In dieser Doktorarbeit wird die Hypothese geprüft, ob Osteozyten einen direkten Einfluss auf die Knocheneigenschaften in ihrer unmittelbaren Umgebung haben. Der zentrale Experimentieransatz ist dabei die Korrelation der Organisation des Osteozytennetzwerks mit den Mineraleigenschaften des Knochens auf der Submikrometerebene. Es wird gezeigt, dass bereits die anfängliche Ausrichtung der Osteoblasten entscheidend für die Synthese von hoch ausgerichtetem Knochenmaterial ist. Die dabei entstehenden Osteozytennetzwerke sind so organisiert, dass die Osteozyten und ihre Zellfortsätze jeweils einen möglichst kleinen Abstand zum Knochenmineral haben. Deshalb wird vermutet, dass genau diese Netzwerkorganisation mitentscheidend ist, wie gut die Zellen das Mineral in ih-rer Umgebung beeinflussen können. Messungen der Knochenmineraleigenschaften auf Submikrometerebene mit Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung bestätigen diese Vermutung. Dabei wird deutlich, dass Knochenmaterial in der Nähe der Osteozyten durch andere Mineraleigenschaften geprägt ist. Um zu klären, wie Osteozyten Mineral in ihrer direkten Umgebung verändern können, werden Mechanismen der passiven Mineralherauslösung aus der mineralisierten Oberfläche des Osteozytennetzwerks untersucht. Es wird gezeigt, dass kalziumarme ionische Lösungen unter physiologischen Bedingungen große Mengen von Kalzium-Ionen aus dem Knochen lösen und diese dann durch die Osteozytennetzwerkstrukturen diffundieren können. Zum Abschluss wurde medullärer Knochen von Hühnern als ein Modellsystem für rasanten Knochenumbau untersucht. Dieser spezielle Knochentyp dient den Hennen als labiles Kalziumreservoir und ermöglicht dadurch die tägliche Eierschalenproduktion. Experimente am medullären Knochen-material zeigen insbesondere die Bedeutung von weniger stabilen Mineralstrukturen die benötigt werden um den Knochen an den schnellen, sich wiederholenden Knochenauf- sowie Abbau optimal anzupassen. / This thesis aims to test the hypothesis whether osteocytes have a direct influence on bone material properties in their vicinity. In this regard, the concomitant ana-lysis of osteocyte network organization and bone ultrastructural properties on the submicron level is the central approach to answer this question. In this work, it is shown that already initial cell-cell alignment during the process of bone formation is crucial for the synthesis of highly organized bone. Furthermore it is proposed that the occurrence of highly ordered osteocyte networks visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) has a strong impact on the ability of osteocytes to directly influence bone material properties. These highly organized networks are another consequence of initial cell-cell alignment and are found to be arranged such as to feature short mineral cell distances. Examination of sub-micron mineral properties with scanning small angle x-ray scattering (sSAXS) shows that bone material in the direct vicinity of osteocytes and their cell proc-esses shows different mineral properties compared to bone further away in the depth of the tissue. Moreover, mechanisms of passive mineral extraction from the mineralized surface of the osteocyte network, due to the treatment with calcium poor ionic solutions, are investigated. It is shown that this chemical process occurring under physiological conditions leads not only to the dissolution of considerable amounts of calcium, but also to efficient diffusion of these ions through the osteocyte network structures. Finally, medullary bone which is intended as a labile calcium source for daily egg shell formation in hens is used as a model system for rapid bone turnover rates. This bone type in particular indicates the importance of uniquely adapted, less stable mineral structures to fit the requirements for rapid bone resorption as well as reformation.

Introduction : La chronicité de la rhinosinusite, sa résistance aux antibiotiques, et ses exacerbations aiguës laissent croire que les biofilms sont impliqués dans la rhinosinusite chronique. Objectifs : Nous avons évalué la capacité des bactéries Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylocoques à coagulase négative et Staphylococcus aureus à former des biofilms par un essai in vitro, et si cette capacité de formation a un lien avec l’évolution de la maladie. Nous avons évalué in vitro l’effet de la moxifloxacine, un antibiotique utilisé dans le traitement de la rhinosinusite chronique sur des biofilms matures de Staphylococcus aureus. Méthodes : Trent et une souches bactériennes ont été isolées de 19 patients atteints de rhinosinusite chronique et qui ont subit au moins une chirurgie endoscopique des sinus. L’évolution de la maladie a été notée comme "bonne" ou "mauvaise" selon l’évaluation du clinicien. La production de biofilm a été évaluée grâce à la coloration au crystal violet. Nous avons évalué la viabilité du biofilm après traitement avec la moxifloxacine. Ces résultats ont été confirmés en microscopie confocale à balayage laser et par la coloration au LIVE/DEAD BacLight. Résultat et Conclusion : Vingt deux des 31 souches ont produit un biofilm. La production d’un biofilm plus importante chez Pseudomonas aeruginosa et Staphylococcus aureus était associée à une mauvaise évolution. Ceci suggère un rôle du biofilm dans la pathogenèse de la rhinosinusite chronique. Le traitement avec la moxifloxacine, à une concentration de 1000X la concentration minimale inhibitrice réduit le nombre des bactéries viables de 2 à 2.5 log. Ces concentrations (100 µg/ml - 200 µg/ml) sont faciles à atteindre dans des solutions topiques. Les résultats de notre étude suggèrent que l’utilisation de concentrations supérieure à la concentration minimale inhibitrice sous forme topique peut ouvrir des voies de recherche sur de nouveaux traitements qui peuvent être bénéfiques pour les patients atteints de forme sévère de rhinosinusite chronique surtout après une chirurgie endoscopique des sinus. / Introduction: The role of biofilms in chronic diseases is increasingly recognized. Chronic rhinosinusitis, with its chronic indolent course, resistance to antibiotics, and acute exacerbations, has an evolution that parallels that of other biofilm-related diseases. Objectives: 1-To develop an in vitro method to assess the biofilm formation capacity. 2- To determine whether biofilm-forming capacity of bacteria demonstrated in chronic rhinosinusitis has an impact on persistence of the disease following endoscopic sinus surgery. 3- To determine the in vitro activity of moxifloxacin against Staphyylococcus aureus in biofilm form. Method: Thirty-one bacterial strains recovered from 19 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis at least one year post-endoscopic sinus surgery. Evolution of disease was assessed by questionnaire and endoscopy as favorable or unfavorable. The bacteria were cultured on a 96-well culture plaque and a semi-quantitative method using crystal violet to quantify biofilm production was used. Confirmation of the effect of the antimicrobial agents on viability was performed with confocal laser microscopy, using a LIVE/DEAD BacLight staining. Results: Twenty-two of 31 samples produced a biofilm thicker or equal to the positive control. Biofilm formation was associated with a poor evolution for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, but not for coagulase-negative staphylococci. Biofilm treated with moxifloxacin at 1000X (0.1mg/ml – 0.2 mg/ml) gave a 2 to 2.5 log reduction in number of viable bacteria. Conclusion: We have shown that Crystal violet method is able to detect biofilm formation. There is a correlation between in vitro biofilm production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and unfavorable evolution after endoscopic sinus surgery, suggesting a role for biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis. Increased concentrations of moxifloxacin, easily attainable in topical solutions have a potential role in the management of biofilm infections.

A conventional membrane bioreactor (MBR) and two moving bed bioreactors coupled with ultrafiltration membrane filtration were operated for close to six months to investigate biological nutrient removal and potential fouling inducing parameter mitigation. Unique to one of the moving bed membrane bioreactors (MBMBR) was a newly designed media that incorporated a hydrodynamic exterior carrier with a highly porous interior packing. Preliminary investigation indicates that nitrogen compounds were superiorly removed in the two MBMBRs when compared with the MBR. This is a result of denitrification processes occurring in anoxic micro-zones found within the depths of the biofilm affixed to media. Fouling propensity was found to be increased by over four times in the MBMBR systems as compared to the MBR. Mixed liquor, permeate and filtrate analysis, membrane fibre examination and permeability tests indicated that colloidal organic carbon, as well as soluble microbial products were the dominant fouling inducing compounds. / Manuscript format / The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Sphaerodoridae is a group of benthic marine worms (Annelida) characterized by the presence of spherical tubercles covering their whole surface. They are commonly considered as belonging to Phyllodocida although sistergroup relationships are still far from being understood. Primary homology assessments of their morphological features are lacking, hindering the appraisal of evolutionary relationships between taxa. Therefore, our detailed morphological investigation focuses on different Sphaerodoridae as well as on other members of Phyllodocida using an integrative approach combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as immunohistochemistry with standard neuronal (anti-5-HT) and muscular (phalloidin-rhodamine) markers and subsequent CLSM analysis of whole mounts and sections. Furthermore, we provide histological (HES) and light microscopical data to shed light on the structures and hypothetical function of sphaerodorid key morphological features. We provide fundamental details into the sphaerodorid morphology supporting a Phyllodocida ancestry of these enigmatic worms. However, the muscular arrangement and the presence of an axial muscular pharynx is similar to conditions observed in other members of the Errantia too. Furthermore, nervous system and muscle staining as well as SEM and histological observations of different types of tubercles indicate a homology of the so called microtubercles, present in the long-bodied sphaerodorids, to the dorsal cirri of other Errantia. The macrotubercles seem to represent a sphaerodorid autapomorphy based on our investigations. Therefore, our results allow comparisons concerning morphological patterns between Sphaerodoridae and other Phyllodocida and constitute a starting point for further comparative investigations to reveal the evolution of the remarkable Sphaerodoridae.

Non-metallic inclusions in steels are generally considered to be detrimental for mechanical properties. However, it has been recognized that certain inclusions, such as Ti-oxide and TiN, can serve as potent nucleation sites for the formation of intragranular ferrite (IGF) in low-alloy steels. The formation of IGF could improve the toughness of the coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ) of weld metals. Thus, the present thesis mainly focuses on the effect of size of nucleation sites on the IGF formation. Quantitative studies on the composition, size distribution and nucleation probability for each size of the inclusions as well as the area fraction, starting temperature and morphology of an IGF have been carried out. In the present work, the Ti-oxide and TiN powders were mixed with metallic powders. The mixed powders were heated up to the liquid state and cooled with a slow cooling rate of 3.6 ºC/min. These as-cast steels with Ti-oxide and TiN additions were used to simulate the IGF formation in the CGHAZ of weld metals. Specifically, the inclusion and microstructure characteristics in as-cast steels have been investigated. The results show that the nucleant inclusion was identified as a TiOx+MnS phase in steels with Ti2O3 additions and as a TiN+Mn-Al-Si-Ti-O+MnS phase in steels with TiN additions. In addition, the TiOx and TiN phases are detected to be the effective nucleation sites for IGF formation. It is clearly shown that an increased inclusion size leads to an increased probability of IGF nucleation. This probability of IGF nucleation for each inclusion size of the TiOx+MnS inclusions is clearly higher than that of the complex TiN+Mn-Al-Si-Ti-O+MnS inclusions. In addition, the area fraction of IGF in the steels with Ti2O3 additions is larger than that of the steels with TiN additions. This result agrees with the predicted tendency of the probability of IGF nucleation for each inclusion size in the steels with Ti2O3 and TiN additions. In order to predict the effective inclusion size for IGF formation, the critical diameters of the TiO, TiN and VN inclusions, which acted as the nucleation sites of IGF formation, were also calculated based on the classical nucleation theory. The critical diameters of TiO, TiN and VN inclusions for IGF formation were found to be 0.192, 0.355 and 0.810 μm in the present steels. The calculation results were found to be in agreement with the experiment data of an effective inclusion size. Moreover, the effects of the S, Mn and C contents on the critical diameters of inclusions were also calculated. It was found that the critical diameter of the TiO, TiN and VN inclusions increases with an increased content of Mn or C. However, the S content doesn’t have a direct effect on the critical diameter of the inclusions for IGF formation. The probability of IGF nucleation for each inclusion size slightly decreases in the steel containing a higher S content. This fact is due to that an increased amount of MnS precipitation covers the nucleant inclusion surface. In the as-cast experiment, it was noted that an IGF can be formed in steels with Ti2O3 and TiN additions with a cooling rate of 3.6 ºC/min. In order to control the microstructure characteristics, such as the area fraction and the morphology of an IGF, and to investigate the starting temperature of IGF and grain boundary ferrite (GBF) formation, the dynamic transformation behavior of IGF and GBF was studied in-situ by a high temperature confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Furthermore, the chemical compositions of the inclusions and the morphology of IGF after the in-situ observations were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) which equipped wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS). The results show that the area fraction of IGF is larger in the steels with Ti2O3 additions compared to the steels with TiN additions, after the same thermal cycle has been imposed. This is due to that the TiOx phase provides more potent nucleation sites for IGF than the TiN phase does. Also, the area fraction of IGF in the steels is highest after at an intermediate cooling rate of 70 ºC/min, since the competing phase transformations are avoided. This fact has been detected by using a hybrid methodology in combination with CLSM and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, it is noted that the morphology of an IGF is refined with an increased cooling rate. / <p>QC 20150325</p>

Several factors must be considered in the selection of angled abutments. In these situations, the clinician should find a practical way to overcome the lack of retention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of metallic crowns cemented to straight and angled customizable abutments with different definitive luting agents. Ninety one regular external hex analogs and abutments were divided in Control group (C): customizable straight abutment cemented with zinc phosphate (n = 10); three groups (n = 10) with 17° angled abutment cemented with zinc phosphate (A17ZP), Panavia F (A17RM) and RelyX U100 (A17R) cements and more three groups (n = 10) with 30° angled abutment also cemented with zinc phosphate (A30ZP), Panavia F (A30RM) and RelyX U100 (A30R) cements. The metal copings were cemented onto their corresponding metal dies and crowns cemented with Panavia F were pre-treated with an alloy primer containing an acid-phosphated monomer (MDP). Data from the all groups were compared to control group with a 1-way ANOVA (&#945;=.05) and Dunnet s test, and comparison between tested groups were done with 2-way ANOVA (&#945;=.05) and Tukey s test. SEM and CLSM evaluation were performed (n = 3) aiming to investigate microscopic features of the abutment-cement-crown interfaces. The mean force (SD) required to dislodge the crowns in the C, A17ZP, A17RM, A17R, A30ZP, A30RM and A30R groups was 357,26 (62,21) N; 251,50 (20,13) N; 397,05 (88,48) N; 328,71 (79,87) N; 276,70 (17,96) N; 377,81 (90,61) N and 335,42 (88,34) N respectively. Panavia F presented the higher tensile bond strength results and zinc phosphate the lower between the tested groups. Only A17ZP group was different from control group (p=.007) and the abutment taper has no influence in retentive values. Zinc phosphate showed an inhomogeneous cement line in SEM and CLSM analysis. The presence of MDP primer could be perceived in CLSM images of Panavia F group. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the Panavia F presented the higher bonding strength between tested groups, however, all 3 cements tested were similar to control group except A17ZP group, showing that in the conditions of the study they all can be successfully used. / Vários fatores devem ser considerados na seleção dos pilares angulados, assim, muitas vezes, o clínico deve encontrar uma forma prática de superar a falta de retenção resultante das características desse tipo de pilar. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência de união de coroas metálicas cimentadas sobre pilares personalizáveis retos e angulados, cimentados com diferentes agentes de cimentação definitivos. Noventa e um análogos de implantes regulares do tipo hexágono externo foram divididos em Grupo controle (C): pilar reto personalizável cimentado com fosfato de zinco (n = 10); três grupos (n = 10) com pilares angulados de 17° cimentados com fosfato de zinco (A17F), Panavia F (A17RM) e RelyX U100(A17R) e ainda mais três grupos (n = 10) com pilares angulados de 30° também cimentados com cimento de fosfato de zinco (A30F), Panavia F (A30RM) e RelyX U100 (A30R). Coroas de Níquel-Cromo foram confeccionadas e cimentadas em seus pilares correspondentes sendo que as coroas cimentadas com Panavia F foram pré-tratadas com um primer para metal contendo monômero ácido fosfatado (MDP). Dados de todos os grupos foram comparados ao grupo controle por meio da análise de variância ANOVA - One way (&#945; =0,05) e teste de Dunnet, e a comparação entre os grupos testados foi realizada por meio de análise de variância ANOVA Two way (&#945; =0,05) e teste de Tukey. Ainda as avaliações em MEV e MVCL foram realizadas com 3 amostras representativas de cada grupo com o objetivo de investigar as características microscópicas das interfaces pilar-coroa-cimento. A média de força (DP) necessária para deslocar as coroas nos grupos C, A17F, A17RM, A17R, A30F, A30RM e grupos A30R foram, respectivamente, 357,26 (62,21) N; 251,50 (20,13) N; 397, 05 (88,48) N; 328,71 (79,87) N; 276,70 (17,96) N; 377,81 (90,61) N e 335,42 (88,34) N. O cimento Panavia F apresentou os resultados mais elevados de resistência a tração (RT) e o fosfato de zinco apresentou os menores valores de RT entre os grupos testados. Apenas o grupo A17F foi estatisticamente diferente do grupo controle (p = 0,007) e a inclinação das paredes axiais do pilar não influenciou os valores de retenção obtidos. O fosfato de zinco apresentou uma linha de cimentação não homogênea na análise em MEV e MVCL. A presença de primer contendo MDP pode ser percebida nas imagens de MVCL do grupo Panavia F. Dentro das limitações deste estudo in vitro, o Panavia F apresentou a maior resistência de união entre os grupos testados, no entanto, todos os três cimentos testados foram semelhantes ao grupo controle, exceto o grupo A17F grupo, mostrando que nas condições do estudo todos eles podem ser usados com sucesso. / Mestre em Odontologia

This work deals with the study of the influence of metallocene type polypropylene (mPP) molecular weight on isothermal crystallization of its nanocomposites filled with hydrophobic and hydrophilic nanosilica (1 and 2 vol.%). Real amount of nanosilica was determined by thermogravimetry. Isothermal crystallization was performed on differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at 119–125 °C and observed in-situ under optical polarizing microscope (POM) at 128 °C using hot stage. The increase of mPP crystallinity degree in time was determined on DSC and spherulite type and growth rate was determined using POM. Supramolecular surface structure of the original and isothermally crystallited nanocomposites was observed directly or after chemical etching (mixture of mineral acids with KMnO4) on confocal laser scanning microscope. The crystal structure of mPP was in all tested materials verified by X-ray diffraction.

Introduction : La chronicité de la rhinosinusite, sa résistance aux antibiotiques, et ses exacerbations aiguës laissent croire que les biofilms sont impliqués dans la rhinosinusite chronique. Objectifs : Nous avons évalué la capacité des bactéries Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylocoques à coagulase négative et Staphylococcus aureus à former des biofilms par un essai in vitro, et si cette capacité de formation a un lien avec l’évolution de la maladie. Nous avons évalué in vitro l’effet de la moxifloxacine, un antibiotique utilisé dans le traitement de la rhinosinusite chronique sur des biofilms matures de Staphylococcus aureus. Méthodes : Trent et une souches bactériennes ont été isolées de 19 patients atteints de rhinosinusite chronique et qui ont subit au moins une chirurgie endoscopique des sinus. L’évolution de la maladie a été notée comme "bonne" ou "mauvaise" selon l’évaluation du clinicien. La production de biofilm a été évaluée grâce à la coloration au crystal violet. Nous avons évalué la viabilité du biofilm après traitement avec la moxifloxacine. Ces résultats ont été confirmés en microscopie confocale à balayage laser et par la coloration au LIVE/DEAD BacLight. Résultat et Conclusion : Vingt deux des 31 souches ont produit un biofilm. La production d’un biofilm plus importante chez Pseudomonas aeruginosa et Staphylococcus aureus était associée à une mauvaise évolution. Ceci suggère un rôle du biofilm dans la pathogenèse de la rhinosinusite chronique. Le traitement avec la moxifloxacine, à une concentration de 1000X la concentration minimale inhibitrice réduit le nombre des bactéries viables de 2 à 2.5 log. Ces concentrations (100 µg/ml - 200 µg/ml) sont faciles à atteindre dans des solutions topiques. Les résultats de notre étude suggèrent que l’utilisation de concentrations supérieure à la concentration minimale inhibitrice sous forme topique peut ouvrir des voies de recherche sur de nouveaux traitements qui peuvent être bénéfiques pour les patients atteints de forme sévère de rhinosinusite chronique surtout après une chirurgie endoscopique des sinus. / Introduction: The role of biofilms in chronic diseases is increasingly recognized. Chronic rhinosinusitis, with its chronic indolent course, resistance to antibiotics, and acute exacerbations, has an evolution that parallels that of other biofilm-related diseases. Objectives: 1-To develop an in vitro method to assess the biofilm formation capacity. 2- To determine whether biofilm-forming capacity of bacteria demonstrated in chronic rhinosinusitis has an impact on persistence of the disease following endoscopic sinus surgery. 3- To determine the in vitro activity of moxifloxacin against Staphyylococcus aureus in biofilm form. Method: Thirty-one bacterial strains recovered from 19 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis at least one year post-endoscopic sinus surgery. Evolution of disease was assessed by questionnaire and endoscopy as favorable or unfavorable. The bacteria were cultured on a 96-well culture plaque and a semi-quantitative method using crystal violet to quantify biofilm production was used. Confirmation of the effect of the antimicrobial agents on viability was performed with confocal laser microscopy, using a LIVE/DEAD BacLight staining. Results: Twenty-two of 31 samples produced a biofilm thicker or equal to the positive control. Biofilm formation was associated with a poor evolution for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, but not for coagulase-negative staphylococci. Biofilm treated with moxifloxacin at 1000X (0.1mg/ml – 0.2 mg/ml) gave a 2 to 2.5 log reduction in number of viable bacteria. Conclusion: We have shown that Crystal violet method is able to detect biofilm formation. There is a correlation between in vitro biofilm production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and unfavorable evolution after endoscopic sinus surgery, suggesting a role for biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis. Increased concentrations of moxifloxacin, easily attainable in topical solutions have a potential role in the management of biofilm infections.

Untersuchungen zur Kantenfestigkeit von Gläsern zeigen, dass diese in Abhängigkeit des Herstellers und der Kantenbearbeitungsart nach DIN 1249-11 stark variiert. Insbesondere der Bearbeitungsprozess des Schleifens weist eine Vielzahl von Parametern auf, welche die resultierende Oberflächenbeschaffenheit der Glaskante beeinflussen, allerdings noch unzureichend untersucht sind. Eine objektive Erfassung der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit über Kennwerte der Rauheit könnte helfen, Prozessparameter bewertbar zu machen und eine Korrelation zwischen dem Bearbeitungsprozess und der Kantenfestigkeit zu schaffen. Im Rahmen einer ersten Vorstudie wurden Rauheitskennwerte geschliffener und polierter Kantenoberflächen von drei Herstellern mittels konfokalem Laserscanning-Mikroskop ermittelt und hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zur Bewertung der Bearbeitungsprozesse geprüft. / Roughness examination of processed glass edges under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Findings on the edge strength show that, it varies depending on the manufacturer and the type of edge finishing. In particular the grinding process has a large number of parameters that influence the surface quality of the glass edge, which have not yet been fully investigated. The determination of objective roughness parameters could help to evaluate the grinding processes and further correlate the surface quality with the edge strength. Within the scope of a preliminary study, roughness parameters were calculated for ground and polished glass edges of three manufacturers using a confocal laser scanning microscope. Finally the method was tested regarding to its suitability for a determination of characteristic roughness parameters that could be used to evaluate the grinding processes.

No description available.