Protein-RNA cross-linking by UV irradiation at 254 nm wavelength has been established as an unbiased method to identify proteins in direct contact with RNA, and has been successfully applied to investigate the spatial arrangement of protein and RNA in large macromolecular assemblies, e.g. ribonucleoprotein-complex particles (RNPs). The mass spectrometric analysis of such peptide-RNA cross-links...

We report the versatility of polyion complex (PIC) micelles for the preparation of shell and core cross-linked (SCL and CCL) micelles with their surface properties determined by the constituent polymer composition and cross-linking agent. The negatively and positively charged PIC micelles with their molecular structure and properties depending on the mixing weight percentage and polymer molecul...

Neutralized DNA gels exhibit a reversible volume transition when CaCl2 is added to the surrounding aqueous NaCl solution. In this paper, a systematic study of the osmotic and mechanical properties of Na-DNA gels is presented to determine, qualitatively and quantitatively, the effect of Ca-Na exchange on the volume transition. It is found that in the absence of CaCl2 the DNA gels exhibit osmotic...

AbstractIn the last step of desolvation method for preparation of albumin nanoparticles, glutaraldehyde (GA) is added to stabilize the newly formed nanoparticles. Due to undesirable effects of GA, the objective of this study was to evaluate alternative methods of crosslinking including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, adding of glucose and combination of both methods. The nanoparticles were prepar...

Calcium alginate membrane has great potential for membrane separation technology. The polymer frameworks of the membrane were successfully regulated by the mass fraction of homopolymeric blocks of -L-guluronic acid (FGG) in the entire molecular chain of alginate and the additive CaCl2 as a cross-linker. The mechanical strength can be controlled by regulated the FGG and CaCl2 concentration. Sele...

Application of biomodification techniques to dentin can improve its biochemical and biomechanical properties. Several collagen cross-linking agents have been reported to strengthen the mechanical properties of dentin. However, the characteristics of collagen that has undergone agent-induced biomodification are not well understood. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a natu...

PURPOSE Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a treatment for keratoconus that eliminates the need for keratoplasty in most patients. However, its molecular mechanisms remain under study. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been suggested by many studies as the causative strengthening agent during CXL, though no studies to date have directly tested this hypothesis. METHODS Corneas of young r...

Tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) is a hyaluronan (HA)-binding protein that plays important roles in inflammation and ovulation. TSG-6-mediated cross-linking of HA has been proposed as a functional mechanism (e.g. for regulating leukocyte adhesion), but direct evidence for cross-linking is lacking, and we know very little about its impact on HA ultrastructure. Here we used films o...

This paper presents the successful preparation of porous membranes based on chitosan with enhanced mechanical, thermal and chemical properties applicable in water treatment field. Herein, chitosan/kaolin composite a cross-linking agent porogen were prepared using solvent casting method. The characterization as-fabricated indicated that combined effect kaolin as reinforcing agent, polyethylene g...