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Now showing 1 - 10 of 21
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    A size dependent evaluation of the cytotoxicity and uptake of nanographene oxide
    (London [u.a.] : RSC, 2015) Mendes, Rafael Gregorio; Koch, Britta; Bachmatiuk, Alicja; Ma, Xing; Sanchez, Samuel; Damm, Christine; Schmidt, Oliver G.; Gemming, Thomas; Eckert, Jürgen; Rümmeli, Mark H.
    Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted great interest due to its extraordinary potential for biomedical application. Although it is clear that the naturally occurring morphology of biological structures is crucial to their precise interactions and correct functioning, the geometrical aspects of nanoparticles are often ignored in the design of nanoparticles for biological applications. A few in vitro and in vivo studies have evaluated the cytotoxicity and biodistribution of GO, however very little is known about the influence of flake size and cytotoxicity. Herein, we aim at presenting an initial cytotoxicity evaluation of different nano-sized GO flakes for two different cell lines (HeLa (Kyoto) and macrophage (J7742)) when they are exposed to samples containing different sized nanographene oxide (NGO) flakes (mean diameter of 89 and 277 nm). The obtained data suggests that the larger NGO flakes reduce cell viability as compared to smaller flakes. In addition, the viability reduction correlates with the time and the concentration of the NGO nanoparticles to which the cells are exposed. Uptake studies were also conducted and the data suggests that both cell lines internalize the GO nanoparticles during the incubation periods studied.
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    Effects of new beta-type Ti-40Nb implant materials, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, acetylcholine and nicotine on human mesenchymal stem cells of osteoporotic and non osteoporotic donors
    (San Francisco, CA : Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2018) Kauschke, V.; Gebert, A.; Calin, M.; Eckert, J.; Scheich, S.; Heiss, C.; Lips, K.S.
    Introduction Treatment of osteoporotic fractures is still challenging and an urgent need exists for new materials, better adapted to osteoporotic bone by adjusted Young’s modulus, appropriate surface modification and pharmaceuticals. Materials and methods Titanium-40-niobium alloys, mechanically ground or additionally etched and titanium-6-alu-minium-4-vanadium were analyzed in combination with brain-derived neurotrophic factor, acetylcholine and nicotine to determine their effects on human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro over 21 days using lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase assays, live cell imaging and immunofluorescence microscopy. Results Cell number of human mesenchymal stem cells of osteoporotic donors was increased after 14 d in presence of ground titanium-40-niobium or titanium-6-aluminium-4-vanadium, together with brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Cell number of human mesenchymal stem cells of non osteoporotic donors increased after 21 d in presence of titanium-6-aluminium-4-vanadium without pharmaceuticals. No significant increase was measured for ground or etched titanium-40-niobium after 21 d. Osteoblast differentiation of osteoporotic donors was significantly higher than in non osteoporotic donors after 21 d in presence of etched, ground titanium-40-niobium or titanium-6-aluminium-4-vanadium accompanied by all pharmaceuticals tested. In presence of all alloys tested brain-derived neurotrophic factor, acetylcholine and nicotine increased differentiation of cells of osteoporotic donors and accelerated it in non osteoporotic donors. Conclusion We conclude that ground titanium-40-niobium and brain-derived neurotrophic factor might be most suitable for subsequent in vivo testing.
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    Catechol Containing Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles as Local Drug Delivery System for Bortezomib at Bone Substitute Materials
    (Basel : MDPI, 2020) Vehlow, David; Wong, Jeremy P.H.; Urban, Birgit; Weißpflog, Janek; Gebert, Annett; Schumacher, Matthias; Gelinsky, Michael; Stamm, Manfred; Müller, Martin
    The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BZM) is one of the most potent anti-cancer drugs in the therapy of multiple myeloma. In this study, an adhesive drug delivery system (DDS) for BZM was developed. Therefore, we extended the present DDS concept of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticle (NP) based on electrostatic interactions between charged drug and polyelectrolyte (PEL) to a DDS concept involving covalent bonding between PEL and uncharged drugs. For this purpose, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) was polymerized via an oxidatively induced coupling reaction. This novel chemo-reactive polyanion PDOPAC is able to temporarily bind boronic acid groups of BZM via its catechol groups, through esterification. PDOPAC was admixed to poly(l-glutamic acid) (PLG) and poly(l-lysine) (PLL) forming a redispersible PEC NP system after centrifugation, which is advantageous for further colloid and BZM loading processing. It was found that the loading capacity (LC) strongly depends on the PDOPAC and catechol content in the PEC NP. Furthermore, the type of loading and the net charge of the PEC NP affect LC and the residual content (RC) after release. Release experiments of PDOPAC/PEC coatings were performed at medically relevant bone substitute materials (calcium phosphate cement and titanium niobium alloy) whereby the DDS worked independently of the surface properties. Additionally, in contrast to electrostatically based drug loading the release behavior of covalently bound, uncharged BZM is independent of the ionic strength (salt content) in the release medium.
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    Rolled-up magnetic microdrillers: Towards remotely controlled minimally invasive surgery
    (Cambridge [u.a.] : Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013) Xi, W.; Solovev, A.A.; Ananth, A.N.; Gracias, D.H.; Sanchez, S.; Schmidt, O.G.
    Self-folded magnetic microtools with sharp ends are directed at enabling drilling and related incision operations of tissues, ex vivo, in a fluid with a viscosity similar to that of blood. These microtools change their rotation from a horizontal to a vertical one when they are immersed into a rotational magnetic field. Novel self-assembly paradigms with magnetic materials can enable the creation of remotely controlled and mass-produced tools for potential applications in minimally invasive surgery.
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    Supervised discriminant analysis for droplet micro-magnetofluidics
    (Heidelberg : Springer, 2015) Lin, Gungun; Fomin, Vladimir M.; Makarov, Denys; Schmidt, Oliver G.
    We apply the technique of supervised discriminant analysis (SDA) for in-flow detection in droplet-based magnetofluidics. Based on the SDA, we successfully discriminate bivariant droplets of different volumes containing different encapsulated magnetic content produced by a GMR-based lab-on-chip platform. We demonstrate that the accuracy of discrimination is superior when the correlation of variables for data training is included to the case when the spatial distribution of variables is considered. Droplets produced with differences in ferrofluid concentration of 2.5 mg/ml and volume of 200 pl have been identified with high accuracy (98 %), indicating the significance of SDA for e.g. the discrimination in magnetic immuno-agglutination assays. Furthermore, the results open the way for the development of a unique magnetofluidic platform for future applications in multiplexed droplet-based barcoding assays and screening.
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    Surface defects reduce Carbon Nanotube toxicity in vitro
    (Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier Science, 2019) Requardt, Hendrik; Braun, Armin; Steinberg, Pablo; Hampel, Silke; Hansen, Tanja
    The cytotoxicity of two different types of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)in A549 lung epithelial cells and HepG2 hepatocytes was investigated. One MWCNT still contained iron that was used as a catalyst during production, while the other one had all iron removed in a post-production heat treatment resulting in significantly fewer surface defects. The WST-8 assay was applied to test cell viability. To check the integrity of the cell membrane, we performed the lactate dehydrogenases assay (LDH)and measured the cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, to examine cell proliferation, we conducted a cell cycle analysis. The results showed a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability for both MWCNTs in both cell types. Moreover, a dose- and time-dependent increase in LDH leakage was detected, thereby indicating a decreased membrane integrity. The production of ROS was significantly increased in the case of the heat-treated MWCNTs. The heat-treated MWCNTs showed significantly stronger adverse effects when compared to the non-treated MWCNTs. Additionally, the heat-treated MWCNTs induced a dose-dependent cell cycle arrest in A549 cells. Both MWCNTs induced a significant cytotoxicity, whereby the heat treatment, leading to a decrease in surface defects, further increased the indicated adverse effects. © 2019 The Authors
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    Gain of a 500-fold sensitivity on an intravital MR Contrast Agent based on an endohedral Gadolinium-Cluster-Fullerene-Conjugate: A new chance in cancer diagnostics
    (Sydney : Ivyspring, 2010) Braun, Klaus; Dunsch, Lothar; Pipkorn, Ruediger; Bock, Michael; Baeuerle, Tobias; Yang, Shangfeng; Waldeck, Waldemar; Wiessler, Manfred
    Among the applications of fullerene technology in health sciences the expanding field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of molecular processes is most challenging. Here we present the synthesis and application of a GdxSc3-xN@C80-BioShuttle-conjugate referred to as Gd-cluster@-BioShuttle, which features high proton relaxation and, in comparison to the commonly used contrast agents, high signal enhancement at very low Gd concentrations. This modularly designed contrast agent represents a new tool for improved monitoring and evaluation of interventions at the gene transcription level. Also, a widespread monitoring to track individual cells is possible, as well as sensing of microenvironments. Furthermore, BioShuttle can also deliver constructs for transfection or active pharmaceutical ingredients, and scaffolding for incorporation with the host's body. Using the Gd-cluster@-BioShuttle as MRI contrast agent allows an improved evaluation of radio- or chemotherapy treated tissues.
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    Single pairing spike-timing dependent plasticity in BiFeO3 memristors with a time window of 25 ms to 125 μs
    (Lausanne : Frontiers Research Foundation, 2015) Du, Nan; Kiani, Mahdi; Mayr, Christian G.; You, Tiangui; Bürger, Danilo; Skorupa, Ilona; Schmidt, Oliver G.; Schmidt, Heidemarie
    Memristive devices are popular among neuromorphic engineers for their ability to emulate forms of spike-driven synaptic plasticity by applying specific voltage and current waveforms at their two terminals. In this paper, we investigate spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) with a single pairing of one presynaptic voltage spike and one post-synaptic voltage spike in a BiFeO3 memristive device. In most memristive materials the learning window is primarily a function of the material characteristics and not of the applied waveform. In contrast, we show that the analog resistive switching of the developed artificial synapses allows to adjust the learning time constant of the STDP function from 25 ms to 125 μs via the duration of applied voltage spikes. Also, as the induced weight change may degrade, we investigate the remanence of the resistance change for several hours after analog resistive switching, thus emulating the processes expected in biological synapses. As the power consumption is a major constraint in neuromorphic circuits, we show methods to reduce the consumed energy per setting pulse to only 4.5 pJ in the developed artificial synapses.
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    Ultrafast vibrational control of organohalide perovskite optoelectronic devices using vibrationally promoted electronic resonance
    (Basingstoke : Nature Publishing Group, 2023) Gallop, Nathaniel. P.; Maslennikov, Dmitry R.; Mondal, Navendu; Goetz, Katelyn P.; Dai, Zhenbang; Schankler, Aaron M.; Sung, Woongmo; Nihonyanagi, Satoshi; Tahara, Tahei; Bodnarchuk, Maryna I.; Kovalenko, Maksym V.; Vaynzof, Yana; Rappe, Andrew M.; Bakulin, Artem A.
    Vibrational control (VC) of photochemistry through the optical stimulation of structural dynamics is a nascent concept only recently demonstrated for model molecules in solution. Extending VC to state-of-the-art materials may lead to new applications and improved performance for optoelectronic devices. Metal halide perovskites are promising targets for VC due to their mechanical softness and the rich array of vibrational motions of both their inorganic and organic sublattices. Here, we demonstrate the ultrafast VC of FAPbBr3 perovskite solar cells via intramolecular vibrations of the formamidinium cation using spectroscopic techniques based on vibrationally promoted electronic resonance. The observed short (~300 fs) time window of VC highlights the fast dynamics of coupling between the cation and inorganic sublattice. First-principles modelling reveals that this coupling is mediated by hydrogen bonds that modulate both lead halide lattice and electronic states. Cation dynamics modulating this coupling may suppress non-radiative recombination in perovskites, leading to photovoltaics with reduced voltage losses.
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    Engineering microrobots for targeted cancer therapies from a medical perspective
    (Berlin : Springer Nature, 2020) Schmidt, Christine K.; Medina-Sánchez, Mariana; Edmondson, Richard J.; Schmidt, Oliver G.
    Systemic chemotherapy remains the backbone of many cancer treatments. Due to its untargeted nature and the severe side effects it can cause, numerous nanomedicine approaches have been developed to overcome these issues. However, targeted delivery of therapeutics remains challenging. Engineering microrobots is increasingly receiving attention in this regard. Their functionalities, particularly their motility, allow microrobots to penetrate tissues and reach cancers more efficiently. Here, we highlight how different microrobots, ranging from tailor-made motile bacteria and tiny bubble-propelled microengines to hybrid spermbots, can be engineered to integrate sophisticated features optimised for precision-targeting of a wide range of cancers. Towards this, we highlight the importance of integrating clinicians, the public and cancer patients early on in the development of these novel technologies.