4 research outputs found
Cruise Report ALKOR 438 [AL438] - Foraminiferal biomonitoring in the North Sea, May 29 - May 31, 2014, Kiel (Germany) - Kiel (Germany)
The aim of R/V Alkor cruise AL438 was to investigate the assemblage composition,
population density and distribution of Recent benthic foraminifera in the Elbe
estuary and southern North Sea. We focused on an assessment of the present state of
the ecosystems and a comparison with data from former decades. Our work resumed
investigations of the Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut of Kiel University and the
Federal Hydrographic Office from 1960s till the 1980s, as well as topical studies to the
west of Helgoland. We revisited the same stations and took sediment samples with
historical and modern grab samplers, box corer, Minicorer and a gravity corer. These
samples were accomplished with samples from new stations in order to describe the
relationships of foraminiferal faunas living in the Helgoland mud area with those
inhabiting the surrounding sands. The sampling was accompanied with hydrographical
measurements and water sampling to document relevant environmental parameters.
The foraminiferal sampling was carried out for the first time following of the
FOraminiferal BIoMOnitoring group (FOBIMO) recommendations as much as possible,
in order to test the practicability of the guidelines. In total, 109 deployments at 37
stations were successfully accomplished
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Impact of Reactive Amphiphilic Copolymers on Mechanical Properties and Cell Responses of Fibrin-Based Hydrogels
Mechanical properties of hydrogels can be modified by the variation of structure and concentration of reactive building blocks. One promising biological source for the synthesis of biocompatible hydrogels is fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein in blood, which can be transformed enzymatically to fibrin playing an important role in wound healing and clot formation. In the present work, it is demonstrated that hybrid hydrogels with their improved mechanical properties, tunable internal structure, and enhanced resistance to degradation can be synthesized by a combination of fibrinogen and reactive amphiphilic copolymers. Water-soluble amphiphilic copolymers with tunable molecular weight and controlled amounts of reactive epoxy side groups are used as reactive crosslinkers to reinforce fibrin hydrogels. In the present work, copolymers that can influence the mechanical properties of fibrin-based hydrogels are used. The reactive copolymers increase the storage modulus of the hydrogels from 600 Pa to 30 kPa. The thickness of fibrin fibers is regulated by the copolymer concentration. It could be demonstrated that the fibrin-based hydrogels are biocompatible and support cell proliferation. Their degradation rate is considerably slower than that of native fibrin gels. In conclusion, fibrin-based hydrogels with tunable elasticity and fiber thickness useful to direct cell responses like proliferation and differentiation are produced. © 2020 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei
Impact of Reactive Amphiphilic Copolymers on Mechanical Properties and Cell Responses of Fibrin‐Based Hydrogels
Mechanical properties of hydrogels can be modified by the variation of structure and concentration of reactive building blocks. One promising biological source for the synthesis of biocompatible hydrogels is fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein in blood, which can be transformed enzymatically to fibrin playing an important role in wound healing and clot formation. In the present work, it is demonstrated that hybrid hydrogels with their improved mechanical properties, tunable internal structure, and enhanced resistance to degradation can be synthesized by a combination of fibrinogen and reactive amphiphilic copolymers. Water-soluble amphiphilic copolymers with tunable molecular weight and controlled amounts of reactive epoxy side groups are used as reactive crosslinkers to reinforce fibrin hydrogels. In the present work, copolymers that can influence the mechanical properties of fibrin-based hydrogels are used. The reactive copolymers increase the storage modulus of the hydrogels from 600 Pa to 30 kPa. The thickness of fibrin fibers is regulated by the copolymer concentration. It could be demonstrated that the fibrin-based hydrogels are biocompatible and support cell proliferation. Their degradation rate is considerably slower than that of native fibrin gels. In conclusion, fibrin-based hydrogels with tunable elasticity and fiber thickness useful to direct cell responses like proliferation and differentiation are produced. © 2020 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei