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PubMed1998

Quantification and localization of hyaluronan in a PTFE polymer implanted in the corneal stroma.

The amount and distribution of hyaluronan in a PTFE polymer used to support an artificial cornea implanted in the rabbit cornea were determined. The findings were used to describe the polymer-corneal stroma interface and the reason for the translucence and wettability of this originally opaque and hydrophobic biomaterial. PTFE disks (6 mm in diameter, 0.2 mm thick, 50 microns in pore size) were implanted after a free-hand intralamellar dissection. The corneas were removed 15 days, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation. The hyaluronan content of pepsin-solubilized corneal stromal extracts and its distribution (7 microns cryostat sections) were investigated using an alkaline phosphatase-linked hyaluronectin assay that specifically detects nanogram amounts of hyaluronan. A PTFE polymer implant caused large, transient increases in hyaluronan density in the implanted stroma. The presence of amphiphilic hyaluronan in the polymer 15 days post implantation probably produced translucence and wettability of this opaque, hydrophobic implant despite the absence of cells. The hyaluronan density in the PTFE polymer increased considerably during the first month and then decreased to stabilize at a moderate level by the third month. These changes in hyaluronan density parallel the invasion of the polymer by inflammatory cells during the first month and the subsequent replacement of these cells by fibroblasts. The PTFE polymer is a good interface that is compatible with the native corneal stroma, and our results indicate that hyaluronan, because of its amphiphilic character, plays a major role in the polymer wettability and translucence and in the production of typical corneal extracellular matrix within the pores of the polymer.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2000

The surface stability of polymers with adsorbed fibronectin.

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene-co-ethacrylic acid (PE-EAA, 17.5% acid content) films were treated with an aqueous solution of fibronectin. Advancing contact angles of water (straight theta(a)) were used to monitor the change in the surface wettability of these films. With the exception of PE-EAA, all of the samples showed an increase in their wettability by water, indicating that the protein had adsorbed to the polymer surface. The stability of these protein-modified films against a buffered aqueous solution and against air under ambient conditions was monitored over time. The surface wettability of these protein-modified polymers, with the exception of PS, remained unchanged after heating against the buffer solution. In air, however, straight theta(a) increased over a period of 2 months. In addition, the effect of organic solvent extraction on the surface stability of these protein-modified films was investigated. Unmodified samples of LLDPE, PS, and PP were subjected to soxhlet extraction to remove impurities and low-molecular-weight oligomers prior to film preparation and subsequent treatment with fibronectin. These samples were left in air under ambient conditions for 2 months. There was no difference in the magnitude of the change in straight theta(a) for the protein-modified, extracted LLDPE film compared to the protein-modified, nonextracted polymer film. A slight decrease in the rate of thermal reconstruction was observed for the protein-modified extracted PS film compared to the protein-modified nonextracted sample, and a slight increase in the rate of thermal reconstruction was observed for the protein-modified extracted PP film compared to the protein-modified nonextracted sample.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2000

Initial adhesion and surface growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on biomedical polymers.

The infection risk of biomaterials implants varies between different materials and is determined by an interplay of adhesion and surface growth of the infecting organisms. In this study, we compared initial adhesion and surface growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis HBH(2) 102 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa AK1 on poly(dimethylsiloxane), Teflon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(methyl methacrylate), and glass. Initial adhesion was measured in situ in a parallel plate flow chamber with microorganisms suspended in phosphate-buffered saline, while subsequent surface growth was followed in full and in 20 times diluted growth medium. Initial adhesion of both bacterial strains was similar to all biomaterials. In full growth medium, generation times of surface growing S. epidermidis ranged from 17 to 38 min with no relation to wettability, while in diluted growth medium generation times increased from 44 to 98 min with increasing surface wettability. For P. aeruginosa no influence of surface wettability on generation times was observed, but generation times increased with decreasing desorption rates, maximal generation times being 47 min and minimal values down to 30 min. Generally, generation times of adhering bacteria were shorter than of planktonic bacteria. In conclusion, surface growth of initially adhering bacteria is influenced by biomaterials surface properties to a greater extent than initial adhesion.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2001

Flexibility and extensibility in the titin molecule: analysis of electron microscope data.

Muscle elasticity derives directly from titin extensibility, which stems from three distinct types of spring-like behaviour of the I-band portion of the molecule. With progressively greater forces and sarcomere lengths, the molecule straightens and then unfolds, first in the PEVK-region and then in individual immunoglobulin domains. Here, we report quantitative analysis of flexibility and extensibility in isolated titin molecules visualized by electron microscopy. Conformations displayed by molecules dried on a substrate vary from a random coil to rod-like, demonstrating highly flexible and easily deformable tertiary structure. The particular conformation observed depends on the "wettability" of the substrate during specimen preparation: higher wettability favours coiled conformations, whereas lower wettability results in more extended molecules. Extension is shown to occur during liquid dewetting. Statistical methods of conformational analysis applied to a population of coiled molecules gave an average persistence length 13.5(+/-4.5) nm. The close correspondence of this value to an earlier one from light-scattering studies confirms that conformations observed by microscopy closely reflected the equilibrium conformation in solution. Analysis of hydrodynamic forces exerted during dewetting also indicates that the force causing straightening of the molecules and extension of the PEVK-region is in the picoNewton range, whereas unfolding of the immunoglobulin and fibronectin domains may require forces about tenfold higher. The microscope data directly illustrate the relationship between titin conformation and the magnitude of applied force. They also suggest the presence of torsional stiffness in the molecule, which may affect considerations of elasticity.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Adhesion of cultured mammalian central nervous system neurons to flame-modified hydrophobic surfaces.

Surface wettability is an excellent indicator of the ability of cells to adhere to a culture substrate. We have determined that brief exposure of a hydrophobic culture surface to a propane flame may increase wettability more than 1200% via the deposition of ionic combustion products. Previously nonadherent mouse spinal cord cells will adhere to and differentiate morphologically on a hydrophobic surface after flaming. Central nervous system cells remain adhered to flamed surfaces for periods of 2 mo. or longer and demonstrate spontaneous electrical activity during that time. Secondary modification of a flamed surface with polylysine further enhances the strength of single cell adhesion, thereby retarding mobility and promoting neurite extension. Flaming also enhances the wettability of common culture materials such as glass and polystyrene, as well as metal. Flaming of hydrophobic substrates through masks permits creation of discrete adhesion islands and patterns which may be used for a variety of investigations requiring maintenance of different cell types in separate regions of a culture surface.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Self-assembled monolayers with different terminating groups as model substrates for cell adhesion studies.

Cell shapes induced by cell-substratum interactions are linked with proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis of cells. To clarify the relevance of specific surface characteristics, we applied self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of alkyl silanes exhibiting a variety of terminating functional groups. We first characterised the SAMs on glass or silicon wafers by measuring wettability, layer thickness and roughness. Water contact angle data revealed that methyl (CH(3)), bromine (Br), and vinyl (CH=CH(2)) groups lead to hydrophobic surfaces, while amine (NH(2)) and carboxyl (COOH) functions lead to moderately wettable surfaces, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hydroxyl (OH) groups created wettable substrata. The surfaces were found to be molecular smooth except for one type of NH(2) surface. The SDS-PAGE analysis of proteins adsorbed from bovine serum to the SAMs showed less protein adsorption to PEG and OH than to CH(3), NH(2) and COOH. Immunoblotting revealed that a key component of adsorbed proteins is vitronectin while fibronectin was not detectable. The interaction of human fibroblasts with CH(3), PEG and OH terminated SAMs was similarly weak while strong attachment, spreading, fibronectin matrix formation and growth were observed on COOH and NH(2). The strong interaction of fibroblasts with the latter SAMs was linked to an enhanced activity of integrins as observed after antibody-tagging of living cells.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Use of silicone hydrogel material for daily wear.

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses were initially developed to optimise oxygen transmissibility for extended wear use. The concerns with such contact lenses have been their higher elastomeric and hydrophobic characteristics associated with the incorporation of silicone type monomers. The use of silicone hydrogel has most recently been suggested for daily wear to eliminate all hypoxic related problems. The primary aim of the investigation was to test in vivo wetting performance and subjective acceptance of the first silicone hydrogel contact lens developed for daily wear, ACUVUE ADVANCE with HYDRACLEAR (galyfilcon A), compared to a conventional hydrogel contact lens for the same application SofLens 66 (alphafilcon A). The investigation was a randomised, subject masked bilateral cross over investigation testing of the two contact lens materials over their approved replacement periods (galyfilcon A 2 weeks and alphafilcon A 2 weeks (USA) and 4 weeks (Europe)). In all cases ReNu Multiplus lens care system was used. The investigation carried out on 24 contact lens wearers showed that: (i) in vivo wettability was superior for galyfilcon A which had a thicker lipid layer (thin layer incidence: galyfilcon A 54%; alphafilcon A 70-86%, p<0.05), a thicker aqueous layer (thick layer incidence: galyfilcon A 88%; alphafilcon A 35-64%, p<0.05) and a more stable tear film (galyfilcon A 7.8s; alphafilcon A 2 weeks 5.6s, p=0.022; 4 weeks 7.4s, p=0.276); (ii) for the intended replacement period, comfort was better with galyfilcon A (2 weeks) compared to alphafilcon A (4 weeks) at insertion (p=0.001) and, throughout the day (daytime and evening p=0.008). Contact lenses made from galyfilcon A and replaced two weekly achieved better in vivo wettability than contact lenses made from alphafilcon A and replaced either two and four weekly; the better wettability was associated with an overall better comfort for galyfilcon A.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The hydrophilization of polystyrene substrates by 172-nm vacuum ultraviolet light.

This paper describes the photochemical surface modification of polystyrene (PS) substrates using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light 172 nm in wavelength. We have particularly focused on the effects of atmospheric pressure during VUV irradiation on the obtained surface's wettability and the stability of the wettability, in addition to its chemical structure, morphology, and photooxidation rate. Samples were photoirradiated with VUV light under pressures of 10, 10(3), or 10(5) Pa. Although, in each case, the originally hydrophobic PS surface became highly hydrophilic, the final water-contact angle and photooxidation rate depended on the atmospheric pressure. The samples treated at 10 Pa were less wettable than those prepared at 10(3) and 10(5) Pa due to the shortage of oxygen molecules in the atmosphere. The minimum water-contact angles of the samples treated at 10, 10(3), and 10(5) Pa were about 8 degrees, 0 degrees, and 0 degrees, respectively. With the samples prepared at 10 and 10(3) Pa, photooxidation reactions proceeded in the topmost region closest to the surface, while at 10(5) Pa photooxidation was found to be greatly enhanced in the deeper regions, as evidenced by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photoetching rates were determined through atomic force microscope observation of microstructured PS samples prepared by a simple mesh-contact method. As estimated from AFM images of the latticed microstructures obtained, the rates of samples prepared at 10(3) and 10(5) Pa were about 1.5 and 1.3 nm/min, respectively. However, no photoetched features were observable on the sample surface prepared at 10 Pa. Hydrophilic stability also varied greatly depending on atmospheric pressure. The hydrophilicity of samples treated at 10 and 10(3) Pa gradually decreased as they were exposed to air. On the other hand, the sample surface prepared at 10(5) Pa showed excellent hydrophilicity even after being left in air for 30 days.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Self-assembly of amino-functionalized monolayers on silicon surfaces and preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces based on alkanoic acid dual layers and surface roughening.

Reproducibly smooth amino-functionalized surfaces were obtained by deposition of aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) at the vapor/solid interface. Characteristics of these amino-functionalized surfaces were evaluated based on atomic force microscopy, water contact angle measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that APTMS modified surfaces are very homogeneous and the chemical reactivity of modified surfaces can be ensured with high free amino content. Furthermore, for the purpose of tailoring the wettability of silicon surface, dual self-assembled films were achieved by performing reaction between amino-functionalized surface and n-alkanoic acids with different chain length. The wettability of the self-assembled films can be adjusted with altering the hydrocarbon chain length of alkanoic acids. Moreover, cooperation of dual self-assembled films with surface roughening, superhydrophobic surfaces with CA larger than 153 degrees were obtained. Thus, the wettability of modified surfaces can be altered greatly with changing hydrocarbon chain length of self-assembled films.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Surface characterization of poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) microspheres prepared by a solvent evaporation/extraction process.

This work constitutes the first attempt to characterize the wettability of poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) (PAHA) microspheres in situ, prepared according to a complex process involving emulsification, solvent evaporation, washing and freeze-drying. The analysis of the flotation profile of the microspheres has allowed us to determine both advancing and receding contact angles at the microsphere/air/water interface and furnished information on the organization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) at the surface of the PAHA coating. By the comparison of contact angles measured from model surfaces obtained by sampling pure PAHA, PVA, BSA and mixed PVA/PAHA monolayers on glass and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates, it was concluded that the emulsifier (PVA or BSA) was strongly anchored to the surfaces of the microspheres. The use of BSA to formulate the microspheres from a single oil-in-water emulsion led to dry particles having a hydrophobic surface. The unfolding of the hydrophilic segments of the BSA embedded at the surface of the microspheres, following immersion in water, increased the wettability of the microspheres by water. The same qualitative results were obtained when PVA was used to stabilize single emulsions. On the other hand, microspheres formulated from a double water-in-oil-in-water emulsion displayed no modifications of their wettability when immersed in water. This can be explained by the absence of mobility of the hydrophilic segments of the emulsifier which are blocked in the surface or at the subsurface of the polymer matrix.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of maleic acid/anhydride copolymer films by low-rate dynamic liquid-fluid contact angle measurements using axisymmetric drop shape analysis.

Thin films of alternating maleic acid/anhydride copolymers (poly(octadecene-alt-maleic acid/anhydride), POMA; poly(propene-alt-maleic acid/anhydride), PPMA; poly(styrene-alt-maleic acid/anhydride), PSMA) were studied to unravel the influence of the comonomer characteristics in the backbone on the surface-energetic properties of the copolymer films in the dry state and in contact with aqueous solutions. Water contact angle measurements revealed a graduation of the wettability of the dry hydrolyzed and annealed copolymer films that was dependent on the comonomer unit. It ranged from moderately hydrophilic (PPMA, annealed gamma(sv) = 39.9 mJ/m2) to very hydrophobic (POMA, annealed, gamma(sv) = 18.4 mJ/m2) surfaces. Liquid-fluid contact angle measurements using captive air bubbles were performed in different aqueous media (pure water, phosphate-buffered saline, and 10(-)(3) M KCl of two different pH values (pH = 3 and pH = 10) to study the copolymer films in their hydrated states relevant for biointerfacial phenomena. It was found that the graduation of the wettability of the copolymer films in the dry state is overall maintained upon immersion in aqueous solutions. The dependence of the wettability on the pH value of the aqueous medium could be related to the (de)protonation of the carboxylic groups.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxicity studies of microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kenyae in rats, rabbits, and fish.

Bacillus thuringiensis var. kenyae (B.t.k.) is a microbial insecticide effective against lepidopteran pest species. Acute oral toxicity in rats and acute dermal toxicity, ocular irritation, skin irritation in rabbits were studied for the wettable powder formulation of B.t.k. In addition, toxicity of the wettable powder formulation was also studied in fresh water fish (Gambussia affinis). The results of these studies indicate that this wettable powder formulation of B.t.k. is nontoxic and nonirritant to rats, rabbits, and fish.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2000

Influence of surfactants in aqueous-based polymeric dispersions on the thermomechanical and adhesive properties of acrylic films.

Good adhesion between a polymeric film and the surface of a solid substrate is critical to the performance of coated pharmaceutical products. Previous research has shown that tablet wettability by an organic-based cellulosic solution could predict the extent of film-tablet adhesion. Using an aqueous-based acrylic polymeric dispersion, the current study investigated the relationship between film adhesion and tablet wettability. Up to 10% (w/w based on dry polymer weight) polysorbate 80 or sorbitan monooleate was incorporated into the film-coating formulations. While the contact angle between the polymeric dispersion and the tablet surface was dependent on the type and concentration of surfactants added to the coating formulation, no correlation between tablet wettability and polymer adhesion could be established. The addition of surfactants to formulations containing the hydrophobic plasticizer tributyl citrate (TBC) caused lowering of the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Increased force of adhesion, elongation at adhesive failure, and adhesive toughness, however, were noted only in the TBC-plasticized films containing polysorbate 80. These findings demonstrate that our understanding of the mechanisms involved in film-tablet adhesion is still quite limited.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Some physicochemical properties of mefenamic acid.

Mefenamic acid is a problematic drug in granulation, tableting, and dissolution due to its poor solubility, hydrophobicity, and tendency to stick to surfaces. In most cases, the specifications of a drug by the pharmacopoeia include identification and purity, but they do not describe the physicochemical drug properties precisely. To characterize the mefenamic acid particle size, surface area measurements, X-ray pattern, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wettability, crystal habit, and compression behavior of different batches from two manufacturers were investigated. Due to larger particle size and better wettability, mefenamic acid of Il Yang type was easier to handle in a granulation process. The compression behavior of both types was nearly the same, although particle size, crystal habit, and wettability were very different.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1997

Efficacy of a dehydrated steinernematid nematode against black cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

We compared the ability of in vitro-produced, commercially formulated with in vivo-produced, nonformulated Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) Poinar. All strain to infect and kill larvae of black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), and diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). In vitro-produced nematodes formulated in wettable dispersible granules, which were stored dry, were rehydrated in water for 0-72 h before application. Against black cutworms, the efficacy of nematodes was (from most to least effective): in vivo > in vitro rehydrated for 72 h > in vitro rehydrated for 48 h > in vitro rehydrated for 24 h > dehydrated (0 h). Nematodes rehydrated for 72 h in water or moist soil were equally effective against black cutworm larvae, and both were significantly more effective than nematodes without rehydration. These results indicated that nematodes in the wettable dispersible granule formulation required time to rehydrate in the soil before infecting black cutworm larvae. Nematode treatments described above were applied to radish plants held at 100 or 75% RH and tested against diamondback moth larvae. At 100% RH, nematode efficacy was (from most to least effective): in vitro rehydrated for 72 h > in vivo > in vitro rehydrated 48 h > in vitro rehydrated 24 h > dehydrated (0 h). The efficacy of all treatments was lower at 75% than at 100% RH, and the ranking of in vivo and in vitro nematodes rehydrated for 72 h was reversed. The nematodes in the wettable dispersible granule formulation were effective for foliar treatments when humidity was high and nematodes were rehydrated for at least 48 h before application. The data show that nematode infectivity was reduced unless nematodes were rehydrated.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Mucin balls with wear of conventional and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare the frequency of mucin balls in subjects wearing conventional and high-Dk silicone hydrogel lenses during 12 months of extended-wear and to determine whether mucin balls are associated with any lens or subject characteristics. METHODS: This study used data from a clinical trial where subjects wore either conventional hydrogel (N = 69, 6-night extended-wear) or silicone hydrogel (N = 70, 30-night extended-wear) contact lenses for 12 months. The number of mucin balls and other physiological responses, lens fit and performance, and subjective patient responses to lens wear were rated at each scheduled visit. RESULTS: Subjects in the silicone hydrogel group had significantly greater numbers of mucin balls compared with subjects in the conventional hydrogel group over time (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the percentage of subjects with mucin balls between the two groups. Increasing lens wettability, back surface deposits, and time of lens wear were associated with higher numbers of mucin balls in the conventional hydrogel group (p < 0.05); steeper corneal curvature and increasing lens wettability, back surface deposits, and number of microcysts were associated with higher numbers of mucin balls in the silicone hydrogel group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a subset of the population is predisposed to develop mucin balls irrespective of the soft contact lens type worn, but lens type influences the degree of mucin ball formation. The relationship between lens wettability, back surface deposits, and steeper corneal curvature with mucin balls supports the hypothesis that the mechanical interaction of a lens with the surface layer of the epithelium and the tear film in association with the blinking forces of the lid is involved in mucin ball formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effects of autoclave sterilization on the physical properties of storage bags and granulocyte function.

Autoclave sterilization altered the leaching of plasticizer, CO2 gas permeability, surface area and the surface wettability of bag films. These changes affected granulocyte cell counts and functions during storage. Four types of polyvinyl chloride bags, with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) or tri-(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate (TOTM) as plasticizer, with or without treatment by glow discharge (H2), were sterilized with ethylene oxide (EO) or autoclaving (AC). The greatest amounts of plasticizer leached from DEHP-EO bags. TOTM plasticizer did not leach into plasma. CO2 gas permeability was greater with TOTM than DEHP. AC sterilization decreased the surface area of bags. Wettability of film surfaces was greatest with H2-TOTM-EO. After storage in these bags for 24 and 48 h at 22 degrees C, the granulocyte cell counts and functions were greatest in H2-TOTM-EO bags with the nonleaching plasticizer, higher CO2 gas permeability and higher wettable surface due to glow-discharge treatment. The H2-TOTM-EO bag was useful as a granulocyte storage container.

Benzoates↗
PubMed2002

Interaction of human chondrocytes and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts on chloric acid-treated biodegradable polymer surfaces.

It has been recognized that adhesion and proliferation of cells on biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) depend on the surface properties. The chloric acid (CA) treatment of these films was developed to increase surface wettability and to improve adhesion and proliferation of human chondrocytes and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. The CA-treated films were characterized by the measurement of water contact angle, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The changes of the film surface water contact angle gradually decreased with increase of CA treatment time, owing to the oxygen-based functional groups incorporated on the surface by CA treatment and were in the order PGA > PLGA > PLA due to the number of methyl group on the backbone chain. In ESCA analysis, as CA treatment time increased, the carbon (binding energy, approximately 285 eV) ratio decreased in film surfaces, whereas the oxygen (approximately 532 eV) ratio increased. The human chondrocytes from articular cartilage and mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblasts adhered for 1 day and grown for 2 days on the CA-treated films were counted and observed by SEM. As the surface wettability increased, the number of cells adhered and grown on the surface increased. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the surface wettability of the biodegradable polymer plays an important role for cell adhesion and proliferation behavior for the application of the tissue engineering.

3T3 Cells↗