Effect of maleic anhydride-aniline derivative buffer layer on the properties of flexible substrate heterostructures: Indium tin oxide/nucleic acid base/metal

This paper presents some investigations on the properties of guanine (G) and cytosine (C) based heterostructures deposited on flexible substrates. The effects of two types of maleic anhydride-aniline derivatives (maleic anhydride-cyano aniline or maleic anhydride-2,4 dinitroaniline) buffer layer, deposited between indium tin oxide and (G) or (C) layer, on the optical and electrical properties of the heterostructures have been identified.The heterostructures containing a film of maleic anhydride-2,4 dinitroaniline have shown a good transparency and low photoluminescence in visible range. This buffer layer has determined an increase in the conductance only in the heterostructures based on (G) and (C) deposited on biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate substrate.     

Macrophage-like Cells Are Responsive to Titania Nanotube Intertube Spacing—An In Vitro Study

With the introduction of a new interdisciplinary field, osteoimmunology, today, it is well acknowledged that biomaterial-induced inflammation is modulated by immune cells, primarily macrophages, and can be controlled by nanotopographical cues. Recent studies have investigated the effect of surface properties in modulating the immune reaction, and literature data indicate that various surface cues can dictate both the immune response and bone tissue repair. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) interspacing on the response of the macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7. The cells were maintained in contact with the surfaces of flat titanium (Ti) and anodic TNTs with an intertube spacing of 20 nm (TNT20) and 80 nm (TNT80), under standard or pro-inflammatory conditions. The results revealed that nanotube interspacing can influence macrophage response in terms of cell survival and proliferation, cellular morphology and polarization, cytokine/chemokine expression, and foreign body reaction. While the nanostructured topography did not tune the macrophages’ differentiation into osteoclasts, this behavior was significantly reduced as compared to flat Ti surface. Overall, this study provides a new insight into how nanotubes’ morphological features, particularly intertube spacing, could affect macrophage behavior.     

Multifunctional Silver Nanoparticles-Decorated Silica Functionalized with Retinoic Acid with Anti-Proliferative and Antimicrobial Properties

The paper describes a rapid and simple method for preparing a multifunctional biomaterial based on retinoic acid covalently bound on silica@Ag particles. Monodispersed SiO₂ particles were prepared by Stöber method and further used for loading the Ag nanoparticles on their surface. This composite was further functionalized with retinoic acid. Characterization of the hybrid materials was made by UV–Visible spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Thermal analysis. The biological evaluation of the obtained materials revealed their potential use for multiple biomedical applications, from anti-proliferative agents to novel antimicrobial and antibiofilm strategies.     

Physicochemical stability of egg protein‐stabilised oil‐in‐water emulsions supplemented with vegetable powders

The effect of vegetable powders on the physicochemical stability of egg protein‐stabilised oil‐in‐water emulsions was studied. Vegetable powders (beetroot, broccoli, carrot, celery, green pea, red pepper, spinach, swede, tomato and yellow pea) were added at 2.5% (w/v) to emulsions prepared with rapeseed oil. The physical stability of the emulsions was characterised using the emulsifying activity (EAI) and the emulsifying stability indices (ESI) in addition to bright field microscopy. The oxidative stability of the emulsions was monitored by means of an accelerated oxidation test (Rancimat method). The addition of most vegetable powders did not markedly affect the physical stability of the emulsions although an adverse effect of tomato was observed. The oxidative stability of the emulsions was significantly improved in most cases as indicated by the Rancimat method with broccoli exhibiting the highest increase in induction time (98.2%) compared with the control. Both polar and nonpolar antioxidants are likely to contribute to the overall chemical stability of this complex food system in a concentration‐dependent manner.     

Publication records of women clinicians in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology..

Findings reveal that women published in proportion to their membership in Division 12 of the American Psychological Association. There was a lower percentage of women authors, however, as compared to the percentage of women PhD clinicians at the end of the decade. Women published most often with members of the opposite sex, whereas men published with members of the same sex. When men and women published together, 1st authors were generally men; however, when articles for which 1 man published with 1 woman were examined, 1st authorship was shared equally between the sexes. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Session depth and smoothness in relation to the concept of engagement in counseling.

Investigated the relation of client-counselor evaluation of initial interview to client return for another session. At the end of the initial session, 5 professionals, 5 practicum trainees, and their 290 college-student clients completed the depth and smoothness indexes of the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (W. B. Stiles; see record 1980-12384-001). Clients also completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, and counselors completed items from the Pre-Counseling Assessment Blank (C. J. Gelso and D. H. Johnson, 1983). The duration of the intake interview was recorded. Client return was positively related to: longer interviews; deeper interviews, as rated by both client and counselor; and greater client satisfaction, disturbance, and motivation. The results are discussed in relation to the concept that the initial session represents an engagement session when clients return for more sessions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ultrasensitive magnetic particle-based immunosupported liquid membrane assay

A magnetic particle-based immuno-supported liquid membrane assay (m-ISLMA) based on chemiluminescence detection of a horseradish peroxidase-labeled hapten tracer that allows sample cleanup, analyte enrichment, and detection in a single analysis unit has been developed. Antibodies were immobilized on magnetic beads, and their position in the acceptor was controlled by two alternating opposing electromagnetic fields generated by a voltage applied to either of two electromagnets placed below and above the acceptor channel of the supported liquid membrane unit. The influence of antibody bead dilution in the acceptor was investigated and found to follow the ISLM theory, that is improved enrichment and sensitivity with increasing antibody concentration. Two different extraction procedures were investigated: procedure 1 (m-ISLMA-P1), which keeps the antibody beads trapped at the bottom of the acceptor during the entire analysis process; and procedure 2 (m-ISLMA-P2), which keeps the antibody beads dispersed and in motion in the acceptor phase during the extraction process. m-ISLMA-P2 resulted in 2000 times improved enrichment of simazine and a more than 3 orders of magnitude better limit of detection (LOD(10%)) (1.29 x 10(-5) microg L(-1)) than for m-ISLMA-P1 (2.00 x 10(-2) microg L(-1)) and corresponding microtiter plate magnetic particle-based ELISA (m-ELISA, LOD(10%) 1.30 x 10(-1) microg L(-1)). m-ISLMA-P2 and m-ELISA were further applied for the extraction and analysis of simazine-spiked surface water and fruit juice, finding no evidence for matrix influence for the former method; however, indications that trace amounts (nanograms per liter) of simazine or specific cross-reactants were present in both samples.