A convenient process to fabricate gelatin modified porous PLLA materials with high hydrophilicity and strength.

Title
A convenient process to fabricate gelatin modified porous PLLA materials with high hydrophilicity and strength.

Author 

Yin G1, Zhao D1, Ren Y1, Zhang L1, Zhou Z1, Li Q1

Abstract

PLLA porous materials with high porosity were prepared by a gradual precipitation method and further modified by using different concentrations of gelatin aqueous solutions. Therefore, porous materials with different contents of gelatin coating were obtained. The micro morphology, crystallization, thermal performance, hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the materials were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water uptake ability tests and compression tests. It was found that the modified materials were formed by the stacking of nanosheets. The materials can maintain more than 80% porosity, high water uptake abilities and fast water uptake rates after modification. The compressive moduli of the materials were significantly improved from the initial sample with a value of 0.57 MPa to 46.41 MPa with gelatin modification. Due to the high porosity of materials, interconnected pore structures, and good surface hydrophilicity, the materials were expected to be widely used in the field of tissue engineering scaffolds, especially for bone substitutes, mainly due to their tunable and excellent mechanical properties.

For further details log on website :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=search&term=26568472

A comparative differential scanning calorimetry study of the effects of cholesterol and various oxysterols on the thermotropic phase behavior of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes.

Title
A comparative differential scanning calorimetry study of the effects of cholesterol and various oxysterols on the thermotropic phase behavior of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes.

Author 

Benesch MG1, McElhaney RN2

Abstract

We have carried out a comparative differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study of the effects of cholesterol (C) and the eight most physiologically relevant oxysterols on the thermotropic phase behavior of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membranes. The structures of these oxysterols differ from that of C by the presence of additional hydroxyl, keto or epoxy groups on the steroid ring system or by the presence of a hydroxyl group in the alkyl side chain. In general, the progressive incorporation of these oxysterols reduces the temperature, cooperativity and enthalpy of the pretransition of DPPC to a greater extent than C, indicating that their presence thermally destabilizes and disorders the gel states of DPPC bilayers to a greater extent than C. Similarly, the incorporation of these oxysterols either increases the temperature of the broad component of the main phase transition to a smaller extent than C or actually decreases it. Again, this indicates that the presence of these compounds is less effective at thermally stabilizing and ordering the sterol-rich domains of DPPC bilayers than is C itself. Moreover, the incorporation of these oxysterols decrease the cooperativity and enthalpy of the main phase transition of DPPC to a smaller extent than C, indicating that they are somewhat less miscible in fluid DPPC bilayers than is C. Particularly notable in this regard is 25-hydroxycholesterol, which exhibits a markedly reduced miscibility in both gel and fluid DPPC bilayers compared to C itself. In general, the effectiveness of these oxysterols in stabilizing and ordering DPPC bilayers decreases as their rate of interbilayer exchange and the polarity of the oxysterol increases. We close by providing a tentative molecular explanation for the results of our DSC studies and of those of previous biophysical studies of the effects of various oxysterol on lipid bilayer model membranes.

For further details log on website :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=search&term=26620814

A calorimetric and spectroscopic comparison of the effects of cholesterol and its sulfur-containing analogs thiocholesterol and cholesterol sulfate on the thermotropic phase behavior and organization of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes.

Title
A calorimetric and spectroscopic comparison of the effects of cholesterol and its sulfur-containing analogs thiocholesterol and cholesterol sulfate on the thermotropic phase behavior and organization of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes.

Author 

Benesch MG1, LewisRN1, McElhaney RN2

Abstract

We performed differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies of the effects of cholesterol (Chol), thiocholesterol (tChol) and cholesterol sulfate (CholS) on the thermotropic phase behavior and organization of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membranes. Our DSC results indicate that Chol and tChol incorporation produce small temperature increases in the main phase transition broad component while CholS markedly decreases it, but Chol decreases cooperativity and enthalpy more strongly than CholS and especially tChol. Hence, Chol and tChol thermally stabilize fluid DPPC bilayer sterol-rich domains while CholS markedly destabilizes them, and CholS and particularly tChol are less miscible in such domains. Our FTIR spectroscopic results indicate that Chol incorporation increases the rotational conformational order of fluid DPPC bilayers to a slightly and somewhat greater degree than tChol and CholS, respectively, consistent with our DSC findings. Also, Chol and CholS produce comparable degrees of H-bonding (hydration) of the DPPC ester carbonyls in fluid bilayers, whereas tChol increases H-bonding. At low temperatures, Chol is fully soluble in gel-state DPPC bilayers, whereas tChol and CholS are not. Thus tChol and CholS incorporation can produce considerably different effects on DPPC bilayers. In particular, the tChol thiol group markedly reduces its lateral miscibility and increases DPPC carbonyl H-bonding without significantly affecting the other characteristic effects of Chol itself, while the CholS sulfate group significantly reduces its ability to thermally stabilize and order fluid DPPC membranes. This latter result suggests that the molecular basis for the purported ability of CholS to "stabilize" various biological membranes should be re-examined.

For further details log on website :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=search&term=26585353

A biocompatibility study of new nanofibrous scaffolds for nervous system regeneration.

Title
A biocompatibility study of new nanofibrous scaffolds for nervous system regeneration.

Author
Raspa A1, Marchini A2, Pugliese R1, Mauri M3, Maleki M1, Vasita R4, Gelain F1.

Author information

Abstract

The development of therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury (SCI) is still a challenging goal to achieve. The pathophysiological features of chronic SCI are glial scar and cavity formation: an effective therapy will require contribution of different disciplines such as materials science, cell biology, drug delivery and nanotechnology. One of the biggest challenges in SCI regeneration is to create an artificial scaffold that could mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and support nervous system regeneration. Electrospun constructs and hydrogels based on self-assembling peptides (SAPs) have been recently preferred. In this work SAPs and polymers were assembled by using a coaxial electrospinning setup. We tested the biocompatibility of two types of coaxially electrospun microchannels: the first one made by a core of poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PCL-PLGA) and a shell of an emulsion of PCL-PLGA and a functionalized self-assembling peptide Ac-FAQ and the second one made by a core of Ac-FAQ and a shell of PCL-PLGA. Moreover, we tested an annealed scaffold by PCL-PLGA microchannel heat-treatment. The properties of coaxial scaffolds were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurements and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed via viability and differentiation assays with neural stem cells (NSCs); whereas in vivo inflammatory response was evaluated following scaffold implantation in rodent spinal cords. Emulsification of the outer shell turned out to be the best choice in terms of cell viability and tissue response: thus suggesting the potential of using functionalized SAPs in coaxial electrospinning for applications in regenerative medicine.

For further details log on website :
http://allie.dbcls.jp/pubmed/DSC;differential+scanning+calorimetry.html

What Are the Benefits of Stress Balls?

A woman is holding a stress ball. Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Stress balls are small balls or objects filled with a malleable gel or clay that are held in the palm of your hand. The act of repeatedly squeezing the ball releases tension and helps to relieve stress. The benefits of stress balls also include boosting blood circulation and helping with the treatment of carpal-tunnel syndrome -- and they're used as a tool for meditation. The balls can also be used as a physical therapy tool to help strengthen the muscles of the hand and wrist. Consult with a physician before treating stress or injuries on your own.

Relieve Stress

Decreasing stress and tension can help to improve the quality of your life by promoting better sleep, warding off illness and enhancing a general feeling of well-being. Squeezing the ball activates the muscles of your hand and wrist; releasing the grip allows the muscles to relax. The repeated pattern of grip and release helps to alleviate tension and stress.

Physical Therapy

The muscles in your hands and wrist can become weak from numerous conditions, such as overuse, arthritis or a fracture or sprain. Squeezing a stress ball can help to rehabilitate and strengthen your hand. Hold the ball in the palm of your hand and squeeze it as tight as possible; hold the grip for five seconds and release. Repeat 10 times.

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How to Get Rid of Puffiness on Cheeks Under the Eyes

A young woman cleans her face in front of a bathroom mirror. Photo Credit gpointstudio/iStock/Getty Images

Pesky under-eye puffiness that bleeds into the cheek area has a myriad of sources: Lack of sleep, seasonal allergies and diet are all likely culprits. But regardless of their origin, puffiness takes a toll on your complexion. A few changes to your lifestyle and daily routine can zap those bags and make your entire visage appear younger and brighter.

Step 1

Cut back on salt intake. Salty foods can cause your body to retain water, which results in puffiness and swelling under your eyes and on your cheeks.

Step 2

Sleep with an extra pillow under your head to prevent fluids from pooling under the eye area. By keeping your head slightly elevated, puff-inducing fluids will drain.

Step 3

Rest cold tea bags on your eyes first thing in the morning to reduce swelling. The cool temperature constricts the blood vessels under your eyes making the area less puffy. Resting the tea bags or chilled spoons on your cheeks will also diminish puffiness.

Step 4

Apply concealer directly underneath the puffy region of your eyes to camouflage the swelling or discoloration. Choose a product that is a shade brighter than your natural complexion, as this will make the hollow areas appear less deep and even out the look of your skin.

Things You'll Need

• Extra pillow
• Tea bags
• Spoons
• Concealer

www.livestrong.com

1200 Calorie Diet for Type 2 Diabetes

Eating meals at the same time each day helps keep blood sugar under control.Photo Credit George Doyle/Valueline/Getty Images

What and how much you eat is an important part of the treatment plan for type-2 diabetes. A 1,200-calorie diet can help both men and women lose weight. When you have diabetes, getting to and maintaining a healthy weight makes it easier for you to manage blood sugar, but it does not cure your diabetes. When following a low-calorie diet such as this, it is important that you include nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups to help meet your vitamin and mineral needs. Consult your doctor before starting any diet plan.

The Diet Basics

A healthy, balanced 1,200-calorie diabetic diet should include five starch choices, two milk choices, three fruit choices, four to five very lean or lean protein choices and three fat choices. Nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli or mixed greens, are free foods. One slice of whole-wheat bread, 1/2 cup of peas or 1/3 cup of brown rice are examples of starch choices. Fruit choices include a small apple, orange or banana or 1 cup of cantaloupe cubes. One cup of nonfat milk or yogurt equals one milk choice. Healthy protein choices and serving sizes include 1 ounce of white-meat poultry, seafood or beef tenderloin, two egg whites, 1/2 cup of beans, 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese or 1/2 cup of tofu. One teaspoon of vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons of nut butter or 2 tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing are fat choices.

What to Eat at Breakfast

Your breakfast meal should include one starch, one milk, one fruit, one fat and one protein choice. An example of a healthy breakfast meal on your 1,200-calorie diet might include 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal made with 1 cup of nonfat milk and topped with six sliced almonds, along with 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese and 1 cup of cubed cantaloupe. This meal contains 310 calories and 45 grams of carbs.

Healthy and Carb-Controlled at Lunch

At lunch, include two starches, one fruit, one fat and two protein choices with nonstarchy vegetables. A lunch meal might include 1 cup of cooked bulgur tossed with 2 ounces of cubed chicken breast, 1 cup of cooked broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and 2 tablespoons of low-fat balsamic dressing, served with one small orange. This meal contains 385 calories and 45 grams of carbohydrate.

Tasty and Filling Dinner

Your dinner meal on a 1,200-calorie diabetic diet should include two starches, one fat, two proteins and one fruit or milk choice with nonstarchy vegetables. Two ounces of grilled salmon with 1 cup of cooked sweet potato, 1/2 cup of grilled asparagus drizzled with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 cup of whole strawberries make a healthy and delicious dinner meal. This meal contains 400 calories and 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Don't Forget Your Snack

You can have one fruit or one milk choice as a snack on your 1,200-calorie diet plan. One apple or one container of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt are healthy snack options, with 60 to 90 calories and 15 grams of carbs.

www.livestrong.com

No-Carb, No-Sugar Breakfast Ideas

Make a veggie omelet for a no-carb, no-sugar start to the day. Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Breakfast can be a tricky meal to plan when you're watching your carb and sugar intake. The quick and easy options of toast and jelly, cereal with milk, bagels, granola with fruit and fruit juice go out the window, because they're far too high in carbs and sugar. Instead, look to more protein and fat-based breakfasts to keep you going until lunchtime.

Omelets

Omelet Photo Credit circlePS/iStock/Getty Images

An omelet is an ideal -- and nutritious -- breakfast choice. One large egg contains 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat and no carbohydrates. Make your omelet with vegetables, meat or cheese to keep the carb content low. Vegetables aren't carb-free, but veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers and onion are all very low in carbs. In addition, the carbs they do contain are mainly fiber, rather than sugar. Meat is carb-free, so add ham, chicken or turkey or a lower-fat, low-carb cheese, such as ricotta, mozzarella, or reduced-fat cheddar or edam. Like vegetables, cheese does contain some carbohydrates, but the content is generally fairly low. Some cheeses like cottage cheese and processed cheese slices are higher in carbs, so avoid these.

Meat

Pick a lean meat, such as chicken, turkey, lean beef or lean pork, and combine it with a healthy fat, such as nuts, avocado or eggs. Photo Credit Jacek Chabraszewski/iStock/Getty Images

Switch to a continental-style breakfast, minus the pastries, as a way to cut carbs. Pick a lean meat, such as chicken, turkey, lean beef or lean pork, and combine it with a healthy fat, such as nuts, avocado or eggs, advises personal trainer Jack Galloway. Alternatively, pick a fattier protein source, such as salmon or mackerel.

• Protein Shake

If you're pushed for time and can't sit down to a proper meal, a protein shake may be the solution. A plain, low-sugar protein powder mixed in water is very low in carbohydrates and sugar. Make it slightly more interesting -- while keeping the carbs and sugar levels down -- by adding low-carb fruits, such as blueberries and raspberries, or vegetables such as spinach or kale. Add these to the powder and water, then blend it like a smoothie. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements and make sure there aren't any ingredients you're allergic to in your protein powder.

Considerations

If you can't go completely carb-free, add ingredients like vegetables, nuts, seeds and low-carb dairy foods. Photo Credit Tay Jnr/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Unless you opt only for meat, eggs or fish for breakfast, you'll struggle to find foods that are completely free of carbs and sugar. If you can't go completely carb-free, add ingredients like vegetables, nuts, seeds and low-carb dairy foods to make your breakfasts more palatable, while keeping carbs under control. It may feel strange ditching your sugary cereals and stodgy bagels and switching to more savory items at breakfast, but the change is worth it.

www.livestrong.com

Daily Morning Stretching Exercises

Stretching in the morning helps loosen up after sleeping. Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Performing a morning stretching routine helps loosen your muscles after sleeping. Warming up before stretching can help prevent a muscle strain. Most stretches do not take much time and require a minimum amount of space. Even if you only have time for a few stretching exercises each morning, you will still start your day on a positive note.

Stretching Warm-up

When you wake up in the morning, you must warm up your muscles before you stretch. Morning stretches can strain your muscles after a night of inactivity. Walk around inside your house to help warm up your muscles. Shake your arms and legs to get the blood flowing. Start the stretching routine once you finish your warm-up.

Neck Stretches

Neck stretches help relieve early morning pain that often occurs after sleeping. Kneel down on the floor and rest your arms on your thighs. Slowly lower your chin toward your upper chest and hold the position for five seconds. Raise your chin up, lean your head back and look up at the ceiling. Hold the stretch for five seconds, then repeat the entire movement three times. After you finish, turn your head to the left for five seconds, then to the right for five seconds. Repeat the stretch three times to thoroughly loosen up your neck.

Lower Back Stretches

if you suffer from early morning back pain, lower back stretches will help loosen up your muscles. Warm up your back muscles by doing some easy trunk twists, then sit on a chair. Rest your hands on your knees and slowly lean forward until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Slowly sit back up to finish. Do 10 total repetitions. If you feel your back tighten when you lean forward, stop and sit back up. Because you just woke up, you might need to warm up a little more before resuming the stretch.

Leg Stretches

Leg stretches help get the blood flowing in your legs after sleeping. Shake your legs to warm up the muscles, then place your right hand on the back of a waist-high chair. Stand up straight, then bend your left leg at the knee and reach back and grasp your left ankle with your left hand. Pull your ankle toward your butt until you feel your left leg muscle tighten. Hold the position for a count of five then lower your ankle back down to finish the stretch. Do 10 stretches with your left leg then switch sides and do 10 with the right leg.

Shoulder and Chest Stretches

Stretching your shoulders and chest will help relieve some tension after you wake up in the morning. Shake your arms to get the blood flowing, then extend your arms out to the sides at shoulder level with your palms facing the floor. Bring your arms in and crisscross them to form an X. Squeeze your chest muscles for a count of one, then return your arms out to your sides. Repeat the exercise 10 times to finish your morning stretching routine.

www.livestrong.com

Effect of Graphite Oxide Dispersion Evaluated with Multifractal on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of Poly(3hydroxybutyrate-co-4hydroxybutyrate)/Graphite Oxide Biocomposites

Title
Effect of Graphite Oxide Dispersion Evaluated with Multifractal on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of Poly(3hydroxybutyrate-co-4hydroxybutyrate)/Graphite Oxide Biocomposites

Author

1. JIA YANG^*, 
2. YULI WANG, 
3. QIANG CHEN, 
4. GANG QIN and
5. SHUZHENG LIU

Version of Record online: 23 FEB 2016

DOI: 10.1002/adv.21676

ABSTRACT

Poly(3hydroxybutyrate-co-4hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)]/graphite oxide (GO) composites were fabricated using a solution mixing method. The GO structures in the composites were analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The fracture morphology of the samples was evaluated by the multifractal, and the effect of GO dispersion on the mechanical properties and the thermal stability were discussed for the P(3HB-co-4HB) and the composites. It was found that the interlayer spacing of the GO increased due to the intercalation of the polymer into the GO platelets. As the GO content increased, the relative multifractal spectrum increased, but the mechanical properties declined for the composites, indicating that the filler agglomeration effect overcame the reinforcement benefits for the high loadings of the GO. Moreover, both good dispersion and high content of the GO platelets increased the thermal stability of the composites. Therefore, the relative multifractal spectrum width of the fracture morphology was related to the mechanical properties and the thermal stability of the composites.

For further details log on website :
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adv.21676/abstract;jsessionid=C69BF74D551EB2B4DF3E43143E1FC40A.f02t03