In vitro and in vivo investigation of Argiope bruennichi spider silk-based novel biomaterial for medical use.

As a natural and biocompatible material with high strength and flexibility, spider silk is frequently used in biomedical studies. In this study, the availability of Argiope bruennichi spider silk as a surgical suture material was investigated. The effects of spider silk-based and commercial sutures, with and without Aloe vera coating, on wound healing were evaluated by a rat dorsal skin flap model, postoperatively (7th and 14th days).

Analysis of the nano and microstructures of the cervical cementum and saliva in periodontitis: A pilot study.

Objectives: During the progression of periodontitis, the structures of the cementum and saliva are altered due to pathological changes in the environment. This study aimed to analyze the nanostructures of the cervical cementum and saliva in patients with periodontitis.

Methods: Patients with periodontitis (n = 10) and periodontally healthy controls (n = 8) were included.

Evaluation of the protective effect on enamel demineralization of CPP-ACP paste and ROCS by vibrational spectroscopy and SAXS: An in vitro study.

The aim of this study was to investigate human dental enamel surfaces using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques concerning differences between the demineralized enamel surface and remineralized enamel surface by casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate, Tooth mousse® (CPP-ACP) and remineralizing oral care systems (ROCS®) agents within the same tooth. For this purpose, 20 freshly extracted human maxillary central incisors without caries and defects were used. Labial surfaces of each of the teeth were divided into four sections, which were marked as follows: Group 1, normal enamel; Group 2, demineralized enamel with demineralization solution; Group 3, demineralized enamel + remineralization agent (ROCS for 10 teeth, CPP-ACP for 10 teeth); and Group 4, remineralization agent (ROCS for 10 teeth, CPP-ACP for 10 teeth).

Solvent-Free UV Polymerization of -Octadecyl Acrylate in Butyl Rubber: A Simple Way to Produce Tough and Smart Polymeric Materials at Ambient Temperature.

One of the most fascinating challenges in recent years has been to produce mechanically robust and tough polymers with smart functions such as self-healing and shape-memory behavior. Here, we report a simple and versatile strategy for the preparation of a highly tough and highly stretchable interconnected interpenetrating polymer network (c-IPN) based on butyl rubber (IIR) and poly(-octadecyl acrylate) (PC18A) with thermally induced healing and shape-memory functions. Solvent-free UV polymerization of -octadecyl acrylate (C18A) at 30 ± 2 °C in the presence of IIR leads to IIR/PC18A c-IPNs with sea-island or co-continuous morphologies depending on their IIR contents.

Structural studies on Demospongiae sponges from Gökçeada Island in the Northern Aegean Sea.

The Demospongiae is the largest Class in the phylum Porifera (sponges). Most sponge species in the Class Demospongiae have a skeleton of siliceous spicules and/or protein spongin or both. The first aim of this study was to perform the morphological and structural characterization of the siliceous spicules of four species belonging to Class Demospongiae (Suberites domuncula, Axinella polypoides, Axinella damicornis and Agelas oroides) collected around Gökçeada Island-Turkey (Northern Aegean Sea).

Supramolecular Nanostructure Formation of Coassembled Amyloid Inspired Peptides.

Characterization of amyloid-like aggregates through converging approaches can yield deeper understanding of their complex self-assembly mechanisms and the nature of their strong mechanical stability, which may in turn contribute to the design of novel supramolecular peptide nanostructures as functional materials. In this study, we investigated the coassembly kinetics of oppositely charged short amyloid-inspired peptides (AIPs) into supramolecular nanostructures by using confocal fluorescence imaging of thioflavin T binding, turbidity assay and in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis. We showed that coassembly kinetics of the AIP nanostructures were consistent with nucleation-dependent amyloid-like aggregation, and aggregation behavior of the AIPs was affected by the initial monomer concentration and sonication.

Micro- and nano-structural characterization of six marine sponges of the class Demospongiae.

The sponges produce their skeletal elements and silicateins are the key enzymes in this process. The mechanism underlying the formation of their silica skeleton and its structural properties are of exceptional interest for applications in technology. Micro- and nano-scale structural analysis of the six marine sponges belonging to Demospongiae [Callyspongia (Cladochalia) plicifera (Lamarck, 1814), Cervicornia cuspidifera (Lamarck, 1815), Cinachyrela sp.

A Nanocomposite Shield Constructed for Protection Against the Harmful Effects of Dental X-Rays.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare a number of new nano-composites capable of protecting the jaw from ionizing radiation.

Materials And Methods: Four different types of nano-powders [Ti, Zr (IV) oxide, Ag and Co] were mixed in a polymer matrix to create nano-composites with doping values of 8% in weight. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis was performed using a HECUSSAXS system with 50 kV- 50 mA.

Supramolecular GAG-like Self-Assembled Glycopeptide Nanofibers Induce Chondrogenesis and Cartilage Regeneration.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and glycoproteins are vital components of the extracellular matrix, directing cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration and tissue homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate supramolecular GAG-like glycopeptide nanofibers mimicking bioactive functions of natural hyaluronic acid molecules. Self-assembly of the glycopeptide amphiphile molecules enable organization of glucose residues in close proximity on a nanoscale structure forming a supramolecular GAG-like system.

Virus-like nanostructures for tuning immune response.

Synthetic vaccines utilize viral signatures to trigger immune responses. Although the immune responses raised against the biochemical signatures of viruses are well characterized, the mechanism of how they affect immune response in the context of physical signatures is not well studied. In this work, we investigated the ability of zero- and one-dimensional self-assembled peptide nanostructures carrying unmethylated CpG motifs (signature of viral DNA) for tuning immune response.

Self-assembled peptide amphiphile nanofibers and peg composite hydrogels as tunable ECM mimetic microenvironment.

Natural extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of complex signals interacting with each other to organize cellular behavior and responses. This sophisticated microenvironment can be mimicked by advanced materials presenting essential biochemical and physical properties in a synergistic manner. In this work, we developed a facile fabrication method for a novel nanofibrous self-assembled peptide amphiphile (PA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) composite hydrogel system with independently tunable biochemical, mechanical, and physical cues without any chemical modification of polymer backbone or additional polymer processing techniques to create synthetic ECM analogues.

Micro- and nanoscale structures of mesiodens dentin: Combined study of FTIR and SAXS/WAXS techniques.

A mesiodens is the most common type of supernumerary tooth present in conjunction to normal dentition. A mesiodens may commonly occur in the central region of the upper or lower jaw. A mesiodens is different from normal teeth in terms of structure and shape.

Experimental and computational study on 2,2'-[(1E,2E)-hydrazine-1,2-diylidenedi(1E)eth-1-yl-1-ylidene]diphenol and its Ni(II), Pt(II), Pd(II) complexes.

2,2'-[(1E,2E)-hydrazine-1,2-diylidenedi(1E)eth-1-yl-1-ylidene]diphenol and its dimeric, binuclear Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) metal complexes were synthesized. Hydrazine derivative and its complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, LC-MS, IR, electronic spectra, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra, conductivity and magnetic measurements. 1H and 13C shielding tensors for crystal structure were calculated with GIAO/DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) methods in CDCl3.

Annealing of Co-Cr dental alloy: effects on nanostructure and Rockwell hardness.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of annealing on the nanostructure and hardness of Co-Cr metal ceramic samples that were fabricated with a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technique.

Materials And Methods: Five groups of Co-Cr dental alloy samples were manufactured in a rectangular form measuring 4 × 2 × 2 mm. Samples fabricated by a conventional casting technique (Group I) and prefabricated milling blanks (Group II) were examined as conventional technique groups.

Formulation and characterization of liquid crystal systems containing azelaic acid for topical delivery.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to prepare and characterize azelaic acid (AzA) containing liquid crystal (LC) drug delivery systems for topical use.

Methods: Two ternary phase diagrams, containing liquid paraffin as the oil component and a mixture of two nonionic surfactants (Brij 721P and Brij 72), were constructed. Formulations chosen from the phase diagrams were characterized by polarized light microscopy, rheological analyses, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and small angle x-ray scattering spectroscopy.

Synthesis and characterization of nanomagnetite particles and their polymer coated forms.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of ferrous (Fe(2+)) and ferric (Fe(3+)) aqueous solution by a base. Nanomagnetite particles were coated with poly(St/PEG-EEM/DMAPM) and poly(St/PEG-MA/DMAPM) layer by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. Chemical structure of nanoparticles was characterized by both FTIR and (1)H NMR.

Synthesis, characterization, biological activities of dimethyltin(IV) complexes of Schiff bases with ONO-type donors.

Four different dimethyltin(IV) complexes of Schiff bases derived from 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine and different substituted salicylaldehydes have been synthesized. The compounds, with the general formula [Me(2)Sn(2-OArCH=NC(5)H(3)NO)], where Ar=-C(6)H(3)(5-CH(3)) [Me(2)SnL(1)], -C(6)H(3)(5-NO(2)) [Me(2)SnL(2)], -C(6)H(2)(3,5-Cl(2)) [Me(2)SnL(3)], and -C(6)H(2)(3,5-I(2)) [Me(2)SnL(4)], were characterized by IR, NMR ((1)H and (13)C), mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Me(2)SnL(3) was also characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and shows a fivefold C(2)NO(2) coordination with distorted square pyramidal geometry.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome): oral and radiographic findings and ultrastructural/chemical features of enamel and dentin.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome, MPS I-H) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism due to deficient alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme activity and is characterized by accumulation of incompletely degraded glycosaminoglycans that generally lead to impairment of organ and body functions. This report presents oral, dental, and radiographic findings in a boy who presented with MPS I-H. Nine of the patient's primary teeth were extracted and investigated using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Crystal structure of 2,2-dimethyl succinic acid.

The title compound crystallizes triclinically in space group of P1. The C2-COOH and C3-COOH molecular groups are planar. The crystal structure is stabilized by the formation of intermolecular (O-HO) hydrogen bonds.

trans-Bis[O-2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl (4-methoxyphenyl)dithiophosphonato-kappa(2)S,S']nickel(II).

In the the title compound, [Ni(C(21)H(28)O(2)PS(2))(2)], the Ni atom resides on an inversion centre and is coordinated in a square-planar array by four S atoms, with Ni[bond]S and P[bond]S bond lengths of 2.2336 (12)/2.2351 (13) and 1.