Visualizing Complex Anatomical Structure in Bamboo Nodes Based on X-ray Microtomography

In recent years,bamboo has been widely used in a broad range of applications,a thorough understanding of the structural characteristics of bamboo nodes is essential for better processing and manufacturing of biomimetic materials.This study investigated the complex anatomical structure for the nodes of two bamboo species,Indocalamus latifolius(Keng)McClure and Shibataea chinensis Nakai,using a high-resolution X-ray microtomography(μCT).The results show that the vascular bundle system in the nodal region of I.latifolius and S.chinensis is a net-like structure composed of horizontal and axial vascular bundles.Furthermore,the fiber sheath surrounding metaxylem vessels tended to be shorter in the tangential direction.This structure of bamboo nodes facilitates the tangential and axial transport of moisture and nutrients.The anatomical structure of I.latifolius and S.chinensis nodes has obvious differences,especially in the arrangement of vascular bundles.Vascular bundle frequency was significantly higher in S.chinensis nodes than in I.latifolius nodes.These findings indicate thatμCT is a nondestructive three-dimensional imaging method that can used to examine the anatomical structure of bamboo nodes.

Redefinition to bilayer osmotic pump tablets as subterranean river system within mini-earth via three-dimensional structure mechanism

Defining and visualizing the three-dimensional(3 D) structures of pharmaceuticals provides a new and important tool to elucidate the phenomenal behavior and underlying mechanisms of drug delivery systems. The mechanism of drug release from complex structured dosage forms, such as bilayer osmotic pump tablets, has not been investigated widely for most solid 3 D structures. In this study, bilayer osmotic pump tablets undergoing dissolution, as well as after dissolution in a desiccated solid state were examined, and visualized by synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography(SR-μCT). In situ formed 3 D structures at different in vitro drug release states were characterized comprehensively. A distinct movement pattern of NaCl crystals from the push layer to the drug layer was observed, beneath the semi-permeable coating in the desiccated tablet samples. The 3 D structures at different dissolution time revealed that the pushing upsurge in the bilayer osmotic pump tablet was directed via peripheral“roadways”. Typically, different regions of the osmotic front, infiltration region, and dormant region were classified in the push layer during the dissolution of drug from tablet samples. According to the observed3 D microstructures, a “subterranean river model” for the drug release mechanism has been defined to explain the drug release mechanism.