Optimization of agarose-alginate hydrogel bead components for encapsulation and transportation of stem cells.

Unlabelled: Hydrogels have potential uses in various biological applications because of their unique characteristics. Fine-tuning of agarose-alginate (Ag-Al) hydrogel components improves the mechanical characteristics of the final construct for cell encapsulation and transportation. Formulation of suitable dissolving agents may enable the release of encapsulated cells for further applications in laboratory or clinical settings.

Ethyl caffeate ameliorated amyloid-beta42 protein-associated toxicity in PC12 cells and Drosophila melanogaster.

Aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most pervasive neurodegenerative disorder in societies globally. Till now, the mechanism behind this disease is still equivocal. Amyloid-beta42 protein (Aβ42), the most toxic and aggressive Aβ species, is the main focus of this study.

Core/Shell Microstructure Induced Synergistic Effect for Efficient Water-Droplet Formation and Cloud-Seeding Application.

Cloud-seeding materials as a promising water-augmentation technology have drawn more attention recently. We designed and synthesized a type of core/shell NaCl/TiO (CSNT) particle with controlled particle size, which successfully adsorbed more water vapor (∼295 times at low relative humidity, 20% RH) than that of pure NaCl, deliquesced at a lower environmental RH of 62-66% than the hygroscopic point (h., 75% RH) of NaCl, and formed larger water droplets ∼6-10 times its original measured size area, whereas the pure NaCl still remained as a crystal at the same conditions.

[Cost analysis comparing single-use (Ambu® aScope™) and conventional reusable fiberoptic flexible scopes for difficult tracheal intubation].

Objective: Recommendations on difficult tracheal intubation constrain each surgical block to have a fiberscope available. Reusable fiberscope presents the problem of availability, the risk of non-conventional infections transmission and the cost. Single-use fiberscopes are presently available (Ambu® aScope™).

[Predictors of functional decline of older persons after an hospitalisation in an acute care for elder unit: importance of recent functional evolution].

Objectives: To identify the predictors of functional decline of older persons after hospitalization in an Acute Care for Elder unit (ACE).

Methods: Retrospective observational study based on a population hospitalised in ACE unit in Grenoble University Hospital. Dead patients within hospitalisation and patient fully disable or already hospitalized 15 days before hospitalisation were excluded.