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Biomedical subjects

P Sharrock

Publications and source records attributed to P Sharrock.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Influence of sterilization on injectable bone biomaterials.

Injectable biomaterials used in bone surgery include acrylic bone cements, calcium phosphate cements, and new composite-type biomaterials with a mineral content and an organic phase dispersed or dissolved in water. Cellulose derivatives, chitosan solutions, alginates, and other polymers are studied as useful modifiers and binding agents in calcium phosphate cements. We have developed proprietary polyester copolymers including lactic acid moieties and present here results concerning the effect of sterilization on the physico-chemical properties of derived bone biomaterials. Chitosan solutions show a dramatic decrease in viscosity after 25-kGy gamma sterilization. Aqueous copolylactic solutions also show, by capillary electrophoresis, that hydrolysis occurs to liberate monomers after 25-kGy gamma sterilization. Heat sterilization also degrades chitosan solutions, and ultrafiltration is difficult because of high viscosity. However, apatite-copolylactic solids can be steam sterilized without deterioration. Gelatin has been used as a natural polymer to bind apatite particles. Gel exclusion chromatography reveals crosslinking of the chains by irradiation. Standard acrylic cements contain monomers sterilized by ultrafiltration because they do not tolerate irradiation. We have used ultrafiltration to prepare aqueous copolylactic solutions without polymer hydrolysis. Implantation of calcium phosphate cement modified by copolylactic acid in a rabbit metaphyseal model defect shows progressive substitution of the biomaterial by new bone tissue. At 3 months, a mild inflammatory reaction still remains associated with the continuing resorption of the biomaterial. These results show that interesting biological properties can be obtained with products not sterilized by irradiation. Undoubtedly, many biopolymers are fragile and, like reactive monomers, need to be sterilized by special methods if they are to be used in injectable, liquid form.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

In vitro growth of human adult bone-derived cells on hydroxyapatite plasma-sprayed coatings.

The growth of adult human bone-derived cells on hydroxyapatite (HA) plasma-sprayed coatings was investigated. Such cells were difficult to grow on original plasma-sprayed coatings, even following rinsing and rubbing down. We obtained cell growth only on samples previously immersed 15 or 22 days in complete culture medium. We describe a dissolution/precipitation phenomenon on the HA coating surface assessed by modifications of Ca and P concentrations in the culture medium, by the transformation of the HA coating into carbonated HA (X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrometry and by the presence demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy of spherocrystallites on the HA after 15 days of immersion. Our results show that adult human bone-derived cells are apparently particularly sensitive to the changes in the coating surface induced by liquid immersion. We raise the question of the limits of in vitro investigations on bioactive ceramics such as HA plasma-sprayed coatings susceptible to modification by simple immersion in aqueous solutions such as cell culture medium or physiologic saline.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Stereolithographic models derived from x-ray computed tomography. Reproduction accuracy.

We investigate the accuracy of complex anatomical replicas derived from X-ray computed tomography data linked to the rapid prototyping technique of stereolithography. Data processing by specific softwares (segmentation, three-dimensional interpolation) allows direct interfacing with the stereolithography apparatus to build a resin replica with reproduction of internal cavities. Our preliminary results about surface and dimensional accuracies suggest that the reproduction of complex anatomical structures by stereolithography is reliable enough to be used for surgical planning, for custom-made implants and for surgical anatomy teaching.

Computer Graphics↗
PubMed1995

Calcium carbonate in cholesterol gallstones: polymorphism, distribution, and hypotheses about pathogenesis.

This study of sets of cholesterol gallstones collected consecutively from 222 patients in La Paz, Bolivia, and Mexico City, Mexico, has developed a reliable infrared (IR) spectroscopic method for the detection of calcium carbonate in cholesterol gallstones and provided the basis for simultaneous identification of each of its three polymorphs: calcite, vaterite, and aragonite. The peaks in the 854 to 876 cm-1 region demonstrated 98% sensitivity and specificity for carbonate detection. As little as 3% carbonate by weight could be detected using these peaks. The overall incidence of carbonate was 19% in these populations containing a high proportion of Amerinds. Infrared microspectroscopy of 10 to 50 microns particles, dissected from stones, allowed a ring-by-ring examination of 11 carbonate-containing stones. It was determined that different carbonate polymorphs, when present in the same gallstone, almost always occurred in separate rings. In approximately half of the gallstones, different polymorphs were present in successive layers in the same stone, indicating that conditions governing stone growth changed cyclically. Carbonates were usually precipitated in peripheral layers rather than in the center, supporting the theory that formation of calcium carbonates may be related to episodes of intermittent obstruction of the cystic duct, as opposed to being a major factor in stone nidation.

Calcium Carbonate↗
PubMed1992

Colour centres in plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite.

Very pure hydroxyapatite is diamagnetic and shows no electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum. Plasma-sprayed coatings made with such a pure hydroxyapatite contain paramagnetic point-defects. Irradiated deposits show a strong EPR absorption assigned to an O2- anion adjacent to a calcium vacancy, with anisotropic parameters, g1 = 2.004, g2 = 2.013 and g3 = 2.038. The EPR spectra and colour fade away following thermal annealing. These features are discussed in terms of point-defects in the hydroxyapatite crystal structure.

Color↗
PubMed1985

Bacteristatic activity of phenanthrolines against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

Using optical turbidimetry to measure the growth of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, we determined the mean lethal dose (LD50) values for various phenanthrolines. The dimethyl-substituted compounds are found to be more toxic to bacteria, with doses near 5 micrograms/mL reducing the number of viable cells by 50% over a 24-h period. 2,9-Dimethyl phenanthroline is the most potent compound against B. subtilis, being six times more effective than against E. coli. Bipyridine is the least toxic substance and is twice as effective against E. coli as it is against B. subtilis. Evidence is presented to show copper ions enhance the antibacterial action of phenanthrolines and may be required for activity.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1982

Metal-peptide interactions: enkephalin rigidifications.

Two enkephalin analogues, Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-NVal-NH2 and Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-NVal-OH were studied by n.m.r. spectroscopy. 13C chemical shifts were determined as a function of pH and in water-dimethyl sulfoxide solvent mixtures. The acid and amide forms of the analogues show a marked difference in their n.m.r. features. Complexation with metal ions causes changes in the n.m.r. spectra of the acid form. The temperature dependence of the NH proton resonances of the zinc complex shows striking similarity with that of the amide analogue. The results are discussed in terms of the potential modification of biological activities which may occur following metal ion induced conformation changes.

Calcium↗
PubMed1978

Spectral and electron paramagnetic resonance investigations of copper (II) complexes linear-chain fatty diacids.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of polycrystalline copper complexes of butanedioic, pentanedioic, hexanedioic, heptanedioic, and decanedioic acids are presented, together with 77 K electronic spectra. The complexes are formulated as dimeric copper carboxylate units linked into infinite chains. Monomer impurities are also present and increase in quantity with the length of the diacid. The monomer and dimer signals occur at very different field strengths, but the g values calculated from the S = 1/2 spectra are similar to those calculated from the S = 1 spectra. The EPR method can thus be used to locate copper ions in possible biological frameworks and to study the geometry around the metal sites. The distortion from axial symmetry around the copper increases with the length of the diacid, as shown by the observed zero-field splitting parameters. Gaussian analysis of the optical absorptions yields information used with EPR data to calculate covalency and Fermi contact terms. Sodium, potassium, and lithium salts transform the dimeric polymers into monomeric polymers. The presence of magnetic exchange interactions in copper dicarboxylates is discussed and thereby shown to be of interest in the study of copper ions in molecules of biological importance containing carboxylate groups.

Chemical Phenomena↗