BACKGROUND: Sialylation of the N-linked glycan on asparagine-297 within the Fc region of intravenous gammaglobulins (IVIgs) was shown to be necessary for efficacy of IVIg in the amelioration of experimental inflammatory arthritis. To test the role for Fc sialylation of IVIg in immune modulating therapies beyond the K/BxN arthritis model, ...

AIMS: We hypothesized that arachidonic acid produced by anandamide breakdown contributes to the vascular effects of anandamide. MAIN METHODS: Isolated, pressurized rat skeletal muscle arteries, which possess spontaneous myogenic tone, were treated with anandamide, arachidonic acid, capsaicin (vanilloid receptor agonist), WIN 55-212-2 (cannabinoid receptor agonist), URB-597 (FAAH inhibitor), baicalein (lipoxygenase ...

The composition of medium-chain-length (MCL) poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) biopolymers is normally an uncontrollable random mixture of repeating units with differing side chain lengths. Attempts to generate MCL PHA homopolymers and control repeating unit composition have been published in native PHA-producing organisms but have limited ranges for the different sizes of repeating ...

There is interest in the enrichment of poultry meat with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in order to increase the consumption of these fatty acids by humans. However, there is concern that high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may have detrimental effects on immune function in chickens. The effect ...

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters that generally consist of 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-hydroxycarboxylic acids, which are synthesized and accumulate as carbon and energy sources in numerous bacteria in unfavorable growth conditions in the presence of excess carbon sources. Due to the diverse substrate specificities of PHA synthases, which are key ...

To develop a more potent NFκB inhibitor from salicylic acid which is known to inhibit activity of NFκB, a transcription factor regulating genes involved in immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis, derivatives of salicylic acid (SA) where the 5 position, carboxyl or hydroxyl group was modified were treated in HCT116 cells transfected ...

Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2 growing on waste frying oils is capable to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHAs) and hydroxy-fatty acids as a result of several enzymatic conversions. In order to study the physiological role of PHA biosynthesis in P. aeruginosa with respect to the synthesis of hydroxy-fatty acids, an unmarked deletion mutant ...

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin, a potent stimulator of immune response and induction of LPS leads to acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a life-threatening disease worldwide with a high mortality rate. The immunological effect of LPS with spleen and thymus is well documented; however the ...

Optimization of caprylic acid precipitation of equine plasma non-immunoglobulin proteins for antivenom preparation was achieved by regression analysis of the responses of three highly significant factors assayed by factorial design. The factors studied were caprylic acid concentration, plasma pH and temperature, and their response was assessed in terms of filtration ...

The biogeochemical dynamics of 15 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were investigated in a heavily urbanised river (River Seine, Paris, France). The target compounds included C4-C10 sulfonates and C5-C14 acids; eleven PFCs were detected and ∑PFCs ranged between 31 and 91 ng L(-1) (median: 47 ng L(-1)). The molecular pattern was dominated by the perfluoroalkyl sulfonates ...

Purpose: To measure the demineralization capacity of 37% phosphoric acid on surface and subsurface bovine enamel after bleaching with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Materials and Methods: Three equally-sized sections with 16 mm2 of exposed enamel surface were obtained from the enamel of 10 bovine incisors. One specimen sample from each crown ...

When Pseudomonas mendocina NK-01 was cultivated in a 200-L fermentor using glucose as carbon source, 0.316 g L(-1) medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA(MCL)) and 0.57 g L(-1) alginate oligosaccharides (AO) were obtained at the end of the process. GC/MS was used to characterize the PHA(MCL), which was found to be a polymer mainly consisting of 3HO ...

Snake bite is a common medical emergency in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The taipan, Oxyuranus scutellatus, inflicts a large number of bites that, in the absence of antivenom therapy, result in high mortality. Parenteral administration of antivenoms manufactured in Australia is the current treatment of choice for these envenomings. However, ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments (air abrasion, acid etching, laser irradiation) on the surface roughness of a lithium-disilicate-based core ceramic. A total of 40 discs of lithium disilicate-based core ceramic (IPS Empress 2; Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were prepared (10 mm in ...

The study was aimed at the evaluation of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) incorporated polymethacrylic acid-chitosan microparticles for oral drug delivery applications. Poly (methacrylic acid)-chitosan (PMC) and poly(methacrylic acid-vinyl pyrrolidone)-chitosan (PMVC) microparticles were prepared by an ionic-gelation method. Mucoadhesion behaviour of these particles was evaluated by ex-vivo adhesion method using freshly excised ...

Si-based Li-ion battery anodes offer specific capacity an order of magnitude beyond that of conventional graphite. However, the formation of stable Si anodes is a challenge because of significant volume changes occurring during their electrochemical alloying and dealloying with Li. Binder selection and optimization may allow significant improvements in the ...

This Article reports the use of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) for the quantitative study of acid-induced dissolution. An ultramicroelectrode (UME) is used to generate a flux of protons galvanostatically just above a sample surface, creating controlled acid challenges relevant to acid erosion. The electrochemical technique produces etch features in the ...

An etch method based on surface tension driven flows of hydrofluoric acid microdroplets for the fabrication of low-loss, subwavelength-diameter biconical fiber tapers is presented. Tapers with losses less than 0.1 dB/mm are demonstrated, corresponding to an order of magnitude increase in the optical transmission over previous acid-etch techniques. The etch ...

Biodegradable elastomers based on polycondensation reactions of xylitol with sebacic acid, referred to as poly(xylitol sebacate) (PXS) elastomers have recently been developed. We describe the in vivo behavior of PXS elastomers. Four PXS elastomers were synthesized, characterized, and compared with poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). PXS elastomers displayed a high level of ...

The use of proteins in advanced nanotechnological applications requires extended stabilization of the functional protein conformation and enhanced activity. Here we report that simple cationic poly(amino acid)s can significantly increase the activity of the multidomain protein supercomplex Photosystem-I (PS-I) in solution better than other commonly used chemical detergents and anionic ...

A modular and convenient synthesis of ethynyl end functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene) in high purity is reported; this material facilitated access to poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(acrylic acid) which self-assembled into hierarchical structures.

The reaction of α-amino-ω-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) [M = 5000] or star α-amino-poly(ethylene glycol) [M = 20 000] with hemiesters of prednisolone dicarboxylic acids (succinic, glutaric, adipic, phthalic acid) has been used to prepare the corresponding conjugates. The rate of esterase catalyzed hydrolysis of the conjugates is controlled by the molecular mass of ...

Acoustics offers rich possibilities for characterizing and monitoring the biopolymer structures being employed in the field of biomedical engineering. Here we explore the rudimentary acoustic properties of two common biodegradable polymers: poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). A pulse-echo technique is developed to reveal the bulk speed of sound, acoustic impedance ...

A novel vinyl monomer, 3-dimethylamino-6-(p-methacrylamidophenylazo)phenylboronic acid (AzoPBA), which had been prepared by the coupling of p-aminophenyl methacrylamide hydrochloride with m-dimethylaminophenylboronic acid in the presence of sodium nitrite, was polymerized with 3-dimethylaminopropylacrylamide (DMAPAA). The copolymer obtained (Poly(DMAPAA/AzoPBA)) bound to sugars such as fructose and glucose in a weakly alkaline region (8 ...

The purpose of this study is to evaluate microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of an etch-and-rinse adhesive to enamel and dentin after treatment with Er:YAG laser using different pulse durations. Extracted human molars were flattened to obtain enamel or dentin surfaces. The enamel specimens (E) were divided into nine groups and ...

Oligoarginines, which are known as cell-penetrating peptides, enhance the cellular uptake of poorly membrane-permeable bioactive molecules that are chemically conjugated to them. We designed a novel polymer: oligoarginine-linked poly(N-vinylacetamide-co-acrylic acid), with the expectation that the polymers will enhance the cellular uptake of the bioactive molecules that are physically mixed with ...

Conditioning of the enamel surface is now an accepted and widely applied technique used to improve retention in porcelain laminate veneer restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate strength of the bond between porcelain laminate veneers and tooth surfaces etched with acid and laser, separately and together. The ...

A general method for synthesizing alpha-hydroxy N-acylindoles in one-pot via an acid-catalyzed condensation of a convertible isonitrile with water and various aldehydes is presented. These intermediates were incorporated into poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) copolymers bearing residues with functionalizable side chains, which could be further modified through Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cylcoaddition reactions. This versatile ...

The development of innovative medicines and personalized biomedical approaches require the identification and implementation of new biocompatible materials produced by methodologically simple and cheap fabrication methods. The biological fabrication of materials, mostly carried out by microorganisms, has historically provided organic compounds with wide-spectrum biomedical applications, including hyaluronic acid, poly(gamma-glutamic acid) ...

The complete structural characterization of a copolymer composed of methacrylic acid (MAA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) units was achieved using tandem mass spectrometry. In a first step, collision-induced dissociation (CID) of sodiated MAA-MMA co-oligomers allowed us to determine the co-monomeric composition, the random nature of the copolymer and the sum ...

In the present study polymeric microbeads of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-dodecyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) or p(HEMA-co-dDMA-co-AA) were synthesised and characterized through FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); their swelling behavior against saline solution was explored and their in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated. Further, in order to elucidate kinetic aspects regarding the ternary system ...

In this investigation N,N'-(pyromellitoyl)-bis-L-tyrosine dimethyl ester (7) as a chiral bioactive diphenolic monomer was prepared in three steps. The aim of this work was to obtain novel optically and biologically active pseudo-poly(amino acid)s (PAA)s that are more soluble in common organic solvents while maintaining their high thermal stability. Thus, several ...

To enhance the stability and long-term circulation of camptothecin (CPT), mPEGylated alpha,beta-poly (L-aspartic acid)-CPT conjugates were synthesized, and used to fabricate nanomicelle. Firstly, alpha,beta-poly (L-aspartic acid) derivative (PAA-der) containing alkyne groups was synthesized via the ring-opening of PSI with propargyl amine. And then, azide-functionalized CPT derivatives (CPT-N(3)) and azide-terminated poly ...

This study aimed to analyse the erosion-inhibiting potential of a single application of stannous chloride-containing fluoride solution on pellicle-covered enamel and dentine under constant acid flow conditions in vitro. Bovine enamel (n=60) and dentine (n=60) samples were exposed 1h to the oral cavity of 4 healthy volunteers to allow for ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the superficial dentin pattern of primary teeth after applying different phosphoric acid concentrations and conditioning times. Twenty-four dentin surfaces were divided in 4 groups with 10 teeth each: GI -no treatment; GII to GIV -phosphoric acid at 37%, 32%, and ...

Multifunctional poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microspheres containing magnetic, fluorescent, and cancer cell-specific moieties were prepared in four steps: (i) preparation of parent PGMA microspheres by dispersion polymerization and their reaction with ethylenediamine to obtain amino groups, (ii) precipitation of iron ions (Fe(2+) and Fe(3+)) to form Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles within the microspheres, ...

The morphology of a series of linear poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) zinc-neutralized ionomers with either precisely or randomly spaced acid groups was investigated using X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Scattering from semicrystalline, precise ionomers has contributions from acid layers associated with the crystallites and ionic ...

One main application of resorbable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly-L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) based materials is in medical implants. In this study composites were made from PLLA and PLGA with hydroxyapatite (HAp) respective beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) fillers. The filler content and particle size were varied, and the thermal properties as well ...

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of 7% maleic acid and 17% EDTA solutions on the microhardness and the surface roughness of human root canal dentin. METHODS: Forty-five extracted human maxillary central incisors were sectioned longitudinally into a total of 90 segments, were ...

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of toothpastes containing sodium fluoride in different concentrations or a calcium sodium phosphosilicate system on pre-softened dentin demineralization and remineralization. METHODS: During a ten day pH-cycling protocol, pre-softened bovine root dentin slabs were immersed twice daily, after ...

Fiber scaffolds of bioactive polysialic acid have been prepared via electrospinning for peripheral nerve regeneration. The diameter, morphology and alignment of fibers in scaffolds were adjusted by variation of electrospinning parameters, which are decisive for the cell-scaffold interaction. Due to the high water solubility of polysialic acid (poly-alpha-2,8-N-acetylneuraminic acid) a ...

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Coronal and radicular dentin may react differently to the type of acid treatment used when bonding to these substrates. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare dentin morphology, tubular density, and cross-sectional area in deep coronal (around an exposed pulp horn) and root ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cerium chloride, cerium chloride/fluoride and fluoride application on calcium release during erosion of treated dentine. METHODS: Forty dentine samples were prepared from human premolars and randomly assigned to four groups (1-4). Samples were treated twice a day for 5 days, 30s each, with the ...

Copolymeric polyoxoesters containing branched-chain methylenethiol functions, i.e., poly(1,12-dodecanedioic acid-co-1-thioglycerol) and poly(diethyl 1,12-dodecanedioate-co-1-thioglycerol), were formed by lipase-catalyzed polyesterification and polytransesterification of 1,12-dodecanedioic acid and diethyl 1,12-dodecanedioate, respectively, with 1-thioglycerol (3-mercaptopropane-1,2-diol) using immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) in vacuo without drying agent in the reaction mixture. After 360-480 h, ...

Imine-containing bridging groups were formed during self-assembly of periodic mesoporous organosilicas by in situ dynamic covalent chemistry of aldehyde and amine groups in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(dl-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer in acidic aqueous solutions.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) copolymers having a significantly higher glass transition temperature (T(g)) than that of high molar mass PLA homopolymers (typically 60 +/- 5 degrees C) were prepared. Lactic acid was copolymerized with 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-glucitol (isosorbide, ISB) and succinic acid (SA-2), 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA-4) or 1,2,3,4,5,6-cyclohexanehexacarboxylic acid (HCA-6). The highest T(g)s ...

Time-resolved in situ atomic force microscopy has been employed to examine erosion progression in untreated and fluoride-treated enamel specimens during exposure to citric acid. Contact with the acidic reaction solution initiated the emergence and growth of dissolution pits in both the native and the fluoride-treated enamel. In native enamel, pits ...

The aim was to synthesize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with high recognition properties towards glycyrrhizic acid and to evaluate the performance of these materials to act as base excipients in glycyrrhizic acid sustained release in gastrointestinal simulating fluids. MIPs were synthesized using methacrylic acid (MAA) as acidic, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) ...

Folate conjugated poly(ester amine) (PEA) was prepared by reaction of folic acid with PEAs based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and low molecular weight polyethylenimine (LMW-PEI) with PEG as a linker. This novel gene carrier showed excellent physicochemical properties and relatively low cytotoxicity compared with PEI 25K. It showed excellent transfection efficiency ...

Stearic acid (SA) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) grafted chitosan oligosaccharide (SA-CSO-PLGA SCP) tripolymer was synthesized via the reaction between the carboxyl group of SA or PLGA with carboxylic side group, and the amine group of CSO in the presence of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC). The degrees of amino-substitution for SA ...