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A diamond trilogy: superplumes, supercontinents, and supernovae

Diamond is a remarkable mineral and has been long recognized for its unusual physical and chemical properties: robust and widespread in industry, yet regally adorned. This diversity is even greater than formally appreciated because diamond is recognized as an extraordinary recorder of astrophysical and geodynamic events that extend from the far reaches of space to Earth's deep interior. Many diamonds are natural antiques that formed in presolar supernovae by carbon vapor deposition, in asteroidal impacts and meteorite craters by shock metamorphism, and in Earth's mantle 1 to 2 billion years after planetary accretion from fluids and melts. The carbon in diamond is primordial, but there are unexplained isotopic fractionations and uncertainties in heterogeneity.

Journal Article↗

A nucleation site and mechanism leading to epitaxial growth of diamond films

A diamond nucleation site responsible for epitaxial growth of diamond on silicon by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is identified in high-resolution transmission electron microscopic images. Other sites in the same sample leading to polycrystalline growth, but deleterious to epitaxial CVD growth, are also described. A mechanism for the heteroepitaxial growth of diamond is suggested, in which etching of the nondiamond carbon binder exposes and removes nonadherent nanodiamond nuclei, leaving intact only those directly nucleated on the silicon substrate. This work enhances our understanding of diamond nucleation and heteroepitaxial growth and its potential applications.

Journal Article↗

Electroanalysis of tetracycline using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode applied to flow injection system.

The electrochemical analysis of tetracycline was investigated using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry with a flow injection system. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical oxidation of tetracycline. Comparison experiments were carried out using as-deposited boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (BDD). Nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (Ni-DIA) provided well-resolved oxidation irreversible cyclic voltammograms. The current signals were higher than those obtained using the as-deposited BDD electrode. Results using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode in flow injection system coupled with amperometric detection are presented. The optimum potential for tetracycline was 1.55 V versus Ag/AgCl. The linear range of 1.0 to 100 microM and the detection limit of 10 nM were obtained. In addition, the application for drug formulation was also investigated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Absence of abnormalities of c-kit or its ligand in two patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

As Diamond-Blackfan anemia shares clinical features with W and Steel defects in mice, we investigated the possibility that this human disorder might result from an abnormality of the c-kit receptor or its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF). For these studies, full nucleotide sequences for coding regions of c-kit and SCF were generated for two Diamond-Blackfan anemia patients and were normal. Similarly, the kds of SCF receptors on their marrow cells (31 pmol/L, 43 pmol/L) were comparable with those found in three normal controls (50 pmol/L, 55 pmol/L, 27 pmol/L). Serum SCF concentrations were 6.9 ng/mL in patient A, 14.6 ng/mL in patient B, who has been in hematologic remission since adolescence, and 2.7 ng/mL in the 3-year-old daughter of patient B, who also has Diamond-Blackfan anemia but is transfusion-dependent. It is possible that the SCF level in patient B increased with puberty, leading to her remission. These data provide evidence that Diamond-Blackfan anemia does not result from structural abnormalities of c-kit or SCF.

Adult↗

Diamond-blackfan anemia: in vitro response of erythroid progenitors to the ligand for c-kit.

To provide insights into the pathogenesis of Diamond-Blackfan anemia, we examined the in vitro response of erythroid progenitors to the recently isolated ligand for c-kit (stem cell factor, SCF). For these studies, marrow or blood mononuclear cells from 10 Diamond-Blackfan patients were cultured with erythropoietin (Ep), Ep and interleukin-3, Ep and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or Ep and lymphocyte conditioned media (LCM). These combinations were tested in the presence or absence of SCF. The mean number of cells per erythroid burst increased 5 to 50-fold in cultures containing SCF. Furthermore, many additional erythroid bursts were seen (mean increment 3.2 x baseline values). Although burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) from all patients responded, there were differences among individuals in the sensitivity of their BFU-E to SCF. In six patients and all control studies, plateau frequencies of erythroid bursts were achieved with less than or equal to 10 ng/mL SCF, whereas in studies from the other four patients, over 50 ng/mL SCF was required. These data invite speculation that the c-kit receptor/ligand axis is involved in the pathogenesis of Diamond-Blackfan anemia. More importantly and regardless of whether the observed patterns of response reflect the primary defect or an epiphenomenon, our data strongly support a therapeutic trial of SCF in patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Adolescent↗

Diamond-Blackfan anemia as an unusual cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is an unusual cause of childhood anemia that results from an absence of bone marrow red cell precursors. To our knowledge, the in utero development of Diamond-Blackfan anemia has been recognized and reported in only two prior instances. CASE: We report the case of a patient who presented with hydrops fetalis during the second trimester of pregnancy. After prenatal evaluation revealed anemia of undetermined etiology, the fetus received intrauterine transfusion therapy. Despite successful treatment of the anemia and hydrops fetalis, in utero renal failure ensued. The infant died neonatally. Postmortem examination of a bone marrow aspirate indicated Diamond-Blackfan anemia as the cause of the hydrops fetalis. CONCLUSION: Diamond-Blackfan anemia may be an unrecognized cause of hydrops fetalis. The suboptimal outcome in this case underscores the larger issue of apparently successful treatment of in utero anemia with little or no impact on postnatal survival.

Adolescent↗

C, N, and noble gas isotopes in grain size separates of presolar diamonds from efremovka

Nanometer-size presolar diamonds from the Efremovka CV3 chondrite were physically separated into several grain size fractions by ultracentrifugation. The coarsest size fraction is the most enriched in carbon-12; the others have broadly similar carbon isotopic compositions. Measurement of noble gases shows that their concentration decreases with decreasing grain size. This effect is attributed to ion implantation. Such an episode could occur in the envelope of a supernova that produced the diamonds, or in interstellar space; in either case, ions with energies above a certain threshold pass completely through the smaller diamond grains without being captured. Concentrations of nitrogen show only minor variations with grain size, indicating a different mechanism of incorporation into the diamonds.

Journal Article↗

Conventional diamond fraise vs manual spot dermabrasion with drywall sanding screen for scars from skin cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To directly compare cosmetic improvement and postoperative sequelae resulting from dermabrasion of surgical scars with conventional motor-powered diamond fraise vs manual dermabrasion with medium-grade drywall sanding screen. DESIGN: Patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with conventional diamond fraise dermabrasion to one half of the scar and manual dermabrasion with a drywall sanding screen to the other half in a prospective, comparative clinical study. Blinded observers assessed clinical variables during a 6-month follow-up period. SETTING: University hospital/cancer center-based cutaneous surgery unit. PATIENTS: Twenty-one healthy volunteers, Fitzpatrick skin type I to III, with contour irregularities resulting from granulation (7 patients) or reconstruction (14 patients) after skin cancer excision. INTERVENTIONS: One half of the patient's scar was treated with motor-powered diamond fraise dermabrasion and the other half was treated with manual dermabrasion with medium-grade drywall sanding screen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correction of contour, scarline visibility, time to reepithelialization, presence or absence of milia, degree of postoperative erythema, hypertrophic scarring, patients' subjective reports of postoperative pain, and presence of pigmentary changes were observed for both methods. Standardized scoring systems were used to quantify outcome measures. RESULTS: According to the standardized scoring systems, no differences were found between the 2 methods at any point. In addition, no significant differences were found between the methods for any measure at any of the time points. CONCLUSION: Both dermabrasion techniques are equally effective in improving the cosmetic appearance of surgical scars.

Adult↗

Invasive cleavage reactions on DNA-modified diamond surfaces.

Recently developed DNA-modified diamond surfaces exhibit excellent chemical stability to high-temperature incubations in biological buffers. The stability of these surfaces is substantially greater than that of gold or silicon surfaces, using similar surface attachment chemistry. The DNA molecules attached to the diamond surfaces are accessible to enzymes and can be modified in surface enzymatic reactions. An important application of these surfaces is for surface invasive cleavage reactions, in which target DNA strands added to the solution may result in specific cleavage of surface-bound probe oligonucleotides, permitting analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our previous work demonstrated the feasibility of performing such cleavage reactions on planar gold surfaces using PCR-amplified human genomic DNA as target. The sensitivity of detection in this earlier work was substantially limited by a lack of stability of the gold surface employed. In the present work, detection sensitivity is improved by a factor of approximately 100 (100 amole of DNA target compared with 10 fmole in the earlier work) by replacing the DNA-modified gold surface with a more stable DNA-modified diamond surface.

Apolipoproteins E↗

Osteoblast adhesion to orthopaedic implant alloys: effects of cell adhesion molecules and diamond-like carbon coating.

In total joint arthroplasty, long-term outcomes depend in part on the biocompatibility of implant alloys. This study analyzed effects of surface finish and diamond-like carbon coating on osteoblast cell adhesion to polished titanium-aluminum-vanadium and polished or grit-blasted cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys. Osteoblast binding was tested in the presence and absence of the cell adhesion proteins fibronectin, laminin, fibrinogen, and vitronectin and was quantified by measurement of DNA content. Although adherence occurred in serum-free medium, maximal osteoblast binding required serum and was similar for titanium and cobalt alloys at 2 and 12 hours. With the grit-blasted cobalt alloy, cell binding was reduced 48% (p < 0.05) by 24 hours. Coating the alloys with diamond-like carbon did not alter osteoblast adhesion, whereas fibronectin pretreatment increased cell binding 2.6-fold (p < 0.05). In contrast, fibrinogen, vitronectin, and laminin did not enhance cell adhesion. These results support the hypothesis that cell adhesion proteins can modify cell binding to orthopaedic alloys. Although osteoblast binding was not affected by the presence of diamond-like carbon, this coating substance may influence other longer term processes, such as bone formation, and deserves further study.

Alloys↗

Novel ultrananocrystalline diamond probes for high-resolution low-wear nanolithographic techniques.

A hard, low-wear probe for contact-mode writing techniques, such as dip-pen nanolithography (DPN), was fabricated using ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD). Molding within anisotropically etched and oxidized pyramidal pits in silicon was used to obtain diamond tips with radii down to 30 nm through growth of UNCD films followed by selective etching of the silicon template substrate. The probes were monolithically integrated with diamond cantilevers and subsequently integrated into a chip body obtained by metal electroforming. The probes were characterized in terms of their mechanical properties, wear, and atomic force microscopy imaging capabilities. The developed probes performed exceptionally well in DPN molecular writing/imaging mode. Furthermore, the integration of UNCD films with appropriate substrates and the use of directed microfabrication techniques are particularly suitable for fabrication of one- and two-dimensional arrays of probes that can be used for massive parallel fabrication of nanostructures by the DPN method.

Coated Materials, Biocompatible↗

EDC-mediated DNA attachment to nanocrystalline CVD diamond films.

Chemical vapour deposited (CVD) diamond is a very promising material for biosensor fabrication owing both to its chemical inertness and the ability to make it electrical semiconducting that allows for connection with integrated circuits. For biosensor construction, a biochemical method to immobilize nucleic acids to a diamond surface has been developed. Nanocrystalline diamond is grown using microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (MPECVD). After hydrogenation of the surface, 10-undecenoic acid, an omega-unsaturated fatty acid, is tethered by 254 nm photochemical attachment. This is followed by 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide (EDC)-mediated attachment of amino (NH(2))-modified dsDNA. The functionality of the covalently bound dsDNA molecules is confirmed by fluorescence measurements, PCR and gel electrophoresis during 35 denaturation and rehybridisation steps. The linking method after the fatty acid attachment can easily be applied to other biomolecules like antibodies and enzymes.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Nanocrystalline diamond modified gold electrode for glucose biosensing.

Boron-doped diamond has drawn much attention in electrochemical sensors. However there are few reports on non-doped diamond because of its weak conductivity. Here, we reported a glucose biosensor based on electrochemical pretreatment of non-doped nanocrystalline diamond (N-NCD) modified gold electrode for the selective detection of glucose. N-NCD was coated on gold electrode and glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized onto the surfaces of N-NCD by forming amide linkages between enzyme amine residues and carboxylic acid groups on N-NCD. The anodic pretreatment of N-NCD modified electrode not only promoted the electron transfer rate in the N-NCD thin film, but also resulted in a dramatic improvement in the reduction of the dissolved oxygen. This performance could be used to detect glucose at negative potential through monitoring the current change of oxygen reduction. The biosensor effectively performs a selective electrochemical analysis of glucose in the presence of common interferents, such as ascorbic acid (AA), acetaminophen (AP) and uric acid (UA). A wide linear calibration range from 10 microM to 15 mM and a low detection limit of 5 microM were achieved for the detection of glucose.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Diamond Blackfan anemia: A paradigm for a ribosome-based disease.

Diamond Blackfan anemia is characterized by a severe hypoplastic anemia and a heterogeneous collection of other clinical features. Approximately 25% of Diamond Blackfan anemia cases are associated with mutations in the gene encoding ribosomal protein S19. The hypothesis presented here ties together molecular and clinical features of the disease, and establishes a conceptual framework for understanding many of the unusual characteristics of a growing number of diseases linked to factors involved in ribosome synthesis. The hypothesis states that ribosomal proteins are expressed in amounts that differ relative to one another in a tissue-specific manner, and that haploinsufficiency for a particular protein may make that protein limiting for ribosome assembly in some tissues, while other tissues remain unaffected. Further, polymorphisms in factors controlling the expression of a particular ribosomal protein gene may alter its expression and expand or contract the number of tissues affected from individual to individual. Support for the hypothesis comes from the observation that promoters in ribosomal protein genes exhibit little conservation and transcription profiling indicates that the absolute amounts of mRNAs for individual ribosomal proteins can vary dramatically relative to one another. Balanced expression of ribosomal proteins is achieved post-translationally, where excess proteins not assembled into ribosomal subunits are often rapidly degraded. The number of ribosomes per cell is therefore determined by the factors that limit assembly. In principle, any essential ribosomal protein could become limiting for assembly if its level of expression falls below a critical threshold. Whether an inactivating mutation in ribosomal protein gene would affect protein synthetic capacity of a tissue would depend on the ratio of the ribosomal protein relative to other ribosomal proteins in that tissue. If the ratio were high, the tissue may not be affected as the level of functional protein may not fall to a point where it becomes limiting for subunit assembly. In contrast, if the ratio were low, an inactivating mutation could make the protein limiting for subunit assembly resulting in a clinical phenotype. Polymorphisms in the myriad of cis- and trans-acting factors, which govern the expression of ribosomal proteins in response to developmental and physiological signals, could act to increase or decrease ribosomal protein expression and thereby impact the profile and severity of clinical phenotypes. Therefore, these factors represent targets for the development of new therapies to treat Diamond Blackfan anemia and other ribosome based diseases.

Anemia, Diamond-Blackfan↗

Temperature response in the pulpal chamber during ultrahigh-speed tooth preparation with diamond burs of different grit.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Ultrahigh-speed tooth preparation can traumatize the hard dental tissues and the dental pulp. PURPOSE: This in vitro study examined the relationship between different grits of diamond burs on the temperature response within a pulpal chamber during tooth preparation with a turbine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Newly extracted, undamaged third molars were secured by a rapid-tensioning device mounted on an air-supported slide. NiCrNi thermocouples were inserted apically and used to determine the temperature within a pulpal chamber. The grinding tests used cylindrical fine, coarse, and ultracoarse diamond burs. RESULTS: The maximal temperature elevation within the pulp was 3.2 degrees C, and the most pronounced rise in temperature occurred with ultracoarse burs. Temperature increases in the pulpal chambers and grinding times or temperatures of the cooling water were approximately proportional. Residual dentinal thickness was inversely proportional to temperature elevation within the pulpal chamber. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that coarse diamond burs resulted in more pronounced temperature increases within the pulpal chamber during tooth preparation. In addition, the benefit of short intervals between grinding steps and a cooling water temperature between 30 degrees C and 32 degrees C was confirmed. A cooling temperature of 38 degrees C to 43 degrees C did not afford actual cooling.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

Ribbons of semithin sections: an advanced method with a new type of diamond knife.

Complete series of semithin sections are imperative for 3-D reconstruction, but with traditional microtomy techniques it is difficult and time-consuming to trace stained and labeled structures. In the present study we introduce a method for making and collecting ribbons of semithin sections with a new, commercial available diamond knife (histo-jumbo-diamond knife, Diatome AG, Biel, Switzerland). The special feature of the diamond knife is the large water bath (boat) into which a glass slide can be dipped. The method has distinct advantages and the handling is simple. The resin block is trimmed into a truncated pyramid. Contact glue is applied to the leading face of the pyramid, which makes sections stick together to form a ribbon. Following sectioning, the ribbons are mounted onto glass slides and aligned in parallel. Stretching out and drying the ribbons on a hot plate is the final step of the method. Major advantages of this method are the perfect alignment of sections with identical orientation of structures, the completeness of series, and the significant saving of time. This facilitates tracing of stained and labeled structures, yielding quick 3-D reconstruction. Semithin sections can be cut from 0.5 to 2 micro m and several ribbons can be mounted side by side onto the slide. Two examples are presented to illustrate the advantages of the method.

Animals↗

Cl- sensitive biosensor used electrolyte-solution-gate diamond FETs.

We have investigated the electrolyte-solution-gate field effect transisitors (SGFETs) used hydrogen terminated (H-terminated) or partially oxygen terminated (O-terminated) polycrystalline diamond surface in the Cl- and Br- ionic solutions. The H-terminated channel SGFETs are insensitive to pH values in electrolyte solutions. The threshold voltages of the diamond SGFETs shift according to the density of Cl- and Br- ions about 30 mV/decade. One of the attractive biomedical applications for the Cl- sensitive SGFETs is the detection of chloride density in blood or in sweat especially in the case of cystic fibrosis. The sensitivities of Cl- and Br- ions have been lost on the partially O-terminated diamond surface. These phenomena can be explained by the polarity of surface change on the H-terminated and the O-terminated surface.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Boron-doped diamond microelectrodes for use in capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.

The fabrication and characterization of boron-doped diamond microelectrodes for use in electrochemical detection coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE-EC) is discussed. The microelectrodes were prepared by coating thin films of polycrystalline diamond on electrochemically sharpened platinum wires (76-, 25-, and 10-microm diameter), using microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The diamond-coated wires were attached to copper wires (current collectors), and several methods were explored to insulate the cylindrical portion of the electrode: nail polish, epoxy, polyimide, and polypropylene coatings. The microelectrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. They exhibited low and stable background currents and sigmoidally shaped voltammetric curves for Ru(NH3)6(3+/2+) and Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) at low scan rates. The microelectrodes formed with the large diameter Pt and sealed in polypropylene pipet tips were employed for end-column detection in CE. Evaluation of the CE-EC system and the electrode performance were accomplished using a 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, run buffer, and a 30-cm-long fused-silica capillary (75-microm i.d.) with dopamine, catechol, and ascorbic acid serving as test analytes. The background current (approximately 100 pA) and noise (approximately 3 pA) were measured at different detection potentials and found to be very stable with time. Reproducible separation (elution time) and detection (peak current or area) of dopamine, catechol, and ascorbic acid were observed with response precisions of 4.1% or less. Calibration curves constructed from the peak area were linear over 4 orders of magnitude, up to a concentration between 0.1 and 1 mM. Mass limits of detection for dopamine and catechol were 1.7 and 2.6 fmol, respectively (S/N = 3). The separation efficiency was approximately 33,000, 56,000, and 98,000 plates/m for dopamine, catechol, and ascorbic acid, respectively. In addition, the separation and detection of 1- and 2-naphthol in 160 mM borate buffer, pH 9.2, was investigated. Separation of these two analytes was achieved with efficiencies of 118,000 and 126,000 plates/m, respectively.

Ascorbic Acid↗