Search results for "force microscopy"
showing 10 items of 247 documents
Automated detection of protein unfolding events in atomic force microscopy force curves
2016
Atomic force microscopy is not only a high-resolution imaging device but also a mechanical machine, which can be used either to indent or stretch (soft) biomaterials. Due to the statistical nature of such materials (i.e., hydrogels or polymers) hundreds of force-distance curves are required to describe their mechanical properties. In this manuscript, we present an automated system for polymer unfolding detection based on continuous wavelet analysis. We have tested the automated program on elastin, which is an important protein that provides elasticity to tissues and organs. Our results show that elastin changes its mechanical behavior in the presence of electrolytes. In particular, we show …
Atherothrombosis and Thromboembolism: Position Paper from the Second Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis
2018
AbstractAtherothrombosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and long-term morbidity. Platelets and coagulation proteases, interacting with circulating cells and in different vascular beds, modify several complex pathologies including atherosclerosis. In the second Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis, this theme was addressed by diverse scientists from bench to bedside. All presentations were discussed with audience members and the results of these discussions were incorporated in the final document that presents a state-of-the-art reflection of expert opinions and consensus recommendations regarding the following five topics: 1. Risk factors, biomarkers and plaque inst…
RNA Nanostructure Molecular Imaging
2020
Atomic force and transmission electron microscopies (AFM/TEM) are powerful tools to analyze RNA-based nanostructures. While cryo-TEM analysis allows the determination of near-atomic resolution structures of large RNA complexes, this chapter intends to present how RNA nanostructures can be analyzed at room temperature on surfaces. Indeed, TEM and AFM analyses permit the conformation of a large population of individual molecular structures to be observed, providing a statistical basis for the variability of these nanostructures within the population. Nevertheless, if double-stranded DNA molecular imaging has been described extensively, only a few investigations of single-stranded DNA and RNA …
La mesure directe des forces de liaison entre les hydrates appliquée à la prise de plâtre
1998
Le phenomene de prise est un phenomene general, observable sur tous les liants mineraux, ciments siliceux, alumineux... et le plâtre. S'il existe des lois gouvernant la prise, elles doivent s'appliquer a tous ces liants. Aussi, il peut etre justifie de prendre tel ou tel liant pour modele si cela peut simplifier la premiere approche. Ici, l'objectif est de mesurer les forces entre les grains de silicate de calcium hydrate (phase C-S-H) qui est l'hydrate le plus caracteristique des ciments courants. Ces grains sont extremement petits et il a ete choisi de mettre au point les methodes travaillant sur le plâtre qui s'hydrate sous forme de gypse en formant des cristaux de 10 a 100 fois plus gro…
Mechanical Properties of Human Patellar Tendon at the Hierarchical levels of Tendon and Fibril
2012
Tendons are strong hierarchical structures, but how tensile forces are transmitted between different levels remains incompletely understood. Collagen fibrils are thought to be primary determinants of whole tendon properties, and therefore we hypothesized that the whole human patellar tendon and its distinct collagen fibrils would display similar mechanical properties. Human patellar tendons ( n = 5) were mechanically tested in vivo by ultrasonography. Biopsies were obtained from each tendon, and individual collagen fibrils were dissected and tested mechanically by atomic force microscopy. The Young's modulus was 2.0 ± 0.5 GPa, and the toe region reached 3.3 ± 1.9% strain in whole patellar …
Monolayers of asymmetrical diethylalkanoat disulfides on gold(111):.the influence of chain length difference on atomic force microscope images
1998
Several symmetrical and asymmetrical long-chain diethylalkanoat disulfides were synthesized and character- ized. The differences in the chain lengths of the disul- fides ranged between zero and five methylene units. Self- assembled monolayers of these disulfides formed on Au(111) surfaces were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to obtain information about the origin of the image contrast. Domains with hexagonal lattices (lattice constants 5:2- 5:3 A) were detected for all derivatives, independent of the chain length differences. This indicates that the contrast arises roughly at a depth of 4- 8 A in the monolayers at imag- ing forces between 0: 2a nd 3n N. For SAMs of diethyl…
Kinetics of different processes in human insulin amyloid formation.
2007
Human insulin has long been known to form amyloid fibrils under given conditions. The molecular basis of insulin aggregation is relevant for modeling the amyloidogenesis process, which is involved in many pathologies, as well as for improving delivery systems, used for diabetes treatments. Insulin aggregation displays a wide variety of morphologies, from small oligomeric filaments to huge floccules, and therefore different specific processes are likely to be intertwined in the overall aggregation. In the present work, we studied the aggregation kinetics of human insulin at low pH and different temperatures and concentrations. The structure and the morphogenesis of aggregates on a wide range…
(E)-2-Cyano-3-(5′-piperidin-1-yl-2,2′-bithien-5-yl)acrylic Acid: A Fluorescent Probe for Detecting Prefibrillar Oligomers
2013
The synthesis of (E)-2-cyano-3-(5′-piperidin-1-yl-2,2′-bithien-5-yl)acrylic acid, a novel amyloid aggregation fluorescent probe, is reported. This new probe is able to monitor soluble oligomeric aggregates after 24 h, at which time Thioflavin T emission, commonly used to monitor amyloid fibril formation, remains unchanged. Atomic force microscopy, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and dynamic light scattering confirm that the earlier stages of aggregation are prefibrillar oligomeric species not possessing the amyloid structure. This new molecular scaffold expands the toolbox of fluorescent probes for the identification of prefibrillar oligomers, which is needed in studies aimed at …
Investigation of TiO<sub>2</sub> Ceramic Surface Conductivity Using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy
2012
Dense TiO2 (rutile) ceramic samples were prepared by sintering compacts of titanium dioxide anatase powder at 1500 °C for 5h. Sintered samples were polished and annealed in vacuum at 1000 °C for 1h. Structural properties of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction, polarized light and scanning electron microscopy. The surface topography and local electrical conductivity of the samples were investigated by atomic force microscopy technique under atmospheric conditions. Enhanced electrical conductivity was observed at grain boundaries while the polished, vacuum annealed grains surface showed non-homogeneous conductivity.