Microfluidics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, a win-win combination?

With the continuous development in nanoscience and nanotechnology, analytical techniques like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) render structural and chemical information of a variety of analyte molecules in ultra-low concentration. Although this technique is making significant progress in various fields, the reproducibility of SERS measurements and sensitivity towards small molecules are still daunting challenges. In this regard, microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (MF-SERS) is well on its way to join the toolbox of analytical chemists.

[Differences in epaAC© in heart failure patients with or without readmission: a retrospective case-control study].

Differences in epaAC© in heart failure patients with or without readmission: A retrospective case-control study Heart failure is one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalization in elderly people. In heart failure, approximately 22.8 % of hospitalised patients are rehospitalised within 30 days.

[Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation after Long Term Mechanical Ventilation].

Background:  The term early rehabilitation is defined as a rehabilitation that begins in the early phase after acute illness and is statutory positioned in § 39SGB V. Aim of this investigation is to describe the quality of outcome of pulmonary early rehabilitation.

Method:  Prospective census of functional parameters, status of ventilation and discharge-disposition in a specialized unit for early pulmonary rehabilitation over a period of one year.

Orthopedic Injuries in Professional Surfers: A Retrospective Study at a Single Orthopedic Center.

Background: Literature regarding surfing injuries is scarce and most studies report a high number of minor injuries. Recent literature suggests that musculoskeletal injuries are more common than previously reported. In the mid 2000s, competitive surfing has seen an increase in aerial maneuvers, as they have become more highly rewarded by the judging panel, which may be contributing to a change in injury patterns.

The different ways to chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles: templated vs direct complexation. Influence of particle preparation on morphology, cell uptake and silencing efficiency.

This study is about linking preparative processes of nanoparticles with the morphology of the nanoparticles and with their efficiency in delivering payloads intracellularly. The nanoparticles are composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan; the former can address a nanoparticle to cell surface receptors such as CD44, the second allows both for entrapment of nucleic acids and for an endosomolytic activity that facilitates their liberation in the cytoplasm. Here, we have systematically compared nanoparticles prepared either A) through a two-step process based on intermediate (template) particles produced via ionotropic gelation of chitosan with triphosphate (TPP), which are then incubated with HA, or B) through direct polyelectrolyte complexation of chitosan and HA.