Scanning Electron Microscopy

The HydroBlade and the HydroBrush keratomes are waterjet-based devices for corneal surgery that operate at normal intraocular pressure in two different modes: removal of parallel or shaped lenticules or hinged flaps with a small diameter, high speed waterjet; and removal of the epithelium with a waterjet sheet. The operating principles as well as histology of the cut surfaces are described. A flap was made in one cadaver eye with a Chiron ACS keratome and in the second eye with the HydroBlade keratome. The epithelium was removed in one cadaver eye with a surgical blade and in the second eye by the HydroBrush keratome. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy was obtained. The HydroBlade keratome cleaved only cross-linking fibrils and left intact keratocytes. Shape and dimensions of the flap were accurate. There was no observable hydration or significant heating of the tissue. Mechanical forces on the cornea were small. The HydroBrush keratome removed the ep...

Copper oxide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (CuO-NPs-AC) were prepared and fully analyzed and characterized with FE-SEM, XRD and FT-IR. Subsequently, this novel material was used for simultaneous ultrasound-assisted adsorption of brilliant green (BG), auramine O (AO), methylene blue (MB) and eosin yellow (EY) dyes. Problems regard to dyes spectra overlap in quaternary solution of this dyes were omitted by derivative spectrophotometric method. The best pH in quaternary system was studied by using one at a time method to achieved maximum dyes removal percentage. Subsequently, sonication time, adsorbent dosage and initial dyes concentrations influence on dyes removal was optimized by central composite design (CCD) combined with desirability function approach (DFA). Desirability score of 0.978 show optimum conditions set at sonication time (4.2min), adsorbent mass (0.029g), initial dyes concentration (4.5mgL(-1)). Under this optimum condition the removal percentage for MB, AO,...

Gelatin-/chitosan-/hyaluronan-based biomaterials are used in tissue engineering as cell scaffolds. Three gamma radiation doses (1, 10 and 25 kGy) were applied to scaffolds for sterilization. Microstructural changes of the irradiated polymers were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A dose of 25 kGy produced a rough microstructure with a reduction of the porosity (from 99 to 96 %) and pore size (from 160 to 123 μm). Radiation also modified the glass transition temperature between 31.2 and 42.1 °C (1 and 25 kGy respectively). Human skin cells cultivated on scaffolds irradiated with 10 and 25 kGy proliferated at 48 h and secreted transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3). Doses of 0 kGy (non-irradiated) or 1 kGy did not stimulate TGF-β3 secretion or cell proliferation. The specific growth rate and lactate production increased proportionally to radiation dose. The use of an appropriate radiation dose improves the cell scaffold properties of biomaterials.

We report on the development of label-free chemical vapour deposition (CVD) graphene field effect transistor (GFET) immunosensors for the sensitive detection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a glycoprotein risk biomarker of certain cancers. The GFET sensors were fabricated on Si/SiO 2 substrate using photolithography with evaporated chromium and sputtered gold contacts. GFET channels were functionalised with a linker molecule to an immobile anti-hCG antibody on the surface of graphene. The binding reaction of the antibody with varying concentration levels of hCG antigen demonstrated the limit of detection of the GFET sensors to be below 1 pg/mL using four-probe electrical measurements. We also show that annealing can significantly improve the carrier transport properties of GFETs and shift the Dirac point (Fermi level) with reduced p-doping in back-gated measurements. The developed GFET biosensors are generic and could find applications in a broad range of medical diagnostics in addition to cancer, such as neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) and cardiovascular disorders.

Uniform fully dispersed particles of flufenamic acid, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, were prepared by two different methods. In the first one, the drug solution in organic solvents was added to a non-solvent (water or aqueous solutions of stabilizers); while in the second procedure the drug was precipitated by acidifying its basic aqueous solutions. In addition calcium and barium salts of uniform spherical particles were obtained by precipitation in aqueous basic solutions of the drug. These salts are supposed to improve the drug reactivity. The prepared dispersions of the drug and its salts were examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and electrophoresis.

Identification of chemical constituents of calculus is important in the diagnosis and management of urolithiasis. The compositional variability of uroliths has different etiologies and requires various modes of treatment and prophylaxis. In the present study, we report the chemical compositional analyses of calculi recovered from buck and bullock by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques and ultra-structure examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD and EDX investigations conclusively established the chemical compositions of urinary calculi under investigation. The calculus from buck (sample I) had calcium oxalate monohydrate, a dominant salt phase and magnesium compound in significant amount. The calculus from bullock (sample II) had magnesium ammonium phosphate phase, with significant amount of calcium in apatite form and K+ ions. SEM study at higher magnification (X 1000) showed bipyramidal crystals in external zones of urolith (sample I)...

Maiti, S.K., Saravanan, B., Singh, G.R., Kumar, N., Hoque, M., Lal, J. and Kalicharan. 2007. Evaluation of the herb, Cissus quadrangularis in accelerating the healing process of femur osteotomies in dogs. J. Appl. Anim. Res, 31: 47–52.To evaluate the efficacy of the herb, Cissus quadrangularis Linn as an adjunct to internal fixation in bone healing in dogs, unilateral comminuted diaphyseal

Ultra low dielectric constant (k ¼ 1.53) materials with self-cleansing properties were synthesized via incorporation of fluorodecyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (FD-POSS) into recently synthesized perfluorocyclopentenyl (PFCP) aryl ether polymers. Incorporation of fluorine rich, high free volume, and low surface energy POSS into a semifluorinated PFCP polymer matrix at various weight percentages resulted in a dramatic drop in dielectric constant, as well as a significant increase in hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of the system. These ultra-low dielectric self-cleansing materials (q tilt ¼ 38) were fabricated into electrospun mats from a solvent blend of fluorinated FD-POSS with PFCP polymers.

Multifunctional network-structured polymeric coat for woven and knitted forms of crimped polyethylene terephthalate PET graft was developed to limit graft-associated infections. A newly synthesized antibacterial sulfadimethoxine polyhexylene adipate-b-methoxy polyethylene oxide (SD-PHA-b-MPEO) di-block copolymer was employed. Our figures of merit revealed that the formed coat showed a porous topographic architecture which manifested paramount properties, mostly bacterial anti-adhesion efficiency and biocompatibility with host cells. Compared to untreated grafts, the coat presented marked reduction of adhered Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis previously isolated from a patient's vein catheter by 2.6 and 2.3 folds for woven and knitted grafts, respectively. Similarly, bacterial anti-adhesion effect was observed for Staphylococcus aureus by 2.3 and 2.4 folds, and by 2.9 and 2.7 folds for Gram-negative Escherichia coli for woven and knitted grafts, respectively. Additionally,...

Este artículo presenta el resultado de una investigación acerca del efecto de ciclos térmicos de temple y revenido sobre la resistencia al desgaste adhesivo del acero austenítico al manganeso (9.4Mn1C1.9Cr1Si). El material se caracterizó química y metalográficamente. Posteriormente, el material fue sometido a la prueba de cilindros cruzados según norma ASTM G-83, con el fin de determinar su comportamiento al desgaste adhesivo. Los resultados indican que la probeta revenida a 200°C tiene un mayor periodo de endurecimiento por deformación que las revenidas a 400 y 800ºC, lo
cual la hace más resistente al desgaste, mejorando así las características de la muestra en estado de suministro