First Generation Amperometric Biosensing of Galactose with Xerogel-Carbon Nanotube Layer-By-Layer Assemblies.

A first-generation amperometric galactose biosensor has been systematically developed utilizing layer-by-layer (LbL) construction of xerogels, polymers, and carbon nanotubes toward a greater fundamental understanding of sensor design with these materials and the potential development of a more efficient galactosemia diagnostic tool for clinical application. The effect of several parameters (xerogel silane precursor, buffer pH, enzyme concentration, drying time and the inclusion of a polyurethane (PU) outer layer) on galactose sensitivity were investigated with the critical nature of xerogel selection being demonstrated. Xerogels formed from silanes with medium, aliphatic side chains were shown to exhibit significant enhancements in sensitivity with the addition of PU due to decreased enzyme leaching.

Functionalized carbon nanotube adsorption interfaces for electron transfer studies of galactose oxidase.

Modified electrodes featuring specific adsorption platforms able to access the electrochemistry of the copper containing enzyme galactose oxidase (GaOx) were explored, including interfaces featuring nanomaterials such as nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Electrodes modified with various self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) including those with attached nanoparticles or amide-coupled functionalized CNTs were examined for their ability to effectively immobilize GaOx and study the redox activity related to its copper core. While stable GaOx electrochemistry has been notoriously difficult to achieve at modified electrodes, strategically designed functionalized CNT-based interfaces, cysteamine SAM-modified electrode subsequently amide-coupled to carboxylic acid functionalized single wall CNTs, were significantly more effective with high GaOx surface adsorption along with well-defined, more reversible, stable (≥ 8 days) voltammetry and an average ET rate constant of 0.

Realization of optical carpets in the Talbot and Talbot-Lau configurations.

Talbot and Talbot-Lau effects are frequently used in lensless imaging applications with light, ultrasound, x-rays, atoms and molecules--generally in situations where refractive optical elements are non-existent or not suitable. We here show an experimental visualization of the intriguing wave patterns that are associated with near-field interferometry behind a single periodic diffraction grating under plane wave illumination and which are often referred to as Talbot carpets or quantum carpets. We also show the patterns behind two separated diffraction gratings under nearly-monochromatic but spatially incoherent illumination that illustrate the nature of Talbot-Lau carpets.

Guanosine gel for sequence-dependent separation of polymorphic ssDNA.

The separation of fluorescent-labeled ssDNA fragments of equal length based on differences in sequence was achieved through the use of guanosine gels (G-gels) formed by guanosine-5'-monophosphate (GMP) in capillary gel electrokinetic chromatography (CGEKC) with LIF detection. Baseline resolution was achieved for homodimers and homopentamers of A, T, and C. G-gel CGEKC provided better resolution than CZE, MEKC, or a sieving gel in CGE.

Factors affecting morbidity, mortality and survival in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer in a district general hospital.

Introduction: This is a review of elective rectal cancer surgery during 1993-1999 at a single district general hospital to investigate the variables that affected the care of these patients.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study of patients presenting with rectal adenocarcinoma to a district general hospital where total mesorectal excision was practiced over a 7-year period was performed to identify factors associated with complications, death and disease recurrence.

Results: Sixty-one patients developed a total of 89 complications and 30-day mortality was 8.