applied after the granules were cycled, the coating not only improved the strength of the granules but the coated granules retained their strength after additional hydrogen cycling tests. This additional strength is needed to extend the lifetime of the granules and to survive the compressive load in a large column of granules. Additional hydrogen adsorption tests are planned to evaluate the performance of coated granules after one hundred cycles. Tests will also be performed to determine the effects of metal hydride poisons on the granules. The results of these tests will be documented in a separate report. The process that was developed to form these granules could be scaled to a production process. The process to form granules from a mixture of metal hydride particles and pore former such as abietic acid can be scaled up using commercial granulators. The current laboratory-scale external gelation column produces approximately one gram of granules per hour. To increase the production output from a single column, multiple feed injection systems in a larger diameter column could be used.« less

Enhanced oral bioavailability of paclitaxel by solid dispersion granulation.

PubMed

Shanmugam, Srinivasan; Im, Ho Taek; Sohn, Young Taek; Kim, Yong-Il; Park, Jae-Hyun; Park, Eun-Seok; Woo, Jong Soo

2015-01-01

The main objective of this study was to develop novel orally administrable tablets containing solid dispersion granules (SDG) of amorphous paclitaxel (PTX) prepared by fluid bed technology, and to evaluate its in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) in beagle dogs. The SDG were prepared using optimized composition by fluid bed technology, and characterized for solid-state properties. The release study of SDG tablet (SDG-T) in simulated gastric fluid showed a rapid release of PTX, reaching maximum dissolution within 20 min. Finally, the PK profile of SDG-T and a reference formulation Oraxol™ (oral solution formulation used in Phase I clinical study) at a dose of 60 mg orally with co-administration of P-gp inhibitor HM38101, and Taxol® at a dose of 10 mg intravenously (i.v.) was investigated in beagle dogs. The mean absolute BA% of PTX following SDG-T and Oraxol™ solution was 8.23 and 6.22% in comparison to i.v. administration of Taxol®. The relative BA% of PTX from SDG-T in comparison to Oraxol™ solution was 132.25% at a dose of 60 mg following oral administration. In conclusion, we have successfully prepared PTX tablets with solid dispersion granules (SDG) of amorphous PTX using fluid bed technology that could provide plasma PTX concentration in the range of 10-150 ng/mL for a period of 24 h following oral administration in dogs with a P-gp inhibitor. Hence, this could be a promising formulation for PTX oral delivery and could be used in our intended clinical studies following pre-clinical efficacy studies.

A multiphase mixture model for substrate concentration distribution characteristics and photo-hydrogen production performance of the entrapped-cell photobioreactor.

PubMed

Guo, Cheng-Long; Cao, Hong-Xia; Pei, Hong-Shan; Guo, Fei-Qiang; Liu, Da-Meng

2015-04-01

A multiphase mixture model was developed for revealing the interaction mechanism between biochemical reactions and transfer processes in the entrapped-cell photobioreactor packed with gel granules containing Rhodopseudomonas palustris CQK 01. The effects of difference operation parameters, including operation temperature, influent medium pH value and porosity of packed bed, on substrate concentration distribution characteristics and photo-hydrogen production performance were investigated. The results showed that the model predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data reported. Moreover, the operation temperature of 30 °C and the influent medium pH value of 7 were the most suitable conditions for photo-hydrogen production by biodegrading substrate. In addition, the lower porosity of packed bed was beneficial to enhance photo-hydrogen production performance owing to the improvement on the amount of substrate transferred into gel granules caused by the increased specific area for substrate transfer in the elemental volume. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protease-modulating polyacrylate-based hydrogel stimulates wound bed preparation in venous leg ulcers – a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Humbert, P; Faivre, B; Véran, Y; Debure, C; Truchetet, F; Bécherel, P-A; Plantin, P; Kerihuel, J-C; Eming, SA; Dissemond, J; Weyandt, G; Kaspar, D; Smola, H; Zöllner, P

2014-01-01

Background Stringent control of proteolytic activity represents a major therapeutic approach for wound-bed preparation. Objectives We tested whether a protease-modulating polyacrylate- (PA-) containing hydrogel resulted in a more efficient wound-bed preparation of venous leg ulcers when compared to an amorphous hydrogel without known protease-modulating properties. Methods Patients were randomized to the polyacrylate-based hydrogel (n = 34) or to an amorphous hydrogel (n = 41). Wound beds were evaluated by three blinded experts using photographs taken on days 0, 7 and 14. Results After 14 days of treatment there was an absolute decrease in fibrin and necrotic tissue of 37.6 ± 29.9 percentage points in the PA-based hydrogel group and by 16.8 ± 23.0 percentage points in the amorphous hydrogel group. The absolute increase in the proportion of ulcer area covered by granulation tissue was 36.0 ± 27.4 percentage points in the PA-based hydrogel group and 14.5 ± 22.0 percentage points in the control group. The differences between the groups were significant (decrease in fibrin and necrotic tissue P = 0.004 and increase in granulation tissue P = 0.0005, respectively). Conclusion In particular, long-standing wounds profited from the treatment with the PA-based hydrogel. These data suggest that PA-based hydrogel dressings can stimulate normalization of the wound environment, particularly in hard-to-heal ulcers. PMID:24612304

Microencapsulation of fish oil by spray granulation and fluid bed film coating.

PubMed

Anwar, Sri Haryani; Weissbrodt, Jenny; Kunz, Benno

2010-08-01

The stability of microencapsulated fish oil prepared with 2 production processes, spray granulation (SG) and SG followed by film coating (SG-FC) using a fluid bed equipment, was investigated. In the 1st process, 3 types of fish oil used were based on the ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (10/50, 33/22, and 18/12). Each type was emulsified with soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) and maltodextrin to produce 25% oil powders. In the 2nd process, 15% film coating of hydroxypropyl betacyclodextrin (HPBCD) was applied to the granules from the 1st process. The powder stability against oxidation was examined by measurement of peroxide values (PV) and headspace propanal after storage at room temperature and at 3 to 4 degrees C for 6 wk. Uncoated powder containing the lowest concentration of PUFA (18/12) was found to be stable during storage at room temperature with maximum PV of 3.98 +/- 0.001 meq/kg oil. The PV increased sharply for uncoated powder with higher concentration of omega-3 (in 33/22 and 10/50 fish oils) after 3 wk storage. The PVs were in agreement with the concentration of propanal, and these 2 parameters remained constant for most of the uncoated powders stored at low temperature. Unexpectedly, the outcomes showed that the coated powders had lower stability than uncoated powders as indicated by higher initial PVs; more hydroperoxides were detected as well as increasing propanal concentration. The investigation suggests that the film-coating by HPBCD ineffectively protected fish oil as the coating process might have induced further oxidation; however, SG is a good method for producing fish oil powder and to protect it from oxidation because of the "onion skin" structure of granules produced in this process.

CAPE-OPEN simulation of waste-to-energy technologies for urban cities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreadou, Christina; Martinopoulos, Georgios

2018-01-01

Uncontrolled waste disposal and unsustainable waste management not only damage the environment, but also affect human health. In most urban areas, municipal solid waste production is constantly increasing following the everlasting increase in energy consumption. Technologies aim to exploit wastes in order to recover energy, decrease the depletion rate of fossil fuels, and reduce waste disposal. In this paper, the annual amount of municipal solid waste disposed in the greater metropolitan area of Thessaloniki is taken into consideration, in order to size and model a combined heat and power facility for energy recovery. From the various waste-to-energy technologies available, a fluidised bed combustion boiler combined heat and power plant was selected and modelled through the use of COCO, a CAPE-OPEN simulation software, to estimate the amount of electrical and thermal energy that could be generated for different boiler pressures. Although average efficiency was similar in all cases, providing almost 15% of Thessaloniki's energy needs, a great variation in the electricity to thermal energy ratio was observed.

Power generation based on biomass by combined fermentation and gasification--a new concept derived from experiments and modelling.

PubMed

Methling, Torsten; Armbrust, Nina; Haitz, Thilo; Speidel, Michael; Poboss, Norman; Braun-Unkhoff, Marina; Dieter, Heiko; Kempter-Regel, Brigitte; Kraaij, Gerard; Schliessmann, Ursula; Sterr, Yasemin; Wörner, Antje; Hirth, Thomas; Riedel, Uwe; Scheffknecht, Günter

2014-10-01

A new concept is proposed for combined fermentation (two-stage high-load fermenter) and gasification (two-stage fluidised bed gasifier with CO2 separation) of sewage sludge and wood, and the subsequent utilisation of the biogenic gases in a hybrid power plant, consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell and a gas turbine. The development and optimisation of the important processes of the new concept (fermentation, gasification, utilisation) are reported in detail. For the gas production, process parameters were experimentally and numerically investigated to achieve high conversion rates of biomass. For the product gas utilisation, important combustion properties (laminar flame speed, ignition delay time) were analysed numerically to evaluate machinery operation (reliability, emissions). Furthermore, the coupling of the processes was numerically analysed and optimised by means of integration of heat and mass flows. The high, simulated electrical efficiency of 42% including the conversion of raw biomass is promising for future power generation by biomass. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A system to investigate the remediation of organic vapors using microwave-induced plasma with fluidized carbon granules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dawson, Elizabeth A.; Parkes, Gareth M. B.; Bond, Gary

This article describes a system to investigate the parameters for the remediation of organic vapors using microwave-induced plasma on fluidized carbon granules. The system is based on a single mode microwave apparatus with a variable power (2.45 GHz) generator. Carbon granules are fluidized in a silica tube situated in the sample section of a waveguide incorporating two additional ports to allow plasma intensity monitoring using a light sensor and imaging with a digital camera. A fluoroptic probe is used for in situ measurement of the carbon granule temperature, while the effluent gas temperature is measured with a thermocouple situated inmore » the silica tube outside the cavity. Data acquisition and control software allow experiments using a variety of microwave power regimes while simultaneously recording the light intensity of any plasma generated within the carbon bed, together with its temperature. Evaluation using two different granular activated carbons and ethyl acetate, introduced as a vapor into the fluidizing air stream at a concentration of 1 ppm, yielded results which indicated that significant destruction of ethyl acetate, as monitored using a mass spectrometer, was achieved only with the carbon granules showing high plasma activity under pulsed microwave conditions. The system is therefore suitable for comparison of the relative microwave activities of various activated carbon granules and their performance in microwave remediation and regeneration.« less

Studies in Three Phase Gas-Liquid Fluidised Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awofisayo, Joyce Ololade

1992-01-01

Available from UMI in association with The British Library. The work is a logical continuation of research started at Aston some years ago when studies were conducted on fermentations in bubble columns. The present work highlights typical design and operating problems that could arise in such systems as waste water, chemical, biochemical and petroleum operations involving three-phase, gas-liquid -solid fluidisation; such systems are in increasing use. It is believed that this is one of few studies concerned with "true" three-phase, gas-liquid-solid fluidised systems, and that this work will contribute significantly to closing some of the gaps in knowledge in this area. The research work was experimentally based and involved studies of the hydrodynamic parameters, phase holdups (gas and solid), particle mixing and segregation, and phase flow dynamics (flow regime and circulation patterns). The studies have focused particularly on the solid behaviour and the influence of properties of solids present on the above parameters in three-phase, gas-liquid-solid fluidised systems containing single particle components and those containing binary and ternary mixtures of particles. All particles were near spherical in shape and two particle sizes and total concentration levels were used. Experiments were carried out in two- and three-dimensional bubble columns. Quantitative results are presented in graphical form and are supported by qualitative results from visual studies which are also shown as schematic diagrams and in photographic form. Gas and solid holdup results are compared for air-water containing single, binary and ternary component particle mixtures. It should be noted that the criteria for selection of the materials used are very important if true three-phase fluidisation is to be achieved: this is very evident when comparing the results with those in the literature. The fluid flow and circulation patterns observed were assessed for validation of the generally accepted patterns, and the author believes that the present work provides more accurate insight into the modelling of liquid circulation in bubble columns. The characteristic bubbly flow at low gas velocity in a two-phase system is suppressed in the three-phase system. The degree of mixing within the system is found to be dependent on flow regime, liquid circulation and the ratio of solid phase physical properties.

Development of metal hydride composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Congdon, J.W.

1992-12-01

Most of current hydride technology at Savannah River Site is based on beds of metal hydride powders; the expansion upon hydridation and the cycling results in continued breakdown into finer particles. Goal is to develop a composite which will contain the fines in a dimensionally stable matrix, for use in processes which require a stable gas flow through a hydride bed. Metal hydride composites would benefit the advanced Thermal Cycling Absorption process (hydrogen isotope separation), and the Replacement Tritium Facility (storage, pumping, compression, purification of hydrogen isotopes). These composites were fabricated by cold compaction of a mixture of metal hydridemore » granules and coarse copper powder; the porosity in the granules was introduced by means of ammonium carbonate. The composite pellets were cycled 138 times in hydrogen with the loss of LANA0.75 (LaNi{sub 4.25}Al{sub 0.75}) limited to the surface. Vacuum sintering can provide additional strength at the edges. Without a coating, the metal hydride particles exposed at the pellet surface can be removed by cycling several times in hydrogen.« less

Effectiveness of bridge V.A.C. dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

PubMed Central

Nather, Aziz; Hong, Ng Yau; Lin, Wong Keng; Sakharam, Joshi Abhijit

2011-01-01

Objectives This is a prospective study of the clinical efficacy of the V.A.C. Granufoam Bridge Dressing for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and methods Five consecutive patients with diabetic foot ulcers were treated with V.A.C. Granufoam Bridge Dressings and studied over a period of 22–48 days. The indications for treatment included diabetic patients with open ray amputation wounds and wounds post-drainage for abscess with exposed deep structures. Clinical outcome was measured in terms of reduction in wound dimensions, presence of wound granulation, microbial clearance, and development of wound complications. Results Our results showed that with V.A.C. therapy, wound healing occurred in all patients. The number of dressings required ranged from 8 to 10. The baseline average wound size was 23.1 cm2. Wound areas shrunk by 18.4–41.7%. All subjects achieved 100% wound bed granulation with an average length of treatment of 33 days. Microbial clearance was achieved in all cases. All wounds healed by secondary intention in one case and four cases required split-thickness skin grafting. Conclusion The V.A.C. Granufoam Bridge Dressing is effective in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. It promotes reduction of wound area, wound bed granulation, and microbial clearance. By allowing placement of the suction pad outside the foot, it allowed patients to wear protective shoes and to walk non-weight bearing with crutches during V.A.C. therapy. PMID:22396825

PREPARATION OF HIGH-DENSITY THORIUM OXIDE SPHERES

DOEpatents

McNees, R.A. Jr.; Taylor, A.J.

1963-12-31

A method of preparing high-density thorium oxide spheres for use in pellet beds in nuclear reactors is presented. Sinterable thorium oxide is first converted to free-flowing granules by means such as compression into a compact and comminution of the compact. The granules are then compressed into cubes having a density of 5.0 to 5.3 grams per cubic centimeter. The cubes are tumbled to form spheres by attrition, and the spheres are then fired at 1250 to 1350 deg C. The fired spheres are then polished and fired at a temperature above 1650 deg C to obtain high density. Spherical pellets produced by this method are highly resistant to mechanical attrition hy water. (AEC)

Analogue modelling of caprock failure and sediment mobilisation due to pore fluid overpressure in shallow reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warsitzka, Michael; Kukowski, Nina; May, Franz

2017-04-01

Injection of CO2 in geological formations may cause excess pore fluid pressure by enhancing the fluid volume in the reservoir rock and by buoyancy-driven flow. If sediments in the reservoir and the caprock are undercompacted, pore fluid overpressure can lead to hydro-fractures in the caprock and fluidisation of sediments. Eventually, these processes trigger the formation of pipe structures, gas chimneys, gas domes or sand injections. Generally, such structures serve as high permeable pathways for fluid migration through a low-permeable seal layer and have to be considered in risk assessment or modelling of caprock integrity of CO2 storage sites. We applied scaled analogue experiments to characterise and quantify mechanisms determining the onset and migration of hydro-fractures in a low-permeable, cohesive caprock and fluidisation of unconsolidated sediments of the reservoir layer. The caprock is simulated by different types of cohesive powder. The reservoir layer consists of granulates with small particle density. Air injected through the base of the experiment and additionally through a single needle valve reaching into the analogue material is applied to generate fluid pressure within the materials. With this procedure, regional fluid pressure increase or a point-like local fluid pressure increase (e.g. injection well), respectively, can be simulated. The deformation in the analogue materials is analysed with a particle tracking imaging velocimetry technique. Pressure sensors at the base of the experiment and in the needle valve record the air pressure during an experimental run. The structural evolution observed in the experiments reveal that the cohesive cap rock first forms a dome-like anticline. Extensional fractures occur at the hinges of the anticline. A further increase of fluid pressure causes a migration of this fractures towards the surface, which is followed by intrusion of reservoir material into the fractures and the collapse of the anticline. The breakthrough of the fractures at the surface is accompanied by a significant drop of air pressure at the base of the analogue materials. The width of the dome shaped uplift is narrower and the initiating fluid pressure in the needle valve is lower, if the fluid pressure at the base of the experiment is larger. The experimental outcomes help to evaluate if the injection of CO2 into a reservoir potentially provokes initiation or reactivation of fractures and sediment mobilisation structures.

Limitations for heavy metal release during thermo-chemical treatment of sewage sludge ash

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nowak, Benedikt, E-mail: benedikt.nowak@tuwien.ac.at; Perutka, Libor; Aschenbrenner, Philipp

2011-06-15

Phosphate recycling from sewage sludge can be achieved by heavy metal removal from sewage sludge ash (SSA) producing a fertilizer product: mixing SSA with chloride and treating this mixture (eventually after granulation) in a rotary kiln at 1000 {+-} 100 deg. C leads to the formation of volatile heavy metal compounds that evaporate and to P-phases with high bio-availability. Due to economical and ecological reasons, it is necessary to reduce the energy consumption of this technology. Generally, fluidized bed reactors are characterized by high heat and mass transfer and thus promise the saving of energy. Therefore, a rotary reactor andmore » a fluidized bed reactor (both laboratory-scale and operated in batch mode) are used for the treatment of granulates containing SSA and CaCl{sub 2}. Treatment temperature, residence time and - in case of the fluidized bed reactor - superficial velocity are varied between 800 and 900 deg. C, 10 and 30 min and 3.4 and 4.6 m s{sup -1}. Cd and Pb can be removed well (>95 %) in all experiments. Cu removal ranges from 25% to 84%, for Zn 75-90% are realized. The amount of heavy metals removed increases with increasing temperature and residence time which is most pronounced for Cu. In the pellet, three major reactions occur: formation of HCl and Cl{sub 2} from CaCl{sub 2}; diffusion and reaction of these gases with heavy metal compounds; side reactions from heavy metal compounds with matrix material. Although, heat and mass transfer are higher in the fluidized bed reactor, Pb and Zn removal is slightly better in the rotary reactor. This is due the accelerated migration of formed HCl and Cl{sub 2} out of the pellets into the reactor atmosphere. Cu is apparently limited by the diffusion of its chloride thus the removal is higher in the fluidized bed unit.« less

Arsenate adsorption on three types of granular schwertmannite.

PubMed

Dou, Xiaomin; Mohan, Dinesh; Pittman, Charles U

2013-06-01

Schwertmannite was synthesized on a 2 m(3)-scale and fabricated to irregular, cylindrical and spherical shape granules using drum granulation, extrusion and spray coating, respectively. The granules were systematically evaluated for As(V) removal from drinking water in terms of both performance and safety. The irregular and cylindrical shape granules (IS and CS) had larger schwertmannite loadings, higher porosity, more abundant pore structure and larger micropore volumes than those with a spherical shape (SS). As(V) adsorption kinetics on IS, CS and SS schwertmannite granules followed a pseudo-second order rate equation and two-stages of intraparticle diffusion. The rate parameters were in an order of IS > CS > SS granules. The faster uptake kinetics of the IS granules was due to their largest pore volume and interparticle porosity. Furthermore, adsorption capacities of 34, 21 and 5 mg/g, for IS, CS and SS granular schwertmannite samples were achieved at an initial As(V) concentration of 20 mg/L and adsorbent dose of 0.5 g/L. IS and CS samples performed much better over a wide pH range versus SS samples. Except for humic acid, PO4(3-) and SiO4(4-) did not inhibit As(V) adsorption on IS and CS granular specimens. SS samples worked poorly even in the absence or presence of co-existing anions. Regeneration was achieved using 0.1 M NaOH. The recycled IS and CS granular specimens can be used for 4 different cycles with no or nominal loss of adsorption capacity. Column experiments were also conducted. The IS, CS and SS granular specimens treated 8100, 4200 and 120 bed volumes (BVs) of contaminated water. No heavy metals leached from the packed granular adsorbent and appeared in the column effluent. Furthermore, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) showed that the spent IS and CS granules were inert and could safely be disposed of in landfills. In short, irregular-shaped granules (IS) fabricated by drum granulation is a good candidate for arsenic removal from drinking water with a high future application potential. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Subjective and objective observation of skin graft recovery on Indonesian local cat with different periods of transplantation time.

PubMed

Erwin; Gunanti; Handharyani, Ekowati; Noviana, Deni

2016-05-01

The success of a skin graft in a cat is highly dependent on the granulation formed by the base of recipient bed. Granulation by the base of recipient bed will form after several days after injury. This research aimed to observe subjective and objective profile of skin graft recovery on forelimb of cats with different periods of donor skin placement. Nine male Indonesian local cats aged 1-2 years old, weighing 3-4 kg were divided into three groups. The first surgery for creating defect wound of 2 cm×2 cm in size was performed in the whole group. The wound was left for several days with the respective interval for each group, respectively: Group I (for 2 days), Group II (for 4 days), and Group III (for 6 days). In the whole group, the second surgery was done by the harvesting skin of thoracic area which then applied on recipient bed of respective groups. The donor skin on Group II was accepted faster compared to Group I and Group III. The donor skin did not show color differences compared to surrounding skin, painless, bright red in bleeding test had faster both hair growth and drug absorption. Test toward the size of donor skin and the effect of drugs did not show a significant difference between each group. The observe subjective and objective profile of skin graft recovery on forelimb of cats on Group II were accepted faster compared to Group I and III.

[Removal of PO4(3-) from solution, wastewater and seawater by modification and granulation magnesium and aluminium layered double hydroxide].

PubMed

Xing, Kun; Wang, Hai-Zeng

2013-04-01

Powder layered double hydroxide of Mg-Al LDH were prepared by hydrothermal technology with 500 kg x batch(-1), modified and granulated (MG Mg-Al CLDH) by deposition method. After the modification and granulation, the fixed bed can not be accumulated and clogged by the adsorbents. The PO4(3-) is removed from aqueous solution, wastewater and seawater by MG Mg-Al CLDH with column experiments. It shows that MG Mg-Al CLDH is an effective adsorbent. After removal, the water quality can satisfy with the first degree of integrated wastewater discharge or seawater standards. The mechanism of removal PO4(3-) is ion exchange and 'memory effect'. The breakthrough adsorption capacity of PO4(3-) from solution is 13.49 mg x g(-1), more than 6 times higher than that by Mg-Al LDH without modification. The exhausted MG Mg-Al CLDH can be desorbed with 0.1 mol x L(-1) NaOH and 3 mol x L(-1) NaCl and regenerated with 25% MgCl2. The regeneration rate is 126.24%. The breakthrough curves are influenced by bed depth, flow rate, initial concentration and initial pH. The adsorption processes are controlled by film diffusion. When the initial concentration is as low as 0.38 micromol x L(-1), PO4(3-) can be removed from seawater to satisfy with the first degree of seawater quality. So this work is very useful for the practical application of Mg-Al LDH and the removal of phosphorus.

TRAP-Positive Multinucleated Giant Cells Are Foreign Body Giant Cells Rather Than Osteoclasts: Results From a Split-Mouth Study in Humans.

PubMed

Lorenz, Jonas; Kubesch, Alica; Korzinskas, Tadas; Barbeck, Mike; Landes, Constantin; Sader, Robert A; Kirkpatrick, Charles J; Ghanaati, Shahram

2015-12-01

This study compared the material-specific tissue response to the synthetic, hydroxyapatite-based bone substitute material NanoBone (NB) with that of the xenogeneic, bovine-based bone substitute material Bio-Oss (BO). The sinus cavities of 14 human patients were augmented with NB and BO in a split-mouth design. Six months after augmentation, bone biopsies were extracted for histological and histomorphometric investigation prior to dental implant insertion. The following were evaluated: the cellular inflammatory pattern, the induction of multinucleated giant cells, vascularization, the relative amounts of newly formed bone, connective tissue, and the remaining bone substitute material. NB granules were well integrated in the peri-implant tissue and were surrounded by newly formed bone tissue. Multinucleated giant cells were visible on the surfaces of the remaining granules. BO granules were integrated into the newly formed bone tissue, which originated from active osteoblasts on their surface. Histomorphometric analysis showed a significantly higher number of multinucleated giant cells and blood vessels in the NB group compared to the BO group. No statistical differences were observed in regard to connective tissue, remaining bone substitute, and newly formed bone. The results of this study highlight the different cellular reactions to synthetic and xenogeneic bone substitute materials. The significantly higher number of multinucleated giant cells within the NB implantation bed seems to have no effect on its biodegradation. Accordingly, the multinucleated giant cells observed within the NB implantation bed have characteristics more similar to those of foreign body giant cells than to those of osteoclasts.

Development of carvedilol-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes using fluid-bed granulation: a novel solid-state complexation alternative with technological advantages.

PubMed

Alonso, Ellen C P; Riccomini, Karina; Silva, Luis Antônio D; Galter, Daniela; Lima, Eliana M; Durig, Thomas; Taveira, Stephania F; Martins, Felipe Terra; Cunha-Filho, Marcílio S S; Marreto, Ricardo N

2016-10-01

This study sought to evaluate the achievement of carvedilol (CARV) inclusion complexes with modified cyclodextrins (HPβCD and HPγCD) using fluid-bed granulation (FB). The solid complexes were produced using FB and spray drying (SD) and were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, flowability and particle size analyses and in vitro dissolution. The DSC, FTIR and powder X-ray diffraction findings suggested successful CARV inclusion in the modified β- and γ-cyclodextrins, which was more evident in acidic media. The CARV dissolution rate was ~7-fold higher for complexes with both cyclodextrins prepared using SD than for raw CARV. Complexes prepared with HPβCD using FB also resulted in a significant improvement in dissolution rate (~5-fold) and presented superior flowability and larger particle size. The findings suggested that FB is the best alternative for large-scale production of solid dosage forms containing CARV. Additionally, the results suggest that HPγCD could be considered as another option for CARV complexation because of its excellent performance in inclusion complex formation in the solid state. © 2016 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Application of spherical silicate to prepare solid dispersion dosage forms with aqueous polymers.

PubMed

Nagane, Kentaro; Kimura, Susumu; Ukai, Koji; Takahashi, Chisato; Ogawa, Noriko; Yamamoto, Hiromitsu

2015-09-30

The objective of this study is to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of nifedipine (NP) using porous spherical silicate micro beads (MB) that were approximately 100 μm in diameter with vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer (PVP/VA) and a Wurster-type fluidized bed granulator. Compared with previously reported solid dispersion using only MB, the supersaturation of NP dissolved from the proposed system of MB and PVP/VA was maintained during dissolution tests. The proposed system produced a solid dispersion product coated on MB, and morphology was maintained after the coating process to prepare solid dispersion; therefore, the powder characteristics, such as flowability of the proposed solid dispersion product, was tremendously preferable to that of the conventional spray-dried solid dispersions of NP with PVP/VA, expecting to make the consequent manufacturing processes easy for development. Another advantage in the terms of manufacturing is its simple process to prepare solid dispersion by spraying the drug and polymer that were dissolved in an organic solvent onto a MB in a Wurster-type fluidized bed granulator, thus, simplifying the optimization and scale-up with ease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Heat Transfer at a Long Electrically-Simulated Water Wall in a Circulating Fluidised Bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundaresan, R.; Kolar, Ajit Kumar

In the present work, heat transfer measurements are reported in a 100mm square, 5.5 m tall, cold CFB. The test section is a 19 mm OD electrically heated heat transfer tube, 4.64 m tall (covering more than 80% of the CFB height), sandwiched between two equally tall dummy tubes of 19mm OD, thus simulating a water wall geometry, forming one wall of the CFB. Narrow cut sand particles of mean diameters 156, 256, and 362 micrometers, and a wide cut sample of mean diameter 265 micrometer were used as the bed material. The superficial gas velocity ranged from 4.2 to 8.2 m/s, and the solids recycle flux varied from 17 to 110 kg/m2s. Local heat transfer coefficient at the simulated water wall varies, as expected from a low value at the top of the riser to a high value at the bottom, with an interesting increasing and decreasing trend in between. The average heat transfer coefficients were compared with those available in open literature. Correlations for average heat transfer coefficient are presented, both in terms of an average suspension density and also in terms of important nondimensional numbers, namely, Froude number, relative solids flux and velocity ratio. Comparisons are also made with predictions of relevant heat transfer models. Based on the present fifty-five experimental data points, the following correlation was presented with a correlation coefficient of 0.862 and maximum error is ± 15 %.

Pyrolysis of waste tyres: a review.

PubMed

Williams, Paul T

2013-08-01

Approximately 1.5 billion tyres are produced each year which will eventually enter the waste stream representing a major potential waste and environmental problem. However, there is growing interest in pyrolysis as a technology to treat tyres to produce valuable oil, char and gas products. The most common reactors used are fixed-bed (batch), screw kiln, rotary kiln, vacuum and fluidised-bed. The key influence on the product yield, and gas and oil composition, is the type of reactor used which in turn determines the temperature and heating rate. Tyre pyrolysis oil is chemically very complex containing aliphatic, aromatic, hetero-atom and polar fractions. The fuel characteristics of the tyre oil shows that it is similar to a gas oil or light fuel oil and has been successfully combusted in test furnaces and engines. The main gases produced from the pyrolysis of waste tyres are H(2), C(1)-C(4) hydrocarbons, CO(2), CO and H(2)S. Upgrading tyre pyrolysis products to high value products has concentrated on char upgrading to higher quality carbon black and to activated carbon. The use of catalysts to upgrade the oil to a aromatic-rich chemical feedstock or the production of hydrogen from waste tyres has also been reported. Examples of commercial and semi-commercial scale tyre pyrolysis systems show that small scale batch reactors and continuous rotary kiln reactors have been developed to commercial scale. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation of steam activated carbon from rubberwood sawdust (Hevea brasiliensis) and its adsorption kinetics.

PubMed

Prakash Kumar, B G; Shivakamy, K; Miranda, Lima Rose; Velan, M

2006-08-25

Activated carbon was produced from a biowaste product, rubberwood sawdust (RWSD) using steam in a high temperature fluidized bed reactor. Experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of various process parameters such as activation time, activation temperature, particle size and fluidising velocity on the quality of the activated carbon. The activated carbon was characterized based on its iodine number, methylene blue number, Brauner Emmet Teller (BET) surface area and surface area obtained using the ethylene glycol mono ethyl ether (EGME) retention method. The best quality activated carbon was obtained at an activation time and temperature of 1h and 750 degrees C for an average particle size of 0.46 mm. The adsorption kinetics shows that pseudo-second-order rate fitted the adsorption kinetics better than pseudo-first-order rate equation. The adsorption capacity of carbon produced from RWSD was found to be 1250 mg g(-1) for the Bismark Brown dye. The rate constant and diffusion coefficient for intraparticle transport were determined for steam activated carbon. The characteristic of the prepared activated carbon was found comparable to the commercial activated carbon.

Three years experience of operating and selling recovered struvite from full-scale plant.

PubMed

Ueno, Y; Fujii, M

2001-11-01

The adoption of phosphorus removal at sewage treatment works (STW) creates two main problems. Firstly large amounts of sludge are produced and secondly the quantity of the effluent deteriorates due to the increase in the phosphorus load of the sidestream. Furthermore, these processes do not remove phosphorus in a form that would enable it to be recycled. Therefore in order to control these process difficulties and produce a recyclable phosphorus product a sidestream struvite crystallisation reactor was developed. The struvite was produced in a fluidised bed reactor using dewatered filtrate from anaerobic sludge digestion. Magnesium hydroxide was added in a magnesium to phosphate ratio of 1:1 and the pH was adjusted to between 8.2-8.8 with the addition of sodium hydroxide. A retention time of 10 days alowed the growth of pellets between 0.5-1.0 mm in size. The recovered struvite contained only minute traces of toxic substances and was sold to fertiliser companies for 27,000 yen tonne(-1). It is used to enhance existing fertilisers, which are widely used on paddy rice, vegetables and flowers.

Organic compounds leached from fast pyrolysis mallee leaf and bark biochars.

PubMed

Lievens, Caroline; Mourant, Daniel; Gunawan, Richard; Hu, Xun; Wang, Yi

2015-11-01

Characterization of organic compounds leached from biochars is essential in assessing the possible toxicity of the biochar to the soils' biota. In this study the nature of the leached organic compounds from Mallee biochars, produced from pyrolysis of Mallee leaf and bark in a fluidised-bed pyrolyser at 400 and 580°C was investigated. Light bio-oil compounds and aromatic organic compounds were investigated. The 'bio-oil like' light compounds from leaf and bark biochars 'surfaces were obtained after leaching the chars with a solvent, suitable to dissolve the respective bio-oils. GC/MS was implemented to investigate the leachates. Phenolics, which are potentially harmful toxins, were detected and their concentration shown to be dependent on the char's origin and the char production temperature. Further, to simulate biochars amendment to soils, the chars were leached with water. The water-leached aromatic compounds from leaf and bark biochars were characterized using UV-fluorescence spectroscopy. Those results suggested that biochars contain leachable compounds of which the nature and amount is dependent on the biomass feedstock, pyrolysis temperature and leaching time. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improving the drug release of Naproxen Sodium tablets by preparing granules and tablets with a preferred mixing ratio of hydrates.

PubMed

Bär, David; Debus, Heiko; Grune, Christian; Tosch, Stephan; Fischer, Wolfgang; Mäder, Karsten; Imming, Peter

2017-12-01

Naproxen is a typical and well-known analgesic classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is commercialized as tablets or liquid-filled capsules. Naproxen is typically used asa sodium salt because of its better processability compared to Naproxen free acid. This entails hygroscopicity and gives rise to the existence of four different hydrates, which show polymorphic and pseudopolymorphic properties. Solid dosage forms containing Naproxen Sodium often have to be processed in an applicable dosage form by granulation and tablet compression. During granulation, Naproxen Sodium will be in contact with water and is exposed to the drop and rise in temperature and to mechanical stress. The result could be a mixture of different hydrates of Naproxen Sodium. This study showed that a modified designed fluid bed granulation was not affected by differences in the mixing ratio of hydrates when using different water contents after spraying and at the end with the finished granules. Here, X-ray diffraction combined with Rietveld refinement was used to analyze the ratio of the hydrates and its identity. All granulation batches showed a large amount of Naproxen Sodium Monohydrate (>87%) and no differences could be observed during tablet compression. Quantities of other hydrates were negligibly small. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated the influence of tablet compression by transforming the hydrates of the granules. In addition to Naproxen Sodium Monohydrate, a large quantity of amorphous structures has also been found. Rietveld evaluation combined with the preliminary studies of the raw hydrates provided conclusions on the drug release of the tablets containing hydrates of Naproxen Sodium which were influenced by tablet compression. Fast drug release was obtained when a maximum water content of about 21% was used after spraying during granulation, independently of the final water content of the finished granules. A maximum water content of less than 21% after spraying yielded a high quantity of amorphous components after tablet compression and thus worsened the drug release. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of sustained release capsules containing "coated matrix granules of metoprolol tartrate".

PubMed

Siddique, Sabahuddin; Khanam, Jasmina; Bigoniya, Papiya

2010-09-01

The objective of this investigation was to prepare sustained release capsule containing coated matrix granules of metoprolol tartrate and to study its in vitro release and in vivo absorption. The design of dosage form was performed by choosing hydrophilic hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K100M) and hydrophobic ethyl cellulose (EC) polymers as matrix builders and Eudragit® RL/RS as coating polymers. Granules were prepared by composing drug with HPMC K100M, EC, dicalcium phosphate by wet granulation method with subsequent coating. Optimized formulation of metoprolol tartrate was formed by using 30% HPMC K100M, 20% EC, and ratio of Eudragit® RS/RL as 97.5:2.5 at 25% coating level. Capsules were filled with free flowing optimized granules of uniform drug content. This extended the release period upto 12 h in vitro study. Similarity factor and mean dissolution time were also reported to compare various dissolution profiles. The network formed by HPMC and EC had been coupled satisfactorily with the controlled resistance offered by Eudragit® RS. The release mechanism of capsules followed Korsemeyer-Peppas model that indicated significant contribution of erosion effect of hydrophilic polymer. Biopharmaceutical study of this optimized dosage form in rabbit model showed 10 h prolonged drug release in vivo. A close correlation (R(2) = 0.9434) was established between the in vitro release and the in vivo absorption of drug. The results suggested that wet granulation with subsequent coating by fluidized bed technique, is a suitable method to formulate sustained release capsules of metoprolol tartrate and it can perform therapeutically better than conventional immediate release dosage form.

Bisphenol A removal by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa immobilized on granular activated carbon and operating in a fluidized bed reactor.

PubMed

Mita, Luigi; Grumiro, Laura; Rossi, Sergio; Bianco, Carmen; Defez, Roberto; Gallo, Pasquale; Mita, Damiano Gustavo; Diano, Nadia

2015-06-30

Serratia rubidiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli K12 have been studied for their ability of Bisphenol A removal from aqueous systems and biofilm formation on activated granule carbon. Mathematical equations for biodegradation process have been elaborated and discussed. P. aeruginosa was found the best strain to be employed in the process of Bisphenol A removal. The yield in BPA removal of a P. aeruginosa biofilm grown on GAC and operating in a fluidized bed reactor has been evaluated. The results confirm the usefulness in using biological activated carbon (BAC process) to remove phenol compounds from aqueous systems. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quality risk management of top spray fluidized bed process for antihypertensive drug formulation with control strategy engendered by Box-behnken experimental design space.

PubMed

Mukharya, Amit; Patel, Paresh U; Shenoy, Dinesh; Chaudhary, Shivang

2013-01-01

Lacidipine (LCDP) is a very low soluble and highly biovariable calcium channel blocker used in the treatment of hypertension. To increase its apparent solubility and to reduce its biovariability, solid dispersion fluid bed processing technology was explored, as it produces highly dispersible granules with a characteristic porous structure that enhances dispersibility, wettability, blend uniformity (by dissolving and spraying a solution of actives), flow ability and compressibility of granules for tableting and reducing variability by uniform drug-binder solution distribution on carrier molecules. Main object of this quality risk management (QRM) study is to provide a sophisticated "robust and rugged" Fluidized Bed Process (FBP) for the preparation of LCDP tablets with desired quality (stability) and performance (dissolution) by quality by design (QbD) concept. THIS STUDY IS PRINCIPALLY FOCUSING ON THOROUGH MECHANISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE FBP BY WHICH IT IS DEVELOPED AND SCALED UP WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF THE CRITICAL RISKS INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS ANALYZED BY RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS LIKE: Qualitative Initial Risk-based Matrix Analysis (IRMA) and Quantitative Failure Mode Effective Analysis (FMEA) to identify and rank parameters with potential to have an impact on In Process/Finished Product Critical Quality Attributes (IP/FP CQAs). These Critical Process Parameters (CPPs) were further refined by DoE and MVDA to develop design space with Real Time Release Testing (RTRT) that leads to implementation of a control strategy to achieve consistent finished product quality at lab scale itself to prevent possible product failure at larger manufacturing scale.

Quality risk management of top spray fluidized bed process for antihypertensive drug formulation with control strategy engendered by Box-behnken experimental design space

PubMed Central

Mukharya, Amit; Patel, Paresh U; Shenoy, Dinesh; Chaudhary, Shivang

2013-01-01

Introduction: Lacidipine (LCDP) is a very low soluble and highly biovariable calcium channel blocker used in the treatment of hypertension. To increase its apparent solubility and to reduce its biovariability, solid dispersion fluid bed processing technology was explored, as it produces highly dispersible granules with a characteristic porous structure that enhances dispersibility, wettability, blend uniformity (by dissolving and spraying a solution of actives), flow ability and compressibility of granules for tableting and reducing variability by uniform drug-binder solution distribution on carrier molecules. Materials and Methods: Main object of this quality risk management (QRM) study is to provide a sophisticated “robust and rugged” Fluidized Bed Process (FBP) for the preparation of LCDP tablets with desired quality (stability) and performance (dissolution) by quality by design (QbD) concept. Results and Conclusion: This study is principally focusing on thorough mechanistic understanding of the FBP by which it is developed and scaled up with a knowledge of the critical risks involved in manufacturing process analyzed by risk assessment tools like: Qualitative Initial Risk-based Matrix Analysis (IRMA) and Quantitative Failure Mode Effective Analysis (FMEA) to identify and rank parameters with potential to have an impact on In Process/Finished Product Critical Quality Attributes (IP/FP CQAs). These Critical Process Parameters (CPPs) were further refined by DoE and MVDA to develop design space with Real Time Release Testing (RTRT) that leads to implementation of a control strategy to achieve consistent finished product quality at lab scale itself to prevent possible product failure at larger manufacturing scale. PMID:23799202

Granule-by-granule reconstruction of a sandpile from x-ray microtomography data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seidler, G. T.; Martinez, G.; Seeley, L. H.

2000-12-01

Mesoscale disordered materials are ubiquitous in industry and in the environment. Any fundamental understanding of the transport and mechanical properties of such materials must follow from a thorough understanding of their structure. However, in the overwhelming majority of cases, experimental characterization of such materials has been limited to first- and second-order structural correlation functions, i.e., the mean filling fraction and the structural autocorrelation function. We report here the successful combination of synchrotron x-ray microtomography and image processing to determine the full three-dimensional real-space structure of a model disordered material, a granular bed of relatively monodisperse glass spheres. Specifically, we determinemore » the center location and the local connectivity of each granule. This complete knowledge of structure can be used to calculate otherwise inaccessible high-order correlation functions. We analyze nematic order parameters for contact bonds to characterize the geometric anisotropy or fabric induced by the sample boundary conditions. Away from the boundaries we find short-range bond orientational order exhibiting characteristics of the underlying polytetrahedral structure.« less

Non-invasive assessment of negative pressure wound therapy using high frequency diagnostic ultrasound: oedema reduction and new tissue accumulation.

PubMed

Young, Stephen R; Hampton, Sylvie; Martin, Robin

2013-08-01

Tissue oedema plays an important role in the pathology of chronic and traumatic wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is thought to contribute to active oedema reduction, yet few studies have showed this effect. In this study, high frequency diagnostic ultrasound at 20 MHz with an axial resolution of 60 µm was used to assess the effect of NPWT at - 80 mmHg on pressure ulcers and the surrounding tissue. Wounds were monitored in four patients over a 3-month period during which changes in oedema and wound bed thickness (granulation tissue) were measured non-invasively. The results showed a rapid reduction of periwound tissue oedema in all patients with levels falling by a mean of 43% after 4 days of therapy. A 20% increase in the thickness of the wound bed was observed after 7 days due to new granulation tissue formation. Ultrasound scans through the in situ gauze NPWT filler also revealed the existence of macrodeformation in the tissue produced by the negative pressure. These preliminary studies suggest that non-invasive assessment using high frequency diagnostic ultrasound could be a valuable tool in clinical studies of NPWT. © 2012 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Medicalhelplines.com Inc.

A quality by design study applied to an industrial pharmaceutical fluid bed granulation.

PubMed

Lourenço, Vera; Lochmann, Dirk; Reich, Gabriele; Menezes, José C; Herdling, Thorsten; Schewitz, Jens

2012-06-01

The pharmaceutical industry is encouraged within Quality by Design (QbD) to apply science-based manufacturing principles to assure quality not only of new but also of existing processes. This paper presents how QbD principles can be applied to an existing industrial pharmaceutical fluid bed granulation (FBG) process. A three-step approach is presented as follows: (1) implementation of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) monitoring tools at the industrial scale process, combined with multivariate data analysis (MVDA) of process and PAT data to increase the process knowledge; (2) execution of scaled-down designed experiments at a pilot scale, with adequate PAT monitoring tools, to investigate the process response to intended changes in Critical Process Parameters (CPPs); and finally (3) the definition of a process Design Space (DS) linking CPPs to Critical to Quality Attributes (CQAs), within which product quality is ensured by design, and after scale-up enabling its use at the industrial process scale. The proposed approach was developed for an existing industrial process. Through enhanced process knowledge established a significant reduction in product CQAs, variability already within quality specifications ranges was achieved by a better choice of CPPs values. The results of such step-wise development and implementation are described. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Strategies to suppress hydrogen-consuming microorganisms affect macro and micro scale structure and microbiology of granular sludge.

PubMed

Abreu, A A; Alves, J I; Pereira, M A; Sousa, D Z; Alves, M M

2011-08-01

Treatment of anaerobic granules with heat and two chemical treatments, contacting with 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES) and with BES + Chloroform, were applied to suppress hydrogen-consuming microorganisms. Three mesophilic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors-R(Heat), R(BES), and R(BES + Chlo)--were inoculated with the treated sludges and fed with synthetic sugar-based wastewater (5 g(COD) L(-1), HRT 20-12 h). Morphological integrity of granules and bacterial communities were assessed by quantitative image analysis and 16S rRNA gene based techniques, respectively. Hydrogen production in R(Heat) was under 300 mL H(2) L(-1) day(-1), with a transient peak of 1,000 mL H(2) L(-1) day(-1) after decreasing HRT. In R(BES + Chlo) hydrogen production rate did not exceed 300 mL H(2) L(-1) day(-1) and there was granule fragmentation, release of free filaments from aggregates, and decrease of granule density. In R(BES), there was an initial period with unstable hydrogen production, but a pulse of BES triggered its production rate to 700 ± 200 mL H(2) L(-1) day(-1). This strategy did not affect granules structure significantly. Bacteria branching within Clostridiaceae and Ruminococcaceae were present in this sludge. This work demonstrates that, methods applied to suppress H(2)-consuming microorganisms can cause changes in the macro- and microstructure of granular sludge, which can be incompatible with the operation of high-rate reactors. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Root Cause Assessment of Pressure Drop Rise of a Packed Bed of Lithium Hydroxide in the International Space Station Trace Contaminant Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aguilera, Tatiana; Perry, Jay L.

2009-01-01

The trace contaminant control system (TCCS) located in the International Space Station s (ISS) U.S. laboratory module employs physical adsorption, thermal catalytic oxidation, and chemical adsorption to remove trace chemical contamination produced by equipment offgassing and anthropogenic sources from the cabin atmosphere. The chemical adsorption stage, consisting of a packed bed of granular lithium hydroxide (LiOH), is located after the thermal catalytic oxidation stage and is designed to remove acid gas byproducts that may be formed in the upstream oxidation stage. While in service on board the ISS, the LiOH bed exhibited a change in flow resistance that leading to flow control difficulties in the TCCS. Post flight evaluation revealed LiOH granule size attrition among other changes. An experimental program was employed to investigate mechanisms hypothesized to contribute to the change in the packed bed s flow resistance. Background on the problem is summarized, including a discussion of likely mechanisms. The experimental program is described, results are presented, and implications for the future are discussed.

Selection of Type I and Type II Methanotrophic Proteobacteria in a Fluidized Bed Reactor under Non-Sterile Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

2009). Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which can be used as bioplastics (Reddy et al., 2003), are intracellular granules that accumulate in some bacteria...Dawes, E., 1990. Occurrence, metabolism, metabolic rate, and industrial uses of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates . Microbiol. Rev. 54, 450–472. Araki...bacteria? Progress and prospects for polyhydroxyalkanoate production in bacteria. TibTechnology 14, 431–438. Madison, L., Huisman, G., 1999. Metabolic

Bromine and Chlorine in Aerosols and Fly Ash when Co-Firing Solid Recovered Fuel, Spruce Bark and Paper Mill Sludge in a 80MWth BFB Boiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vainikka, P.; Silvennoinen, J.; Yrjas, P.; Frantsi, A.; Hietanen, L.; Hupa, M.; Taipale, R.

Aerosol and fly ash sampling was carried out at a 80MWth bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) boiler plant co-firing solid recovered fuel (SRF), spruce bark and paper mill wastewater sludge in two experimental conditions. The SRF-Bark ratio in the fuel mix was kept constant at 50%-50% on dry mass basis in both experiments but two sludge proportions were used: 15% and 4% on dry mass basis. Aerosol samples were collected from the superheater region of the boiler furnace and fly ash from the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Na, K, Cl and S were found to be in mainly water soluble compounds in the aerosols sampled by means of a Dekati type Low Pressure Impactor (DLPI). Bromine was found in several weight percentages in aerosols and it was amongst the main elements in some of the samples collected. Bromine is assumed to mainly originate from flame retarded plastics and textiles in the SRF. According to the measurements, the fate of Br seems to be analogous to the other main halogen, Cl, and its conversion from fuel to aerosols was high, indicating a strong tendency to form bromine salts.

Use of a continuous twin screw granulation and drying system during formulation development and process optimization.

PubMed

Vercruysse, J; Peeters, E; Fonteyne, M; Cappuyns, P; Delaet, U; Van Assche, I; De Beer, T; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C

2015-01-01

Since small scale is key for successful introduction of continuous techniques in the pharmaceutical industry to allow its use during formulation development and process optimization, it is essential to determine whether the product quality is similar when small quantities of materials are processed compared to the continuous processing of larger quantities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether material processed in a single cell of the six-segmented fluid bed dryer of the ConsiGma™-25 system (a continuous twin screw granulation and drying system introduced by GEA Pharma Systems, Collette™, Wommelgem, Belgium) is predictive of granule and tablet quality during full-scale manufacturing when all drying cells are filled. Furthermore, the performance of the ConsiGma™-1 system (a mobile laboratory unit) was evaluated and compared to the ConsiGma™-25 system. A premix of two active ingredients, powdered cellulose, maize starch, pregelatinized starch and sodium starch glycolate was granulated with distilled water. After drying and milling (1000 μm, 800 rpm), granules were blended with magnesium stearate and compressed using a Modul™ P tablet press (tablet weight: 430 mg, main compression force: 12 kN). Single cell experiments using the ConsiGma™-25 system and ConsiGma™-1 system were performed in triplicate. Additionally, a 1h continuous run using the ConsiGma™-25 system was executed. Process outcomes (torque, barrel wall temperature, product temperature during drying) and granule (residual moisture content, particle size distribution, bulk and tapped density, hausner ratio, friability) as well as tablet (hardness, friability, disintegration time and dissolution) quality attributes were evaluated. By performing a 1h continuous run, it was detected that a stabilization period was needed for torque and barrel wall temperature due to initial layering of the screws and the screw chamber walls with material. Consequently, slightly deviating granule and tablet quality attributes were obtained during the start-up phase of the 1h run. For the single cell runs, granule and tablet properties were comparable with results obtained during the second part of the 1h run (after start-up). Although deviating granule quality (particle size distribution and Hausner ratio) was observed due to the divergent design of the ConsiGma™-1 unit and the ConsiGma™-25 system (horizontal set-up) used in this study, tablet quality produced from granules processed with the ConsiGma™-1 system was predictive for tablet quality obtained during continuous production using the ConsiGma™-25 system. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The perfect ash-storm: large-scale Pyroclastic Density Current experiments reveal highly mobile, self-fluidising and air-cushioned flow transport regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lube, G.; Cronin, S. J.; Breard, E.; Valentine, G.; Bursik, M. I.; Hort, M. K.; Freundt, A.

2013-12-01

We report on the first systematic series of large-scale Pyroclastic Density Current (PDC) experiments using the New Zealand PDC Generator, a novel international research facility in Physical Volcanology recently commissioned at Massey University. Repeatable highly energetic and hot PDCs are synthesized by the controlled ';eruption column-collapse' of up to 3500 kg of homogenously aerated Taupo ignimbrite material from a 15 m-elevated hopper onto an instrumented inclined flume. At discharge rates between 250-1300 kg/s and low- to moderate gas injection rates (yielding initial solids concentration of 15-70 vol%) channelized gas-particle mixture flows life-scaled to dense PDCs can be generated. The flow fronts of the currents reach velocities of up to 9.5 m/s over their first 12 m of travel and rapidly develop strong vertical density stratification. The PDCs typically form a highly mobile, <60 cm-thick dense and channel-confined underflow, with an overriding dilute and turbulent ash cloud surge that also laterally escapes the flume boundaries. Depending on the PDC starting conditions underflows with 1-45 vol% solids concentration are formed, while the upper surge contains <<1 vol.% solids. A characteristic feature of the underflow is the occurrence of 'ignitive' front breakouts, producing jetted lobes that accelerate outward from the flow front, initially forming a lobe-cleft structure, followed by segregation downslope into multiple flow pulses. Depending on initial solids concentration and discharge rate, stratified, dune-bedded and inversely graded bedforms are created whose thicknesses are remarkably uniform along the medial to distal runout path characterising highly mobile flow runout. Along with high-speed video footage we present time-series data of basal arrays of load- and gas-pore pressure transducers to characterise the mobile dense underflows. Data shows that the PDCs are comprised of a turbulent coarse-grained and air-ingesting front with particle-solids concentrations of 1-5 vol%. The front shows a brief phase of negative pore pressure due to the entrainment and upward elutriation of ambient air inside this front. It is immediately followed by the fine-ash rich and highly impermeable main flow body. Passage of the flow body is accompanied by strongly increasing pore-pressures of 1-3 kPa that almost fully supports the weight of the entire underflow - depicting flow-induced fluidisation of the main flow part. The remainder of the flow body shows further increases in pore-pressure aside with strong reductions in flow mass. This suggests the occurrence of zones of air-cushions forming at the base of the underflow that largely aid its inviscid runout. This sequence is repeated during arrival and passage of up to three more flow pulses. The low-permeability deposits maintain high internal gas pore pressures for several minutes after emplacement, before sudden deaeration, settling and gas loss is caused by fracturing. Flow-induced fluidisation and basal air-cushioning provide key processes behind the enigmatic long runout behaviour of dense PDCs.

The Use of the Visualisation of Multidimensional Data Using PCA to Evaluate Possibilities of the Division of Coal Samples Space Due to their Suitability for Fluidised Gasification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jamróz, Dariusz; Niedoba, Tomasz; Surowiak, Agnieszka; Tumidajski, Tadeusz

2016-09-01

Methods serving to visualise multidimensional data through the transformation of multidimensional space into two-dimensional space, enable to present the multidimensional data on the computer screen. Thanks to this, qualitative analysis of this data can be performed in the most natural way for humans, through the sense of sight. An example of such a method of multidimensional data visualisation is PCA (principal component analysis) method. This method was used in this work to present and analyse a set of seven-dimensional data (selected seven properties) describing coal samples obtained from Janina and Wieczorek coal mines. Coal from these mines was previously subjected to separation by means of a laboratory ring jig, consisting of ten rings. With 5 layers of both types of coal (with 2 rings each) were obtained in this way. It was decided to check if the method of multidimensional data visualisation enables to divide the space of such divided samples into areas with different suitability for the fluidised gasification process. To that end, the card of technological suitability of coal was used (Sobolewski et al., 2012; 2013), in which key, relevant and additional parameters, having effect on the gasification process, were described. As a result of analyses, it was stated that effective determination of coal samples suitability for the on-surface gasification process in a fluidised reactor is possible. The PCA method enables the visualisation of the optimal subspace containing the set requirements concerning the properties of coals intended for this process.

Development of a reservoir type prolonged release system with felodipine via simplex methodology

PubMed Central

IOVANOV, RAREŞ IULIU; TOMUŢĂ, IOAN; LEUCUŢA, SORIN EMILIAN

2016-01-01

Background and aims Felodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that presents good characteristics to be formulated as prolonged release preparations. The aim of the study was the formulation and in vitro characterization of a reservoir type prolonged release system with felodipine, over a 12 hours period using the Simplex method. Methods The first step of the Simplex method was to study the influence of the granules coating method on the felodipine release. Furthermore the influence of the coating polymer type, the percent of the coating polymer and the percent of pore forming agent in the coating on the felodipine release were studied. Afterwards these two steps of the experimental design the percent of Surelease applied on the felodipine loaded granules and the percent of pore former in the polymeric coating formulation variables were studied. The in vitro dissolution of model drug was performed in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.5) with 1% sodium lauryl sulfate. The released drug quantification was done using an HPLC method. The release kinetics of felodipine from the final granules was assessed using different mathematical models. Results A 12 hours release was achieved using granules with the size between 315–500 μm coated with 45% Surelease with different pore former ratios in the coating via the top-spray method. Conclusion We have prepared prolonged release coated granules with felodipine using a fluid bed system based on the Simplex method. The API from the studied final formulations was released over a 12 hours period and the release kinetics of the model drug substance from the optimized preparations fitted best the Higuchi and Peppas kinetic models. PMID:27004036

The combined use of NPWT and instillation using an octenidine based wound rinsing solution: a case study.

PubMed

Matiasek, J; Djedovic, G; Mattesich, M; Morandi, E; Pauzenberger, R; Pikula, R; Verstappen, R; Pierer, G; Koller, R; Rieger, U M

2014-11-01

Effective wound bed preparation is an essential element in the healing of chronic wounds, including pressure ulcers (PUs). Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) reduces oedema, stimulates the formation of granulation tissue and helps remove wound exudate. This helps prepare the wound bed for secondary healing, skin grafting or coverage with flaps. Combining NPWT with an instillation phase using an antiseptic (octenidine based) irrigation solution is a novel approach to PU management. Three patients with Category 4 gluteal PUs were treated with NPWT and instillation fluid, following surgical debridement of necrotic tissue. The aim was to achieve optimal wound bed preparation prior to wound closure by local fasciocutaneous flap. The antiseptic efficacy of octenilin wound irrigation solution in microorganism eradication was quantified by in vitro tests simulating real conditions using leg ulcer vacuum exudates. All wounds completely healed after four weeks, and no adverse incidents occurred due to instillation of octenidine. No recurrence of the PU occurred during a one year follow-up.

Cost Reductions for Wastewater Treatment Utilizing Water Management at Holston Army Ammunition Plant

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-05-01

says that the granular carbon used is made from bituminous coal. As the waste stream pass through a bed of carbon granules, com- pounds are adsorbed to...findings of laboratory-scale reactor studies conducted at Purdue University for * Clark, Dietz and Associates. The original recommendations and cost...Pretreatment Denitrification by Submerged Anaerbbic I ilters I ~ Trickling Filters S F ,2al Clarification "•’i Pump - ~ Sludge ,Treatment Dual Media Filh:ration

COLUMBIC OXIDE ADSORPTION PROCESS FOR SEPARATING URANIUM AND PLUTONIUM IONS

DOEpatents

Beaton, R.H.

1959-07-14

A process is described for separating plutonium ions from a solution of neutron irradiated uranium in which columbic oxide is used as an adsorbert. According to the invention the plutonium ion is selectively adsorbed by Passing a solution containing the plutonium in a valence state not higher than 4 through a porous bed or column of granules of hydrated columbic oxide. The adsorbed plutonium is then desorbed by elution with 3 N nitric acid.

Recovery of copper from PVC multiwire cable waste by steam gasification.

PubMed

Zabłocka-Malicka, Monika; Rutkowski, Piotr; Szczepaniak, Włodzimierz

2015-12-01

Screened multiwire, PVC insulated tinned copper cable was gasified with steam at high temperature (HTSG) under atmospheric pressure for recovery of cooper. Gases from the process were additionally equilibrated at 850°C on the bed of calcined clay granules and more than 98% of C+H content in the cable was transformed to non-condensing species. Granules prepared from local clay were generally resistant for chlorination, there was also almost no deposition of metals, Cu and Sn, on the catalytic bed. It was found that 28% of chlorine reacted to form CaCl2, 71% was retained in aqueous condensate and only 0.6% was absorbed in alkaline scrubber. More than 99% of calcium existed in the process solid residue as a mixture of calcium chloride and calcium oxide/hydroxide. PVC and other hydrocarbon constituents were completely removed from the cable sample. Copper was preserved in original form and volatilization of copper species appeared insignificant. Tin was alloying with copper and its volatilization was less than 1%. Fractionation and speciation of metals, chlorine and calcium were discussed on the basis of equilibrium model calculated with HSC Chemistry software. High temperature steam gasification prevents direct use of the air and steam/water is in the process simultaneously gaseous carrier and reagent, which may be recycled together with hydrocarbon condensates. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of internal elements impaction on particles circulation in a fluidized bed reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solovev, S. A.; Soloveva, O. V.; Antipin, A. V.; Shamsutdinov, E. V.

2018-01-01

A numerical study of the fluidized bed apparatus in the presence of various internal elements is carried out. A chemical reaction for temperature-dependent processes with heat absorption is considered. The task of incoming heated catalyst granules to the reactor is investigated. The main emphasis is focused on the circulation flows of the catalyst particles, heating of the reactor, and the efficiency of the chemical reaction. The analysis of the impact of various design elements on the efficiency of the reactor is carried out. The influence of feeding heated catalyst device design on the effectiveness of whole reactor heating is educed. The influence of the presence of fine particles on the efficiency of the reaction for different reactor design features is also educed.

Inertia in the Brazil nut problem.

PubMed

Nahmad-Molinari, Y; Canul-Chay, G; Ruiz-Suárez, J C

2003-10-01

The rise dynamics of a large particle, in a granular bed under vertical vibrations, is experimentally studied with an inductive device designed to track the particle while it climbs through the granulate under different conditions. A model based on energy considerations is presented to explain our experimental data, drawing the important conclusion that it is the inertia of the particle, assisted by Reynolds dilatancy, the driven force behind its ascension mechanism. The ascension reveals a friction profile within the column which remains unchanged for different accelerations.

Neonatal case studies using active leptospermum honey.

PubMed

Mohr, Lynn D; Reyna, Roxana; Amaya, Rene

2014-01-01

Treatment of the neonatal patient with clinically complex wounds creates a challenge due to the safety and efficacy issues associated with the use of many advanced wound care products. The purpose of this case series was to present outcomes of 3 neonates with wounds of differing etiologies managed by Active Leptospermum Honey (ALH). Clinical case series. Clinical experiences with 3 neonates, 1 male and 2 females, are described. These premature infants received care at Rush University Medical Center, Houston, Texas, or Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas. Each neonate presented with dissimilar wounds and differing treatment goals. For a premature infant with left foot ischemia, ALH dressings allowed for removal of nonviable tissue and facilitated the granulation of the open wounds. This removal of nonviable tissue coupled with the facilitation of granulation tissue enabled the premature infant's toe tips to be salvaged without requiring aggressive surgical intervention. For the 2 preterm infants with extravasation of intravenous solutions, ALH dressings allowed healing and increased tissue granulation without any noted toxicity to the wound bed. Further, the method of action of ALH includes an osmotic pull effect that reduced periwound erythema and edema. Although the use of ALH has been well documented in adult care, these case studies demonstrate its potential use in different wound etiologies in 3 neonatal patients.

The Application of Modern Powder Characterisation Methods in Product and Process Development of Solid Dosage Forms.

PubMed

Freeman, Tim; Brockbank, Katrina; Armstrong, Brian

2015-01-01

The pharmaceutical industry still produces the vast majority of their products, from powdered ingredients, in the form of solid doses. Despite their ubiquity, powders are difficult materials to characterise and understand, as evidenced by the frequent problems encountered during manufacture. The reason for this is their complex rheological behaviour coupled with numerous environmental variations, such as humidity. Equally, the range of processes used to manipulate powders subject them to extremes of stress from high compaction loads seen in compactors to the dispersed state seen in fluidised bed dryers. Thus, it is evident that ensuring that the powders characteristics are compatible with the way they are to be processed is a clear prerequisite for today's Quality by Design driven manufacturing. Modern, computer controlled instrumental techniques, including the dynamic, bulk and shear property measurements have enabled direct measurements of a powders response to aeration, consolidation and flow rate - all at low stresses - as well as quantifying shear and bulk properties (such as density, compressibility and permeability). In order to demonstrate how fully characterising a powder can be used in the design, operation and troubleshooting of processes, this paper will present examples of common pharmaceutical unit operations and the different powder characteristics that most influence the performance of each.

Dioxins and furans formation in pilot incineration tests of sewage sludge spiked with organic chlorine.

PubMed

Mininni, Giuseppe; Sbrilli, Andrea; Guerriero, Ettore; Rotatori, Mauro

2004-03-01

The factors affecting polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) formation were studied in sewage sludge incineration tests carried out on a demonstrative plant. The plant includes a circulating fluidised bed furnace (FBF) and a rotary kiln furnace (RKF), operating alternatively. During the tests sewage sludge was spiked with chlorinated hydrocarbons and the operating parameters of the afterburning chamber were varied. PCDD/F were sampled in each test before the bag filter, thus collecting the above contaminants before abatement systems. From the tests it appeared that PCDD/F were always produced in more abundance in the tests carried out by FBF than by RKF. The higher PCDD/F concentrations in the tests by FBF were reached when sewage sludge was spiked with a high dosage of a surrogate organic mixture of chlorinated hydrocarbons and when the afterburning chamber was used only as transit equipment with the burner off. The distribution of the different PCDD/F homologues was compared. P5CDFs were generally the prevalent fraction, with very few exceptions for the tests by RKF at high temperature of the afterburning chamber. As for FBF tests, it was found that the PCDD/F homologue profile depends on the afterburning chamber temperature.

Modified kinetic-hydraulic UASB reactor model for treatment of wastewater containing biodegradable organic substrates.

PubMed

El-Seddik, Mostafa M; Galal, Mona M; Radwan, A G; Abdel-Halim, Hisham S

2016-01-01

This paper addresses a modified kinetic-hydraulic model for up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor aimed to treat wastewater of biodegradable organic substrates as acetic acid based on Van der Meer model incorporated with biological granules inclusion. This dynamic model illustrates the biomass kinetic reaction rate for both direct and indirect growth of microorganisms coupled with the amount of biogas produced by methanogenic bacteria in bed and blanket zones of reactor. Moreover, the pH value required for substrate degradation at the peak specific growth rate of bacteria is discussed for Andrews' kinetics. The sensitivity analyses of biomass concentration with respect to fraction of volume of reactor occupied by granules and up-flow velocity are also demonstrated. Furthermore, the modified mass balance equations of reactor are applied during steady state using Newton Raphson technique to obtain a suitable degree of freedom for the modified model matching with the measured results of UASB Sanhour wastewater treatment plant in Fayoum, Egypt.

Column studies on the evaluation of novel spacer granules for the removal of arsenite and arsenate from contaminated water.

PubMed

Gupta, Anjali; Sankararamakrishnan, Nalini

2010-04-01

Decontamination of arsenic ions from aqueous media has been investigated using iron chitosan spacer granules (ICS) as an adsorbent. Drying of beads saturated with a spacer sucrose was considered as simple treatment, to prevent the restriction of polymer network and enhance sorption capacity. The novel sorbent was studied in up flow column experiments conducted at different flow rates, pH and bed depth to quantify the treatment performance. It was found that silicate was more inhibitory than phosphate, and the silicate in groundwater controlled the arsenic removal efficiency. The column regeneration studies were carried out for two sorption-desorption cycles using 0.1N NaOH as the eluant. TCLP leaching tests were conducted on the arsenic loaded adsorbent which revealed the containment of arsenic-laden sludge can be managed without adverse environmental impact. The developed procedure was successfully applied for the removal of both As(III) and As(V) from arsenic contaminated drinking water samples. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Short-term temperature impact on simultaneous biological nitrogen-sulphur treatment in EGSB reactor.

PubMed

Sposob, Michal; Dinamarca, Carlos; Bakke, Rune

2016-10-01

Sulphides are present in many wastewater streams; their removal is important due to corrosiveness, toxicity and unpleasant odour, and can be carried out by anaerobic biological treatment. This study focuses on the temperature effect (25-10 °C) on an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor for sulphide removal using nitrate as electron acceptor. The reactor was run at a NO 3 - /HS - molar ratio of 0.35 and pH of 8.5-9.0. Samples were analysed by ion chromatography (NO 3 - , SO 4 2- and S 2 O 3 2- ), spectrophotometry (S 2- ) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). S 2- and NO 3 - removal was 99.74 ± 0.04 and 99.5 ± 2.9%, respectively. Sulphur (S 0 ) was found on the outer granule surface and struvite inside the granule, by SEM. Sulphide conversion to sulphur was up to 76%. Temperature transitions and levels influenced S 2 O 3 2- and SO 4 2- concentrations.

Reactions homogenes en phase gazeuse dans les lits fluidises

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laviolette, Jean-Philippe

This thesis presents a study on homogeneous gas-phase reactions in fluidized beds. The main objective is to develop new tools to model and characterize homogeneous gas-phase reactions in this type of reactor. In the first part of this work, the non-premixed combustion of C 1 to C4 n-alkanes with air was investigated inside a bubbling fluidized bed of inert sand particles at intermediate temperatures: 923 K ≤ TB ≤ 1123 K. For ethane, propane and n-butane, combustion occurred mainly in the freeboard region at bed temperatures below T1 = 923 K. On the other hand, complete conversion occurred within 0.2 m of the injector at: T2 = 1073 K. For methane, the measured values of T1 and T2 were significantly higher at 1023 K and above 1123 K, respectively. The fluidized bed combustion was accurately modeled with first-order global kinetics and two one-phase PFR models in series: one PFR to model the region close to the injector and another to represent the main fluidized bed body. The measured global reaction rates for C2 to C4 n-alkanes were characterized by a uniform Arrhenius expression, while the global reaction rate for methane was significantly slower. Reactions in the injector region either led to significant conversion in that zone or an autoignition delay inside the main fluidized bed body. The conversion in the injector region increased with rising fluidized bed temperature and decreased with increasing jet velocity. To account for the promoting and inhibiting effects, an analogy was made with the concept of induction time: the PFR length (bi) of the injector region was correlated to the fluidized bed temperature and jet velocity using an Arrhenius expression. In the second part of this work, propane combustion experiments were conducted in the freeboard of a fluidized bed of sand particles at temperatures between 818 K and 923 K and at superficial gas velocity twice the minimum fluidization velocity. The freeboard region was characterized by simultaneous measurements of solids flux, chemical composition, temperature and pressure. Autoignition was only recorded within 0.06 m of the bed surface at temperatures greater than 833 K. Propane conversion predicted by six different microkinetic mechanistic models were compared to the experimental measurements: all six models underestimated the reaction rate above the bed surface. However, accounting for the production of H2O2 during in-bed combustion significantly increased the calculated reaction rates and resulted in a better agreement between predicted and measured propane conversion. In the third part of this work, a novel spectroscopic method was developed to measure quantitatively and simultaneously solids volume fraction (1-epsilon) and gaseous species composition (Yi) in a gas/solid system. The method was comprised of an FT-IR coupled to a fibre-optic probe that could perform real-time and in-situ measurements of absorbance. The effect of (1-epsilon) and Yi on the absorbance spectra were additive and could be independently calibrated. Experiments were conducted with alkane/nitrogen mixtures and two types of particles: sand and FCC. Fuel mole fractions and (1-epsilon) were varied between 1.8 - 10.1 mol% and 0 - 0.45, respectively. The relative errors for Yi time-averaged measurements were below 6% and the error increased significantly with decreasing beam intensity. A proof of concept for a novel application in fluidized beds was also completed: the fibre-optic probe was used to measure the molar fraction of a tracer gas inside the emulsion and bubble phases during gas tracer experiments. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Alternating Field Electronanofluidization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espin, M. J.; Valverde, J. M.; Quintanilla, M. A. S.; Castellanos, A.

2009-06-01

The use of fluidized beds to remove submicron particles from gases has been investigated since 1949. High efficiency removal was achieved in the 1970's by imposing an electric field on a fluidized bed of semi-insulating granules that were able to collect the charged pollutant entrained in the fluidizing gas. In spite of their extended use nowadays, the collection efficiency of electrofluidized beds (EFB) is still hindered by gas bypassing associated to gas bubbling and the consequent requirement of too high gas flow and pressure drop. In this paper we report on the electromechanical behavior of an EFB of insulating nanoparticles. When fluidized by gas, these nanoparticles form extremely porous light agglomerates of size of the order of hundreds of microns that allow for a highly expanded nonbubbling fluidized state at reduced gas flow. It is found that fluidization uniformity and bed expansion are additionally enhanced by an imposed AC electric field for field oscillation frequencies of several tens of hertzs and field strengths of the order of 1 kV/cm. For oscillation frequencies of the order of hertzs, or smaller, bed expansion is hindered due to electrophoretic deposition of the agglomerates onto the vessel walls, whereas for oscillation frequencies of the order of kilohertzs, or larger, electrophoresis is nullified and bed expansion is not affected. According to a proposed model, the size of nanoparticle agglomerates stems from the balance between shear, which depends on field strength, and van der Waals forces. The optimum field strength for enhancing bed expansion produces an electric force on the agglomerates similar to their weight force, while the oscillation velocity of the agglomerates is similar to the gas velocity.

Fluorescence-based monitoring of tracer and substrate distribution in an UASB reactor.

PubMed

Lou, S J; Tartakovsky, B; Zeng, Y; Wu, P; Guiot, S R

2006-11-01

In this work, rhodamine-related fluorescence was measured on-line at four reactor heights in order to study hydrodynamics within an upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor. A linear dependence of the dispersion coefficient (D) on the upflow velocity was observed, while the influence of the organic loading rate (OLR) was insignificant. Furthermore, the Bodenstein number of the reactor loaded with granulated sludge was found to be position-dependent with the largest values measured at the bottom of the sludge bed. This trend was not observed in the reactor without sludge. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured at the same reactor heights as in rhodamine tests using conventional off-line analytical methods and on-line multiwavelength fluorometry. Significant spatial COD and VFA gradients were observed at organic loading rates above 6g COD l(R)(-1)d(-1) and linear upflow velocities below 0.8m h(-1).

The coevolution of bed roughness, grain clustering, surface armoring, hydraulic roughness, and sediment transport rate in experimental coarse alluvial channels: implications for long-term effects of gravel augmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, J. P.; Aronovitz, A. C.

2012-12-01

We conducted laboratory flume experiments to quantify changes in multiple factors leading to mountain river bed stability (i.e., minimal bed changes in space and time), and to understand how stable beds respond to perturbations in sediment supply. Experiments were run in a small flume 4 m long by 0.1 m wide. We imposed an initial well-graded size distribution of sediment (from coarse sand to up to 4 cm clasts), a steady water discharge (0.9 L/s), and initial bed surface slopes (8% and 12%). We measured outlet sediment flux and size distribution, bed topography and surface size distributions, and water depths; from these we calculated total shear stress, form drag and skin friction stress partitioning, and hydraulic roughness. The bed was initially allowed to stabilize with no imposed upstream sediment flux. This stabilization occurred due to significant changes in all of the factors listed in the title, and resulted in incipient step-pool like bed morphologies. In addition, this study was designed to explore possible long-term effects of gravel augmentation on mountain channel morphology and surface grain size. While the short-term goal of gravel augmentation is usually to cause fining of surface sediment patches, we find that the long-term effects may be opposite. We perturbed the stabilized channels by temporarily imposing an upstream sediment flux of the finest sediment size fraction (sand to granules). Median surface sizes initially decreased due to fine sediment deposition, although transport rates of intermediate-sized grains increased. When the fine sediment supply was stopped, beds evolved to be both rougher and coarser than they had been previously, because the largest grains remained on the bed but intermediate-sized grains were preferentially transported out, leaving higher fractions of larger grains on the surface. Existing models for mixed grain size transport actually predict changes in mobilization reasonably well, but do not explicity account for surface roughness evolution. Our results indicate a nonlinear relationship between surface median grain size and bed roughness.

Origin and hydrology of a large, intact Early Cambrian paleocave system and its role in overlying fluidisation structures, Arctic Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathieu, Jordan; Turner, Elizabeth C.; Rainbird, Robert H.

2017-04-01

Paleokarst is most commonly expressed as subtle stratigraphic surfaces rather than large void systems penetrating deeply into the paleo-subsurface. In contrast, a regional Precambrian-Cambrian unconformity on Victoria Island (NWT, Canada), is associated with exceptional exposure of large, intact Cambrian paleocaverns (100 m diameter; tens of m high). The paleocaves are distributed along a paleo-horizontal plane, and an associated gryke network is present in the 30-60 m of Neoproterozoic dolostone between cave rooves and the base of overlying Cambrian sandstone; both are filled by Cambrian sandstone. The formation and preservation of such karst features require aggressive dissolution along a stable paleo-water-table shortly before transgression and deposition of shallow-marine sand over the dolostone. During the transgression, the karst network acted as a conduit for flowing groundwater that was discharged through overlying, unconsolidated Cambrian shallow-marine sand, producing water-escape structures (sand volcanoes and their conduits). The conduits are preserved as cylindrical remnants of the sand volcanoes' feeder pipes. Sediment fluidisation was probably caused by variations in the hydraulic-head gradient in a meteoric lens near the Cambrian coastline under a tropical climate with abundant, probably seasonally variable rainfall that caused pulses in subsurface fluid flow. Spatial distribution of the paleocaves and sand volcanoes suggests their formation on the southeast side of a recently faulted horst of Proterozoic carbonate bedrock that formed a nearshore island during early Cambrian sea-level rise. Fluidisation structures such as those reported here have generally been difficult to interpret owing to a lack of data on the fluid hydraulics of the underlying aquifer. This is the first report linking the hydraulics of a well-characterised paleokarst to development of fluid-escape structures. Such structures are widely known from sandstones overlying the sub-Cambrian unconformity around the circumference of Laurentia.

Adsorption of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether on Granular Zeolites: Batch and Column Studies

PubMed Central

Abu-Lail, Laila; Bergendahl, John A.; Thompson, Robert W.

2010-01-01

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) has been shown to be readily removed from water with powdered zeolites, but the passage of water through fixed beds of very small powdered zeolites produces high friction losses not encountered in flow through larger sized granular materials. In this study, equilibrium and kinetic adsorption of MTBE onto granular zeolites, a coconut shell granular activated carbon (CS-1240), and a commercial carbon adsorbent (CCA) sample was evaluated. In addition, the effect of natural organic matter (NOM) on MTBE adsorption was evaluated. Batch adsorption experiments determined that ZSM-5 was the most effective granular zeolite for MTBE adsorption. Further equilibrium and kinetic experiments verified that granular ZSM-5 is superior to CS-1240 and CCA in removing MTBE from water. No competitive-adsorption effects between NOM and MTBE were observed for adsorption to granular ZSM-5 or CS-1240, however there was competition between NOM and MTBE for adsorption onto the CCA granules. Fixed-bed adsorption experiments for longer run times were performed using granular ZSM-5. The bed depth service time model (BDST) was used to analyze the breakthrough data. PMID:20153106

Factors that influence the efficiency of a fluidized-bed-type tribo-electrostatic separator for mixed granular plastics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dascalescu, L.; Fati, O.; Bilici, M.; Rahou, F.; Dragan, C.; Samuila, A.; Iuga, A.

2011-06-01

Fluidized bed devices have already been used as tribochargers for various industrial electrostatic separation processes. In the present paper, the authors investigate the behaviour of polyamide - polycarbonate granular plastic mixtures in a parallelepiped bed, the height of which is roughly 2 times its length or width, so that the collisions between granules become the prevailing tribocharging mechanism. Two of the opposite walls of the tribocharging chamber consist of metallic plates connected to two DC high-voltage supplies of opposite polarities, so that the charged particles are attracted to the electrodes and separated while still in the fluidized state. The collecting hoppers are designed as Faraday cups connected to two electrometers, thus allowing the instantaneous measurement of the charge carried by the separated particles. Experimental design methodology was employed for the optimization of the tribo-aero-electrostatic separation process, the input variables being the high-voltage applied to the electrodes and the duration of the tribocharging. Higher voltages applied to the electrode system do not necessarily lead to larger quantities of collected products but improve the purity of the concentrates. The composition of the mixture influences the outcome of the process.

Monitoring of multiple solvent induced form changes during high shear wet granulation and drying processes using online Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Reddy, Jay Poorna; Jones, John W; Wray, Patrick S; Dennis, Andrew B; Brown, Jonathan; Timmins, Peter

2018-04-25

Form changes during drug product processing can be a risk to the final product quality in terms of chemical stability and bioavailability. In this study, online Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the form changes in real time during high shear wet granulation of Compound A, a highly soluble drug present at a high drug load in an extended release formulation. The effect of water content, temperature, wet massing time and drying technique on the degree of drug transformation were examined. A designed set of calibration standards were employed to develop quantitative partial least square regression models to predict the concentration of each drug form during both wet granulation and the drying process. Throughout all our experiments we observed complex changes of the drug form during granulation, manifest as conversions between the initial non-solvated form of Compound A, the hemi-hydrate form and the "apparent" amorphous form (dissolved drug). The online Raman data demonstrate that the non-solvated form converts to an "apparent" amorphous form (dissolved drug) due to drug dissolution with no appearance of the hemi-hydrate form during water addition stage. The extent of conversion of the non-solvated form was governed by the amount of water added and the rate of conversion was accelerated at higher temperatures. Interestingly, in the wet massing zone, the formation of the hemi-hydrate form was observed at a rate equivalent to the rate of depletion of the non-solvated form with no change in the level of the "apparent amorphous" form generated. The level of hemi-hydrate increased with an increase in wet massing time. The drying process had a significant effect on the proportion of each form. During tray drying, changes in drug form continued for hours. In contrast fluid bed drying appeared to lock the final proportions of drug form product attained during granulation, with comparatively small changes observed during drying. In conclusion, it was possible to simultaneously monitor the three forms in real time during wet granulation and drying using online Raman spectroscopy. The results regarding the effect of process parameters on the degree of transformation are critical for designing a robust process that ensures a consistent form in the final drug product. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PAHs in leachates from thermal power plant wastes and ash-based construction materials.

PubMed

Irha, Natalya; Reinik, Janek; Jefimova, Jekaterina; Koroljova, Arina; Raado, Lembi-Merike; Hain, Tiina; Uibu, Mai; Kuusik, Rein

2015-08-01

The focus of the current study is to characterise the leaching behaviour of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from oil shale ashes (OSAs) of pulverised firing (PF) and circulating fluidised-bed (CFB) boilers from Estonian Thermal Power Plant (Estonia) as well as from mortars and concrete based on OSAs. The target substances were 16 PAHs from the EPA priority pollutant list. OSA samples and OSA-based mortars were tested for leaching, according to European standard EN 12457-2 (2002). European standard CEN/TC 15862(2012) for monolithic matter was used for OSA-based concrete. Water extracts were analysed by GC-MS for the concentration of PAHs. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene were detected. Still, the release of PAHs was below the threshold limit value for inert waste. The amount of the finest fraction (particle size <0.045 mm), the content of the Al-Si glass phase and the surface characteristics were the main factors, which could affect the accessibility of PAHs for leaching. The mobility of PAHs from OSA of CFB and PF boilers was 20.2 and 9.9%, respectively. Hardening of OSA-based materials did not lead to the immobilisation of soluble PAHs. Release of PAHs from the monolith samples did not exceed 0.5 μg/m(2). In terms of leaching of PAHs, OSA is safe to be used for construction purposes.

Assessment of Pb-slag, MSWI bottom ash and boiler and fly ash for using as a fine aggregate in cement mortar.

PubMed

Saikia, Nabajyoti; Cornelis, Geert; Mertens, Gilles; Elsen, Jan; Van Balen, Koenraad; Van Gerven, Tom; Vandecasteele, Carlo

2008-06-15

Three types of wastes, metallurgical slag from Pb production (SLG), the sand-sized (0.1-2 mm) fraction of MSWI bottom ash from a grate furnace (SF), and boiler and fly ash from a fluidised bed incinerator (BFA), were characterized and used to replace the fine aggregate during preparation of cement mortar. The chemical and mineralogical behaviour of these wastes along with the reactivities of the wastes with lime and the hydration behaviour of ordinary Portland cement paste with and without these wastes added were evaluated by various chemical and instrumental techniques. The compressive strengths of the cement mortars containing waste as a partial substitution of fine aggregates were also assessed. Finally, leaching studies of the wastes and waste containing cement mortars were conducted. SLG addition does not show any adverse affect during the hydration of cement, or on the compressive strengths behaviours of mortars. Formation of expansive products like ettringite, aluminium hydroxide and H2 gas due to the reaction of some constituents of BFA and SF with alkali creates some cracks in the paste as well as in the cement mortars, which lower the compressive strength of the cement mortars. However, utilization of all materials in cement-based application significantly improves the leaching behaviour of the majority of the toxic elements compared to the waste as such.

Sedimentology of gravelly Lake Lahontan highstand shoreline deposits, Churchill Butte, Nevada, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blair, Terence C.

1999-02-01

Gravelly shoreline deposits of the latest Pleistocene highstand of Lake Lahontan occur in pristine depositional morphology, and are exposed in gravel pits along Churchill Butte in west-central Nevada. Four environments differentiated at this site are alluvial fan/colluvium, lakeshore barrier spit, lake lower-shoreface spit platform, and lake bottom. Lakeshore deposits abut, along erosional wave headcuts, either unsorted muddy to bouldery colluvium fringing Churchill Butte bedrock, or matrix-supported, cobbly and pebbly debris-flow deposits of the Silver Springs fan. The lakeshore barrier spit is dominated by granule pebble gravel concentrated by wave erosion of the colluvial and alluvial-fan facies. The lakeward side of the barrier consists of beachface deposits of well-sorted granules or pebbles in broad, planar beds 1-10 cm thick and sloping 10-15°. They interfinger downslope with thicker (10-25 cm) and less steep (5-10°) lakeward-dipping beds of fine to medium pebble gravel of the lake upper shoreface. Interstratified with the latter are 10-40-cm-thick sets of high-angle cross-beds that dip southward, alongshore. Higher-angle (15-20°), landward-dipping foresets of similar texture but poorer sorting comprise the proximal backshore on the landward side of the barrier. They were deposited during storm surges that overtopped the barrier berm. Gastropod-rich sand and mud, also deposited by storm-induced washover, are found landward of the gravel foresets in a 15-m-wide backshore pond. Algal stromatolites, ostracodes, and diatoms accumulated in this pond between storm events. The lake lower shoreface, extending from water depths of 2 to 8 m, consists of a southward-prograding spit platform built by longshore drift. The key component of this platform is large-scale sandy pebble gravel in 16° southward-dipping `Gilbert' foresets that grade at a water depth of about 6-7 m to 4°-dipping sandy toesets. A shift from bioturbated lower-shoreface sand and silt, to flat and laminated lake-bottom silt and mud, occurs between water depths of 10-40 m and over a shore-normal distance of ≥250 m. This lake-bottom mud facies, unlike the others, is areally expansive.

Cadmium removal by bioclastic granules (Lithothamnium calcareum): batch and fixed-bed column systems sorption studies.

PubMed

Veneu, Diego Macedo; Schneider, Claudio Luiz; de Mello Monte, Marisa Bezerra; Cunha, Osvaldo Galvão Caldas; Yokoyama, Lídia

2018-07-01

The potential of Bioclastic Granules - BG (calcium-carbonate-based material) using the algae Lithothamnium calcareum as sorbent for the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solutions by sorption was evaluated through batch and continuous systems tests using a fixed-bed column. Sorption process variables, in particular pH (2-7), particle size (<38-300 μm), initial BG concentration (0.1-1.0 g L -1 ), initial Cd(II) concentrations (5-400 mg L -1 ) and contact time (5-240 min), were evaluated. Adsorption isotherm profiles of Cd(II) per BG were similar to an L-type, or Langmuir type, with the adsorption forming a monolayer of approximately 0.61 μm, with a q max of 188.74 mg g -1 and k L of 0.710 L mg -1 . Thomas's model considers that sorption is not limited to a chemical reaction but is controlled by mass transfer at the interface. In the present study, the obtained value of k Th was 0.895 mL h -1  mg -1 , reaching a sorption capacity q o of 124.4 mg g -1 . For the Yoon-Nelson model, it was possible to obtain two important parameters to describe the behavior of the column, the rate constant (k YN ), obtaining a value of 0.09 h -1 and an τ of 82.12 h corresponding to the time required for sorption to occur of 50% of the solute in the rupture curve. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses coupled to the X-ray dispersive energy system (SEM/EDS) of the BG after the Cd(II) ion sorption tests evidenced the formation of crystals with the prevalence of a new mineral phase (otavite).

Nonspherical particles in a pseudo-2D fluidized bed: Experimental study.

PubMed

Mahajan, Vinay V; Padding, Johan T; Nijssen, Tim M J; Buist, Kay A; Kuipers, J A M

2018-05-01

Fluidization is widely used in industries and has been extensively studied, both experimentally and theoretically, in the past. However, most of these studies focus on spherical particles while in practice granules are rarely spherical. Particle shape can have a significant effect on fluidization characteristics. It is therefore important to study the effect of particle shape on fluidization behavior in detail. In this study, experiments in pseudo-2D fluidized beds are used to characterize the fluidization of spherocylindrical (rod-like) Geldart D particles of aspect ratio 4. Pressure drop and optical measurement methods (Digital Image Analysis, Particle Image Velocimetry, Particle Tracking Velocimetry) are employed to measure bed height, particle orientation, particle circulation, stacking, and coordination number. The commonly used correlations to determine the pressure drop across a bed of nonspherical particles are compared to experiments. Experimental observations and measurements have shown that rod-like particles are prone to interlocking and channeling behavior. Well above the minimum fluidization velocity, vigorous bubbling fluidization is observed, with groups of interlocked particles moving upwards, breaking up, being thrown high in the freeboard region and slowly raining down as dispersed phase. At high flowrates, a circulation pattern develops with particles moving up through the center and down at the walls. Particles tend to orient themselves along the flow direction. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers , 64: 1573-1590, 2018.

Nonspherical particles in a pseudo‐2D fluidized bed: Experimental study

PubMed Central

Mahajan, Vinay V.; Nijssen, Tim M. J.; Buist, Kay A.; Kuipers, J. A. M.

2018-01-01

Fluidization is widely used in industries and has been extensively studied, both experimentally and theoretically, in the past. However, most of these studies focus on spherical particles while in practice granules are rarely spherical. Particle shape can have a significant effect on fluidization characteristics. It is therefore important to study the effect of particle shape on fluidization behavior in detail. In this study, experiments in pseudo‐2D fluidized beds are used to characterize the fluidization of spherocylindrical (rod‐like) Geldart D particles of aspect ratio 4. Pressure drop and optical measurement methods (Digital Image Analysis, Particle Image Velocimetry, Particle Tracking Velocimetry) are employed to measure bed height, particle orientation, particle circulation, stacking, and coordination number. The commonly used correlations to determine the pressure drop across a bed of nonspherical particles are compared to experiments. Experimental observations and measurements have shown that rod‐like particles are prone to interlocking and channeling behavior. Well above the minimum fluidization velocity, vigorous bubbling fluidization is observed, with groups of interlocked particles moving upwards, breaking up, being thrown high in the freeboard region and slowly raining down as dispersed phase. At high flowrates, a circulation pattern develops with particles moving up through the center and down at the walls. Particles tend to orient themselves along the flow direction. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1573–1590, 2018 PMID:29706659

High efficiency chlorine removal from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pyrolysis with a gas-liquid fluidized bed reactor.

PubMed

Yuan, G; Chen, D; Yin, L; Wang, Z; Zhao, L; Wang, J Y

2014-06-01

In this research a gas-liquid fluidized bed reactor was developed for removing chlorine (Cl) from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to favor its pyrolysis treatment. In order to efficiently remove Cl within a limited time before extensive generation of hydrocarbon products, the gas-liquid fluidized bed reactor was running at 280-320 °C, where hot N2 was used as fluidizing gas to fluidize the molten polymer, letting the molten polymer contact well with N2 to release Cl in form of HCl. Experimental results showed that dechlorination efficiency is mainly temperature dependent and 300 °C is a proper reaction temperature for efficient dechlorination within a limited time duration and for prevention of extensive pyrolysis; under this temperature 99.5% of Cl removal efficiency can be obtained within reaction time around 1 min after melting is completed as the flow rate of N2 gas was set around 0.47-0.85 Nm(3) kg(-1) for the molten PVC. Larger N2 flow rate and additives in PVC would enhance HCl release but did not change the final dechlorination efficiency; and excessive N2 flow rate should be avoided for prevention of polymer entrainment. HCl is emitted from PVC granules or scraps at the mean time they started to melt and the melting stage should be taken into consideration when design the gas-liquid fluidized bed reactor for dechlorination. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of process parameters on solid self-microemulsifying particles in a laboratory scale fluid bed.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Tusharmouli; Plakogiannis, Fotios M

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to select the critical process parameters of the fluid bed processes impacting the quality attribute of a solid self-microemulsifying (SME) system of albendazole (ABZ). A fractional factorial design (2(4-1)) with four parameters (spray rate, inlet air temperature, inlet air flow, and atomization air pressure) was created by MINITAB software. Batches were manufactured in a laboratory top-spray fluid bed at 625-g scale. Loss on drying (LOD) samples were taken throughout each batch to build the entire moisture profiles. All dried granulation were sieved using mesh 20 and analyzed for particle size distribution (PSD), morphology, density, and flow. It was found that as spray rate increased, sauter-mean diameter (D(s)) also increased. The effect of inlet air temperature on the peak moisture which is directly related to the mean particle size was found to be significant. There were two-way interactions between studied process parameters. The main effects of inlet air flow rate and atomization air pressure could not be found as the data were inconclusive. The partial least square (PLS) regression model was found significant (P < 0.01) and predictive for optimization. This study established a design space for the parameters for solid SME manufacturing process.

Characterization of sulfate-reducing granular sludge in the SANI(®) process.

PubMed

Hao, Tianwei; Wei, Li; Lu, Hui; Chui, Hokwong; Mackey, Hamish R; van Loosdrecht, Mark C M; Chen, Guanghao

2013-12-01

Hong Kong practices seawater toilet flushing covering 80% of the population. A sulfur cycle-based biological nitrogen removal process, the Sulfate reduction, Autotrophic denitrification and Nitrification Integrated (SANI(®)) process, had been developed to close the loop between the hybrid water supply and saline sewage treatment. To enhance this novel process, granulation of a Sulfate-Reducing Up-flow Sludge Bed (SRUSB) reactor has recently been conducted for organic removal and provision of electron donors (sulfide) for subsequent autotrophic denitrification, with a view to minimizing footprint and maximizing operation resilience. This further study was focused on the biological and physicochemical characteristics of the granular sulfate-reducing sludge. A lab-scale SRUSB reactor seeded with anaerobic digester sludge was operated with synthetic saline sewage for 368 days. At 1 h nominal hydraulic retention time (HRT) and 6.4 kg COD/m(3)-d organic loading rate, the SRUSB reactor achieved 90% COD and 75% sulfate removal efficiencies. Granular sludge was observed within 30 days, and became stable after 4 months of operation with diameters of 400-500 μm, SVI5 of 30 ml/g, and extracellular polymeric substances of 23 mg carbohydrate/g VSS. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed that the granules were enriched with abundant sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) as compared with the seeding sludge. Pyrosequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene in the sulfate-reducing granules on day 90 indicated that the microbial community consisted of a diverse SRB genera, namely Desulfobulbus (18.1%), Desulfobacter (13.6%), Desulfomicrobium (5.6%), Desulfosarcina (0.73%) and Desulfovibrio (0.6%), accounting for 38.6% of total operational taxonomic units at genera level, with no methanogens detected. The microbial population and physicochemical properties of the granules well explained the excellent performance of the granular SRUSB reactor. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Large-scale dam removal on the Elwha River, Washington, USA: river channel and floodplain geomorphic change

USGS Publications Warehouse

East, Amy E.; Pess, George R.; Bountry, Jennifer A.; Magirl, Christopher S.; Ritchie, Andrew C.; Logan, Joshua; Randle, Timothy J.; Mastin, Mark C.; Minear, Justin T.; Duda, Jeffrey J.; Liermann, Martin C.; McHenry, Michael L.; Beechie, Timothy J.; Shafroth, Patrick B.

2015-01-01

As 10.5 million t (7.1 million m3) of sediment was released from two former reservoirs, downstream dispersion of a sediment wave caused widespread bed aggradation of ~ 1 m (greater where pools filled), changed the river from pool–riffle to braided morphology, and decreased the slope of the lowermost river. The newly deposited sediment, which was finer than most of the pre-dam-removal bed, formed new bars (largely pebble, granule, and sand material), prompting aggradational channel avulsion that increased the channel braiding index by almost 50%. As a result of mainstem bed aggradation, floodplain channels received flow and accumulated new sediment even during low to moderate flow conditions. The river system showed a two- to tenfold greater geomorphic response to dam removal (in terms of bed elevation change magnitude) than it had to a 40-year flood event four years before dam removal. Two years after dam removal began, as the river had started to incise through deposits of the initial sediment wave, ~ 1.2 million t of new sediment (~ 10% of the amount released from the two reservoirs) was stored along 18 river km of the mainstem channel and 25 km of floodplain channels. The Elwha River thus was able to transport most of the released sediment to the river mouth. The geomorphic alterations and changing bed sediment grain size along the Elwha River have important ecological implications, affecting aquatic habitat structure, benthic fauna, salmonid fish spawning and rearing potential, and riparian vegetation. The response of the river to dam removal represents a unique opportunity to observe and quantify fundamental geomorphic processes associated with a massive sediment influx, and also provides important lessons for future river-restoration endeavors.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wanielista, M.; Charba, J.; Dietz, J.

This is the final report on the use of Granulated Active Carbon (GAC) beds of Filtrasorb 400 in series to reduce the Trihalomethane Formation Potential (THMFP) concentrations at the Lake Angel detention pond, Orange County, Florida. The detention pond accepts runoff from an interstate highway and a commercial area. Breakthrough time was estimated from laboratory analyses and used to design two beds in series at the detention pond. Breakthrough occurred in the first bed after treating 138,000 liters of water. Exhaustion of the first bed was reached after treating 1270 bed volumes with a sorption zone length of 1.70 feet.more » The TOC adsorbed per gram of GAC was 6.3 mg. The liquid flow rate averaged 0.0011 cfs. Similar breakthrough curves for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and color were also reported. The used GAC can be disposed of by substituting it for sand in concrete mixes. An economic evaluation of the GAC system at Lake Angel demonstrated an annual cost of $4.39/1000 gallons to treat the stormwater runoff after detention and before discharge into a drainage well. The cost could be further reduced by using the stormwater to irrigate right-of-way sections of the watershed. An alternative method of pumping to another drainage basin was estimated to be more expensive. The underdrain network for the GAC system initially became clogged with the iron- and sulfur-precipitation bacteria Leptothrix, Gallionella and Thiothrix. These bacteria were substantially reduced by altering the influent GAC system pipeline to take water directly from the lake. An alternate pipe system used a clay layer to reduce ground water inputs and did not exhibit substantial bacterial growth.« less

A new formulation for orally disintegrating tablets using a suspension spray-coating method.

PubMed

Okuda, Y; Irisawa, Y; Okimoto, K; Osawa, T; Yamashita, S

2009-12-01

The aim of this study was to design a new orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that has high tablet hardness and a fast oral disintegration rate using a new preparation method. To obtain rapid disintegration granules (RDGs), a saccharide, such as trehalose, mannitol, or lactose, was spray-coated with a suspension of corn starch using a fluidized-bed granulator (suspension method). As an additional disintegrant, crospovidone, light anhydrous silicic acid, or hydroxypropyl starch was also included in the suspension. The RDGs obtained possessed extremely large surface areas, narrow particle size distribution, and numerous micro-pores. When tabletting these RDGs, it was found that the RDGs increased tablet hardness by decreasing plastic deformation and increasing the contact frequency between granules. In all tablets, a linear relationship was observed between tablet hardness and oral disintegration time. From each linear correlation line, a slope (D/H value) and an intercept (D/H(0) value) were calculated. Tablets with small D/H and D/H(0) values could disintegrate immediately in the oral cavity regardless of the tablet hardness and were considered to be appropriate for ODTs. Therefore, these values were used as key parameters to select better ODTs. Of all the RDGs prepared in this study, mannitol spray-coated with a suspension of corn starch and crospovidone (2.5:1 w/w ratio) showed most appropriate properties for ODTs; fast in vivo oral disintegration time, and high tablet hardness. In conclusion, this simple method to prepare superior formulations for new ODTs was established by spray-coating mannitol with a suspension of appropriate disintegrants.

Bioreactor Scalability: Laboratory-Scale Bioreactor Design Influences Performance, Ecology, and Community Physiology in Expanded Granular Sludge Bed Bioreactors

PubMed Central

Connelly, Stephanie; Shin, Seung G.; Dillon, Robert J.; Ijaz, Umer Z.; Quince, Christopher; Sloan, William T.; Collins, Gavin

2017-01-01

Studies investigating the feasibility of new, or improved, biotechnologies, such as wastewater treatment digesters, inevitably start with laboratory-scale trials. However, it is rarely determined whether laboratory-scale results reflect full-scale performance or microbial ecology. The Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) bioreactor, which is a high-rate anaerobic digester configuration, was used as a model to address that knowledge gap in this study. Two laboratory-scale idealizations of the EGSB—a one-dimensional and a three- dimensional scale-down of a full-scale design—were built and operated in triplicate under near-identical conditions to a full-scale EGSB. The laboratory-scale bioreactors were seeded using biomass obtained from the full-scale bioreactor, and, spent water from the distillation of whisky from maize was applied as substrate at both scales. Over 70 days, bioreactor performance, microbial ecology, and microbial community physiology were monitored at various depths in the sludge-beds using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V4 region), specific methanogenic activity (SMA) assays, and a range of physical and chemical monitoring methods. SMA assays indicated dominance of the hydrogenotrophic pathway at full-scale whilst a more balanced activity profile developed during the laboratory-scale trials. At each scale, Methanobacterium was the dominant methanogenic genus present. Bioreactor performance overall was better at laboratory-scale than full-scale. We observed that bioreactor design at laboratory-scale significantly influenced spatial distribution of microbial community physiology and taxonomy in the bioreactor sludge-bed, with 1-D bioreactor types promoting stratification of each. In the 1-D laboratory bioreactors, increased abundance of Firmicutes was associated with both granule position in the sludge bed and increased activity against acetate and ethanol as substrates. We further observed that stratification in the sludge-bed in 1-D laboratory-scale bioreactors was associated with increased richness in the underlying microbial community at species (OTU) level and improved overall performance. PMID:28507535

A novel bio-electrochemical system with sand/activated carbon separator, Al anode and bio-anode integrated micro-electrolysis/electro-flocculation cost effectively treated high load wastewater with energy recovery.

PubMed

Gao, Changfei; Liu, Lifen; Yang, Fenglin

2018-02-01

A novel bio-electrochemical system (BES) was developed by integrating micro-electrolysis/electro-flocculation from attaching a sacrificing Al anode to the bio-anode, it effectively treated high load wastewater with energy recovery (maximum power density of 365.1 mW/m 3 and a maximum cell voltage of 0.97 V), and achieving high removals of COD (>99.4%), NH 4 + -N (>98.7%) and TP (>98.6%). The anode chamber contains microbes, activated carbon (AC)/graphite granules and Al anode. It was separated from the cathode chamber containing bifunctional catalytic and filtration membrane cathode (loaded with Fe/Mn/C/F/O catalyst) by a multi-medium chamber (MMC) filled with manganese sand and activated carbon granules, which replaced expensive PEM and reduced cost. An air contact oxidation bed for aeration was still adopted before liquid entering the cathode chamber. micro-electrolysis/electro-flocculation helps in achieving high removal efficiencies and contributes to membrane fouling migration. The increase of activated carbon in the separator MMC increased power generation and reduced system electric resistance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Negative pressure wound therapy using polyvinyl alcohol foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs.

PubMed

Or, Matan; Van Goethem, Bart; Kitshoff, Adriaan; Koenraadt, Annika; Schwarzkopf, Ilona; Bosmans, Tim; de Rooster, Hilde

2017-04-01

To report the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs. Retrospective case series. Client-owned dogs (n = 8). Full-thickness mesh skin graft was directly covered with PVA foam. NPWT was maintained for 5 days (in 1 or 2 cycles). Grafts were evaluated on days 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 for graft appearance and graft take, granulation tissue formation, and complications. Firm attachment of the graft to the recipient bed was accomplished in 7 dogs with granulation tissue quickly filling the mesh holes, and graft take considered excellent. One dog had bandage complications after cessation of the NPWT, causing partial graft loss. The PVA foam did not adhere to the graft or damage the surrounding skin. The application of NPWT with a PVA foam after full-thickness mesh skin grafting in dogs provides an effective method for securing skin grafts, with good graft acceptance. PVA foam can be used as a primary dressing for skin grafts, obviating the need for other interposing materials to protect the graft and the surrounding skin. © 2017 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

A case of generalized argyria after ingestion of colloidal silver solution.

PubMed

Kim, Yangho; Suh, Ho Seok; Cha, Hee Jeong; Kim, Suk Hwan; Jeong, Kyoung Sook; Kim, Dong Hoon

2009-03-01

A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to progressive skin darkening, which began 5 months previously. The patient had strikingly diffuse blue-gray discoloration of the skin, most prominent in sun-exposed areas, especially her face and hands. The oral mucosa, tongue, gums, eye conjunctiva, ears, nail beds, and trunk were also involved. Bluish-gray discoloration of all nails was aggravated by cold weather. She had ingested 1 L of colloidal silver solution daily for approximately 16 months as a traditional remedy. Her serum silver concentration was 381 ng/ml which was a very high (reference level: <15 ng/ml). Light microscopic examination of a punch biopsy specimen from her nose revealed fine, minute, round, and brown-black granules deposited in the basement membrane of hair follicular epithelium. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed electron-dense granules deposited in the intercellular space of sweat glands. Energy disperse X-ray spectrometry analysis demonstrated peaks for silver and sulfur in the dense black deposits. The ingestion of colloidal silver appears to be an increasing practice among patients using alternative health practices. All silver-containing products including colloidal silver should be labeled with a clear warning to prevent argyria, especially in alternative health practices.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Praher, B., E-mail: bernhard.praher@jku.at, E-mail: klaus.straka@jku.at, E-mail: jesenka.usanovic@jku.at, E-mail: georg.steinbichler@jku.at; Straka, K., E-mail: bernhard.praher@jku.at, E-mail: klaus.straka@jku.at, E-mail: jesenka.usanovic@jku.at, E-mail: georg.steinbichler@jku.at; Usanovic, J., E-mail: bernhard.praher@jku.at, E-mail: klaus.straka@jku.at, E-mail: jesenka.usanovic@jku.at, E-mail: georg.steinbichler@jku.at

We developed novel non-invasive ultrasound based systems for the measurement of temperature distributions in the screw-ante chamber, the detection of unmelted granules and for the monitoring of the plasticizing process along the screw channel. The temperature of the polymer melt stored in the screw ante-chamber after the plasticization should be homogeneous. However, in reality the polymer melt in the screw ante-chamber is not homogeneous. Due to the fact the sound velocity in a polymer melt is temperature depending, we developed a tomography system using the measured transit times of ultrasonic pulses along different sound paths for calculating the temperature distributionmore » in radial direction of a polymer melt in the screw ante-chamber of an injection moulding machine. For the detection of unmelted granules in the polymer melt we implemented an ultrasound transmission measurement. By analyzing the attenuation of the received pulses it is possible to detect unwanted inclusions. For the monitoring of the plasticizing process in the channels of the screw an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted into the barrel. By analyzing the reflected pulses it is possible to estimate solid bed and melt regions in the screw channel. The proposed systems were tested for accuracy and validity by simulations and test measurements.« less

Modeling cesium ion exchange on fixed-bed columns of crystalline silicotitanate granules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Latheef, I.M.; Huckman, M.E.; Anthony, R.G.

2000-05-01

A mathematical model is presented to simulate Cs exchange in fixed-bed columns of a novel crystalline silicotitanate (CST) material, UOP IONSIV IE-911. A local equilibrium is assumed between the macropores and the solid crystals for the particle material balance. Axial dispersed flow and film mass-transfer resistance are incorporated into the column model. Cs equilibrium isotherms and diffusion coefficients were measured experimentally, and dispersion and film mass-transfer coefficients were estimated from correlations. Cs exchange column experiments were conducted in 5--5.7 M Na solutions and simulated using the proposed model. Best-fit diffusion coefficients from column simulations were compared with previously reported batchmore » values of Gu et al. and Huckman. Cs diffusion coefficients for the column were between 2.5 and 5.0 x 10{sup {minus}11} m{sup 2}/s for 5--5.7 M Na solutions. The effect of the isotherm shape on the Cs diffusion coefficient was investigated. The proposed model provides good fits to experimental data and may be utilized in designing commercial-scale units.« less

Influence of mass transfer resistance on overall nitrate removal rate in upflow sludge bed reactors.

PubMed

Ting, Wen-Huei; Huang, Ju-Sheng

2006-09-01

A kinetic model with intrinsic reaction kinetics and a simplified model with apparent reaction kinetics for denitrification in upflow sludge bed (USB) reactors were proposed. USB-reactor performance data with and without sludge wasting were also obtained for model verification. An independent batch study showed that the apparent kinetic constants k' did not differ from the intrinsic k but the apparent Ks' was significantly larger than the intrinsic Ks suggesting that the intra-granule mass transfer resistance can be modeled by changes in Ks. Calculations of the overall effectiveness factor, Thiele modulus, and Biot number combined with parametric sensitivity analysis showed that the influence of internal mass transfer resistance on the overall nitrate removal rate in USB reactors is more significant than the external mass transfer resistance. The simulated residual nitrate concentrations using the simplified model were in good agreement with the experimental data; the simulated results using the simplified model were also close to those using the kinetic model. Accordingly, the simplified model adequately described the overall nitrate removal rate and can be used for process design.

Evaluation of blast furnace slag as basal media for eelgrass bed.

PubMed

Hizon-Fradejas, Amelia B; Nakano, Yoichi; Nakai, Satoshi; Nishijima, Wataru; Okada, Mitsumasa

2009-07-30

Two types of blast furnace slag (BFS), granulated (GS) and air-cooled slag (ACS), were evaluated as basal media for eelgrass bed. Evaluation was done by comparing BFS samples with natural eelgrass sediment (NES) in terms of some physico-chemical characteristics and then, investigating growth of eelgrass both in BFS and NES. In terms of particle size, both BFS samples were within the range acceptable for growing eelgrass. However, compared with NES, low silt-clay content for ACS and lack of organic matter content for both BFS samples were found. Growth experiment showed that eelgrass can grow in both types of BFS, although growth rates in BFS samples shown by leaf elongation were slower than that in NES. The possible reasons for stunted growth in BFS were assumed to be lack of organic matter and release of some possible toxins from BFS. Reduction of sulfide content of BFS samples did not result to enhanced growth; though sulfide release was eliminated, release of Zn was greater than before treatment and concentration of that reached to alarming amounts.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: Experience in 45 Dogs

PubMed Central

Pitt, Kathryn A.; Stanley, Bryden J.

2016-01-01

Objective To report experience with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in 45 consecutive dogs admitted with extensive cutaneous wounds and to determine if NPWT is feasible in veterinary hospital practice. Study Design Prospective descriptive study Animals Dogs (n = 45) Methods Collected data were organized into 6 categories: patient data, wound data, NPWT data, adjunctive treatments, complications, and final outcome Results Wounds (53 in 45 dogs) were largely traumatic in origin, and distributed fairly evenly to the trunk, proximal and distal aspects of the limbs. Most wounds (34 dogs, 76%) had no granulation tissue and were treated a mean of 4.2 days after wounding, whereas 11 dogs had granulating wounds that were initially treated a mean of 87 days after wounding. Median NPWT use was 3 days with a mean hospitalization of 7.8 days. Most wounds (33; 62%) were closed surgically after NPWT and were healed by 14 days. The other 18 wounds healed (mean, 21 days) by second intention after hospital discharge. Overall, 96% of the wounds healed; 2 dogs died before definitive closure could be attempted. Conclusion NPWT is applicable to a wide variety of canine wounds is well tolerated, allows for several days between dressing changes, and can used to optimize the wound bed for surgical closure or second intention healing. PMID:24512302

Pediatric drug formulation of sodium benzoate extended-release granules.

PubMed

Combescot, E; Morat, G; de Lonlay, P; Boudy, V

2016-01-01

Urea cycle disorders are a group of inherited orphan diseases leading to hyperammonemia. Current therapeutic strategy includes high doses of sodium benzoate leading to three or four oral intakes per day. As this drug is currently available in capsules or in solution, children are either unable to swallow the capsule or reluctant to take the drug due to its strong bitter taste. The objective of the present study was to develop solid, multiparticulate formulations of sodium benzoate, which are suitable for pediatric patients (i.e. flavor-masked, easy to swallow and with a dosing system). Drug layering and coating in a fluidized bed were applied for preparing sustained-release granules. Two types of inert cores (GalenIQ® and Suglets®) and three different polymers (Kollicoat®, Aquacoat® and Eudragit®) were tested in order to select the most appropriate polymer and starter core for our purpose. Physical characteristics and drug release profiles of the pellets were evaluated. A Suglets® core associated with a Kollicoat® coating seems to be the best combination for an extended release of sodium benzoate. A curing period of 8 h was necessary to complete film formation and the resulting drug release pattern was found to be dependent of the acidity of the release medium.

Recurring middle Pleistocene outburst floods in east-central Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Froese, D.G.; Smith, D.G.; Westgate, J.A.; Ager, T.A.; Preece, S.J.; Sandhu, A.; Enkin, R.J.; Weber, F.

2003-01-01

Recurring glacial outburst floods from the Yukon-Tanana Upland are inferred from sediments exposed along the Yukon River near the mouth of Charley River in east-central Alaska. Deposits range from imbricate gravel and granules indicating flow locally extending up the Yukon valley, to more distal sediments consisting of at least 10 couplets of planar sands, granules, and climbing ripples with up-valley paleocurrent indicators overlain by massive silt. An interglacial organic silt, occurring within the sequence, indicates at least two flood events are associated with an earlier glaciation, and at least three flood events are associated with a later glaciation which postdates the organic silt. A minimum age for the floods is provided by a glass fission track age of 560,000 ?? 80,000 yr on the GI tephra, which occurs 8 m above the flood beds. A maximum age of 780,000 yr for the floods is based on normal magnetic polarity of the sediments. These age constraints allow us to correlate the flood events to the early-middle Pleistocene. And further, the outburst floods indicate extensive glaciation of the Yukon-Tanana Upland during the early-middle Pleistocene, likely representing the most extensive Pleistocene glaciation of the area. ?? 2003 University of Washington. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

One-stage Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defects with the Sandwich Technique: Collagen-elastin Dermal Template and Skin Grafts

PubMed Central

Wollina, Uwe

2011-01-01

Background: A full-thickness soft tissue defect closure often needs complex procedures. The use of dermal templates can be helpful in improving the outcome. Objective: The objective was to evaluate a sandwich technique combining the dermal collagen–elastin matrix with skin grafts in a one-stage procedure. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients with 27 wounds were enrolled in this prospective single-centre observational study. The mean age was 74.8 ± 17.2 years. Included were full-thickness defects with exposed bone, cartilage and/ or tendons. The dermal collagen–elastin matrix was applied onto the wound bed accomplished by skin transplants, i.e. ‘sandwich’ transplantation. In six wounds, the transplants were treated with intermittent negative pressure therapy. Results: The size of defects was ≤875 cm2. The use of the dermal template resulted in a complete and stable granulation in 100% of wounds. Seventeen defects showed a complete closure and 19 achieved a complete granulation with an incomplete closure. There was a marked pain relief. No adverse events were noted due to the dermal template usage. Conclusions: Sandwich transplantation with the collagen–elastin matrix is a useful tool when dealing with full-thickness soft tissue defects with exposed bone, cartilage or tendons. PMID:22279382

Porcine wound healing in full-thickness skin defects using Integra™ with and without fibrin glue with keratinocytes

PubMed Central

Melendez, Mark M; Martinez, Rodrigo R; Dagum, Alexander B; McClain, Steve A; Simon, Marcia; Sobanko, Joseph; Zimmerman, Thomas; Wetterau, Meredith; Muller, Douglas; Xu, Xiaoti; Singer, Adam J; Arora, Balvantray

2008-01-01

BACKGROUND: An artificial dermal matrix such as Integra (Integra Life Sciences Corporation, USA) provides a wound bed template for vascular and fibrocyte ingrowth as well as collagen remodelling. Dermal repair leads to epidermal and basement membrane regeneration. Burn wounds in particular have been shown to benefit from Integra by enhanced wound healing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of fibrin glue to modify the integration of Integra in large excised cutaneous wounds. It was hypothesized that applying fibrin glue on a wound bed would reduce the time needed for matrix vascularization and incorporation of Integra and take of the cultured keratinocytes. METHODS: Four separate full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum of two swine. Wound beds were randomly assigned to either application of fibrin glue or no application of fibrin glue before application of Integra. Full-thickness biopsies were performed at days 7, 14, 21, 29 and 35. On day 21, keratinocytes were applied either as sheets or aerosolized fibrin glue suspension. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed a wave of inflammatory cells and early granulation tissue ingrowth into the Integra from the fascia below on day 7. Only this initial phase was augmented by application of fibrin glue to the wound bed. By day 14, most and by day 21, all of the Integra thickness was incorporated. Accelerated dermal repair proceeded from the base with new collagen deposition in Integra spaces. There was no evidence of keratinocyte engraftment, although re-epithelialization occurred at wound edges extending onto the incorporated Integra. CONCLUSIONS: It appears there is an acceleration of early phase (day 7 to day 21) dermal incorporation with fibrin glue application to the wound bed, perhaps secondary to increased cellular migration. Day 21 appears to be too early to apply cultured keratinocytes either as sheets or aerosolized suspension. PMID:19721792

Shaler: in situ analysis of a fluvial sedimentary deposit on Mars

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edgar, Lauren A.; Gupta, Sanjeev; Rubin, David M.

This article characterizes the detailed sedimentology of a fluvial sandbody on Mars for the first time and interprets its depositional processes and palaeoenvironmental setting. Despite numerous orbital observations of fluvial landforms on the surface of Mars, ground-based characterization of the sedimentology of such fluvial deposits has not previously been possible. Results from the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover provide an opportunity to reconstruct at fine scale the sedimentary architecture and palaeomorphology of a fluvial environment on Mars. This work describes the grain size, texture and sedimentary facies of the Shaler outcrop, reconstructs the bedding architecture, and analyses cross-stratification tomore » determine palaeocurrents. On the basis of bedset geometry and inclination, grain-size distribution and bedform migration direction, this study concludes that the Shaler outcrop probably records the accretion of a fluvial barform. The majority of the outcrop consists of large-scale trough cross-bedding of coarse sand and granules. Palaeocurrent analyses and bedform reconstruction indicate that the beds were deposited by bedforms that migrated towards the north-east, across the surface of a bar that migrated south-east. Stacked cosets of dune cross-bedding suggest aggradation of multiple bedforms, which provides evidence for short periods of sustained flow during Shaler deposition. However, local evidence for aeolian reworking and the presence of potential desiccation cracks within the outcrop suggest that fluvial deposition may have been intermittent. The uppermost strata at Shaler are distinct in terms of texture and chemistry and are inferred to record deposition from a different sediment dispersal system with a contrasting provenance. The outcrop as a whole is a testament to the availability of liquid water on the surface of Mars in its early history.« less

Shaler: in situ analysis of a fluvial sedimentary deposit on Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Edgar, Lauren; Gupta, Sanjeev; Rubin, David M.; Lewis, Kevin W.; Kocurek, Gary A.; Anderson, Ryan; Bell, James F.; Dromart, Gilles; Edgett, Kenneth S.; Grotzinger, John P.; Hardgrove, Craig; Kah, Linda C.; LeVeille, Richard A.; Malin, Michael C.; Mangold, Nicholas; Milliken, Ralph E.; Minitti, Michelle; Palucis, Marisa C.; Rice, Melissa; Rowland, Scott K.; Schieber, Juergen; Stack, Kathryn M.; Sumner, Dawn Y.; Wiens, Roger C.; Williams, Rebecca M.E.; Williams, Amy J.

2018-01-01

This paper characterizes the detailed sedimentology of a fluvial sandbody on Mars for the first time, and interprets its depositional processes and palaeoenvironmental setting. Despite numerous orbital observations of fluvial landforms on the surface of Mars, ground-based characterization of the sedimentology of such fluvial deposits has not previously been possible. Results from the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover provide an opportunity to reconstruct at fine scale the sedimentary architecture and palaeomorphology of a fluvial environment on Mars. This work describes the grain size, texture, and sedimentary facies of the Shaler outcrop, reconstructs the bedding architecture, and analyses cross-stratification to determine palaeocurrents. On the basis of bedset geometry and inclination, grain-size distribution, and bedform migration direction, this study concludes that the Shaler outcrop likely records the accretion of a fluvial barform. The majority of the outcrop consists of large-scale trough cross-bedding of coarse sand and granules. Palaeocurrent analyses and bedform reconstruction indicate that the beds were deposited by bedforms that migrated towards the northeast, across the surface of a bar that migrated southeast. Stacked cosets of dune cross-bedding suggest aggradation of multiple bedforms, which provides evidence for short periods of sustained flow during Shaler deposition. However, local evidence for aeolian reworking and the presence of potential desiccation cracks within the outcrop suggests that fluvial deposition may have been intermittent. The uppermost strata at Shaler are distinct in terms of texture and chemistry, and are inferred to record deposition from a different sediment dispersal system with a contrasting provenance. The outcrop as a whole is a testament to the availability of liquid water on the surface of Mars in its early history.

Shaler: in situ analysis of a fluvial sedimentary deposit on Mars

DOE PAGES

Edgar, Lauren A.; Gupta, Sanjeev; Rubin, David M.; ...

2017-03-09

This article characterizes the detailed sedimentology of a fluvial sandbody on Mars for the first time and interprets its depositional processes and palaeoenvironmental setting. Despite numerous orbital observations of fluvial landforms on the surface of Mars, ground-based characterization of the sedimentology of such fluvial deposits has not previously been possible. Results from the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover provide an opportunity to reconstruct at fine scale the sedimentary architecture and palaeomorphology of a fluvial environment on Mars. This work describes the grain size, texture and sedimentary facies of the Shaler outcrop, reconstructs the bedding architecture, and analyses cross-stratification tomore » determine palaeocurrents. On the basis of bedset geometry and inclination, grain-size distribution and bedform migration direction, this study concludes that the Shaler outcrop probably records the accretion of a fluvial barform. The majority of the outcrop consists of large-scale trough cross-bedding of coarse sand and granules. Palaeocurrent analyses and bedform reconstruction indicate that the beds were deposited by bedforms that migrated towards the north-east, across the surface of a bar that migrated south-east. Stacked cosets of dune cross-bedding suggest aggradation of multiple bedforms, which provides evidence for short periods of sustained flow during Shaler deposition. However, local evidence for aeolian reworking and the presence of potential desiccation cracks within the outcrop suggest that fluvial deposition may have been intermittent. The uppermost strata at Shaler are distinct in terms of texture and chemistry and are inferred to record deposition from a different sediment dispersal system with a contrasting provenance. The outcrop as a whole is a testament to the availability of liquid water on the surface of Mars in its early history.« less

Treatment of low strength industrial cluster wastewater by anaerobic hybrid reactor.

PubMed

Kumar, Amit; Yadav, Asheesh Kumar; Sreekrishnan, T R; Satya, Santosh; Kaushik, C P

2008-05-01

The study was aimed at treating the complex, combined wastewater generated in Mangolpuri industrial cluster. It was considered as a low strength wastewater with respect to its organic content. Anaerobic treatment of this wastewater was studied using an anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) which combined the best features of both the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and anaerobic fluidized bed rector (AFBR). The performance of the reactor under different organic and hydraulic loading rates were studied. The COD removal reached 94% at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.08 kg COD m(-3)d(-1) at an hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6.0 h. The granules developed were characterized in terms of their diameter and terminal settling velocity.

Decreased PCDD/F formation when co-firing a waste fuel and biomass in a CFB boiler by addition of sulphates or municipal sewage sludge.

PubMed

Åmand, Lars-Erik; Kassman, Håkan

2013-08-01

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are formed during waste incineration and in waste-to-energy boilers. Incomplete combustion, too short residence times at low combustion temperatures (<700 °C), incineration of electronic waste and plastic waste containing chlorine are all factors influencing the formation of PCDD/Fs in boilers. The impact of chlorine and catalysing metals (such as copper and iron) in the fuel on PCDD/F formation was studied in a 12 MW(th) circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boiler. The PCDD/F concentrations in the raw gas after the convection pass of the boiler and in the fly ashes were compared. The fuel types were a so-called clean biomass with low content of chlorine, biomass with enhanced content of chlorine from supply of PVC, and solid recovered fuel (SRF) which is a waste fuel containing higher concentrations of both chlorine, and catalysing metals. The PCDD/F formation increased for the biomass with enhanced chlorine content and it was significantly reduced in the raw gas as well as in the fly ashes by injection of ammonium sulphate. A link, the alkali chloride track, is demonstrated between the level of alkali chlorides in the gas phase, the chlorine content in the deposits in the convection pass and finally the PCDD/F formation. The formation of PCDD/Fs was also significantly reduced during co-combustion of SRF with municipal sewage sludge (MSS) compared to when SRF was fired without MSS as additional fuel. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge and food waste.

PubMed

Prabhu, Meghanath S; Mutnuri, Srikanth

2016-04-01

Anaerobic co-digestion of organic matter improves digester operating characteristics and its performance. In the present work, food waste was collected from the institute cafeteria. Two types of sludge (before centrifuge and after centrifuge) were collected from the fluidised bed reactor of the institute treating sewage wastewater. Food waste and sludge were studied for their physico-chemical characteristics, such as pH, chemical oxygen demand, total solids, volatile solids, ammoniacal nitrogen, and total nitrogen. A biomethane potential assay was carried out to find out the optimum mixing ratio of food waste and sludge for anaerobic co-digestion. Results indicated that food waste mixed with sludge in the ratio of 1:2 produced the maximum biogas of 823 ml gVS(-1)(21 days) with an average methane content of 60%. Batch studies were conducted in 5 L lab-glass reactors at a mesophilic temperature. The effect of different substrate loading rates on biogas production was investigated. The mixing ratio of food waste and sludge was 1:2. A loading rate of 1 gVS L d(-1)gave the maximum biogas production of 742 ml g(-1)VS L d(-1)with a methane content of 50%, followed by 2 gVS L d(-1)with biogas of 539 ml g(-1)VS L d(-1) Microbial diversity of the reactor during fed batch studies was investigated by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. A pilot-scale co-digestion of food waste and sludge (before centrifuge) indicated the process stability of anaerobic digestion. © The Author(s) 2016.

Detection of component segregation in granules manufactured by high shear granulation with over-granulation conditions using near-infrared chemical imaging.

PubMed

Koide, Tatsuo; Nagato, Takuya; Kanou, Yoshiyuki; Matsui, Kou; Natsuyama, Susumu; Kawanishi, Toru; Hiyama, Yukio

2013-01-30

The objective of this study was to evaluate the high shear granulation process using near-infrared (NIR) chemical imaging technique and to make the findings available for pharmaceutical development. We prepared granules and tablets made under appropriate- and over-granulation conditions with high shear granulation and observed these granules and tablets using NIR chemical imaging system. We found an interesting phenomenon: lactose agglomeration and segregation of ingredients occurred in experimental tablets when over-granulation conditions, including greater impeller rotation speeds and longer granulation times, were employed. Granules prepared using over-granulation conditions were larger and had progressed to the consolidation stage; segregation between ethenzamide and lactose occurred within larger granules. The segregation observed here is not detectable using conventional analytical technologies such as high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) because the content of the granules remained uniform despite the segregation. Therefore, granule visualization using NIR chemical imaging is an effective method for investigating and evaluating the granulation process. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

MODster: Namespaces and Redirection for Earth Science Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frew, J.; Metzger, D.; Slaughter, P.

2005-12-01

MODster is a distributed, decentralized inventory server for Earth science data granules (standard units of data content and structure.) MODster connects data granule users (people who know which specific granule they want, but who don't know who has it or how to get it) with data granule providers (people or institutions that keep granules accessible online.) * If you're a provider, you can tell MODster which granules you have and where they live (i.e., their URLs.) * If you're a user, you can ask MODster for a granule, and it will transparently redirect your request to whomever has it. The key to making this work is a standard granule namespace. A granule namespace is a naming convention that associates particular names with particular granules, regardless of where those granules live. Different Earth science data products have their own granule namespaces. For example, in the MODIS granule namespace, the granule name "MOD43A2.A1998365.h5.v8.001.1999001090020.hdf" always refers to version 1 of the 5th horizontal and 8th vertical tile of the Level 3 16-day Bi-directional Reflectance Distribution Function product, acquired by the MODIS Terra sensor on 31 December 1998 and generated on 01 January 1999 at 9:00:20 AM. A MODster URL is simply a standard way of referring to a data product namespace and one of its granules. MODster URLs have the general form "http://server/namespace/granule" where "granule" is a granule name that conforms to a granule namespace, "namespace" is a MODster namespace, which is the name of a granule namespace whose conventions are known to MODster, and "server" is a MODster server, which is an HTTP server that can redirect namespace/granule requests to granule providers. A MODster URL with no granule component gets a description of the MODster namespace, its authority (the persons or institutions responsible for documenting and maintaining the naming convention), and also any services for that MODster namespace that the MODster server supports. Our current MODster implementation allows granule providers to explicitly register their granules, and can also crawl provider sites looking for granules whose names match specific rules or regular expressions.

Continuous biosorption of Pb/Cu and Pb/Cd in fixed-bed column using algae Gelidium and granulated agar extraction algal waste.

PubMed

Vilar, Vítor J P; Loureiro, José M; Botelho, Cidália M S; Boaventura, Rui A R

2008-06-15

Continuous metal ions biosorption from Pb/Cu and Pb/Cd solutions onto seaweed Gelidium sesquipedale and a composite material prepared from an industrial algal waste was performed in a packed bed column. A binary Langmuir equation describes well the equilibrium data and indicates a good adsorption capacity. In the sorption process, Cd and Cu break through the column faster than Pb due to its lower affinity for the biosorbent. An overshoot in the outlet Cd concentration was observed and explained by competitive adsorption between Pb and Cd, whereby the higher Pb affinity for the biosorbent displaces bound Cd ions. A small overshoot happens for Cu adsorption in the presence of Pb ions. Desorption using 0.1 M HNO3 as eluant, was 100% effective. A mass transfer model for the adsorption and desorption processes, considering an external and intraparticle film resistance, adequately simulates the column performance. A binary Langmuir equation was used to describe equilibrium for the saturation process and a mass action law for the desorption process. Elution process is defined as an ion exchange mechanism, between protons and metal ions.

Biofilm reactors for industrial bioconversion processes: employing potential of enhanced reaction rates

PubMed Central

Qureshi, Nasib; Annous, Bassam A; Ezeji, Thaddeus C; Karcher, Patrick; Maddox, Ian S

2005-01-01

This article describes the use of biofilm reactors for the production of various chemicals by fermentation and wastewater treatment. Biofilm formation is a natural process where microbial cells attach to the support (adsorbent) or form flocs/aggregates (also called granules) without use of chemicals and form thick layers of cells known as "biofilms." As a result of biofilm formation, cell densities in the reactor increase and cell concentrations as high as 74 gL-1 can be achieved. The reactor configurations can be as simple as a batch reactor, continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), packed bed reactor (PBR), fluidized bed reactor (FBR), airlift reactor (ALR), upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, or any other suitable configuration. In UASB granular biofilm particles are used. This article demonstrates that reactor productivities in these reactors have been superior to any other reactor types. This article describes production of ethanol, butanol, lactic acid, acetic acid/vinegar, succinic acid, and fumaric acid in addition to wastewater treatment in the biofilm reactors. As the title suggests, biofilm reactors have high potential to be employed in biotechnology/bioconversion industry for viable economic reasons. In this article, various reactor types have been compared for the above bioconversion processes. PMID:16122390

Enigmatic organosiliceous rocks in the 2000 Ma petrified oil field in Russian Fennoscandia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deines, Yu.; Melezhik, V.; Lepland, A.; Filippov, M.; Romashkin, A.; Rychanchik, D.

2009-04-01

The c. 2000 Ma, 900 m-thick, Zaonezhskaja Formation in the Onega basin, Russian Fennoscandia, contains one of the greatest accumulations of organic matter (OM) in the Early Precambrian. It also represents a unique preservation of a supergiant petrified oil field. Zaonezhskaja Formation rocks are greenschist-facies volcaniclastic greywackes (distal turbidites), dolostone and limestones, mafic tuffs and lavas intruded by numerous mafic sills. Several sedimentary beds are enriched in OM with the overall content of total organic carbon (TOC) ranging from 0.1 to 16 wt.% whereas d13C varies between -44 and -17 per mil(V-PDB). The formation contains plentiful evidence of generation and migration of oil (now petrified) as well as oil traps. Results of geophysical surveys combined with drillcore data, including results recently obtained within the framework of the Fennoscandian Arctic Russia - Drilling Early Earth Project (FAR-DEEP), revealed numerous bodies of organosiliceous rocks (OSR) containing mainly silica (c. 57 wt.% SiO2), organic carbon (up to 40 wt.%), Al2O3 (c. 5 wt.%), S (c. 2 wt.%), and minor K, Mg, Fe, Ca and Ti. d13C of the OSR ranges between -40 and -20 per mil. The OSR form crudely stratified beds, cupola-like bodies or veins. The cupola-like bodies show cross-cutting (intrusive) contacts with the host turbiditic greywackes, reach thicknesses of 120 m with a lateral extent of several hundreds of metres. Veins are a few tens of centimetres thick. The OSR show close spatial association with gabbro sills. Although different fabrics have been recognised in the OSR, syngenetic macro- and microbreccias per se are the most common rock types. Fragments of different sedimentary rocks, as well as those with alternating C-rich and C-poor concentric lamina are present. The latter suggests precipitation from hydrothermal fluids. The nature of the OSR remains enigmatic. Several models have been advanced for explanation of origin of the OSR. However, neither of them could explain the source, and joint transport of two major components, namely silica and OM. We propose a model involving a hydrothermal system initiated by heat produced during the emplacement of numerous mafic intrusive bodies. Such heat may have created the necessary temperature gradient for earlier oil generation, thermal oil to gas cracking, and initiation of shallow-seated, sub-surface, hydrothermal circulation. The proposed result would have been the mingling of silica leached from mafic rocks with hydrocarbon, and gas (primarily CO2, CH4) extracted from the host sedimentary rocks. Such a gas-rich C-Si-H2O substance would have migrated into permeable beds. A high sedimentation rate, as expected in many turbiditic depositional environments, would have produced a high lithostatic pressure on to unlithified beds during the course of the basin subsidence. This would have forced gas-rich C-Si-H2O fluids that moved either laterally along permeable beds or vertically along zones of weakness. In the first case, sediments 'impregnated' with gas-rich C-Si-H2O fluids would have formed stratigraphic beds of OSR, whereas in the second case the result would been crosscutting veins. Beds may retain some primary layering, whereas veins do not. If veins reached the seafloor, the sediment - C-Si-H2O mush would have extruded in the form of a mud volcano / hydrothermal mound, and thus formed a cupola-like morphology. During the course of compression, the sediment - C-Si-H2O mush might have experienced several stages of partial lithification, as well as fluidisation processes leading to the formation of several generations of micro- and macro-brecciated rocks. The large d13C range of reduced carbon in the OSR suggests a complex maturation process of the biogenic OM. Further detailed microstructural, geochemical, isotopic and biomarker studies are planned for distinguishing between biological and abiological processes involved in the formation of the enigmatic OSR.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LARGE AND SMALL GRANULES IN SOLAR QUIET REGIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu Daren; Xie Zongxia; Hu Qinghua

The normal mode observations of seven quiet regions obtained by the Hinode spacecraft are analyzed to study the physical properties of granules. An artificial intelligence technique is introduced to automatically find the spatial distribution of granules in feature spaces. In this work, we investigate the dependence of granular continuum intensity, mean Doppler velocity, and magnetic fields on granular diameter. We recognized 71,538 granules by an automatic segmentation technique and then extracted five properties: diameter, continuum intensity, Doppler velocity, and longitudinal and transverse magnetic flux density to describe the granules. To automatically explore the intrinsic structures of the granules in themore » five-dimensional parameter space, the X-means clustering algorithm and one-rule classifier are introduced to define the rules for classifying the granules. It is found that diameter is a dominating parameter in classifying the granules and two families of granules are derived: small granules with diameters smaller than 1.''44, and large granules with diameters larger than 1.''44. Based on statistical analysis of the detected granules, the following results are derived: (1) the averages of diameter, continuum intensity, and Doppler velocity in the upward direction of large granules are larger than those of small granules; (2) the averages of absolute longitudinal, transverse, and unsigned flux density of large granules are smaller than those of small granules; (3) for small granules, the average of continuum intensity increases with their diameters, while the averages of Doppler velocity, transverse, absolute longitudinal, and unsigned magnetic flux density decrease with their diameters. However, the mean properties of large granules are stable; (4) the intensity distributions of all granules and small granules do not satisfy Gaussian distribution, while that of large granules almost agrees with normal distribution with a peak at 1.04 I{sub 0}.« less

The life cycle of platelet granules.

PubMed

Sharda, Anish; Flaumenhaft, Robert

2018-01-01

Platelet granules are unique among secretory vesicles in both their content and their life cycle. Platelets contain three major granule types-dense granules, α-granules, and lysosomes-although other granule types have been reported. Dense granules and α-granules are the most well-studied and the most physiologically important. Platelet granules are formed in large, multilobulated cells, termed megakaryocytes, prior to transport into platelets. The biogenesis of dense granules and α-granules involves common but also distinct pathways. Both are formed from the trans -Golgi network and early endosomes and mature in multivesicular bodies, but the formation of dense granules requires trafficking machinery different from that of α-granules. Following formation in the megakaryocyte body, both granule types are transported through and mature in long proplatelet extensions prior to the release of nascent platelets into the bloodstream. Granules remain stored in circulating platelets until platelet activation triggers the exocytosis of their contents. Soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, located on both the granules and target membranes, provide the mechanical energy that enables membrane fusion during both granulogenesis and exocytosis. The function of these core fusion engines is controlled by SNARE regulators, which direct the site, timing, and extent to which these SNAREs interact and consequently the resulting membrane fusion. In this review, we assess new developments in the study of platelet granules, from their generation to their exocytosis.

Mechanism of the formation of hollow spherical granules using a high shear granulator.

PubMed

Asada, Takumi; Nishikawa, Mitsunori; Ochiai, Yasushi; Noguchi, Shuji; Kimura, Shin-Ichiro; Iwao, Yasunori; Itai, Shigeru

2018-05-30

Recently, we have developed a novel granulation technology to manufacture hollow spherical granules (HSGs) for controlled-release formulations; however, the mechanism of the granulation is still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism of the formation of the HSGs using a high shear granulator. Samples of granulated material were collected at various times during granulation and were investigated using scanning electron microscope and X-ray computed tomography. It was observed that the granulation proceeded by drug layering to the polymer, followed by formation of a hollow in the granule. In addition, it was also found that generation of a crack in the adhered drug layer and air flow into the granules might be involved in forming the hollow in the structure. Observation of the granulation of formulations with different types of drugs and polymers indicated that negative pressure in the granules occurred and the granules caved in when the hollow was formed. The hollow-forming speed and the shell density of the hollow granules depended on the particular drug and polymer. Taken together, the granulation mechanism of HSGs was determined and this information will be valuable for HSGs technology development. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The combined effect of wet granulation process parameters and dried granule moisture content on tablet quality attributes.

PubMed

Gabbott, Ian P; Al Husban, Farhan; Reynolds, Gavin K

2016-09-01

A pharmaceutical compound was used to study the effect of batch wet granulation process parameters in combination with the residual moisture content remaining after drying on granule and tablet quality attributes. The effect of three batch wet granulation process parameters was evaluated using a multivariate experimental design, with a novel constrained design space. Batches were characterised for moisture content, granule density, crushing strength, porosity, disintegration time and dissolution. Mechanisms of the effect of the process parameters on the granule and tablet quality attributes are proposed. Water quantity added during granulation showed a significant effect on granule density and tablet dissolution rate. Mixing time showed a significant effect on tablet crushing strength, and mixing speed showed a significant effect on the distribution of tablet crushing strengths obtained. The residual moisture content remaining after granule drying showed a significant effect on tablet crushing strength. The effect of moisture on tablet tensile strength has been reported before, but not in combination with granulation parameters and granule properties, and the impact on tablet dissolution was not assessed. Correlations between the energy input during granulation, the density of granules produced, and the quality attributes of the final tablets were also identified. Understanding the impact of the granulation and drying process parameters on granule and tablet properties provides a basis for process optimisation and scaling. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microbial community variation in cryoconite granules on Qaanaaq Glacier, NW Greenland.

PubMed

Uetake, Jun; Tanaka, Sota; Segawa, Takahiro; Takeuchi, Nozomu; Nagatsuka, Naoko; Motoyama, Hideaki; Aoki, Teruo

2016-09-01

Cryoconite granules are aggregations of microorganisms with mineral particles that form on glacier surfaces. To understand the processes by which the granules develop, this study focused on the altitudinal distribution of the granules and photosynthetic microorganisms on the glacier, bacterial community variation with granules size and environmental factors affecting the growth of the granules. Size-sorted cryoconite granules collected from five different sites on Qaanaaq Glacier were analyzed. C and N contents were significantly higher in large (diameter greater than 250 μm) granules than in smaller (diameter 30-249 μm) granules. Bacterial community structures, based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, were different between the smaller and larger granules. The filamentous cyanobacterium Phormidesmis priestleyi was the dominant bacterial species in larger granules. Multivariate analysis suggests that the abundance of mineral particles on the glacier surface is the main factor controlling growth of these cyanobacteria. These results show that the supply of mineral particles on the glacier enhances granule development, that P. priestleyi is likely the key species for primary production and the formation of the granules and that the bacterial community in the granules changes over the course of the granule development. © FEMS 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Cytoplasmic RNA Granules in Somatic Maintenance.

PubMed

Moujaber, Ossama; Stochaj, Ursula

2018-05-30

Cytoplasmic RNA granules represent subcellular compartments that are enriched in protein-bound RNA species. RNA granules are produced by evolutionary divergent eukaryotes, including yeast, mammals, and plants. The functions of cytoplasmic RNA granules differ widely. They are dictated by the cell type and physiological state, which in turn is determined by intrinsic cell properties and environmental factors. RNA granules provide diverse cellular functions. However, all of the granules contribute to aspects of RNA metabolism. This is exemplified by transcription, RNA storage, silencing, and degradation, as well as mRNP remodeling and regulated translation. Several forms of cytoplasmic mRNA granules are linked to normal physiological processes. For instance, they may coordinate protein synthesis and thereby serve as posttranscriptional "operons". RNA granules also participate in cytoplasmic mRNA trafficking, a process particularly well understood for neurons. Many forms of RNA granules support the preservation of somatic cell performance under normal and stress conditions. On the other hand, severe insults or disease can cause the formation and persistence of RNA granules that contribute to cellular dysfunction, especially in the nervous system. Neurodegeneration and many other diseases linked to RNA granules are associated with aging. Nevertheless, information related to the impact of aging on the various types of RNA granules is presently very limited. This review concentrates on cytoplasmic RNA granules and their role in somatic cell maintenance. We summarize the current knowledge on different types of RNA granules in the cytoplasm, their assembly and function under normal, stress, or disease conditions. Specifically, we discuss processing bodies, neuronal granules, stress granules, and other less characterized cytoplasmic RNA granules. Our focus is primarily on mammalian and yeast models, because they have been critical to unravel the physiological role of various RNA granules. RNA granules in plants and pathogens are briefly described. We conclude our viewpoint by summarizing the emerging concepts for RNA granule biology and the open questions that need to be addressed in future studies. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Numerical analysis of temperature field in the high speed rotary dry-milling process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, N. X.; Deng, L. J.; Liao, D. H.

2018-01-01

For the effect of the temperature field in the ceramic dry granulation. Based on the Euler-Euler mathematical model, at the same time, made ceramic dry granulation experiment equipment more simplify and established physical model, the temperature of the dry granulation process was simulated with the granulation time. The relationship between the granulation temperature and granulation effect in dry granulation process was analyzed, at the same time, the correctness of numerical simulation was verified by measuring the fluidity index of ceramic bodies. Numerical simulation and experimental results showed that when granulation time was 4min, 5min, 6min, maximum temperature inside the granulation chamber was: 70°C, 85°C, 95°C. And the equilibrium of the temperature in the granulation chamber was weakened, the fluidity index of the billet particles was: 56.4. 89.7. 81.6. Results of the research showed that when granulation time was 5min, the granulation effect was best. When the granulation chamber temperature was more than 85°C, the fluidity index and the effective particles quantity of the billet particles were reduced.

CaMKIIalpha 3' untranslated region-directed mRNA translocation in living neurons: visualization by GFP linkage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rook, M. S.; Lu, M.; Kosik, K. S.

2000-01-01

The CaMKIIalpha mRNA extends into distal hippocampal dendrites, and the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) is sufficient to mediate this localization. We labeled the 3'UTR of the CaMKIIalpha mRNA in hippocampal cultures by using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)/MS2 bacteriophage tagging system. The CaMKIIalpha 3'UTR formed discrete granules throughout the dendrites of transfected cells. The identity of the fluorescent granules was verified by in situ hybridization. Over 30 min time periods these granules redistributed without a net increase in granule number; with depolarization there is a tendency toward increased numbers of granules in the dendrites. These observations suggest that finer time resolution of granule motility might reveal changes in the motility characteristics of granules after depolarization. So that motile granules could be tracked, shorter periods of observation were required. The movements of motile granules can be categorized as oscillatory, unidirectional anterograde, or unidirectional retrograde. Colocalization of CaMKIIalpha 3'UTR granules and synapses suggested that oscillatory movements allowed the granules to sample several local synapses. Neuronal depolarization increased the number of granules in the anterograde motile pool. Based on the time frame over which the granule number increased, the translocation of granules may serve to prepare the dendrite for mounting an adequate local translation response to future stimuli. Although the resident pool of granules can respond to signals that induce local translation, the number of granules in a dendrite might reflect its activation history.

Effect of granular activated carbon on the aerobic granulation of sludge and its mechanism.

PubMed

Tao, Jia; Qin, Lian; Liu, Xiaoying; Li, Bolin; Chen, Junnan; You, Juan; Shen, Yitian; Chen, Xiaoguo

2017-07-01

The granulation of activated sludge and effect of granular activated carbon (GAC) was investigated under the alternative anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The results showed that GAC accelerated the granulation, but had no obvious effect on the bacterial community structure of granules. The whole granulation process could be categorized into three phases, i.e. lag, granulation and granule maturation phase. During lag period GAC provided nuclei for sludge to attach, and thus enhanced the morphological regularization of sludge. During granulation period the granule size increased significantly due to the growth of bacteria in granules. GAC reduced the compression caused by the inter-particle collisions and thus accelerate the granulation. GAC has no negative effect on the performance of SBR, and thus efficient simultaneous removal of COD, nitrogen and phosphorus were obtained during most of the operating time. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Cellular stress induces cytoplasmic RNA granules in fission yeast.

PubMed

Nilsson, Daniel; Sunnerhagen, Per

2011-01-01

Severe stress causes plant and animal cells to form large cytoplasmic granules containing RNA and proteins. Here, we demonstrate the existence of stress-induced cytoplasmic RNA granules in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Homologs to several known protein components of mammalian processing bodies and stress granules are found in fission yeast RNA granules. In contrast to mammalian cells, poly(A)-binding protein (Pabp) colocalizes in stress-induced granules with decapping protein. After glucose deprivation, protein kinase A (PKA) is required for accumulation of Pabp-positive granules and translational down-regulation. This is the first demonstration of a role for PKA in RNA granule formation. In mammals, the translation initiation protein eIF2α is a key regulator of formation of granules containing poly(A)-binding protein. In S. pombe, nonphosphorylatable eIF2α does not block but delays granule formation and subsequent clearance after exposure to hyperosmosis. At least two separate pathways in S. pombe appear to regulate stress-induced granules: pka1 mutants are fully proficient to form granules after hyperosmotic shock; conversely, eIF2α does not affect granule formation in glucose starvation. Further, we demonstrate a Pka1-dependent link between calcium perturbation and RNA granules, which has not been described earlier in any organism.

Deficiency of Starch Synthase IIIa and IVb Alters Starch Granule Morphology from Polyhedral to Spherical in Rice Endosperm1

PubMed Central

Toyosawa, Yoshiko; Kawagoe, Yasushi; Matsushima, Ryo; Ogawa, Masahiro; Fukuda, Masako; Kumamaru, Toshihiro; Okazaki, Yozo; Kusano, Miyako; Saito, Kazuki; Toyooka, Kiminori; Sato, Mayuko; Ai, Yongfeng; Fujita, Naoko

2016-01-01

Starch granule morphology differs markedly among plant species. However, the mechanisms controlling starch granule morphology have not been elucidated. Rice (Oryza sativa) endosperm produces characteristic compound-type granules containing dozens of polyhedral starch granules within an amyloplast. Some other cereal species produce simple-type granules, in which only one starch granule is present per amyloplast. A double mutant rice deficient in the starch synthase (SS) genes SSIIIa and SSIVb (ss3a ss4b) produced spherical starch granules, whereas the parental single mutants produced polyhedral starch granules similar to the wild type. The ss3a ss4b amyloplasts contained compound-type starch granules during early developmental stages, and spherical granules were separated from each other during subsequent amyloplast development and seed dehydration. Analysis of glucan chain length distribution identified overlapping roles for SSIIIa and SSIVb in amylopectin chain synthesis, with a degree of polymerization of 42 or greater. Confocal fluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy of wild-type developing rice seeds revealed that the majority of SSIVb was localized between starch granules. Therefore, we propose that SSIIIa and SSIVb have crucial roles in determining starch granule morphology and in maintaining the amyloplast envelope structure. We present a model of spherical starch granule production. PMID:26747287

High resolution of heterogeneity among human neutrophil granules: physical, biochemical, and ultrastructural properties of isolated fractions.

PubMed

Rice, W G; Kinkade, J M; Parmley, R T

1986-08-01

Previous studies on the fractionation of human neutrophil granules have identified two major populations: myeloperoxidase (MPO)-containing azurophil, or primary, granules and MPO-deficient specific, or secondary, granules. Peripheral blood neutrophils from individual donors were lysed in sucrose-free media by either hypotonic shock or nitrogen cavitation. Using a novel two-gradient Percoll density centrifugation system, the granule-rich postnuclear supernatant was rapidly (ten minutes) and reproducibly resolved into 13 granule fractions (L1 through L8 and H1 through H5). Granule flotation and recentrifugation experiments on both continuous, self-generated and multiple-step gradients using individual and mixed isolated fractions demonstrated that the banding patterns were isopycnic and nonartifactual. Isolated granules were intact based on the findings that biochemical latency of several granule enzymes was greater than 95%, and thin-sectioned electron micrographs demonstrated intact granule profiles. Biochemical analyses of the granule marker proteins MPO, beta-glucuronidase, lysozyme, and lactoferrin indicated that a number of the fractions were related to the major azurophil and specific granule populations. Lactoferrin was found in ten of 13 fractions (L1 through L8, H1 to H2), whereas MPO was found in every fraction. Consistent with these biochemical data, all fractions exhibited varying degrees of heterogeneity based on ultrastructural morphology and cytochemistry, including diaminobenzidine (DAB) reactivity for peroxidase and periodate-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) staining for complex glycoconjugates. A variable but significant percentage (23% to 70%) of the granules in fractions L1 through L8 and H1 and H2 showed DAB reactivity, while about 90% of the granules in fractions H3 through H5 were peroxidase positive. These results demonstrated that DAB-reactive granules spanned the entire range of granule size and density. Ultrastructural PA-TCH-SP staining of isolated granule fractions revealed patterns similar to those of granules in intact neutrophils at different stages of development. Granules from human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) exhibited a surprisingly low density compared with typical azurophil granules from normal, mature neutrophils. The data suggest that both functional and maturational differences contribute to granule heterogeneity, and provide a new practical and conceptual framework for further defining the phenomenon of neutrophil granule heterogeneity.

The use of desiccation to treat Staphylococcus aureus biofilm-infected wounds.

PubMed

Park, Eugene; Long, Sarah A; Seth, Akhil K; Geringer, Matthew; Xu, Wei; Chavez-Munoz, Claudia; Leung, Kai; Hong, Seok Jong; Galiano, Robert D; Mustoe, Thomas A

2016-03-01

Chronic wounds colonized with biofilm present a major burden to our healthcare system. While the current paradigm for wound healing is to maintain a moist environment, we sought to evaluate the effects of desiccation, and the ability of honey to desiccate wounds, on wound healing characteristics in Staphylococcus aureus biofilm wounds. In vivo biofilm wound healing after exposure to open-air desiccation, honey, molasses, and saline was analyzed using a rabbit ear model of S. aureus biofilm wounds previously developed by our group. Wound morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy and granulation tissue deposition was measured using light microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Viable bacterial counts in rabbit ear biofilm wounds and scabs were measured using a drop dilution method. In vitro S. aureus growth curves were established using tryptic soy broth containing honey and glycerol. Gene expression analysis of rabbit ear wounds was performed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Rabbit ear S. aureus biofilm wounds exposed to open-air desiccation, honey, and molasses developed a dry scab, which displaced the majority of biofilm bacteria off of the wound bed. Wounds treated with open-air desiccation, honey, and molasses expressed lower levels of the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β at postoperative day 12 compared with wounds treated with saline, and had increased levels of granulation tissue formation. In vitro growth of S. aureus in tryptic soy broth was inhibited by the presence of honey to a greater extent than by the presence of osmolality-matched glycerol. Desiccation of chronic wounds colonized with biofilm via exposure to open air or honey leads to improved wound healing by decreasing bacterial burden and inflammation, and increasing granulation tissue formation. The ability of honey to help heal chronic wounds is at least in part due to its ability to desiccate bacterial biofilm, but other factors clearly contribute. © 2015 by the Wound Healing Society.

Evaluation of beta-lactose, PVP K12 and PVP K90 as excipients to prepare piroxicam granules using two wet granulation techniques.

PubMed

Albertini, Beatrice; Cavallari, Cristina; Passerini, Nadia; González-Rodríguez, M L; Rodriguez, Lorenzo

2003-11-01

The present investigation aimed at evaluating the use of different excipients, beta-lactose and polyvinylpyrrolidone of two molecular weights (PVP K12 and PVP K90), in the production of improved release piroxicam granules, by wet granulation using both water and steam as granulation liquid. The formulations examined were: piroxicam (Px)/beta-lactose; Px/PVP K12 and Px/PVP K90, each one at a 1:9 weight ratio. The most significant difference between beta-lactose and PVP is that, using the first excipient, both steam and water granules were produced while, when PVP were employed, only steam granules were obtained. Image analysis revealed that beta-lactose steam granules had a larger surface area with respect to water granules, whereas lower values of this parameter were observed in PVP-s granules, confirming the Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs and the fractal analysis results. As regards the enhancement of the dissolution profiles, the best result was obtained using beta-lactose steam granules followed by PVP K12 ones, even if the reactive dimension values indicated that during the dissolution process PVP K12 granules modified the surface more than beta-lactose granules. As regards PVP K90, this excipient was the one less influencing the granule morphology and the dissolution behaviour. Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis suggested the partial amorphisation of the drug in the granules containing the three excipients. This result was then confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Therefore, beta-lactose and PVP K12 could be proposed as useful excipients to enhance the dissolution rate of Px from granules prepared using the steam granulation technique.

Intracisternal granules in the adipokinetic cells of locusts are not degraded and apparently function as supplementary stores of secretory material.

PubMed

Harthoorn, L F; Diederen, J H; Oudejans, R C; Verstegen, M M; Vullings, H G; Van der Horst, D J

2000-01-01

The intracisternal granules in locust adipokinetic cells appear to represent accumulations of secretory material within cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. An important question is whether these granules are destined for degradation or represent stores of (pro)hormones. Two strategies were used to answer this question. First, cytochemistry was applied to elucidate the properties of intracisternal granules. The endocytic tracers horseradish peroxidase and wheat-germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase were used to facilitate the identification of endocytic, autophagic, and lysosomal organelles, which may be involved in the degradation of intracisternal granules. No intracisternal granules could be found within autophagosomes, and granules fused with endocytic and lysosomal organelles were not observed, nor could tracer be found within the granules. The lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase was absent from the granules. Second, biochemical analysis of the content of intracisternal granules revealed that these granules contain prohormones as well as hormones. Prohormones were present in relatively higher amounts compared with ordinary secretory granules. Since the intracisternal granules in locust adipokinetic cells are not degraded and contain intact (pro)hormones it is concluded that they function as supplementary stores of secretory material.

Influence of metronidazole particle properties on granules prepared in a high-shear mixer-granulator.

PubMed

Di Martino, Piera; Censi, Roberta; Malaj, Ledjan; Martelli, Sante; Joiris, Etienne; Barthélémy, Christine

2007-02-01

Metronidazole is a good example of high-dose drug substance with poor granulating and tableting properties. Tablets are generally produced by liquid granulation; however, the technological process failure is quite frequent. In order to verify how the metronidazole particle characteristics can influence granule properties, three metronidazole batches differing for crystal habit, mean particle size, BET surface area and wettability were selected, primarily designed according to their different elongation ratio: needle-shaped, stick-shaped, and isodimensional. In the presence of lactose monohydrate and pregelatinized maize starch, respectively as diluent and binder, they were included in a formula for wet granulation in a high-shear mixer-granulator. In order to render the process comparable as far as possible, all parameters and experimental conditions were maintained constant. Four granule batches were obtained: granules from placebo (G-placebo), granules from needle-shaped crystals (G-needle-shaped), granules from stick-shaped crystals (G-stick-shaped), and granules from isodimensional crystals (G-isodimensional). Different granule properties were considered, in particular concerning porosity, friability, loss on drying (LOD), and flowability. In order to study their tabletability and compressibility, the different granules obtained were then compressed in a rotary press. The best tabletability was obtained with the isodimensional batch, while the poorest was exhibited by the stick-shaped one. Differences in tabletability are in good accordance with compressibility results: to a better tabletability corresponds an important granule ability to undergo a volume reduction as a result of an applied pressure. In particular, it was proposed that the greatest compressibility of the G-isodimensional must be related to the greatest granule porosity percentage.

Evaluation of the physicochemical properties and compaction behavior of melt granules produced in microwave-induced and conventional melt granulation in a single pot high shear processor.

PubMed

Loh, Z H; Sia, B Y; Heng, Paul W S; Lee, C C; Liew, Celine V

2011-12-01

Recently, microwave-induced melt granulation was shown to be a promising alternative to conventional melt granulation with improved process monitoring capabilities. This study aimed to compare the physicochemical and compaction properties of granules produced from microwave-induced and conventional melt granulation. Powder admixtures comprising equivalent proportions by weight of lactose 200 M and anhydrous dicalcium phosphate were granulated with polyethylene glycol 3350 under the influence of microwave-induced and conventional heating in a 10-L single pot high shear processor. The properties of the granules and compacts produced from the two processes were compared. Relative to conventional melt granulation, the rates at which the irradiated powders heated up in microwave-induced melt granulation were lower. Agglomerate growth proceeded at a slower rate, and this necessitated longer massing durations for growth induction. These factors prompted greater evaporative moisture losses from the melt granules. Additionally, nonuniform heating of the powders under the influence of microwaves led to increased inter-batch variations in the binder contents of resultant melt granules and a reliance of content homogeneity on massing duration. Agglomerate growth proceeded more rapidly under the influence of conventional heating due to the enhanced heating capabilities of the powders. Melt granules produced using the conventional method possessed higher moisture contents and improved content homogeneity. The compaction behavior of melt granules were affected by their mean sizes, porosities, flow properties, binder, and moisture contents. The last two factors were responsible for the disparities in compaction behavior of melt granules produced from microwave-induced and conventional melt granulation.

Real-time process monitoring in a semi-continuous fluid-bed dryer - microwave resonance technology versus near-infrared spectroscopy.

PubMed

Peters, Johanna; Teske, Andreas; Taute, Wolfgang; Döscher, Claas; Höft, Michael; Knöchel, Reinhard; Breitkreutz, Jörg

2018-02-15

The trend towards continuous manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry is associated with an increasing demand for advanced control strategies. It is a mandatory requirement to obtain reliable real-time information on critical quality attributes (CQA) during every process step as the decision on diversion of material needs to be performed fast and automatically. Where possible, production equipment should provide redundant systems for in-process control (IPC) measurements to ensure continuous process monitoring even if one of the systems is not available. In this paper, two methods for real-time monitoring of granule moisture in a semi-continuous fluid-bed drying unit are compared. While near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has already proven to be a suitable process analytical technology (PAT) tool for moisture measurements in fluid-bed applications, microwave resonance technology (MRT) showed difficulties to monitor moistures above 8% until recently. The results indicate, that the newly developed MRT sensor operating at four resonances is capable to compete with NIR spectroscopy. While NIR spectra were preprocessed by mean centering and first derivative before application of partial least squares (PLS) regression to build predictive models (RMSEP = 0.20%), microwave moisture values of two resonances sufficed to build a statistically close multiple linear regression (MLR) model (RMSEP = 0.07%) for moisture prediction. Thereby, it could be verified that moisture monitoring by MRT sensor systems could be a valuable alternative to NIR spectroscopy or could be used as a redundant system providing great ease of application. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optical coherence tomography for non-destructive analysis of coatings in pharmaceutical tablets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markl, Daniel; Hannesschläger, Günther; Sacher, Stephan; Khinast, Johannes G.; Leitner, Michael

2013-04-01

Tablet coating is a common pharmaceutical technique to apply a thin continuous layer of solid on the top of a tablet or a granule containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Coating thickness and homogeneity are critical parameters regarding the drug release rate, and consequently a direct or indirect monitoring strategy of these critical process parameters is essential. With the aid of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) it is not only possible to measure the absolute coating thickness, but also to detect inhomogeneities in the coating or substrate material. In this work the possible application of OCT as in-line method for monitoring pharmaceutical tablet film coating is studied. Firstly, the feasibility of OCT for analysis tablet coating is examined. Seven different commercially available film-coated tablets with different shapes, formulations and coating thicknesses were investigated off-line. OCT images were acquired by two different spectral-domain OCT systems operating at center wavelengths of 830 and 1325 nm. Since the images of both systems allow the analysis of the coatings, the OCT system employing the shorter wavelength and thus providing a higher axial resolution was selected for the further experiments. The influence of a moving tablet bed on OCT images was analyzed by considering a static tablet bed and moving the sensor head along the tablet bed. The ability to analyze the coating homogeneity is limited to a speed up to 0.3 m/s. However, determining the coating thickness and inter-coating uniformity is still possible up to a speed of 0.7 m/s.

Optimising the in vitro and in vivo performance of oral cocrystal formulations via spray coating.

PubMed

Serrano, Dolores R; Walsh, David; O'Connell, Peter; Mugheirbi, Naila A; Worku, Zelalem Ayenew; Bolas-Fernandez, Francisco; Galiana, Carolina; Dea-Ayuela, Maria Auxiliadora; Healy, Anne Marie

2018-03-01

Engineering of pharmaceutical cocrystals is an advantageous alternative to salt formation for improving the aqueous solubility of hydrophobic drugs. Although, spray drying is a well-established scale-up technique in the production of cocrystals, several issues can arise such as sublimation or stickiness due to low glass transition temperatures of some organic molecules, making the process very challenging. Even though, fluidised bed spray coating has been successfully employed in the production of amorphous drug-coated particles, to the best of our knowledge, it has never been employed in the production of cocrystals. The feasibility of this technique was proven using three model cocrystals: sulfadimidine (SDM)/4-aminosalicylic acid (4ASA), sulfadimidine/nicotinic acid (NA) and ibuprofen (IBU)/ nicotinamide (NAM). Design of experiments were performed to understand the critical formulation and process parameters that determine the formation of either cocrystal or coamorphous systems for SDM/4ASA. The amount and type of binder played a key role in the overall solid state and in vitro performance characteristics of the cocrystals. The optimal balance between high loading efficiencies and high degree of crystallinity was achieved only when a binder: cocrystal weight ratio of 5:95 or 10:90 was used. The cocrystal coated beads showed an improved in vitro-in vivo performance characterised by: (i) no tendency to aggregate in aqueous media compared to spray dried formulations, (ii) enhanced in vitro activity (1.8-fold greater) against S. aureus, (iii) larger oral absorption and bioavailability (2.2-fold higher C max ), (iv) greater flow properties and (v) improved chemical stability than cocrystals produced by other methods derived from the morphology and solid nature of the starter cores. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of ash behavior of different fuels in fluidised bed combustion using advanced fuel analysis and global equilibrium calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zevenhoven-Onderwater, M.; Blomquist, J.P.; Skrifvars, B.J.

1999-07-01

The behavior of different ashes is predicted by means of a combination of an advanced fuel analysis and global equilibrium calculations. In order to cover a broad spectrum of fuels a coal, a peat, a forest residue and Salix (i.e. willow) are studied. The latter was taken with and without soil contamination, i.e. with a high and low content of silica , respectively. It is shown that mineral matter in fossil and biomass fuels can be present in the matrix of the fuel itself or as included minerals. Using an advanced fuel analysis, i.e. a fractionation method, this mineral contentmore » can be divided into four fractions. The first fraction mainly contains those metal ions, that can be leached out of the fuel by water and mainly contains alkali sulfates, carbonates and chlorides. The second fraction mainly consists of those ions leached out by ammonium acetate and covers those ions, that are connected to the organic matrix. The third fraction contains the metals leached out by hydrochloric acid and contains earth alkali carbonates and sulfates as well as pyrites. The rest fraction contains those minerals, that are not leached out by any of the above mentioned solvents, such as silicates. A global equilibrium analysis is used to predict the thermal and chemical behavior of the combined first and second fractions and of the combined third and rest fractions under pressurized and/or atmospheric combustion conditions. Results of both the fuel analysis and the global equilibrium analysis are discussed and practical implications for combustion processes are pointed out.« less

Variability of single bean coffee volatile compounds of Arabica and robusta roasted coffees analysed by SPME-GC-MS.

PubMed

Caporaso, Nicola; Whitworth, Martin B; Cui, Chenhao; Fisk, Ian D

2018-06-01

We report on the analysis of volatile compounds by SPME-GC-MS for individual roasted coffee beans. The aim was to understand the relative abundance and variability of volatile compounds between individual roasted coffee beans at constant roasting conditions. Twenty-five batches of Arabica and robusta species were sampled from 13 countries, and 10 single coffee beans randomly selected from each batch were individually roasted in a fluidised-bed roaster at 210 °C for 3 min. High variability (CV = 14.0-53.3%) of 50 volatile compounds in roasted coffee was obtained within batches (10 beans per batch). Phenols and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds generally had higher intra-batch variation, while ketones were the most uniform compounds (CV < 20%). The variation between batches was much higher, with the CV ranging from 15.6 to 179.3%. The highest variation was observed for 2,3-butanediol, 3-ethylpyridine and hexanal. It was also possible to build classification models based on geographical origin, obtaining 99.5% and 90.8% accuracy using LDA or MLR classifiers respectively, and classification between Arabica and robusta beans. These results give further insight into natural variation of coffee aroma and could be used to obtain higher quality and more consistent final products. Our results suggest that coffee volatile concentration is also influenced by other factors than simply the roasting degree, especially green coffee composition, which is in turn influenced by the coffee species, geographical origin, ripening stage and pre- and post-harvest processing. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Design of Experiments to Study the Impact of Process Parameters on Droplet Size and Development of Non-Invasive Imaging Techniques in Tablet Coating

PubMed Central

Dennison, Thomas J.; Smith, Julian; Hofmann, Michael P.; Bland, Charlotte E.; Badhan, Raj K.; Al-Khattawi, Ali; Mohammed, Afzal R.

2016-01-01

Atomisation of an aqueous solution for tablet film coating is a complex process with multiple factors determining droplet formation and properties. The importance of droplet size for an efficient process and a high quality final product has been noted in the literature, with smaller droplets reported to produce smoother, more homogenous coatings whilst simultaneously avoiding the risk of damage through over-wetting of the tablet core. In this work the effect of droplet size on tablet film coat characteristics was investigated using X-ray microcomputed tomography (XμCT) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). A quality by design approach utilising design of experiments (DOE) was used to optimise the conditions necessary for production of droplets at a small (20 μm) and large (70 μm) droplet size. Droplet size distribution was measured using real-time laser diffraction and the volume median diameter taken as a response. DOE yielded information on the relationship three critical process parameters: pump rate, atomisation pressure and coating-polymer concentration, had upon droplet size. The model generated was robust, scoring highly for model fit (R2 = 0.977), predictability (Q2 = 0.837), validity and reproducibility. Modelling confirmed that all parameters had either a linear or quadratic effect on droplet size and revealed an interaction between pump rate and atomisation pressure. Fluidised bed coating of tablet cores was performed with either small or large droplets followed by CLSM and XμCT imaging. Addition of commonly used contrast materials to the coating solution improved visualisation of the coating by XμCT, showing the coat as a discrete section of the overall tablet. Imaging provided qualitative and quantitative evidence revealing that smaller droplets formed thinner, more uniform and less porous film coats. PMID:27548263

Effect of different excipients on the physical characteristics of granules and tablets with carbamazepine prepared with polyethylene glycol 6000 by fluidized hot-melt granulation (FHMG).

PubMed

Kraciuk, Radosław; Sznitowska, Malgorzata

2011-12-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of granules and tablets with carbamazepine which were prepared employing a fluidized hot-melt granulation (FHMG) technique. The FHMG process was carried out at 65°C. Macrogol 6000 (PEG 6000) was used as a binder at the content 10% (w/w) of the granulated mass. Granules containing up to 70% (w/w) of the drug and 20-90% (w/w) of a filler (lactose, mannitol, calcium hydrogen phosphate (Di-Cafos), pregelatinized starch, and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)) were produced. When the drug content was 30% (w/w), the yield of the process was satisfying (>95%) and flowability of the granules was better than placebo granules or drug-loaded granules prepared by wet granulation. Type of a filler had strong impact on physical properties of granules, and size distribution of the particles was the most homogenous when lactose or Di-Cafos were used. The FHMG technique enabled preparation of granules with better compressability compared with the wet-granulated product or with non-granulated powders. Tablets with shorter disintegration time than 10 min were obtained with 2.0% crospovidone added as a disintegrant. In comparison to tablets prepared from the wet-granulated mass, employment of the FHMG method resulted in tablets with faster dissolution of carbamazepine (more than 80% of the drug released within 15 min). This was achieved with mannitol or lactose/MCC, as fillers.

[Preparation and evaluation of taste masked orally disintegrating tablets with granules made by the wet granulation method].

PubMed

Kawano, Yayoi; Ito, Akihiko; Sasatsu, Masanaho; Machida, Yoshiharu; Onishi, Hiraku

2010-12-01

Using furosemide (FU) as a model drug, we examined the wet granulation method as a way to improve the taste masking and physical characteristics of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). In the wet granulation method, yogurt powder (YO) was used as a corrective and maltitol (MA) was used as a binding agent. The taste masked FU tablets were prepared using the direct compression method. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel® PH-302) and mannitol were added as excipients at a mixing ratio of 1/1 by weight. Based on the results of sensory test on taste, the prepared granules markedly improved the taste of FU, and a sufficient masking effect was obtained at the YO/FU ratio of 1 or more. Furthermore, it was found that the masking effect achieved by YO granules made with the wet granulation method was similar to or better than that produced by the granules made with dry granulation method. All types of tablets displayed sufficient hardness (over 3.5×10(-2) kN), and rapidly disintegrating tablets were obtained with YO granules produced at a mixing ratio of FU/YO=1/1, which disintegrated within 20 s. Disintegration time lengthened as the mixing ratio of YO to FU increased. In the mixing ratio of FU/YO=1/1, the hardness of tablets with granules made by the wet granulation method exceeded that of tablets with granules made by the dry granulation method, with minimal differences in disintegration time. The hardness and disintegration time of the tablets with granules made by the wet granulation method could be controlled by varying the compression force. In conclusion, YO was found to be a useful additive for masking unpleasant tastes. FU ODTs with improved taste, rapid disintegration and greater hardness could be prepared with YO-containing granules made by the wet granulation method using MA as a binding agent.

Rapid Feedforward Inhibition and Asynchronous Excitation Regulate Granule Cell Activity in the Mammalian Main Olfactory Bulb

PubMed Central

Burton, Shawn D.

2015-01-01

Granule cell-mediated inhibition is critical to patterning principal neuron activity in the olfactory bulb, and perturbation of synaptic input to granule cells significantly alters olfactory-guided behavior. Despite the critical role of granule cells in olfaction, little is known about how sensory input recruits granule cells. Here, we combined whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in acute mouse olfactory bulb slices with biophysical multicompartmental modeling to investigate the synaptic basis of granule cell recruitment. Physiological activation of sensory afferents within single glomeruli evoked diverse modes of granule cell activity, including subthreshold depolarization, spikelets, and suprathreshold responses with widely distributed spike latencies. The generation of these diverse activity modes depended, in part, on the asynchronous time course of synaptic excitation onto granule cells, which lasted several hundred milliseconds. In addition to asynchronous excitation, each granule cell also received synchronous feedforward inhibition. This inhibition targeted both proximal somatodendritic and distal apical dendritic domains of granule cells, was reliably recruited across sniff rhythms, and scaled in strength with excitation as more glomeruli were activated. Feedforward inhibition onto granule cells originated from deep short-axon cells, which responded to glomerular activation with highly reliable, short-latency firing consistent with tufted cell-mediated excitation. Simulations showed that feedforward inhibition interacts with asynchronous excitation to broaden granule cell spike latency distributions and significantly attenuates granule cell depolarization within local subcellular compartments. Collectively, our results thus identify feedforward inhibition onto granule cells as a core feature of olfactory bulb circuitry and establish asynchronous excitation and feedforward inhibition as critical regulators of granule cell activity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Inhibitory granule cells are involved critically in shaping odor-evoked principal neuron activity in the mammalian olfactory bulb, yet little is known about how sensory input activates granule cells. Here, we show that sensory input to the olfactory bulb evokes a barrage of asynchronous synaptic excitation and highly reliable, short-latency synaptic inhibition onto granule cells via a disynaptic feedforward inhibitory circuit involving deep short-axon cells. Feedforward inhibition attenuates local depolarization within granule cell dendritic branches, interacts with asynchronous excitation to suppress granule cell spike-timing precision, and scales in strength with excitation across different levels of sensory input to normalize granule cell firing rates. PMID:26490853

Difference in distribution of membrane proteins between low- and high-density secretory granules in parotid acinar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fujita-Yoshigaki, Junko; Katsumata, Osamu; Matsuki, Miwako

Secretory granules (SGs) are considered to be generated as immature granules and to mature by condensation of their contents. In this study, SGs of parotid gland were separated into low-, medium-, and high-density granule fractions by Percoll-density gradient centrifugation, since it was proposed that the density corresponds to the degree of maturation. The observation with electron microscopy showed that granules in the three fractions were very similar. The average diameter of high-density granules was a little but significantly larger than that of low-density granules. Although the three fractions contained amylase, suggesting that they are all SGs, distribution of membrane proteinsmore » was markedly different. Syntaxin6 and VAMP4 were localized in the low-density granule fraction, while VAMP2 was concentrated in the high-density granule fraction. Immunoprecipitation with anti-syntaxin6 antibody caused coprecipitation of VAMP2 from the medium-density granule fraction without solubilization, but not from Triton X-100-solubilized fraction, while VAMP4 was coprecipitated from both fractions. Therefore, VAMP2 is present on the same granules, but is separated from syntaxin6 and VAMP4, which are expected to be removed from immature granules. These results suggest that the medium-density granules are intermediates from low- to high-density granules, and that the membrane components of SGs dynamically change by budding and fusion during maturation.« less

PHB granules are attached to the nucleoid via PhaM in Ralstonia eutropha.

PubMed

Wahl, Andreas; Schuth, Nora; Pfeiffer, Daniel; Nussberger, Stephan; Jendrossek, Dieter

2012-11-16

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) granules are important storage compounds of carbon and energy in many prokaryotes which allow survival of the cells in the absence of suitable carbon sources. Formation and subcellular localization of PHB granules was previously assumed to occur randomly in the cytoplasm of PHB accumulating bacteria. However, contradictionary results on subcellular localization of PHB granules in Ralstonia eutropha were published, recently. Here, we provide evidence by transmission electron microscopy that PHB granules are localized in close contact to the nucleoid region in R. eutropha during growth on nutrient broth. Binding of PHB granules to the nucleoid is mediated by PhaM, a PHB granule associated protein with phasin-like properties that is also able to bind to DNA and to phasin PhaP5. Over-expression of PhaM resulted in formation of many small PHB granules that were always attached to the nucleoid region. In contrast, PHB granules of ∆phaM strains became very large and distribution of granules to daughter cells was impaired. Association of PHB granules to the nucleoid region was prevented by over-expression of PhaP5 and clusters of several PHB granules were mainly localized near the cell poles. Subcellular localization of PHB granules is controlled in R. eutropha and depends on the presence and concentrations of at least two PHB granule associated proteins, PhaM and PhaP5.

Sodium phenylbutyrate coated granules (Pheburane). Defective urea synthesis: a welcome formulation.

PubMed

2015-02-01

Compared with Ammonaps granules, Pheburane coated granules mask the unpleasant taste of sodium phenylbutyrate. A more precise dosing device is provided with the coated granules than with the uncoated granules (Ammonaps).

Rab3A, a possible marker of cortical granules, participates in cortical granule exocytosis in mouse eggs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bello, Oscar Daniel; Cappa, Andrea Isabel; Paola, Matilde de

Fusion of cortical granules with the oocyte plasma membrane is the most significant event to prevent polyspermy. This particular exocytosis, also known as cortical reaction, is regulated by calcium and its molecular mechanism is still not known. Rab3A, a member of the small GTP-binding protein superfamily, has been implicated in calcium-dependent exocytosis and is not yet clear whether Rab3A participates in cortical granules exocytosis. Here, we examine the involvement of Rab3A in the physiology of cortical granules, particularly, in their distribution during oocyte maturation and activation, and their participation in membrane fusion during cortical granule exocytosis. Immunofluorescence and Western blotmore » analysis showed that Rab3A and cortical granules have a similar migration pattern during oocyte maturation, and that Rab3A is no longer detected after cortical granule exocytosis. These results suggested that Rab3A might be a marker of cortical granules. Overexpression of EGFP-Rab3A colocalized with cortical granules with a Pearson correlation coefficient of +0.967, indicating that Rab3A and cortical granules have almost a perfect colocalization in the egg cortical region. Using a functional assay, we demonstrated that microinjection of recombinant, prenylated and active GST-Rab3A triggered cortical granule exocytosis, indicating that Rab3A has an active role in this secretory pathway. To confirm this active role, we inhibited the function of endogenous Rab3A by microinjecting a polyclonal antibody raised against Rab3A prior to parthenogenetic activation. Our results showed that Rab3A antibody microinjection abolished cortical granule exocytosis in parthenogenetically activated oocytes. Altogether, our findings confirm that Rab3A might function as a marker of cortical granules and participates in cortical granule exocytosis in mouse eggs. - Highlights: • Rab3A has a similar migration pattern to cortical granules in mouse oocytes. • Rab3A can be a marker of cortical granules. • Active Rab3A triggered cortical granule exocytosis. • Blocking endogenous Rab3A inhibits cortical granule exocytosis. • Rab3A participates in cortical reaction in mouse oocytes.« less

Surface Localization of Zein Storage Proteins in Starch Granules from Maize Endosperm1

PubMed Central

Mu-Forster, Chen; Wasserman, Bruce P.

1998-01-01

Starch granules from maize (Zea mays) contain a characteristic group of polypeptides that are tightly associated with the starch matrix (C. Mu-Forster, R. Huang, J.R. Powers, R.W. Harriman, M. Knight, G.W. Singletary, P.L. Keeling, B.P. Wasserman [1996] Plant Physiol 111: 821–829). Zeins comprise about 50% of the granule-associated proteins, and in this study their spatial distribution within the starch granule was determined. Proteolysis of starch granules at subgelatinization temperatures using the thermophilic protease thermolysin led to selective removal of the zeins, whereas granule-associated proteins of 32 kD or above, including the waxy protein, starch synthase I, and starch-branching enzyme IIb, remained refractory to proteolysis. Granule-associated proteins from maize are therefore composed of two distinct classes, the surface-localized zeins of 10 to 27 kD and the granule-intrinsic proteins of 32 kD or higher. The origin of surface-localized δ-zein was probed by comparing δ-zein levels of starch granules obtained from homogenized whole endosperm with granules isolated from amyloplasts. Starch granules from amyloplasts contained markedly lower levels of δ-zein relative to granules prepared from whole endosperm, thus indicating that δ-zein adheres to granule surfaces after disruption of the amyloplast envelope. Cross-linking experiments show that the zeins are deposited on the granule surface as aggregates. In contrast, the granule-intrinsic proteins are prone to covalent modification, but do not form intermolecular cross-links. We conclude that individual granule intrinsic proteins exist as monomers and are not deposited in the form of multimeric clusters within the starch matrix. PMID:9536075

Insensitivity of compaction properties of brittle granules to size enlargement by roller compaction.

PubMed

Wu, Sy-Juen; Sun, Changquan 'Calvin'

2007-05-01

Pharmaceutical granules prepared by roller compaction often exhibit significant loss of tabletability, that is, reduction in tensile strength, when compared to virgin powder. This may be attributed to granule size enlargement for highly plastic materials, for example, microcrystalline cellulose. The sensitivity of powder compaction properties on granule size variations impacts the robustness of the dry granulation process. We hypothesize that such sensitivity of compaction properties on granule size is minimum for brittle materials because extensive fracture of brittle granules during compaction minimizes differences in initial granule size. We tested the hypothesis using three common brittle excipients. Results show that the fine (44-106 microm), medium (106-250 microm), and coarse (250-500 microm) granules exhibit essentially identical tabletability below a certain critical compaction pressure, 100, 140, and 100 MPa for spray-dried lactose monohydrate, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, and mannitol, respectively. Above respective critical pressure, tabletability lines diverge with smaller granules exhibiting slightly higher tablet tensile strength at identical compaction conditions. Overall, tabletability of brittle granules is insensitive to granule size enlargement. The results provide a scientific basis to the common practice of incorporating brittle filler to a typical tablet formulation processed by roller compaction granulation. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

Roll compaction/dry granulation: comparison between roll mill and oscillating granulator in dry granulation.

PubMed

Sakwanichol, Jarunee; Puttipipatkhachorn, Satit; Ingenerf, Gernot; Kleinebudde, Peter

2012-01-01

Different experimental factorial designs were employed to evaluate granule properties obtained from oscillating granulator and roll mill. Four oscillating-granulator parameters were varied, i.e. rotor speed, oscillating angle, aperture of mesh screen and rotor type. Six roll-mill parameters that were throughput, speed ratio in both first and second stages, gap between roll pair in both stages and roll-surface texture were also investigated. Afterwards, the granule properties obtained from two milling types with similar median particle size were compared. All milling parameters in both milling types affected significantly the median particle size, size distribution and amount of fine particles (P < 0.05), except the rotor types of oscillating granulator on fines. Only three milling parameters influenced significantly the flowability (P < 0.05). These were the throughput and the gap size in the first stage of roll mill and the sieve size of oscillating granulator. In comparison between milling types, the differences of granule properties were not practically relevant. However, the roll mill had much higher capacity than the oscillating granulator about seven times, resulting in improving energy savings per unit of product. Consequently, the roll mill can be applied instead of oscillating granulator for roll compaction/dry granulation technique.

Enhancement of ibuprofen dissolution via wet granulation with beta-cyclodextrin.

PubMed

Ghorab, M K; Adeyeye, M C

2001-08-01

The purpose was to investigate the effect of wet granulation with beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD) on the enhancement of ibuprofen (IBU) dissolution. The effect of the granulation variables on the physical properties as well as the dissolution of tablets prepared from these granules was also examined. Granulation was performed using three granulating solvents: water, ethanol (95 vol%), and isopropanol. Granules were either oven-dried for 2 h or air-dried for 3 days. The granules or respective physical mixtures were compressed into tablets. Powder X-ray diffraction showed that oven-dried granulation resulted in less amorphous entities thatfacilitated IBU-betaCD complexation in solution and enhanced the dissolution of the corresponding tablets compared to the physical mixture with or without oven drying. In contrast, air-dried granulation did not cause any differences in the X-ray diffraction pattern (crystallinity) or the dissolution compared to the physical mixture without drying. Isopropanol and water, as granulating solvents, enhanced the dissolution of the oven-dried batches more than ethanol. The Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data showed that tablets prepared from oven-dried granules, but not air-dried granules, had lower AH values and percent loss in weight, respectively, than those prepared from the physical mixture as a result of the expulsion of the water molecules from the betaCD cavity and enhancement of the complexation in solution. These results showed that oven-dried granulation of IBU and betaCD provided faster IBU dissolution than the physical mixture; air-dried granulation did not substantially affect the dissolution of IBU.

The biological significance of storage granules in rat parathyroid cells.

PubMed

Setoguti, T; Inoue, Y; Wild, P

1995-10-01

Both prosecretory and storage granules are concomitantly formed at the trans Golgi network including the innermost Golgi cisterna. Prosecretory granules develop into small secretory granules that release their contents by exocytosis finely regulated by a complex mechanism for maintaining calcium homeostasis. In the rat parathyroid cells, storage granules are large secretory granules storing parathyroid hormone for an emergency supply. The hormone is rapidly discharged by exocytosis when serum calcium concentration is decreased. The granules are constantly produced even under conditions of low serum calcium concentration in the regions of 8 mg/dl. The granule content is constantly hydrolyzed when not discharged, leading to a decreased core and finally to the formation of vacuolar bodies. The fate of the vacuolar bodies is unknown. Hypercalcemic conditions accelerate hydrolysis. The threshold value of calcium concentration required for the release of storage granule contents is between 8.0 and 7.5 mg/dl and that of calcium concentration for accelerating degradation of storage granules is about 11.5 mg/dl. Sympathetic stimulation causes storage granules to be discharged regardless of hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia. Parasympathetic stimulation accelerates hydrolysis. The degradation of storage granules seems to be closely associated with an intracellular regulatory mechanism for parathyroid hormone secretion.

Specific aerobic granules can be developed in a completely mixed tank reactor by bioaugmentation using micro-mycelial pellets of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

PubMed

Hailei, Wang; Ping, Li; Qianlong, Jin; Ge, Qin

2014-03-01

Aerobic granules were firstly developed in a completely mixed tank reactor (CMTR) by seeding micro-mycelial pellets (MMPs) of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. During phenol wastewater treatment, sludge granulation rate reached 67 % after 15-day operation. The granules in CMTR are different from aerobic granules described in literature in morphology, and a majority of them are rod-shaped or rodlike sludge besides spherical granules. The polymorphic granules, having no essential difference with aerobic granules previously reported, achieve advantages over conventional activated sludge in settling ability, biomass concentration, density, integrity coefficient and removal ability to phenol wastewater. The optimized parameters for sludge granulation in CMTR including temperature, inoculum quantity, rotary speed and superficial air upflow velocity are 30 °C, 5–7 g/l, 150 rpm, and 0.5 cm/s, respectively. Analysis on sludge granulation mechanism indicates that MMPs not only result in the formation of aerobic granules containing MMPs as nuclei, but also induce the formation of biogranules which do not have MMP at their cores. The work challenges the general belief that the homogenous circular flow pattern of microbial aggregates is necessary for aerobic sludge granulation.

Centrifugal air-assisted melt agglomeration for fast-release "granulet" design.

PubMed

Wong, Tin Wui; Musa, Nafisah

2012-07-01

Conventional melt pelletization and granulation processes produce round and dense, and irregularly shaped but porous agglomerates respectively. This study aimed to design centrifugal air-assisted melt agglomeration technology for manufacture of spherical and yet porous "granulets" for ease of downstream manufacturing and enhancing drug release. A bladeless agglomerator, which utilized shear-free air stream to mass the powder mixture of lactose filler, polyethylene glycol binder and poorly water-soluble tolbutamide drug into "granulets", was developed. The inclination angle and number of vane, air-impermeable surface area of air guide, processing temperature, binder content and molecular weight were investigated with reference to "granulet" size, shape, texture and drug release properties. Unlike fluid-bed melt agglomeration with vertical processing air flow, the air stream in the present technology moved centrifugally to roll the processing mass into spherical but porous "granulets" with a drug release propensity higher than physical powder mixture, unprocessed drug and dense pellets prepared using high shear mixer. The fast-release attribute of "granulets" was ascribed to porous matrix formed with a high level of polyethylene glycol as solubilizer. The agglomeration and drug release outcomes of centrifugal air-assisted technology are unmet by the existing high shear and fluid-bed melt agglomeration techniques. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of feedstock properties and operating conditions on sewage sludge gasification in a fixed bed gasifier.

PubMed

Werle, Sebastian

2014-10-01

This work presents results of experimental studies on the gasification process of granulated sewage sludge in a laboratory fixed bed gasifier. Nowadays, there is a large and pressing need for the development of thermal methods for sewage sludge disposal. Gasification is an example of thermal method that has several advantages over the traditional combustion. Gasification leads to a combustible gas, which can be used for the generation of useful forms of final energy. It can also be used in processes, such as the drying of sewage sludge directly in waste treatment plant. In the present work, the operating parameters were varied over a wide range. Parameters, such as air ratio λ = 0.12 to 0.27 and the temperature of air preheating t = 50 °C to 250 °C, were found to influence temperature distribution and syngas properties. The results indicate that the syngas heating value decreases with rising air ratio for all analysed cases: i.e. for both cold and preheated air. The increase in the concentration of the main combustible components was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide. Preheating of the gasification agent supports the endothermic gasification and increases hydrogen and carbon monoxide production. © The Author(s) 2014.

[Characteristics of novel wastewater treatment technology by swimming bed combined with aerobic granular sludge].

PubMed

Zhang, Yan; Wang, Yong-sheng; Bai, Yu-hua; Chen, Chen; Lü, Jian; Zhang, Jie

2007-10-01

Swimming bed combined with aerobic granular sludge as a novel technology for wastewater treatment was developed, which was on the basis of the biofilm process and activated sludge process, and results demonstrated notable performance of high-efficiency treatment capability and sludge reduction. Even when hydraulic retention time (HRT) was only at 3.2 h with average COD volumetric loading of 2.03 kg/(m3 x d) and NH4(+)-N of 0.52 kg/(m3 X d), 90.9% of average COD removal rate and 98.3% of NH4(+)-N removal rate were achieved. Aerobic granular sludge appeared with spherical or rod shape after 16 days operation. Mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentrations in the reactor reached 5,640 mg/L at the highest during operation period, and the average ratio of mixed liquor volatile suspended solid (MLVSS) to MLSS reached 0.87. Furthermore, microscopic observation of biofilm and aerobic granules revealed much presence of protozoa and metazoa on the biofilm and suspended sludge, and this long food chain can contribute to the sludge reduction. Only 0. 175 5 of sludge yields (MLSS/ CODremoved) was obtained in the experiment, which was only about 50% of the conventional aerobic processes.

PHB granules are attached to the nucleoid via PhaM in Ralstonia eutropha

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) granules are important storage compounds of carbon and energy in many prokaryotes which allow survival of the cells in the absence of suitable carbon sources. Formation and subcellular localization of PHB granules was previously assumed to occur randomly in the cytoplasm of PHB accumulating bacteria. However, contradictionary results on subcellular localization of PHB granules in Ralstonia eutropha were published, recently. Results Here, we provide evidence by transmission electron microscopy that PHB granules are localized in close contact to the nucleoid region in R. eutropha during growth on nutrient broth. Binding of PHB granules to the nucleoid is mediated by PhaM, a PHB granule associated protein with phasin-like properties that is also able to bind to DNA and to phasin PhaP5. Over-expression of PhaM resulted in formation of many small PHB granules that were always attached to the nucleoid region. In contrast, PHB granules of ∆phaM strains became very large and distribution of granules to daughter cells was impaired. Association of PHB granules to the nucleoid region was prevented by over-expression of PhaP5 and clusters of several PHB granules were mainly localized near the cell poles. Conclusion Subcellular localization of PHB granules is controlled in R. eutropha and depends on the presence and concentrations of at least two PHB granule associated proteins, PhaM and PhaP5. PMID:23157596

Lithium granule ablation and penetration during ELM pacing experiments at DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lunsford, R.; Bortolon, A.; Roquemore, A. L.

At DIII-D, lithium granules were radially injected into the plasma at the outer midplane to trigger and pace edge localized modes (ELMs). Granules ranging in size from 300 to 1000 microns were horizontally launched into H-mode discharges with velocities near 100 m/s, and granule to granule injection frequencies less than 500 Hz. While the smaller granules were only successful in triggering ELMs approximately 20% of the time, the larger granules regularly demonstrated ELM triggering efficiencies of greater than 80%. A fast visible camera looking along the axis of injection observed the ablation of the lithium granules. We used the durationmore » of ablation as a benchmark for a neutral gas shielding calculation, and approximated the ablation rate and mass deposition location for the various size granules, using measured edge plasma profiles as inputs. In conclusion, this calculation suggests that the low triggering efficiency of the smaller granules is due to the inability of these granules to traverse the steep edge pressure gradient region and reach the top of the pedestal prior to full ablation.« less

Lithium granule ablation and penetration during ELM pacing experiments at DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Lunsford, R.; Bortolon, A.; Roquemore, A. L.; ...

2016-05-25

At DIII-D, lithium granules were radially injected into the plasma at the outer midplane to trigger and pace edge localized modes (ELMs). Granules ranging in size from 300 to 1000 microns were horizontally launched into H-mode discharges with velocities near 100 m/s, and granule to granule injection frequencies less than 500 Hz. While the smaller granules were only successful in triggering ELMs approximately 20% of the time, the larger granules regularly demonstrated ELM triggering efficiencies of greater than 80%. A fast visible camera looking along the axis of injection observed the ablation of the lithium granules. We used the durationmore » of ablation as a benchmark for a neutral gas shielding calculation, and approximated the ablation rate and mass deposition location for the various size granules, using measured edge plasma profiles as inputs. In conclusion, this calculation suggests that the low triggering efficiency of the smaller granules is due to the inability of these granules to traverse the steep edge pressure gradient region and reach the top of the pedestal prior to full ablation.« less

Comparison of the biological NH3 removal characteristics among four inorganic packing materials.

PubMed

Hirai, M; Kamamoto, M; Yani, M; Shoda, M

2001-01-01

Four inorganic packing materials were evaluated in terms of their availability as a packing material of a packed tower deodorization apparatus (biofilter) from the viewpoints of biological NH3 removal characteristics and some physical properties. Porous ceramics (A), calcinated cristobalite (B), calcinated and formed obsidian (C), granulated and calculated soil (D) were used. The superiority of these packing materials determined based on the values of non-biological removal per unit weight or unit volume of packing material, complete removal capacity of NH3 per unit weight of packing material per day or unit volume of packing material per day and pressure drop of the packed bed was in the order of A approximately = C > B > or = D. Packing materials A and C with high porosity, maximum water content, and suitable mean pore diameter showed excellent removal capacity.

Comparison of the biological H2S removal characteristics among four inorganic packing materials.

PubMed

Hirai, M; Kamamoto, M; Yani, M; Shoda, M

2001-01-01

Four inorganic packing materials were evaluated in terms of their availability as packing materials of a packed tower deodorization apparatus (biofilter) from the viewpoints of biological H2S removal characteristics and some physical properties. Among porous ceramics (A), calcinated cristobalite (B), calcinated and formed obsidian (C), granulated and calcinated soil (D), the superiority of these packing materials determined based on the values of non-biological removal per unit weight or unit volume of packing material, complete removal capacity of H2S per unit weight of packing material per day or unit volume of packing material per day and pressure drop of the packed bed was in the order of A approximately equal to C > D approximately equal to B, which is correlated with the maximum water content, porosity, and mean pore diameter.

Visualization and understanding of the granulation liquid mixing and distribution during continuous twin screw granulation using NIR chemical imaging.

PubMed

Vercruysse, Jurgen; Toiviainen, Maunu; Fonteyne, Margot; Helkimo, Niko; Ketolainen, Jarkko; Juuti, Mikko; Delaet, Urbain; Van Assche, Ivo; Remon, Jean Paul; Vervaet, Chris; De Beer, Thomas

2014-04-01

Over the last decade, there has been increased interest in the application of twin screw granulation as a continuous wet granulation technique for pharmaceutical drug formulations. However, the mixing of granulation liquid and powder material during the short residence time inside the screw chamber and the atypical particle size distribution (PSD) of granules produced by twin screw granulation is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aims at visualizing the granulation liquid mixing and distribution during continuous twin screw granulation using NIR chemical imaging. In first instance, the residence time of material inside the barrel was investigated as function of screw speed and moisture content followed by the visualization of the granulation liquid distribution as function of different formulation and process parameters (liquid feed rate, liquid addition method, screw configuration, moisture content and barrel filling degree). The link between moisture uniformity and granule size distributions was also studied. For residence time analysis, increased screw speed and lower moisture content resulted to a shorter mean residence time and narrower residence time distribution. Besides, the distribution of granulation liquid was more homogenous at higher moisture content and with more kneading zones on the granulator screws. After optimization of the screw configuration, a two-level full factorial experimental design was performed to evaluate the influence of moisture content, screw speed and powder feed rate on the mixing efficiency of the powder and liquid phase. From these results, it was concluded that only increasing the moisture content significantly improved the granulation liquid distribution. This study demonstrates that NIR chemical imaging is a fast and adequate measurement tool for allowing process visualization and hence for providing better process understanding of a continuous twin screw granulation system. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Physical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of granulated natural graphite as anodes for Li-ion batteries.

PubMed

Jo, Yong Nam; Park, Min-Sik; Kim, Jae-Hun; Kim, Young-Jun

2013-05-01

Two different types of granulated graphites were synthesized by blending and kneading of natural graphite with pitch followed by sintering methods. The electrochemical performances of granulated graphites were investigated as anode materials for use in Li-ion batteries. The blending type granulated graphite possesses a large amount of cavities and voids, while the kneading type granulated graphite has a relatively compact microstructure, which is responsible for a high tap density. Both granulated graphites show improved the initial coulombic efficiencies as a result of decrease of surface area by the granulations. In particular, the kneading type granulated graphite exhibits an excellent rate-capability without significant capacity loss. In addition, the thermal stabilities of both granulated graphites were also improved, which could be attributed to the decrease of active surface area due to pitch coating.

New Insights into PhaM-PhaC-Mediated Localization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Granules in Ralstonia eutropha H16

PubMed Central

Bresan, Stephanie

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The formation and localization of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules in Ralstonia eutropha are controlled by PhaM, which interacts both with the PHB synthase (PhaC) and with the bacterial nucleoid. Here, we studied the importance of proline and lysine residues of two C-terminal PAKKA motifs in PhaM for their importance in attaching PHB granules to DNA by in vitro and in vivo methods. Substitution of the lysine residues but not of the proline residues resulted in detachment of formed PHB granules from the nucleoid. Instead, formation of PHB granule clusters at polar regions of the rod-shaped cells and an unequal distribution of PHB granules to daughter cells were observed. The formation of PHB granules was studied by the expression of chromosomally anchored gene fusions of fluorescent proteins with PhaM and PhaC in different backgrounds. PhaM and PhaC fusions showed a distinct colocalization at formed PHB granules in the nucleoid region of the wild type. In a ΔphaC background, PhaM and the catalytically inactive PhaCC319A protein were not able to form fluorescent foci, indicating that correct positioning requires the formation of PHB. Furthermore, time-lapse experiments revealed that PhaC and PhaM proteins detach from formed PHB granules at later stages, resulting in a nonhomogeneous population of PHB granules. This could explain why growth of individual PHB granules stops under PHB-permissive conditions at a certain size. IMPORTANCE PHB granules are storage compounds for carbon and energy in many prokaryotes. Equal distribution of accumulated PHB granules during cell division is therefore important for optimal fitness of the daughter cells. In R. eutropha, PhaM is responsible for maximal activity of PHB synthase, for initiation of PHB granule formation at discrete regions in the cells, and for association of formed PHB granules with the nucleoid. Here we found that four lysine residues of C-terminal PhaM sequence motifs are essential for association of PHB granules with the nucleoid. Furthermore, we followed PHB granule formation by time-lapse microscopy and provide evidence for aging of PHB granules that is manifested by detachment of previously PHB granule-associated PhaM and PHB synthase. PMID:28389545

Osseointegration of alumina bioceramic granules: A comparative experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rerikh, V. V.; Avetisyan, A. R.; Zaydman, A. M.; Anikin, K. A.; Bataev, V. A.; Nikulina, A. A.; Sadovoy, M. A.; Aronov, A. M.; Semantsova, E. S.

2016-08-01

To perform a comparative analysis of osseointegration of bioceramic alumina-based granules, hydroxyapatite-based granules, and deproteinized bone granules. The experiment was conducted on 52 adult male Kyoto-Wistar rats weighing 350 to 520 g. The animals were divided into five matched groups that differed only in the type of an implanted material. The granules were implanted in the lumbar vertebral bodies and in the distal right femur of each laboratory animal. Two months after surgery, the animals were euthanized, followed by tissue sampling for morphological studies. An examination of specimens from the groups with implanted alumina granules revealed the newly formed trabecular bone with remodeling signs. The bone tissue filled the intragranular space, tightly adhering to the granule surface. There was no connective tissue capsule on the border between bone tissue and alumina granules. Cylindrical bioceramic alumina-based granules with an open internal channel have a higher strength surpassing than that of analogs and the osseointegration ability close to that of hydroxyapatite and deproteinized bone granules.

Formation of artificial granules for proving gelation as the main mechanism of aerobic granulation in biological wastewater treatment.

PubMed

Li, Yun; Yang, Shu-Fang; Zhang, Jian-Jun; Li, Xiao-Yan

2014-01-01

In this study, gelation-facilitated biofilm formation as a new mechanism is proposed for the phenomenon of aerobic granulation in biological wastewater treatment. To obtain an experimental proof for the gelation-based theory, the granulation process was simulated in a chemical system using latex particles for bacterial cells and organic polymers (alginate and peptone) for extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in a solution with the addition of cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺). The results showed that at a low alginate content (70 mg g⁻¹ mixed liquid suspended solids (MLSS)) flocculation was observed in the suspension with loose flocs. At a higher alginate content (180 mg g⁻¹ MLSS), together with discharge of small flocs, formation of artificial gel granules was successfully achieved leading to granulation. The artificial granules show a morphological property similar to that of actual microbial granules. However, if the protein content increased, granulation became difficult with little gel formation. The experimental work demonstrates the importance of the bonding interactions between EPS functional groups and cations in gel formation and granulation. The laboratory results on the formation of artificial granules provide a sound proof for the theory of gelation-facilitated biofilm formation as the main mechanism for aerobic granulation in sludge suspensions.

Granule Formation Mechanisms within an Aerobic Wastewater System for Phosphorus Removal▿ †

PubMed Central

Barr, Jeremy J.; Cook, Andrew E.; Bond, Phillip L.

2010-01-01

Granular sludge is a novel alternative for the treatment of wastewater and offers numerous operational and economic advantages over conventional floccular-sludge systems. The majority of research on granular sludge has focused on optimization of engineering aspects relating to reactor operation with little emphasis on the fundamental microbiology. In this study, we hypothesize two novel mechanisms for granule formation as observed in three laboratory scale sequencing batch reactors operating for biological phosphorus removal and treating two different types of wastewater. During the initial stages of granulation, two distinct granule types (white and yellow) were distinguished within the mixed microbial population. White granules appeared as compact, smooth, dense aggregates dominated by 97.5% “Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis,” and yellow granules appeared as loose, rough, irregular aggregates with a mixed microbial population of 12.3% “Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis” and 57.9% “Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis,” among other bacteria. Microscopy showed white granules as homogeneous microbial aggregates and yellow granules as segregated, microcolony-like aggregates, with phylogenetic analysis suggesting that the granule types are likely not a result of strain-associated differences. The microbial community composition and arrangement suggest different formation mechanisms occur for each granule type. White granules are hypothesized to form by outgrowth from a single microcolony into a granule dominated by one bacterial type, while yellow granules are hypothesized to form via multiple microcolony aggregation into a microcolony-segregated granule with a mixed microbial population. Further understanding and application of these mechanisms and the associated microbial ecology may provide conceptual information benefiting start-up procedures for full-scale granular-sludge reactors. PMID:20851963

Development of a discriminative biphasic in vitro dissolution test and correlation with in vivo pharmacokinetic studies for differently formulated racecadotril granules.

PubMed

Deng, Jia; Staufenbiel, Sven; Hao, Shilei; Wang, Bochu; Dashevskiy, Andriy; Bodmeier, Roland

2017-06-10

The purpose of this study was to discriminate the release behavior from three differently formulated racecadotril (BCS II) granules and to establish an in vitro-in vivo correlation. Three granule formulations of the lipophilic drug were prepared with equivalent composition but prepared with different manufacturing processes (dry granulation, wet granulation with or without binder). In vitro release of the three granules was investigated using a biphasic dissolution system (phosphate buffer pH6.8 and octanol) and compared to the conventional single phase USP II dissolution test performed under sink and non-sink conditions. In vivo studies with each granule formulation were performed in rats. Interestingly, the granule formulations exhibited pronouncedly different behavior in the different dissolution systems depending on different wetting and dissolution conditions. Single phase USP II dissolution tests lacked discrimination. In contrast, remarkable discrimination between the granule formulations was observed in the octanol phase of biphasic dissolution system with a rank order of release from granules prepared by wet granulation with binder>wet granulation without binder>dry granulation. This release order correlated well with the wettability of these granules. An excellent correlation was also established between in vitro release in the octanol phase of the biphasic test and in vivo data (R 2 =0.999). Compared to conventional dissolution methods, the biphasic method provides great potential to discriminate between only minor formulation and process changes within the same dosage form for poorly soluble drugs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modification of drug release from acetaminophen granules by melt granulation technique - consideration of release kinetics.

PubMed

Uhumwangho, M U; Okor, R S

2006-01-01

Acetaminophen granules have been formed by a melt granulation process with the objective of retarding drug release for prolonged action formulations. The waxes used were goat wax, carnuba wax and glyceryl monostearate. In the melt granulation procedure, acetaminophen powder was triturated with the melted waxes and passed through a sieve of mesh 10 (aperture size 710 microm). The content of wax in resulting granules ranged from 10 to 40%w/w. Acetaminophen granules were also formed by the convectional method of wet granulation with starch mucilage (20%w/w). The granules were subjected to in-vitro drug release tests. The release data were subjected to analysis by three different well-established mathematical models (release kinetics) namely, - zero order flux, first order, and the Higuchi square root of time relationship. The convectional granules exhibited an initial zero order flux (first 55%) followed by a first order release profile (the remaining 45%). The pattern of drug release from the melt granulations was consistent with the first order kinetic and the Higuchi square root of time relationship, indicating a diffusion-controlled release mechanism. The first order release rate constant of the convectional granules was 1.95 +/- 0.02 h(-1). After melt granulation (wax content, 20%w/w) the rate constants dropped drastically to 0.130+/-0.001 h(-1) (goat wax), 0.120+/-0.003 h(-1) (carnuba wax), and 0.130+/-0.002 h(-1) (glyceryl monosterate) indicating that all three waxes were equivalent in retarding drug release from the melt granulations.

State of the art of aerobic granulation in continuous flow bioreactors.

PubMed

Kent, Timothy R; Bott, Charles B; Wang, Zhi-Wu

In the wake of the success of aerobic granulation in sequential batch reactors (SBRs) for treating wastewater, attention is beginning to turn to continuous flow applications. This is a necessary step given the advantages of continuous flow treatment processes and the fact that the majority of full-scale wastewater treatment plants across the world are operated with aeration tanks and clarifiers in a continuous flow mode. As in SBRs, applying a selection pressure, based on differences in either settling velocity or the size of the biomass, is essential for successful granulation in continuous flow reactors (CFRs). CFRs employed for aerobic granulation come in multiple configurations, each with their own means of achieving such a selection pressure. Other factors, such as bioaugmentation and hydraulic shear force, also contribute to aerobic granulation to some extent. Besides the formation of aerobic granules, long-term stability of aerobic granules is also a critical issue to be addressed. Inorganic precipitation, special inocula, and various operational optimization strategies have been used to improve granule long-term structural integrity. Accumulated studies reviewed in this work demonstrate that aerobic granulation in CFRs is capable of removing a wide spectrum of contaminants and achieving properties generally comparable to those in SBRs. Despite the notable research progress made toward successful aerobic granulation in lab-scale CFRs, to the best of our knowledge, there are only three full-scale tests of the technique, two being seeded with anammox-supported aerobic granules and the other with conventional aerobic granules; two other process alternatives are currently in development. Application of settling- or size-based selection pressures and feast/famine conditions are especially difficult to implement to these and similar mainstream systems. Future research efforts needs to be focused on the optimization of the granule-to-floc ratio, enhancement of granule activity, improvement of long-term granule stability, and a better understanding of aerobic granulation mechanisms in CFRs, especially in full-scale applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Granulation of fine powder

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Ching-Fong

A mixture of fine powder including thorium oxide was converted to granulated powder by forming a first-green-body and heat treating the first-green-body at a high temperature to strengthen the first-green-body followed by granulation by crushing or milling the heat-treated first-green-body. The granulated powder was achieved by screening through a combination of sieves to achieve the desired granule size distribution. The granulated powder relies on the thermal bonding to maintain its shape and structure. The granulated powder contains no organic binder and can be stored in a radioactive or other extreme environment. The granulated powder was pressed and sintered to formmore » a dense compact with a higher density and more uniform pore size distribution.« less

The effect of the chopper on granules from wet high-shear granulation using a PMA-1 granulator.

PubMed

Briens, Lauren; Logan, Ryan

2011-12-01

Chopper presence and then chopper speed was varied during wet high shear granulation of a placebo formulation using a PMA-1 granulator while also varying the impeller speed. The granules were extensively analyzed for differences due to the chopper. The effect of the chopper on the granules varied with impeller speed from no effect at a low impeller speed of 300 rpm to flow interruptions at an impeller speed of 700 rpm to minimal impact at very high impeller speeds as caking at the bowl perimeter obscured the effect of the chopper on the flow pattern. Differences in the granule flowability were minimal. However, it was concluded that the largest fraction of optimal granules would be obtained at an impeller speed of 700 rpm with the chopper at 1,000 rpm allowing balances between flow establishment, segregation, and centrifugal forces.

Characteristics of aerobic granules grown on glucose and acetate in sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactors.

PubMed

Tay, J H; Liu, Q S; Liu, Y

2002-08-01

Aerobic granules were cultivated in two column-type sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactors fed with glucose and acetate, respectively. The characteristics of aerobic granules were investigated. Results indicated that the glucose- and acetate-fed granules have comparable characteristics in terms of settling velocity, size, shape, biomass density, hydrophobicity, physical strength, microbial activity and storage stability. Substrate component does not seem to be a key factor on the formation of aerobic granules. However, microbial diversity of the granules is closely associated with the carbon sources supplied to the reactors. Compared with the conventional activated sludge flocs, aerobic granules exhibit excellent physical characteristics that would be essential for industrial application. This research provides a complete set of characteristics data of aerobic granules grown on glucose and acetate, which would be useful for further development of aerobic granules-based compact bioreactor for handling high strength organic wastewater.

Starch-Branching Enzymes Preferentially Associated with A-Type Starch Granules in Wheat Endosperm1

PubMed Central

Peng, Mingsheng; Gao, Ming; Båga, Monica; Hucl, Pierre; Chibbar, Ravindra N.

2000-01-01

Two starch granule-bound proteins (SGP), SGP-140 and SGP-145, were preferentially associated with A-type starch granules (>10 μm) in developing and mature wheat (Triticum aestivum) kernels. Immunoblotting and N-terminal sequencing suggested that the two proteins were different variants of SBEIc, a 152-kD isoform of wheat starch-branching enzyme. Both SGP-140 and SGP-145 were localized to the endosperm starch granules but were not found in the endosperm soluble fraction or pericarp starch granules younger than 15 d post anthesis (DPA). Small-size starch granules (<10 μm) initiated before 15 DPA incorporated SGP-140 and SGP-145 throughout endosperm development and grew into full-size A-type starch granules (>10 μm). In contrast, small-size starch granules harvested after 15 DPA contained only low amounts of SGP-140 and SGP-145 and developed mainly into B-type starch granules (<10 μm). Polypeptides of similar mass and immunologically related to SGP-140 and/or SGP-145 were also preferentially incorporated into A-type starch granules of barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale), and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) endosperm, which like wheat endosperm have a bimodal starch granule size distribution. PMID:10982441

Novel insights into RNP granules by employing the trypanosome's microtubule skeleton as a molecular sieve.

PubMed

Fritz, Melanie; Vanselow, Jens; Sauer, Nadja; Lamer, Stephanie; Goos, Carina; Siegel, T Nicolai; Subota, Ines; Schlosser, Andreas; Carrington, Mark; Kramer, Susanne

2015-09-18

RNP granules are ribonucleoprotein assemblies that regulate the post-transcriptional fate of mRNAs in all eukaryotes. Their exact function remains poorly understood, one reason for this is that RNP granule purification has not yet been achieved. We have exploited a unique feature of trypanosomes to prepare a cellular fraction highly enriched in starvation stress granules. First, granules remain trapped within the cage-like, subpellicular microtubule array of the trypanosome cytoskeleton while soluble proteins are washed away. Second, the microtubules are depolymerized and the granules are released. RNA sequencing combined with single molecule mRNA FISH identified the short and highly abundant mRNAs encoding ribosomal mRNAs as being excluded from granules. By mass spectrometry we have identified 463 stress granule candidate proteins. For 17/49 proteins tested by eYFP tagging we have confirmed the localization to granules, including one phosphatase, one methyltransferase and two proteins with a function in trypanosome life-cycle regulation. The novel method presented here enables the unbiased identification of novel RNP granule components, paving the way towards an understanding of RNP granule function. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Comparison of waxy and normal potato starch remaining granules after chemical surface gelatinization: pasting behavior and surface morphology.

PubMed

Huang, Junrong; Chen, Zhenghong; Xu, Yalun; Li, Hongliang; Liu, Shuxing; Yang, Daqing; Schols, Henk A

2014-02-15

To understand the contribution of granule inner portion to the pasting property of starch, waxy potato starch and two normal potato starches and their acetylated starch samples were subjected to chemical surface gelatinization by 3.8 mol/L CaCl2 to obtain remaining granules. Native and acetylated, original and remaining granules of waxy potato starch had similar rapid visco analyzer (RVA) pasting profiles, while those of two normal potato starches behaved obviously different from each other. All remaining granules had lower peak viscosity than the corresponding original granules. Contribution of waxy potato starch granule's inner portion to the peak viscosity was significant more than those of normal potato starches. The shell structure appearing on the remaining granule surface for waxy potato starch was smoother and thinner than that for normal potato starches as observed by scanning electron microscopy, indicating a more regular structure of shell and a more ordered packing of shell for waxy potato starch granules. The blocklet size of waxy potato starch was smaller and more uniform than those of normal potato starches as shown by atomic force microscopy images of original and remaining granules. In general, our results provided the evidence for the spatial structure diversity between waxy and normal potato starch granules: outer layer and inner portion of waxy potato starch granule had similar structure, while outer layer had notably different structure from inner portion for normal potato starch granule. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of two isoenzymes of alpha-amylase of Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) on the digestion of starch granules during germination.

PubMed

Waghorn, Juana J; del Pozo, Talía; Acevedo, Elba A; Cardemil, Liliana A

2003-03-01

Starch is the principal reserve of Araucaria araucana seeds, and it is hydrolysed during germination mainly by alpha-amylase. There are several alpha-amylase isoenzymes whose patterns change in the embryo and in the megagametophyte from the one observed in quiescent seeds (T(0)) to a different one observed 90 h after imbibition (T(90)). The objective of this research was to study the roles of two purified alpha-amylase isoenzymes by in vitro digestion of starch granules extracted from the tissues at two times of imbibition: one is abundant in quiescent seeds and the other is abundant after 90 h of imbibition. The isoenzymes digested the starch granules of their own stage of germination better, since the isoenzyme T(0) digested starch granules mainly from quiescent seeds, while the isoenzyme T(90) digested starch mainly at 90 h of imbibition. The sizes of the starch granule and the tissue from which these granules originated make a difference to digestion by the isoenzymes. Embryonic isoenzyme T(0) digested large embryonic starch granules better than small and medium-sized granules, and better than those isolated from megagametophytes. Similarly isoenzyme T(90) digested small embryonic starch granules better than medium-sized and large granules, and better than those isolated from megagametophytes. However, a mixture of partially purified megagametophytic isoenzymes T(0) and T(90) digested the megagametophytic granules better than those isolated from embryos. Studies of in vitro sequential digestion of starch granules with these isoenzymes corroborated their specificity. The isoenzyme T(90) digested starch granules previously digested by the isoenzyme T(0). This suggests that in vivo these two isoenzymes may act sequentially in starch granule digestion.

Reducing the startup time of aerobic granular sludge reactors through seeding floccular sludge with crushed aerobic granules.

PubMed

Pijuan, Maite; Werner, Ursula; Yuan, Zhiguo

2011-10-15

One of the main challenging issues for the aerobic granular sludge technology is the long startup time when dealing with real wastewaters. This study presents a novel strategy to reduce the time required for granulation while ensuring a high level of nutrient removal. This new approach consists of seeding the reactor with a mixture of crushed aerobic granules and floccular sludge. The effectiveness of the strategy was demonstrated using abattoir wastewater, containing nitrogen and phosphorus at approximately 250 mgN/L and 30 mgP/L, respectively. Seven different mixtures of crushed granules and floccular sludge at granular sludge fractions (w/w in dry mass) of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 30% and 50% were used to start eight granulation processes. The granulation time (defined as the time when the 10th percentile bacterial aggregate size is larger than 200 μm) displayed a strong dependency on the fraction of granular sludge. The shortest granulation time of 18 days was obtained with 50% crushed granules, in comparison with 133 days with 5% crushed granules. Full granulation was not achieved in the two trials without seeding with crushed granules. In contrast to the 100% floccular sludge cases, where a substantial loss of biomass occurred during granulation, the biomass concentration in all other trails did not decrease during granulation. This allowed that good nitrogen removal was maintained in all the reactors during the granulation process. However, enhanced biological phosphorus removal was achieved in only one of the eight trials. This was likely due to the temporary accumulation of nitrite, a strong inhibitor of polyphosphate accumulating organisms. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-rate hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis for biogas upgrading: the role of anaerobic granules.

PubMed

Xu, Heng; Gong, Shufen; Sun, Yuanzi; Ma, Hailing; Zheng, Mingyue; Wang, Kaijun

2015-01-01

Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis has been proved to be a feasible biological method for biogas upgrading. To improve its performance, the feasibility of typical anaerobic granules as the inoculum was investigated in both batch and continuous experiments. The results from batch experiments showed that glucose-acclimated granules seemed to perform better than granules acclimated to acidified products (AP, i.e. acetate, propionate and ethanol) in in situ biogas upgrading systems and a slightly higher H2 consumption rate (1.5 mmol H2 g VSS(-1) h(-1)) was obtained for glucose-acclimated granules. For AP-acclimated granules, the inhibition on anaerobic digestion and pH increase (up to 9.55±0.16) took place, and the upgrading performance was adversely affected. In contrast, better performance for AP-acclimated granules was observed in ex situ systems, possibly due to their higher hydrogenotrophic methanogenic activities (HMA). Moreover, when gas-liquid mass transfer limitations were alleviated, the upgrading performance was significantly improved (three-fold) for both glucose-acclimated and AP-acclimated granules. The HMA of anaerobic granules could be further enhanced to improve biogas upgrading performance via continuous cultivation with H2/CO2 as the sole substrate. During the three months' cultivation, secondary granulation and microbial population shift were observed, but anaerobic granules still remained intact and their HMA increased from 0.2 to 0.6 g COD g VSS(-1) d(-1). It indicated that the formation of hydrogenotrophic methanogenic granules, a new type of anaerobic granules specialized for high-rate hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis and biogas upgrading, might be possible. Conclusively, anaerobic granules showed great potential for biogas upgrading.

Investigation of internal structure of fine granules by microtomography using synchrotron X-ray radiation.

PubMed

Noguchi, Shuji; Kajihara, Ryusuke; Iwao, Yasunori; Fujinami, Yukari; Suzuki, Yoshio; Terada, Yasuko; Uesugi, Kentaro; Miura, Keiko; Itai, Shigeru

2013-03-10

Computed tomography (CT) using synchrotron X-ray radiation was evaluated as a non-destructive structural analysis method for fine granules. Two kinds of granules have been investigated: a bromhexine hydrochloride (BHX)-layered Celphere CP-102 granule coated with pH-sensitive polymer Kollicoat Smartseal 30-D, and a wax-matrix granule constructed from acetaminophen (APAP), dibasic calcium phosphate dehydrate, and aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer E (AMCE) manufactured by melt granulation. The diameters of both granules were 200-300 μm. CT analysis of CP-102 granule could visualize the laminar structures of BHX and Kollicoat layers, and also visualize the high talc-content regions in the Kollicoat layer that could not be detected by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, CT analysis using X-ray energies above the absorption edge of Br specifically enhanced the contrast in the BHX layer. As for granules manufactured by melt granulation, CT analysis revealed that they had a small inner void space due to a uniform distribution of APAP and other excipients. The distribution of AMCE revealed by CT analysis was also found to involve in the differences of drug dissolution from the granules as described previously. These observations demonstrate that CT analysis using synchrotron X-ray radiation is a powerful method for the detailed internal structure analysis of fine granules. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Homologs of PROTEIN TARGETING TO STARCH Control Starch Granule Initiation in Arabidopsis Leaves[OPEN

PubMed Central

David, Laure C.; Abt, Melanie; Lu, Kuan-Jen

2017-01-01

The molecular mechanism that initiates the synthesis of starch granules is poorly understood. Here, we discovered two plastidial proteins involved in granule initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. Both contain coiled coils and a family-48 carbohydrate binding module (CBM48) and are homologs of the PROTEIN TARGETING TO STARCH (PTST) protein; thus, we named them PTST2 and PTST3. Chloroplasts in mesophyll cells typically contain five to seven granules, but remarkably, most chloroplasts in ptst2 mutants contained zero or one large granule. Chloroplasts in ptst3 had a slight reduction in granule number compared with the wild type, while those of the ptst2 ptst3 double mutant contained even fewer granules than ptst2. The ptst2 granules were larger but similar in morphology to wild-type granules, but those of the double mutant had an aberrant morphology. Immunoprecipitation showed that PTST2 interacts with STARCH SYNTHASE4 (SS4), which influences granule initiation and morphology. Overexpression of PTST2 resulted in chloroplasts containing many small granules, an effect that was dependent on the presence of SS4. Furthermore, isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that the CBM48 domain of PTST2, which is essential for its function, interacts with long maltooligosaccharides. We propose that PTST2 and PTST3 are critical during granule initiation, as they bind and deliver suitable maltooligosaccharide primers to SS4. PMID:28684429

Chromaffin granules in the rat adrenal medulla release their secretory content in a particulate fashion.

PubMed

Crivellato, Enrico; Belloni, Anna; Nico, Beatrice; Nussdorfer, Gastone G; Ribatti, Domenico

2004-03-01

Exocytosis is considered the main route of granule discharge in chromaffin cells. We recently provided ultrastructural evidence suggesting that piecemeal degranulation (PMD) occurs in mouse adrenal chromaffin cells. In the present study, we processed rat adrenal glands for transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and examined chromaffin cells for changes characteristic of PMD. Both adrenaline (A)- and noradrenaline (NA)-storing cells express ultrastructural features suggestive of a slow and particulate mode of granule discharge. In adrenaline-containing cells, some granules present enlarged dimensions accompanied by eroded or dissolved matrices. Likewise, a number of granules in NA-releasing cells show content reduction with variably expanded granule chambers. Dilated, empty granule containers are recognizable in the cytoplasm of both cell types. Characteristically, altered granules and empty containers are seen intermingled with normal, resting granules. In addition, chromaffin granules often show irregular profiles, with budding or tail-like projections of their limiting membranes. Thirty 150-nm-diameter membrane-bound vesicles with a moderately electron-dense or -lucent internal structure are observable in the cytoplasm of both cell types. These vesicles are seen among the granules and some of them are fused with the perigranule membranes in the process of attachment to or budding from the granules. These data add further support to the concept that PMD may be an alternative secretory pathway in adrenal chromaffin cells. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Injected mass deposition thresholds for lithium granule instigated triggering of edge localized modes on EAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lunsford, R.; Sun, Z.; Maingi, R.; Hu, J. S.; Mansfield, D.; Xu, W.; Zuo, G. Z.; Diallo, A.; Osborne, T.; Tritz, K.; Canik, J.; Huang, M.; Meng, X. C.; Gong, X. Z.; Wan, B. N.; Li, J. G.; the EAST Team

2018-03-01

The ability of an injected lithium granule to promptly trigger an edge localized mode (ELM) has been established in multiple experiments. By horizontally injecting granules ranging in diameter from 200 microns to 1 mm in diameter into the low field side of EAST H-mode discharges we have determined that granules with diameter  >600 microns are successful in triggering ELMs more than 95% of the time. It was also demonstrated that below 600 microns the triggering efficiency decreased roughly with granule size. Granules were radially injected from the outer midplane with velocities ~80 m s-1 into EAST upper single null discharges with an ITER like tungsten monoblock divertor. These granules were individually tracked throughout their injection cycle in order to determine their efficacy at triggering an ELM. For those granules of sufficient size, ELM triggering was a prompt response to granule injection. By simulating the granule injection with an experimentally benchmarked neutral gas shielding (NGS) model, the ablatant mass deposition required to promptly trigger an ELM is calculated and the fractional mass deposition is determined.

Compressibility and compactibility of granules produced by wet and dry granulation.

PubMed

Bacher, C; Olsen, P M; Bertelsen, P; Sonnergaard, J M

2008-06-24

The bulk properties, compactibility and compressibility of granules produced by wet and dry granulation were compared applying a rotary tablet press, three different morphological forms of calcium carbonate and two particle sizes of sorbitol. Granules from both granulation methods possessed acceptable flow properties; however, the ground (Mikhart) and cubic (Scoralite) calcium carbonate demonstrated better die-filling abilities in the tablet press than the scalenhedral calcium carbonate (Sturcal). The wet processed granules showed in general larger compression properties. This was explained as these granules were mechanical stronger and had a higher initial porosity. In some cases, a large particle surface area of calcium carbonate and sorbitol resulted in a small, insignificant improvement of the consolidation characteristics. A correlation between the compression and compaction characteristics was demonstrated.

Soft and Hard Textured Wheat Differ in Starch Properties as Indicated by Trimodal Distribution, Morphology, Thermal and Crystalline Properties

PubMed Central

Kumar, Rohit; Kumar, Aman; Sharma, Nand Kishor; Kaur, Navneet; Chunduri, Venkatesh; Chawla, Meenakshi; Sharma, Saloni; Singh, Kashmir; Garg, Monika

2016-01-01

Starch and proteins are major components in the wheat endosperm that affect its end product quality. Between the two textural classes of wheat i.e. hard and soft, starch granules are loosely bound with the lipids and proteins in soft wheat due to higher expression of interfering grain softness proteins. It might have impact on starch granules properties. In this work for the first time the physiochemical and structural properties of different sized starch granules (A-, B- and C-granules) were studied to understand the differences in starches with respect to soft and hard wheat. A-, B- and C-type granules were separated with >95% purity. Average number and proportion of A-, B-, and C-type granules was 18%, 56%, 26% and 76%, 19%, 5% respectively. All had symmetrical birefringence pattern with varied intensity. All displayed typical A-type crystallites. A-type granules also showed V-type crystallinity that is indicative of starch complexes with lipids and proteins. Granules differing in gelatinization temperature (ΔH) and transition temperature (ΔT), showed different enthalpy changes during heating. Substitution analysis indicated differences in relative substitution pattern of different starch granules. Birefringence, percentage crystallinity, transmittance, gelatinization enthalpy and substitution decreased in order of A>B>C being higher in hard wheat than soft wheat. Amylose content decreased in order of A>B>C being higher in soft wheat than hard wheat. Reconstitution experiment showed that starch properties could be manipulated by changing the composition of starch granules. Addition of A-granules to total starch significantly affected its thermal properties. Effect of A-granule addition was higher than B- and C-granules. Transmittance of the starch granules paste showed that starch granules of hard wheat formed clear paste. These results suggested that in addition to differences in protein concentration, hard and soft wheat lines have differences in starch composition also. PMID:26824830

Soft and Hard Textured Wheat Differ in Starch Properties as Indicated by Trimodal Distribution, Morphology, Thermal and Crystalline Properties.

PubMed

Kumar, Rohit; Kumar, Aman; Sharma, Nand Kishor; Kaur, Navneet; Chunduri, Venkatesh; Chawla, Meenakshi; Sharma, Saloni; Singh, Kashmir; Garg, Monika

2016-01-01

Starch and proteins are major components in the wheat endosperm that affect its end product quality. Between the two textural classes of wheat i.e. hard and soft, starch granules are loosely bound with the lipids and proteins in soft wheat due to higher expression of interfering grain softness proteins. It might have impact on starch granules properties. In this work for the first time the physiochemical and structural properties of different sized starch granules (A-, B- and C-granules) were studied to understand the differences in starches with respect to soft and hard wheat. A-, B- and C-type granules were separated with >95% purity. Average number and proportion of A-, B-, and C-type granules was 18%, 56%, 26% and 76%, 19%, 5% respectively. All had symmetrical birefringence pattern with varied intensity. All displayed typical A-type crystallites. A-type granules also showed V-type crystallinity that is indicative of starch complexes with lipids and proteins. Granules differing in gelatinization temperature (ΔH) and transition temperature (ΔT), showed different enthalpy changes during heating. Substitution analysis indicated differences in relative substitution pattern of different starch granules. Birefringence, percentage crystallinity, transmittance, gelatinization enthalpy and substitution decreased in order of A>B>C being higher in hard wheat than soft wheat. Amylose content decreased in order of A>B>C being higher in soft wheat than hard wheat. Reconstitution experiment showed that starch properties could be manipulated by changing the composition of starch granules. Addition of A-granules to total starch significantly affected its thermal properties. Effect of A-granule addition was higher than B- and C-granules. Transmittance of the starch granules paste showed that starch granules of hard wheat formed clear paste. These results suggested that in addition to differences in protein concentration, hard and soft wheat lines have differences in starch composition also.

Characterization and taste-masking evaluation of acetaminophen granules: comparison between different preparation methods in a high-shear mixer.

PubMed

Albertini, Beatrice; Cavallari, Cristina; Passerini, Nadia; Voinovich, Dario; González-Rodríguez, Marisa L; Magarotto, Lorenzo; Rodriguez, Lorenzo

2004-02-01

The aim of this study was to prepare and to investigate acetaminophen taste-masked granules obtained in a high-shear mixer using three different wet granulation methods (method A: water granulation, method B: granulation with a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) binding solution and method C: steam granulation). The studied formulation was: acetaminophen 15%, alpha-lactose monohydrate 30%, cornstarch 45%, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 5% and orange flavour 5% (w/w). In vitro dissolution studies, performed at pH 6.8, showed that steam granules enabled the lower dissolution rate in comparison to the water and binding solution granules; these results were then confirmed by their lower surface reactivity (D(R)) during the dissolution process. Moreover, the results of the gustatory sensation test performed by six volunteers confirmed the taste-masking effects of the granules, especially steam granules (P<0.001). Morphological, fractal and porosity analysis were then performed to explain the dissolution profiles and the results of the gustatory sensation test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the smoother and the more regular surface of steam granules with respect to the samples obtained using methods A and B; these results were also confirmed by their lower fractal dimension (D(s)) and porosity values. Finally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed a shift of the melting point of the drug, which was due to the simple mixing of the components and not to the granulation processes. In conclusion, the steam granulation technique resulted a suitable method to comply the purpose of this work, without modifying the availability of the drug.

Continuous twin screw granulation of controlled release formulations with various HPMC grades.

PubMed

Vanhoorne, V; Janssens, L; Vercruysse, J; De Beer, T; Remon, J P; Vervaet, C

2016-09-25

HPMC is a popular matrix former to formulate tablets with extended drug release. Tablets with HPMC are preferentially produced by direct compression. However, granulation is often required prior to tableting to overcome poor flowability of the formulation. While continuous twin screw granulation has been extensively evaluated for granulation of immediate release formulations, twin screw granulation of controlled release formulations including the dissolution behavior of the formulations received little attention. Therefore, the influence of the HPMC grade (viscosity and substitution degree) and the particle size of theophylline on critical quality attributes of granules (continuously produced via twin screw granulation) and tablets was investigated in the current study. Formulations with 20 or 40% HPMC, 20% theophylline and lactose were granulated with water at fixed process parameters via twin screw granulation. The torque was influenced by the viscosity and substitution degree of HPMC, but was not a limiting factor for the granulation process. An optimal L/S ratio was selected for each formulation based on the granule size distribution. The granule size distributions were influenced by the substitution degree and concentration of HPMC and the particle size of theophylline. Raman and UV spectroscopic analysis on 8 sieve fractions of granules indicated an inhomogeneous distribution of theophylline over the size fractions. However, this phenomenon was not correlated with the hydration rate or viscosity of HPMC. Controlled release of theophylline could be obtained over 24h with release profiles close to zero-order. The release of theophylline could be tailored via selection of the substitution degree and viscosity of HPMC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stochastic Seeding Coupled with mRNA Self-Recruitment Generates Heterogeneous Drosophila Germ Granules.

PubMed

Niepielko, Matthew G; Eagle, Whitby V I; Gavis, Elizabeth R

2018-06-18

The formation of ribonucleoprotein assemblies called germ granules is a conserved feature of germline development. In Drosophila, germ granules form at the posterior of the oocyte in a specialized cytoplasm called the germ plasm, which specifies germline fate during embryogenesis. mRNAs, including nanos (nos) and polar granule component (pgc), that function in germline development are localized to the germ plasm through their incorporation into germ granules, which deliver them to the primordial germ cells. Germ granules are nucleated by Oskar (Osk) protein and contain varying combinations and quantities of their constituent mRNAs, which are organized as spatially distinct, multi-copy homotypic clusters. The process that gives rise to such heterogeneous yet organized granules remains unknown. Here, we show that individual nos and pgc transcripts can populate the same nascent granule, and these first transcripts then act as seeds, recruiting additional like transcripts to form homotypic clusters. Within a granule, homotypic clusters grow independently of each other but depend on the simultaneous acquisition of additional Osk. Although granules can contain multiple clusters of a particular mRNA, granule mRNA content is dominated by cluster size. These results suggest that the accumulation of mRNAs in the germ plasm is controlled by the mRNAs themselves through their ability to form homotypic clusters; thus, RNA self-association drives germ granule mRNA localization. We propose that a stochastic seeding and self-recruitment mechanism enables granules to simultaneously incorporate many different mRNAs while ensuring that each becomes enriched to a functional threshold. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extended-release mesalamine granules for ulcerative colitis.

PubMed

Love, Bryan L; Miller, April D

2012-11-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended-release mesalamine granules in the maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). Literature was obtained through searches of MEDLINE (1990-June 2012) using the terms mesalamine granules, ulcerative colitis, Apriso, and Salofalk. Bibliographies from retrieved articles were searched for additional citations. All English-language articles reporting on use of extended-release mesalamine granules in humans identified through the search were evaluated and included. The preferred initial treatment for induction and maintenance of remission in mild to moderate UC is agents from the 5-aminosalicylate class (balsalazide, mesalamine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine). Mesalamine granules are available as an encapsulated product in the US and as a nonencapsulated formulation in Europe. Data evaluating encapsulated mesalamine granules for induction of remission are lacking; however, the European mesalamine granule formulation has been evaluated for induction of remission. Patients receiving mesalamine granules for induction achieved clinical and endoscopic remission more frequently than those receiving placebo. Two pivotal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies have evaluated encapsulated mesalamine granules for maintenance in 562 adults in remission from UC. In both studies, the proportion of patients who remained relapse-free at 6 months was higher for those receiving encapsulated mesalamine granules than placebo. Mesalamine granules are well tolerated, with headache, nausea, and upper respiratory infections being the most frequently reported adverse effects. Current evidence supports the use of extended-release mesalamine granules for maintenance of remission in mild to moderate UC. Further studies are necessary to examine the ideal dose and regimen of encapsulated mesalamine granules for induction of remission in UC.

The morphology of solar granulations and dark networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graves, J. Elon; Pierce, A. Keith

1986-08-01

Solar granules are classified into four groups based on shape and splitting by sharp rifts crossing them. Grains are classified as: single granules varying in size from 1/8 to 3 in., single granules embayed by a broad dark area or possessing a central darkening, single granules split by very narrow rifts which are significantly narrower than the intergranular lanes, and complexes of granules displaying a daisy pattern. The formation and growth of 'white-light dark networks' are also discussed

Statistical properties of solar granulation derived from the SOUP instrument on Spacelab 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Title, A. M.; Tarbell, T. D.; Topka, K. P.; Ferguson, S. H.; Shine, R. A.

1989-01-01

Computer algorithms and statistical techniques were used to identify, measure, and quantify the properties of solar granulation derived from movies collected by the Solar Optical Universal Polarimeter on Spacelab 2. The results show that there is neither a typical solar granule nor a typical granule evolution. A granule's evolution is dependent on local magnetic flux density, its position with respect to the active region plage, its position in the mesogranulation pattern, and the evolution of granules in its immediate neighborhood.

Effect of suspension property on granule morphology and compaction behavior

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hae-Weon Lee, Guesup Song, In-Sik Suk

1995-12-31

Granule morphology is an important factor during dry pressing, since it has great influences on die flowability, compaction ratio, and resulting green microstructure. Granule morphology and packing structure of ultrafine Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} particles in the granule were optimized during spray drying by adjusting the suspension structure. The particle packing structure of spray-dried granule was investigated with suspension structure. The effects of granule morphology and its particle packing structure on compaction and resultant sintering behavior were evaluated.

Simultaneous Comparison of Two Roller Compaction Techniques and Two Particle Size Analysis Methods.

PubMed

Saarinen, Tuomas; Antikainen, Osmo; Yliruusi, Jouko

2017-11-01

A new dry granulation technique, gas-assisted roller compaction (GARC), was compared with conventional roller compaction (CRC) by manufacturing 34 granulation batches. The process variables studied were roll pressure, roll speed, and sieve size of the conical mill. The main quality attributes measured were granule size and flow characteristics. Within granulations also the real applicability of two particle size analysis techniques, sieve analysis (SA) and fast imaging technique (Flashsizer, FS), was tested. All granules obtained were acceptable. In general, the particle size of GARC granules was slightly larger than that of CRC granules. In addition, the GARC granules had better flowability. For example, the tablet weight variation of GARC granules was close to 2%, indicating good flowing and packing characteristics. The comparison of the two particle size analysis techniques showed that SA was more accurate in determining wide and bimodal size distributions while FS showed narrower and mono-modal distributions. However, both techniques gave good estimates for mean granule sizes. Overall, SA was a time-consuming but accurate technique that provided reliable information for the entire granule size distribution. By contrast, FS oversimplified the shape of the size distribution, but nevertheless yielded acceptable estimates for mean particle size. In general, FS was two to three orders of magnitude faster than SA.

The use of Rheology Combined with Differential Scanning Calorimetry to Elucidate the Granulation Mechanism of an Immiscible Formulation During Continuous Twin-Screw Melt Granulation.

PubMed

Monteyne, Tinne; Heeze, Liza; Mortier, Severine Therese F C; Oldörp, Klaus; Cardinaels, Ruth; Nopens, Ingmar; Vervaet, Chris; Remon, Jean-Paul; De Beer, Thomas

2016-10-01

Twin screw hot melt granulation (TS HMG) is a valuable, but still unexplored alternative to continuous granulation of moisture sensitive drugs. However, knowledge of the material behavior during TS HMG is crucial to optimize the formulation, process and resulting granule properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agglomeration mechanism during TS HMG using a rheometer in combination with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). An immiscible drug-binder formulation (caffeine-Soluplus(®)) was granulated via TS HMG in combination with thermal and rheological analysis (conventional and Rheoscope), granule characterization and Near Infrared chemical imaging (NIR-CI). A thin binder layer with restricted mobility was formed on the surface of the drug particles during granulation and is covered by a second layer with improved mobility when the Soluplus(®) concentration exceeded 15% (w/w). The formation of this second layer was facilitated at elevated granulation temperatures and resulted in smaller and more spherical granules. The combination of thermal and rheological analysis and NIR-CI images was advantageous to develop in-depth understanding of the agglomeration mechanism during continuous TS HMG and provided insight in the granule properties as function of process temperature and binder concentration.

Studies on the compressibility of wax matrix granules of acetaminophen and their admixtures with various tableting bases.

PubMed

Uhumwangho, M U; Okor, R S

2006-04-01

Matrix granules of acetaminophen have been formed by a melt granulation process whereby the acetaminophen powder was triturated with the melted wax--goat wax, glyceryl monostearate or carnuba wax. The compressibility of the matrix granules and their admixture, with diluent granules (lactose, alpha-cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose) was investigated. The granules were compressed to tablets at a constant load (30 arbitrary units on the load scale) of a manesty single punch machine. Resulting tablets were evaluated for tensile strength (T) and disintegration times (DT). Granule flow was determined by measuring their angle of repose when allowed to fall freely on a level surface. Matrix granules prepared by melt granulation with goat wax or glyceryl monostearate were too sticky and therefore did not flow at all. They were also poorly compressible (T values = 0.20MN/m2). Inclusion of the diluent remarkably improved granule flow property and compressibility. The T values of the tablets (measure of compressibility) increased from about 0.24 to 0.65 MN/m2 during increase in diluent (lactose) content from 20 to 80 %w/w. Microcrystalline cellulose and alpha-cellulose were more effective than lactose in promoting compressibility of the granules. By contrast the matrix granules formed with carnuba wax were free flowing (angle of repose, 18.60). Addition of the diluent further improved flowability slightly. The matrix granules (without a diluent) were readily compressible (T value, 1.79MN/m2). Addition of the diluent (80%w/w) reduced T values (MN/m2) slightly to 1.32 (lactose), 1.48 (alpha-cellulose) and 1.74 (microcrystalline cellulose). Tablets of the matrix granules only, disintegrated rapidly within 3 minutes. DT was further reduced to <30 s by addition of any of the diluents. The indication is that the inclusion of the diluents studied can be used to improve the compressibility of the otherwise poorly compressible matrix granules. Based on the flowability, compressibility, and disintegration data, carnuba wax proved most promising in the melt granulation of the test drug for sustained release applications.

Improved tabletability after a polymorphic transition of delta-mannitol during twin screw granulation.

PubMed

Vanhoorne, V; Bekaert, B; Peeters, E; De Beer, T; Remon, J-P; Vervaet, C

2016-06-15

In most formulations processed via continuous twin screw granulation microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and/or lactose are used as excipients, but mannitol is also a preferred excipient for wet granulation and tableting due to its non-hygroscopicity and inertness. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of process parameters on critical quality attributes of granules (moisture content, solid state, morphology, size distribution, specific surface area, friability, flowability and hygroscopicity) and tablets (tensile strength and friability) after twin screw granulation of δ-mannitol. The δ-polymorph was selected since a moisture-induced transformation to β-mannitol was observed during batch wet granulation, which exhibited a unique morphology with a large surface area and improved tabletability. A full factorial experimental design was performed, varying screw speed (400-900rpm), granulation temperature (25-40°C), number of kneading elements (6 or 12) and liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio, on the granulation unit of a ConsiGma™-25 line (a continuous powder-to-tablet manufacturing system). After tray drying the granules were milled and tableted. The results showed that the polymorphic transition from δ- to β-mannitol also occurred during twin screw granulation, although the residence time and L/S ratios were much lower in continuous twin screw granulation compared to batch processing. However, the polymorphic transition was not complete in all experiments and depended on the L/S ratio, screw speed and number of kneading elements. Nevertheless all granules exhibited the unique morphology linked to the polymorphic transition and had a superior tabletability compared to granules produced with β-mannitol as starting material. This was attributed to enhanced plastic deformation of the granules manufactured using δ-mannitol as starting material. In addition, it was concluded that mannitol was granulated via a different mechanism than other, less-soluble, excipients (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose) due to its high solubility and dissolution rate as the influence of process parameters on the mannitol granule characteristics was different. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Elucidation of solution state complexation in wet-granulated oven-dried ibuprofen and beta-cyclodextrin: FT-IR and 1H-NMR studies.

PubMed

Ghorab, M K; Adeyeye, M C

2001-08-01

The effect of oven-dried wet granulation on the complexation of beta-cyclodextrin with ibuprofen (IBU) in solution was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and molecular modeling. Granulation was carried out using 5 mL of three different granulating solvents; water, ethanol (95% v/v), and isopropanol and the granules were oven-dried at 60 degrees C for 2 h. The granules were compared to oven-dried physical mixture and conventionally prepared complex. Phase solubility study was performed to investigate the stability of the granulation-formed complexes in solution. FT-IR was used to examine the complexation in the granules while 1H NMR, and molecular modeling studies were carried out to determine the mechanism of complexation in the water-prepared granules. The solubility studies suggested a 1:1 complex between IBU and betaCD. It also showed that the stability of the complex in solution was in the following order with respect to the granulating solvents: ethanol > water > isopropanol. The FT-IR study revealed a shift in the carboxylic acid stretching band and decrease in the intensities of the C-H bending bands of the isopropyl group and the out-of-plane aromatic ring, of IBU, in granules compared to the oven-dried physical mixture. This indicated that granules might have some extent of solid state complexation that could further enhance dissolution and the IBU-betaCD solution state complexation. 1H NMR showed that water prepared oven-dried granules had a different 1H NMR spectrum compared to similarly made oven-dried physical mixture, indicative of complexation in the former. The 1H NMR and the molecular modeling studies together revealed that solution state complexation from the granules occurred by inclusion of the isopropyl group together with part of the aromatic ring of IBU into the betaCD cavity probably through its wider side. These results indicate that granulation process induced faster complexation in solution which enhances the solubility and the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. The extent of complexation in the granules was dependent on the type of solvent used.

Fast formation of aerobic granules by combining strong hydraulic selection pressure with overstressed organic loading rate.

PubMed

Liu, Yong-Qiang; Tay, Joo-Hwa

2015-09-01

The combined strong hydraulic selection pressure (HSP) with overstressed organic loading rate (OLR) as a fast granulation strategy was used to enhance aerobic granulation. To investigate the wide applicability of this strategy to different scenarios and its relevant mechanism, different settling times, different inoculums, different exchange ratios, different reactor configurations, and different shear force were used in this study. It was found that clear granules were formed within 24 h and steady state reached within three days when the fast granulation strategy was used in a lab-scale reactor seeded with well settled activated sludge (Reactor 2). However, granules appeared after 2-week operation and reached steady state after one month at the traditional step-wise decreased settling time from 20 to 2 min with OLR of 6 g COD/L·d (Reactor 1). With the fast granulation strategy, granules appeared within 24 h even with bulking sludge as seed to start up Reactor 3, but 6-day lag phase was observed compared with Reactor 2. Both Reactor 2 and Reactor 3 experienced sigmoidal growth curve in terms of biomass accumulation and granule size increase after granulation. In addition, the reproducible results in pilot-scale reactors (Reactor 5 and Reactor 6) with diameter of 20 cm and height/diameter ratio (H/D) of 4 further proved that reactor configuration and fluid flow pattern had no effect on the aerobic granulation when the fast granulation strategy was employed, but biomass accumulation experienced a short lag phase too in Reactor 5 and Reactor 6. Although overstressed OLR was favorable for fast granulation, it also led to the fluffy granules after around two-week operation. However, the stable 6-month operation of Reactor 3 demonstrated that the rapidly formed granules were able to maintain long-term stability by reducing OLR from 12 g COD/L·d to 6 g COD/L·d. A mechanism of fast granulation with the strategy of combined strong HSP and OLR was proposed to explain results and guide the operation with this fast strategy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental Transitions Recorded by Fluvial Fan Stratigraphy at Dingo Gap and Moonlight Valley, Gale Crater, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edgar, L. A.; Gupta, S.; Rubin, D. M.; Schieber, J.; Stack, K.; Lewis, K. W.

2016-12-01

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover investigated a number of sedimentary outcrops across Aeolis Palus. Observations of conglomerates, cross-bedded sandstones, and mudstones suggest that fluvial and lacustrine environments were common. Outcrops that expose cross-sections are particularly helpful for identifying stratigraphic relationships and changes through time. In the vicinity of an outcrop informally named Dingo Gap, the drive strategy shifted from driving on the topographic high areas to the topographic low areas, which resulted in a unique vantage point to observe stratigraphy in cross-section. During Sols 513-541, Curiosity investigated 4 m of stratigraphy exposed at Dingo Gap and Moonlight Valley. The valley walls reveal five distinct sedimentary facies, including 1) a fine-grained evenly laminated facies interpreted as upper plane bed stratification, 2) ripple and dune cross-stratified sandstone facies, interpreted to represent the southward migration of subaqueous bedforms, 3) fully preserved bedform sandstone facies, formed during high rates of deposition, 4) planar-bedded granule-rich sandstone facies, interpreted as sheet flood deposits, and 5) a weakly stratified, poorly-sorted conglomerate facies, interpreted to represent rapid deposition from a high-energy fluvial flow. The conglomerate facies is unlike other conglomerates observed thus far in the mission, on the basis of both texture and chemistry. Analysis of conglomerates reveal that they occur as distinct channel bodies, incised into cross-stratified sandstones. This coarsening upward signature is interpreted to record a prograding fan succession. Channel bodies appear to be time-equivalent, which suggests a major change in the system, likely associated with a drop in base level. The unique viewing geometry offered by Dingo Gap and Moonlight Valley makes it possible to observe these environmental changes.

Removal of alpha-pinene from gases using biofilters containing fungi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Groenestijn, J. W.; Liu, J. X.

Biofiltration is cost-effective for the treatment of gases containing low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (<3 g m -3) . However, conventional biofilters, based on compost and bacterial activity, face problems with the elimination of hydrophobic compounds. Besides that, biofilter operational stability is often hampered by acidification and drying out of the filter bed. To overcome these problems, biofilters with fungi on inert packing material have been developed. Fungi are more resistant to acid and dry conditions than bacteria, and it is hypothesised that the aerial mycelia of fungi, which are in direct contact with the gas, can take up hydrophobic compounds faster than flat aqueous bacterial biofilm surfaces. Alpha-pinene was chosen as a model compound. It is an odorous compound emitted by the wood processing industry. In 2 l biofilter columns four different packing materials were tested: perlite, expanded clay granules, polyurethane foam cubes and compost. The filters were inoculated with forest soil and ventilated with gas containing alpha-pinene. Start up took 1-2 months and removal efficiencies of more than 90% were observed, but mostly ranged from 50% to 90% due to overloading. In the filters containing perlite, clay, polyurethane and compost volumetric removal capacities of, respectively, 24, 33, 38 and 24 g alpha- pinene m -3 filter bed h -1 were attained and the gas pressure drops in the 60 cm high filter beds measured at a superficial gas velocity of 35 m h -1 were 70, 550, 180 and 250 Pa. The results indicate that it is possible to develop biofilters based on the action of fungi with higher elimination capacities for alpha-pinene as reported in literature for bacterial biofilters. The use of polyurethane foam cubes is preferred because of the low gas pressure drop in combination with a high volumetric elimination capacity.

Pilot-scale Limestone Emission Control (LEC) process: A development project. Volume 1, Main report and appendices A, B, C, and D: Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prudich, M.E.; Appell, K.W.; McKenna, J.D.

ETS, Inc., a pollution consulting firm with headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia, has developed a dry, limestone-based flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system. This SO{sub 2} removal system, called Limestone Emission Control (LEC), can be designed for installation on either new or existing coal-fired boilers. In the LEC process, the SO{sub 2} in the flue gas reacts with wetted granular limestone that is contained in a moving bed. A surface layer of principally calcium sulfate (CaSO{sub 4}) is formed on the limestone. Periodic removal of this surface layer by mechanical agitation allows high utilization of the limestone granules. A nominal 5,000 acfmmore » LEC pilot plant has been designed, fabricated and installed on the slipstream of a 70,000 pph stoker boiler providing steam to Ohio University`s Athens, Ohio campus. A total of over 90 experimental trials have been performed using the pilot-scale moving-bed LEC dry scrubber as a part of this research project with run times ranging up to a high of 125 hours. SO{sub 2} removal efficiencies as high as 99.9% were achievable for all experimental conditions studied during which sufficient humidification was added to the LEC bed. The LEC process and conventional limestone scrubbing have been compared on an equatable basis using flue gas conditions that would be expected at the outlet of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of a 500 MW coal-fired power plant. The LEC was found to have a definite economic advantage in both direct capital costs and operating costs. Based on the success and findings of the present project, the next step in LEC process development will be a full-scale commercial demonstration unit.« less

Modeling of lithium granule injection in NSTX using M3D-C1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fil, A.; Kolemen, E.; Ferraro, N.

In this paper, we present simulations of pedestal control by lithium granule injection (LGI) in NSTX. A model for small granule ablation has been implemented in the M3D-C1 code (Jardin et al 2012 Comput. Sci. Discovery 5 014002), allowing the simulation of realistic lithium granule injections. 2D and 3D simulations of Li injections in NSTX H-mode plasmas are performed and the effect of granule size, injection angle and velocity on the pedestal gradient increase is studied. The amplitude of the local pressure perturbation caused by the granules is found to be highly dependent on the solid granule size. Adjusting themore » granule injection velocity allows one to inject more particles at the pedestal top. 3D simulations show the destabilization of high order MHD modes whose amplitude is directly linked to the localized pressure perturbation, which is found to depend on the toroidal localization of the granule density source.« less

Autophagy meets fused in sarcoma-positive stress granules.

PubMed

Matus, Soledad; Bosco, Daryl A; Hetz, Claudio

2014-12-01

Mutations in fused in sarcoma and/or translocated in liposarcoma (FUS, TLS or FUS) are linked to familial cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mutant FUS selectively accumulates into discrete cytosolic structures known as stress granules under various stress conditions. In addition, mutant FUS expression can alter the dynamics and morphology of stress granules. Although the link between mutant FUS and stress granules is well established, the mechanisms modulating stress granule formation and disassembly in the context of ALS are poorly understood. In this issue of Neurobiology of Aging, Ryu et al. uncover the impact of autophagy on the potential toxicity of mutant FUS-positive stress granules. The authors provide evidence indicating that enhanced autophagy activity reduces the number of stress granules, which in the case of cells containing mutant FUS-positive stress granules, is neuroprotective. Overall, this study identifies an intersection between the proteostasis network and alterations in RNA metabolism in ALS through the dynamic assembly and disassembly of stress granules. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Internal structure of normal maize starch granules revealed by chemical surface gelatinization.

PubMed

Pan, D D; Jane, J I

2000-01-01

Normal maize starch was fractionated into two sizes: large granules with diameters more than 5 microns and small granules with diameters less than 5 microns. The large granules were surface gelatinized by treating them with an aqueous LiCl solution (13 M) at 22-23 degrees C. Surface-gelatinized remaining granules were obtained by mechanical blending, and gelatinized surface starch was obtained by grinding with a mortar and a pestle. Starches of different granular sizes and radial locations, obtained after different degrees of surface gelatinization, were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, iodine potentiometric titration, gel-permeation chromatography, and amylopectin branch chain length analysis. Results showed that the remaining granules had a rough surface with a lamella structure. Amylose was more concentrated at the periphery than at the core of the granule. Amylopectin had longer long B-chains at the core than at the periphery of the granule. Greater proportions of the long B-chains were present at the core than at the periphery of the granule.

New Class of Cargo Protein in Tetrahymena thermophila Dense Core Secretory Granules

PubMed Central

Haddad, Alex; Bowman, Grant R.; Turkewitz, Aaron P.

2002-01-01

Regulated exocytosis of dense core secretory granules releases biologically active proteins in a stimulus-dependent fashion. The packaging of the cargo within newly forming granules involves a transition: soluble polypeptides condense to form water-insoluble aggregates that constitute the granule cores. Following exocytosis, the cores generally disassemble to diffuse in the cell environment. The ciliates Tetrahymena thermophila and Paramecium tetraurelia have been advanced as genetically manipulatable systems for studying exocytosis via dense core granules. However, all of the known granule proteins in these organisms condense to form the architectural units of lattices that are insoluble both before and after exocytosis. Using an approach designed to detect new granule proteins, we have now identified Igr1p (induced during granule regeneration). By structural criteria, it is unrelated to the previously characterized lattice-forming proteins. It is distinct in that it is capable of dissociating from the insoluble lattice following secretion and therefore represents the first diffusible protein identified in ciliate granules. PMID:12456006

Modeling of lithium granule injection in NSTX using M3D-C1

DOE PAGES

Fil, A.; Kolemen, E.; Ferraro, N.; ...

2017-04-06

In this paper, we present simulations of pedestal control by lithium granule injection (LGI) in NSTX. A model for small granule ablation has been implemented in the M3D-C1 code (Jardin et al 2012 Comput. Sci. Discovery 5 014002), allowing the simulation of realistic lithium granule injections. 2D and 3D simulations of Li injections in NSTX H-mode plasmas are performed and the effect of granule size, injection angle and velocity on the pedestal gradient increase is studied. The amplitude of the local pressure perturbation caused by the granules is found to be highly dependent on the solid granule size. Adjusting themore » granule injection velocity allows one to inject more particles at the pedestal top. 3D simulations show the destabilization of high order MHD modes whose amplitude is directly linked to the localized pressure perturbation, which is found to depend on the toroidal localization of the granule density source.« less

Biomineralisation by earthworms - an investigation into the stability and distribution of amorphous calcium carbonate.

PubMed

Hodson, Mark E; Benning, Liane G; Demarchi, Bea; Penkman, Kirsty E H; Rodriguez-Blanco, Juan D; Schofield, Paul F; Versteegh, Emma A A

Many biominerals form from amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), but this phase is highly unstable when synthesised in its pure form inorganically. Several species of earthworm secrete calcium carbonate granules which contain highly stable ACC. We analysed the milky fluid from which granules form and solid granules for amino acid (by liquid chromatography) and functional group (by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy) compositions. Granule elemental composition was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Mass of ACC present in solid granules was quantified using FTIR and compared to granule elemental and amino acid compositions. Bulk analysis of granules was of powdered bulk material. Spatially resolved analysis was of thin sections of granules using synchrotron-based μ-FTIR and EMPA electron microprobe analysis. The milky fluid from which granules form is amino acid-rich (≤ 136 ± 3 nmol mg -1 (n = 3; ± std dev) per individual amino acid); the CaCO 3 phase present is ACC. Even four years after production, granules contain ACC. No correlation exists between mass of ACC present and granule elemental composition. Granule amino acid concentrations correlate well with ACC content (r ≥ 0.7, p ≤ 0.05) consistent with a role for amino acids (or the proteins they make up) in ACC stabilisation. Intra-granule variation in ACC (RSD = 16%) and amino acid concentration (RSD = 22-35%) was high for granules produced by the same earthworm. Maps of ACC distribution produced using synchrotron-based μ-FTIR mapping of granule thin sections and the relative intensity of the ν 2 : ν 4 peak ratio, cluster analysis and component regression using ACC and calcite standards showed similar spatial distributions of likely ACC-rich and calcite-rich areas. We could not identify organic peaks in the μ-FTIR spectra and thus could not determine whether ACC-rich domains also had relatively high amino acid concentrations. No correlation exists between ACC distribution and elemental concentrations determined by EMPA. ACC present in earthworm CaCO 3 granules is highly stable. Our results suggest a role for amino acids (or proteins) in this stability. We see no evidence for stabilisation of ACC by incorporation of inorganic components. Graphical abstractSynchrotron-based μ-FTIR mapping was used to determine the spatial distribution of amorphous calcium carbonate in earthworm-produced CaCO 3 granules.

Imaging exocytosis of single glucagon-like peptide-1 containing granules in a murine enteroendocrine cell line with total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ohara-Imaizumi, Mica; Aoyagi, Kyota; Akimoto, Yoshihiro

To analyze the exocytosis of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) granules, we imaged the motion of GLP-1 granules labeled with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (Venus) fused to human growth hormone (hGH-Venus) in an enteroendocrine cell line, STC-1 cells, by total internal reflection fluorescent (TIRF) microscopy. We found glucose stimulation caused biphasic GLP-1 granule exocytosis: during the first phase, fusion events occurred from two types of granules (previously docked granules and newcomers), and thereafter continuous fusion was observed mostly from newcomers during the second phase. Closely similar to the insulin granule fusion from pancreatic {beta} cells, the regulated biphasic exocytosis from two typesmore » of granules may be a common mechanism in glucose-evoked hormone release from endocrine cells.« less

High organic loading influences the physical characteristics of aerobic sludge granules.

PubMed

Moy, B Y-P; Tay, J-H; Toh, S-K; Liu, Y; Tay, S T-L

2002-01-01

The effect of high organic loading rate (OLR) on the physical characteristics of aerobic granules was studied. Two column-type sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactors were fed with either glucose or acetate as the main carbon source, and the OLR was gradually raised from 6 to 9, 12 and 15 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) m(-3) d(-1). Glucose-fed granules could sustain the maximum OLR tested. At a low OLR, these granules exhibited a loose fluffy morphology dominated by filamentous bacteria. At higher OLRs, these granules became irregularly shaped, with folds, crevices and depressions. In contrast, acetate-fed granules had a compact spherical morphology at OLRs of 6 and 9 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), with better settling and strength characteristics than glucose-fed granules at similar OLRs. However, acetate-fed granules could not sustain high OLRs and disintegrated when the OLR reached 9 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). The compact regular microstructure of the acetate-fed granules appeared to limit mass transfer of nutrients at an OLR of 9 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). The looser filamentous microstructure of the glucose-fed granules and the subsequent irregular morphology delayed the onset of diffusion limitation and allowed significantly higher OLRs to be attained. SIGNIFICNACE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: High organic loading rates are possible with aerobic granules. This research would be helpful in the development of aerobic granule-based systems for high-strength wastewaters.

Granulation of snow: From tumbler experiments to discrete element simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinkogler, Walter; Gaume, Johan; Löwe, Henning; Sovilla, Betty; Lehning, Michael

2015-06-01

It is well known that snow avalanches exhibit granulation phenomena, i.e., the formation of large and apparently stable snow granules during the flow. The size distribution of the granules has an influence on flow behavior which, in turn, affects runout distances and avalanche velocities. The underlying mechanisms of granule formation are notoriously difficult to investigate within large-scale field experiments, due to limitations in the scope for measuring temperatures, velocities, and size distributions. To address this issue we present experiments with a concrete tumbler, which provide an appropriate means to investigate granule formation of snow. In a set of experiments at constant rotation velocity with varying temperatures and water content, we demonstrate that temperature has a major impact on the formation of granules. The experiments showed that granules only formed when the snow temperature exceeded -1∘C. No evolution in the granule size was observed at colder temperatures. Depending on the conditions, different granulation regimes are obtained, which are qualitatively classified according to their persistence and size distribution. The potential of granulation of snow in a tumbler is further demonstrated by showing that generic features of the experiments can be reproduced by cohesive discrete element simulations. The proposed discrete element model mimics the competition between cohesive forces, which promote aggregation, and impact forces, which induce fragmentation, and supports the interpretation of the granule regime classification obtained from the tumbler experiments. Generalizations, implications for flow dynamics, and experimental and model limitations as well as suggestions for future work are discussed.

Statistical properties of solar granulation from the SOUP instrument on Spacelab 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topka, K.; Title, A.; Tarbell, T.; Ferguson, S.; Shine, R.

1988-11-01

The Solar Optical Universal Polarimeter (SOUP) on Spacelab 2 collected movies of solar granulation completely free from atmospheric blurring, and are not degraded by pointint jitter (the pointing stability was 0.003 sec root mean square). The movies illustrate that the solar five minute oscillation has a major role in the appearance of solar granulation and that exploding granules are a common feature of the granule evolution. Using 3-D Fourier filtering techniques the oscillations were removed and it was demonstrated that the autocorrelation lifetime of granulation is a factor of two greater in magnetic field regions than in field-free quiet sun. Horizontal velocities were measured and flow patterns were observed on the scale of meso- and super granulation. In quiet regions the mean flow velocity is 370 m/s while in the magnetic regions it is about 125 m/s. It was also found that the root mean square (RMS) fluctuating horizonal velocity field is substantially greater in quiet sun than in strong magnetic field regions. By superimposing the location of exploding granules on the average flow maps it was found that they appear almost exclusively in the center of mesogranulation size flow cells. Because of the nonuniformity of the distribution of exploding granules, the evolution of the granulation pattern in mesogranule cell centers and boundaries differs fundamentally. It is clear from this study there is neither a typical granule nor a typical granule evolution.

Statistical properties of solar granulation from the SOUP instrument on Spacelab 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Topka, K.; Title, A.; Tarbell, T.; Ferguson, S.; Shine, R.

1988-01-01

The Solar Optical Universal Polarimeter (SOUP) on Spacelab 2 collected movies of solar granulation completely free from atmospheric blurring, and are not degraded by pointint jitter (the pointing stability was 0.003 sec root mean square). The movies illustrate that the solar five minute oscillation has a major role in the appearance of solar granulation and that exploding granules are a common feature of the granule evolution. Using 3-D Fourier filtering techniques the oscillations were removed and it was demonstrated that the autocorrelation lifetime of granulation is a factor of two greater in magnetic field regions than in field-free quiet sun. Horizontal velocities were measured and flow patterns were observed on the scale of meso- and super granulation. In quiet regions the mean flow velocity is 370 m/s while in the magnetic regions it is about 125 m/s. It was also found that the root mean square (RMS) fluctuating horizonal velocity field is substantially greater in quiet sun than in strong magnetic field regions. By superimposing the location of exploding granules on the average flow maps it was found that they appear almost exclusively in the center of mesogranulation size flow cells. Because of the nonuniformity of the distribution of exploding granules, the evolution of the granulation pattern in mesogranule cell centers and boundaries differs fundamentally. It is clear from this study there is neither a typical granule nor a typical granule evolution.

Investigation on the pitting of potato starch granules during high frequency ultrasound treatment.

PubMed

Bai, Wenzhe; Hébraud, Pascal; Ashokkumar, Muthupandian; Hemar, Yacine

2017-03-01

In this paper, the pitting of potato starch granules in aqueous suspensions (1%) by high-frequency high-power ultrasound (850kHz at a power of 0.2W, 2W or 3.7W; and also 500kHz and 1MHz at a power of 2W) is reported. The number of pits per starch granules was found to be independent of the amylose content of starches, and the surface properties of starch granules as modified through SDS and ethanol washing. At 850kHz, the maximum number of pits per starch granule, for both normal and waxy starches, did not exceed 11. However, a close inspection of fractionated starch granules based on their sizes showed that there is an optimum granule size for which a maximum pit number is obtained. For example, starch granules with diameter size range of ∼15 to ∼30μm had a maximum pit number (between 10 and 20 pits per granule) when sonicated (2W, 850kHz and 30min); while sonication of small (<10μm) and very large (>45μm) granules resulted in a smaller number of pits per granule (∼5). Further, the maximum number of pits per granules is also found to be proportional to the ultrasound frequency, with values of approximately 7, 10 and 11 at 0.50, 0.85, and 1MHz, respectively. FTIR measurements did not show any breakup of starch molecules. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of spray-cooling technology for development of microencapsulated capsicum oleoresin for the growing pig as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics: a study of release using in vitro models.

PubMed

Meunier, J-P; Cardot, J-M; Manzanilla, E G; Wysshaar, M; Alric, M

2007-10-01

The aim of this study was to develop sustained release microspheres of capsicum oleoresin as an alternative to in-feed additives. Two spray-cooling technologies, a fluidized air bed using a spray nozzle system and a vibrating nozzle system placed on top of a cooling tower, were used to microencapsulate 20% of capsicum oleoresin in a hydrogenated, rapeseed oil matrix. Microencapsulation was intended to reduce the irritating effect of capsicum oleoresin and to control its release kinetics during consumption by the animal. Particles produced by the fluidized air bed process (batch F1) ranged from 180 to 1,000 microm in size. The impact of particle size on release of capsaicin, the main active compound of capsicum oleoresin, was studied after sieving batch F1 to obtain 4 formulations: F1a (180 to 250 microm), F1b (250 to 500 microm), F1c (500 to 710 microm), and F1d (710 to 1,000 microm). The vibrating nozzle system can produce a monodispersive particle size distribution. In this study, particles of 500 to 710 microm were made (batch F2). The release kinetics of the formulations was estimated in a flow-through cell dissolution apparatus (CFC). The time to achieve a 90% dissolution value (T90%) of capsaicin for subbatches of F1 increased with the increase in particle size (P < 0.05), with the greatest value of 165.5 +/- 13.2 min for F1d. The kinetics of dissolution of F2 was slower than all F1 subbatches, with a T90% of 422.7 +/- 30.0 min. Nevertheless, because CFC systems are ill suited for experiments with solid feed and thus limit their predictive values, follow-up studies were performed on F1c and F2 using an in vitro dynamic model that simulated more closely the digestive environment. For both formulations a lower quantity of capsaicin dialyzed was recorded under fed condition vs. fasting condition with 46.9% +/- 1.0 vs. 74.7% +/- 2.7 for F1c and 32.4% +/- 1.4 vs. 44.2% +/- 2.6 for F2, respectively. This suggests a possible interaction between capsaicin and the feed matrix. Moreover, 40.4 +/- 3.9% of the total capsaicin intake in F2 form was dialyzed after 8 h of digestion when feed had been granulated vs. 32.4 +/- 1.4% when feed had not been granulated, which suggests that the feed granulation process could lead to a partial degradation of the microspheres and to a limitation of the sustained release effect. This study demonstrates the potential and the limitations of spray-cooling technology to encapsulate feed additives.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of medicinal carbon granules and tablet on the adsorption of acetaminophen.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Kenta; Onishi, Hiraku; Ito, Akihiko; Machida, Yoshiharu

2007-01-10

Medicinal carbon (MC) granules were prepared by wet granulation using maltitol (MT), and the MC tablet was produced by compression of the granules. The physical properties and the in vitro adsorption capacity for AA of the formulations were examined. Further, the effects of MC alone and the granules on gastrointestinal absorption of AA were examined in rats when they were administered intragastrically at 15 or 45 min after the intragastrical administration of AA. AA was rapidly adsorbed by MC, and the maximum adsorption capacity of MC was 0.329g AA per gram MC. The granules and tablet exhibited adequate strength, and the tablet disintegrated rapidly. The granules and tablet showed similar adsorption profiles, but somewhat lower adsorption capacity than MC alone. MC alone and granules administered at 15 min reduced the AUC(0-infinity) significantly against the control (no treatment); however, the suppression effect on the plasma concentration was lower with the granules than with MC alone. Thus, granules and tablet are useful as a compact dosage form of MC; though the reduced adsorption capacity must be taken into account in order to expect efficacy equivalent to that of MC alone.

Investigation of the effect of impeller speed on granules formed using a PMA-1 high shear granulator.

PubMed

Logan, R; Briens, L

2012-11-01

Impeller speed was varied from 300 to 1500 rpm during the wet high shear granulation of a placebo formulation using a new vertical shaft PharmaMATRIX-1 granulator. The resulting granules were extensively analysed for differences caused by the varying impeller speed with emphasis on flowability. Microscopy showed that initial granules were formed primarily from microcrystalline cellulose at all tested impeller speeds. At low impeller speed of 300 rpm in the "bumpy" flow regime, forces from the impeller were insufficient to incorporate all the components of the formulation into the granules and to promote granule growth to a size that significantly improved flowability. The "roping" flow regime at higher impeller speeds promoted granule growth to a median particle size of at least 100 µm that improved the flowability of the mixture. Particle size distribution measurements and advanced indicators based on avalanching behavior, however, showed that an impeller speed of 700 rpm produced the largest fraction of optimal granules with the best flowability potential. This impeller speed allowed good development of "roping" flow for sufficient mixing, collision rates and kinetic energy for collisions while minimizing excessive centrifugal forces that promote buildup around the bowl perimeter.

Starch synthase 4 is essential for coordination of starch granule formation with chloroplast division during Arabidopsis leaf expansion

PubMed Central

Crumpton-Taylor, Matilda; Pike, Marilyn; Lu, Kuan-Jen; Hylton, Christopher M; Feil, Regina; Eicke, Simona; Lunn, John E; Zeeman, Samuel C; Smith, Alison M

2013-01-01

Arabidopsis thaliana mutants lacking the SS4 isoform of starch synthase have strongly reduced numbers of starch granules per chloroplast, suggesting that SS4 is necessary for the normal generation of starch granules. To establish whether it plays a direct role in this process, we investigated the circumstances in which granules are formed in ss4 mutants. Starch granule numbers and distribution and the accumulation of starch synthase substrates and products were investigated during ss4 leaf development, and in ss4 mutants carrying mutations or transgenes that affect starch turnover or chloroplast volume. We found that immature ss4 leaves have no starch granules, but accumulate high concentrations of the starch synthase substrate ADPglucose. Granule numbers are partially restored by elevating the capacity for glucan synthesis (via expression of bacterial glycogen synthase) or by increasing the volumes of individual chloroplasts (via introduction of arc mutations). However, these granules are abnormal in distribution, size and shape. SS4 is an essential component of a mechanism that coordinates granule formation with chloroplast division during leaf expansion and determines the abundance and the flattened, discoid shape of leaf starch granules. PMID:23952675

Comparison of low-shear and high-shear granulation processes: effect on implantable calcium phosphate granule properties.

PubMed

Chevalier, E; Viana, M; Cazalbou, S; Chulia, D

2009-10-01

Calcium phosphate porous ceramics present a great interest not only as complex bone defect fillers but also as drug delivery systems. Most of the methods described in the literature to fabricate pellets are based on compaction, casting into spherical molds, or on processes such as liquid immiscibility or foaming. Despite wet granulation is used in a wide range of applications in pharmaceuticals, food, detergents, fertilizers, and minerals, it is not applied in the biomaterial field to produce granules. In this study physicochemical and in vitro drug delivery properties of implantable calcium phosphate granules, produced by two wet agglomeration processes, were compared. Pellets obtained by high shear granulation (granulation in a Mi-Pro apparatus) were shown to be more spherical and less friable than granules elaborated by low shear process (granulation in a Kenwood apparatus). Although Mi-Pro pellets had a slightly lower porosity compared to Kenwood granules, ibuprofen loading efficiency and dissolution profiles were not statistically different and the release mechanism was mainly controlled by diffusion, in both cases. Mi-Pro pellets appeared to be better candidates as bone defect fillers and local drug delivery systems as far as they were more spherical and less friable than Kenwood agglomerates.

Stimulation of microtubule-based transport by nucleation of microtubules on pigment granules

PubMed Central

Semenova, Irina; Gupta, Dipika; Usui, Takeo; Hayakawa, Ichiro; Cowan, Ann; Rodionov, Vladimir

2017-01-01

Microtubule (MT)-based transport can be regulated through changes in organization of MT transport tracks, but the mechanisms that regulate these changes are poorly understood. In Xenopus melanophores, aggregation of pigment granules in the cell center involves their capture by the tips of MTs growing toward the cell periphery, and granule aggregation signals facilitate capture by increasing the number of growing MT tips. This increase could be explained by stimulation of MT nucleation either on the centrosome or on the aggregate of pigment granules that gradually forms in the cell center. We blocked movement of pigment granules to the cell center and compared the MT-nucleation activity of the centrosome in the same cells in two signaling states. We found that granule aggregation signals did not stimulate MT nucleation on the centrosome but did increase MT nucleation activity of pigment granules. Elevation of MT-nucleation activity correlated with the recruitment to pigment granules of a major component of MT-nucleation templates, γ-tubulin, and was suppressed by γ-tubulin inhibitors. We conclude that generation of new MT transport tracks by concentration of the leading pigment granules provides a positive feedback loop that enhances delivery of trailing granules to the cell center. PMID:28381426

To Evaluate the Effect of Solvents and Different Relative Humidity Conditions on Thermal and Rheological Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose 101 Using METHOCEL™ E15LV as a Binder.

PubMed

Jagia, Moksh; Trivedi, Maitri; Dave, Rutesh H

2016-08-01

The solvent used for preparing the binder solution in wet granulation can affect the granulation end point and also impact the thermal, rheological, and flow properties of the granules. The present study investigates the effect of solvents and percentage relative humidity (RH) on the granules of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as the binder. MCC was granulated using 2.5% w/w binder solution in water and ethanol/water mixture (80:20 v/v). Prepared granules were dried until constant percentage loss on drying, sieved, and further analyzed. Dried granules were exposed to different percentage RH for 48 h at room temperature. Powder rheometer was used for the rheological and flow characterization, while thermal effusivity and differential scanning calorimeter were used for thermal analysis. The thermal effusivity values for the wet granules showed a sharp increase beginning 50% w/w binder solution in both cases, which reflected the over-wetting of granules. Ethanol/water solvent batches showed greater resistance to flow as compared to the water solvent batches in the wet granule stage, while the reverse was true for the dried granule stage, as evident from the basic flowability energy values. Although the solvents used affected the equilibration kinetics of moisture content, the RH-exposed granules remained unaffected in their flow properties in both cases. This study indicates that the solvents play a vital role on the rheology and flow properties of MCC granules, while the different RH conditions have little or no effect on them for the above combination of solvent and binder.

CERES Search and Subset Tool

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2016-06-24

... data granules using a high resolution spatial metadata database and directly accessing the archived data granules. Subset results are ... data granules using a high resolution spatial metadata database and directly accessing the archived data granules. Subset results are ...

Injected mass deposition thresholds for lithium granule instigated triggering of edge localized modes on EAST

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lunsford, R.; Sun, Zhen; Maingi, Rajesh

The ability of an injected lithium granule to promptly trigger an edge localized mode (ELM) has been established in multiple experiments. By horizontally injecting granules ranging in diameter from 200 microns to 1mm in diameter into the low field side of EAST H-mode discharges we have determined that granules with diameter > 600 microns are successful in triggering ELMs more than 95% of the time. Granules were radially injected from the outer midplane with velocities ~ 80 m/s into EAST upper-single null discharges with an ITER like tungsten monoblock divertor. ELM triggering was a prompt response to granule injection, andmore » for granules of a sufficient size there was no evidence of a "trigger lag" phenomenon as observed in full metal machines. We also demonstrated that the triggering efficiency decreased with granule size during dynamic size scans. These granules were individually tracked throughout their injection cycle in order to determine their efficacy at triggering an ELM. Furthermore, by simulating the granule injection with an experimentally benchmarked neutral gas shielding (NGS) model, the ablatant mass deposition required to promptly trigger an ELM is calculated and the fractional mass deposition is determined. Simulated 900 micron granules capable of triggering an ELM show a peaked mass deposition of 3.9 x 10 17 atoms per mm of penetration at a depth of approximately 5 cm past the separatrix.« less

The importance of binder moisture content in Metformin HCL high-dose formulations prepared by moist aqueous granulation (MAG).

PubMed

Takasaki, Hiroshi; Yonemochi, Etsuo; Ito, Masanori; Wada, Koichi; Terada, Katsuhide

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate binders to improve the flowability of granulates and compactibility of Metformin HCL (Met) using the moist aqueous granulation (MAG) process. The effect of the binder moisture content on granulate and tablet quality was also evaluated. Vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer (Kollidon VA64 fine: VA64), polyvidone (Povidone K12: PVP), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC SSL SF: HPC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel E5 LV: HPMC) were evaluated as binders. These granulates, except for HPMC, had a lower yield pressure than Met active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). HPMC Met was not sufficiently granulated with low water volume. No problems were observed with the VA64 Met granulates during the tableting process. However, HPC Met granulates had a bowl-forming tendency, and PVP Met granulates had the tendency to stick during the tableting process. These bowl-forming and sticking tendencies may have been due to the low moisture absorbency of HPC and the high volume of bound water of PVP, respectively. VA64 Met granulates had the highest ambient moisture content (bulk water, bound water) and moisture absorbency. It was concluded that the type of binder used for the Met MAG process has an impact on granulate flow and compactibility, as well as moisture absorbency and maintenance of moisture balance.

The importance of binder moisture content in Metformin HCL high-dose formulations prepared by moist aqueous granulation (MAG)

PubMed Central

Takasaki, Hiroshi; Yonemochi, Etsuo; Ito, Masanori; Wada, Koichi; Terada, Katsuhide

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate binders to improve the flowability of granulates and compactibility of Metformin HCL (Met) using the moist aqueous granulation (MAG) process. The effect of the binder moisture content on granulate and tablet quality was also evaluated. Vinylpyrrolidone–vinyl acetate copolymer (Kollidon VA64 fine: VA64), polyvidone (Povidone K12: PVP), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC SSL SF: HPC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel E5 LV: HPMC) were evaluated as binders. These granulates, except for HPMC, had a lower yield pressure than Met active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). HPMC Met was not sufficiently granulated with low water volume. No problems were observed with the VA64 Met granulates during the tableting process. However, HPC Met granulates had a bowl-forming tendency, and PVP Met granulates had the tendency to stick during the tableting process. These bowl-forming and sticking tendencies may have been due to the low moisture absorbency of HPC and the high volume of bound water of PVP, respectively. VA64 Met granulates had the highest ambient moisture content (bulk water, bound water) and moisture absorbency. It was concluded that the type of binder used for the Met MAG process has an impact on granulate flow and compactibility, as well as moisture absorbency and maintenance of moisture balance. PMID:26779418

Impact of functionalized particle structure on roll compaction/dry granulation and tableting of calcium carbonate.

PubMed

Grote, Simon; Kleinebudde, Peter

2018-06-10

The influence of a functionalized raw material particle structure on the granulation behavior and tabletabilty of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) was investigated. Therefore, a milled grade of CaCO 3 was compared to different binary mixtures of milled and functionalized CaCO 3 . Relevant properties of raw materials, ribbons and granules were measured. The starting materials and two fractions of dry granules were compressed to tablets. The tabletability of granules was compared to that of the powders and the influence of specific compaction force and granule size on tablet tensile strength was evaluated. Adding functionalized particles drastically influenced the granulation and tableting behavior of CaCO 3 . Increasing proportions increased the ribbon porosity and granule size. Tensile strength of tablets from powder mixtures and granules was increased as well. Nevertheless, adding functionalized CaCO 3 led to a loss in tabletability induced by a previous compaction step to an extent depending on its proportion in the formulation. A clear influence of the particle morphology on granulation and tableting behavior was demonstrated by the study. The functionalized structure showed aspects of a more plastic deformation behavior. Adding functionalized CaCO 3 to a mixture, even in small amounts, seemed to be beneficial to increase granule size and tablet strength. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Injected mass deposition thresholds for lithium granule instigated triggering of edge localized modes on EAST

DOE PAGES

Lunsford, R.; Sun, Zhen; Maingi, Rajesh; ...

2017-12-19

The ability of an injected lithium granule to promptly trigger an edge localized mode (ELM) has been established in multiple experiments. By horizontally injecting granules ranging in diameter from 200 microns to 1mm in diameter into the low field side of EAST H-mode discharges we have determined that granules with diameter > 600 microns are successful in triggering ELMs more than 95% of the time. Granules were radially injected from the outer midplane with velocities ~ 80 m/s into EAST upper-single null discharges with an ITER like tungsten monoblock divertor. ELM triggering was a prompt response to granule injection, andmore » for granules of a sufficient size there was no evidence of a "trigger lag" phenomenon as observed in full metal machines. We also demonstrated that the triggering efficiency decreased with granule size during dynamic size scans. These granules were individually tracked throughout their injection cycle in order to determine their efficacy at triggering an ELM. Furthermore, by simulating the granule injection with an experimentally benchmarked neutral gas shielding (NGS) model, the ablatant mass deposition required to promptly trigger an ELM is calculated and the fractional mass deposition is determined. Simulated 900 micron granules capable of triggering an ELM show a peaked mass deposition of 3.9 x 10 17 atoms per mm of penetration at a depth of approximately 5 cm past the separatrix.« less

Identification of human cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP-3) as a matrix protein in a subset of peroxidase-negative granules of neutrophils and in the granules of eosinophils.

PubMed

Udby, Lene; Calafat, Jero; Sørensen, Ole E; Borregaard, Niels; Kjeldsen, Lars

2002-09-01

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP-3; also known as SGP28) was originally discovered in human neutrophilic granulocytes. We have recently developed a sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for CRISP-3 and demonstrated the presence of CRISP-3 in exocrine secretions. To investigate the subcellular localization and mobilization of CRISP-3 in human neutrophils, we performed subcellular fractionation of resting and activated neutrophils on three-layer Percoll density gradients, release-studies of granule proteins in response to different secretagogues, and double-labeling immunogold electron microscopy. CRISP-3 was found to be localized in a subset of granules with overlapping characteristics of specific and gelatinase granules and mobilized accordingly, thus confirming the hypothesis that peroxidase-negative granules exist as a continuum from specific to gelatinase granules regarding protein content and mobilization. CRISP-3 was found to be a matrix protein, which is stored in granules as glycosylated and as unglycosylated protein. The subcellular distribution of the two forms of CRISP-3 was identical. In addition, CRISP-3 was found as a granule protein in eosinophilic granulocytes. The presence of CRISP-3 in peroxidase-negative granules of neutrophils, in granules of eosinophils, and in exocrine secretions indicates a role in the innate host defense.

The influence of granulation on super disintegrant performance.

PubMed

Zhao, Na; Augsburger, Larry L

2006-02-01

The purpose of this study is to identify the causes of efficiency loss of super disintegrants following granulation or reworking. Two processes, precompression and prewetting, were proposed to simulate the processes during dry and wet granulation, respectively. The disintegration efficiency of the resulting disintegrant granules was tested in model formulations composed of dicalcium phosphate and lactose with the unprocessed disintegrants as controls. No significant difference was shown in the intrinsic swelling and the water uptake abilities of all super disintegrants following dry granulation. However, a significant decrease was observed for both Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 in the rate of water being absorbed into the tablet matrix following wet granulation, but not for Ac-Di-Sol. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) disintegration testing without disc revealed a significant increase in disintegration time for tablets formulated with dry granulated Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 and all wet granulated disintegrants. The increase in particle size following granulation appears to be the cause of the loss in disintegration efficiency. In conclusion, Ac-Di-Sol is less affected by both precompression and prewetting. The efficiency of Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 is highly dependent on their particle size. Descreasing the particle size tends to increase their efficiency. Due to the size increase following granulation, a higher addition level of super disintegrant is required to ensure fast and uniform disintegration of tablets prepared by granulation.

Aspergillus oryzae AoSO is a novel component of stress granules upon heat stress in filamentous fungi.

PubMed

Huang, Hsiang-Ting; Maruyama, Jun-ichi; Kitamoto, Katsuhiko

2013-01-01

Stress granules are a type of cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) granule formed in response to the inhibition of translation initiation, which typically occurs when cells are exposed to stress. Stress granules are conserved in eukaryotes; however, in filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus oryzae, stress granules have not yet been defined. For this reason, here we investigated the formation and localization of stress granules in A. oryzae cells exposed to various stresses using an EGFP fusion protein of AoPab1, a homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pab1p, as a stress granule marker. Localization analysis showed that AoPab1 was evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm under normal growth conditions, and accumulated as cytoplasmic foci mainly at the hyphal tip in response to stress. AoSO, a homolog of Neurospora crassa SO, which is necessary for hyphal fusion, colocalized with stress granules in cells exposed to heat stress. The formation of cytoplasmic foci of AoSO was blocked by treatment with cycloheximide, a known inhibitor of stress granule formation. Deletion of the Aoso gene had effects on the formation and localization of stress granules in response to heat stress. Our results suggest that AoSO is a novel component of stress granules specific to filamentous fungi. The authors would specially like to thank Hiroyuki Nakano and Kei Saeki for generously providing experimental and insightful opinions.

Behavior of hollow balls containing granules bouncing repeatedly off the ground

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Min; Mu, Qing-song; Luo, Ning; Li, Gang; Peng, Ning-bo

2013-07-01

An experimental study of the behavior of hollow balls filled with some granules (mung beans or millets) bouncing repeatedly off a static flat horizontal surface is presented. We observed that the bounce number of the ball is limited and decreases regularly with an increasing number of granules. Moreover, for two balls containing a different kind of granules, their bounce numbers are basically equal when the two balls have the same mass of granules. While there is no clear relationship between the first rebound height of one ball and the number of granules, there appears an exponential decay of the second rebound height with an increase of the granule number. Furthermore, a two-dimensional numerical model has been created to find out the law of the ball's rebound height and the dissipation law of the granule nested system. A generalized prediction equation to reasonably explain the law of the bounce number has also been proposed.

An investigation of the influence of process and formulation variables on mechanical properties of high shear granules using design of experiment.

PubMed

Mangwandi, Chirangano; Adams, Michael J; Hounslow, Michael J; Salman, Agba D

2012-05-10

Being able to predict the properties of granules from the knowledge of the process and formulation variables is what most industries are striving for. This research uses experimental design to investigate the effect of process variables and formulation variables on mechanical properties of pharmaceutical granules manufactured from a classical blend of lactose and starch using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as the binder. The process parameters investigated were granulation time and impeller speed whilst the formulation variables were starch-to-lactose ratio and HPC concentration. The granule properties investigated include granule packing coefficient and granule strength. The effect of some components of the formulation on mechanical properties would also depend on the process variables used in granulation process. This implies that by subjecting the same formulation to different process conditions results in products with different properties. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Distribution of binder in granules produced by means of twin screw granulation.

PubMed

Fonteyne, Margot; Fussell, Andrew Luke; Vercruysse, Jurgen; Vervaet, Chris; Remon, Jean Paul; Strachan, Clare; Rades, Thomas; De Beer, Thomas

2014-02-28

According to the quality by design principle processes may not remain black-boxes and full process understanding is required. The granule size distribution of granules produced via twin screw granulation is often found to be bimodal. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of binder distribution within granules produced via twin screw granulation in order to investigate if an inhomogeneous spread of binder is causing this bimodal size distribution. Theophylline-lactose-polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP) (30-67.5-2.5%, w/w) was used as a model formulation. The intra-granular distribution of PVP was evaluated by means of hyperspectral coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. For the evaluated formulation, no PVP rich zones were detected when applying a lateral spatial resolution of 0.5 μm, indicating that PVP is homogenously distributed within the granules. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neuronal RNA granules: a link between RNA localization and stimulation-dependent translation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krichevsky, A. M.; Kosik, K. S.

2001-01-01

RNA granules are a macromolecular structure observed in neurons, where they serve as motile units that translocate mRNAs. Isolated RNA granules are highly enriched in Staufen protein and ultrastructurally contain densely packed clusters of ribosomes. With depolarization, many mRNAs, including those involved in plasticity, rapidly shift from the RNA granule fraction to polysomes. Depolarization reorganizes granules and induces a less compact organization of their ribosomes. RNA granules are not translationally competent, as indicated by the failure to incorporate radioactive amino acids and the absence of eIF4E, 4G, and tRNAs. We concluded that RNA granules are a local storage compartment for mRNAs under translational arrest but are poised for release to actively translated pools. Local release of mRNAs and ribosomes from granules may serve as a macromolecular mechanism linking RNA localization to translation and synaptic plasticity.

The converse magnetoelectric coupling in asymmetric granule/matrix composite film with Ni/PZT component

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bo; Su, Ning-Ning; Cui, Wen-Li; Yan, Shi-Nong

2018-04-01

In this work, a type of asymmetric granule/matrix composite film is designed, where the Ni granule is dispersed in PZT matrix, meanwhile the top and bottom electrode is constituted by Au and SRO respectively. Predicted through the electrostatic screening model and mean field approximation, considerable electrostatic charge is induced on Ni granule surface by ferroelectric PZT polarization. Predicted through the spin splitting model and spherical shell approximation, both the magnetization and magnetic anisotropy of Ni granule are modulated by ferroelectric PZT polarization. As the volume fraction of Ni granule is increased, the electric modulation of magnetization and magnetic anisotropy is reduced and enhanced respectively. As the dimension of granule/matrix composite is varied, such modulation is retained. Due to the large area-volume ratio of nano-granule, this work benefits to realize the converse magnetoelectric coupling in nanoscale.

Application of tumbling melt granulation (TMG) method to prepare controlled-release fine granules.

PubMed

Maejima, T; Kubo, M; Osawa, T; Nakajima, K; Kobayashi, M

1998-03-01

The tumbling melt granulation (TMG) method was applied to prepare controlled-release fine granules of diltiazem hydrochloride (DH). The entire process, from the preparation of the cores by the adherence of DH to the sucrose crystal to the subsequent coating of the controlled-release layer, was performed without using any solvent. A mixture of meltable material, talc, and ethylcellulose was used for the controlled-release layer and controlled-release fine granules approximately 400 microns in diameter were obtained with excellent producibility. The dissolution rate of DH from these fine granules was similar to that of a once-a-day dosage form obtained in the market; further, the dependency of the dissolution profile on pH of the media was less. Thus, it was concluded that this TMG method was very useful for preparing not only controlled-release beads of granule size (usually 500 to 1400 microns) but also fine granules.

Clarithromycin highly-loaded gastro-floating fine granules prepared by high-shear melt granulation can enhance the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication.

PubMed

Aoki, Hajime; Iwao, Yasunori; Mizoguchi, Midori; Noguchi, Shuji; Itai, Shigeru

2015-05-01

In an effort to develop a new gastro-retentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) without a large amount of additives, 75% clarithromycin (CAM) loaded fine granules were prepared with three different hydrophobic binders by high-shear melt granulation and their properties were evaluated. Granules containing the higher hydrophobic binder showed sustained drug release and were able to float over 24h. The synchrotron X-ray CT measurement indicated that both the high hydrophobicity of the binder and the void space inside the granules might be involved in their buoyancy. In an in vivo experiment, the floating granules more effectively eradicated Helicobacter pylori than a CAM suspension by remaining in the stomach for a longer period. In short, CAM highly-loaded gastro-floating fine granules can enhance the eradication efficiency of H. pylori compared with CAM alone. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determining the Influence of Granule Size on Simulation Parameters and Residual Shear Stress Distribution in Tablets by Combining the Finite Element Method into the Design of Experiments.

PubMed

Hayashi, Yoshihiro; Kosugi, Atsushi; Miura, Takahiro; Takayama, Kozo; Onuki, Yoshinori

2018-01-01

The influence of granule size on simulation parameters and residual shear stress in tablets was determined by combining the finite element method (FEM) into the design of experiments (DoE). Lactose granules were prepared using a wet granulation method with a high-shear mixer and sorted into small and large granules using sieves. To simulate the tableting process using the FEM, parameters simulating each granule were optimized using a DoE and a response surface method (RSM). The compaction behavior of each granule simulated by FEM was in reasonable agreement with the experimental findings. Higher coefficients of friction between powder and die/punch (μ) and lower by internal friction angle (α y ) were generated in the case of small granules, respectively. RSM revealed that die wall force was affected by α y . On the other hand, the pressure transmissibility rate of punches value was affected not only by the α y value, but also by μ. The FEM revealed that the residual shear stress was greater for small granules than for large granules. These results suggest that the inner structure of a tablet comprising small granules was less homogeneous than that comprising large granules. To evaluate the contribution of the simulation parameters to residual stress, these parameters were assigned to the fractional factorial design and an ANOVA was applied. The result indicated that μ was the critical factor influencing residual shear stress. This study demonstrates the importance of combining simulation and statistical analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the tableting process.

Differential compaction behaviour of roller compacted granules of clopidogrel bisulphate polymorphs.

PubMed

Khomane, Kailas S; Bansal, Arvind K

2014-09-10

In the present work, in-die and out-of-die compaction behaviour of dry-granulated powders of clopidogrel bisulphate (CLP) polymorphs, form I and form II, was investigated using a fully instrumented rotary tablet press. Each polymorph was compacted at three different roller pressures [70.3 (S1), 105.5 (S2) and 140.6 (S3)kgf/cm(2)], and obtained granules were characterized for their physico-mechanical properties. Compaction data were analyzed for out-of-die compressibility, tabletability and compactibility profiles, and in-die Heckel, Kawakita and Walker analysis. The roller compacted granules of both forms showed markedly different tabletting behaviour. Roller pressure exhibited a trend on compaction behaviour of form I granules, whereas, in case of form II, the effect was insignificant. Tabletability of the six granule batches follows the order; I_S1>I_S2>I_S3>II_S1≈II_S2≈II_S3. In case of form I, the reduced tabletability of the granules compacted at higher roller pressure was attributed to the decreased compressibility and plastic deformation. This was confirmed by compressibility plot and various mathematical parameters derived from Heckel (Py), Kawakita (1/b) and Walker (W) equations. The reduced tabletability of form I granules was due to 'granule hardening' during roller compaction. On the other hand, insignificant effect of roller compaction on tabletting behaviour of form II granules was attributed to brittle fragmentation. The extensive fragmentation of granules offered new 'clean' surfaces and higher contact points that negated the effect of granule hardening. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

New-Generation Sealing Slurries For Borehole Injection Purposes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stryczek, Stanisław; Gonet, Andrzej; Wiśniowski, Rafał; Złotkowski, Albert

2015-12-01

The development of techniques and technologies thanks to which parameters of the ground medium can be modified makes specialists look for new recipes of geopolymers - binders for the reinforcing and sealing of unstable and permeable grounds. The sealing slurries are expected to meet a number of strict requirements, therefore it is important to find new admixtures and additives which could modify the fresh and hardened slurry. Special attention has been recently paid to the fluid ash - a by-product of the combustion of hard coals. However, the use of this additive is associated with the application of appropriate superplastifier. Laboratory analyses of rheological parameters of fresh sealing slurries and the ways of improving their liquidity by a properly selected third-generation superplastifier are presented in the paper. The slurries were based on Portland cement CEM I, milled granulated large-furnace slag and fly ash from fluidized-bed combustion of hard coal.

Solvent-free melting techniques for the preparation of lipid-based solid oral formulations.

PubMed

Becker, Karin; Salar-Behzadi, Sharareh; Zimmer, Andreas

2015-05-01

Lipid excipients are applied for numerous purposes such as taste masking, controlled release, improvement of swallowability and moisture protection. Several melting techniques have evolved in the last decades. Common examples are melt coating, melt granulation and melt extrusion. The required equipment ranges from ordinary glass beakers for lab scale up to large machines such as fluid bed coaters, spray dryers or extruders. This allows for upscaling to pilot or production scale. Solvent free melt processing provides a cost-effective, time-saving and eco-friendly method for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This review intends to give a critical overview of the published literature on experiences, formulations and challenges and to show possibilities for future developments in this promising field. Moreover, it should serve as a guide for selecting the best excipients and manufacturing techniques for the development of a product with specific properties using solvent free melt processing.

Performances of two biotrickling filters in treating H₂S-containing waste gases and analysis of corresponding bacterial communities by pyrosequencing.

PubMed

Li, Jianjun; Ye, Guangyun; Sun, Duanfang; Sun, Guoping; Zeng, Xiaowei; Xu, Jian; Liang, Shizhong

2012-09-01

Two identical biotrickling filters named BTFa and BTFb were run in parallel to examine their performances in removing hydrogen sulfide. BTFa was filled with ceramic granules, and BTFb was filled with volcanic rocks. The results showed that BTFb was more robust than BTFa under acidic conditions. At empty bed residence times (EBRTs) of 20 and 15 s, the removal efficiency of BTFa was close to 100%. At EBRTs of 10 and 5 s, the removal efficiency of BTFa slightly decreased. The removal efficiencies of BTFa decreased by different degrees at the end of each stage, dropping to 94%, 81%, 60%, and 71%, respectively. However, the H(2)S removal efficiency in BTFb consistently reached 99% throughout the experiment. Pyrosequencing analyses indicated that members of Thiomonas dominated in both BTFs, but the relative abundance of Acidithiobacillus was higher in BTFb than in BTFa.

A Quasi-Periodic Linear Feeder for the Impurity Granular Injection on DIII-D

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nagy, Alex; Bortolon, A.; Brown, W.

Injection of solid nonfuel pellets has been actively used as a tool for pacing and mitigation of edge localized modes (ELMs). In DIII-D, effective ELM pacing has been demonstrated by the high-frequency injection of lithium and carbon submillimeter spheres, using the impurity granule injector (IGI). This device injects granules into the plasma at speeds up to 150 m/s, through impact with a rotating impeller. In the IGI, high-frequency granule delivery was accomplished through a vibrational granule dropper, in which high time-average rates are obtained at the cost of lack of period control. Here, we present a new in-line granule feeder,more » capable of delivering granules of size 0.2-2 mm with no restriction of material properties, at quasi-periodic rates of up to 150 Hz, for 0.7-mm diameter lithium granules (600 Hz using 0.3-mm granules). The new dropper mechanism combines two piezo-in-line units; one which feeds the impeller and one which circulates granules that are filtered out of the feeder path. A remotely adjustable filter eliminates granules that are stacked, oversized, or side by side allowing the formation of a single moving granule injection line. The granules fall off the in-line feeder exit one at a time, achieving a quasi-periodic delivery rate proportional to the exit speed. At higher rates, the periodicity deteriorates. This behavior was studied using high-speed cameras and electrostatic measurements, and it was found that at drop rates <60 Hz, the granule delivery period has a variation of ±25% which appears to be caused by gaps which develop in the last centimeter of the injection line, as granules exit off the moving track. The linear feeder concept is robust against bridge instabilities and clogging issues, thanks to the simple diverter filter and constant recirculation of granules. Furthermore, the open-top design of the device facilitates refilling the device from separate reservoirs and has easy access for directly monitoring operation and adjustment. This paper describes the details of the in-line feeder design, along with several design iterations. The goal is a robust in-vacuum mechanism that can deliver granule flow ranging from a single particle to a line of particles at 150 per second, using different sizes and materials from the same apparatus.« less

A Quasi-Periodic Linear Feeder for the Impurity Granular Injection on DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Nagy, Alex; Bortolon, A.; Brown, W.; ...

2018-04-10

Injection of solid nonfuel pellets has been actively used as a tool for pacing and mitigation of edge localized modes (ELMs). In DIII-D, effective ELM pacing has been demonstrated by the high-frequency injection of lithium and carbon submillimeter spheres, using the impurity granule injector (IGI). This device injects granules into the plasma at speeds up to 150 m/s, through impact with a rotating impeller. In the IGI, high-frequency granule delivery was accomplished through a vibrational granule dropper, in which high time-average rates are obtained at the cost of lack of period control. Here, we present a new in-line granule feeder,more » capable of delivering granules of size 0.2-2 mm with no restriction of material properties, at quasi-periodic rates of up to 150 Hz, for 0.7-mm diameter lithium granules (600 Hz using 0.3-mm granules). The new dropper mechanism combines two piezo-in-line units; one which feeds the impeller and one which circulates granules that are filtered out of the feeder path. A remotely adjustable filter eliminates granules that are stacked, oversized, or side by side allowing the formation of a single moving granule injection line. The granules fall off the in-line feeder exit one at a time, achieving a quasi-periodic delivery rate proportional to the exit speed. At higher rates, the periodicity deteriorates. This behavior was studied using high-speed cameras and electrostatic measurements, and it was found that at drop rates <60 Hz, the granule delivery period has a variation of ±25% which appears to be caused by gaps which develop in the last centimeter of the injection line, as granules exit off the moving track. The linear feeder concept is robust against bridge instabilities and clogging issues, thanks to the simple diverter filter and constant recirculation of granules. Furthermore, the open-top design of the device facilitates refilling the device from separate reservoirs and has easy access for directly monitoring operation and adjustment. This paper describes the details of the in-line feeder design, along with several design iterations. The goal is a robust in-vacuum mechanism that can deliver granule flow ranging from a single particle to a line of particles at 150 per second, using different sizes and materials from the same apparatus.« less

Promiscuous interactions and protein disaggregases determine the material state of stress-inducible RNP granules

PubMed Central

Kroschwald, Sonja; Maharana, Shovamayee; Mateju, Daniel; Malinovska, Liliana; Nüske, Elisabeth; Poser, Ina; Richter, Doris; Alberti, Simon

2015-01-01

RNA-protein (RNP) granules have been proposed to assemble by forming solid RNA/protein aggregates or through phase separation into a liquid RNA/protein phase. Which model describes RNP granules in living cells is still unclear. In this study, we analyze P bodies in budding yeast and find that they have liquid-like properties. Surprisingly, yeast stress granules adopt a different material state, which is reminiscent of solid protein aggregates and controlled by protein disaggregases. By using an assay to ectopically nucleate RNP granules, we further establish that RNP granule formation does not depend on amyloid-like aggregation but rather involves many promiscuous interactions. Finally, we show that stress granules have different properties in mammalian cells, where they show liquid-like behavior. Thus, we propose that the material state of RNP granules is flexible and that the solid state of yeast stress granules is an adaptation to extreme environments, made possible by the presence of a powerful disaggregation machine. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06807.001 PMID:26238190

The design of free structure granular mappings: the use of the principle of justifiable granularity.

PubMed

Pedrycz, Witold; Al-Hmouz, Rami; Morfeq, Ali; Balamash, Abdullah

2013-12-01

The study introduces a concept of mappings realized in presence of information granules and offers a design framework supporting the formation of such mappings. Information granules are conceptually meaningful entities formed on a basis of a large number of experimental input–output numeric data available for the construction of the model. We develop a conceptually and algorithmically sound way of forming information granules. Considering the directional nature of the mapping to be formed, this directionality aspect needs to be taken into account when developing information granules. The property of directionality implies that while the information granules in the input space could be constructed with a great deal of flexibility, the information granules formed in the output space have to inherently relate to those built in the input space. The input space is granulated by running a clustering algorithm; for illustrative purposes, the focus here is on fuzzy clustering realized with the aid of the fuzzy C-means algorithm. The information granules in the output space are constructed with the aid of the principle of justifiable granularity (being one of the underlying fundamental conceptual pursuits of Granular Computing). The construct exhibits two important features. First, the constructed information granules are formed in the presence of information granules already constructed in the input space (and this realization is reflective of the direction of the mapping from the input to the output space). Second, the principle of justifiable granularity does not confine the realization of information granules to a single formalism such as fuzzy sets but helps form the granules expressed any required formalism of information granulation. The quality of the granular mapping (viz. the mapping realized for the information granules formed in the input and output spaces) is expressed in terms of the coverage criterion (articulating how well the experimental data are “covered” by information granules produced by the granular mapping for any input experimental data). Some parametric studies are reported by quantifying the performance of the granular mapping (expressed in terms of the coverage and specificity criteria) versus the values of a certain parameters utilized in the construction of output information granules through the principle of justifiable granularity. The plots of coverage–specificity dependency help determine a knee point and reach a sound compromise between these two conflicting requirements imposed on the quality of the granular mapping. Furthermore, quantified is the quality of the mapping with regard to the number of information granules (implying a certain granularity of the mapping). A series of experiments is reported as well.

Studying the effectiveness of penetration enhancers to deliver retinol through the stratum cornum by in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Mélot, Mickaël; Pudney, Paul D A; Williamson, Ann-Marie; Caspers, Peter J; Van Der Pol, Andre; Puppels, Gerwin J

2009-08-19

The purpose of this study is to monitor in vivo the effect of chemical penetration enhancers on the delivery of trans-retinol into human skin. Chemical penetration enhancers reversibly alter barrier properties of the SC by disruption of the membrane structures or maximising drug solubility with the skin. So far, most of permeation or penetration experiments are performed in vitro. Raman spectroscopy is uniquely placed to be able to measure biological processes in vivo and this paper shows for the first time that the effect of penetration enhancer on the delivery of trans-retinol can successfully be measured in vivo using this technique. Here, the volar forearm of volunteers was treated with four formulations. One formulation is a highly effective model delivery system identified from ex vivo experiments: trans-retinol in Propylene Glycol (PG)/ethanol, with PG being a well-known and efficient penetration enhancer. The other three formulations are based on 0.3% trans-retinol in Caprylic/Capric Acid Triglyceride (MYRITOL 318), an oil commonly used in skin creams but in two of them a specific penetration enhancer is added. One contains a lipid extractor, Triton X 100, whereas another formulation contains a lipid fluidiser, Oleic Acid. Solutions were applied once and measurements were performed up to 6 h after treatment. Remarkable differences in the delivery of trans-retinol between formulation with or without penetration enhancer can clearly be seen. Moreover, the type of penetration enhancer is also shown to influence the delivery. While using the Oleic Acid, which is a lipid fluidiser, a better delivery of trans-retinol in the skin can be detected. For the first time, the effect of penetration enhancer on the delivery of trans-retinol has been monitored, non invasively in vivo, with time.

Docking is not a prerequisite but a temporal constraint for fusion of secretory granules.

PubMed

Kasai, Kazuo; Fujita, Takuji; Gomi, Hiroshi; Izumi, Tetsuro

2008-07-01

We examined secretory granule dynamics using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy in normal pancreatic beta cells and their mutants devoid of Rab27a and/or its effector, granuphilin, which play critical roles in the docking and recruitment of insulin granules to the plasma membrane. In the early phase of glucose stimulation in wild-type cells, we observed marked fusion of granules recruited from a relatively distant area, in parallel with that from granules located underneath the plasma membrane. Furthermore, despite a lack of granules directly attached to the plasma membrane, both spontaneous and evoked fusion was increased in granuphilin-null cells. In addition to these granuphilin-null phenotypes, Rab27a/granuphilin doubly deficient cells showed the decreases in granules located next to the docked area and in fusion from granules near the plasma membrane in the early phase of glucose-stimulated secretion, similar to Rab27a-mutated cells. Thus, the two proteins play nonoverlapping roles in insulin exocytosis: granuphilin acts on the granules underneath the plasma membrane, whereas Rab27a acts on those in a more distal area. These findings demonstrate that, in contrast to our conventional understanding, stable attachment of secretory granules to the plasma membrane is not prerequisite but temporally inhibitory for both spontaneous and evoked fusion.

TDP-43 is directed to stress granules by sorbitol, a novel physiological osmotic and oxidative stressor.

PubMed

Dewey, Colleen M; Cenik, Basar; Sephton, Chantelle F; Dries, Daniel R; Mayer, Paul; Good, Shannon K; Johnson, Brett A; Herz, Joachim; Yu, Gang

2011-03-01

TDP-43, or TAR DNA-binding protein 43, is a pathological marker of a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions. TDP-43 is an RNA/DNA-binding protein implicated in transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. Recent work also suggests that TDP-43 associates with cytoplasmic stress granules, which are transient structures that form in response to stress. In this study, we establish sorbitol as a novel physiological stressor that directs TDP-43 to stress granules in Hek293T cells and primary cultured glia. We quantify the association of TDP-43 with stress granules over time and show that stress granule association and size are dependent on the glycine-rich region of TDP-43, which harbors the majority of pathogenic mutations. Moreover, we establish that cells harboring wild-type and mutant TDP-43 have distinct stress responses: mutant TDP-43 forms significantly larger stress granules, and is incorporated into stress granules earlier, than wild-type TDP-43; in striking contrast, wild-type TDP-43 forms more stress granules over time, but the granule size remains relatively unchanged. We propose that mutant TDP-43 alters stress granule dynamics, which may contribute to the progression of TDP-43 proteinopathies.

Distribution of a viscous binder during high shear granulation--sensitivity to the method of delivery and its impact on product properties.

PubMed

Tan, Bernice Mei Jin; Loh, Zhi Hui; Soh, Josephine Lay Peng; Liew, Celine Valeria; Heng, Paul Wan Sia

2014-01-02

Binder distribution in the powder mass during high shear granulation is especially critical with the use of viscous liquid binders and with short processing times. A viscous liquid binder was delivered into the powder mass at two flow rates using three methods: pouring, pumping and spraying from a pressure pot. Binder content analyses at the scale of individual granules were conducted to investigate the impact of different delivery conditions on the homogeneity of binder distribution. There was clear evidence of non-uniformity of binder content among individual granules across all delivery conditions, particularly for the fast rates of delivery. Poorer reproducibility values of tablet thickness and disintegration time were observed when binder was poured but this may be overcome by pumping or spraying from the pressure pot. Greater homogeneity of binder distribution occurred with the slow rates of delivery and led to the earlier onset of granule growth and a consequent increase in granule size. Larger granule size and lower proportion of fines were in turn associated with increased granule bulk density and improvement of granule flow. In conclusion, delivery of a viscous binder at a slow rate either by pumping or via a pressure pot was most desirable during granulation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Common spectrum of polypeptides occurs in secretion granule membranes of different exocrine glands

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cameron, R.S.; Cameron, P.L.; Castle, J.D.

1986-10-01

A highly purified membrane preparation from rat parotid secretion granules has been used as a comparative probe to examine the extent of compositional overlap in granule membranes of three other exocrine secretory tissues - pancreatic, lacrimal, and submandibular - from several standpoints. First, indirect immunofluorescent studies using a polyclonal polyspecific anti-parotid granule membrane antiserum has indicated a selective staining of granule membrane profiles in all acinar cells of all tissues. Second, highly purified granule membrane subfractions have been isolated from each exocrine tissue; comparative two-dimensional (isoelectric focusing; SDS) PAGE of radioiodinated granule membranes has identified 10-15 polypeptides of identical pImore » and apparent molecular mass. These species are likely to be integral membrane components since they are not extracted by either saponin-sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate (pH 11.5) treatments, and they do not have counterparts in the granule content. Finally, the identity among selected parotid and pancreatic radioiodinated granule membrane polypeptides has been documented using two-dimensional peptide mapping of chymotryptic and tryptic digests. These findings clearly indicate that exocrine secretory granules, irrespective of the nature of stored secretion, comprise a type of vesicular carrier with a common (and probably refined) membrane composition. Conceivably, the polypeptides identified carry out general functions related to exocrine secretion.« less

Critical evaluation of root causes of the reduced compactability after roll compaction/dry granulation.

PubMed

Mosig, Johanna; Kleinebudde, Peter

2015-03-01

The influence of lubrication and particle size on the reduced compactability after dry granulation was investigated. Powder cellulose, lactose, magnesium carbonate, and two types of microcrystalline cellulose were roll compacted, granulated, and sieved into particle fractions. Particle fractions were compressed into tablets using internal and external lubrication. Internal lubrication resulted in an overlubrication of the granule material compared with the powder material. This resulted in extraordinary high reduction of compactability after dry granulation for lubricant-sensitive materials. The granule size can cause differences in strength, whereby the degree of this effect was material dependent. The loss in strength with increasing compaction force was comparable for different particles sizes of one material, suggesting a change in material properties independently of the size. Granule hardening could be one reason as for higher compaction forces the integrity of the granule structure survived the compression step. The results demonstrated that granule lubrication mainly influence the degree of the reduced compactability after dry granulation and must be considered for the evaluation of mechanism for this phenomenon. Hardening of the material as well as size enlargement will cause the loss in strength after recompression, but the influence of both depends strongly on the material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

A comparative study of the influence of alpha-lactose monohydrate particle morphology on granule and tablet properties after roll compaction/dry granulation.

PubMed

Grote, Simon; Kleinebudde, Peter

2018-05-29

The influence of particle morphology and size of alpha-lactose monohydrate on dry granules and tablets was studied. Four different morphologies were investigated: Two grades of primary crystals, which differed in their particle size and structure (compact crystals vs. agglomerates). The materials were roll compacted at different specific compaction forces and changes in the particle size distribution and the specific surface area were measured. Afterwards, two fractions of granules were pressed to tablets and the tensile strength was compared to that from tablets compressed from the raw materials. The specific surface area was increased induced by roll compaction/dry granulation for all materials. At increased specific compaction forces, the materials showed sufficient size enlargement. The morphology of lactose determined the strength of direct compressed tablets. In contrast, the strength of granule tablets was leveled by the previous compression step during roll compaction/dry granulation. Thus, the tensile strength of tablets compressed directly from the powder mixtures determined whether materials exhibited a loss in tabletability after roll compaction/dry granulation or not. The granule size had only a slight influence on the strength of produced tablets. In some cases, the fraction of smaller granules showed a higher tensile strength compared to the larger fraction.

Joint Effects of Granule Size and Degree of Substitution on Octenylsuccinated Sweet Potato Starch Granules As Pickering Emulsion Stabilizers.

PubMed

Li, Jinfeng; Ye, Fayin; Lei, Lin; Zhou, Yun; Zhao, Guohua

2018-05-02

The granules of sweet potato starch were size fractionated into three portions with significantly different median diameters ( D 50 ) of 6.67 (small-sized), 11.54 (medium-sized), and 16.96 μm (large-sized), respectively. Each portion was hydrophobized at the mass-based degrees of substitution (DS m ) of approximately 0.0095 (low), 0.0160 (medium), and 0.0230 (high). The Pickering emulsion-stabilizing capacities of modified granules were tested, and the resultant emulsions were characterized. The joint effects of granule size and DS m on emulsifying capacity (EC) were investigated by response surface methodology. For small-, medium-, and large-sized fractions, their highest emulsifying capacities are comparable but, respectively, encountered at high (0.0225), medium (0.0158), and low (0.0095) DS m levels. The emulsion droplet size increased with granule size, and the number of freely scattered granules in emulsions decreased with DS m . In addition, the term of surface density of the octenyl succinic group (SD -OSG ) was first proposed for modified starch granules, and it was proved better than DS m in interpreting the emulsifying capacities of starch granules with varying sizes. The present results implied that, as the particulate stabilizers, the optimal DS m of modified starch granules is size specific.

Denitrifying capability and community dynamics of glycogen accumulating organisms during sludge granulation in an anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor

PubMed Central

Bin, Zhang; Bin, Xue; Zhigang, Qiu; Zhiqiang, Chen; Junwen, Li; Taishi, Gong; Wenci, Zou; Jingfeng, Wang

2015-01-01

Denitrifying capability of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) has received great attention in environmental science and microbial ecology. Combining this ability with granule processes would be an interesting attempt. Here, a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated to enrich GAOs and enable sludge granulation. The results showed that the GAO granules were cultivated successfully and the granules had denitrifying capability. The batch experiments demonstrated that all NO3−-N could be removed or reduced, some amount of NO2−-N were accumulated in the reactor, and N2 was the main gaseous product. SEM analysis suggested that the granules were tightly packed with a large amount of tetrad-forming organisms (TFOs); filamentous bacteria served as the supporting structures for the granules. The microbial community structure of GAO granules was differed substantially from the inoculant conventional activated sludge. Most of the bacteria in the seed sludge grouped with members of Proteobacterium. FISH analysis confirmed that GAOs were the predominant members in the granules and were distributed evenly throughout the granular space. In contrast, PAOs were severely inhibited. Overall, cultivation of the GAO granules and utilizing their denitrifying capability can provide us with a new approach of nitrogen removal and saving more energy. PMID:26257096

Denitrifying capability and community dynamics of glycogen accumulating organisms during sludge granulation in an anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor.

PubMed

Bin, Zhang; Bin, Xue; Zhigang, Qiu; Zhiqiang, Chen; Junwen, Li; Taishi, Gong; Wenci, Zou; Jingfeng, Wang

2015-08-10

Denitrifying capability of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) has received great attention in environmental science and microbial ecology. Combining this ability with granule processes would be an interesting attempt. Here, a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated to enrich GAOs and enable sludge granulation. The results showed that the GAO granules were cultivated successfully and the granules had denitrifying capability. The batch experiments demonstrated that all NO3(-)-N could be removed or reduced, some amount of NO2(-)-N were accumulated in the reactor, and N2 was the main gaseous product. SEM analysis suggested that the granules were tightly packed with a large amount of tetrad-forming organisms (TFOs); filamentous bacteria served as the supporting structures for the granules. The microbial community structure of GAO granules was differed substantially from the inoculant conventional activated sludge. Most of the bacteria in the seed sludge grouped with members of Proteobacterium. FISH analysis confirmed that GAOs were the predominant members in the granules and were distributed evenly throughout the granular space. In contrast, PAOs were severely inhibited. Overall, cultivation of the GAO granules and utilizing their denitrifying capability can provide us with a new approach of nitrogen removal and saving more energy.

Texture Analysis of Poly-Adenylated mRNA Staining Following Global Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion

PubMed Central

Szymanski, Jeffrey J.; Jamison, Jill T.; DeGracia, Donald J.

2011-01-01

Texture analysis provides a means to quantify complex changes in microscope images. We previously showed that cytoplasmic poly-adenylated mRNAs form mRNA granules in post-ischemic neurons and that these granules correlated with protein synthesis inhibition and hence cell death. Here we utilized the texture analysis software MaZda to quantify mRNA granules in photomicrographs of the pyramidal cell layer of rat hippocampal region CA3 around 1 hour of reperfusion after 10 min of normothermic global cerebral ischemia. At 1 hour reperfusion, we observed variations in the texture of mRNA granules amongst samples that were readily quantified by texture analysis. Individual sample variation was consistent with the interpretation that animal-to-animal variations in mRNA granules reflected the time-course of mRNA granule formation. We also used texture analysis to quantify the effect of cycloheximide, given either before or after brain ischemia, on mRNA granules. If administered before ischemia, cycloheximide inhibited mRNA granule formation, but if administered after ischemia did not prevent mRNA granulation, indicating mRNA granule formation is dependent on dissociation of polysomes. We conclude that texture analysis is an effective means for quantifying the complex morphological changes induced in neurons by brain ischemia and reperfusion. PMID:21477879

Spatial patterning of P granules by RNA-induced phase separation of the intrinsically-disordered protein MEG-3

PubMed Central

Smith, Jarrett; Calidas, Deepika; Schmidt, Helen; Lu, Tu; Rasoloson, Dominique; Seydoux, Geraldine

2016-01-01

RNA granules are non-membrane bound cellular compartments that contain RNA and RNA binding proteins. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the spatial distribution of RNA granules in cells are poorly understood. During polarization of the C. elegans zygote, germline RNA granules, called P granules, assemble preferentially in the posterior cytoplasm. We present evidence that P granule asymmetry depends on RNA-induced phase separation of the granule scaffold MEG-3. MEG-3 is an intrinsically disordered protein that binds and phase separates with RNA in vitro. In vivo, MEG-3 forms a posterior-rich concentration gradient that is anti-correlated with a gradient in the RNA-binding protein MEX-5. MEX-5 is necessary and sufficient to suppress MEG-3 granule formation in vivo, and suppresses RNA-induced MEG-3 phase separation in vitro. Our findings suggest that MEX-5 interferes with MEG-3’s access to RNA, thus locally suppressing MEG-3 phase separation to drive P granule asymmetry. Regulated access to RNA, combined with RNA-induced phase separation of key scaffolding proteins, may be a general mechanism for controlling the formation of RNA granules in space and time. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.21337.001 PMID:27914198

Denitrifying capability and community dynamics of glycogen accumulating organisms during sludge granulation in an anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bin, Zhang; Bin, Xue; Zhigang, Qiu; Zhiqiang, Chen; Junwen, Li; Taishi, Gong; Wenci, Zou; Jingfeng, Wang

2015-08-01

Denitrifying capability of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) has received great attention in environmental science and microbial ecology. Combining this ability with granule processes would be an interesting attempt. Here, a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated to enrich GAOs and enable sludge granulation. The results showed that the GAO granules were cultivated successfully and the granules had denitrifying capability. The batch experiments demonstrated that all NO3--N could be removed or reduced, some amount of NO2--N were accumulated in the reactor, and N2 was the main gaseous product. SEM analysis suggested that the granules were tightly packed with a large amount of tetrad-forming organisms (TFOs); filamentous bacteria served as the supporting structures for the granules. The microbial community structure of GAO granules was differed substantially from the inoculant conventional activated sludge. Most of the bacteria in the seed sludge grouped with members of Proteobacterium. FISH analysis confirmed that GAOs were the predominant members in the granules and were distributed evenly throughout the granular space. In contrast, PAOs were severely inhibited. Overall, cultivation of the GAO granules and utilizing their denitrifying capability can provide us with a new approach of nitrogen removal and saving more energy.

RNA in development: how ribonucleoprotein granules regulate the life cycles of pathogenic protozoa.

PubMed

Kramer, Susanne

2014-01-01

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are important posttranscriptional regulators of messenger RNA (mRNA) fate. Several types of RNP granules specifically regulate gene expression during development of multicellular organisms and are commonly referred to as germ granules. The function of germ granules is not entirely understood and probably diverse, but it is generally agreed that one main function is posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression during early development, when transcription is silent. One example is the translational repression of maternally derived mRNAs in oocytes. Here, I hope to show that the need for regulation of gene expression by RNP granules is not restricted to animal development, but plays an equally important role during the development of pathogenic protozoa. Apicomplexa and Trypanosomatidae have complex life cycles with frequent host changes. The need to quickly adapt gene expression to a new environment as well as the ability to suppress translation to survive latencies is critical for successful completion of life cycles. Posttranscriptional gene regulation is not necessarily simpler in protozoa. Apicomplexa surprise with the presence of micro RNA (miRNAs) and upstream open reading frames (µORFs). Trypanosomes have an unusually large repertoire of different RNP granule types. A better understanding of RNP granules in protozoa may help to gain insight into the evolutionary origin of RNP granules: Trypanosomes for example have two types of granules with interesting similarities to animal germ granules. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Formation of tRNA granules in the nucleus of heat-induced human cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miyagawa, Ryu; Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654; Mizuno, Rie

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer tRNAs are tranlocated into the nucleus in heat-induced HeLa cells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer tRNAs form the unique granules in the nucleus. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer tRNA ganules overlap with nuclear stress granules. -- Abstract: The stress response, which can trigger various physiological phenomena, is important for living organisms. For instance, a number of stress-induced granules such as P-body and stress granule have been identified. These granules are formed in the cytoplasm under stress conditions and are associated with translational inhibition and mRNA decay. In the nucleus, there is a focus named nuclear stress body (nSB) that distinguishes these structures from cytoplasmic stress granules.more » Many splicing factors and long non-coding RNA species localize in nSBs as a result of stress. Indeed, tRNAs respond to several kinds of stress such as heat, oxidation or starvation. Although nuclear accumulation of tRNAs occurs in starved Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this phenomenon is not found in mammalian cells. We observed that initiator tRNA{sup Met} (Meti) is actively translocated into the nucleus of human cells under heat stress. During this study, we identified unique granules of Meti that overlapped with nSBs. Similarly, elongator tRNA{sup Met} was translocated into the nucleus and formed granules during heat stress. Formation of tRNA granules is closely related to the translocation ratio. Then, all tRNAs may form the specific granules.« less

Proteome Profile of Starch Granules Purified from Rice (Oryza sativa) Endosperm.

PubMed

Xing, Shihai; Meng, Xiaoxi; Zhou, Lihui; Mujahid, Hana; Zhao, Chunfang; Zhang, Yadong; Wang, Cailin; Peng, Zhaohua

2016-01-01

Starch is the most important food energy source in cereals. Many of the known enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis are partially or entirely granule-associated in the endosperm. Studying the proteome of rice starch granules is critical for us to further understand the mechanisms underlying starch biosynthesis and packaging of starch granules in rice amyloplasts, consequently for the improvement of rice grain quality. In this article, we developed a protocol to purify starch granules from mature rice endosperm and verified the quality of purified starch granules by microscopy observations, I2 staining, and Western blot analyses. In addition, we found the phenol extraction method was superior to Tris-HCl buffer extraction method with respect to the efficiency in recovery of starch granule associated proteins. LC-MS/MS analysis showed identification of already known starch granule associated proteins with high confidence. Several proteins reported to be involved in starch synthesis in prior genetic studies in plants were also shown to be enriched with starch granules, either directly or indirectly, in our studies. In addition, our results suggested that a few additional candidate proteins may also be involved in starch synthesis. Furthermore, our results indicated that some starch synthesis pathway proteins are subject to protein acetylation modification. GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the identified proteins were mainly located in plastids and involved in carbohydrate metabolism. This study substantially advances the understanding of the starch granule associated proteome in rice and post translational regulation of some starch granule associated proteins.

Gastroretentive extended-release floating granules prepared using a novel fluidized hot melt granulation (FHMG) technique.

PubMed

Zhai, H; Jones, D S; McCoy, C P; Madi, A M; Tian, Y; Andrews, G P

2014-10-06

The objective of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using a novel granulation technique, namely, fluidized hot melt granulation (FHMG), to prepare gastroretentive extended-release floating granules. In this study we have utilized FHMG, a solvent free process in which granulation is achieved with the aid of low melting point materials, using Compritol 888 ATO and Gelucire 50/13 as meltable binders, in place of conventional liquid binders. The physicochemical properties, morphology, floating properties, and drug release of the manufactured granules were investigated. Granules prepared by this method were spherical in shape and showed good flowability. The floating granules exhibited sustained release exceeding 10 h. Granule buoyancy (floating time and strength) and drug release properties were significantly influenced by formulation variables such as excipient type and concentration, and the physical characteristics (particle size, hydrophilicity) of the excipients. Drug release rate was increased by increasing the concentration of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and Gelucire 50/13, or by decreasing the particle size of HPC. Floating strength was improved through the incorporation of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. Furthermore, floating strength was influenced by the concentration of HPC within the formulation. Granules prepared in this way show good physical characteristics, floating ability, and drug release properties when placed in simulated gastric fluid. Moreover, the drug release and floating properties can be controlled by modification of the ratio or physical characteristics of the excipients used in the formulation.

High shear mixing granulation of ibuprofen and beta-cyclodextrin: effects of process variables on ibuprofen dissolution.

PubMed

Ghorab, Mohamed K; Adeyeye, Moji Christianah

2007-10-19

The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of high shear mixer (HSM) granulation process parameters and scale-up on wet mass consistency and granulation characteristics. A mixer torque rheometer (MTR) was employed to evaluate the granulating solvents used (water, isopropanol, and 1:1 vol/vol mixture of both) based on the wet mass consistency. Gral 25 and mini-HSM were used for the granulation. The MTR study showed that the water significantly enhanced the beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD) binding tendency and the strength of liquid bridges formed between the particles, whereas the isopropanol/water mixture yielded more suitable agglomerates. Mini-HSM granulation with the isopropanol/water mixture (1:1 vol/vol) showed a reduction in the extent of torque value rise by increasing the impeller speed as a result of more breakdown of agglomerates than coalescence. In contrast, increasing the impeller speed of the Gral 25 resulted in higher torque readings, larger granule size, and consequently, slower dissolution. This was due to a remarkable rise in temperature during Gral granulation that reduced the isopropanol/water ratio in the granulating solvent as a result of evaporation and consequently increased the beta CD binding strength. In general, the HSM granulation retarded ibuprofen dissolution compared with the physical mixture because of densification and agglomeration. However, a successful HSM granulation scale-up was not achieved due to the difference in the solvent mixture's effect from 1 scale to the other.

Second Harmonic Generation Mediated by Aligned Water in Starch Granules.

PubMed

Cisek, Richard; Tokarz, Danielle; Krouglov, Serguei; Steup, Martin; Emes, Michael J; Tetlow, Ian J; Barzda, Virginijus

2014-12-26

The origin of second harmonic generation (SHG) in starch granules was investigated using ab initio quantum mechanical modeling and experimentally examined using polarization-in, polarization-out (PIPO) second harmonic generation microscopy. Ab initio calculations revealed that the largest contribution to the SHG signal from A- and B-type allomorphs of starch originates from the anisotropic organization of hydroxide and hydrogen bonds mediated by aligned water found in the polymers. The hypothesis was experimentally tested by imaging maize starch granules under various hydration and heat treatment conditions that alter the hydrogen bond network. The highest SHG intensity was found in fully hydrated starch granules, and heat treatment diminished the SHG intensity. The PIPO SHG imaging showed that dried starch granules have a much higher nonlinear optical susceptibility component ratio than fully hydrated granules. In contrast, deuterated starch granules showed a smaller susceptibility component ratio demonstrating that SHG is highly sensitive to the organization of the hydroxyl and hydrogen bond network. The polarization SHG imaging results of potato starch granules, representing starch allomorph B, were compared to those of maize starch granules representing allomorph A. The results showed that the amount of aligned water was higher in the maize granules. Nonlinear microscopy of starch granules provides evidence that varying hydration conditions leads to significant changes in the nonlinear susceptibility ratio as well as the SHG intensity, supporting the hypothesis from ab initio calculations that the dominant contribution to SHG is due to the ordered hydroxide and hydrogen bond network.

Digestion of Starch Granules from Maize, Potato and Wheat by Larvae of the the Yellow Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor and the Mexican Bean Weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus

PubMed Central

Meireles, Elaine A.; Carneiro, Cíntia N. B.; DaMatta, Renato A.; Samuels, Richard I.; Silva, Carlos P.

2009-01-01

Scanning electron microscopy images were taken of starch granules from different sources following exposure in vivo and in vitro to gut α-amylases isolated from Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). One α-amylase was isolated from whole larval midguts of T. molitor using non-denaturing SDS-PAGE, while two other α-amylase fractions were isolated from whole larval midguts of Z. subfasciatus using hydrophobic interaction chromatography., Digested starch granules from larvae fed on maize, potato or wheat were isolated from midgut contents. Combinations of starch granules with isolated α-amylases from both species showed similar patterns of granule degradation. In vitro enzymatic degradation of maize starch granules by the three different α-amylase fractions began by creating small holes and crater-like areas on the surface of the granules. Over time, these holes increased in number and area resulting in extensive degradation of the granule structure. Granules from potato did not show formation of pits and craters on their surface, but presented extensive erosion in their interior. For all types of starch, as soon as the interior of the starch granule was reached, the inner layers of amylose and amylopectin were differentially hydrolyzed, resulting in a striated pattern. These data support the hypothesis that the pattern of starch degradation depends more on the granule type than on the α-amylase involved. PMID:19619014

Aerogels made of chitosan and chondroitin sulfate at high degree of neutralization: Biological properties toward wound healing.

PubMed

Concha, Miguel; Vidal, Alejandra; Giacaman, Annesi; Ojeda, Javier; Pavicic, Francisca; Oyarzun-Ampuero, Felipe A; Torres, César; Cabrera, Marcela; Moreno-Villoslada, Ignacio; Orellana, Sandra L

2018-02-09

In this study, highly neutralized, highly porous, and ultralight polymeric aerogels prepared from aqueous colloidal suspensions of chitosan (CS) and chondroitin sulfate (ChS) nanocomplexes, formulated as quasi-equimolar amounts of both, are described. These aerogels were designed as healing agents under the inspiration of minimizing the amount of matter applied to wounds, reducing the electrostatic potential of the material and avoiding covalent cross-linkers in order to decrease metabolic stress over wounds. Aerogels synthesized under these criteria are biocompatible and provide specific properties for the induction of wound healing. They do not affect neither the metabolic activity of cultured 3T3 fibroblasts nor the biochemical parameters of experimental animals, open wounds close significantly faster and, unlike control wounds, complete reepithelialization and scarring can be attained 14 days after surgery. Because of its hydration abilities, rapid adaptation to the wound bed and the early accelerator effect of wound closure, the CS/ChS aerogels appear to be functional inducers of the healing. Previous information show that CS/ChS aerogels improve wound bed quality, increase granulation tissue and have pain suppressive effect. CS/ChS aerogels are useful as safe, inexpensive and easy to handle materials for topical applications, such as skin chronic wounds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Breakthrough behavior of granular ferric hydroxide (GFH) fixed-bed adsorption filters: modeling and experimental approaches.

PubMed

Sperlich, Alexander; Werner, Arne; Genz, Arne; Amy, Gary; Worch, Eckhard; Jekel, Martin

2005-03-01

Breakthrough curves (BTC) for the adsorption of arsenate and salicylic acid onto granulated ferric hydroxide (GFH) in fixed-bed adsorbers were experimentally determined and modeled using the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM). The input parameters for the HSDM, the Freundlich isotherm constants and mass transfer coefficients for film and surface diffusion, were experimentally determined. The BTC for salicylic acid revealed a shape typical for trace organic compound adsorption onto activated carbon, and model results agreed well with the experimental curves. Unlike salicylic acid, arsenate BTCs showed a non-ideal shape with a leveling off at c/c0 approximately 0.6. Model results based on the experimentally derived parameters over-predicted the point of arsenic breakthrough for all simulated curves, lab-scale or full-scale, and were unable to catch the shape of the curve. The use of a much lower surface diffusion coefficient D(S) for modeling led to an improved fit of the later stages of the BTC shape, pointing on a time-dependent D(S). The mechanism for this time dependence is still unknown. Surface precipitation was discussed as one possible removal mechanism for arsenate besides pure adsorption interfering the determination of Freundlich constants and D(S). Rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCT) proved to be a powerful experimental alternative to the modeling procedure for arsenic.

Scar-free cutaneous wound healing in the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius.

PubMed

Peacock, Hanna M; Gilbert, Emily A B; Vickaryous, Matthew K

2015-11-01

Cutaneous wounds heal with two possible outcomes: scarification or near-perfect integumentary restoration. Whereas scar formation has been intensively investigated, less is known about the tissue-level events characterising wounds that spontaneously heal scar-free, particularly in non-foetal amniotes. Here, a spatiotemporal investigation of scar-free cutaneous wound healing following full-thickness excisional biopsies to the tail and body of leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) is provided. All injuries healed without scarring. Cutaneous repair involves the development of a cell-rich aggregate within the wound bed, similar to scarring wounds. Unlike scar formation, scar-free healing involves a more rapid closure of the wound epithelium, and a delay in blood vessel development and collagen deposition within the wound bed. It was found that, while granulation tissue of scarring wounds is hypervascular, scar-free wound healing conspicuously does not involve a period of exuberant blood vessel formation. In addition, during scar-free wound healing the newly formed blood vessels are typically perivascular cell-supported. Immunohistochemistry revealed widespread expression of both the pro-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor A and the anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin-1 within the healing wound. It was found that scar-free wound healing is an intrinsic property of leopard gecko integument, and involves a modulation of the cutaneous scar repair program. This proportional revascularisation is an important factor in scar-free wound healing. © 2015 Anatomical Society.

Scar-free cutaneous wound healing in the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius

PubMed Central

Peacock, Hanna M; Gilbert, Emily A B; Vickaryous, Matthew K

2015-01-01

Cutaneous wounds heal with two possible outcomes: scarification or near-perfect integumentary restoration. Whereas scar formation has been intensively investigated, less is known about the tissue-level events characterising wounds that spontaneously heal scar-free, particularly in non-foetal amniotes. Here, a spatiotemporal investigation of scar-free cutaneous wound healing following full-thickness excisional biopsies to the tail and body of leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) is provided. All injuries healed without scarring. Cutaneous repair involves the development of a cell-rich aggregate within the wound bed, similar to scarring wounds. Unlike scar formation, scar-free healing involves a more rapid closure of the wound epithelium, and a delay in blood vessel development and collagen deposition within the wound bed. It was found that, while granulation tissue of scarring wounds is hypervascular, scar-free wound healing conspicuously does not involve a period of exuberant blood vessel formation. In addition, during scar-free wound healing the newly formed blood vessels are typically perivascular cell-supported. Immunohistochemistry revealed widespread expression of both the pro-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor A and the anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin-1 within the healing wound. It was found that scar-free wound healing is an intrinsic property of leopard gecko integument, and involves a modulation of the cutaneous scar repair program. This proportional revascularisation is an important factor in scar-free wound healing. PMID:26360824

Assessment of the technological reliability of a hybrid constructed wetland for wastewater treatment in a mountain eco-tourist farm in Poland.

PubMed

Jucherski, Andrzej; Nastawny, Maria; Walczowski, Andrzej; Jóźwiakowski, Krzysztof; Gajewska, Magdalena

2017-06-01

The aim of the present study was to assess the technological reliability of a domestic hybrid wastewater treatment installation consisting of a classic three-chambered (volume 6 m 3 ) septic tank, a vertical flow trickling bed filled with granules of a calcinated clay material (KERAMZYT), a special wetland bed constructed on a slope, and a permeable pond used as a receiver. The test treatment plant was located at a mountain eco-tourist farm on the periphery of the spa municipality of Krynica-Zdrój, Poland. The plant's operational reliability in reducing the concentration of organic matter, measured as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), was 100% when modelled by both the Weibull and the lognormal distributions. The respective reliability values for total nitrogen removal were 76.8% and 77.0%, total suspended solids - 99.5% and 92.6%, and PO 4 -P - 98.2% and 95.2%, with the differences being negligible. The installation was characterized by a very high level of technological reliability when compared with other solutions of this type. The Weibull method employed for statistical evaluation of technological reliability can also be used for comparison purposes. From the ecological perspective, the facility presented in the study has proven to be an effective tool for protecting local aquifer areas.

New gentle-wing high-shear granulator: impact of processing variables on granules and tablets characteristics of high-drug loading formulation using design of experiment approach.

PubMed

Fayed, Mohamed H; Abdel-Rahman, Sayed I; Alanazi, Fars K; Ahmed, Mahrous O; Tawfeek, Hesham M; Al-Shdefat, Ramadan I

2017-10-01

The aim of this work was to study the application of design of experiment (DoE) approach in defining design space for granulation and tableting processes using a novel gentle-wing high-shear granulator. According to quality-by-design (QbD) prospective, critical attributes of granules, and tablets should be ensured by manufacturing process design. A face-centered central composite design has been employed in order to investigate the effect of water amount (X 1 ), impeller speed (X 2 ), wet massing time (X 3 ), and water addition rate (X 4 ) as independent process variables on granules and tablets characteristics. Acetaminophen was used as a model drug and granulation experiments were carried out using dry addition of povidone k30. The dried granules have been analyzed for their size distribution, density, and flow pattern. Additionally, the produced tablets have been investigated for; weight uniformity, breaking force, friability and percent capping, disintegration time, and drug dissolution. Results of regression analysis showed that water amount, impeller speed and wet massing time have significant (p < .05) effect on granules and tablets characteristics. However, the water amount had the most pronounced effect as indicated by its higher parameter estimate. On the other hand, water addition rate showed a minimal impact on granules and tablets properties. In conclusion, water amount, impeller speed, and wet massing time could be considered as critical process variables. Thus, understanding the relationship between these variables and quality attributes of granules and corresponding tablets provides the basis for adjusting granulation variables in order to optimize product performance.

Assessment of bacterial and structural dynamics in aerobic granular biofilms

PubMed Central

Weissbrodt, David G.; Neu, Thomas R.; Kuhlicke, Ute; Rappaz, Yoan; Holliger, Christof

2013-01-01

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is based on self-granulated flocs forming mobile biofilms with a gel-like consistence. Bacterial and structural dynamics from flocs to granules were followed in anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBR) fed with synthetic wastewater, namely a bubble column (BC-SBR) operated under wash-out conditions for fast granulation, and two stirred-tank enrichments of Accumulibacter (PAO-SBR) and Competibacter (GAO-SBR) operated at steady-state. In the BC-SBR, granules formed within 2 weeks by swelling of Zoogloea colonies around flocs, developing subsequently smooth zoogloeal biofilms. However, Zoogloea predominance (37–79%) led to deteriorated nutrient removal during the first months of reactor operation. Upon maturation, improved nitrification (80–100%), nitrogen removal (43–83%), and high but unstable dephosphatation (75–100%) were obtained. Proliferation of dense clusters of nitrifiers, Accumulibacter, and Competibacter from granule cores outwards resulted in heterogeneous bioaggregates, inside which only low abundance Zoogloea (<5%) were detected in biofilm interstices. The presence of different extracellular glycoconjugates detected by fluorescence lectin-binding analysis showed the complex nature of the intracellular matrix of these granules. In the PAO-SBR, granulation occurred within two months with abundant and active Accumulibacter populations (56 ± 10%) that were selected under full anaerobic uptake of volatile fatty acids and that aggregated as dense clusters within heterogeneous granules. Flocs self-granulated in the GAO-SBR after 480 days during a period of over-aeration caused by biofilm growth on the oxygen sensor. Granules were dominated by heterogeneous clusters of Competibacter (37 ± 11%). Zoogloea were never abundant in biomass of both PAO- and GAO-SBRs. This study showed that Zoogloea, Accumulibacter, and Competibacter affiliates can form granules, and that the granulation mechanisms rely on the dominant population involved. PMID:23847600

Detection and Analysis of the Quality of Ibuprofen Granules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu-bin, Ji; Xin, LI; Guo-song, Xin; Qin-bing, Xue

2017-12-01

The Ibuprofen Granules comprehensive quality testing to ensure that it is in accordance with the provisions of Chinese pharmacopoeia. With reference of Chinese pharmacopoeia, the Ibuprofen Granules is tested by UV, HPLC, in terms of grain size checking, volume deviation, weight loss on drying detection, dissolution rate detection, and quality evaluation. Results indicated that Ibuprofen Granules conform to the standards. The Ibuprofen Granules are qualified and should be permitted to be marketed.

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal mechanisms of aerobic granules.

PubMed

Sarma, Saurabh Jyoti; Tay, Joo-Hwa

2018-04-10

Aerobic granules are the potential tools to develop modern wastewater treatment technologies with improved nutrient removal efficiency. These granules have several promising advantages over conventional activated sludge-based wastewater treatment processes. This technology has the potential of reducing the infrastructure and operation costs of wastewater treatment by 25%, energy requirement by 30%, and space requirement by 75%. The nutrient removal mechanisms of aerobic granules are slightly different from that of the activated sludge. For instance, unlike activated sludge process, according to some reports, as high as 70% of the total phosphorus removed by aerobic granules were attributed to precipitation within the granules. Similarly, aerobic granule-based technology reduces the total amount of sludge produced during wastewater treatment. However, the reason behind this observation is unknown and it needs further explanations based on carbon and nitrogen removal mechanisms. Thus, as a part of the present review, a set of new hypotheses have been proposed to explain the peculiar nutrient removal mechanisms of the aerobic granules.

Native granule associated short chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase from a marine derived Bacillus sp. NQ-11/A2.

PubMed

Prabhu, Nimali N; Santimano, Maria Celisa; Mavinkurve, Suneela; Bhosle, Saroj N; Garg, Sandeep

2010-01-01

A rapidly growing marine derived Bacillus sp. strain NQ-11/A2, identified as Bacillus megaterium, accumulated 61% polyhydroxyalkanoate by weight. Diverse carbon sources served as substrates for the accumulation of short chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate. Three to nine granules either single or attached as buds could be isolated intact from each cell. Maximum activity of polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase was associated with the granules. Granule-bound polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase had a K(m) of 7.1 x 10(-5) M for DL-beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. Temperature and pH optima for maximum activity were 30 degrees C and 7.0, respectively. Sodium ions were required for granule-bound polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase activity and inhibited by potassium. Granule-bound polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase was apparently covalently bound to the polyhydroxyalkanoate-core of the granules and affected by the chaotropic reagent urea. Detergents inhibited the granule-bound polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase drastically whilst glycerol and bovine serum albumin stabilized the synthase.

Artificial Intelligence Tools for Scaling Up of High Shear Wet Granulation Process.

PubMed

Landin, Mariana

2017-01-01

The results presented in this article demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence tools for predicting the endpoint of the granulation process in high-speed mixer granulators of different scales from 25L to 600L. The combination of neurofuzzy logic and gene expression programing technologies allowed the modeling of the impeller power as a function of operation conditions and wet granule properties, establishing the critical variables that affect the response and obtaining a unique experimental polynomial equation (transparent model) of high predictability (R 2 > 86.78%) for all size equipment. Gene expression programing allowed the modeling of the granulation process for granulators of similar and dissimilar geometries and can be improved by implementing additional characteristics of the process, as composition variables or operation parameters (e.g., batch size, chopper speed). The principles and the methodology proposed here can be applied to understand and control manufacturing process, using any other granulation equipment, including continuous granulation processes. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sustained-release progesterone vaginal suppositories 1--development of sustained-release granule--.

PubMed

Nakayama, Ayako; Sunada, Hisakazu; Okamoto, Hirokazu; Furuhashi, Kaoru; Ohno, Yukiko; Ito, Mikio

2009-02-01

Progesterone (P) is an important hormone for the establishment of pregnancy, and its administration is useful for luteal insufficiency. Considering the problems of commercially available oral and injection drugs, hospital-formulated vaginal suppositories are clinically used. However, since the half-life of P suppositories is short, it is difficult to maintain its constant blood concentration. To sustain drug efficacy and prevent side-effects, we are attempting to develop sustained-release suppositories by examining the degree of sustained-release of active ingredients. In this study, we examined the combinations of granulation methods and release systems for the preparation of sustained-release granules of P, and produced 13 types of sustained-release granules. We also examined the diameter, content, and dissolution of each type of granules, and confirmed that the sustained-release of all types of granules was satisfactory. Among the sustained-release granules, we selected granules with a content and a degree of sustained-release suitable for sustained-release suppositories.

Preparation of orally disintegrating tablets with taste-masking function: masking effect in granules prepared with correctives using the dry granulation method and evaluation of tablets prepared using the taste-masked granules.

PubMed

Kawano, Yayoi; Ito, Akihiko; Sasatsu, Masanaho; Machida, Yoshiharu

2010-01-01

We investigated several methods of taste masking in the preparation of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), using furosemide (FU) as a model drug. Four types of FU preparations were prepared: granules with maltitol (MA), granules with yogurt powder (YO), a physical mixture of FU and MA, and a physical mixture of FU and YO. All taste-masking granules were prepared using the dry granulation method. The taste of each type of preparation was evaluated. All four preparations markedly improved the taste of the FU tablets, but the mixing ratios of the correctives did not affect the masking effect. No difference in masking effect was found between MA and YO in the physical mixtures, but the masking effect in the granules with YO was superior to that of the granules with MA. Taste-masked FU tablets were prepared using the direct compression method; crystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-302) and mannitol were added as excipients at the mixing ratio of 1/1. All four types of tablets displayed sufficient hardness, but MA-containing tablets were harder than YO-containing tablets. The hardness of the tablets prepared from YO granules increased as the YO content increased. The most rapidly disintegrating tablets were those of YO granules prepared at a mixing ratio of FU/YO=1/1, which disintegrated within 20 s, followed by the tablets of MA granules prepared at a mixing ratio of FU/MA=1/1. The disintegration times of the tablets made from physical mixtures, in contrast, were longer than 200 s. Disintegration time lengthened as the mixing ratio of YO or MA increased. The hardness and disintegration time of these tablets could be controlled by varying the compression pressure. We found that YO is more useful than MA in masking unpleasant tastes and confirmed that orally disintegrating tablets with taste-masking function can be prepared using granules of YO prepared using the dry granulation method as a new corrective.

Isolation of zymogen granules from rat pancreas.

PubMed

Rindler, Michael J

2006-01-01

This unit describes methods for preparing zymogen granules from rat pancreas. Zymogen granules are storage organelles in pancreatic acinar cells containing digestive enzymes that are released into the pancreatic duct. The protocols in this unit take advantage of the large size (up to 1 microm diameter) and high density (>1.20 g/cm(3) on sucrose gradients) of the granules as compared to other cellular organelles. They use a combination of differential sedimentation and density gradient separation to accomplish the purification. Similar procedures can be used to isolate zymogen granules from mouse pancreas and canine pancreas. A protocol for preparing zymogen granules from dog pancreas is also included.

Multi-species impurity granule injection and mass deposition projections in NSTX-U discharges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lunsford, R.; Bortolon, A.; Roquemore, A. L.

Here, by employing a neutral gas shielding (NGS) model to characterize impurity granule injection, the ablation rates for three different species of granule: lithium, boron, and carbon, are determined. Utilizing the duration of ablation events recorded on experiments performed at DIII-D to calibrate the NGS model, we quantify the ablation rate with respect to the plasma density profile. The species-specific granule shielding constant is then used to model granule ablation within NSTX-U discharges. Simulations of 300, 500 and 700 micron diameter granules injected at 50 m s –1 are presented for NSTX-U L-mode type plasmas, as well as H-mode dischargesmore » with low natural ELM frequency. Additionally, ablation calculations of 500 micron granules of each species are presented at velocities ranging from 50–150 m s –1. In H-mode discharges these simulations show that the majority of the injected granule is ablated within or just past the edge steep gradient region. At this radial position, the perturbation to the background plasma generated by the ablating granule can lead to conditions advantageous for the rapid triggering of ELM crashes.« less

Multi-species impurity granule injection and mass deposition projections in NSTX-U discharges

DOE PAGES

Lunsford, R.; Bortolon, A.; Roquemore, A. L.; ...

2017-05-16

Here, by employing a neutral gas shielding (NGS) model to characterize impurity granule injection, the ablation rates for three different species of granule: lithium, boron, and carbon, are determined. Utilizing the duration of ablation events recorded on experiments performed at DIII-D to calibrate the NGS model, we quantify the ablation rate with respect to the plasma density profile. The species-specific granule shielding constant is then used to model granule ablation within NSTX-U discharges. Simulations of 300, 500 and 700 micron diameter granules injected at 50 m s –1 are presented for NSTX-U L-mode type plasmas, as well as H-mode dischargesmore » with low natural ELM frequency. Additionally, ablation calculations of 500 micron granules of each species are presented at velocities ranging from 50–150 m s –1. In H-mode discharges these simulations show that the majority of the injected granule is ablated within or just past the edge steep gradient region. At this radial position, the perturbation to the background plasma generated by the ablating granule can lead to conditions advantageous for the rapid triggering of ELM crashes.« less

Evaluating scale-up rules of a high-shear wet granulation process.

PubMed

Tao, Jing; Pandey, Preetanshu; Bindra, Dilbir S; Gao, Julia Z; Narang, Ajit S

2015-07-01

This work aimed to evaluate the commonly used scale-up rules for high-shear wet granulation process using a microcrystalline cellulose-lactose-based low drug loading formulation. Granule properties such as particle size, porosity, flow, and tabletability, and tablet dissolution were compared across scales using scale-up rules based on different impeller speed calculations or extended wet massing time. Constant tip speed rule was observed to produce slightly less granulated material at the larger scales. Longer wet massing time can be used to compensate for the lower shear experienced by the granules at the larger scales. Constant Froude number and constant empirical stress rules yielded granules that were more comparable across different scales in terms of compaction performance and tablet dissolution. Granule porosity was shown to correlate well with blend tabletability and tablet dissolution, indicating the importance of monitoring granule densification (porosity) during scale-up. It was shown that different routes can be chosen during scale-up to achieve comparable granule growth and densification by altering one of the three parameters: water amount, impeller speed, and wet massing time. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

Pharmaceutical production of tableting granules in an ultra-small-scale high-shear granulator as a pre-formulation study.

PubMed

Ogawa, Tatsuya; Uchino, Tomohiro; Takahashi, Daisuke; Izumi, Tsuyoshi; Otsuka, Makoto

2012-11-01

In some of drug developments, the amount of bulk drug powder to use in early stages is limited and it is not easy to supply a sufficient drug amount for conventional preparation methods. Therefore, an ultra-small-scale high-shear granulator (less than 5 g) (USG) was developed and applied to small-scale granulation as a pre-formulation. The sample powder consisted of 66.5% lactose, 28.5% microcrystalline cellulose and 5.0% hydroxypropylcellulose. The granules were obtained to agitate 5 g of the sample powder with 1.0 mL of water at 300 rpm for 5 min after pre-powder mixing for 3 min by the USG and the manual hand (HM) methods. The granules were evaluated by the 10% and 90% accumulated particle size and the recoveries of the granules and the powder solid. Median particle size for the USG and the HM methods was 159.2 ± 2.3 and 270.9 ± 14.9 µm, respectively. The USG method had a narrower particle size distribution than those by the HM method. The recovery of the granules by USG was significantly larger than that by the HM method. Characteristics of all of the granules indicated that the USG method could produce higher quality granules within a shorter time than the HM methods.

PtdIns(4,5)P2 is not required for secretory granule docking.

PubMed

Omar-Hmeadi, Muhmmad; Gandasi, Nikhil R; Barg, Sebastian

2018-06-01

Phosphoinositides (PtdIns) play important roles in exocytosis and are thought to regulate secretory granule docking by co-clustering with the SNARE protein syntaxin to form a docking receptor in the plasma membrane. Here we tested this idea by high-resolution total internal reflection imaging of EGFP-labeled PtdIns markers or syntaxin-1 at secretory granule release sites in live insulin-secreting cells. In intact cells, PtdIns markers distributed evenly across the plasma membrane with no preference for granule docking sites. In contrast, syntaxin-1 was found clustered in the plasma membrane, mostly beneath docked granules. We also observed rapid accumulation of syntaxin-1 at sites where granules arrived to dock. Acute depletion of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P 2 ) by recruitment of a 5'-phosphatase strongly inhibited Ca 2+ -dependent exocytosis, but had no effect on docked granules or the distribution and clustering of syntaxin-1. Cell permeabilization by α-toxin or formaldehyde-fixation caused PtdIns marker to slowly cluster, in part near docked granules. In summary, our data indicate that PtdIns(4,5)P 2 accelerates granule priming, but challenge a role of PtdIns in secretory granule docking or clustering of syntaxin-1 at the release site. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Three novel proteins co-localise with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules in Rhodospirillum rubrum S1.

PubMed

Narancic, Tanja; Scollica, Elisa; Cagney, Gerard; O'Connor, Kevin E

2018-04-01

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable polymer accumulated by bacteria is deposited intracellularly in the form of inclusion bodies often called granules. The granules are supramolecular complexes harbouring a varied number of proteins on their surface, which have specific but incompletely characterised functions. By comparison with other organisms that produce biodegradable polymers, only two phasins have been described to date for Rhodosprillum rubrum, raising the possibility that more await discovery. Using a comparative proteomics strategy to compare the granules of wild-type R. rubrum with a PHB-negative mutant housing artificial PHB granules, we identified four potential PHB granules' associated proteins. These were: Q2RSI4, an uncharacterised protein; Q2RWU9, annotated as an extracellular solute-binding protein; Q2RQL4, annotated as basic membrane lipoprotein; and Q2RQ51, annotated as glucose-6-phosphate isomerase. In silico analysis revealed that Q2RSI4 harbours a Phasin_2 family domain and shares low identity with a single-strand DNA-binding protein from Sphaerochaeta coccoides. Fluorescence microscopy found that three proteins Q2RSI4, Q2EWU9 and Q2RQL4 co-localised with PHB granules. This work adds three potential new granule associated proteins to the repertoire of factors involved in bacterial storage granule formation, and confirms that proteomics screens are an effective strategy for discovery of novel granule associated proteins.

Deubiquitylases USP5 and USP13 are recruited to and regulate heat-induced stress granules through their deubiquitylating activities.

PubMed

Xie, Xuan; Matsumoto, Shunsuke; Endo, Akinori; Fukushima, Toshiaki; Kawahara, Hiroyuki; Saeki, Yasushi; Komada, Masayuki

2018-04-12

Stress granules are transient cytoplasmic foci induced by various stresses that contain translation-stalled mRNAs and RNA-binding proteins. They are proposed to modulate mRNA translation and stress responses. Here, we show that the deubiquitylases USP5 and USP13 are recruited to heat-induced stress granules. Heat-induced stress granules also contained K48- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains. Depletion of USP5 or USP13 resulted in elevated ubiquitin chain levels and accelerated assembly of heat-induced stress granules, suggesting that these enzymes regulate the stability of the stress granules through their ubiquitin isopeptidase activity. Moreover, disassembly of heat-induced stress granules after returning the cells to normal temperatures was markedly repressed by individual depletion of USP5 or USP13. Finally, overexpression of a ubiquitin mutant lacking the C-terminal diglycine motif caused the accumulation of unanchored ubiquitin chains and the repression of the disassembly of heat-induced stress granules. As unanchored ubiquitin chains are preferred substrates for USP5, we suggest that USP5 regulates the assembly and disassembly of heat-induced stress granules by mediating the hydrolysis of unanchored ubiquitin chains while USP13 regulates stress granules through deubiquitylating protein-conjugated ubiquitin chains.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Role of the Caenorhabditis elegans multidrug resistance gene, mrp-4, in gut granule differentiation.

PubMed

Currie, Erin; King, Brian; Lawrenson, Andrea L; Schroeder, Lena K; Kershner, Aaron M; Hermann, Greg J

2007-11-01

Caenorhabditis elegans gut granules are lysosome-related organelles with birefringent contents. mrp-4, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter homologous to mammalian multidrug resistance proteins, functions in the formation of gut granule birefringence. mrp-4(-) embryos show a delayed appearance of birefringent material in the gut granule but otherwise appear to form gut granules properly. mrp-4(+) activity is required for the extracellular mislocalization of birefringent material, body-length retraction, and NaCl sensitivity, phenotypes associated with defective gut granule biogenesis exhibited by embryos lacking the activity of GLO-1/Rab38, a putative GLO-1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor GLO-4, and the AP-3 complex. Multidrug resistance protein (MRP)-4 localizes to the gut granule membrane, consistent with it playing a direct role in the transport of molecules that compose and/or facilitate the formation of birefringent crystals within the gut granule. However, MRP-4 is also present in oocytes and early embryos, and our genetic analyses indicate that its site of action in the formation of birefringent material may not be limited to just the gut granule in embryos. In a search for genes that function similarly to mrp-4(+), we identified WHT-2, another ABC transporter that acts in parallel to MRP-4 for the formation of birefringent material in the gut granule.

HIGH-SHEAR GRANULATION PROCESS: INFLUENCE OF PROCESSING PARAMETERS ON CRITICAL QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF ACETAMINOPHEN GRANULES AND TABLETS USING DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT APPROACH.

PubMed

Fayed, Mohamed H; Abdel-Rahman, Sayed I; Alanazi, Fars K; Ahmed, Mahrous O; Tawfeek, Hesham M; Al-Shedfat, Ramadan I

2017-01-01

Application of quality by design (QbD) in high shear granulation process is critical and need to recognize the correlation between the granulation process parameters and the properties of intermediate (granules) and corresponding final product (tablets). The present work examined the influence of water amount (X,) and wet massing time (X2) as independent process variables on the critical quality attributes of granules and corresponding tablets using design of experiment (DoE) technique. A two factor, three level (32) full factorial design was performed; each of these variables was investigated at three levels to characterize their strength and interaction. The dried granules have been analyzed for their size distribution, density and flow pattern. Additionally, the produced tablets have been investigated for weight uniformity, crushing strength, friability and percent capping, disintegration time and drug dissolution. Statistically significant impact (p < 0.05) of water amount was identified for granule growth, percent fines and distribution width and flow behavior. Granule density and compressibility were found to be significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the two operating conditions. Also, water amount has significant effect (p < 0.05) on tablet weight unifornity, friability and percent capping. Moreover, tablet disintegration time and drug dissolution appears to be significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the two process variables. On the other hand, the relationship of process parameters with critical quality attributes of granule and final product tablet was identified and correlated. Ultimately, a judicious selection of process parameters in high shear granulation process will allow providing product of desirable quality.

Morphologic Integration of Hilar Ectopic Granule Cells into Dentate Gyrus Circuitry in the Pilocarpine Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

PubMed Central

Cameron, Michael C.; Zhan, Ren-Zhi; Nadler, J. Victor

2014-01-01

After pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, many granule cells born into the postseizure environment migrate aberrantly into the dentate hilus. Hilar ectopic granule cells (HEGCs) are hyperexcitable and may therefore increase circuit excitability. This study determined the distribution of their axons and dendrites. HEGCs and normotopic granule cells were filled with biocytin during whole-cell patch clamp recording in hippocampal slices from pilocarpine-treated rats. The apical dendrite of 86% of the biocytin-labeled HEGCs extended to the outer edge of the dentate molecular layer. The total length and branching of HEGC apical dendrites that penetrated the molecular layer were significantly reduced compared with apical dendrites of normotopic granule cells. HEGCs were much more likely to have a hilar basal dendrite than normotopic granule cells. They were about as likely as normotopic granule cells to project to CA3 pyramidal cells within the slice, but were much more likely to send at least one recurrent mossy fiber into the molecular layer. HEGCs with burst capability had less well-branched apical dendrites than nonbursting HEGCs, their dendrites were more likely to be confined to the hilus, and some exhibited dendritic features similar to those of immature granule cells. HEGCs thus have many paths along which to receive synchronized activity from normotopic granule cells and to transmit their own hyperactivity to both normotopic granule cells and CA3 pyramidal cells. They may therefore contribute to the highly interconnected granule cell hubs that have been proposed as crucial to development of a hyperexcitable, potentially seizure-prone circuit. PMID:21455997

High-shear granulation as a manufacturing method for cocrystal granules.

PubMed

Rehder, Sönke; Christensen, Niels Peter Aae; Rantanen, Jukka; Rades, Thomas; Leopold, Claudia S

2013-11-01

Cocrystal formation allows the tailoring of physicochemical as well as of mechanical properties of an API. However, there is a lack of large-scale manufacturing methods of cocrystals. Therefore, the objective of this work was to examine the suitability of high-shear wet granulation as a manufacturing method for cocrystal granules on a batch scale. Furthermore, the cocrystal granules were characterized regarding their mechanical properties as well as their dissolution behavior. High-shear wet granulation was found to be a feasible manufacturing method for cocrystal granules. Cocrystal formation depended on the exposure time of the solids to the granulation liquid (water), the amount of liquid, the impeller speed of the granulator, and on the excipients (hydroxyl propylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogenphosphate) used in the formulation. Storage stability was strongly influenced by the excipients, since in presence of calcium hydrogenphosphate, the poorly water-soluble salt calcium tartrate monohydrate was formed at high relative humidity. Interestingly, compactability was increased by cocrystal formation compared to that of the reference granules (piracetam and the respective excipients). The drug release was slightly decreased by cocrystal formation, most likely due to the lower solubility of the cocrystal. In the presence of calcium hydrogenphosphate however, no influence of cocrystal formation on either compactability or on drug release were observed, compared with the reference tablets. It was concluded that high-shear wet granulation is a valuable, however complex, manufacturing method for cocrystals. Cocrystal formation may influence compactability and drug release and thus affect drug performance and should be investigated during pre-formulation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proteome Profile of Starch Granules Purified from Rice (Oryza sativa) Endosperm

PubMed Central

Xing, Shihai; Meng, Xiaoxi; Zhou, Lihui; Mujahid, Hana; Zhao, Chunfang; Zhang, Yadong; Wang, Cailin; Peng, Zhaohua

2016-01-01

Starch is the most important food energy source in cereals. Many of the known enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis are partially or entirely granule-associated in the endosperm. Studying the proteome of rice starch granules is critical for us to further understand the mechanisms underlying starch biosynthesis and packaging of starch granules in rice amyloplasts, consequently for the improvement of rice grain quality. In this article, we developed a protocol to purify starch granules from mature rice endosperm and verified the quality of purified starch granules by microscopy observations, I2 staining, and Western blot analyses. In addition, we found the phenol extraction method was superior to Tris-HCl buffer extraction method with respect to the efficiency in recovery of starch granule associated proteins. LC-MS/MS analysis showed identification of already known starch granule associated proteins with high confidence. Several proteins reported to be involved in starch synthesis in prior genetic studies in plants were also shown to be enriched with starch granules, either directly or indirectly, in our studies. In addition, our results suggested that a few additional candidate proteins may also be involved in starch synthesis. Furthermore, our results indicated that some starch synthesis pathway proteins are subject to protein acetylation modification. GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the identified proteins were mainly located in plastids and involved in carbohydrate metabolism. This study substantially advances the understanding of the starch granule associated proteome in rice and post translational regulation of some starch granule associated proteins. PMID:27992503

Distorted secretory granule composition in mast cells with multiple protease deficiency.

PubMed

Grujic, Mirjana; Calounova, Gabriela; Eriksson, Inger; Feyerabend, Thorsten; Rodewald, Hans-Reimer; Tchougounova, Elena; Kjellén, Lena; Pejler, Gunnar

2013-10-01

Mast cells are characterized by an abundance of secretory granules densely packed with inflammatory mediators such as bioactive amines, cytokines, serglycin proteoglycans with negatively charged glycosaminoglycan side chains of either heparin or chondroitin sulfate type, and large amounts of positively charged proteases. Despite the large biological impact of mast cell granules and their contents on various pathologies, the mechanisms that regulate granule composition are incompletely understood. In this study, we hypothesized that granule composition is dependent on a dynamic electrostatic interrelationship between different granule compounds. As a tool to evaluate this possibility, we generated mice in which mast cells are multideficient in a panel of positively charged proteases: the chymase mouse mast cell protease-4, the tryptase mouse mast cell protease-6, and carboxypeptidase A3. Through a posttranslational effect, mast cells from these mice additionally lack mouse mast cell protease-5 protein. Mast cells from mice deficient in individual proteases showed normal morphology. In contrast, mast cells with combined protease deficiency displayed a profound distortion of granule integrity, as seen both by conventional morphological criteria and by transmission electron microscopy. An assessment of granule content revealed that the distorted granule integrity in multiprotease-deficient mast cells was associated with a profound reduction of highly negatively charged heparin, whereas no reduction in chondroitin sulfate storage was observed. Taken together with previous findings showing that the storage of basic proteases conversely is regulated by anionic proteoglycans, these data suggest that secretory granule composition in mast cells is dependent on a dynamic interrelationship between granule compounds of opposite electrical charge.

Dextrose monohydrate as a non-animal sourced alternative diluent in high shear wet granulation tablet formulations.

PubMed

Mitra, Biplob; Wolfe, Chad; Wu, Sy-Juen

2018-05-01

The feasibility of dextrose monohydrate as a non-animal sourced diluent in high shear wet granulation (HSWG) tablet formulations was determined. Impacts of granulation solution amount and addition time, wet massing time, impeller speed, powder and solution binder, and dry milling speed and screen opening size on granule size, friability and density, and tablet solid fraction (SF) and tensile strength (TS) were evaluated. The stability of theophylline tablets TS, disintegration time (DT) and in vitro dissolution were also studied. Following post-granulation drying at 60 °C, dextrose monohydrate lost 9% water and converted into the anhydrate form. Higher granulation solution amounts and faster addition, faster impeller speeds, and solution binder produced larger, denser and stronger (less friable) granules. All granules were compressed into tablets with acceptable TS. Contrary to what is normally observed, denser and larger granules (at ≥21% water level) produced tablets with a higher TS. The TS of the weakest tablets increased the most after storage at both 25 °C/60% RH and 40 °C/75% RH. Tablet DT was higher for stronger granules and after storage. Tablet dissolution profiles for 21% or less water were comparable and did not change on stability. However, the dissolution profile for tablets prepared with 24% water was slower initially and continued to decrease on stability. The results indicate a granulation water amount of not more than 21% is required to achieve acceptable tablet properties. This study clearly demonstrated the utility of dextrose monohydrate as a non-animal sourced diluent in a HSWG tablet formulation.

Degradation of Glucan Primers in the Absence of Starch Synthase 4 Disrupts Starch Granule Initiation in Arabidopsis*

PubMed Central

Lu, Kuan-Jen; Stettler, Michaela; Streb, Sebastian

2016-01-01

Arabidopsis leaf chloroplasts typically contain five to seven semicrystalline starch granules. It is not understood how the synthesis of each granule is initiated or how starch granule number is determined within each chloroplast. An Arabidopsis mutant lacking the glucosyl-transferase, STARCH SYNTHASE 4 (SS4) is impaired in its ability to initiate starch granules; its chloroplasts rarely contain more than one large granule, and the plants have a pale appearance and reduced growth. Here we report that the chloroplastic α-amylase AMY3, a starch-degrading enzyme, interferes with granule initiation in the ss4 mutant background. The amy3 single mutant is similar in phenotype to the wild type under normal growth conditions, with comparable numbers of starch granules per chloroplast. Interestingly, the ss4 mutant displays a pleiotropic reduction in the activity of AMY3. Remarkably, complete abolition of AMY3 (in the amy3 ss4 double mutant) increases the number of starch granules produced in each chloroplast, suppresses the pale phenotype of ss4, and nearly restores normal growth. The amy3 mutation also restores starch synthesis in the ss3 ss4 double mutant, which lacks STARCH SYNTHASE 3 (SS3) in addition to SS4. The ss3 ss4 line is unable to initiate any starch granules and is thus starchless. We suggest that SS4 plays a key role in granule initiation, allowing it to proceed in a way that avoids premature degradation of primers by starch hydrolases, such as AMY3. PMID:27458017

Effects of Manufacturing Methods on Dissolution and Absorption of Ketoconazole in the Presence of Organic Acid as a pH Modifier.

PubMed

Adachi, Masashi; Hinatsu, Yuta; Kusamori, Kosuke; Katsumi, Hidemasa; Sakane, Toshiyasu; Nakatani, Manabu; Wada, Koichi; Yamamoto, Akira

2017-05-01

Poorly water-soluble compounds have a potential risk of low and variable bioavailability caused by incomplete dissolution. Incorporation of organic acids as pH modifiers is effective method for solubility enhancement of basic compounds and requires no special technique and equipment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of manufacturing method on the extent of drug solubility enhancement. We successfully prepared the granules and tablets containing ketoconazole (KZ), which is weakly basic, as a model compound and citric acid as a pH modifier using conventional wet and dry granulations. KZ solubility under non-sink condition was enhanced with supersaturation using both wet and dry granulations. High-shear granulation was the most effective method in terms of KZ dissolution enhancement, because both an intimate contact and strong bonding between KZ and incorporated acid were achieved. KZ dissolved amount from the granules prepared by high-shear granulation was about eight times higher than that from the granules without the acid. The granulation involved to suppress a diffusion of acid dissolved, leading to the effectively maintained supersaturation state. The bioavailability of KZ after oral administration to rats was improved by applying high-shear granulation with citric acid independent of gastrointestinal pH. The granules prepared by high-shear granulation showed the bioavailability about 1.7-fold higher than that of the physical mixture in rats with and without neutralization of stomach. As a result, both the dissolution and absorption rates of KZ after oral administration were enhanced using conventional manufacturing technology.

Two Distinct Waxy Alleles Impact the Granule-Bound Starch Synthase in Sorghum

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) is the enzyme responsible for amylose synthesis in starch granules. Loss of GBSS activity results in starch granules containing mostly amylopectin and little or no amylose, a phenotype described as waxy. Previously, two phenotypic classes of waxy alleles we...

Hardened, environmentally disposable composite granules of coal cleaning refuse, coal combustion waste, and other wastes, and method preparing the same

DOEpatents

Burnet, George; Gokhale, Ashok J.

1990-07-10

A hardened, environmentally inert and disposable composite granule of coal cleaning refuse and coal combustion waste, and method for producing the same, wherein the coal combustion waste is first granulated. The coal cleaning refuse is pulverized into fine particles and is then bound, as an outer layer, to the granulated coal combustion waste granules. This combination is then combusted and sintered. After cooling, the combination results in hardened, environmentally inert and disposable composite granules having cores of coal combustion waste, and outer shells of coal cleaning refuse. The composite particles are durable and extremely resistant to environmental and chemical forces.

Hardened, environmentally disposable composite granules of coal cleaning refuse, coal combustion waste, and other wastes, and method preparing the same

DOEpatents

Burnet, G.; Gokhale, A.J.

1990-07-10

A hardened, environmentally inert and disposable composite granule of coal cleaning refuse and coal combustion waste and method for producing the same are disclosed, wherein the coal combustion waste is first granulated. The coal cleaning refuse is pulverized into fine particles and is then bound, as an outer layer, to the granulated coal combustion waste granules. This combination is then combusted and sintered. After cooling, the combination results in hardened, environmentally inert and disposable composite granules having cores of coal combustion waste, and outer shells of coal cleaning refuse. The composite particles are durable and extremely resistant to environmental and chemical forces. 3 figs.

Probing the spatial dependence of the emission spectrum of single human retinal lipofuscin granules using near-field scanning optical microscopy.

PubMed

Haralampus-Grynaviski, N M; Lamb, L E; Simon, J D; Krogmeier, J R; Dunn, R C; Pawlak, A; Rózanowska, M; Sarna, T; Burke, J M

2001-08-01

The emission spectra of single lipofuscin granules are examined using spectrally resolved confocal microscopy and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). The emission spectrum varies among the granules examined revealing that individual granules are characterized by different distributions of fluorophores. The range of spectra observed is consistent with in vivo spectra of human retinal pigment epithelium cells. NSOM measurements reveal that the shape of the spectrum does not vary with position within the emissive regions of single lipofuscin granules. These results suggest that the relative distribution of fluorophores within the emissive regions of an individual granule is homogeneous on the spatial scale approximately 150 nm.

Negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of infected wounds with exposed knee joint after patellar fracture.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Yang; Niikura, Takahiro; Miwa, Masahiko; Sakai, Yoshitada; Oe, Keisuke; Fukazawa, Takahiro; Kawakami, Yohei; Kurosaka, Masahiro

2011-06-14

Treatment of soft tissue defects with exposed bones and joints, resulting from trauma, infection, and surgical complications, represents a major challenge. The introduction of negative pressure wound therapy has changed many wound management practices. Negative pressure wound therapy has recently been used in the orthopedic field for management of traumatic or open wounds with exposed bone, nerve, tendon, and orthopedic implants. This article describes a case of a patient with a large soft tissue defect and exposed knee joint, in which negative pressure wound therapy markedly improved wound healing. A 50-year-old man presented with an ulceration of his left knee with exposed joint, caused by severe wound infections after open reduction and internal fixation of a patellar fracture. After 20 days of negative pressure wound therapy, a granulated wound bed covered the exposed bones and joint.To our knowledge, this is the first report of negative pressure wound therapy used in a patient with a large soft tissue defect with exposed knee joint. Despite the chronic wound secondary to infection, healing was achieved through the use of the negative pressure wound therapy, thus promoting granulation tissue formation and closing the joint. We suggest negative pressure wound therapy as an alternative option for patients with lower limb wounds containing exposed bones and joints when free flap transfer is contraindicated. Our result added to the growing evidence that negative pressure wound therapy is a useful adjunctive treatment for open wounds around the knee joint. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.

A preliminary study of silver sodium zirconium phosphate polyurethane foam wound dressing on wounds of the distal aspect of the forelimb in horses.

PubMed

Kelleher, Maureen E; Kilcoyne, Isabelle; Dechant, Julie E; Hummer, Emma; Kass, Philip H; Snyder, Jack R

2015-04-01

To determine if application of silver sodium zirconium phosphate polyurethane semi-occlusive foam (SPF) dressing would improve measures of wound healing and decrease bacterial contamination compared with a non-adherent, absorbent dressing applied to wounds created on the distal aspect of the equine limb. Controlled randomized experimental study. Adult Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred horses (n = 5). One 6.25 cm(2) wound was created on the dorsomedial aspect of the proximal metacarpus on each forelimb. A SPF dressing was applied to 1 randomly assigned limb as a treatment and a non-adherent, absorbent dressing was applied to the opposite limb as control. Bandages were changed every 3 days for 60 days. Granulation tissue was scored every 3 days, wound area measured every 6 days, and wound bed was cultured every 12 days. SPF-treatment wounds had significantly decreased wound area and decreased granulation tissue scores when evaluated <30 days and over the 60 day study, although complete wound healing times were not significantly different. Bacteria were cultured from all wounds at varying times throughout the study. The SPF wound dressing improved some measures of wound healing compared with the control dressing, most significantly during the first 30 days. This suggests that the SPF wound dressing may be useful in the early management of wounds on the equine lower limb. Further studies using the SPF dressing are needed to characterize the temporal and cellular effects on wound healing and evaluate this dressing in a clinical environment. © Copyright 2014 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Implantation of silicon dioxide-based nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and pure phase beta-tricalciumphosphate bone substitute granules in caprine muscle tissue does not induce new bone formation

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Osteoinductive bone substitutes are defined by their ability to induce new bone formation even at heterotopic implantation sites. The present study was designed to analyze the potential osteoinductivity of two different bone substitute materials in caprine muscle tissue. Materials and methods One gram each of either a porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) or an hydroxyapatite/silicon dioxide (HA/SiO2)-based nanocrystalline bone substitute material was implanted in several muscle pouches of goats. The biomaterials were explanted at 29, 91 and 181 days after implantation. Conventional histology and special histochemical stains were performed to detect osteoblast precursor cells as well as mineralized and unmineralized bone matrix. Results Both materials underwent cellular degradation in which tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclast-like cells and TRAP-negative multinucleated giant cells were involved. The ß-TCP was completely resorbed within the observation period, whereas some granules of the HA-groups were still detectable after 180 days. Neither osteoblasts, osteoblast precursor cells nor extracellular bone matrix were found within the implantation bed of any of the analyzed biomaterials at any of the observed time points. Conclusions This study showed that ß-TCP underwent a faster degradation than the HA-based material. The lack of osteoinductivity for both materials might be due to their granular shape, as osteoinductivity in goat muscle has been mainly attributed to cylindrical or disc-shaped bone substitute materials. This hypothesis however requires further investigation to systematically analyze various materials with comparable characteristics in the same experimental setting. PMID:23286366

Implantation of silicon dioxide-based nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and pure phase beta-tricalciumphosphate bone substitute granules in caprine muscle tissue does not induce new bone formation.

PubMed

Ghanaati, Shahram; Udeabor, Samuel E; Barbeck, Mike; Willershausen, Ines; Kuenzel, Oliver; Sader, Robert A; Kirkpatrick, C James

2013-01-04

Osteoinductive bone substitutes are defined by their ability to induce new bone formation even at heterotopic implantation sites. The present study was designed to analyze the potential osteoinductivity of two different bone substitute materials in caprine muscle tissue. One gram each of either a porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) or an hydroxyapatite/silicon dioxide (HA/SiO2)-based nanocrystalline bone substitute material was implanted in several muscle pouches of goats. The biomaterials were explanted at 29, 91 and 181 days after implantation. Conventional histology and special histochemical stains were performed to detect osteoblast precursor cells as well as mineralized and unmineralized bone matrix. Both materials underwent cellular degradation in which tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclast-like cells and TRAP-negative multinucleated giant cells were involved. The ß-TCP was completely resorbed within the observation period, whereas some granules of the HA-groups were still detectable after 180 days. Neither osteoblasts, osteoblast precursor cells nor extracellular bone matrix were found within the implantation bed of any of the analyzed biomaterials at any of the observed time points. This study showed that ß-TCP underwent a faster degradation than the HA-based material. The lack of osteoinductivity for both materials might be due to their granular shape, as osteoinductivity in goat muscle has been mainly attributed to cylindrical or disc-shaped bone substitute materials. This hypothesis however requires further investigation to systematically analyze various materials with comparable characteristics in the same experimental setting.

Aerobic granulation in a modified oxidation ditch with an adjustable volume intraclarifier.

PubMed

Li, Jun; Cai, Ang; Wang, Miao; Ding, Libin; Ni, Yongjiong

2014-04-01

A modified oxidation ditch (MOD) with an adjustable volume intraclarifier was proposed and used to achieve aerobic sludge granulation in continuous flow process. This MOD with working volume of 60L treated onsite wastewater from a town. Excellent aerobic granules with mean diameter of 600μm and sludge volume index (SVI) of 44mL/g were obtained in 120day. Bacterial community analysis revealed that most species from seed sludge were preserved in both MOD and granule SBR (G-SBR) except bacteria (Bacteroidetes) might be easily washed out during granulation. Some different bacterial communities were found in sludges from sequencing batch and continuous flow reactors. Presence of metal ions and inorganics in raw wastewater had positive effect on granule formation, but an adjustable volume intraclarifier for controlling selection pressure and deleting return sludge pump played a key role in aerobic sludge granulation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation and evaluation of gelling granules to improve oral administration.

PubMed

Ito, Ikumi; Ito, Akihiko; Unezaki, Sakae

2015-06-01

We investigated the preparation of oral granules that are solid when stored and that will swell and gel via water absorption, to address problems experienced by patients when taking medication. Important physical properties of gelling granules include elasticity that is normally smooth, quick water absorption and swelling properties that allow easy swallowing. We selected gelatin (GEL), succinylated gelatin (SUC-GEL) and ι-carrageenan (CAR) as matrix polymers that can undergo gelation at room temperature or at cold temperatures. Saccharide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were added to prepare the experimental granules. The best matrix gelling granule was SUC-GEL. When xylitol (XYL), sorbitol (SOR) and maltitol (MAL) were added, elasticity was improved, and PEG improved the granule's water absorption behavior, which is an important element involved in gelation. The best granules were prepared by selecting SUC-GEL as the matrix and adding a small amount of PEG and XYL in amounts equal to that of SUC-GEL.

Adsorption mechanism for xanthene dyes to cellulose granules.

PubMed

Tabara, Aya; Yamane, Chihiro; Seguchi, Masaharu

2012-01-01

The xanthene dyes, erythrosine, phloxine, and rose bengal, were adsorbed to charred cellulose granules. The charred cellulose granules were preliminarily steeped in ionic (NaOH, NaCl, KOH, KCl, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)), nonionic (glucose, sucrose, and ethanol), and amphipathic sucrose fatty acid ester (SFAE) solutions, and adsorption tests on the dye to the steeped and charred cellulose granules were conducted. Almost none of the dye was adsorbed when the solutions of ionic and amphipathic molecules were used, but were adsorbed in the case of steeping in the nonionic molecule solutions. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and the Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) profiles of SFAE which was adsorbed to the charred cellulose granules and extracted by ethyl ether suggested the presence of hydrophobic sites on the surface of the charred cellulose granules. We confirmed that the xanthene dyes could bind to the charred cellulose granules by ionic and hydrophobic bonds.

Microtubules negatively regulate insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells

PubMed Central

Zhu, Xiaodong; Hu, Ruiying; Brissova, Marcela; Stein, Roland W.; Powers, Alvin C.; Gu, Guoqiang; Kaverina, Irina

2015-01-01

Summary For glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) insulin granules have to be localized close to the plasma membrane. The role of microtubule-dependent transport in granule positioning and GSIS has been debated. Here, we report that microtubules, counterintuitively, restrict granule availability for secretion. In β cells, microtubules originate at the Golgi and form a dense non-radial meshwork. Non-directional transport along these microtubules limits granule dwelling at the cell periphery, restricting granule availability for secretion. High glucose destabilizes microtubules, decreasing their density; such local microtubule depolymerization is necessary for GSIS, likely because granule withdrawal from the cell periphery becomes inefficient. Consistently, microtubule depolymerization by nocodazole blocks granule withdrawal, increases their concentration at exocytic sites, and dramatically enhances GSIS in vitro and in mice. Furthermore, glucose-driven MT destabilization is balanced by new microtubule formation, which likely prevents over-secretion. Importantly, microtubule density is greater in dysfunctional β cells of diabetic mice. PMID:26418295

Effects of artemisinin sustained-release granules on mixed alga growth and microcystins production and release.

PubMed

Ni, Lixiao; Li, Danye; Hu, Shuzhen; Wang, Peifang; Li, Shiyin; Li, Yiping; Li, Yong; Acharya, Kumud

2015-12-01

To safely and effectively apply artemisinin sustained-release granules to control and prevent algal water-blooms, the effects of artemisinin and its sustained-release granules on freshwater alga (Scenedesmus obliquus (S. obliquus) and Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa)), as well as the production and release of microcystins (MCs) were studied. The results showed that artemisinin sustained-release granules inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa (above 95% IR) and S. obliquus (about 90% IR), with M. aeruginosa more sensitive. The artemisinin sustained-release granules had a longer inhibition effect on growth of pure algae and algal coexistence than direct artemisinin dosing. The artemisinin sustained-release granules could decrease the production and release of algal toxins due to the continued stress of artemisinin released from artemisinin sustained-release granules. There was no increase in the total amount of MC-LR in the algal cell culture medium.

Low-calorie bread baked with charred cellulose granules and wheat flour to eliminate toxic xanthene food dye in the alimentary canal.

PubMed

Tabara, Aya; Yamane, Chihiro; Seguchi, Masaharu

2012-01-01

We baked low-calorie bread by mixing charred cellulose granules with wheat flour, using the charred cellulose granules to eliminate toxic xanthene food dyes contained in processed foods from the alimentary canal. The size of the charred cellulose granules played an important role in determining good breadmaking properties in respect of the bread height (mm) and specific volume (SV, cm3/g). Charred cellulose granules with a diameter above 270 μm were blended with wheat flour at 10% to obtain bread with a lower caloric content (1020 kcal/gram of bread) than the control bread (1126 kcal) made solely from wheat flour. The charred cellulose granules taken out from the bread adsorbed toxic xanthene food dyes at around pH 6.5, such that toxic food dyes taken into the alimentary canal were excreted in the feces with the non-digestible cellulose granules.

Specific lignin accumulation in granulated juice sacs of Citrus maxima.

PubMed

Wu, Jia-Ling; Pan, Teng-Fei; Guo, Zhi-Xiong; Pan, Dong-Ming

2014-12-17

Juice sac granulation occurring in pummelo fruits [Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.] is an undesirable trait, and the underlying mechanism remains unresolved. Previous studies have shown that lignin metabolism is closely associated with the process of juice sac granulation. Here, a method suitable for lignin isolation from pummelo tissues is established. Acetylated lignins from different pummelo tissues and cultivars were analyzed by HSQC NMR. The results showed that lignins in granulated juice sacs were characterized by an extremely high abundance of guaiacyl units (91.13-96.82%), in contrast to lignins from other tissues, including leaves, stems, and segment membranes. The abnormally accumulated lignins in granulated juice sacs were specific and mainly polymerized from coniferyl alcohol. No significant difference was found in lignin types among various cultivars. These findings indicated that the mechanism of juice sac granulation might be similar among various cultivars, although very different degrees of juice sac granulation can be observed.

Differential Response of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Dermal Fibroblasts, and Keratinocytes to Burn Wound Exudates: Potential Role of Skin-Specific Chemokine CCL27

PubMed Central

van den Broek, Lenie J.; Kroeze, Kim L.; Waaijman, Taco; Breetveld, Melanie; Sampat-Sardjoepersad, Shakun C.; Niessen, Frank B.; Middelkoop, Esther; Scheper, Rik J.

2014-01-01

Many cell-based regenerative medicine strategies toward tissue-engineered constructs are currently being explored. Cell–cell interactions and interactions with different biomaterials are extensively investigated, whereas very few studies address how cultured cells will interact with soluble wound-healing mediators that are present within the wound bed after transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine how adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC), dermal fibroblasts, and keratinocytes will react when they come in contact with the deep cutaneous burn wound bed. Burn wound exudates isolated from deep burn wounds were found to contain many cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors related to inflammation and wound healing. Seventeen mediators were identified by ELISA (concentration range 0.0006–9 ng/mg total protein), including the skin-specific chemokine CCL27. Burn wound exudates activated both ASC and dermal fibroblasts, but not keratinocytes, to increase secretion of CXCL1, CXCL8, CCL2, and CCL20. Notably, ASC but not fibroblasts or keratinocytes showed significant increased secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (5-fold) and interleukin-6 (253-fold), although when the cells were incorporated in bi-layered skin substitute (SS) these differences were less pronounced. A similar discrepancy between ASC and dermal fibroblast mono-cultures was observed when recombinant human-CCL27 was used instead of burn wound exudates. Although CCL27 did not stimulate the secretion of any of the wound-healing mediators by keratinocytes, these cells, in contrast to ASC or dermal fibroblasts, showed increased proliferation and migration. Taken together, these results indicate that on transplantation, keratinocytes are primarily activated to promote wound closure. In contrast, dermal fibroblasts and, in particular, ASC respond vigorously to factors present in the wound bed, leading to increased secretion of angiogenesis/granulation tissue formation factors. Our findings have implications for the choice of cell type (ASC or dermal fibroblast) to be used in regenerative medicine strategies and indicate the importance of taking into account interactions with the wound bed when developing advanced therapies for difficult-to-close cutaneous wounds. PMID:23980822

Application of grey system theory on the influencing parameters of aerobic granulation in SBR.

PubMed

Bindhu, B K; Madhu, G

2017-09-01

Aerobic granulation is a promising technology for wastewater treatment. Four operational parameters were selected as influencing factors for this study. Aerobic granulation was experimented with three different values of organic loading rate (3, 6 and 9 kg COD m -3  d -1 ), superficial upflow air velocity (SUAV) (2, 3 and 4 cm s -1 ), settling time (3, 5 and 10 min) and volume exchange ratio (25%, 50% and 75%) in sequencing batch reactor in nine trials for the optimal performance of aerobic granulation. The influence of compared parameters on five reference parameters (sludge volume index (SVI), time taken for the appearance of granules, size and specific gravity of granules and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal) was analyzed using grey system theory. The grey relational coefficients and grey entropy relational grade of each parameter were calculated. Hydrodynamic shear force in terms of SUAV was found to have the greatest influence on granule appearance, specific gravity of granules and COD removal efficiency. SVI is greatly affected by settling time. The optimal scopes of all the compared parameters were found.

Rapid aerobic granulation in an SBR treating piggery wastewater by seeding sludge from a municipal WWTP.

PubMed

Liu, Jun; Li, Jun; Wang, Xiaodong; Zhang, Qi; Littleton, Helen

2017-01-01

Aerobic sludge granulation was rapidly obtained in the erlenmeyer bottle and sequencing batch reactor (SBR) using piggery wastewater. Aerobic granulation occurred on day 3 and granules with mean diameter of 0.2mm and SVI 30 of 20.3mL/g formed in SBR on day 18. High concentrations of Ca and Fe in the raw piggery wastewater and operating mode accelerated aerobic granulation, even though the seed sludge was from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Alpha diversity analysis revealed Operational Taxonomic Units, Shannon, ACE and Chao 1 indexes in aerobic granules were 2013, 5.51, 4665.5 and 3734.5, which were obviously lower compared to seed sludge. The percentages of major microbial communities, such as Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were obviously higher in aerobic granules than seed sludge. Chloroflexi, Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria, TM7 and Acidobacteria showed much higher abundances in the inoculum. The main reasons might be the characteristics of raw piggery wastewater and granule structure. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Fabrication of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate-coated β-TCP granules and evaluation of their osteoconductivity using experimental rats.

PubMed

Shariff, Khairul Anuar; Tsuru, Kanji; Ishikawa, Kunio

2017-06-01

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has attracted much attention as an artificial bone substitute owing to its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. In this study, osteoconductivity of β-TCP bone substitute was enhanced without using growth factors or cells. Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), which is known to possess the highest solubility among calcium phosphates, was coated on β-TCP granules by exposing their surface with acidic calcium phosphate solution. The amount of coated DCPD was regulated by changing the reaction time between β-TCP granules and acidic calcium phosphate solution. Histomorphometry analysis obtained from histological results revealed that the approximately 10mol% DCPD-coated β-TCP granules showed the largest new bone formation compared to DCPD-free β-TCP granules, approximately 2.5mol% DCPD-coated β-TCP granules, or approximately 27mol% DCPD-coated β-TCP granules after 2 and 4weeks of implantation. Based on this finding, we demonstrate that the osteoconductivity of β-TCP granules could be improved by coating their surface with an appropriate amount of DCPD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lysine acetyltransferase NuA4 and acetyl-CoA regulate glucose-deprived stress granule formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PubMed Central

Huard, Sylvain; Morettin, Alan; Fullerton, Morgan D.; Côté, Jocelyn

2017-01-01

Eukaryotic cells form stress granules under a variety of stresses, however the signaling pathways regulating their formation remain largely unknown. We have determined that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysine acetyltransferase complex NuA4 is required for stress granule formation upon glucose deprivation but not heat stress. Further, the Tip60 complex, the human homolog of the NuA4 complex, is required for stress granule formation in cancer cell lines. Surprisingly, the impact of NuA4 on glucose-deprived stress granule formation is partially mediated through regulation of acetyl-CoA levels, which are elevated in NuA4 mutants. While elevated acetyl-CoA levels suppress the formation of glucose-deprived stress granules, decreased acetyl-CoA levels enhance stress granule formation upon glucose deprivation. Further our work suggests that NuA4 regulates acetyl-CoA levels through the Acetyl-CoA carboxylase Acc1. Altogether this work establishes both NuA4 and the metabolite acetyl-CoA as critical signaling pathways regulating the formation of glucose-deprived stress granules. PMID:28231279

GABAergic excitation after febrile seizures induces ectopic granule cells and adult epilepsy.

PubMed

Koyama, Ryuta; Tao, Kentaro; Sasaki, Takuya; Ichikawa, Junya; Miyamoto, Daisuke; Muramatsu, Rieko; Matsuki, Norio; Ikegaya, Yuji

2012-08-01

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is accompanied by an abnormal location of granule cells in the dentate gyrus. Using a rat model of complex febrile seizures, which are thought to be a precipitating insult of TLE later in life, we report that aberrant migration of neonatal-generated granule cells results in granule cell ectopia that persists into adulthood. Febrile seizures induced an upregulation of GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) in neonatally generated granule cells, and hyperactivation of excitatory GABA(A)-Rs caused a reversal in the direction of granule cell migration. This abnormal migration was prevented by RNAi-mediated knockdown of the Na(+)K(+)2Cl(-) co-transporter (NKCC1), which regulates the excitatory action of GABA. NKCC1 inhibition with bumetanide after febrile seizures rescued the granule cell ectopia, susceptibility to limbic seizures and development of epilepsy. Thus, this work identifies a previously unknown pathogenic role of excitatory GABA(A)-R signaling and highlights NKCC1 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing granule cell ectopia and the development of epilepsy after febrile seizures.

Optimization for blast furnace slag dry cooling granulation device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dazhan, Sheng; Yali, Wang; Ruiyun, Wang; Suping, Cui; Xiaoyu, Ma

2017-03-01

Since the large accumulation amount of blast furnace slag (BFS) with recycling value, it has become a hot topic for recovery utilization. Compared with the existing various BFS granulation process, the dry granulation process can promote the use of blast furnace granulated slag as cement substitute and concrete admixtures. Our research group developed a novel dry cooling granulation experiment device to treat BFS. However, there are still some problems to be solved. The purpose of this research is to improve the cooling and granulation efficiency of the existing dry type cooling equipment. This topic uses the FLUENT simulation software to study the impact of the number of air inlet on the cooling effect of the device. The simulation result is that the device possessing eight air inlets can increase the number of hot and cold gas exchanged, resulting in a better cooling effect. According to the power consumption, LCA analysis was carried out on the cooling granulation process. The results show that the device equipped eight air inlets not only improved the original equipment cooling granulation effect, but also increased resource utilization ratio, realized energy-saving and emission reduction.

Composition of the carbohydrate granules of the cyanobacterium, Cyanothece sp. strain ATCC 51142

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneegurt, M. A.; Sherman, D. M.; Sherman, L. A.; Mitchell, C. A. (Principal Investigator)

1997-01-01

Cyanothece sp. strain ATCC 51142 is an aerobic, unicellular, diazotrophic cyanobacterium that temporally separates O2-sensitive N2 fixation from oxygenic photosynthesis. The energy and reducing power needed for N2 fixation appears to be generated by an active respiratory apparatus that utilizes the contents of large interthylakoidal carbohydrate granules. We report here on the carbohydrate and protein composition of the granules of Cyanothece sp. strain ATCC 51142. The carbohydrate component is a glucose homopolymer with branches every nine residues and is chemically identical to glycogen. Granule-associated protein fractions showed temporal changes in the number of proteins and their abundance during the metabolic oscillations observed under diazotrophic conditions. There also were temporal changes in the protein pattern of the granule-depleted supernatant fractions from diazotrophic cultures. None of the granule-associated proteins crossreacted with antisera directed against several glycogen-metabolizing enzymes or nitrogenase, although these proteins were tentatively identified in supernatant fractions. It is suggested that the granule-associated proteins are structural proteins required to maintain a complex granule architecture.

Bioaugmentation of half-matured granular sludge with special microbial culture promoted establishment of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degrading aerobic granules.

PubMed

Quan, Xiangchun; Ma, Jingyun; Xiong, Weicong; Wang, Xinrui

2015-06-01

Aerobic granular sludge degrading recalcitrant compounds are generally hard to be cultivated. This study investigated the feasibility of cultivating 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) degrading aerobic granules using half-matured sludge granules pre-grown on glucose as the seeds and bioaugmentation with a 2,4-D degrading strain Achromobacter sp. QXH. Results showed that bioaugmentation promoted the steady transformation of glucose-grown granules to 2,4-D degrading sludge granules and fast establishment of 2,4-D degradation ability. The 2,4-D degradation rate of the bioaugmented granules was enhanced by 36-62 % compared to the control at 2,4-D concentrations of 144-565 mg/L on Day 18. The inoculated strain was incorporated into the half-matured granules successfully and survived till the end of operation (220 days). Sludge granules at a mean size of 420 µm and capable of utilizing 500 mg/L 2,4-D as the sole carbon source were finally obtained. Sludge microbial community shifted slightly during the whole operation and the dominant bacteria species belonged to Proteobacteria.

Glucokinase is an integral component of the insulin granules in glucose-responsive insulin secretory cells and does not translocate during glucose stimulation.

PubMed

Arden, Catherine; Harbottle, Andrew; Baltrusch, Simone; Tiedge, Markus; Agius, Loranne

2004-09-01

The association of glucokinase with insulin secretory granules has been shown by cell microscopy techniques. We used MIN6 insulin-secretory cells and organelle fractionation to determine the effects of glucose on the subcellular distribution of glucokinase. After permeabilization with digitonin, 50% of total glucokinase remained bound intracellularly, while 30% was associated with the 13,000g particulate fraction. After density gradient fractionation of the organelles, immunoreactive glucokinase was distributed approximately equally between dense insulin granules and low-density organelles that cofractionate with mitochondria. Although MIN6 cells show glucose-responsive insulin secretion, glucokinase association with the granules and low-density organelles was not affected by glucose. Subfractionation of the insulin granule components by hypotonic lysis followed by sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that glucokinase colocalized with the granule membrane marker phogrin and not with insulin. PFK2 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase)/FDPase-2, a glucokinase-binding protein, and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, which has been implicated in granule fusion, also colocalized with glucokinase after hypotonic lysis or detergent extaction of the granules. The results suggest that glucokinase is an integral component of the granule and does not translocate during glucose stimulation.

Exocyst sec5 regulates exocytosis of newcomer insulin granules underlying biphasic insulin secretion.

PubMed

Xie, Li; Zhu, Dan; Kang, Youhou; Liang, Tao; He, Yu; Gaisano, Herbert Y

2013-01-01

The exocyst complex subunit Sec5 is a downstream effector of RalA-GTPase which promotes RalA-exocyst interactions and exocyst assembly, serving to tether secretory granules to docking sites on the plasma membrane. We recently reported that RalA regulates biphasic insulin secretion in pancreatic islet β cells in part by tethering insulin secretory granules to Ca(2+) channels to assist excitosome assembly. Here, we assessed β cell exocytosis by patch clamp membrane capacitance measurement and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to investigate the role of Sec5 in regulating insulin secretion. Sec5 is present in human and rodent islet β cells, localized to insulin granules. Sec5 protein depletion in rat INS-1 cells inhibited depolarization-induced release of primed insulin granules from both readily-releasable pool and mobilization from the reserve pool. This reduction in insulin exocytosis was attributed mainly to reduction in recruitment and exocytosis of newcomer insulin granules that undergo minimal docking time at the plasma membrane, but which encompassed a larger portion of biphasic glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Sec5 protein knockdown had little effect on predocked granules, unless vigorously stimulated by KCl depolarization. Taken together, newcomer insulin granules in β cells are more sensitive than predocked granules to Sec5 regulation.

IoT Big-Data Centred Knowledge Granule Analytic and Cluster Framework for BI Applications: A Case Base Analysis.

PubMed

Chang, Hsien-Tsung; Mishra, Nilamadhab; Lin, Chung-Chih

2015-01-01

The current rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) in various commercial and non-commercial sectors has led to the deposition of large-scale IoT data, of which the time-critical analytic and clustering of knowledge granules represent highly thought-provoking application possibilities. The objective of the present work is to inspect the structural analysis and clustering of complex knowledge granules in an IoT big-data environment. In this work, we propose a knowledge granule analytic and clustering (KGAC) framework that explores and assembles knowledge granules from IoT big-data arrays for a business intelligence (BI) application. Our work implements neuro-fuzzy analytic architecture rather than a standard fuzzified approach to discover the complex knowledge granules. Furthermore, we implement an enhanced knowledge granule clustering (e-KGC) mechanism that is more elastic than previous techniques when assembling the tactical and explicit complex knowledge granules from IoT big-data arrays. The analysis and discussion presented here show that the proposed framework and mechanism can be implemented to extract knowledge granules from an IoT big-data array in such a way as to present knowledge of strategic value to executives and enable knowledge users to perform further BI actions.

Granulation for Coking Wastewater Treatment in a Coupled Anaerobic-Aerobic Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Chunjuan; Lv, Bingnan

2018-06-01

A coupled anaerobic-aerobic granular bio-film reactor was employed with two operation stages: Stage I, granular sludge was formed from digestion sludge using brewery wastewater, and Stage II, granular sludge was acclimatized using coking wastewater. Two oxygenation methods (i.e. A and B) were employed to acclimatize the granules. For method A, dissolved O 2 was supplied through a continuous oxygenation way of 800-15000ml-min-1 . And for method B, dissolved O2 was supplied of 800-15000ml-min-1 18-12 times at 20-60min intervals, 1h each time. The experimental results showed that granules could quickly form in 10d in the EGSB reactor seeded with digestion sludge and little loose granules lack of nutrition, and it was the key factor for granules forming to add little loose granules. It took only about 6 months for granules acclimation using coking wastewater. Both oxygenation methods could run well when acclimatizing the granules. However, method A could have comparatively high and stable operation effect. The actual coking wastewater had distinct inhibition effect on the granules, but the supplement of some oxygen could promote the recovery of SMA, and NaHCO3 supplement could also weaken the inhibition effect of the CWW. Method A had more strongly activity recovery ability than method B.

IoT Big-Data Centred Knowledge Granule Analytic and Cluster Framework for BI Applications: A Case Base Analysis

PubMed Central

Chang, Hsien-Tsung; Mishra, Nilamadhab; Lin, Chung-Chih

2015-01-01

The current rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) in various commercial and non-commercial sectors has led to the deposition of large-scale IoT data, of which the time-critical analytic and clustering of knowledge granules represent highly thought-provoking application possibilities. The objective of the present work is to inspect the structural analysis and clustering of complex knowledge granules in an IoT big-data environment. In this work, we propose a knowledge granule analytic and clustering (KGAC) framework that explores and assembles knowledge granules from IoT big-data arrays for a business intelligence (BI) application. Our work implements neuro-fuzzy analytic architecture rather than a standard fuzzified approach to discover the complex knowledge granules. Furthermore, we implement an enhanced knowledge granule clustering (e-KGC) mechanism that is more elastic than previous techniques when assembling the tactical and explicit complex knowledge granules from IoT big-data arrays. The analysis and discussion presented here show that the proposed framework and mechanism can be implemented to extract knowledge granules from an IoT big-data array in such a way as to present knowledge of strategic value to executives and enable knowledge users to perform further BI actions. PMID:26600156

Experimental studies on the effect of moisture content and volume resistivity on electrostatic behaviour of pharmaceutical powders.

PubMed

Choi, Kwangseok; Taghavivand, Milad; Zhang, Lifeng

2017-03-15

Pharmaceutical powders are mainly organic materials and are likely to be charged due to repeated inter-particle and particle-wall contacts during industrial processes. This study experimentally investigated the effect of moisture content (ranging from approximately 1.8 to 30wt.%) on tribocharging behaviour of pharmaceutical granules, as well as their apparent volume resistivity. The tribocharging behaviour of pharmaceutical granules was investigated using a rotating device and apparent volume resistivity was measured in a conventional volume resistivity test cell. Additional measurements were performed on individual ingredients, each having the same moisture content as that of the granules, in order to investigate the effect of each single ingredient on the apparent volume resistivity of granules. In this work, the individual ingredients used for granules were: α-Lactose Monohydrate (α-LMH), Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), and Croscarmellose Sodium (CCS). The results showed that the specific charge of granules began to increase at the moisture contents below 5wt.%, which can be referred as critical moisture content of granules. The apparent volume resistivity showed the same behaviour, indicating that the specific charge could be due to an increase in apparent volume resistivity of granules at reduced moisture content. Finally, it was shown that the apparent volume resistivity measured for granules was mainly affected by that of the α-LMH, the major component of granules accounting for 40wt.%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Process Analytical Technology for High Shear Wet Granulation: Wet Mass Consistency Reported by In-Line Drag Flow Force Sensor Is Consistent With Powder Rheology Measured by At-Line FT4 Powder Rheometer.

PubMed

Narang, Ajit S; Sheverev, Valery; Freeman, Tim; Both, Douglas; Stepaniuk, Vadim; Delancy, Michael; Millington-Smith, Doug; Macias, Kevin; Subramanian, Ganeshkumar

2016-01-01

Drag flow force (DFF) sensor that measures the force exerted by wet mass in a granulator on a thin cylindrical probe was shown as a promising process analytical technology for real-time in-line high-resolution monitoring of wet mass consistency during high shear wet granulation. Our previous studies indicated that this process analytical technology tool could be correlated to granulation end point established independently through drug product critical quality attributes. In this study, the measurements of flow force by a DFF sensor, taken during wet granulation of 3 placebo formulations with different binder content, are compared with concurrent at line FT4 Powder Rheometer characterization of wet granules collected at different time points of the processing. The wet mass consistency measured by the DFF sensor correlated well with the granulation's resistance to flow and interparticulate interactions as measured by FT4 Powder Rheometer. This indicated that the force pulse magnitude measured by the DFF sensor was indicative of fundamental material properties (e.g., shear viscosity and granule size/density), as they were changing during the granulation process. These studies indicate that DFF sensor can be a valuable tool for wet granulation formulation and process development and scale up, as well as for routine monitoring and control during manufacturing. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

CSR-1 and P granules suppress sperm-specific transcription in the C. elegans germline

PubMed Central

Campbell, Anne C.; Updike, Dustin L.

2015-01-01

Germ granules (P granules) in C. elegans are required for fertility and function to maintain germ cell identity and pluripotency. Sterility in the absence of P granules is often accompanied by the misexpression of soma-specific proteins and the initiation of somatic differentiation in germ cells. To investigate whether this is caused by the accumulation of somatic transcripts, we performed mRNA-seq on dissected germlines with and without P granules. Strikingly, we found that somatic transcripts do not increase in the young adult germline when P granules are impaired. Instead, we found that impairing P granules causes sperm-specific mRNAs to become highly overexpressed. This includes the accumulation of major sperm protein (MSP) transcripts in germ cells, a phenotype that is suppressed by feminization of the germline. A core component of P granules, the endo-siRNA-binding Argonaute protein CSR-1, has recently been ascribed with the ability to license transcripts for germline expression. However, impairing CSR-1 has very little effect on the accumulation of its mRNA targets. Instead, we found that CSR-1 functions with P granules to prevent MSP and sperm-specific mRNAs from being transcribed in the hermaphrodite germline. These findings suggest that P granules protect germline integrity through two different mechanisms, by (1) preventing the inappropriate expression of somatic proteins at the level of translational regulation, and by (2) functioning with CSR-1 to limit the domain of sperm-specific expression at the level of transcription. PMID:25968310

ELLI-1, a novel germline protein, modulates RNAi activity and P-granule accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

PubMed Central

Andralojc, Karolina M.; Kelly, Ashley L.; Tanner, Paige C.

2017-01-01

Germ cells contain non-membrane bound cytoplasmic organelles that help maintain germline integrity. In C. elegans they are called P granules; without them, the germline undergoes partial masculinization and aberrant differentiation. One key P-granule component is the Argonaute CSR-1, a small-RNA binding protein that antagonizes accumulation of sperm-specific transcripts in developing oocytes and fine-tunes expression of proteins critical to early embryogenesis. Loss of CSR-1 complex components results in a very specific, enlarged P-granule phenotype. In a forward screen to identify mutants with abnormal P granules, ten alleles were recovered with a csr-1 P-granule phenotype, eight of which contain mutations in known components of the CSR-1 complex (csr-1, ego-1, ekl-1, and drh-3). The remaining two alleles are in a novel gene now called elli-1 (enlarged germline granules). ELLI-1 is first expressed in primordial germ cells during mid-embryogenesis, and continues to be expressed in the adult germline. While ELLI-1 forms cytoplasmic aggregates, they occasionally dock, but do not co-localize with P granules. Instead, the majority of ELLI-1 aggregates accumulate in the shared germline cytoplasm. In elli-1 mutants, several genes that promote RNAi and P-granule accumulation are upregulated, and embryonic lethality, sterility, and RNAi resistance in a hypomorphic drh-3 allele is enhanced, suggesting that ELLI-1 functions with CSR-1 to modulate RNAi activity, P-granule accumulation, and post-transcriptional expression in the germline. PMID:28182654

Ultrastructural and functional characterization of circulating hemocytes from the freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus: cell types and their role after in vivo artificial non-self challenge.

PubMed

Giulianini, Piero Giulio; Bierti, Manuel; Lorenzon, Simonetta; Battistella, Silvia; Ferrero, Enrico Antonio

2007-01-01

The freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) is an important aquacultured decapod species as well as an invasive species in some European countries. In the current investigation we characterized the different classes of circulating blood cells in A. leptodactylus by means of light and electron microscopy analysis and we explored their reaction to different latex beads particles in vivo by total and differential cell counts at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4h after injections. We identified hemocytes by granule size morphometry as hyaline hemocytes with no or rare tiny granules, small granule hemocytes, unimodal medium diameter granule hemocytes and both small and large granule containing hemocytes. The latter granular hemocytes showed the strongest phenoloxidase l-DOPA reactivity both in granules and cytoplasm. A. leptodactylus respond to foreign particles with strong cellular immune responses. All treatments elicited a total hemocyte increase with a conspicuous recruitment of large granule containing hemocytes. All hemocyte types mounted some phagocytic response but the small granule hemocytes were the only ones involved in phagocytic response to all foreign particles with the highest percentages. These results (1) depict the variability in decapod hemocyte functional morphology; (2) identify the small granule hemocyte as the major phagocytic cell; (3) suggest that the rather rapid recruitment of large granule hemocyte in all treatments plays a relevant role by this hemocyte type in defense against foreign particles, probably in nodule formation.

Reduced starch granule number per chloroplast in the dpe2/phs1 mutant is dependent on initiation of starch degradation

PubMed Central

Malinova, Irina

2017-01-01

An Arabidopsis double knock-out mutant lacking cytosolic disproportionating enzyme 2 (DPE2) and the plastidial phosphorylase (PHS1) revealed a dwarf-growth phenotype, reduced starch content, an uneven distribution of starch within the plant rosette, and a reduced number of starch granules per chloroplast under standard growth conditions. In contrast, the wild type contained 5–7 starch granules per chloroplast. Mature and old leaves of the double mutant were essentially starch free and showed plastidial disintegration. Several analyses revealed that the number of starch granules per chloroplast was affected by the dark phase. So far, it was unclear if it was the dark phase per se or starch degradation in the dark that was connected to the observed decrease in the number of starch granules per chloroplast. Therefore, in the background of the double mutant dpe2/phs1, a triple mutant was generated lacking the initial starch degrading enzyme glucan, water dikinase (GWD). The triple mutant showed improved plant growth, a starch-excess phenotype, and a homogeneous starch distribution. Furthermore, the number of starch granules per chloroplast was increased and was similar to wild type. However, starch granule morphology was only slightly affected by the lack of GWD as in the triple mutant and, like in dpe2/phs1, more spherical starch granules were observed. The characterized triple mutant was discussed in the context of the generation of starch granules and the formation of starch granule morphology. PMID:29155859

Reduced starch granule number per chloroplast in the dpe2/phs1 mutant is dependent on initiation of starch degradation.

PubMed

Malinova, Irina; Fettke, Joerg

2017-01-01

An Arabidopsis double knock-out mutant lacking cytosolic disproportionating enzyme 2 (DPE2) and the plastidial phosphorylase (PHS1) revealed a dwarf-growth phenotype, reduced starch content, an uneven distribution of starch within the plant rosette, and a reduced number of starch granules per chloroplast under standard growth conditions. In contrast, the wild type contained 5-7 starch granules per chloroplast. Mature and old leaves of the double mutant were essentially starch free and showed plastidial disintegration. Several analyses revealed that the number of starch granules per chloroplast was affected by the dark phase. So far, it was unclear if it was the dark phase per se or starch degradation in the dark that was connected to the observed decrease in the number of starch granules per chloroplast. Therefore, in the background of the double mutant dpe2/phs1, a triple mutant was generated lacking the initial starch degrading enzyme glucan, water dikinase (GWD). The triple mutant showed improved plant growth, a starch-excess phenotype, and a homogeneous starch distribution. Furthermore, the number of starch granules per chloroplast was increased and was similar to wild type. However, starch granule morphology was only slightly affected by the lack of GWD as in the triple mutant and, like in dpe2/phs1, more spherical starch granules were observed. The characterized triple mutant was discussed in the context of the generation of starch granules and the formation of starch granule morphology.

Melt Adsorption as a Manufacturing Method for Fine Particles of Wax Matrices without Any Agglomerates.

PubMed

Shiino, Kai; Fujinami, Yukari; Kimura, Shin-Ichiro; Iwao, Yasunori; Noguchi, Shuji; Itai, Shigeru

2017-01-01

We have focused on melt adsorption as manufacture method of wax matrices to control particles size of granules more easily than melt granulation. The purpose of present study was to investigate the possibility of identifying a hydrophobic material with a low melting point, currently used as a meltable binder of melt granulation, to apply as a novel carrier in melt adsorption. Glyceryl monostearate (GM) and stearic acid (SA) were selected as candidate hydrophobic materials with low melting points. Neusilin US2 (US2), with a particle diameter of around 100 µm was selected as a surface adsorbent, while dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), was used as a non-adsorbent control to prepare melting granules as a standard for comparison. We prepared granules containing ibuprofen (IBU) by melt adsorption or melt granulation and evaluated the particle size, physical properties and crystallinity of granules. Compared with melt granulation using DCPD, melt adsorption can be performed over a wide range of 14 to 70% for the ratio of molten components. Moreover, the particle size; d50 of obtained granules was 100-200 µm, and these physical properties showed good flowability and roundness. The process of melt adsorption did not affect the crystalline form of IBU. Therefore, the present study has demonstrated for the first time that melt adsorption using a hydrophobic material, GM or SA, has the potential capability to control the particle size of granules and offers the possibility of application as a novel controlled release technique.

Continuous melt granulation: Influence of process and formulation parameters upon granule and tablet properties.

PubMed

Monteyne, Tinne; Vancoillie, Jochem; Remon, Jean-Paul; Vervaet, Chris; De Beer, Thomas

2016-10-01

The pharmaceutical industry has a growing interest in alternative manufacturing models allowing automation and continuous production in order to improve process efficiency and reduce costs. Implementing a switch from batch to continuous processing requires fundamental process understanding and the implementation of quality-by-design (QbD) principles. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between formulation-parameters (type binder, binder concentration, drug-binder miscibility), process-parameters (screw speed, powder feed rate and granulation temperature), granule properties (size, size distribution, shape, friability, true density, flowability) and tablet properties (tensile strength, friability, dissolution rate) of four different drug-binder formulations using Design of experiments (DOE). Two binders (polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Soluplus®) with a different solid state, semi-crystalline vs amorphous respectively, were combined with two model-drugs, metoprolol tartrate (MPT) and caffeine anhydrous (CAF), both having a contrasting miscibility with the binders. This research revealed that the granule properties of miscible drug-binder systems depended on the powder feed rate and barrel filling degree of the granulator whereas the granule properties of immiscible systems were mainly influenced by binder concentration. Using an amorphous binder, the tablet tensile strength depended on the granule size. In contrast, granule friability was more important for tablet quality using a brittle binder. However, this was not the case for caffeine-containing blends, since these phenomena were dominated by the enhanced compression properties of caffeine Form I, which was formed during granulation. Hence, it is important to gain knowledge about formulation behavior during processing since this influences the effect of process parameters onto the granule and tablet properties. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Role for Glutamate Transporters in the Regulation of Insulin Secretion

PubMed Central

Gammelsaeter, Runhild; Coppola, Thierry; Marcaggi, Païkan; Storm-Mathisen, Jon; Chaudhry, Farrukh A.; Attwell, David; Regazzi, Romano; Gundersen, Vidar

2011-01-01

In the brain, glutamate is an extracellular transmitter that mediates cell-to-cell communication. Prior to synaptic release it is pumped into vesicles by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). To inactivate glutamate receptor responses after release, glutamate is taken up into glial cells or neurons by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). In the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, glutamate is proposed to act as an intracellular messenger, regulating insulin secretion from β-cells, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. By immunogold cytochemistry we show that insulin containing secretory granules express VGLUT3. Despite the fact that they have a VGLUT, the levels of glutamate in these granules are low, indicating the presence of a protein that can transport glutamate out of the granules. Surprisingly, in β-cells the glutamate transporter EAAT2 is located, not in the plasma membrane as it is in brain cells, but exclusively in insulin-containing secretory granules, together with VGLUT3. In EAAT2 knock out mice, the content of glutamate in secretory granules is higher than in wild type mice. These data imply a glutamate cycle in which glutamate is carried into the granules by VGLUT3 and carried out by EAAT2. Perturbing this cycle by knocking down EAAT2 expression with a small interfering RNA, or by over-expressing EAAT2 or a VGLUT in insulin granules, significantly reduced the rate of granule exocytosis. Simulations of granule energetics suggest that VGLUT3 and EAAT2 may regulate the pH and membrane potential of the granules and thereby regulate insulin secretion. These data suggest that insulin secretion from β-cells is modulated by the flux of glutamate through the secretory granules. PMID:21853059

New Starch Phenotypes Produced by TILLING in Barley

PubMed Central

Sparla, Francesca; Falini, Giuseppe; Botticella, Ermelinda; Pirone, Claudia; Talamè, Valentina; Bovina, Riccardo; Salvi, Silvio; Tuberosa, Roberto; Sestili, Francesco; Trost, Paolo

2014-01-01

Barley grain starch is formed by amylose and amylopectin in a 1∶3 ratio, and is packed into granules of different dimensions. The distribution of granule dimension is bimodal, with a majority of small spherical B-granules and a smaller amount of large discoidal A-granules containing the majority of the starch. Starch granules are semi-crystalline structures with characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns. Distinct features of starch granules are controlled by different enzymes and are relevant for nutritional value or industrial applications. Here, the Targeting-Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) approach was applied on the barley TILLMore TILLING population to identify 29 new alleles in five genes related to starch metabolism known to be expressed in the endosperm during grain filling: BMY1 (Beta-amylase 1), GBSSI (Granule Bound Starch Synthase I), LDA1 (Limit Dextrinase 1), SSI (Starch Synthase I), SSIIa (Starch Synthase IIa). Reserve starch of nine M3 mutant lines carrying missense or nonsense mutations was analysed for granule size, crystallinity and amylose/amylopectin content. Seven mutant lines presented starches with different features in respect to the wild-type: (i) a mutant line with a missense mutation in GBSSI showed a 4-fold reduced amylose/amylopectin ratio; (ii) a missense mutations in SSI resulted in 2-fold increase in A:B granule ratio; (iii) a nonsense mutation in SSIIa was associated with shrunken seeds with a 2-fold increased amylose/amylopectin ratio and different type of crystal packing in the granule; (iv) the remaining four missense mutations suggested a role of LDA1 in granule initiation, and of SSIIa in determining the size of A-granules. We demonstrate the feasibility of the TILLING approach to identify new alleles in genes related to starch metabolism in barley. Based on their novel physicochemical properties, some of the identified new mutations may have nutritional and/or industrial applications. PMID:25271438

Downstream processing from melt granulation towards tablets: In-depth analysis of a continuous twin-screw melt granulation process using polymeric binders.

PubMed

Grymonpré, W; Verstraete, G; Vanhoorne, V; Remon, J P; De Beer, T; Vervaet, C

2018-03-01

The concept of twin-screw melt granulation (TSMG) has steadily (re)-gained interest in pharmaceutical formulation development as an intermediate step during tablet manufacturing. However, to be considered as a viable processing option for solid oral dosage forms there is a need to understand all critical sources of variability which could affect this granulation technique. The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth analysis of the continuous TSMG process in order to expose the critical process parameters (CPP) and elucidate the impact of process and formulation parameters on the critical quality attributes (CQA) of granules and tablets during continuous TSMG. A first part of the study dealt with the screening of various amorphous polymers as binder for producing high-dosed melt granules of two model drug (i.e. acetaminophen and hydrochlorothiazide). The second part of this study described a quality-by-design (QbD) approach for melt granulation of hydrochlorothiazide in order to thoroughly evaluate TSMG, milling and tableting stage of the continuous TSMG line. Using amorphous polymeric binders resulted in melt granules with high milling efficiency due to their brittle behaviour without producing excessive amounts of fines, providing high granule yields with low friability. Therefore, it makes them extremely suitable for further downstream processing. One of the most important CPP during TSMG with polymeric binders was the granulation-torque, which - in case of polymers with high T g - increased during longer granulation runs to critical levels endangering the continuous process flow. However, by optimizing both screw speed and throughput or changing to polymeric binders with lower T g it was possible to significantly reduce this risk. This research paper highlighted that TSMG must be considered as a viable option during formulation development of solid oral dosage forms based on the robustness of the CQA of both melt granules and tablets. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

NEW METHODOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS USING HIGH-SHEAR GRANULATION PROCESS.

PubMed

Ali, Bahaa E; Al-Shedfat, Ramadan I; Fayed, Mohamed H; Alanazi, Fars K

2017-05-01

Development of orodispersible delivery system of high mechanical properties and low disintegration time is a big challenge. The aim of the current work was to assess and optimize the high shear granulation process as a new methodology for development of orodispersible tablets of high quality attributes using design of experiment approach. A two factor, three levels (32), full factorial design was carried out to investigate the main and interaction effects of independent variables, water amount (XI) and granulation time (X2) on the characteristics of granules and final product, tablet. The produced granules were analyzed for their granule size, density and flowability. Furthermore, the produced tablets were tested for: weight variation, breaking force/ crushing strength, friability, disintegration time and drug dissolution. Regression analysis results of multiple linear models showed a high correlation between the adjusted R-squared and predicted R-squared for all granules and tablets characteristics, the difference is less than 0.2. All dependent responses of granules and tablets were found to be impacted significantly (p < 0.05) by the two independent variables. However, water amount demonstrated the most dominant effect for all granules and tablet characteristics as shown by higher its coefficient estimate for all selected responses. Numerical optimization using desirability function was performed to optimize the variables under study to provide orodispersible system within the USP limit with respect of mechanical properties and disintegration time. It was found that the higher desirability (0.915) could be attained at the low level pf water (180 g) and short granulation time (1.65 min). Eventually, this study provides the formulator with helpful information in selecting the proper level of water and granulation time to provide an orodispersible system of high crushing strength and very low disintegration time, when high shear granulation methodology was used as a method of manufacture.

New starch phenotypes produced by TILLING in barley.

PubMed

Sparla, Francesca; Falini, Giuseppe; Botticella, Ermelinda; Pirone, Claudia; Talamè, Valentina; Bovina, Riccardo; Salvi, Silvio; Tuberosa, Roberto; Sestili, Francesco; Trost, Paolo

2014-01-01

Barley grain starch is formed by amylose and amylopectin in a 1:3 ratio, and is packed into granules of different dimensions. The distribution of granule dimension is bimodal, with a majority of small spherical B-granules and a smaller amount of large discoidal A-granules containing the majority of the starch. Starch granules are semi-crystalline structures with characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns. Distinct features of starch granules are controlled by different enzymes and are relevant for nutritional value or industrial applications. Here, the Targeting-Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) approach was applied on the barley TILLMore TILLING population to identify 29 new alleles in five genes related to starch metabolism known to be expressed in the endosperm during grain filling: BMY1 (Beta-amylase 1), GBSSI (Granule Bound Starch Synthase I), LDA1 (Limit Dextrinase 1), SSI (Starch Synthase I), SSIIa (Starch Synthase IIa). Reserve starch of nine M3 mutant lines carrying missense or nonsense mutations was analysed for granule size, crystallinity and amylose/amylopectin content. Seven mutant lines presented starches with different features in respect to the wild-type: (i) a mutant line with a missense mutation in GBSSI showed a 4-fold reduced amylose/amylopectin ratio; (ii) a missense mutations in SSI resulted in 2-fold increase in A:B granule ratio; (iii) a nonsense mutation in SSIIa was associated with shrunken seeds with a 2-fold increased amylose/amylopectin ratio and different type of crystal packing in the granule; (iv) the remaining four missense mutations suggested a role of LDA1 in granule initiation, and of SSIIa in determining the size of A-granules. We demonstrate the feasibility of the TILLING approach to identify new alleles in genes related to starch metabolism in barley. Based on their novel physicochemical properties, some of the identified new mutations may have nutritional and/or industrial applications.

Bacterial Selection during the Formation of Early-Stage Aerobic Granules in Wastewater Treatment Systems Operated Under Wash-Out Dynamics

PubMed Central

Weissbrodt, David G.; Lochmatter, Samuel; Ebrahimi, Sirous; Rossi, Pierre; Maillard, Julien; Holliger, Christof

2012-01-01

Aerobic granular sludge is attractive for high-rate biological wastewater treatment. Biomass wash-out conditions stimulate the formation of aerobic granules. Deteriorated performances in biomass settling and nutrient removal during start-up have however often been reported. The effect of wash-out dynamics was investigated on bacterial selection, biomass settling behavior, and metabolic activities during the formation of early-stage granules from activated sludge of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) over start-up periods of maximum 60 days. Five bubble-column sequencing batch reactors were operated with feast-famine regimes consisting of rapid pulse or slow anaerobic feeding followed by aerobic starvation. Slow-settling fluffy granules were formed when an insufficient superficial air velocity (SAV; 1.8 cm s−1) was applied, when the inoculation sludge was taken from a WWTP removing organic matter only, or when reactors were operated at 30°C. Fast-settling dense granules were obtained with 4.0 cm s−1 SAV, or when the inoculation sludge was taken from a WWTP removing all nutrients biologically. However, only carbon was aerobically removed during start-up. Fluffy granules and dense granules were displaying distinct predominant phylotypes, namely filamentous Burkholderiales affiliates and Zoogloea relatives, respectively. The latter were predominant in dense granules independently from the feeding regime. A combination of insufficient solid retention time and of leakage of acetate into the aeration phase during intensive biomass wash-out was the cause for the proliferation of Zoogloea spp. in dense granules, and for the deterioration of BNR performances. It is however not certain that Zoogloea-like organisms are essential in granule formation. Optimal operation conditions should be elucidated for maintaining a balance between organisms with granulation propensity and nutrient removing organisms in order to form granules with BNR activities in short start-up periods. PMID:22993513

Bacterial Selection during the Formation of Early-Stage Aerobic Granules in Wastewater Treatment Systems Operated Under Wash-Out Dynamics.

PubMed

Weissbrodt, David G; Lochmatter, Samuel; Ebrahimi, Sirous; Rossi, Pierre; Maillard, Julien; Holliger, Christof

2012-01-01

Aerobic granular sludge is attractive for high-rate biological wastewater treatment. Biomass wash-out conditions stimulate the formation of aerobic granules. Deteriorated performances in biomass settling and nutrient removal during start-up have however often been reported. The effect of wash-out dynamics was investigated on bacterial selection, biomass settling behavior, and metabolic activities during the formation of early-stage granules from activated sludge of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) over start-up periods of maximum 60 days. Five bubble-column sequencing batch reactors were operated with feast-famine regimes consisting of rapid pulse or slow anaerobic feeding followed by aerobic starvation. Slow-settling fluffy granules were formed when an insufficient superficial air velocity (SAV; 1.8 cm s(-1)) was applied, when the inoculation sludge was taken from a WWTP removing organic matter only, or when reactors were operated at 30°C. Fast-settling dense granules were obtained with 4.0 cm s(-1) SAV, or when the inoculation sludge was taken from a WWTP removing all nutrients biologically. However, only carbon was aerobically removed during start-up. Fluffy granules and dense granules were displaying distinct predominant phylotypes, namely filamentous Burkholderiales affiliates and Zoogloea relatives, respectively. The latter were predominant in dense granules independently from the feeding regime. A combination of insufficient solid retention time and of leakage of acetate into the aeration phase during intensive biomass wash-out was the cause for the proliferation of Zoogloea spp. in dense granules, and for the deterioration of BNR performances. It is however not certain that Zoogloea-like organisms are essential in granule formation. Optimal operation conditions should be elucidated for maintaining a balance between organisms with granulation propensity and nutrient removing organisms in order to form granules with BNR activities in short start-up periods.

Effect of formulation and process variables on lipid based sustained release tablets via continuous twin screw granulation: A comparative study.

PubMed

Kallakunta, Venkata Raman; Tiwari, Roshan; Sarabu, Sandeep; Bandari, Suresh; Repka, Michael A

2018-05-14

The current study's aim is to prepare lipid based sustained release tablets via a twin-screw granulation technique and compare those dosage forms with conventional techniques, namely wet granulation and direct compression. The granules were successfully manufactured in a single-step, continuous twin-screw granulation process with a low proportion of binder (Klucel™ EF, HPC SSL) using Compritol® 888 ATO, Precirol® ATO 5 and Geleol™ as sustained release agents. The granules prepared showed good flow characteristics and compaction properties. DSC and XRD studies were conducted to characterize the granules prepared via a twin-screw granulation method and the results demonstrated the crystalline nature of lipids within the granules. FTIR data indicated that there were no interactions with the formulation components investigated. The formulations developed by all three methods were compressed into tablets with a mechanical strength of 14-16 KP. The tablets formulated were characterized for physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release studies, water uptake and erosion studies. These results showed that the drug was not completely released after 24 h for tablets developed by the wet granulation process using all three lipids. The tablets prepared by the direct compression method demonstrated a burst release within 8 to 10 h from Precirol ATO 5® and Geleol™ formulations compared to Compritol® 888 ATO. However, tablets prepared using twin-screw granulation exhibited sustained release of the drug over 24 h and the water uptake and erosion results were in accordance with dissolution data. Stability data for 45 days at accelerated conditions (40 °C/75% RH) showed similar release profiles with ƒ2 values above 50 for all of the twin screw granulation formulations, indicating the suitability of the process for formulating sustained release tablets. These findings of a single-step, continuous twin-screw granulation process are novel and demonstrate new opportunities for development of sustained release tablets. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Usage of humic materials for formulation of stable microbial inoculants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kydralieva, K. A.; Khudaibergenova, B. M.; Elchin, A. A.; Gorbunova, N. V.; Muratov, V. S.; Jorobekova, Sh. J.

2009-04-01

Some microbes have been domesticated for environment service, for example in a variety of novel applications, including efforts to reduce environmental problems. For instance, antagonistic organisms can be used as biological control agents to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, or efficient degraders can be applied as bioprophylactics to minimise the spread of chemical pollutants. Microorganisms can also be used for the biological clean-up of polluted soil or as plant growth-promoting bacteria that stimulate nutrient uptake. Many microbial applications require large-scale cultivation of the organisms. The biomass production must then be followed by formulation steps to ensure long-term stability and convenient use. However, there remains a need to further develop knowledge on how to optimise fermentation of "non-conventional microorganisms" for environmental applications involving the intact living cells. The goal of presented study is to develop fermentation and formulation techniques for termolabile rhizobacteria isolates - Pseudomonas spp. with major biotechnical potential. Development of efficient and cost-effective media and process parameters giving high cell yields are important priorities. This also involves establishing fermentation parameters yielding cells well adapted to subsequent formulation procedures. Collectively, these strategies will deliver a high proportion of viable cells with good long-term survival. Our main efforts were focused on development of more efficient drying techniques for microorganisms, particularly spray drying and fluidised bed-drying. The advantages of dry formulations are that storage and delivery costs are much lower than for liquid formulations and that long-term survival can be very high if initial packaging is carefully optimised. In order to improve and optimise formulations various kinds of humics-based excipients have been added that have beneficial effects on the viability of the organisms and the storage stability of the product. It is known that humic substances can increase of live organism resistance to stress loads, in particular to chemical stress, low and high temperature. Spray- and fluidized-bed drying and addition of humate-based drying protectants were evaluated for the development of dry formulations of biocontrol and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. The drying protectants - humic acids and sodium humate gave the highest initial survival rates and the most stable formulations, without significant losses of viability after storage for 1 month at 30oC. As a result, the specific plant growth promoting effect is retained. Thus, humic materials have an unfulfilled potential for biotechnology industries based on such applications. Acknowledgement. This research was supported by the grant of ISTC KR-993.2.

Stimulation of insulin release by glucose is associated with an increase in the number of docked granules in the beta-cells of rat pancreatic islets.

PubMed

Straub, Susanne G; Shanmugam, Geetha; Sharp, Geoffrey W G

2004-12-01

Electron microscopy and quantitative stereological techniques were used to study the dynamics of the docked granule pool in the rat pancreatic beta-cell. The mean number of granules per beta-cell was 11,136. After equilibration in RPMI containing 5.6 mmol/l glucose, 6.4% of the granules (approximately 700) were docked at the plasma membrane (also measured as [means +/- SE] 4.3 +/- 0.6 docked granules per 10 microm of plasma membrane at the perimeter of the cell sections). After a 40-min exposure to 16.7 mmol/l glucose, 10.2% of the granules (approximately 1,060) were docked (6.4 +/- 0.8 granules per 10 microm of plasma membrane). Thus, the docked pool increased by 50% during stimulation with glucose. Islets were also exposed to 16.7 mmol/l glucose in the absence or presence of 10 micromol/l nitrendipine. In the absence and presence of nitrendipine, there were 6.1 +/- 0.7 and 6.3 +/- 0.6 granules per 10 microm of membrane, respectively. Thus, glucose increased granule docking independently of increased [Ca2+]i and exocytosis. The data suggest a limit to the number of docking sites. As the rate of docking exceeded the rate of exocytosis, docking is not rate limiting for insulin release. Only with extremely high release rates, glucose stimulation after a 4-h incubation with a high concentration of fatty acid-free BSA, was the docked granule pool reduced in size.

CSR-1 and P granules suppress sperm-specific transcription in the C. elegans germline.

PubMed

Campbell, Anne C; Updike, Dustin L

2015-05-15

Germ granules (P granules) in C. elegans are required for fertility and function to maintain germ cell identity and pluripotency. Sterility in the absence of P granules is often accompanied by the misexpression of soma-specific proteins and the initiation of somatic differentiation in germ cells. To investigate whether this is caused by the accumulation of somatic transcripts, we performed mRNA-seq on dissected germlines with and without P granules. Strikingly, we found that somatic transcripts do not increase in the young adult germline when P granules are impaired. Instead, we found that impairing P granules causes sperm-specific mRNAs to become highly overexpressed. This includes the accumulation of major sperm protein (MSP) transcripts in germ cells, a phenotype that is suppressed by feminization of the germline. A core component of P granules, the endo-siRNA-binding Argonaute protein CSR-1, has recently been ascribed with the ability to license transcripts for germline expression. However, impairing CSR-1 has very little effect on the accumulation of its mRNA targets. Instead, we found that CSR-1 functions with P granules to prevent MSP and sperm-specific mRNAs from being transcribed in the hermaphrodite germline. These findings suggest that P granules protect germline integrity through two different mechanisms, by (1) preventing the inappropriate expression of somatic proteins at the level of translational regulation, and by (2) functioning with CSR-1 to limit the domain of sperm-specific expression at the level of transcription. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Identification of a multifunctional protein, PhaM, that determines number, surface to volume ratio, subcellular localization and distribution to daughter cells of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, granules in Ralstonia eutropha H16.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, Daniel; Wahl, Andreas; Jendrossek, Dieter

2011-11-01

A two-hybrid approach was applied to screen for proteins with the ability to interact with PHB synthase (PhaC1) of Ralstonia eutropha. The H16_A0141 gene (phaM) was identified in the majority of positive clones. PhaM (26.6 kDa) strongly interacted with PhaC1 and with phasin PhaP5 but not with PhaP1 or other PHB granule-associated proteins. A ΔphaM mutant accumulated only one or two large PHB granules instead of three to six medium-sized PHB granules of the wild type, and distribution of granules to daughter cells was disordered. All three phenotypes (number, size and distribution of PHB granules) were reversed by reintroduction of phaM. Purified PhaM revealed DNA-binding properties in gel mobility shift experiments. Expression of a fusion of the yellow fluorescent protein (eYfp) with PhaM resulted in formation of many small fluorescent granules that were bound to the nucleoid region. Remarkably, an eYfp-PhaP5 fusion localized at the cell poles in a PHB-negative background and overexpression of eYfp-PhaP5 in the wild type conferred binding of PHB granules to the cell poles. In conclusion, subcellular localization of PHB granules in R. eutropha depends on a concerted expression of at least three PHB granule-associated proteins, namely PhaM, PhaP5 and PHB synthase PhaC1. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Tracking the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in a Highly Ordered Neuronal RiboNucleoParticles Population: A Link between Stalled Polyribosomes and RNA Granules.

PubMed

El Fatimy, Rachid; Davidovic, Laetitia; Tremblay, Sandra; Jaglin, Xavier; Dury, Alain; Robert, Claude; De Koninck, Paul; Khandjian, Edouard W

2016-07-01

Local translation at the synapse plays key roles in neuron development and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. mRNAs are translocated from the neuronal soma to the distant synapses as compacted ribonucleoparticles referred to as RNA granules. These contain many RNA-binding proteins, including the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), the absence of which results in Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and the leading genetic cause of autism. Using FMRP as a tracer, we purified a specific population of RNA granules from mouse brain homogenates. Protein composition analyses revealed a strong relationship between polyribosomes and RNA granules. However, the latter have distinct architectural and structural properties, since they are detected as close compact structures as observed by electron microscopy, and converging evidence point to the possibility that these structures emerge from stalled polyribosomes. Time-lapse video microscopy indicated that single granules merge to form cargoes that are transported from the soma to distal locations. Transcriptomic analyses showed that a subset of mRNAs involved in cytoskeleton remodelling and neural development is selectively enriched in RNA granules. One third of the putative mRNA targets described for FMRP appear to be transported in granules and FMRP is more abundant in granules than in polyribosomes. This observation supports a primary role for FMRP in granules biology. Our findings open new avenues for the study of RNA granule dysfunctions in animal models of nervous system disorders, such as Fragile X syndrome.

Use of Mixer Torque Rheometer to Clarify the Relationship between the Kneading States of Wet Mass and the Dissolution of Final Product in High Shear Granulation.

PubMed

Otsuka, Tomoko; Kuroiwa, Yosuke; Sato, Kazunari; Yamashita, Kazunari; Hakomori, Tadashi; Kimura, Shin-Ichiro; Iwao, Yasunori; Itai, Shigeru

2018-01-01

The properties of wet mass, which indicate the progress of high shear granulation processes, usually have an effect on final product properties, such as tablet dissolution. The mixer torque rheometer (MTR) is a useful tool for quantitatively measuring the 'kneading state' of wet mass and detecting differences in granules. However, there have been no studies of the relationship between the MTR torque and the final product properties to date. In this study, we measured the MTR torque of wet granules at different kneading states, which were prepared by changing the granulation conditions. We then evaluated the relationship between the MTR torque and the dissolution rate of the final product properties. The amperage of the high shear granulator is usually monitored during granulation, but we could not detect a difference in the kneading state through the amperage. However, using MTR torque we were able to quantify the difference of the wet mass. Moreover, MTR torque showed a high correlation with dissolution, compared with the correlations with other intermediate properties, such as granules particle size and tablet hardness. These other properties are affected by following processes and are not properties that directly relate to the kneading state. Thus, MTR torque is a property of wet mass after granulation, and it can be used to directly evaluate differences of the kneading state, and as a result, dissolution. These results indicate the importance of controlling the kneading state, i.e., the progress of granulation, and the utility of MTR for detecting differences in wet mass.

High frequency pacing of edge localized modes by injection of lithium granules in DIII-D H-mode discharges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bortolon, A.; Maingi, R.; Mansfield, D. K.

A newly installed Lithium Granule Injector (LGI) was used to pace edge localized modes (ELM) in DIII-D. ELM pacing efficiency was studied injecting lithium granules of nominal diameter 0.3–0.9mm, speed of 50–120 m s -1 and average injection rates up to 100 Hz for 0.9mm granules and up to 700 Hz for 0.3mm granules. The efficiency of ELM triggering was found to depend strongly on size of the injected granules, with triggering efficiency close to 100% obtained with 0.9mm diameter granules, lower with smaller sizes, and weakly depending on granule velocity. Robust ELM pacing was demonstrated in ITER-like plasmas formore » the entire shot length, at ELM frequencies 3–5 times larger than the ‘natural’ ELM frequency observed in reference discharges. Within the range of ELM frequencies obtained, the peak ELM heat flux at the outer strike point was reduced with increasing pacing frequency. The peak heat flux reduction at the inner strike point appears to saturate at high pacing frequency. Lithium was found in the plasma core, with a concurrent reduction of metallic impurities and carbon. Altogether, high frequency ELM pacing using the lithium granule injection appears to be compatible with both H-mode energy confinement and attractive H-mode pedestal characteristics, but further assessment is need« less

Microtubule-dependent association of AKAP350A and CCAR1 with RNA stress granules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kolobova, Elena; Efimov, Andrey; Kaverina, Irina

Recent investigations have highlighted the importance of subcellular localization of mRNAs to cell function. While AKAP350A, a multifunctional scaffolding protein, localizes to the Golgi apparatus and centrosomes, we have now identified a cytosolic pool of AKAP350A. Analysis of AKAP350A scaffolded complexes revealed two novel interacting proteins, CCAR1 and caprin-1. CCAR1, caprin-1 and AKAP350A along with G3BP, a stress granule marker, relocate to RNA stress granules after arsenite treatment. Stress also caused loss of AKAP350 from the Golgi and fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus. Disruption of microtubules with nocodazole altered stress granule formation and changed their morphology by preventing fusion ofmore » stress granules. In the presence of nocodazole, arsenite induced smaller granules with the vast majority of AKAP350A and CCAR1 separated from G3BP-containing granules. Similar to nocodazole treatment, reduction of AKAP350A or CCAR1 expression also altered the size and number of G3BP-containing stress granules induced by arsenite treatment. A limited set of 69 mRNA transcripts was immunoisolated with AKAP350A even in the absence of stress, suggesting the association of AKAP350A with mRNA transcripts. These results provide the first evidence for the microtubule dependent association of AKAP350A and CCAR1 with RNA stress granules.« less

A Single-Granule-Level Approach Reveals Ecological Heterogeneity in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor

PubMed Central

Mei, Ran; Narihiro, Takashi; Bocher, Benjamin T. W.; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Liu, Wen-Tso

2016-01-01

Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor has served as an effective process to treat industrial wastewater such as purified terephthalic acid (PTA) wastewater. For optimal UASB performance, balanced ecological interactions between syntrophs, methanogens, and fermenters are critical. However, much of the interactions remain unclear because UASB have been studied at a “macro”-level perspective of the reactor ecosystem. In reality, such reactors are composed of a suite of granules, each forming individual micro-ecosystems treating wastewater. Thus, typical approaches may be oversimplifying the complexity of the microbial ecology and granular development. To identify critical microbial interactions at both macro- and micro- level ecosystem ecology, we perform community and network analyses on 300 PTA–degrading granules from a lab-scale UASB reactor and two full-scale reactors. Based on MiSeq-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing of individual granules, different granule-types co-exist in both full-scale reactors regardless of granule size and reactor sampling depth, suggesting that distinct microbial interactions occur in different granules throughout the reactor. In addition, we identify novel networks of syntrophic metabolic interactions in different granules, perhaps caused by distinct thermodynamic conditions. Moreover, unseen methanogenic relationships (e.g. “Candidatus Aminicenantes” and Methanosaeta) are observed in UASB reactors. In total, we discover unexpected microbial interactions in granular micro-ecosystems supporting UASB ecology and treatment through a unique single-granule level approach. PMID:27936088

Footprint area analysis of binary imaged Cupriavidus necator cells to study PHB production at balanced, transient, and limited growth conditions in a cascade process.

PubMed

Vadlja, Denis; Koller, Martin; Novak, Mario; Braunegg, Gerhart; Horvat, Predrag

2016-12-01

Statistical distribution of cell and poly[3-(R)-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB) granule size and number of granules per cell are investigated for PHB production in a five-stage cascade (5CSTR). Electron microscopic pictures of cells from individual cascade stages (R1-R5) were converted to binary pictures to visualize footprint areas for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and non-PHA biomass. Results for each stage were correlated to the corresponding experimentally determined kinetics (specific growth rate μ and specific productivity π). Log-normal distribution describes PHA granule size dissimilarity, whereas for R1 and R4, gamma distribution best reflects the situation. R1, devoted to balanced biomass synthesis, predominately contains cells with rather small granules, whereas with increasing residence time τ, maximum and average granule sizes by trend increase, approaching an upper limit determined by the cell's geometry. Generally, an increase of intracellular PHA content and ratio of granule to cell area slow down along the cascade. Further, the number of granules per cell decreases with increasing τ. Data for μ and π obtained by binary picture analysis correlate well with the experimental results. The work describes long-term continuous PHA production under balanced, transient, and nutrient-deficient conditions, as well as their reflection on the granules size, granule number, and cell structure on the microscopic level.

Odontogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Stimulated by the Calcium Phosphate Porous Granules

PubMed Central

Nam, Sunyoung; Won, Jong-Eun; Kim, Cheol-Hwan; Kim, Hae-Won

2011-01-01

Effects of three-dimensional (3D) calcium phosphate (CaP) porous granules on the growth and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were examined for dental tissue engineering. hDPSCs isolated from adult human dental pulps were cultured for 3-4 passages, and populated on porous granules. Cell growth on the culture dish showed an ongoing increase for up to 21 days, whereas the growth on the 3D granules decreased after 14 days. This reduction in proliferative potential on the 3D granules was more conspicuous under the osteogenic medium conditions, indicating that the 3D granules may induce the odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Differentiation behavior on the 3D granules was confirmed by the increased alkaline phosphatase activity, up-regulation of odontoblast-specific genes, including dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and greater level of dentin sialoprotein synthesis by western blot. Moreover, the cellular mineralization, as assessed by Alizarin red S and calcium quantification, was significantly higher in the 3D CaP granules than in the culture dish. Taken all, the 3D CaP porous granules should be useful for dental tissue engineering in combination with hDPSCs by providing favorable 3D substrate conditions for cell growth and odontogenic development. PMID:21772958

High frequency pacing of edge localized modes by injection of lithium granules in DIII-D H-mode discharges

DOE PAGES

Bortolon, A.; Maingi, R.; Mansfield, D. K.; ...

2016-04-08

A newly installed Lithium Granule Injector (LGI) was used to pace edge localized modes (ELM) in DIII-D. ELM pacing efficiency was studied injecting lithium granules of nominal diameter 0.3–0.9mm, speed of 50–120 m s -1 and average injection rates up to 100 Hz for 0.9mm granules and up to 700 Hz for 0.3mm granules. The efficiency of ELM triggering was found to depend strongly on size of the injected granules, with triggering efficiency close to 100% obtained with 0.9mm diameter granules, lower with smaller sizes, and weakly depending on granule velocity. Robust ELM pacing was demonstrated in ITER-like plasmas formore » the entire shot length, at ELM frequencies 3–5 times larger than the ‘natural’ ELM frequency observed in reference discharges. Within the range of ELM frequencies obtained, the peak ELM heat flux at the outer strike point was reduced with increasing pacing frequency. The peak heat flux reduction at the inner strike point appears to saturate at high pacing frequency. Lithium was found in the plasma core, with a concurrent reduction of metallic impurities and carbon. Altogether, high frequency ELM pacing using the lithium granule injection appears to be compatible with both H-mode energy confinement and attractive H-mode pedestal characteristics, but further assessment is need« less

Conceptual framework for model-based analysis of residence time distribution in twin-screw granulation.

PubMed

Kumar, Ashish; Vercruysse, Jurgen; Vanhoorne, Valérie; Toiviainen, Maunu; Panouillot, Pierre-Emmanuel; Juuti, Mikko; Vervaet, Chris; Remon, Jean Paul; Gernaey, Krist V; De Beer, Thomas; Nopens, Ingmar

2015-04-25

Twin-screw granulation is a promising continuous alternative for traditional batchwise wet granulation processes. The twin-screw granulator (TSG) screws consist of transport and kneading element modules. Therefore, the granulation to a large extent is governed by the residence time distribution within each module where different granulation rate processes dominate over others. Currently, experimental data is used to determine the residence time distributions. In this study, a conceptual model based on classical chemical engineering methods is proposed to better understand and simulate the residence time distribution in a TSG. The experimental data were compared with the proposed most suitable conceptual model to estimate the parameters of the model and to analyse and predict the effects of changes in number of kneading discs and their stagger angle, screw speed and powder feed rate on residence time. The study established that the kneading block in the screw configuration acts as a plug-flow zone inside the granulator. Furthermore, it was found that a balance between the throughput force and conveying rate is required to obtain a good axial mixing inside the twin-screw granulator. Although the granulation behaviour is different for other excipients, the experimental data collection and modelling methods applied in this study are generic and can be adapted to other excipients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biomaterials differentially regulate Src kinases and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ in polymorphonuclear leukocyte primary and tertiary granule release

PubMed Central

Cohen, Hannah Caitlin; Frost, Dustin C.; Lieberthal, Tyler Jacob; Li, Lingjun; Kao, W. John

2018-01-01

In the foreign body response, infiltrating PMNs exocytose granule subsets to influence subsequent downstream inflammatory and wound healing events. In previous studies, we found that PMNs cultured on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-containing hydrogels (i.e., PEG and gelatin + PEG hydrogels) had enhanced primary granule release, yet similar tertiary granule release compared with PMNs cultured on polydimethylsiloxane or tissue culture polystyrene. PMN primary granules contain microbicidal proteins and proteases, which can potentially injure bystander cells, degrade the extracellular matrix, and promote inflammation. Here, we sought to understand the mechanism of the enhanced primary granule release from PMNs on PEG hydrogels. We found that primary granule release from PMNs on PEG hydrogels was adhesion mediated and involved Src family kinases and PI3K-γ. The addition of gelatin to PEG hydrogels did not further enhance PMN primary granule release. Using stable-isotope dimethyl labeling-based shotgun proteomics, we identified many serum proteins – including Ig gamma constant chain region proteins and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 – that were absorbed/adsorbed in higher quantities on PEG hydrogels than on TCPS, and may be involved in mediating PMN primary granule release. Ultimately, this mechanistic knowledge can be used to direct inflammation and wound healing following biomaterial implantation to promote a more favorable healing response. PMID:25736495

Optimizing granules size distribution for aerobic granular sludge stability: Effect of a novel funnel-shaped internals on hydraulic shear stress.

PubMed

Zhou, Jia-Heng; Zhang, Zhi-Ming; Zhao, Hang; Yu, Hai-Tian; Alvarez, Pedro J J; Xu, Xiang-Yang; Zhu, Liang

2016-09-01

A novel funnel-shaped internals was proposed to enhance the stability and pollutant removal performance of an aerobic granular process by optimizing granule size distribution. Results showed up to 68.3±1.4% of granules in novel reactor (R1) were situated in optimal size range (700-1900μm) compared to less than 29.7±1.1% in conventional reactor (R2), and overgrowth of large granules was effectively suppressed without requiring additional energy. Consequently, higher total nitrogen (TN) removal (81.6±2.1%) achieved in R1 than in R2 (48.1±2.7%). Hydraulic analysis revealed the existence of selectively assigning hydraulic pressure in R1. The total shear rate (τtotal) on large granules was 3.07±0.14 times higher than that of R2, while τtotal of small granules in R1 was 70.7±4.6% in R2. Furthermore, large granules in R1 with intact extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) outer layer structure entrapped hydroxyapatite at center, which formed a core structure and further enhanced the stability of aerobic granules. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exocytosis of Neutrophil Granule Subsets and Activation of Prolyl Isomerase 1 are required for Respiratory Burst Priming

PubMed Central

McLeish, Kenneth R.; Uriarte, Silvia M.; Tandon, Shweta; Creed, Timothy M.; Le, Junyi; Ward, Richard A.

2013-01-01

This study tested the hypothesis that priming the neutrophil respiratory burst requires both granule exocytosis and activation of the prolyl isomerase, Pin1. Fusion proteins containing the TAT cell permeability sequence and either the SNARE domain of syntaxin-4 or the N-terminal SNARE domain of SNAP-23 were used to examine the role of granule subsets in TNF-mediated respiratory burst priming using human neutrophils. Concentration-inhibition curves for exocytosis of individual granule subsets and for priming of fMLF-stimulated superoxide release and phagocytosis-stimulated H2O2 production were generated. Maximal inhibition of priming ranged from 72% to 88%. Linear regression lines for inhibition of priming versus inhibition of exocytosis did not differ from the line of identity for secretory vesicles and gelatinase granules, while the slopes or the y-intercepts were different from the line of identity for specific and azurophilic granules. Inhibition of Pin1 reduced priming by 56%, while exocytosis of secretory vesicles and specific granules was not affected. These findings indicate that exocytosis of secretory vesicles and gelatinase granules and activation of Pin1 are independent events required for TNF-mediated priming of neutrophil respiratory burst. PMID:23363774

Influence of raw material properties upon critical quality attributes of continuously produced granules and tablets.

PubMed

Fonteyne, Margot; Wickström, Henrika; Peeters, Elisabeth; Vercruysse, Jurgen; Ehlers, Henrik; Peters, Björn-Hendrik; Remon, Jean Paul; Vervaet, Chris; Ketolainen, Jarkko; Sandler, Niklas; Rantanen, Jukka; Naelapää, Kaisa; De Beer, Thomas

2014-07-01

Continuous manufacturing gains more and more interest within the pharmaceutical industry. The International Conference of Harmonisation (ICH) states in its Q8 'Pharmaceutical Development' guideline that the manufacturer of pharmaceuticals should have an enhanced knowledge of the product performance over a range of raw material attributes, manufacturing process options and process parameters. This fits further into the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Quality by Design (QbD) framework. The present study evaluates the effect of variation in critical raw material properties on the critical quality attributes of granules and tablets, produced by a continuous from-powder-to-tablet wet granulation line. The granulation process parameters were kept constant to examine the differences in the end product quality caused by the variability of the raw materials properties only. Theophylline-Lactose-PVP (30-67.5-2.5%) was used as model formulation. Seven different grades of theophylline were granulated. Afterward, the obtained granules were tableted. Both the characteristics of granules and tablets were determined. The results show that differences in raw material properties both affect their processability and several critical quality attributes of the resulting granules and tablets. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mathematical Model of Heat Transfer in the Catalyst Granule with Point Reaction Centers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derevich, I. V.; Fokina, A. Yu.

2018-01-01

This paper considers a catalyst granule with a porous ceramic chemically inert base and active point centers, at which an exothermic reaction of synthesis takes place. The rate of a chemical reaction depends on temperature by the Arrhenius law. The heat is removed from the catalyst granule surface to the synthesis products by heat transfer. Based on the idea of self-consistent field, a closed system of equations is constructed for calculating the temperatures of the active centers. As an example, a catalyst granule of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with active metallic cobalt particles is considered. The stationary temperatures of the active centers are calculated by the timedependent technique by solving a system of ordinary differential equations. The temperature distribution inside the granule has been found for the local centers located on one diameter of the granule and distributed randomly in the granule's volume. The existence of the critical temperature inside the reactor has been established, the excess of which leads to substantial superheating of local centers. The temperature distribution with local reaction centers differs qualitatively from the granule temperature calculated in the homogeneous approximation. The results of calculations are given.

Study of quantitative interactions of potato and corn starch granules with ions in diluted solutions of heavy metal salts.

PubMed

Szymońska, Joanna; Molenda, Marcin; Wieczorek, Jerzy

2015-12-10

Interactions of potato and corn starch granules with ions in diluted solutions of silver, lead, copper or iron salts were investigated. It was shown experimentally that granules accumulated the cations in amounts depending on the granule structure and water content as well as a type of both metal and counter-ions present in solution. Potato starch retained almost three times more cations compared to corn starch what was proportional to the total phosphorous content in these starches. Quantity of milligrams of cations bound by 1g of starch was inversely correlated with the cation hydration. Ag(+), Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) were connected in stoichiometric amounts of moles to semicrystalline and amorphous parts of the granules. Fe(3+) ions were accumulated in higher than stoichiometric quantities mainly in granule amorphous regions. Metal ions penetrated into granules together with anions except nitrates which remained on surface of potato starch granules. Cations facilitated the starch thermal decomposition in accordance with values of their standard redox potentials. Nitrates supported this process only in the presence of base metal cations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Control of cerebellar granule cell output by sensory-evoked Golgi cell inhibition

PubMed Central

Duguid, Ian; Branco, Tiago; Chadderton, Paul; Arlt, Charlotte; Powell, Kate; Häusser, Michael

2015-01-01

Classical feed-forward inhibition involves an excitation–inhibition sequence that enhances the temporal precision of neuronal responses by narrowing the window for synaptic integration. In the input layer of the cerebellum, feed-forward inhibition is thought to preserve the temporal fidelity of granule cell spikes during mossy fiber stimulation. Although this classical feed-forward inhibitory circuit has been demonstrated in vitro, the extent to which inhibition shapes granule cell sensory responses in vivo remains unresolved. Here we combined whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in vivo and dynamic clamp recordings in vitro to directly assess the impact of Golgi cell inhibition on sensory information transmission in the granule cell layer of the cerebellum. We show that the majority of granule cells in Crus II of the cerebrocerebellum receive sensory-evoked phasic and spillover inhibition prior to mossy fiber excitation. This preceding inhibition reduces granule cell excitability and sensory-evoked spike precision, but enhances sensory response reproducibility across the granule cell population. Our findings suggest that neighboring granule cells and Golgi cells can receive segregated and functionally distinct mossy fiber inputs, enabling Golgi cells to regulate the size and reproducibility of sensory responses. PMID:26432880

Particle size distribution of wheat starch granules in relation to baking properties of frozen dough.

PubMed

Tao, Han; Wang, Pei; Wu, Fengfeng; Jin, Zhengyu; Xu, Xueming

2016-02-10

The impact of freezing on the wheat starches with different particle size was studied using a range of characterization methods including X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, the Rapid Visco Analyser and a reconstitution dough system. Wheat starches were fractionated into A- and B-type granules, and then subjected to freezing/thawing treatment for 3 cycles. The freezing treatment did not cause apparent damage on A-type granular surface but induced cracked structure on B-type granules. It facilitated materials such as amylose, proteins, and lipids leaching from starch granule and an increase in gelatinization temperatures, melting enthalpy, and pasting viscosities. A smaller bread specific volume was obtained from freezing-treated B-granules while the crumb firmness significantly increased (p>0.05). No marked differences were observed in the counterparts of A-granules after freezing treatment. It seemed that the B-type granules were more sensitive to the freezing/thawing treatment, thus facilitating structural transformations from dough to bread. Results indicated that the deterioration in frozen bread quality derived from starch could be minimized by increasing the A-granules content. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

To determine the end point of wet granulation by measuring powder energies and thermal properties.

PubMed

Dave, Rutesh H; Wu, Stephen H; Contractor, Labdhi D

2012-04-01

Wet granulation has been widely used in pharmaceutical industry as a tablet manufacturing process. However, end-point determination of wet granulation process has always remained a challenge. Many traditional methods are available for end-point determination, yet accuracy and reproducibility still remain a challenge. Microcrystalline cellulose, widely used as an excipient in pharmaceutical industry, was granulated using water. Wet mass was passed through sieve # 12 and dried till constant percentage loss on drying was obtained and dried granules were obtained. Wet and dried granules collected were subjected to basic flow energy, specific energy, bulk density, pressure drop, differential scanning calorimetry and effusivity measurements. Analysis of data revealed various stages of granule growth from initial seed formation by adding 200-400 g of water, granule growth was observed by adding 600-800 g of water and over wetting was observed at 1155 g of water. In this work, we have justified our work to properly identify and utilize this technique for practical purpose to correctly identify the end-point determination of microcrystalline cellulose and explain various principles underlying energies associated with powder and thermal measurements.

Phosphatidylinositol kinase. A component of the chromaffin-granule membrane

PubMed Central

Phillips, John H.

1973-01-01

Phosphorylation of bovine chromaffin granules by ATP leads to the formation of diphosphoinositide in the granule membrane. Both phosphatidylinositol kinase and its substrate are components of this membrane, and triphosphoinositide is not formed under the conditions of the assay. The reaction is Mg2+-dependent and is stimulated by Mn2+ and F− ions. The initial reaction is rapid, with a broad pH profile and a `transition' temperature for its activation energy at 27°C. The apparent Km for ATP is 5μm. ATP, N-ethylmaleimide, Cu2+ ions and NaIO4 are inhibitory. The phospholipids of chromaffin-granule membranes have been analysed: 6.8% of the lipid P is found in phosphatidylinositol, and only 2–3% in phosphatidylserine. Comparison of the rate of phosphorylation of intact and lysed granules suggests that the sites for phosphorylation are on the outer (cytoplasmic) surface of the granules, and diphosphoinositide may therefore make an important contribution to the charge of the chromaffin granule in vivo. PMID:4360713

Kinetic analysis of glucoamylase-catalyzed hydrolysis of starch granules from various botanical sources.

PubMed

Tatsumi, Hirosuke; Katano, Hajime; Ikeda, Tokuji

2007-04-01

The kinetics of glucoamylase-catalyzed hydrolysis of starch granules from six different botanical sources (rice, wheat, maize, cassava, sweet potato, and potato) was studied by the use of an electrochemical glucose sensor. A higher rate of hydrolysis was obtained as a smaller size of starch granules was used. The adsorbed amount of glucoamylase on the granule surface per unit area did not vary very much with the type of starch granules examined, while the catalytic constants of the adsorbed enzyme (k(0)) were determined to be 23.3+/-4.4, 14.8+/-6.0, 6.2+/-1.8, 7.1+/-4.1, 4.6+/-3.0, and 1.6+/-0.6 s(-1) for rice, wheat, maize, cassava, sweet potato, and potato respectively, showing that k(0) was largely influenced by the type of starch granules. A comparison of the k(0)-values in relation to the crystalline structure of the starch granules suggested that k(0) increases as the crystalline structure becomes dense.

Partial nitrification using aerobic granules in continuous-flow reactor: rapid startup.

PubMed

Wan, Chunli; Sun, Supu; Lee, Duu-Jong; Liu, Xiang; Wang, Li; Yang, Xue; Pan, Xiangliang

2013-08-01

This study applied a novel strategy to rapid startup of partial nitrification in continuous-flow reactor using aerobic granules. Mature aerobic granules were first cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor at high chemical oxygen demand in 16 days. The strains including the Pseudoxanthomonas mexicana strain were enriched in cultivated granules to enhance their structural stability. Then the cultivated granules were incubated in a continuous-flow reactor with influent chemical oxygen deamnad being stepped decreased from 1,500 ± 100 (0-19 days) to 750 ± 50 (20-30 days), and then to 350 ± 50 mg l(-1) (31-50 days); while in the final stage 350 mg l(-1) bicarbonate was also supplied. Using this strategy the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea, was enriched in the incubated granules to achieve partial nitrification efficiency of 85-90% since 36 days and onwards. The partial nitrification granules were successfully harvested after 52 days, a period much shorter than those reported in literature. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Why do gelatinized starch granules not dissolve completely? Roles for amylose, protein, and lipid in granule "ghost" integrity.

PubMed

Debet, Martine R; Gidley, Michael J

2007-06-13

After gelatinization in water, starch granules persist in swollen hydrated forms known as ghosts. Three potential mechanisms for ghost formation are tested. Proteins and lipids on the granule surface are found to be a determinant of ghost robustness, but not ghost formation. Proteins inside pre-made maize or wheat starch ghosts are degraded extensively by proteases without any apparent change in ghost properties, making an internal protein cross-linking mechanism unlikely. Waxy maize mutants with a range of amylose contents have ghost integrities that correlate with (low) apparent amylose levels. It is hypothesized that ghost formation is due to cross-linking of polysaccharide chains within swollen granules, most likely involving double helices formed from polymer chains that become free to move following heat-induced granule swelling. The size and robustness of granule ghosts is proposed to be determined by the relative rates of swelling and cross-linking, modulated by surface non-polysaccharide components.

Spherical porous hydroxyapatite granules containing composites of magnetic and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for the hyperthermia treatment of bone tumor.

PubMed

Kamitakahara, Masanobu; Ohtoshi, Naohiro; Kawashita, Masakazu; Ioku, Koji

2016-05-01

Spherical porous granules of hydroxyapatite (HA) containing magnetic nanoparticles would be suitable for the hyperthermia treatment of bone tumor, because porous HA granules act as a scaffold for bone regeneration, and magnetic nanoparticles generate sufficient heat to kill tumor cells under an alternating magnetic field. Although magnetic nanoparticles are promising heat generators, their small size makes them difficult to support in porous HA ceramics. We prepared micrometer-sized composites of magnetic and HA nanoparticles, and then supported them in porous HA granules composed of rod-like particles. The spherical porous HA granules containing the composites of magnetic and HA nanoparticle were successfully prepared using a hydrothermal process without changing the crystalline phase and heat generation properties of the magnetic nanoparticles. The obtained granules generated sufficient heat for killing tumor cells under an alternating magnetic field (300 Oe at 100 kHz). The obtained granules are expected to be useful for the hyperthermia treatment of bone tumors.

Isolation of new polar granule components in Drosophila reveals P body and ER associated proteins

PubMed Central

Thomson, Travis; Liu, Niankun; Arkov, Alexey; Lehmann, Ruth; Lasko, Paul

2008-01-01

Germ plasm, a specialized cytoplasm present at the posterior of the early Drosophila embryo, is necessary and sufficient for germ cell formation. Germ plasm is rich in mitochondria and contains electron dense structures called polar granules. To identify novel polar granule components we isolated proteins that associate in early embryos with Vasa (VAS) and Tudor (TUD), two known polar granule associated molecules. We identified Maternal expression at 31B (ME31B), eIF4A, Aubergine (AUB) and Transitional Endoplasmic Reticulum 94 (TER94) as components of both VAS and TUD complexes and confirmed their localization to polar granules by immuno-electron microscopy. ME31B, eIF4A and AUB are also present in processing (P) bodies, suggesting that polar granules, which are necessary for germ line formation, might be related to P bodies. Our recovery of ER associated proteins TER94 and ME31B confirms that polar granules are closely linked to the translational machinery and to mRNP assembly. PMID:18590813

Drosophila germ granules are structured and contain homotypic mRNA clusters

PubMed Central

Trcek, Tatjana; Grosch, Markus; York, Andrew; Shroff, Hari; Lionnet, Timothée; Lehmann, Ruth

2015-01-01

Germ granules, specialized ribonucleoprotein particles, are a hallmark of all germ cells. In Drosophila, an estimated 200 mRNAs are enriched in the germ plasm, and some of these have important, often conserved roles in germ cell formation, specification, survival and migration. How mRNAs are spatially distributed within a germ granule and whether their position defines functional properties is unclear. Here we show, using single-molecule FISH and structured illumination microscopy, a super-resolution approach, that mRNAs are spatially organized within the granule whereas core germ plasm proteins are distributed evenly throughout the granule. Multiple copies of single mRNAs organize into ‘homotypic clusters' that occupy defined positions within the center or periphery of the granule. This organization, which is maintained during embryogenesis and independent of the translational or degradation activity of mRNAs, reveals new regulatory mechanisms for germ plasm mRNAs that may be applicable to other mRNA granules. PMID:26242323

Tracheal Wall Thickening Is Associated with the Granulation Tissue Formation Around Silicone Stents in Patients with Post-Tuberculosis Tracheal Stenosis

PubMed Central

Eom, Jung Seop; Jeon, Kyeongman; Um, Sang-Won; Koh, Won-Jung; Suh, Gee Young; Chung, Man Pyo; Kwon, O Jung

2013-01-01

Purpose Tracheal restenosis due to excessive granulation tissue around a silicone stent requires repeated bronchoscopic interventions in patients with post-tuberculosis tracheal stenosis (PTTS). The current study was conducted to identify the risk factors for granulation tissue formation after silicone stenting in PTTS patients. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted between January 1998 and December 2010. Forty-two PTTS patients with silicone stenting were selected. Clinical and radiological variables were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results Tracheal restenosis due to granulation tissue formation were found in 20 patients (47.6%), and repeated bronchoscopic interventions were conducted. In multivariate analysis, tracheal wall thickness, measured on axial computed tomography scan, was independently associated with granulation tissue formation after silicone stenting. Furthermore, the degree of tracheal wall thickness was well correlated with the degree of granulation tissue formation. Conclusion Tracheal wall thickening was associated with granulation tissue formation around silicone stents in patients with post-tuberculosis tracheal stenosis. PMID:23709431

Tracheal wall thickening is associated with the granulation tissue formation around silicone stents in patients with post-tuberculosis tracheal stenosis.

PubMed

Eom, Jung Seop; Kim, Hojoong; Jeon, Kyeongman; Um, Sang-Won; Koh, Won-Jung; Suh, Gee Young; Chung, Man Pyo; Kwon, O Jung

2013-07-01

Tracheal restenosis due to excessive granulation tissue around a silicone stent requires repeated bronchoscopic interventions in patients with post-tuberculosis tracheal stenosis (PTTS). The current study was conducted to identify the risk factors for granulation tissue formation after silicone stenting in PTTS patients. A retrospective study was conducted between January 1998 and December 2010. Forty-two PTTS patients with silicone stenting were selected. Clinical and radiological variables were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Tracheal restenosis due to granulation tissue formation were found in 20 patients (47.6%), and repeated bronchoscopic interventions were conducted. In multivariate analysis, tracheal wall thickness, measured on axial computed tomography scan, was independently associated with granulation tissue formation after silicone stenting. Furthermore, the degree of tracheal wall thickness was well correlated with the degree of granulation tissue formation. Tracheal wall thickening was associated with granulation tissue formation around silicone stents in patients with post-tuberculosis tracheal stenosis.

Proteins on exocytic vesicles mediate calcium-triggered fusion.

PubMed Central

Vogel, S S; Zimmerberg, J

1992-01-01

In many exocytic systems, micromolar concentrations of intracellular Ca2+ trigger fusion. We find that aggregates of secretory granules isolated from sea urchin eggs fuse together when perfused with greater than or equal to 10 microM free Ca2+. Mixing of membrane components was demonstrated by transfer of fluorescent lipophilic dye, and melding of granule contents was seen with differential interference microscopy. A technique based upon light scattering was developed to conveniently detect fusion. Two protein modifiers, trypsin and N-ethylmaleimide, inhibit granule-granule fusion at concentrations similar to those that inhibit granule-plasma membrane fusion. We suggest that molecular machinery sufficient for Ca(2+)-triggered fusion resides on secretory granules as purified and that at least some of these essential components are proteinaceous. Images PMID:1584814

Elucidation of the internal physical and chemical microstructure of pharmaceutical granules using X-ray micro-computed tomography, Raman microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.

PubMed

Crean, Barry; Parker, Andrew; Roux, Delphine Le; Perkins, Mark; Luk, Shen Y; Banks, Simon R; Melia, Colin D; Roberts, Clive J

2010-11-01

X-ray micro-computed tomography (XMCT) was used in conjunction with confocal Raman mapping to measure the intra-granular pore size, binder volumes and to provide spatial and chemical maps of internal granular components in α-lactose monohydrate granules formulated with different molecular weights of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Infrared spectroscopy was used to understand the molecular association of binder domains. Granules were prepared by high-shear aqueous granulation from α-lactose monohydrate and PVP K29/32 or K90. XMCT was used to visualise the granule microstructure, intra-granular binder distribution and measure intra-granular porosity, which was subsequently related to intrusion porosimetry measurements. Confocal Raman microscopy and infrared microscopy were employed to investigate the distribution of components within the granule and explore the nature of binder substrate interactions. XMCT data sets of internal granule microstructure provided values of residual porosity in the lactose:PVP K29/32 and lactose:PVP K90 granules of 32.41 ± 4.60% and 22.40 ± 0.03%, respectively. The binder volumes of the lactose:PVP K29/32 and lactose:PVP K90 granules were 2.98 ± 0.10% and 3.38 ± 0.07%, respectively, and were attributed to PVP-rich binder domains within the granule. Confocal Raman microscopy revealed anisotropic domains of PVP between 2 μm and 20 μm in size surrounded by larger particles of lactose, in both granule types. Raman data showed that PVP domains contained various amounts of lactose, whilst IR microscopy determined that the PVP was molecularly associated with lactose, rather than residual water. The work shows that XMCT can be applied to investigate granular microstructure and resolve the porosity and the excipient and binder volumes. Combining this technique with vibrational techniques provides further structural information and aids the interpretations of the XMCT images. When used complementarily, these techniques highlighted that porosity and binder volume were the most significant microstructural differences between the α-lactose monohydrate granules formulated with the different grades of PVP. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The functional morphology of color changing in a spider: development of ommochrome pigment granules.

PubMed

Insausti, Teresita C; Casas, Jérôme

2008-03-01

Studies on the formation of ommochrome pigment granules are very few, despite their generalized occurrence as screening pigments in insect eyes. This is particularly true for ommochrome granules responsible for epidermal coloration. The aims of this study were to characterize the localization of major body pigments in a color changing mimetic spider, Misumena vatia (Thomisidae), and to describe the formation and location of ommochrome pigment granules responsible for the spider's color change from white to yellow. The unpigmented cuticula of this spider is transparent. Both the guanine localized in guanine cells in the opisthosoma and the uric acid localized in epidermis cells in the prosoma are responsible for the white coloration. The bright yellow color is due to the combination of ommochrome pigment granules and the white reflectance from coincident guanine and/or uric acid. The formation of ommochrome pigment granules in epidermis cells proceeds via three distinctive steps. Translucent, UV fluorescent, progranules (type I) are produced by a dense network of endoplasmic reticulum associated with numerous mitochondria and glycogen rosettes. These progranules are present in white spiders only, and regularly distributed in the cytoplasm. The merging of several progranules of type I into a transient state (progranule type II) leads to the formation of granules (type III) characterized by their lack of fluorescence, their spherical sections and their osmophilic-electron-dense contents. They are found in yellow spiders and in the red stripes on the body sides. Their color varies from yellow to red. Thus, white spiders contain only type I granules, yellow tinted spiders contain type II and III granules and bright yellow spiders contain only type III granules. We present a synthetic view of the ontogeny of ommochrome granules. We discuss the physiology of color changing and the nature of the chemical compounds in the different types of granules. Extended studies on the ultrastructural modification and physiological processes associated with color change are required before any statement about the adaptiveness of the color change can be made.

Identification of inorganic and organic species of phosphorus and its bio-availability in nitrifying aerobic granular sludge.

PubMed

Huang, Wenli; Cai, Wei; Huang, He; Lei, Zhongfang; Zhang, Zhenya; Tay, Joo Hwa; Lee, Duu-Jong

2015-01-01

Phosphorus (P) recovery from sewage sludge is necessary for a sustainable development of the environment and thus the society due to gradual depletion of non-renewable P resources. Aerobic granular sludge is a promising biotechnology for wastewater treatment, which could achieve P-rich granules during simultaneous nitrification and denitrification processes. This study aimed to disclose the changes in inorganic and organic P species and their correlation with P mobility and bio-availability in aerobic granules. Two identical square reactors were used to cultivate aerobic granules, which were operated for 120 days with influent ammonia nitrogen (NH₄-N) of 100 mg/L before day 60 and then increased to 200 mg/L during the subsequent 60 days (chemical oxygen demand (COD) was kept constant at 600 mg/L). The aerobic granules exhibited excellent COD removal and nitrification efficiency. Results showed that inorganic P (IP) was about 61.4-67.7% of total P (TP) and non-apatite inorganic P (NAIP) occupied 61.9-70.2% of IP in the granules. The enrichment amount of NAIP and apatite P (AP) in the granules had strongly positive relationship with the contents of metal ions, i.e. Fe and Ca, respectively accumulated in the granules. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and solution index calculation demonstrated that hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH)) and iron phosphate (Fe₇(PO₄)₆) were the major P minerals in the granules. Organic P (OP) content maintained around 7.5 mg per gram of biomass in the aerobic granules during the 120 days' operation. Monoester phosphate (21.8% of TP in extract), diester phosphate (1.8%) and phosphonate (0.1%) were identified as OP species by Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR). The proportion of NAIP + OP to TP was about 80% in the granules, implying high potentially mobile and bio-available P was stored in the nitrifying aerobic granules. The present results provide a new insight into the characteristics of P species in aerobic granules, which could be helpful for developing P removal and recovery techniques through biological wastewater treatment.

[Comparative analysis between origin of cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder and modern formula granules].

PubMed

Li, Rui; Zhai, Hua-Qiang; Tian, Wei-Lan; Hou, Ji-Ru; Jin, Shi-Yuan; Wang, Yong-Yan

2016-03-01

In this study, the origin and causes of cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder were reviewed, and a comprehensive analysis was made for the time background of modern traditional Chinese medicine formula granules and the future development trend, in order to provide reference for application and promotion of traditional Chinese medicine formula granules. By reference to ancient medical books of previous dynasties, a system review was conducted for infancy, formation, maturity and transition of cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder, and a comprehensive analysis was made for the six factors of cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder's maturity in the Song Dynasty. Efforts were made to collect domestic and foreign research literatures of modern formula granules, understand the detailed development, and conduct an objective analysis of the current clinical application of modern formula granules. According to the comparative analysis for the application characteristics of cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder and modern formula granules, ①the popularity of cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder in the Song Dynasty has six factors: soaring numbers of medical students and medical practitioners, high medical expenses due to huge army, rapid population growth, frequent epidemics and increasing diseases, and insufficient finances of central and local governments. ②On the basis of clinical application characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine formula granules, traditional Chinese medicine formula granules contain extracted and concentrated effective components, which guarantee the curative effect, meet modern people's demands for "quick, simple and convenience" traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, show a relatively high cost performance; however, formula granules are restricted by their varieties and lack unified quality control standards, and single-extract formula granules have not synergy and attenuation effects of combined traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, which also restricts its clinical application and promotion. ③Both have advantages in the process of clinical application, and shall be used based on syndromes. In conclusion, traditional Chinese medicine formula granules do not have disadvantages of "difficult, complicated, turbid and disorderly" cooked traditional Chinese medicine powder, and solve such problems as "inflexibility, expensiveness, restriction, disorder and inefficacy", which is the important basis for promoting traditional Chinese medicine formula granules. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Plant RNA Regulatory Network and RNA Granules in Virus Infection.

PubMed

Mäkinen, Kristiina; Lõhmus, Andres; Pollari, Maija

2017-01-01

Regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression on mRNA level in eukaryotic cells includes translocation, translation, translational repression, storage, mRNA decay, RNA silencing, and nonsense-mediated decay. These processes are associated with various RNA-binding proteins and cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complexes many of which are conserved across eukaryotes. Microscopically visible aggregations formed by ribonucleoprotein complexes are termed RNA granules. Stress granules where the translationally inactive mRNAs are stored and processing bodies where mRNA decay may occur present the most studied RNA granule types. Diverse RNP-granules are increasingly being assigned important roles in viral infections. Although the majority of the molecular level studies on the role of RNA granules in viral translation and replication have been conducted in mammalian systems, some studies link also plant virus infection to RNA granules. An increasing body of evidence indicates that plant viruses require components of stress granules and processing bodies for their replication and translation, but how extensively the cellular mRNA regulatory network is utilized by plant viruses has remained largely enigmatic. Antiviral RNA silencing, which is an important regulator of viral RNA stability and expression in plants, is commonly counteracted by viral suppressors of RNA silencing. Some of the RNA silencing suppressors localize to cellular RNA granules and have been proposed to carry out their suppression functions there. Moreover, plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein-mediated virus resistance has been linked to enhanced processing body formation and translational repression of viral RNA. Many interesting questions relate to how the pathways of antiviral RNA silencing leading to viral RNA degradation and/or repression of translation, suppression of RNA silencing and viral RNA translation converge in plants and how different RNA granules and their individual components contribute to these processes. In this review we discuss the roles of cellular RNA regulatory mechanisms and RNA granules in plant virus infection in the light of current knowledge and compare the findings to those made in animal virus studies.

rab3 mediates cortical granule exocytosis in the sea urchin egg.

PubMed

Conner, S; Wessel, G M

1998-11-15

Egg activation at fertilization in the sea urchin results in the exocytosis of approximately 15,000 cortical granules that are docked at the plasma membrane. Previously, we reported that several integral membrane proteins modeled in the SNARE hypothesis, synaptotagmin, VAMP, and syntaxin, in addition to a small GTPase of the ras superfamily, rab3, were present on cortical granules (Conner, S., Leaf, D., and Wessel, G., Mol. Reprod. Dev. 48, 1-13, 1997). Here we report that rab3 is associated with cortical granules throughout oogenesis, during cortical granule translocation, and while docked at the egg plasma membrane. Following cortical granule exocytosis, however, rab3 reassociates with a different population of vesicles, at least some of which are of endocytic origin. Because of its selective association with cortical granules in eggs and oocytes, we hypothesize that rab3 functions in cortical granule exocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we used a strategy of interfering with rab3 function by peptide competition with its effector domain, a conserved region within specific rab types. We first identified the effector domain sequence in Lytechinus variegatus eggs and find the sequence 94% identical to the effector domain of rab3 in Stronglocentrotus purpuratus. Then, with synthetic peptides to different regions of the rab3 protein, we find that cortical granule exocytosis is inhibited in eggs injected with effector domain peptides, but not with peptides from the hypervariable region or with a scrambled effector peptide. Additionally, effector-peptide-injected eggs injected with IP3 are blocked in their ability to exocytose cortical granules, suggesting that the inhibition is directly on the membrane fusion event and not the result of interference with the signal transduction mechanism leading to calcium release. We interpret these results to mean that rab3 functions in the regulation of cortical granule exocytosis following vesicle docking. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Morphologic characterization of specific granules in Greyhound eosinophils.

PubMed

Iazbik, M C; Couto, C G

2005-06-01

"Vacuolated" eosinophils (ie, eosinophils with empty, nonstaining granules) have been described previously in normal Greyhounds. However, to our knowledge, detailed studies of granules in vacuolated and normal eosinophils in this breed have not been performed. The objective of this prospective study was to characterize some of the morphologic, ultrastructural, and cytochemical staining features of specific (primary) granules in both normal and vacuolated eosinophils in Greyhound blood. Morphologic features of eosinophils in Wright's- and Diff-Quik-stained peripheral blood smears from 49 Greyhounds were compared with 200 blood smears from non-Greyhound dogs. Transmission electron microscopy was done on blood from 3 Greyhounds with vacuolated eosinophils and 3 with normal eosinophil granules. Blood smears from 4 of these dogs also were stained cytochemically with alkaline phosphatase (AP), chloracetate esterase (CAE), and alpha naphthyl butyrate esterase (ANBE). The morphologic features and tinctorial properties of vacuolated and normal eosinophils were compared. Twenty-six Greyhounds (53%) had vacuolated eosinophils and 23 (47%) had normal granulated eosinophils in smears stained with Wright's stain. Only 1% of eosinophils were vacuolated in non-Greyhound dogs. Twenty of the 23 (85%) Greyhounds with normal granulated eosinophils on Wright's-stained smears had vacuolated eosinophils in smears stained with Diff-Quik. Ultrastructurally, no morphologic differences were observed between granules of vacuolated and normal eosinophils. Both vacuolated and normal eosinophils in Greyhounds were positive for AP and negative for CAE and ANBE, as expected for normal dogs. Vacuolated eosinophils in Greyhounds likely reflect, at least in part, differential staining properties of the specific granules with different hematologic stains. Ultrastuctural and cytochemical features of eosinophil granules were similar in normal and vacuolated eosinophils from Greyhounds.

The effects of exercise and stress on the survival and maturation of adult-generated granule cells

PubMed Central

Snyder, Jason S.; Glover, Lucas R.; Sanzone, Kaitlin M.; Kamhi, J. Frances; Cameron, Heather A.

2009-01-01

Stress strongly inhibits proliferation of granule cell precursors in the dentate gyrus, while voluntary running has the opposite effect. Few studies, however, have examined the possible effects of these environmental manipulations on the maturation and survival of young granule cells. We examined number of surviving granule cells and the proportion of young neurons that were functionally mature, as defined by seizure-induced immediate-early gene expression, in 14 and 21 day-old granule cells in mice that were given access to a running wheel, restrained daily for 2 hours, or given no treatment during this period. Importantly, treatments began two days after BrdU injection, to isolate effects on survival from those on cell proliferation. We found a large increase in granule cell survival in running mice compared with controls at both time points. In addition, running increased the proportion of granule cells expressing the immediate-early gene Arc in response to seizures, suggesting that it speeds incorporation into circuits, i.e., functional maturation. Stressed mice showed no change in Arc expression, compared to control animals, but, surprisingly, showed a transient increase in survival of 14-day-old granule cells, which was gone 7 days later. Examination of cell proliferation, using the endogenous mitotic marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) showed an increase in cell proliferation after 12 days of running but not after 19 days of running. The number of proliferating cells was unchanged 24 hours after the 12th or 19th episode of daily restraint stress. These findings demonstrate that running has strong effects on survival and maturation of young granule cells as well as their birth and that stress can have positive but short-lived effects on granule cell survival. PMID:19156854

Acoustic emission monitoring from a lab scale high shear granulator--a novel approach.

PubMed

Watson, N J; Povey, M J W; Reynolds, G K; Xu, B H; Ding, Y

2014-04-25

A new approach to the monitoring of granulation processes using passive acoustics together with precise control over the granulation process has highlighted the importance of particle-particle and particle-bowl collisions in acoustic emission. The results have shown that repeatable acoustic results could be obtained but only when a spray nozzle water addition system was used. Acoustic emissions were recorded from a transducer attached to the bowl and an airborne transducer. It was found that the airborne transducer detected very little from the granulation and only experienced small changes throughout the process. The results from the bowl transducer showed that during granulation the frequency content of the acoustic emission shifted towards the lower frequencies. Results from the discrete element model indicate that when larger particles are used the number of collisions the particles experience reduces. This is a result of the volume conservation methodology used in this study, therefore larger particles results in less particles. These simulation results coupled with previous theoretical work on the frequency content of an impacting sphere explain why the frequency content of the acoustic emissions reduces during granule growth. The acoustic system used was also clearly able to identify when large over-wetted granules were present in the system, highlighting its benefit for detecting undesirable operational conditions. High-speed photography was used to study if visual changes in the granule properties could be linked with the changing acoustic emissions. The high speed photography was only possible towards the latter stages of the granulation process and it was found that larger granules produced a higher magnitude of acoustic emission across a broader frequency range. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of an in-line Raman spectroscopic method for continuous API quantification during twin-screw wet granulation.

PubMed

Harting, Julia; Kleinebudde, Peter

2018-04-01

Raman spectroscopy was evaluated as a process analytical technology (PAT) tool for continuous API quantification during twin-screw wet granulation. Therefore, a Raman probe was implemented in front of the granulator barrel. This setup enabled the collection of Raman spectra upon a constant granule flow. To develop an in-line PLS calibration model, eight binary mixtures of the API and lactose monohydrate with API contents between 5 and 50% were pre-blended and granulated in a twin-screw granulator with a screw speed of 150 rpm and a powder feed rate of 40 g/min. Water was used as a granulation liquid with different liquid to solid ratios depending on the API content. Ibuprofen and diclofenac sodium were chosen as model drugs and separated PLS models were built for each API. The predictive performance of the developed PLS models was determined by granulating and monitoring new test samples containing different API concentrations. This evaluation showed that the models were able to predict the API concentration with an RMSEP of 0.59% for ibuprofen and 1.5% for diclofenac sodium. In a second part, the developed in-line Raman spectroscopic method was used to determine the API concentration during a split feeding process. Therefore, the API and lactose monohydrate were added by two independently adjustable feeders into the twin-screw granulator barrel. The in-line spectroscopy analysis which was verified by UV-analysis indicated that the mixing ability of the twin-screw granulator was good for the used settings and all adjusted API concentrations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of hydrophobicity of dry-heated wheat starch granules using sucrose fatty acid esters (SFAE).

PubMed

Tabara, Aya; Oneda, Hiroshi; Murayama, Ryuji; Matsui, Yuko; Hirano, Akira; Seguchi, Masaharu

2014-01-01

Sucrose fatty acid esters (SFAE) were adsorbed onto dry-heated (120 °C for 10, 20, 40, 60, and 120 min) wheat starch granules and extracted with ethyl ether in a Soxhlet apparatus without gelatinization of the starch granules. The amount of sucrose in the extracted SFAE was determined by the phenol sulfate method. A gradual increase of the sucrose from 159 to 712 μg, in SFAE per gram of starch, occurred with increasing dry-heating time and demonstrated the increased hydrophobicity of the starch granules. Increase of the SFAE was highly correlated (r = 0.9816) to increase of the oil-binding capacity of the dry-heated wheat starch granules. Non-waxy rice, waxy rice, sweet potato, and potato starch granules also showed higher hydrophobicity after dry-heating by this method.

Obtaining of granular fertilizers based on ashes from combustion of waste residues and ground bones using phosphorous solubilization by bacteria Bacillus megaterium.

PubMed

Rolewicz, M; Rusek, P; Borowik, K

2018-06-15

The article presents research results on obtaining phosphorus granulated fertilizers on the basis of microbiologically activated sewage sludge ashes, ground bones and dried blood from meat industry. Granulation tests were carried out using a laboratory pan granulator as well as on an experimental pilot plant. The aim of the studies was to select the proper composition of the mixture of raw materials and binding agents to obtain granulated fertilizers from waste materials such as MSSA and MBM and bacteria lyophilisate. Obtained fertilizer samples were subjected to physical tests (granulation tests etc.) and quality assessment. The tests confirmed that it was possible to produce granulated phosphate fertilizers using the Bacillus megaterium for solubilization of phosphorus in a simple process. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Impact of Granule Density on Tabletting and Pharmaceutical Product Performance.

PubMed

van den Ban, Sander; Goodwin, Daniel J

2017-05-01

The impact of granule densification in high-shear wet granulation on tabletting and product performance was investigated, at pharmaceutical production scale. Product performance criteria need to be balanced with the need to deliver manufacturability criteria to assure robust industrial scale tablet manufacturing processes. A Quality by Design approach was used to determine in-process control specifications for tabletting, propose a design space for disintegration and dissolution, and to understand the permitted operating limits and required controls for an industrial tabletting process. Granules of varying density (filling density) were made by varying water amount added, spray rate, and wet massing time in a design of experiment (DoE) approach. Granules were compressed into tablets to a range of thicknesses to obtain tablets of varying breaking force. Disintegration and dissolution performance was evaluated for the tablets made. The impact of granule filling density on tabletting was rationalised with compressibility, tabletability and compactibility. Tabletting and product performance criteria provided competing requirements for porosity. An increase in granule filling density impacted tabletability and compactability and limited the ability to achieve tablets of adequate mechanical strength. An increase in tablet solid fraction (decreased porosity) impacted disintegration and dissolution. An attribute-based design space for disintegration and dissolution was specified to achieve both product performance and manufacturability. The method of granulation and resulting granule filling density is a key design consideration to achieve both product performance and manufacturability required for modern industrial scale pharmaceutical product manufacture and distribution.

Granule mobility, fusion frequency and insulin secretion are differentially affected by insulinotropic stimuli.

PubMed

Schumacher, Kirstin; Matz, Magnus; Brüning, Dennis; Baumann, Knut; Rustenbeck, Ingo

2015-05-01

The pre-exocytotic behavior of insulin granules was studied against the background of the entirety of submembrane granules in MIN6 cells, and the characteristics were compared with the macroscopic secretion pattern and the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration of MIN6 pseudo-islets at 22°C, 32°C and 37°C. The mobility of granules labeled by insulin-EGFP and the fusion events were assessed by TIRF microscopy utilizing an observer-independent algorithm. In the z-dimension, 40 mm K(+) or 30 mm glucose increased the granule turnover. The effect of high K(+) was quickly reversible. The increase by glucose was more sustained and modified the efficacy of a subsequent K(+) stimulus. The effect size of glucose increased with physiological temperature whereas that of high K(+) did not. The mobility in the x/y-dimension and the fusion rates were little affected by the stimuli, in contrast to secretion. Fusion and secretion, however, had the same temperature dependence. Granules that appeared and fused within one image sequence had significantly larger caging diameters than pre-existent granules that underwent fusion. These in turn had a different mobility than residence-matched non-fusing granules. In conclusion, delivery to the membrane, tethering and fusion of granules are differently affected by insulinotropic stimuli. Fusion rates and secretion do not appear to be tightly coupled. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Effects of carbon sources changes on the property and morphology of 2,4-D degraded aerobic sludge granules].

PubMed

Ma, Jing-Yun; Quan, Xian-Chun; Xiong, Wei-Cong

2010-11-01

This study investigated the changes of the morphology, structure, and capability of removing the target contamination of the aerobic granules pre-cultured with mixed substrates of glucose and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in a long-time running sequence batch reactor (SBR), when the carbon source transformed into the sole carbon source of 2,4-D. Results showed that when the substrate turned to the sole carbon source of 2,4-D, the aerobic granules still maintained a strong degradation ability to the target contamination; a 2,4-D removal percentage of 99.2% -100% and an average COD removal rate of 85.6% were achieved at the initial 2,4-D concentration of 361-564 mg/L. Carbon source transformation caused certain damages to the original aerobic granule structure, made some parts of granules disintegrated, and led to granule size decline from 513 microm to 302 microm. However, those granules maintained the main body, re-aggregated and grew after a period of adaptation due to their strong resistance to toxicity. Aerobic granules capable of utilizing 2,4-D as the sole carbon source with a good settling ability (SYI 20-40 mL/g) and a mean diameter of 489 microm were finally obtained in this study. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that the diversity of granule microbial species was declined when turned to the sole carbon source.

Development and Optimization of a Wet Granulation Process at Elevated Temperature for a Poorly Compactible Drug Using Twin Screw Extruder for Continuous Manufacturing.

PubMed

Meena, Anuprabha K; Desai, Divyakant; Serajuddin, Abu T M

2017-02-01

The objective of this study was to enhance tabletability of a poorly compactible drug, acetaminophen, by wet granulation using twin screw extruder at high temperature. It was desired that there would be minimum amounts of excipients used and the granules obtained after extrusion would be dry and fall within a size range suitable for tableting without any further processing. Mixtures of acetaminophen (95%) with binders (5% povidone or partially pregelatinized starch) were wet granulated through twin screw extruder at 70°C by adding 7% w/w water. The process had a short granulation time (<1 min), and, on account of the elevated processing temperature used, no drying after extrusion was needed. By optimizing formulation and processing parameters, >90% granules in the size range of 125 to 1000 μm (<3% above 1000 μm and <7% below 125 μm) were obtained without any milling. When the granules were compressed by adding 1% disintegrant and 0.5% lubricant extragranularly, tablets produced (93.6% drug load) had good mechanical strength having hardness >1.7 MPa, which was superior to that of tablets prepared by conventional high shear wet granulation. As the granules could be extruded continuously and did not require drying and milling, the method was amenable to continuous processing. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cerebellar granule cells encode the expectation of reward

PubMed Central

Wagner, Mark J; Kim, Tony Hyun; Savall, Joan; Schnitzer, Mark J; Luo, Liqun

2017-01-01

The human brain contains ~60 billion cerebellar granule cells1, which outnumber all other neurons combined. Classical theories posit that a large, diverse population of granule cells allows for highly detailed representations of sensorimotor context, enabling downstream Purkinje cells to sense fine contextual changes2–6. Although evidence suggests a role for cerebellum in cognition7–10, granule cells are known to encode only sensory11–13 and motor14 context. Using two-photon calcium imaging in behaving mice, here we show that granule cells convey information about the expectation of reward. Mice initiated voluntary forelimb movements for delayed water reward. Some granule cells responded preferentially to reward or reward omission, whereas others selectively encoded reward anticipation. Reward responses were not restricted to forelimb movement, as a Pavlovian task evoked similar responses. Compared to predictable rewards, unexpected rewards elicited markedly different granule cell activity despite identical stimuli and licking responses. In both tasks, reward signals were widespread throughout multiple cerebellar lobules. Tracking the same granule cells over several days of learning revealed that cells with reward-anticipating responses emerged from those that responded at the start of learning to reward delivery, whereas reward omission responses grew stronger as learning progressed. The discovery of predictive, non-sensorimotor encoding in granule cells is a major departure from current understanding of these neurons and dramatically enriches contextual information available to postsynaptic Purkinje cells, with important implications for cognitive processing in the cerebellum. PMID:28321129

A Genomewide RNAi Screen for Genes That Affect the Stability, Distribution and Function of P Granules in Caenorhabditis elegans

PubMed Central

Updike, Dustin L.; Strome, Susan

2009-01-01

P granules are non-membrane-bound organelles found in the germ-line cytoplasm throughout Caenorhabditis elegans development. Like their “germ granule” counterparts in other animals, P granules are thought to act as determinants of the identity and special properties of germ cells, properties that include the unique ability to give rise to all tissues of future generations of an organism. Therefore, understanding how P granules work is critical to understanding how cellular immortality and totipotency are retained, gained, and lost. Here we report on a genomewide RNAi screen in C. elegans, which identified 173 genes that affect the stability, localization, and function of P granules. Many of these genes fall into specific classes with shared P-granule phenotypes, allowing us to better understand how cellular processes such as protein degradation, translation, splicing, nuclear transport, and mRNA homeostasis converge on P-granule assembly and function. One of the more striking phenotypes is caused by the depletion of CSR-1, an Argonaute associated with an endogenous siRNA pathway that functions in the germ line. We show that CSR-1 and two other endo-siRNA pathway members, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase EGO-1 and the helicase DRH-3, act to antagonize RNA and P-granule accumulation in the germ line. Our findings strengthen the emerging view that germ granules are involved in numerous aspects of RNA metabolism, including an endo-siRNA pathway in germ cells. PMID:19805813

Investigating the Use of Polymeric Binders in Twin Screw Melt Granulation Process for Improving Compactibility of Drugs.

PubMed

Batra, Amol; Desai, Dipen; Serajuddin, Abu T M

2017-01-01

Traditionally, the melt granulation for pharmaceutical products was performed at low temperature (<90°C) with high-shear granulators using low-melting waxy binders, and tablets produced using such granules were not amenable to large-scale manufacturing. The situation has changed in recent years by the use of twin screw extruder where the processing temperature could be increased to as high as 180°C and polymers with high T g could be used as binders. In this study, different polymeric binders were screened for their suitability in improving compactibility of 2 drugs, metformin hydrochloride and acetaminophen, by twin screw melt granulation. Processing temperatures for the 2 drugs were set at 180°C and 130°C, respectively. Screw configuration, screw speed, and feed rate were optimized such that all polymeric binders used produced granules. Several hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and methacrylate-based polymers, including Klucel ® EXF, Eudragit ® EPO, and Soluplus ® , demonstrated good tablet tensile strength (>2 MPa) when granules were produced using only 10% wt/wt polymer concentration. Certain polymers provided acceptable compactibility even at 5% wt/wt. Thus, twin screw melt granulation process may be used with different polymers at a wide range of temperature. Due to low excipient concentration, this granulation method is especially suitable for high-dose tablets. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pyritic event beds and sulfidized Fe (oxyhydr)oxide aggregates in metalliferous black mudstones of the Paleoproterozoic Talvivaara formation, Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virtasalo, Joonas J.; Laitala, Jaakko J.; Lahtinen, Raimo; Whitehouse, Martin J.

2015-12-01

The Paleoproterozoic, 2.0-1.9 Ga Talvivaara formation of Finland was deposited during the Shunga Event, a worldwide episode of enhanced accumulation of organic-rich sediments in the aftermath of the Lomagundi-Jatuli carbon isotope excursion. Sulfidic carbonaceous mudstones in the Talvivaara formation contain one of the largest known shale-hosted nickel deposits. In order to gain new insight into this Shungian sedimentary environment, sedimentological, petrographical and in situ S and Fe isotopic microanalyses were carried out on samples representing depositional and early-diagenetic conditions. The event-bedded lithology with tidal signatures in the organic-rich mudstones strongly indicates deposition from predominantly river-delivered mud on a highly-productive coastal area, below storm-wave base. The riverine supply of phosphorus, sulfate and iron supported high primary productivity and resulted in strong lateral and vertical chemical gradients in the nearshore waters with a shallow oxic surface layer underlain by euxinic water. The stratigraphic upper part of the Talvivaara formation contains banded intervals of thin alternating pyrite beds and carbonaceous mudstone beds. The pyrite beds were deposited by seaward excursions of the concentrated, acidic Fe-rich river plume subsequent to droughts or dry seasons, which led to intense pyrite precipitation upon mixing with euxinic waters. δ34S and δ56Fe values of the bedded pyrite (median δ34S = - 10.3 ‰ and δ56Fe = - 0.79 ‰) are consistent with the reaction of dissolved Fe(II) with H2S from bacterial sulfate reduction. Organic-rich clayey Fe-monosulfide-bearing granules were transported from the muddy estuary, and enclosed in Fe (oxyhydr)oxide aggregates that were forming by wave and current reworking in nearshore accumulations of river-delivered iron. The isotopic composition of these presently pyrrhotitic inclusions (median δ34S = - 3.3 ‰ and δ56Fe = - 1.6 ‰) indicates microbial iron reduction. The Fe (oxyhydr)oxide aggregates were transported in muddy debris flows to the distal euxinic seafloor. Their Fe (oxyhydr)oxide matrix was replaced by pyrite (median δ34S = + 5.8 ‰ and δ56Fe = + 0.81 ‰) at shallow sediment depths with 34S and 56Fe-enriched porewater. Wavy-crinkly laminae of possible microbial origin developed on the euxinic seafloor during low sedimentation. These results indicate episodic deposition at seasonal to multiannual time scales. δ34S and δ56Fe values in the studied Fe-sulfides provide evidence of microbial isotope fractionation processes and syndepositional and early-diagenetic origin, finding no support for the previously proposed local hydrothermal activity in the Talvivaara mudstones.

Light scattering on PHA granules protects bacterial cells against the harmful effects of UV radiation.

PubMed

Slaninova, Eva; Sedlacek, Petr; Mravec, Filip; Mullerova, Lucie; Samek, Ota; Koller, Martin; Hesko, Ondrej; Kucera, Dan; Marova, Ivana; Obruca, Stanislav

2018-02-01

Numerous prokaryotes accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in the form of intracellular granules. The primary function of PHA is the storage of carbon and energy. Nevertheless, there are numerous reports that the presence of PHA granules in microbial cells enhances their stress resistance and fitness when exposed to various stress factors. In this work, we studied the protective mechanism of PHA granules against UV irradiation employing Cupriavidus necator as a model bacterial strain. The PHA-accumulating wild type strain showed substantially higher UV radiation resistance than the PHA non-accumulating mutant. Furthermore, the differences in UV-Vis radiation interactions with both cell types were studied using various spectroscopic approaches (turbidimetry, absorption spectroscopy, and nephelometry). Our results clearly demonstrate that intracellular PHA granules efficiently scatter UV radiation, which provides a substantial UV-protective effect for bacterial cells and, moreover, decreases the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species in UV-challenged cells. The protective properties of the PHA granules are enhanced by the fact that granules specifically bind to DNA, which in turn provides shield-like protection of DNA as the most UV-sensitive molecule. To conclude, the UV-protective action of PHA granules adds considerable value to their primary storage function, which can be beneficial in numerous environments.

Process Recovery after CaO Addition Due to Granule Formation in a CSTR Co-Digester—A Tool to Influence the Composition of the Microbial Community and Stabilize the Process?

PubMed Central

Liebrich, Marietta; Kleyböcker, Anne; Kasina, Monika; Miethling-Graff, Rona; Kassahun, Andrea; Würdemann, Hilke

2016-01-01

The composition, structure and function of granules formed during process recovery with calcium oxide in a laboratory-scale fermenter fed with sewage sludge and rapeseed oil were studied. In the course of over-acidification and successful process recovery, only minor changes were observed in the bacterial community of the digestate, while granules appeared during recovery. Fluorescence microscopic analysis of the granules showed a close spatial relationship between calcium and oil and/or long chain fatty acids. This finding further substantiated the hypothesis that calcium precipitated with carbon of organic origin and reduced the negative effects of overloading with oil. Furthermore, the enrichment of phosphate minerals in the granules was shown, and molecular biological analyses detected polyphosphate-accumulating organisms as well as methanogenic archaea in the core. Organisms related to Methanoculleus receptaculi were detected in the inner zones of a granule, whereas they were present in the digestate only after process recovery. This finding indicated more favorable microhabitats inside the granules that supported process recovery. Thus, the granule formation triggered by calcium oxide addition served as a tool to influence the composition of the microbial community and to stabilize the process after overloading with oil. PMID:27681911

Process Recovery after CaO Addition Due to Granule Formation in a CSTR Co-Digester-A Tool to Influence the Composition of the Microbial Community and Stabilize the Process?

PubMed

Liebrich, Marietta; Kleyböcker, Anne; Kasina, Monika; Miethling-Graff, Rona; Kassahun, Andrea; Würdemann, Hilke

2016-03-17

The composition, structure and function of granules formed during process recovery with calcium oxide in a laboratory-scale fermenter fed with sewage sludge and rapeseed oil were studied. In the course of over-acidification and successful process recovery, only minor changes were observed in the bacterial community of the digestate, while granules appeared during recovery. Fluorescence microscopic analysis of the granules showed a close spatial relationship between calcium and oil and/or long chain fatty acids. This finding further substantiated the hypothesis that calcium precipitated with carbon of organic origin and reduced the negative effects of overloading with oil. Furthermore, the enrichment of phosphate minerals in the granules was shown, and molecular biological analyses detected polyphosphate-accumulating organisms as well as methanogenic archaea in the core. Organisms related to Methanoculleus receptaculi were detected in the inner zones of a granule, whereas they were present in the digestate only after process recovery. This finding indicated more favorable microhabitats inside the granules that supported process recovery. Thus, the granule formation triggered by calcium oxide addition served as a tool to influence the composition of the microbial community and to stabilize the process after overloading with oil.

Granule fraction inhomogeneity of calcium carbonate/sorbitol in roller compacted granules.

PubMed

Bacher, C; Olsen, P M; Bertelsen, P; Sonnergaard, J M

2008-02-12

The granule fraction inhomogeneity of roller compacted granules was examined on mixtures of three different morphologic forms of calcium carbonate and three particle sizes of sorbitol. The granule fraction inhomogeneity was determined by the distribution of the calcium carbonate in each of the 10 size fractions between 0 and 2000 microm and by calculating the demixing potential. Significant inhomogeneous occurrence of calcium carbonate in the size fractions was demonstrated, depending mostly on the particles sizes of sorbitol but also on the morphological forms of calcium carbonate. The heterogeneous distribution of calcium carbonate was related to the decrease in compactibility of roller compacted granules in comparison to the ungranulated materials. This phenomenon was explained by a mechanism where fracturing of the ribbon during granulation occurred at the weakest interparticulate bonds (the calcium carbonate: calcium carbonate bonds) and consequently exposed the weakest areas of bond formation on the surface of the granules. Accordingly, the non-uniform allocation of the interparticulate attractive forces in a tablet would cause a lowering of the compactibility. Furthermore, the ability of the powder to agglomerate in the roller compactor was demonstrated to be related to the ability of the powder to be compacted into a tablet, thus the most compactable calcium carbonate and the smallest sized sorbitol improved the homogeneity by decreasing the demixing potential.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Granules Have no Phospholipids.

PubMed

Bresan, Stephanie; Sznajder, Anna; Hauf, Waldemar; Forchhammer, Karl; Pfeiffer, Daniel; Jendrossek, Dieter

2016-05-25

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules, also designated as carbonosomes, are supra-molecular complexes in prokaryotes consisting of a PHB polymer core and a surface layer of structural and functional proteins. The presence of suspected phospholipids in the surface layer is based on in vitro data of isolated PHB granules and is often shown in cartoons of the PHB granule structure in reviews on PHB metabolism. However, the in vivo presence of a phospholipid layer has never been demonstrated. We addressed this topic by the expression of fusion proteins of DsRed2EC and other fluorescent proteins with the phospholipid-binding domain (LactC2) of lactadherin in three model organisms. The fusion proteins specifically localized at the cell membrane of Ralstonia eutropha but did not co-localize with PHB granules. The same result was obtained for Pseudomonas putida, a species that accumulates another type of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules related to PHB. Notably, DsRed2EC-LactC2 expressed in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense was detected at the position of membrane-enclosed magnetosome chains and at the cytoplasmic membrane but not at PHB granules. In conclusion, the carbonosomes of representatives of α-proteobacteria, β-proteobacteria and γ-proteobacteria have no phospholipids in vivo and we postulate that the PHB/PHA granule surface layers in natural producers generally are free of phospholipids and consist of proteins only.

Granulation tissue of chronic pressure ulcers as a predictive indicator of wound closure.

PubMed

Wyffels, Jennifer T; Edsberg, Laura E

2011-10-01

: To describe the temporal relationship between the quantity of granulation tissue in a chronic pressure ulcer (PrU) and its clinical outcome. : Study participants were seen on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. On each visit, the wounds were digitally photographed with a 3-cm calibration target. Images were analyzed using VeV MD (version 1.1.14; VERG Inc, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended (version 10.0.1; Adobe Systems Inc, San Jose, California). Granulation tissue was selected from calibrated digital images by 1 of 2 methods: manual selection and automated selection. Granulation tissue area was expressed as a percentage of total wound area. : Academic research laboratory. : Thirty-one chronic PrUs were observed in 27 subjects. : Quantitative measure of granulation tissue area. : There was no relationship between the amount of granulation tissue expressed as a percentage of the total PrU area and wound outcome. : This study is the first to both quantitatively measure the amount of granulation tissue in a chronic PrU and attempt to correlate it to wound outcome. Although counterintuitive, the amount of granulation tissue was not predictive of outcome, and no temporal trends could be described.

Pterin pigment granules are responsible for both broadband light scattering and wavelength selective absorption in the wing scales of pierid butterflies

PubMed Central

Morehouse, Nathan I; Vukusic, Peter; Rutowski, Ron

2006-01-01

A small but growing literature indicates that many animal colours are produced by combinations of structural and pigmentary mechanisms. We investigated one such complex colour phenotype: the highly chromatic wing colours of pierid butterflies including oranges, yellows and patterns which appear white to the human eye, but strongly absorb the ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths visible to butterflies. Pierids produce these bright colours using wing scales that contain collections of minute granules. However, to date, no work has directly characterized the molecular composition or optical properties of these granules. We present results that indicate these granules contain pterin pigments. We also find that pterin granules increase light reflection from single wing scales, such that wing scales containing denser granule arrays reflect more light than those with less dense granule collections. As male wing scales contain more pterin granules than those of females, the sexual dichromatism found in many pierid species can be explained by differences in wing scale pterin deposition. Additionally, the colour pattern elements produced by these pterins are known to be important during mating interactions in a number of pierid species. Therefore, we discuss the potential relevance of our results within the framework of sexual selection and colour signal evolution. PMID:17164199

Optimization of critical quality attributes in continuous twin-screw wet granulation via design space validated with pilot scale experimental data.

PubMed

Liu, Huolong; Galbraith, S C; Ricart, Brendon; Stanton, Courtney; Smith-Goettler, Brandye; Verdi, Luke; O'Connor, Thomas; Lee, Sau; Yoon, Seongkyu

2017-06-15

In this study, the influence of key process variables (screw speed, throughput and liquid to solid (L/S) ratio) of a continuous twin screw wet granulation (TSWG) was investigated using a central composite face-centered (CCF) experimental design method. Regression models were developed to predict the process responses (motor torque, granule residence time), granule properties (size distribution, volume average diameter, yield, relative width, flowability) and tablet properties (tensile strength). The effects of the three key process variables were analyzed via contour and interaction plots. The experimental results have demonstrated that all the process responses, granule properties and tablet properties are influenced by changing the screw speed, throughput and L/S ratio. The TSWG process was optimized to produce granules with specific volume average diameter of 150μm and the yield of 95% based on the developed regression models. A design space (DS) was built based on volume average granule diameter between 90 and 200μm and the granule yield larger than 75% with a failure probability analysis using Monte Carlo simulations. Validation experiments successfully validated the robustness and accuracy of the DS generated using the CCF experimental design in optimizing a continuous TSWG process. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atomic force microscopy of pea starch: origins of image contrast.

PubMed

Ridout, Michael J; Parker, Mary L; Hedley, Cliff L; Bogracheva, Tatiana Y; Morris, Victor J

2004-01-01

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to image the internal structure of pea starch granules. Starch granules were encased in a nonpenetrating matrix of rapid-set Araldite. Images were obtained of the internal structure of starch exposed by cutting the face of the block and of starch in sections collected on water. These images have been obtained without staining, or either chemical or enzymatic treatment of the granule. It has been demonstrated that contrast in the AFM images is due to localized absorption of water within specific regions of the exposed fragments of the starch granules. These regions swell, becoming "softer" and higher than surrounding regions. The images obtained confirm the "blocklet model" of starch granule architecture. By using topographic, error signal and force modulation imaging modes on samples of the wild-type pea starch and the high amylose r near-isogenic mutant, it has been possible to demonstrate differing structures within granules of different origin. These architectural changes provide a basis for explaining the changed appearance and functionality of the r mutant. The growth-ring structure of the granule is suggested to arise from localized "defects" in blocklet distribution within the granule. It is proposed that these defects are partially crystalline regions devoid of amylose.

Anaerobic hydrogen production with an efficient carrier-induced granular sludge bed bioreactor.

PubMed

Lee, Kuo-Shing; Wu, Ji-Fang; Lo, Yung-Sheng; Lo, Yung-Chung; Lin, Ping-Jei; Chang, Jo-Shu

2004-09-05

A novel bioreactor containing self-flocculated anaerobic granular sludge was developed for high-performance hydrogen production from sucrose-based synthetic wastewater. The reactor achieved an optimal volumetric hydrogen production rate of approximately 7.3 L/h/L (7,150 mmol/d/L) and a maximal hydrogen yield of 3.03 mol H2/mol sucrose when it was operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 0.5 h with an influent sucrose concentration of 20 g COD/L. The gas-phase hydrogen content and substrate conversion also exceeded 40 and 90%, respectively, under optimal conditions. Packing of a small quantity of carrier matrices on the bottom of the upflow reactor significantly stimulated sludge granulation that can be accomplished within 100 h. Among the four carriers examined, spherical activated carbon was the most effective inducer for granular sludge formation. The carrier-induced granular sludge bed (CIGSB) bioreactor was started up with a low HRT of 4-8 h (corresponding to an organic loading rate of 2.5-5 g COD/h/L) and enabled stable operations at an extremely low HRT (up to 0.5 h) without washout of biomass. The granular sludge was rapidly formed in CIGSB supported with activated carbon and reached a maximal concentration of 26 g/L at HRT = 0.5 h. The ability to maintain high biomass concentration at low HRT (i.e., high organic loading rate) highlights the key factor for the remarkable hydrogen production efficiency of the CIGSB processes.

A New Algorithm for Retrieving Aerosol Properties Over Land from MODIS Spectral Reflectance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levy, Robert C.; Remer, Lorraine A.; Mattoo, Shana; Vermote, Eric F.; Kaufman, Yoram J.

2006-01-01

Since first light in early 2000, operational global quantitative retrievals of aerosol properties over land have been made from MODIS observed spectral reflectance. These products have been continuously evaluated and validated, and opportunities for improvements have been noted. We have replaced the original algorithm by improving surface reflectance assumptions, the aerosol model optical properties and the radiative transfer code used to create the lookup tables. The new algorithm (known as Version 5.2 or V5.2) performs a simultaneous inversion of two visible (0.47 and 0.66 micron) and one shortwave-IR (2.12 micron) channel, making use of the coarse aerosol information content contained in the 2.12 micron channel. Inversion of the three channels yields three nearly independent parameters, the aerosol optical depth (tau) at 0.55 micron, the non-dust or fine weighting (eta) and the surface reflectance at 2.12 micron. Finally, retrievals of small magnitude negative tau values (down to -0.05) are considered valid, thus normalizing the statistics of tau in near zero tau conditions. On a 'test bed' of 6300 granules from Terra and Aqua, the products from V5.2 show marked improvement over those from the previous versions, including much improved retrievals of tau, where the MODIS/AERONET tau (at 0.55 micron) regression has an equation of: y = 1.01+0.03, R = 0.90. Mean tau for the test bed is reduced from 0.28 to 0.21.

Carbon granule probe microphone for leak detection. [recovery boilers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parthasarathy, S. P. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

A microphone which is not subject to corrosion is provided by employing carbon granules to sense sound waves. The granules are packed into a ceramic tube and no diaphragm is used. A pair of electrodes is located in the tube adjacent the carbon granules and are coupled to a sensing circuit. Sound waves cause pressure changes on the carbon granules which results in a change in resistance in the electrical path between the electrodes. This change in resistance is detected by the sensing circuit. The microphone is suitable for use as a leak detection probe in recovery boilers, where it provides reliable operation without corrosion problems associated with conventional microphones.

Identification of SNAREs that mediate zymogen granule exocytosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pickett, James A.; Campos-Toimil, Manuel; Thomas, Paul

2007-08-03

A secretagogue-stimulated pancreatic acinar cell releases digestive enzymes from its apical pole. We attempted to identify the SNAREs involved in zymogen granule exocytosis. Antibodies against syntaxins 2 and 3, SNAP-23 and VAMP 8, and the corresponding recombinant SNAREs, inhibited amylase secretion from streptolysin O-permeabilised acini; other anti-SNARE antibodies and SNAREs had no effect. Botulinum neurotoxin C, which cleaved syntaxin 2 and (to a lesser extent) syntaxin 3, but not syntaxins 4, 7 or 8, also inhibited exocytosis. We propose that syntaxin 2, SNAP-23 and VAMP 8 mediate primary granule-plasma membrane fusion. Syntaxin 3 may be involved in secondary granule-granule fusion.

Preliminary report of the discovery of a new pharmaceutical granulation process using foamed aqueous binders.

PubMed

Keary, Colin M; Sheskey, Paul J

2004-09-01

Spray granulation is commonly used to improve the flow of drug formulation powders by adding liquid binders. We have discovered a new granulation process whereby liquid binders are added as aqueous foam. Initial experiments indicate that foam granulations require less binder than spray granulations, less water is added to the powder mass, rates of addition of foam can be greater than rates of addition of sprayed liquids, and foam can be added in a single batch to the surface of the powder mass for incorporation at some later stage in the process. This new process appears to have no detrimental effects on granulate, tablet, or in vitro drug dissolution properties. In addition, the elimination of spray addition reduces the complexity of the process and avoids the plugging problems associated with spray nozzles. Several formulations were successfully scaled up from laboratory scale (1.5 kg) to pilot scale (15 kg). Process control was good and there was no detrimental effect on tablet and drug dissolution properties. This paper also proposes a working hypothesis of the mechanism by which foam granulation operates.

TIA-1 Self-Multimerization, Phase Separation, and Recruitment into Stress Granules Are Dynamically Regulated by Zn2.

PubMed

Rayman, Joseph B; Karl, Kevin A; Kandel, Eric R

2018-01-02

Stress granules are non-membranous structures that transiently form in the cytoplasm during cellular stress, where they promote translational repression of non-essential RNAs and modulate cell signaling by sequestering key signal transduction proteins. These and other functions of stress granules facilitate an adaptive cellular response to environmental adversity. A key component of stress granules is the prion-related RNA-binding protein, T cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1). Here, we report that recombinant TIA-1 undergoes rapid multimerization and phase separation in the presence of divalent zinc, which can be reversed by the zinc chelator, TPEN. Similarly, the formation and maintenance of TIA-1-positive stress granules in arsenite-treated cells are inhibited by TPEN. In addition, Zn 2+ is released in cells treated with arsenite, before stress granule formation. These findings suggest that Zn 2+ is a physiological ligand of TIA-1, acting as a stress-inducible second messenger to promote multimerization of TIA-1 and subsequent localization into stress granules. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Snapin mediates insulin secretory granule docking, but not trans-SNARE complex formation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Somanath, Sangeeta; Partridge, Christopher J.; Marshall, Catriona

Secretory granule exocytosis is a tightly regulated process requiring granule targeting, tethering, priming, and membrane fusion. At the heart of this process is the SNARE complex, which drives fusion through a coiled-coil zippering effect mediated by the granule v-SNARE protein, VAMP2, and the plasma membrane t-SNAREs, SNAP-25 and syntaxin-1A. Here we demonstrate that in pancreatic β-cells the SNAP-25 accessory protein, snapin, C-terminal H2 domain binds SNAP-25 through its N-terminal Sn-1 domain. Interestingly whilst snapin binds SNAP-25, there is only modest binding of this complex with syntaxin-1A under resting conditions. Instead synataxin-1A appears to be recruited in response to secretory stimulation.more » These results indicate that snapin plays a role in tethering insulin granules to the plasma membrane through coiled coil interaction of snapin with SNAP-25, with full granule fusion competency only resulting after subsequent syntaxin-1A recruitment triggered by secretory stimulation. - Highlights: • Snapin mediates granule docking. • Snapin binds SNAP-25. • SNARE complex forms downstream.« less

Accelerating Aerobic Sludge Granulation by Adding Dry Sewage Sludge Micropowder in Sequencing Batch Reactors

PubMed Central

Li, Jun; Liu, Jun; Wang, Danjun; Chen, Tao; Ma, Ting; Wang, Zhihong; Zhuo, Weilong

2015-01-01

Micropowder (20–250 µm) made from ground dry waste sludge from a municipal sewage treatment plant was added in a sequencing batch reactor (R2), which was fed by synthetic wastewater with acetate as carbon source. Compared with the traditional SBR (R1), aerobic sludge granulation time was shortened 15 days in R2. Furthermore, filamentous bacteria in bulking sludge were controlled to accelerate aerobic granulation and form large granules. Correspondingly, the SVI decreased from 225 mL/g to 37 mL/g. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis demonstrated that Al and Si from the micropowder were accumulated in granules. A mechanism hypotheses for the acceleration of aerobic granulation by adding dry sludge micropowder is proposed: added micropowder acts as nuclei to induce bacterial attachment; dissolved matters from the micropowder increase abruptly the organic load for starved sludge to control overgrown filamentous bacteria as a framework for aggregation; increased friction from the movement of micropowder forces the filaments which extend outwards to shrink for shaping granules. PMID:26308025

Amyloid-like aggregation of provasopressin in diabetes insipidus and secretory granule sorting.

PubMed

Beuret, Nicole; Hasler, Franziska; Prescianotto-Baschong, Cristina; Birk, Julia; Rutishauser, Jonas; Spiess, Martin

2017-01-26

Aggregation of peptide hormone precursors in the trans-Golgi network is an essential process in the biogenesis of secretory granules in endocrine cells. It has recently been proposed that this aggregation corresponds to the formation of functional amyloids. Our previous finding that dominant mutations in provasopressin, which cause cell degeneration and diabetes insipidus, prevent native folding and produce fibrillar aggregates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) might thus reflect mislocalized amyloid formation by sequences that evolved to mediate granule sorting. Here we identified two sequences responsible for fibrillar aggregation of mutant precursors in the ER: the N-terminal vasopressin nonapeptide and the C-terminal glycopeptide. To test their role in granule sorting, the glycopeptide was deleted and/or vasopressin mutated to inactivate ER aggregation while still permitting precursor folding and ER exit. These mutations strongly reduced sorting into granules and regulated secretion in endocrine AtT20 cells. The same sequences - vasopressin and the glycopeptide - mediate physiological aggregation of the wild-type hormone precursor into secretory granules and the pathological fibrillar aggregation of disease mutants in the ER. These findings support the amyloid hypothesis for secretory granule biogenesis.

Regulation of RNA granule dynamics by phosphorylation of serine-rich, intrinsically disordered proteins in C. elegans

PubMed Central

Wang, Jennifer T; Smith, Jarrett; Chen, Bi-Chang; Schmidt, Helen; Rasoloson, Dominique; Paix, Alexandre; Lambrus, Bramwell G; Calidas, Deepika; Betzig, Eric; Seydoux, Geraldine

2014-01-01

RNA granules have been likened to liquid droplets whose dynamics depend on the controlled dissolution and condensation of internal components. The molecules and reactions that drive these dynamics in vivo are not well understood. In this study, we present evidence that a group of intrinsically disordered, serine-rich proteins regulate the dynamics of P granules in C. elegans embryos. The MEG (maternal-effect germline defective) proteins are germ plasm components that are required redundantly for fertility. We demonstrate that MEG-1 and MEG-3 are substrates of the kinase MBK-2/DYRK and the phosphatase PP2APPTR−½. Phosphorylation of the MEGs promotes granule disassembly and dephosphorylation promotes granule assembly. Using lattice light sheet microscopy on live embryos, we show that GFP-tagged MEG-3 localizes to a dynamic domain that surrounds and penetrates each granule. We conclude that, despite their liquid-like behavior, P granules are non-homogeneous structures whose assembly in embryos is regulated by phosphorylation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04591.001 PMID:25535836

Proteins with CHADs (Conserved Histidine α-Helical Domains) Are Attached to Polyphosphate Granules In Vivo and Constitute a Novel Family of Polyphosphate-Associated Proteins (Phosins).

PubMed

Tumlirsch, Tony; Jendrossek, Dieter

2017-04-01

On the basis of bioinformatic evidence, we suspected that proteins with a CYTH ( Cy aB th iamine triphosphatase) domain and/or a CHAD ( c onserved h istidine α -helical d omain) motif might represent polyphosphate (polyP) granule-associated proteins. We found no evidence of polyP targeting by proteins with CYTH domains. In contrast, two CHAD motif-containing proteins from Ralstonia eutropha H16 (A0104 and B1017) that were expressed as fusions with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) colocalized with polyP granules. While the expression of B1017 was not detectable, the A0104 protein was specifically identified in an isolated polyP granule fraction by proteome analysis. Moreover, eYFP fusions with the CHAD motif-containing proteins MGMSRV2-1987 from Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense and PP2307 from Pseudomonas putida also colocalized with polyP granules in a transspecies-specific manner. These data indicated that CHAD-containing proteins are generally attached to polyP granules. Together with the findings from four previously polyP-attached proteins (polyP kinases), the results of this study raised the number of polyP-associated proteins in R. eutropha to six. We suggest designating polyP granule-bound proteins with CHAD motifs as phosins ( pho sphate), analogous to pha sins and oleo sins that are specifically bound to the surface of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules in PHA-accumulating bacteria and to oil droplets in oil seed plants, respectively. IMPORTANCE The importance of polyphosphate (polyP) for life is evident from the ubiquitous presence of polyP in all species on earth. In unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms, polyP is located in specific membrane-enclosed organelles, called acidocalcisomes. However, in most prokaryotes, polyP is present as insoluble granules that have been designated previously as volutin granules. Almost nothing is known regarding the macromolecular composition of polyP granules. Particularly, the absence or presence of cellular compounds on the surface of polyP granules has not yet been investigated. In this study, we identified a novel class of proteins that are attached to the surface of polyP granules in three model species of Alphaproteobacteria , Betaproteobacteria , and Gammaproteobacteria These proteins are characterized by the presence of a CHAD ( c onserved h istidine α -helical d omain) motif that functions as a polyP granule-targeting signal. We suggest designating CHAD motif-containing proteins as phosins [analogous to phasins for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-associated proteins and to oleosins for oil droplet-associated proteins in oil seed plants]. The expression of phosins in different species confirmed their polyP-targeting function in a transspecies-specific manner. We postulate that polyP granules in prokaryotic species generally have a complex surface structure that consists of one to several polyP kinases and phosin proteins. We suggest differentiating polyP granules from acidocalcisomes by designating them as polyphosphatosomes. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Optimizing Wound Bed Preparation With Collagenase Enzymatic Debridement

PubMed Central

McCallon, Stanley K.; Weir, Dorothy; Lantis, John C.

2015-01-01

Difficult-to-heal and chronic wounds affect tens of millions of people worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the direct cost for their treatment exceeds $25 billion. Yet despite advances in wound research and treatment that have markedly improved patient care, wound healing is often delayed for weeks or months. For venous and diabetic ulcers, complete wound closure is achieved in as few as 25%–50% of chronic or hard-to-heal wounds. Wound bed preparation and the consistent application of appropriate and effective debridement techniques are recommended for the optimized treatment of chronic wounds. The TIME paradigm (Tissue, Inflammation/infection, Moisture balance and Edge of wound) provides a model to remove barriers to healing and optimize the healing process. While we often think of debridement as an episodic event that occurs in specific care giver/patient interface. There is the possibility of a maintenance debridement in which the chronic application of a medication can assist in both the macroscopic and microscopic debridement of a wound. We review the various debridement therapies available to clinicians in the United States, and explore the characteristics and capabilities of clostridial collagenase ointment (CCO), a type of enzymatic debridement, that potentially allows for epithelialization while debriding. It appears that in the case of CCO it may exert this influences by removal of the necrotic plug while promoting granulation and sustaining epithelialization. It is also easily combined with other methods of debridement, is selective to necrotic tissue, and has been safely used in various populations. We review the body of evidence has indicated that this concept of maintenance debridement, especially when combined episodic debridement may add a cost an efficacious, safe and cost-effective choice for debridement of cutaneous ulcers and burn wounds and it will likely play an expanding role in all phases of wound bed preparation. PMID:26442207

Imaging of zymogen granules in fully wet cells: evidence for restricted mechanism of granule growth.

PubMed

Hammel, Ilan; Anaby, Debbie

2007-09-01

The introduction of wet SEM imaging technology permits electron microscopy of wet samples. Samples are placed in sealed specimen capsules and are insulated from the vacuum in the SEM chamber by an impermeable, electron-transparent membrane. The complete insulation of the sample from the vacuum allows direct imaging of fully hydrated, whole-mount tissue. In the current work, we demonstrate direct inspection of thick pancreatic tissue slices (above 400 mum). In the case of scanning of the pancreatic surface, the boundaries of intracellular features are seen directly. Thus no unfolding is required to ascertain the actual particle size distribution based on the sizes of the sections. This method enabled us to investigate the true granule size distribution and confirm early studies of improved conformity to a Poisson-like distribution, suggesting that the homotypic granule growth results from a mechanism, which favors the addition of a single unit granule to mature granules.