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REE characteristics and Pb, Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of steel plant emissions.

A comprehensive Pb-Sr-Nd isotope and REE tracer study of atmospheric trace metal pollution by a steel plant situated to the north of the urban communities of Strasbourg (France) and Kehl (Germany) has been performed using tree barks as biomonitors. The 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb isotopic ratios of the steel plant's filter dust are similar to values found in dust of waste incinerators. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio is similar to present-day ratios of Phanerozoic or Precambrian granitic rocks. The 143Nd/144Nd isotopic composition is very low and corresponds to an (Nd) value of -17.5. Such a low value is characteristic of old Precambrian granitic rocks and banded iron formations. Thus, this low (Nd) value might point to the origin of the iron necessary for the steel production. The fact, that this isotopic composition does not occur in crustal rocks of Western Central Europe makes the Nd isotope ratio a powerful tool to trace steel plants atmospheric emissions. The rare earth element (REE) distribution pattern of the steel plant's filter dust shows very specific fractionations like La and Nd enrichments which are traceable in tree barks over a distance of 4 km. The Pb, Sr and Nd isotope ratios not only enable the steel plant's emissions to be traced in a north-easterly direction, along the principal wind pathway but also enables the interference of this emission at 4 km NE from the steel plant with another atmospheric component originating from the Strasbourg Rhine harbour to be identified.

Air Pollutants↗

Stainless steel in bone surgery.

Today, stainless steel is one of the most frequently used biomaterials for internal fixation devices because of a favorable combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cost effectiveness when compared to other metallic implant materials. The biocompatibility of implant quality stainless steel has been proven by successful human implantation for decades. Composition, microstructure and tensile properties of stainless steel used for internal fixation is standardized in ISO and ASTM material specifications. Metallurgical requirements are stringent to ensure sufficient corrosion resistance, nonmagnetic response, and satisfactory mechanical properties. Torsional properties of stainless steel screws are different from titanium screws. Stainless steel bone screws are easier to handle because the surgeon can feel the onset of plastic deformation and this provides adequate prewarning to avoid overtorquing the screw. New nickel-free stainless steels have been recently developed primarily to address the issue of nickel sensitivity. These stainless steels also have superior mechanical properties and better corrosion resistance. The Ni-free compositions appear to possess an extraordinary combination of attributes for potential implant applications in the future.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Transportation of curved canals prepared with canal master U, canal master U niti, and stainless steel K-type files.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare root canal configuration after preparation with three different hand instruments and techniques: the canal master U preparation technique (Brasseler, Savannah, GA.), using stainless steel or nickel-titanium canal master U instruments, and the step-back technique using precurved conventional stainless steel K-type files. Sixty-three simulated curved canals were divided in three groups of 21 each. Each group was prepared using one of the three instruments. Comparison of root canal configuration was evaluated with pre- and postoperative photographs that measured the difference in canal diameter and the mesial and distal transportation of the canal walls at the canal length and at levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mm coronal to the canal length. Data obtained were analyzed statistically using an analysis of variance. Instrument breakage was also recorded. Results showed that the final diameter of the prepared canals as well as canal transportation were significantly different between both canal master U instruments and the stainless steel K file. Three stainless steel canal master U instruments separated during instrumentation whereas none in the nickel-titanium canal master U and stainless steel K-type file groups separated. The results of this study show that the canal master U instruments and technique provide a better canal configuration than K files using the step-back technique and that the nickel-titanium canal master U and stainless steel K-type file offers a greater safety factor against breakage than the stainless steel canal master U.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effect of stainless steel on corrosion behavior of copper in a copper-bearing intrauterine device.

Some copper-bearing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs) consist of pure copper and stainless steel. Corrosion of copper in the Cu-IUD was anticipated to be affected by galvanic action due to electrical contact between these two metals. Electrochemical measurements were carried out in physiological saline with or without indomethacin, which was introduced for bleeding control. In the copper/stainless steel couple, the open-circuit potential of stainless steel was found to play a decisive role. In most cases, when stainless steel was in the passive state and acted as the cathode, the contact accelerated copper corrosion. In addition, the area ratio of stainless steel to copper altered copper corrosion behavior. The larger the area of stainless steel, the greater the acceleration of copper corrosion. It was noted that the stainless steel surface might be activated due to improper handling of the IUD. In this case, copper became the cathode of the couple and its corrosion was suppressed.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Influence of copper-alloying of austenitic stainless steel on multi-species biofilm development.

AIMS: To investigate the bactericidal influence of copper-alloying of stainless steel on microbial colonization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inhibition of bacterial adherence was investigated by monitoring (192 h) the development of a multi-species biofilm on Cu-alloyed (3.72 wt%) stainless steel in a natural surface water. During the first 120 h of exposure, lower numbers of viable bacteria in the water in contact with copper-containing steel relative to ordinary stainless steel were observed. Moreover, during the first 48 h of exposure, lower colony counts were found in the biofilm adhering to the Cu-alloyed steel. No lower colony or viable counts were found throughout the remainder of the experimental period. CONCLUSION: The presence of Cu in the steel matrix impedes the adhesion of micro-organisms during an initial period (48 h), while this bactericidal effect disappears after longer incubation periods. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The application of Cu-alloyed stainless steels for bactericidal purposes should be restricted to regularly-cleaned surfaces.

Bacteria↗

Plan-view and cross-sectional characterization of thiourea-treated phosphorus-added steel surface.

The galvanizing reaction is retarded when phosphorus-added steel is used as a substrate. We have found that both the galvanizing and the galvannealing reactions are highly promoted when thiourea solution is coated on the cold-rolled steel surface before the annealing process. Both a plan-view and cross-sectional characterization of thiourea-coated steel was performed using low-voltage scanning electron microscopy and a focused ion beam. A fine grain structure is formed in the surface region of approximately 1 microm in thickness. In this region, (Mn, Fe)S particles are formed by the reaction between sulphur from thiourea and manganese from steel. These (Mn, Fe)S particles have a pinning effect on the cold-rolled steel grains and greatly retard recrystallization when the steel is annealed. It is concluded that the promotion of the galvannealing reaction is due to the increased diffusion paths of zinc and iron materialized by the fine grain structure of the thiourea-coated steel.

Microscopy, Electron, Scanning↗

Titanium versus stainless steel for anterior spinal fusions: an analysis of rod stress as a predictor of rod breakage during physiologic loading in a bovine model.

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical evaluation of rod stress during physiologic loading of anterior scoliosis instrumentation. OBJECTIVES: To determine effects of material properties and rod diameter on rod stresses in anterior scoliosis instrumentation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Relationships between instrumentation dimensions, materials, and potential rod failure in anterior scoliosis instrumentation remain unclear. METHODS: Eighteen immature bovine spines were randomized to 3 groups: 1) 4.0-mm stainless steel, 2) 5.0-mm stainless steel, and 3) 4.75-mm titanium alloy. Spines underwent physiologic tests in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and torsion. Rod surface strains were converted to rod stress and normalized to each material's yield stress. Construct stiffness and the normalized rod stresses were compared with a one-way ANOVA (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The 4.0-mm steel and 4.75-mm titanium construct stiffness was similar across all tests. The 5.0-mm steel system was significantly stiffer than 4.0-mm steel (lateral bending/torsion) and 4.75-mm titanium (torsion/flexion) constructs. Rod surface stress was significantly lower for the 4.75-mm titanium rod compared with 4.0-mm and 5.0-mm steel rods for all tests. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of yield stress was lowest for the 4.75-mm Ti rod for all tests due to titanium's greater yield stress. This suggests the 4.75-mm rod has a lower fatigue failure risk than either steel construct.

Animals↗

Attenuation and activation characteristics of steel and tungsten and the suitability of these materials for use in a fast neutron multileaf collimator.

A computer controlled multileaf collimator (MLC) is being designed to replace the multirod collimator (MRC) at present used to shape the d(48.5) + Be neutron beam from the Harper Hospital superconducting cyclotron. The computer controlled MLC will improve efficiency and allow for the future development of intensity modulated radiation therapy with neutrons. The existing MRC uses tungsten rods, while the new MLC will use steel as the leaf material. In the current study the attenuation and activation characteristics of steel are compared with those of tungsten to ensure that (a) the attenuation achieved in the MLC is at least equivalent to that of the existing MRC, and (b) that the activation of the steel will not result in a significant change in the activation levels within the treatment room. The latter point is important since personnel exposure (particularly to the radiation therapy technologists) from induced radioactivity must be minimized. Measurement of the neutron beam attenuation in a broad beam geometry showed that a 30 cm thick steel leaf yielded 2.5% transmission. This compared favorably with the 4% transmission obtained with the existing MRC. Irradiation of steel and tungsten samples at different depths in a 30 cm steel block indicated that the activation of steel should be no worse than that of tungsten.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Skin closure in carpal tunnel surgery: a prospective comparative study between nylon, polyglactin 910 and stainless steel sutures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cosmetic outcome, pain and tenderness around the operation scar of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery using either nylon, polyglactin 910 or stainless steel sutures for skin closure. METHODS: A randomised clinical trial comparing nylon, polyglactin 910 or stainless steel sutures for skin closure in 61 patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery was performed. Pain, tenderness, scar hypertrophy, redness and the presence of granulomas were assessed in all patients at ten days and six weeks after surgery and compared by non-parametric statistical tests. RESULTS: Adequate surgical decompression of the median nerve could be achieved in all patients. All but two patients experienced significant relief of tingling of the fingers. Nearly all patients reported some degree of discomfort around the scar. At ten days, the mean pain score was 1.7 (+/-2.2), 3.1 (+/-2.3) and 1.9 (+/-2.3) for the nylon, vicryl and steel groups, respectively. At six weeks, the pain score was 3.6 (+/-3.1), 3.4 (+/-2.6) and 2.7 (+/-2.1) for the nylon, vicryl and steel groups, respectively. The infection rate was 0%, 8% and 0% for the nylon, vicryl and steel groups, respectively. Suture granulomas were significantly more present in the vicryl group (p<0.05). There were no statistical differences in redness or hypertrophy of the wound between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nylon and stainless steel sutures are both suitable for skin closure after carpal tunnel surgery. Based on this study, absorbable vicryl sutures should not be used, since the incidence of infections and the presence of suture granulomas was much higher than in the nylon and steel suture groups.

Adult↗

Subacute thrombosis and vascular injury resulting from slotted-tube nitinol and stainless steel stents in a rabbit carotid artery model.

BACKGROUND: Our objectives were to quantify the thrombogenicity and extent of vascular injury created by slotted-tube geometry stainless steel and nitinol coronary stents in a rabbit carotid artery model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Stents were implanted in rabbit right carotid arteries without antiplatelet therapy. Stainless steel stents were implanted for 4 days while nitinol stents were placed for 4 and 14 days (n = 8, 8, and 6, respectively). Stent thrombosis was assessed by thrombus weight, grading thrombus encroachment of the lumen, and by blood flow in the stented and contralateral arteries. Stainless steel stents at 4 days contained more thrombus than 4- and 14-day nitinol stents (20.0 +/- 5.9 versus 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 2.7 +/- 0.3 mg, respectively; P < .000001). Stainless steel stents were more often occluded by thrombus (6 of 8) or contained more subocclusive thrombus (2 of 8) than nitinol stents (0 of 14, P < .002). Resting blood flow was reduced in arteries with stainless steel stents compared with 4- and 14-day nitinol stents (1.5 +/- 2.8 versus 24.0 +/- 2.0 and 25.5 +/- 1.9 mL/min, respectively, P < .000001). Stainless steel stents were less uniformly expanded, had deeper strut penetration into the vascular wall, and were associated with more extensive medial smooth muscle cell necrosis. There were strong correlations (r = .77 to .95) between variables of thrombosis extent (thrombus weight and grade) and histologically determined vascular injury (strut penetration and medial necrosis). CONCLUSIONS: Slotted-tube stainless steel stents were more thrombogenic and created more extensive vascular injury than nitinol stents in a rabbit carotid artery model. The mechanisms underlying these differences probably are related to metallurgic and design geometry properties of the two stent types.

Acute Disease↗

Microbial corrosion of stainless steel.

Stainless steel, developed because of their greater resistance to corrosion in different aggressive environments, have proved to be affected, however, by various processes and types of corrosion. Some of these types of corrosion, mainly pitting, is activated and developed in the presence of microorganisms, which acting in an isolated or symbiotic way, according to their adaptation to the environment, create a favorable situation for the corrosion of these steel. The microorganisms that are involved, mainly bacteria of both the aerobic and anaerobic type, modify the environment where the stainless steel is found, creating crevices, differential aeration zones or a more aggressive environment with the presence of metabolites. In these circumstances, a local break of the passive and passivating layer is produced, which is proper to these types of steel and impedes the repassivation that is more favorable to corrosion. In the study and research of these types of microbiologically influenced corrosion are found electrochemical techniques, since corrosion is fundamentally an electrochemical process, and microbiological techniques for the identification, culture, and evaluation of the microorganisms involved in the process, as well as in the laboratory or field study of microorganism-metal pairs. Microstructural characterization studies of stainless steel have also been considered important, since it is known that the microstructure of steel can substantially modify their behavior when faced with corrosion. As for surface analysis studies, it is known that corrosion is a process that is generated on and progresses from the surface. The ways of dealing with microbiologically influenced corrosion must necessarily include biocides, which are not always usable or successful, the design of industrial equipment or components that do not favor the adherence of microorganisms, using microstructures in steel less sensitive to corrosion, or protecting the materials.

Alloys↗

[Stainless steels for medical instruments].

Both in the USSR and abroad similar types of martensitic and austenitic stainless steel are used for the manufacture of medical instruments. Martensitic steel, the cheapest and most economically alloyed, has the best combination of properties necessary for medical instruments. The analysis of the Soviet and foreign experience in using different grades of steel for the production of medical instruments demonstrates the expediency and possibility of improving the quality of martensitic steel and rolled stock, as well as that of medical instruments manufactured from these materials, by improving, the operations of the metallurgical and technological processes and by specifying more precisely the requirements for medical instruments. The possibility and expediency of using, in some technically justified cases, lower grades of alloyed steel instead of grade 12X18H9T for clamps and other instruments made of stainless steel, as well as highly corrosive grades of steel for microinstruments, have been established.

Corrosion↗

Genetic analysis of steel and the PG-M/versican-encoding gene AxPG as candidates for the white (d) pigmentation mutant in the salamander Ambystoma mexicanum.

Vertebrate non-retinal pigment cells are derived from neural crest (NC) cells, and several mutations have been identified in the Mexican axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum (Ambystomatidae) that affect the development of these cell lineages. In "white" (d) mutant axolotls, premigratory NC cells differentiate as pigment cells, yet fail to disperse, survive, or both, and this leads to a nearly complete absence of pigment cells in the skin. Previous studies revealed that d affects pigment cell development non-autonomously, and have reported differences between white and wild-type axolotls in the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix through which NC and pigment cells migrate. Here we test the correspondence of d and two candidate genes: steel and AxPG. In amniotes, Steel encodes the cytokine Steel factor (mast cell growth factor; stem cell factor; kit ligand), which is expressed along the migratory pathways of melanocyte precursors and is required by these cells for their migration and survival; mammalian Steel mutants resemble white mutant axolotls in having a deficit or complete absence of pigment cells. In contrast, AxPG encodes a PG-M/versican-like proteoglycan that may promote the migration of A. mexicanum pigment cells, and AxPG expression is reduced in white mutant axolotls. We cloned a salamander orthologue of steel and used a partial genetic linkage map of Ambystoma to determine the genomic locations of steel, AxPG, and d. We show that the three genes map to different linkage groups, excluding steel and AxPG as candidates for d.

Ambystoma mexicanum↗

Pitting inhibition of stainless steel by surfactants: an electrochemical and surface chemical approach.

Pitting corrosion of stainless steels causes tremendous damage in terms of material loss and resulting accidents. Organic surfactants have been tried as pitting inhibitors but the understanding of the inhibition mechanisms is mainly speculative. In the present study the inhibition of the pitting corrosion of 304 stainless steel by N-lauroylsarcosine sodium salt (NLS) in 0.1 M NaCl solutions at neutral pH was studied using an approach that combines surface chemical techniques with electrochemical ones. It was found that NLS increases the pitting resistance of 304 stainless steel, with possible complete inhibition at high NLS concentration (30 mM). Adsorption of NLS on 304 stainless steel particles was directly measured. NLS adsorbs significantly on 304 stainless steel with maximum adsorption density close to bilayer coverage. Electrophoretic mobility data for 304 stainless steel particles show that the surface of 304 stainless steel is negative in NaCl solution at neutral pH. The adsorption of NLS makes the interfacial charge even more negative. The relationship between pitting inhibition and adsorption density of NLS suggests that NLS does not adsorb preferentially on the pit nucleation sites and complete inhibition requires that the whole surface be covered completely by NLS. The inhibition mechanism of NLS is proposed to be due mainly to the blocking effect of a negatively charged NLS adsorption layer. This study shows that in addition to the adsorption amount of surfactant, interfacial charge also plays an important role in pitting inhibition.

Journal Article↗

Induced minisatellite germline mutations in herring gulls (Larus argentatus) living near steel mills.

Despite widespread industrial release of genotoxic contaminants, little is understood of their role in inducing germline mutations in natural populations. We used multilocus DNA fingerprinting to quantify germline minisatellite mutations in families of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in three nesting categories: (a) near cities with large steel mills operating coking ovens; (b) near cities without steel mills; and (c) in rural locations removed from point sources of contamination. Gulls nesting near integrated steel mills showed significantly higher mutation rates than gulls from rural locations (Fisher's exact, P=0.0004); urban sites without steel mills fell midway between steel and rural sites (difference from rural; Fisher's exact, P=0.19). Distance of the nesting location of herring gulls from the steel industries' coking ovens was negatively correlated with minisatellite mutation rate demonstrating significant risk for induced germline mutations in cities with steel operations (Kendall Tau; tau=0.119; P<0.0001).

Animals↗

Recombinant human interleukin-9 induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation and synergizes with steel factor to stimulate proliferation of the human factor-dependent cell line, M07e.

Human interleukin-9 (IL-9) was originally identified and cloned based on its stimulatory effect on proliferation of human myeloid cell line, M07e. IL-9 synergized with Steel factor, the ligand for the c-kit product, to stimulate M07e cell proliferation. To investigate potential mechanisms for this, IL-9 was assessed for effects on protein tyrosine kinase activities in M07e cells by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody; results were compared with those of Steel factor alone and in combination with IL-9, and those of 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Recombinant human IL-9 (10 ng/mL) rapidly and transiently induced or enhanced at least four tyrosine phosphorylated protein bands with molecular weights of 105, 97, 85, and 81 Kd. This tyrosine phosphorylation pattern was different from that generated by recombinant murine Steel factor or TPA stimulation and the combination of IL-9 and Steel factor did not change the IL-9-induced pattern. IL-9-induced tyrosine phosphorylated bands were completely blocked by treatment of IL-9 with anti-IL-9 antibody under conditions that also neutralized the synergistic effect of IL-9 with Steel factor on M07e cell proliferation. Genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, blocked phosphorylation of IL-9 and Steel factor-induced bands. Unlike Steel factor or TPA, IL-9 did not appear to stimulate phosphorylation of 42-Kd mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase or Raf-1, or enhance MAP kinase activity. MAP kinase and Raf-1 are serine/threonine kinases that are phosphorylated and activated by many growth factors and by agonists for protein kinase C. While the combination of IL-9 plus SLF did not appear to induce phosphorylation of new bands not already seen with either IL-9 or SLF alone, or enhance the phosphorylation of those bands seen with either cytokine alone, the results suggest that IL-9 activates specific and unique signal transduction pathways.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Comparison of the behavior of stainless and mild steel manual metal arc welding fumes in rat lung.

The lung retention and clearance of manual metal arc (MMA) stainless steel and mild steel welding fumes were determined in the rat. The exposure simulated the actual welding situation. The duration of exposure in the "nose-only" exposure chamber was 1 h/workday for one, two, three, or four weeks in the retention study and for four weeks in the clearance study. The concentration of exogenous iron was determined by the magnetic measuring method. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied to determine the concentration of total iron, chromium, and nickel in the lungs. The results indicated that the lung retention and clearance patterns for the two types of welding fumes were different. A linear relationship was observed between the amount of stainless steel MMA welding fume retained in the lungs and the duration of exposure, whereas the retention of mild steel MMA welding fume in the lung was saturated as a function of the cumulative exposure time rates. The maximum amount of lung-retained contaminants was 880 micrograms for stainless steel MMA welding fume and 220 micrograms for mild steel MMA fume.

Alloys↗

Biocidal effect of cathodic protection on bacterial viability in biofilm attached to carbon steel.

Biofilm formed on carbon steel by various species of bacterial cells causes serious problems such as corrosion of steel, choking of flow in the pipe, deterioration of the heat-transfer efficiency, and so on. Cathodic protection is known to be a reliable method for protecting carbon steel from corrosion. However, the initial attachment of bacteria to the surface and the effects of cathodic protection on bacterial viability in the biofilm have not been clarified. In this study, cathodic protection was applied to an artificial biofilm containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), a biofilm constituent, on carbon steel. The aims of this study were to evaluate the inhibition effect of cathodic protection on biofilm formation and to reveal the inhibition mechanisms. The viability of PAO1 in artificial biofilm of 5 mm thickness on cathodically protected steel decreased to 1% of the initial cell concentration. Analysis of pH distribution in the artificial biofilm by pH microelectrode revealed that pH in proximity to carbon steel increased to approximately 11 after cathodic protection for 5 h. Moreover, 99% of region in the artificial biofilm was under the pH conditions of over nine. A simulation of pH profile was shown to correspond to experimental values. These results indicate cells in the artificial biofilm were killed or damaged by cathodic protection due to pH increase.

Biofilms↗