DNA Psi-condensation and reentrant decondensation: Effect of the PEG degree of polymerization

psi-Condensation of DNA fragments of about 4 kbp was induced by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), with degrees of polymerization ranging from 45 to 182, and univalent salt (NaCl). Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, we were able to accurately determine the critical amount of PEG needed to induce condensation, as a function of the NaCl concentration. A significant dependence on the PEG degree of polymerization was found. Phase boundaries determined for the multimolecular condensation were very similar to those observed previously for the monomolecular collapse, with two asymptotic regimes at low and high salt concentrations. We analyze our data using a theoretical model that properly takes into account both the polyelectrolyte nature of the DNA and the liquid crystallinity of the condensed phase. The model assumes that all PEG is excluded from the condensates and shows reentrant decondensation only at low salt. We also systematically study reentrant decondensation and find a very strong dependence on PEG molecular weight. At low PEG molecular weight, decondensation occurs at relatively low concentrations of PEG, and over a wide range of salt concentrations. This suggests that in the reentrant decondensation the flexible polymers used are not completely excluded from the condensed phase.

The Interaction Between N-Isopropylacrylamide-Acrylic Acid-Ethyl Methacrylate Thermosensitive Polymers and Cationic Surfactants

The interaction between cationic surfactants and isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid-ethyl methacrylate (IPA:AA:EMA) terpolymers has been investigated using steady-state fluorescence and spectrophotometric measurements to assess the effect of the polymer composition on the aggregation process and terpolymers' thermosensitivities. Micropolarity studies using pyrene show that the interaction of cationic surfactants with IPA:AA:EMA terpolymers occurs at surfactant concentrations much smaller than that observed for the pure surfactant in aqueous solution. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) values decrease with both the hydrocarbon length of the surfactant and the content of ethyl methacrylate. These results were interpreted as a manifestation of the increasing contribution of attractive hydrophobic and electrostatic forces between negatively charged polymer chains and positively charged surfactant molecules. The increase of ethyl methacrylate in the copolymers lowers the CAC due to the larger hydrophobic character of the polymer backbone. The cloud point determination reveals that the lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) depend strongly on the copolymer composition and surfactant nature. The binding of surfactants molecules to the polymer chain screens the electrostatic repulsion between the carboxylic groups inducing a conformational transition and the dehydration of the polymer chain.

Photodynamic inactivation of biofilms formed by Candida spp., Trichosporon mucoides, and Kodamaea ohmeri by cationic nanoemulsion of zinc 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(phenylthio)-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine (ZnPc)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Strength of a feldspar ceramic according to the thickness and polymerization mode of the resin cement coating

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Synthesis of (Ca,Nd)TiO3 powders by complex polymerization, Rietveld refinement and optical properties

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Room temperature photoluminescence of BCT prepared by Complex Polymerization Method

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of cerium (IV) ions on the mechanism of organosilane polymerization and on the improvement of its barrier properties

In this work, the effect of cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) addition on the polymerization of bis-[triethoxysilyl]ethane (BTSE) film applied on carbon steel was studied. The electrochemical characterization of the films was carried out in 0.1 mol L(-1) NaCl solution by open-circuit potential measurements, anodic and cathodic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Morphological and chemical characterization were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurements, infrared-spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis. The results have clearly shown the improvement on the protective properties of the Ce(4+) modified film as a consequence of the formation of a more uniform and densely reticulated silane film. A mechanism is proposed to explain the accelerating role of Ce(4+) ions on the cross-linking of the silane layer. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polymerization of photocurable commercial dental methacrylate-based composites - Photocalorimetry study

Due to their excellent aesthetics, photopolymers have been extensively used in several dentistry applications. However, several problems are reported, e.g. low mechanical and abrasion resistance, shrinkage during polymerization, etc. Properties of the final restorations are intrinsically related to the polymerization stage, which can be conveniently studied by photocalorimetry. In the present work the polymerization reaction and the filler content of different photocurable commercial dental methacrylate-based composites were studied by means of photocalorimetry and thermogravimetry, respectively. The results show that the values of curing rate, the heat of polymerization and the filler content vary significantly from one composite to another.

New layered double hydroxides intercalated with substituted pyrroles. 1. In situ polymerization of 4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzoate

The two-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic materials Zn-2-Cr and Zn-2-Al-LDHs (Layered Double Hydroxides) containing 4-(1H-pyrrol-1yl)benzoate anions as the interlayer anions were synthesized by the co-precipitation method at constant pH followed by subsequent hydrothermal treatment for 72 h. The materials were characterized by PXRD, C-13 CP-MAS NMR, ESR, TGA, and TEM. The basal spacing found by the X-ray diffraction technique is coincident with the formation of bilayers of the intercalated anions. Solid-state C-13 NMR and ESR data strongly suggest the partial in situ polymerization of the 4-(1H-pyrrol-1yl)benzoate anions during coprecipitation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of polymerization cycles on porosity of microwave-processed denture base resin

Statement of problem. Although most of the physical properties of denture base resin polymerized by microwave energy have been shown to be similar to resins polymerized by the conventional heat polymerization method, the presence of porosity is a problem.Purpose. This study evaluated the effect of different microwave polymerization cycles on the porosity of a denture base resin designed for microwave polymerization.Material and methods. Thirty-two rectangular resin specimens (65 X 40 X 5 mm) were divided into 3 experimental groups (A, B, and C; Onda-Cryl, microwave-polymerized resin) and I control group (T; Classico, heat-polymerized resin), according to the following polymerization cycles: (A) 500 W for 3 minutes, (B) 90 W for 13 minutes + 500 W for 90 seconds, (C) 320 W for 3 minutes + 0 W for 4 minutes + 720 W for 3 minutes, and (T) 74degreesC for 9 hours. Porosity was calculated by measurement of the specimen volume before and after its immersion in water. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance (alpha = .05).Results. The mean values and SDs of the percent mean porosity were: A = 1.05% +/- 0.28%, B = 0.91% +/- 0.15%, C = 0.88% +/- 0.23%, T = 0.93% +/- 0.23%. No significant differences were found in mean porosity among the groups evaluated.Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, a denture base resin specifically designed for microwave Polymerization tested was not affected by different polymerization cycles. Porosity was similar to the conventional heat-polymerized denture base resin tested.

Polymerization shrinkage: effects of boundary conditions and filling technique of resin composite restorations

Objective: To evaluate the linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS) and the effect of polymerization shrinkage of a resin composite and resin-dentin bond strength under different boundary conditions and filling techniques.Methods: Two cavities (4 x 4 x 2 MM) were prepared in bovine incisors (n = 30). The teeth were divided into three groups, according to boundary conditions: In group TE, the total-etch technique was used. In group EE, only enamel was conditioned, and in group NE, none of the watts of the cavities were conditioned. A two-step adhesive system was applied to all cavities. The resin composite was inserted in one (B) or three increments (1), and tight-cured with 600 mW/cm(2) (80 s). The LPS (%) was measured in the top-bottom direction, by placing a probe in contact with resin composite during curing. Enamel and total mean gap widths were measured (400 x) in three slices obtained after sectioning the restorations. Then, the slices were sectioned again, either to obtain sticks from the adhesive interface from the bottom of the cavity or to obtain resin composite sticks (0.8 mm(2)) to be tested for tensile strength (Kratos machine, 0.5 mm/min). The data was subjected to a two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test for comparison of the means (alpha = 0.05).Results: the highest percentage of LPS was found for the TE when bulk fitted, and the lowest percentage of LPS was found in the Hand NE when incrementally fitted. The resin dentin bond strength was higher and the total mean gap width was tower for TE group; no significant effect was detected for the main factor fitting techniques. No difference was detected for the tensile strength of resin composite among the experimental groups.Conclusions: the filling technique is not able to minimize effects of the polymerization shrinkage, and bonding to the cavity watts is necessary to assure reduced mean gap width and high bond strength values. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.