Photoreceptors for a light biotransducer: a comparative study of the electrical responses of two (type-1) opsins.

The increasing interest in photoactivated proteins as natural replacements for standard inorganic materials in photocells leads to the comparison analysis of bacteriorhodopsin and proteorhodopsin, two widely diffused proteins belonging to the family of type-1 opsins. These proteins share similar behaviors but exhibit relevant differences in the sequential chain of the amino acids constituting their tertiary structure. The use of an impedance network analog to model the protein main features provides a microscopic interpretation of a set of experiments on their photo-conductance properties.

The electrical properties of olfactory receptors in the development of biological smell sensors.

We present here the results of the investigation of the electrical properties of two olfactory receptors (ORs): rat, OR I7, and human, OR 17-40, which are of interest in the creation of smell nanobiosensors. Described here is our investigation comparing the results from experiments using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with the theoretical predictions obtained from a recently developed impedance network protein analog. The changes in the OR response following excitation correlated with the protein conformational change.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined using miniaturised instruments in transgastric gall bladder removal: performed on 63 patients.

Background. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a perfectly codified surgical procedure. The development of recent innovative and experimental surgical techniques Natural Orifice transluminal endoscopic surger (N.

[Long-term follow-up of the treatment of high anal fistulas using fibrin glue].

Aim Of The Study: Many of the treatments proposed for trans-sphincteric and suprasphincteric anal fistulas are complex and often associated with permanent damage to the sphincter mechanism. In this study, we evaluate the long-term stability of fistula closure using fibrin glue.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients (mean age 41.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with transgastric gallbladder extraction: a new therapeutic approach].

Objective: To evaluate a newly developed cholecystectomy technique which combines classical dissection with currently available mini-instrumentation (3 and 5 mm) and removal of the gallbladder through a short gastrotomy.

Methods: After a feasibility study, we set up a protocol for this procedure using instrumentation currently available on the market. The resected gallbladder was removed through a short gastrotomy on the anterior gastric wall, thereby minimizing abdominal wall trauma and permitting the patient to resume physical activity more quickly with no risk of trocar herniation.