Gene expression profiling of peri-implant healing of PLGA-Li+ implants suggests an activated Wnt signaling pathway in vivo.

Bone development and regeneration is associated with the Wnt signaling pathway that, according to literature, can be modulated by lithium ions (Li+). The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profile during peri-implant healing of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implants with incorporated Li+, while PLGA without Li+ was used as control, and a special attention was then paid to the Wnt signaling pathway. The implants were inserted in rat tibia for 7 or 28 days and the gene expression profile was investigated using a genome-wide microarray analysis.

Evidence of hypothalamic degeneration in the anorectic anx/anx mouse.

Mice homozygous for the anorexia (anx) mutation are characterized by poor food intake and death by three to five weeks after birth. By P21 these mice display lower density of hypothalamic neuropeptides, including Agouti gene-related protein (AGRP). The AGRP/neuropeptide Y (NPY) system of the anx/anx mice develops normally until postnatal day (P) 12, then the normal increase in fiber density ceases, in some areas even distinctly decreases.

Osmotic-driven mass transport of water: impact on the adhesiveness of hydrophilic polymers.

Adhesion is an important property for the functionality of many medical devices. One reason for the development of adhesive forces is dehydration caused by mass transport of water. Osmotic pressure is one main driving force for mass transport and the correlation between osmotic pressure and adhesive force has not been studied yet, which was the aim of the present study.

Towards a biosensor immunoassay of protein-bound isopeptides in human plasma.

This study demonstrates that synthetic isopeptides formed on BSA can be quantitatively analyzed by a surface plasmon resonance-based biosensor method. A monoclonal IgM antibody 81D4, that reacts with the synthetic isopeptide and also with the natural isopeptide cross-link in D-dimer (but not with its non-cross-linked fibrin monomer), was covalently immobilized to a carboxymethylated dextran surface, a CM5 surface. Its immunocapturing efficiency was found to be good.

Comparison of PEI-PEG and PLL-PEG copolymer coatings on the prevention of protein fouling.

The effect of surface charge on the protein resistance of adsorbed layers of poly(ethylene imine)-[g]-poly(ethylene glycol), PEI-PEG, and poly(L-lysine)-[g]-poly(ethylene glycol), PLL-PEG, was studied. Mixed and monofunctional self-assembled monolayers, SAMs, on gold were obtained by adsorption of 16-mercapto-1-hexadecanoic acid and 16-mercapto-1-hexadecanol. The surface charge was systematically varied by changing the ratio of the two alkanethiols.