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Li J, Qi H, Ma Y, Gao P, Wu B. Simulation and Structural Analysis of a Flexible Coupling Bionic Desorption Mechanism Based on the Engineering Discrete Element Method. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:224. [PMID: 38667235 PMCID: PMC11048712 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9040224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil adhesion is one of the important factors affecting the working stability and quality of agricultural machinery. The application of bionic non-smooth surfaces provides a novel idea for soil anti-adhesion. The parameters of sandy loam with 21% moisture content were calibrated by the Engineering Discrete Element Method (EDEM). The final simulated soil repose angle was highly consistent with the measured soil repose angle, and the obtained regression equation of the soil repose angle provides a numerical reference for the parameter calibration of different soils. By simulating the sinusoidal swing of a sandfish, it was found that the contact interface shows the phenomenon of stress concentration and periodic change, which reflects the effectiveness of flexible desorption and soil anti-adhesion. The moving resistance of the wedge with different wedge angles and different serrated structures was simulated. Finally, it was found that a 40° wedge with a high-tail sparse staggered serrated structure on the surface has the best drag reduction effect, and the drag reduction is about 10.73%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinguang Li
- The College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China; (J.L.); (H.Q.); (P.G.); (B.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Hongyan Qi
- The College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China; (J.L.); (H.Q.); (P.G.); (B.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Yunhai Ma
- The College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China; (J.L.); (H.Q.); (P.G.); (B.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Peng Gao
- The College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China; (J.L.); (H.Q.); (P.G.); (B.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Baoguang Wu
- The College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China; (J.L.); (H.Q.); (P.G.); (B.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130025, China
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Alibardi L. Scales of non-avian reptiles and their derivatives contain corneous beta proteins coded from genes localized in the Epidermal Differentiation Complex. Tissue Cell 2023; 85:102228. [PMID: 37793208 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of modern reptiles from basic reptilian ancestors gave rise to scaled vertebrates. Scales are of different types, and their corneous layer can shed frequently during the year in lepidosaurians (lizards, snakes), 1-2 times per year in the tuatara and in some freshwater turtle, irregularly in different parts of the body in crocodilians, or simply wore superficially in marine and terrestrial turtles. Lepidosaurians possess tuberculate, non-overlapped or variably overlapped scales with inter-scale (hinge) regions. The latter are hidden underneath the outer scale surface or may be more exposed in specific body areas. Hinge regions allow stretching during growth and movement so that the skin remains mechanically functional. Crocodilian and turtles feature flat and shield scales (scutes) with narrow inter-scale regions for stretching and growth. The epidermis of non-avian reptilian hinge regions is much thinner than the exposed outer surface of scales and is less cornified. Despite the thickness of the epidermis, scales are mainly composed of variably amount of Corneous Beta Proteins (CBPs) that are coded in a gene cluster known as EDC (Epidermal Differentiation Complex). These are small proteins, 100-200 amino acid long of 8-25 kDa, rich in glycine and cysteine but also in serine, proline and valine that participate to the formation of beta-sheets in the internal part of the protein, the beta-region. This region determines the further polymerization of CBPs in filamentous proteins that, together a network of Intermediate Filament Keratins (IFKs) and other minor epidermal proteins from the EDC make the variable pliable or inflexible corneous material of reptilian scales, claws and of turtle beak. The acquisition of scales and skin derivatives with different mechanical and material properties, mainly due to the evolution of reptile CBPs, is essential for the life and different adaptations of these vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alibardi
- Comparative Histolab Padova, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Lien YC, Lai SJ, Lin CY, Wong KP, Chang MS, Wu SH. High-efficiency decomposition of eggshell membrane by a keratinase from Meiothermus taiwanensis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14684. [PMID: 36038640 PMCID: PMC9424195 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggshell membrane (ESM), a plentiful biological waste, consists of collagen-like proteins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as hyaluronic acid (HA). Here we used a keratinase (oeMtaker)-mediated system to decompose ESM. The best reaction condition was established by incubating the solution containing oeMtaker, sodium sulfite, and ESM with a weight ratio of 1:120:600. ESM enzymatic hydrolysate (ESM-EH) showed a high proportion of essential amino acids and type X collagen peptides with 963–2259 Da molecular weights. The amounts of GAGs and sulfated GAGs in ESM-EH were quantified as 6.4% and 0.7%, respectively. The precipitated polysaccharides with an average molecular weight of 1300–1700 kDa showed an immunomodulatory activity by stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) production. In addition, a microorganism-based system was established to hydrolyze ESM by Meiothermus taiwanensis WR-220. The amounts of GAGs and sulfated GAGs in the system were quantified as 0.9% and 0.1%, respectively. Based on our pre-pilot tests, the system shows great promise in developing into a low-cost and high-performance process. These results indicate that the keratinase-mediated system could hydrolyze ESM more efficiently and produce more bioactive substances than ever for therapeutical applications and dietary supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chu Lien
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Jung Lai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.,Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chai-Yi Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ken-Pei Wong
- I-MEI FOODS Company Limited, 1 F., No. 31, Sec. 2, Yanping N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City, 10346, Taiwan
| | - Matt S Chang
- I-MEI FOODS Company Limited, 1 F., No. 31, Sec. 2, Yanping N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City, 10346, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsiung Wu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
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Canei J, Nonclercq D. Morphological study of the integument and corporal skeletal muscles of two psammophilous members of Scincidae (Scincus scincus and Eumeces schneideri). J Morphol 2020; 282:230-246. [PMID: 33165963 PMCID: PMC7839682 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sand deserts are common biotopes on the earth's surface. Numerous morphological and physiological adaptations have appeared to cope with the peculiar conditions imposed by sandy substrates, such as abrasion, mechanical resistance and the potential low oxygen levels. The psammophilous scincids (Lepidosauria) Scincus scincus and Eumeces schneideri are among those. S. scincus is a species frequently used to study displacement inside a sandy substrate. E. schneideri is a species phylogenetically closely related to S. scincus with a similar lifestyle. The aims of this study focus on the morphology of the integument and the muscular system. Briefly, we describe interspecific differences at the superficial architecture of the scales pattern and the thickness of the integument. We highlight a high cellular turnover rate at the level of the basal germinal layer of the epidermis, which, we suggest, corresponds to an adaptation to cutaneous wear caused by abrasion. We demonstrate the presence of numerous cutaneous holocrine glands whose secretion probably plays a role in the flow of sand along the integument. Several strata of osteoderms strengthen the skin. We characterize the corporal (M. longissimus dorsi and M. rectus abdominus) and caudal muscular fibers using immunohistochemistry, and quantify them using morphometry. The musculature exhibits a high proportion of glycolytic fast fibers that allow rapid burying and are well adapted to this mechanically resistant and oxygen‐poor substrate. Oxidative slow fibers are low in abundance, less than 10% in S. scincus, but a little higher in E. schneideri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Canei
- Laboratory of Histology, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Denis Nonclercq
- Laboratory of Histology, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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Wu W, Lutz C, Mersch S, Thelen R, Greiner C, Gomard G, Hölscher H. Characterization of the microscopic tribological properties of sandfish ( Scincus scincus) scales by atomic force microscopy. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 9:2618-2627. [PMID: 30416912 PMCID: PMC6204795 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lizards of the genus Scincus are widely known under the common name sandfish due to their ability to swim in loose, aeolian sand. Some studies report that this fascinating property of sandfish is accompanied by unique tribological properties of their skin such as ultra-low adhesion, friction and wear. The majority of these reports, however, is based on experiments conducted with a non-standard granular tribometer. Here, we characterise microscopic adhesion, friction and wear of single sandfish scales by atomic force microscopy. The analysis of frictional properties with different types of probes (sharp silicon tips, spherical glass tips and sand debris) demonstrates that the tribological properties of sandfish scales on the microscale are not exceptional if compared to snake scales or technical surfaces such as aluminium, Teflon, or highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibin Wu
- Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), H.-v.-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Christian Lutz
- Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), H.-v.-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Simon Mersch
- Institute for Applied Materials (IAM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Strasse am Forum 5, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Richard Thelen
- Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), H.-v.-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Christian Greiner
- Institute for Applied Materials (IAM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Strasse am Forum 5, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Guillaume Gomard
- Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), H.-v.-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Light Technology Institute (LTI), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse 13, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Hendrik Hölscher
- Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), H.-v.-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Immunoreactivity to the pre-core box antibody shows that most glycine-rich beta-proteins accumulate in lepidosaurian beta-layer and in the corneous layer of crocodilian and turtle epidermis. Micron 2014; 57:31-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Spinner M, Gorb SN, Westhoff G. Diversity of functional microornamentation in slithering geckos Lialis (Pygopodidae). Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20132160. [PMID: 24107533 PMCID: PMC3813336 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.2160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The skin of geckos is covered with countless microscopic protuberances (spines). This surface structure causes low wettability to water. During evolution, representatives of the recent gekkotan clade Pygopodidae started slithering on the ground. This manner of locomotion affected limb reduction resulting in a snake-like body. Regarding abrasion and frictional properties, a surface covered with gekkotan spines is a topography that hampers the snake-like locomotion mode. Using scanning electron microscopy, we investigated the shed skins of two pygopodid lizards, Lialis jicari (Papua snake lizard) and Lialis burtonis (Burton's legless lizard), in order to show epidermal adaptations to limbless locomotion. Our data showed that Pygopodidae differ from their relatives not only anatomically, but also in their epidermal microstructure. Scales of L. jicari have five different structural patterns on various body regions. Ventral scales have nanoridges, similar to those found on the ventralia of snakes. Surfaces of scales covering the jaw bones, have flattened spine-like microstructures that might be an adaptation to reduce abrasion. Dorsal scales have oblong microscopic bulges covered with nanoridges. Spines cover the undersides and the interstices of scales over the entire body of both species and in L. jicari also the top of dorsal head scales. Our measurements of surface wettability (surface free energy) show superhydrophobic properties of the spiny surfaces in comparison with the other microstructural patterns of other body parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Spinner
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Zoology, University of Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schloss, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - S. N. Gorb
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - G. Westhoff
- Institute of Zoology, University of Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schloss, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- Tierpark Hagenbeck gGmbH, Lokstedter Grenzstrasse 2, 22527 Hamburg, Germany
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Alibardi L. Immunocytochemistry indicates that glycine-rich beta-proteins are present in the beta-layer, while cysteine-rich beta-proteins are present in beta- and alpha-layers of snake epidermis. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alibardi
- Comparative Histolab and Department of Biology; University of Bologna; Bologna 40126 Italy
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