Flexible biochips for detection of biomolecules

Miniaturization of biosensors is envisaged by the development of biochips consisting of parallel microarray patterns of binding sites on rigid substrates, such as glass or silicon. Thin plastic substrates are promising flexible alternatives because of the possibility for large-area roll-to-roll manufacturing of disposable chips at lower costs....

Lactobacilli expressing variable domain of llama heavy-chain antibody fragments (lactobodies) confer protection against rotavirus-induced diarrhea

Background. Rotavirus-induced diarrhea poses a worldwide medical problem in causing substantial morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. We therefore developed a system for passive immunotherapy in which recombinant lactobacilli constitutively express neutralizing variable domain of llama heavy-chain (VHH) antibody...

Molecular weight fibrinogen variants determine angiogenesis rate in a fibrin matrix in vitro and in vivo

Background: During wound repair, fibrin acts both as a barrier to prevent blood loss and as a temporary matrix for the invasion and ingrowth of endothelial and tissue cells. A well-controlled angiogenesis process in the fibrinous exudate matrix is crucial for optimal wound healing. The composition and structure of the fibrin matrix are important...

Personal exposure to ultrafine particles in the workplace: Exploring sampling techniques and strategies

Recently, toxicological and epidemiological studies on health effects related to particle exposure suggest that 'ultrafine particles' (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of <100 nm) may cause severe health effects after inhalation. Although the toxicological mechanisms for these effects have not yet been explained, it is apparent that...

Automated electron tomography of the septal pore cap in Rhizoctonia solani

Dolipore septa and septal pore caps (SPCs) in filamentous basidiomycetes may play an important role in maintaining the integrity of hypal cells. We have investigated the ultrastructure of the dolipore septum and the SPC in Rhizoctonia solani hyphal cells after high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution, and Spurr embedding. We visualized the...

Evaluation of various methods to quantify endothelial cells attached to vascular prostheses: Comparison with a new "gold standard" FACS method

For in vitro evaluation of functional properties of endothelial cells seeded on synthetic vascular prostheses accurate and reproducible quantification of cells is mandatory. Comparison of these properties with those resulting from other studies requires correlation of the functional parameters to reliably counted cell numbers. The accuracy of...

Effects of feeding stannous chloride on different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of the rat

The effects of feeding inorganic tin on the gastrointestinal tract were examined in rats. Three groups of male weanling Wistar rats were fed a diet to which 0, 250, or 500 ppm Sn2+ had been added as SnCl2. A fourth group was subjected to feed restriction by pair feeding with the 500-ppm group. Comparison of the data from the tin-fed groups with...