Microphase Separation of Resilin-like and Elastin-like Diblock Copolypeptides in Concentrated Solutions.

Diblock copolymers are valued for their ability to form thin films with nanoscale features that typically reflect those of their microphase-separated structures in concentrated solution. Here, we show that such self-assembled structures can be easily formed with diblock copolymers composed of thermally responsive polypeptides, such as resilin-like polypeptides (RLP) and elastin-like polypeptides (ELP), by exploiting the inverse temperature transition behavior of ELPs in aqueous media. Specifically, we examine the self-assembly of a series of RLP--ELP diblock copolypeptides in concentrated aqueous solution (30 and 50 wt %) by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

Validation of ICON-MIGHTI Thermospheric Wind Observations: 1. Nighttime Red-Line Ground-Based Fabry-Perot Interferometers.

Observations of the nighttime thermospheric wind from two ground-based Fabry-Perot Interferometers are compared to the level 2.1 and 2.2 data products from the Michelson Interferometer Global High-resolution Thermospheric Imaging (MIGHTI) onboard National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Ionospheric Connection Explorer to assess and validate the methodology used to generate measurements of neutral thermospheric winds observed by MIGHTI.

Grafting To of Bottlebrush Polymers: Conformation and Kinetics.

Specifically adsorbed bottlebrush coatings are found in nature as brush-like glycoproteins that decorate biointerfaces and provide antifouling, lubrication, or wear-protection. Although various synthetic strategies have been developed to mimic glycoprotein structure and function, the use of these mimics is still limited because of the current lack of understanding of their adsorption behavior and surface conformation. In this paper, we examine the adsorption behavior of PEG-based, biotinylated bottlebrushes with different backbone and bristle lengths to streptavidin model surfaces in phosphate-buffered saline.

Enzymatically Degassed Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with Real-Time Monitoring.

Polymer brush coatings are frequently prepared by radical polymerization, a notoriously oxygen sensitive process. Glucose oxidase (GOx) can inexpensively enable radical polymerization in solution by enzymatically consuming oxygen as it oxidizes glucose. Here, we report the growth of polymeric brushes using GOx-assisted atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from a surface while open to air.

Synthesis of Modular Brush Polymer-Protein Hybrids Using Diazotransfer and Copper Click Chemistry.

Proteoglycans are important brush-like biomacromolecules, which serve a variety of functions in the human body. While protein-bottlebrush hybrids are promising proteoglycan mimics, many challenges still exist to robustly produce such polymers. In this paper, we report the modular synthesis of protein-brush hybrids containing elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) as model proteins by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition.

High-Molecular-Weight Polynucleotides by Transferase-Catalyzed Living Chain-Growth Polycondensation.

We present terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization (TcEP) for the template-free synthesis of high-molecular-weight, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and demonstrate that it proceeds by a living chain-growth polycondensation mechanism. We show that the molecular weight of the reaction products is nearly monodisperse, and can be manipulated by the feed ratio of nucleotide (monomer) to oligonucleotide (initiator), as typically observed for living polymerization reactions. Understanding the synthesis mechanism and the reaction kinetics enables the rational, template-free synthesis of ssDNA that can be used for a range of biomedical and nanotechnology applications.

In vivo diagnosis with purified tropomyosin in mite and shellfish allergic patients.

Background: Tropomyosin is the most studied shellfish allergen and has been involved in cross-reactivity among different invertebrates (crustacean, mollusks, mites, insects, and nematodes).

Objective: To determine the relevance of tropomyosin in mite- and shellfish-sensitized patients using tropomyosin skin testing.

Methods: Patients were divided into 3 groups: group M included mite allergic patients (ie, individuals with respiratory symptoms and a positive result on skin prick testing [SPT] to house dust mites), group S included shellfish allergic patients (ie, individuals who reported symptoms with shellfish), and group MS included mite- and shellfish allergic patients (ie, individuals who simultaneously fulfilled the inclusion criteria for groups M and S).

Randomized dose-response study of subcutaneous immunotherapy with a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract in patients with respiratory allergy.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DPT) subcutaneous immunotherapy in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients.

Patients & Methods: This 17-week double-blind study randomized 136 patients (95 evaluable) to five dose groups of DPT depot extract (0.0625-0.

Superhydrophobic SAM Modified Electrodes for Enhanced Current Limiting Properties in Intrinsic Conducting Polymer Surge Protection Devices.

Surface interface engineering using superhydrophobic gold electrodes made with 1-dodecanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) has been used to enhance the current limiting properties of novel surge protection devices based on the intrinsic conducting polymer, polyaniline doped with methanesulfonic acid. The resulting devices show significantly enhanced current limiting characteristics, including current saturation, foldback, and negative differential effects. We show how SAM modification changes the morphology of the polymer film directly adjacent to the electrodes, leading to the formation of an interfacial compact thin film that lowers the contact resistance at the Au-polymer interface.

Prevalence of sensitization to Cannabis sativa. Lipid-transfer and thaumatin-like proteins are relevant allergens.

Background: Although allergy to Cannabis sativa was first reported over 40 years ago, the allergenicity has scarcely been studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate the frequency of sensitization to this plant, to analyze the clinical characteristics and allergenic profile of sensitized individuals and to identify the allergens involved.

Methods: Five hundred and forty-five individuals in Spain attending allergy clinics with respiratory or cutaneous symptoms underwent a skin-prick test (SPT) with C.

Recently introduced foods as new allergenic sources: sensitisation to Goji berries (Lycium barbarum).

Goji berries (GB) have been introduced in Western diet. Preliminary reports have demonstrated its allergenic capacity. The objectives of the study were to investigate the frequency of sensitisation and the allergens involved.

Opto-electronic system for detection of flat foot by using estimation techniques: study and approach of design.

Distribution of Foot Pressure reflects the deformations of body biomechanical design. They are caused by different reasons: degenerative, by trauma, etc., being flat foots a common pathology in Peru with high incidence.

Electronic system for monitoring the frequency and pressure of mastication: study and approach for its design.

The objective of this work is to study and design a portable non invasive prototype which allows us to supervise the mastication frequency and pressure for specific meals, performing an analysis of sounds and pressures generated by facial muscles when they are chewing. These variables have a direct influence on people nutritious and dietary habits; also, a quickly eating makes people ingest a lot of food instead he needs generating overweight on him. On the other hand, there is no so much study for upheaval of temporal-mandible joints (TMJ) in Peru, keeping as reference that unilateral mastication is one of the principal causes on myofacial pains but, as obesity, there are no studies in Peru about how to prevent these pathologies.

Group of R&D on biomedical engineering: Its development and results.

Conducting research and development activities generates new knowledge that can then be applied properly. In this sense, the groups of research and development on biomedical engineering (GRDBE) can contribute a lot in various areas such as teaching (theory and laboratory), as well as the development of prototypes, but mainly with the results they can provide. These contributions should response to specific needs of some sector, for example: health, environment, biology, and others.

Observational study of the safety of an ultra-rush sublingual immunotherapy regimen to treat rhinitis due to house dust mites.

Background: Ultra-rush regimens for administering sublingual immunotherapy to patients with allergies are becoming more widespread. We aimed to assess treatment safety for patients with allergic rhinitis with or without asthma caused by Dermatophagoides house dust mites.

Methods: This observational study at 5 Spanish centers included 218 patients aged 4-64 years, of whom 117 were women and 122 were under 15 years old.