Search results for "PSU"
showing 10 items of 678 documents
Controlling protein interactions in blood for effective liver immunosuppressive therapy by silica nanocapsules
2020
Immunosuppression with glucocorticoids is a common treatment for autoimmune liver diseases and after liver transplant, which is however associated with severe side-effects. Targeted delivery of glucocorticoids to inflammatory cells, e.g. liver macrophages and Kupffer cells, is a promising approach for minimizing side effects. Herein, we prepare core–shell silica nanocapsules (SiO2 NCs) via a sol–gel process confined in nanodroplets for targeted delivery of dexamethasone (DXM) for liver immunosuppressive therapy. DXM with concentrations up to 100 mg mL−1 in olive oil are encapsulated while encapsulation efficiency remains over 95% after 15 days. Internalization of NCs by non-parenchymal muri…
Special Uses of Viscoelastics
2000
The possibilities of viscoelastic use in phacoemulsification will be outlined in the following figures. Many ophthalmic surgeons apply viscoelastic substances in capsulorhexis to achieve a deep anterior chamber and extend the pupillary space (with a small pupil). Care must be taken during injection so that aqueous is permitted to flow out. When using a paracentesis to inject viscoelastic (Fig. 59), it must be big enough to allow aqueous outflow. For complete aqueous exchange in the anterior chamber, it is advisable to inject the viscoelastic into the opposite chamber angle.
Multiarm star polyglycerol-block-poly(HEMA) as a versatile precursor for the preparation of micellar nanocapsules with different properties
2007
Well-defined multiarm star polymer with hyperbranched polyglycerol as core and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) as arms were used as precursor for the preparation of inverted and aqueous micellar nanocapsules. The partial modification of the hydroxyl groups of PHEMA arms with aliphatic chains led to the formation of inverted micellar nanocapsules. The hydrophilic dye encapsulation capacity of the inverted micelles can be enhanced significantly by transforming the inner hydroxyl groups of PHEMA arms into quaternized amine groups. The modification of the outer and inner hydroxyl groups of PHEMA arms with polyethylene glycol acid chloride and pivaloyl chloride, respectively, resulted …
Eco-extraction and encapsulation of carotenoid and anthocyanin pigments from tropical plants
2018
This thesis deals with extraction processes using assistance technologies or green solvents and encapsulation systems of natural pigments in order to exploit and apply them in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In this goal, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and Ionic liquids (IL) were evaluated for the extraction of carotenoids and anthocyanins from Vietnamese plants. The results obtained show that the MAE was always a rapid and helpful system for all types of extraction tested whereas ultrasounds were particularly efficient when pigments are present on the surface of plant tissues. However, UAE was also improving results compared to c…
Relief and calcium from gypsum as key factors for net inorganic carbon accumulation in soils of a semiarid Mediterranean environment
2021
Abstract In semiarid environments, the total inorganic carbon (TIC) in soil may contribute to the total carbon (C) pool more than the total organic C pool (TOC), thus playing a key role in storing atmospheric CO2. However, due to the different origin pathways of soil carbonates, not all of the TIC pool can be accounted for CO2 sequestration. Indeed, the inorganic C can be accounted for a net sink of CO2 only when calcium (Ca2+) forming carbonates originate from non-carbonate minerals (atmogenic inorganic C, AIC). The aim of this study carried out in a gypsiferous area is to investigate the dissolution of Ca2+ that comes from gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) in the formation of soil atmogenic carbonates …
Differenziazione e quantificazione dei carbonati litogenici e pedogenici di Gypsisuoli forestali attraverso l'analisi isotopica
2004
Gli autori riferiscono sui tipi e sui modelli di genesi dei carbonati dei suoli, attraverso l’uso degli isotopi del 13C. Lo studio è stato condotto in un’area dell’interno collinare argilloso siciliano, su suoli che evolvono sui depositi evaporitici della Serie Gessoso-Solfifera. Sono stati scelti cinque pedon su litotipi calcarei e non. I pedon sono stati descritti in campo e campionati secondo la sequenza degli orizzonti genetici; sui campioni di suolo sono state eseguite le seguenti analisi: tessitura, reazione, conducibilità elettrica, gesso, carbonio organico ed inorganico. Inoltre, parallelamente sono state eseguite le analisi isotopiche del carbonio organico ed inorganico. I risultat…
Presence of a capsule in Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 and its relationship to virulence for eels
1993
Strains of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2, isolated from internal organs of diseased European eels as pure cultures of opaque cells, together with some reference strains from Japanese eels, were used in this study. Spontaneous translucent-phase variants were obtained from the corresponding parent strains and compared for a variety of phenotypic traits related to virulence for eels. The rate of colony dissociation from opaque to translucent cells was higher (around 10(-2)) than that observed for translucent to opaque cells (10(-3) to 10(-4)). Electron microscopy with ruthenium red revealed the presence of a capsule of variable thickness on opaque cells, whereas translucent-type colonies had no …
Bioencapsulation of living bacteria (Escherichia coli) with poly(silicate) after transformation with silicatein-α gene
2007
Bioencapsulation is an intriguing way to immobilize biological materials, including cells, in silica, metal-oxides or hybrid sol-gel polymers. Until now only the sol-gel precursor technology was utilized to immobilize bacteria or yeast cells in silica. With the discovery of silicatein, an enzyme from demosponges that catalyzes the formation of poly(silicate), it became possible to synthesize poly(silicate) under physiological (ambient) conditions. Here we show that Escherichia coli can be transformed with the silicatein gene, its expression level in the presence of isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) can be efficiently intensified by co-incubation with silicic acid. This effect co…
Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food: Critical Review of Issues and Prospects
2022
International audience; This review paper gives an insight into the effective delivery mechanisms for health-promoting substances and highlights the challenges of using antioxidants and bioactives in foods. The selection criteria for choosing bioactives and their extraction in bioavailable form with their adequate incorporation techniques and delivery mechanisms are covered. Moreover, an overview of existing methods for determination of bioactivity is given. The importance of scientifically evaluating the effects of foods or food components on consumer health before making claims about the healthiness is aligned. Finally, a scientific perspective on how to respond to the booming demand for …
Improvement of physical, chemical and biochemical proprieties of a salt affected Alfisol by addition of biochar and gypsum
2017
Salinization is one of the major environmental problems threatening agricultural productivity. Soil salinization is defined as an excessive accumulation of salts within the soil profile. It negatively affects soil physical and chemical properties, as well as the biochemical ones. Reclamation of salt affected soils requires removal of soluble salts and Na+ from the soil exchange sites. Subsequently, salts are leached out the root zone by irrigation water when available. Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) is the most commonly used chemical amendment for reclamation of salt affected soils since it provides Ca2+ that replaces Na+ on the exchange sites and improves soil structure. Also organic amendments have …