Degradation of glycine and alanine on irradiated quartz

Recent researches suggest participation of minerals in the formation of life under primordial conditions. Among all of the minerals, quartz seems to be one of the most probable to take part in such processes. However, an external source of energy is needed, e.g. electric discharge. A device simulating the proposed conditions was designed and was used to simulate prebiotic conditions. Investigation of processes occurring during the stimulation of quartz with electric discharge was studied by means of Ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, in order to monitor the generation kinetics of free radicals. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy was applied to identify chemical reaction products created in a solution of alanine or glycine, in the presence of quartz treated with electric discharge. Formation of increased amounts of free radicals, compared to experiments performed without quartz and/or amino acid, is reported, along with identification of possible degradation products of alanine. No synthetic reactions were observed

On the influence of various physicochemical properties of the CNTs based implantable devices on the fibroblasts' reaction in vitro

Coating the material with a layer of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been a subject of particular interest for the development of new biomaterials. Such coatings, made of properly selected CNTs, may constitute an implantable electronic device that facilitates tissue regeneration both by specific surface properties and an ability to electrically stimulate the cells. The goal of the presented study was to produce, evaluate physicochemical properties and test the applicability of highly conductible material designed as an implantable electronic device. Two types of CNTs with varying level of oxidation were chosen. The process of coating involved suspension of the material of choice in the diluent followed by the electrophoretic deposition to fabricate layers on the surface of a highly biocompatible metal-titanium. Presented study includes an assessment of the physicochemical properties of the material’s surface along with an electrochemical evaluation and in vitro biocompatibility, cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies in contact with the murine fibroblasts (L929) in attempt to answer the question how the chemical composition and CNTs distribution in the layer alters the electrical properties of the sample and whether any of these properties have influenced the overall biocompatibility and stimulated adhesion of fibroblasts. The results indicate that higher level of oxidation of CNTs yielded materials more conductive than the metal they are deposited on. In vitro study revealed that both materials were biocompatible and that the cells were not affected by the amount of the functional group and the morphology of the surface they adhered to

Causes and laboratory diagnostic of pleural effusions in dogs

Pleuralne izljeve definiramo kao patološko nakupljanje tekućine u pleuralnoj šupljini, a koji u pasa nastaju posljedično različitim upalnim, sistemskim, metaboličkim, kardiovaskularnim, infekcijskim i neoplastičnim bolestima te traumama, a dijelimo ih na transudate, modificirane transudate i eksudate. Uzroci pleuralnog izljeva su, patofiziološki gledano, porast hidrostatskog tlaka (pr. posljedično zastojnom zatajivanju srca), pad onkotskog tlaka (pr. posljedično hipoproteinemiji), povećana propustnost stijenke krvnih žila (najčešće posljedično upalnoj reakciji) i opstrukcija limfnih žila (najčešće posljedično tumorskom rastu). Najčešći klinički znak u pasa s patološkim pleuralnim izljevima je otežano disanje (respiratorni distres, dispneja). Ostali klinički znaci uključuju: skvrčen, ležeći položaj s ispruženim glavom i vratom, disanje otvorenim ustima, ubrzano i naglašeno abdominalno disanje, a u uznapredovalih slučajeva prisutna je i cijanoza. Postupkom torakocenteze, osim što uklanjamo pleuralni izljev, možemo ga i prouzročiti, a daljnja laboratorijska dijagnostička obrada je ključna za postavljanje sumnje (ponekad i konačne dijagnoze) na uzrok ili uzroke koji su doveli do patološkog nakupljanja tekućine u pleuralnoj šupljini. Svrha je ovog preglednog rada prikazati uzroke i specifične vrste izljeva u pleuralnu šupljinu u pasa, kao i dijagnostički pristup istima.Pleural effusions are defined as pathologic accumulation of free fluid in the pleural cavity, and in dogs they arise from a variety of inflammatory, systemic, infectious and neoplastic conditions, metabolic disorders, trauma and cardiovascular diseases. Pleural effusions are typically classified as transudates, modified transudates, and exudates. From a pathophysiologic standpoint the accumulation of free fluid can be caused by (1) an increase in hydrostatic pressure (as is the case with congestive heart failure), (2) a decrease in oncotic pressure (i.e. due to hypoproteinemia), (3) increased permeability of the vessel wall (most often as a result of inflammatory reaction) and lymphatic obstruction (most often due to tumor growth). Dogs with pathologic pleural effusions often show heavy breathing (respiratory distress, dyspnea) as the most common clinical sign. Other clinical signs include a crouched, sternal recumbent position with extension of the head and neck, open - mouth breathing, tachypnea, forceful abdominal respiration and cyanosis. Thoracocentesis is used to drain the free fluid, but also to sample pleural effusion, as further laboratory examination is crucial to establish a suspicion and sometimes a definitive diagnosis of the cause or causes that led to the pathological accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity. The purpose of this review is to present the causes and specific types of effusions in the pleural cavity in dogs, as well as their diagnostic approach

Nanomaterials to aid wound healing and infection control

The management and treatment of infectious bacterial diseases in wound healing have both become significant research areas in the biomedical field. While current treatments show limitations related to toxicity and exposure time, nanotechnology has become a potential alternative to overcome such challenges. The application of different nanomaterials, with a wide range of elemental compositions, morphologies, and features, has become an essential tool in managing wound healing infections. This book chapter shows an updated view of the newest trends in the control and treatment of bacterial proliferation in the wound bed by utilizing various metal- and nonmetal-based nanostructures

Advances in Fabricating the Electrospun Biopolymer-Based Biomaterials

Biopolymers formed into a fibrous morphology through electrospinning are of increasing interest in the field of biomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability and their ability to be biomimetic to various fibrous structures present in animal tissues. However, their mechanical properties are often unsatisfactory and their processing may be troublesome. Thus, extensive research interest is focused on improving these qualities. This review article presents the selection of the recent advances in techniques aimed to improve the electrospinnability of various biopolymers (polysaccharides, polynucleotides, peptides, and phospholipids). The electrospinning of single materials, and the variety of co-polymers, with and without additives, is covered. Additionally, various crosslinking strategies are presented. Examples of cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties are analyzed. Special attention is given to whey protein isolate as an example of a novel, promising, green material with good potential in the field of biomedicine. This review ends with a brief summary and outlook for the biomedical applicability of electrospinnable biopolymers