5 results
Immunosuppressive PAS-1 is an excretory/secretory protein released by larval and adult worms of the ascarid nematode Ascaris suum
- M.F.P. Antunes, T.O. Titz, I.F.C. Batista, R. Marques-Porto, C.F. Oliveira, C.A. Alves de Araujo, M.F. Macedo-Soares
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- Journal:
- Journal of Helminthology / Volume 89 / Issue 3 / May 2015
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 April 2014, pp. 367-374
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Helminths use several strategies to evade and/or modify the host immune response, including suppression or inactivation of the host antigen-specific response. Several helminth immunomodulatory molecules have been identified. Our studies have focused on immunosuppression induced by the roundworm Ascaris suum and an A. suum-derived protein named protein 1 from A. suum (PAS-1). Here we assessed whether PAS-1 is an excretory/secretory (E/S) protein and whether it can suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Larvae from infective eggs were cultured in unsupplemented Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) for 2 weeks. PAS-1 was then measured in the culture supernatants and in adult A. suum body fluid at different time points by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the monoclonal antibody MAIP-1. Secreted PAS-1 was detected in both larval culture supernatant and adult body fluid. It suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced leucocyte migration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and stimulated interleukin (IL)-10 secretion, indicating that larval and adult secreted PAS-1 suppresses inflammation in this model. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of PAS-1 was abolished by treatment with MAIP-1, a PAS-1-specific monoclonal antibody, confirming the crucial role of PAS-1 in suppressing LPS-induced inflammation. These findings demonstrate that PAS-1 is an E/S protein with anti-inflammatory properties likely to be attributable to IL-10 production.
Microstructural characterisation of a collection of Protohistoric bronzes
- E. Figueiredo, R.J.C. Silva, M.F. Araújo, R. Vilaça
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- Journal:
- Microscopy and Microanalysis / Volume 19 / Issue S4 / August 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 August 2013, pp. 109-110
- Print publication:
- August 2013
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Microstructural characterisation of an archaeological collection of Protohistoric bronze artefacts attributed to around the VIII century B.C. and has been carried out using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The collection was found in Medronhal cave (Condeixa-a-Nova, Portugal) and is composed by 1 fibula, 5 bracelets and 31 rings.
Small areas on the surfaces of the artefacts were cleaned from corrosion and were metallographically prepared by a manual polishing with several diamond suspensions in a cotton swab until 1 micron diamond size. OM observations were performed in bright field (BF) illumination and under polarized light (Pol), in unetched and etched conditions. SEM-EDS was performed without a conductive coating for a minimum external elemental interference.
OM observations allowed the study of the method and sequence of manufacture involved in the production of the various types of artefacts. Results show that the fibula and the bracelets have equiaxed (recrystallised) grain structures resulting from cyclic thermo-mechanical treatments performed to a pre-form cast bar until requested shape and surface finishing was attained. The rings, which are of diverse sizes, have various types of microstructures as a result of diverse manufacturing techniques. Some show a dendritic structure that resulted from the casting, and others show recrystallised structures that resulted from cycles of deformation and annealing procedures posterior to their casting (Figure 1).
SEM-EDS analysis allowed the study of the presence of inclusions in the metallic matrix and the study of corrosion in some artefacts (Figure 2). Different types of inclusions were identified, namely copper sulphides, tin oxide, and lead rich inclusions. Both copper sulphides and lead inclusions are commonly found in archaeological bronzes, and can be a result of copper ores impurities. Tin oxide, on the other hand, is not so common, and its presence can be understood as a result of preferential oxidation of tin regarding copper during a melting or alloying operation. The study of the interface alloy/corrosion showed the presence of chlorides in internal corrosion layers, which can probably be related to an aggressiveness of the burial environment.
This research work has been financed by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) through the EarlyMetal project (PTDC/HIS-ARQ/110442/2008), the grant SFRH/BPD/73245/2010 (to EF) and the Strategic Project-LA25-2011-2012 (PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2011) (to CENIMAT/I3N).
Microscopy characterization of metallurgical production evidences from Vila Nova de São Pedro (Azambuja, Portugal)
- F. Pereira, R.J. Silva, A.M. Monge Soares, M.F. Araújo
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- Journal:
- Microscopy and Microanalysis / Volume 19 / Issue S4 / August 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 August 2013, pp. 149-150
- Print publication:
- August 2013
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The Castro de Vila Nova de São Pedro (VNSP) is an emblematic settlement located at Azambuja (Portugal), occupied predominantly during the Chalcolithic period. A large and diversified metallurgical collection was recovered from this settlement which includes artefacts, crucibles and other metallurgical production remains, like slags and droplets. The chemical and microstructural characterization of this metallic collection aims to contribute to a better comprehension of the early copper-based metallurgy on the Portuguese Estremadura, the degree of knowledge of the ancient metallurgists and the role of the metallurgical activities in Chalcolithic societies.
A group of 53 selected copper-based fragments of artefacts plus metallurgical production remains (12 crucibles and 20 slags and droplets), all belonging to VNSP, were characterized by using different analytical techniques: EDXRF and micro-EDXRF spectrometry, optical microscopy (OM) and SEM-EDS. The EDXRF and micro-EDXRF spectrometry gives the elemental composition of the artefacts and metallic nodules. The microscopy techniques play a fundamental role in the chemical and microstructural characterization of artefacts and metallurgical remains. The OM allows the identification of different phases, inclusions and thermomechanical processes applied during the shaping of the artefacts. The SEM-EDS plays an important role in the determination of main chemical phases present in the metal alloy and slags, and also in the distribution of chemical elements and minerals in the inclusions. The combination of these two microscopy techniques gives indication of the processes used in the reduction of minerals in order to obtain the metal and also allows the characterization of the operation chain, regarding the production of artefacts.
The research that has been carried out by us offer indications concerning the provenance of the arsenic, the technological choices involved in the production of an arsenical copper alloy and how it was recognized by ancient metallurgists. Results obtained on the elemental composition of the metallurgical production remains are consistent with copper and arsenical copper (As > 2 %) artefact production. Crucibles and slags analysed indicate melting and smelting operations (of copper ores or copper/arsenic ores). A statistically significant association was found between copper alloyed with arsenic and artefacts classified as tools/weapons (arrowheads, daggers and knives). In several cases, the presence of arsenic rich phases in the microstructure, resulting from an inverse segregation phenomenon, shows no evidence of chemical homogeneity control during the artefact manufacture. Microstructural analyses also show that the majority of the artefactual group was shaped with forging plus annealing operation cycles and 23 % of the artefacts received a final forging treatment. This final treatment was associated to artefacts presenting higher arsenic contents.
This research work has been financed by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT-MCTES) through the EarlyMetal project (PTDC/HIS-ARQ/110442/2008) and the PhD Grant SFRH/BD/78107/2011 (FP). The financial support of CENIMAT/I3N through the Strategic Project-LA25-2011-2012 (PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2011) is also acknowledged.
A microstructural characterization of some Late Bronze Age metals from Fraga dos Corvos site: fibula, pendants, riveted sheet and droplet
- F. Lopes, R.J. Silva, E. Figueiredo, M.F. Araújo, J. Reprezas, E. Luís, J.C. Senna-Martinez
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- Journal:
- Microscopy and Microanalysis / Volume 19 / Issue S4 / August 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 August 2013, pp. 141-142
- Print publication:
- August 2013
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The knowledge of our pre-history and ancient metal artefacts production methods can only be deeply investigated through the multidisciplinary approaches involving different analytical techniques including microscopy techniques. The present study concerns the elemental and microstructural characterization of pre-historic bronze artefacts from the Northwestern Iberia Peninsula. During Bronze Age an increment of metal artefacts production and its typological diversification is observed related to the development of metallurgical technology. Several artefacts have been found during recent excavations at the Bronze Age settlement of Fraga dos Corvos (Macedo de Cavaleiros, Portugal). The analysis of metallurgical remains points out to the existence of local metallurgical activities. Five bronze artefacts previously analysed by micro-EDXRF, an Acebuchal fibula fragment, two pendants and a riveted sheet (probably a fragment of a vessel or cauldron) with average concentration values of 10±1.1% Sn and ~2±0.5% Pb and a droplet (?) with ~5% Sn and ~4% Pb, were selected for optical microscopy (OM) and SEM-EDS analysis.
Microscopy observations showed to be very important for the comprehension of pre-historic bronze metallurgy, allowing the identification of different phases, inclusions and thermomechanical processes applied during artefacts production. The fibula and the pendants show an equiaxed and twinned microstructure with slip bands (Figure 1 (a) and (c)). The characteristics observed are related to recrystallized and plastically deformed α-Cu structures. These features indicate that the artefacts were hammered and annealed (thermomechanical cycling), ending with a hammering operation. The pendants only exhibit slip bands near the surface, probably resulting from a finishing operation. Lead and Cu-S inclusions are frequently observed. The riveted sheet has an annealed microstructure with large α-Cu grains, undissolved (α+δ) eutectoid and few annealing twins. Elongated Cu-S inclusions, lead globules and pores were identified by SEM-EDS (Figure 1 (a)). Its microstructure indicates that shaping was obtained by just one or few thermomechanical cycles. The droplet presents a coarse and cored dendritic structure (Figure 1 (b)). Rounded Cu-S inclusions, lead globules and pores were also observed. Those are characteristics of a slow cooled as-cast alloy. Due to its low Sn content the (α+δ) eutectoid is absent. As a final note, microscopy techniques allowed establishing the manufacture processes involved in bronze metallurgy and to conclude that different thermomechanical processes were applied according to the typology of the artefact.
Financial support received from the Portuguese Science and Technology foundation under the EarlyMetal project PTDC/HIS-ARQ/110442/2008 and the grants SFRH/BPD/73245/2010 (EF) and SFRH/BD/72369/2010 (EL). Financial support of CENIMAT/I3N through the Strategic Project LA25/2011-2012 (PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2011) is gratefully acknowledged.
Applications of Electron Microscopy in Collaborative Industrial Research
- F.M. Ross, K.M. Krishnan, N. Thangaraj, R.F.C. Farrow, R.F. Marks, A. Cebollada, S.S.P. Parkin, M.F. Toney, M. Huffman, C.A. Paz De Araujo, L.D. McMillan, J. Cuchiaro, M.C. Scott, C. Echer, F. Ponce, M.A. O'Keefe, E.C. Nelson
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- Journal:
- MRS Bulletin / Volume 21 / Issue 5 / May 1996
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 29 November 2013, pp. 17-23
- Print publication:
- May 1996
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The transmission electron microscope (TEM) is one of the most useful tools available to the materials scientist. Yet both the complexity and expense of the equipment, and the huge investment in time necessary to become proficient in specimen preparation and image acquisition and analysis, mean that it is difficult for most industrial institutions to maintain a state-of-the-art TEM facility. How can industry overcome this problem? One solution is to set up a collaboration with a university, an industrial partner, or a government research laboratory. Such collaborations can be extremely valuable to the company, which gains access to microscopes, specimen-preparation equipment and the expertise of professional microscopists, and to the research laboratory, which benefits from the industrial perspective and the private sector's proficiency in materials preparation and processing.
Such collaborations exist, and they can produce excellent results. In this article, we present three case studies in which successful collaboration has occurred between industry and one of the Department of Energy's scientific user facilities, the National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM-see sidebar). Our aim is not only to describe results that we hope will be of scientific interest but also to encourage industrial researchers to consider collaborations with institutes such as NCEM.