Exogenous application of an electric field can direct cell migration and improve wound healing; however clinical application of the therapy remains elusive due to lack of a suitable device and hence, limitations in understanding the molecular mechanisms. Here we report on a novel FDA approved redox-active Ag/Zn bioelectric dressing (BED) which generates electric fields. To develop a mechanistic understanding of how the BED may potentially influence wound re-epithelialization, we direct emphasis on understanding the influence of BED on human keratinocyte cell migration. Mapping of the electrical field generated by BED led to the observation that BED increases keratinocyte migration by three mechanisms: (i) generating hydrogen peroxide, known to be a potent driver of redox signaling, (ii) phosphorylation of redox-sensitive IGF1R directly implicated in cell migration, and (iii) reduction of protein thiols and increase in integrinαv expression, both of which are known to be drivers of cell migration. BED also increased keratinocyte mitochondrial membrane potential consistent with its ability to fuel an energy demanding migration process. Electric fields generated by a Ag/Zn BED can cross-talk with keratinocytes via redox-dependent processes improving keratinocyte migration, a critical event in wound re-epithelialization.
Nanopores were fabricated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). By manipulating TEM parameters, such as relative stage settings, electron beam shape and dwell time, it was possible to fabricate both single and ordered arrangements of nanopores with controlled geometries in silicon nitride membranes supported on a silicon window. Three distinct nanopore geometries with circular, elliptical and triangular cross-sections were fabricated. The smallest critical dimension reported here is on the order of 3 nm for the elliptical pore.
Carbon nanomaterials, including few-layered graphene (FLG), were synthesized on high-purity copper and nickel wires in a microchannel within an alumina microcombustor with a methane/oxygen edge flame.The deposition occurred in 20 s with identifiable FLG Raman peaks. The FLG layers were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. The data shows 5-8 layers can be formed on the wires in a microchannel. The versatility of the microcombustor platform for rapid deposition of carbon nanomaterials is also shown through demonstrations of formation of near-perfect graphite thin films.
Measurement of the electromagnetic (EM) properties of tissue such as electrical conductivity, permittivity, and eddy current characteristics can be used in clinical medicine for characterizing and distinguishing soft tissue morphology. Such measurements can yield complementary information to what can be obtained using analysis with an optical microscope. An example is the assessment of margins during the surgical resection of occult tumors. In current practice, the surgeon relies on pre-operative imaging modalities, sight and palpation to locate and attempt to fully resect the tumor(s). Frozen section pathological assessment offers the only other resource available to the surgeon for margin analysis, but it is incomplete because only a small fraction of the resected tissue is examined and it is often not feasible to wait for the results of the frozen section analysis before completing the surgery. This paper describes a characterization and imaging method based on variations in electromagnetic tissue properties to assess the surgical margins of resected tissues. This is noteworthy because accurate margin assessment has been shown to significantly improve long term patient outcomes[1].
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