Search results for "bioengineering"

Single-molecule switching with non-contact atomic force microscopy

2011

We report upon controlled switching of a single 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic diimide derivative molecule on a rutile TiO(2)(110) surface using a non-contact atomic force microscope at room temperature. After submonolayer deposition, the molecules adsorb tilted on the bridging oxygen row. Individual molecules can be manipulated by the atomic force microscope tip in a well-controlled manner. The molecules are switched from one side of the row to the other using a simple approach, taking benefit of the sample tilt and the topography of the titania substrate. From density functional theory investigations we obtain the adsorption energies of different positions of the molecule. These adsorp…

Assessment of Polarity in GaN Self-Assembled Nanowires by Electrical Force Microscopy

2015

In this work, we demonstrate the capabilities of atomic force microscopies (AFMs) for the nondestructive determination of the polarity of GaN nanowires (NWs). Three complementary AFMs are analyzed here: Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), light-assisted KPFM, and piezo-force microscopy (PFM). These techniques allow us to assess the polarity of individual NWs over an area of tens of μm(2) and provide statistics on the polarity of the ensemble with an accuracy hardly reachable by other methods. The precise quantitative analysis of the tip-sample interaction by multidimensional spectroscopic measurements, combined with advanced data analysis, has allowed the separate characterization of elec…

Proteoglycan occurrence in gastrolith of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (Malacostraca: Decapoda).

2012

14 pages; International audience; Biomineralized structures are hybrid composites formed and stabilized by the close interaction of the organic and the inorganic phases. Crayfish are good models for studying biomineralization because they develop, in a molting-mineralization cycle, semi-spherical mineralized structures referred to as gastroliths. The organic matrix of these structures consists of proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids. Chitin is the main polysaccharide and is concentrically arranged as fibrous chitin-protein lamellar structures. Although several proteins and low-molecular weight phosphorylated components have been reported to be involved in gastrolith mineralization, the occ…

Development of an lbuprofen-Releasing Biodegradable PLA/PGA Electrospun Scaffold for Tissue Regeneration

2009

Our aim was to develop a biodegradable fibrous dressing to act as a tissue guide for in situ wound repair while releasing Ibuprofen to reduce inflammation in wounds and reduce pain for patients on dressing changes. Dissolving the acid form of Ibuprofen (from 1% to 10% by weight) in the same solvent as 75% polylactide, 25% polyglycolide (PLGA) polymers gave uniformly loaded electrospun fibers which gave rapid release of drug within the first 8 h and then slower release over several days. Scaffolds with 10% Ibuprofen degraded within 6 days. The Ibuprofen released from these scaffolds significantly reduced the response of fibroblasts to major pro-inflammatory stimulators. Fibroblast attachment…

Electrical control of 2D magnetism in bilayer CrI3

2018

The challenge of controlling magnetism using electric fields raises fundamental questions and addresses technological needs such as low-dissipation magnetic memory. The recently reported two-dimensional (2D) magnets provide a new system for studying this problem owing to their unique magnetic properties. For instance, bilayer chromium triiodide (CrI3) behaves as a layered antiferromagnet with a magnetic field-driven metamagnetic transition. Here, we demonstrate electrostatic gate control of magnetism in CrI3 bilayers, probed by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) microscopy. At fixed magnetic fields near the metamagnetic transition, we realize voltage-controlled switching between antiferroma…

Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Polymeric Derivatives of Anti-Inflammatory Agents Such as Alclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Ibuprofen

1991

Macromolecular prodrugs of a hydrophilic polymer [α,β-poly( N- hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA)] was used as a drug carrier. Three poly- (HEA)-NSAID adducts were studied: poly(HEA)-Alclofenac, poly(HEA)-Keto profen, and poly(HEA)-Ibuprofen. Prodrugs with different drug content were synthesized both as water-soluble and water-insoluble agents. Hydrolysis of water-soluble adducts in a simulated gastric juice was studied.

Renal Transplantation by Automatic Anastomotic Device in a Porcine Model

2015

Automatic vascular staplers for vascular anastomoses in kidney transplantation may dramatically reduce the operative time and, in particular, warm ischemia time, thus increasing the outcome of transplantation. Ten pigs underwent kidney auto-transplantation by automatic anastomotic device. Kidneys were collected by laparotomy with selective ligations at the renal hilum and perfused with cold storage solution. To overcome the shortage in length of renal hilum, a tract of the internal jugular vein was harvested to increase the length of the vessels. The anastomoses were totally performed by the use of the anastomotic device. On 10 kidney transplants, nine were successful and no complications o…

Utilization of different carbohydrates by various Kluyveromyces marxianus strains

2016

Comparison of α-acetolactate synthase and α-acetolactate decarboxylase in Lactococcus spp. and Leuconostoc spp.

1994

Cell-free extracts of Leuconostoc and Lactococcus species were tested for their alpha-acetolactate synthase and alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase activities. In Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and Leuconostoc lactis, the Km of alpha-acetolactate synthase for pyruvate was close to 10 mM whereas it was 30 mM in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis. The Km of alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase for alpha-acetolactic acid was very low (0.3 mM) in Leuconostoc species in comparison to Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis (60 mM). In the latter bacterium, alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase showed a sigmoidal de…

Hydrogen-producingEscherichia colistrains overexpressing lactose permease: FT-IR analysis of the lactose-induced stress

2014

The lactose permease gene (lacY) was overexpressed in the septuple knockout mutant of Escherichia coli, previously engineered for hydrogen production from glucose. It was expected that raising the lactose transporter activity would elevate the intracellular lactose concentration, inactivate the lactose repressor, induce the lactose operon, and as a result stimulate overall lactose consumption and conversion. However, overexpression of the lactose transporter caused a considerable growth delay in the recombinant strain on lactose, resembling to some extent the "lactose killing" phenomenon. Therefore, the recombinant strain was subjected to selection on lactose-containing media. Selection on …