Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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 47,337 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The wool fibre has a complex morphology, consisting of an outer layer of cuticle scales surrounding an inner cortex. These two components are hard to separate effectively except by using harsh chemical treatments, making it difficult to determine the susceptibility of the different components of the fibre to photoyellowing. An approach to this problem based on mechanical fibre modification is described. To expose the inner cortex of wool to different degrees, clean wool fibres were converted into 'powders' of various fineness via mechanical chopping, air-jet milling, ball milling or their combination. Four types of powdered wool (samples A, B, C and D) were produced with reducing particle size distributions and an increasing level of surface damage as observed using SEM. Sample A contained essentially intact short fibre snippets and sample D contained a large amount of exposed cortical materials. Samples B and C contained a mixture of short fibre snippets and cortical materials. Solid wool discs were then compressed from the corresponding powder samples in a polished stainless steel die to enable colour measurement and UV irradiation studies. ATR-FTIR studies on powder discs demonstrated a small shift in the amide I band from 1644cm(-1) for disc A to 1654cm(-1) for disc D due to the different structures of the wool cuticle and cortex, in agreement with previous studies. Similarly an increase in the intensity ratio of the amide I to amide II band (1540cm(-1)) was observed for disc D, which contains a higher fraction of cortical material at the surface of the disc. Discs prepared from sample D appeared the lightest in colour before exposure and had the slowest photoyellowing rate, whereas discs made from powders A-C with a higher level of cuticle coverage were more yellow before exposure and experienced a faster rate of photoyellowing. This suggests that the yellow chromophores of wool may be more prevalent in cuticle scales, and that wool photoyellowing occurs to a greater extent in the cuticle than in the cortex. Photo-induced chemiluminescence measurements showed that sample D had a higher chemiluminescence intensity after exposure to UVA radiation and a faster decay rate than samples A and B. Thus one of the roles of the wool cuticle may be to protect the cortex by quenching of free radical oxidation during exposure to the UV wavelengths present in sunlight.
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PMID:A morphology-related study on photodegradation of protein fibres. 1861 17

Laponite films provide versatile inorganic scaffolds with materials architectures that direct the self-assembly of CdSe quantum dots (QDs or EviTags) and catalytic surfaces that promote the in situ polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) to yield novel nanocomposites for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and solar cell applications. Water-soluble CdSe EviTags with varying, overlapping emission wavelengths in the visible spectrum were incorporated using soft chemistry routes within Na-Laponite host film platforms to achieve broadband emission in the visible spectrum. QD concentrations, composition and synthesis approach were varied to optimize photophysical properties of the films and to mediate self-assembly, optical cascading and energy transfer. In addition, aniline tetramers coupled to CdSe (QD-AT) surfaces using a dithioate linker were embedded within Cu-Laponite nanoscaffolds and electronically coupled to PANI via vapor phase exposure. Nanotethering and specific host-guest and guest-guest interactions that mediate nanocomposite photophysical behavior were probed using electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, optical microscopy, AFM, SEM, powder XRD, NMR and ATR-FTIR. Morphology studies indicated that Lap/QD-AT films synthesized using mixed solvent, layer by layer (LbL) methods exhibited anisotropic supramolecular structures with unique mesoscopic ordering that affords bifunctional networks to optimize charge transport.
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PMID:Directed self-assembly in laponite/CdSe/polyaniline nanocomposites. 1866 61

The study focused on the structural characterization of sustained-release lipid matrices prepared by solid lipid extrusion. Drug-containing lipid extrudates were locally analyzed in order to identify differences between the chemical and structural composition of surface and core elements. Independent of the lipid the dissolution from the outer extrudate surfaces was slower compared with dissolution from surfaces prepared by cutting the extrudate. The burst effect was higher for the cross-sections indicating more drug was exposed on these surfaces. The release from glycerol trimyristate (Dynasan 114) extrudates was slower compared with glycerol palmitostearate (Precirol ATO 5) extrudates. By solid-state analysis using DSC, ATR-FTIR and SEM measurements the differences between surface material and core material could be attributed mainly to morphological differences. Chemical differences between the core and the outer surface were not relevant. The differences between the surfaces might be explained by the friction induced temperature increase during extrusion in the die plate. The obtained results and a proposed scheme were used to explain the influence of different formulation/processing parameters, such as drug particle size and milling on the drug dissolution behaviour. Small drug particles and intact extrudates are a means of minimizing the burst release.
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PMID:Solid lipid extrudates as sustained-release matrices: the effect of surface structure on drug release properties. 1876 81

Curdlan modified polyurethane was created by physically entrapping the former on TecoflexTM surface. ATR-FT-IR, SEM-EDAX and AFM analysis revealed the formation of stable thin curdlan layer on the film. Contact-angle measurements showed that the modified film was highly hydrophilic. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed the existence of entrapped layer of approximately 20-25 microm in depth. Surface entrapment of curdlan minimized both protein adsorption and mouse L929 fibroblast cell adhesion relative to the control. Surface induced cellular inflammatory response was determined from the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, by measuring their mRNA profiles in the cells using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) normalized to the housekeeping gene GAPDH. The inflammatory response was suppressed on the modified substrate as expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was found to be up regulated on TecoflexTM, while it was significantly lower on curdlan substrate. The adhesion of S. aureus decreased by 62% on curdlan modified surface. Using such simple surface entrapment process, it will be possible to develop well-defined surface modifications that promote specific cell interactions and perhaps better performance in the long-term as implant.
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PMID:TecoflexTM functionalization by curdlan and its effect on protein adsorption and bacterial and tissue cell adhesion. 1909 93

Maleimide groups are synthesized on the surface of PE films by means of two different routes, from oxidized and anhydride-grafted PE films. Maleimide groups covalently bonded to the surface of PE film were used as photopolymerization initiators of acrylic acid (AA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The formation of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) covalently bonded to the modified PE film surface by the photopolymerization process was demonstrated by ATR-FTIR, gravimetry, and SEM results. The thickness of the polymer layers formed in the polymerization depends on the irradiation time. The PAA layer formed in the polymerization is thinner than 250 nm, whereas that of PGMA in some case is thicker than 3 mum.
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PMID:Maleimide immobilized on a PE surface: preparation, characterization and application as a free-radical photoinitiator. 1909 63

The adsorption characteristics of mercury on Aspergillus versicolor mycelia have been studied under varied environments. The mycelia are functionalized by carbon disulfide (CS(2)) treatment under alkaline conditions to examine the enhance uptake capacity and explore its potentiality in pollution control management. The functionalized A. versicolor mycelia have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDXA), attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) probing. SEM and AFM images exhibit the formation of nanoparticles on the mycelial surface. ATR-IR profile confirms the functionalization of the mycelia following chemical treatment. ATR-IR and EDXA results demonstrate the binding of the sulfur groups of the functionalized mycelia to the mercury and consequent formation metal sulfide. AFM study reveals that the mycelial surface is covered by a layer of densely packed domain like structures. Sectional analysis yields significant increase in average roughness (R(rms)) value (20.5 +/- 1.82 nm) compared to that of the pristine mycelia (4.56 +/- 0.82 nm). Surface rigidity (0.88 +/- 0.06 N/m) and elasticity (92.6 +/- 10.2 MPa) obtained from a force distance curve using finite element modeling are found to increase significantly with respect to the corresponding values of (0.65 +/- 0.05 N/m and 32.8 +/- 4.5 MPa) of the nonfunctionalized mycelia. The maximum mercury adsorption capacity of the functionalized mycelia is observed to be 256.5 mg/g in comparison to 80.71 mg/g for the pristine mycelia.
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PMID:Adsorption behavior of mercury on functionalized aspergillus versicolor mycelia: atomic force microscopic study. 1911 71

In this study, a spray-coating method has been set up with the aim to control the coating of poly(2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate) (pHEMA), an hydrophilic polymeric hydrogel, onto the complex surface of a 316L steel stent for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). By varying process parameters, tuneable thicknesses, from 5 to 20 microm, have been obtained with uniform and homogeneous surface without crack or bridges. Surface characteristics of pHEMA coating onto metal surface have been investigated through FTIR-ATR, contact angle measurement, SEM, EDS and AFM. Moreover, results from Single-Lap-Joint and Pull-Off adhesion tests as well as calorimetric analysis of glass transition temperature suggested that pHEMA deposition is firmly adhered on metallic surface. The pHEMA coating evaluation of roughness, wettability together with its morphological and chemical stability after three cycles of expansion-crimping along with preliminary results after 6 months demonstrates the suitability of the coating for surgical implantation of stent.
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PMID:Coating process and early stage adhesion evaluation of poly(2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate) hydrogel coating of 316L steel surface for stent applications. 1926 60

In this work we report the preparation and characterization of nanofibrous mats electrospun from mixed solutions of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and chitosan, with potential applications in such areas as filtration, tissue scaffolds and protective clothing. Polymer compatibility in solution was rather low due to the dissimilarity in the chemical structure of both polymers. We have defined a suitable solvent to both the synthetic, typically hydrophobic polyester, and the biopolymer, and adequate concentrations and molecular weights in order to obtained miscibility of both polymers in solution and suitable electrospinning conditions. The effect of polymer ratio and chitosan molecular weight in the electrospun mat morphology, composition, mechanical and surface properties was evaluated by SEM, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and uniaxial tensile tests. The presence of chitosan increased the diameter and the size distribution of the fibers. The effect on the mechanical properties of the nanofibrous mats showed a complex nature dependent on chitosan molecular weight and concentration. Phase separation during solvent evaporation and fiber formation, taking place at varied extent depending on molecular mobility of one of the components, is suggested to explain the formation of hybrid continuous or core-sheath fibers.
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PMID:Preparation and characterization of electrospun mats made of PET/chitosan hybrid nanofibers. 1950 22

A new aluminium polynuclear crystalline species, Al(13)(OH)(30)(H(2)O)(15)Cl(9) has been synthesized and characterized. It is a particular case of the Al(13)(OH)(30-y)(H(2)O)(18-x)Cl(9) x zH(2)O family. It has been obtained from aluminium waste cans treated with HCl solution in strong acid media, followed by an ageing period. The crystalline structure of the complex was determined by XRD spectroscopy. Twelve reflections were found and indexed with the DICVOL04 software. Morphologically, a flattened preferred orientation was observed by SEM and FESEM. The chemical structure was studied by several absorption spectroscopy techniques: FTIR, ATR-FTIR and Raman dispersion spectroscopy. The coordination of the aluminium nuclei was determined by Al-MAS-NMR. Only octahedral sites were observed. Thermal characterization of the compound was performed by evolved gas analysis (EGA) coupled to simultaneous TGA-DSC.
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PMID:Synthesis and characterization of a new aluminium-based compound. 1965 63

Sulfobetaine-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) systems were created by physically entrapping the zwitterionic species on the PET surface. The presence of the sulfobetiane molecules on these surfaces were verified by ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDAX analysis, while wettability of the films was investigated by water contact angle measurements. The blood compatibility of the modified films was evaluated by platelet adhesion in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The adhesion and inflammatory response of Mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were studied. The surface induced cellular inflammatory response was determined by quantifying the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines namely TNF-alpha and IL-1beta by measuring their mRNA profiles in the cells using real time polymerase chain reaction normalized to the housekeeping gene GAPDH. L-929 fibroblast cells were used to assess the propensity of the materials to support the fibroblast cell adhesion. A lower platelet adhesion and activation were observed on the sulfobetaine-modified PET film incubated in PRP after 2h when compared to control. The modified film reduced cellular adhesion events ( p<0.05) with respect to the base material, which could be linked to the reduced protein adsorption observed on this surface. The cellular inflammatory response was suppressed on sulfobetaine-modified substrate. Expression levels of pro-inflammmatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) was found to be upregulated on bare PET, while it was significantly lower on modified PET ( p<0.001). Thus the sulfobetaine entrapment process can be applied on PET in order to achieve low biointeractions and reduced inflammatory host response for various biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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PMID:The biocompatibility of sulfobetaine engineered poly (ethylene terephthalate) by surface entrapment technique. 1974 1


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