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Preferential enrichment: significant influence of minor molecular modification on the mode of polymorphic transition during crystallization.

The relationship between the molecular structure and the occurrence of Preferential Enrichment, an unusually symmetry-breaking enantiomeric resolution phenomenon observed upon simple recrystallization of a certain kind of racemic crystals from organic solvents, has been investigated with respect to a new series of racemic ammonium sulfonate compounds. Racemic [2-[4-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenylcarbamoyl]ethyl]trimethylammonium p-iodobenzenesulfonate [(+/-)-1a] can show preferential enrichment by simple recrystallization from EtOH, whereas its terminal methoxy and propoxy derivatives [(+/-)-1b and (+/-)-1c] are unable to do so. The influence of such a minor molecular modification on Preferential Enrichment has been rationalized in terms of the change of the mode of polymorphic transition during crystallization, which has been confirmed by in situ ATR-FTIR (ReactIR) spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state and by X-ray crystallographic analysis of their single crystals.

Journal Article↗

Effects of polymer architecture and composition on the adhesion of poly(tetrafluoroethylene).

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate), PGMA, chains in linear and arborescent structures were incorporated onto surfaces of poly(tetrafluoroethylene), PTFE, films by hydrogen plasma and ozone treatment and atom transfer radical polymerization. The epoxide groups of the PGMA chains were further reacted with acetic acid (AAc), oxalic acid (XAc), allyl amine (AA), and ethylenediamine (EDN) to introduce hydroxyl and amine groups to the surfaces of the PTFE films. Surface characterizations performed by Fourier Transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the surface modification and the chemical structure. The PGMA chains in arborescent structures show a high effectiveness for the enhancement of the adhesion of PTFE films. The adhesion of PTFE films was also significantly enhanced by ring-opening reactions of the PGMA epoxide groups with acetic acid and amine compounds. A high value of 9.5 N cm(-1) in the optimum 180 degrees peel strength test was observed with PTFE/copper assemblies.

Journal Article↗

Physico-chemical characterization of nanofiltration membranes.

This study presents a methodology for an in-depth characterization of six representative commercial nanofiltration membranes. Laboratory-made polyethersulfone membranes are included for reference. Besides the physical characterization [molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), surface charge, roughness and hydrophobicity], the membranes are also studied for their chemical composition [attenuated total reflectance Fourier spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)] and porosity [positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS)]. The chemical characterization indicates that all membranes are composed of at least two different layers. The presence of an additional third layer is proved and studied for membranes with a polyamide top layer. PAS experiments, in combination with FIB (focused ion beam) images, show that these membranes also have a thinner and a less porous skin layer (upper part of the top layer). In the skin layer, two different pore sizes are observed for all commercial membranes: a pore size of 1.25-1.55 angstroms as well as a pore size of 3.20-3.95 angstroms (both depending on the membrane type). Thus, the pore size distribution in nanofiltration membranes is bimodal, in contrast to the generally accepted log-normal distribution. Although the pore sizes are rather similar for all commercial membranes, their pore volume fraction and hence their porosity differ significantly.

Journal Article↗

Histone H2AX phosphorylation induced by selective photolysis of BrdU-labeled DNA with UV light: relation to cell cycle phase.

BACKGROUND: The induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in chromatin triggers histone H2AX phosphorylation (on Ser-139) by ATM-, ATR-, or DNA-dependent protein kinases (DNA-PK). Phosphorylated H2AX, denoted as gammaH2AX, can be detected immunocytochemically using an antibody that is specific to the Ser-139-phosphorylated epitope. We previously reported that the induction DSBs by DNA topoisomerase I or II inhibitors can be monitored in individual cells by measuring gammaH2AX immunofluorescence (IF) by cytometry. The present study explored whether the detection of gammaH2AX IF can serve as a marker of the presence of the DNA precursor bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) that is incorporated into DNA. METHODS: HeLa cells growing on microscope slides were incubated with BrdU for 1 h, rinsed free of the precursor, and incubated for different periods for up to 12 h. The cells were then briefly incubated with Hoechst 33342 (to sensitize BrdU-labeled DNA to ultraviolet [UV] light), irradiated with 300 nm UV light to photolyze BrdU-labeled DNA, transferred back into culture for an additional hour, and fixed. Cells were concurrently immunostained for gammaH2AX (Alexa Fluor 633) and cyclin A (fluorescein isothiocyanate); their DNA was counterstained with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The intensities of cellular far red (gammaH2AX), green (cyclin A), and blue (DNA) fluorescences were measured by laser scanning cytometry. RESULTS: After a 1-h pulse of BrdU followed by exposure to UV, nearly all cells with S-phase DNA content had many-fold higher gammaH2AX IF than G(1) or G(2)/M cells. The nonirradiated cells had minimal ("programmed") expression of gammaH2AX, whereas the irradiated cells incubated without BrdU had uniformly elevated levels of gammaH2AX IF independent of the cell cycle phase. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the cohort of BrdU-labeled (gammaH2AX-positive) cells progressed through G(2)/M and into G(1) phase after 8 and 12 h of growth in BrdU-free medium, respectively. Bivariate analysis of gammaH2AX versus cyclin A expression for the gated S-phase cells showed a correlation between these variables, suggesting that the rate of BrdU incorporation (DNA replication) correlates with expression of cyclin A. CONCLUSIONS: Photolysis of BrdU-labeled DNA induces DSBs and leads to H2AX phosphorylation. Detection of gammaH2AX IF indicates the presence of the incorporated BrdU, is compatible with concurrent detection of other intracellular antigens, and can be used to demonstrate cell cycle kinetics.

Benzimidazoles↗

Effects of hydroxyurea and aphidicolin on phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated on Ser 1981 and histone H2AX on Ser 139 in relation to cell cycle phase and induction of apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: DNA replication stress often induces DNA damage. The antitumor drug hydroxyurea (HU), a potent inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase that halts DNA replication through its effects on cellular deoxynucleotide pools, was shown to damage DNA inducing double-strand breaks (DSBs). Aphidicolin (APH), an inhibitor of alpha-like DNA polymerases, was also reported to cause DNA damage, but the evidence for induction of DSBs by APH is not straightforward. Histone H2AX is phosphorylated on Ser 139 in response to DSBs and one of the protein kinases that phosphorylate H2AX is ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM); activation of ATM is through its phosphorylation of Ser 1981. The present study was undertaken to reveal whether H2AX is phosphorylated in cells exposed to HU or APH and whether its phosphorylation is mediated by ATM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HL-60 cells were treated in cultures with 0.1-5.0 mM HU or 1-4 muM APH for up to 5 h. Activation of ATM and H2AX phosphorylation was detected immunocytochemically using Ab specific to Ser1981-ATM or Ser 139-H2AX epitopes, respectively, concurrent with measurement of cellular DNA content. RESULTS: While exposure of cells to HU led to H2AX phosphorylation selectively during S phase and the cells progressing through the early portion of S (DI = 1.1-1.4) were more affected than late-S phase (DI = 1.6-1.9) cells, ATM was not activated by HU. In fact, the level of constitutive ("programmed") ATM phosphorylation was distinctly suppressed, in all phases of the cell cycle, at 0.1-5.0 mM HU. Cells' exposure to APH also resulted in H2AX phosphorylation at Ser139 with no evidence of ATM activation, and as in the case of HU, the early-S cells were more affected than the late-S phase cells. The rise in frequency of apoptotic cells became apparent after 2 h of exposure to HU or APH, and all apoptotic cells had markedly elevated levels of both H2AX-Ser139 and ATM-Ser1981 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of correlation between H2AX phosphorylation and ATM activation indicates that protein kinase(s) other than ATM (ATR and/or DNA-dependent protein kinase) are activated by DSBs induced by replication stress. Interestingly, HU inhibits the constitutive ("programmed") level of ATM phosphorylation in untreated cells. However, DNA fragmentation during apoptosis activates ATM and dramatically increases level of H2AX phosphorylation.

Aphidicolin↗

Phosphorylation of Artemis following irradiation-induced DNA damage.

Artemis is a DNA repair factor required for V(D)J recombination, repair of DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation (IR) or radiomimetic drugs, and the maintenance of genome integrity. During V(D)J recombination, Artemis participates in the resolution of hairpin-sealed coding ends, a step crucial to the constitution of the gene encoding for the antigen receptor of lymphocytes. The precise role of Artemis in the repair of IR-induced DNA damage remains to be elucidated. Here we show that Artemis is constitutively phosphorylated in cultured cells and undergoes additional phosphorylation events after irradiation. The IR-induced phosphorylation is mainly, although not solely, dependent on Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated kinase (ATM). The physiological role of these phosphorylation events remains unknown, as in vitro-generated Artemis mutants, which present impaired IR-induced phosphorylation, still display an activity sufficient to complement the V(D)J recombination defect and the increased radiosensibility of Artemis-deficient cells. Thus, Artemis is an effector of DNA repair that can be phosphorylated by ATM, and possibly by DNA-PKcs and ATR depending upon the type of DNA damage.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Ultraviolet sealing and poly(dimethylacrylamide) modification for poly(dimethylsiloxane)/glass microchips.

Simple sealing methods for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/glass-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) microchips by UV irradiation are described. Further, we examined the possibility to modify the inner surface of separation channels, using polymethylacrylamide (PDMA) as a dynamic coating reagent. The surface properties of native PDMS, UV-irradiated PDMS, and PDMA-coated PDMS were systematically studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared absorption by attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, and contact angle measurement. We found that PDMA forms a stable coating on PDMS and glass surfaces, eliminating the nonhomogeneous electroosmotic flow (EOF) in channels on PDMS/glass microchips, and improving the hydrophilicity of PDMS surfaces. Mixtures of flavin mononucleotide (FMN), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and fluorescein were separated in 35 s using PDMA-coated PDMS/glass microchips. A high efficiency of theoretical plates with at least 1365 (105 000 N/m) and a good reproducibility with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 4% in five successive separations were achieved.

Acrylamides↗

Proteomics study of anthrax lethal toxin-treated murine macrophages.

The anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx) is composed of two proteins, protective antigen and lethal factor, which bind and enter the cell through a host receptor termed the anthrax toxin receptor (ATR). In the cell, LeTx targets p38, part of the MAP kinase signaling pathway. The toxin appears to initiate an apoptotic pathway in infected cells, indicating additional downstream targets of the toxin. We have applied a proteomics approach to investigate these downstream targets and the affected processes. In this study we have used an improved strategy for fractionation based on protein pI, off-gel electrophoresis, employed in conjunction with relative quantitation using the mass labeling approach. In our survey, 67 proteins were observed and quantified from the cytosol of RAW 264.7 cells with respect to control versus toxin-treated cells. Many of these proteins are involved in the oxidative stress response, as well as apoptosis, and thus likely to be relevant to the effects of anthrax in infected cells. Our results indicate that the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated pathway is compromised in intoxicated cells. The knowledge of such changes and the pathways leading to the changes should be of great value in understanding and combating this disease.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide and p53 in cancer-prone chronic inflammation and oxyradical overload disease.

Nitric oxide (NO(.)), which is generated under chronic inflammatory conditions that predispose individuals to cancer, has paradoxical effects. NO(.) can activate p53, which can result in anti-carcinogenic effects, or it can be mutagenic and increase cancer risk. We explored the mechanisms by which NO(.) induced p53 activation in vitro and found that NO(.) induced p53 accumulation and phosphorylation, particularly at ser-15, via ATM and ATR kinases, which then led to cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M. We next examined proteins in these pathways in both inflamed and normal human colon tissue. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels and p53-P-ser15 levels were positively correlated with the degree of inflammation and with each other. Additionally, the p53 targets, HDM-2 and p21 (WAF1), were present in ulcerative colitis (UC) colon, but undetectable in normal colon, consistent with activated p53. We also found higher p53 mutant frequencies of both G:C --> A:T transitions at the CpG site of codon 248 and C:G --> T:A transitions at codon 247 in lesional colon tissue from UC cases versus nonlesional tissue from these cases or colon tissue from normal adult controls. Consistent with nitrosative stress and the deamination of 5-methylcytosine, p53 mutations were also detected in sporadic colon cancer tissue and were associated with iNOS activity in these tissues. These studies identified a potential mechanistic link between NO(.) and p53 in UC and sporadic colon cancer.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗

Phosphonated polyurethanes that resist calcification.

Cardiovascular implant mineralization involving bioprosthetic materials, such as glutaraldehyde cross linked porcine aortic valves or synthetic materials such as polyurethanes, is an important problem that frequently leads to clinical failure of bioprosthetic heart valves, and complicates long-term experimental artificial heart device implants. Novel, proprietary, calcification resistant polyetherurethanes (PEU) as an alternative to bioprosthetic materials were the subject of these investigations. A series of PEU was derivatized through a proprietary reaction mechanism to achieve covalent binding of 100 to 500 nM/mg of bisphosphonate (2-hydroxyethane bisphosphonic acid, HEBP). The stability of HEBP (physically dispersed or covalently bound) verified by studying the release kinetics in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C, demonstrated the covalent binding reaction to be stable, efficient, and permanent. Surface (FTIR-ATR, ESCA, SEM/EDX) and bulk (solubility, GPC) properties demonstrated that the covalent binding of HEBP occurs in the soft segment of the PEU, reduces surface degradation, and does not affect the original material properties of the PEU (prior to derivatization). In vitro calcium diffusion of the derivatized PEU showed a decrease in calcium permeation as the concentration of HEBP covalent binding was increased. In vivo properties of underivatized and derivatized PEU (containing 100 nM of covalently bound HEBP) were studied with rat subdermal implants for 60 days. Explants demonstrated calcification resistance due to the covalently bound HEBP without any side effects. It is concluded that a PEU containing HEBP might serve as a calcification resistant candidate material for the fabrication of a heart valve prosthesis and other implantable devices.

Animals↗

A new vascular prosthesis coated with polyamino-acid urethane copolymer (PAU) to enhance endothelialization.

Clinically available synthetic ePTFE vascular grafts frequently fail when used for small-diameter arterial substitution. The lower long-term patency of ePTFE grafts is due mainly to thrombogenicity and poor healing. We developed a new small-diameter (1.5-mm) ePTFE vascular prosthesis coated with polyamino-acid urethane copolymer (PAU) to enhance endothelialization. Coating with PAU made the hydrophobic ePTFE vascular graft hydrophilic. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that PAU was homogeneously coated on the ePTFE graft while maintaining the graft's porous structure. Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectra showed PAU was present on graft inner surfaces. Noncoated and PAU-coated ePTFE vascular grafts were implanted into the rat abdominal aorta and evaluated within 1 week and at 8 weeks after implantation. We evaluated the extent of neoendothelialization by SEM, light microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining. Noncoated grafts showed partial endothelialization at proximal and distal areas of grafts but none at midsection. One-percent PAU-coated grafts showed incomplete neoendothelialization, but endothelial cells were observed in the midsection of grafts. Three-percent PAU-coated ePTFE grafts showed complete endothelialization with typical endothelial cell layers under SEM and histologic observation. Immunohistochemical staining also showed that an endothelial cell lining positively reacted with anti-von Willebrand factor (endothelial cell marker) antibody. We conclude that PAU-coated ePTFE vascular grafts enhance endothelialization.

Amino Acids↗

Adsorbed poly(ethyleneoxide)-poly(propyleneoxide) copolymers on synthetic surfaces: spectroscopy and microscopy of polymer structures and effects on adhesion of skin-borne bacteria.

Poly(ethyleneoxide)-copoly(propyleneoxide) (PEO-PPO) polymer coatings were evaluated for their resistance to the attachment of the marker organism Serratia marcescens and the skin-borne bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis. The copolymers were adsorbed onto poly(styrene) films-chosen as simplified physicochemical models of skin surfaces-and their surface characteristics probed by contact angle goniometry, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These functional surfaces were then presented to microbial cultures, bacterial attachment was assessed by fluorescence microscopy and AFM, and the structures of the polymer films examined again spectroscopically. Surface characterization data suggest that the adsorbed copolymer was partially retained at the surface and resisted bacterial attachment for 24 h. Quantitative evaluation of cell attachment was carried out by scintillation counting of (14)C-labeled microorganisms in conjunction with plate counts. The results show that a densely packed layer of PEO-PPO copolymer can reduce attachment of skin commensals by an order of magnitude, even when the coating is applied by a simple adsorptive process. The work supports the hypothesis that adhesion of microorganisms to biological substrates can be reduced if a pretreatment with an appropriate copolymer can be effected in vivo.

Adsorption↗

Blends of stearyl poly(ethylene oxide) coupling-polymer in chitosan as coating materials for polyurethane intravascular catheters.

To optimize the surface biocompatibility of the intravascular catheter, an amphiphilic coupling-polymer of stearyl poly (ethylene oxide) -co- 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-co- stearyl poly (ethylene oxide), for short MSPEO, was specially designed as the surface modifying additive (SMA). The blend of MSPEO in chitosan was coated on the outer wall of the catheters by the dip-coating method. The surface analysis was carried out by ATR-FTIR and contact angle measurements. The surface enrichment of MSPEO was confirmed. On the water interface, the larger the molecular weight of PEO was, the higher the surface enrichment. While on air interface, the case was the contrary. Three kinds of static test of clotting time, plasma recalcification time (PRT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT), as well as the static platelet adhesion experiment were carried out. The results indicated that the coated surface could resist the clotting effectively. In order to test the blood-compatibility of the coated catheters under a shear of blood flow, the dynamic experiment was performed through a closed-loop tubular system with the shear rate of 1500 s(-1). The results of blood regular testing at six different times (0, 5,10, 20, 30, and 60 min) indicated that the biocompatibility of the coating was nearly ideal. Finally, the SMA-MSPEO was proved to be non-chronic-toxic by animal experiments with rats and suitable as a coating material for clinical use.

Animals↗

Immobilization of natural macromolecules on poly-L-lactic acid membrane surface in order to improve its cytocompatibility.

With the use of a grafting-coating method, three kinds of natural macromolecules, that is, gelatin, collagen, or chitosan, were immobilized on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) membrane surfaces with the goal of improving of cellular interactions. Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and surface morphology analysis using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the natural macromolecule layers adhered tightly to the hydrophobic PLLA membrane surfaces. Chondrocyte culture showed that the modified PLLA membranes had higher cell attachment, higher cell proliferation rate, and higher cell activity than the control PLLA membrane. Moreover, the chondrocytes were more spread out on the modified PLLA membranes than on the control PLLA membranes.

Animals↗

Interactions between segmented polyurethane surfaces and the plasma protein fibrinogen.

Surfaces of a segmented polyurethane were varied by casting on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and glass substrates, and were characterized through infrared-attenuated total-reflection spectroscopy (ATR). Surfaces cast on glass substrates showed a higher content of polyether segments, whereas those cast on PET contained a higher relative concentration of aromatic segments. Adsorption, and possible conformational changes of fibrinogen, were found to be more substantial on polymer surfaces having a higher content of polyether segments. It is concluded that the relatively good blood compatibility of segmented polyurethanes is partly due to the presence of peptide-like bonds on aromatic segments.

Adsorption↗

Blood-surface interactions: Fourier transform infrared studies of protein surface adsorption from flowing blood plasma and serum.

The adsorption of blood proteins onto various surfaces in contact with flowing blood plasma or serum has been investigated using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) coupled with attenuated total reflection (ATR). Comparison of adsorption from a static versus a flowing blood plasma system indicated that a greater amount of protein was adsorbed when the static system was employed, but desorption was observed with the static system and not in the flowing system. When plasma and serum were compared in terms of amount and type of protein adsorbed, little difference was noted in either kinetics of adsorption or stability of the adosrbed layers. Variations in the ratios of infrared adsorption bands (from either plasma or serum) indicate that changes occur during the adsorption process in the protein layers. A comparison of poly(vinyl chloride) to germanium as the protein adsorbing surface in the static system showed differences in terms of the composition of the adsorbed layers.

Adsorption↗

Characterization of plasma polymerized silicone coatings useful as biomaterials.

Plasma polymerization techniques were used to deposit a layer of filler-free silicone rubber on a variety of substrate materials. The thickness of the deposited film was 0.5-0.8 micron. As it is the surface of the biomaterial that comes in direct contact with the body fluids, the surface of the biomaterial is of paramount importance. In this study, the plasma polymerized biomaterials were characterized. Thus, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed the surfaces to be smooth. To study the surface layer of the deposited polymer, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry in the attenuated total reflection (ATR) mode was used. The deposited material was indeed silicone polymer with adsorption bands at 1262, 1020, and 802 cm-1 for the Si-CH3 bending, Si-0-Si stretching, and Si-CH3 bending, respectively. To find the bonding nature of the polymer, electron spectrometry for chemical analysis (ESCA) was used. The silicone polymer was shown to be highly cross-linked. To find the molecular weight between cross-links, swelling studies were done. Thus the results of the study show that the plasma polymerization could produce a filler-free silicone layer on a variety of substrate materials.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Ex vivo interactions and surface property relationships of polyetherurethanes.

Despite the use of polyurethanes in a number of blood-contacting applications, little is known about the contributing effects of the various polyurethane components in thrombogenesis. In order to investigate blood-polyurethane interactions, a number of different polyurethanes were examined in an acute canine ex vivo series shunt experiment. Multiprobe surface characterization techniques, including contact angle measurements, ESCA, ATR-IR, and SEM were used to obtain surface property information on the materials studied. The polyurethanes examined included several with different soft segment types, a series of materials with different hard segment diisocyanates and chain extenders, a series consisting of the same polymer cast from different solvents, a zwitterionomer, and a hard segment analog. Two commercial urethanes were also examined, and the effect of methanol extraction on these materials was studied. The blood-contact and surface characterization results indicated that both the surface concentration and type of hard segment were of importance in determining blood response. The relative concentration of hard segment on the polymer surface was found to affect the observed blood-material interaction, although the extent of this effect was found to depend on the hard and soft segment components of the copolymer system. Both the surface properties and thrombogenicity of a particular polyurethane were changed by casting from different solvents, indicating the need to optimize and control fabrication conditions. Methanol extraction was found to improve the thromboresistance of the commercial polyurethanes.

Animals↗