Sol-gel entrapment is an efficient immobilization technique that allows preparation of robust and highly stable biocatalysts. Lipase from Candida antarctica B was immobilized by sol-gel entrapment and by sol-gel entrapment combined with adsorption on Celite 545, using a ternary silane precursor system. After optimization of the immobilization protocol, the best enzyme loading was 17.4 mg/g supp...

The colonisation of clinical and industrial surfaces with microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains, has promoted increased research into the development of effective antibacterial and antifouling coatings. This study describes the preparation of metal nitrate (Ag, Cu, Zn) doped methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) coatings and the rapid assessment of their antibacterial activity using po...

The hypothesis of this study was that diabetes-induced desensitization of rat soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (NDMRs) depends on the stage of diabetes and on the kind of NDMRs. We tested the different magnitude of resistance to vecuronium, cisatracurium, and rocuronium at different stages of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes by the EDL s...

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of spasticity (1) on muscle tendon unit (MTU) length-force characteristics of rat m. gastrocnemius (GAS), m. soleus (SOL) and m. plantaris (PL), and (2) on epimuscular myofascial force transmission between synergistic GAS, SOL and PL, as well as between the calf muscles and antagonistic m. tibialis anterior (TA). The effects of spast...

Tin oxide nanostructures, un-doped and Zn-doped, have been prepared by conventional sol-gel technique. Research grade tin chloride (SnCl2.2H2O) and zinc acetate (Zn(O2C2H3)2) were used as tin and zinc sources. Ethylene glycol and alcohol were used as solvents under different synthesis conditions. Transparent un-doped and Zn-doped SnO2 sol was prepared after continuous stirring and refluxing at ...

Background. Limited research has been conducted on the moderating effect of race/ethnicity on objective sleep disturbances in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Objective. To explore racial/ethnic differences in objective sleep disturbances among BCSs and their relationship with self-reported symptoms. Intervention/Methods. Sleep disturbance and symptoms were measured using actigraphy for 72 hours...

The cold gelation of preheated whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions at alkaline conditions (pH>10) has been studied to better understand the effect of NaOH in the formation and destruction of whey protein aggregates and gels. Oscillatory rheology has been used to follow the gelation process, resulting in novel and different gelation profiles with the gelation pH. At low alkaline pH, typical sol...

Tin oxide nanoparticles have been prepared by conventional sol-gel technique. Research grade tin chloride (SnCl2.2H2O) was used as tin and zinc sources. Ethylene glycol and alcohol were used as solvents under different synthesis conditions. Transparent un-doped SnO2 sol was prepared after continuous stirring and refluxing at 40C. Thin films, prepared from SnO2 sol, have also been deposited on g...

This thesis considers a nanotechnology approach based on the production of metals pre-treatments and organic coatings (a complete protection system at all) designed from the nanoscale. The final aim is to develop protection systems with improved corrosion protection properties and a low environmental impact. In particular, multifunctional silane hybrid molecules were used to design sol-gel pre-...