Sample records for dosimetro fricke gel

  1. A diffusion-free and linear-energy-transfer-independent nanocomposite Fricke gel dosimeter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maeyama, T.; Fukunishi, N.; Ishikawa, K. L.; Furuta, T.; Fukasaku, K.; Takagi, S.; Noda, S.; Himeno, R.; Fukuda, S.

    2014-03-01

    We report a new magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) based nanocomposite Fricke gel (NC-FG) dosimeter system, which is free from two main drawbacks of conventional Fricke gel dosimeters, namely, the diffusion of the radiation products and the linear-energy-transfer (LET) dependence of the radiation sensitivity when used for ion beams. The NC-FG dosimeter was prepared by incorporating 1% (w/w) clay nanoparticles into deaerated Fricke gel. We have dosimetrically characterized the NC-FG by using MRI measurements after irradiation with a monoenergetic 290 MeV/nucleon carbon beam. No diffusion of the radiation products was observed during nine days after the irradiation. Moreover, its response faithfully reproduced the depth-dose distribution measured by an ionization chamber, which indicates the absence of the LET dependence. Also, the NC-FG dosimeter exhibited a good linearity up to 800 Gy.

  2. Fricke-gel dosimetry in epithermal or thermal neutron beams of a research reactor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gambarini, G.; Artuso, E.; Giove, D.; Volpe, L.; Agosteo, S.; Barcaglioni, L.; Campi, F.; Garlati, L.; Pola, A.; Durisi, E.; Borroni, M.; Carrara, M.; Klupak, V.; Marek, M.; Viererbl, L.; Vins, M.; d'Errico, F.

    2015-11-01

    Fricke-xylenol-orange gel has shown noticeable potentiality for in-phantom dosimetry in epithermal or thermal neutron fields with very high fluence rate, as those characteristic of nuclear research reactors. Fricke gels in form of layers give the possibility of achieving spatial distribution of gamma dose, fast neutron dose and dose due to charged particles generated by thermal neutron reactions. The thermal neutron fluence has been deduced from the dose coming from the charge particles emitted by neutron reactions with the isotope 10B. Some measurements have been performed for improving the information on the relative sensitivity of Fricke gel dosimeters to the particles produced by 10B reactions, because at present the precision of dose evaluations is limited by the scanty knowledge about the dependence of the dosimeter sensitivity on the radiation LET. For in-air measurements, the dosimeter material can produce an enhancement of thermal neutron fluence. Measurements and Monte Carlo calculations have been developed to investigate the importance of this effect.

  3. Study of the absorption spectra of Fricke Xylenol Orange gel dosimeters

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gambarini, Grazia; Artuso, Emanuele; Liosi, Giulia Maria

    2015-07-01

    A systematic study of the absorption spectra of Fricke Xylenol Orange gel dosimeters has been performed, in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 700 nm. The spectrum of Xylenol Orange (without ferrous sulphate solution) has been achieved, in order to subtract its contribution from the absorption spectra of the irradiated Fricke Xylenol Orange gel dosimeters. The absorbance due to ferric ions chelated by Xylenol Orange has been studied for various irradiation doses. Two absorbance peaks are visible, mainly at low doses: the first peak increases with the dose more slowly than the second one. This effect can explain themore » apparent threshold dose that was frequently evidenced. (authors)« less

  4. SU-D-213-06: Dosimetry of Modulated Electron Radiation Therapy Using Fricke Gel Dosimeter

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gawad, M Abdel; Elgohary, M; Hassaan, M

    Purpose: Modulated electron radiation therapy (MERT) has been proposed as an effective modality for treatment of superficial targets. MERT utilizes multiple beams of different energies which are intensity modulated to deliver optimized dose distribution. Energy independent dosimeters are thus needed for quantitative evaluations of MERT dose distributions and measurements of absolute doses delivered to patients. Thus in the current work we study the feasibility of Fricke gel dosimeters in MERT dosimetry. Methods: Batches of radiation sensitive Fricke gel is fabricated and poured into polymethyl methacrylate cuvettes. The samples were irradiated in solid water phantom and a thick layer of bolusmore » was used as a buildup. A spectrophotometer system was used for measuring the color changes (the absorbance) before and after irradiation and then we calculate net absorbance. We constructed calibration curves to relate the measured absorbance in terms of absorbed dose for all available electron energies. Dosimetric measurements were performed for mixed electron beam delivery and we also performed measurement for segmented field delivery with the dosimeter placed at the junction of two adjacent electron beams of different energies. Dose measured by our gel dosimetry is compared to that calculation from our precise treatment planning system. We also initiated a Monte Carlo study to evaluate the water equivalence of our dosimeters. MCBEAM and MCSIM codes were used for treatment head simulation and phantom dose calculation. PDDs and profiles were calculated for electron beams incident on a phantom designed with 1cm slab of Fricke gel. Results: The calibration curves showed no observed energy dependence with all studied electron beam energies. Good agreement was obtained between dose calculated and that obtained by gel dosimetry. Monte Carlo results illustrated the tissue equivalency of our Gel dosimeters. Conclusion: Fricke Gel dosimeters represent a good option for the

  5. The effect of mixed dopants on the stability of Fricke gel dosimeters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Penev, K.; Mequanint, K.

    2013-06-01

    Auto-oxidation and fast diffusion in Fricke gels are major drawbacks to wide-spread application of these gels in 3D dosimetry. Aiming to limit both processes, we used mixed dopants: the ferric-specific ligand xylenol orange with a ferrous-specific ligand (1,10-phenanthroline) and/or a bi-functional cross-linking agent (glyoxal). Markedly improved auto-oxidation stability was observed in the xylenol orange and phenanthroline doped gel at the expense of increased background absorbance and faster diffusion. Addition of glyoxal limited the diffusion rate and led to a partial bleaching of the gel. It is conceivable that these two new compositions may find useful practical application.

  6. Integration of Fricke gel dosimetry with Ag nanoparticles for experimental dose enhancement determination in theranostics.

    PubMed

    Vedelago, J; Mattea, F; Valente, M

    2018-03-01

    The use and implementation of nanoparticles in medicine has grown exponentially in the last twenty years. Their main applications include drug delivery, theranostics, tissue engineering and magneto function. Dosimetry techniques can take advantage of inorganic nanoparticles properties and their combination with gel dosimetry techniques could be used as a first step for their later inclusion in radio-diagnostics or radiotherapy treatments. The present study presents preliminary results of properly synthesized and purified silver nanoparticles integration with Fricke gel dosimeters. Used nanoparticles presented mean sizes ranging from 2 to 20 nm, with a lognormal distribution. Xylenol orange concentration in Fricke gel dosimeter was adjust in order to allow sample's optical readout, accounting nanoparticles plasmon. Dose enhancement was assessed irradiating dosimeters setting X-ray beams energies below and above silver K-edge. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate the dose enhancement in the experiments and compare with the trend obtained in the experimental results. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Fricke-gel dosimeter: overview of Xylenol Orange chemical behavior

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liosi, G. M.; Dondi, D.; Vander Griend, D. A.; Lazzaroni, S.; D'Agostino, G.; Mariani, M.

    2017-11-01

    The complexation between Xylenol Orange (XO) and Fe3+ ions plays a key role in Fricke-gel dosimeters for the determination of the absorbed dose via UV-vis analysis. In this study, the effect of XO and the acidity of the solution on the complexation mechanism was investigated. Moreover, starting from the results of complexation titration and Equilibrium Restricted Factor Analysis, four XO-Fe3+ complexes were identified to contribute to the absorption spectra. Based on the acquired knowledge, a new [Fe3+] vs dose calibration method is proposed. The preliminary results show a significant improvement of the sensitivity and dose threshold with respect to the commonly used Abs vs dose calibration method.

  8. Cerium nanoparticle effect on sensitivity of Fricke gel dosimeter: Initial investigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ebenezer Suman Babu, S.; Peace Balasingh, S. Timothy; Benedicta Pearlin, R.; Rabi Raja Singh, I.; Ravindran, B. Paul

    2017-05-01

    Fricke gel dosimeters (FXGs) have been the preferred dosimeters because of its ease in preparation and water and tissue equivalency. Visible changes happen three dimensionally in the dosimeter as the ferrous (Fe2+) ions change into ferric (Fe3+) ions upon irradiation and the measure of this change can be correlated to the dose absorbed. Nanoparticles are promising entities that can improve the sensitivity of the gel dosimeter. Cerium Oxide nanoparticle was investigated for possible enhancement of absorbed dose in the FXG. Various concentrations of the nanoparticle based gel dosimeters were prepared and irradiated for a clinical dose range of 0-3 Gy in a telegamma unit. The optimal concentration of 0.1 mM nanoparticle incorporated in the FXG enhances the radiation sensitivity of the unmodified FXG taken as reference without modifying the background absorbance prior to irradiation. The gel recipe consisted of 5% (wt) gelatin, 50 mM Sulphuric acid, 0.05 mM Xylenol Orange, 0.5 mM Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate and 0.1 mM Cerium (IV) Oxide nanoparticle (< 25 nm particle size) and triple distilled water. The FXGs with nanoparticle showed linear dose response in the dose range tested.

  9. The role of hydrogels in the radical production of the Fricke-gel-dosimeter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lazzaroni, S.; Liosi, G. M.; D'Agostino, G.; Marconi, R. P.; Mariani, M.; Buttafava, A.; Dondi, D.

    2018-01-01

    The radiolysis mechanism of the Fricke-gel-dosimeters has been investigated in order to evaluate the role of hydrogels in the radical production. For this purpose, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra were acquired for samples frozen and irradiated at 77 K. The analysis was performed by increasing stepwise the temperature and acquiring the EPR spectra at 120 K in order to follow the radical reaction mechanism. The comparison between aqueous- and gel- dosimeters were performed. Both gelatin from porcine skin and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) were investigated as gel matrix. Different radical species were identified and qualitatively compared. For gel matrix, peroxyl radicals, stemming from the hydrogel, play an important role in the survival of radicals at higher temperature. Moreover, the Fe3+ EPR signal has been studied and compared with the radicals concentration. From this comparison, it is evident the increase of Fe3+ concentration is shifted toward higher temperatures with respect to the radical decay. To explain this phenomenon, the intervention of EPR silent species like peroxides is supposed.

  10. Analysis of the response of PVA-GTA Fricke-gel dosimeters with clinical magnetic resonance imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Collura, Giorgio; Gallo, Salvatore; Tranchina, Luigi; Abbate, Boris Federico; Bartolotta, Antonio; d'Errico, Francesco; Marrale, Maurizio

    2018-01-01

    Fricke gel dosimeters produced with a matrix of Poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GTA) were analyzed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Previous studies based on spectrophotometry showed valuable dosimetric features of these gels in terms of X-ray sensitivity and diffusion of the ferric ions produced after irradiation. In this study, MRI was performed on the gels at 1.5 T with a clinical scanner in order to optimize the acquisition parameters and obtain high contrast between irradiated and non-irradiated samples. The PVA gels were found to offer good linearity in the range of 0-10 Gy and a stable signal for several hours after irradiation. The sensitivity was about 40% higher compared to gels produced with agarose as gelling agent. The effect of xylenol orange (XO) on the MRI signal was also investigated: gel dosimeters made without XO show higher sensitivity to x-rays than those made with XO. The dosimetric accuracy of the 3D gels was investigated by comparing their MRI response to percentage depth dose and transversal dose profile measurements made with an ionization chamber in a water phantom. The comparison of PVA-GTA gels with and without XO showed that the chelating agent reduces the MRI sensitivity of the gels. Depth-dose and transversal dose profiles acquired by PVA-GTA gels without XO are more accurate and consistent with the ionization chamber data. However, diffusion effects hinder accurate measurements in the steep dose gradient regions and they should be further reduced by modifying the gel matrix and/or by minimizing the delay between irradiation and imaging.

  11. Technical Note: Preliminary investigations into the use of a functionalised polymer to reduce diffusion in Fricke gel dosimeters

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Smith, S. T., E-mail: s164.smith@qut.edu.au; Masters, K.-S.; Hosokawa, K.

    2015-12-15

    Purpose: A modification of the existing PVA-FX hydrogel has been made to investigate the use of a functionalised polymer in a Fricke gel dosimetry system to decrease Fe{sup 3+} diffusion. Methods: The chelating agent, xylenol orange, was chemically bonded to the gelling agent, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create xylenol orange functionalised PVA (XO-PVA). A gel was created from the XO-PVA (20% w/v) with ferrous sulfate (0.4 mM) and sulfuric acid (50 mM). Results: This resulted in an optical density dose sensitivity of 0.014 Gy{sup −1}, an auto-oxidation rate of 0.0005 h{sup −1}, and a diffusion rate of 0.129 mm{sup 2}more » h{sup −1}; an 8% reduction compared to the original PVA-FX gel, which in practical terms adds approximately 1 h to the time span between irradiation and accurate read-out. Conclusions: Because this initial method of chemically bonding xylenol orange to polyvinyl alcohol has inherently low conversion, the improvement on existing gel systems is minimal when compared to the drawbacks. More efficient methods of functionalising polyvinyl alcohol with xylenol orange must be developed for this system to gain clinical relevance.« less

  12. A reduction of diffusion in PVA Fricke hydrogels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, S. T.; Masters, K. S.; Hosokawa, K.; Blinco, J.; Crowe, S. B.; Kairn, T.; Trapp, J. V.

    2015-01-01

    A modification to the PVA-FX hydrogel whereby the chelating agent, xylenol orange, was partially bonded to the gelling agent, poly-vinyl alcohol, resulted in an 8% reduction in the post irradiation Fe3+ diffusion, adding approximately 1 hour to the useful timespan between irradiation and readout. This xylenol orange functionalised poly-vinyl alcohol hydrogel had an OD dose sensitivity of 0.014 Gy-1 and a diffusion rate of 0.133 mm2 h-1. As this partial bond yields only incremental improvement, it is proposed that more efficient methods of bonding xylenol orange to poly-vinyl alcohol be investigated to further reduce the diffusion in Fricke gels.

  13. STS-110 Crew Interview: Stephen Frick

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2002-01-01

    STS-110 Pilot Stephen Frick is seen during this preflight interview, where he gives a quick overview of the mission before answering questions about his inspiration to become an astronaut and his career path. Frick outlines his role in the mission in general, and specifically during the docking and extravehicular activities (EVAs). He describes the payload (S0 Truss and Mobile Transporter) and the dry run installation of the S0 truss that will take place the day before the EVA for the actual installation. Frick discusses the planned EVAs in detail and outlines what supplies will be left for the resident crew of the International Space Station (ISS). He ends with his thoughts on the most valuable aspect of the ISS.

  14. Frick on FD

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-18

    S122-E-010925 (18 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Steve Frick, STS-122 commander, smiles for a photo while monitoring data at the commander's station on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis during flight day 12 activities.

  15. Study of Fricke-gel dosimeter calibration for attaining precise measurements of the absorbed dose

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liosi, Giulia Maria; Benedini, Sara; Giacobbo, Francesca

    2015-07-01

    A method has been studied for attaining, with good precision, absolute measurements of the spatial distribution of the absorbed dose by means of the Fricke gelatin Xylenol Orange dosimetric system. With this aim, the dose response to subsequent irradiations was analyzed. In fact, the proposed modality is based on a pre-irradiation of each single dosimeter in a uniform field with a known dose, in order to extrapolate a calibration image for a subsequent non-uniform irradiation with an un-known dose to be measured. (authors)

  16. Ronald Fricke - Clean Water Act Public Notice

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The EPA is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against Ronald Fricke, regarding alleged violations at the concentrated animal feeding operation, located at 22757 170th Street, Carroll, Carroll County, Iowa 51401.

  17. Linearity and reproducibility response of Fricke dosimetry for low energy X-Ray beam

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mantuano, A.; de Amorim, G. J.; David, M. G.; Rosado, P. H. G.; Salata, C.; Magalhães, L. A. G.; deAlmeida, C. E.

    2018-03-01

    The Fricke dosimeter is the most used, liquid chemical dosimeter. It has been shown to be a feasible option for the absorbed dose standard. The present work aims to determinate a dose-response curve of Fricke solution using different doses and reproducibility test comparing the calculated dose to Fricke solution and Ionizing Chamber. Tests were performed using an X-ray irradiator for biological research at Radiological Science Laboratory (LCR/UERJ). The results showed a linear response to different doses of type A uncertainties from 0.08 to 1.2%. Reproducibility test showed type A uncertainties of 0.16% to the dosimeter.

  18. SU-G-JeP2-04: Comparison Between Fricke-Type 3D Radiochromic Dosimeters for Real-Time Dose Distribution Measurements in MR-Guided Radiation Therapy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, H; Alqathami, M; Wang, J

    Purpose: To assess MR signal contrast for different ferrous ion compounds used in Fricke-type gel dosimeters for real-time dose measurements for MR-guided radiation therapy applications. Methods: Fricke-type gel dosimeters were prepared in 4% w/w gelatin prior to irradiation in an integrated 1.5 T MRI and 7 MV linear accelerator system (MR-Linac). 4 different ferrous ion (Fe2?) compounds (referred to as A, B, C, and D) were investigated for this study. Dosimeter D consisted of ferrous ammonium sulfate (FAS), which is conventionally used for Fricke dosimeters. Approximately half of each cylindrical dosimeter (45 mm diameter, 80 mm length) was irradiated tomore » ∼17 Gy. MR imaging during irradiation was performed with the MR-Linac using a balanced-FFE sequence of TR/TE = 5/2.4 ms. An approximate uncertainty of 5% in our dose delivery was anticipated since the MR-Linac had not yet been fully commissioned. Results: The signal intensities (SI) increased between the un-irradiated and irradiated regions by approximately 8.6%, 4.4%, 3.2%, and 4.3% after delivery of ∼2.8 Gy for dosimeters A, B, C, and D, respectively. After delivery of ∼17 Gy, the SI had increased by 24.4%, 21.0%, 3.1%, and 22.2% compared to the un-irradiated regions. The increase in SI with respect to dose was linear for dosimeters A, B, and D with slopes of 0.0164, 0.0251, and 0.0236 Gy{sup −1} (R{sup 2} = 0.92, 0.97, and 0.96), respectively. Visually, dosimeter A had the greatest optical contrast from yellow to purple in the irradiated region. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using Fricke-type dosimeters for real-time dose measurements with the greatest optical and MR contrast for dosimeter A. We also demonstrated the need to investigate Fe{sup 2+} compounds beyond the conventionally utilized FAS compound in order to improve the MR signal contrast in 3D dosimeters used for MR-guided radiation therapy. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science

  19. The 'RITE' use of the Fricke flap in periorbital reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Wilcsek, G; Leatherbarrow, B; Halliwell, M; Francis, I

    2005-08-01

    To revisit an important but outmoded periorbital reconstructive technique. We present cases to illustrate the usefulness of the Fricke flap and describe a method of rapid intraoperative tissue expansion (RITE), which can enhance the applicability and effectiveness of the Fricke flap. A comparison between those cases performed with and without adjunctive RITE was not made due to the low numbers available. A retrospective review of clinical cases. A total of 20 cases in which the Fricke flap was used for periorbital reconstruction were reviewed. The mean patient age was 64.7 years; the male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The patient follow-up ranged from 1 to 8 years with a mean of 4.2 years. The most common cause (65%) of periorbital defect was excision of eyelid malignancy. Necrosis of the terminal segment of the flap requiring further surgical intervention occurred in 10% (2/20). In both of these cases, the surgeons were trainees, with the complications being due to poor surgical technique. In the first case, the flap base was too narrow and in the second case, the distal end of the flap was thinned excessively. The functional result was excellent in 10/20 (50%), good in 5/20 (25%), fair in 3/20 (15%), and poor in 2/20 (10%). The cosmetic result was excellent in 3/20 (15%), good in 12/20 (60%), fair in 3/20 (15%), and poor in 2/20 (10%). The Fricke flap is an important and, in selected cases, an indispensable technique in periorbital reconstruction.

  20. Walheim, Frick, Love and Poindexter on MDDK

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-14

    S122-E-008586 (14 Feb. 2008) --- Astronauts Rex Walheim (left), STS-122 mission specialist; Steve Frick, commander; Stanley Love, mission specialist; and Alan Poindexter, pilot, take a moment during flight day eight activities for a photo on the middeck of Space Shuttle Atlantis while docked with the International Space Station.

  1. Walheim, Frick, Love and Poindexter on MDDK

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-14

    S122-E-008585 (14 Feb. 2008) --- Astronauts Rex Walheim (left), STS-122 mission specialist; Steve Frick, commander; Stanley Love, mission specialist; and Alan Poindexter, pilot, take a moment during flight day eight activities for a photo on the middeck of Space Shuttle Atlantis while docked with the International Space Station.

  2. Melvin, Love, Frick and Walheim on MDDK

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-14

    S122-E-008583 (14 Feb. 2008) --- Astronauts Steve Frick (second right), STS-122 commander; Leland Melvin (left), Stanley Love (top) and Rex Walheim, all mission specialists, take a moment during flight day eight activities for a photo on the middeck of Space Shuttle Atlantis while docked with the International Space Station.

  3. Fricke S-duality in CHL models

    DOE PAGES

    Persson, Daniel; Volpato, Roberto

    2015-12-23

    In this study, we consider four dimensional CHL models with sixteen spacetime supersymmetries obtained from orbifolds of type IIA superstring on K3×T 2 by a Z N symmetry acting (possibly) non-geometrically on K3. We show that most of these models (in particular, for geometric symmetries) are self-dual under a weak-strong duality acting on the heterotic axio-dilaton modulus S by a “Fricke involution” S → -1/NS. This is a novel symmetry of CHL models that lies outside of the standard SL(2,Z)-symmetry of the parent theory, heterotic strings on T 6. For self-dual models this implies that the lattice of purely electricmore » charges is N-modular, i.e. isometric to its dual up to a rescaling of its quadratic form by N. We verify this prediction by determining the lattices of electric and magnetic charges in all relevant examples. We also calculate certain BPS-saturated couplings and verify that they are invariant under the Fricke S-duality. For CHL models that are not self-dual, the strong coupling limit is dual to type IIA compactified on T 6/Z N, for some Z N-symmetry preserving half of the spacetime supersymmetries.« less

  4. Frick on FD during Expedition 16/STS-122 Joint Operations

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-10

    S122-E-007578 (10 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Steve Frick, STS-122 commander, is pictured with a package of food while occupying the commander's station on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis while docked with the International Space Station.

  5. Total Reconstruction of Lower Eyelid in a Post-traumatic Patient Using Modified Fricke's Cheek Flap.

    PubMed

    Sengupta, Subhabrata; Baruah, Binayak; Pal, Suvra; Tuli, Isha Preet

    2013-07-01

    Eyelids are very complex structure, reconstruction of which is a challenge to surgeons. Reconstruction of eyelids may be required in a variety of conditions like congenital anomalies, trauma, or postsurgical excision in malignant lesions involving the eyelids. There are numerous ways to reconstruct the eyelids; the best procedure depends on both the skill of the surgeon and the condition of the patient. Fricke' lateral temporal based flap was first described in 1829 for reconstruction of the eyelids and lateral canthal region. This flap had inherent problems regarding cosmetic appearance of the eyebrows. The modified Fricke's flap based on the cheek has the advantage of avoiding such complications. It is very easy and rapid outpatient department (OPD) based procedure with acceptable cosmetic and functional result. It can be done by all ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and head and neck surgeons without any reconstructive training. In this article we are presenting a case of total reconstruction of lower eyelid using the modified Fricke's cheek flap.

  6. Frick, Melvin and Love in the U.S. Lab

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-13

    S122-E-008251 (13 Feb. 2008) --- Astronauts Steve Frick (top left), STS-122 commander; Leland Melvin (bottom) and Stanley Love, both mission specialists, take a moment for a photo while working the controls of the station's robotic Canadarm2 in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Atlantis is docked with the station.

  7. Water-equivalence of gel dosimeters for radiology medical imaging.

    PubMed

    Valente, M; Vedelago, J; Chacón, D; Mattea, F; Velásquez, J; Pérez, P

    2018-03-08

    International dosimetry protocols are based on determinations of absorbed dose to water. Ideally, the phantom material should be water equivalent; that is, it should have the same absorption and scatter properties as water. This study presents theoretical, experimental and Monte Carlo modeling of water-equivalence of Fricke and polymer (NIPAM, PAGAT and itaconic acid ITABIS) gel dosimeters. Mass and electronic densities along with effective atomic number were calculated by means of theoretical approaches. Samples were scanned by standard computed tomography. Photon mass attenuation coefficients and electron stopping powers were examined. Theoretical, Monte Carlo and experimental results confirmed good water-equivalence for all gel dosimeters. Overall variations with respect to water in the low energy radiology range (up to 130 kVp) were found to be less than 3% in average. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Characterisation of TruView™: a new 3-D reusable radiochromic MethylThymolBlue based gel dosimeter for ionising radiations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colnot, J.; Huet, C.; Clairand, I.

    2017-05-01

    TruView™ is a new water-equivalent reusable Fricke gel dosimeter based on MethylThymolBlue reactive dye. Details of the characterisation of the TruView™ MTB gel dosimeter by spectrophotometric measurements and of its reading with the Optical-CT Scanner Vista™ are described. In this study, the different parameters influencing TruView™ dose response have been studied and its performances have been compared to chamber and diodes measurements. This gel presents a linear response with dose up to 20 Gy, independent in the investigated range of photon beam energy and dose rate and also a good intra-batch uniformity. Ions diffusion into the matrix homogenizes the gel after a week, losing dosimetric information but allowing a new irradiation to be performed. However, auto-oxidation happens before and after irradiation, degrading the dosimeter response and stability. Storage and reading conditions affect the response as well.

  9. Love, Frick and Walheim in the A/L prior to EVA 3

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-02-15

    S122-E-008897 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Steve Frick, STS-122 commander, shares his enthusiasm and support with the two STS-122 mission specialists assigned to the mission's final spacewalk to perform work on the International Space Station. Equipped with their extravehicular mobility units (EMU) and other gear and just about ready to egress the station and begin the day's external tasks are astronauts Stanley Love (left) and Rex Walheim.

  10. STS-110 Pilot Frick in M-113 personnel carrier during TCDT

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2002-01-01

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-110 Pilot Stephen Frick waits inside the M-113 armored personnel carrier to begin training on driving the vehicle, which is part of Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. TCDT includes emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. The TCDT is held at KSC prior to each Space Shuttle flight. Scheduled for launch April 4, the 11-day mission will feature Shuttle Atlantis docking with the International Space Station (ISS) and delivering the S0 truss, the centerpiece-segment of the primary truss structure that will eventually extend over 300 feet.

  11. Validating Fricke dosimetry for the measurement of absorbed dose to water for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy: a comparison between primary standards of the LCR, Brazil, and the NRC, Canada.

    PubMed

    Salata, Camila; David, Mariano Gazineu; de Almeida, Carlos Eduardo; El Gamal, Islam; Cojocaru, Claudiu; Mainegra-Hing, Ernesto; McEwen, Malcom

    2018-04-05

    Two Fricke-based absorbed dose to water standards for HDR Ir-192 dosimetry, developed independently by the LCR in Brazil and the NRC in Canada have been compared. The agreement in the determination of the dose rate from a HDR Ir-192 source at 1 cm in a water phantom was found to be within the k  =  1 combined measurement uncertainties of the two standards: D NRC /D LCR   =  1.011, standard uncertainty  =  2.2%. The dose-based standards also agreed within the uncertainties with the manufacturer's stated dose rate value, which is traceable to a national standard of air kerma. A number of possible influence quantities were investigated, including the specific method for producing the ferrous-sulphate Fricke solution, the geometry of the holder, and the Monte Carlo code used to determine correction factors. The comparison highlighted the lack of data on the determination of G(Fe 3+ ) in this energy range and the possibilities for further development of the holders used to contain the Fricke solution. The comparison also confirmed the suitability of Fricke dosimetry for Ir-192 primary standard dose rate determinations at therapy dose levels.

  12. Validating Fricke dosimetry for the measurement of absorbed dose to water for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy: a comparison between primary standards of the LCR, Brazil, and the NRC, Canada

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Salata, Camila; Gazineu David, Mariano; de Almeida, Carlos Eduardo; El Gamal, Islam; Cojocaru, Claudiu; Mainegra-Hing, Ernesto; McEwen, Malcom

    2018-04-01

    Two Fricke-based absorbed dose to water standards for HDR Ir-192 dosimetry, developed independently by the LCR in Brazil and the NRC in Canada have been compared. The agreement in the determination of the dose rate from a HDR Ir-192 source at 1 cm in a water phantom was found to be within the k  =  1 combined measurement uncertainties of the two standards: D NRC/D LCR  =  1.011, standard uncertainty  =  2.2%. The dose-based standards also agreed within the uncertainties with the manufacturer’s stated dose rate value, which is traceable to a national standard of air kerma. A number of possible influence quantities were investigated, including the specific method for producing the ferrous-sulphate Fricke solution, the geometry of the holder, and the Monte Carlo code used to determine correction factors. The comparison highlighted the lack of data on the determination of G(Fe3+) in this energy range and the possibilities for further development of the holders used to contain the Fricke solution. The comparison also confirmed the suitability of Fricke dosimetry for Ir-192 primary standard dose rate determinations at therapy dose levels.

  13. Commentary: Integrating callous and unemotional traits into the definition of antisocial behaviour--a commentary on Frick et al. (2014).

    PubMed

    Rowe, Richard

    2014-06-01

    Heterogeneity in the presentation, antecedents, prognosis and treatment response of antisocial behaviour has long provided a challenge to developmental psychopathology researchers. As illustrated in the incisive Frick and colleagues' Annual Research Review, there is growing evidence that the presence of high callous-unemotional (CU) traits identifies a subgroup of antisocial young people with a particularly aggressive and pervasive form of disorder. Frick and colleagues extend their developmental psychopathology approach to CU traits by linking in theories of conscience development and considering evidence on the stability of CU traits. This commentary addresses these themes and the area more generally, considering (1) comparison of a CU specifier to alternative approaches to antisocial heterogeneity (2) high CU traits in the absence of antisocial behaviour and (3) aspects of the measurement of CU traits. © 2014 The Author. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. © 2014 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

  14. Influence of experimental parameters on sonochemistry dosimetries: KI oxidation, Fricke reaction and H2O2 production.

    PubMed

    Merouani, Slimane; Hamdaoui, Oualid; Saoudi, Fethi; Chiha, Mahdi

    2010-06-15

    Central events of the ultrasonic action are the cavitation bubbles that can be considered as microreactors. Adiabatic collapse of cavitation bubbles leads to the formation of reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals (*OH), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and hydroperoxyl radicals (HOO*). Several chemical methods were used to detect the production of these reactive moieties in sonochemistry. In this work, the influence of several operational parameters on the sonochemistry dosimetries namely KI oxidation, Fricke reaction and H(2)O(2) production using 300 kHz ultrasound was investigated. The main experimental parameters showing significant effect in KI oxidation dosimetry were initial KI concentration, acoustic power and pH. The solution temperature showed restricted influence on KI oxidation. The acoustic power and liquid temperature highly affected Fricke reaction dosimetry. Operational conditions having important influence on H(2)O(2) formation were acoustic power, solution temperature and pH. For the three tested dosimetries, the sonochemical efficiency was independent of liquid volume. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Commentary: So Was It Worth It? a Commentary on Fricke Et Al. and Hagen Et Al. (2017)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McCartney, Elspeth

    2017-01-01

    Fricke et al. and Hagen et al. (2017) each report on large-scale pragmatic randomised controlled trials delivered in schools or nurseries, investigating language interventions for vulnerable children and showing moderate positive effect sizes. Such research is part of a recent development of 'what works' research in England, and the number of…

  16. Study of a non-diffusing radiochromic gel dosimeter for 3D radiation dose imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marsden, Craig Michael

    2000-12-01

    This thesis investigates the potential of a new radiation gel dosimeter, based on nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBTZ) suspended in a gelatin mold. Unlike all Fricke based gel dosimeters this dosimeter does not suffer from diffusive loss of image stability. Images are obtained by an optical tomography method. Nitro blue tetrazolium is a common biological indicator that when irradiated in an aqueous medium undergoes reduction to a highly colored formazan, which has an absorbance maximum at 525nm. Tetrazolium is water soluble while the formazan product is insoluble. The formazan product sticks to the gelatin matrix and the dose image is maintained for three months. Methods to maximize the sensitivity of the system were evaluated. It was found that a chemical detergent, Triton X-100, in combination with sodium formate, increased the dosimeter sensitivity significantly. An initial G-value of formazan production for a dosimeter composed of 1mM NBTZ, gelatin, and water was on the order of 0.2. The addition of Triton and formate produced a G-value in excess of 5.0. The effects of NBTZ, triton, formate, and gel concentration were all investigated. All the gels provided linear dose vs. absorbance plots for doses from 0 to >100 Gy. It was determined that gel concentration had minimal if any effect on sensitivity. Sensitivity increased slightly with increasing NBTZ concentration. Triton and formate individually and together provided moderate to large increases in dosimeter sensitivity. The dosimeter described in this work can provide stable 3D radiation dose images for all modalities of radiation therapy equipment. Methods to increase sensitivity are developed and discussed.

  17. Adapting the neurology area of the Gustavo Fricke Hospital

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ankelen, A.; González, S.; Aguirre, L.

    2007-11-01

    Within the framework of the subject Clinical Engineering taught at Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke of Viña del Mar Chile, we were assigned to undertake a detailed study on the quality of the electrical power main supply of the Neurology Department, on account of reported malfunctioning of some equipment used in this unit. The study results indicated that the problems occurred only in a device for auditory evoked potentials device and, contrary to what was expected, the problem was unrelated to the quality of the electrical main supply. It was also found that the cause for the problem was electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted from the system's very own components. To solve the problem, we built a Faraday Cage for the signal-processing unit and increased the separating distance among the various system components. This approach enhanced system performance and significantly improved the recorded signals of patients. The solution adopted from this experience was suggested to others health care centers of our country that had been experiencing similar difficulties with the same type of medical equipment.

  18. Dielectric behavior of beef meat in the 1-1500kHz range: Simulation with the Fricke/Cole-Cole model.

    PubMed

    Damez, Jean-Louis; Clerjon, Sylvie; Abouelkaram, Saïd; Lepetit, Jacques

    2007-12-01

    The electrical properties of biological tissues have been researched for many years. Impedance measurements observed with increasing frequencies are mainly attributed to changes in membrane conductivity and ion and charged-molecule mobility (mainly Na(+), K(+), CL(-) ions). Equivalent circuits with passive electrical components are frequently used as a support model for presentation and analyses of the behavior of tissues submitted to electrical fields. Fricke proposed an electrical model where the elements are resistive and capacitive. The model is composed of a resistive element (Rp) representing extracellular fluids (ECF) placed in parallel with a capacitive element (Cs) representing insulating membranes in series and a resistive element (Rs) representing intracellular fluids (ICF). This model is able to describe impedance measurements: at lower frequencies, most of the current flows around the cells without being able to penetrate them, while at higher frequencies the membranes lose their insulating properties and the current flows through both the extracellular and intracellular compartments. Since meat ageing induces structural change, particularly in membrane integrity, the insulating properties of membranes decrease, and intracellular and extracellular electrolytes mix, thus driving changes in their electrical properties. We report a method combining the Fricke and Cole-Cole models that was developed to monitor and explain tissues conductivity changes in preferential directions during beef meat ageing.

  19. Characterization of ferrous-methylthymol blue-polyvinyl alcohol gel dosimeters using nuclear magnetic resonance and optical techniques

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rabaeh, Khalid A.; Eyadeh, Molham M.; Hailat, Tariq F.; Aldweri, Feras M.; Alheet, Samer M.; Eid, Rania M.

    2018-07-01

    A new composition of Ferrous sulphate-Metheylthymol blue (MTB)-Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dosimeter is introduced in this work and evaluated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and absorbance spectrophotometry techniques. The Fricke-MTB-PVA dosimeters were irradiated using a medical linear accelerator in a cubic water phantom. The dose response of the dosimeters was investigated using NMR in terms of spin-spin relaxation rate (R2), and ultraviolet and visible regions (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry in terms of absorbance. The dosimeter presents a linear dose response for doses up to 20 Gy with UV-Vis and 40 Gy with NMR method. The sample with 0.1 mM MTB, 5% PVA by weight showed highest dose sensitivity for both techniques. The Fricke-MTB-PVA dosimeter developed in this work has a significant advance over the Fricke-MTB-gelatin system: the NMR sensitivity was remarkably improved; the auto-oxidation rate was seven times lower, and no significant dose rate or photon energy effects were observed.

  20. Studies on heavy charged particle interaction, water equivalence and Monte Carlo simulation in some gel dosimeters, water, human tissues and water phantoms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurudirek, Murat

    2015-09-01

    Some gel dosimeters, water, human tissues and water phantoms were investigated with respect to their radiological properties in the energy region 10 keV-10 MeV. The effective atomic numbers (Zeff) and electron densities (Ne) for some heavy charged particles such as protons, He ions, B ions and C ions have been calculated for the first time for Fricke, MAGIC, MAGAT, PAGAT, PRESAGE, water, adipose tissue, muscle skeletal (ICRP), muscle striated (ICRU), plastic water, WT1 and RW3 using mass stopping powers from SRIM Monte Carlo software. The ranges and straggling were also calculated for the given materials. Two different set of mass stopping powers were used to calculate Zeff for comparison. The water equivalence of the given materials was also determined based on the results obtained. The Monte Carlo simulation of the charged particle transport was also done using SRIM code. The heavy ion distribution along with its parameters were shown for the given materials for different heavy ions. Also the energy loss and damage events in water when irradiated with 100 keV heavy ions were studied in detail.

  1. Homogeneity of gels and gel-derived glasses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mukherjee, S. P.

    1984-01-01

    The significance and implications of gel preparation procedures in controlling the homogeneity of multicomponent oxide gels are discussed. The role of physicochemical factors such as the structure and chemical reactivities of alkoxides, the formation of double-metal alkoxides, and the nature of solvent(s) are critically analyzed in the context of homogeneity of gels during gelation. Three procedures for preparing gels in the SiO2-B2O3-Na2O system are examined in the context of cation distribution. Light scattering results for glasses in the SiO2-B2O3-Na2O system prepared by both the gel technique and the conventional technique are examined.

  2. Transdermal delivery of paeonol using cubic gel and microemulsion gel

    PubMed Central

    Luo, Maofu; Shen, Qi; Chen, Jinjin

    2011-01-01

    Background The aim of this study was to develop new systems for transdermal delivery of paeonol, in particular microemulsion gel and cubic gel formulations. Methods Various microemulsion vehicles were prepared using isopropyl myristate as an oil phase, polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor® EL) as a surfactant, and polyethylene glycol 400 as a cosurfactant. In the optimum microemulsion gel formulation, carbomer 940 was selected as the gel matrix, and consisted of 1% paeonol, 4% isopropyl myristate, 28% Cremophor EL/polyethylene glycol 400 (1:1), and 67% water. The cubic gel was prepared containing 3% paeonol, 30% water, and 67% glyceryl monooleate. Results A skin permeability test using excised rat skins indicated that both the cubic gel and microemulsion gel formulations had higher permeability than did the paeonol solution. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study done in rats showed that the relative bioavailability of the cubic gel and microemulsion gel was enhanced by about 1.51-fold and 1.28-fold, respectively, compared with orally administered paeonol suspension. Conclusion Both the cubic gel and microemulsion gel formulations are promising delivery systems to enhance the skin permeability of paeonol, in particular the cubic gel. PMID:21904450

  3. Commissioning dosimetry and in situ dose mapping of a semi-industrial Cobalt-60 gamma-irradiation facility using Fricke and Ceric-cerous dosimetry system and comparison with Monte Carlo simulation data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mortuza, Md Firoz; Lepore, Luigi; Khedkar, Kalpana; Thangam, Saravanan; Nahar, Arifatun; Jamil, Hossen Mohammad; Bandi, Laxminarayan; Alam, Md Khorshed

    2018-03-01

    Characterization of a 90 kCi (3330 TBq), semi-industrial, cobalt-60 gamma irradiator was performed by commissioning dosimetry and in-situ dose mapping experiments with Ceric-cerous and Fricke dosimetry systems. Commissioning dosimetry was carried out to determine dose distribution pattern of absorbed dose in the irradiation cell and products. To determine maximum and minimum absorbed dose, overdose ratio and dwell time of the tote boxes, homogeneous dummy product (rice husk) with a bulk density of 0.13 g/cm3 were used in the box positions of irradiation chamber. The regions of minimum absorbed dose of the tote boxes were observed in the lower zones of middle plane and maximum absorbed doses were found in the middle position of front plane. Moreover, as a part of dose mapping, dose rates in the wall positions and some selective strategic positions were also measured to carry out multiple irradiation program simultaneously, especially for low dose research irradiation program. In most of the cases, Monte Carlo simulation data, using Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended code version MCNPX 2.7., were found to be in congruence with experimental values obtained from Ceric-cerous and Fricke dosimetry; however, in close proximity positions from the source, the dose rate variation between chemical dosimetry and MCNP was higher than distant positions.

  4. Cumulative irritation potential among metronidazole gel 1%, metronidazole gel 0.75%, and azelaic acid gel 15%.

    PubMed

    Colón, Luz E; Johnson, Lori A; Gottschalk, Ronald W

    2007-04-01

    Topical therapy for rosacea aims to reduce inflammatory lesions and decrease erythema but can carry side effects such as stinging, pruritus, and burning. Metronidazole and azelaic acid gel 15% are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for the treatment of rosacea. The current study was conducted to assess the cumulative irritation potential of 2 formulations of metronidazole 0.75% gel and 1% gel--and azelaic acid gel 15% over 21 days (N=36). Results of this study demonstrated a significantly greater poten tial for irritation from azelaic acid compared with metronidazole gel 0.75% (P < .0001), which had significantly greater potential for irritation compared with metronidazole gel 1% (P = .0054). Metronidazole gel 1% had a similar profile to white petrolatum.

  5. Neutron dose estimation in a zero power nuclear reactor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Triviño, S.; Vedelago, J.; Cantargi, F.; Keil, W.; Figueroa, R.; Mattea, F.; Chautemps, A.; Santibañez, M.; Valente, M.

    2016-10-01

    This work presents the characterization and contribution of neutron and gamma components to the absorbed dose in a zero power nuclear reactor. A dosimetric method based on Fricke gel was implemented to evaluate the separation between dose components in the mixed field. The validation of this proposed method was performed by means of direct measurements of neutron flux in different positions using Au and Mg-Ni activation foils. Monte Carlo simulations were conversely performed using the MCNP main code with a dedicated subroutine to incorporate the exact complete geometry of the nuclear reactor facility. Once nuclear fuel elements were defined, the simulations computed the different contributions to the absorbed dose in specific positions inside the core. Thermal/epithermal contributions of absorbed dose were assessed by means of Fricke gel dosimetry using different isotopic compositions aimed at modifying the sensitivity of the dosimeter for specific dose components. Clear distinctions between gamma and neutron capture dose were obtained. Both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results provided reliable estimations about neutron flux rate as well as dose rate during the reactor operation. Simulations and experimental results are in good agreement in every positions measured and simulated in the core.

  6. SU-F-BRA-10: Fricke Dosimetry: Determination of the G-Value for Ir-192 Energy Based On the NRC Methodology

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Salata, C; David, M; Rosado, P

    Purpose: Use the methodology developed by the National Research Council Canada (NRC), for Fricke Dosimetry, to determine the G-value used at Ir-192 energies. Methods: In this study the Radiology Science Laboratory of Rio de Janeiro State University (LCR),based the G-value determination on the NRC method, using polyethylene bags. Briefly, this method consists of interpolating the G-values calculated for Co-60 and 250 kV x-rays for the average energy of Ir-192 (380 keV). As the Co-60 G-value is well described at literature, and associated with low uncertainties, it wasn’t measured in this present study. The G-values for 150 kV (Effective energy ofmore » 68 keV), 250 kV (Effective energy of 132 keV)and 300 kV(Effective energy of 159 keV)were calculated using the air kerma given by a calibrated ion chamber, and making it equivalent to the absorbed to the Fricke solution, using a Monte Carlo calculated factor for this conversion. Instead of interpolations, as described by the NRC, we displayed the G-values points in a graph, and used the line equation to determine the G- value for Ir-192 (380 keV). Results: The measured G-values were 1.436 ± 0.002 µmol/J for 150 kV, 1.472 ± 0.002 µmol/J for 250 kV, 1.497 ± 0.003 µmol/J for 300 kV. The used G-value for Co-60 (1.25 MeV) was 1,613 µmol/J. The R-square of the fitted regression line among those G-value points was 0.991. Using the line equation, the calculate G-value for 380 KeV was 1.542 µmol/J. Conclusion: The Result found for Ir-192 G-value is 3,1% different (lower) from the NRC value. But it agrees with previous literature results, using different methodologies to calculate this parameter. We will continue this experiment measuring the G-value for Co-60 in order to compare with the NRC method and better understand the reasons for the found differences.« less

  7. Sol-Gel Glasses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mukherjee, S. P.

    1985-01-01

    Multicomponent homogeneous, ultrapure noncrystalline gels/gel derived glasses are promising batch materials for the containerless glass melting experiments in microgravity. Hence, ultrapure, homogeneous gel precursors could be used to: (1) investigate the effect of the container induced nucleation on the glass forming ability of marginally glass forming compositions; and (2) investigate the influence of gravity on the phase separation and coarsening behavior of gel derived glasses in the liquid-liquid immiscibility zone of the nonsilicate systems having a high density phase. The structure and crystallization behavior of gels in the SiO2-GeO2 as a function of gel chemistry and thermal treatment were investigated. As are the chemical principles involved in the distribution of a second network former in silica gel matrix being investigated. The procedures for synthesizing noncrystalline gels/gel-monoliths in the SiO2-GeO2, GeO2-PbO systems were developed. Preliminary investigations on the levitation and thermal treatment of germania silicate gel-monoliths in the Pressure Facility Acoustic Levitator were done.

  8. Tolerability of clindamycin/tretinoin gel vs. tretinoin microsphere gel and adapalene gel.

    PubMed

    Leyden, James; Wortzman, Mitchell; Baldwin, Edward K

    2009-04-01

    Newer agents and formulations seek to improve the tolerability of topical retinoid therapy. Recently, a gel containing crystalline clindamycin 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025% (CLIN/RA) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of treating mild-to-moderate acne. This single-center, randomized, evaluator-blind phase 1 study compared the tolerability of CLIN/RA to 0.1% tretinoin gel or 0.1% adapalene gel. Forty-five patients applied CLIN/RA once daily to one side of their face every day for 21 days. Patients were randomized to either tretinoin 0.1% (n = 23) or adapalene 0.1% (n = 22) on the contralateral side. A clinical evaluator assessed degree of erythema and scaling; patients provided subjective evaluations of burning, stinging, and itching. CLIN/RA was significantly better tolerated than was 0.1% tretinoin gel, as evidenced by significantly reduced erythema (P < 0.04), scaling (P < 0.03), itching (P < 0.02), burning (P < 0.03) and stinging (P < 0.04). A trend for greater erythema, scaling, and subjective discomfort for 0.1% adapalene gel compared to CLIN/RA was also evident.

  9. The gel electrophoresis markup language (GelML) from the Proteomics Standards Initiative.

    PubMed

    Gibson, Frank; Hoogland, Christine; Martinez-Bartolomé, Salvador; Medina-Aunon, J Alberto; Albar, Juan Pablo; Babnigg, Gyorgy; Wipat, Anil; Hermjakob, Henning; Almeida, Jonas S; Stanislaus, Romesh; Paton, Norman W; Jones, Andrew R

    2010-09-01

    The Human Proteome Organisation's Proteomics Standards Initiative has developed the GelML (gel electrophoresis markup language) data exchange format for representing gel electrophoresis experiments performed in proteomics investigations. The format closely follows the reporting guidelines for gel electrophoresis, which are part of the Minimum Information About a Proteomics Experiment (MIAPE) set of modules. GelML supports the capture of metadata (such as experimental protocols) and data (such as gel images) resulting from gel electrophoresis so that laboratories can be compliant with the MIAPE Gel Electrophoresis guidelines, while allowing such data sets to be exchanged or downloaded from public repositories. The format is sufficiently flexible to capture data from a broad range of experimental processes, and complements other PSI formats for MS data and the results of protein and peptide identifications to capture entire gel-based proteome workflows. GelML has resulted from the open standardisation process of PSI consisting of both public consultation and anonymous review of the specifications.

  10. The Gel Electrophoresis Markup Language (GelML) from the Proteomics Standards Initiative

    PubMed Central

    Gibson, Frank; Hoogland, Christine; Martinez-Bartolomé, Salvador; Medina-Aunon, J. Alberto; Albar, Juan Pablo; Babnigg, Gyorgy; Wipat, Anil; Hermjakob, Henning; Almeida, Jonas S; Stanislaus, Romesh; Paton, Norman W; Jones, Andrew R

    2011-01-01

    The Human Proteome Organisation’s Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO-PSI) has developed the GelML data exchange format for representing gel electrophoresis experiments performed in proteomics investigations. The format closely follows the reporting guidelines for gel electrophoresis, which are part of the Minimum Information About a Proteomics Experiment (MIAPE) set of modules. GelML supports the capture of metadata (such as experimental protocols) and data (such as gel images) resulting from gel electrophoresis so that laboratories can be compliant with the MIAPE Gel Electrophoresis guidelines, while allowing such data sets to be exchanged or downloaded from public repositories. The format is sufficiently flexible to capture data from a broad range of experimental processes, and complements other PSI formats for mass spectrometry data and the results of protein and peptide identifications to capture entire gel-based proteome workflows. GelML has resulted from the open standardisation process of PSI consisting of both public consultation and anonymous review of the specifications. PMID:20677327

  11. Electrophoresis of DNA in agarose gels, polyacrylamide gels and in free solution

    PubMed Central

    Stellwagen, Nancy C.

    2009-01-01

    This review describes the electrophoresis of curved and normal DNA molecules in agarose gels, polyacrylamide gels and in free solution. These studies were undertaken to clarify why curved DNA molecules migrate anomalously slowly in polyacrylamide gels but not in agarose gels. Two milestone papers are cited, in which Ferguson plots were used to estimate the effective pore size of agarose and polyacrylamide gels. Subsequent studies on the effect of the electric field on agarose and polyacrylamide gel matrices, DNA interactions with the two gel matrices, and the effect of curvature on the free solution mobility of DNA are also described. The combined results suggest that the anomalously slow mobilities observed for curved DNA molecules in polyacrylamide gels are due primarily to preferential interactions of curved DNAs with the polyacrylamide gel matrix; the restrictive pore size of the matrix is of lesser importance. In free solution, DNA mobilities increase with increasing molecular mass until leveling off at a plateau value of (3.17 ± 0.01) × 10-4 cm2/Vs in 40 mM Tris-acetate-EDTA buffer at 20°C. Curved DNA molecules migrate anomalously slowly in free solution as well as in polyacrylamide gels, explaining why the Ferguson plots of curved and normal DNAs containing the same number of base pairs extrapolate to different mobilities at zero gel concentration. PMID:19517510

  12. GEM printer: 3D gel printer for free shaping of functional gel engineering materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Furukawa, Hidemitsu; Muroi, Hisato; Yamamoto, Kouki; Serizawa, Ryo; Gong, Jin

    2013-04-01

    In the past decade, several high-strength gels have been developed. These gels are expected to use as a kind of new engineering materials in the fields of industry and medical as substitutes to polyester fibers, which are materials of artificial blood vessels. The gels have both low surface friction and well permeability due to a large amount of water absorbed in the gels, which are superiority of the gels compering to the polyester fibers. It is, however, difficult for gels to be forked structure or cavity structure by using cutting or mold. Consequently, it is necessary to develop the additive manufacturing device to synthesize and mode freely gels at the same time. Here we try to develop an optical 3D gel printer that enables gels to be shaped precisely and freely. For the free forming of high-strength gels, the 1st gels are ground to particles and mixed with 2nd pregel solution, and the mixed solution is gelled by the irradiation of UV laser beam through an optical fiber. The use of the optical fiber makes one-point UV irradiation possible. Since the optical fiber is controlled by 3D-CAD, the precise and free molding in XYZ directions is easily realized. We successfully synthesized tough gels using the gel printer.

  13. CONFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT USING GELS

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Randall S. Seright

    2003-09-01

    This report describes work performed during the second year of the project, ''Conformance Improvement Using Gels.'' The project has two objectives. The first objective is to identify gel compositions and conditions that substantially reduce flow through fractures that allow direct channeling between wells, while leaving secondary fractures open so that high fluid injection and production rates can be maintained. The second objective is to optimize treatments in fractured production wells, where the gel must reduce permeability to water much more than that to oil. Pore-level images from X-ray computed microtomography were re-examined for Berea sandstone and porous polyethylene. This analysismore » suggests that oil penetration through gel-filled pores occurs by a gel-dehydration mechanism, rather than a gel-ripping mechanism. This finding helps to explain why aqueous gels can reduce permeability to water more than to oil. We analyzed a Cr(III)-acetate-HPAM gel treatment in a production well in the Arbuckle formation. The availability of accurate pressure data before, during, and after the treatment was critical for the analysis. After the gel treatment, water productivity was fairly constant at about 20% of the pre-treatment value. However, oil productivity was stimulated by a factor of 18 immediately after the treatment. During the six months after the treatment, oil productivity gradually decreased to approach the pre-treatment value. To explain this behavior, we proposed that the fracture area open to oil flow was increased substantially by the gel treatment, followed by a gradual closing of the fractures during subsequent production. For a conventional Cr(III)-acetate-HPAM gel, the delay between gelant preparation and injection into a fracture impacts the placement, leakoff, and permeability reduction behavior. Formulations placed as partially formed gels showed relatively low pressure gradients during placement, and yet substantially reduced the flow capacity

  14. Internal structure analysis of particle-double network gels used in a gel organ replica

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abe, Mei; Arai, Masanori; Saito, Azusa; Sakai, Kazuyuki; Kawakami, Masaru; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2016-04-01

    In recent years, the fabrication of patient organ replicas using 3D printers has been attracting a great deal of attention in medical fields. However, the cost of these organ replicas is very high as it is necessary to employ very expensive 3D printers and printing materials. Here we present a new gel organ replica, of human kidney, fabricated with a conventional molding technique, using a particle-double network hydrogel (P-DN gel). The replica is transparent and has the feel of a real kidney. It is expected that gel organ replicas produced this way will be a useful tool for the education of trainee surgeons and clinical ultrasonography technologists. In addition to developing a gel organ replica, the internal structure of the P-DN gel used is also discussed. Because the P-DN gel has a complex structure comprised of two different types of network, it has not been possible to investigate them internally in detail. Gels have an inhomogeneous network structure. If it is able to get a more uniform structure, it is considered that this would lead to higher strength in the gel. In the present study we investigate the structure of P-DN gel, using the gel organ replica. We investigated the internal structure of P-DN gel using Scanning Microscopic Light Scattering (SMILS), a non-contacting and non-destructive.

  15. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, astronaut Stephen Frick and STS-114 Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence watch as crew members work with equipment that will be used on the mission. Frick is a tile specialist, who joined the STS-114 crew during equipment familiarization at KSC. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2004-01-27

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, astronaut Stephen Frick and STS-114 Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence watch as crew members work with equipment that will be used on the mission. Frick is a tile specialist, who joined the STS-114 crew during equipment familiarization at KSC. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.

  16. Crystallization from Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Narayana Kalkura, S.; Natarajan, Subramanian

    Among the various crystallization techniques, crystallization in gels has found wide applications in the fields of biomineralization and macromolecular crystallization in addition to crystallizing materials having nonlinear optical, ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, and other properties. Furthermore, by using this method it is possible to grow single crystals with very high perfection that are difficult to grow by other techniques. The gel method of crystallization provides an ideal technique to study crystal deposition diseases, which could lead to better understanding of their etiology. This chapter focuses on crystallization in gels of compounds that are responsible for crystal deposition diseases. The introduction is followed by a description of the various gels used, the mechanism of gelling, and the fascinating phenomenon of Liesegang ring formation, along with various gel growth techniques. The importance and scope of study on crystal deposition diseases and the need for crystal growth experiments using gel media are stressed. The various crystal deposition diseases, viz. (1) urolithiasis, (2) gout or arthritis, (3) cholelithiasis and atherosclerosis, and (4) pancreatitis and details regarding the constituents of the crystal deposits responsible for the pathological mineralization are discussed. Brief accounts of the theories of the formation of urinary stones and gallstones and the role of trace elements in urinary stone formation are also given. The crystallization in gels of (1) the urinary stone constituents, viz. calcium oxalate, calcium phosphates, uric acid, cystine, etc., (2) the constituents of the gallstones, viz. cholesterol, calcium carbonate, etc., (3) the major constituent of the pancreatic calculi, viz., calcium carbonate, and (4) cholic acid, a steroidal hormone are presented. The effect of various organic and inorganic ions, trace elements, and extracts from cereals, herbs, and fruits on the crystallization of major urinary stone and gallstone

  17. Active DNA gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saleh, Omar A.; Fygenson, Deborah K.; Bertrand, Olivier J. N.; Park, Chang Young

    2013-02-01

    Research into the mechanics and fluctuations of living cells has revealed the key role played by the cytoskeleton, a gel of stiff filaments driven out of equilibrium by force-generating motor proteins. Inspired by the extraordinary mechanical functions that the cytoskeleton imparts to the cell, we sought to create an artificial gel with similar characteristics. We identified DNA, and DNA-based motor proteins, as functional counterparts to the constituents of the cytoskeleton. We used DNA selfassembly to create a gel, and characterized its fluctuations and mechanics both before and after activation by the motor. We found that certain aspects of the DNA gel quantitatively match those of cytoskeletal networks, indicating the universal features of motor-driven, non-equilibrium networks.

  18. Application of melanin-free ink as a new antioxidative gel enhancer in sardine surimi gel.

    PubMed

    Vate, Naveen Kumar; Benjakul, Soottawat; Agustini, Tri Winarni

    2015-08-30

    The squid ink that is discarded as waste during processing can be effectively utilised as a gel enhancer in surimi gels, especially those prepared from dark-fleshed fish which have poor gel properties. It also acts as an antioxidant, inhibiting lipid oxidation. This investigation aimed to study the effect of melanin-free ink (MFI) from splendid squid (Loligo formosana) on properties and oxidative stability of surimi gel from sardine (Sardinella albella). MFI (0-0.1 g kg(-1) surimi) increased the breaking force and deformation of sardine surimi gel in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The addition of MFI had no effect on whiteness of surimi gels (P > 0.05). The expressible moisture content of gels decreased as the levels of MFI increased (P < 0.05). Based on a microstructure study, gel added with MFI at a level of 0.08 g kg(-1) surimi was denser and finer than that of the control (without MFI). Surimi gels with MFI had lower peroxide values, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, nonanal and 2-decenal. MFI could improve the properties of sardine surimi gel. Additionally, it was able to prevent lipid oxidation in surimi gels during refrigerated storage. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

  19. Evaluation of radiochromic gel dosimetry and polymer gel dosimetry in a clinical dose verification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vandecasteele, Jan; De Deene, Yves

    2013-09-01

    A quantitative comparison of two full three-dimensional (3D) gel dosimetry techniques was assessed in a clinical setting: radiochromic gel dosimetry with an in-house developed optical laser CT scanner and polymer gel dosimetry with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To benchmark both gel dosimeters, they were exposed to a 6 MV photon beam and the depth dose was compared against a diamond detector measurement that served as golden standard. Both gel dosimeters were found accurate within 4% accuracy. In the 3D dose matrix of the radiochromic gel, hotspot dose deviations up to 8% were observed which are attributed to the fabrication procedure. The polymer gel readout was shown to be sensitive to B0 field and B1 field non-uniformities as well as temperature variations during scanning. The performance of the two gel dosimeters was also evaluated for a brain tumour IMRT treatment. Both gel measured dose distributions were compared against treatment planning system predicted dose maps which were validated independently with ion chamber measurements and portal dosimetry. In the radiochromic gel measurement, two sources of deviations could be identified. Firstly, the dose in a cluster of voxels near the edge of the phantom deviated from the planned dose. Secondly, the presence of dose hotspots in the order of 10% related to inhomogeneities in the gel limit the clinical acceptance of this dosimetry technique. Based on the results of the micelle gel dosimeter prototype presented here, chemical optimization will be subject of future work. Polymer gel dosimetry is capable of measuring the absolute dose in the whole 3D volume within 5% accuracy. A temperature stabilization technique is incorporated to increase the accuracy during short measurements, however keeping the temperature stable during long measurement times in both calibration phantoms and the volumetric phantom is more challenging. The sensitivity of MRI readout to minimal temperature fluctuations is demonstrated which

  20. [Sniffing Position and i-gel Rotation Approach for i-gel Insertion under General Anesthesia].

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Yoshihiro; Murashima, Koji; Kayashima, Kenji

    2016-04-01

    Insertion assistance techniques, such as the sniffing position (SP) and i-gel? rotation approach (RA), are recommended in the i-gel supraglottic airway device insertion manual. The usefulness of these techniques was evaluated, in this study, under general anesthesia. In 50 adult patients, the i-gel was inserted with the patient in the mild-SP with 5 degrees head extention at first attempt. When resistance was encountered during insertion or airway patency was not obtained after insertion, the i-gel was re-inserted with the patient in the full-SP with maximum head extention during second attempt. When re-insertion failed, the i-gel was inserted with the patient in the full-SP and by using the i-gel RA during third attempt. Airway patency was established in the mild-SP in 36 of 50 patients, in the full-SP in 11 of the remaining 14, and in the full-SP with the i-gel RA in the remaining 3. The average insertion time was 24.0 s during the first attempt, 22.2 s during the second, and 18.2 s during the third. No major complications were observed. Both the full-SP and the i-gel RA can be used for i-gel insertion.

  1. [Polymer Gel Dosimeter].

    PubMed

    Hayashi, Shin-Ichiro

    2017-01-01

    With rapid advances being made in radiotherapy treatment, three-dimensional (3D) dose measurement techniques of great precision are required more than ever before. It is expected that 3D polymer gel dosimeters will satisfy clinical needs for an effective detector that can measure the complex 3D dose distributions. Polymer gel dosimeters are devices that utilize the radiation-induced polymerization reactions of vinyl monomers in a gel to store information about radiation dose. The 3D absorbed dose distribution can be deduced from the resulting polymer distribution using several imaging modalities, such as MRI, X-ray and optical CTs. In this article, the fundamental characteristics of polymer gel dosimeter are reviewed and some challenging keys are also suggested for the widely spread in clinical use.

  2. Metal-silica sol-gel materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stiegman, Albert E. (Inventor)

    2002-01-01

    The present invention relates to a single phase metal-silica sol-gel glass formed by the co-condensation of a transition metal with silicon atoms where the metal atoms are uniformly distributed within the sol-gel glass as individual metal centers. Any transition metal may be used in the sol-gel glasses. The present invention also relates to sensor materials where the sensor material is formed using the single phase metal-silica sol-gel glasses. The sensor materials may be in the form of a thin film or may be attached to an optical fiber. The present invention also relates to a method of sensing chemicals using the chemical sensors by monitoring the chromatic change of the metal-silica sol-gel glass when the chemical binds to the sensor. The present invention also relates to oxidation catalysts where a metal-silica sol-gel glass catalyzes the reaction. The present invention also relates to a method of performing oxidation reactions using the metal-silica sol-gel glasses. The present invention also relates to organopolymer metal-silica sol-gel composites where the pores of the metal-silica sol-gel glasses are filled with an organic polymer polymerized by the sol-gel glass.

  3. Optimal processing for gel electrophoresis images: Applying Monte Carlo Tree Search in GelApp.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Phi-Vu; Ghezal, Ali; Hsueh, Ya-Chih; Boudier, Thomas; Gan, Samuel Ken-En; Lee, Hwee Kuan

    2016-08-01

    In biomedical research, gel band size estimation in electrophoresis analysis is a routine process. To facilitate and automate this process, numerous software have been released, notably the GelApp mobile app. However, the band detection accuracy is limited due to a band detection algorithm that cannot adapt to the variations in input images. To address this, we used the Monte Carlo Tree Search with Upper Confidence Bound (MCTS-UCB) method to efficiently search for optimal image processing pipelines for the band detection task, thereby improving the segmentation algorithm. Incorporating this into GelApp, we report a significant enhancement of gel band detection accuracy by 55.9 ± 2.0% for protein polyacrylamide gels, and 35.9 ± 2.5% for DNA SYBR green agarose gels. This implementation is a proof-of-concept in demonstrating MCTS-UCB as a strategy to optimize general image segmentation. The improved version of GelApp-GelApp 2.0-is freely available on both Google Play Store (for Android platform), and Apple App Store (for iOS platform). © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Direct Force Measurements on Neurofilaments: Gel Expanded to Gel Condensed Transition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beck, R.; Deek, J.; Jones, J. B.; Safinya, C. R.

    2010-03-01

    Neurofilaments (NFs)--the major cytoskeletal constituent of axons in vertebrates, consist of three subunit proteins assembled to form filaments with protruding unstructured C-terminus sidearms. Liquid crystal gel networks of sidearm-mediated NF assemblies play a key role in the mechanical while disruptions of this network, due to over-accumulation or incorrect sidearm interactions, are a hallmark of motor neuron diseases. Using synchrotron SAXS [1,2] and microscopy techniques [1,3] we report a direct force measurement of reconstituted NF-gels under osmotic pressure (P), which revealed the role of subunit sidearms on structure and interaction of NFs. With increasing P, near physiological condition, the gels undergo an abrupt nonreversible gel expanded to gel condensed transition that indicates sidearm-mediated attractions between NFs. This attraction is consistent with an electrostatic model of interpenetrating chains.[4pt] [1] J.B. Jones, C.R. Safinya, Biophys. J. 95, 823 (2008);[0pt] [2] R. Beck et al., Nature Mat. (2009) in press;[0pt] [3] H. Hess et al. Langmuir 24, 8397 (2008)

  5. Free forming of the gel by 3D gel printer SWIM-ER

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Okada, Koji; Tase, Taishi; Saito, Azusa; Makino, Masato; Gong, Jin; Kawakami, Masaru; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2015-04-01

    Gels, soft and wet materials, have unique properties such as material permeability, biocompatibility and low friction, which are hardly found in hard and dry materials. These superior characteristics of hydrogels promise to expand the medical applications. In recent years, the optical 3D gel printer named SWIM-ER (Soft and Wet Industrial - Easy Realizer) was developed by our team in order to fabricate tough gels with free form. We are aiming to create artificial blood vessel of the gel material by 3D gel printer. Artificial blood vessel is expected to be used for vascular surgery practice. The artificial blood vessel made by 3D gel printer can be create to free form on the basis of the biological data of the patient. Therefore, we believe it is possible to contribute to increasing the success rate and safety of vascular surgery by creating artificial blood vessel with 3D gel printer. The modeling method of SWIM-ER is as follow. Pregel solution is polymerized by one-point UV irradiation with optical fiber. The irradiation area is controlled by computer program, so that exact 3D free forming is realized. In this study, synthesis conditions are re-examined in order to improve the degree of freedom of fabrication. The dimensional accuracy in height direction is improved by increasing the cross linker concentration. We examined the relationship of resolution to the pitch and UV irradiation time in order to improve the modeling accuracy.

  6. Instrumental texture profile analysis of gelatin gel extracted from grouper skin and commercial (bovine and porcine) gelatin gels.

    PubMed

    Rahman, Mohammad Shafiur; Al-Mahrouqi, Abdullah Issa

    2009-01-01

    Mechanical compression was used to study the gelling characteristics of gelatin gels. Texture profile analysis (TPA) showed that the hardness of fish and mammalian gelatin increased significantly as the concentrations of gels increased. TPA attributes of 10% fish skin gel showed significant differences from those obtained from 20% and 30% gels. In bovine and porcine cases, such generic trends were not observed. Mechanical characteristics of 10% gels of gelatin from fish skin, determined from one cycle compression, were significantly lower than other sources of gelatin gels, while bovine and porcine gels did not show any significant differences. In the case of TPA, hardness of bovine gelatin gel was highest at 41 N for 10% gel, followed by porcine (30 N) then fish skin (5 N) gelatin gels. The gels prepared from different sources did not show any generic trends when all other mechanical attributes were considered.

  7. Compatibility between weak gel and microorganisms in weak gel-assisted microbial enhanced oil recovery.

    PubMed

    Qi, Yi-Bin; Zheng, Cheng-Gang; Lv, Cheng-Yuan; Lun, Zeng-Min; Ma, Tao

    2018-03-20

    To investigate weak gel-assisted microbial flooding in Block Wang Long Zhuang in the Jiangsu Oilfield, the compatibility of weak gel and microbe was evaluated using laboratory experiments. Bacillus sp. W5 was isolated from the formation water in Block Wang Long Zhuang. The rate of oil degradation reached 178 mg/day, and the rate of viscosity reduction reached 75.3%. Strain W5 could produce lipopeptide with a yield of 1254 mg/L. Emulsified crude oil was dispersed in the microbial degradation system, and the average diameter of the emulsified oil particles was 18.54 μm. Bacillus sp. W5 did not affect the rheological properties of the weak gel, and the presence of the weak gel did not significantly affect bacterial reproduction (as indicated by an unchanged microbial biomass), emulsification (surface tension is 35.56 mN/m and average oil particles size is 21.38 μm), oil degradation (162 mg/day) and oil viscosity reduction (72.7%). Core-flooding experiments indicated oil recovery of 23.6% when both weak gel and Bacillus sp. W5 were injected into the system, 14.76% when only the weak gel was injected, and 9.78% with strain W5 was injected without the weak gel. The results demonstrate good compatibility between strains W5 and the weak gel and highlight the application potential of weak gel-assisted microbial flooding. Copyright © 2018 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Supramolecular Gel-Templated In Situ Synthesis and Assembly of CdS Quantum Dots Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Lili; He, Jie; Wang, Xiaoliang; Li, Dawei; He, Haibing; Ren, Lianbing; Jiang, Biwang; Wang, Yong; Teng, Chao; Xue, Gi; Tao, Huchun

    2017-01-01

    Although many studies have attempted to develop strategies for spontaneously organizing nanoparticles (NPs) into three-dimensional (3D) geometries, it remains a fascinating challenge. In this study, a method for in situ synthesis and self-assembly of a CdS quantum dots (QDs) gel using a Cd supramolecular gel as a scaffold was demonstrated. During the QDs formation process, the Cd ions that constituted the Cd gels served as the precursors of the CdS QDs, and the oleic acid (OA) that ligated with the Cd in the supramolecular gels was capped on the surface of the CdS QDs in the form of carboxylate. The OA-stabilized CdS QDs were in situ synthesized in the entangled self-assembled fibrillar networks (SAFIN) of the Cd gels through reactions between the gelator and H2S. As a result, the QDs exactly replicated the framework of the SAFIN in the CdS QD gels instead of simply assembling along the SAFIN of the supramolecular gels. Moreover, the CdS QDs showed extraordinary sensitivity in the fluorescence detection of IO4 - anions. The facile one-step method developed here is a new approach to assembling nanostructured materials into 3D architectures and has general implications for the design of low molecular mass gelators to bring desired functionality to the developed supramolecular gels.

  9. Influence of pre-cooking protein paste gelation conditions and post-cooking gel storage conditions on gel texture.

    PubMed

    Paker, Ilgin; Matak, Kristen E

    2016-01-15

    Gelation conditions affect the setting of myofibrillar fish protein gels. Therefore the impact of widely applied pre-cooking gelation time/temperature strategies and post-cooking period on the texture and color of final protein gels was determined. Four pre-cooking gelation strategies (no setting time, 30 min at 25 °C, 1 h at 40 °C or 24 h at 4 °C) were applied to protein pastes (fish protein concentrate and standard functional additives). After cooking, texture and color were analyzed either directly or after 24 h at 4 °C on gels adjusted to 25 °C. No-set gels were harder, gummier and chewier (P < 0.05) when analyzed immediately after cooling; however, gel chewiness, cohesiveness and firmness indicated by Kramer force benefited from 24 h at 4 °C gel setting when stored post-cooking. Gel-setting conditions had a greater (P < 0.05) effect on texture when directly analyzed and most changes occurred in no-set gels. There were significant (P < 0.05) changes between directly analyzed and post-cooking stored gels in texture and color, depending on the pre-cooking gelation strategy. Pre-cooking gelation conditions will affect final protein gel texture and color, with gel stability benefiting from a gel-setting period. However, post-cooking storage may have a greater impact on final gels, with textural attributes becoming more consistent between all samples. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

  10. High transparent shape memory gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Jin; Arai, Masanori; Kabir, M. H.; Makino, Masato; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2014-03-01

    Gels are a new material having three-dimensional network structures of macromolecules. They possess excellent properties as swellability, high permeability and biocompatibility, and have been applied in various fields of daily life, food, medicine, architecture, and chemistry. In this study, we tried to prepare new multi-functional and high-strength gels by using Meso-Decoration (Meso-Deco), one new method of structure design at intermediate mesoscale. High-performance rigid-rod aromatic polymorphic crystals, and the functional groups of thermoreversible Diels-Alder reaction were introduced into soft gels as crosslinkable pendent chains. The functionalization and strengthening of gels can be realized by meso-decorating the gels' structure using high-performance polymorphic crystals and thermoreversible pendent chains. New gels with good mechanical properties, novel optical properties and thermal properties are expected to be developed.

  11. Cumulative irritation potential of metronidazole gel compared to azelaic acid gel after repeated applications to healthy skin.

    PubMed

    Ziel, Kristin; Yelverton, Christopher B; Balkrishnan, Rajesh; Feldman, Steven R

    2005-01-01

    Metronidazole 0.75% gel and azelaic acid 15% gel are commonly used to treat rosacea. Irritation is a common side effect. To assess the cumulative irritation potential of metronidazole 0.75% gel and azelaic acid 15% gel. Metronidazole 0.75% gel, azelaic acid 15% gel, and a white petrolatum negative control were applied under occlusive conditions to the upper back of a total of 33 healthy subjects. There were twelve 24-hour applications (4 times a week) and three 72-hour applications on weekends during a 3-week period. Skin reactions (erythema score +/- other local reaction) were assessed within 15 to 30 minutes of removal of the products. The mean cumulative irritancy index of metronidazole 0.75% gel was significantly lower than that of azelaic acid 15% gel and not significantly higher than the negative control product. There was increasing cumulative irritancy with azelaic acid; no cumulative irritancy was seen for either metronidazole or white petrolatum. Metronidazole 0.75% gel is less irritating in sustained use than azelaic acid 15% gel.

  12. Agar/gelatin bilayer gel matrix fabricated by simple thermo-responsive sol-gel transition method.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yifeng; Dong, Meng; Guo, Mengmeng; Wang, Xia; Zhou, Jing; Lei, Jian; Guo, Chuanhang; Qin, Chaoran

    2017-08-01

    We present a simple and environmentally-friendly method to generate an agar/gelatin bilayer gel matrix for further biomedical applications. In this method, the thermally responsive sol-gel transitions of agar and gelatin combined with the different transition temperatures are exquisitely employed to fabricate the agar/gelatin bilayer gel matrix and achieve separate loading for various materials (e.g., drugs, fluorescent materials, and nanoparticles). Importantly, the resulting bilayer gel matrix provides two different biopolymer environments (a polysaccharide environment vs a protein environment) with a well-defined border, which allows the loaded materials in different layers to retain their original properties (e.g., magnetism and fluorescence) and reduce mutual interference. In addition, the loaded materials in the bilayer gel matrix exhibit an interesting release behavior under the control of thermal stimuli. Consequently, the resulting agar/gelatin bilayer gel matrix is a promising candidate for biomedical applications in drug delivery, controlled release, fluorescence labeling, and bio-imaging. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Time-dependent gel to gel transformation of a peptide based supramolecular gelator.

    PubMed

    Baral, Abhishek; Basak, Shibaji; Basu, Kingshuk; Dehsorkhi, Ashkan; Hamley, Ian W; Banerjee, Arindam

    2015-06-28

    A dipeptide with a long fatty acid chain at its N-terminus gives hydrogels in phosphate buffer in the pH range 7.0-8.5. The hydrogel with a gelator concentration of 0.45% (w/v) at pH 7.46 (physiological pH) provides a very good platform to study dynamic changes within a supramolecular framework as it exhibits remarkable change in its appearance with time. Interestingly, the first formed transparent hydrogel gradually transforms into a turbid gel within 2 days. These two forms of the hydrogel have been thoroughly investigated by using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) imaging, FT-IR and rheometric analyses. The SAXS and low angle PXRD studies substantiate different packing arrangements for the gelator molecules for these two different gel states (the freshly prepared and the aged hydrogel). Moreover, rheological studies of these two gels reveal that the aged gel is stiffer than the freshly prepared gel.

  14. Sol-Gel Manufactured Energetic Materials

    DOEpatents

    Simpson, Randall L.; Lee, Ronald S.; Tillotson, Thomas M.; Hrubesh, Lawrence W.; Swansiger, Rosalind W.; Fox, Glenn A.

    2005-05-17

    Sol-gel chemistry is used for the preparation of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) with improved homogeneity, and/or which can be cast to near-net shape, and/or made into precision molding powders. The sol-gel method is a synthetic chemical process where reactive monomers are mixed into a solution, polymerization occurs leading to a highly cross-linked three dimensional solid network resulting in a gel. The energetic materials can be incorporated during the formation of the solution or during the gel stage of the process. The composition, pore, and primary particle sizes, gel time, surface areas, and density may be tailored and controlled by the solution chemistry. The gel is then dried using supercritical extraction to produce a highly porous low density aerogel or by controlled slow evaporation to produce a xerogel. Applying stress during the extraction phase can result in high density materials. Thus, the sol-gel method can be used for precision detonator explosive manufacturing as well as producing precision explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics, along with high power composite energetic materials.

  15. Sol-gel manufactured energetic materials

    DOEpatents

    Simpson, Randall L.; Lee, Ronald S.; Tillotson, Thomas M.; Hrubesh, Lawrence W.; Swansiger, Rosalind W.; Fox, Glenn A.

    2003-12-23

    Sol-gel chemistry is used for the preparation of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) with improved homogeneity, and/or which can be cast to near-net shape, and/or made into precision molding powders. The sol-gel method is a synthetic chemical process where reactive monomers are mixed into a solution, polymerization occurs leading to a highly cross-linked three dimensional solid network resulting in a gel. The energetic materials can be incorporated during the formation of the solution or during the gel stage of the process. The composition, pore, and primary particle sizes, gel time, surface areas, and density may be tailored and controlled by the solution chemistry. The gel is then dried using supercritical extraction to produce a highly porous low density aerogel or by controlled slow evaporation to produce a xerogel. Applying stress during the extraction phase can result in high density materials. Thus, the sol-gel method can be used for precision detonator explosive manufacturing as well as producing precision explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics, along with high power composite energetic materials.

  16. Thixotropic gel for vadose zone remediation

    DOEpatents

    Riha, Brian D.

    2012-07-03

    A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

  17. Thixotropic gel for vadose zone remediation

    DOEpatents

    Rhia, Brian D [Augusta, GA

    2011-03-01

    A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

  18. Thixotropic gel for vadose zone remediation

    DOEpatents

    Riha, Brian D.; Looney, Brian B.

    2015-10-27

    A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

  19. Meso-Decorated Switching-Knot Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Jin; Sawamura, Kensuke; Makino, Masato; Kabir, M. H.; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    Gels are a new material having three-dimensional network structures of macromolecules. They possess excellent properties as swellability, high permeability and biocompatibility, and have been applied in various fields of daily life, food, medicine, architecture, and chemistry .In this study, we tried to prepare new multi-functional and high-strength gels by using Meso-Decoration (Meso-Deco), one new method of structure design at intermediate mesoscale. High-performance rigid-rod aromatic polymorphic crystals. The strengthening of gels can be realized by meso-decorating the gels' structure using high-performance polymorphic crystals. New gels with good mechanical properties, novel optical properties and thermal properties are expected to be developed.

  20. Gels and gel-derived glasses in the system Na2O-B2O3-SiO2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mukherjee, S. P.

    1983-01-01

    The containerless melting of high-purity multicomponent homogeneous gels and gel monoliths offers a unique approach to making ultrapure multicomponent optical glasses in the reduced gravity environment of space. Procedures for preparing and characterizing gels and gel-derived glasses in the system Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 are described. Preparation is based on the polymerization reactions of alkoxysilane with trimethyl borate or boric acid and a suitable sodium compound. The chemistry of the gelling process is discussed in terms of process parameters and the gel compositions. The physicochemical nature of gels prepared by three different procedures was found to be significantly different. Infrared absorption spectra indicate finite differences in the molecular structures of the different gels. The melting of the gel powders and the transformation of porous gel monoliths to transparent 'glass' without melting are described.

  1. Gel properties and interactions of Mesona blumes polysaccharide-soy protein isolates mixed gel: The effect of salt addition.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wenjie; Shen, Mingyue; Liu, Suchen; Jiang, Lian; Song, Qianqian; Xie, Jianhua

    2018-07-15

    Effect of different salt ions on the gel properties and microstructure of Mesona blumes polysaccharide (MBP)-soy protein isolates (SPI) mixed gels were investigated. Sodium and calcium ions were chosen to explore their effects on the rheological behavior and gel properties of MBP-SPI mixed gels were evaluated by using rheological, X-ray diffraction, protein solubility determination, and microstructure analysis. Results showed that the addition of salt ions change the crystalline state of gels system, the crystal of gel was enhanced at low ion concentrations (0.005-0.01 M). The two peaks of gel characteristic at 8.9° and 19.9° almost disappeared at high salt ions concentrations (0.015-0.02 M), and new crystallization peaks appeared at around 30° and 45°. The elasticity, viscosity, gel strength, water holding capacity, and thermal stability of gel were increased at low ion concentration. Results showed that the main interactions which promoted gel formation and maintain the three-dimensional structure of the gel were electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and disulfide interactions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Gel filtration of sialoglycoproteins.

    PubMed Central

    Alhadeff, J A

    1978-01-01

    The role of sialic acid in the gel-filtration behaviour of sialoglycoproteins was investigated by using the separated isoenzymes of purified human liver alpha-L-fucosidase and several other well-known sialic acid-containing glycoproteins (fetuin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, thyroglobulin and bovine submaxillary mucin). For each glycoprotein studied, gel filtration of its desialylated derivative gave an apparent molecular weights much less than that expected just from removal of sialic acid. For the lower-molecular-weight glycoproteins (fetuin and alpha1-acid glyocprotein), gel filtration of the sialylated molecules led to apparent molecular weights much larger than the known values. The data indicate that gel filtration cannot be used for accurately determining the molecular weights of at least some sialoglycoproteins. Images Fig. 1. PMID:356853

  3. Safety and Effectiveness of BufferGel and 0.5% PRO2000 Gel for the Prevention of HIV Infection in Women

    PubMed Central

    Karim, Salim S Abdool; Richardson, Barbra A; Ramjee, Gita; Hoffman, Irving F; Chirenje, Zvavahera M; Taha, Taha; Kapina, Muzala; Maslankowski, Lisa; Coletti, Anne; Profy, Albert; Moench, Thomas R.; Piwowar-Manning, Estelle; Mâsse, Benoît; Hillier, Sharon L.; Soto-Torres, Lydia

    2011-01-01

    Objective To determine the safety and effectiveness of BufferGel and 0.5% PRO2000 microbicide gels for the prevention of male to female HIV transmission Design Phase II/IIb, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with three double-blinded gel arms and an open label no gel arm. Methods Study participants from Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and USA were instructed to apply study gel ≤1 hour before each sex act and safety, sexual behavior, pregnancy, gel adherence, acceptability, and HIV serostatus were assessed during follow-up. Results The 3101 enrolled women were followed for an average of 20.4 months with 93.6% retention and 81.1% self-reported gel adherence. Adverse event rates were similar in all study arms. HIV incidence rates in the 0.5% PRO2000 Gel, BufferGel, Placebo Gel and No Gel arms were 2.70, 4.14, 3.91 and 4.02 per 100 women-years, respectively. HIV incidence in the 0.5% PRO2000 Gel arm was lower than the Placebo Gel arm (Hazard Ratio (HR)=0.7; p=0.10) and the No Gel arm (HR=0.67; p=0.06). HIV incidence rates were similar in the BufferGel and both Placebo Gel (HR=1.10; p=0.63) and No Gel control arms (HR=1.05; p=0.78). HIV incidence was similar in the Placebo Gel and No Gel arms (HR=0.97; p=0.89). Conclusions 0.5% PRO2000 Gel demonstrated a modest 30% reduction in HIV acquisition in women. However, these results were not statistically significant and subsequent findings from the MDP 301 trial have confirmed that 0.5% PRO2000 has little or no protective effect. BufferGel did not alter the risk of HIV infection. Both products were safe. PMID:21330907

  4. Dapsone gel 5% in combination with adapalene gel 0.1%, benzoyl peroxide gel 4% or moisturizer for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind study.

    PubMed

    Fleischer, Alan B; Shalita, Alan; Eichenfield, Lawrence F; Abramovits, William; Lucky, Anne; Garrett, Steven

    2010-01-01

    To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dapsone gel 5% in the treatment of acne when used in combination with adapalene gel 0.1%, benzoyl peroxide gel 4% or moisturizer. This was a twelve-week, randomized, double-blind study. Patients aged 12 years and older (n=301) applied dapsone gel twice daily and were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three additional treatments, applied once daily. By week 12, dapsone gel combined with any of the three additional treatments reduced the mean number of inflammatory lesions. However, the authors did not detect a significant difference in the reduction of inflammatory lesions when dapsone was used in combination with adapalene gel or with benzoyl peroxide gel compared to the dapsone plus moisturizer combination group (P=0.052 for both versus moisturizer combination). Patients treated with dapsone gel combined with adapalene showed a significantly better response in reduction in non-inflammatory and total acne lesion count than those who received the moisturizer combination. Local adverse reactions in all three treatment groups were minimal and generally mild in severity. Dapsone gel in combination with adapalene gel or benzoyl peroxide gel is safe and well tolerated for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

  5. Characteristics of platelet gels combined with silk

    PubMed Central

    Pallotta, Isabella; Kluge, Jonathan A.; Moreau, Jodie; Calabrese, Rossella

    2014-01-01

    Platelet gel, a fibrin network containing activated platelets, is widely used in regenerative medicine due the capacity of platelet-derived growth factors to accelerate and direct healing processes. However, limitations to this approach include poor mechanical properties, relatively rapid degradation, and the lack of control of release of growth factors at the site of injection. These issues compromise the ability of platelet gels for sustained function in regenerative medicine. In the present study, a combination of platelet gels with silk fibroin gel was studied to address the above limitations. Mixing sonicated silk gels with platelet gels extended the release of growth factors without inhibiting gel forming ability. The released growth factors were biologically active and their delivery was modified further by manipulation of the charge of the silk protein. Moreover, the silk gel augmented both the rheological properties and compressive stiffness of the platelet gel, tuned by the silk concentration and/or silk/platelet gel ratio. Silk-platelet gel injections in nude rats supported enhanced cell infiltration and blood vessel formation representing a step towards new platelet gel formulations with enhanced therapeutic impact. PMID:24480538

  6. Polyoxometalate-based Supramolecular Gel

    PubMed Central

    He, Peilei; Xu, Biao; Liu, Huiling; He, Su; Saleem, Faisal; Wang, Xun

    2013-01-01

    Self-assemblyings of surfactant-encapsulated Wells-Dawson polyoxometalates (SEPs) nanobuilding blocks in butanone and esters yielded supramolecular gels showing thermo and photo responsive properties. The gels can be further polymerized if unsaturated esters were used and subsequently electrospinned into nanowires and non-woven mats. The as-prepared non-woven mats have a Young's modulus as high as 542.55 MPa. It is believed that this supramolecular gel is a good platform for polyoxometalates processing. PMID:23666013

  7. Gel-expanded to gel-condensed transition in neurofilament networks revealed by direct force measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beck, Roy; Deek, Joanna; Jones, Jayna B.; Safinya, Cyrus R.

    2010-01-01

    Neurofilaments (NF)-the principal cytoskeletal constituent of myelinated axons in vertebrates-consist of three molecular-weight subunit proteins NF-L (low), NF-M (medium) and NF-H (high), assembled to form mature filaments with protruding unstructured C-terminus side arms. Liquid-crystal gel networks of side-arm-mediated neurofilament assemblies have a key role in the mechanical stability of neuronal processes. Disruptions of the neurofilament network, owing to neurofilament over-accumulation or incorrect side-arm interactions, are a hallmark of motor-neuron diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Using synchrotron X-ray scattering, we report on a direct measurement of forces in reconstituted neurofilament gels under osmotic pressure (P). With increasing pressure near physiological salt and average phosphorylation conditions, NF-LMH, comprising the three subunits near in vivo composition, or NF-LH gels, undergo for P>Pc~10kPa, an abrupt non-reversible gel-expanded to gel-condensed transition. The transition indicates side-arm-mediated attractions between neurofilaments consistent with an electrostatic model of interpenetrating chains. In contrast, NF-LM gels remain in a collapsed state for Pgel-condensed state at P>Pc. These findings, which delineate the distinct roles of NF-M and NF-H in regulating neurofilament interactions, shed light on possible mechanisms for disruptions of optimal mechanical network properties.

  8. Sol-gel optics for biomeasurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lechna-Marczynska, Monika I.; Podbielska, Halina; Ulatowska-Jarza, Agnieszka; Holowacz, Iwona; Andrzejewski, Damian

    2001-10-01

    Sol-gel technique is a method for producing of glass-like materials without involving a melting process. Organic compounds such as alcoholates of silicon, sodium or calcium can be used. The irregular non-crystalline network forms a gel structure where the metallic atoms are bonded to oxygen atoms. Low-temperature treatment turns this gel into an inorganic glass-like structure. There are numbers of applications of these materials that can be produced in various forms and shapes. Here, silica based sol-gel bulks and thin films optodes for biomedical applications will be presented.

  9. Antimicrobial efficacy of alcohol-based hand gels.

    PubMed

    Guilhermetti, M; Marques Wiirzler, L A; Castanheira Facio, B; da Silva Furlan, M; Campo Meschial, W; Bronharo Tognim, M C; Botelho Garcia, L; Luiz Cardoso, C

    2010-03-01

    In recent years, several commercial alcohol-based hand gels have appeared on the market to improve the hand-cleansing compliance of healthcare workers. Although the antimicrobial efficacy of these products has been reported in different countries, few studies have investigated this subject in Brazil. In this study, we assessed the antimicrobial efficacy of 12 alcohol-based hand gels produced in Brazil, containing 70% w/w or v/v ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient, according to the European Standard EN 1500 (EN 1500). The following alcohol gels were tested: Hand Gel, Voga Gel, Solumax Solugel, Doctor Clean, Rio Gel, Clear Gel, Sevengel, Hand CHC, Gel Bac, WBL-50 Gel, Sanigel and Soft Care Gel. In addition, 70% w/w ethyl alcohol and three alcohol-based hand rubs (Sterillium, Sterillium Gel, and Spitaderm), commonly used in Europe and effective according to EN 1500, were also tested. All the products tested, except for two, were approved by the EN 1500 test protocol with a 60s application. The results confirmed the antimicrobial efficacy of the majority of the alcohol gels produced in Brazil for hand hygiene of healthcare workers. Copyright 2009 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Tissue simulating gel for medical research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Companion, John A. (Inventor)

    1989-01-01

    A tissue simulating gel and a method for preparing the tissue simulating gel are disclosed. The tissue simulating gel is prepared by a process using water, gelatin, ethylene gylcol, and a cross-linking agent. In order to closely approximate the characteristics of the type of tissue being simulated, other material has been added to change the electrical, sound conducting, and wave scattering properties of the tissue simulating gel. The result of the entire process is a formulation that will not melt at the elevated temperatures involved in hyperthermia medical research. Furthermore, the tissue simulating gel will not support mold or bacterial growth, is of a sufficient mechanical strength to maintain a desired shape without a supporting shell, and is non-hardening and non-drying. Substances were injected into the tissue simulating gel prior to the setting-up thereof just as they could be injected into actual tissue, and the tissue simulating gel is translucent so as to permit visual inspection of its interior. A polyurethane spray often used for coating circuit boards can be applied to the surface of the tissue simulating gel to give a texture similar to human skin, making the tissue simulating gel easier to handle and contributing to its longevity.

  11. Tissue simulating gel for medical research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Companion, John A. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    A tissue simulating gel and a method for preparing the tissue simulating gel are disclosed. The tissue simulating gel is prepared by a process using water, gelatin, ethylene glycol, and a cross-linking agent. In order to closely approximate the characteristics of the type of tissue being simulated, other material has been added to change the electrical, sound conducting, and wave scattering properties of the tissue simulating gel. The result of the entire process is a formulation that will not melt at the elevated temperatures involved in hyperthermia medical research. Furthermore, the tissue simulating gel will not support mold or bacterial growth, is of a sufficient mechanical strength to maintain a desired shape without a supporting shell, and is non-hardening and non-drying. Substances have been injected into the tissue simulating gel prior to the setting-up thereof just as they could be injected into actual tissue, and the tissue simulating gel is translucent so as to permit visual inspection of its interior. A polyurethane spray often used for coating circuit boards can be applied to the surface of the tissue simulating gel to give a texture similar to human skin, making the tissue simulating gel easier to handle and contributing to its longevity.

  12. Spring-loaded polymeric gel actuators

    DOEpatents

    Shahinpoor, Mohsen

    1995-01-01

    Spring-loaded electrically controllable polymeric gel actuators are disclosed. The polymeric gels can be polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, or polyacrylamide, and are contained in an electrolytic solvent bath such as water plus acetone. The action of the gel is mechanically biased, allowing the expansive and contractile forces to be optimized for specific applications.

  13. Ophthalmic gels: Past, present and future.

    PubMed

    Al-Kinani, Ali A; Zidan, Ghada; Elsaid, Naba; Seyfoddin, Ali; Alani, Adam W G; Alany, Raid G

    2018-02-15

    Aqueous gels formulated using hydrophilic polymers (hydrogels) along with those based on stimuli responsive polymers (in situ gelling or gel forming systems) continue to attract increasing interest for various eye health-related applications. They allow the incorporation of a variety of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals to achieve therapeutic levels of drugs and bioactives at target ocular sites. The integration of sophisticated drug delivery technologies such as nanotechnology-based ones with intelligent and environment responsive systems can extend current treatment duration to provide more clinically relevant time courses (weeks and months instead of hours and days) which will inevitably reduce dose frequency, increase patient compliance and improve clinical outcomes. Novel applications and design of contact lenses and intracanalicular delivery devices along with the move towards integrating gels into various drug delivery devices like intraocular pumps, injections and implants has the potential to reduce comorbidities caused by glaucoma, corneal keratopathy, cataract, diabetic retinopathies and age-related macular degeneration. This review describes ophthalmic gelling systems with emphasis on mechanism of gel formation and application in ophthalmology. It provides a critical appraisal of the techniques and methods used in the characterization of ophthalmic preformed gels and in situ gelling systems along with a thorough insight into the safety and biocompatibility of these systems. Newly developed ophthalmic gels, hydrogels, preformed gels and in situ gelling systems including the latest in the area of stimuli responsive gels, molecularly imprinted gels, nanogels, 3D printed hydrogels; 3D printed devices comprising ophthalmic gels are covered. Finally, new applications of gels in the production of artificial corneas, corneal wound healing and hydrogel contact lenses are described. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Mechanical Failure in Colloidal Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kodger, Thomas Edward

    When colloidal particles in a dispersion are made attractive, they aggregate into fractal clusters which grow to form a space-spanning network, or gel, even at low volume fractions. These gels are crucial to the rheological behavior of many personal care, food products and dispersion-based paints. The mechanical stability of these products relies on the stability of the colloidal gel network which acts as a scaffold to provide these products with desired mechanical properties and to prevent gravitational sedimentation of the dispersed components. Understanding the mechanical stability of such colloidal gels is thus of crucial importance to predict and control the properties of many soft solids. Once a colloidal gel forms, the heterogeneous structure bonded through weak physical interactions, is immediately subject to body forces, such as gravity, surface forces, such as adhesion to a container walls and shear forces; the interplay of these forces acting on the gel determines its stability. Even in the absence of external stresses, colloidal gels undergo internal rearrangements within the network that may cause the network structure to evolve gradually, in processes known as aging or coarsening or fail catastrophically, in a mechanical instability known as syneresis. Studying gel stability in the laboratory requires model colloidal system which may be tuned to eliminate these body or endogenous forces systematically. Using existing chemistry, I developed several systems to study delayed yielding by eliminating gravitational stresses through density matching and cyclic heating to induce attraction; and to study syneresis by eliminating adhesion to the container walls, altering the contact forces between colloids, and again, inducing gelation through heating. These results elucidate the varied yet concomitant mechanisms by which colloidal gels may locally or globally yield, but then reform due to the nature of the physical, or non-covalent, interactions which form

  15. The effects of brushing on human enamel surface roughness after NaF gel and theobromine gel exposure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahardhika, A.; Noerdin, A.; Eriwati, Y. K.

    2017-08-01

    This study aimed to determine the effects of brushing on human enamel surface roughness after different exposure times of 200 mg/L theobromine gel (8, 16, and 32 minutes) and 2% NaF gel (16 minutes). Twenty-four human upper premolars were used and divided into four groups. Group 1 was exposed to 2% NaF gel for 16 minutes. In contrast, groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to 200 mg/L theobromine gel for 8 minutes, 16 minutes, and 32 minutes, and each group was then brushed for 9 minutes and 20 seconds. After the treatment, samples were tested using a surface roughness tester (Mitutoyo SJ 301, Japan). The Wilcoxon test showed significant changes (p < 0.05) in roughness values after exposure to the theobromine gel or NaF gel and after brushing for 9 minutes and 20 seconds. It can be concluded that exposure to 200 mg/L theobromine gel or 2% NaF gel can soften the enamel surface and then increase roughness after brushing.

  16. Spring-loaded polymeric gel actuators

    DOEpatents

    Shahinpoor, M.

    1995-02-14

    Spring-loaded electrically controllable polymeric gel actuators are disclosed. The polymeric gels can be polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, or polyacrylamide, and are contained in an electrolytic solvent bath such as water plus acetone. The action of the gel is mechanically biased, allowing the expansive and contractile forces to be optimized for specific applications. 5 figs.

  17. Antibiotic-containing hyaluronic acid gel as an antibacterial carrier: Usefulness of sponge and film-formed HA gel in deep infection.

    PubMed

    Matsuno, Hiroaki; Yudoh, Kazuo; Hashimoto, Masamichi; Himeda, Yasukazu; Miyoshi, Teruzo; Yoshida, Kaoru; Kano, Syogo

    2006-03-01

    We have developed a novel bioabsorbable antibacterial carrier using hyaluronic acid (HA) gel for prevention and treatment of orthopedic infections. In this study, we investigated the in vivo antibacterial effects of two forms of this new material, an HA gel sponge and an HA gel film. A titanium cylinder was inserted into the intramedullary cavity of each rabbit femur, along with an HA gel sponge or HA gel film containing antibiotics. The HA gel sponge contained gentamycin, vancomycin, tobramycin, or minomycin. The HA gel film contained gentamycin or vancomycin. After 0, 7, and 14 days, the rabbit bone marrow was collected, and the antibacterial activity of the HA gel was determined by agar diffusion test. As a control, we used Septocoll, a commercially available antibacterial carrier. Both the HA gel sponge and HA gel film exhibited antibacterial activity. The present results indicate that HA gel containing antibiotics is a clinically useful bioabsorbable antibacterial carrier. Copyright 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society.

  18. Establishment of gel materials with different mechanical properties by 3D gel printer SWIM-ER

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ota, Takafumi; Tase, Taishi; Okada, Koji; Saito, Azusa; Takamatsu, Kyuuichiro; Kawakami, Masaru; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2016-04-01

    A 3D printer is a device which can directly produce objects whose shape is the same as the original 3D digital data. Hydrogels have unique properties such as high water content, low frictional properties, biocompatibility, material permeability and high transparency, which are rare in hard and dry materials. These superior characteristics of gels promise useful medical applications. We have been working on the development of a 3D gel printer, SWIM-ER (Soft and Wet Industrial - Easy Realizer), which can make models of organs and artificial blood vessels with gel material. However, 3D printing has a problem: the mechanical properties of the printed object vary depending on printing conditions, and this matter was investigated with SWIM-ER. In the past, we found that mechanical properties of 3D gel objects depend on the deposition orientation in SWIM-ER. In this study, gels were printed with different laser scanning speeds. The mechanical properties of these gels were investigated by compression tests, water content measurements and SMILS (Scanning Microscopic Light Scattering).

  19. GelScape: a web-based server for interactively annotating, manipulating, comparing and archiving 1D and 2D gel images.

    PubMed

    Young, Nelson; Chang, Zhan; Wishart, David S

    2004-04-12

    GelScape is a web-based tool that permits facile, interactive annotation, comparison, manipulation and storage of protein gel images. It uses Java applet-servlet technology to allow rapid, remote image handling and image processing in a platform-independent manner. It supports many of the features found in commercial, stand-alone gel analysis software including spot annotation, spot integration, gel warping, image resizing, HTML image mapping, image overlaying as well as the storage of gel image and gel annotation data in compliance with Federated Gel Database requirements.

  20. Topical Review: Polymer gel dosimetry

    PubMed Central

    Baldock, C; De Deene, Y; Doran, S; Ibbott, G; Jirasek, A; Lepage, M; McAuley, K B; Oldham, M; Schreiner, L J

    2010-01-01

    Polymer gel dosimeters are fabricated from radiation sensitive chemicals which, upon irradiation, polymerize as a function of the absorbed radiation dose. These gel dosimeters, with the capacity to uniquely record the radiation dose distribution in three-dimensions (3D), have specific advantages when compared to one-dimensional dosimeters, such as ion chambers, and two-dimensional dosimeters, such as film. These advantages are particularly significant in dosimetry situations where steep dose gradients exist such as in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. Polymer gel dosimeters also have specific advantages for brachytherapy dosimetry. Potential dosimetry applications include those for low-energy x-rays, high-linear energy transfer (LET) and proton therapy, radionuclide and boron capture neutron therapy dosimetries. These 3D dosimeters are radiologically soft-tissue equivalent with properties that may be modified depending on the application. The 3D radiation dose distribution in polymer gel dosimeters may be imaged using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical-computerized tomography (optical-CT), x-ray CT or ultrasound. The fundamental science underpinning polymer gel dosimetry is reviewed along with the various evaluation techniques. Clinical dosimetry applications of polymer gel dosimetry are also presented. PMID:20150687

  1. Electrically controlled polymeric gel actuators

    DOEpatents

    Adolf, Douglas B.; Shahinpoor, Mohsen; Segalman, Daniel J.; Witkowski, Walter R.

    1993-01-01

    Electrically controlled polymeric gel actuators or synthetic muscles capable of undergoing substantial expansion and contraction when subjected to changing pH environments, temperature, or solvent. The actuators employ compliant containers for the gels and their solvents. The gels employed may be cylindrical electromechanical gel fibers such as polyacrylamide fibers or a mixture of poly vinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid arranged in a parallel aggregate and contained in an electrolytic solvent bath such as salt water. The invention includes smart, electrically activated devices exploiting this phenomenon. These devices are capable of being manipulated via active computer control as large displacement actuators for use in adaptive structure such as robots.

  2. Electrically controlled polymeric gel actuators

    DOEpatents

    Adolf, D.B.; Shahinpoor, M.; Segalman, D.J.; Witkowski, W.R.

    1993-10-05

    Electrically controlled polymeric gel actuators or synthetic muscles are described capable of undergoing substantial expansion and contraction when subjected to changing pH environments, temperature, or solvent. The actuators employ compliant containers for the gels and their solvents. The gels employed may be cylindrical electromechanical gel fibers such as polyacrylamide fibers or a mixture of poly vinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid arranged in a parallel aggregate and contained in an electrolytic solvent bath such as salt water. The invention includes smart, electrically activated devices exploiting this phenomenon. These devices are capable of being manipulated via active computer control as large displacement actuators for use in adaptive structure such as robots. 11 figures.

  3. Gel polymer electrolytes for batteries

    DOEpatents

    Balsara, Nitash Pervez; Eitouni, Hany Basam; Gur, Ilan; Singh, Mohit; Hudson, William

    2014-11-18

    Nanostructured gel polymer electrolytes that have both high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength are disclosed. The electrolytes have at least two domains--one domain contains an ionically-conductive gel polymer and the other domain contains a rigid polymer that provides structure for the electrolyte. The domains are formed by block copolymers. The first block provides a polymer matrix that may or may not be conductive on by itself, but that can soak up a liquid electrolyte, thereby making a gel. An exemplary nanostructured gel polymer electrolyte has an ionic conductivity of at least 1.times.10.sup.-4 S cm.sup.-1 at 25.degree. C.

  4. Halogen-bonding-triggered supramolecular gel formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meazza, Lorenzo; Foster, Jonathan A.; Fucke, Katharina; Metrangolo, Pierangelo; Resnati, Giuseppe; Steed, Jonathan W.

    2013-01-01

    Supramolecular gels are topical soft materials involving the reversible formation of fibrous aggregates using non-covalent interactions. There is significant interest in controlling the properties of such materials by the formation of multicomponent systems, which exhibit non-additive properties emerging from interaction of the components. The use of hydrogen bonding to assemble supramolecular gels in organic solvents is well established. In contrast, the use of halogen bonding to trigger supramolecular gel formation in a two-component gel (‘co-gel’) is essentially unexplored, and forms the basis for this study. Here, we show that halogen bonding between a pyridyl substituent in a bis(pyridyl urea) and 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene brings about gelation, even in polar media such as aqueous methanol and aqueous dimethylsulfoxide. This demonstrates that halogen bonding is sufficiently strong to interfere with competing gel-inhibitory interactions and create a ‘tipping point’ in gel assembly. Using this concept, we have prepared a halogen bond donor bis(urea) gelator that forms co-gels with halogen bond acceptors.

  5. Encapsulation of nanoclusters in dried gel materials via an inverse micelle/sol gel synthesis

    DOEpatents

    Martino, Anthony; Yamanaka, Stacey A.; Kawola, Jeffrey S.; Showalter, Steven K.; Loy, Douglas A.

    1998-01-01

    A dried gel material sterically entrapping nanoclusters of a catalytically active material and a process to make the material via an inverse micelle/sol-gel synthesis. A surfactant is mixed with an apolar solvent to form an inverse micelle solution. A salt of a catalytically active material, such as gold chloride, is added along with a silica gel precursor to the solution to form a mixture. To the mixture are then added a reducing agent for the purpose of reducing the gold in the gold chloride to atomic gold to form the nanoclusters and a condensing agent to form the gel which sterically entraps the nanoclusters. The nanoclusters are normally in the average size range of from 5-10 nm in diameter with a monodisperse size distribution.

  6. Polymer gel dosimeter with AQUAJOINT® as hydrogel matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maeyama, Takuya; Ishida, Yasuhiro; Kudo, Yoshihiro; Fukasaku, Kazuaki; Ishikawa, Kenichi L.; Fukunishi, Nobuhisa

    2018-05-01

    We report a polymer gel dosimeter based on a new gel matrix (AQUAJOINT®) that is a thermo-irreversible hydrogel formed by mixing two types of water-based liquids at room temperature. Normoxic N-vinylpyrrolidone-based polymer gels were prepared with AQUAJOINT® instead of gelatin. This AQUAJOINT®-based gel dosimeter exhibits a 2.5-fold increase in sensitivity over a gelatin-based gel dosimeter and a linear dose-response in the dose range of 0-8 Gy. This gel has heat resistance in a jar and controlled gel properties such as viscoelastic and mechanical characters, which may be useful for deformable polymer gel dosimetry.

  7. Living bacteria in silica gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nassif, Nadine; Bouvet, Odile; Noelle Rager, Marie; Roux, Cécile; Coradin, Thibaud; Livage, Jacques

    2002-09-01

    The encapsulation of enzymes within silica gels has been extensively studied during the past decade for the design of biosensors and bioreactors. Yeast spores and bacteria have also been recently immobilized within silica gels where they retain their enzymatic activity, but the problem of the long-term viability of whole cells in an inorganic matrix has never been fully addressed. It is a real challenge for the development of sol-gel processes. Generic tests have been performed to check the viability of Escherichia coli bacteria in silica gels. Surprisingly, more bacteria remain culturable in the gel than in an aqueous suspension. The metabolic activity of the bacteria towards glycolysis decreases slowly, but half of the bacteria are still viable after one month. When confined within a mineral environment, bacteria do not form colonies. The exchange of chemical signals between isolated bacteria rather than aggregates can then be studied, a point that could be very important for 'quorum sensing'.

  8. Nanocrystal/sol-gel nanocomposites

    DOEpatents

    Petruska, Melissa A [Los Alamos, NM; Klimov, Victor L [Los Alamos, NM

    2007-06-05

    The present invention is directed to solid composites including colloidal nanocrystals within a sol-gel host or matrix and to processes of forming such solid composites. The present invention is further directed to alcohol soluble colloidal nanocrystals useful in formation of sol-gel based solid composites.

  9. Nanocrystal/sol-gel nanocomposites

    DOEpatents

    Petruska, Melissa A [Los Alamos, NM; Klimov, Victor L [Los Alamos, NM

    2012-06-12

    The present invention is directed to solid composites including colloidal nanocrystals within a sol-gel host or matrix and to processes of forming such solid composites. The present invention is further directed to alcohol soluble colloidal nanocrystals useful in formation of sol-gel based solid composites

  10. Automated apparatus for producing gradient gels

    DOEpatents

    Anderson, N.L.

    1983-11-10

    Apparatus for producing a gradient gel which serves as a standard medium for a two-dimensional analysis of proteins, the gel having a density gradient along its height formed by a variation in gel composition, with the apparatus including first and second pumping means each including a plurality of pumps on a common shaft and driven by a stepping motor capable of providing small incremental changes in pump outputs for the gel ingredients, the motors being controlled, by digital signals from a digital computer, a hollow form or cassette for receiving the gel composition, means for transferring the gel composition including a filler tube extending near the bottom of the cassette, adjustable horizontal and vertical arms for automatically removing and relocating the filler tube in the next cassette, and a digital computer programmed to automatically control the stepping motors, arm movements, and associated sensing operations involving the filling operation.

  11. Automated apparatus for producing gradient gels

    DOEpatents

    Anderson, Norman L.

    1986-01-01

    Apparatus for producing a gradient gel which serves as a standard medium for a two-dimensional analysis of proteins, the gel having a density gradient along its height formed by a variation in gel composition, with the apparatus including first and second pumping means each including a plurality of pumps on a common shaft and driven by a stepping motor capable of providing small incremental changes in pump outputs for the gel ingredients, the motors being controlled, by digital signals from a digital computer, a hollow form or cassette for receiving the gel composition, means for transferring the gel composition including a filler tube extending near the bottom of the cassette, adjustable horizontal and vertical arms for automatically removing and relocating the filler tube in the next cassette, and a digital computer programmed to automatically control the stepping motors, arm movements, and associated sensing operations involving the filling operation.

  12. Embedding memories in colloidal gels though oscillatory shear

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schwen, Eric; Ramaswamay, Meera; Jan, Linda; Cheng, Chieh-Min; Cohen, Itai

    While gels are ubiquitous in applications from food products to filtration, their mechanical properties are usually determined by self-assembly. We use oscillatory shear to train colloidal gels, embedding memories of the training protocol in rheological responses such as the yield strain and the gel network structures. When our gels undergo shear, the particles are forced to rearrange until they organize into structures that can locally undergo reversible shear cycles. We utilize a high-speed confocal microscope and a shear cell to image a colloidal gel while simultaneously straining the gel and measuring its shear stresses. By comparing stroboscopic images of the gel, we quantify the decrease in particle rearrangement as the gel develops reversible structures. We analyze and construct a model for the rates at which different regions in the gel approach reversible configurations. Through characterizing the gel network, we determine the structural origins of these shear training memories in gels. These results may allow us to use shear training protocols to produce gels with controllable yield strains and to better understand changes in the microstructure and rheology of gels that undergo repeated shear through mixing or flowing. This research was supported in part by NSF CBET 1509308 and Xerox Corporation.

  13. Flow of colloidal suspensions and gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zia, Roseanna

    Our recent studies of yield of colloidal gels under shear show that yield in such gels occurs in distinct stages. Under fixed stress, yield follows a finite delay period of slow solid-like creep. Post yield, the gel fluidizes and may undergo long-time viscous flow or, in some cases, may re-solidify. Under imposed strain rate, the transition from equilibrium to long-time flow is characterized by one or more stress overshoots, signifying a yield process here as well. These rheological changes are accompanied by evolution in morphology and dynamics of the gel network. Similar regimes have been observed in gels subjected to gravitational forcing; the gel initially supports its own weight, or perhaps undergoes slow, weak compaction. This may be followed by a sudden transition to rapid compaction or sedimentation. Various models have been put forth to explain these behaviors based on structural evolution, but this detail is difficult to observe in experiment. Here we examine the detailed microstructural evolution and rheology of reversible colloidal gels as they deform under gravity, identifying the critical buoyant force at which yield occurs, the role played by ongoing gel coarsening, and similarities and differences compared to yield under shear. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the NSF XSEDE Computational Resource, the NSF Early CAREER Program, and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program.

  14. Silicone gel breast implants: science and testing.

    PubMed

    Kinney, Brian M; Jeffers, Lynn L C; Ratliff, Gregory E; Carlisle, Dan A

    2014-07-01

    Since the first generation of breast implants, major design innovations, including consistency of the gel, palpability and thickness of the shell, and barrier materials in the shell, have been introduced. Surgeons have not had metrics to assess and compare available implants. Research at independent laboratories included 4 tests: gel elasticity (the gel's ability to retain its shape), gel compression fracture (the resistance to permanent gel deformation), gel-shell peel (the integration of the gel with shell as a cohesive unit), and morphological analysis. Sientra's round High-Strength Cohesive (HSC) experienced the least gel elasticity (5.805 mm), whereas Allergan's round implants experienced the most (7.465 mm). Among shaped implants, Allergan 410 experienced the least gel elasticity (3.242 mm), whereas the Sientra HSC+ implant experienced the most (4.270 mm). Sientra's round (36.32 lbf) and shaped (44.16 lbf) implants demonstrated the highest resistance to gel fracture, with Allergan's implants demonstrating the least among round (23.06 lbf) implants and Mentor Contour Profile Gel (CPG) among shaped (30.45 lbf) implants. For the gel-shell peel test, Sientra's implant required over 26% greater force than Allergan's implant and over 35% greater force than Mentor's implant. Sientra's shaped implants required more than double the peel force than Allergan 410 (119% greater) and Mentor CPG (130% greater). Morphological results showed Sientra's implants preserved structural integrity (-1.10% change). The initial findings show that these implant characteristics are individual factors to be considered separately and are not necessarily correlative. Further study of implants using these and other testing techniques will help clinicians choose between implants.

  15. Encapsulation of nanoclusters in dried gel materials via an inverse micelle/sol gel synthesis

    DOEpatents

    Martino, A.; Yamanaka, S.A.; Kawola, J.S.; Showalter, S.K.; Loy, D.A.

    1998-09-29

    A dried gel material sterically entrapping nanoclusters of a catalytically active material and a process to make the material via an inverse micelle/sol-gel synthesis are disclosed. A surfactant is mixed with an apolar solvent to form an inverse micelle solution. A salt of a catalytically active material, such as gold chloride, is added along with a silica gel precursor to the solution to form a mixture. To the mixture are then added a reducing agent for the purpose of reducing the gold in the gold chloride to atomic gold to form the nanoclusters and a condensing agent to form the gel which sterically entraps the nanoclusters. The nanoclusters are normally in the average size range of from 5--10 nm in diameter with a monodisperse size distribution. 1 fig.

  16. Electrophoresis for genotyping: microtiter array diagonal gel electrophoresis on horizontal polyacrylamide gels, hydrolink, or agarose.

    PubMed

    Day, I N; Humphries, S E

    1994-11-01

    Electrophoresis of DNA has been performed traditionally in either an agarose or acrylamide gel matrix. Considerable effort has been directed to improved quality agaroses capable of high resolution, but for small fragments, such as those from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and post-PCR digests, acrylamide still offers the highest resolution. Although agarose gels can easily be prepared in an open-faced format to gain the conveniences of horizontal electrophoresis, acrylamide does not polymerize in the presence of air and the usual configurations for gel preparation lead to electrophoresis in the vertical dimension. We describe here a very simple device and method to prepare and manipulate horizontal polyacrylamide gels (H-PAGE). In addition, the open-faced horizontal arrangement enables loading of arrays of wells. Since many procedures are undertaken in standard 96-well microtiter plates, we have also designed a device which preserves the exact configuration of the 8 x 12 array and enables electrophoresis in tracks following a 71.6 degrees diagonal between wells (MADGE, microtiter array diagonal gel electrophoresis), using either acrylamide or agarose. This eliminates almost all of the staff time taken in setup, loading, and recordkeeping and offers high resolution for genotyping pattern recognition. The nature and size of the gels allow direct stacking of gels in one tank, so that a tank used typically to analyze 30-60 samples can readily be used to analyze 1000-2000 samples. The gels would also enable robotic loading. Electrophoresis allows analysis of size and charge, parameters inaccessible to liquid-phase methods: thus, genotyping size patterns, variable length repeats, and haplotypes is possible, as well as adaptability to typing of point variations using protocols which create a difference detectable by electrophoresis.

  17. A novel smart supramolecular organic gelator exhibiting dual-channel responsive sensing behaviours towards fluoride ion via gel-gel states.

    PubMed

    Mehdi, Hassan; Pang, Hongchang; Gong, Weitao; Dhinakaran, Manivannan Kalavathi; Wajahat, Ali; Kuang, Xiaojun; Ning, Guiling

    2016-07-07

    A novel smart supramolecular organic gelator G-16 containing anion and metal-coordination ability has been designed and synthesized. It shows excellent and robust gelation capability as a strong blue fluorescent supramolecular organic gel OG in DMF. Addition of Zn(2+) produced Zn(2+)-coordinated supramolecular metallogel OG-Zn. Organic gel OG and organometallic gel OG-Zn exhibited efficient and different sensing behaviors towards fluoride ion due to the variation in self-assembling nature. Supramolecular metallogel OG-Zn displayed specific selectivity for fluoride ion and formed OG-Zn-F with dramatic color change from blue to blue green in solution and gel to gel states. Furthermore after directly addition of fluoride into OG produced fluoride containing organic gel OG-F with drastically modulation in color from blue to greenish yellow fluorescence via strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property. A number of experiments were conducted such as FTIR, (1)H NMR, and UV/Vis spectroscopies, XRD, SEM and rheology. These results revealed that the driving forces involved in self-assembly of OG, OG-Zn, OG-Zn-F and OG-F were hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, π-π interactions, and van der Waal forces. In contrast to the most anion responsive gels, particularly fluoride ion responsive gels showed gel-sol state transition on stimulation by anions, the gel state of OG and OG-Zn did not show any gel-to-sol transition during the whole F(-) response process.

  18. Combining high-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis for virtual 2D gel-based proteomics.

    PubMed

    Lohnes, Karen; Quebbemann, Neil R; Liu, Kate; Kobzeff, Fred; Loo, Joseph A; Ogorzalek Loo, Rachel R

    2016-07-15

    The virtual two-dimensional gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry (virtual 2D gel/MS) technology combines the premier, high-resolution capabilities of 2D gel electrophoresis with the sensitivity and high mass accuracy of mass spectrometry (MS). Intact proteins separated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel electrophoresis are imaged from immobilized pH gradient (IPG) polyacrylamide gels (the first dimension of classic 2D-PAGE) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MS. Obtaining accurate intact masses from sub-picomole-level proteins embedded in 2D-PAGE gels or in IPG strips is desirable to elucidate how the protein of one spot identified as protein 'A' on a 2D gel differs from the protein of another spot identified as the same protein, whenever tryptic peptide maps fail to resolve the issue. This task, however, has been extremely challenging. Virtual 2D gel/MS provides access to these intact masses. Modifications to our matrix deposition procedure improve the reliability with which IPG gels can be prepared; the new procedure is described. Development of this MALDI MS imaging (MSI) method for high-throughput MS with integrated 'top-down' MS to elucidate protein isoforms from complex biological samples is described and it is demonstrated that a 4-cm IPG gel segment can now be imaged in approximately 5min. Gel-wide chemical and enzymatic methods with further interrogation by MALDI MS/MS provide identifications, sequence-related information, and post-translational/transcriptional modification information. The MSI-based virtual 2D gel/MS platform may potentially link the benefits of 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' proteomics. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Kinetics of shear-induced gel deswelling/solvent release.

    PubMed

    Zeo, Undina; Tarabukina, Elena; Budtova, Tatiana

    2005-11-02

    The kinetics of shear-induced deswelling of gel particles based on synthetic (sodium polyacrylate) and natural (alginate) polymers was studied by rheo-optical technique. A swollen spherical gel particle of 100+/-50 microm diameter was placed in silicone oil and the evolution of the gel size as a function of time and shear rate was monitored. Different aqueous polymer solutions were used as synthetic gel solvent: polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose and glucose-based polymer. The interfacial tension (gel solvent)/(silicone oil), gel degree of swelling, solvent quality and viscosity are the main parameters influencing the kinetics of shear-induced gel deswelling. The kinetics of gel volume loss was approximated by a modified Weibull equation.

  20. Prevention of postsurgical scars: comparsion of efficacy and convenience between silicone gel sheet and topical silicone gel.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sue-Min; Choi, Jung-Sik; Lee, Jung-Ho; Kim, Young-Jin; Jun, Young-Joon

    2014-11-01

    To date, few studies have compared the effectiveness of topical silicone gels versus that of silicone gel sheets in preventing scars. In this prospective study, we compared the efficacy and the convenience of use of the 2 products. We enrolled 30 patients who had undergone a surgical procedure 2 weeks to 3 months before joining the study. These participants were randomly assigned to 2 treatment arms: one for treatment with a silicone gel sheet, and the other for treatment with a topical silicone gel. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores were obtained for all patients; in addition, participants completed scoring patient questionnaires 1 and 3 months after treatment onset. Our results reveal not only that no significant difference in efficacy exists between the 2 products but also that topical silicone gels are more convenient to use. While previous studies have advocated for silicone gel sheets as first-line therapies in postoperative scar management, we maintain that similar effects can be expected with topical silicone gel. The authors recommend that, when clinicians have a choice of silicone-based products for scar prevention, they should focus on each patient's scar location, lifestyle, and willingness to undergo scar prevention treatment.

  1. Dynamics of a DNA Gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adhikari, Ramesh; Bhattacharya, Aniket; Dogariu, Aristide

    We study in silico the properties of a gel consisting of DNA strands (modeled as semi-flexible chains) and linkers of varying flexibility, length, and topology. These linkers are envisioned and modeled as active components with additional attributes so as to mimic properties of a synthetic DNA gel containing motor proteins. We use Brownian dynamics to directly obtain frequency dependent complex shear moduli of the gel. We further carry out force spectroscopy on these computer generated gels and study the relaxation properties as a function of the important parameters of the model, e.g., densities and relative ratios of the DNAs and the linkers, the average life time of a link, etc. Our studies are relevant for designing synthetic bio-materials for both materials and medical applications.

  2. K-Basin gel formation studies

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Beck, M.A.

    1998-07-23

    A key part of the proposed waste treatment for K Basin sludge is the elimination of reactive uranium metal by dissolution in nitric acid (Fkirnent, 1998). It has been found (Delegard, 1998a) that upon nitric acid dissolution of the sludge, a gel sometimes forms. Gels are known to sometimes impair solid/liquid separation and/or material transfer. The purpose of the work reported here is to determine the cause(s) of the gel formation and to determine operating parameters for the sludge dissolution that avoid formation of gel. This work and related work were planned in (Fkunent, 1998), (Jewett, 1998) and (Beck, 1998a).more » This report describes the results of the tests in (Beck, 1998a) with non-radioactive surrogates.« less

  3. Large deformation of self-oscillating polymer gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maeda, Shingo; Kato, Terukazu; Otsuka, Yuji; Hosoya, Naoki; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia

    2016-01-01

    A self-oscillating gel is a system that generates an autonomous volume oscillation. This oscillation is powered by the chemical energy of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which demonstrates metal ion redox oscillation. A self-oscillating gel is composed of Poly-N -isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAAm) with a metal ion. In this study, we found that the displacement of the volume oscillation in a self-oscillating gel could be controlled by its being subjected to a prestraining process. We also revealed the driving mechanism of the self-oscillating gel from the point of view of thermodynamics. We observed that the polymer-solvent interaction parameter χ is altered by the redox changes to the metal ion incorporated in the self-oscillating gel. The prestraining process leads to changes in χ and changes in enthalpy and entropy when the self-oscillating gel is in a reduced and oxidized state. We found that nonprestrained gel samples oscillate in a poor solution (χ >0.5 ) and prestrained gel samples oscillate in a good solution (χ <0.5 ).

  4. Control of gel swelling and phase separation of weakly charged thermoreversible gels by salt addition

    PubMed Central

    Solis, Francisco J.; Vernon, Brent

    2009-01-01

    Doping of thermoreversible polymer gels with charged monomers provides a way to control phase separation and gelation conditions by coupling the properties of the gel with a tunable ionic environment. We analyze the dependence of the gelation and phase separation conditions on the amount of salt present using a mean field model of weakly charged associative polymers. The ions and co-ions present are explicitly considered at the mean field level, and we determine their concentrations in the different equilibrium phases when the system undergoes phase separation. For weak polymer charge, the entropic contributions of the ions to the free energy of the system play a central role in the determination of the location of phase equilibrium. In the simplest case, when the associative interaction responsible for gel formation is independent of the electrostatic interaction, the addition of salt changes the polymer equilibrium concentrations and indirectly changes the measurable swelling of the gel. We construct phase diagrams of these systems showing the location of the coexistence region, the gel-sol boundary and the location of the tie-lines. We determine the swelling of the gel within the co-existence region. Our main result is that the description of the effect of the salt on the properties of the weakly charged gel can be described through an extra contribution to the effective immiscibility parameter χ proportional to the square of the doping degree f2 and to the inverse square of the added salt concentration s−2. PMID:19759854

  5. Adhesive Properties of Polyacrylate Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flanigan, Cynthia; Shull, Kenneth

    1998-03-01

    Soft, low-modulus gels provide an interesting opportunity to examine small adhesive interactions between two bodies in contact. As shown through dynamic rheological studies, our materials undergo a rapid gelation as they are cooled from a viscous liquid at elevated temperatures to a soft, elastic solid at room temperature. At low temperatures, the gels exhibit a linearly elastic response and display moduli close to 100Pa, thereby forming materials with great potential for quantifying weak adhesive interactions with a variety of bodies ranging from polymer surfaces to biological entities. Our current studies focus on investigating interfacial effects by performing axisymmetric adhesion tests with a model polyacrylate gel formed by diluting the copolymer poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-poly(methyl methacrylate) to a 5-15 percent solution in 2-ethyl hexanol, a selective solvent for the midblock. We have explored two different experimental geometries including a hemispherical rigid indenter of glass pressed into a gel layer of varying thicknesses, and a soft, gel cap in contact with a rigid polymer surface. By simultaneously measuring the applied load, displacement between the two bodies, and contact area during loading cycles, we are able to employ a linearly elastic fracture mechanics analysis to obtain estimates of the gel's modulus over a range of polymer concentrations, and G, the energy release rate.

  6. Autologous Platelet-Poor Plasma Gel for Injection Laryngoplasty

    PubMed Central

    Woo, Seung Hoon; Kim, Jin Pyeong; Park, Jung Je; Chung, Phil-Sang

    2013-01-01

    Purpose To overcome the potential disadvantages of the use of foreign materials and autologous fat or collagen, we introduce here an autologous plasma gel for injection laryngoplasty. The purpose of this study was to present a new injection material, a plasma gel, and to discuss its clinical effectiveness. Materials and Methods From 2 mL of blood, the platelet poor serum layer was collected and heated at 100℃ for 12 min to form a plasma gel. The plasma gel was then injected into a targeted site; the safety and efficacy thereof were evaluated in 30 rats. We also conducted a phase I/II clinical study of plasma gel injection laryngoplasty in 11 unilateral vocal fold paralysis patients. Results The plasma gel was semi-solid and an easily injectable material. Of note, plasma gel maintains the same consistency for up to 1 year in a sealed bottle. However, exposure to room air causes the plasma gel to disappear within 1 month. In our animal study, the autologous plasma gel remained in situ for 6 months in animals with minimal inflammation. Clinical study showed that vocal cord palsy was well compensated for with the plasma gel in all patients at two months after injection with no significant complications. Jitter, shimmer, maximum, maximum phonation time (MPT) and mean voice handicap index (VHI) also improved significantly after plasma gel injection. However, because the injected plasma gel was gradually absorbed, 6 patients needed another injection, while the gel remained in place in 2 patients. Conclusion Injection laryngoplasty with autologous plasma gel may be a useful and safe treatment option for temporary vocal cord palsy. PMID:24142660

  7. Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants

    MedlinePlus

    ... and Medical Procedures Implants and Prosthetics Breast Implants Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants Share Tweet Linkedin Pin ... sharing options Linkedin Pin it Email Print Description: Silicone gel-filled breast implants have a silicone outer ...

  8. Cells on Gels: Cell Behavior at the Air-Gel Interface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Bryan, Christopher; Hormel, Tristan; Bhattacharjee, Tapomoy; Sawyer, W.; Angelini, Thomas

    Numerous different types of cells are often grown at air-liquid interfaces. For example, a common way to create cell spheroids is to disperse cells in a droplet of liquid media that hangs from the lid of a culture dish - the ``hanging drop'' method. Some types of epithelial cells form monolayers at the bottom of hanging drops, instead of spheroids. Corneal epithelial cells stratify and exhibit a tissue-like phenotype when attached to liquid permeable culture surfaces positioned at the air-liquid media interface (air-lifted culture). These widely used culture methods make experimentation challenging - imaging through hanging drops and air-lifted culture dishes is prohibitive. However, similar results may be achieved by culturing cells on hydrogel surfaces at the air-gel interface. In this talk we will describe a method for culturing cells at air-gel interfaces. We seed human corneal epithelial cells (hTCEpi) onto the surfaces of hydrogel networks and jammed microgels, exposed to air. Preliminary observations of cell behavior at the air-gel interface will be presented.

  9. Radiological properties of normoxic polymer gel dosimeters

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Venning, A.J.; Nitschke, K.N.; Keall, P.J.

    2005-04-01

    The radiological properties of the normoxic polymer gel dosimeters MAGIC, MAGAS, and MAGAT [methacrylic and ascorbic acid in gelatin initiated by copper; methacrylic acid gelatine gel with ascorbic acid; and methacrylic acid gelatine and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride, respectively] have been investigated. The radiological water equivalence was determined by comparing the polymer gel macroscopic photon and electron interaction cross sections over the energy range from 10 keV to 20 MeV and by Monte Carlo modeling of depth doses. Normoxic polymer gel dosimeters have a high gelatine and monomer concentration and therefore mass density (kg m{sup -3}) up to 3.8% highermore » than water. This results in differences between the cross-section ratios of the normoxic polymer gels and water of up to 3% for the attenuation, energy absorption, and collision stopping power coefficient ratios through the Compton dominant energy range. The mass cross-section ratios were within 2% of water except for the mass attenuation and energy absorption coefficients ratios, which showed differences with water of up to 6% for energies less than 100 keV. Monte Carlo modeling was undertaken for the polymer gel dosimeters to model the electron and photon transport resulting from a 6 MV photon beam. The absolute percentage differences between gel and water were within 1% and the relative percentage differences were within 3.5%. The results show that the MAGAT gel formulation is the most radiological water equivalent of the normoxic polymer gel dosimeters investigated due to its lower mass density measurement compared with MAGAS and MAGIC gels.« less

  10. Integration of gel-based and gel-free proteomic data for functional analysis of proteins through Soybean Proteome Database.

    PubMed

    Komatsu, Setsuko; Wang, Xin; Yin, Xiaojian; Nanjo, Yohei; Ohyanagi, Hajime; Sakata, Katsumi

    2017-06-23

    The Soybean Proteome Database (SPD) stores data on soybean proteins obtained with gel-based and gel-free proteomic techniques. The database was constructed to provide information on proteins for functional analyses. The majority of the data is focused on soybean (Glycine max 'Enrei'). The growth and yield of soybean are strongly affected by environmental stresses such as flooding. The database was originally constructed using data on soybean proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which is a gel-based proteomic technique. Since 2015, the database has been expanded to incorporate data obtained by label-free mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, which is a gel-free proteomic technique. Here, the portions of the database consisting of gel-free proteomic data are described. The gel-free proteomic database contains 39,212 proteins identified in 63 sample sets, such as temporal and organ-specific samples of soybean plants grown under flooding stress or non-stressed conditions. In addition, data on organellar proteins identified in mitochondria, nuclei, and endoplasmic reticulum are stored. Furthermore, the database integrates multiple omics data such as genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics. The SPD database is accessible at http://proteome.dc.affrc.go.jp/Soybean/. The Soybean Proteome Database stores data obtained from both gel-based and gel-free proteomic techniques. The gel-free proteomic database comprises 39,212 proteins identified in 63 sample sets, such as different organs of soybean plants grown under flooding stress or non-stressed conditions in a time-dependent manner. In addition, organellar proteins identified in mitochondria, nuclei, and endoplasmic reticulum are stored in the gel-free proteomics database. A total of 44,704 proteins, including 5490 proteins identified using a gel-based proteomic technique, are stored in the SPD. It accounts for approximately 80% of all predicted proteins from

  11. Sol-gel layers for ceramic microsystems application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Czok, Mateusz; Golonka, Leszek

    2016-11-01

    This paper describes research on sol-gel solutions preparation process. Utilize of a sol-gel layers in the LTCC technology for reduction of surface roughness and influence on the ceramics properties is examined and described. The influence of sol-gel layer on possible sedimentation of dyes or biological substances in channels, mixers or chambers of ceramic microfluidic structures was investigated. Moreover, properties of sol-gel coated surfaces have been precisely examined and described. Finally, positive results of conducted experiments made it possible to design and manufacture a simple microfluidic ceramic structure, with embedded protective layer of sol-gel, for fluorescence measurements.

  12. Sol-gel processing to form doped sol-gel monoliths inside hollow core optical fiber and sol-gel core fiber devices made thereby

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shaw, Harry C. (Inventor); Ott, Melanie N. (Inventor); Manuel, Michele V. (Inventor)

    2002-01-01

    A process of fabricating a fiber device includes providing a hollow core fiber, and forming a sol-gel material inside the hollow core fiber. The hollow core fiber is preferably an optical fiber, and the sol-gel material is doped with a dopant. Devices made in this manner includes a wide variety of sensors.

  13. Fabricating porous materials using interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Seo, Dong-Kyun; Volosin, Alex

    Porous materials are fabricated using interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gels. A mixture or precursor solution including an inorganic gel precursor, an organic polymer gel precursor, and a solvent is treated to form an inorganic wet gel including the organic polymer gel precursor and the solvent. The inorganic wet gel is then treated to form a composite wet gel including an organic polymer network in the body of the inorganic wet gel, producing an interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gel. The composite wet gel is dried to form a composite material including the organic polymer network and an inorganic network component. The composite materialmore » can be treated further to form a porous composite material, a porous polymer or polymer composite, a porous metal oxide, and other porous materials.« less

  14. Metal-doped organic gels and method thereof

    DOEpatents

    Satcher, Jr., Joe H.; Baumann, Theodore F.

    2003-09-02

    Disclosed herein is a sol-gel polymerization process for synthesizing metal-doped organic gels. The process polymerizes metal salts of hydroxylated benzenes or hydroxylated benzene derivatives with alkyl or aryl aldehydes to form metal-doped, wet, organic gels. The gels can then be dried by supercritical solvent extraction to form metal-doped aerogels or by evaporation to form metal-doped xerogels. The aerogels and xerogels can then be pyrolyzed.

  15. Metal-doped organic gels and method thereof

    DOEpatents

    Satcher, Jr., Joe H.; Baumann, Theodore F.

    2007-10-23

    Disclosed herein is a sol-gel polymerization process for synthesizing metal-doped organic gels. The process polymerizes metal salts of hydroxylated benzenes or hydroxylated benzene derivatives with alkyl or aryl aldehydes to form metal-doped, wet, organic gels. The gels can then be dried by supercritical solvent extraction to form metal-doped aerogels or by evaporation to form metal-doped xerogels. The aerogels and xerogels can then be pyrolyzed.

  16. Investigation of Preparation and Mechanisms of a Dispersed Particle Gel Formed from a Polymer Gel at Room Temperature

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Guang; Dai, Caili; Zhao, Mingwei; You, Qing; Chen, Ang

    2013-01-01

    A dispersed particle gel (DPG) was successfully prepared from a polymer gel at room temperature. The polymer gel system, morphology, viscosity changes, size distribution, and zeta potential of DPG particles were investigated. The results showed that zirconium gel systems with different strengths can be cross-linked within 2.5 h at low temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results showed that the particles were polygonal particles with nano-size distribution. According to the viscosity changes, the whole preparation process can be divided into two major stages: the bulk gel cross-linking reaction period and the DPG particle preparation period. A polymer gel with a 3-dimensional network was formed in the bulk gel cross-linking reaction period whereas shearing force and frictional force were the main driving forces for the preparation of DPG particles, and thus affected the morphology of DPG particles. High shearing force and frictional force reduced the particle size distribution, and then decreased the zeta potential (absolute value). The whole preparation process could be completed within 3 h at room temperature. It could be an efficient and energy-saving technology for preparation of DPG particles. PMID:24324817

  17. Adhesive, elastomeric gel impregnating composition

    DOEpatents

    Shaw, David Glenn; Pollard, John Randolph; Brooks, Robert Aubrey

    2002-01-01

    An improved capacitor roll with alternating film and foil layers is impregnated with an adhesive, elastomeric gel composition. The gel composition is a blend of a plasticizer, a polyol, a maleic anhydride that reacts with the polyol to form a polyester, and a catalyst for the reaction. The impregnant composition is introduced to the film and foil layers while still in a liquid form and then pressure is applied to aid with impregnation. The impregnant composition is cured to form the adhesive, elastomeric gel. Pressure is maintained during curing.

  18. Ionic liquid based multifunctional double network gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Kumkum; Higashihara, Tomoya; Arafune, Hiroyuki; Kamijo, Toshio; Morinaga, Takashi; Sato, Takaya; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2015-04-01

    Gels are a promising class of soft and wet materials with diverse application in tissue engineering and bio-medical purpose. In order to accelerate the development of gels, it is required to synthesize multi-functional gels of high mechanical strength, ultra low surface friction and suitable elastic modulus with a variety of methods and new materials. Among many types of gel ionic gel made from ionic liquids (ILs) could be used for diverse applications in electrochemical devices and in the field of tribology. IL, a promising materials for lubrication, is a salt with a melting point lower than 100 °C. As a lubricant, ILs are characterized by an extremely low vapor pressure, high thermal stability and high ion conductivity. In this work a novel approach of making double network DN ionic gel using IL has been made utilizing photo polymerization process. A hydrophobic monomer Methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been used as a first network and a hydrophobic IL monomer, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-mthacryloylethyl)-N-methylammonium bistrifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMM-TFSI) has been used as a second network using photo initiator benzophenon and crosslinker triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). The resulting DN ionic gel shows transparency, flexibility, high thermal stability, good mechanical toughness and low friction coefficient value which can be a potential candidate as a gel slider in different mechanical devices and can open a new area in the field of gel tribology.

  19. Gels and gel-derived glasses in the Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 system. [containerless melting in space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mukherjee, S. P.

    1982-01-01

    The containerless melting of high-purity multicomponent homogeneous gels and gel-monoliths offers a unique approach to making ultrapure multicomponent optical glasses in the reduced gravity environment of space. Procedures for preparing and characterizing gels and gel-derived glasses in the Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 system are described. Preparation is based on the polymerization reactions of alkoxysilane with trimethyl borate or boric acid and a suitable sodium compound. The chemistry of the gelling process is discussed in terms of process parameters and the gel compositions. The physicochemical nature of gels prepared by three different procedures were found to be significantly different. IR absorption spectra indicate finite differences in the molecular structures of the different gels. The melting of the gel powders and the transformation of porous gel-monoliths to transparent 'glass' without melting are described.

  20. Pharmacokinetics of 2 dapivirine vaginal microbicide gels and their safety vs. Hydroxyethyl cellulose-based universal placebo gel.

    PubMed

    Nel, Annalene M; Smythe, Shanique C; Habibi, Sepideh; Kaptur, Paulina E; Romano, Joseph W

    2010-10-01

    Dapivirine, a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is in development as a microbicide for the protection of women against HIV infection. A randomized, double-blind, phase 1 trial was conducted in 36 healthy HIV-negative women to compare the pharmacokinetics of 2 dapivirine vaginal gel formulations (0.05% each) and their safety with the hydroxyethyl cellulose-based universal placebo gel. Gel was self-administered once daily for a total of 11 days. Blood and vaginal fluid samples were collected sequentially over 24 days for pharmacokinetic analysis. Safety was evaluated by pelvic examination, colposcopy, adverse events, and clinical laboratory assessments. Adverse event profiles were similar for the 3 gels. Most events were mild and not related to study gel. Headache and vaginal hemorrhage (any vaginal bleeding) were most common. Plasma concentrations of dapivirine did not exceed 1.1 ng/mL. Steady-state conditions were reached within approximately 10 days. Dapivirine concentrations in vaginal fluids were slightly higher for Gel 4789, but Cmax values on days 1 and 14 were not significantly different. Terminal half-life was 72-73 hours in plasma and 15-17 hours in vaginal fluids. Both formulations of dapivirine gel were safe and well tolerated. Dapivirine was delivered to the lower genital tract at concentrations at least 5 logs greater than in vitro inhibitory concentrations.

  1. 3-(Triethoxysilyl)propionitrile sol-gel coating.

    PubMed

    Li, Ying-Sing; Xiao, Yun; Wright, Paul B; Tran, Tuan

    2005-05-01

    3-(Triethoxysilyl)propionitrile (TESPN) sol-gel has been prepared under different conditions. It was employed for coating the surfaces of quartz and aluminum. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of TESPN and TESPN sol-gels have been recorded in the study of the sol-gel process. Transmission and reflection absorption IR (RAIR) spectra of TESPN sol-gel coated quartz and aluminum have also been collected for better understanding the film formation on the substrate surfaces. Spectra collected at different temperatures indicated that the silane film on quartz decomposes at 700 degrees C. Results from thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) supported this result. Based on the group frequencies and the spectral behavior in different states, some vibrational modes were assigned to the observed bands. The anticorrosion behavior of the sol-gel coated aluminum in comparison with the uncoated metal was evaluated by measuring the potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS).

  2. Structural studies of gels and gel-glasses in the SiO2-GeO2 system using vibrational spectroscopy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mukherjee, Shyama P.; Sharma, Shiv K.

    1986-01-01

    GeO2 gel and gels in the SiO2-GeO2 system synthesized by the hydrolytic polycondensation of metal alkoxides have been studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures, hydroxyl contents, and crystallinity of gels and gel-glasses in relation to the thermal history and GeO2 concentration were investigated. The binary compositions having up to 70 mol percent GeO2 were examined.

  3. 3D gel printing for soft-matter systems innovation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Furukawa, Hidemitsu; Kawakami, Masaru; Gong, Jin; Makino, Masato; Kabir, M. Hasnat; Saito, Azusa

    2015-04-01

    In the past decade, several high-strength gels have been developed, especially from Japan. These gels are expected to use as a kind of new engineering materials in the fields of industry and medical as substitutes to polyester fibers, which are materials of artificial blood vessels. We consider if various gel materials including such high-strength gels are 3D-printable, many new soft and wet systems will be developed since the most intricate shape gels can be printed regardless of the quite softness and brittleness of gels. Recently we have tried to develop an optical 3D gel printer to realize the free-form formation of gel materials. We named this apparatus Easy Realizer of Soft and Wet Industrial Materials (SWIM-ER). The SWIM-ER will be applied to print bespoke artificial organs, including artificial blood vessels, which will be possibly used for both surgery trainings and actual surgery. The SWIM-ER can print one of the world strongest gels, called Double-Network (DN) gels, by using UV irradiation through an optical fiber. Now we also are developing another type of 3D gel printer for foods, named E-Chef. We believe these new 3D gel printers will broaden the applications of soft-matter gels.

  4. Stabilized aqueous gels and uses thereof

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Swanson, B.L.

    1978-08-29

    New improved aqueous gels, and methods of using same in contacting subterranean formations, are provided. The gels are prepared by gelling an aqueous brine having incorporated therein a water-soluble cellulose ether such as a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and are rendered more stable to decomposition by incorporating a sulfoalkylated tannin stabilizing agent, such as a sulfomethylated quebracho (SMQ), in the gel during the preparation thereof.

  5. Aerosol gels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sorensen, Christopher M. (Inventor); Chakrabarti, Amitabha (Inventor); Dhaubhadel, Rajan (Inventor); Gerving, Corey (Inventor)

    2010-01-01

    An improved process for the production of ultralow density, high specific surface area gel products is provided which comprises providing, in an enclosed chamber, a mixture made up of small particles of material suspended in gas; the particles are then caused to aggregate in the chamber to form ramified fractal aggregate gels. The particles should have a radius (a) of up to about 50 nm and the aerosol should have a volume fraction (f.sub.v) of at least 10.sup.-4. In preferred practice, the mixture is created by a spark-induced explosion of a precursor material (e.g., a hydrocarbon) and oxygen within the chamber. New compositions of matter are disclosed having densities below 3.0 mg/cc.

  6. Thermostability of glucose oxidase in silica gel obtained by sol-gel method and in solution studied by fluorimetric method.

    PubMed

    Przybyt, Małgorzata; Miller, Ewa; Szreder, Tomasz

    2011-04-04

    The thermostability of glucose oxidase entrapped in silica gel obtained by sol-gel method was studied by thermostimulated fluorescence of FAD at pH 5 and 7 and compared with that of the native enzyme in the solution and at the presence of ethanol. The unfolding temperatures were found to be lower for the enzyme immobilised in gel as compared with the native enzyme but higher as for the enzyme at the presence of ethanol. In gel, the thermal denaturation of glucose oxidase is independent on pH while in solution the enzyme is more stable at pH 5. The investigation the enzyme in different environment by steady-state fluorescence of FAD and tryptophan, synchronous fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence of tryptophan indicates that the state of the molecule (tertiary structure and molecular dynamics) is different in gel and in solution. The ethanol produced during gel precursor hydrolysis is not the main factor influencing the thermostability of the enzyme but more important are interactions of the protein with the gel lattice. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Multi-gel casting apparatus for vertical polyacrylamide gels with in-built solution flow system and liquid level detectors.

    PubMed

    Maurye, Praveen; Basu, Arpita; Bandyopadhyay, Tapas Kumar; Biswas, Jayanta Kumar; Mohanty, Bimal Prasana

    2017-08-01

    PAGE is the most widely used technique for the separation and biochemical analysis of biomolecules. The ever growing field of proteomics and genomics necessitates the analysis of many proteins and nucleic acid samples to understand further about the structure and function of cells. Simultaneous analysis of multiple protein samples often requires casting of many PAGE gels. Several variants of multi-gel casting/electrophoresis apparatuses are frequently used in research laboratories. Requirement of supplementary gels to match the growing demand for analyzing additional protein samples sometimes become a cause of concern. Available apparatuses are not amenable to and therefore, not recommended for any modification to accommodate additional gel casting units other than what is prescribed by the manufacturer. A novel apparatus is described here for casting multiple PAGE gels comprising four detachable components that provide enhanced practicability and performance of the apparatus. This newly modified apparatus promises to be a reliable source for making multiple gels in less time without hassle. Synchronized functioning of unique components broaden the possibilities of developing inexpensive, safe, and time-saving multi-gel casting apparatus. This apparatus can be easily fabricated and modified to accommodate desired number of gel casting units. The estimated cost (∼$300) for fabrication of the main apparatus is very competitive and effortless assembly procedure can be completed within ∼30 min. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Patterns in shrinking gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsuo, Eriko Sato; Tanaka, Toyoichi

    1992-08-01

    POLYMER gels can undergo a volume phase transition (either continuous or discontinuous) when an external condition, such as temperature or solvent composition, is altered1-3. During this transition, the volume may change by a factor of several thousand, and various patterns develop in the gel. The patterns arising from swelling and shrinking differ in both their appearance and their physical mechanisms. The mechanism for the formation and evolution of patterns on swelling gels has been established as being due to a single kind of mechanical instability4-7 in contrast, the shrinking patterns seem to be sensitive to both the initial and final states of the transition. Here we classify the various shrinking patterns in the form of a phase diagram, and explain the poly-morphism in terms of macroscopic phase separation.

  9. Catalytic control over supramolecular gel formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boekhoven, Job; Poolman, Jos M.; Maity, Chandan; Li, Feng; van der Mee, Lars; Minkenberg, Christophe B.; Mendes, Eduardo; van Esch, Jan H.; Eelkema, Rienk

    2013-05-01

    Low-molecular-weight gels show great potential for application in fields ranging from the petrochemical industry to healthcare and tissue engineering. These supramolecular gels are often metastable materials, which implies that their properties are, at least partially, kinetically controlled. Here we show how the mechanical properties and structure of these materials can be controlled directly by catalytic action. We show how in situ catalysis of the formation of gelator molecules can be used to accelerate the formation of supramolecular hydrogels, which drastically enhances their resulting mechanical properties. Using acid or nucleophilic aniline catalysis, it is possible to make supramolecular hydrogels with tunable gel-strength in a matter of minutes, under ambient conditions, starting from simple soluble building blocks. By changing the rate of formation of the gelator molecules using a catalyst, the overall rate of gelation and the resulting gel morphology are affected, which provides access to metastable gel states with improved mechanical strength and appearance despite an identical gelator composition.

  10. Structure of gels layers with cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pokusaev, B. G.; Karlov, S. P.; Vyazmin, A. V.; Nekrasov, D. A.; Zakharov, N. S.; Khramtsov, D. P.; Skladnev, D. A.; Tyupa, D. V.

    2017-11-01

    The structure of two-layer agarose gels containing yeast cells is investigated experimentally by spectrometry, to shed a light on the theoretical foundations for the development of bioreactors by the method of 3D bioprinting. Due to division, cells overcome the layer of the dispersion phase separating successively applied layers of the agarose gel. However a gel layer of 100 μm thick with a high concentration of silver nanoparticles completely excludes the infiltration of yeast cells through it. A special sort of agarose is suggested where the concentration of silver nanoparticles formed by cells from salt of silver can serve as an indicator of the state of the yeast cells in the volume of the gel.

  11. Development of gel materials with high transparency and mechanical strength for use with a 3D gel printer SWIM-ER

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tase, Taishi; Okada, Koji; Takamatsu, Kyuichiro; Saito, Azusa; Kawakami, Masaru; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2016-04-01

    Medical doctors use artificial blood vessels and organ models, which are usually made of plastic, to explain operations to students, or patients awaiting treatment. However, there are some problems such as the high cost of making the model and there is not a realistic feel because the model is hard. These problems can be solved using soft and wet material for instance gel. Gels are materials with unique properties such as transparency, biocompatibility, and low friction. In recent years, high strength gel has been developed and is expected to be applied in medical fields in the future. Artificial models of gel can be produced by 3D gel printers. Our group has been developing a 3D gel printer with 1mm precision in printing, but the shape, size and mechanical strength are not sufficient for medical models. In this study, we overcome these problems and make a gel model which is transparent, mechanically strong with a fine shape. The strength and molding accuracy is improved by changing and preparing the cross linker and ultraviolet absorber. We conducted mechanical and molding tests to confirm that the gel material properties improved.

  12. Actuator device utilizing a conductive polymer gel

    DOEpatents

    Chinn, Douglas A.; Irvin, David J.

    2004-02-03

    A valve actuator based on a conductive polymer gel is disclosed. A nonconductive housing is provided having two separate chambers separated by a porous frit. The conductive polymer is held in one chamber and an electrolyte solution, used as a source of charged ions, is held in the second chamber. The ends of the housing a sealed with a flexible elastomer. The polymer gel is further provide with electrodes with which to apply an electrical potential across the gel in order to initiate an oxidation reaction which in turn drives anions across the porous frit and into the polymer gel, swelling the volume of the gel and simultaneously contracting the volume of the electrolyte solution. Because the two end chambers are sealed the flexible elastomer expands or contracts with the chamber volume change. By manipulating the potential across the gel the motion of the elastomer can be controlled to act as a "gate" to open or close a fluid channel and thereby control flow through that channel.

  13. Efficacy and safety of once-daily metronidazole 1% gel compared with twice-daily azelaic acid 15% gel in the treatment of rosacea.

    PubMed

    Wolf, John E; Kerrouche, Nabil; Arsonnaud, Stephanie

    2006-04-01

    Rosacea is an inflammatory dermatologic disorder characterized by the presence of facial erythema, visible blood vessels, papules, and pustules. The National Rosacea Society has established a classification system that identifies 4 distinct rosacea subtypes based on clinical presentation: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular. The goal of topical therapy for rosacea is to reduce inflammatory lesion counts; decrease intensity of erythema; and reduce symptoms such as stinging, burning, and pruritus. Metronidazole and azelaic acid are thought to reduce the inflammation associated with rosacea by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils. Both metronidazole 1% gel and azelaic acid 15% gel recently have been approved for the treatment of rosacea. The current study was conducted to compare the once-daily application of metronidazole 1% gel with twice-daily applications of azelaic acid 15% gel for the treatment of patients with moderate rosacea (N=160). Both treatments showed similar reductions in inflammatory lesion counts (77% for metronidazole 1% gel and 80% for azelaic acid 15% gel) and high success rates in both global severity (53.7% vs 56.4% for metronidazole 1% gel and azelaic acid 15% gel, respectively) and erythema (42.7% vs 42.3% for metronidazole 1% gel and azelaic acid 15% gel, respectively). On average, the efficacy (including reduction in erythema) of the once-daily application of metronidazole 1% gel and twice-daily applications of azelaic acid 15% gel were similar.

  14. Dosimetry Evolution in Teletherapy: Polimer Gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hamann, J. H.; Peixoto, J. G. P.

    2018-03-01

    Polymer gels evolution and chemical composition used in dosimetry. Type Composition First gels Folin’s Phenol or Gallic Acid Polymer Gel Agarose and N,N’-methylene-bis-acrylamide BANANA Bis, acrylamide, nitrous oxide and agarose BANG-1TM Bis, acrylamide, nitrogen and gelatin BANG-2TM Bis, acrylic acid, sodium hydroxide, nitrogen and gelatin BANG-3TM Bis, methacrylate acid, sodium hydroxide, nitrogen and gelatin MAGIC Methacrylate acid, ascorbic acid, gelatin and copper sulphate

  15. Novel royal jelly proteins identified by gel-based and gel-free proteomics.

    PubMed

    Han, Bin; Li, Chenxi; Zhang, Lan; Fang, Yu; Feng, Mao; Li, Jianke

    2011-09-28

    Royal jelly (RJ) plays an important role in caste determination of the honeybee; the genetically same female egg develops into either a queen or worker bee depending on the time and amount of RJ fed to the larvae. RJ also has numerous health-promoting properties for humans. Gel-based and gel-free proteomics approaches and high-performance liquid chromatography-chip quadruple time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry were applied to comprehensively investigate the protein components of RJ. Overall, 37 and 22 nonredundant proteins were identified by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and gel-free analysis, respectively, and 19 new proteins were found by these two proteomics approaches. Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) were identified as the principal protein components of RJ, and proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism such as glucose oxidase, α-glucosidase precursor, and glucose dehydrogenase were also successfully identified. Importantly, the 19 newly identified proteins were mainly classified into three functional categories: oxidation-reduction (ergic53 CG6822-PA isoform A isoform 1, Sec61 CG9539-PA, and ADP/ATP translocase), protein binding (regucalcin and translationally controlled tumor protein CG4800-PA isoform 1), and lipid transport (apolipophorin-III-like protein). These new findings not only significantly increase the RJ proteome coverage but also help to provide new knowledge of RJ for honeybee biology and potential use for human health promotion.

  16. Photo-induced locomotion of chemo-responsive polymer gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dayal, Pratyush; Kuksenok, Olga; Balazs, Anna C.

    2009-03-01

    The need to translate chemical energy into a mechanical response, a characteristic of many biological processes, has motivated the study of stimuli-responsive polymer gels. Recently, it has been shown experimentally that by coupling the mechanical properties of the gel with the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction it is possible to induce self-sustained oscillations in the gel. One of the means for controlling these chemical oscillations is using light as an external stimulus. To study the effect of light on the mechanical behavior of the gel, we use our recently developed a 3D gel lattice spring model (gLSM) which couples the BZ reaction kinetics to the gel dynamics. In this model, the polymer-solvent interactions were taken into account by adding a coupling term to the Flory-Huggins free energy. By virtue of this coupling term, the swelling---de-swelling behavior of the gel was captured in 3D. In order to include the effect of the polymer on the reaction kinetics, the Oregonator model for the photo-sensitive BZ reaction was also modified. Using gLSM model, we probed the effect of non-uniform light irradiation on the gel dynamics. We were able to manipulate the direction and velocity of locomotion of the gel using light as a control parameter. This ability to control the movement of the gel can be utilized in a variety of applications, ranging from bio-actuators to controlled drug release systems.

  17. Sol-gel derived sorbents

    DOEpatents

    Sigman, Michael E.; Dindal, Amy B.

    2003-11-11

    Described is a method for producing copolymerized sol-gel derived sorbent particles for the production of copolymerized sol-gel derived sorbent material. The method for producing copolymerized sol-gel derived sorbent particles comprises adding a basic solution to an aqueous metal alkoxide mixture for a pH.ltoreq.8 to hydrolyze the metal alkoxides. Then, allowing the mixture to react at room temperature for a precalculated period of time for the mixture to undergo an increased in viscosity to obtain a desired pore size and surface area. The copolymerized mixture is then added to an immiscible, nonpolar solvent that has been heated to a sufficient temperature wherein the copolymerized mixture forms a solid upon the addition. The solid is recovered from the mixture, and is ready for use in an active sampling trap or activated for use in a passive sampling trap.

  18. Sample collection system for gel electrophoresis

    DOEpatents

    Olivares, Jose A.; Stark, Peter C.; Dunbar, John M.; Hill, Karen K.; Kuske, Cheryl R.; Roybal, Gustavo

    2004-09-21

    An automatic sample collection system for use with an electrophoretic slab gel system is presented. The collection system can be used with a slab gel have one or more lanes. A detector is used to detect particle bands on the slab gel within a detection zone. Such detectors may use a laser to excite fluorescently labeled particles. The fluorescent light emitted from the excited particles is transmitted to low-level light detection electronics. Upon the detection of a particle of interest within the detection zone, a syringe pump is activated, sending a stream of buffer solution across the lane of the slab gel. The buffer solution collects the sample of interest and carries it through a collection port into a sample collection vial.

  19. Outdoor weathering of sol-gel-treated wood

    Treesearch

    Mandla A Tshabalala; Ryan Libert; Nancy Ross Sutherland

    2009-01-01

    Outdoor weathering of wood specimens treated with sol-gel formulations based on methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS), hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMOS), and ferric-zirconia-titania (Fe-Zr-Ti) sol was evaluated. The sol-gel process allowed deposition of a thin film of hybrid inorganic-organic networks (gel) in the wood cell wall that resulted in improved outdoor weathering...

  20. Structural Properties of Silk Electro-Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tabatabai, A. P.; Urbach, J. S.; Blair, D. L.; Kaplan, D. L.

    2013-03-01

    The interest in Bombyx Mori silk emerges from its biocompatibility and its structural superiority to synthetic polymers. Our particular interest lies in understanding the capabilities of silk electro-gels because of their reversibility and tunable adhesion. We create an electro-gel by applying a DC electric potential across a reconstituted silk fibroin solution derived directly from Bombyx Mori cocoons. This process leads to the intermolecular self-assembly of fibroin proteins into a weak gel. In this talk we will present our results on the effects of applied shear on electro-gels. We quantify the structural properties while dynamically imaging shear induced fiber formation; known as fibrillogenesis. It is observed that the mechanical properties and microstructure of these materials are highly dependent on shear history. We will also discuss the role of surface modification, through micro-patterning, on the observed gel structure. Our results provide an understanding of both the viscoelastiticity and microstucture of reconstituted silks that are being utilized as tissue scaffolds. This work is supported by a grant from the AFOSR FA9550-07-1-0130.

  1. Ionic liquids gels: Soft materials for environmental remediation.

    PubMed

    Marullo, Salvatore; Rizzo, Carla; Dintcheva, Nadka T; Giannici, Francesco; D'Anna, Francesca

    2018-05-01

    Nanostructured sorbents and, in particular, supramolecular gels are emerging as efficient materials for the removal of toxic contaminants from water, like industrial dyes. It is also known that ionic liquids can dissolve significant amounts of dyes. Consequently, supramolecular ionic liquids gels could be highly efficient sorbents for dyes removal. This would also contribute to overcome the drawbacks associated with dye removal by liquid-liquid extraction with neat ionic liquids which would require large volumes of extractant and a more difficult separation of the phases. Herein we employed novel supramolecular ionic liquid gels based on diimidazolium salts bearing naturally occurring or biomass derived anions, to adsorb cationic and anionic dyes from wastewaters. We also carried out a detailed investigation of thermal, structural, morphological and rheological features of our gels to identify which of them are key in designing better sorbents for environmental remediation. The most effective gels showed fast and thorough removal of cationic dyes like Rhodamine B. These gels could also be reused up to 20 times without any loss in removal efficiency. Overall, our ionic gels outperform most of gel-based sorbents systems so far reported in literature. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Chemomechanical synchronization in heterogeneous self-oscillating gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yashin, Victor V.; Balazs, Anna C.

    2008-04-01

    Using computational modeling, we introduce patches of self-oscillating gels undergoing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction into a nonreactive polymer network and thereby demonstrate how these BZ gels can be harnessed to impart remarkable functionality to the entire system. By first focusing on two adjacent patches of BZ gels, we show that the patches’ oscillations can become synchronized in phase or out of phase, with the oscillation frequency depending on the synchronization mode and the spatial separation between these domains. We then apply these results to an array of five adjacent BZ patches and by varying the distance between these pieces, we dramatically alter the dynamical behavior of the patterned gel. For example, the sample can be made to exhibit a unidirectional traveling wave or display a concerted expansion and contraction, properties that are valuable for creating gel-based devices, such as micropumps and microactuators. The findings point to a “modular” design approach, which can impart different functionality simply by arranging identical pieces of BZ gels into distinct spatial arrangements within a polymer matrix.

  3. Adapalene gel 0.1% is better tolerated than tretinoin gel 0.025% among healthy volunteers of various ethnic origins.

    PubMed

    Goh, Chee Leok; Tang, Mark B Y; Briantais, Philippe; Kaoukhov, Alexandre; Soto, Pascale

    2009-01-01

    The efficacious acne treatment adapalene gel 0.1% is significantly less irritating than tretinoin of various concentrations and formulations, according to several clinical studies conducted predominantly in Caucasian patients. To confirm the lower irritation potential of adapalene gel 0.1% compared to tretinoin gel 0.025% among volunteers of various ethnic origins and to explore the difference in the irritant susceptibility among ethnic groups. The study was a single-centre, randomized, investigator-masked and intra-individual comparison. Healthy volunteers applied adapalene and tretinoin daily to the face for 21 days and to the forearms for 4 days, and were then evaluated for the level of irritation. The irritation potential of adapalene gel 0.1% was significantly lower than that of tretinoin gel 0.025% in all tolerability assessments, irrespective of the volunteers' ethnic origins. The between-treatment differences were similar among various ethnic groups. Statistically significant but small inter-ethnicity differences were observed in the evaluation of facial signs, with Caucasians being less susceptible than Chinese, Asian Indians and Malays. Adapalene gel 0.1% was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin gel 0.025% among various ethnic groups. The patients' ethnic origins had no impact on the difference between adapalene and tretinoin treatments in terms of tolerability.

  4. Radiological properties of MAGIC normoxic polymer gel dosimetry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aljamal, M.; Zakaria, A.; Shamsuddin, S.

    2013-04-01

    For a polymer gel dosimeter to be of use in radiation dosimetry, it should display water-equivalent radiological properties. In this study, the radiological properties of the MAGIC (Methacrylic and Ascorbic acid in Gelatin Initiated by Copper) normoxic polymer gels were investigated. The mass density (ρ) was determined based on Archimedes' principle. The weight fraction of elemental composition and the effective atomic number (Zeff) were calculated. The electron density was also measured with 90° scattering angle at room temperature. The linear attenuation coefficient (μ) of unirradiated gel, irradiated gel, and water were determined using Am-241 based on narrow beam geometry. Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the depth doses response of MAGIC gel and water for 6MV photon beam. The weight fractions of elements composition of MAGIC gel were close to that for water. The mass density was found to be 1027 ± 2 kg m-3, which is also very close to mass density of muscle tissue (1030 kg m-3) and 2.7% higher than that of water. The electron density (ρe) and atomic number (Zeff) were found to be 3.43 × 1029 e m-3 and 7.105, respectively. The electron density measured was 2.6% greater than that for water. The atomic number was very close to that for water. The prepared MAGIC gel was found to be water equivalent based on the study of element composition, mass density, electron density and atomic number. The linear attenuation coefficient of unirradiated gel was very close to that of water. The μ of irradiated gel was found to be linear with dose 2-40 Gy. The depth dose response for MAGIC gel from a 6 MV photon beam had a percentage dose difference to water of less than 1%. Therefore it satisfies the criteria to be a good polymer gel dosimeter for radiotherapy.

  5. The Tolerability Profile of Clindamycin 1%/Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Gel vs. Adapalene 0.1%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel for Facial Acne

    PubMed Central

    Cirigliano, Marcela; Gwazdauskas, Jennifer A; Gonzalez, Pablo

    2012-01-01

    Objective: To compare the first two weeks of tolerability of clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel versus adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel followed by six weeks of open-label clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel therapy in subjects with mild-to-moderate acne who participated in two eight-week, identically designed, clinical studies. Methods: Using a split-face method, patients received both clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel once daily for two weeks (allocation to the right or left side of the face was randomized) in an investigator-blinded fashion. Patients then went on to receive a further six weeks of open-label, full-face clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel. The primary outcome was to compare signs and symptoms of tolerability during the first two weeks of treatment using an investigator-assessed 4-point rating scale. Secondary endpoints included assessment of acne severity (Investigator Static Global Assessment and lesion counts), quality of life, product acceptability/preference, and patient assessments of tolerability and safety. Results: Of the 76 subjects enrolled in the two studies, 72 completed them. Overall both products were well tolerated, but mean scores for erythema, dryness, and peeling were significantly higher with adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel than with clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel at both Weeks 1 and 2 (p<0.03). Patients also rated clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel significantly more tolerable than adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel for redness, dryness, burning, itching, and scaling at Weeks 1 and 2 (p 0.0073). Mean Investigator Static Global Assessment score improved with both products during the first two weeks of treatment and continued to show significant improvement versus baseline when treatment with clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel was continued for a further six weeks (p<0.001 at Week 8). Lesion counts improved throughout the study with significant reductions from baseline occurring at Weeks 5 and 8 (p<0.0001 for

  6. Kinetic resolution of racemic mixtures in gel media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petrova, Rositza Iordanova

    The goal of this research was to investigate the effect of chiral gels on the chiral crystal nucleation and growth and assess the gels' potential as media for kinetic separation of racemic mixtures. The morphologies of asparagine monohydrate and sodium bromate crystals grown in different gel media were examined in order to discern the effect of gel structure and density on the relative growth rates of those materials. Different crystal habits were observed when the gel chemical composition, density and solute concentration were varied. These studies showed that the physical properties of the gel, such as gel density and pore size, as well as its chemical composition affect the crystal habit. The method of kinetic resolution in gel media was first applied to sodium chlorate, which is achiral in solution but crystallizes in a chiral space group. Crystallization in agarose gels yielded an enantiomorphic bias, the direction and magnitude of which could be affected by changing the temperature or by the addition of an achiral cosolvent. Aqueous gels at 6°C produced crystalline mixtures enriched with the d-enantiomorph, while crystallization under MeOH diffusion favored l-crystals. Optimized conditions yielded e.e. of 53% of l-enantiomorph. The method was next applied to the organic molecular crystals of asparagine monohydrate and threonine. Asparagine monohydrate growth in aqueous agarose and iota-carrageenan gels produced crystal mixtures enriched with D-enantiomer. The degree of resolution was higher when the total amount of asparagine crystallized was low. The success of the resolution depends strongly on the concentrations of solute and the geling substance. Growth from agarose gels yielded e.e. of 44% under optimized conditions. The same method was applied to the resolution of Thr, albeit with modest success. In an effort to improve the resolution of asparagine monohydrate, agarose was synthetically modified by esterifying its side chains with homochiral asparagyl

  7. Caffeine-catalyzed gels.

    PubMed

    DiCiccio, Angela M; Lee, Young-Ah Lucy; Glettig, Dean L; Walton, Elizabeth S E; de la Serna, Eva L; Montgomery, Veronica A; Grant, Tyler M; Langer, Robert; Traverso, Giovanni

    2018-07-01

    Covalently cross-linked gels are utilized in a broad range of biomedical applications though their synthesis often compromises easy implementation. Cross-linking reactions commonly utilize catalysts or conditions that can damage biologics and sensitive compounds, producing materials that require extensive post processing to achieve acceptable biocompatibility. As an alternative, we report a batch synthesis platform to produce covalently cross-linked materials appropriate for direct biomedical application enabled by green chemistry and commonly available food grade ingredients. Using caffeine, a mild base, to catalyze anhydrous carboxylate ring-opening of diglycidyl-ether functionalized monomers with citric acid as a tri-functional crosslinking agent we introduce a novel poly(ester-ether) gel synthesis platform. We demonstrate that biocompatible Caffeine Catalyzed Gels (CCGs) exhibit dynamic physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, which can be tailored in shape, surface texture, solvent response, cargo release, shear and tensile strength, among other potential attributes. The demonstrated versatility, low cost and facile synthesis of these CCGs renders them appropriate for a broad range of customized engineering applications including drug delivery constructs, tissue engineering scaffolds, and medical devices. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  8. Spatially resolved multicomponent gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Draper, Emily R.; Eden, Edward G. B.; McDonald, Tom O.; Adams, Dave J.

    2015-10-01

    Multicomponent supramolecular systems could be used to prepare exciting new functional materials, but it is often challenging to control the assembly across multiple length scales. Here we report a simple approach to forming patterned, spatially resolved multicomponent supramolecular hydrogels. A multicomponent gel is first formed from two low-molecular-weight gelators and consists of two types of fibre, each formed by only one gelator. One type of fibre in this ‘self-sorted network’ is then removed selectively by a light-triggered gel-to-sol transition. We show that the remaining network has the same mechanical properties as it would have done if it initially formed alone. The selective irradiation of sections of the gel through a mask leads to the formation of patterned multicomponent networks, in which either one or two networks can be present at a particular position with a high degree of spatial control.

  9. Comparison of the cumulative irritation potential of adapalene gel and cream with that of erythromycin/tretinoin solution and gel and erythromycin/isotretinoin gel.

    PubMed

    Queille-Roussel, C; Poncet, M; Mesaros, S; Clucas, A; Baker, M; Soloff, A M

    2001-02-01

    Adapalene is a naphthoic acid derivative with retinoid activity that is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. This study assessed the cumulative irritation potential of adapalene gel (0.1%) and adapalene cream (0.1%) compared with that of erythromycin (4%)/tretinoin (0.025%) solution, erythromycin (4%)/tretinoin (0.025%) gel, erythromycin (2%)/isotretinoin (0.05%) gel, and white petrolatum (negative control). This was a single-center, randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded, intraindividual comparison study in healthy subjects with normal skin. The cumulative irritation assay (patch test) was used to assess the potential for irritation (including erythema) of the treatments. Each subject received all study treatments, randomly applied under occlusion (patch), to sites on either side of the midline on the mid-thoracic area of the back. All patches were applied to the same sites throughout the study, unless the degree of reaction to the treatment or adhesive necessitated removal. For 3 weeks, each test material was applied daily, Monday through Friday, for approximately 24 hours; the Friday patches were left in place over the weekend for approximately 72 hours. All 36 subjects (26 men, 10 women; age, 18-49 years [mean, 30 years]) completed the study. In the course of the study, all subjects had > or =1 application discontinued prematurely on > or =1 site due to intolerance. There were no discontinuations with white petrolatum. All erythromycin/tretinoin gel patches were discontinued at day 10; 35 of 36 erythromycin/isotretinoin gel patches were discontinued at day 9; and 35 of 36 erythromycin/tretinoin solution patches were discontinued at day 11 or day 17. The adapalene products, although slightly more irritating (mean cumulative irritation index, 0.25-1) than white petrolatum, were significantly less irritating than the erythromycin/tretinoin and erythromycin/isotretinoin products (P < 0.01). Adapalene gel and cream were well tolerated

  10. Crystallization of steroids in gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalkura, S. Narayana; Devanarayanan, S.

    1991-03-01

    The crystal growth and characterization of certain steriods, viz., cholesterol, cholesteryl acetate, β-sitosterol, progesterone and testosterone, in a silica gel medium is discussed. The present study shows that the single test tube diffusion method can be used to grow crystals of steroids in a silica gel medium by the reduction of steroid solubility.

  11. Structure of chitosan gels mineralized by sorption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Modrzejewska, Z.; Skwarczyńska, A.; Douglas, T. E. L.; Biniaś, D.; Maniukiewicz, W.; Sielski, J.

    2015-10-01

    The paper presents the structural studies of mineralized chitosan hydrogels. Hydrogels produced by using sodium beta-glycerophosphate (Na-β-GP) as a neutralizing agent. Mineralization was performed method "post loading", which consisted in sorption to the gels structure Ca ions. In order to obtain - in the structure of gels - compounds similar to the hydroxyapatites present naturally in bone tissue, gels after sorption were modified in: pH 7 buffer and sodium hydrogen phosphate. In order to determine the structural properties of the gels, the following methods were used: infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation, FTIR, X-ray diffractometry, XRD, scanning electron microscopy, SEM.

  12. Topical adapalene gel 0.1% vs. isotretinoin gel 0.05% in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized open-label clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Ioannides, D; Rigopoulos, D; Katsambas, A

    2002-09-01

    Topical application of isotretinoin and adapalene has proved effective in treating acne vulgaris. Both drugs demonstrate therapeutic advantages and less irritancy over tretinoin, the most widely used treatment for acne. They both act as retinoid agonists, but differ in their affinity profile for nuclear and cytosolic retinoic acid receptors. To compare the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene gel 0.1% and isotretinoin gel 0.05% in the treatment of acne vulgaris of the face, in a randomized open-label clinical trial. Eighty patients were enrolled and were instructed to apply adapalene gel 0.1% or isotretinoin gel 0.05% once daily over a 12-week treatment period. Efficacy determination included noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts by the investigator and global evaluation of improvement. Cutaneous tolerance was assessed by determining erythema, scaling and burning with pruritus. Adapalene and isotretinoin gels were highly effective in treating facial acne. Adapalene gel produced greater reductions in noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts than did isotretinoin gel, but differences between treatments were not statistically significant. Adapalene gel was significantly better tolerated than isotretinoin gel during the whole treatment period. The two gels studied demonstrated comparable efficacy. When adapalene and isotretinoin were compared, significantly lower skin irritation was noted with adapalene, indicating that adapalene may begin a new era of treatment with low-irritant retinoids.

  13. Dosimetric impact of a change in breathing period on VMAT stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olding, T.; Alexander, KM

    2017-05-01

    The dosimetric impact of a change in breathing period during treatment was assessed for a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) lung plan optimized according to our centre’s planning protocol. Plan delivery was evaluated at three breathing rates ranging from 7 to 23 breaths-per-minute (BPM) against the planning anatomy (15 BPM) calculated dose. Dynamic ion chamber, EBT3 film and Fricke-xylenol orange-gelatin (FXG) gel measurements were acquired using a motion phantom with appropriate inserts for each dosimeter. The results show good agreement between measured and calculated plan dose within the internal gross tumour volume (IGTV) target.

  14. [Overdentures covering natural roots. The use of chlorhexidine gel].

    PubMed

    Hendrikx, M J; Kramer, J E; de Baat, C

    2000-03-01

    To prevent caries and periodontal disease in overdenture abutment teeth, daily application of chlorhexidine gel is recommended. In order to get insight into the use of the gel, 29 overdenture wearing patients were interviewed. In addition the patients were requested to show the use of the gel. It was concluded that at any time the patients were instructed about the use of the gel. Nevertheless, a majority of the patients did not use the gel daily and in accordance with the instructions given. Application of the gel in the abutment depressions of the overdenture appeared to be a heavy task.

  15. Calculating Percent Gel For Process Control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Webster, Charles Neal; Scott, Robert O.

    1988-01-01

    Reaction state of thermosetting resin tracked to assure desired properties. Rate of gel determined as function of temperature by measuring time to gel of part of graphite fabric impregnated with Hexcel R120 (or equivalent) phenolic resin.

  16. Active, motor-driven mechanics in a DNA gel.

    PubMed

    Bertrand, Olivier J N; Fygenson, Deborah Kuchnir; Saleh, Omar A

    2012-10-23

    Cells are capable of a variety of dramatic stimuli-responsive mechanical behaviors. These capabilities are enabled by the pervading cytoskeletal network, an active gel composed of structural filaments (e.g., actin) that are acted upon by motor proteins (e.g., myosin). Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of an active gel using noncytoskeletal components. We use methods of base-pair-templated DNA self assembly to create a hybrid DNA gel containing stiff tubes and flexible linkers. We then activate the gel by adding the motor FtsK50C, a construct derived from the bacterial protein FtsK that, in vitro, has a strong and processive DNA contraction activity. The motors stiffen the gel and create stochastic contractile events that affect the positions of attached beads. We quantify the fluctuations of the beads and show that they are comparable both to measurements of cytoskeletal systems and to theoretical predictions for active gels. Thus, we present a DNA-based active gel whose behavior highlights the universal aspects of nonequilibrium, motor-driven networks.

  17. Measuring Dilution of Microbicide Gels with Optical Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Drake, Tyler K.; Shah, Tejen; Peters, Jennifer J.; Wax, Adam; Katz, David F.

    2013-01-01

    We present a novel approach for measuring topical microbicide gel dilution using optical imaging. The approach compares gel thickness measurements from fluorimetry and multiplexed low coherence interferometry in order to calculate dilution of a gel. As a microbicide gel becomes diluted at fixed thickness, its mLCI thickness measurement remains constant, while the fluorimetry signal decreases in intensity. The difference between the two measurements is related to the extent of gel dilution. These two optical modalities are implemented in a single endoscopic instrument that enables simultaneous data collection. A preliminary validation study was performed with in vitro placebo gel measurements taken in a controlled test socket. It was found that change in slope of the regression line between fluorimetry and mLCI based measurements indicates dilution. A dilution calibration curve was then generated by repeating the test socket measurements with serial dilutions of placebo gel with vaginal fluid simulant. This methodology can provide valuable dilution information on candidate microbicide products, which could substantially enhance our understanding of their in vivo functioning. PMID:24340006

  18. Structural colored gels for tunable soft photonic crystals.

    PubMed

    Harun-Ur-Rashid, Mohammad; Seki, Takahiro; Takeoka, Yukikazu

    2009-01-01

    A periodically ordered interconnecting porous structure can be embodied in chemical gels by using closest-packed colloidal crystals as templates. The interconnecting porosity not only provides a quick response but also endows the porous gels with structural color arising from coherent Bragg optical diffraction. The structural colors revealed by porous gels can be regulated by several techniques, and thus, it is feasible to obtain desirable, smart, soft materials. A well-known thermosensitive monomer, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), and other minor monomers were used to fabricate various structural colored gels. The selection of minor monomers depended on the targeted properties. This review focuses on the synthesis of templates, structural colored porous gels, and the applications of structural colored gel as smart soft materials for tunable photonic crystals. (c) 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. A comparison of 15% azelaic acid gel and 0.75% metronidazole gel in the topical treatment of papulopustular rosacea: results of a randomized trial.

    PubMed

    Elewski, Boni E; Fleischer, Alan B; Pariser, David M

    2003-11-01

    To compare the efficacy and safety of a novel formulation of 15% azelaic acid gel (Finacea; Berlex Laboratories, Inc, Montville, NJ) with 0.75% metronidazole gel (MetroGel; Galderma Laboratories LP, Fort Worth, Tex) as topical therapy for moderate, papulopustular facial rosacea. Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. Thirteen US centers. A total of 251 patients with papulopustular rosacea with persistent erythema and telangiectasia. Patients were randomized to receive azelaic acid gel or metronidazole gel twice daily for 15 weeks. Nominal and percent change in inflammatory lesion count, change in erythema and telangiectasia severity ratings, investigator's global assessment of rosacea, and investigator's and patient's overall improvement ratings. Azelaic acid gel was superior to metronidazole gel in reduction of mean nominal lesion count (-12.9 vs -10.7, respectively) (P =.003) and mean percent decrease in inflammatory lesions (-72.7% vs -55.8%, respectively) (P<.001). With respect to erythema severity, 56% of azelaic acid gel-treated patients were rated improved vs 42% of metronidazole gel-treated patients (P =.02). The effectiveness of metronidazole gel on these variables seemed to plateau after week 8, whereas azelaic acid gel demonstrated progressive improvement through week 15. Neither treatment had a clinically appreciable effect on telangiectasia. Both the investigator's global assessment (P =.02) and overall assessment of improvement (P =.005) showed a significant therapeutic advantage for azelaic acid gel. Azelaic acid gel also scored higher on the patient's overall assessment of efficacy. Both treatments were rated as having high cosmetic acceptability. No serious or systemic treatment-related adverse events were reported in either group. Use of 15% azelaic acid gel twice daily for 15 weeks demonstrated significant superiority over using 0.75% metronidazole gel in improving principal signs of rosacea (inflammatory lesions and

  20. Method of making ionic liquid mediated sol-gel sorbents

    DOEpatents

    Malik, Abdul; Shearrow, Anne M.

    2017-01-31

    Ionic liquid (IL)-mediated sol-gel hybrid organic-inorganic materials present enormous potential for effective use in analytical microextraction. One obstacle to materializing this prospect arises from high viscosity of ILs significantly slowing down sol-gel reactions. A method was developed which provides phosphonium-based, pyridinium-based, and imidazolium-based IL-mediated advanced sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid materials for capillary microextraction. Scanning electron microscopy results demonstrate that ILs can serve as porogenic agents in sol-gel reactions. IL-mediated sol-gel coatings prepared with silanol-terminated polymers provided up to 28 times higher extractions compared to analogous sol-gel coatings prepared without any IL in the sol solution. This study shows that IL-generated porous morphology alone is not enough to provide effective extraction media: careful choice of the organic polymer and the precursor with close sol-gel reactivity must be made to ensure effective chemical bonding of the organic polymer to the created sol-gel material to be able to provide the desired sorbent characteristics.

  1. Procedure to prepare transparent silica gels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Barber, Patrick G. (Inventor); Simpson, Norman R. (Inventor)

    1987-01-01

    This invention relates to the production of silica gels and in particular to a process for the preparation of silica gels which can be used as a crystal growth medium that simulates the convectionless environment of space to produce structurally perfect crystals. Modern utilizations of substances in electronics, such as radio transmitters and high frequency microphones, often require single crystals with controlled purity and structural perfection. The near convectionless environment of silica gel suppresses nucleation, thereby reducing the competitive nature of crystal growth. This competition limits the size and perfection of the crystal; and it is obviously desirable to suppress nucleation until, ideally, only one crystal grows in a predetermined location. A silica gel is not a completely convectionless environment like outer space, but is the closest known environment to that of outer space that can be created on Earth.

  2. Energy-Efficient Bioalcohol Recovery by Gel Stripping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Godbole, Rutvik; Ma, Lan; Hedden, Ronald

    2014-03-01

    Design of energy-efficient processes for recovering butanol and ethanol from dilute fermentations is a key challenge facing the biofuels industry due to the high energy consumption of traditional multi-stage distillation processes. Gel stripping is an alternative purification process by which a dilute alcohol is stripped from the fermentation product by passing it through a packed bed containing particles of a selectively absorbent polymeric gel material. The gel must be selective for the alcohol, while swelling to a reasonable degree in dilute alcohol-water mixtures. To accelerate materials optimization, a combinatorial approach is taken to screen a matrix of copolymer gels having orthogonal gradients in crosslinker concentration and hydrophilicity. Using a combination of swelling in pure solvents, the selectivity and distribution coefficients of alcohols in the gels can be predicted based upon multi-component extensions of Flory-Rehner theory. Predictions can be validated by measuring swelling in water/alcohol mixtures and conducting h HPLC analysis of the external liquid. 95% + removal of butanol from dilute aqueous solutions has been demonstrated, and a mathematical model of the unsteady-state gel stripping process has been developed. NSF CMMI Award 1335082.

  3. Chiromagnetic nanoparticles and gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yeom, Jihyeon; Santos, Uallisson S.; Chekini, Mahshid; Cha, Minjeong; de Moura, André F.; Kotov, Nicholas A.

    2018-01-01

    Chiral inorganic nanostructures have high circular dichroism, but real-time control of their optical activity has so far been achieved only by irreversible chemical changes. Field modulation is a far more desirable path to chiroptical devices. We hypothesized that magnetic field modulation can be attained for chiral nanostructures with large contributions of the magnetic transition dipole moments to polarization rotation. We found that dispersions and gels of paramagnetic Co3O4 nanoparticles with chiral distortions of the crystal lattices exhibited chiroptical activity in the visible range that was 10 times as strong as that of nonparamagnetic nanoparticles of comparable size. Transparency of the nanoparticle gels to circularly polarized light beams in the ultraviolet range was reversibly modulated by magnetic fields. These phenomena were also observed for other nanoscale metal oxides with lattice distortions from imprinted amino acids and other chiral ligands. The large family of chiral ceramic nanostructures and gels can be pivotal for new technologies and knowledge at the nexus of chirality and magnetism.

  4. Gel electrolytes and electrodes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fleischmann, Sven; Bunte, Christine; Mikhaylik, Yuriy V.

    Gel electrolytes, especially gel electrolytes for electrochemical cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the gel electrolyte layers comprise components a) to c). Component a) may be at least one layer of at least one polymer comprising polymerized units of: a1) at least one monomer containing an ethylenically unsaturated unit and an amido group and a2) at least one crosslinker. Component b) may be at least one conducting salt and component c) may be at least one solvent. Electrodes may comprise the components a), d) and e), wherein component a) may be at least one layer of at least onemore » polymer as described herein. Component d) may be at least one electroactive layer and component e) may be at least one ceramic layer. Furthermore, electrochemical cells comprising component a) which may be at least one layer of at least one polymer as described herein, are also provided.« less

  5. Critical behavior of modulus of gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tokita, Masayuki; Niki, Ryoya; Hikichi, Kunio

    1985-09-01

    The critical behavior of the shear modulus of casein gel is studied. The shear modulus of casein gel scales with the conductivity exponent in the immediate vicinity of the sol-gel transition point. The asymptotic behavior of the modulus in the region far above the transition point is governed by a different exponent which is much larger than the conductivity exponent. These results are explainable by the crossover behavior of the percolation process. This study shows that the gelation of the casein micelle solution is a realization of the percolation process.

  6. Polymer architecture of magnetic gels: a review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weeber, Rudolf; Hermes, Melissa; Schmidt, Annette M.; Holm, Christian

    2018-02-01

    In this review article, we provide an introduction to ferrogels, i.e. polymeric gels with embedded magnetic particles. Due to the interplay between magnetic and elastic properties of these materials, they are promising candidates for engineering and biomedical applications such as actuation and controlled drug release. Particular emphasis will be put on the polymer architecture of magnetic gels since it controls the degrees of freedom of the magnetic particles in the gel, and it is important for the particle-polymer coupling determining the mechanisms available for the gel deformation in magnetic fields. We report on the different polymer architectures that have been realized so far, and provide an overview of synthesis strategies and experimental techniques for the characterization of these materials. We further focus on theoretical and simulational studies carried out on magnetic gels, and highlight their contributions towards understanding the influence of the gels’ polymer architecture.

  7. Epidemic models for phase transitions: application to a physical gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bilge, A. H.; Pekcan, O.; Kara, S.; Ogrenci, A. S.

    2017-09-01

    Carrageenan gels are characterized by reversible sol-gel and gel-sol transitions under cooling and heating processes and these transitions are approximated by generalized logistic growth curves. We express the transitions of carrageenan-water system, as a representative of reversible physical gels, in terms of a modified Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible epidemic model, as opposed to the Susceptible-Infected-Removed model used to represent the (irreversible) chemical gel formation in the previous work. We locate the gel point Tc of sol-gel and gel-sol transitions and we find that, for the sol-gel transition (cooling), Tc > Tsg (transition temperature), i.e. Tc is earlier in time for all carrageenan contents and moves forward in time and gets closer to Tsg as the carrageenan content increases. For the gel-sol transition (heating), Tc is relatively closer to Tgs; it is greater than Tgs, i.e. later in time for low carrageenan contents and moves backward as carrageenan content increases.

  8. Electrophoretic extraction of proteins from two-dimensional electrophoresis gel spots

    DOEpatents

    Zhang, Jian-Shi; Giometti, C.S.; Tollaksen, S.L.

    1987-09-04

    After two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins or the like, resulting in a polyacrylamide gel slab having a pattern of protein gel spots thereon, an individual protein gel spot is cored out from the slab, to form a gel spot core which is placed in an extraction tube, with a dialysis membrane across the lower end of the tube. Replicate gel spots can be cored out from replicate gel slabs and placed in the extraction tube. Molten agarose gel is poured into the extraction tube where the agarose gel hardens to form an immobilizing gel, covering the gel spot cores. The upper end portion of the extraction tube is filled with a volume of buffer solution, and the upper end is closed by another dialysis membrane. Upper and lower bodies of a buffer solution are brought into contact with the upper and lower membranes and are provided with electrodes connected to the positive and negative terminals of a dc power supply, thereby producing an electrical current which flows through the upper membrane, the volume of buffer solution, the agarose, the gel spot cores and the lower membrane. The current causes the proteins to be extracted electrophoretically from the gel spot cores, so that the extracted proteins accumulate and are contained in the space between the agarose gel and the upper membrane. 8 figs.

  9. Electrophoretic extraction of proteins from two-dimensional electrophoresis gel spots

    DOEpatents

    Zhang, Jian-Shi; Giometti, Carol S.; Tollaksen, Sandra L.

    1989-01-01

    After two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins or the like, resulting in a polyacrylamide gel slab having a pattern of protein gel spots thereon, an individual protein gel spot is cored out from the slab, to form a gel spot core which is placed in an extraction tube, with a dialysis membrane across the lower end of the tube. Replicate gel spots can be cored out from replicate gel slabs and placed in the extraction tube. Molten agarose gel is poured into the extraction tube where the agarose gel hardens to form an immobilizing gel, covering the gel spot cores. The upper end portion of the extraction tube is filled with a volume of buffer solution, and the upper end is closed by another dialysis membrane. Upper and lower bodies of a buffer solution are brought into contact with the upper and lower membranes and are provided with electrodes connected to the positive and negative terminals of a DC power supply, thereby producing an electrical current which flows through the upper membrane, the volume of buffer solution, the agarose, the gel spot cores and the lower membrane. The current causes the proteins to be extracted electrophoretically from the gel spot cores, so that the extracted proteins accumulate and are contained in the space between the agarose gel and the upper membrane. A high percentage extraction of proteins is achieved. The extracted proteins can be removed and subjected to partial digestion by trypsin or the like, followed by two-dimensional electrophoresis, resulting in a gel slab having a pattern of peptide gel spots which can be cored out and subjected to electrophoretic extraction to extract individual peptides.

  10. Pharmacokinetic Studies of Gel System Containing Ibuprofen Solid Nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Nagai, Noriaki; Tanino, Tadatoshi; Ito, Yoshimasa

    2016-12-01

    In the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, ibuprofen (IBU) is widely used; however, it has been limited the clinical use by its systemic side effect, such as gastrointestinal lesions. Therefore, we prepared topical gel ointment used IBU solid nanoparticles (IBU nano -gel formulation). In addition, we demonstrated their anti-inflammatory effect by using arthritis model rat (adjuvant-induced arthritis rat, AA rat). The gel formulations were prepared using additives (Carbopol 934, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and methylcellulose) and bead mill-method. The IBU particle size in the IBU nano -gel formulation was 208 nm. The increase in inflammation of the hind feet of AA rats was attenuated by the treatment with the IBU nano -gel formulation, and preventive effect was higher than that of a gel formulation containing IBUmicroparticles (IBU micro -gel formulation, mean particle size 85.4 μm); the accumulation and permeability through the skin of IBU from the IBU nano -gel formulation were significantly larger in comparison with the IBU micro -gel formulation. Further, no gastrointestinal lesions were observed in AA rats following the repetitive administration of the 5% IBU nano -gel formulation (0.30 g) for 42 days (once a day). These results suggest that the dermal application of IBU-nanoparticles provide effective and efficient therapy that spares patients from unwanted side effects.

  11. Sulfur-Containing Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Gel Compositions and Aerogels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Evans, Owen R (Inventor); Deshpande, Kiranmayi (Inventor); Dong, Wenting (Inventor)

    2017-01-01

    Methods and materials are described for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid gel compositions where a sulfur-containing cross-linking agent covalently links the organic and inorganic components. The gel compositions are further dried to provide porous gel compositions and aerogels. The mechanical and thermal properties of the dried gel compositions are also disclosed.

  12. Sulfur-Containing Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Gel Compositions and Aerogels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Deshpande, Kiranmayi (Inventor); Evans, Owen R. (Inventor); Dong, Wenting (Inventor)

    2015-01-01

    Methods and materials are described for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid gel compositions where a sulfur-containing cross-linking agent covalently links the organic and inorganic components. The gel compositions are further dried to provide porous gel compositions and aerogels. The mechanical and thermal properties of the dried gel compositions are also disclosed.

  13. Structural investigations of sol-gel derived silicate gels using Eu 3+ ion-probe luminescence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Secu, C. E.; Predoi, D.; Secu, M.; Cernea, M.; Aldica, G.

    2009-09-01

    Undoped and Eu 3+-doped CaF 2-SiO 2 gels were prepared by the sol-gel method and their optical properties have been studied. The UV-VIS-NIR absorption and photoluminescence spectra have shown the bands typical for the Eu 3+ ions transitions. When the Eu-doped gel is annealed at temperatures up to 800 °C (i.e. above the CaF 2 crystallisation peak at ˜460 °C) the photoluminescence spectra intensity increase, the 590 nm (5D→7F) and 620 nm (5D→7F) luminescence bands become comparable and a structuring of the 620 nm band is observed. The phonon sidebands peaks associated with the 5F→7D transition of the Eu 3+ ion were observed at around 1000 and 620 cm -1 and have been assigned to the Si-O and Ca-O bonds, respectively. A phonon sideband signal in the range of 300-400 cm -1 was attributed to Ca-F bonds in the precipitated CaF 2 phase. From the optical absorption, photoluminescence and phonon sidebands spectra we have concluded that in the gels annealed at 800 °C, the Eu 3+ ions are incorporated into the silica network and in the precipitated CaF 2 phase.

  14. PREFACE: Third International Conference on Radiotherapy Gel Dosimetry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    DeDeene, Yves; Baldock, Clive

    2004-01-01

    Gel dosimetry is not merely another dosimetry technique. Gel dosimeters are integrating dosimeters that enable dose verification in three dimensions. The application of a 3D dosimetry technique in the clinic would give a real push to the implementation of advanced high-precision radiotherapy technologies in many institutes. It can be expected that with the recent developments in the field towards more user-friendly gel systems and imaging modalities, gel dosimetry will become a vital link in the chain of high-precision radiation cancer therapy in the near future. Many researchers all over the world have contributed to the emerging technology of gel dosimetry. The research field of gel dosimetry is recognized to be very broad from polymer and analytical chemistry and material research to imaging technologies. The DOSGEL conferences in the past have proven to be an important forum at which material scientists, chemists, medical physicists, magnetic resonance imaging and radiation specialists brought together a critical mass of thoughts, findings and considerations. DOSGEL 2004 has been endorsed by many international, supra-national and national medical physics organizations and publishers. These proceedings contain 51 papers that cover various aspects of gel dosimetry.

  15. Tunable Gas Sensing Gels by Cooperative Assembly

    PubMed Central

    Hussain, Abid; Semeano, Ana T. S.; Palma, Susana I. C. J.; Pina, Ana S.; Almeida, José; Medrado, Bárbara F.; Pádua, Ana C. C. S.; Carvalho, Ana L.; Dionísio, Madalena; Li, Rosamaria W. C.; Gamboa, Hugo; Ulijn, Rein V.; Gruber, Jonas; Roque, Ana C. A.

    2017-01-01

    The cooperative assembly of biopolymers and small molecules can yield functional materials with precisely tunable properties. Here, the fabrication, characterization, and use of multicomponent hybrid gels as selective gas sensors are reported. The gels are composed of liquid crystal droplets self-assembled in the presence of ionic liquids, which further coassemble with biopolymers to form stable matrices. Each individual component can be varied and acts cooperatively to tune gels’ structure and function. The unique molecular environment in hybrid gels is explored for supramolecular recognition of volatile compounds. Gels with distinct compositions are used as optical and electrical gas sensors, yielding a combinatorial response conceptually mimicking olfactory biological systems, and tested to distinguish volatile organic compounds and to quantify ethanol in automotive fuel. The gel response is rapid, reversible, and reproducible. These robust, versatile, modular, pliant electro-optical soft materials possess new possibilities in sensing triggered by chemical and physical stimuli. PMID:28747856

  16. Viscoplastic fracture transition of a biopolymer gel.

    PubMed

    Frieberg, Bradley R; Garatsa, Ray-Shimry; Jones, Ronald L; Bachert, John O; Crawshaw, Benjamin; Liu, X Michael; Chan, Edwin P

    2018-06-13

    Physical gels are swollen polymer networks consisting of transient crosslink junctions associated with hydrogen or ionic bonds. Unlike covalently crosslinked gels, these physical crosslinks are reversible thus enabling these materials to display highly tunable and dynamic mechanical properties. In this work, we study the polymer composition effects on the fracture behavior of a gelatin gel, which is a thermoreversible biopolymer gel consisting of denatured collagen chains bridging physical network junctions formed from triple helices. Below the critical volume fraction for chain entanglement, which we confirm via neutron scattering measurements, we find that the fracture behavior is consistent with a viscoplastic type process characterized by hydrodynamic friction of individual polymer chains through the polymer mesh to show that the enhancement in fracture scales inversely with the squared of the mesh size of the gelatin gel network. Above this critical volume fraction, the fracture process can be described by the Lake-Thomas theory that considers fracture as a chain scission process due to chain entanglements.

  17. Data on DNA gel sample load, gel electrophoresis, PCR and cost analysis.

    PubMed

    Kuhn, Ramona; Böllmann, Jörg; Krahl, Kathrin; Bryant, Isaac Mbir; Martienssen, Marion

    2018-02-01

    The data presented in this article provide supporting information to the related research article "Comparison of ten different DNA extraction procedures with respect to their suitability for environmental samples" (Kuhn et al., 2017) [1]. In that article, we compared the suitability of ten selected DNA extraction methods based on DNA quality, purity, quantity and applicability to universal PCR. Here we provide the data on the specific DNA gel sample load, all unreported gel images of crude DNA and PCR results, and the complete cost analysis for all tested extraction procedures and in addition two commercial DNA extraction kits for soil and water.

  18. A theory for fracture of polymeric gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mao, Yunwei; Anand, Lallit

    2018-06-01

    A polymeric gel is a cross-linked polymer network swollen with a solvent. If the concentration of the solvent or the deformation is increased to substantial levels, especially in the presence of flaws, then the gel may rupture. Although various theoretical aspects of coupling of fluid permeation with large deformation of polymeric gels are reasonably well-understood and modeled in the literature, the understanding and modeling of the effects of fluid diffusion on the damage and fracture of polymeric gels is still in its infancy. In this paper we formulate a thermodynamically-consistent theory for fracture of polymeric gels - a theory which accounts for the coupled effects of fluid diffusion, large deformations, damage, and also the gradient effects of damage. The particular constitutive equations for fracture of a gel proposed in our paper, contain two essential new ingredients: (i) Our constitutive equation for the change in free energy of a polymer network accounts for not only changes in the entropy, but also changes in the internal energy due the stretching of the Kuhn segments of the polymer chains in the network. (ii) The damage and failure of the polymer network is taken to occur by chain-scission, a process which is driven by the changes in the internal energy of the stretched polymer chains in the network, and not directly by changes in the configurational entropy of the polymer chains. The theory developed in this paper is numerically implemented in an open-source finite element code MOOSE, by writing our own application. Using this simulation capability we report on our study of the fracture of a polymeric gel, and some interesting phenomena which show the importance of the diffusion of the fluid on fracture response of the gel are highlighted.

  19. Gadolinium-loaded gel scintillators for neutron and antineutrino detection

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Riddle, Catherine Lynn; Akers, Douglas William; Demmer, Ricky Lynn

    A gadolinium (Gd) loaded scintillation gel (Gd-ScintGel) compound allows for neutron and gamma-ray detection. The unique gel scintillator encompasses some of the best features of both liquid and solid scintillators, yet without many of the disadvantages associated therewith. Preferably, the gel scintillator is a water soluble Gd-DTPA compound and water soluble fluorophores such as: CdSe/ZnS (or ZnS) quantum dot (Q-dot) nanoparticles, coumarin derivatives 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid, 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid, and Alexa Fluor 350 as well as a carbostyril compound, carbostyril 124 in a stable water-based gel, such as methylcellulose or polyacrylamide polymers. The Gd-loaded ScintGel allows for a homogenious distribution ofmore » the Gd-DTPA and the fluorophores, and yields clean fluorescent emission peaks. A moderator, such as deuterium or a water-based clear polymer, can be incorporated in the Gd-ScintGel. The gel scintillators can be used in compact detectors, including neutron and antineutrino detectors.« less

  20. Capillary fracture of soft gels.

    PubMed

    Bostwick, Joshua B; Daniels, Karen E

    2013-10-01

    A liquid droplet resting on a soft gel substrate can deform that substrate to the point of material failure, whereby fractures develop on the gel surface that propagate outwards from the contact line in a starburst pattern. In this paper, we characterize (i) the initiation process, in which the number of arms in the starburst is controlled by the ratio of the surface tension contrast to the gel's elastic modulus, and (ii) the propagation dynamics showing that once fractures are initiated they propagate with a universal power law L[proportional]t(3/4). We develop a model for crack initiation by treating the gel as a linear elastic solid and computing the deformations within the substrate from the liquid-solid wetting forces. The elastic solution shows that both the location and the magnitude of the wetting forces are critical in providing a quantitative prediction for the number of fractures and, hence, an interpretation of the initiation of capillary fractures. This solution also reveals that the depth of the gel is an important factor in the fracture process, as it can help mitigate large surface tractions; this finding is confirmed with experiments. We then develop a model for crack propagation by considering the transport of an inviscid fluid into the fracture tip of an incompressible material and find that a simple energy-conservation argument can explain the observed material-independent power law. We compare predictions for both linear elastic and neo-Hookean solids, finding that the latter better explains the observed exponent.

  1. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles aimed at improving theranostics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vedelago, José; Gomez, Cesar G.; Valente, Mauro; Mattea, Facundo

    2018-05-01

    Nowadays, the combination of diagnosis and therapy, known as theranostics, is one of the keys for an optimal treatment for cancer diseases. Theranostics can be significantly improved by incorporating metallic nanoparticles that are specifically delivered and accumulated in cancerous tissue. In this context, precise knowledge about dosimetric effects in nanoparticle-infused tissues as well as the detection and processing of emerging radiation are extremely important issues. In the last years the first studies on theranostic nanomaterials in gel dosimetry have been presented but there is still a broad field of study to explore. Most of gel dosimetric materials are extremely sensible to modifications in their composition, the addition of enhancers, metallic or inorganic charges can alter their stability and dosimetric properties; therefore, thorough studies must be made before the incorporation of any type of modifier. In this work, the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles suitable for gel dosimetry for x-ray applications is presented. A green synthesis process of silver nanoparticles coated with porcine skin gelatin by thermal reduction of silver nitrate is presented. Nanoparticles were obtained and purified for their application in gel dosimetry. Also, nanoparticles size distribution, reaction yield and the preliminar application as theranostic agents were tested in Fricke gel dosimetry in the keV range. The obtained nanoparticles were successfully used in theranostic applications acting as fluorescent agents and dose enhancers in X-ray beam irradiation simultaneously.

  2. Self-Assembling Nanoclay Diffusion Gels for Bioactive Osteogenic Microenvironments.

    PubMed

    Shi, Pujiang; Kim, Yang-Hee; Mousa, Mohamed; Sanchez, Roxanna Ramnarine; Oreffo, Richard O C; Dawson, Jonathan I

    2018-06-17

    Laponite nanoparticles have attracted attention in the tissue engineering field for their protein interactions, gel-forming properties, and, more recently, osteogenic bioactivity. Despite growing interest in the osteogenic properties of Laponite, the application of Laponite colloidal gels to host the osteogenic differentiation of responsive stem cell populations remains unexplored. Here, the potential to harness the gel-forming properties of Laponite to generate injectable bioactive microenvironments for osteogenesis is demonstrated. A diffusion/dialysis gelation method allows the rapid formation of stable transparent gels from injectable, thixotropic Laponite suspensions in physiological fluids. Upon contact with buffered saline or blood serum, nanoporous gel networks exhibiting, respectively, fivefold and tenfold increases in gel stiffness are formed due to the reorganization of nanoparticle interactions. Laponite diffusion gels are explored as osteogenic microenvironments for skeletal stem cell containing populations. Laponite films support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells in 2D. Laponite gel encapsulation significantly enhances osteogenic protein expression compared with 3D pellet culture controls. In both 2D and 3D conditions, cell associated mineralization is strongly enhanced. This study demonstrates that Laponite diffusion gels offer considerable potential as biologically active and clinically relevant bone tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Antioxidant effect of green tea on polymer gel dosimeter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Samuel, E. J. J.; Sathiyaraj, P.; Deena, T.; Kumar, D. S.

    2015-01-01

    Extract from Green Tea (GTE) acts as an antioxidant in acrylamide based polymer gel dosimeter. In this work, PAGAT gel was used for investigation of antioxidant effect of GTE.PAGAT was called PAGTEG (Polyacrylamide green tea extract gel dosimeter) after adding GTE. Free radicals in water cause pre polymerization of polymer gel before irradiation. Polyphenols from GTE are highly effective to absorb the free radicals in water. THPC is used as an antioxidant in polymer gel dosimeter but here we were replaced it by GTE and investigated its effect by spectrophotometer. GTE added PAGAT samples response was lower compared to THPC added sample. To increase the sensitivity of the PAGTEG, sugar was added. This study confirmed that THPC was a good antioxidant for polymer gel dosimeter. However, GTE also can be used as an antioxidant in polymer gel if use less quantity (GTE) and add sugar as sensitivity enhancer.

  4. Sillica Gel-Amine from Geothermal Sludge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muljani, S.; Pujiastuti, C.; Wicaksono, P.; Lutfianingrum, R.

    2018-01-01

    Silica Gel-Amine (SGA) has been made from geothermal sludge by grafting amine method. Sodium silicate solution is prepared by extracted geothermal sludge powder using sodium hidroxide solution then acidification in the range of pH 5 - 9 by using tartaric acid 1N. The grafting process uses 1 ml of ammonia solution and 10 ml of toluene at a rate of 0.1 ml min-1 accompanied by a reflux process. The amine grafting is done in two methods. The first method is grafting amine in silicate solution and the second method is grafting amine in washed gel. Product SGA was confirmed by FTIR, TGA-DTG and BET characterization. The results show that the pH affects the amount of amine that is grafted onto silica gel. Differences in grafting method affect the size of the pore and surface area. SGA product prepared by grafting washed gel at pH 8 have pore diameter of 12.06 nm, surface area of 173.44 m2g-1, and mass of decomposed amine compound 0.4 mg. In the presence of amine groups on the silica gel surface, these adsorbents may be able to selectively adsorb CO2 gas from natural gas.

  5. Sol-gel chemistry by ring-opening polymerization

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    RAHIMIAN,KAMYAR; LOY,DOUGLAS A.

    2000-02-07

    Sol-gel processing of materials is plagued by shrinkage during polymerization of the alkoxide monomers and processing (aging and drying) of the resulting gels. The authors have developed a new class of hybrid organic-inorganic materials based on the solventless ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of monomers bearing the 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disilaoxacyclopentyl group, which permits them to drastically reduce shrinkage in sol-gel processed materials. Because the monomers are polymerized through a chain growth mechanism catalyzed by base rather than the step growth mechanism normally used in sol-gel systems, hydrolysis and condensation products are entirely eliminated. Furthermore, since water is not required for hydrolysis, an alcohol solventmore » is not necessary. Monomers with two disilaoxacyclopentyl groups, separated by a rigid phenylene group or a more flexible alkylene group, were prepared through disilylation of the corresponding diacetylenes, followed by ring closure and hydrogenation. Anionic polymerization of these materials, either neat or with 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disila-1-oxacyclopentane as a copolymer, affords thermally stable transparent gels with no visible shrinkage. These materials provide an easy route to the introduction of sol-gel type materials in encapsulation of microelectronics, which they have successfully demonstrated.« less

  6. Some rheological properties of sodium caseinate-starch gels.

    PubMed

    Bertolini, Andrea C; Creamer, Lawrence K; Eppink, Mieke; Boland, Mike

    2005-03-23

    The influence of sodium caseinate on the thermal and rheological properties of starch gels at different concentrations and from different botanical sources was evaluated. In sodium caseinate-starch gels, for all starches with the exception of potato starch, the sodium caseinate promoted an increase in the storage modulus and in the viscosity of the composite gel when compared with starch gels. The addition of sodium caseinate resulted in an increase in the onset temperature, the gelatinization temperature, and the end temperature, and there was a significant interaction between starch and sodium caseinate for the onset temperature, the peak temperature, and the end temperature. Microscopy results suggested that sodium caseinate promoted an increase in the homogeneity in the matrix of cereal starch gels.

  7. SU-F-T-159: Monte Carlo Simulation Studies of Three-Dimensional Dose Distribution for Polymer Gel Dosimeter and Radiochromic Gel Dosimeter in a Proton Beam

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Park, M; Kim, G; Jung, H

    Purpose: The purpose of this simulation study is to evaluate the proton detectability of gel dosimeters, and estimate the three-dimensional dose distribution of protons in the radiochromic gel and polymer gel dosimeter compared with the dose distribution in water. Methods: The commercial composition ratios of normoxic polymer gel and LCV micelle radiochromic gel were included in this simulation study. The densities of polymer and radiochromic gel were 1.024 and 1.005 g/cm3, respectively. The 50, 80 and 140 MeV proton beam energies were selected. The dose distributions of protons in the polymer and radiochromic gel were simulated using Monte Carlo radiationmore » transport code (MCNPX 2.7.0, Los Alamos Laboratory). The water equivalent depth profiles and the dose distributions of two gel dosimeters were compared for the water. Results: In case of irradiating 50, 80 and 140 MeV proton beam to water phantom, the reference Bragg-peak depths are represented at 2.22, 5.18 and 13.98 cm, respectively. The difference in the water equivalent depth is represented to about 0.17 and 0.37 cm in the radiochromic gel and polymer gel dosimeter, respectively. The proton absorbed doses in the radiochromic gel dosimeter are calculated to 2.41, 3.92 and 6.90 Gy with increment of incident proton energies. In the polymer gel dosimeter, the absorbed doses are calculated to 2.37, 3.85 and 6.78 Gy with increment of incident proton energies. The relative absorbed dose in radiochromic gel (about 0.47 %) is similar to that of water than the relative absorbed dose of polymer gel (about 2.26 %). In evaluating the proton dose distribution, we found that the dose distribution of both gel dosimeters matched that of water in most cases. Conclusion: As the dosimetry device, the radiochromic gel dosimeter has the potential particle detectability and is feasible to use for quality assurance of proton beam therapy beam.« less

  8. Gel phase in hydrated calcium dipicolinate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rajak, Pankaj; Mishra, Ankit; Sheng, Chunyang; Tiwari, Subodh; Krishnamoorthy, Aravind; Kalia, Rajiv K.; Nakano, Aiichiro; Vashishta, Priya

    2017-11-01

    The mineralization of dipicolinic acid (DPA) molecules in bacterial spore cores with Ca2+ ions to form Ca-DPA is critical to the wet-heat resistance of spores. This resistance to "wet-heat" also depends on the physical properties of water and DPA in the hydrated Ca-DPA-rich protoplasm. Using reactive molecular dynamics simulations, we have determined the phase diagram of hydrated Ca-DPA as a function of temperature and water concentration, which shows the existence of a gel phase along with distinct solid-gel and gel-liquid phase transitions. Simulations reveal monotonically decreasing solid-gel-liquid transition temperatures with increasing hydration, which explains the experimental trend of wet-heat resistance of bacterial spores. Our observation of different phases of water also reconciles previous conflicting experimental findings on the state of water in bacterial spores. Further comparison with an unmineralized hydrated DPA system allows us to quantify the importance of Ca mineralization in decreasing diffusivity and increasing the heat resistance of the spore.

  9. PCR amplification on microarrays of gel immobilized oligonucleotides

    DOEpatents

    Strizhkov, Boris; Tillib, Sergei; Mikhailovich, Vladimir; Mirzabekov, Andrei

    2003-11-04

    The invention relates two general methods for performing PCR amplification, combined with the detection and analysis of the PCR products on a microchip. In the first method, the amplification occurs both outside and within a plurality of gel pads on a microchip, with at least one oligonucleotide primer immobilized in a gel pad. In the second method, PCR amplification also takes place within gel pads on a microchip, but the pads are surrounded by a hydrophobic liquid such as that which separates the individual gel pads into environments which resemble micro-miniaturized test tubes.

  10. Soft and wet actuator developed with responsible high-strength gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harada, S.; Hidema, R.; Furukawa, H.

    2012-04-01

    Novel high-strength gels, named double network gels (DN gels), show a smart response to altering external electric field. It was reported that a plate shape of the DN gel bends toward a positive electrode direction when a static (DC) electric field is applied. Based on this previous result, it has been tried to develop a novel soft and wet actuator, which will be used as an automatically bulging button for cellar phones, or similar small devices. First, a bending experiment of a hung plate-shape DN gel was done, and its electric field response was confirmed. Second, the response of a lying plate-shape DN gels was confirmed in order to check the bulging phenomena. The edge of three plate-shape gels that was arranged radially on a plane surface was lifted 2mm by applying DC 8V. This system is a first step to make a gels button. However the critical problem is that electrolysis occurs simultaneously under electric field. Then, the water sweep out from gels, and gels is shrinking; They cause the separation between aluminum foil working as electrode and gels. That is why, a flexible electrode should be made by gels completely attached to the gels. As a third step, a push button is tried to make by a shape memory gels (SMG). The Young's modulus of the SMG is dramatically changed by temperature. This change in the modulus is applied to control the input-acceptable state and input-not-acceptable states of the button. A novel push button is proposed as a trial, and its user-friendliness is checked by changing the size of the button. The button is deformed by pushing and is back to original shape due to the property of shape memory. We believe the mechanism of this button will be applied to develop new devices especially for visually impaired persons.

  11. Gels composed of sodium-aluminum silicate, Lake Magadi, Kenya

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Eugster, H.P.; Jones, B.F.

    1968-01-01

    Sodium-aluminum silicate gels are found in surftcial deposits as thick as 5 centimeters in the Magadi area of Kenya. Chemical data indicate they are formed by the interaction of hot alkaline springwaters (67?? to 82??C; pH, about 9) with alkali trachyte flows and their detritus, rather than by direct precipitation. In the process, Na2O is added from and silica is released to the saline waters of the springs. Algal mats protect the gels from erosion and act as thermal insulators. The gels are probably yearly accumulates that are washed into the lakes during floods. Crystallization of these gels in the laboratory yields analcite; this fact suggests that some analcite beds in lacustrine deposits may have formed from gels. Textural evidence indicates that cherts of rocks of the Pleistocene chert series in the Magadi area may have formed from soft sodium silicate gels. Similar gels may have acted as substrates for the accumulation and preservation of prebiological organic matter during the Precambrian.

  12. The Sol-Gel-Xerogel Transition

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-11-01

    basic pH. Bioactive sol-gel glasses obtained by a surface adsorption of trypsin to a readymade xerogel were also completley * L...presence of siloxane chains and hydrophobic methyl groups an easy film deposition on glass sheets can be obtained. Rhodamine 6G and Coumarin 4 were...Research Proposal was prepared (early 1989) have witnessed a tremendous, almost explosive, progress in the field of organically doped sol-gel glasses

  13. Creating Reconfigurable Materials Using ``Colonies'' of Oscillating Polymer Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deb, Debabrata; Dayal, Pratyush; Kuksenok, Olga; Balazs, Anna

    2013-03-01

    Species ranging from single-cell organisms to social insects can undergo auto-chemotaxis, where the entities move towards a chemo-attractant that they themselves emit. This mode of signaling allows the organisms to form large-scale structures. Using computational modeling, we show that millimeter-sized polymer gels can display similar auto-chemotaxis. In particular, we demonstrate that gels undergoing the self-oscillating Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction not only respond to a chemical signal from the surrounding solution, but also emit this signal and thus, multiple gel pieces can spontaneously self-aggregate. We focus on the collective behavior of ``colonies'' of BZ gels and show that communication between the individual pieces critically depends on all the neighboring gels. We isolate the conditions at which the BZ gels can undergo a type of self-recombining: if a larger gel is cut into distinct pieces that are moved relatively far apart, then their auto-chemotactic behavior drives them to move and autonomously recombine into a structure resembling the original, uncut sample. These findings reveal that the BZ gels can be used as autonomously moving building blocks to construct multiple structures and thus, provide a new route for creating dynamically reconfigurable materials.

  14. Stable Liquid Jets Bouncing off Soft Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Daniel, Dan; Yao, Xi; Aizenberg, Joanna

    2018-01-01

    A liquid jet can stably bounce off a sufficiently soft gel by following the contour of the dimple created upon impact. This new phenomenon is insensitive to the wetting properties of the gels and was observed for different liquids over a wide range of surface tensions, γ =24 -72 mN /m . In contrast, other jet rebound phenomena are typically sensitive to γ : only a high γ jet rebounds off a hard solid (e.g. superhydrophobic surface) and only a low γ jet bounces off a liquid bath. This is because an air layer must be stabilized between the two interfaces. For a soft gel, no air layer is necessary and the jet rebound remains stable even when there is direct liquid-gel contact.

  15. Agarose gel electrophoresis for the separation of DNA fragments.

    PubMed

    Lee, Pei Yun; Costumbrado, John; Hsu, Chih-Yuan; Kim, Yong Hoon

    2012-04-20

    Agarose gel electrophoresis is the most effective way of separating DNA fragments of varying sizes ranging from 100 bp to 25 kb(1). Agarose is isolated from the seaweed genera Gelidium and Gracilaria, and consists of repeated agarobiose (L- and D-galactose) subunits(2). During gelation, agarose polymers associate non-covalently and form a network of bundles whose pore sizes determine a gel's molecular sieving properties. The use of agarose gel electrophoresis revolutionized the separation of DNA. Prior to the adoption of agarose gels, DNA was primarily separated using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, which only provided an approximation of size. To separate DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA is loaded into pre-cast wells in the gel and a current applied. The phosphate backbone of the DNA (and RNA) molecule is negatively charged, therefore when placed in an electric field, DNA fragments will migrate to the positively charged anode. Because DNA has a uniform mass/charge ratio, DNA molecules are separated by size within an agarose gel in a pattern such that the distance traveled is inversely proportional to the log of its molecular weight(3). The leading model for DNA movement through an agarose gel is "biased reptation", whereby the leading edge moves forward and pulls the rest of the molecule along(4). The rate of migration of a DNA molecule through a gel is determined by the following: 1) size of DNA molecule; 2) agarose concentration; 3) DNA conformation(5); 4) voltage applied, 5) presence of ethidium bromide, 6) type of agarose and 7) electrophoresis buffer. After separation, the DNA molecules can be visualized under uv light after staining with an appropriate dye. By following this protocol, students should be able to: Understand the mechanism by which DNA fragments are separated within a gel matrix Understand how conformation of the DNA molecule will determine its mobility through a gel matrix Identify an agarose solution of appropriate

  16. Structural evolution of Colloidal Gels under Flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boromand, Arman; Maia, Joao; Jamali, Safa

    Colloidal suspensions are ubiquitous in different industrial applications ranging from cosmetic and food industries to soft robotics and aerospace. Owing to the fact that mechanical properties of colloidal gels are controlled by its microstructure and network topology, we trace the particles in the networks formed under different attraction potentials and try to find a universal behavior in yielding of colloidal gels. Many authors have implemented different simulation techniques such as molecular dynamics (MD) and Brownian dynamics (BD) to capture better picture during phase separation and yielding mechanism in colloidal system with short-ranged attractive force. However, BD neglects multi-body hydrodynamic interactions (HI) which are believed to be responsible for the second yielding of colloidal gels. We envision using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) with modified depletion potential and hydrodynamic interactions, as a coarse-grain model, can provide a robust simulation package to address the gel formation process and yielding in short ranged-attractive colloidal systems. The behavior of colloidal gels with different attraction potentials under flow is examined and structural fingerprints of yielding in these systems will be discussed.

  17. Starbursts and Wispy Drops : Surfactants Spreading on Gel Substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mukhopadhyay, Shomeek; Daniels, Karen; Behringer, Robert

    2005-11-01

    We report a phase diagram for a novel instability seen in drops of nonionic surfactant solution (Triton X-305) spreading on viscoelastic agar gel substrate . This system allows us to examine the effect of varying the effective fluidity/stiffness of aqueous substrates. The morphology is strongly affected by the substrate fluidity, ranging from spreading starbursts of arms on weak gels, to wispy drops on intermediate strength gels, to circular drops on stiff gels. We analyze the dynamics of spreading in the starburst phase, where the arm length grows as t ^3/4 at early times, independent of the gel strength and surfactant concentration. The number of arms is proportional to the surfactant concentration and inversely proportional to the gel strength. Ongoing work is exploring the effects of changing the drop volume.

  18. Meso-decorated self-healing gels: network structure and properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Jin; Sawamura, Kensuke; Igarashi, Susumu; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2013-04-01

    Gels are a new material having three-dimensional network structures of macromolecules. They possess excellent properties as swellability, high permeability and biocompatibility, and have been applied in various fields of daily life, food, medicine, architecture, and chemistry. In this study, we tried to prepare new multi-functional and high-strength gels by using Meso-Decoration (Meso-Deco), one new method of structure design at intermediate mesoscale. High-performance rigid-rod aromatic polymorphic crystals, and the functional groups of thermoreversible Diels-Alder reaction were introduced into soft gels as crosslinkable pendent chains. The functionalization and strengthening of gels can be realized by meso-decorating the gels' structure using high-performance polymorphic crystals and thermoreversible pendent chains. New gels with good mechanical properties, novel optical properties and thermal properties are expected to be developed.

  19. 21 CFR 866.4900 - Support gel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Support gel. 866.4900 Section 866.4900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunology Laboratory Equipment and Reagents § 866.4900 Support gel. (a...

  20. 21 CFR 866.4900 - Support gel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Support gel. 866.4900 Section 866.4900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunology Laboratory Equipment and Reagents § 866.4900 Support gel. (a...

  1. 21 CFR 866.4900 - Support gel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Support gel. 866.4900 Section 866.4900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunology Laboratory Equipment and Reagents § 866.4900 Support gel. (a...

  2. Microstructure and rheology of thermoreversible nanoparticle gels.

    PubMed

    Ramakrishnan, S; Zukoski, C F

    2006-08-29

    Naïve mode coupling theory is applied to particles interacting with short-range Yukawa attractions. Model results for the location of the gel line and the modulus of the resulting gels are reduced to algebraic equations capturing the effects of the range and strength of attraction. This model is then applied to thermo reversible gels composed of octadecyl silica particles suspended in decalin. The application of the model to the experimental system requires linking the experimental variable controlling strength of attraction, temperature, to the model strength of attraction. With this link, the model predicts temperature and volume fraction dependencies of gelation and modulus with five parameters: particle size, particle volume fraction, overlap volume of surface hairs, and theta temperature. In comparing model predictions with experimental results, we first observe that in these thermal gels there is no evidence of clustering as has been reported in depletion gels. One consequence of this observation is that there are no additional adjustable parameters required to make quantitative comparisons between experimental results and model predictions. Our results indicate that the naïve mode coupling approach taken here in conjunction with a model linking temperature to strength of attraction provides a robust approach for making quantitative predictions of gel mechanical properties. Extension of model predictions to additional experimental systems requires linking experimental variables to the Yukawa strength and range of attraction.

  3. Fundamentals of Polymer Gel Dosimeters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McAuley, Kim B.

    2006-12-01

    The recent literature on polymer gel dosimetry contains application papers and basic experimental studies involving polymethacrylic-acid-based and polyacrylamide-based gel dosimeters. The basic studies assess the relative merits of these two most commonly used dosimeters, and explore the effects of tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium chloride (THPC) antioxidant on dosimeter performance. Polymer gel dosimeters that contain THPC or other oxygen scavengers are called normoxic dosimeters, because they can be prepared under normal atmospheric conditions, rather than in a glove box that excludes oxygen. In this review, an effort is made to explain some of the underlying chemical phenomena that affect dosimeter performance using THPC, and that lead to differences in behaviour between dosimeters made using the two types of monomer systems. Progress on the development of new more effective and less toxic dosimeters is also reported.

  4. Copolymers For Capillary Gel Electrophoresis

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Changsheng; Li, Qingbo

    2005-08-09

    This invention relates to an electrophoresis separation medium having a gel matrix of at least one random, linear copolymer comprising a primary comonomer and at least one secondary comonomer, wherein the comonomers are randomly distributed along the copolymer chain. The primary comonomer is an acrylamide or an acrylamide derivative that provides the primary physical, chemical, and sieving properties of the gel matrix. The at least one secondary comonomer imparts an inherent physical, chemical, or sieving property to the copolymer chain. The primary and secondary comonomers are present in a ratio sufficient to induce desired properties that optimize electrophoresis performance. The invention also relates to a method of separating a mixture of biological molecules using this gel matrix, a method of preparing the novel electrophoresis separation medium, and a capillary tube filled with the electrophoresis separation medium.

  5. Injectable biocompatible and biodegradable pH-responsive hollow particle gels containing poly(acrylic acid): the effect of copolymer composition on gel properties.

    PubMed

    Halacheva, Silvia S; Adlam, Daman J; Hendow, Eseelle K; Freemont, Tony J; Hoyland, Judith; Saunders, Brian R

    2014-05-12

    The potential of various pH-responsive alkyl (meth)acrylate ester- and (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymers, including poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) (PMMA-AA) and poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PBA-MAA), to form pH-sensitive biocompatible and biodegradable hollow particle gel scaffolds for use in non-load-bearing soft tissue regeneration have been explored. The optimal copolymer design criteria for preparation of these materials have been established. Physical gels which are both pH- and redox-sensitive were formed only from PMMA-AA copolymers. MMA is the optimal hydrophobic monomer, whereas the use of various COOH-containing monomers, e.g., MAA and AA, will always induce a pH-triggered physical gelation. The PMMA-AA gels were prepared at physiological pH range from concentrated dispersions of swollen, hollow, polymer-based particles cross-linked with either cystamine (CYS) or 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid dihydrazide (DTP). A linear relationship between particle swelling ratios, gel elasticity, and ductility was observed. The PMMA-AA gels with lower AA contents feature lower swelling ratios, mechanical strengths, and ductilities. Increasing the swelling ratio (e.g., through increasing AA content) decreased the intraparticle elasticity; however, intershell contact and gel elasticity were found to increase. The mechanical properties and performance of the gels were tuneable upon varying the copolymers' compositions and the structure of the cross-linker. Compared to PMMA-AA/CYS, the PMMA-AA/DTP gels were more elastic and ductile. The biodegradability and cytotoxicity of the new hollow particle gels were tested for the first time and related to their composition, mechanical properties, and morphology. The new PMMA-AA/CYS and PMMA-AA/DTP gels have shown good biocompatibility, biodegradability, strength, and interconnected porosity and therefore have good potential as a tissue repair agent.

  6. Methods of Manufacturing Bioactive Gels from Extracellular Matrix Material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Janis, Abram D. (Inventor); Kentner, Kimberly A. (Inventor); Stuart, Katherine A. (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.

  7. Methods of Manufacturing Bioactive Gels from Extracellular Matrix Material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kentner, Kimberly A. (Inventor); Stuart, Katherine A. (Inventor); Janis, Abram D. (Inventor)

    2015-01-01

    The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.

  8. Methods of Manufacturing Bioactive Gels from Extracellular Matrix Material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kentner, Kimberly A. (Inventor); Stuart, Katherine A. (Inventor); Janis, Abram D. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.

  9. Methods of Manufacturing Bioactive Gels from Extracellular Matrix Material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kentner, Kimberly (Inventor); Janis, Abram D. (Inventor); Stuart, Katherine A. (Inventor)

    2017-01-01

    The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.

  10. White-light-emitting supramolecular gels.

    PubMed

    Praveen, Vakayil K; Ranjith, Choorikkat; Armaroli, Nicola

    2014-01-07

    Let there be light, let it be white: Recent developments in the use of chromophore-based gels as scaffolds for the assembly of white-light-emitting soft materials have been significant. The main advantage of this approach lies in the facile accommodation of selected luminescent components within the gel. Excitation-energy-transfer processes between these components ultimately generate the desired light output. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  11. Using Greener Gels to Explore Rheology

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Garrett, Brendan; Matharu, Avtar S.; Hurst, Glenn A.

    2017-01-01

    A laboratory experiment was developed to investigate the rheological properties of a green calcium-cross-linked alginate gel as an alternative to the traditional borax-cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) gel. As borax is suspected of damaging fertility and the unborn child, a safe, green alternative is necessary. The rheological properties of a…

  12. Maize arabinoxylan gels as protein delivery matrices.

    PubMed

    Berlanga-Reyes, Claudia M; Carvajal-Millán, Elizabeth; Lizardi-Mendoza, Jaime; Rascón-Chu, Agustin; Marquez-Escalante, Jorge A; Martínez-López, Ana Luisa

    2009-04-08

    The laccase induced gelation of maize bran arabinoxylans at 2.5% (w/v) in the presence of insulin or beta-lactoglobulin at 0.1% (w/v) was investigated. Insulin and beta-lacto-globulin did not modify either the gel elasticity (9 Pa) or the cross-links content (0.03 and 0.015 microg di- and triferulic acids/mg arabinoxylan, respectively). The protein release capability of the gel was also investigated. The rate of protein release from gels was dependent on the protein molecular weight. The apparent diffusion coefficient was 0.99 x 10(-7) and 0.79 x 10(-7) cm(2)/s for insulin (5 kDa) and beta-lactoglobulin (18 kDa), respectively. The results suggest that maize bran arabinoxylan gels can be potential candidates for the controlled release of proteins.

  13. DNA gel electrophoresis: the reptation model(s).

    PubMed

    Slater, Gary W

    2009-06-01

    DNA gel electrophoresis has been the most important experimental tool to separate DNA fragments for several decades. The introduction of PFGE in the 1980s and capillary gel electrophoresis in the 1990s made it possible to study, map and sequence entire genomes. Explaining how very large DNA molecules move in a gel and why PFGE is needed to separate them has been an active field of research ever since the launch of the journal Electrophoresis. This article presents a personal and historical overview of the development of the theory of gel electrophoresis, focusing on the reptation model, the band broadening mechanisms, and finally the factors that limit the read length and the resolution of electrophoresis-based sequencing systems. I conclude with a short discussion of some of the questions that remain unanswered.

  14. Transfer printing of thermoreversible ion gels for flexible electronics.

    PubMed

    Lee, Keun Hyung; Zhang, Sipei; Gu, Yuanyan; Lodge, Timothy P; Frisbie, C Daniel

    2013-10-09

    Thermally assisted transfer printing was employed to pattern thin films of high capacitance ion gels on polyimide, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and SiO2 substrates. The ion gels consisted of 20 wt % block copolymer poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide-b-styrene and 80 wt % ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)amide. Patterning resolution was on the order of 10 μm. Importantly, ion gels containing the block polymer with short PS end blocks (3.4 kg/mol) could be transfer-printed because of thermoreversible gelation that enabled intimate gel-substrate contact at 100 °C, while gels with long PS blocks (11 kg/mol) were not printable at the same temperature due to poor wetting contact between the gel and substrates. By using printed ion gels as high-capacitance gate insulators, electrolyte-gated thin-film transistors were fabricated that operated at low voltages (<1 V) with high on/off current ratios (∼10(5)). Statistical analysis of carrier mobility, turn-on voltage, and on/off ratio for an array of printed transistors demonstrated the excellent reproducibility of the printing technique. The results show that transfer printing is an attractive route to pattern high-capacitance ion gels for flexible thin-film devices.

  15. Brief reports: regional anesthesia needles can introduce ultrasound gel into tissues.

    PubMed

    Belavy, David

    2010-09-01

    Anesthesiologists may insert needles through ultrasound gel when performing ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. In this study, it was determined whether needles carry gel into tissues. Ultrasound gel dyed blue was applied to pork rashers. Tuohy and short-bevel needles were passed through the gel and pork. The needles were then assessed for the presence of ultrasound gel. All needles, including those with stylets, carried gel and tissue within the lumen. Ultrasound gel may be injected around (and perhaps in) nerves during regional anesthesia procedures. Studies are needed to determine the implications of this practice.

  16. Chemotaxis of active, self-oscillating polymer gels in solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dayal, Pratyush; Bhattacharya, Amitabh; Kuksenok, Olga; Balazs, Anna C.

    2012-02-01

    Fighting, fleeing and feeding are hallmarks of all living things; all these activities require some degree of mobility. Herein, we undertake the first computational study of self-oscillating polymer gels and show that this system can ``communicate'' to undergo a biomimetic, collective response to small-scale chemical changes. In this study we harness unique properties of polymer gels that undergo oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. The activator for the reaction is generated within these BZ cilia and diffuses between the neighboring gels. In order to simulate the dynamics of the BZ gels in surrounding fluid we have developed a nonlinear hybrid 3D model which captures the elasto-dynamics of polymer gel and diffusive exchange of BZ reagents between the gel and the fluid. We illustrate that multiple BZ gels in solution exhibit a distinct form of chemotaxis, moving towards the highest activator concentration in the solution. Similar ability to sense and move in response to chemical gradients constitutes a vital function in simple organisms, enabling them to find food and flee from poisons.

  17. One plunge or two?--hand disinfection with alcohol gel.

    PubMed

    Macdonald, Duncan J M; Mckillop, Elisabeth C A; Trotter, Sylvia; Gray, Alastair J R

    2006-04-01

    To compare health care workers' hand surface coverage using two different volumes of alcohol gel for hand disinfection. and methods. A total of 84 members of staff in our hospital were studied. Subjects were asked to disinfect their hands with alcohol gel containing a clear fluorescent substance. Performance was assessed by using UV light to identify areas which had been missed, and the total surface area missed was calculated. A total of 42 subjects received 3.5 ml of alcohol gel, and 42 age-, sex-, and job-matched subjects received 1.75 ml of alcohol gel. Significantly less area was missed when hand disinfecting with double the volume of alcohol gel; 1.23 versus 6.35% surface area was missed (P < 0.001). Doubling the volume of alcohol gel used for hand disinfection significantly improves the efficiency of coverage of the hands with alcohol gel. This may result in lower bacterial count on the hands and may reduce the spread of nosocomial infections including that of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

  18. Gel-forming reagents and uses thereof for preparing microarrays

    DOEpatents

    Golova, Julia; Chernov, Boris; Perov, Alexander

    2010-11-09

    New gel-forming reagents including monomers and cross-linkers, which can be applied to gel-drop microarray manufacturing by using co-polymerization approaches are disclosed. Compositions for the preparation of co-polymerization mixtures with new gel-forming monomers and cross-linker reagents are described herein. New co-polymerization compositions and cross-linkers with variable length linker groups between unsaturated C.dbd.C bonds that participate in the formation of gel networks are disclosed.

  19. 21 CFR 866.4900 - Support gel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Support gel. 866.4900 Section 866.4900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES...) Identification. A support gel for clinical use is a device that consists of an agar or agarose preparation that...

  20. 21 CFR 866.4900 - Support gel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Support gel. 866.4900 Section 866.4900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES...) Identification. A support gel for clinical use is a device that consists of an agar or agarose preparation that...

  1. Gel-Filled Holders For Ultrasonic Transducers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Companion, John A.

    1992-01-01

    In new technique, ultrasonic transducer embedded in rubbery, castable, low-loss gel to enable transducer to "look" into surface of test object or human body at any desired angle. Composed of solution of water and ethylene glycol in collagen matrix. Provides total contact of water bath, also used on bodies or objects too large for water baths, even if moving. Also provides look angles of poly(methyl methacrylate) angle block with potential of reduced acoustic impedance and refraction. Custom-tailored to task at hand, and gel sufficiently inexpensive to be discarded upon completion. Easy to couple ultrasound in and out of gel, minimizing losses and artifacts of other types of standoffs employed in ultrasonic testing.

  2. Bleach Gel: A Simple Agarose Gel for Analyzing RNA Quality

    PubMed Central

    Aranda, Patrick S.; LaJoie, Dollie M.; Jorcyk, Cheryl L.

    2013-01-01

    RNA-based applications requiring high quality, non-degraded RNA are a foundational element of many research studies. As such, it is paramount that the integrity of experimental RNA is validated prior to cDNA synthesis or other downstream applications. In the absence of expensive equipment such as microfluidic electrophoretic devices, and as an alternative to the costly and time-consuming standard formaldehyde gel, RNA quality can be quickly analyzed by adding small amounts of commercial bleach to TAE buffer-based agarose gels prior to electrophoresis. In the presence of low concentrations of bleach, the secondary structure of RNA is denatured and potential contaminating RNases are destroyed. Because of this, the ‘bleach gel’ is a functional approach that addresses the need for an inexpensive and safe way to evaluate RNA integrity and will improve the ability of researchers to rapidly analyze RNA quality. PMID:22222980

  3. Volume phase transitions of cholesteric liquid crystalline gels.

    PubMed

    Matsuyama, Akihiko

    2015-05-07

    We present a mean field theory to describe anisotropic deformations of a cholesteric elastomer without solvent molecules and a cholesteric liquid crystalline gel immersed in isotropic solvents at a thermal equilibrium state. Based on the neoclassical rubber theory of nematic elastomers, we derive an elastic energy and a twist distortion energy, which are important to determine the shape of a cholesteric elastomer (or gel). We demonstrate that when the elastic energy dominates in the free energy, the cholesteric elastomer causes a spontaneous compression in the pitch axis and elongates along the director on the plane perpendicular to the pitch axis. Our theory can qualitatively describe the experimental results of a cholesteric elastomer. We also predict the first-order volume phase transitions and anisotropic deformations of a gel at the cholesteric-isotropic phase transition temperature. Depending on a chirality of a gel, we find a prolate or oblate shape of cholesteric gels.

  4. Comparison effect of azithromycin gel 2% with clindamycin gel 1% in patients with acne.

    PubMed

    Mokhtari, Fatemeh; Faghihi, Gita; Basiri, Akram; Farhadi, Sadaf; Nilforoushzadeh, Mohammadali; Behfar, Shadi

    2016-01-01

    Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease. Local and systemic antimicrobial drugs are used for its treatment. But increasing resistance of Propionibacterium acnes to antibiotics has been reported. In a double-blind clinical trial, 40 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were recruited. one side of the face was treated with Clindamycin Gel 1% and the other side with Azithromycin Topical Gel 2% BID for 8 weeks and then they were assessed. Average age was 21. 8 ± 7 years. 82.5% of them were female. Average number of papules, pustules and comedones was similarly reduced in both groups and, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05, repeated measurs ANOVA). The mean indexes of ASI and TLC also significantly decreased during treatment in both groups, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. (P > 0.05, repeated measurs ANOVA). Also, impact of both drugs on papules and pustules was 2-3 times greater than the effect on comedones. Average satisfaction score was not significant between the two groups (P = 0.6, repeated measurs ANOVA). finally, frequency distribution of complications was not significant between the two groups (P > 0.05, Fisher Exact test). Azithromycin gel has medical impact at least similar to Clindamycin Gel in treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris, and it may be consider as suitable drug for resistant acne to conventional topical therapy.

  5. SPI Conformance Gel Applications in Geothermal Zonal Isolation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Burns, Lyle

    Zonal isolation in geothermal injection and producing wells is important while drilling the wells when highly fractured geothermal zones are encountered and there is a need to keep the fluids from interfering with the drilling operation. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) objectives are to advance technologies to make it more cost effective to develop, produce, and monitor geothermal reservoirs and produce geothermal energy. Thus, zonal isolation is critical to well cost, reservoir evaluation and operations. Traditional cementing off of the lost circulation or thief zones during drilling is often done to stem the drilling mudmore » losses. This is an expensive and generally unsuccessful technique losing the potential of the remaining fracture system. Selective placement of strong SPI gels into only the offending fractures can maintain and even improve operational efficiency and resource life. The SPI gel system is a unique silicate based gel system that offers a promising solution to thief zones and conformance problems with water and CO2 floods and potentially geothermal operations. This gel system remains a low viscosity fluid until an initiator (either internal such as an additive or external such as CO2) triggers gelation. This is a clear improvement over current mechanical methods of using packers, plugs, liners and cementing technologies that often severely damage the highly fractured area that is isolated. In the SPI gels, the initiator sets up the fluid into a water-like (not a precipitate) gel and when the isolated zone needs to be reopened, the SPI gel may be removed with an alkaline solution without formation damage occurring. In addition, the SPI gel in commercial quantities is expected to be less expensive than competing mechanical systems and has unique deep placement possibilities. This project seeks to improve upon the SPI gel integrity by modifying the various components to impart temperature stability

  6. Charge-regularized swelling kinetics of polyelectrolyte gels: Elasticity and diffusion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sen, Swati; Kundagrami, Arindam

    2017-11-01

    We apply a recently developed method [S. Sen and A. Kundagrami, J. Chem. Phys. 143, 224904 (2015)], using a phenomenological expression of osmotic stress, as a function of polymer and charge densities, hydrophobicity, and network elasticity for the swelling of spherical polyelectrolyte (PE) gels with fixed and variable charges in a salt-free solvent. This expression of stress is used in the equation of motion of swelling kinetics of spherical PE gels to numerically calculate the spatial profiles for the polymer and free ion densities at different time steps and the time evolution of the size of the gel. We compare the profiles of the same variables obtained from the classical linear theory of elasticity and quantitatively estimate the bulk modulus of the PE gel. Further, we obtain an analytical expression of the elastic modulus from the linearized expression of stress (in the small deformation limit). We find that the estimated bulk modulus of the PE gel decreases with the increase of its effective charge for a fixed degree of deformation during swelling. Finally, we match the gel-front locations with the experimental data, taken from the measurements of charged reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer gels to show an increase in gel-size with charge and also match the same for PNIPAM (uncharged) and imidazolium-based (charged) minigels, which specifically confirms the decrease of the gel modulus value with the increase of the charge. The agreement between experimental and theoretical results confirms general diffusive behaviour for swelling of PE gels with a decreasing bulk modulus with increasing degree of ionization (charge). The new formalism captures large deformations as well with a significant variation of charge content of the gel. It is found that PE gels with large deformation but same initial size swell faster with a higher charge.

  7. Electroblotting from Polyacrylamide Gels.

    PubMed

    Goldman, Aaron; Ursitti, Jeanine A; Mozdzanowski, Jacek; Speicher, David W

    2015-11-02

    Transferring proteins from polyacrylamide gels onto retentive membranes is now primarily used for immunoblotting. A second application that was quite common up to about a decade ago was electroblotting of proteins for N-terminal and internal sequencing using Edman chemistry. This unit contains procedures for electroblotting proteins from polyacrylamide gels onto a variety of membranes, including polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and nitrocellulose. In addition to the commonly used tank or wet transfer system, protocols are provided for electroblotting using semidry and dry systems. This unit also describes procedures for eluting proteins from membranes using detergents or acidic extraction with organic solvents for specialized applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  8. Nanocrystal/sol-gel nanocomposites

    DOEpatents

    Klimov, Victor L.; Petruska, Melissa A.

    2010-05-25

    The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a solid composite having colloidal nanocrystals dispersed within a sol-gel matrix, the process including admixing colloidal nanocrystals with an amphiphilic polymer including hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of --COOH, --OH, --SO.sub.3H, --NH.sub.2, and --PO.sub.3H.sub.2 within a solvent to form an alcohol-soluble colloidal nanocrystal-polymer complex, admixing the alcohol-soluble colloidal nanocrystal-polymer complex and a sol-gel precursor material, and, forming the solid composite from the admixture. The present invention is also directed to the resultant solid composites and to the alcohol-soluble colloidal nanocrystal-polymer complexes.

  9. A zwitterionic gel electrolyte for efficient solid-state supercapacitors

    PubMed Central

    Peng, Xu; Liu, Huili; Yin, Qin; Wu, Junchi; Chen, Pengzuo; Zhang, Guangzhao; Liu, Guangming; Wu, Changzheng; Xie, Yi

    2016-01-01

    Gel electrolytes have attracted increasing attention for solid-state supercapacitors. An ideal gel electrolyte usually requires a combination of advantages of high ion migration rate, reasonable mechanical strength and robust water retention ability at the solid state for ensuring excellent work durability. Here we report a zwitterionic gel electrolyte that successfully brings the synergic advantages of robust water retention ability and ion migration channels, manifesting in superior electrochemical performance. When applying the zwitterionic gel electrolyte, our graphene-based solid-state supercapacitor reaches a volume capacitance of 300.8 F cm−3 at 0.8 A cm−3 with a rate capacity of only 14.9% capacitance loss as the current density increases from 0.8 to 20 A cm−3, representing the best value among the previously reported graphene-based solid-state supercapacitors, to the best of our knowledge. We anticipate that zwitterionic gel electrolyte may be developed as a gel electrolyte in solid-state supercapacitors. PMID:27225484

  10. Sol-gel Technology and Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage Materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chu, Chung-tse; Zheng, Haixing

    1996-01-01

    Advanced materials play an important role in the development of electrochemical energy devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical capacitors. The sol-gel process is a versatile solution for use in the fabrication of ceramic materials with tailored stoichiometry, microstructure, and properties. This processing technique is particularly useful in producing porous materials with high surface area and low density, two of the most desirable characteristics for electrode materials. In addition,the porous surface of gels can be modified chemically to create tailored surface properties, and inorganic/organic micro-composites can be prepared for improved material performance device fabrication. Applications of several sol-gel derived electrode materials in different energy storage devices are illustrated in this paper. V2O5 gels are shown to be a promising cathode material for solid state lithium batteries. Carbon aerogels, amorphous RuO2 gels and sol-gel derived hafnium compounds have been studied as electrode materials for high energy density and high power density electrochemical capacitors.

  11. PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF COMPOUND ARNEBIAE RADIX MICROEMULSION GEL.

    PubMed

    Chen, Jing; He, Yanping; Gao, Ting; Zhang, Licheng; Zhao, Yuna

    2017-01-01

    Compound Arnebiae radix oil has been clinically applied to treat burns and scalds for a long time. However, it is unstable and inconvenient to use. The aim of this study was to prepare a compound Arnebiae radix microemulsion gel for transdermal delivery system and evaluate its characteristics. Based on the solubility of Shikonin, the active component of Arnebiae radix and the results of phase studies, adequate ratio of each component in microemulsion was determined. The optimized microemulsion gel was prepared using Carbomer 940. The gels were characterized in terms of appearance, preliminary stability test and the content of Shikonin in the compound Arnebiae radix microemulsion gel with HPLC analysis. The optimized conditions for preparing microemulsion were Tween-80, glycerin, isopropyl myristate (IPM) with the ratio of 6:3:2. The optimal microemulsion gel was obtained with Carbomer 940 (1.0%). The prepared compound Arnebiae radix microemulsion gel showed good stability over time. It is more convenience in application than the previous used formulations.

  12. Coupled gel spreading and diffusive transport models describing microbicidal drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Funke, Claire; MacMillan, Kelsey; Ham, Anthony S.; Szeri, Andrew J.; Katz, David F.

    2016-11-01

    Gels are a drug delivery platform being evaluated for application of active pharmaceutical ingredients, termed microbicides, that act topically against infection by sexually transmitted HIV. Despite success in one Phase IIb trial of a vaginal gel delivering tenofovir, problems of user adherence to designed gel application regimen compromised results in two other trials. The microbicide field is responding to this issue by simultaneously analyzing behavioral determinants of adherence and pharmacological determinants of drug delivery. Central to both user adherence and mucosal drug delivery are gel properties (e.g. rheology) and applied volume. The specific problem to be solved here is to develop a model for how gel rheology and volume, interacting with loaded drug concentration, govern the transport of the microbicide drug tenofovir into the vaginal mucosa to its stromal layer. The analysis here builds upon our current understanding of vaginal gel deployment and drug delivery, incorporating key features of the gel's environment, fluid production and subsequent gel dilution, and vaginal wall elasticity. We consider the microbicide drug tenofovir as it is the most completely studied drug, in both in vitroand in vivostudies, for use in vaginal gel application. Our goal is to contribute to improved pharmacological understanding of gel functionality, providing a computational tool that can be used in future vaginal microbicide gel design.

  13. Gel network shampoo formulation and hair health benefits.

    PubMed

    Marsh, J M; Brown, M A; Felts, T J; Hutton, H D; Vatter, M L; Whitaker, S; Wireko, F C; Styczynski, P B; Li, C; Henry, I D

    2017-10-01

    The objective of this work was to create a shampoo formula that contains a stable ordered gel network structure that delivers fatty alcohols inside hair. X-ray diffraction (SAXS and WAXS), SEM and DSC have been used to confirm formation of the ordered Lβ gel network with fatty alcohol (cetyl and stearyl alcohols) and an anionic surfactant (SLE1S). Micro-autoradiography and extraction methods using GC-MS were used to confirm penetration of fatty alcohols into hair, and cyclic fatigue testing was used to measure hair strength. In this work, evidence of a stable Lβ ordered gel network structure created from cetyl and stearyl alcohols and anionic surfactant (SLE1S) is presented, and this is confirmed via scanning electron microscopy images showing lamella layers and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showing new melting peaks vs the starting fatty alcohols. Hair washed for 16 repeat cycles with this shampoo showed penetration of fatty alcohols from the gel network into hair as confirmed by a differential extraction method with GC-MS and by radiolabelling of stearyl alcohol and showing its presence inside hair cross-sections. The gel network role in delivering fatty alcohol inside hair is demonstrated by comparing with a shampoo with added fatty alcohol not in an ordered gel network structure. The hair containing fatty alcohol was measured via the Dia-stron cyclic fatigue instrument and showed a significantly higher number of cycles to break vs control. The formation of a stable gel network was confirmed in the formulated shampoo, and it was demonstrated that this gel network is important to deliver cetyl and stearyl alcohols into hair. The presence of fatty alcohol inside hair was shown to deliver a hair strength benefit via cyclic fatigue testing. © 2017 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.

  14. Deformation and fracture of cross-linked polymer gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Wei-Chun

    Because soft materials, particularly polymer gels, are playing a greater role in industrial and biotechnological applications today, the exploration of their mechanical behavior over a range of deformations is becoming more relevant in our daily lives. Understanding these properties is therefore necessary as a means to predict their response for specific applications. To address these concerns, this dissertation presents a set of analytic tools based on flat punch probe indentation tests to predict the response of polymer gels from a mechanical perspective over a large range of stresses and at failure. At small strains, a novel technique is developed to determine the transport properties of gels based on their measured mechanical behavior. Assuming that a polymer gel behaves in a similar manner as a porous structure, the differentiation of solvent flow from viscoelasticity of a gel network is shown to be possible utilizing a flat, circular punch and a flat, rectangular punch under oscillatory conditions. Use of the technique is demonstrated with a poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM) hydrogel. Our results indicate that solvent flow is inhibited at temperatures above the critical solution temperature of 35°C. At high stresses and fracture, the flat probe punch indentation geometry is used to understand how the structure and geometry of silicone based gels affect their mechanical properties. A delayed failure response of the gels is observed and the modes of failure are found to be dependent on the geometry of the system. The addition of a sol fraction in these gels was found to toughen the network and play an important role at these large deformations. Potential mechanisms of fracture resistance are discussed, as is the effect of geometric confinement as it relates to large scale deformation and fracture. These results lay the groundwork for understanding the mechanical response of other highly, deformable material systems utilizing this particular geometry.

  15. Kinetics of swelling of polyelectrolyte gels: Fixed degree of ionization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sen, Swati; Kundagrami, Arindam

    2015-12-01

    The swelling kinetics of uncharged and charged polymer (polyelectrolyte) gels in salt-free conditions is studied in one dimension by solving the constitutive equation of motion (Newton's law for the elementary gel volume) of the displacement variable by two theoretical methods: one in which the classical definition of stress is used with the bulk modulus taken as a parameter, and the other in which a phenomenological expression of the osmotic stress as a function of polymer density and degree of ionization is taken as an input to the dynamics. The time-evolution profiles for spatially varying polymer density and stress, along with the location of the gel-solvent interface, are obtained from the two methods. We show that both the polymer density (volume fraction) and stress inside the gel follow expected behaviours of being maximum for the uniformly shrunken gel, and relaxing slowly to the lowest values as the gel approaches equilibrium. We further show that, by comparing the temporal profiles of the gel-solvent interface and other variables between the two methods, one may attempt to assign an effective bulk modulus to the polyelectrolyte gel as a function of the degree of ionization and other parameters of the gel such as hydrophobicity, cross-link density, and the temperature. The major result we get is that the effective bulk modulus of a polyelectrolyte gel increases monotonically with its degree of ionization. In the process of identifying the parameters for a monotonic swelling, we calculated using a well-known expression of the free energy the equilibrium results of two-phase co-existence and the critical point of a polyelectrolyte gel with a fixed degree of ionization.

  16. Kinetics of swelling of polyelectrolyte gels: Fixed degree of ionization.

    PubMed

    Sen, Swati; Kundagrami, Arindam

    2015-12-14

    The swelling kinetics of uncharged and charged polymer (polyelectrolyte) gels in salt-free conditions is studied in one dimension by solving the constitutive equation of motion (Newton's law for the elementary gel volume) of the displacement variable by two theoretical methods: one in which the classical definition of stress is used with the bulk modulus taken as a parameter, and the other in which a phenomenological expression of the osmotic stress as a function of polymer density and degree of ionization is taken as an input to the dynamics. The time-evolution profiles for spatially varying polymer density and stress, along with the location of the gel-solvent interface, are obtained from the two methods. We show that both the polymer density (volume fraction) and stress inside the gel follow expected behaviours of being maximum for the uniformly shrunken gel, and relaxing slowly to the lowest values as the gel approaches equilibrium. We further show that, by comparing the temporal profiles of the gel-solvent interface and other variables between the two methods, one may attempt to assign an effective bulk modulus to the polyelectrolyte gel as a function of the degree of ionization and other parameters of the gel such as hydrophobicity, cross-link density, and the temperature. The major result we get is that the effective bulk modulus of a polyelectrolyte gel increases monotonically with its degree of ionization. In the process of identifying the parameters for a monotonic swelling, we calculated using a well-known expression of the free energy the equilibrium results of two-phase co-existence and the critical point of a polyelectrolyte gel with a fixed degree of ionization.

  17. Sol-gel process for the manufacture of high power switches

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Landingham, Richard L.; Satcher, Jr, Joe; Reibold, Robert

    According to one embodiment, a photoconductive semiconductor switch includes a structure of nanopowder of a high band gap material, where the nanopowder is optically transparent, and where the nanopowder has a physical characteristic of formation from a sol-gel process. According to another embodiment, a method includes mixing a sol-gel precursor compound, a hydroxy benzene and an aldehyde in a solvent thereby creating a mixture, causing the mixture to gel thereby forming a wet gel, drying the wet gel to form a nanopowder, and applying a thermal treatment to form a SiC nanopowder.

  18. Tough Amphiphilic Gels for Antifouling Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Villada, Laura M.

    Biofouling is the attachment of unwanted organisms on a surface, and it is influenced by a host of variables including the chemistry of the material as well as both the surface and bulk properties, and controlling and understanding the effect of these properties is critical for the development of effective materials to combat biofouling. All surfaces that are submerged in water are subject to the rapid colonization of a wide range of marine organisms. Marine biofouling decreases fuel efficiency, costing the Navy millions of dollars in penalty, as well as having drastic environmental effects. Previous prevention of biofouling in marine systems has been accomplished by the administration of biocides and toxic coatings. In recent years, increased concerns about the impacts of these hazardous compounds into marine ecosystems has spurred efforts to develop cost effective, non-toxic, and durable anti-fouling coatings. Hydrogels, hydrophilic crosslinked networks, are being used to modify silicone marine coatings and have demonstrated potential at combatting biofouling. Understanding the impact of amphiphilic materials, i.e. their structure and properties, on biofouling is of great importance in order to address the need in the industry. In this study, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA) crosslinked networks were tailored to investigate the influence of their surface and bulk properties on biofouling. Previous research utilizing HEMA-siloxane gels suggested a relationship between molecular weight between crosslinks, M c, and the attachment of soft fouling sporelings of the green algae U. linza and adsorption of the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the initial thrust of this dissertation was aimed at resolving this relationship. Gel composition was modified by varying the siloxane crosslinking agent and the siloxane hydrophobic monomer concentrations. The gels exhibited an increase in elastic modulus from 0.17 to 8.55 MPa that coincided with an increasing

  19. Buckling of paramagnetic chains in soft gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Shilin; Pessot, Giorgio; Cremer, Peet; Weeber, Rudolf; Holm, Christian; Nowak, Johannes; Odenbach, Stefan; Menzel, Andreas M.; Auernhammer, Günter K.

    We study the magneto-elastic coupling behavior of paramagnetic chains in soft polymer gels exposed to external magnetic fields. To this end, a laser scanning confocal microscope is used to observe the morphology of the paramagnetic chains together with the deformation field of the surrounding gel network. The paramagnetic chains in soft polymer gels show rich morphological shape changes under oblique magnetic fields, in particular a pronounced buckling deformation. The details of the resulting morphological shapes depend on the length of the chain, the strength of the external magnetic field, and the modulus of the gel. Based on the observation that the magnetic chains are strongly coupled to the surrounding polymer network, a simplified model is developed to describe their buckling behavior. A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation model featuring an increased matrix stiffness on the surfaces of the particles leads to morphologies in agreement with the experimentally observed buckling effects.

  20. Structure of chitosan thermosensitive gels containing graphene oxide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tylman, Michał; Pieklarz, Katarzyna; Owczarz, Piotr; Maniukiewicz, Waldemar; Modrzejewska, Zofia

    2018-06-01

    The supramolecular hydrogels of chitosan and graphene oxide (GO) have been prepared at temperature of the human body, by controlling the concentration of GO and ratio of chitosan to GO. During the preparation of gels the sodium β-glycerophosphate (Na-β-GP) was used as a neutralizing agent. The structure of obtained gels was determined on the basis of FTIR spectra and XRD diffraction patterns. The results of structural studies have been referenced to gels without graphene oxide. It was found that the gels crystalline structure after the addition of GO does not change. The XRD diffraction patterns are characterized by a number of peaks associated with precipitated NaCl during drying and presence of sodium β-glycerophosphate.

  1. Noncomparative contraceptive efficacy of cellulose sulfate gel.

    PubMed

    Mauck, Christine K; Freziers, Ron G; Walsh, Terri L; Peacock, Karen; Schwartz, Jill L; Callahan, Marianne M

    2008-03-01

    To estimate the 6-month cumulative probability of pregnancy, short-term adverse effects, and acceptability of cellulose sulfate vaginal contraceptive gel. Two hundred fertile heterosexual couples were enrolled in this single-center, phase II, 6-month noncomparative study conducted at the California Family Health Council in Los Angeles, California. Couples did not desire pregnancy, were at low risk for sexually transmitted diseases, and agreed to use 3.5 mL of cellulose sulfate gel intravaginally before each coital act as their primary means of contraception. Scheduled follow-up visits took place after one menstrual cycle and at study completion, which occurred after 6 months and six menstrual cycles had elapsed. In addition, participants were instructed to call the site at the onset of each menses to review their diary cards. The cumulative probabilities of pregnancy during 6 months and six cycles of typical use were 13.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5-19.4%) and 13.9% (95% CI 7.7-20.2%), respectively, and during 6 cycles of correct and consistent ("perfect") use: 3.9% (95% CI 0.0-9.2%). Slightly over one fourth of the women and one man reported experiencing gel-related adverse events, two thirds of which were mild and only possibly related to the gel. Three quarters of women and men reported that they would buy cellulose sulfate gel for contraception. Cellulose sulfate vaginal gel yields pregnancy rates comparable to nonoxynol-9 and few adverse events among couples at low risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

  2. Sol-gel-based biosensing applied to medicinal science.

    PubMed

    Moreira, Felismina T C; Moreira-Tavares, Ana P; Sales, M Goreti F

    2015-01-01

    Biosensors have opened new horizons in biomedical analysis, by ensuring increased assay speed and flexibility, and allowing point-of-care applications, multi-target analyses, automation and reduced costs of testing. This has been a result of many studies merging nanotechnology with biochemistry over the years, thereby enabling the creation of more suitable environments to biological receptors and their substitution by synthetic analogue materials. Sol-gel chemistry, among other materials, is deeply involved in this process. Sol-gel processing allows the immobilization of organic molecules, biomacromolecules and cells maintaining their properties and activities, permitting their integration into different transduction devices, of electrochemical or optical nature, for single or multiple analyses. Sol-gel also allows to the production of synthetic materials mimicking the activity of natural receptors, while bringing advantages, mostly in terms of cost and stability. Moreover, the biocompatibility of sol-gel materials structures of biological nature allowed the use of these materials in emerging in vivo applications. In this chapter, biosensors for biomedical applications based on sol-gel derived composites are presented, compared and described, along with current emerging applications in vivo, concerning drug delivery or biomaterials. Sol-gel materials are shown as a promising tool for current, emerging and future medical applications.

  3. Fouling mechanisms of gel layer in a submerged membrane bioreactor.

    PubMed

    Hong, Huachang; Zhang, Meijia; He, Yiming; Chen, Jianrong; Lin, Hongjun

    2014-08-01

    The fouling mechanisms underlying gel layer formation and its filtration resistance in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) were investigated. It was found that gel layer rather than cake layer was more easily formed when soluble microbial products content in sludge suspension was relatively high. Thermodynamic analyses showed that gel layer formation process should overcome a higher energy barrier as compared with cake layer formation process. However, when separation distance <2.3 nm, attractive interaction energy of gelling foulant-membrane combination was remarkably higher than that of sludge floc-membrane combination. The combined effects were responsible for gel layer formation. Filtration tests showed that specific filtration resistance (SFR) of gel layer was almost 100 times higher than that of cake layer. The unusually high SFR of gel layer could be ascribed to the gelling propensity and osmotic pressure mechanism. These findings shed significant light on fouling mechanisms of gel layer in MBRs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Spectroscopic studies of triethoxysilane sol-gel and coating process.

    PubMed

    Li, Ying-Sing; Ba, Abdul

    2008-10-01

    Silica sol-gels have been prepared under different conditions using triethoxysilane (TES) as precursor. The prepared sol-gels have been used to coat aluminum for corrosion protection. Vibrational assignments have been made for most vibration bands of TES, TES sol-gel, TES sol-gel-coated aluminum and xerogel. It has been noticed that air moisture may have helped the hydrolysis of the thin coating films. Xerogels have been obtained from the sol-gel under different temperature conditions and the resulting samples have been characterized by using infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. IR data indicate that the sol-gel process is incomplete under the ambient conditions although an aqueous condition can have slightly improved the process. Two nonequivalent silicon atoms have been identified from the collected 29Si NMR spectra for the sol-gel, supporting the result derived from the IR data. The frequency of Si-H bending vibration has been found to be more sensitive to the skeletal structure than that of the Si-H stretching vibration. A higher temperature condition could favor the progression of hydrolysis and condensation. A temperature higher than 300 degrees C would cause sample decomposition without seriously damaging the silica network. From infrared intensity measurements and thermo-gravimetric analyses, the fractions of incomplete hydrolysis and condensation species have been estimated to be 4% and 3%, respectively. Electrochemical data have shown that the sol-gel coating significantly improves the corrosion protection properties of aluminum.

  5. DNA DAMAGE QUANTITATION BY ALKALINE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    SUTHERLAND,B.M.; BENNETT,P.V.; SUTHERLAND, J.C.

    2004-03-24

    Physical and chemical agents in the environment, those used in clinical applications, or encountered during recreational exposures to sunlight, induce damages in DNA. Understanding the biological impact of these agents requires quantitation of the levels of such damages in laboratory test systems as well as in field or clinical samples. Alkaline gel electrophoresis provides a sensitive (down to {approx} a few lesions/5Mb), rapid method of direct quantitation of a wide variety of DNA damages in nanogram quantities of non-radioactive DNAs from laboratory, field, or clinical specimens, including higher plants and animals. This method stems from velocity sedimentation studies of DNAmore » populations, and from the simple methods of agarose gel electrophoresis. Our laboratories have developed quantitative agarose gel methods, analytical descriptions of DNA migration during electrophoresis on agarose gels (1-6), and electronic imaging for accurate determinations of DNA mass (7-9). Although all these components improve sensitivity and throughput of large numbers of samples (7,8,10), a simple version using only standard molecular biology equipment allows routine analysis of DNA damages at moderate frequencies. We present here a description of the methods, as well as a brief description of the underlying principles, required for a simplified approach to quantitation of DNA damages by alkaline gel electrophoresis.« less

  6. Spectroscopic characterization of zirconium(IV) and hafniumf(IV) gallate phthalocyanines in monolithic silica gels obtained by sol gel method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gerasymchuk, Y. S.; Chernii, V. Ya.; Tomachynski, L. A.; Legendziewicz, J.; Radzki, St.

    2005-07-01

    The Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) phthalocyanines, with gallate as axial ligand coordinated to the central metal atom of phthalocyanine, were incorporated in silica gels during sol-gel process with using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as precursor. The obtained mixed inorganic-organic composites were transparent and homogeneous. The absorption and emission properties of these materials in comparison with the spectra of the Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) phthalocyanines in various solvents were investigated. The spectra were correlated with various stage of the sol-gel process. It was established that in the gels concurrence of the monomer and dimer form is different in sol, alco-, hydro- and xerogels. The intensive 700-725 nm fluorescence emission upon relatively long-wavelength excitation and unusually large (about 45 nm) Stokes shift in the Q region, suggest that Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) phthalocyanines could be considered as photosensitizers in the PDT method (photodynamic therapy).

  7. Deswelling kinetics of polyacrylate gels in solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

    PubMed

    Nilsson, Peter; Hansson, Per

    2007-08-23

    The deswelling kinetics of single sodium polyacrylate gel beads (radius 40-160 microm) in aqueous solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide under conditions of forced convection are investigated using micromanipulator assisted light microscopy. The purpose of the study is to further evaluate a previously published model (J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 9203) using a higher homolog surfactant. For gels with expected fast deswelling (small gel size/low surfactant concentration) and/or in low electrolyte concentration, the model is found to correctly predict the deswelling characteristics of the gel beads. However, for some gels with expected slow deswelling, especially in high electrolyte concentration (10 mM NaBr), the model widely underestimates the required deswelling time. The reason for this is argued to be the longer time frame and high bromide concentration allowing the formation of a denser, more ordered structure in the surface phase, which resists the deformation and reorganization of material necessary for deswelling. Unexpectedly long lag times before the start of deswelling are also found for gels in low surfactant concentration, indicating that a relatively high surfactant concentration in the gel, greatly exceeding the critical aggregation concentration, is needed to start formation of a collapsed surface phase. This critical surfactant concentration is found to be dependent on initial gel radius, as small gels require a relatively higher concentration to initiate collapse.

  8. Network confinement and heterogeneity slows nanoparticle diffusion in polymer gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Parrish, Emmabeth; Caporizzo, Matthew A.; Composto, Russell J.

    2017-05-01

    Nanoparticle (NP) diffusion was measured in polyacrylamide gels (PAGs) with a mesh size comparable to the NP size, 21 nm. The confinement ratio (CR), NP diameter/mesh size, increased from 0.4 to 3.8 by increasing crosslinker density and from 0.4 to 2.1 by adding acetone, which collapsed the PAGs. In all gels, NPs either became localized, moving less than 200 nm, diffused microns, or exhibited a combination of these behaviors, as measured by single particle tracking. Mean squared displacements (MSDs) of mobile NPs decreased as CR increased. In collapsed gels, the localized NP population increased and MSD of mobile NPs decreased compared to crosslinked PAGs. For all CRs, van Hove distributions exhibited non-Gaussian displacements, consistent with intermittent localization of NPs. The non-Gaussian parameter increased from a maximum of 1.5 for crosslinked PAG to 5 for collapsed PAG, consistent with greater network heterogeneity in these gels. Diffusion coefficients decreased exponentially as CR increased for crosslinked gels; however, in collapsed gels, the diffusion coefficients decreased more strongly, which was attributed to network heterogeneity. Collapsing the gel resulted in an increasingly tortuous pathway for NPs, slowing diffusion at a given CR. Understanding how gel structure affects NP mobility will allow the design and enhanced performance of gels that separate and release molecules in membranes and drug delivery platforms.

  9. Coordination polymer gels with important environmental and biological applications.

    PubMed

    Jung, Jong Hwa; Lee, Ji Ha; Silverman, Julian R; John, George

    2013-02-07

    Coordination Polymer Gels (CPGs) constitute a subset of solid-like metal ion and bridging organic ligand structures (similar to metal-organic frameworks) that form multi-dimensional networks through a trapped solvent as a result of non-covalent interactions. While physical properties of these gels are similar to conventional high molecular weight organic polymer gels, coordination polymer gel systems are often fully reversible and can be assembled and disassembled in the presence of additional energy (heat, sonication, shaking) to give a solution of solvated gelators. Compared to gels resulting from purely organic self-assembled low molecular weight gelators, metal ions incorporated into the fibrilar networks spanning the bulk solvent can impart CPGs with added functionalities. The solid/liquid nature of the gels allows for species to migrate through the gel system and interact with metals, ligands, and the solvent. Chemosensing, catalysis, fluorescence, and drug-delivery applications are some of the many potential uses for these dynamic systems, taking advantage of the metal ion's coordination, the organic polydentate ligand's orientation and functionality, or a combination of these properties. By fine tuning these systems through metal ion and ligand selection and by directing self-assembly with external stimuli the rational synthesis of practical systems can be envisaged.

  10. Nonlinear viscoelasticity and generalized failure criterion for biopolymer gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Divoux, Thibaut; Keshavarz, Bavand; Manneville, Sébastien; McKinley, Gareth

    2016-11-01

    Biopolymer gels display a multiscale microstructure that is responsible for their solid-like properties. Upon external deformation, these soft viscoelastic solids exhibit a generic nonlinear mechanical response characterized by pronounced stress- or strain-stiffening prior to irreversible damage and failure, most often through macroscopic fractures. Here we show on a model acid-induced protein gel that the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of the gel can be described in terms of a 'damping function' which predicts the gel mechanical response quantitatively up to the onset of macroscopic failure. Using a nonlinear integral constitutive equation built upon the experimentally-measured damping function in conjunction with power-law linear viscoelastic response, we derive the form of the stress growth in the gel following the start up of steady shear. We also couple the shear stress response with Bailey's durability criteria for brittle solids in order to predict the critical values of the stress σc and strain γc for failure of the gel, and how they scale with the applied shear rate. This provides a generalized failure criterion for biopolymer gels in a range of different deformation histories. This work was funded by the MIT-France seed fund and by the CNRS PICS-USA scheme (#36939). BK acknowledges financial support from Axalta Coating Systems.

  11. Western Blot of Stained Proteins from Dried Polyacrylamide Gels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gruber, Claudia; Stan-Lotter, Helga

    1996-01-01

    Western blotting of proteins is customarily performed following their separation on polyacrylamide gels, either prior to staining (1) or, as recently reported, following staining (2). We describe here Western blotting with stained gels, which had been dried and some of which had been stored for years. This procedure permits immunological analysis of proteins, to which antisera may have become available only later, or where the application of newly developed sensitive detection methods is desired. Once rehydration of the gels is achieved, proteins can be-transferred to blotting membranes by any appropriate protocol. Proteins stained with Coomassie Blue have to be detected with a non-chromogenic method, such as the film-based enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL)2) procedure (3). Silver stained proteins, which transfer in the colorless form, may be visualized by any detection method, although, because of the usually very low amounts of proteins, detection by ECL is preferable. Blotting of stained proteins from rehydrated gels is as rapid and as quantitative as from freshly prepared gels, in contrast to blotting from wet stained gels, which requires extensive washing and results in low transfer efficiency (2). Together with a photographic record of the gel pattern, unambiguous identification of immunoreactive proteins from complex mixtures is possible. Some further applications of this work are discussed.

  12. Tissue-Simulating Gel For Medical Research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Companion, John A.

    1992-01-01

    Nonhardening, translucent gel more nearly simulates soft human or animal tissue. Modified to be softer or harder by altering proportions of ingredients. Fillers added to change electrical, mechanical, heat-conducting, or sound-conducting/scattering properties. Molded to any desired shape and has sufficient mechanical strength to maintain shape without supporting shell. Because of its thermal stability, gel especially useful for investigation of hyperthermia as treatment for cancer.

  13. Apparatus for the production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst

    DOEpatents

    Scott, C.D.; Scott, T.C.; Davison, B.H.

    1998-03-19

    An apparatus is described for the large-scale and continuous production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst. The apparatus is a columnar system based on the chemical cross-linking of hydrocolloidal gels that contain and immobilize a biocatalyst, the biocatalyst being a microorganism or an enzyme. Hydrocolloidal gels, such as alginate, carrageenan, and a mixture of bone gelatin and modified alginate, provide immobilization matrices that can be used to entrap and retain the biocatalyst while allowing effective contact with substrates and release of products. Such immobilized biocatalysts are generally formulated into small spheres or beads that have high concentrations of the biocatalyst within the gel matrix. The columnar system includes a gel dispersion nozzle submerged in a heated non-interacting liquid, typically an organic liquid, that is immiscible with water to allow efficient formation of spherical gel droplets, the non-interacting liquid having a specific gravity that is less than water so that the gel droplets will fall through the liquid by the force of gravity. The heated non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with a chilled upflowing non-interacting liquid that will provide sufficient residence time for the gel droplets as they fall through the liquid so that they will be cooled below the gelling temperature and form solid spheres. The upflowing non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with an upflowing temperature-controlled aqueous solution containing the necessary chemicals for cross-linking or fixing of the gel beads to add the necessary stability. The flow rates of the two liquid streams can be varied to control the proper residence time in each liquid section to accommodate the production of gel beads of differing settling velocities. A valve is provided for continuous removal of the stabilized gel beads from the bottom of the column. 1 fig.

  14. Apparatus for the production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst

    DOEpatents

    Scott, Charles D.; Scott, Timothy C.; Davison, Brian H.

    1998-01-01

    An apparatus for the large-scale and continuous production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst. The apparatus is a columnar system based on the chemical cross-linking of hydrocolloidal gels that contain and immobilize a biocatalyst, the biocatalyst being a microorganism or an enzyme. Hydrocolloidal gels, such as alginate, carrageenan, and a mixture of bone gelatin and modified alginate, provide immobilization matrices that can be used to entrap and retain the biocatalyst while allowing effective contact with substrates and release of products. Such immobilized biocatalysts are generally formulated into small spheres or beads that have high concentrations of the biocatalyst within the gel matrix. The columnar system includes a gel dispersion nozzle submerged in a heated non-interacting liquid, typically an organic liquid, that is immiscible with water to allow efficient formation of spherical gel droplets, the non-interacting liquid having a specific gravity that is less than water so that the gel droplets will fall through the liquid by the force of gravity. The heated non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with a chilled upflowing non-interacting liquid that will provide sufficient residence time for the gel droplets as they fall through the liquid so that they will be cooled below the gelling temperature and form solid spheres. The upflowing non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with an upflowing temperature-controlled aqueous solution containing the necessary chemicals for cross-linking or fixing of the gel beads to add the necessary stability. The flow rates of the two liquid streams can be varied to control the proper residence time in each liquid section to accommodate the production of gel beads of differing settling velocities. A valve is provided for continuous removal of the stabilized gel beads from the bottom of the column.

  15. Organization versus frustration: low temperature transitions in a gelatine-based gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Philipp, M.; Müller, U.; Sanctuary, R.; Baller, J.; Krüger, J. K.

    2008-09-01

    A commercial physical gel composed of gelatine, water and glycerol shows a sol-gel transition which has been resolved by optical rotation measurements by step-wise heating the gel. This transition is not observable in the longitudinal acoustic mode measured at hypersonic frequencies with Brillouin spectroscopy. Depending on the thermal treatment of the investigated material during the sol-gel transition and within the gel state, Brillouin spectroscopy reflects tremendously different hypersonic dynamics. These distinct dynamics are responsible for the formation of different glassy states at low temperatures including that of a glass-ceramic. The large variety of super-cooled and glassy states is attributed to distinct distributions of the gel's constituents within the samples. Surprisingly, the same gel state can be produced either by annealing the gel over months or by the non-equilibrium effect of thermo-diffusion (Soret effect) in the course of some minutes.

  16. A Simple Vertical Slab Gel Electrophoresis Apparatus.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carter, J. B.; And Others

    1983-01-01

    Describes an inexpensive, easily constructed, and safe vertical slab gel kit used routinely for sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis research and student experiments. Five kits are run from a single transformer. Because toxic solutions are used, students are given plastic gloves and closely supervised during laboratory…

  17. The role of quench rate in colloidal gels.

    PubMed

    Royall, C Patrick; Malins, Alex

    2012-01-01

    Interactions between colloidal particles have hitherto usually been fixed by the suspension composition. Recent experimental developments now enable the control of interactions in situ. Here we use Brownian dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of controlling interactions upon gelation, by "quenching" the system from an equilibrium fluid to a gel. We find that, contrary to the normal case of an instantaneous quench, where the local structure of the gel is highly disordered, controlled quenching results in a gel with a much higher degree of local order. Under sufficiently slow quenching, local crystallisation is found, which is strongly enhanced when a monodisperse system is used. The higher the degree of local order, the smaller the mean squared displacement, indicating an enhancement of gel stability.

  18. PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF COMPOUND ARNEBIAE RADIX MICROEMULSION GEL

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Jing; He, Yanping; Gao, Ting; Zhang, Licheng; Zhao, Yuna

    2017-01-01

    Background: Compound Arnebiae radix oil has been clinically applied to treat burns and scalds for a long time. However, it is unstable and inconvenient to use. The aim of this study was to prepare a compound Arnebiae radix microemulsion gel for transdermal delivery system and evaluate its characteristics. Materials and Methods: Based on the solubility of Shikonin, the active component of Arnebiae radix and the results of phase studies, adequate ratio of each component in microemulsion was determined. The optimized microemulsion gel was prepared using Carbomer 940. The gels were characterized in terms of appearance, preliminary stability test and the content of Shikonin in the compound Arnebiae radix microemulsion gel with HPLC analysis. Results: The optimized conditions for preparing microemulsion were Tween-80, glycerin, isopropyl myristate (IPM) with the ratio of 6:3:2. The optimal microemulsion gel was obtained with Carbomer 940 (1.0%). Conclusion: The prepared compound Arnebiae radix microemulsion gel showed good stability over time. It is more convenience in application than the previous used formulations. PMID:28480438

  19. Comparison of micronized tretinoin gel 0.05% and tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1% in young adolescents with acne: a post hoc analysis of efficacy and tolerability data.

    PubMed

    Lucky, Anne W; Sugarman, Jeffrey

    2011-06-01

    Acne vulgaris is common in young adolescents. Retinoids are widely used but may be associated with poor tolerability. This post hoc analysis of 483 participants aged 10 to 14 years with mild to moderate acne compared efficacy and tolerability of once-daily treatment with micronized tretinoin gel 0.05%, tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1%, and vehicle over 12 weeks. In study 1, inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion reduction and treatment success was comparable between tretinoin gel 0.05% and tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1%. Inflammatory (46.3%) and noninflammatory (45.7%) lesion reductions with tretinoin gel 0.05% were significantly greater than vehicle (37.1% and 27.9%, respectively) (both P<.001). In study 2, inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion reductions and treatment success with tretinoin gel 0.05% (30.6%, 39.1%, and 19%, respectively) were significantly greater than vehicle (10.9%, 16.9% [both P<.001], and 4% [P=.008], respectively). Tretinoin gel 0.05% was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1% (P<.001); the majority of adverse events (AEs) were mild, occurring in the first 2 weeks. Fourteen percent of participants reported dry skin, 8% skin burning sensation, 5% erythema, and 5% dermatitis exfoliative with tretinoin gel 0.05% compared with 32%, 11%, 23%, and 23%, respectively, with tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1% (all P<.001, except skin burning sensation). In this secondary analysis of acne in young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years, micronized tretinoin gel 0.05% provided a comparable lesion reduction and treatment success versus tretinoin gel microsphere 0.1%, with a better cutaneous tolerability profile.

  20. Keratin gel in the management of Epidermolysis bullosa.

    PubMed

    Denyer, J; Marsh, C; Kirsner, R S

    2015-10-01

    Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) describes a number of genetically inherited conditions which cause skin fragility and minor trauma leading to skin damage, skin loss and wounding. Owing to the fragility of the skin and requirement for frequent dressing changes, at present, the optimal dressing(s) is not clear. Our objective was to assess the use of a keratin gel in the management of wounds in patients with different forms of EB. We treated patients with different types of EB and a range of wounds with a novel keratin gel. In a convenience sample of consecutive patients, we introduced the keratin gel into their treatment regimen maintaining other aspects of their care. Patients reported faster healing and more resilient healed skin. Of the ten patients treated in this pilot study, six found the gel effective; two found it ineffective; and in two patients, it caused itching leading to discontinuation of the treatment. The results of this case study series suggest that keratin gel can be useful in the management of EB and are consistent with previous published experiences.

  1. Passive and active sol-gel materials and devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andrews, Mark P.; Najafi, S. Iraj

    1997-07-01

    This paper examines sol-gel materials for photonics in terms of partnerships with other material contenders for processing optical devices. The discussion in four sections identifies semiconductors, amorphous and crystalline inorganic dielectrics, and amorphous and crystalline organic dielectrics as strategic agents in the rapidly evolving area of materials and devices for data communications and telecommunications. With Zyss, we trace the hierarchical lineage that connects molecular hybridization (chemical functionality), through supramolecular hybridization (collective properties and responses), to functional hybridization (device and system level constructs). These three concepts thread their way through discussions of the roles sol-gel glasses might be anticipated to assume in a photonics marketplace. We assign a special place to glass integrated optics and show how high temperature consolidated sol-gel derived glasses fit into competitive glass fabrication technologies. Low temperature hybrid sol-gel glasses that combine attractive features of organic polymers and inorganic glasses are considered by drawing on examples of our own new processes for fabricating couplers, power splitters, waveguides and gratings by combining chemical synthesis and sol-gel processing with simple photomask techniques.

  2. Spongy Gels by a Top-Down Approach from Polymer Fibrous Sponges.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Shaohua; Duan, Gaigai; Kuhn, Ute; Mörl, Michaela; Altstädt, Volker; Yarin, Alexander L; Greiner, Andreas

    2017-03-13

    Ultralight cellular sponges offer a unique set of properties. We show here that solvent uptake by these sponges results in new gel-like materials, which we term spongy gels. The appearance of the spongy gels is very similar to classic organogels. Usually, organogels are formed by a bottom-up process. In contrast, the spongy gels are formed by a top-down approach that offers numerous advantages for the design of their properties, reproducibility, and stability. The sponges themselves represent the scaffold of a gel that could be filled with a solvent, and thereby form a mechanically stable gel-like material. The spongy gels are independent of a time-consuming or otherwise demanding in situ scaffold formation. As solvent evaporation from gels is a concern for various applications, we also studied solvent evaporation of wetting and non-wetting liquids dispersed in the sponge. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

  3. Sol-gel modification of wood substrates to retard weathering

    Treesearch

    Mandla A Tshabalala; Sam Williams

    2008-01-01

    Wood specimens were treated with sol-gel systems based on metalorganic precursors of silicon (Si), iron (Fe), zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti). The effect of these sol-gel systems on weathering properties of wood was investigated. These sol-gel systems were found to have a positive effect on surface color stability and water vapor resistance of the specimens. Under...

  4. [Immobilization of pectawamorine G10x by gel entrapment].

    PubMed

    Bogatskiĭ, A V; Davidenko, T I; Areshidze, I V; Gren', T A; Sevast'ianov, O V

    1979-01-01

    Polyacrylamide gel immobilization of pectawamorine G10x was investigated. Its pectinesterase and polygalacturonase activity and stability in storage were measured. The degree of pectawamorine binding during gel immobilization was 80--90%, 55% of initial activity being retained. Thermal stability of the immobilized and native preparations was equal. Pectinesterase activity of the gel immobilized enzyme increased during storage.

  5. Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of surface sol-gel processes.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xiaohong; Wilson, George S

    2004-09-28

    (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MTS) forms a unique film on a platinum substrate by self-assembly and sol-gel cross-linking. The gelating and drying states of the self-assembled MTS sol-gel films were probed by use of electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. The thiol moiety was the only active group within the sol-gel network. Gold nanoparticles were employed to detect the availability of the thiol group and their interaction further indicated the physicochemical states of the sol-gel inner structure. It was found that the thiol groups in the open porous MTS aerogel matrix were accessible to the gold nanoparticles while thiol groups in the compact MTS xerogel network were not accessible to the gold nanoparticles. The characteristics of the sol-gel matrix change with time because of its own irreversible gelating and drying process. The present work provides direct evidence of gold nanoparticle binding with thiol groups within the sol-gel structures and explains the different permeability of "aerogel" and "xerogel" films of MTS on the basis of electrochemical and spectroscopic results. Two endogenous species, hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid, were used to test the permeability of the self-assembled sol-gel film in different states. The MTS xerogel film on the platinum electrode was extremely selective against ascorbic acid while maintaining high sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in contrast to the relatively high permeability of ascorbic acid in the MTS aerogel film. This study showed the potential of the MTS sol-gel film as a nanoporous material in biosensor development.

  6. Photopatterned free-standing polyacrylamide gels for microfluidic protein electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Duncombe, Todd A; Herr, Amy E

    2013-06-07

    Designed for compatibility with slab-gel polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) reagents and instruments, we detail development of free-standing polyacrylamide gel (fsPAG) microstructures supporting electrophoretic performance rivalling that of microfluidic platforms. For the protein electrophoresis study described here, fsPAGE lanes are comprised of a sample reservoir and contiguous separation gel. No enclosed microfluidic channels are employed. The fsPAG devices (120 μm tall) are directly photopatterned atop of and covalently attached to planar polymer or glass surfaces. Leveraging the fast <1 h design-prototype-test cycle - significantly faster than mold based fabrication techniques - we optimize the fsPAG architecture to minimize injection dispersion for rapid (<1 min) and short (1 mm) protein separations. The facile fabrication and prototyping of the fsPAGE provides researchers a powerful tool for developing custom analytical assays. We highlight the utility of assay customization by fabricating a polyacrylamide gel with a spatial pore-size distribution and demonstrate the resulting enhancement in separation performance over a uniform gel. Further, we up-scale from a unit separation to an array of 96 concurrent fsPAGE assays in 10 min run time driven by one electrode pair. The fsPAG array layout matches that of a 96-well plate to facilitate integration of the planar free standing gel array with multi-channel pipettes while remaining compatible with conventional slab-gel PAGE reagents, such as staining for label-free protein detection. Notably, the entire fsPAGE workflow from fabrication, to operation, and readout uses readily available materials and instruments - making this technique highly accessible.

  7. Improved gel electrophoresis matrix for hydrophobic protein separation and identification.

    PubMed

    Tokarski, Caroline; Fillet, Marianne; Rolando, Christian

    2011-03-01

    We propose an improved acrylamide gel for the separation of hydrophobic proteins. The separation strategy is based on the incorporation of N-alkylated and N,N'-dialkylated acrylamide monomers in the gel composition in order to increase hydrophobic interactions between the gel matrix and the membrane proteins. Focusing on the most efficient monomer, N,N'-dimethylacrylamide, the potentiality of the new matrix was evaluated on membrane proteins of the human colon HCT-116 cell line. Protein analysis was performed using an adapted analytical strategy based on FT-ICR tandem mass spectrometry. As a result of this comparative study, including advanced reproducibility experiments, more hydrophobic proteins were identified in the new gel (average GRAVY: -0.085) than in the classical gel (average GRAVY: -0.411). Highly hydrophobic peptides were identified reaching a GRAVY value up to 1.450, therefore indicating their probable locations in the membrane. Focusing on predicted transmembrane domains, it can be pointed out that 27 proteins were identified in the hydrophobic gel containing up to 11 transmembrane domains; in the classical gel, only 5 proteins containing 1 transmembrane domain were successfully identified. For example, multiple ionic channels and receptors were characterized in the hydrophobic gel such as the sodium/potassium channel and the glutamate or the transferrin receptors whereas they are traditionally detected using specific enrichment techniques such as immunoprecipitation. In total, membrane proteins identified in the classical gel are well documented in the literature, while most of the membrane proteins only identified on the hydrophobic gel have rarely or never been described using a proteomic-based approach. 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Sol-gel synthesis of magnesium oxide-silicon dioxide glass compositions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bansal, Narottam P.

    1988-01-01

    MgO-SiO2 glasses containing up to 15 mol pct MgO, which could not have been prepared by the conventional glass melting method due to the presence of stable liquid-liquid immiscibility, were synthesized by the sol-gel technique. Clear and transparent gels were obtained from the hydrolysis and polycondensation of silicon tetraethoxide (TEOS) and magnesium nitrate hexahydrate when the water/TEOS mole ratio was four or more. The gelling time decreased with increase in magnesium content, water/TEOS ratio, and reaction temperature. Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate crystallized out of the gels containing 15 and 20 mol pct MgO on slow drying. This problem was partially alleviated by drying the gels quickly at higher temperatures. Monolithic gel samples were prepared using glycerol as the drying control additive. The gels were subjected to various thermal treatments and characterized by several methods. No organic groups could be detected in the glasses after heat treatments to approx. 800 C, but trace amounts of hydroxyl groups were still present. No crystalline phase was found from X-ray diffraction in the gel samples to approx. 890 C. At higher temperatures, alpha quartz precipitated out as the crystalline phase in gels containing up to 10 mol pct MgO. The overall activation energy for gel formation in 10MgO-90SiO2 (mol pct) system for water/TEOS mole ratio of 7.5 was calculated to be 58.7 kJ/mol.

  9. Network Confinement and Heterogeneity Slows Nanoparticle Diffusion in Polymer Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Parrish, Emmabeth; Caporizzo, Matthew; Composto, Russell

    Nanoparticle (NP) diffusion was measured in polyacrylamide gels (PAG) with a mesh size comparable to NP size, 20nm. The confinement ratio (CR), NP diameter/mesh, increased from 0.4 to 3.8 by increasing crosslinker density and 0.4 to 2 by adding acetone, which collapsed PAG. In all gels, NPs either became localized (<200nm) or diffused microns, as measured by single particle tracking. Mean squared displacements (MSD) of mobile NPs decreased as CR increased. In collapsed gels, the localized NP population increased and MSD of mobile NPs decreased compared to crosslinked PAG. For all CRs, van Hove distributions exhibited non-Gaussian displacements consistent with intermittent localization of NPs. The non-Gaussian parameter increased from a maximum of 1.5 for crosslinked PAG to 5 for collapsed PAG, consistent with greater network heterogeneity. Diffusion coefficients, D, decreased exponentially as CR increased for crosslinked gels, but in collapsed gels D decreased more strongly, suggesting CR alone was insufficient to capture diffusion. Collapsing the gel resulted in an increasingly tortuous pathway for NPs, slowing diffusion at a given CR. Understanding how gel structure affects NP mobility will allow the design of gels with improved ability to separate and release molecules. ACS/PRF 54028-ND7, NSF/MWN DMR-1210379.

  10. Studies of matrix vesicle-induced mineralization in a gelatin gel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boskey, A. L.; Boyan, B. D.; Doty, S. B.; Feliciano, A.; Greer, K.; Weiland, D.; Swain, L. D.; Schwartz, Z.

    1992-01-01

    Matrix vesicles isolated from fourth-passage cultures of chondrocytes were tested for their ability to induce hydroxyapatite formation in a gelatin gel in order to gain insight into the function of matrix vesicles in in situ mineralization. These matrix vesicles did not appear to be hydroxyapatite nucleators per se since the extent of mineral accumulation in the gel diffusion system was not altered by the presence of matrix vesicles alone, and in the vesicle containing gels, mineral crystals were formed whether associated with vesicles or not. In gels with these matrix vesicles and beta-glycerophosphate, despite the presence of alkaline phosphatase activity, there was no increase in mineral deposition. This suggested that in the gel system these culture-derived vesicles did not increase local phosphate concentrations. However, when known inhibitors of mineral crystal formation and growth (proteoglycan aggregates [4 mg/ml], or ATP [1 mM], or both proteoglycan and ATP) were included in the gel, more mineral was deposited in gels with the vesicles than in comparable gels without vesicles, indicating that enzymes within these vesicles were functioning to remove the inhibition. These data support the suggestion that one function of the extracellular matrix vesicles is to transport enzymes for matrix modification.

  11. A pneumatic device for rapid loading of DNA sequencing gels.

    PubMed

    Panussis, D A; Cook, M W; Rifkin, L L; Snider, J E; Strong, J T; McGrane, R M; Wilson, R K; Mardis, E R

    1998-05-01

    This work describes the design and construction of a device that facilitates the loading of DNA samples onto polyacrylamide gels for detection in the Perkin Elmer/Applied Biosystems (PE/ABI) 373 and 377 DNA sequencing instruments. The device is mounted onto the existing gel cassettes and makes the process of loading high-density gels less cumbersome while the associated time and errors are reduced. The principle of operation includes the simultaneous transfer of the entire batch of samples, in which a spring-loaded air cylinder generates positive pressure and flexible silica capillaries transfer the samples. A retractable capillary array carrier allows the delivery ends of the capillaries to be held up clear of the gel during loader attachment on the gel plates, while enabling their insertion in the gel wells once the device is securely mounted. Gel-loading devices capable of simultaneously transferring 72 samples onto the PE/ABI 373 and 377 are currently being used in our production sequencing groups while a 96-sample transfer prototype undergoes testing.

  12. Mass spectrometry compatible surfactant for optimized in-gel protein digestion.

    PubMed

    Saveliev, Sergei V; Woodroofe, Carolyn C; Sabat, Grzegorz; Adams, Christopher M; Klaubert, Dieter; Wood, Keith; Urh, Marjeta

    2013-01-15

    Identification of proteins resolved by SDS-PAGE depends on robust in-gel protein digestion and efficient peptide extraction, requirements that are often difficult to achieve. A lengthy and laborious procedure is an additional challenge of protein identification in gel. We show here that with the use of the mass spectrometry compatible surfactant sodium 3-((1-(furan-2-yl)undecyloxy)carbonylamino)propane-1-sulfonate, the challenges of in-gel protein digestion are effectively addressed. Peptide quantitation based on stable isotope labeling showed that the surfactant induced 1.5-2 fold increase in peptide recovery. Consequently, protein sequence coverage was increased by 20-30%, on average, and the number of identified proteins saw a substantial boost. The surfactant also accelerated the digestion process. Maximal in-gel digestion was achieved in as little as one hour, depending on incubation temperature, and peptides were readily recovered from gel eliminating the need for postdigestion extraction. This study shows that the surfactant provides an efficient means of improving protein identification in gel and streamlining the in-gel digestion procedure requiring no extra handling steps or special equipment.

  13. Cryopreservation and gel collagen culture of porcine hepatocytes

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Hong-Ling; Wang, Ying-Jie; Guo, Hai-Tao; Wang, Yu-Ming; Liu, Jun; Yu, Yue-Cheng

    2004-01-01

    AIM: To study the method of cryopreserving porcine hepatocytes and gel collagen culture measure after its cryopreservation. METHODS: Hepatocytes, isolated from Chinese experimental suckling mini-pigs by two-step perfusion with collagenase using an extra corporeal perfusion apparatus, were cryopreserved with 50 mL/L to 200 mL/L DMSO in liquid nitrogen for 4 mo, then thawed and seeded in 1 or between 2 layers of gel collagen. The expression of porcine albumin message RNA, cellular morphology and content of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea nitrogen (UN) were examined during culture in gel. RESULTS: Viability of 150 mL/L DMSO group thawed hepatocytes was (83 ± 4)%, but after purification, its viability was (90 ± 5)%, attachment efficiency was (86 ± 7)%, the viability of thawed hepatocytes was near to fresh cells. When the thawed hepatocytes were cultivated in gel collagen with culture medium adding epidermal growth factor, the hepatocytes grew in various administrative levels in mixed collagen gel, and bunchy in the sandwich configuration cultures. For up to 10 days’ culture, the typical cellular morphological characteristics of cultivated hepatocytes could be observed. The leakage of AST was lower during culture in gel than that in common culture. At the same time, the UN synthesized by cells cultivated in mixed gel collagen was higher than that in other groups. CONCLUSION: Storage in liquid nitrogen can long keep hepatocytes’ activities, the concentration of 150 mL/L DMSO is fit for porcine hepatocytes’ cryopreservation. Thawed hepatocytes can be cultivated with collagenous matrix, which provides an environment that more closely resembles that in vivo and maintain the expression of certain liver-specific function of hepatocytes. PMID:15052684

  14. Gel Electrophoresis--The Easy Way for Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    VanRooy, Wilhelmina; Sultana, Khalida

    2010-01-01

    This article describes a simple, inexpensive, easy to conduct gel-electrophoresis activity using food dyes. It is an alternative to the more expensive counterparts which require agarose gel, DNA samples, purchased chamber and Tris-borate-EDTA buffer. We suggest some learning activities for senior biology students along with comments on several…

  15. Fibril formation from pea protein and subsequent gel formation.

    PubMed

    Munialo, Claire Darizu; Martin, Anneke H; van der Linden, Erik; de Jongh, Harmen H J

    2014-03-19

    The objective of this study was to characterize fibrillar aggregates made using pea proteins, to assemble formed fibrils into protein-based gels, and to study the rheological behavior of these gels. Micrometer-long fibrillar aggregates were observed after pea protein solutions had been heated for 20 h at pH 2.0. Following heating of pea proteins, it was observed that all of the proteins were hydrolyzed into peptides and that 50% of these peptides were assembled into fibrils. Changes on a structural level in pea proteins were studied using circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy, and particle size analysis. During the fibril assembly process, an increase in aggregate size was observed, which coincided with an increase in thioflavin T binding, indicating the presence of β-sheet aggregates. Fibrils made using pea proteins were more branched and curly. Gel formation of preformed fibrils was induced by slow acidification from pH 7.0 to a final pH of around pH 5.0. The ability of pea protein-based fibrillar gels to fracture during an amplitude sweep was comparable to those of soy protein and whey protein-based fibrillar gels, although gels prepared from fibrils made using pea protein and soy protein were weaker than those of whey protein. The findings show that fibrils can be prepared from pea protein, which can be incorporated into protein-based fibrillar gels.

  16. Tretinoin microsphere gel in younger acne patients.

    PubMed

    Jorizzo, Joseph; Grossman, Rachel; Nighland, Marge

    2008-08-01

    Facial acne is common in adolescents and can have a significant psychosocial impact. Treatments prescribed should not add stress by causing excessive localized irritation. To determine whether the lowest concentration of tretinoin microsphere gel (TMG) currently available (0.04%) provides an acceptable balance of efficacy and tolerability for adolescents with moderate facial acne. The findings of 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials of TMG 0.04% applied once nightly for 12 weeks in 245 adolescents ages 11 to 16 years with moderate facial acne were combined. Patients were evaluated via changes in acne lesion counts and the occurrence of cutaneous and other adverse effects. Tretinoin microsphere gel 0.04% reduced total, noninflammatory, and inflammatory lesion counts to a significantly greater extent than the vehicle gel at 12 weeks (P<.000005). The mean percentage reductions in noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts at 12 weeks in females were 45.0% and 51.4%, respectively; and in males, 20.5% and 36.7%, respectively. Tretinoin microsphere gel 0.04% was tolerated well, with over 70% of patients experiencing no cutaneous adverse events (AEs). Tretinoin microsphere gel 0.04% is effective in significantly reducing all types of acne lesions in adolescents with moderate facial acne ages 11 to 16 years, and has a low incidence of cutaneous AEs.

  17. Multicomponent micropatterned sol-gel materials by capillary molding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lochhead, Michael J.; Yager, Paul

    1997-10-01

    A physically and chemically benign method for patterning multiple sol-gel materials onto a single substrate is described. Structures are demonstrated for potential micro- optical chemical sensor, biosensor, and waveguiding applications. Fabrication is based on the micro molding in capillaries (MIMIC) approach. A novel mold design allows several sols to be cast simultaneously. Closely spaced, organically modified silica ridges containing fluorescent dyes are demonstrated. Ridges have cross sectional dimensions from one to 50 micrometers and are centimeters in length. Processing issues, particularly those related to mold filling, are discussed in detail. Because sol-gel MIMIC avoids the harsh physical and chemical environments normally associated with patterning, the approach allows full exploitation of sol- gel processing advantages, such as the ability to entrap sensitive organic dopant molecules in the sol-gel matrix.

  18. Large strain deformation behavior of polymeric gels in shear- and cavitation rheology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashemnejad, Seyed Meysam; Kundu, Santanu

    Polymeric gels are used in many applications including in biomedical and in food industries. Investigation of mechanical responses of swollen polymer gels and linking that to the polymer chain dynamics are of significant interest. Here, large strain deformation behavior of two different gel systems and with different network architecture will be presented. We consider biologically relevant polysaccharide hydrogels, formed through ionic and covalent crosslinking, and physically associating triblock copolymer gels in a midblock selective solvent. Gels with similar low-strain shear modulus display distinctly different non-linear rheological behavior in large strain shear deformation. Both these gels display strain-stiffening behavior in shear-deformation prior to macroscopic fracture of the network, however, only the alginate gels display negative normal stress. The cavitation rheology data show that the critical pressure for cavitation is higher for alginate gels than that observed for triblock gels. These distinctly different large-strain deformation behavior has been related to the gel network structure, as alginate chains are much stiffer than the triblock polymer chains.

  19. Numerical modelling and experimental study of liquid evaporation during gel formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pokusaev, B. G.; Khramtsov, D. P.

    2017-11-01

    Gels are promising materials in biotechnology and medicine as a medium for storing cells for bioprinting applications. Gel is a two-phase system consisting of solid medium and liquid phase. Understanding of a gel structure evolution and gel aging during liquid evaporation is a crucial step in developing new additive bioprinting technologies. A numerical and experimental study of liquid evaporation was performed. In experimental study an evaporation process of an agarose gel layer located on Petri dish was observed and mass difference was detected using electronic scales. Numerical model was based on a smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. Gel in a model was represented as a solid-liquid system and liquid evaporation was modelled due to capillary forces and heat transfer. Comparison of experimental data and numerical results demonstrated that model can adequately represent evaporation process in agarose gel.

  20. Biocatalysis with Sol-Gel Encapsulated Acid Phosphatase

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kulkarni, Suhasini; Tran, Vu; Ho, Maggie K.-M.; Phan, Chieu; Chin, Elizabeth; Wemmer, Zeke; Sommerhalter, Monika

    2010-01-01

    This experiment was performed in an upper-level undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course. Students learned how to immobilize an enzyme in a sol-gel matrix and how to perform and evaluate enzyme-activity measurements. The enzyme acid phosphatase (APase) from wheat germ was encapsulated in sol-gel beads that were prepared from the precursor…

  1. Molecular weight dependency of polyrotaxane-cross-linked polymer gel extensibility.

    PubMed

    Ohmori, Kana; Abu Bin, Imran; Seki, Takahiro; Liu, Chang; Mayumi, Koichi; Ito, Kohzo; Takeoka, Yukikazu

    2016-12-11

    This work investigates the influence of the molecular weight of polyrotaxane (PR) cross-linkers on the extensibility of polymer gels. The polymer gels, which were prepared using PR cross-linkers of three different molecular weights but the same number of cross-linking points per unit volume of gel, have almost the same Young's modulus. By contrast, the extensibility and rupture strength of the polymer gels are substantially increased with increasing molecular weight of the PR cross-linker.

  2. Hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel materials and components for integrated optoelectronics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Dong

    On the technical platform of hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel, the integrated optoelectronics in the forms of heterogeneous integration between the hybrid sol-gel waveguide and the high refractive index semiconductors and the nonlinear functional doping of disperse red chromophore into hybrid sol-gel is developed. The structure of hybrid sol-gel waveguide on high index semiconductor substrate is designed with BPM-CAD software. A hybrid sol-gel based on MAPTMS and TEOS suitable for lower cladding for the waveguide is developed. The multi-layer hybrid sol-gel waveguide with good mode confinement and low polarization dependence is fabricated on Si and InP. As proof of concept, a 1 x 12 beam splitter based on multimode interference is fabricated on silicon substrate. The device shows excess loss below 0.65 dB and imbalance below 0.28 dB for both TE and TM polarization. A nonlinear active hybrid sol-gel doped with disperse red 13 has been developed by simple co-solvent method. It permits high loading concentration and has low optical loss at 1550 nm. The second-order nonlinear property of the active sol-gel is induced with corona poling and studied with second harmonic generation. A 3-fold of enhancement in the poling efficiency is achieved by blue light assisted corona poling. The chromophore alignment stability is improved by reducing the free volume of the formed inorganic network from the sol-gel condensation reaction. An active sol-gel channel waveguide has been fabricated using active and passive hybrid sol-gel materials by only photopatterning and spin-coating. An amplitude modulator based on the active sol-gel containing 30 wt.% of DR13 shows an electro-optic coefficient of 14 pm/V at 1550 nm and stable operation within the observation time of 24 days.

  3. Tensile Properties of Poly (N-vinyl caprolactam) Gels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morgret, Leslie D.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.

    2004-01-01

    N-vinyl caprolactam was copolymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate using a free-radical initiator in alcohol/water solution. The resulting gels were thermally-responsive in water, undergoing an approximate fivefold reversible volume shrinkage between room temperature and ca. 50 C. Tensile testing showed that the stress-strain behavior was qualitatively different in the collapsed state above the temperature-induced transition. At the higher temperature, gels were stiffer, more ductile, and showed greater time dependence. Implications for the design of gel actuators are briefly discussed.

  4. Infrared and Raman spectra of triacetoxyvinylsilane, aqueous sol-gel and xerogel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ying-Sing; Ba, Abdul; Mahmood, Maleeha S.

    2009-04-01

    Triacetoxyvinylsilane (TAVS) has been used as a precursor to prepare sol-gel under aqueous conditions. The sol-gel product has been applied for the surface treatment of aluminum. Infrared and Raman spectra have been collected for TAVS and for TAVS sol-gel, xerogel and sol-gel-coated aluminum. Vibrational analyses have been suggested for the recorded spectra based essentially on the group frequencies and the spectral variation with the change of the sol-gel product states and the vibrational assignments of similar molecules. From the recorded infrared and Raman spectra of the sol-gel and xerogel, it is found that the sol-gel produced in the process with TAVS is essentially the same as that prepared from vinyltriethoxysilane. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) of TAVS xerogel has been conducted, and an explanation has been given in coordination with the results obtained from IR spectroscopic study of the xerogels cured at different temperatures. The study has demonstrated the thermal effect on the condensation of the sol-gel process and on the vinyl decomposition of TAVS xerogel.

  5. Biocompatibility of a Sonicated Silk Gel for Cervical Injection During Pregnancy

    PubMed Central

    Critchfield, Agatha S.; Mccabe, Reid; Klebanov, Nikolai; Richey, Lauren; Socrate, Simona; Norwitz, Errol R.; Kaplan, David L.; House, Michael

    2014-01-01

    Objective: To evaluate the biocompatibility of silk gel for cervical injection. Study Design: Silk gel was injected into the cervix of pregnant rats on day 13 (n = 11) and harvested at day 17. Histology of silk gel was compared with suture controls. Also, human cervical fibroblasts were cultured on silk gel and tissue culture plastic (TCP) in vitro. Cell viability, proliferation, metabolic activity, gene expression (COL1A1, COL3A1, and COX2), and release of proinflammatory mediators (interleukin [IL] 6 and IL-8) were evaluated. Results: In vivo, a mild foreign body response was seen surrounding the silk gel and suture controls. In vitro, cervical fibroblasts were viable, metabolically active, and proliferating at 72 hours. Release of IL-6 and IL-8 was similar on silk gel and TCP. Collagen and COX2 gene expression was similar or slightly decreased compared with TCP. Conclusions: Silk gel was well tolerated in vivo and in vitro, which supports continuing efforts to develop silk gels as an alternative to cervical cerclage. PMID:24520079

  6. Method for preparing hydrous zirconium oxide gels and spherules

    DOEpatents

    Collins, Jack L.

    2003-08-05

    Methods for preparing hydrous zirconium oxide spherules, hydrous zirconium oxide gels such as gel slabs, films, capillary and electrophoresis gels, zirconium monohydrogen phosphate spherules, hydrous zirconium oxide spherules having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite sorbent, zirconium monohydrogen phosphate spherules having suspendable particles of at least one different sorbent homogeneously embedded within to form a composite sorbent having a desired crystallinity, zirconium oxide spherules having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, hydrous zirconium oxide fiber materials, zirconium oxide fiber materials, hydrous zirconium oxide fiber materials having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, zirconium oxide fiber materials having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite and spherules of barium zirconate. The hydrous zirconium oxide spherules and gel forms prepared by the gel-sphere, internal gelation process are useful as inorganic ion exchangers, catalysts, getters and ceramics.

  7. CO2 Responsive Imidazolium-Type Poly(Ionic Liquid) Gels.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jing; Xu, Dan; Guo, Jiangna; Sun, Zhe; Qian, Wenjing; Zhang, Ye; Yan, Feng

    2016-07-01

    Poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) gels with CO2 stimulus responsiveness have been synthesized through the copolymerization of an imidazolium-type ionic liquid monomer with 2-(dimethyl amino) ethyl methacrylate. Upon bubbling with CO2 gas, the prepared PIL solution is converted to a transparent and stable gel, which can be turned back to the initial solution state after N2 bubbling. The reversible sol-gel phase transition behavior is proved by the reversible values of viscosity and ionic conductivity. The possible mechanism for such a reversible sol-gel phase transition is demonstrated by NMR, conductivity, and rheological measurements. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Dynamic and static fluctuations in polymer gels studied by neutron spin-echo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kanaya, T.; Takahashi, N.; Nishida, K.; Seto, H.; Nagao, M.; Takeba, Y.

    2006-11-01

    We report neutron spin-echo measurements on three types of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels. The first is PVA gel in a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water with volume ratio 60/40, the second is PVA gel in an aqueous borax solution and the third is chemically cross-linked PVA gel. The observed normalized intermediate scattering functions I( Q, t)/ I( Q,0) were very different among them. The I( Q, t)/ I( Q,0) of the first and third gels showed a non-decaying component in addition to a decaying component, but the second one did not have the non-decaying one. This clearly indicates that the fluctuations in the first and third PVA gels consist of static and dynamic fluctuations whereas the second PVA gel does include only the dynamic fluctuations. The dynamic and static fluctuations of the PVA gels were analyzed in terms of a restricted motion in the gel network and the Zimm motion, respectively.

  9. Structure Analysis of Jungle-Gym-Type Gels by Brownian Dynamics Simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ohta, Noriyoshi; Ono, Kohki; Takasu, Masako; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2008-02-01

    We investigated the structure and the formation process of two kinds of gels by Brownian dynamics simulation. The effect of flexibility of main chain oligomer was studied. From our results, hard gel with rigid main chain forms more homogeneous network structure than soft gel with flexible main chain. In soft gel, many small loops are formed, and clusters tend to shrink. This heterogeneous network structure may be caused by microgels. In the low density case, soft gel shows more heterogeneity than the high density case.

  10. Physical Properties of Substituted Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids Gel Electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sutto, Thomas E.; De Long, Hugh C.; Trulove, Paul C.

    2002-11-01

    The physical properties of solid gel electrolytes of either polyvinylidene diflurohexafluoropropylene or a combination of polyvinylidene hexafluoropropylene and polyacrylic acid, and the molten salts 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1,2-dimethyl-3-n-propylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and the new molten salts 1,2-dimethyl-3-n-butylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and 1,2-dimethyl-3-n-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate were characterized by temperature dependent ionic conductivity measurements for both the pure molten salt and of the molten salt with 0.5 M Li+ present. Ionic conductivity data indicate that for each of the molten salts, the highest concentration of molten salt allowable in a single component polymer gel was 85%, while gels composed of 90%molten salt were possible when using both polyvinylidene hexafluorophosphate and polyacrylic acid. For polymer gel composites prepared using lithium containing ionic liquids, the optimum polymer gel composite consisted of 85% of the 0.5 M Li+/ionic liquid, 12.75% polyvinylidene hexafluoropropylene, and 2.25% poly (1-carboxyethylene). The highest ionic conductivity observed was for the gel containing 90%1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 9.08 mS/cm. For the lithium containing ionic liquid gels, their ionic conductivity ranged from 1.45 to 0.05 mS/cm, which is comparable to the value of 0.91 mS/cm, observed for polymer composite gels containing 0.5 M LiBF4 in propylene carbonate.

  11. Hybrid sol-gel optical materials

    DOEpatents

    Zeigler, J.M.

    1993-04-20

    Hybrid sol-gel materials comprise silicate sols cross-linked with linear polysilane, polygermane, or poly(silane-germane). The sol-gel materials are useful as optical identifiers in tagging and verification applications and, in a different aspect, as stable, visible light transparent non-linear optical materials. Methyl or phenyl silicones, polyaryl sulfides, polyaryl ethers, and rubbery polysilanes may be used in addition to the linear polysilane. The linear polymers cross-link with the sol to form a matrix having high optical transparency, resistance to thermooxidative aging, adherence to a variety of substrates, brittleness, and a resistance to cracking during thermal cycling.

  12. Hybrid sol-gel optical materials

    DOEpatents

    Zeigler, John M.

    1993-01-01

    Hybrid sol-gel materials comprise silicate sols cross-linked with linear polysilane, polygermane, or poly(silane-germane). The sol-gel materials are useful as optical identifiers in tagging and verification applications and, in a different aspect, as stable, visible light transparent non-linear optical materials. Methyl or phenyl silicones, polyaryl sulfides, polyaryl ethers, and rubbery polysilanes may be used in addition to the linear polysilane. The linear polymers cross-link with the sol to form a matrix having high optical transparency, resistance to thermooxidative aging, adherence to a variety of substrates, brittleness, and a resistance to cracking during thermal cycling.

  13. Hybrid sol-gel optical materials

    DOEpatents

    Zeigler, John M.

    1992-01-01

    Hybrid sol-gel materials comprise silicate sols cross-linked with linear polysilane, polygermane, or poly(silane-germane). The sol-gel materials are useful as optical identifiers in tagging and verification applications and, in a different aspect, as stable, visible light transparent non-linear optical materials. Methyl or phenyl silicones, polyaryl sulfides, polyaryl ethers, and rubbery polysilanes may be used in addition to the linear polysilane. The linear polymers cross-link with the sol to form a matrix having high optical transparency, resistance to thermooxidative aging, adherence to a variety of substrates, brittleness, and a resistance to cracking during thermal cycling.

  14. Gels from soft hairy nanoparticles in polymeric matrices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vlassopoulos, Dimitris

    2013-03-01

    Hairy particles represent a huge class of soft colloids with tunable interactions and properties. Advances in synthetic chemistry have enabled obtaining well-characterized such systems for specific needs. In this talk we present two model hairy soft particles with diameters of the order of tens of nanometers, star polymers and polymerically grafted spherical particles. In particular, we discuss design strategies for dispersing them in polymeric matrices and eventually creating and breaking gels. Control parameters are the matrix molar mass, the grafting density (or functionality) and the size of the grafts (or arms). The linear viscoelastic properties and slow time evolution of the gels are examined in view of the existing knowledge from colloidal gels consisting of micron-sized particles, and compared. In the case of stars we start from a concentrated glassy suspension in molecular solvent and add homopolymer at increasing concentration, and as a result of the induced osmotic pressure the stars shrink and a depletion gel is formed. For the grafted colloidal particles, they are added at low concentration to a polymer matrix, and it has been shown that under certain conditions the anisotropy of interactions gives rise to network formation. We then focus on the nonlinear rheological response and in particular the effect of shear flow in inducing a solid to liquid transition. Our studies show that the yielding process is gradual and shares many common features with that of flocculated colloidal suspensions, irrespectively of the shape of the building block of the gel. Whereas shear can melt such a gel, it cannot break it into its constituent blocks and hence fully disperse the hairy nanoparticles. On the other hand, the hairy particles are intrinsically hybrid. We show how this important feature is reflected on the heating of the gels. In that case, the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients of core and shell appears to play a role on the particle response as it

  15. Analyzing genetic diversity in conifers...isozyme resolution by starch gel electrophoresis

    Treesearch

    M. Thompson Conkle

    1972-01-01

    Enzymes in forest tree materials can be resolved by starch gel electrophoresis. A gel slab is prepared in a mold assembled from glass and plastic. Wicks containing an aqueous extract of macerated plant material are inserted in the gel and processed. The gel is sliced, stained, examined, and photographed. Isozyme bands produced by differential migration of enzymes...

  16. Effects of silicone gel on burn scars.

    PubMed

    Momeni, Mahnoush; Hafezi, Farhad; Rahbar, Hossein; Karimi, Hamid

    2009-02-01

    To study the efficacy of silicone gel applied to hypertrophic burn scars, in reducing scar interference with normal function and improving cosmesis. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 38 people with hypertrophic burn scars. Each scar was divided into two segments; silicone gel sheet was applied randomly to one of the two and placebo to the other. Participants were seen again after 1 and 4 months. Their data and wound characteristics were collected using the Vancouver scar scale. The median age of participants was 22 years (1.5-60 years) and 16 were male; 4 did not attend follow-up and were excluded from the study. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Although after 1 month all scar scale measures were lower in treated areas, only the vascularity scale was significantly different between the two areas. After 4 months, all scale measures were significantly lower in the silicone gel group than in the control group, except for the pain score. Silicone gel is an effective treatment for hypertrophic burn scars.

  17. Gel Electrophoresis of Gold-DNA Nano-Conjugates

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pellegrino, T.; Sperling, R.A.; Alivisatos, A.P.

    2006-01-10

    Single stranded DNA of different lengths and different amounts was attached to colloidal phosphine stabilized Au nanoparticles. The resulting conjugates were investigated in detail by a gel electrophoresis study based on 1200 gels. We demonstrate how these experiments help to understand the binding of DNA to Au particles. In particular we compare specific attachment of DNA via gold-thiol bonds with nonspecific adsorption of DNA. The maximum number of DNA molecules that can be bound per particle was determined. We also compare several methods to used gel electrophoresis for investigating the effective diameter of DNA-Au conjugates, such as using a calibrationmore » curve of particles with known diameters and Ferguson plots.« less

  18. Effect of natural gel product on bovine dentin erosion in vitro

    PubMed Central

    SALES-PERES, André de Carvalho; MARSICANO, Juliane Avansini; GARCIA, Rudan Paraíso; FORIM, Moacir Rossi; da SILVA, Maria Fatima das Graças Fernandes; SALES-PERES, Sílvia Helena de Carvalho

    2013-01-01

    Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta indica) experimental gel for the prevention of erosive wear on bovine dentin, in vitro. Material and Methods One hundred dentin blocks were allocated into 5 experimental groups (20 samples each): C (control group, without gel); CG (control group, only base gel); F (fluoride gel, 1.23% NaF; pH 4.1, Dentsply; Brazil); N (Neem gel, 10% neem extract; pH 4.1, manipulation); NF (Neem+fluoride gel, 10% Neem extract and 1.23% NaF; pH 4.1, manipulation). The blocks were stored in artificial saliva for 24 hours. After this, they were submitted to six alternating re- and demineralization cycles. The blocks were analyzed for wear (profilometry). The results were submitted to statistical analysis by ANOVA and Tukey tests (P<0.05). Results The mean wear (±SD, µm) was shown as follows in groups: C (13.09±0.99), CG (10.60±1.99), F (10.90±1.44), N (12.68±1.13) and NF (10.84±1.65). All gels showed some preventive action when compared with control group. However, significant differences were found only between Neem+fluoride gel and fluoride gel. Conclusion A single application of a neem-containing fluoride gel reduced dentin erosion, thus it is a possible alternative in reducing dental wear. Further research should investigate the action mechanism and the synergism between them. PMID:24473728

  19. Thermally reversible gels in electrophoresis. I - Matrix characterization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Righetti, Pier Giorgio; Snyder, Robert S.

    1988-01-01

    Two series of thermally reversible hydrogen-bonded gels have been characterized: (5 pct) PVA-(4 pct) PEG and (5 pct) PVA-(0.04 pct) borate gels. They both have extremely low melting points (16-17 C) and could be of potential interest for recovery of proteins after preparative electrophoresis. The PVA-borate gels can be exploited in the pH range 7-11 by progressively increasing the borate content in the pH interval 8 to 7 and concomitantly decreasing the borate levels in the pH zone 8 to 11. It is hypothesized that the low melting point of these gels is due to the fact that they are sparingly and sparsely hydrogen bonded along the PVA chain: on the average, 1 OH group out of 3 or 4 OH groups in the PVA polymer should be engaged in H-bond formation.

  20. Sol-gel processing with inorganic metal salt precursors

    DOEpatents

    Hu, Zhong-Cheng

    2004-10-19

    Methods for sol-gel processing that generally involve mixing together an inorganic metal salt, water, and a water miscible alcohol or other organic solvent, at room temperature with a macromolecular dispersant material, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) added. The resulting homogenous solution is incubated at a desired temperature and time to result in a desired product. The methods enable production of high quality sols and gels at lower temperatures than standard methods. The methods enable production of nanosize sols from inorganic metal salts. The methods offer sol-gel processing from inorganic metal salts.

  1. Spatially resolved speckle-correlometry of sol-gel transition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Isaeva, A. A.; Isaeva, E. A.; Pantyukov, A. V.; Zimnyakov, D. A.

    2018-04-01

    Sol-gel transition was studied using the speckle correlometry method with a localized light source and spatial filtering of backscattered radiation. Water solutions of technical or food gelatin with added TiO2 nanoparticles were used as studied objects. Structural transformation of "sol-gel" system was studied at various temperatures from 25°C to 50°C using analysis of the correlation and structure functions of speckle intensity fluctuations. The characteristic temperatures of "sol - gel" transition were evaluated for studied systems. Obtained results can be used for various applications in biomedicine and food industry.

  2. Ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukagawa, Miki; Koshiba, Yausko; Morimoto, Masahiro; Ishida, Kenji

    2017-04-01

    The structural, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] gels fabricated using poly(pyridinium-1,4-diyliminocarbonyl-1,4-phenylenemethylene thiocyanate) (PICPM-SCN) as a gelator are investigated in this study. The P(VDF-TrFE)/PICPM-SCN composites formed thermally reversible physical gels and their analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the P(VDF-TrFE) molecules in these gels exhibit predominantly the ferroelectric phase I (Form β). Furthermore, the polarization switching peaks of the P(VDF-TrFE)/PICPM-SCN gel films were clearly observed. The coercive electric field for these gel films was estimated to be 2 MV/m, which is dramatically lower than the values typically observed for P(VDF-TrFE) solid films (50 MV/m). Finally, the P(VDF-TrFE)/PICPM-SCN gel films exhibited a piezoelectric response, and the highest piezoelectric coefficient was determined to be ˜53 pm/V at an applied voltage frequency of 4 kHz.

  3. Development of poloxamer gel formulations via hot-melt extrusion technology.

    PubMed

    Mendonsa, Nicole S; Murthy, S Narasimha; Hashemnejad, Seyed Meysam; Kundu, Santanu; Zhang, Feng; Repka, Michael A

    2018-02-15

    Poloxamer gels are conventionally prepared by the "hot" or the "cold" process. But these techniques have some disadvantages such as high energy consumption, requires expensive equipment and often have scale up issues. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop poloxamer gels by hot-melt extrusion technology. The model drug selected was ketoprofen. The formulations developed were 30% and 40% poloxamer gels. Of these formulations, the 30% poloxamer gels were selected as ideal gels. DSC and XRD studies showed an amorphous nature of the drug after extrusion. It was observed from the permeation studies that with increasing poloxamer concentration, a decrease in drug permeation was obtained. Other studies conducted for the formulations included in-vitro release studies, texture analysis, rheological studies and pH measurements. In conclusion, the hot-melt extrusion technology could be successfully employed to develop poloxamer gels by overcoming the drawbacks associated with the conventional techniques. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  4. In-gel staining of proteins in native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin.

    PubMed

    Divakar, K; Devi, G Nandhini; Gautam, Pennathur

    2012-01-01

    Protein identification in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) requires post-electrophoretic steps like fixing, staining, and destaining of the gel, which are time-consuming and cumbersome. A new method for direct visualization of protein bands in PAGE has been developed using meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) as a dye without the need for any post-electrophoretic steps; thus, separation and recovery of enzymes become much easier for further analysis. Activity staining was carried out to show that the biochemical activity of the enzymes was preserved after electrophoresis.

  5. Multiscale Mechanical Characterization of Biomimetic Physically Associating Gels

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-09-01

    work, a ballistic gelatin and two styrene- isoprene triblock copolymer gels are tested and compared using both macroscale and microscale measurements... isoprene triblock copolymer gels are tested and compared using both macroscale and microscale measurements. A methodology is presented to conduct

  6. Hydrophobicity of hemp shiv treated with sol-gel coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hussain, Atif; Calabria-Holley, Juliana; Schorr, Diane; Jiang, Yunhong; Lawrence, Mike; Blanchet, Pierre

    2018-03-01

    This is the first time sol-gel technology is used in the treatment of hemp shiv to develop sustainable thermal insulation building materials. The impact on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv by depositing functionalised sol-gel coatings using hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) has been investigated. Bio-based materials have tendency to absorb large amounts of water due to their hydrophilic nature and highly porous structure. In this work, the influence of catalysts, solvent dilution and HDTMS loading in the silica sols on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv surface has been reported. The hydrophobicity of sol-gel coated hemp shiv increased significantly when using acid catalysed sols which provided water contact angles of up to 118° at 1% HDTMS loading. Ethanol diluted sol-gel coatings enhanced the surface roughness of the hemp shiv by 36% as observed under 3D optical profilometer. The XPS results revealed that the surface chemical composition of the hemp shiv was altered by the sol-gel coating, blocking the hydroxyl sites responsible for hydrophilicity.

  7. JVirGel 2.0: computational prediction of proteomes separated via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis under consideration of membrane and secreted proteins.

    PubMed

    Hiller, Karsten; Grote, Andreas; Maneck, Matthias; Münch, Richard; Jahn, Dieter

    2006-10-01

    After the publication of JVirGel 1.0 in 2003 we got many requests and suggestions from the proteomics community to further improve the performance of the software and to add additional useful new features. The integration of the PrediSi algorithm for the prediction of signal peptides for the Sec-dependent protein export into JVirGel 2.0 allows the exclusion of most exported preproteins from calculated proteomic maps and provides the basis for the calculation of Sec-based secretomes. A tool for the identification of transmembrane helices carrying proteins (JCaMelix) and the prediction of the corresponding membrane proteome was added. Finally, in order to directly compare experimental and calculated proteome data, a function to overlay and evaluate predicted and experimental two-dimensional gels was included. JVirGel 2.0 is freely available as precompiled package for the installation on Windows or Linux operating systems. Furthermore, there is a completely platform-independent Java version available for download. Additionally, we provide a Java Server Pages based version of JVirGel 2.0 which can be operated in nearly all web browsers. All versions are accessible at http://www.jvirgel.de

  8. Long time response of soft magnetorheological gels.

    PubMed

    An, Hai-Ning; Sun, Bin; Picken, Stephen J; Mendes, Eduardo

    2012-04-19

    Swollen physical magnetorheological (MR) gels were obtained by self-assembling of triblock copolymers containing dispersed soft magnetic particles. The transient rheological responses of these systems were investigated experimentally. Upon sudden application of a homogeneous magnetic field step change, the storage modulus of MR gels continued to increase with time. Such increase trend of the storage modulus could be expressed by a double-exponential function with two distinct modes, a fast and a slow one. The result was compared with the transient rheological response of equivalent MR fluids (paraffin oil without copolymer) and a MR elastomer (PDMS) and interpreted as the consequence of strong rearrangement of the original particle network under magnetic field. Similar to the structure evolution of MR fluids, the ensemble of results suggests that "chaining" and "clustering" processes are also happening inside the gel and are responsible for the rheological behavior, provided they are happening on a smaller length scale (long chains and clusters are hindered). We show that response times of several minutes are typical for the slow response of MR gels. The characteristic time t(2) for the slow process is significantly dependent on the magnetic flux density, the matrix viscoelastic property, particle volume fraction, and sample's initial particle distribution. In order to validate our results, the role of dynamic strain history was clarified. We show that, in the linear viscoelastic region, the particle rearrangement of MR gels was not hindered or accelerated by the dynamic strain history.

  9. Fabrication of micro-alginate gel tubes utilizing micro-gelatin fibers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sakaguchi, Katsuhisa; Arai, Takafumi; Shimizu, Tatsuya; Umezu, Shinjiro

    2017-05-01

    Tissues engineered utilizing biofabrication techniques have recently been the focus of much attention, because these bioengineered tissues have great potential to improve the quality of life of patients with various hard-to-treat diseases. Most tissues contain micro-tubular structures including blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and bile canaliculus. Therefore, we bioengineered a micro diameter tube using alginate gel to coat the core gelatin gel. Micro-gelatin fibers were fabricated by the coacervation method and then coated with a very thin alginate gel layer by dipping. A micro diameter alginate tube was produced by dissolving the core gelatin gel. Consequently, these procedures led to the formation of micro-alginate gel tubes of various shapes and sizes. This biofabrication technique should contribute to tissue engineering research fields.

  10. Sol-gel chemistry-based Ucon-coated columns for capillary electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Hayes, J D; Malik, A

    1997-07-18

    A sol-gel chemistry-based novel approach for the preparation of a Ucon-coated fused-silica capillary column in capillary electrophoresis is presented. In this approach the sol-gel process is carried out inside 25 microm I.D. fused-silica capillaries. The sol solution contained appropriate quantities of an alkoxide-based sol-gel precursor, a polymeric coating material (Ucon), a crosslinking reagent, a surface derivatizing reagent, controlled amounts of water and a catalyst dissolved in a suitable solvent system. The coating procedure involves filling a capillary with the sol solution and allowing the sol-gel process to proceed for an optimum period. Hydrolysis of the alkoxide precursor and polycondensation of the hydrolyzed products with the surface silanol groups and the hydroxy-terminated Ucon molecules lead to the formation of a surface-bonded sol-gel coating on the inner walls of the capillary. The thickness of the coated film can be controlled by varying the reaction time, coating solution composition and experimental conditions. Commercial availability of high purity sol-gel precursors (e.g., TEOS 99.999%), the ease of coating, run-to-run and column-to-column reproducibility, and long column lifetimes make sol-gel coating chemistry very much suitable for being applied in analytical microseparations column technology. Test samples of basic proteins and nucleotides were used to evaluate the column performance. These results show that the sol-gel coating scheme has allowed for the generation of bio-compatible surfaces characterized by high separation efficiencies in CE. For different types of solutes, the sol-gel coated Ucon column consistently provided migration time R.S.D. values of the order of 0.5%.

  11. Anomalous piezoelectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/ionic liquid gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukagawa, Miki; Koshiba, Yasuko; Fukushima, Tatsuya; Morimoto, Masahiro; Ishida, Kenji

    2018-04-01

    Piezoelectric gels were prepared from low-volatile ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim][TFSI]) gels, and their structural, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were investigated. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE)/IL gels were formed using thermally reversible physical gels. The structural characterization indicated that the P(VDF-TrFE) molecules in the gels predominantly formed a ferroelectric phase (Form I) of P(VDF-TrFE). Polarization switching peaks were clearly observed using a three-layer stacked device structure. The coercive field of the P(VDF-TrFE)/IL gels substantially decreased to 4-9 MV/m, and their remnant polarizations were maintained at 63-71 mC/m2, which is similar to that for typical solid-state P(VDF-TrFE). Finally, the P(VDF-TrFE)/IL gel films exhibited a piezoelectric response, and the highest piezoelectric coefficient was ˜300 pm/V at an applied voltage frequency of 4 kHz.

  12. Orientation of chain molecules in ionotropic gels: a Brownian dynamics model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Woelki, Stefan; Kohler, Hans-Helmut

    2003-09-01

    As is known from birefringence measurements, polysaccharide molecules of ionotropic gels are preferentially orientated normal to the direction of gel growth. In this paper the orientation effect is investigated by means of an off-lattice Brownian dynamics model simulating the gel formation process. The model describes the integration of a single coarse grained phantom chain into the growing gel. The equations of motion of the chain are derived. The computer simulations show that, during the process of integration, the chain is contracting normal to the direction of gel growth. A scaling relation is obtained for the degree of contraction as a function of the length parameters of the chain, the velocity of the gel formation front and the rate constant of the crosslinking reaction. It is shown that the scaling relation, if applied to the example of ionotropic copper alginate gel, leads to reasonable predictions of the time course of the degree of contraction of the alginate chains.

  13. Oxidizer gels for detoxification of chemical and biological agents

    DOEpatents

    Hoffman, Dennis M.; McGuire, Raymond R.

    2002-01-01

    A gel composition containing oxidizing agents and thickening or gelling agents is used to detoxify chemical and biological agents by application directly to a contaminated area. The gelling agent is a colloidal material, such as silica, alumina, or alumino-silicate clays, which forms a viscous gel that does not flow when applied to tilted or contoured surfaces. Aqueous or organic solutions of oxidizing agents can be readily gelled with less than about 30% colloidal material. Gel preparation is simple and suitable for field implementation, as the gels can be prepared at the site of decontamination and applied quickly and uniformly over an area by a sprayer. After decontamination, the residue can be washed away or vacuumed up for disposal.

  14. 40 CFR 721.9680 - Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Alkaline titania silica gel (generic... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9680 Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name). (a) Chemical substance... alkaline titania silica gel (PMN P-95-529) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant...

  15. 40 CFR 721.9680 - Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Alkaline titania silica gel (generic... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9680 Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name). (a) Chemical substance... alkaline titania silica gel (PMN P-95-529) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant...

  16. 40 CFR 721.9680 - Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Alkaline titania silica gel (generic... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9680 Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name). (a) Chemical substance... alkaline titania silica gel (PMN P-95-529) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant...

  17. 40 CFR 721.9680 - Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Alkaline titania silica gel (generic... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9680 Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name). (a) Chemical substance... alkaline titania silica gel (PMN P-95-529) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant...

  18. 40 CFR 721.9680 - Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Alkaline titania silica gel (generic... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9680 Alkaline titania silica gel (generic name). (a) Chemical substance... alkaline titania silica gel (PMN P-95-529) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant...

  19. Inter-crosslinking network gels having both shape memory and high ductility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amano, Yoshitaka; Hidema, Ruri; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2012-04-01

    Medical treatment for injuries should be easy and quick in many accidents. Plasters or bandages are frequently used to wrap and fix injured parts. If plasters or bandages have additional smart functions, such as cooling, removability and repeatability, they will be much more useful and effective. Here we propose innovative biocompatible materials, that is, nontoxic high-strength shape-memory gels as novel smart medical materials. These smart gels were prepared from two monomers (DMAAm and SA), a polymer (HPC), and an inter-crosslinking agent (Karenz-MOI). In the synthesis of the gels, 1) a shape-memory copolymer network is made from the DMAAm and the SA, and 2) the copolymer and the HPC are crosslinked by the Karenz-MOI. Thus the crosslinking points are connected only between the different polymers. This is our original technique of developing a new network structure of gels, named Inter-Crosslinking Network (ICN). The ICN gels achieve high ductility, going up to 700% strain in tensile tests, while the ICN gels contain about 44% water. Moreover the SA has temperature dependence due to its crystallization properties; thus the ICN gels obtain shape memory properties and are named ICN-SMG. While the Young's modulus of the ICN-SMG is large below their crystallization temperature and the gels behave like plastic materials, the modulus becomes smaller above the temperature and the gels turn back to their original shape.

  20. Molecular-sieve chromatography and electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels

    PubMed Central

    Morris, C. J. O. R.; Morris, Peggy

    1971-01-01

    1. The absolute electrophoretic mobilities of eight proteins have been measured at pH8.76, I 0.05, in polyacrylamide gels of 20 different compositions at 10°C. 2. The partition coefficients of these proteins have been determined chromatographically under the same conditions by using columns of granulated polyacrylamide gel prepared simultaneously. 3. The electrophoretic mobilities are an exponential function of the gel concentrations when the latter are corrected for water uptake. The constants of this function have been determined by curvefitting methods. They have been shown to be related to the free solution mobility and to the mean molecular radius respectively. 4. The reduced mobilities have been shown to be a linear function of the partition coefficients by statistical analyses. 5. The physical significance of the relation between electrophoretic mobility and chromatographic phase distribution in gel media is discussed in the context of these results. PMID:5135238

  1. Preparation, characterization and adsorption study of o-cresol molecularly imprinted grafted silica gel sorbent synthesized by sol-gel polymerization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zinalibdin, Mohamad Raizul; Jaafar, Jafariah; Majid, Zaiton Abdul; Sanagi, Mohd Marsin

    2017-11-01

    In this study, a new composite core-shell of o-cresol molecularly imprinted polymer grafted silica gel (MIP@SiO2) was prepared via sol-gel polymerization. It was synthesized using o-cresol as the template molecule, 3-propyl(metacrylate)trimethoxysilane (3-PMTMOS) as the functional monomer, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the cross-linker and ethanol as the porogenic solvent in the surface of silica gel. The non-imprinted polymer-grafted silica gel (NIP@SiO2) was prepared with the same technique but without template molecule. This analyte was selected as a template due to the fact that it is one of toluene metabolites. The characterization of MIP@SiO2 and NIP@SiO2 were observed by N2 adsorption analysis and Field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray (FESEM-EDX). The MIP@SiO2 and NIP@SiO2 were employed as an adsorbent for the extraction of o-cresol, a metabolite in urine sample for the monitoring of occupational toluene exposure in workers. Based on the results of the adsorption study, the MIP prepared using 0.5 mmol 3-(propylmethacrylate)trimethoxysilane), 10 mL of ethanol, 4 mmol TEOS,0.05 mmol o-cresol, 0.1g silica gel and 1mL of 0.01 mol/L acetic acid was found the adsorption capacity (0.9920 mg g-1) and imprint factor (5.21).

  2. Human platelet gel supernatant inactivates opportunistic wound pathogens on skin.

    PubMed

    Edelblute, Chelsea M; Donate, Amy L; Hargrave, Barbara Y; Heller, Loree C

    2015-01-01

    Activation of human platelets produces a gel-like substance referred to as platelet rich plasma or platelet gel. Platelet gel is used clinically to promote wound healing; it also exhibits antimicrobial properties that may aid in the healing of infected wounds. The purpose of this study was to quantify the efficacy of human platelet gel against the opportunistic bacterial wound pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus on skin. These opportunistic pathogens may exhibit extensive antibiotic resistance, necessitating the development of alternative treatment options. The antimicrobial efficacy of platelet gel supernatants was quantified using an in vitro broth dilution assay, an ex vivo inoculated skin assay, and in an in vivo skin decontamination assay. Human platelet gel supernatants were highly bactericidal against A. baumannii and moderately but significantly bactericidal against S. aureus in vitro and in the ex vivo skin model. P. aeruginosa was not inactivated in vitro; a low but significant inactivation level was observed ex vivo. These supernatants were quite effective at inactivating a model organism on skin in vivo. These results suggest application of platelet gel has potential clinical applicability, not only in the acceleration of wound healing, but also against relevant bacteria causing wound infections.

  3. Effect of virgin coconut oil on properties of surimi gel.

    PubMed

    Gani, Asir; Benjakul, Soottawat; Nuthong, Pornpot

    2018-02-01

    Effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) at various levels (0-25%) on the properties of croaker surimi gels were studied. As the levels of VCO increased up to 15%, breaking force continuously decreased. No differences in breaking force, deformation and fracture constant were noticeable when VCO of 15-25% was incorporated. Based on texture profile analysis, hardness and chewiness decreased as the level of added VCO increased up to 10%, while no marked changes were observed with the addition of 10-25% VCO. Addition of VCO had no profound impact on springiness, cohesiveness and resilience. No remarkable change in protein pattern among all surimi gel samples was noticed, regardless of VCO levels. Lower elastic (G') as well as loss moduli (G″) of surimi paste were observed when VCO was added, compared to the control. Nevertheless, there was no marked difference in the moduli among samples containing VCO at all levels. Whiteness of surimi gel increased, whereas expressible moisture content decreased as VCO levels increased. Microstructure study revealed that VCO droplets were distributed uniformly in gel network. Overall likeness of surimi gel was also increased for gel added with VCO. Therefore, VCO addition directly affected textural properties and improved the whiteness as well as sensory property of surimi gel.

  4. Solution-mediated growth of NBA-ZSM-5 crystals retarded by gel entrapment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aguilar-Mamani, Wilson; Akhtar, Farid; Hedlund, Jonas; Mouzon, Johanne

    2018-04-01

    The synthesis of flat tablet-shaped ZSM-5 crystals from a gel using metakaolin as aluminosilicate source and n-butyl amine as structure directing agent was investigated. The evolution inside the solid phase was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry. A kinetic study indicated that the nucleation of the majority crystals occurred concurrently with the formation of the gel upon heating the starting liquid suspension. Microstructural evidences undeniably showed that the gel precipitated on ZSM-5 crystals and mineral impurities originating from kaolin. As a result, crystal growth was retarded by gel entrapment, as indicated by the configuration and morphology of the embedded crystals. The results presented herein are harmonized with a solution-mediated nucleation and growth mechanism. Our observations differ from the autocatalytic model that suggests that the nuclei rest inside the gel until released when the gel is consumed. Our results show instead that it is crystals that formed in an early stage before entrapment inside the gel that rest inside the gel until exposed at the gel surface. These results illustrate the limitation of the classical method used in the field to determine nucleation profiles when the crystals become trapped inside the gel.

  5. Technical considerations for implementation of x-ray CT polymer gel dosimetry.

    PubMed

    Hilts, M; Jirasek, A; Duzenli, C

    2005-04-21

    Gel dosimetry is the most promising 3D dosimetry technique in current radiation therapy practice. X-ray CT has been shown to be a feasible method of reading out polymer gel dosimeters and, with the high accessibility of CT scanners to cancer hospitals, presents an exciting possibility for clinical implementation of gel dosimetry. In this study we report on technical considerations for implementation of x-ray CT polymer gel dosimetry. Specifically phantom design, CT imaging methods, imaging time requirements and gel dose response are investigated. Where possible, recommendations are made for optimizing parameters to enhance system performance. The dose resolution achievable with an optimized system is calculated given voxel size and imaging time constraints. Results are compared with MRI and optical CT polymer gel dosimetry results available in the literature.

  6. Applications and Properties of Ionic Liquid- Based Gels and Soft Solid Composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Voss, Bret Alan McGinness

    2011-12-01

    Solid-liquid composites (gels) have a combination of properties that afford new material applications in which high solute diffusion is desirable. These composites have a soft-solid mechanical integrity and will not flow under gravity, but entrain a liquid matrix (i.e. 60-98 mass %) which allows for high diffusion and high reactivity. Room temperature ionic liquid (RTILs) are molten organic salts with a melting point below room temperature and negligible vapor pressure. If the RTILs are used as the liquid component of a gel, then the gel matrix will not evaporate (unlike other organic solvents) and may be used for long term applications. This thesis research applies RTIL gels for two new applications; carbon dioxide/nitrogen separation and chemical warfare agent (CWA) barrier and decontamination. Separating CO2 from the flue gas of coal and gas fired power-plants is an increasingly economically and environmentally important gas separation. In this first study, RTIL gels are cast in a supported membrane and gas permeability and ideal selectivity are measured. The RTIL matrix has an inherent affinity for CO2 and provides a high diffusion, hence high permeability (i.e. 500-700 barrer). The solidifying component is a low molecular-weight organic gelator (LMOG) which through physical bonding interactions (i.e. hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking and van der Walls forces) forms an entangled network which provides mechanical stability (i.e. increase trans-membrane pressure required to expel selective material from the support). In these studies two LMOGs and five RTILs are used to make supported gel membranes and determine gas permeability and temperature dependent trends. The second application for RTIL gels is a decontaminating barrier for CWAs and toxic industrial compounds (TICs). In these studies a layer of RTIL gel is applied on top of a substrate contaminated with a CWA simulant (i.e. chloroethylethylsulfide, CEES). The gel performs well as a barrier, preventing CEES

  7. Antibacterial Activity of Copaiba Oil Gel on Dental Biofilm

    PubMed Central

    Simões, Cláudia A.C.G.; Conde, Nikeila C. de Oliveira; Venâncio, Gisely N.; Milério, Patrícia S.L.L.; Bandeira, Maria F.C.L.; da Veiga Júnior, Valdir F.

    2016-01-01

    Amazonian biodiversity products that have been used for years in folk medicine, have emerged as feasible and promising alternatives for the inhibition of microorganisms in dental biofilm. Copaiba oil, a phytotherapic agent widely used by the Amazonian populations, is known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, healing and antitumor medicinal properties. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of copaiba oil (Copaifera multijuga) gel against strains of Streptococcus sp present in dental biofilm. Materials and Methods: The copaiba oil was obtained and the chemical components were identified. The oil emulsions were formulated and used with the Brain Heart Infusion agar diffusion method with strains of Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus constellatus and Streptococcus salivarius isolated from patients as well as standard strains of S. mitis (ATCC903), S. mutans (ATCC10449), S. sanguinis (ATCC15300) and S. oralis (ATCC10557). The study groups were as follows: experimental copaiba oil gel, 1% chlorhexidine gel (positive control) and base gel (negative control). The seeded plates were incubated at 37ºC for 12, 24 and 48 hours, respectively. The results obtained were analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk and Friedman Tests (p<0.05) for non parametric data and the Tukey test was used for pH values with 5% level of significance. Results: The experimental copaiba oil gel and 1% chlorhexidine gel showed antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms. Conclusion: The copaiba oil gel demonstrated antibacterial activity against all the strains of Streptococcus sp tested, suggesting that it can be used for dental biofilm control. PMID:27386004

  8. Combined transdermal testosterone gel and the progestin nestorone suppresses serum gonadotropins in men.

    PubMed

    Mahabadi, Vahid; Amory, John K; Swerdloff, Ronald S; Bremner, William J; Page, Stephanie T; Sitruk-Ware, Regine; Christensen, Peter D; Kumar, Narender; Tsong, Yun-Yen; Blithe, Diana; Wang, Christina

    2009-07-01

    Testosterone (T) plus progestin combinations are the most promising hormonal male contraceptives. Nestorone (NES), a progestin without estrogenic or androgenic activity, when combined with T may be an excellent candidate for male contraception. Our objective was to determine the effect of transdermal NES gel alone or with T gel on gonadotropin suppression. The randomized, unblinded clinical trial was conducted at two academic medical centers. A total of 140 healthy male volunteers participated. One hundred subjects were randomized initially (20 per group) to apply NES gel 2 or 4 mg, T gel 10 g, or T gel 10 g plus NES gel 2 or 4 mg daily for 20 d. Because only about half of the subjects in T plus NES 4 mg group suppressed serum gonadotropins to 0.5 IU/liter or less (suboptimal suppression), two additional groups of 20 men were randomized to apply daily T gel 10 g plus NES gel 6 or 8 mg. Suppression of serum LH and FSH concentrations to 0.5 IU/liter or less after treatment was the main outcome variable. A total of 119 subjects were compliant with gel applications with few study-related adverse events. NES alone reduced gonadotropins significantly but less than T gel alone. Combined T gel 10g plus NES gel 6 or 8 mg suppressed both serum gonadotropins to 0.5 IU/liter or less in significantly more men than either gel alone. Transdermal NES gel alone had gonadotropin suppression activity. Combined transdermal NES (6 or 8 mg) plus T gel demonstrated safe and effective suppression of gonadotropins, justifying a longer-term study of this combination for suppression of spermatogenesis.

  9. Study on Movable gel Profiling/Flooding System Optimization at Boundary Temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Shanshan; Xie, Gang; Zhang, Tiantian; Wang, Zhiqiang; Jiang, Peijun; Wei, Junjie; Gu, Yi; Lei, Xiaoyang; Guo, Suzhen; Lei, Shi

    2017-12-01

    65-75°C is the boundary temperature of phenol-formaldehyde resin and organic chrome crosslink with HPAM to generate movable gel. Generally speaking, when the reservoir temperature is below 65-75°C, the crosslinking agent is Organic chrome. Phenol-formaldehyde resin is used when the temperature is above 65-75°C. In this paper the gelation properties of phenol-formaldehyde resin and organic chrome were compared at 70°C. The experiment results showed that the crosslinking time of phenol-formaldehyde resin gel was longer and more conducive to field injection. In addition the phenol-formaldehyde resin gel had greater viscosity, adhesion and shearing resistance compared with the organic chrome gel. So the phenol-formaldehyde resin was chosen for further optimization. The crosslinking time was shortened and the gel viscosity increased with the increase of the polymer concentration. As the polymer crosslinker proportion increased The crosslinking time was shortened and the gel viscosity increased first and then decreased. Reinforcer NC and stabilizer WG were added to improve the temperature and salt tolerance of the gel. The gel formula suitable for the boundary temperature was obtained. The optimum polymer concentration is 1200mg/L, the polymer crosslinker proportion is 1:1.1, the best reinforcer concentration is 400mg/L and the concentration of the stabilizer is 150mg/L. The crosslinking time is 31h, the gel viscosity is above 2100mPa·s. The gel did not shrink and no water separation was observed at 70°C for 150 days. The viscosity retention rate was more than 70%.

  10. “Tell Juliana”: Acceptability of the Candidate Microbicide VivaGel® and Two Placebo Gels Among Ethnically Diverse, Sexually Active Young Women Participating in a Phase 1 Microbicide Study

    PubMed Central

    Giguere, Rebecca; Dolezal, Curtis; Chen, Beatrice A.; Kahn, Jessica; Zimet, Greg; Mabragaña, Marina; Leu, Cheng-Shiun; McGowan, Ian

    2011-01-01

    This study assessed acceptability of the candidate microbicide VivaGel® and two placebo gels among 61 sexually active young US and Puerto Rican women at three sites. Participants were randomly assigned to use one of the gels twice per day for 14 days. At trial completion, 59% of the women in the VivaGel® group reported being likely to use the gel in the future, whereas 23% were unlikely to use it and 18% were undecided. Participants reported problems with all three gels, including the “universal” placebo containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). The most frequent complaints were leakage, interference with sexual behavior, and decreased sexual satisfaction. Some of the complaints are not new but remain unresolved. Women’s perceived risk of HIV infection may determine whether the gels are used. Users also may want a choice of viscosity. Poor acceptability of vaginal microbicide formulations may result in poor adherence to gel use during efficacy trials and compromise validity of results. PMID:21863338

  11. Topical Colchicine Gel versus Diclofenac Sodium Gel for the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

    PubMed

    Faghihi, Gita; Elahipoor, Azam; Iraji, Fariba; Behfar, Shadi; Abtahi-Naeini, Bahareh

    2016-01-01

    Introduction. Actinic keratoses (AKs), a premalignant skin lesion, are a common lesion in fair skin. Although destructive treatment remains the gold standard for AKs, medical therapies may be preferable due to the comfort and reliability .This study aims to compare the effects of topical 1% colchicine gel and 3% diclofenac sodium gel in AKs. Materials and Methods. In this randomized double-blind study, 70 lesions were selected. Patients were randomized before receiving either 1% colchicine gel or 3% diclofenac sodium cream twice a day for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated in terms of their lesion size, treatment complications, and recurrence at 7, 30, 60, and 120 days after treatment. Results. The mean of changes in the size was significant in both groups both before and after treatment (<0.001). The mean lesion size before treatment and at 30, 60, and 120 days was not different between the two groups (p > 0.05). No case of erythema was seen in the colchicine group, while erythema was seen in 22.9% (eight cases) of patients in the diclofenac sodium group (p = 0.005). Conclusions. 1% colchicine gel was a safe and effective medication with fewer side effects and lack of recurrence of the lesion.

  12. Antiinflammatory effects of Viola tricolor gel in a model of sunburn in rats and the gel stability study.

    PubMed

    Piana, Mariana; Silva, Mariane Arnoldi; Trevisan, Gabriela; de Brum, Thiele Faccim; Silva, Cássia Regina; Boligon, Aline Augusti; Oliveira, Sara Marchesan; Zadra, Marina; Hoffmeister, Carin; Rossato, Mateus Fortes; Tonello, Raquel; Laporta, Luciane Varini; de Freitas, Robson Borba; Belke, Bianca Vargas; Jesus, Roberta da Silva; Ferreira, Juliano; Athayde, Margareth Linde

    2013-11-25

    Viola tricolor, popularly known as heartsease has been empirically used in several skin disorders, including burns. The objective of this study was investigate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect of a gel containing extract of Viola tricolor flowers on thermal burn induced by UVB irradiation and to perform gel stability study. The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect were evaluated by static and dynamic mechanical allodynia model, paw edema, and neutrophilic cell infiltration. Metabolites compounds were quantified by HPLC. The gel stability study was performed analyzing organoleptical aspects, besides pH, viscosity, and quantification of rutin by HPLC. In the results were evidenced changes in threshold in statical and dynamic mechanical allodynia (I(max)=100 ± 10% and 49 ± 10%, respectively), paw edema (I(max)=61 ± 6%), and myeloperoxidase activity (I(max)=89 ± 5%). Such effects may be attributed, in part, to rutin, salicylic and chlorogenic acids, and others compounds found in this species. No important changes were detected in the stability study, in all aspects analyzed in temperature below 25 °C. These findings suggest that Viola tricolor gel has an antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect in the ultraviolet-B-induced burn, since maintain the temperature below 25 °C. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Silica- and germania-based dual-ligand sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents combining superhydrophobicity and π-π interaction. The role of inorganic substrate in sol-gel capillary microextraction.

    PubMed

    Seyyal, Emre; Malik, Abdul

    2017-04-29

    Principles of sol-gel chemistry were utilized to create silica- and germania-based dual-ligand surface-bonded sol-gel coatings providing enhanced performance in capillary microextraction (CME) through a combination of ligand superhydrophobicity and π-π interaction. These organic-inorganic hybrid coatings were prepared using sol-gel precursors with bonded perfluorododecyl (PF-C 12 ) and phenethyl (PhE) ligands. Here, the ability of the PF-C 12 ligand to provide enhanced hydrophobic interaction was advantageously combined with π-π interaction capability of the PhE moiety to attain the desired sorbent performance in CME. The effect of the inorganic sorbent component on microextraction performance of was explored by comparing microextraction characteristics of silica- and germania-based sol-gel sorbents. The germania-based dual-ligand sol-gel sorbent demonstrated superior CME performance compared to its silica-based counterpart. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the created silica- and germania-based dual-ligand sol-gel sorbents suggested higher carbon loading on the germania-based sorbent. This might be indicative of more effective condensation of the organic ligand-bearing sol-gel-active chemical species to the germania-based sol-gel network (than to its silica-based counterpart) evolving in the sol solution. The type and concentration of the organic ligands were varied in the sol-gel sorbents to fine-tune extraction selectivity toward different classes of analytes. Specific extraction (SE) values were used for an objective comparison of the prepared sol-gel CME sorbents. The sorbents with higher content of PF-C 12 showed remarkable affinity for aliphatic hydrocarbons. Compared to their single-ligand sol-gel counterparts, the dual-ligand sol-gel coatings demonstrated significantly superior CME performance in the extraction of alkylbenzenes, providing up to ∼65.0% higher SE values. The prepared sol-gel CME coatings provided low ng L -1 limit of detections (LOD

  14. Development of hydroxyapatite-chitosan gel sunscreen combating clinical multidrug-resistant bacteria

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morsy, Reda; Ali, Sameh S.; El-Shetehy, Mohamed

    2017-09-01

    The several harmful effects on infected human skin resulting from exposure to the sun's UV radiation generate an interest in the development of a multifunctional hydroxyapatite-chitosan (HAp-chitosan) gel that works as an antibacterial sunscreen agent for skin care. In this work, HAp-chitosan gel was synthesized via coprecipitation method by dissolving chitosan in phosphoric acid and adding HAp. The characteristics of HAp-chitosan composite were investigated by conventional techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques, while its sunscreen property was investigated by UV-spectroscopy. In addition to the influence of the gel on bacterial cell morphology, the antibacterial activity of HAp-chitosan gel against clinical multidrug resistant skin pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been studied. The results revealed the formation of HAp-chitosan gel having nanosized particles, which confers protection against UV-radiation. The antibacterial activity records showed that chitosan-HAp gel exhibits a significant effect on the growth and ultrastructure of multi-drug resistant bacterial activities. Therefore, the chitosan-HAp gel is promising for skin health care as an antibacterial sunscreen.

  15. Formulation and method for preparing gels comprising hydrous aluminum oxide

    DOEpatents

    Collins, Jack L.

    2014-06-17

    Formulations useful for preparing hydrous aluminum oxide gels contain a metal salt including aluminum, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous aluminum oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including aluminum, an organic base, and a complexing agent.

  16. Formulation and method for preparing gels comprising hydrous cerium oxide

    DOEpatents

    Collins, Jack L; Chi, Anthony

    2013-05-07

    Formulations useful for preparing hydrous cerium oxide gels contain a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous cerium oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent.

  17. Strain-enhanced stress relaxation impacts nonlinear elasticity in collagen gels

    PubMed Central

    Nam, Sungmin; Hu, Kenneth H.; Chaudhuri, Ovijit

    2016-01-01

    The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex assembly of structural proteins that provides physical support and biochemical signaling to cells in tissues. The mechanical properties of the ECM have been found to play a key role in regulating cell behaviors such as differentiation and malignancy. Gels formed from ECM protein biopolymers such as collagen or fibrin are commonly used for 3D cell culture models of tissue. One of the most striking features of these gels is that they exhibit nonlinear elasticity, undergoing strain stiffening. However, these gels are also viscoelastic and exhibit stress relaxation, with the resistance of the gel to a deformation relaxing over time. Recent studies have suggested that cells sense and respond to both nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity of ECM, yet little is known about the connection between nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity. Here, we report that, as strain is increased, not only do biopolymer gels stiffen but they also exhibit faster stress relaxation, reducing the timescale over which elastic energy is dissipated. This effect is not universal to all biological gels and is mediated through weak cross-links. Mechanistically, computational modeling and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicate that strain-enhanced stress relaxation of collagen gels arises from force-dependent unbinding of weak bonds between collagen fibers. The broader effect of strain-enhanced stress relaxation is to rapidly diminish strain stiffening over time. These results reveal the interplay between nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity in collagen gels, and highlight the complexity of the ECM mechanics that are likely sensed through cellular mechanotransduction. PMID:27140623

  18. Gel electrophoresis of linear and star-branched DNA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lau, Henry W.; Archer, Lynden A.

    2011-12-01

    The electrophoretic mobility of double-stranded DNA in polyacrylamide gel is investigated using an activated hopping model for the transport of a charged object within a heterogeneous medium. The model is premised upon a representation of the DNA path through the gel matrix as a series of traps with alternating large and small cross sections. Calculations of the trap dimensions from gel data show that the path imposes varying degrees of confinement upon migrating analytes, which retard their forward motion in a size-dependent manner. An expression derived for DNA mobility is shown to provide accurate predictions for the dynamics of linear DNA (67-622 bp) in gels of multiple concentrations. For star-branched DNA, the incorporation within the model of a length scale previously proposed to account for analyte architecture [Yuan , Anal. Chem.ANCHAM0003-270010.1021/ac060414w 78, 6179 (2006)] leads to mobility predictions that compare well with experimental results for a wide range of DNA shapes and molecular weights.

  19. Dehydration and crystallization kinetics of zirconia-yttria gels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ramanathan, S.; Muraleedharan, R.V.; Roy, S.K.

    1995-02-01

    Zirconia and zirconia-yttria gels containing 4 and 8 mol% yttria were obtained by coprecipitation and drying at 373 K. The dehydration and crystallization behavior of the dried gels was studied by DSC, TG, and XRD. The gels undergo elimination of water over a wide temperature range of 373--673 K. The peak temperature of the endotherm corresponding to dehydration and the kinetic constants for the process were not influenced by the yttria content of the gel. The enthalpy of dehydration observed was in good agreement with the heat of vaporization data. The dehydration was followed by a sharp exothermic crystallization process.more » The peak temperature of the exotherm and the activation energy of the process increased with an increase in yttria content, while the enthalpy of crystallization showed a decrease. The ``glow effect`` reduced with increasing yttria content. Pure zirconia crystallizes in the tetragonal form while the zirconia containing 4 and 8 mol% yttria appears to crystallize in the cubic form.« less

  20. The Material Properties of Gelatin Gels

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1975-03-01

    Since the gelatin gel is soluble in water, a seare’h was conducted to find a liquid that would be totally inert to the gel, and that had a dei,sity less...amount of foam removed from a gelatin batch. For example, in the 0.0% gelatin p-paration, 43g of foam was recovered out of a total of of water *.id...indeed, some hakples appeared totally unchanged iafter 75 dtas ale the container. Another particular container had only gtwo aplea on the lower level

  1. Method for preparing hydrous iron oxide gels and spherules

    DOEpatents

    Collins, Jack L.; Lauf, Robert J.; Anderson, Kimberly K.

    2003-07-29

    The present invention is directed to methods for preparing hydrous iron oxide spherules, hydrous iron oxide gels such as gel slabs, films, capillary and electrophoresis gels, iron monohydrogen phosphate spherules, hydrous iron oxide spherules having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form composite sorbents and catalysts, iron monohydrogen phosphate spherules having suspendable particles of at least one different sorbent homogeneously embedded within to form a composite sorbent, iron oxide spherules having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite of hydrous iron oxide fiber materials, iron oxide fiber materials, hydrous iron oxide fiber materials having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, iron oxide fiber materials having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, dielectric spherules of barium, strontium, and lead ferrites and mixtures thereof, and composite catalytic spherules of barium or strontium ferrite embedded with oxides of Mg, Zn, Pb, Ce and mixtures thereof. These variations of hydrous iron oxide spherules and gel forms prepared by the gel-sphere, internal gelation process offer more useful forms of inorganic ion exchangers, catalysts, getters, dielectrics, and ceramics.

  2. The effect of silicone-gel on the immune response.

    PubMed

    Naim, J O; Lanzafame, R J; van Oss, C J

    1995-01-01

    Silicone materials have been used in medical applications for at least 30 years. Despite this long history of use the question whether silicones can mediate an immunological reaction that may be detrimental to the host remains unanswered. Most studies on the biocompatability of silicones conclude that silicones are chemically stable compounds, which however are often capable of eliciting a benign chronic inflammatory response. Recently, our laboratory has conducted a series of animal experiments aimed at determining the immunological adjuvancy potential of silicone-gel taken from commercial breast implants. Our previous studies have indicated that silicone-gel is a potent humoral (antibody) adjuvant. Our present studies have found that silicone-gel is capable of eliciting auto-antibodies to rat thyroglobulin and bovine collagen II. However this immune response did not produce any histological evidence of thyroiditis or arthritis. Theories to explain why silicone-gel behaves as an adjuvant are discussed along with discussion of the hypothesis on the desirability of replacing silicone-gel with a more hydrophilic material in bioimplants.

  3. I-gel insertion by novices in manikins and patients.

    PubMed

    Wharton, N M; Gibbison, B; Gabbott, D A; Haslam, G M; Muchatuta, N; Cook, T M

    2008-09-01

    The i-gel, a novel supraglottic airway, has been proposed for use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We evaluated the performance of this device in manikins and anaesthetised patients when used by novices: medical students, non-anaesthetist physicians and allied health professionals all unfamiliar with the i-gel. Fifty i-gels were placed in manikins. Eighty-eight percent (44/50) were placed on the first attempt with a median insertion time of 14 s (range 7-45). I-gels were placed in 40 healthy anaesthetised patients. Success on the first attempt was 82.5% (33/40) and on the second attempt 15% (6/40). After three attempts there were no failures. Median insertion time was 17.5 s (range 7-197). Median airway seal was 20 cmH(2)O (range 13-40). One case of regurgitation and partial aspiration occurred. Our results suggest the i-gel is rapidly inserted in both manikins and patients by novice users and compares favourably to other supraglottic airways available. Further work determining safety and efficacy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required.

  4. Dapsone 7.5% Gel: A Review in Acne Vulgaris.

    PubMed

    Al-Salama, Zaina T; Deeks, Emma D

    2017-02-01

    Dapsone 7.5% gel (Aczone ® ) is indicated for the once-daily topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients aged ≥12 years. Dapsone is a sulfone antibacterial with anti-inflammatory actions, which are thought to be largely responsible for its efficacy in treating acne vulgaris. In two phase III trials of 12 weeks' duration in patients aged ≥12 years with moderate acne vulgaris, once-daily dapsone 7.5% gel reduced acne severity (as per the Global Acne Assessment Score) and lesion counts versus vehicle. The benefits of dapsone 7.5% gel over vehicle were seen as early as week 2 for inflammatory lesion counts, and from week 4 or 8 for other outcomes. Dapsone 7.5% gel was well tolerated, with a low incidence of treatment-related adverse events, with the majority of adverse events being administration-site related and mild or moderate in severity. Thus, dapsone 7.5% gel is an effective and well tolerated option for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients aged ≥12 years, with the convenience of once-daily application.

  5. Thermosensitive In Situ Gel Based on Solid Dispersion for Rectal Delivery of Ibuprofen.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yangdan; Wang, Xin; Liu, Youping; Di, Xin

    2018-01-01

    The objective of this study was to develop a thermosensitive in situ gel based on solid dispersions (SDs) for rectal delivery of ibuprofen (IBU). Thermosensitive (poloxamer 407) and mucoadhesive (hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose E5 and sodium alginate) polymers were used to prepare the in situ gel and the sol-gel transition temperature (T sol-gel ) and gel strength were optimized. The in vitro release performance and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties of the in situ gel after their rectal administration to rabbits were investigated. Compared with the solid suppository, the cumulative release of the IBU SDs loaded in situ gel was significantly increased. The in vivo pharmacokinetics indicated that in situ gel had a higher peak plasma concentration (C max ) and area under the curve (AUC (0-∞) ) in plasma than the solid suppositories. Histopathology results showed that the IBU in situ gel given at a dose of 15 mg/kg did not produce any irritation. In conclusion, this study suggested that the in situ gel could be an effective rectal formulation for IBU.

  6. Influence of remineralizing gels on bleached enamel microhardness in different time intervals.

    PubMed

    Borges, Alessandra Bühler; Yui, Karen Cristina Kazue; D'Avila, Thaís Corrêa; Takahashi, Camila Lurie; Torres, Carlos Rocha Gomes; Borges, Alexandre Luis Souto

    2010-01-01

    This study evaluated the influence of bleaching gel pH, the effect of applying remineralizing gels after bleaching and the effect of artificial saliva on enamel microhardness. Seventy bovine incisors were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=10) received no bleaching procedure (control); Group 2 was bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide neutral gel (n=30) and Group 3 was bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide acid gel (n=30). Each experimental group was subdivided into three groups (n=10) according to the post-bleaching treatment: storage in artificial saliva, application of a fluoride gel and application of a combination of calcium and fluoride gel. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva for 7, 15 and 30 days and enamel microhardness was evaluated. The Vickers microhardness data were analyzed by three-way RM ANOVA, which revealed a significant difference only for treatment factor. The Tukey's test showed that the groups bleached followed by no additional treatment exhibited microhardness means significantly lower than the bleached groups treated with remineralizing gels. The Dunnet's test showed a significant difference only for the group bleached with acid gel without remineralizing treatment compared to the control group measured immediately after bleaching. It was concluded that acid bleaching gel significantly reduced enamel microhardness and that use of remineralizing gels after bleaching can significantly enhance the microhardness of bleached enamel.

  7. Living additive manufacturing: Transformation of parent gels into diversely functionalized daughter gels made possible by visible light photoredox catalysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Mao; Gu, Yuwei; Singh, Awaneesh

    Light-initiated additive manufacturing techniques typically rely on layer-by-layer addition or continuous extraction of polymers formed via nonliving, free radical polymerization methods that render the final materials “dead” toward further monomer insertion; the polymer chains within the materials cannot be reactivated to induce chain extension. An alternative “living additive manufacturing” strategy would involve the use of photocontrolled living radical polymerization to spatiotemporally insert monomers into dormant “parent” materials to generate more complex and diversely functionalized “daughter” materials. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept study of living additive manufacturing using end-linked polymer gels embedded with trithiocarbonate iniferters that can be activated by photoinducedmore » single-electron transfer from an organic photoredox catalyst in solution. This system enables the synthesis of a wide range of chemically and mechanically differentiated daughter gels from a single type of parent gel via light-controlled modification of the parent’s average composition, strand length, and/or cross-linking density. Furthermore, daughter gels that are softer than their parent, stiffer than their parent, larger but with the same modulus as their parent, thermally responsive, polarity responsive, healable, and weldable are all realized.« less

  8. Living Additive Manufacturing: Transformation of Parent Gels into Diversely Functionalized Daughter Gels Made Possible by Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Light-initiated additive manufacturing techniques typically rely on layer-by-layer addition or continuous extraction of polymers formed via nonliving, free radical polymerization methods that render the final materials “dead” toward further monomer insertion; the polymer chains within the materials cannot be reactivated to induce chain extension. An alternative “living additive manufacturing” strategy would involve the use of photocontrolled living radical polymerization to spatiotemporally insert monomers into dormant “parent” materials to generate more complex and diversely functionalized “daughter” materials. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept study of living additive manufacturing using end-linked polymer gels embedded with trithiocarbonate iniferters that can be activated by photoinduced single-electron transfer from an organic photoredox catalyst in solution. This system enables the synthesis of a wide range of chemically and mechanically differentiated daughter gels from a single type of parent gel via light-controlled modification of the parent’s average composition, strand length, and/or cross-linking density. Daughter gels that are softer than their parent, stiffer than their parent, larger but with the same modulus as their parent, thermally responsive, polarity responsive, healable, and weldable are all realized. PMID:28280779

  9. Living Additive Manufacturing: Transformation of Parent Gels into Diversely Functionalized Daughter Gels Made Possible by Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis.

    PubMed

    Chen, Mao; Gu, Yuwei; Singh, Awaneesh; Zhong, Mingjiang; Jordan, Alex M; Biswas, Santidan; Korley, LaShanda T J; Balazs, Anna C; Johnson, Jeremiah A

    2017-02-22

    Light-initiated additive manufacturing techniques typically rely on layer-by-layer addition or continuous extraction of polymers formed via nonliving, free radical polymerization methods that render the final materials "dead" toward further monomer insertion; the polymer chains within the materials cannot be reactivated to induce chain extension. An alternative "living additive manufacturing" strategy would involve the use of photocontrolled living radical polymerization to spatiotemporally insert monomers into dormant "parent" materials to generate more complex and diversely functionalized "daughter" materials. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept study of living additive manufacturing using end-linked polymer gels embedded with trithiocarbonate iniferters that can be activated by photoinduced single-electron transfer from an organic photoredox catalyst in solution. This system enables the synthesis of a wide range of chemically and mechanically differentiated daughter gels from a single type of parent gel via light-controlled modification of the parent's average composition, strand length, and/or cross-linking density. Daughter gels that are softer than their parent, stiffer than their parent, larger but with the same modulus as their parent, thermally responsive, polarity responsive, healable, and weldable are all realized.

  10. Living additive manufacturing: Transformation of parent gels into diversely functionalized daughter gels made possible by visible light photoredox catalysis

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, Mao; Gu, Yuwei; Singh, Awaneesh; ...

    2017-01-13

    Light-initiated additive manufacturing techniques typically rely on layer-by-layer addition or continuous extraction of polymers formed via nonliving, free radical polymerization methods that render the final materials “dead” toward further monomer insertion; the polymer chains within the materials cannot be reactivated to induce chain extension. An alternative “living additive manufacturing” strategy would involve the use of photocontrolled living radical polymerization to spatiotemporally insert monomers into dormant “parent” materials to generate more complex and diversely functionalized “daughter” materials. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept study of living additive manufacturing using end-linked polymer gels embedded with trithiocarbonate iniferters that can be activated by photoinducedmore » single-electron transfer from an organic photoredox catalyst in solution. This system enables the synthesis of a wide range of chemically and mechanically differentiated daughter gels from a single type of parent gel via light-controlled modification of the parent’s average composition, strand length, and/or cross-linking density. Furthermore, daughter gels that are softer than their parent, stiffer than their parent, larger but with the same modulus as their parent, thermally responsive, polarity responsive, healable, and weldable are all realized.« less

  11. Nonflammable gel electrolyte containing alkyl phosphate for rechargeable lithium batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoshimoto, Nobuko; Niida, Yoshihiro; Egashira, Minato; Morita, Masayuki

    A nonflammable polymeric gel electrolyte has been developed for rechargeable lithium battery systems. The gel film consists of poly(vinylidenefluoride- co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) swollen with lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6) solution in ternary solvent containing trimethyl phosphate (TMP). High ionic conductivity of 6.2 mS cm -1 at 20 °C was obtained for the gel electrolyte consisting of 0.8 M LiPF 6/EC + DEC + TMP (55:25:20) with PVdF-HFP, which is comparable to that of the liquid electrolyte containing the same electrolytic salt. Addition of a small amount of vinylene carbonate (VC) in the gel electrolyte improved the rechargeability of a graphite electrode. The rechargeable capacity of the graphite in the gel containing VC was ca. 300 mAh g -1, which is almost the same as that in a conventional liquid electrolyte system.

  12. Oxytetracycline removal from water by novel microbial embedding gel beads

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Nan; Pan, Peng; Zeng, Ming; Wang, Wei; Xu, Chenshan; Zhang, Zongpeng; Liu, Xinyuan; Wang, Yichao

    2018-01-01

    As a common antibiotic in aquatic environment, excessive oxytetracycline (OTC) is urgent to be removed due to its great biological toxicity. Compared with the traditional activated sludge, microbial embedding can enhance the treating efficiency. In this study, novel microbial embedding gel beads were produced with the additional agent of cyclodextrin (CD). Results show that CD could increase the mass transfer of OTC into gel beads, possibly because of its strong affinity for organic matters. In terms of OTC biodegradation, gel beads with CD were comparable to gel beads without CD, while the former’s sucrose removal efficiency was higher than the latter. The biodegradation of OTC only occurred in the presence of sucrose. The respiration test also confirmed these findings. Overall, the produced novel gel beads modified with CD could improve the removal performance of OTC.

  13. A study on electrode gels for skin conductance measurements.

    PubMed

    Tronstad, Christian; Johnsen, Gorm Krogh; Grimnes, Sverre; Martinsen, Ørjan G

    2010-10-01

    Low-frequency skin conductance is used within several clinical applications and is mainly sensitive to sweating and the moisture content of the stratum corneum, but also how electrodes introduce changes in the electrical properties. Four electrode gels were investigated with regard to sorption characteristics and electrical properties. Skin conductance time series were collected from 18 test subjects during relaxation, exercise and recovery, wearing different pairs of electrodes contralaterally on the hypothenar and the T9 dermatome. Pressure test was applied on the T9 electrodes. Impedance frequency sweeps were taken on the T9 electrodes the same day and the next, parameterized to the Cole model. ANOVA on the initial skin conductance level change, exercise response amplitude, recovery offset and pressure-induced changes revealed significant differences among gel types. The wetter gels caused a higher positive level change, a greater response amplitude, larger recovery offset and greater pressure-induced artifacts compared to the solid gels. Sweating on the T9 site led to negative skin conductance responses for the wetter gels. Correlations were found between the desorption measurements and the initial skin conductance level change (hypothenar: R = 0.988 T9: R = 0.901) RM-ANOVA on the Cole parameters revealed a significant decrease in R(s) of the most resistive gel. Clinical implications are discussed.

  14. Comparative Skeletal Muscle Proteomics Using Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis

    PubMed Central

    Murphy, Sandra; Dowling, Paul; Ohlendieck, Kay

    2016-01-01

    The pioneering work by Patrick H. O’Farrell established two-dimensional gel electrophoresis as one of the most important high-resolution protein separation techniques of modern biochemistry (Journal of Biological Chemistry 1975, 250, 4007–4021). The application of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has played a key role in the systematic identification and detailed characterization of the protein constituents of skeletal muscles. Protein changes during myogenesis, muscle maturation, fibre type specification, physiological muscle adaptations and natural muscle aging were studied in depth by the original O’Farrell method or slightly modified gel electrophoretic techniques. Over the last 40 years, the combined usage of isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis in the second dimension has been successfully employed in several hundred published studies on gel-based skeletal muscle biochemistry. This review focuses on normal and physiologically challenged skeletal muscle tissues and outlines key findings from mass spectrometry-based muscle proteomics, which was instrumental in the identification of several thousand individual protein isoforms following gel electrophoretic separation. These muscle-associated protein species belong to the diverse group of regulatory and contractile proteins of the acto-myosin apparatus that forms the sarcomere, cytoskeletal proteins, metabolic enzymes and transporters, signaling proteins, ion-handling proteins, molecular chaperones and extracellular matrix proteins. PMID:28248237

  15. Azelaic acid 15% gel: in the treatment of papulopustular rosacea.

    PubMed

    Frampton, James E; Wagstaff, Antona J

    2004-01-01

    Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring, straight-chain dicarboxylic acid which is effective in the treatment of rosacea, presumably on account of its anti-inflammatory properties. In randomized, double-blind, multicenter studies involving patients with moderate papulopustular facial rosacea, twice-daily topical application of azelaic acid 15% gel to the face was significantly more effective than twice-daily administration of either its vehicle (two studies) or metronidazole 0.75% gel (one study) in reducing inflammatory lesion counts and erythema severity. However, neither active treatment had a clinically discernable effect on telangiectasia. In all three studies, azelaic acid 15% gel recipients experienced continuous decreases in lesion counts and erythema throughout the 12- to 15-week treatment periods. However, the effects of metronidazole 0.75% gel plateauxed after 8 weeks. In other efficacy assessments in these studies, azelaic acid 15% gel was superior to its vehicle and metronidazole 0.75% gel in both the investigators' global assessment of rosacea and the investigators' end-of-study evaluation of overall improvement, and superior to its vehicle in the patients' end-of-study evaluation of overall improvement. The most frequent treatment-related cutaneous adverse events during administration of azelaic acid 15% gel include burning/stinging/tingling and pruritus (itching); however, these events are predominantly transient in nature and mild-to-moderate in intensity.

  16. Acceptability of a combination testosterone gel and depomedroxyprogesterone acetate male contraceptive regimen.

    PubMed

    Amory, John K; Page, Stephanie T; Anawalt, Bradley D; Matsumoto, Alvin M; Bremner, William J

    2007-03-01

    Testosterone (T) gel, administered transdermally in combination with injections of depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) every 3 months, results in effective suppression of spermatogenesis in 90% of men. Men's attitudes regarding the daily self-administration of T-gel and the impact of such a regimen on sexual function, however, are unknown. Therefore, we questioned subjects enrolled in a combination T-gel plus DMPA male contraceptive trial regarding the acceptability of T-gel for male contraception and the impact of the T-gel/DMPA regimen on sexual function and satisfaction during treatment. Thirty-eight healthy men, ages 18-55, were treated with T-gel (100 mg daily) + DMPA (300 mg every 3 months) for 24 weeks. Sexual function was assessed using a validated questionnaire at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks into recovery. The overall acceptability of the method and attitudes regarding the daily self-administration of T-gel were assessed by a questionnaire 12 weeks into recovery. Fifty percent of subjects were either satisfied or very satisfied with the T-gel-based contraceptive regimen, and 45% indicated they would use the regimen if it were commercially available. The T-gel was found to be easy to use by 76% of men, but a third of subjects felt that T-gel administration interfered with their daily routine. Sexual function was largely preserved during treatment; however, slight decreases in sexual function were noted during recovery. The experimental male hormonal contraceptive regimen of T-gel + DMPA is acceptable to approximately one half of study volunteers, most of whom would use the method if it were commercially available. Given its appeal to a significant proportion of men, additional studies using T-gel and DMPA for male contraception are warranted.

  17. Formulation and method for preparing gels comprising hydrous hafnium oxide

    DOEpatents

    Collins, Jack L; Hunt, Rodney D; Montgomery, Frederick C

    2013-08-06

    Formulations useful for preparing hydrous hafnium oxide gels contain a metal salt including hafnium, an acid, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous hafnium oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including hafnium, an acid, an organic base, and a complexing agent.

  18. The characteristics of bacterial nanocellulose gel releasing silk sericin for facial treatment.

    PubMed

    Aramwit, Pornanong; Bang, Nipaporn

    2014-12-09

    Recently, naturally derived facial masks with beneficial biological properties have received increasing interest. In this study, silk sericin-releasing bacterial nanocellulose gel was developed to be applied as a bioactive mask for facial treatment. The silk sericin-releasing bacterial nanocellulose gel produced at a pH of 4.5 had an ultrafine and extremely pure fiber network structure. The mechanical properties and moisture absorption ability of the gel were improved, compared to those of the commercially available paper mask. Silk sericin could be control-released from the gel. A peel test with porcine skin showed that the gel was less adhesive than the commercially available paper mask, which would be removed from the face more easily without pain. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the gel was not toxic to L929 mouse fibroblast and HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. Furthermore, when implanted subcutaneously and evaluated according to ISO10993-6 standard, the gel was not irritant to tissue. The silk sericin-releasing bacterial nanocellulose gel had appropriate physical and biological properties and safety for the facial treatment application.

  19. Fixation of radioactive ions in porous media with ion exchange gels

    DOEpatents

    Mercer, Jr., Basil W.; Godfrey, Wesley L.

    1979-01-01

    A method is provided for fixing radioactive ions in porous media by injecting into the porous media water-soluble organic monomers which are polymerizable to gel structures with ion exchange sites and polymerizing the monomers to form ion exchange gels. The ions and the particles of the porous media are thereby physically fixed in place by the gel structure and, in addition, the ions are chemically fixed by the ion exchange properties of the resulting gel.

  20. Crystallization of Na2O-SiO2 gel and glass

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Neilson, G. F.; Weinberg, M. C.

    1984-01-01

    The crystallization behavior of a 19 wt pct soda silica gel and gel-derived glass was compared to that of the ordinary glass of the same composition. Both bulk and ground glass samples were utilized. X-ray diffraction measurements were made to identify the crystalline phases and gauge the extent of crystallization. It was found that the gel crystallized in a distinctive manner, while the gel glass behavior was not qualitatively different from that of the ordinary glass.

  1. Enzymatically Crosslinked Emulsion Gels Using Star-Polymer Stabilizers.

    PubMed

    Ma, Kai; An, Zesheng

    2016-10-01

    A novel type of emulsion gel based on star-polymer-stabilized emulsions is highlighted, which contains discrete hydrophobic oil and hydrophilic aqueous solution domains. Well-defined phenol-functionalized core-crosslinked star polymers are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated dispersion polymerization and are used as stabilizers for oil-in-water emulsions. Horseradish-peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of the phenol moieties in the presence of H 2 O 2 enables rapid formation of crosslinked emulsion gels under mild conditions. The crosslinked emulsion gels exhibit enhanced mechanical strength, as well as widely tunable composition. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Ultrapure glass optical waveguide development in microgravity by the sol-gel process

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mukherjee, S. P.; Holman, R. A.

    1981-01-01

    Multicomponent, homogeneous, noncrystalline oxide gels can be prepared by the sol-gel process and these gels are promising starting materials for melting glasses in the space environment. The sol-gel process referred to here is based on the polymerization reaction of alkoxysilane with other metal alkoxy compounds or suitable metal salts. Many of the alkoxysilanes or other metal alkoxides are liquids and thus can be purified by distillation. The use of gels offers several advantages such as high purity and lower melting times and temperatures. The sol-gel process is studied for utilization in the preparation of multicomponent ultrapure glass batches for subsequent containerless melting of the batches in space to prepare glass blanks for optical waveguides.

  3. Dose evaluation of an NIPAM polymer gel dosimeter using gamma index

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Yuan-Jen; Lin, Jing-Quan; Hsieh, Bor-Tsung; Yao, Chun-Hsu; Chen, Chin-Hsing

    2014-11-01

    An N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) polymer gel dosimeter has great potential in clinical applications. However, its three-dimensional dose distribution must be assessed. In this work, a quantitative evaluation of dose distributions was performed to evaluate the NIPAM polymer gel dosimeter using gamma analysis. A cylindrical acrylic phantom filled with NIPAM gel measuring 10 cm (diameter) by 10 cm (height) by 3 mm (thickness) was irradiated by a 4×4 cm2 square light field. The irradiated gel phantom was scanned using an optical computed tomography (optical CT) scanner (OCTOPUS™, MGS Research, Inc., Madison, CT, USA) at 1 mm resolution. The projection data were transferred to an image reconstruction program, which was written using MATLAB (The MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA). The program reconstructed the image of the optical density distribution using the algorithm of a filter back-projection. Three batches of replicated gel phantoms were independently measured. The average uncertainty of the measurements was less than 1%. The gel was found to have a high degree of spatial uniformity throughout the dosimeter and good temporal stability. A comparison of the line profiles of the treatment planning system and of the data measured by optical CT showed that the dose was overestimated in the penumbra region because of two factors. The first is light scattering due to changes in the refractive index at the edge of the irradiated field. The second is the edge enhancement caused by free radical diffusion. However, the effect of edge enhancement on the NIPAM gel dosimeter is not as significant as that on the BANG gel dosimeter. Moreover, the dose uncertainty is affected by the inaccuracy of the gel container positioning process. To reduce the uncertainty of 3D dose distribution, improvements in the gel container holder must be developed.

  4. [Induced abortion using prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha gel].

    PubMed

    Lippert, T H; Modly, T

    1974-01-01

    In this study of 20 patients in the 13th-17th week of pregnancy abortion was induced with intrauterine, extraamniotic application of prostaglandins (PG) E2 or F2 in gel form. The gel composition was as follows: 4% tylose MH 300, 2% glycerine, 1% chlorhexidine digluconate, 83% sterile distilled water and 10% PG stock solution. Both PGE2 and PGF2 gels were used. Final concentration was 2.5 mg E2 or 2.5 mg F2 per g of gel. Gel was applied via transcervical, extraamniotic polyethylene catheter every 2-3 hours. Results: PGE2-gel was used in 14 cases. After 3-4 applications both fetus and placenta were expelled. Average dose used was 4.6 mg E2/patient. First contractions started in 30 minutes; induction to expulsion time was 11 hours 35 minutes. F2-gel given to 6 patients resulted in expulsion of the fetus in all cases but placenta needed removal by curettage in 4 patients. Average dose per patient was 17.7 mg of F2; first contractions in 30 minutes, average expulsion time 17 hours 38 minutes. With both PGs there were painful contractions which were controlled with a combination of pentazocine and Valium. PGE2 caused vomiting in 5 patients. No increased bleeding or postabortion infection occurred. Follow-up curettage was done in all patients to ensure removal of all tissues. Overall evaluation of the PG-gels was considered good. PG stability in gel form is good; during 8 months of preservation in sterile aluminum tubes at -25 degrees Celsius no decline in clinical effectiveness was noted. The gel application is less expensive than the slow-injection pump method.

  5. Effect of eliminating the residual fluoride gel on titanium bracket corrosion.

    PubMed

    Khoury, Elie S; Abboud, Maher; Bassil-Nassif, Nayla; Bouserhal, Joseph

    2011-09-01

    Fluoride ions, in long-term applications on titanium brackets, cause their corrosion. Fluoride gel used for caries prevention during orthodontic treatment has a very high concentration in fluoride ions, and therefore has the potential for causing bracket corrosion. The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of eliminating the residual fluoride gel, by rinsing it, on the corrosion of titanium brackets. The secondary aim was to evaluate the corrosion of titanium brackets in the presence of fluoride gel. One hundred titanium brackets were divided into five groups of 20 brackets each. Group 1 being the control group, the rest of the groups were immersed in fluoride gel: Group 2 for 4 minutes and kept for 30 minutes with the residual fluoride gel on; Group 3 for 4 minutes followed by immediate water rinsing; Group 4 for 12 minutes and kept for 90 minutes with the residual fluoride gel on and Group 5 for 12 minutes followed by immediate water rinsing. All groups were rinsed then dried, for 20 hours, using Silica gel in a desiccator maintained at 37°C before testing. Gravimetrical results and SEM analysis showed no significant difference between Groups 2, 3 and 5 compared to each other and to the control group. Only Group 4 showed significant weight loss and pitting corrosion in four of the 20 brackets. In sliding resistance, no significant difference was detected between any of the groups. Short time applications of fluoride gel do not affect sliding resistance of titanium brackets. No titanium corrosion was detected for one application of concentrated fluoride gel and some brackets showed pitting corrosion for three applications. The rinsing of residual fluoride gel eliminates completely the risk of bracket corrosion. Copyright © 2011 CEO. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  6. Evolution of heterogeneity accompanying sol-gel transitions in a supramolecular hydrogel.

    PubMed

    Matsumoto, Yuji; Shundo, Atsuomi; Ohno, Masashi; Tsuruzoe, Nobutomo; Goto, Masahiro; Tanaka, Keiji

    2017-10-18

    When a peptide amphiphile is dispersed in water, it self-assembles into a fibrous network, leading to a supramolecular hydrogel. When the gel is physically disrupted by shaking, it transforms into a sol state. After aging at room temperature for a while, it spontaneously returns to the gel state, called sol-gel transition. However, repeating the sol-gel transition often causes a change in the rheological properties of the gel. To gain a better understanding of the sol-gel transition and its reversibility, we herein examined the thermal motion of probe particles at different locations in a supramolecular hydrogel. The sol obtained by shaking the gel was heterogeneous in terms of the rheological properties and the extent decreased with increasing aging time. This time course of heterogeneity, or homogeneity, which corresponded to the sol-to-gel transition, was observed for the 1st cycle. However, this was not the case for the 2nd and 3rd cycles; the heterogeneity was preserved even after aging. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and atomic force and confocal laser scanning microscopies revealed that, although the molecular aggregation states of amphiphiles both in the gel and sol remained unchanged with the cycles, the fibril density diversified to high and low density regions even after aging. The tracking of particles with different sizes indicated that the partial mesh size in the high density region and the characteristic length scale of the density fluctuation were smaller than 50 nm and 6 μm, respectively.

  7. Procedures and computer program for deriving the Ferguson plot from electrophoresis in a single pore gradient gel: application to agarose gel and a polystyrene particle.

    PubMed

    Tietz, D; Gombocz, E; Chrambach, A

    1991-10-01

    This study presents a computerized evaluation of pore gradient gel electrophoretograms to arrive at estimates for both the particle-free mobility and retardation coefficient, which is related to particle size. Agarose pore gradient gels ranging from 0.2 to 1.1% agarose were formed. Gel gradients were stabilized during their formation by a density gradient of 0-20% 5-(N-2,3-dihydroxypropylacetamido)- 2,4,6-triiodo-N,N'bis-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-isophthalamide (Nycodenz). Densitometry of gelled-in Bromophenol Blue showed that these pore gradients exhibited a linear central segment and were reproducible. Migration distances of polystyrene sulfate microspheres (36.5 nm radius) in agarose pore gradient gel electrophoresis were determined by time-lapse photography at several durations of electrophoresis. These migration distances were evaluated as a function of migration time as previously reported (D. Tietz, Adv. Electrophoresis 1988, 2, 109-169). Although this is not necessarily required, the mathematical approach used in this study assumed linearity of both the pore gradient and the Ferguson plot for reasons of simplicity. The data evaluation on the basis of the extended Ogston model is incorporated in a user-friendly program, GRADFIT, which is designed for personal computers (Macintosh). The results obtained are compared with (1) conventional electrophoresis using several gels of single concentration with and without Nycodenz, and (ii) a different mathematical approach for the analysis of gradient gels (Rodbard et al., Anal. Biochem. 1971, 40, 135-157). Moreover, a simple procedure for evaluating linear pore gradient gels using linear regression analysis is presented. It is concluded that the values of particle-free mobility and retardation coefficient derived from pore gradient gel electrophoresis using the different mathematical methods are statistically indistinguishable from each other. However, these values are different, albeit close, to those obtained from

  8. A pilot clinical trial comparing an acid-buffering formulation (ACIDFORM gel) with metronidazole gel for the treatment of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis

    PubMed Central

    Simoes, Jose A; Bahamondes, Luis G; Camargo, Rodrigo P S; Alves, Valeria M N; Zaneveld, Lourens J D; Waller, Donald P; Schwartz, Jill; Callahan, Marianne M; Mauck, Christine K

    2006-01-01

    Aim To compare the effectiveness of an acid-buffering formulation gel (ACIDFORM) with metronidazole gel in the treatment of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods After a confirmed diagnosis of BV according to the criteria established by Nugent and Amsel, 30 nonpregnant women were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind clinical study. The women were randomly assigned to receive either 5 g ACIDFORM gel (n = 13) or 10% metronidazole gel (n = 17) intravaginally once daily for five consecutive days. Participants were evaluated in two follow-up visits (7–12 days and 28–35 days after treatment). Therapeutic success was defined as the presence of less than three of Amsel's criteria. If three or more criteria were present at first or second follow-up visit, the woman was excluded from the study and treated orally with metronidazole. Nugent scores were recorded at each visit but these were not used to define cure. Results At the first follow-up visit, 15 (88%) of the women in the metronidazole group were cured compared with only three (23%) in the ACIDFORM group (P < 0.001). The remaining 12 women (10 of the ACIDFORM group and two of the metronidazole group) were considered as failure and were treated orally with metronidazole. At the second follow-up visit, two of the ACIDFORM-treated women and six of the metronidazole-treated women presented recurrent BV. Four women in the ACIDFORM group and one in the metronidazole group reported occasional burning and itching during product use. Conclusion ACIDFORM gel was significantly less effective than high-dose metronidazole gel for the treatment of symptomatic BV. PMID:16433875

  9. SU-E-T-753: Three-Dimensional Dose Distributions of Incident Proton Particle in the Polymer Gel Dosimeter and the Radiochromic Gel Dosimeter: A Simulation Study with MCNP Code

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Park, M; Kim, G; Ji, Y

    Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate the three-dimensional dose distributions in the polymer and the radiochromic gel dosimeter, and to identify the detectability of both gel dosimeters by comparing with the water phantom in case of irradiating the proton particles. Methods: The normoxic polymer gel and the LCV micelle radiochromic gel were used in this study. The densities of polymer and the radiochromic gel dosimeter were 1.024 and 1.005 g/cm{sup 3}, respectively. The dose distributions of protons in the polymer and radiochromic gel were simulated using Monte Carlo radiation transport code (MCNPX, Los Alamos National Laboratory). Themore » shape of phantom irradiated by proton particles was a hexahedron with the dimension of 12.4 × 12.4 × 15.0 cm{sup 3}. The energies of proton beam were 50, 80, and 140 MeV energies were directed to top of the surface of phantom. The cross-sectional view of proton dose distribution in both gel dosimeters was estimated with the water phantom and evaluated by the gamma evaluation method. In addition, the absorbed dose(Gy) was also calculated for evaluating the proton detectability. Results: The evaluation results show that dose distributions in both gel dosimeters at intermediated section and Bragg-peak region are similar with that of the water phantom. At entrance section, however, inconsistencies of dose distribution are represented, compared with water. The relative absorbed doses in radiochromic and polymer gel dosimeter were represented to be 0.47 % and 2.26 % difference, respectively. These results show that the radiochromic gel dosimeter was better matched than the water phantom in the absorbed dose evaluation. Conclusion: The polymer and the radiochromic gel dosimeter show similar characteristics in dose distributions for the proton beams at intermediate section and Bragg-peak region. Moreover the calculated absorbed dose in both gel dosimeters represents similar tendency by comparing with that in water

  10. Chirp-Z analysis for sol-gel transition monitoring.

    PubMed

    Martinez, Loïc; Caplain, Emmanuel; Serfaty, Stéphane; Griesmar, Pascal; Gouedard, Gérard; Gindre, Marcel

    2004-04-01

    Gelation is a complex reaction that transforms a liquid medium into a solid one: the gel. In gel state, some gel materials (DMAP) have the singular property to ring in an audible frequency range when a pulse is applied. Before the gelation point, there is no transmission of slow waves observed; after the gelation point, the speed of sound in the gel rapidly increases from 0.1 to 10 m/s. The time evolution of the speed of sound can be measured, in frequency domain, by following the frequency spacing of the resonance peaks from the Synchronous Detection (SD) measurement method. Unfortunately, due to a constant frequency sampling rate, the relative error for low speeds (0.1 m/s) is 100%. In order to maintain a low constant relative error, in the whole speed time evolution range, Chirp-Z Transform (CZT) is used. This operation transforms a time variant signal to a time invariant one using only a time dependant stretching factor (S). In the frequency domain, the CZT enables us to stretch each collected spectrum from time signals. The blind identification of the S factor gives us the complete time evolution law of the speed of sound. Moreover, this method proves that the frequency bandwidth follows the same time law. These results point out that the minimum wavelength stays constant and that it only depends on the gel.

  11. Normal modes of weak colloidal gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Varga, Zsigmond; Swan, James W.

    2018-01-01

    The normal modes and relaxation rates of weak colloidal gels are investigated in calculations using different models of the hydrodynamic interactions between suspended particles. The relaxation spectrum is computed for freely draining, Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa, and accelerated Stokesian dynamics approximations of the hydrodynamic mobility in a normal mode analysis of a harmonic network representing several colloidal gels. We find that the density of states and spatial structure of the normal modes are fundamentally altered by long-ranged hydrodynamic coupling among the particles. Short-ranged coupling due to hydrodynamic lubrication affects only the relaxation rates of short-wavelength modes. Hydrodynamic models accounting for long-ranged coupling exhibit a microscopic relaxation rate for each normal mode, λ that scales as l-2, where l is the spatial correlation length of the normal mode. For the freely draining approximation, which neglects long-ranged coupling, the microscopic relaxation rate scales as l-γ, where γ varies between three and two with increasing particle volume fraction. A simple phenomenological model of the internal elastic response to normal mode fluctuations is developed, which shows that long-ranged hydrodynamic interactions play a central role in the viscoelasticity of the gel network. Dynamic simulations of hard spheres that gel in response to short-ranged depletion attractions are used to test the applicability of the density of states predictions. For particle concentrations up to 30% by volume, the power law decay of the relaxation modulus in simulations accounting for long-ranged hydrodynamic interactions agrees with predictions generated by the density of states of the corresponding harmonic networks as well as experimental measurements. For higher volume fractions, excluded volume interactions dominate the stress response, and the prediction from the harmonic network density of states fails. Analogous to the Zimm model in polymer

  12. Foam and gel methods for the decontamination of metallic surfaces

    DOEpatents

    Nunez, Luis; Kaminski, Michael Donald

    2007-01-23

    Decontamination of nuclear facilities is necessary to reduce the radiation field during normal operations and decommissioning of complex equipment. In this invention, we discuss gel and foam based diphosphonic acid (HEDPA) chemical solutions that are unique in that these solutions can be applied at room temperature; provide protection to the base metal for continued applications of the equipment; and reduce the final waste form production to one step. The HEDPA gels and foams are formulated with benign chemicals, including various solvents, such as ionic liquids and reducing and complexing agents such as hydroxamic acids, and formaldehyde sulfoxylate. Gel and foam based HEDPA processes allow for decontamination of difficult to reach surfaces that are unmanageable with traditional aqueous process methods. Also, the gel and foam components are optimized to maximize the dissolution rate and assist in the chemical transformation of the gel and foam to a stable waste form.

  13. Oral chronic ethanol administration to rodents by agar gel diet.

    PubMed

    Bykov, I; Palmén, M; Piirainen, L; Lindros, K O

    2004-01-01

    Chronic ethanol administration to rodents requires specially designed equipment and is labor intensive. Here we report a new procedure. A commercial liquid diet preparation was made into a gel by addition of 0.5% agar. The gel, containing 5.3% ethanol, was offered in Falcon tubes equipped with a feeding opening. The gel consumption by C57/Bl mice resulted in high blood ethanol levels (average 43 mM). After 6 weeks, marked liver steatosis and significantly increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels had developed. Administration of ethanol in a nutritionally adequate gel provides a simple method for studies on chronic ethanol effects in rodents.

  14. Viscoelasticity measurement of gel formed at the liquid-liquid reactive interfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ujiie, Tomohiro

    2012-11-01

    We have experimentally studied a reacting liquid flow with gel formation by using viscous fingering (VF) as a flow field. Here, two systems were employed. In one system, sodium polyacrylate (SPA) solution and ferric ion solution were used as the more and less viscous liquids, respectively. In another system, xthantan gum (XG) solution and the ferric ion solution were used as the more and less viscous liquids, respectively. We showed that influence of gel formation on VF were qualitatively different in these two systems. We consider that the difference in the two systems will be caused by the difference in the properties of the gels. Therefore, we have measured the rheological properties of the gels by means of a rheometer. In the present study, viscoelasticity measurement was performed by two methods. One is the method which uses Double Wall Ring sensor (TA instrument) and another is the method using parallel plate. In both viscoelasticity measurements, the behavior of the formed gel was qualitatively consistent. We have found that the gel in the SPA system shows viscoelastic fluid like behavior. Moreover, we have found that the gel in the XG system shows solid like behavior.

  15. Capillary pressure as related to water holding in polyacrylamide and chicken protein gels.

    PubMed

    Stevenson, Clinton D; Dykstra, Michael J; Lanier, Tyre C

    2013-02-01

    The ability of food gels to hold water affects product yield and organoleptic quality. Most researchers believe that water is held by capillarity such that gels having smaller mean pore diameter and a more hydrophilic surface hold water more tightly. To date, however, only qualitative evidence relating pore size to water holding (WH) properties has been provided. The present study sought to provide quantitative confirmation of this hypothesis. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with image analysis was used to measure pore size, and water contact angle with the gel surface was measured by the captive bubble method, in both model polyacrylamide gels and heat-induced protein (minced chicken breast) gels. These were related to water lost during cooking of meat pastes to form gels (cooking loss (CL)), as well as water lost upon centrifugation (expressible water (EW)) or by capillary suction (CSL) of all prepared gels, as inverse measures of WH. As predicted by the Young-Laplace equation for calculating capillary pressure, the presumed mechanism of WH, gels with lower water losses exhibited a more hydrophilic surface (smaller contact angle). Yet, both lower CL and CSL correlated with larger mean pore diameter of gels, not smaller as had been expected. Polyacrylamide gels varied more in WH than did prepared meat gels, yet only the capillary suction method was sensitive enough to detect these differences.  The ability of gels to hold water is important for economics of processing, food quality, and food safety. This study investigated the prevailing theory for how gels hold water, capillarity. Both the pore sizes of gel microstructures and the degree of hydrophilicity of the polymers comprising each gel were quantitatively assessed and related to water holding (WH) properties, and this was the first report using such methodologies. It appeared that the degree of hydrophilicity was much more important explaining WH properties than pore size, and that future research of

  16. Dosimetric characteristics of PASSAG as a new polymer gel dosimeter with negligible toxicity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farhood, Bagher; Abtahi, Seyed Mohammad Mahdi; Geraily, Ghazale; Ghorbani, Mehdi; Mahdavi, Seied Rabi; Zahmatkesh, Mohammad Hasan

    2018-06-01

    Despite many advantages of polymer gel dosimeters, their clinical use is only not realized now. Toxicity of polymer gel dosimeters can be considered as one of their main limitations for use in routine clinical applications. In the current study, a new polymer gel dosimeter is introduced with negligible toxicity. For this purpose, 2-Acrylamido-2-Methy-1-PropaneSulfonic acid (AMPS) sodium salt monomer was replaced instead of acrylamide monomer used in PAGAT gel dosimeter by using %6 T and %50 C to the gel formula and the new formulation is called PASSAG (Poly AMPS Sodium Salt and Gelatin) polymer gel dosimeter. The irradiation of gel dosimeters was carried out using a Co-60 therapy machine. MRI technique was used to quantify the dose responses of the PASSAG gel dosimeter. Then, the MRI responses (R2) of the gel dosimeter was analyzed at different dose values, post-irradiation times, and scanning temperatures. The results showed that the new gel formulation has a negligible toxicity and it is also eco-friendly. In addition, carcinogenicity and genetic toxicity tests are negative for the monomer used in PASSAG. The radiological properties of PASSAG gel dosimeter showed that this substance can be considered as a soft tissue/water equivalent material. Furthermore, dosimetric evaluation of the new polymer gel dosimeter revealed an excellent linear R2-dose response in the evaluated dose range (0-15 Gy). The R2-dose sensitivity and dose resolution of PASSAG gel dosimeter were 0.081 s-1Gy-1 (in 0-15 Gy dose range) and 1 Gy (in 0-10 Gy dose range), respectively. Moreover, it was shown that the R2-dose sensitivity and dose resolution of the new gel dosimeter improves over time after irradiation. It was also found that the R2 response of the PASSAG gel dosimeter has less dependency to the 18, 20, and 24 °C scanning temperature in comparison to that of room temperature (22 °C).

  17. Comparison of the transdermal absorption of nimesulide from three commercially available gel formulations.

    PubMed

    Dayal, Pankaj; Kanikkannan, Narayanasamy; Singh, Amarjit; Sing, Mandip

    2002-03-01

    Nimesulide is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) applied topically for a variety of conditions characterized by pain and inflammation. One of the aims of this study was to compare the permeation profile of nimesulide from the commercially available transdermal gel formulations across dermatomed porcine and human skin. The in vitro transdermal absorption of nimesulide formulations across porcine skin and human skin was studiedfor 24 hr using a continuous flow-through diffusion cell. The three commercial gels used in this study were Nimulid, Nise Gel, and Orthobid. All gels contained 1% (w/w) nimesulide. An infinite dose of nimesulide gel (about 300mg) was applied on the skin over 0.636 cm2 surface area. The rank order for the drug permeation from these formulations using porcine skin was: Nimulid > Orthobid > Nise Gel. The rank order of the permeation across human skin was: Nimulid> Nise Gel> Orthobid. The permeation profiles followed zero-order kinetics without any significant lag time. The steady-state flux of nimesulide from Nimulid was significantly higher than that of Nise Gel and Orthobid in both porcine and human skin (p <.05). However, there were no significant differences in the delivery of nimesulide (24 hr) from Nise Gel and Orthobid across both human and porcine skins. The results suggest that the Nimulid gel may have a greater bioavailability of nimesulide compared to the other gels. In addition, permeation profiles of the various gels across porcine skin did show a positive profile behavior to human skin. However, the in vitro drug release of nimesulide gels across a synthetic membrane did not correlate with skin permeation profiles.

  18. Structurally stable gel bead containing entrapped enzyme and method for manufacture thereof

    DOEpatents

    Woodward, Jonathan

    1998-01-01

    A structurally stable gel bead containing an entrapped enzyme and a method for its manufacture. The enzyme is covalently cross-linked to gelatin in the presence of glutaraldehyde prior to the formation of the gel bead, to prevent leakage of the enzyme. Propylene glycol alginate is then added to the mixture. Once the gel beads are formed, they are then soaked in glutaraldehyde, which imparts structural stability to the gel beads. This method can be used with many types of enzymes, such as proteases, carbohydrases, proteases, ligases, isomerases, oxidoreductases, and specialty enzymes. These and other enzymes can be immobilized in the gel beads and utilized in a number of enzymatic processes. Exogenously added ions are not required to maintain the structural stability of these gel beads.

  19. Ultraflexible organic amplifier with biocompatible gel electrodes.

    PubMed

    Sekitani, Tsuyoshi; Yokota, Tomoyuki; Kuribara, Kazunori; Kaltenbrunner, Martin; Fukushima, Takanori; Inoue, Yusuke; Sekino, Masaki; Isoyama, Takashi; Abe, Yusuke; Onodera, Hiroshi; Someya, Takao

    2016-04-29

    In vivo electronic monitoring systems are promising technology to obtain biosignals with high spatiotemporal resolution and sensitivity. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of a biocompatible highly conductive gel composite comprising multi-walled carbon nanotube-dispersed sheet with an aqueous hydrogel. This gel composite exhibits admittance of 100 mS cm(-2) and maintains high admittance even in a low-frequency range. On implantation into a living hypodermal tissue for 4 weeks, it showed a small foreign-body reaction compared with widely used metal electrodes. Capitalizing on the multi-functional gel composite, we fabricated an ultrathin and mechanically flexible organic active matrix amplifier on a 1.2-μm-thick polyethylene-naphthalate film to amplify (amplification factor: ∼200) weak biosignals. The composite was integrated to the amplifier to realize a direct lead epicardial electrocardiography that is easily spread over an uneven heart tissue.

  20. Sol-gel encapsulation for controlled drug release and biosensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fang, Jonathan

    The main focus of this dissertation is to investigate the use of sol-gel encapsulation of biomolecules for controlled drug release and biosensing. Controlled drug release has advantages over conventional therapies in that it maintains a constant, therapeutic drug level in the body for prolonged periods of time. The anti-hypertensive drug Captopril was encapsulated in sol-gel materials of various forms, such as silica xerogels and nanoparticles. The primary objective was to show that sol-gel silica materials are promising drug carriers for controlled release by releasing Captopril at a release rate that is within a therapeutic range. We were able to demonstrate desired release for over a week from Captopril-doped silica xerogels and overall release from Captopril-doped silica nanoparticles. As an aside, the antibiotic Vancomycin was also encapsulated in these porous silica nanoparticles and desired release was obtained for several days in-vitro. The second part of the dissertation focuses on immobilizing antibodies and proteins in sol-gel to detect various analytes, such as hormones and amino acids. Sol-gel competitive immunoassays on antibody-doped silica xerogels were used for hormone detection. Calibration for insulin and C-peptide in standard solutions was obtained in the nM range. In addition, NASA-Ames is also interested in developing a reagentless biosensor using bacterial periplasmic binding proteins (bPBPs) to detect specific biomarkers, such as amino acids and phosphate. These bPBPs were doubly labeled with two different fluorophores and encapsulated in silica xerogels. Ligand-binding experiments were performed on the bPBPs in solution and in sol-gel. Ligand-binding was monitored by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the two fluorophores on the bPBP. Titration data show that one bPBP has retained its ligand-binding properties in sol-gel.

  1. Slow Release of Plant Volatiles Using Sol-Gel Dispensers.

    PubMed

    Bian, L; Sun, X L; Cai, X M; Chen, Z M

    2014-12-01

    The black citrus aphid, also known as the tea aphid, (Toxoptera aurantii Boyer) attacks economically important crops, including tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). In the current study, silica sol-gel formulations were screened to find one that could carry and release C. sinensis plant volatiles to lure black citrus aphids in a greenhouse. The common plant volatile trans-2-hexen-1-al was used as a model molecule to screen for suitable sol-gel formulations. A zNose (Electronic Sensor Technology, Newbury Park, CA) transportable gas chromatograph was used to continuously monitor the volatile emissions. A sol-gel formulation containing tetramethyl orthosilicate and methyltrimethoxysilane in an 8:2 (vol:vol) ratio was selected to develop a slow-release dispenser. The half-life of trans-2-hexen-1-al in the sol-gel dispenser increased slightly with the volume of this compound in the dispenser. Ten different volatiles were tested in the sol-gel dispenser. Alcohols of 6-10 carbons had the longest half-lives (3.01-3.77 d), while esters of 6-12 carbons had the shortest (1.53-2.28 d). Release of these volatiles from the dispensers could not be detected by the zNose after 16 d (cis-3-hexenyl acetate) to 26 d (3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol). In greenhouse experiments, trans-2-hexen-1-al and cis-3-hexen-1-ol released from the sol-gel dispensers attracted aphids for ≍17 d, and release of these volatiles could not be detected by the zNose after ≍24 d. The sol-gel dispensers performed adequately for the slow release of plant volatiles to trap aphids in the greenhouse. © 2014 Entomological Society of America.

  2. The correction of time and temperature effects in MR-based 3D Fricke xylenol orange dosimetry.

    PubMed

    Welch, Mattea L; Jaffray, David A

    2017-04-21

    Previously developed MR-based three-dimensional (3D) Fricke-xylenol orange (FXG) dosimeters can provide end-to-end quality assurance and validation protocols for pre-clinical radiation platforms. FXG dosimeters quantify ionizing irradiation induced oxidation of Fe 2+ ions using pre- and post-irradiation MR imaging methods that detect changes in spin-lattice relaxation rates (R 1   =  [Formula: see text]) caused by irradiation induced oxidation of Fe 2+ . Chemical changes in MR-based FXG dosimeters that occur over time and with changes in temperature can decrease dosimetric accuracy if they are not properly characterized and corrected. This paper describes the characterization, development and utilization of an empirical model-based correction algorithm for time and temperature effects in the context of a pre-clinical irradiator and a 7 T pre-clinical MR imaging system. Time and temperature dependent changes of R 1 values were characterized using variable TR spin-echo imaging. R 1 -time and R 1 -temperature dependencies were fit using non-linear least squares fitting methods. Models were validated using leave-one-out cross-validation and resampling. Subsequently, a correction algorithm was developed that employed the previously fit empirical models to predict and reduce baseline R 1 shifts that occurred in the presence of time and temperature changes. The correction algorithm was tested on R 1 -dose response curves and 3D dose distributions delivered using a small animal irradiator at 225 kVp. The correction algorithm reduced baseline R 1 shifts from  -2.8  ×  10 -2 s -1 to 1.5  ×  10 -3 s -1 . In terms of absolute dosimetric performance as assessed with traceable standards, the correction algorithm reduced dose discrepancies from approximately 3% to approximately 0.5% (2.90  ±  2.08% to 0.20  ±  0.07%, and 2.68  ±  1.84% to 0.46  ±  0.37% for the 10  ×  10 and 8  ×  12 mm 2 fields

  3. Sol-Gel Chemistry for Carbon Dots.

    PubMed

    Malfatti, Luca; Innocenzi, Plinio

    2018-03-14

    Carbon dots are an emerging class of carbon-based nanostructures produced by low-cost raw materials which exhibit a widely-tunable photoluminescence and a high quantum yield. The potential of these nanomaterials as a substitute of semiconductor quantum dots in optoelectronics and biomedicine is very high, however they need a customized chemistry to be integrated in host-guest systems or functionalized in core-shell structures. This review is focused on recent advances of the sol-gel chemistry applied to the C-dots technology. The surface modification, the fine tailoring of the chemical composition and the embedding into a complex nanostructured material are the main targets of combining sol-gel processing with C-dots chemistry. In addition, the synergistic effect of the sol-gel precursor combined with the C-dots contribute to modify the intrinsic chemo-physical properties of the dots, empowering the emission efficiency or enabling the tuning of the photoluminescence over a wide range of the visible spectrum. © 2018 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. XEN Gel Implant: a new surgical approach in glaucoma.

    PubMed

    Chaudhary, Ankita; Salinas, Lauriane; Guidotti, Jacopo; Mermoud, André; Mansouri, Kaweh

    2018-01-01

    Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering is the only effective treatment strategy. Traditional glaucoma surgeries are generally considered to be unpredictable and associated with a high rate of complications. This has led to the development of a novel XEN Gel Implant, a type of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), lowering the IOP without extensive surgical dissection. Areas covered: A literature search was undertaken on PubMed using the terms XEN glaucoma, gelatin microstent, and MIGS. All the articles and case reports on XEN Gel Implant and selected articles on MIGS were studied and reviewed. We have discussed the results of most studies on XEN Gel Implant related to its efficacy, safety and success. Expert commentary: The XEN Gel Implant effectively lowers IOP and medication use, with a favorable safety profile. Long-term data on its success and cost-effectiveness are lacking. The studies have shown it to be without any serious adverse events and to have good safety profile encouraging future research on this novel implant. There is a need to correctly identify selection criteria for patients, who would benefit the most from the XEN Gel Implant.

  5. System for loading slab-gel holders for electrophoresis separation

    DOEpatents

    Anderson, Norman G.; Anderson, Norman L.

    1979-01-01

    A slab-gel loading system includes a prismatic chamber for filling a plurality of slab-gel holders simultaneously. Each slab-gel holder comprises a pair of spaced apart plates defining an intermediate volume for gel containment. The holders are vertically positioned in the chamber with their major surfaces parallel to the chamber end walls. A liquid inlet is provided at the corner between the bottom and a side wall of the chamber for distributing a polymerizable monomer solution or a coagulable colloidal solution into each of the holders. The chamber is rotatably supported so that filling can begin with the corner having the liquid inlet directed downwardly such that the solution is gently funneled upwardly, without mixing, along the diverging side and bottom surfaces. As filling proceeds, the chamber is gradually rotated to position the bottom wall in a horizontal mode. The liquid filling means includes a plastic envelope with a septum dividing it into two compartments for intermixing two solutions of different density and thereby providing a liquid flow having a density gradient. The resulting gels have a density gradient between opposite edges for subsequent use in electrophoresis separations.

  6. Annular gel reactor for chemical pattern formation

    DOEpatents

    Nosticzius, Zoltan; Horsthemke, Werner; McCormick, William D.; Swinney, Harry L.; Tam, Wing Y.

    1990-01-01

    The present invention is directed to an annular gel reactor suitable for the production and observation of spatiotemporal patterns created during a chemical reaction. The apparatus comprises a vessel having at least a first and second chamber separated one from the other by an annular polymer gel layer (or other fine porous medium) which is inert to the materials to be reacted but capable of allowing diffusion of the chemicals into it.

  7. Production of continuous mullite fiber via sol-gel processing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tucker, Dennis S.; Sparks, J. Scott; Esker, David C.

    1990-01-01

    The development of a continuous ceramic fiber which could be used in rocket engine and rocket boosters applications was investigated at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Methods of ceramic fiber production such as melt spinning, chemical vapor deposition, and precursor polymeric fiber decomposition are discussed and compared with sol-gel processing. The production of ceramics via the sol-gel method consists of two steps, hydrolysis and polycondensation, to form the preceramic, followed by consolidation into the glass or ceramic structure. The advantages of the sol-gel method include better homogeneity and purity, lower preparation temperature, and the ability to form unique compositions. The disadvantages are the high cost of raw materials, large shrinkage during drying and firing which can lead to cracks, and long processing times. Preparation procedures for aluminosilicate sol-gel and for continuous mullite fibers are described.

  8. Radiation hardening in sol-gel derived Er{sup 3+}-doped silica glasses

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hari Babu, B., E-mail: hariphy2012@gmail.com, E-mail: matthieu.lancry@u-psud.fr; León Pichel, Mónica; Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d'Orsay, UMR CNRS-UPSud 8182, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay

    2015-09-28

    The aim of the present paper is to report the effect of radiation on the Er{sup 3+}-doped sol-gel silica glasses. A possible application of these sol-gel glasses could be their use in harsh radiation environments. The sol-gel glasses are fabricated by densification of erbium salt-soaked nanoporous silica xerogels through polymeric sol-gel technique. The radiation-induced attenuation of Er{sup 3+}-doped sol-gel silica is found to increase with erbium content. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies reveal the presence of E′{sub δ} point defects. This happens in the sol-gel aluminum-silica glass after an exposure to γ-rays (kGy) and in sol-gel silica glass after an exposuremore » to electrons (MGy). The concentration levels of these point defects are much lower in γ-ray irradiated sol-gel silica glasses. When the samples are co-doped with Al, the exposure to γ-ray radiation causes a possible reduction of the erbium valence from Er{sup 3+} to Er{sup 2+} ions. This process occurs in association with the formation of aluminum oxygen hole centers and different intrinsic point defects.« less

  9. Swimming micro-robot powered by stimuli-sensitive gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masoud, Hassan; Alexeev, Alexander

    2012-11-01

    Using three-dimensional computer simulations, we design a simple maneuverable micro-swimmer that can self-propel and navigate in highly viscous (low Reynolds-number) environments. Our simple swimmer consists of a cubic gel body which periodically changes volume in response to external stimuli, two rigid rectangular flaps attached to the opposite sides of the gel body, and a flexible steering flap at the front end of the swimmer. The stimuli-sensitive body undergoes periodic expansions (swelling) and contractions (deswelling) leading to a time-irreversible beating motion of the propulsive flaps that propel the micro-swimmer. Thus, the responsive gel body acts as an ``engine'' actuating the motion of the swimmer. We examine how the swimming speed depends on the gel and flap properties. We also probe how the swimmer trajectory can be changed using a responsive steering flap whose curvature is controlled by an external stimulus. We show that the turning occurs due to steering flap bending and periodic beating. Furthermore, our simulations reveal that the turning direction can be regulated by changing the intensity of external stimulus.

  10. Comparison of effectiveness of Calendula officinalis extract gel with lycopene gel for treatment of tobacco-induced homogeneous leukoplakia: A randomized clinical trial

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Manisha; Bagewadi, Anjana

    2017-01-01

    Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of Calendula officinalis gel as cost-effective treatment modality in comparison to lycopene gel in the treatment of leukoplakia. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of sixty patients of clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed cases of homogeneous leukoplakia which were divided into Group I and Group II with thirty patients each. Group I patients were dispensed C. officinalis extract gel whereas Group II patients were given lycopene gel. The therapy was instituted for 1 month to assess the change in the size of the lesion at the baseline and posttreatment. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant difference in both Group I and Group II when the pre- and post-treatment results were compared in the same group. The mean difference in the reduction in size before and after treatment for Group I was 2.0% ±1.0 cm while for the Group II, it was 1.57% ±0.87 cm. The intergroup comparison for the evaluation of reduction in the size of the lesion did not reveal statistically significant results. Conclusion: C. officinalis extract gel can be effectively used as an alternative to conventional treatment modality. PMID:28929051

  11. Ultrasound-assisted sol-gel synthesis of ZrO2.

    PubMed

    Guel, Marlene Lariza Andrade; Jiménez, Lourdes Díaz; Hernández, Dora Alicia Cortés

    2017-03-01

    Synthesis of tetragonal ZrO 2 by both conventional sol-gel and ultrasound-assisted sol-gel methods and using a non-ionic surfactant Tween-20, was performed. A porous microstructure composed of nanometric particles was observed. Tetragonal ZrO 2 was obtained using a low heat treatment temperature of powders, 500°C by both methods. A higher crystallinity and a shorter reaction time were observed when ultrasound was used in the sol-gel method due to the cavitation phenomenon. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Lipophilic Super-Absorbent Swelling Gels as Cleaners for Use on Weapons Systems and Platforms

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-08-18

    polymer gel systems. Further research will address the post-cleaning gel removal method, the use of non- fluorinated compounds in gel synthesis, and...be proposed to address other issues including the method for removing the gels after swelling, the use of non- fluorinated compounds in gel...strength. Elimination of fluorinated compounds in the gel synthesis was the focus of this and subsequent phases of this research. TECHNICAL APPROACH

  13. Formulation and evaluation of once-a-day transdermal gels of diclofenac diethylamine.

    PubMed

    Baboota, S; Shakeel, F; Kohli, K

    2006-03-01

    The present study was undertaken to prepare and evaluate transdermal gels of diclofenac diethylamine (DDEA) containing penetration enhancers such as olesan oil and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Transdermal gels were prepared using different polymers such as carbopol-940, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose-K(4) M, hydroxy propyl cellulose-M, and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose. The formulated gels were subjected to physicochemical studies, in vitro release studies and in vitro skin permeations studies and were evaluated for drug content, viscosity, extrudability, spreadability, and pH. The in vitro release studies of prepared gels were performed using specially designed Fites cell and in vitro skin permeation studies were performed using keshary-chien diffusion cell through rat skin. Selected formulations were evaluated for their antiinflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The carbopol-940 and PVA gels containing 10% DMSO showed best in vitro skin permeation of DDEA. In vivo study for the selected formulation showed a sustained reduction in inflammation in the carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. The efficacies of carbopol-940 and PVA gels were also compared with that of the marketed Voveran gel,(R) and it was found that carbopol and PVA gels produced better results than the Voveran gel. (c) 2006 Prous Science. All rights reserved. (c) 2006 Prous Science. All rights reserved.

  14. Solvent exchange-induced in situ forming gel comprising ethyl cellulose-antimicrobial drugs.

    PubMed

    Phaechamud, Thawatchai; Mahadlek, Jongjan

    2015-10-15

    Solvent-exchanged in situ forming gel is a drug delivery system which is in sol form before administration. When it contacts with the body fluid, then the water miscible organic solvent dissipates and water penetrates into the system, leading the polymer precipitation as in situ gel at the site of injection. The aim of this research was to study the parameters affecting the gel properties, drug release and antimicrobial activities of the in situ forming gels prepared from ethyl cellulose (EC) dissolved in N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) to deliver the antimicrobial agents (doxycycline hyclate, metronidazole and benzyl peroxide) for periodontitis treatment. The gel appearance, pH, viscosity, rheology, syringeability, gel formation, rate of water diffusion into the gels, in vitro degradation, drug release behavior and antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyrommonas gingivalis were determined. Increasing the amount of EC increased the viscosity of system while still exhibiting Newtonian flow and increased the work of syringeability whereas decreased the releasing of drug. The system transformed into the rigid gel formation after being injected into the simulated gingival crevicular fluid. The developed systems containing 5% w/w antimicrobial agent showed the antimicrobial activities against all test bacteria. Thus the developed solvent exchange-induced in situ forming gels comprising EC-antimicrobial drugs exhibited potential use for periodontitis treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Hom Gel'fand-Dorfman bialgebras and Hom-Lie conformal algebras

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yuan, Lamei, E-mail: lmyuan@hit.edu.cn

    2014-04-15

    The aim of this paper is to introduce the notions of Hom Gel'fand-Dorfman bialgebra and Hom-Lie conformal algebra. In this paper, we give four constructions of Hom Gel'fand-Dorfman bialgebras. Also, we provide a general construction of Hom-Lie conformal algebras from Hom-Lie algebras. Finally, we prove that a Hom Gel'fand-Dorfman bialgebra is equivalent to a Hom-Lie conformal algebra of degree 2.

  16. Apparatus and method for the production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst

    DOEpatents

    Scott, Charles D.; Scott, Timothy C.; Davison, Brian H.

    1998-01-01

    An apparatus and method for the large-scale and continuous production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst. The apparatus is a columnar system based on the chemical cross-linking of hydrocolloidal gels that contain and immobilize a biocatalyst, the biocatalyst being a microorganism or an enzyme. Hydrocolloidal gels, such as alginate, carrageenan, and a mixture of bone gelatin and modified alginate, provide immobilization matrices that can be used to entrap and retain the biocatalyst while allowing effective contact with substrates and release of products. Such immobilized biocatalysts are generally formulated into small spheres or beads that have high concentrations of the biocatalyst within the gel matrix. The columnar system includes a gel dispersion nozzle submerged in a heated non-interacting liquid, typically an organic liquid, that is immiscible with water to allow efficient formation of spherical gel droplets, the non-interacting liquid having a specific gravity that is less than water so that the gel droplets will fall through the liquid by the force of gravity. The heated non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with a chilled upflowing non-interacting liquid that will provide sufficient residence time for the gel droplets as they fall through the liquid so that they will be cooled below the gelling temperature and form solid spheres. The upflowing non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with an upflowing temperature-controlled aqueous solution containing the necessary chemicals for cross-linking or fixing of the gel beads to add the necessary stability. The flow rates of the two liquid streams can be varied to control the proper residence time in each liquid section to accommodate the production of gel beads of differing settling velocities. A valve is provided for continuous removal of the stabilized gel beads from the bottom of the column.

  17. Apparatus and method for the production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst

    DOEpatents

    Scott, C.D.; Scott, T.C.; Davison, B.H.

    1998-01-27

    An apparatus and method are disclosed for the large-scale and continuous production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst. The apparatus is a columnar system based on the chemical cross-linking of hydrocolloidal gels that contain and immobilize a biocatalyst, the biocatalyst being a microorganism or an enzyme. Hydrocolloidal gels, such as alginate, carrageenan, and a mixture of bone gelatin and modified alginate, provide immobilization matrices that can be used to entrap and retain the biocatalyst while allowing effective contact with substrates and release of products. Such immobilized biocatalysts are generally formulated into small spheres or beads that have high concentrations of the biocatalyst within the gel matrix. The columnar system includes a gel dispersion nozzle submerged in a heated non-interacting liquid, typically an organic liquid, that is immiscible with water to allow efficient formation of spherical gel droplets, the non-interacting liquid having a specific gravity that is less than water so that the gel droplets will fall through the liquid by the force of gravity. The heated non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with a chilled upflowing non-interacting liquid that will provide sufficient residence time for the gel droplets as they fall through the liquid so that they will be cooled below the gelling temperature and form solid spheres. The upflowing non-interacting liquid is in direct contact with an upflowing temperature-controlled aqueous solution containing the necessary chemicals for cross-linking or fixing of the gel beads to add the necessary stability. The flow rates of the two liquid streams can be varied to control the proper residence time in each liquid section to accommodate the production of gel beads of differing settling velocities. A valve is provided for continuous removal of the stabilized gel beads from the bottom of the column. 1 fig.

  18. Thickness sensing of hMSCs on collagen gel directs stem cell fate

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Leong, Wen Shing; Tay, Chor Yong; Yu, Haiyang

    Research highlights: {yields} hMSCs appeared to sense thin collagen gel (130 {mu}m) with higher effective modulus as compared to thick gel (1440 {mu}m). {yields} Control of collagen gel thickness can modulate cellular behavior, even stem cell fate (neuronal vs. Quiescent). {yields} Distinct cellular behavior of hMSCs on thin and thick collagen gel suggests long range interaction of hMSCs with collagen gel. -- Abstract: Mechanically compliant substrate provides crucial biomechanical cues for multipotent stem cells to regulate cellular fates such as differentiation, proliferation and maintenance of their phenotype. Effective modulus of which cells sense is not only determined by intrinsic mechanicalmore » properties of the substrate, but also the thickness of substrate. From our study, it was found that interference from underlying rigid support at hundreds of microns away could induce significant cellular response. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were cultured on compliant biological gel, collagen type I, of different thickness but identical ECM composition and local stiffness. The cells sensed the thin gel (130 {mu}m) as having a higher effective modulus than the thick gel (1440 {mu}m) and this was reflected in their changes in morphology, actin fibers structure, proliferation and tissue specific gene expression. Commitment into neuronal lineage was observed on the thin gel only. Conversely, the thick gel (1440 {mu}m) was found to act like a substrate with lower effective modulus that inhibited actin fiber polymerization. Stem cells on the thick substrate did not express tissue specific genes and remained at their quiescent state. This study highlighted the need to consider not only the local modulus but also the thickness of biopolymer gel coating during modulation of cellular responses.« less

  19. Strength of interactions between immobilized dye molecules and sol-gel matrices.

    PubMed

    Ismail, Fanya; Schoenleber, Monika; Mansour, Rolan; Bastani, Behnam; Fielden, Peter; Goddard, Nicholas J

    2011-02-21

    In this paper we present a new theory to re-examine the immobilization technique of dye doped sol-gel films, define the strength and types of possible bonds between the immobilized molecule and sol-gel glass, and show that the immobilized molecule is not free inside the pores as was previously thought. Immobilizing three different pH sensitive dyes with different size and functional groups inside the same sol-gel films revealed important information about the nature of the interaction between the doped molecule and the sol-gel matrix. The samples were characterized by means of ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-VIS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), mercury porosimetry (MP), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((29)Si NMR) and field-emission environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM-FEG). It was found that the doped molecule itself has a great effect on the strength and types of the bonds. A number of factors were identified, such as number and types of the functional groups, overall charge, size, pK(a) and number of the silanol groups which surround the immobilized molecule. These results were confirmed by the successful immobilization of bromocresol green (BCG) after a completely polymerized sol-gel was made. The sol-gel consisted of 50% tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 50% methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) (w/w). Moreover, the effect of the immobilized molecule on the structure of the sol-gel was studied by means of a leaky waveguide (LW) mode for doped films made before and after polymerization of the sol-gel.

  20. A brief review of other notable protein detection methods on acrylamide gels.

    PubMed

    Kurien, Biji T; Scofield, R Hal

    2012-01-01

    Several methods have been described to stain proteins analyzed on acrylamide gels. These include ultrasensitive protein detection in one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using a fluorescent product from the fungus Epicoccum nigrum; a fluorescence-based Coomassie Blue protein staining; visualization of proteins in acrylamide gels using ultraviolet illumination; fluorescence visualization of proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels using environmentally benign, nonfixative, saline solution; and increasing the sensitivity four- to sixfold for detecting trace proteins in dye or silver stained polyacrylamide gels using polyethylene glycol 6000. All these methods are reviewed briefly in this chapter.

  1. Gels as battery separators for soluble electrode cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sheibley, D. W.; Gahn, R. F. (Inventor)

    1977-01-01

    Gels are formed from silica powders and hydrochloric acid. The gels are then impregnated into a polymeric foam and the resultant sheet material is then used in applications where the transport of chloride ions is desired. Specifically disclosed is the utilization of the sheet in electrically rechargeable redox flow cells which find application in bulk power storage systems.

  2. Stronger multilayer acrylic dielectric elastomer actuators with silicone gel coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lau, Gih-Keong; La, Thanh-Giang; Sheng-Wei Foong, Ervin; Shrestha, Milan

    2016-12-01

    Multilayer dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) perform worst off than single-layer DEAs due to higher susceptibility to electro-thermal breakdown. This paper presents a hot-spot model to predict the electro-thermal breakdown field of DEAs and its dependence on thermal insulation. To inhibit the electrothermal breakdown, silicone gel coating was applied as barrier coating to multilayer acrylic DEA. The gel coating helps suppress the electro-thermally induced puncturing of DEA membrane at the hot spot. As a result, the gel-coated DEAs, in either a single layer or a multilayer stack, can produce 30% more isometric stress change as compared to those none-coated. These gel-coated acrylic DEAs show great potential to make stronger artificial muscles.

  3. Strong poly(ethylene oxide) based gel adhesives via oxime cross-linking.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, Smita; Cabral, Jaydee D; Hanton, Lyall R; Moratti, Stephen C

    2016-01-01

    There is a demand for materials to replace or augment the use of sutures and staples in surgical procedures. Currently available commercial surgical adhesives provide either high bond strength with biological toxicity or polymer and protein-based products that are biologically acceptable (though with potential sensitizing potential) but have much reduced bond strength. It is desirable to provide novel biocompatible and biodegradable surgical adhesives/sealants capable of high strength with minimal immune or inflammatory response. In this work, we report the end group derivatization of 8-arm star PEOs with aldehyde and amine end groups. Gels were prepared employing the Schiff-base chemistry between the aldehydes and the amines. Gel setting times, swelling behavior and rheological characterization were carried out for these gels. The mechanical-viscoelastic properties were found to be directly proportional to the crosslinking density of the gels, the 10K PEO gel was stiffer in comparison to the 20K PEO gel. The adhesive properties of these gels were tested using porcine skin and showed excellent adhesion properties. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out for the individual gel components using two different methods: (a) Crystal Violet Staining assay (CVS assay) and (b) impedance and cell index measurement by the xCELLigence system at concentrations >5%. Gels prepared by mixing 20% w/w solutions were also tested for cytotoxicity. The results revealed that the individual gel components as well as the prepared gels and their leachables were non-cytotoxic at these concentrations. This work presents a new type of glue that is aimed at surgery applications using a water soluble star shaped polymer. It show excellent adhesion to skin and is tough and easy to use. We show that it is very biocompatible based on tests on live human cells, and could therefore in principle be used for internal surgery. Comparison with other reported and commercial glues shows that it is stronger

  4. Structurally stable gel bead containing entrapped enzyme and method for manufacture thereof

    DOEpatents

    Woodward, J.

    1998-12-08

    This research provides a structurally stable gel bead containing an entrapped enzyme and a method for its manufacture. The enzyme is covalently cross-linked to gelatin in the presence of glutaraldehyde prior to the formation of the gel bead, to prevent leakage of the enzyme. Propylene glycol alginate is then added to the mixture. Once the gel beads are formed, they are then soaked in glutaraldehyde, which imparts structural stability to the gel beads. This method can be used with many types of enzymes, such as proteases, carbohydrases, proteases, ligases, isomerases, oxidoreductases, and specialty enzymes. These and other enzymes can be immobilized in the gel beads and utilized in a number of enzymatic processes. Exogenously added ions are not required to maintain the structural stability of these gel beads. 7 figs.

  5. Rheological Properties of Gels from Pyrene Based Low Molecular Weight Gelators

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Leivo, Kimmo T.; Hahma, Arno P.

    2008-07-07

    Gels of pyrene derived low molecular weight organogelators (LMOGs) in primary alcohols have been characterized by rheometry and scanning electron microscopy. Total gelator concentration was 1-2.7 % w/w depending on the solvent and the gelator, including equimolar amounts of the gelator and 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF), which is necessary for gelation. Thermoreversible and strongly shear thinning gels were achieved as the two components interact non-covalently to form a gel network. A qualitative correlation between the rheological properties and the nanoscale gel structure were found.

  6. Rheological Properties of Gels from Pyrene Based Low Molecular Weight Gelators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leivo, Kimmo T.; Hahma, Arno P.

    2008-07-01

    Gels of pyrene derived low molecular weight organogelators (LMOGs) in primary alcohols have been characterized by rheometry and scanning electron microscopy. Total gelator concentration was 1-2.7 % w/w depending on the solvent and the gelator, including equimolar amounts of the gelator and 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF), which is necessary for gelation. Thermoreversible and strongly shear thinning gels were achieved as the two components interact non-covalently to form a gel network. A qualitative correlation between the rheological properties and the nanoscale gel structure were found.

  7. DNA electrophoresis in agarose gels: effects of field and gel concentration on the exponential dependence of reciprocal mobility on DNA length.

    PubMed

    Rill, Randolph L; Beheshti, Afshin; Van Winkle, David H

    2002-08-01

    Electrophoretic mobilities of DNA molecules ranging in length from 200 to 48 502 base pairs (bp) were measured in agarose gels with concentrations T = 0.5% to 1.3% at electric fields from E = 0.71 to 5.0 V/cm. This broad data set determines a range of conditions over which the new interpolation equation nu(L) = (beta+alpha(1+exp(-L/gamma))(-1) can be used to relate mobility to length with high accuracy. Mobility data were fit with chi(2) > 0.999 for all gel concentrations and fields ranging from 2.5 to 5 V/cm, and for lower fields at low gel concentrations. Analyses using so-called reptation plots (Rousseau, J., Drouin, G., Slater, G. W., Phys. Rev. Lett. 1997, 79, 1945-1948) indicate that this simple exponential relation is obeyed well when there is a smooth transition from the Ogston sieving regime to the reptation regime with increasing DNA length. Deviations from this equation occur when DNA migration is hindered, apparently by entropic-trapping, which is favored at low fields and high gel concentrations in the ranges examined.

  8. Thermosensitive chitosan gels containing calcium glycerophosphate.

    PubMed

    Skwarczynska, Agata L; Kuberski, Slawomir; Maniukiewicz, Waldemar; Modrzejewska, Zofia

    2018-08-05

    In this paper the properties of thermosensitive chitosan hydrogels, formulated with chitosan chloride with β-glycerophosphate disodium salt hydrate and chitosan chloride with β-glycerophosphate disodium salt hydrate enriched with calcium glycerophosphate, are presented. The study focused on the determination of the hydrogel structure after conditioning in water. The structure of the gels was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystallinity of the gel structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and the thermal effects were determined based on DSC thermograms. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels

    PubMed Central

    Yue, Kan; Santiago, Grissel Trujillo-de; Alvarez, Mario Moisés; Tamayol, Ali; Annabi, Nasim; Khademhosseini, Ali

    2015-01-01

    Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels have been widely used for various biomedical applications due to their suitable biological properties and tunable physical characteristics. Three dimensional (3D) GelMA hydrogels closely resemble some essential properties of native extracellular matrix (ECM) due to the presence of cell-attaching and matrix metalloproteinase responsive peptide motifs, which allow cells to proliferate and spread in GelMA-based scaffolds. GelMA is also versatile from a processing perspective. It crosslinks when exposed to light irradiation to form hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties which mimic the native ECM. It can also be microfabricated using different methodologies including micromolding, photomasking, bioprinting, self-assembly, and microfluidic techniques to generate constructs with controlled architectures. Hybrid hydrogel systems can also be formed by mixing GelMA with nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide, and other polymers to form networks with desired combined properties and characteristics for specific biological applications. Recent research has demonstrated the proficiency of GelMA-based hydrogels in a wide range of applications including engineering of bone, cartilage, cardiac, and vascular tissues, among others. Other applications of GelMA hydrogels, besides tissue engineering, include fundamental single-single cell research, cell signaling, drug and gene delivery, and bio-sensing. PMID:26414409

  10. Metronidazole with Lactacyd vaginal gel in bacterial vaginosis.

    PubMed

    Decena, Ditas Cristina D; Co, Jennifer T; Manalastas, Ricardo M; Palaypayon, Evelyn P; Padolina, Christia S; Sison, Judith M; Dancel, Louella A; Lelis, Marievi A

    2006-04-01

    To assess the efficacy and tolerability of lactic acid (Lactacyd vaginal gel; LVG) when given as an adjunct to metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among Filipino patients. A multicenter, open-labeled, controlled, randomized, three-arm comparative study on 90 women aged 18 years or over with clinically and microbiologically proven BV. The lactobacilli colony count significantly increased over time in all three arms. At day 14, growth of lactobacilli was significantly higher among patients in the lactic acid gel and combination treatment arms. Significant reduction of malodorous vaginal discharge (whiff test) and lowest recurrence of BV were noted in the metronidazole plus lactic acid gel arm. Regarding disappearance of signs of BV, there was significant decrease in the pH level and frequency of clue cell positive patients across time but was not significantly different across treatment groups. Only one patient (3%, 1/60) among those who received lactic acid gel complained of increased curd-like discharge. Six patients (10%, 6/60) who received metronidazole complained of epigastric pain/discomfort, dizziness and dyspnea. Lactic acid gel (LVG) is safe and as efficacious as metronidazole in the treatment of BV. There is evidence that LVG when combined with metronidazole is superior to metronidazole alone in promoting lactobacilli colonization. LVG as an adjunct to metronidazole, having the least number of recurrent BV, appears to result in better long-term treatment effect on bacterial vaginosis.

  11. Influence of the gel thickness on in vivo hyaline cartilage regeneration induced by double-network gel implanted at the bottom of a large osteochondral defect: short-term results.

    PubMed

    Matsuda, Hidetoshi; Kitamura, Nobuto; Kurokawa, Takayuki; Arakaki, Kazunobu; Gong, Jian Ping; Kanaya, Fuminori; Yasuda, Kazunori

    2013-01-31

    A double-network (DN) gel, which is composed of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) and poly(N,N'-dimethyl acrylamide), can induce hyaline cartilage regeneration in vivo in a large osteochondral defect. The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of the thickness of the implanted DN gel on the induction ability of hyaline cartilage regeneration. Thirty-eight mature rabbits were used in this study. We created an osteochondral defect having a diameter of 4.3-mm in the patellofemoral joint. The knees were randomly divided into 4 groups (Group I: 0.5-mm thick gel, Group II: 1.0-mm thick gel, Group III: 5.0-mm thick gel, and Group IV: untreated control). Animals in each group were further divided into 3 sub-groups depending on the gel implant position (2.0-, 3.0-, or 4.0-mm depth from the articular surface) in the defect. The regenerated tissues were evaluated with the Wayne's gross and histological grading scales and real time PCR analysis of the cartilage marker genes at 4 weeks. According to the total Wayne's score, when the depth of the final vacant space was set at 2.0 mm, the scores in Groups I, II, and III were significantly greater than that Group IV (p<0.05), although there were no significant differences between Groups I and IV at a 3.0-mm deep vacant space. The expression levels of type-2 collagen in Groups II and III were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in Group IV. The 1.0-mm thick DN gel sheet had the same ability to induce hyaline cartilage regeneration as the 5.0-mm thick DN gel plug. However, the induction ability of the 0.5-mm thick sheet was significantly lower when compared with the 1.0-mm thick gel sheet. The 1.0-mm DN gel sheet is a promising device to establish a cell-free cartilage regeneration strategy that minimizes bone loss from the gel implantation.

  12. Manufacture of Regularly Shaped Sol-Gel Pellets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leventis, Nicholas; Johnston, James C.; Kinder, James D.

    2006-01-01

    An extrusion batch process for manufacturing regularly shaped sol-gel pellets has been devised as an improved alternative to a spray process that yields irregularly shaped pellets. The aspect ratio of regularly shaped pellets can be controlled more easily, while regularly shaped pellets pack more efficiently. In the extrusion process, a wet gel is pushed out of a mold and chopped repetitively into short, cylindrical pieces as it emerges from the mold. The pieces are collected and can be either (1) dried at ambient pressure to xerogel, (2) solvent exchanged and dried under ambient pressure to ambigels, or (3) supercritically dried to aerogel. Advantageously, the extruded pellets can be dropped directly in a cross-linking bath, where they develop a conformal polymer coating around the skeletal framework of the wet gel via reaction with the cross linker. These pellets can be dried to mechanically robust X-Aerogel.

  13. Swelling-induced wrinkling in layered gel beams

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nardinocchi, P.; Puntel, E.

    2017-11-01

    Gels are widely employed in smart mechanical devices and biomedical applications. Swelling-induced bending actuation can be obtained by means of a simple bilayer gel beam. We show that this system can also exhibit wrinkling patterns of potential interest for structural morphing and sensing. We study swelling-induced wrinkling at the extrados of a bilayer gel beam with the softer layer on top. The bent configuration at finite strain is recovered first and, starting from it, a linear perturbation analysis is performed. We delimit the zone corresponding to wrinkling modes in a parameter plane encompassing a mechanical stiffness ratio and a geometric top layer to total height ratio. Interestingly, we observe that surface instability precedes and envelopes wrinkling modes of finite wavelength. Finally, we discuss the effect of changes in stiffness and of the Flory-Huggins parameters χ on the size of the wrinkling domain.

  14. Ultraflexible organic amplifier with biocompatible gel electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Sekitani, Tsuyoshi; Yokota, Tomoyuki; Kuribara, Kazunori; Kaltenbrunner, Martin; Fukushima, Takanori; Inoue, Yusuke; Sekino, Masaki; Isoyama, Takashi; Abe, Yusuke; Onodera, Hiroshi; Someya, Takao

    2016-01-01

    In vivo electronic monitoring systems are promising technology to obtain biosignals with high spatiotemporal resolution and sensitivity. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of a biocompatible highly conductive gel composite comprising multi-walled carbon nanotube-dispersed sheet with an aqueous hydrogel. This gel composite exhibits admittance of 100 mS cm−2 and maintains high admittance even in a low-frequency range. On implantation into a living hypodermal tissue for 4 weeks, it showed a small foreign-body reaction compared with widely used metal electrodes. Capitalizing on the multi-functional gel composite, we fabricated an ultrathin and mechanically flexible organic active matrix amplifier on a 1.2-μm-thick polyethylene-naphthalate film to amplify (amplification factor: ∼200) weak biosignals. The composite was integrated to the amplifier to realize a direct lead epicardial electrocardiography that is easily spread over an uneven heart tissue. PMID:27125910

  15. Synthetic and Biopolymer Gels - Similarities and Difference.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horkay, Ferenc

    2006-03-01

    Ion exchange plays a central role in a variety of physiological processes, such as nerve excitation, muscle contraction and cell locomotion. Hydrogels can be used as model systems for identifying fundamental chemical and physical interactions that govern structure formation, phase transition, etc. in biopolymer systems. Polyelectrolyte gels are particularly well-suited to study ion-polymer interactions because their structure and physical-chemical properties (charge density, crosslink density, etc) can be carefully controlled. They are sensitive to different external stimuli such as temperature, ionic composition and pH. Surprisingly few investigations have been made on polyelectrolyte gels in salt solutions containing both monovalent and multivalent cations. We have developed an experimental approach that combines small angle neutron scattering and osmotic swelling pressure measurements. The osmotic pressure exerted on a macroscopic scale is a consequence of changes occurring at a molecular level. The intensity of the neutron scattering signal, which provides structural information as a function of spatial resolution, is directly related to the osmotic pressure. We have found a striking similarity in the scattering and osmotic behavior of polyacrylic acid gels and DNA gels swollen in nearly physiological salt solutions. Addition of calcium ions to both systems causes a sudden volume change. This volume transition, which occurs when the majority of the sodium counterions are replaced by calcium ions, is reversible. Such reversibility implies that the calcium ions are not strongly bound by the polyanion, but are free to move along the polymer chain, which allows these ions to form temporary bridges between negative charges on adjacent chains. Mechanical measurements reveal that the elastic modulus is practically unchanged in the calcium-containing gels, i.e., ion bridging is qualitatively different from covalent crosslinks.

  16. Superabsorbing gel for actinide, lanthanide, and fission product decontamination

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kaminski, Michael D.; Mertz, Carol J.

    The present invention provides an aqueous gel composition for removing actinide ions, lanthanide ions, fission product ions, or a combination thereof from a porous surface contaminated therewith. The composition comprises a polymer mixture comprising a gel forming cross-linked polymer and a linear polymer. The linear polymer is present at a concentration that is less than the concentration of the cross-linked polymer. The polymer mixture is at least about 95% hydrated with an aqueous solution comprising about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight (wt %) of a multi-dentate organic acid chelating agent, and about 0.02 to about 0.6 molar (M)more » carbonate salt, to form a gel. When applied to a porous surface contaminated with actinide ions, lanthanide ions, and/or other fission product ions, the aqueous gel absorbs contaminating ions from the surface.« less

  17. Non-volatile copolymer compositions for fabricating gel element microarrays

    PubMed Central

    Golova, Julia B.; Chernov, Boris K.; Perov, Alexander N.; Reynolds, Jennifer; Linger, Yvonne L.; Kukhtin, Alexander; Chandler, Darrell P.

    2011-01-01

    By modifying polymer compositions and cross-linking reagents, we have developed a simple yet effective manufacturing strategy for copolymerized three-dimensional gel element arrays. A new gel-forming monomer (2-(hydroxyethyl) methacrylamide; HEMAA) was used that possesses low volatility and improves the stability of copolymerized gel element arrays to on-chip thermal cycling procedures relative to previously used monomers. Probe immobilization efficiency within the new polymer was 55%, equivalent to that obtained with acrylamide (AA) and methacrylamide (MA) monomers. Non-specific binding of single stranded targets was equivalent for all monomers. Increasing cross-linker chain length improved hybridization kinetics and end-point signal intensities relative to N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (Bis). The new copolymer formulation was successfully applied to a model orthopox array. Because HEMAA greatly simplifies gel element array manufacture, we expect it (in combination with new cross-linkers described herein) to find widespread application in microarray science. PMID:22033291

  18. Optical detection of parasitic protozoa in sol-gel matrices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Livage, Jacques; Barreau, J. Y.; Da Costa, J. M.; Desportes, I.

    1994-10-01

    Whole cell parasitic protozoa have been entrapped within sol-gel porous silica matrices. Stationary phase promastigote cells of Leishmania donovani infantum are mixed with a silica sol before gelation occurs. They remain trapped within the growing oxide network and their cellular organization appears to be well preserved. Moreover protozoa retain their antigenic properties in the porous gel. They are still able to detect parasite specific antibodies in serum samples from infected patients via an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antigen- antibody associations occurring in the gel are optically detected via the reactions of a peroxidase conjugate with ortho-phenylenediamine leading to the formation of a yellow coloration. A clear-cut difference in optical density is measured between positive and negative sera. Such an entrapment of antigenic species into porous sol-gel matrices avoids the main problems due to non specific binding and could be advantageously used in diagnostic kits.

  19. Production of silica gel from Tunisian sands and its adsorptive properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lazaar, K.; Hajjaji, W.; Pullar, R. C.; Labrincha, J. A.; Rocha, F.; Jamoussi, F.

    2017-06-01

    Thanks to its highly absorbent character, silica gel is used in several applications, such as air moisture removal, as a treatment agent for effluents. In this study, silica gels were synthesised from Tunisian sands, collected from the Fortuna and Sidi Aich Formations in northern and central Tunisia. The collected quartz sand raw materials, as well as the prepared silica gels, were characterised by different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD patterns of quartz sands showed quartz as main phase (86.1-98%), with lower contents of potassic feldspars, along with kaolinite and calcite. These quartz sands presented relatively small quantities of Fe2O3 (0.3%-0.5%) and TiO2 (0.1%-0.6%). The synthesised silica gels exhibited pore diameters exceeding 20 Å and surface areas up to 194 m2/g, comparable with those described in the literature and commercial silica gel. N2 adsorption isotherms showed that the silica gels prepared from Tunisian sands are mesoporous materials with high adsorption capacities. To understand better their adsorbent properties and applicability on an industrial scale, these gels were tested for methylene blue (MB) absorption. Maximum decolourisation rates (up to 96% after a contact time of 180 min) occurred with products synthesised at pH 3. The adsorption mechanism fitted better with a Langmuir model, revealing a monolayer coverage process of MB molecules over the gel surface, and the adsorption kinetics of the dye on these materials is well described by the second order model. The corresponding equilibrium adsorption capacities obtained from experimental data (Qexp = 292-214 mg/g) were close to the estimated maximum adsorption capacities (Qe = 333-250 mg/g), and to that of an industrial silica gel (250 mg/g).

  20. Is instillation of anesthetic gel necessary in flexible cystoscopic examination? A prospective randomized study.

    PubMed

    Kobayashi, Takashi; Nishizawa, Koji; Ogura, Keiji

    2003-01-01

    To determine whether urethral injection of anesthetic and lubricating agent before outpatient flexible cystoscopic examination is worthwhile regarding patient tolerance of pain. A randomized prospective study was conducted. A total of 133 consecutive men scheduled to undergo flexible cystoscopy were randomized to receive 11 mL of 0.2% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride gel (group 1), 11 mL of plain lubricating gel (group 2), or no gel injection (group 3). In every group, 2% lidocaine gel was applied to the fiberscope. Patients recorded the level of pain during gel instillation, scope insertion, and intravesical observation separately on a 100-mm visual analog self-assessment scale. Pain scores for gel instillation were approximately two thirds those for scope insertion and intravesical observation in groups 1 and 2. No significant difference was noted in the pain score of each group during either scope insertion or intravesical observation. Pain during intraurethral gel instillation is significant. Anesthetic gel instillation has no advantage compared with no-gel injection in men when lubricating gel is applied to a flexible fiberscope.

  1. Gels prepared from egg yolk and its fractions for tissue engineering.

    PubMed

    Rodil, Andrea; Laca, Amanda; Paredes, Benjamín; Rendueles, Manuel; Meana, Álvaro; Díaz, Mario

    2016-11-01

    New biomaterials prepared from egg yolk and its main fractions (plasma and granules) have been developed for use in tissue engineering. Protein gels obtained via transglutaminase cross-linking were characterized by rheometry, texturometry and scanning electron microscopy. All the gels exhibited suitable physical and mechanical characteristics for use as potential biomaterials in skin regeneration. Specifically, results showed that these materials presented a compact, uniform structure, with granular gel being found to be the most resistant as well as the most elastic material. Accordingly, these gels were subsequently evaluated as scaffolds for murine fibroblast growth. The best results were obtained with granule gels. Not only adhesion and cell growth were detected when using these gels, but also continuous coatings of cells growing on their surface. These findings can be attributed to the higher protein content of this fraction and to the particular structure of its proteins. Thus, granules have proved to be an interesting potential raw material for scaffold development. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1577-1583, 2016. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

  2. MAGIC polymer gel for dosimetric verification in boron neutron capture therapy

    PubMed Central

    Heikkinen, Sami; Kotiluoto, Petri; Serén, Tom; Seppälä, Tiina; Auterinen, Iiro; Savolainen, Sauli

    2007-01-01

    Radiation‐sensitive polymer gels are among the most promising three‐dimensional dose verification tools developed to date. We tested the normoxic polymer gel dosimeter known by the acronym MAGIC (methacrylic and ascorbic acid in gelatin initiated by copper) to evaluate its use in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) dosimetry. We irradiated a large cylindrical gel phantom (diameter: 10 cm; length: 20 cm) in the epithermal neutron beam of the Finnish BNCT facility at the FiR 1 nuclear reactor. Neutron irradiation was simulated with a Monte Carlo radiation transport code MCNP. To compare dose–response, gel samples from the same production batch were also irradiated with 6 MV photons from a medical linear accelerator. Irradiated gel phantoms then underwent magnetic resonance imaging to determine their R2 relaxation rate maps. The measured and normalized dose distribution in the epithermal neutron beam was compared with the dose distribution calculated by computer simulation. The results support the feasibility of using MAGIC gel in BNCT dosimetry. PACS numbers: 87.53.Qc, 87.53.Wz, 87.66.Ff PMID:17592463

  3. Automatic and quantitative measurement of collagen gel contraction using model-guided segmentation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Hsin-Chen; Yang, Tai-Hua; Thoreson, Andrew R.; Zhao, Chunfeng; Amadio, Peter C.; Sun, Yung-Nien; Su, Fong-Chin; An, Kai-Nan

    2013-08-01

    Quantitative measurement of collagen gel contraction plays a critical role in the field of tissue engineering because it provides spatial-temporal assessment (e.g., changes of gel area and diameter during the contraction process) reflecting the cell behavior and tissue material properties. So far the assessment of collagen gels relies on manual segmentation, which is time-consuming and suffers from serious intra- and inter-observer variability. In this study, we propose an automatic method combining various image processing techniques to resolve these problems. The proposed method first detects the maximal feasible contraction range of circular references (e.g., culture dish) and avoids the interference of irrelevant objects in the given image. Then, a three-step color conversion strategy is applied to normalize and enhance the contrast between the gel and background. We subsequently introduce a deformable circular model which utilizes regional intensity contrast and circular shape constraint to locate the gel boundary. An adaptive weighting scheme was employed to coordinate the model behavior, so that the proposed system can overcome variations of gel boundary appearances at different contraction stages. Two measurements of collagen gels (i.e., area and diameter) can readily be obtained based on the segmentation results. Experimental results, including 120 gel images for accuracy validation, showed high agreement between the proposed method and manual segmentation with an average dice similarity coefficient larger than 0.95. The results also demonstrated obvious improvement in gel contours obtained by the proposed method over two popular, generic segmentation methods.

  4. Measurements of Elastic Moduli of Silicone Gel Substrates with a Microfluidic Device

    PubMed Central

    Gutierrez, Edgar; Groisman, Alex

    2011-01-01

    Thin layers of gels with mechanical properties mimicking animal tissues are widely used to study the rigidity sensing of adherent animal cells and to measure forces applied by cells to their substrate with traction force microscopy. The gels are usually based on polyacrylamide and their elastic modulus is measured with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Here we present a simple microfluidic device that generates high shear stresses in a laminar flow above a gel-coated substrate and apply the device to gels with elastic moduli in a range from 0.4 to 300 kPa that are all prepared by mixing two components of a transparent commercial silicone Sylgard 184. The elastic modulus is measured by tracking beads on the gel surface under a wide-field fluorescence microscope without any other specialized equipment. The measurements have small and simple to estimate errors and their results are confirmed by conventional tensile tests. A master curve is obtained relating the mixing ratios of the two components of Sylgard 184 with the resulting elastic moduli of the gels. The rigidity of the silicone gels is less susceptible to effects from drying, swelling, and aging than polyacrylamide gels and can be easily coated with fluorescent tracer particles and with molecules promoting cellular adhesion. This work can lead to broader use of silicone gels in the cell biology laboratory and to improved repeatability and accuracy of cell traction force microscopy and rigidity sensing experiments. PMID:21980487

  5. Polyelectrolyte gels as bending actuators: modeling and numerical simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wallmersperger, Thomas; Keller, Karsten; Attaran, Abdolhamid

    2013-04-01

    Polyelectrolyte gels are ionic electroactivematerials. They have the ability to react as both, sensors and actuators. As actuators they can be used e.g. as artificial muscles or drug delivery control; as sensors they may be used for measuring e.g. pressure, pH or other ion concentrations in the solution. In this research both, anionic and cationic polyelectrolyte gels placed in aqueous solution with mobile anions and cations are investigated. Due to external stimuli the polyelectrolyte gels can swell or shrink enormously by the uptake or delivery of solvent. In the present research a coupled multi-field problem within a continuum mechanics framework is proposed. The modeling approach introduces a set of equations governing multiple fields of the problem, including the chemical field of the ionic species, the electrical field and the mechanical field. The numerical simulation is performed by using the Finite Element Method. Within the study some test cases will be carried out to validate our model. In the works by Gülch et al., the application of combined anionic-cationic gels as grippers was shown. In the present research for an applied electric field, the change of the concentrations and the electric potential in the complete polymer is simulated by the given formulation. These changes lead to variations in the osmotic pressure resulting in a bending of different polyelectrolyte gels. In the present research it is shown that our model is capable of describing the bending behavior of anionic or cationic gels towards the different electrodes (cathode or anode).

  6. Optical Sensors for Biomolecules Using Nanoporous Sol-Gel Materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fang, Jonathan; Zhou, Jing C.; Lan, Esther H.; Dunn, Bruce; Gillman, Patricia L.; Smith, Scott M.

    2004-01-01

    An important consideration for space missions to Mars is the ability to detect biosignatures. Solid-state sensing elements for optical detection of biological entities are possible using sol-gel based biologically active materials. We have used these materials as optical sensing elements in a variety of bioassays, including immunoassays and enzyme assays. By immobilizing an appropriate biomolecule in the sol-gel sensing element, we have successfully detected analytes such as amino acids and hormones. In the case of the amino acid glutamate, the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase was the immobilized molecule, whereas in the case of the hormone cortisol, an anti-cortisol antibody was immobilized in the sensing element. In this previous work with immobilized enzymes and antibodies, excellent sensitivity and specificity were demonstrated in a variety of formats including bulk materials, thin films and fibers. We believe that the sol-gel approach is an attractive platform for bioastronautics sensing applications because of the ability to detect a wide range of entities such as amino acids, fatty acids, hopanes, porphyrins, etc. The sol-gel approach produces an optically transparent 3D silica matrix that forms around the biomolecule of interest, thus stabilizing its structure and functionality while allowing for optical detection. This encapsulation process protects the biomolecule and leads to a more "rugged" sensor. The nanoporous structure of the sol-gel matrix allows diffusion of small target molecules but keeps larger, biomolecules immobilized in the pores. We are currently developing these biologically active sol-gel materials into small portable devices for on-orbit cortisol detection

  7. Environmentally benign sol-gel antifouling and foul-releasing coatings.

    PubMed

    Detty, Michael R; Ciriminna, Rosaria; Bright, Frank V; Pagliaro, Mario

    2014-02-18

    Biofouling on ships and boats, characterized by aquatic bacteria and small organisms attaching to the hull, is an important global issue, since over 80000 tons of antifouling paint is used annually. This biofilm, which can form in as little as 48 hours depending on water temperature, increases drag on watercraft, which greatly reduces their fuel efficiency. In addition, biofouling can lead to microbially induced corrosion (MIC) due to H2S formed by the bacteria, especially sulfate-reducing bacteria. When the International Maritime Organization (IMO) international convention banned the use of effective but environmentally damaging coatings containing tributyl tin in 2008, the development of clean and effective antifouling systems became more important than ever. New nonbiocidal coatings are now in high demand. Scientists have developed new polymers, materials, and biocides, including new elastomeric coatings that they have obtained by improving the original silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) formulation patented in 1975. However, the high cost of silicones, especially of fluoropolymer-modified silicones, has generally prevented their large-scale diffusion. In 2009, traditional antifouling coatings using cuprous oxide formulated in copolymer paints still represented 95% of the global market volume of anti-fouling paints. The sol-gel nanochemistry approach to functional materials has emerged as an attractive candidate for creating low fouling surfaces due to the unique structure and properties of silica-based coatings and of hybrid inorganic-organic silicas in particular. Sol-gel formulations easily bind to all types of surfaces, such as steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and wood. In addition, they can cure at room temperature and form thin glassy coatings that are markedly different from thick silicone elastomeric foul-releasing coatings. Good to excellent performance against biofouling, low cure temperatures, enhanced and prolonged chemical and physical stability, ease of

  8. Analysis of PEG oligomers in black gel inks: Discrimination and ink dating.

    PubMed

    Sun, Qiran; Luo, Yiwen; Xiang, Ping; Yang, Xu; Shen, Min

    2017-08-01

    Carbon-based black gel inks are common samples in forensic practice of questioned document examination in China, but there are few analytical methods for this type of ink. In this study, a liquid chromatography-.high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method was established for the analysis of PEG oligomers in carbon-based black gel ink entries. The coupled instruments achieve both the identification and quantification of PEG oligomers in ink entries with reproducible results. Twenty carbon-based black gel inks, whose Raman spectra appeared identical, were analyzed using the LC-HRMS method. As a result, the twenty gel inks were classified into four groups according to the distribution of PEG oligomers. Artificially aging of PEG 400 and a gel ink showed that as PEG degraded, the relative amounts of low molecular weight PEG oligomers increased, while those of high molecular weight decreased. The degradation of PEG oligomers in a naturally aged gel ink was consistent with those in the artificially aged samples, but occurred more slowly. This study not only provided a new method for discriminating carbon-based black gel ink entries, but also offered a new approach for studying the relative ink dating of carbon-based black gel ink entries. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Growth of Normal Mouse Vaginal Epithelial Cells in and on Collagen Gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iguchi, Taisen; Uchima, Francis-Dean A.; Ostrander, Patricia L.; Bern, Howard A.

    1983-06-01

    Sustained growth in primary culture of vaginal epithelial cells from ovariectomized adult BALB/cCrg1 mice embedded within or seeded on collagen gel matrix was achieved in a serum-free medium composed of Ham's F-12 medium/Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, 1:1 (vol/vol), supplemented with insulin, bovine serum albumin fraction V, epidermal growth factor, cholera toxin, and transferrin. Three-dimensional growth of vaginal epithelial cells occurred inside the collagen gel matrix. Cell numbers increased 4- to 8-fold in collagen gel and about 4-fold on collagen gel after 9-10 days in culture. The effect of 17β -estradiol (0.00018-180 nM in gel or 0.018-180 nM on gel) and diethylstilbestrol (DES; 0.0186-186 nM in gel) on the growth of vaginal epithelial cells was examined. The addition of estrogen did not enhance the growth of vaginal epithelial cells during this time period either in the complete medium or in a suboptimal medium. Cultures on floating collagen gels in the serum-free medium are composed of 1-3 cell layers with superficial cornification. Estrogen does not appear to be a direct mitogen for vaginal epithelial cells, at least in this system.

  10. Quality change of apple slices coated with Aloe vera gel during storage.

    PubMed

    Song, Hye-Yeon; Jo, Wan-Shin; Song, Nak-Bum; Min, Sea C; Song, Kyung Bin

    2013-06-01

    Fresh-cut apples are easily susceptible to browning and microbial spoilage. In this study, an edible coating prepared from Aloe vera gel containing antibrowning solution was applied to preserve the quality of fresh-cut apples during storage. Fresh-cut apples were treated with both an Aloe vera gel and an Aloe vera gel containing 0.5% cysteine and then stored at 4 °C for 16 d. The color, firmness, weight loss, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, microbial analysis, and sensory evaluation were analyzed during storage. Fresh-cut apples coated with the Aloe vera gel showed delayed browning and reduced weight loss and softening compared to the control. The Aloe vera gel coating was also effective in reducing the populations of the total aerobic bacteria and yeast and molds. In particular, Aloe vera gel containing 0.5% cysteine was most effective in delaying browning and the reduction of microbial populations among the treatments. These results suggest that an Aloe vera gel coating can be used for maintaining the quality of fresh-cut apples. © 2013 Institute of Food Technologists®

  11. An evaluation of 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels in patients with acute toothaches

    PubMed Central

    Hersh, Elliot V.; Ciancio, Sebastian G.; Kuperstein, Arthur S.; Stoopler, Eric T.; Moore, Paul A.; Boynes, Sean G.; Levine, Steven C.; Casamassimo, Paul; Leyva, Rina; Mathew, Tanya; Shibly, Othman; Creighton, Paul; Jeffers, Gary E.; Corby, Patricia M.A.; Turetzky, Stanley N.; Papas, Athena; Wallen, Jillian; Idzik-Starr, Cynthia; Gordon, Sharon M.

    2013-01-01

    Background The authors evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels compared with those of a vehicle (placebo) gel for the temporary relief of toothache pain. They also assessed the compliance with the label dose administration directions on the part of participants with toothache pain. Methods Under double-masked conditions, 576 participants self-applied study gel to an open tooth cavity and surrounding oral tissues. Participants evaluated their pain intensity and pain relief for 120 minutes. The authors determined the amount of gel the participants applied. Results The responders’ rates (the primary efficacy parameter), defined as the percentage of participants who had an improvement in pain intensity as exhibited by a pain score reduction of at least one unit on the dental pain scale from baseline for two consecutive assessments any time between the five- and 20-minute points, were 87.3 percent, 80.7 percent and 70.4 percent, respectively, for 20 percent benzocaine gel, 10 percent benzocaine gel and vehicle gel. Both benzocaine gels were significantly (P ≤ .05) better than vehicle gel; the 20 percent benzocaine gel also was significantly (P ≤ .05) better than the 10 percent benzocaine gel. The mean amount of gel applied was 235.6 milligrams, with 88.2 percent of participants applying 400 mg or less. Conclusions Both 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels were more efficacious than the vehicle gel, and the 20 percent benzocaine gel was more efficacious than the 10 percent benzocaine gel. All treatments were well tolerated by participants. Practical Implications Patients can use 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels to temporarily treat toothache pain safely. PMID:23633700

  12. Slow Release Of Reagent Chemicals From Gel Matrices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Debnam, William J.; Barber, Patrick G.; Coleman, James

    1988-01-01

    Procedure developed for slow release of reagent chemicals into solutions. Simple and inexpensive and not subject to failure of equipment. Use of toothpaste-type tube or pump dispenser conceivably provides more controlled technique for storage and dispensation of gel matrix. Possible uses include controlled, slow release of reagents in chemical reactions, crystal growth, space-flight experiments, and preformed gel medications from packets.

  13. Hybrid carrageenans: isolation, chemical structure, and gel properties.

    PubMed

    Hilliou, Loic

    2014-01-01

    Hybrid carrageenan is a special class of carrageenan with niche application in food industry. This polysaccharide is extracted from specific species of seaweeds belonging to the Gigartinales order. This chapter focuses on hybrid carrageenan showing the ability to form gels in water, which is known in the food industry as weak kappa or kappa-2 carrageenan. After introducing the general chemical structure defining hybrid carrageenan, the isolation of the polysaccharide will be discussed focusing on the interplay between seaweed species, extraction parameters, and the hybrid carrageenan chemistry. Then, the rheological experiments used to determine the small and large deformation behavior of gels will be detailed before reviewing the relationships between gel properties and hybrid carrageenan chemistry. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Ultrastructure and growth factor content of equine platelet-rich fibrin gels.

    PubMed

    Textor, Jamie A; Murphy, Kaitlin C; Leach, J Kent; Tablin, Fern

    2014-04-01

    To compare fiber diameter, pore area, compressive stiffness, gelation properties, and selected growth factor content of platelet-rich fibrin gels (PRFGs) and conventional fibrin gels (FGs). PRFGs and conventional FGs prepared from the blood of 10 healthy horses. Autologous fibrinogen was used to form conventional FGs. The PRFGs were formed from autologous platelet-rich plasma of various platelet concentrations (100 × 10³ platelets/μL, 250 × 10³ platelets/μL, 500 × 10³ platelets/μL, and 1,000 × 10³ platelets/μL). All gels contained an identical fibrinogen concentration (20 mg/mL). Fiber diameter and pore area were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Maximum gelation rate was assessed with spectrophotometry, and gel stiffness was determined by measuring the compressive modulus. Gel weights were measured serially over 14 days as an index of contraction (volume loss). Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-β1 concentrations were quantified with ELISAs. Fiber diameters were significantly larger and mean pore areas were significantly smaller in PRFGs than in conventional FGs. Gel weight decreased significantly over time, differed significantly between PRFGs and conventional FGs, and was significantly correlated with platelet concentration. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-β1 concentrations were highest in gels and releasates derived from 1,000 × 10³ platelets/μL. The inclusion of platelets in FGs altered the architecture and increased the growth factor content of the resulting scaffold. Platelets may represent a useful means of modifying these gels for applications in veterinary and human regenerative medicine.

  15. Oral dextrose gel for the treatment of hypoglycaemia in newborn infants.

    PubMed

    Weston, Philip J; Harris, Deborah L; Battin, Malcolm; Brown, Julie; Hegarty, Joanne E; Harding, Jane E

    2016-05-04

    Neonatal hypoglycaemia, a common condition, can be associated with brain injury. It is frequently managed by providing infants with an alternative source of glucose, given enterally with formula or intravenously with dextrose solution. This often requires that mother and baby are cared for in separate environments and may inhibit breast feeding. Dextrose gel is simple and inexpensive and can be administered directly to the buccal mucosa for rapid correction of hypoglycaemia, in association with continued breast feeding and maternal care. To assess the effectiveness of dextrose gel in correcting hypoglycaemia and in reducing long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Web of Science from inception of the database to February 2016. We also searched international clinical trials networks and handsearched proceedings of specific scientific meetings. Randomised and quasi-randomised studies comparing dextrose gel versus placebo, no treatment or other therapies for treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data and did not assess publications for which they themselves were study authors. We included two trials involving 312 infants. No data were available for correction of hypoglycaemia for each hypoglycaemic event. We found no evidence of a difference between dextrose gel and placebo gel for major neurosensory disability at two-year follow-up (risk ratio (RR) 6.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77 to 51.03; one trial, n = 184; quality of evidence very low). Dextrose gel compared with placebo gel or no gel did not alter the need for intravenous treatment for hypoglycaemia (typical RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.32; two trials, 312 infants; quality of evidence very low). Infants treated with dextrose gel were less likely to be separated from their

  16. Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of natural extracts of Morinda citrifolia, papain and aloe vera (all in gel formulation), 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide, against Enterococcus faecalis: An in vitro study.

    PubMed

    Bhardwaj, Anuj; Ballal, Suma; Velmurugan, Natanasabapathy

    2012-07-01

    A comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of natural extracts of Morinda citrifolia, papain, and aloe vera (all in gel formulations), 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide, against Enterococcus faecalis-an in vitro study. The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed in vitro using dentin shavings collected at 2 depths of 200 and 400 μm. The total colony forming units at the end of 1, 3, and 5 days were assessed. The overall percentage inhibition of bacterial growth (200 and 400 μm depth) was 100% with chlorhexidine gel. This was followed by M. citrifolia gel (86.02%), which showed better antimicrobial efficacy as compared with aloe vera gel (78.9%), papain gel (67.3%), and calcium hydroxide (64.3%). There was no statistical difference between data at 200 and 400 μm depth. Chlorhexidine gel showed the maximum antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis, whereas calcium hydroxide showed the least. Among the natural intracanal medicaments, M. citrifolia gel consistently exhibited good inhibition up to the 5(th) day followed by aloe vera gel and papain gel.

  17. Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of natural extracts of Morinda citrifolia, papain and aloe vera (all in gel formulation), 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide, against Enterococcus faecalis: An in vitro study

    PubMed Central

    Bhardwaj, Anuj; Ballal, Suma; Velmurugan, Natanasabapathy

    2012-01-01

    Aim: A comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of natural extracts of Morinda citrifolia, papain, and aloe vera (all in gel formulations), 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide, against Enterococcus faecalis—an in vitro study. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed in vitro using dentin shavings collected at 2 depths of 200 and 400 μm. The total colony forming units at the end of 1, 3, and 5 days were assessed. Results: The overall percentage inhibition of bacterial growth (200 and 400 μm depth) was 100% with chlorhexidine gel. This was followed by M. citrifolia gel (86.02%), which showed better antimicrobial efficacy as compared with aloe vera gel (78.9%), papain gel (67.3%), and calcium hydroxide (64.3%). There was no statistical difference between data at 200 and 400 μm depth. Conclusion: Chlorhexidine gel showed the maximum antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis, whereas calcium hydroxide showed the least. Among the natural intracanal medicaments, M. citrifolia gel consistently exhibited good inhibition up to the 5th day followed by aloe vera gel and papain gel. PMID:22876022

  18. Doxorubicin-loaded Zein in situ gel for interstitial chemotherapy.

    PubMed

    Cao, Xiaoying; Geng, Jianning; Su, Suwen; Zhang, Linan; Xu, Qian; Zhang, Li; Xie, Yinghua; Wu, Shaomei; Sun, Yongjun; Gao, Zibin

    2012-01-01

    A novel drug delivery system of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded Zein in situ gel for interstitial chemotherapy was investigated in this study. The possible mechanisms of drug release were described according to morphological analysis by optical microscopy and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity studies showed that DOX-loaded Zein in situ gel was superior to DOX solution. Local pharmacokinetics in tumor tissue was studied by quantitative analysis with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) combined with microdialysis technology. A pharmacokinetics mathematical model of DOX-loaded Zein in situ gel in tumors was then built.

  19. Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Magnetically Aligned Fibrin Gels Measured by Magnetic Resonance Elastography

    PubMed Central

    Namani, Ravi; Wood, Matthew D.; Sakiyama-Elbert, Shelly E.; Bayly, Philip V.

    2009-01-01

    The anisotropic mechanical properties of magnetically aligned fibrin gels were measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and by a standard mechanical test: unconfined compression. Soft anisotropic biomaterials are notoriously difficult to characterize, especially in vivo. MRE is well-suited for efficient, non-invasive, and nondestructive assessment of shear modulus. Direction-dependent differences in shear modulus were found to be statistically significant for gels polymerized at magnetic fields of 11.7T and 4.7T compared to control gels. Mechanical anisotropy was greater in the gels polymerized at the higher magnetic field. These observations were consistent with results from unconfined compression tests. Analysis of confocal microscopy images of gels showed measurable alignment of fibrils in gels polymerized at 11.7T. This study provides direct, quantitative measurements of the anisotropy in mechanical properties that accompanies fibril alignment in fibrin gels. PMID:19656516

  20. Symmetry breaking in actin gels - Implications for cellular motility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    John, Karin; Peyla, Philippe; Misbah, Chaouqi

    2007-03-01

    The physical origin of cell motility is not fully understood. Recently minimal model systems have shown, that polymerizing actin itself can produce a motile force, without the help of motor proteins. Pathogens like Shigella or Listeria use actin to propel themselves forward in their host cell. The same process can be mimicked with polystyrene beads covered with the activating protein ActA, which reside in a solution containing actin monomers. ActA induces the growth of an actin gel at the bead surface. Initially the gel grows symmetrically around the bead until a critical size is reached. Subsequently one observes a symmetry breaking and the gel starts to grow asymmetrically around the bead developing a tail of actin at one side. This symmetry breaking is accompanied by a directed movement of the bead, with the actin tail trailing behind the bead. Force generation relies on the combination of two properties: growth and elasticity of the actin gel. We study this phenomenon theoretically within the framework of a linear elasticity theory and linear flux-force relationships for the evolution of an elastic gel around a hard sphere. Conditions for a parity symmetry breaking are identified analytically and illustrated numerically with the help of a phasefield model.

  1. Posing for a picture: vesicle immobilization in agarose gel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lira, Rafael B.; Steinkühler, Jan; Knorr, Roland L.; Dimova, Rumiana; Riske, Karin A.

    2016-05-01

    Taking a photo typically requires the object of interest to stand still. In science, imaging is potentiated by optical and electron microscopy. However, living and soft matter are not still. Thus, biological preparations for microscopy usually include a fixation step. Similarly, immobilization strategies are required for or substantially facilitate imaging of cells or lipid vesicles, and even more so for acquiring high-quality data via fluorescence-based techniques. Here, we describe a simple yet efficient method to immobilize objects such as lipid vesicles with sizes between 0.1 and 100 μm using agarose gel. We show that while large and giant unilamellar vesicles (LUVs and GUVs) can be caged in the pockets of the gel meshwork, small molecules, proteins and micelles remain free to diffuse through the gel and interact with membranes as in agarose-free solutions, and complex biochemical reactions involving several proteins can proceed in the gel. At the same time, immobilization in agarose has no adverse effect on the GUV size and stability. By applying techniques such as FRAP and FCS, we show that the lateral diffusion of lipids is not affected by the gel. Finally, our immobilization strategy allows capturing high-resolution 3D images of GUVs.

  2. Gluten gel and film properties in the presence of cysteine and sodium alginate.

    PubMed

    Yuno-Ohta, Naoko; Yamada, Mariko; Inomata, Masako; Konagai, Hiromi; Kataoka, Tomomi

    2009-08-01

    Wheat flour has an ability of forming dough by mixing with water, which exhibits a rheological property required for making bread. The major protein is gluten, which is a valuable protein material for food industry. In this study, gluten protein gels and films were formed with cysteine and sodium alginate. Adding cysteine improved gel and film properties (stress relaxation behavior, bending strength). The gel containing 0.01 M cysteine had a longer relaxation time and was more rigid than the gel without cysteine. Although adding sodium alginate to the gluten suspension containing cysteine improved the water-holding ability and homogeneity of the gel network, the film from this gel was more brittle than the gluten film with cysteine alone. Microstructural observations of the gels and films with scanning electron microscopy suggested that water evaporation was more heterogeneous from the gel containing sodium alginate than from the gel with cysteine alone. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) analysis during film formation suggested that the presence of cysteine encourages interaction between gluten molecules and results in intermolecular beta-sheet formation in earlier stages than in the no additive condition. FT-IR results also suggested that the combined effect of sodium alginate and cysteine on the protein secondary structure was remarkably different from that of cysteine alone. Our results suggest that addition of a suitable amount of cysteine (0.01 M) and heat treatment to 80 degrees C during gluten gel and film formation induces a homogenous network in the gel and film by regulating disulfide-sulfide interactions.

  3. Availability of a containerless polymer gel detector and a gelatin container

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tominaga, Takahiro; Yoshioka, Munenori; Hayashi, Shin-ichiro; Usui, Shuji; Tada, Mitsutoshi

    2015-01-01

    We considered an availability of the polymer gel detector without container but with a plastic wrap under assumption of the low oxygen transmissivity of a sheet of plastic wrap. And a gelatin container was also examined for a gel detector. These samples can be made easily and this containerless polymer gel detector well works without any artifacts by means of wrapping with a thin plastic sheet. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement on preventing oxygen contamination. Combination with a gelatin container and a polymer gel detector and/or Gafchromic films has a various potential for extension of 3D dosimetry.

  4. Induction of labor using prostaglandin vaginal gel: cost analysis comparing early amniotomy with repeat prostaglandin gel.

    PubMed

    Beckmann, Michael; Merollini, Katharina; Kumar, Sailesh; Flenady, Vicki

    2016-04-01

    In a randomized controlled trial of two policies for induction of labor (IOL) using Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) vaginal gel, women who had an earlier amniotomy experienced a shorter IOL-to-birth time. To report the cost analysis of this trial and determine if there are differences in healthcare costs when an early amniotomy is performed as opposed to giving more PGE2 vaginal gel, for women undergoing IOL at term. Following an evening dose of PGE2 vaginal gel, 245 women with live singleton pregnancies, ≥37+0 weeks, were randomized into an amniotomy or repeat-PGE2 group. Healthcare costs were a secondary outcome measure, sourced from hospital finance systems and included staff costs, equipment and consumables, pharmacy, pathology, hotel services and business overheads. A decision analytic model, specifically a Markov chain, was developed to further investigate costs, and a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to confirm the robustness of these findings. Mean and median costs and cost differences between the two groups are reported, from the hospital perspective. The healthcare costs associated with IOL were available for all 245 trial participants. A 1000-patient cohort simulation demonstrated that performing an early amniotomy was associated with a cost-saving of $AUD289 ($AUD7094 vs $AUD7338) per woman induced, compared with administering more PGE2. Propagating the uncertainty through the model 10,000 times, early amniotomy was associated with a median cost savings of $AUD487 (IQR -$AUD573, +$AUD1498). After an initial dose of PGE2 vaginal gel, a policy of administering more PGE2 when the Modified Bishop's score is <7 was associated with increased healthcare costs compared with a policy of performing an amniotomy, if technically possible. Length of stay was the main driver of healthcare costs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Automated in-line gel filtration for native state mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Waitt, Greg M; Xu, Robert; Wisely, G Bruce; Williams, Jon D

    2008-02-01

    Characterization of protein-ligand complexes by nondenaturing mass spectrometry provides direct evidence of drug-like molecules binding with potential therapeutic targets. Typically, protein-ligand complexes to be analyzed contain buffer salts, detergents, and other additives to enhance protein solubility, all of which make the sample unable to be analyzed directly by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This work describes an in-line gel-filtration method that has been automated and optimized. Automation was achieved using commercial HPLC equipment. Gel column parameters that were optimized include: column dimensions, flow rate, packing material type, particle size, and molecular weight cut-off. Under optimal conditions, desalted protein ions are detected 4 min after injection and the analysis is completed in 20 min. The gel column retains good performance even after >200 injections. A demonstration for using the in-line gel-filtration system is shown for monitoring the exchange of fatty acids from the pocket of a nuclear hormone receptor, peroxisome proliferator activator-delta (PPARdelta) with a tool compound. Additional utilities of in-line gel-filtration mass spectrometry system will also be discussed.

  6. Ionogel Electrolytes through Sol-Gel Processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horowitz, Ariel I.

    Electrical energy needs have intensified due to the ubiquity of personal electronics, the decarbonization of energy services through electrification, and the use of intermittent renewable energy sources. Despite developments in mechanical and thermal methods, electrochemical technologies are the most convenient and effective means of storing electrical energy. These technologies include both electrochemical cells, commonly called batteries, and electrochemical double-layer capacitors, or "supercapacitors", which store energy electrostatically. Both device types require an ion-conducting electrolyte. Current devices use solutions of complex salts in organic solvents, leading to both toxicity and flammability concerns. These drawbacks can be avoided by replacing conventional electrolytes with room-temperature molten salts, known as ionic liquids (ILs). ILs are non-volatile, non-flammable, and offer high conductivity and good electrochemical stability. Device mass can be reduced by combining ILs with a solid scaffold material to form an "ionogel," further improving performance metrics. In this work, sol-gel chemistry is explored as a means of forming ionogel electrolytes. Sol-gel chemistry is a solution-based, industrially-relevant, well-studied technique by which solids such as silica can be formed in situ. Previous works used a simple acid-catalyzed sol-gel reaction to create brittle, glassy ionogels. Here, both the range of products that can be accomplished through sol-gel processing and the understanding of interactions between ILs and the sol-gel reaction network are greatly expanded. This work introduces novel ionogel materials, including soft and compliant silica-supported ionogels and PDMS-supported ionogels. The impacts of the reactive formulation, IL identity, and casting time are detailed. It is demonstrated that variations in formulation can lead to rapid gelation and open pore structures in the silica scaffold or slow gelation and more dense silica

  7. Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Gels from Corn Cobs

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Aqueous cellulose gels were prepared by extraction of ground corn cobs with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide/sodium hypochlorite and shearing. Initial shearing in a blender broke up cob tissue structure into individual cells and resulted in a gel. Subsequent shearing in a high pressure homogenizer incre...

  8. Preparation and characterization of cellulose gels from corn cobs

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Aqueous cellulose gels were prepared by extraction of ground corn cobs with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide/sodium hypochlorite and shearing. Initial shearing in a blender broke up cob tissue structure into individual cells and resulted in a gel. Subsequent shearing in a high pressure homogenizer incre...

  9. Photo-Patterned Ion Gel Electrolyte-Gated Thin Film Transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choi, Jae-Hong; Gu, Yuanyan; Hong, Kihyun; Frisbie, C. Daniel; Lodge, Timothy P.

    2014-03-01

    We have developed a novel fabrication route to pattern electrolyte thin films in electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) using a chemically crosslinkable ABA-triblock copolymer ion gel. In the self-assembly of poly[(styrene-r-vinylbenzylazide)-b-ethylene oxide-b-(styrene-r-vinylbenzylazide)] (SOS-N3) triblock copolymer and the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMI][TFSI]), the azide groups of poly(styrene-r-vinylbenzylazide) (PS-N3) end-blocks in the cores can be chemically cross-linked via UV irradiation (λ = 254 nm). Impedance spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering confirmed that ion transport and microstructure of the ion gel are not affected by UV cross-linking. Using this chemical cross-linking strategy, we demonstrate a photo-patterning of ion gels through a patterned mask and the fabricated electrolyte-gated thin film transistors with photo-patterned ion gels as high-capacitance gate insulators exhibited high device performance (low operation voltages and high on/off current ratios).

  10. Thermo-responsive gels that absorb moisture and ooze water.

    PubMed

    Matsumoto, Kazuya; Sakikawa, Nobuki; Miyata, Takashi

    2018-06-13

    The water content of thermo-responsive hydrogels can be drastically altered by small changes in temperature because their polymer chains change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic above their low critical solution temperature (LCST). In general, such smart hydrogels have been utilized in aqueous solutions or in their wet state, and no attempt has been made to determine the phase-transition behavior of the gels in their dried states. Here we demonstrate an application of the thermo-responsive behavior of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) gel comprising thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and hydrophilic sodium alginate networks in their dried states. The dried IPN gel absorbs considerable moisture from air at temperatures below its LCST and oozes the absorbed moisture as liquid water above its LCST. These phenomena provide energy exchange systems in which moisture from air can be condensed to liquid water using the controllable hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of thermo-responsive gels with a small temperature change.

  11. Making MgO/SiO2 Glasses By The Sol-Gel Process

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bansal, Narottam P.

    1989-01-01

    Silicon dioxide glasses containing 15 mole percent magnesium oxide prepared by sol-gel process. Not made by conventional melting because ingredients immiscible liquids. Synthesis of MgO/SiO2 glass starts with mixing of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate with silicon tetraethoxide, both in alcohol. Water added, and transparent gel forms. Subsequent processing converts gel into glass. Besides producing glasses of new composition at lower processing temperatures, sol-gel method leads to improved homogeneity and higher purity.

  12. Engineered Fibrin Gels for Parallel Stimulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proangiogenic and Osteogenic Potential

    PubMed Central

    Murphy, Kaitlin C.; Hughbanks, Marissa L.; Binder, Bernard Y.K.; Vissers, Caroline B.; Leach, J. Kent

    2014-01-01

    Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are under examination for use in cell therapies to repair bone defects resulting from trauma or disease. MSCs secrete proangiogenic cues and can be induced to differentiate into bone-forming osteoblasts, yet there is limited evidence that these events can be achieved in parallel. Manipulation of the cell delivery vehicle properties represents a candidate approach for directing MSC function in bone healing. We hypothesized that the biophysical properties of a fibrin gel could simultaneously regulate the proangiogenic and osteogenic potential of entrapped MSCs. Fibrin gels were formed by supplementation with NaCl (1.2, 2.3, and 3.9% w/v) to modulate gel biophysical properties without altering protein concentrations. MSCs entrapped in 1.2% w/v NaCl gels were the most proangiogenic in vitro, yet cells in 3.9% w/v gels exhibited the greatest osteogenic response. Compared to the other groups, MSCs entrapped in 2.3% w/v gels provided the best balance between proangiogenic potential, osteogenic potential, and gel contractility. The contribution of MSCs to bone repair was then examined when deployed in 2.3% w/v NaCl gels and implanted into an irradiated orthotopic bone defect. Compared to acellular gels after 3 weeks of implantation, defects treated with MSC-loaded fibrin gels exhibited significant increases in vessel density, early osteogenesis, superior morphology, and increased cellularity of repair tissue. Defects treated with MSC-loaded gels exhibited increased bone formation after 12 weeks compared to blank gels. These results confirm that fibrin gel properties can be modulated to simultaneously promote both the proangiogenic and osteogenic potential of MSCs, and fibrin gels modified by supplementation with NaCl are promising carriers for MSCs to stimulate bone repair in vivo. PMID:25527322

  13. Coating flow of an anti-HIV microbicide gel: boundary dilution and yield stress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szeri, Andrew J.; Tasoglu, Savas; Park, Su Chan; Katz, David F.

    2010-11-01

    A recent study has confirmed, for the first time, that a vaginal gel formulation of the antiretroviral drug Tenofovir, when topically applied, significantly inhibits sexual HIV transmission to women [1]. However, the gel for this drug, and anti-HIV microbicide gels in general, have not been designed using an understanding of how gel spreading govern successful drug delivery. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory can be applied to model spreading of microbicide gels [2]. Here, we extend our initial analysis: we incorporate a yield stress, and we model the effects of gel dilution due to contact with vaginal fluid produced at the gel-tissue interface. Our model developed in [2] is supplemented with a convective-diffusive transport equation to characterize dilution, and solved using a multi-step scheme in a moving domain. The association between local dilution of gel and rheological properties is obtained experimentally. To model the common yield stress property of gels, we proceed by scaling analysis first. This establishes the conditions for validity of lubrication theory of a shear thinning yield stress fluid. This involves further development of the model in [2], incorporating a biviscosity model.[4pt] [1] Karim, et al., Science, 2010.[0pt] [2] Szeri, et al., Phy. of Fluids, 2008.

  14. Computational design of active, self-reinforcing gels.

    PubMed

    Yashin, Victor V; Kuksenok, Olga; Balazs, Anna C

    2010-05-20

    Many living organisms have evolved a protective mechanism that allows them to reversibly alter their stiffness in response to mechanical contact. Using theoretical modeling, we design a mechanoresponsive polymer gel that exhibits a similar self-reinforcing behavior. We focus on cross-linked gels that contain Ru(terpy)(2) units, where both terpyridine ligands are grafted to the chains. The Ru(terpy)(2) complex forms additional, chemoresponsive cross-links that break and re-form in response to a repeated oxidation and reduction of the Ru. In our model, the periodic redox variations of the anchored metal ion are generated by the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. Our computer simulations reveal that compression of the BZ gel leads to a stiffening of the sample due to an increase in the cross-link density. These findings provide guidelines for designing biomimetic, active coatings that send out a signal when the system is impacted and use this signaling process to initiate the self-protecting behavior.

  15. Antibiotic-primed fibrin gel improves outcome in contaminated splenic injury.

    PubMed

    Ing, R D; Saxe, J; Hendrick, S; Bailey, J; Diebel, L N; Dulchavsky, S A; Brown, W

    1992-07-01

    Fibrin gel (FG) has recently been shown to be bactericidal in the management of contaminated hepatic injury; antibiotic loading of fibrin gel (AFG) may augment this effect. We evaluated the antimicrobial properties of FG and AFG in a rat model of contaminated splenic injury. Fibrin gel was made from centrifuged plasma of separate donor rats and bovine thrombin. Antibiotic fibrin gel was similarly produced following intravenous injection of 70 mg/kg ticarcillin. Male Holtzman rats (250-300 g) were anesthetized and a laparotomy done. The abdomen was contaminated with 1 x 10(7) Bacteroides fragilis and the spleen transected in the midportion. Treatment consisted of splenorrhaphy (S) (n = 7), FG application (n = 7), or AFG (n = 7). The animals were autopsied at 1 week to evaluate abscess formation and abdominal adhesions (grade I = none, grade II = mild, grade III = severe). Antibiotic/fibrin gel significantly decreased abscess formation following splenic injury when compared with S (2 of 7 vs. 7 of 7; p less than 0.05 by ANOVA) without an increase in adhesions. Fibrin gel also decreased abscess formation but not significantly (4 of 7 vs. 7 of 7). Histologic analysis confirmed the beneficial effect of FG and AFG on wound healing. The bactericidal effect of FG is improved by antibiotic loading in contaminated intraabdominal injury.

  16. Formation and rupture of Ca(2+) induced pectin biopolymer gels.

    PubMed

    Basak, Rajib; Bandyopadhyay, Ranjini

    2014-10-07

    When calcium salts are added to an aqueous solution of polysaccharide pectin, ionic cross-links form between pectin chains, giving rise to a gel network in dilute solution. In this work, dynamic light scattering (DLS) is employed to study the microscopic dynamics of the fractal aggregates (flocs) that constitute the gels, while rheological measurements are carried out to study the process of gel rupture. As the calcium salt concentration is increased, DLS experiments reveal that the polydispersity of the flocs increase simultaneously with the characteristic relaxation times of the gel network. Above a critical salt concentration, the flocs become interlinked to form a reaction-limited fractal gel network. Rheological studies demonstrate that the limits of the linear rheological response and the critical stresses required to rupture these networks both decrease with the increase in salt concentration. These features indicate that the ion-mediated pectin gels studied here lie in a 'strong link' regime that is characterised by inter-floc links that are stronger than intra-floc links. A scaling analysis of the experimental data presented here demonstrates that the elasticities of the individual fractal flocs exhibit power-law dependences on the added salt concentration. We conclude that when both pectin and salt concentrations are increased, the number of fractal flocs of pectin increases simultaneously with the density of crosslinks, giving rise to very large values of the bulk elastic modulus.

  17. Solventless sol-gel chemistry through ring-opening polymerization of bridged disilaoxacyclopentanes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    RAHIMIAN,KAMYAR; LOY,DOUGLAS A.

    2000-04-04

    Disilaoxacyclopentanes have proven to be excellent precursors to sol-gel type materials. These materials have shown promise as precursors for encapsulation and microelectronics applications. The polymers are highly crosslinked and are structurally similar to traditional sol-gels, but unlike typical sol-gels they are prepared without the use of solvents and water, they have low VOC's and show little shrinkage during processing.

  18. Dosimetry study of diagnostic X-ray using doped iodide normoxic polymer gels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Y. R.; Chang, Y. J.; Hsieh, L. L.; Liu, M. H.; Liu, J. S.; Chu, C. H.; Hsieh, B. T.

    2014-11-01

    In radiotherapy, polymer gel dosimeters are used for three-dimensional (3D) dose distribution. However, the doses are within the Gy range. In this study, we attempted to develop a low-dose 3D dosimeter within the mGy range for diagnostic radiology. The effect of the iodinated compound was used as a dose enhancement sensitizer to enhance the dose sensitivity of normoxic polymer gel dosimeters. This study aims to use N-isopropylacrylamide(NIPAM)-based and methacrylic acid (MAGAT)-based gels to evaluate the potential dose enhancement sensitizer, as well as to compare two gels that may be suitable for measuring diagnostic radiation doses. The suitable formulation of NIPAM gel [5% (w/w) gelatin, 5% (w/w) NIPAM, 3% (w/w) N,N‧-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS), 5 mM tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC), and 87% (w/w) deionized distilled water] and MAGAT gel (4% MAA, 9% gelatin, 87% deionized water, and 10 mM THPC) were used and loaded with clinical iodinated contrast medium agent (Iobitridol, Xenetix® 350). Irradiation was conducted using X-ray computed tomography. The irradiation doses ranged from 0 mGy to 80 mGy. Optical computed tomography was the employed gel measurement system. The results indicate that the iodinated contrast agent yields a quantifiable dose enhancement ratio. The dose enhancement ratios of NIPAM and MAGAT gels are 3.35±0.6 and 1.36±0.3, respectively. The developed NIPAM gel in this study could be suitable for measuring diagnostic radiation doses.

  19. Neutron detector using sol-gel absorber

    DOEpatents

    Hiller, John M.; Wallace, Steven A.; Dai, Sheng

    1999-01-01

    An neutron detector composed of fissionable material having ions of lithium, uranium, thorium, plutonium, or neptunium, contained within a glass film fabricated using a sol-gel method combined with a particle detector is disclosed. When the glass film is bombarded with neutrons, the fissionable material emits fission particles and electrons. Prompt emitting activated elements yielding a high energy electron contained within a sol-gel glass film in combination with a particle detector is also disclosed. The emissions resulting from neutron bombardment can then be detected using standard UV and particle detection methods well known in the art, such as microchannel plates, channeltrons, and silicon avalanche photodiodes.

  20. TTC-Pluronic 3D radiochromic gel dosimetry of ionizing radiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kozicki, Marek; Kwiatos, Klaudia; Kadlubowski, Slawomir; Dudek, Mariusz

    2017-07-01

    This work reports the first results obtained using a new 3D radiochromic gel dosimeter. The dosimeter is an aqueous physical gel matrix made of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic F-127, PEO-PPO-PEO) doped with a representative of tetrazolium salts, 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). There were several reasons for the choice of Pluronic as a gel forming substrate: (i) the high degree of transparency and colourlessness; (ii) the possibility of gel dosimeter preparation at both high and low temperatures due to the phase behaviour of Pluronic; (iii) the broad temperature range over which the TTC-Pluronic dosimeter is stable; and (iv) the non-toxicity of Pluronic. A reason for the choice of TTC was its ionising radiation-induced transformation to water-insoluble formazan, which was assumed to impact beneficially on the spatial stability of the dose distribution. If irradiated, the TTC-Pluronic gels become red but transparent in the irradiated part, while the non-irradiated part remains crystal clear. The best obtained composition is characterised by  <4 Gy dose threshold, a dose sensitivity of 0.002 31 (Gy  ×  cm)-1, a large linear dose range of  >500 Gy and a dynamic dose response much greater than 500 Gy (7.5% TTC, 25% Pluronic F-127, 50 mmol dm-3 tetrakis). Temporal and spatial stability studies revealed that the TTC-Pluronic gels (7.5% TTC, 25% Pluronic F-127) were stable for more than one week. The addition of compounds boosting the gels’ dose performance caused deterioration of the gels’ temporal stability but did not impact the stability of the 3D dose distribution. The proposed method of preparation allows for the repeatable manufacture of the gels. There were no differences observed between gels irradiated fractionally and non-fractionally. The TTC-Pluronic dose response might be affected by the radiation source dose rate—this, however, requires further examination.

  1. In-vitro activity of sodium-hypochlorite gel on bacteria associated with periodontitis.

    PubMed

    Jurczyk, Karolina; Nietzsche, Sandor; Ender, Claudia; Sculean, Anton; Eick, Sigrun

    2016-11-01

    The aim of the present study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of a sodium hypochlorite formulation including its components against bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Sodium hypochlorite formulation (NaOCl gel), its components sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and the activating vehicle were compared with 0.1 % chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) solution. The antimicrobial activity was proven by determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentrations, and killing assays. Furthermore, the influence on formation as well as on a 4-day-old 6-species biofilm was tested. Except for one strain (Parvimonas micra ATCC 33270 in case of NaOCl gel), the MICs both of the CHX solution and NaOCl gel did not exceed 10 % of the formulations' concentration. In general, MICs of the NaOCl gel were equal as of the CHX solution against Gram-negatives but higher against Gram-positive bacteria. CHX but not NaOCl gel clearly inhibited biofilm formation; however, the activity of NaOCl gel was more remarkable on a 4-day-old biofilm. NaOCl killed bacteria in the biofilm and interfered with the matrix. The NaOCl gel acts antimicrobial in particular against Gram-negative species associated with periodontitis. Moreover, its component NaOCl hypochlorite is able to alter biofilm matrices. The NaOCl gel may represent a potential alternative for adjunctive topical antimicrobial treatment in periodontitis.

  2. Heated Ultrasound Gel and Patient Satisfaction with Bedside Ultrasound Studies: The HUGS Trial

    PubMed Central

    Krainin, Benjamin M.; Thaut, Lane C.; April, Michael D.; Curtis, Ryan A.; Kaelin, Andrea L.; Hardy, Garrett B.; Weymouth, Wells L.; Srichandra, Jonathan; Chin, Eric J.; Summers, Shane M.

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Our goal was to determine if heated gel for emergency department (ED) bedside ultrasonography improves patient satisfaction compared to room-temperature gel. Methods We randomized a convenience sample of ED patients determined by their treating physician to require a bedside ultrasound (US) study to either heated gel (102.0° F) or room-temperature gel (82.3° F). Investigators performed all US examinations. We informed all subjects that the study entailed investigation into various measures to improve patient satisfaction with ED US examinations but did not inform them of our specific focus on gel temperature. Investigators wore heat-resistant gloves while performing the examinations to blind themselves to the gel temperature. After completion of the US, subjects completed a survey including the primary outcome measure of patient satisfaction as measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). A secondary outcome was patient perceptions of sonographer professionalism measured by an ordinal scale (1–5). Results We enrolled 124 subjects; 120 completed all outcome measures. Of these, 59 underwent randomization to US studies with room-temperature gel and 61 underwent randomization to heated US gel. Patient 100-mm VAS satisfaction scores were 83.9 among patients undergoing studies with room-temperature gel versus 87.6 among subjects undergoing studies with heated gel (effect size 3.7, 95% confidence interval −1.3–8.6). There were similarly no differences between the two arms with regard to patient perceptions of sonographer professionalism. Conclusion The use of heated ultrasound gel appears to have no material impact on the satisfaction of ED patients undergoing bedside ultrasound studies. PMID:29085538

  3. Elastic Behavior and Platelet Retraction in Low- and High-Density Fibrin Gels

    PubMed Central

    Wufsus, Adam R.; Rana, Kuldeepsinh; Brown, Andrea; Dorgan, John R.; Liberatore, Matthew W.; Neeves, Keith B.

    2015-01-01

    Fibrin is a biopolymer that gives thrombi the mechanical strength to withstand the forces imparted on them by blood flow. Importantly, fibrin is highly extensible, but strain hardens at low deformation rates. The density of fibrin in clots, especially arterial clots, is higher than that in gels made at plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (3–10 mg/mL), where most rheology studies have been conducted. Our objective in this study was to measure and characterize the elastic regimes of low (3–10 mg/mL) and high (30–100 mg/mL) density fibrin gels using shear and extensional rheology. Confocal microscopy of the gels shows that fiber density increases with fibrinogen concentration. At low strains, fibrin gels act as thermal networks independent of fibrinogen concentration. Within the low-strain regime, one can predict the mesh size of fibrin gels by the elastic modulus using semiflexible polymer theory. Significantly, this provides a link between gel mechanics and interstitial fluid flow. At moderate strains, we find that low-density fibrin gels act as nonaffine mechanical networks and transition to affine mechanical networks with increasing strains within the moderate regime, whereas high-density fibrin gels only act as affine mechanical networks. At high strains, the backbone of individual fibrin fibers stretches for all fibrin gels. Platelets can retract low-density gels by >80% of their initial volumes, but retraction is attenuated in high-density fibrin gels and with decreasing platelet density. Taken together, these results show that the nature of fibrin deformation is a strong function of fibrin fiber density, which has ramifications for the growth, embolization, and lysis of thrombi. PMID:25564864

  4. Probing Biomolecular Structures and Dynamics of Single Molecules Using In-Gel Alternating-Laser Excitation

    PubMed Central

    Santoso, Yusdi; Kapanidis, Achillefs N.

    2009-01-01

    Gel electrophoresis is a standard biochemical technique used for separating biomolecules on the basis of size and charge. Despite the use of gels in early single-molecule experiments, gel electrophoresis has not been widely adopted for single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. We present a novel method that combines gel electrophoresis and single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to simultaneously purify and analyze biomolecules in a gel matrix. Our method, in-gel ALEX, uses non-denaturing gels to purify biomolecular complexes of interest from free components, aggregates, and non-specific complexes. The gel matrix also slows down translational diffusion of molecules, giving rise to long, high-resolution time traces without surface immobilization, which allow extended observations of conformational dynamics in a biologically friendly environment. We demonstrated the compatibility of this method with different types of single molecule spectroscopy techniques, including confocal detection and fluorescence-correlation spectroscopy. We demonstrated that in-gel ALEX can be used to study conformational dynamics at the millisecond timescale; by studying a DNA hairpin in gels, we directly observed fluorescence fluctuations due to conformational interconversion between folded and unfolded states. Our method is amenable to the addition of small molecules that can alter the equilibrium and dynamic properties of the system. In-gel ALEX will be a versatile tool for studying structures and dynamics of complex biomolecules and their assemblies. PMID:19863108

  5. Optimizing Suprathel®-therapy by the use of Octenidine-Gel®.

    PubMed

    Radu, C A; Gazyakan, E; Germann, G; Riedel, K; Reichenberger, M; Ryssel, H

    2011-03-01

    A prospective, randomized, non-blinded, clinical study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and practicability as well as pain reduction and ease of handling of Flammazine® versus Octenidine-Gel® s a primary local antiseptic before synthetic skin substitute application in partial-thickness burns. Thirty patients with a median age of 42 years suffering from second-degree burns were included in the study. Burns were randomly selected, one area was treated with Flammazine®/gauze, another area in the same patient was treated with Octenidine-Gel®/gauze as initial antiseptic treatment. Within 24 h the first gauze change was performed followed by wound inspection, disinfection and synthetic skin substitute application. The study focused on patient pain score, analysis of wound bed and ease of handling of the two local antiseptic agents. There was a significant difference between Flammazine® versus Octenidine-Gel® regarding patient pain score and ease of handling. Octenidine-Gel® was less painful (p < 0.05) and easier to handle (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference for wound bed evaluation between the two antiseptic agents. A tendency for better wound bed preparation was seen with the use of Octenidine-Gel®. Based on the findings of this study Octenidine-Gel® is recommended as a local antiseptic agent, because when compared to Flammazine®, Octenidine-Gel® proved to be better in terms of ease of care, simplicity application, with gentler and faster detachment of the gel from wound surfaces and consequently far less pain during dressing changes. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  6. Local structure of percolating gels at very low volume fractions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Griffiths, Samuel; Turci, Francesco; Royall, C. Patrick

    2017-01-01

    The formation of colloidal gels is strongly dependent on the volume fraction of the system and the strength of the interactions between the colloids. Here we explore very dilute solutions by the means of numerical simulations and show that, in the absence of hydrodynamic interactions and for sufficiently strong interactions, percolating colloidal gels can be realised at very low values of the volume fraction. Characterising the structure of the network of the arrested material we find that, when reducing the volume fraction, the gels are dominated by low-energy local structures, analogous to the isolated clusters of the interaction potential. Changing the strength of the interaction allows us to tune the compactness of the gel as characterised by the fractal dimension, with low interaction strength favouring more chain-like structures.

  7. A fluorescence study of liposomes entrapped in sol-gel materials

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yamanaka, S.A.; Singh, S.; Sasaki, D.Y.

    1997-12-31

    Liposomes of phosphatidylcholine lipids were successfully entrapped in silicates using the sol-gel method with complete retention of the molecular aggregates over long periods in aqueous solution. Fluorescent studies of the small unilamellar vesicles of 5% pyrene labeled lipid PSIDA with DSPC remobilized in the gel found significant lipid reorganization upon aging in aqueous solutions. Monitoring of pyrene excimer (470 nm) to monomer (375 nm) ratios in the bilayer reveals that the silicate matrix tends to disperse PSIDA lipid aggregates from that observed in free solution. On an interesting note, the liposomes in the gel at pH 7.5. The PSIDA/DSPC liposomes,more » sensitive to heavy metal ions in free solution, maintain similar sensitivity in the gel yet the sensor material can not be recycled.« less

  8. Stiffness control of magnetorheological gels for adaptive tunable vibration absorber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Hyun Kee; Kim, Hye Shin; Kim, Young-Keun

    2017-01-01

    In this study, a stiffness feedback control system for magnetorheological (MR) gel—a smart material of variable stiffness—is proposed, toward the design of a tunable vibration absorber that can adaptively tune to a time varying disturbance in real time. A PID controller was designed to track the required stiffness of the MR gel by controlling the magnitude of the target external magnetic field pervading the MR gel. This paper proposes a novel magnetic field generator that could produce a variable magnetic field with low energy consumption. The performance of the MR gel stiffness control was validated through experiments that showed the MR gel absorber system could be automatically tuned from 56 Hz to 67 Hz under a field of 100 mT to minimize the vibration of the primary system.

  9. An improved silver staining procedure for schizodeme analysis in polyacrylamide gradient gels.

    PubMed

    Gonçalves, A M; Nehme, N S; Morel, C M

    1990-01-01

    A simple protocol is described for the silver staining of polyacrylamide gradient gels used for the separation of restriction fragments of kinetoplast DNA [schizodeme analysis of trypanosomatids (Morel et al., 1980)]. The method overcomes the problems of non-uniform staining and strong background color which are frequently encountered when conventional protocols for silver staining of linear gels are applied to gradient gels. The method described has proven to be of general applicability for DNA, RNA and protein separations in gradient gels.

  10. Impact of Protein Gel Porosity on the Digestion of Lipid Emulsions.

    PubMed

    Sarkar, Anwesha; Juan, Jean-Marc; Kolodziejczyk, Eric; Acquistapace, Simone; Donato-Capel, Laurence; Wooster, Tim J

    2015-10-14

    The present study sought to understand how the microstructure of protein gels impacts lipolysis of gelled emulsions. The selected system consisted of an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion embedded within gelatin gels. The gelatin-gelled emulsions consisted of a discontinuous network of aggregated emulsion droplets (mesoscale), dispersed within a continuous network of gelatin (microscale). The viscoelastic properties of the gelled emulsions were dominated by the rheological behavior of the gelatin, suggesting a gelatin continuous microstructure rather than a bicontinuous gel. A direct relationship between the speed of fat digestion and gel average mesh size was found, indicating that the digestion of fat within gelatin-gelled emulsions is controlled by the ability of the gel's microstructure to slow lipase diffusion to the interface of fat droplets. Digestion of fat was facilitated by gradual breakdown of the gelatin network, which mainly occurred via surface erosion catalyzed by proteases. Overall, this work has demonstrated that the lipolysis kinetics of gelled emulsions is driven by the microstructure of protein gels; this knowledge is key for the future development of microstructures to control fat digestion and/or the delivery of nutrients to different parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

  11. Fabrication of advanced electrochemical energy materials using sol-gel processing techniques

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chu, C. T.; Chu, Jay; Zheng, Haixing

    1995-01-01

    Advanced materials play an important role in electrochemical energy devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical capacitors. They are being used as both electrodes and electrolytes. Sol-gel processing is a versatile solution technique used in fabrication of ceramic materials with tailored stoichiometry, microstructure, and properties. The application of sol-gel processing in the fabrication of advanced electrochemical energy materials will be presented. The potentials of sol-gel derived materials for electrochemical energy applications will be discussed along with some examples of successful applications. Sol-gel derived metal oxide electrode materials such as V2O5 cathodes have been demonstrated in solid-slate thin film batteries; solid electrolytes materials such as beta-alumina for advanced secondary batteries had been prepared by the sol-gel technique long time ago; and high surface area transition metal compounds for capacitive energy storage applications can also be synthesized with this method.

  12. The effect of residual water on antacid properties of sucralfate gel dried by microwaves.

    PubMed

    Gainotti, Alessandro; Losi, Elena; Colombo, Paolo; Santi, Patrizia; Sonvico, Fabio; Baroni, Daniela; Massimo, Gina; Colombo, Gaia; Del Gaudio, Pasquale

    2006-01-20

    The aim of this work was to study the acid neutralization characteristics of microwave-dried sucralfate gel in relation to the water content and physical structure of the substance. Several dried sucralfate gels were compared with humid sucralfate gel and sucralfate nongel powder in terms of neutralization rate and buffering capacity. Humid sucralfate gel and microwave-dried gel exhibited antacid effectiveness. In particular, the neutralization rate of dried gel powders was inversely related to the water content: as the water content of dried powders decreased, the acid reaction rate linearly increased. The relationship was due to the different morphology of dried sucralfate gels. In fact, the porosity of the dried samples increased with the water reduction. However, the acid neutralization equivalent revealed that the dried sucralfate gel became more resistant to acid attack in the case of water content below 42%. Then, the microwave drying procedure had the opposite effect on the reactivity of the aluminum hydroxide component of dried sucralfate gel powders, since the rate of the reaction increased whereas the buffering capacity decreased as the amount of water was reduced.

  13. The effect of residual water on antacid properties of sucralfate gel dried by microwaves.

    PubMed

    Gainotti, Alessandro; Losi, Elena; Colombo, Paolo; Santi, Patrizia; Sonvico, Fabio; Baroni, Daniela; Massimo, Gina; Colombo, Gaia; Del Gaudio, Pasquale

    2006-03-01

    The aim of this work was to study the acid neutralization characteristics of microwave-dried sucralfate gel in relation to the water content and physical structure of the substance. Several dried sucralfate gels were compared with humid sucralfate gel and sucralfate nongel powder in terms of neutralization rate and buffering capacity. Humid sucralfate gel and microwave-dried gel exhibited antacid effectiveness. In particular, the neutralization rate of dried gel powders was inversely related to the water content: as the water content of dried powders decreased, the acid reaction rate linearly increased. The relationship was due to the different morphology of dried sucralfate gels. In fact, the porosity of the dried samples increased with the water reduction. However, the acid neutralization equivalent revealed that the dried sucralfate gel became more resistant to acid attack in the case of water content below 42%. Then, the microwave drying procedure had the opposite effect on the reactivity of the aluminum hydroxide component of dried sucralfate gel powders, since the rate of the reaction increased whereas the buffering capacity decreased as the amount of water was reduced.

  14. Development of bufferless gel electrophoresis chip for easy preparation and rapid DNA separation.

    PubMed

    Oleksandrov, Sergiy; Aman, Abdurazak; Lim, Wanyoung; Kim, Younghee; Bae, Nam Ho; Lee, Kyoung G; Lee, Seok Jae; Park, Sungsu

    2018-02-01

    This work presents a handy, fast, and compact bufferless gel electrophoresis chip (BGEC), which consists of precast agarose gel confined in a disposable plastic body with electrodes. It does not require large volumes of buffer to fill reservoirs, or the process of immersing the gel in the buffer. It withstands voltages up to 28.4 V/cm, thereby allowing DNA separation within 10 min with a similar separation capability to the standard gel electrophoresis. The results suggest that our BGEC is highly suitable for in situ gel electrophoresis in forensic, epidemiological settings and crime scenes where standard gel electrophoresis equipment cannot be brought in while quick results are needed. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. Prescription Proportion of Pomegranate Extract Gallic Acid Gel by Orthogonal Design

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, Gaofu; Liu, Xiushu; Tang, Jie; Gong, Jumei; Fu, Entao; Cai, Yuhua; Xu, Zhenguo

    2018-05-01

    The aim of the present work was to optimize the formulation of pomegranate extract gallic acid gel by orthogonal design. Using orthogonal design, propylene glycol, carbomer-940 and gel pH level as influencing factors, the evaluation key index was external apearance malleability, uniformity, and eccentric for gel, and the optimum formula was selected. The present findings suggest that 10% propylene glycol, 1.5% Carbopol-940, and gel pH in the range of 4.5∼5.5, and the indexes of the optimal. The inclusion complexes showed that after the orthogonal design, the preparation process was simple, stable and controllable quality, with production feasibility.

  16. Cholesteric liquid crystal gels with a graded mechanical stress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agez, Gonzague; Relaix, Sabrina; Mitov, Michel

    2014-02-01

    In cholesteric liquid-crystalline gels, the mechanical role of the polymer network over the structure of the whole gel has been ignored. We show that it is the stress gradient exerted by the network over the helical structure that drives the broadening of the optical band gap, as evidenced by the absence of a gradient in chiral species. Model calculations and finite-difference time-domain simulations show that the network acts as a spring with a stiffness gradient. The present results indicate a revision to the common understanding of the physical properties of liquid-crystalline gels is necessary when a concentration gradient in a polymer network is present.

  17. Cholesteric liquid crystal gels with a graded mechanical stress.

    PubMed

    Agez, Gonzague; Relaix, Sabrina; Mitov, Michel

    2014-02-01

    In cholesteric liquid-crystalline gels, the mechanical role of the polymer network over the structure of the whole gel has been ignored. We show that it is the stress gradient exerted by the network over the helical structure that drives the broadening of the optical band gap, as evidenced by the absence of a gradient in chiral species. Model calculations and finite-difference time-domain simulations show that the network acts as a spring with a stiffness gradient. The present results indicate a revision to the common understanding of the physical properties of liquid-crystalline gels is necessary when a concentration gradient in a polymer network is present.

  18. Rheological and sensory properties of hydrophilic skin protection gels based on polyacrylates.

    PubMed

    Kulawik-Pióro, Agnieszka; Kurpiewska, Joanna; Kułaszka, Agnieszka

    2018-03-01

    With the current increases in occupational skin diseases, literature data attesting the decreasing efficiency of barrier creams with respect to the manufacturer's declarations and legal regulations granting skin protection gels for employees, research is required to analyse and evaluate the recipes used for hydrophilic skin protection gels based on polyacrylates. This study investigated the rheological properties, pH and sensory perception of hydrophilic barrier gels based on polyacrylates. The acrylic acid derivatives used were good thickeners, and helped to form transparent gels of adequate durability. They could be used to create hydrophilic films on the surface of the skin to protect it against hydrophobic substances. A correlation was shown between the results of the rheological properties and the barrier properties of the gels. This confirms the possibility of monitoring the quality of the gels at the stage of recipe development. Polyacrylates are viable for use in industry to produce hydrophilic barrier creams suitable for skin protection.

  19. 21 CFR 872.1730 - Electrode gel for pulp testers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Electrode gel for pulp testers. 872.1730 Section 872.1730 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES DENTAL DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 872.1730 Electrode gel for pulp testers. (a...

  20. 21 CFR 872.1730 - Electrode gel for pulp testers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Electrode gel for pulp testers. 872.1730 Section 872.1730 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES DENTAL DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 872.1730 Electrode gel for pulp testers. (a...