Semiconductor cylinder fibers

We report on the fabrication and test of semiconductor cylinder fibers (SCFs). To date, we have used two semiconductors CdTe and CdS. Characterization indicates that the semiconductors survive the fabrication process. A number of fibers of each kind were fabricated with reproducible results     

Structure-activity relationship in the ability of flavonols to inhibit chemiluminescence

Fourteen flavonoids were evaluated for their ability to inhibit chemiluminescence, either of neutrophils that had been briefly exposed to both luminol and phorbol-myristate acetate or to an enzymatic system with H2O2, luminol and horseradish peroxidase. Using chemiluminescence as the quantitative parameter, it can be concluded that the hydroxyl group in position 3 of the flavonols is vital for their inhibitory effect, and that two hydroxyl groups on the phenyl ring are optimal for such an effect. It was also noted that the C2-C3 double bond is essential for the flavonols' anti-oxidative effect. It is suggested that the ability of flavonols to suppress chemiluminescence is reciprocally correlated with their lipophilicity.     

Image processing techniques for 3-D chromosome analysis

3-D karyotype analysis is developing rapidly due to the availability of confocal microscopes and CCD video cameras, and the development of 3-D processing techniques. Here, image enhancement and visualization techniques specifically designed for 3-D karyotype analysis are described. To facilitate a good comparison between the different techniques, the same 3-D image, obtained with a confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM), of a mitotic prophase nucleus of a root-tip cell of Crepis capillaris was used throughout. Besides well-known stereoscopic presentation, another means of improving depth perception is shown, i.e. a solid modelling algorithm, which simulates the process of fluorescence. An interactive routine to dissect objects in the image is presented as an alternative for automated segmentation algorithms, which cannot be applied to closely apposed or merging objects. As an example of a convenient way to reduce the vast amount of data (2 Mbyte per image), a partly automated 3-D cursor is presented in detail. This cursor is used to trace the central axes of chromosomes and record them as strings of Cartesian coordinates. The advantages of a computer graphics display, which facilitates real-time rotation and hence is a powerful tool in studying 3-D features of chromosomes, are also shown.     

Multilayer nanoencapsulation. New approach for immune protection of human pancreatic islets

Immune protection of artificial tissue by means of pancreatic islet microencapsulation is a very ambitious new approach to avoid life-long immune suppression. But the success in the utilization of the alginate-beads with incorporated islets is unfortunately limited. Some of the problems cannot be solved by a two-component system, so polymer encapsulation of the microbeads was tested to improve the properties. In the present paper a pure nanoencapsulation multilayer approach was tested in order to reduce the size of the capsule and possibly apply in the future a multilayer capsule with individual properties in each layer or region of the capsule. Different polycations were attached in a self-assembly process. The advantage in using the surface charge of islets as binding site for the polyions is the guarantee of complete coverage after the second layer. Release of insulin was determined to characterize the function of the islets after encapsulation as well as the permeability of the capsule. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the polyelectrolyte layers. Finally by means of an immune assay, the protection capability of the capsule was proved. In these first measurements the encapsulation with a multilayer nanocapsule was shown to be a possible alternative to the more space-consuming and random islet-trapping microencapsulation.     

FRET measurements on fuzzy fluorescent nanostructures

In the last decade, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) has become a useful technique for studying intermolecular interactions applied to the analysis of biological systems. Although FRET measurements may be very helpful in the comprehension of different cellular processes, it can be difficult to obtain quantitative results, hence the necessity of studying FRET on controllable systems. Here, a fuzzy nanostructured system called a nanocapsule is presented as a nanometric-device allowing distance modulation, thus preserving photophysical properties of fluorescent dyes and exhibiting good potential features for improving quantitative FRET analysis. We evaluated the behavior of such a sample using four FRET methods (three of them based on steady-state fluorescence and one using lifetime measurements). Within some limitations that can be overcome, these nanodevices have the potential to serve as a benchmark system for characterizing new FRET couples and to develop quantitative approaches for FRET analysis.     

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a rapidly expanding area within medical informatics. Defined as using computer and communication technologies to provide medical expertise and services to distant locations, telemedicine dates back to the 1920s. Then radio linked public health physicians standing watch at shore stations to ships at sea with medical emergencies. Much later in the '70s, the large scale demonstrations involving the ATS-6 satellite projects took place; wherein, paramedics in remote Alaskan and Canadian villages were linked with hospitals in distant towns or cities. However, certain obstacles are preventing the widespread use of clinical telemedicine. One obstacle is the inability to develop technical systems that do three things well. One, the components operate predictably and smoothly together. Two, the systems work in different settings without extensive adaptation. Three, the systems are built from easily replaceable components. Technical systems also may be poorly adapted to the human infrastructure of health care. The systems do not fit the work environment, needs and preferences of clinicians, patients, and other decision makers. Based on the author's personal experience, amongst the major obstacles preventing widespread use of telemedicine is management's concern for the security and the privacy of medical records sent over telecommunication networks. Thus, network security has become an area of active research and development. With secure and private exchange of medical information, there will be widespread acceptance of telemedicine in day-to-day practice