scholarly journals Compartmentalized processing of catechols during mussel byssus fabrication determines the destiny of DOPA

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (14) ◽  
pp. 7613-7621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Priemel ◽  
Ranveer Palia ◽  
Margaryta Babych ◽  
Christopher J. Thibodeaux ◽  
Steve Bourgault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Linking ◽  
Smart Polymers ◽  
Confocal Raman Spectroscopy ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Stability Performance ◽  
Reducing Conditions ◽  
Histological Staining ◽  
Mussel Byssus

Inspired largely by the role of the posttranslationally modified amino acid dopa (DOPA) in mussel adhesion, catechol functional groups have become commonplace in medical adhesives, tissue scaffolds, and advanced smart polymers. Yet, the complex redox chemistry of catechol groups complicates cross-link regulation, hampering fabrication and the long-term stability/performance of mussel-inspired polymers. Here, we investigated the various fates of DOPA residues in proteins comprising mussel byssus fibers before, during, and after protein secretion. Utilizing a combination of histological staining and confocal Raman spectroscopy on native tissues, as well as peptide-based cross-linking studies, we have identified at least two distinct DOPA-based cross-linking pathways during byssus fabrication, achieved by oxidative covalent cross-linking or formation of metal coordination interactions under reducing conditions, respectively. We suggest that these end states are spatiotemporally regulated by the microenvironments in which the proteins are stored prior to secretion, which are retained after formation—in particular, due to the presence of reducing moieties. These findings provide physicochemical pathways toward greater control over properties of synthetic catechol-based polymers and adhesives.

THE ROLE OF POLYETHYLENIMINE IN ENHANCING PERFORMANCE OF GLUTAMATE BIOSENSORS

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Diep Do Thi Hong ◽  
Duong Le Phuoc ◽  
Hoai Nguyen Thi ◽  
Serra Pier Andrea ◽  
Rocchitta Gaia
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Good Reproducibility ◽  
Complex Matrices ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
In Vitro Characterization ◽  
Glutamate Oxidase

Background: The first biosensor was constructed more than fifty years ago. It was composed of the biorecognition element and transducer. The first-generation enzyme biosensors play important role in monitoring neurotransmitter and determine small quantities of substances in complex matrices of the samples Glutamate is important biochemicals involved in energetic metabolism and neurotransmission. Therefore, biosensors requires the development a new approach exhibiting high sensibility, good reproducibility and longterm stability. The first-generation enzyme biosensors play important role in monitoring neurotransmitter and determine small quantities of substances in complex matrices of the samples. The aims of this work: To find out which concentration of polyethylenimine (PEI) exhibiting the most high sensibility, good reproducibility and long-term stability. Methods: We designed and developed glutamate biosensor using different concentration of PEI ranging from 0% to 5% at Day 1 and Day 8. Results: After Glutamate biosensors in-vitro characterization, several PEI concentrations, ranging from 0.5% to 1% seem to be the best in terms of VMAX, the KM; while PEI content ranging from 0.5% to 1% resulted stable, PEI 1% displayed an excellent stability. Conclusions: In the result, PEI 1% perfomed high sensibility, good stability and blocking interference. Furthermore, we expect to develop and characterize an implantable biosensor capable of detecting glutamate, glucose in vivo. Key words: Glutamate biosensors, PEi (Polyethylenimine) enhances glutamate oxidase, glutamate oxidase biosensors

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) for drug delivery: Role of Liquid lipid (oil)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisha D’Souza ◽  
Ranjita Shegokar
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Natural Oils ◽  
Optimal Drug

: In recent years, SLNs and NLCs are among the popular drug delivery systems studied for delivery of lipophilic drugs. Both systems have demonstrated several beneficial properties as an ideal drug-carrier, optimal drug-loading and good long-term stability. NLCs are getting popular due to their stability advantages and possibility to load various oil components either as an active or as a matrix. This review screens types of oils used till date in combination with solid lipid to form NLCs. These oils are broadly classified in two categories: Natural oils and Essential oils. NLCs offer range advantages in drug delivery due to the formation of imperfect matrix owing to the presence of oil. The type and percentage of oil used determines optimal drug loading and stability. Literature shows that variety of oils is used in NLCs mainly as matrix, which is from natural origin, triglycerides class. On the other hand, essential oils not only serve as a matrix but as an active. In short, oil is the key ingredient in formation of NLCs, hence needs to be selected wisely as per the performance criteria expected.

scholarly journals CO Detection Investigation at High Temperature by SiC MISFET Metal/Oxide Gas Sensors

Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Lida Khajavizadeh ◽  
Anita Lloyd Spetz ◽  
Mike Andersson
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Gas Sensors ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Stability Performance ◽  
Catalytic Metal ◽  
Co Detection ◽  
Effect Transistor ◽  
Metal Oxide Gas Sensors

In order to investigate the necessary device improvements for high-temperature CO sensing with SiC metal insulator semiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET)-based chemical gas sensors, devices employing, as the gas-sensitive gate contact, a film of co-deposited Pt/Al2O3 instead of the commonly used catalytic metal-based contacts were fabricated and characterized for CO detection at elevated temperatures and different CO and O2 levels. It can be concluded that the sensing mechanism at elevated temperatures correlates with oxygen removal from the sensor surface rather than the surface CO coverage as observed at lower temperatures. The long-term stability performance was also shown to be improved compared to that of previously studied devices.

Geochemical Behaviour of Uranium in Sedimentary Formations: Insights From a Natural Analogue Study

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Noseck ◽  
Vaclava Havlova ◽  
Juhani Suksi ◽  
Thomas Brasser ◽  
Radek Cervinka
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Natural Analogue ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Co2 Partial Pressure ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Reducing Conditions ◽  
Phosphate Mineral ◽  
Sedimentary System ◽  
The Impact

Groundwater data from the natural analogue site Ruprechtov have been evaluated with special emphasis on the uranium behaviour in the so-called uranium-rich clay/lignite horizon. In this horizon in-situ Eh-values in the range of −160 to −280 mV seem to be determined by the SO42−/HS− couple. Under these conditions U(IV) is expected to be the preferential redox state in solution. However, on-site measurements in groundwater from the clay/lignite horizon show only a fraction of about 20% occurring in the reduced state U(IV). Thermodynamic calculations reveal that the high CO2 partial pressure in the clay/lignite horizon can stabilise hexavalent uranium, which explains the occurrence of U(VI). The calculations also indicate that the low uranium concentrations in the range between 0.2 and 2.1μg/l are controlled by amorphous UO2 and/or the U(IV) phosphate mineral ningyoite. This confirms the findings from previous work that the uranium (IV) mineral phases are long-term stable under the reducing conditions in the clay/lignite horizon without any signatures for uranium mobilisation. It supports the current knowledge of the geological development of the site and is also another important indication for the long-term stability of the sedimentary system itself, namely of the reducing geochemical conditions in the near-surface (30m to 60 m deep) clay/lignite horizon. Further work with respect to the impact of changes in redox conditions on the uranium speciation is on the way.

scholarly journals Scribing Method for Carbon Perovskite Solar Modules

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone M. P. Meroni ◽  
Katherine E. A. Hooper ◽  
Tom Dunlop ◽  
Jenny A. Baker ◽  
David Worsley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Screen Printing ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Transparent Electrode ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cell ◽  
Metal Contacts ◽  
Good Efficiency ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
First Time

The fully printable carbon triple-mesoscopic perovskite solar cell (C-PSC) has already demonstrated good efficiency and long-term stability, opening the possibility of lab-to-fab transition. Modules based on C-PSC architecture have been reported and, at present, are achieved through the accurate registration of each of the patterned layers using screen-printing. Modules based on this approach were reported with geometric fill factor (g-FF) as high as 70%. Another approach to create the interconnects, the so-called scribing method, was reported to achieve more than 90% g-FF for architectures based on evaporated metal contacts, i.e., without a carbon counter electrode. Here, for the first time, we adopt the scribing method to selectively remove materials within a C-PSC. This approach allowed a deep and selective scribe to open an aperture from the transparent electrode through all the layers, including the blocking layer, enabling a direct contact between the electrodes in the interconnects. In this work, a systematic study of the interconnection area between cells is discussed, showing the key role of the FTO/carbon contact. Furthermore, a module on 10 × 10 cm2 substrate with the optimised design showing efficiency over 10% is also demonstrated.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Mutagenesis Prevents Ribosomal DNA Deterioration: The Role of Duplications and Deletions

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3207-3217
Author(s):  
Enrico Sandro Colizzi ◽  
Paulien Hogeweg
Keyword(s):  
Genome Stability ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Gene Duplications ◽  
Genetic Operators ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Number Variation

Abstract Clashes between transcription and replication complexes can cause point mutations and chromosome rearrangements on heavily transcribed genes. In eukaryotic ribosomal RNA genes, the system that prevents transcription–replication conflicts also causes frequent copy number variation. Such fast mutational dynamics do not alter growth rates in yeast and are thus selectively near neutral. It was recently found that yeast regulates these mutations by means of a signaling cascade that depends on the availability of nutrients. Here, we investigate the long-term evolutionary effect of the mutational dynamics observed in yeast. We developed an in silico model of single-cell organisms whose genomes mutate more frequently when transcriptional load is larger. We show that mutations induced by high transcriptional load are beneficial when biased toward gene duplications and deletions: they decrease mutational load even though they increase the overall mutation rates. In contrast, genome stability is compromised when mutations are not biased toward gene duplications and deletions, even when mutations occur much less frequently. Taken together, our results show that the mutational dynamics observed in yeast are beneficial for the long-term stability of the genome and pave the way for a theory of evolution where genetic operators are themselves cause and outcome of the evolutionary dynamics.

scholarly journals Novel blood protein based scaffolds for cardiovascular tissue engineering

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia I. Kuhn ◽  
Marc Müller ◽  
Sara Knigge ◽  
Birgit Glasmacher
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Final Concentration ◽  
Blood Protein ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Blood Proteins ◽  
Cardiovascular Tissue ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

AbstractA major challenge in cardiovascular tissue engineering is the fabrication of scaffolds, which provide appropriate morphological and mechanical properties while avoiding undesirable immune reactions. In this study electrospinning was used to fabricate scaffolds out of blood proteins for cardiovascular tissue engineering. Lyophilised porcine plasma was dissolved in deionised water at a final concentration of 7.5% m/v and blended with 3.7% m/v PEO. Electrospinning resulted in homogeneous fibre morphologies with a mean fibre diameter of 151 nm, which could be adapted to create macroscopic shapes (mats, tubes). Cross-linking with glutaraldehyde vapour improved the long-term stability of protein based scaffolds in comparison to untreated scaffolds, resulting in a mass loss of 41% and 96% after 28 days of incubation in aqueous solution, respectively.

On the Role of H2 as an Inhibitor of UO2 Matrix Dissolution

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Merino ◽  
Xavier Gaona ◽  
Lara Duro ◽  
Jordi Bruno ◽  
Aurora Marti´nez-Esparza
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Partial Pressure ◽  
Water Radiolysis ◽  
Water Interface ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Dissolution Rates ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability

The study of spent fuel behaviour under disposal conditions is usually based on conservative approaches assuming oxidising conditions produced by water radiolysis at the fuel/water interface. However, the presence of H2 from container corrosion can inhibit the dissolution of the UO2 matrix and enhance its long-term stability. Several studies have confirmed the decrease in dissolution rates when H2 is present in the system, although the exact mechanisms of interaction have not been fully established. This paper deals with a radiolytic modelling exercise to explore the consequences of the interaction of H2 with radicals generated by radiolysis in the homogeneous phase. The main conclusion is that in all the modelled cases the presence of H2 in the system leads to a decrease in matrix dissolution. The extent of the inhibition, and the threshold partial pressure for the inhibition to take place, both depend in a complex way on the chemical composition of the water and the type of radiation present in the system.

Role of Carbon Nanotubes to Enhance the Long-Term Stability of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

ACS Photonics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahyar Mohammadnezhad ◽  
Gurpreet Singh Selopal ◽  
Zhiming M. Wang ◽  
Barry Stansfield ◽  
Haiguang Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

scholarly journals Requirement of the C-terminal proline residue for stability of the Ca2+-activated photoprotein aequorin

1993 ◽  
Vol 293 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
N J Watkins ◽  
A K Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Light Emission ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Proline Residue ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Recombinant Aequorin

cDNA coding for the Ca(2+)-activated photoprotein aequorin from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria has been engineered to investigate the role of the C-terminal proline residue in bioluminescence. Recombinant aequorin proteins were synthesized by PCR followed by in vitro transcription/translation, and characterized by specific activity, stability, and affinity for coelenterazine. The C-terminal proline residue of aequorin was shown to be essential for the long-term stability of the bound coelenterazine. Aequorin minus proline had only 1% of the specific activity of the wild-type after 2 h, and was virtually inactive after 18 h. The instability of this variant was further demonstrated by re-activating with a coelenterazine analogue (epsilon-coelenterazine), where maximum reactivation was reached in 15 min, and the luminescent activity was almost completely abolished within 3 h. Replacement of the C-terminal proline residue with histidine or glutamic acid decreased the specific activity to 10 and 19% of that of the wild-type respectively. However these variants were also unstable, having t1/2 values of 2.4 h and 2.3 h respectively. Enhancement of the Ca(2+)-independent light emission when proline was replaced by histidine confirmed the stabilizing role of the C-terminal proline. No significant effect of removal of the C-terminal proline was detected on the affinity for coelenterazine.

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