02434nas a2200277   4500008004100000022001400041245011600055210006900171260000900240300001200249490000800261520151600269653001501785653001501800653002801815653002701843653001501870653002001885100001801905700002101923700001701944700001701961700002201978700002402000856013202024       2020                        eng d  a0141-813000aStructural and physical analysis of underwater silk from housing nest composites of a tropical chironomid midge0 aStructural and physical analysis of underwater silk from housing  cNOV   a934-9420 v1633 a<p>Chironomids are an abundant group of aquatic silk spinning insects. They offer a unique opportunity of silk harvestation without killing them; however, they remained underappreciated models in silk research. Here, we investigate the structural and biomechanical characteristics of silk from the midge, Chironomus ramosus. A combination of microscopic (SEM), spectroscopic (CD and IR), structural (XRD), thermal (DSC and TGA) and mechanical measurement tools and techniques were employed to gain critical insights on midge silk. Maximum yield of silk was obtained from Chironomus in similar to 2.5 h, the shortest time reported among insects. The network of water-insoluble silk fibres possessed the smallest diameter of 110 +/- 35 nm, known for any insect silk, qualifying its superiority in fibre fineness. We demonstrate a cruelty-free silk extraction method in contrast to the conventional violent techniques. Structural characterization indicated coexistence of various secondary conformations, beta sheets being predominant. We compare and contrast these features to well-characterized caddisfly and silk-worm silks and highlight the uniqueness in midge silk that render mechanical stability and potentially contribute to its multi-functionalization. We thus propose Chironomus as an emerging candidate of water-borne silk, especially in the context of the `Peace silk' industry, aiming to develop non-violent methods for silk harvestation from animals. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p>
10abiopolymer10aChironomus10aCommercial applications10aHousing nest composite10aPeace silk10aUnderwater silk1 aThorat, Leena1 aJoseph, Emmanuel1 aNisal, Anuya1 aShukla, Ekta1 aRaviKumar, Ameeta1 aNath, Bimalendu, B.  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/structural-and-physical-analysis-underwater-silk-housing-nest-composites-tropical-chironomid02198nas a2200241   4500008004100000245009300041210006900134260000800203300001100211490000700222520140600229653001701635653002101652653002301673653002401696653001701720100002101737700001801758700002001776700001701796700001901813856012401832       2022                        eng d00aSilk fibroin and recombinant elastin blend nano-coatings for implantable medical devices0 aSilk fibroin and recombinant elastin blend nanocoatings for impl  cDEC  a1048750 v333 a<p>
	Silicone breast implants are conventionally used to reconstruct the shape and size of the breast in breast cancer patients. However, rate of failure of implants due to formation of capsular contracture is significantly high. Recent studies have shown that coating the surface of the implant with a biocompatible polymer can mitigate this risk. Here, we have modified the surface of implant using a biocompatible natural biopolymer silk fibroin (SF). Further, we have developed formulations of SF with a recombinantly produced elastin-like-peptide (ELP) and compared their performance with a known anti-fouling hydrophilic polymer - polyethylene oxide (PEO). Microscopic and spectroscopic characterization confirm the formation of uniform coatings. These coatings have been also characterized for their ability to resists crack formation. Further, the coatings have been evaluated for their biological performance. Our studies show that addition of 25 wt% of ELP to SF significantly enhances the crack resistance for the coatings. In addition, SF/ELP coatings reduce the adsorption of blood plasma proteins by more than 80 %. Preliminary analysis shows that the SF/ELP blend coatings are non-cytotoxic and support adhesion, growth and proliferation of fibroblast cells. The study therefore demonstrates that SF/ELP coatings have the potential to mitigate the risk of breast implant failure.</p>
10aBlood plasma10aCrack resistance10aProtein adsorption10aRecombinant elastin10aSilk fibroin1 aJoseph, Emmanuel1 aKane, Kartiki1 aParekh, Nimisha1 aNisal, Anuya1 aJanorkar, Amol  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/silk-fibroin-and-recombinant-elastin-blend-nano-coatings-implantable-medical-devices