Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1994-3-29
pubmed:abstractText
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to monitor the changes occurring in the extracellular matrix of the corneal stroma as a result of freezing and thawing. The parameters monitored were the lateral centre-to-centre spacing between the collagen molecules within the fibrils (intermolecular spacing) and the centre-to-centre spacing between the collagen fibrils (interfibrillar spacing). Our findings suggest that, while frozen, the fibrils are reduced in diameter and are forced into close association with each other. The data also suggest that the extrafibrillar components of the cornea may become concentrated around the fibrils during freezing. However, X-ray patterns of thawed corneas show normal interfibrillar and intermolecular spacings. Time-resolved data show that, as thawing takes place, the fibrils gradually separate and regain their normal spacing while at the same time regaining their normal diameter. It seems probable that the mechanism which allows the fibrils to regain their normal arrangement after thawing involves charge interactions between the proteoglycans associated with the fibrils. However, unlike corneas at physiological hydration, certain regions of the stroma of swollen corneas do suffer irreversible damage as a result of freezing. It is possible that this ice damage may occur in regions of abnormal fibril arrangement called "lakes", which are reported to occur in swollen cornea.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0022-2836
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
25
pubmed:volume
236
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
749-58
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-9-29
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1994
pubmed:articleTitle
An ultrastructural, time-resolved study of freezing in the corneal stroma.
pubmed:affiliation
Open University, Oxford Research Unit, U.K.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't