Comparative Study between First and Second Harmonics of a Nd:YAG Laser for Cleaning Manifestation Damages That Appeared in Pigments Used on Archaeological Cartonnage.

This study focused on identifying the effect of the laser wavelengths used in cleaning some manifestation damage appearing in pigments used on archaeological cartonnage preserved in the Egyptian Museum, Egypt. The manifestations of damage appear as mud, resin, color, dust and microbiological damage stains. Lasers were chosen as one of the modern applications that give good results when cleaning the pigment materials without making direct contact with the material.

Self-Assembly or Coassembly of Multiresponsive Histidine-Containing Elastin-Like Polypeptide Block Copolymers.

In this study a histidine containing elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) diblock copolymer is described with multiresponsive assembly behavior. Self-assembly into micelles is examined by two methods. First, the self-assembly is triggered by the addition of divalent metal ions, with Zn being the most suitable one.

Nanoparticles based on natural, engineered or synthetic proteins and polypeptides for drug delivery applications.

Medicine formulations at the nanoscale, referred to as nanomedicines, have managed to overcome key challenges encountered during the development of new medical treatments and entered clinical practice, but considerable improvement in terms of local efficacy and reduced toxicity still need to be achieved. Currently, the fourth-generation of nanomedicines is being developed, employing biocompatible nanocarriers that are targeted, multifunctional, and stimuli-responsive. Proteins and polypeptides can fit the standards of an efficient nanovector because of their biodegradability, intrinsic bioactivity, chemical reactivity, stimuli-responsiveness, and ability to participate in complex supramolecular assemblies.

cross-linked enzymatic -aggregates (-CLEA) for efficient in-flow biocatalysis.

Nano-sized enzyme aggregates, which preserve their catalytic activity are of great interest for flow processes, as these catalytic species show minimal diffusional issues, and are still sizeable enough to be effectively separated from the formed product. The realization of such catalysts is however far from trivial. The stable formation of a micro-to millimeter-sized enzyme aggregate is feasible the formation of a cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA); however, such a process leads to a rather broad size distribution, which is not always compatible with microflow conditions.

Erythrocyte Membrane Modified Janus Polymeric Motors for Thrombus Therapy.

We report the construction of erythrocyte membrane-cloaked Janus polymeric motors (EM-JPMs) which are propelled by near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation and are successfully applied in thrombus ablation. Chitosan (a natural polysaccharide with positive charge, CHI) and heparin (glycosaminoglycan with negative charge, Hep) were selected as wall materials to construct biodegradable and biocompatible capsules through the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. By partially coating the capsule with a gold (Au) layer through sputter coating, a NIR-responsive Janus structure was obtained.

Raman spectroscopic analysis of a 'noli me tangere' painting.

The discovery of an oil painting in seriously damaged condition with an important historical and a heterodox detail with possible origins in the late fifteenth century has afforded the opportunity for Raman microscopic analysis prior to its restoration being undertaken. The painting depicts a risen Christ following His crucifixion in a 'noli me tangere' pose with three women in an Italian terrace garden with a stone balustrade overlooking a rural landscape and an undoubted view of late-medieval Florence. The picture has suffered much abuse and is in very poor condition, which is possibly attributable to its controversial portrayal of a polydactylic Christ with six toes on His right foot.

Expression of synthetic human tropoelastin (hTE) protein in Nicotiana tabacum.

Plant molecular farming (PMF) is an important growing prospective approach in plant biotechnology; it includes production of recombinant pharmaceutical and industrial proteins in large quantities from engineered plants. Elastin is a major protein component of tissues that require elasticity, it helps keep skin smooth as it stretches to allow normal. Elastin is used as a raw material for the cosmetic industry.