Adsorption behavior of fibrinogen to sulfonated polyethyleneoxide-grafted polyurethane surfaces

Fibrinogen adsorptions to surface modified polyurethanes (PU, PU-PEO, and PU-PEO-SO₃) were studied from plasma in vitro. PU and PU-PEO surfaces demonstrated that initial adsorption increases with increasing plasma concentration in kinetic profiles and adsorption time in adsorption profiles as a function of plasma concentration, but after the plateau is reached, its adsorption amount decreases as plasma concentration (0.2-2.0%) and adsorption time (1-120 min) increase, respectively. In contrast, PU-PEO-SO₃ showed that initial adsorption is almost same regardless of plasma concentration and adsorption time, which is due to the high affinity of surface sulfonate group to fibrinogen. All the surfaces indicated the Vroman effect at about 0.6% plasma concentration; however, the displacement was relatively low. Adsorbed amount of fibrinogen at steady state decreased in the order: PU > PU-PEO-SO₃ > PU-PEO, regardless of adsorption time and plasma concentration. The adsorption behavior of PU-PEO-SO₃ is attributed to both effect of low binding affinity of PEO chain and high affinity of pendant sulfonate group toward fibrinogen.     

Elastic protein-based polymers in soft tissue augmentation and generation

Molecular self association in water through hydrogen bonding is a powerful organizational force leading to a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network (water structure) that profoundly influences solvent properties. Localized perturbations in the chemical potential of water as by, for example, contacting with a solid surface, induces compensating changes in water structure that can be sensed tens of nanometers from the point of origin using the surface force apparatus (SFA) and ancillary techniques. These instruments reveal attractive or repulsive forces between opposing surfaces immersed in water, over-and-above that anticipated by continuum theory (DLVO), that are attributed to a variable density (partial molar volume) of a more-or-less ordered water structure, depending on the water wettability (surface energy) of the water-contacting surfaces. Water structure at surfaces is thus found to be a manifestation of hydrophobicity and, while mechanistic/theoretical interpretation of experimental results remains the subject of some debate in the literature, convergence of experimental observations permit a quantitative definition of the heretofore relative terms `hydrophobic' and `hydrophilic'. In particular, long-range attractive forces (< 100 nm) are detected only between surfaces exhibiting a water contact angle > 65 deg (defined as hydrophobic surfaces with pure water adhesion tension τ⁰ = γ⁰ cos < 30 dyn cm^-1 where γ⁰ is water interfacial tension = 72.8 dyn cm^-1). Short range repulsive forces (< 5 nm) arc detected between surfaces exhibiting < 65 deg (hydrophilic surfaces, τ⁰ > 30 dyn cm^-1). These findings together with other lines of chemical evidence suggest at least two distinct kinds of water structure and reactivity: a relatively less-dense water region against hydrophobic surfaces with an open hydrogen-bonded network and a relatively more-dense water region against hydrophilic surfaces with a collapsed hydrogen-bonded network. Solvent properties of interfacial water profoundly influence the biological response to materials in a surprisingly straightforward manner when key measures of biological activity sensitive to interfacial phenomenon are scaled against water adhesion tension τ⁰ of contacting surfaces. Protein adsorption, activation of blood coagulation, and bioadhesion are offered as examples in point, illustrating that the hydrophobic/hydrophilic contrast in the biological response to materials, often disputed in biomaterials science, is very clear when viewed from the perspective of water structure and reactivity at surfaces.     

Epigenetic regulation in antiviral innate immunity

Emerging life-threatening viruses have posed great challenges to public health. It is now increasingly clear that epigenetics plays a role in shaping host-virus interactions and there is a great need for a more thorough understanding of these intricate interactions through the epigenetic lens, which may represent potential therapeutic opportunities in the clinic. In this review, we highlight the current understanding of the roles of key epigenetic regulators — chromatin remodeling and histone modification — in modulating chromatin openness during host defense against virus. We also discuss how the RNA modification m6A (N6-methyladenosine) affects fundamental aspects of host-virus interactions. We conclude with future directions for uncovering more detailed functions that epigenetic regulation exerts on both host cells and viruses during infection.     

The influence of laser frequency and groove distance on cell adhesion,cell viability,and antibacterial characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V dental implants treated by modern fiber engraving laser

ObjectiveMicro-nano scale surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V was investigated through the fascinated modern fiber engraving laser method. The process was performed at a high laser speed of 2000 mm/s, under different laser frequencies (20–160 kHz) and groove distances (0.5–50 μm).MethodsTopographic evaluations such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to identify the quality and regularity of patterns. The proliferation of human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells (MG63) was analyzed by MTT assay for up to 72 h. Also, the plate counting method was used to quantify the viability potential of the modified surface against Escherichia coli bacteria.ResultsThe cellular viability of the sample modified at the laser frequency of 20 kHz and grooving distance of 50 μm increased up to 35 and 10% compared to the non-treated and control samples, respectively. In the case of the surface modification at lower grooving distances range between 0.5–50 μm, the maximum laser frequency (160 kHz) applied leads to lower pulse’s energies and less bacterial adhesion. Otherwise, at groove distances more than 50 μm, the minimum laser frequency (20 kHz) applied reduces the laser pulse overlaps, increases the cell adhesion and antibacterial properties.SignificanceSurface modification by the fiber engraving laser process significantly enhances the cell adhesion on the surface. As a result of such roughness and cell adhesion enhancement, the surface toxicity feature diminished, and its antibacterial properties improved.     

Photopolymerization shrinkage-stress reduction in polymer-based dental restoratives by surface modification of fillers

ObjectivesThis research explores the use of polymer brushes for surface treatment of fillers used in polymer-based dental restoratives with focus on shrinkage stress reduction. The influence of interfacial reactive groups on shrinkage stress is explored.MethodsOligomers of varying lengths and with varying number of reactive groups along the length were synthesized by modifying commercial oligomers. Surface of silica fillers (OX50) was treated with methylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane and this was further reacted with the synthesized oligomers to obtain a series of polymer brushes on the surface. Fillers modified with γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane were used as a control. Filler surface treatment was confirmed using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Fillers were added at 30 wt % to a resin made of BisGMA/TEGDMA and polymerization kinetics, shrinkage stress, volumetric shrinkage, flexural strength and modulus, viscosity were measured.ResultsComposites with polymer brush functionalized fillers showed up to a 30 % reduction in shrinkage stress as compared to the control, with no reduction in flexural strength and modulus. Shrinkage stress reduced with increasing length of the polymer brush and increased with increase in number of reactive groups along the length of the polymer brush.SignificanceThe interface between inorganic fillers and an organic polymer matrix has been utilized to reduce shrinkage stress in a composite with no compromise in mechanical properties. This study gives insights into the stress development mechanism at the interface.     

种植体掺离子表面改性技术及其促进骨结合的研究进展

种植牙因其在解决牙列缺损方面巨大的优势,已成为许多缺牙患者首选的治疗方式。在临床应用中,如何促进种植体与骨组织界面的骨结合是种植治疗成功的关键,因此种植体表面改性一直是研究的热点。骨组织中含有钙、磷、锌、镁、锶等大量微量元素,这些微量元素对于骨组织的生长发育必不可少。因此可以通过将微量元素掺入种植体表面来促进种植体骨结合。本文着重介绍了种植体表面改性的相关技术以及微量元素促进骨结合的具体机制。     

Current management of patients hospitalized with complicated skin and soft tissue infections across Europe (2010–2011): assessment of clinical practice patterns and real-life effectiveness of antibiotics from the REACH study

Complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI) are common and frequently require treatment in hospital. Comprehensive current data on management practices in patients hospitalized with cSSTI are limited. REACH was a retrospective, observational cohort study designed to provide data on current clinical management of moderate to severe cSSTI in European hospitals. Data were collected via an electronic case report form from 129 sites in ten European countries. The study population comprised patients ≥18 years, hospitalized between March 2010 and February 2011 with cSSTI who received intravenous antibiotic treatment. Presented here is an analysis of the disease characteristics, treatment patterns during hospitalization and clinical outcomes identified by the study. The total population included 1995 patients (mean age 60.6 years; 57.7% male). Initial antibiotic treatment modification was reported in 39.6% (n = 791) of patients; it was more common in patients with co-morbidities (42.6%), those requiring surgical intervention (43.4%), those with more severe infections such as bacteraemia (51.6%) or with fascia affected (49.0%), those admitted to the intensive care unit (56.2%) and those with lesions > 50 cm² (44.3%). A switch to narrower-spectrum antibiotic treatment (streamlining) occurred in 5.6% of patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 18.5 days (±19.9; median 12.0) and the total mortality rate was 3.4%. The data collected in REACH give a comprehensive and current view of real-life clinical management of cSSTI in European hospitals and provide evidence of a high rate of initial antibiotic treatment modification.     

An in vitro assessment and comparative effectiveness of silanized-glutaraldehyde functionalized titanium surfaces with phosphatidylcholine and type I collagen grafts

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate sequence-modified Ti surfaces functionalized with silanized glutaraldehyde and further grafted with the active biomolecules of phosphatidylcholine and type I collagen (COL I).MethodsThe properties of the functional surfaces were investigated by various surface analysis techniques and characterized their capability in osteogenic cell attachment, differentiation, and mineralization in vitro.ResultsThe Ti surfaces grafted with phosphatidylcholine and COL I effectively improved the hydrophilicity. In addition, an effect of COL I concentrations (higher than 2.5 μg/mL) do not stimulate subsequent alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity during osteogenesis in vitro. However, the result is different in phosphatidylcholine, that is, as the concentration of phosphatidylcholine increased enhances subsequent osteogenetic properties. The Ti groups with bioactive molecules affected cell characteristics in vitro in contrast to the controlled Ti group. The proliferation and differentiation levels of osteoprogenetor cells were enhanced and ALP was strongly expressed in the groups grafted with phosphatidylcholine and COL I.SignificanceThis modification promotes progenitor bone cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation and thus drastically improves the success rate for implant modification by accelerating surface osseointegration.     

种植体表面抗菌技术的分类与研究进展

随着种植体在口腔领域的广泛应用,口腔种植体相关的感染成为威胁种植体远期疗效的重大隐患。种植体表面的菌斑和生物膜与感染密切相关,一种有效的途径是通过种植体表面抗菌技术处理以防止微生物的聚集与粘附,本文就种植体表面抗菌技术的分类与研究进展作一综述。