Improved method for cannula fixation for long-term intracerebral brain infusion.

Background: Implanted osmotic minipumps are commonly used for long-term, brain-targeted delivery of a wide range of experimental agents by being connected to a catheter and a cannula. During the stereotactical surgery procedure, the cannula has to be placed correctly in the x-y directions and also with respect to the injection point in the z-direction (deepness). However, the flat fixation base of available cannula holders doesn't allow an easy, secure fixation onto the curve-shaped skull.

Poly-l-lysine/heparin multilayer coatings prevent blood protein adsorption.

The adsorption of blood proteins, serum albumin (BSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrinogen (FGN), onto model SiO planar surfaces coated with poly-l-lysine/heparin multilayers (PLL/HEP) has been investigated by means of ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. Aiming at the development of low fouling coatings, this study has been focused on the effects that the number of layers and the type of polyelectrolyte present on the topmost layer have on the adsorption of these proteins. The three proteins interact with PLL-ended coatings whereas HEP-ended coatings prevent the adsorption of both BSA and IgG and induce a decrease in the adsorbed amount of FGN, down to 0.

Methodology for Morphometric Analysis of Modern Human Contralateral Premolars.

Objective: This study aimed at developing a standard methodology for morphometric analysis and comparison of contralateral human premolar pulp space using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and semiautomated software. The primary objective was to establish a method to compare the complex and minute morphological internal volumes of contralateral premolar pulp spaces and determine their degree of similarity. The secondary aim was to introduce new methodology for selecting contralateral premolars for the study of biomaterials and techniques.

Enhanced X-ray absorption for micro-CT analysis of low density polymers.

X-ray microtomography (micro-CT), one of the most resourceful instruments for high resolution 3D analysis, can provide qualitative and quantitative accurate structural and compositional information for a broad range of materials. Yet its contribution to the field of biopolymeric materials science is often limited by low imaging contrast due to scarce X-ray attenuation features, particularly for sponges and foam-like structures. This limitation can be overcome to some extent by adjusting the working parameters of micro-CT equipment.