Structural analysis of proteinaceous components in Byssal threads of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.
The mussel byssus is a unique holdfast structure employed by marine mussels to colonize diverse substrates. The byssus consists of extracellular threads with mainly proteinaceous components. Individual threads reveal high tensile strength at their distal end and high elasticity in their proximal portion. Our studies show that proteins of the distal part are oriented along the thread axis and are well-ordered with a high beta-structural content. In contrast, proteins of the proximal part are less ordered and are not as well-oriented with primarily alpha-helical structure. The detected differences in the structural features of the proteins along a byssus thread are likely an important basis for its gradual mechanical properties.
A preliminary technical study on sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced changes of the nano-structural and macro-mechanical properties in human iliotibial tract specimens.
INTRODUCTION
Acellular scaffolds are frequently used for the surgical repair of ligaments and tendons. Even though data on the macro-mechanical properties related to the acellularization process exist, corresponding data on the nano-structural properties are still lacking. Such data would help identify target proteins of the formed extracellular matrix that are chemically altered by the acellularization. In this study we examined the altered structure by comparing molecular properties of collagens from native and acellular iliotibial tract samples to the macroscopic stress-strain behavior of tract samples.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Matched pairs of five human iliotibial tract samples were obtained from five donors (mean age 28.2±4.7 years). One of each pair was acellularized using 1vol% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for 7 days. (13)C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((13)C CP MAS NMR) was utilized to compare the collagen overall secondary structure and internal dynamics of collagen-typical amino acid proteins. The resulting data was compared to age-matched stress-strain data of tract samples obtained in an uniaxial tensile setup and histologically.


RESULTS
Typical and nearly identical collagen (13)C CP MAS NMR spectra were found in the tract samples before and after acellularization with SDS. The characteristic collagen backbone remained intact in the native and acellular samples. Collagen molecular composition was largely unaltered in both conditions. Furthermore, a similar dynamic behavior was found for the amino acids Hyp γ, Pro α/Hyp α, Ala α, Gly α and Ala β. These minute alterations in the collagens' molecular properties related to acellularization with SDS were in line with the similarly minute changes in the macro-mechanical tensile behavior, such as the elastic modulus and ultimate stress. Histology showed intact type I collagens, minute amounts of elastins before and after acellularization and evidence for acellularization-induced reductions of proteoglycans.


DISCUSSION
Nano-structural properties of collagens are minutely affected by SDS treatment for acellularization, indicated by the molecular composition and dynamics. The lacking acellularization-related changes in the molecular structure properties of collagens in iliotibial tract samples are in line with the small alterations in their macro-mechanical tensile behavior. Though the given setup approaches soft tissue mechanics from both scaling extremes of mechanical testing, further structural analyzes are needed in a larger sample size to substantiate these findings.
Intensification of Bubble Disintegration and Dispersion by Mechanical Stirring in Gas Injection Refining
Water model experiments were performed for establishing highly efficient gas injection refining processes. Mechanical stirring was applied to disintegrate the injected bubbles and to disperse them widely in the bath. The bubble disintegration and dispersion were investigated by changing rotation mode (direction of rotation), rotation speed, blade size of the impeller and gas flow rate. Forward rotation of the impeller induced a stable tangential flow and could not disperse bubbles in the bath due to formation of a vortex around the impeller shaft. The tangential flow could be suppressed by forward–interrupt rotation, which could reduce the vortex formation to some degree. However, forward–interrupt rotation could not disperse the bubbles widely in the bath. Forward–reverse rotation could prevent the vortex formation completely and create a strong shear stress field, which intensified the bubble disintegration and dispersion in the bath. Higher impeller rotation speed and larger blade length in forward–reverse rotation could enhance the bubble disintegration and make the dispersed bubbles smaller. The bubble dispersion zone became wider with larger blade length. The bubble size tended to be larger at higher gas flow rates. However, its dependence on the gas flow rate became smaller at higher impeller rotation speed.