Endothelial cell scaffolds generated by 3D direct writing of biodegradable polymer microfibers.

The engineering of large (thickness > 100 μm) tissues requires a microvascular network to supply nutrients and remove waste. To produce microvasculature in vitro, a scaffold is required to mechanically support and stimulate endothelial cell (EC) adhesion and growth. Scaffolds for ECs are currently produced by patterning polymers or other biomaterials into configurations which often possess isotropic morphologies such as porous films and fibrous mats.

Micro-wilhelmy and related liquid property measurements using constant-diameter nanoneedle-tipped atomic force microscope probes.

The micro-Wilhelmy method is a well-established method of determining surface tension by measuring the force of withdrawing a tens of microns to millimeters in diameter cylindrical wire or fiber from a liquid. A comparison of insertion force to retraction force can also be used to determine the contact angle with the fiber. Given the limited availability of atomic force microscope (AFM) probes that have long constant diameter tips, force-distance (F-D) curves using probes with standard tapered tips have been difficult to relate to surface tension.

Side-by-side comparison of Raman spectra of anchored and suspended carbon nanomaterials.

Raman spectra of ordered carbon nanomaterials are quite sensitive to surface perturbations, including trace residues, structural defects and residual stress. This is demonstrated by a series of experiments with carbon nanotubes and graphene. Their spectra change due to subtle changes in preparation and attachment to the substrate and to each other.

Visual force sensing with flexible nanowire buckling springs.

A calibrated method of force sensing is demonstrated in which the buckled shape of a long flexible metallic nanowire, referred to as a 'nanoneedle', is interpreted to determine the applied force. An individual needle of 157 nm diameter by 15.6 µm length is grown on an atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever with a desired orientation (by the method of Yazdanpanah et al 2005 J.

Oriented nanomaterial air bridges formed from suspended polymer-composite nanofibers.

In a two-step method, carbon nanotubes, inorganic nanowires, or graphene sheets are connected between two anchor points to form nanomaterial air bridges. First, a recently developed method of forming directionally oriented polymer nanofibers by hand-application is used to form suspended composite polymer-nanomaterial fibers. Then, the polymer is sacrificed by thermally induced depolymerization and vaporization, leaving air bridges of the various materials.

Antinucleosome antibody-modified liposomes and lipid-core micelles for tumor-targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

Liposomes and lipid-core micelles prepared of polyethylene glycol-phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE) conjugates have been modified with nucleosome-specific monoclonal antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) 2C5 (mAb 2C5) specifically recognizing a broad variety of cancer cells through the cancer cell surface-bound nucleosomes. mAb 2C5 preserves its specific properties upon the binding with the lipid-based pharmaceutical nanocarriers, and 2C5-modified immunoliposomes and immunomicelles demonstrate an enhanced binding with tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. We have investigated the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents with such tumor-targeted immunoliposomes and immunomicelles to various tumors in vivo and in vitro.

Paracetamol metabolism in Indian population.

To investigate the profile of paracetamol (CAS 103-90-2, Calpol) metabolism in Indian population and to compare with the profiles of studies conducted in other populations, a study was conducted in 100 healthy male human volunteers. After an overnight fast, the volunteers were administered an oral dose of 1 g of paracetamol, urine was collected up to 8 h and samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography for the estimation of urinary recovery of paracetamol and its metabolites, i.e.