Stem Cells on Biomaterials for Synthetic Grafts to Promote Vascular Healing

This review is divided into two interconnected parts, namely a biological and a chemical one. The focus of the first part is on the biological background for constructing tissue-engineered vascular grafts to promote vascular healing. Various cell types, such as embryonic, mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells, progenitor cells and endothelial- and smooth muscle cells will be discussed with respect to their specific markers. The in vitro and in vivo models and their potential to treat vascular diseases are also introduced. The chemical part focuses on strategies using either artificial or natural polymers for scaffold fabrication, including decellularized cardiovascular tissue. An overview will be given on scaffold fabrication including conventional methods and nanotechnologies. Special attention is given to 3D network formation via different chemical and physical cross-linking methods. In particular, electron beam treatment is introduced as a method to combine 3D network formation and surface modification. The review includes recently published scientific data and patents which have been registered within the last decade.

DNA origami deposition on native and passivated molybdenum disulfide substrates

Maintaining the structural fidelity of DNA origami structures on substrates is a prerequisite for the successful fabrication of hybrid DNA origami/semiconductor-based biomedical sensor devices. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is an ideal substrate for such future sensors due to its exceptional electrical, mechanical and structural properties. In this work, we performed the first investigations into the interaction of DNA origami with the MoS₂ surface. In contrast to the structure-preserving interaction of DNA origami with mica, another atomically flat surface, it was observed that DNA origami structures rapidly lose their structural integrity upon interaction with MoS₂. In a further series of studies, pyrene and 1-pyrenemethylamine, were evaluated as surface modifications which might mitigate this effect. While both species were found to form adsorption layers on MoS₂ via physisorption, 1-pyrenemethylamine serves as a better protective agent and preserves the structures for significantly longer times. These findings will be beneficial for the fabrication of future DNA origami/MoS₂ hybrid electronic structures.

In situ Surface Tailoring with Zwitterionic Carboxybetaine Moieties on Self-Assembled Thin Film for Antifouling Biointerfaces

A novel biointerface bearing zwitterionic carboxybetaine moieties was developed for effective resistance to nonspecific adsorption of proteins and blood cells. Self-assembled thin films (SAFs) of (N,N-dimethylaminopropyl) trimethoxysilane were formed as mattress layers by either vapor or solution deposition. Subsequently, the tertiary amine head groups on SAFs were reacted with β-propiolactone to give zwitterionic carboxybetaine moieties via in situ synthesis. The optimal reaction time of 8 h for both preparation methods was verified by static contact angle measurements. According to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, 67.3% of amine groups on SAFs prepared from the vapor deposition was converted to the zwitterionic structures after reaction of β-propiolactone. The antifouling properties of the zwitterionic biointerfaces were quantitatively evaluated in the presence of protein solutions using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, showing a great improvement by factors of 6.5 and 20.2 from tertiary amine SAFs and bare SiO₂ surfaces, respectively. More importantly, the zwitterionic SAFs were brought to contact with undiluted human blood in chaotic-mixer microfluidic systems; the results present their capability to effectively repel blood cell adhesion. Accordingly, in this work, development of carboxybetaine SAFs offers a facile yet effective strategy to fabricate biocompatible biointerfaces for a variety of potential applications in surface coatings for medical devices.

Microconical silicon structures influence NGF-induced PC12 cell morphology

Micro-and nanofabrication techniques provide the opportunity to develop new types of cell culture platform, where the effect of various topographical cues on cellular functions such as proliferation and differentiation can be studied. In this study, PC12 cells were cultured on patterned silicon (Si) surfaces comprising arrays of microcones (MCs) exhibiting different geometrical characteristics and surface chemistries. It was illustrated that, in the absence of nerve growth factor (NGF), PC12 cells increased proliferation on all types of patterned surface, as compared to flat Si surfaces. However, in the presence of NGF, PC12 cells showed different responses, depending on the plating surface. Unlike low and intermediate rough MC surfaces, highly rough ones exhibiting large distances between MCs did not support PC12 cell differentiation, independently of the MCs' chemical coatings. These results suggest that the geometrical characteristics of MCs alone can influence specific cellular functions. Tailoring of the physical properties of arrays of Si MCs in order to identify which combinations of MC topologies and spatially defined chemistries are capable of driving specific cellular responses is envisaged.

Surface modification of graphene nanopores for protein translocation

Studies of DNA translocation through graphene nanopores have revealed their potential for DNA sequencing. Here we report a study of protein translocation through chemically modified graphene nanopores. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to cut nanopores with diameters between 5 and 20 nm in multilayer graphene prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). After oxygen plasma treatment, the dependence of the measured ionic current on salt concentration and pH was consistent with a small surface charge induced by the formation of carboxyl groups. While translocation of gold nanoparticles (10 nm) was readily detected through such treated pores of a larger diameter, translocation of the protein ferritin was not observed either for oxygen plasma treated pores, or for pores modified with mercaptohexadecanoic acid. Ferritin translocation events were reliably observed after the pores were modified with the phospholipid-PEG (DPPE-PEG750) amphiphile. The ion current signature of translocation events was complex, suggesting that a series of interactions between the protein and pores occurs during the process.

Beyond Gene Delivery: Strategies to Engineer the Surfaces of Viral Vectors

Viral vectors have been extensively studied due to their great transduction efficiency compared to non-viral vectors. These vectors have been used extensively in gene therapy, enabling the comprehension of, not only the advantages of these vectors, but also the limitations, such as the activation of the immune system after vector administration. Moreover, the need to control the target of the vector has led to the development of chemical and non-chemical modifications of the vector surface, allowing researchers to modify the tropism and biodistribution profile of the vector, leading to the production of viral vectors able to target different tissues and organs. This review describes recent non-genetic modifications of the surfaces of viral vectors to decrease immune system activation and to control tissue targeting. The developments described herein provide opportunities for applications of gene therapy to treat acquired disorders and genetic diseases and to become useful tools in regenerative medicine.

Effects of poly(ethylene glycol) grafting density on the tumor targeting efficacy of nanoparticles with ligand modification

To evaluate the effects of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafting density on the tumor targeting efficacy of nanoparticles (NPs) with ligand modification, various amounts of PEG were conjugated to linoleic acid and poly(β-malic acid) double grafted chitosan (LMC) NPs bearing similar substitution degree of folate (FA). Increased particle size, decreased surface charge, reduced contact angle, retarded drug release and suppressed protein adsorption of LMC NPs were detected after surface modification. Compared to LMC NPs, FA-modified LMC NPs (FA-LMC NPs) remarkably enhanced tumor specificity. For PEG-modified FA-LMC NPs, increased drug accumulation in tumor tissues and reduced cellular uptake were observed with the increase of PEG grafting density. In regard to in vivo antitumor efficacy, FA-LMC NPs with moderate PEG grafting density (8.9%) significantly outperformed FA-LMC NP. Therefore, PEG modification with moderate grafting density could be a promising approach to coordinating with the tumor targeting efficacy of ligand-modified NPs.

Surface Roughness and Morphology Customization of Additive Manufactured Open Porous Ti6Al4V Structures

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a production method that enables the building of porous structures with a controlled geometry. However, there is a limited control over the final surface of the product. Hence, complementary surface engineering strategies are needed. In this work, design of experiments (DoE) was used to customize post AM surface treatment for 3D selective laser melted Ti6Al4V open porous structures for bone tissue engineering. A two-level three-factor full factorial design was employed to assess the individual and interactive effects of the surface treatment duration and the concentration of the chemical etching solution on the final surface roughness and beam thickness of the treated porous structures. It was observed that the concentration of the surface treatment solution was the most important factor influencing roughness reduction. The designed beam thickness decreased the effectiveness of the surface treatment. In this case study, the optimized processing conditions for AM production and the post-AM surface treatment were defined based on the DoE output and were validated experimentally. This allowed the production of customized 3D porous structures with controlled surface roughness and overall morphological properties, which can assist in more controlled evaluation of the effect of surface roughness on various functional properties.

25th anniversary article: CVD polymers: a new paradigm for surface modification and device fabrication

Well-adhered, conformal, thin (<100 nm) coatings can easily be obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for a variety of technological applications. Room temperature modification with functional polymers can be achieved on virtually any substrate: organic, inorganic, rigid, flexible, planar, three-dimensional, dense, or porous. In CVD polymerization, the monomer(s) are delivered to the surface through the vapor phase and then undergo simultaneous polymerization and thin film formation. By eliminating the need to dissolve macromolecules, CVD enables insoluble polymers to be coated and prevents solvent damage to the substrate. CVD film growth proceeds from the substrate up, allowing for interfacial engineering, real-time monitoring, and thickness control. Initiated-CVD shows successful results in terms of rationally designed micro- and nanoengineered materials to control molecular interactions at material surfaces. The success of oxidative-CVD is mainly demonstrated for the deposition of organic conducting and semiconducting polymers.

Enhanced osteoconductivity of titanium implant by polarization-induced surface charges

This study introduces the application of method for electrically polarizing titanium implants coated with anatase TiO2 using microarc oxidation. It also describes the features of the electrically polarized titanium implants, on which surface charges are generated by the dipole moment of the TiO2 , and describes how the surface charges affect the implants' in vivo bone-implant integration capability. A comprehensive assessment using biomechanical, histomorphological, and radiographic analyses in a rabbit model was performed on polarized and nonpolarized implants. The electrically polarized surfaces accelerated the establishment of implant biomechanical fixation, compared with the nonpolarized surfaces. The percentage of the bone-implant contact ratio was higher using polarized implants than using nonpolarized implants. In contrast, the bone volume around the implants was not affected by polarization. Thus, using the polarized implant, this study identified that controlled surface charges have a significant effect on the properties of titanium implants. The application of the electrical polarization process and the polarization-enhanced osteoinductivity, which resulted in greater bone-implant integration, was clearly demonstrated.

Antithrombogenicity of Fluorinated Diamond-Like Carbon Films Coated Nano Porous Polyethersulfone (PES) Membrane

A nano porous polyethersulfone (PES) membrane is widely used for aspects of nanofiltration, such as purification, fractionation and dialysis. However, the low-blood-compatibility characteristic of PES membrane causes platelets and blood cells to stick to the surface of the membrane and degrades ions diffusion through membrane, which further limits its application for dialysis systems. In this study, we deposited the fluorinated-diamond-like-carbon (F-DLC) onto the finger like structure layer of the PES membrane. By doing this, we have the F-DLC films coating the membrane surface without sacrificing the membrane permeability. In addition, we examined antithrombogenicity of the F-DLC/PES membranes using a microfluidic device, and experimentally found that F-DLC drastically reduced the amount of blood cells attached to the surface. We have also conducted long-term experiments for 24 days and the diffusion characteristics were found to be deteriorated due to fouling without any surface modification. On the other hand, the membranes coated by F-DLC film gave a consistent diffusion coefficient of ions transfer through a membrane porous. Therefore, F-DLC films can be a great candidate to improve the antithrombogenic characteristics of the membrane surfaces in hemodialysis systems.

Flexible high-performance all-inkjet-printed inverters: organo-compatible and stable interface engineering

High-performance all-inkjet-printed organic inverters are fabricated on flexible substrates. By introducing end-functionalized polystyrene on both surfaces of inkjet-printed source/drain Ag electrodes and poly(4-vinylphenol) dielectrics, organic-compatible and hydroxyl-free interfaces between those layers and 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene drastically reduce the interfacial trap and contact resistance. The resulting organic inverters show a full up-down switching performance and a high voltage gain of 19.8.

New Coating Technique of Ceramic Implants with Different Glass Solder Matrices for Improved Osseointegration-Mechanical Investigations

Ceramics are a very popular material in dental implant technology due to their tribological properties, their biocompatibility and their esthetic appearance. However, their natural surface structure lacks the ability of proper osseointegration, which constitutes a crucial process for the stability and, thus, the functionality of a bone implant. We investigated the application of a glass solder matrix in three configurations—consisting mainly of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O and Na₂O to TZP-A ceramic specimens. The corresponding adhesive strength and surface roughness of the coatings on ceramic specimens have been analyzed. Thereby, high adhesive strength (70.3 ± 7.9 MPa) was found for the three different coatings. The obtained roughness (R_z) amounted to 18.24 ± 2.48 µm in average, with significant differences between the glass solder configurations. Furthermore, one configuration was also tested after additional etching which did not lead to significant increase of surface roughness (19.37 ± 1.04 µm) or adhesive strength (57.2 ± 5.8 MPa). In conclusion, coating with glass solder matrix seems to be a promising surface modification technique that may enable direct insertion of ceramic implants in dental and orthopaedic surgery.

Development of an elastic cell culture substrate for a novel uniaxial tensile strain bioreactor

Bioreactors can be used for mechanical conditioning and to investigate the mechanobiology of cells in vitro. In this study a polyurethane (PU), Chronoflex AL, was evaluated for use as a flexible cell culture substrate in a novel bioreactor capable of imparting cyclic uniaxial tensile strain to cells. PU membranes were plasma etched, across a range of operating parameters, in oxygen. Contact angle analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed increases in wettability and surface oxygen were related to both etching power and duration. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated that surface roughness decreased after etching at 20 W but was increased at higher powers. The etching parameters, 20 W 40 s, produced membranes with high surface oxygen content (21%), a contact angle of 66° ± 7° and reduced topographical features. Etching and protein conditioning membranes facilitated attachment, and growth to confluence within 3 days, of MG-63 osteoblasts. After 2 days with uniaxial strain (1%, 30 cycles/min, 1500 cycles/day), cellular alignment was observed perpendicular to the principal strain axis, and found to increase after 24 h. The results indicate that the membrane supports culture and strain transmission to adhered cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2356–2364, 2014.

Dual effects and mechanism of TiO2 nanotube arrays in reducing bacterial colonization and enhancing C3H10T1/2 cell adhesion

Competition occurs between the osteoblasts in regional microenvironments and pathogens introduced during surgery, on the surface of bone implants, such as joint prostheses. The aim of this study was to modulate bacterial and osteoblast adhesion on implant surfaces by using a nanotube array. Titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanotube arrays, 30 nm or 80 nm in diameter, were prepared by a two-step anodization on titanium substrates. Mechanically polished and acid-etched titanium samples were also prepared to serve as control groups. The standard strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis, American Type Culture Collection [ATCC]35984) and mouse C3H10T1/2 cell lines with osteogenic potential were used to evaluate the different responses to the nanotube arrays, in bacteria and eukaryotic cells. We found that the initial adhesion and colonization of S. epidermidis on the surface of the TiO₂ nanotube arrays were significantly reduced and that the adhesion of C3H10T1/2 cells on the surface of the TiO₂ nanotube arrays was significantly enhanced when compared with the control samples. Based on a surface analysis of all four groups, we observed increased surface roughness, decreased water contact angles, and an enhanced concentration of oxygen and fluorine atoms on the TiO₂ nanotube surface. We conclude that the TiO₂ nanotube surface can reduce bacterial colonization and enhance C3H10T1/2 cell adhesion; multiple physical and chemical properties of the TiO₂ nanotube surface may contribute to these dual effects.

Study of Radio Frequency Plasma Treatment of PVDF Film Using Ar, O₂ and (Ar + O₂) Gases for Improved Polypyrrole Adhesion

Improvement of the binding of polypyrrole with PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) thin film using low pressure plasma was studied. The effects of various plasma gases i.e., Ar, O₂ and Ar + O₂ gases on surface roughness, surface chemistry and hydrophilicity were noted. The topographical change of the PVDF film was observed by means of scanning electron microscopy and chemical changes by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, with adhesion of polypyrrole (PPy) by abrasion tests and sheet resistance measurements. Results showed that the increase in roughness and surface functionalization by oxygen functional groups contributed to improved adhesion and Ar + O₂ plasma gave better adhesion.

Photoembossing of surface relief structures in polymer films for biomedical applications

Photoembossing is a technique used to create relief structures using a patterned contact photo-mask exposure and a thermal development step. Typically, the photopolymer consists of a polymer binder and a monomer in a 1/1 ratio together with a photo-initiator, which results in a solid and non-tacky material at room temperature. Here, new mixtures for photoembossing are presented which are potentially biocompatible. Poly(methyl methacrylate) is used as a polymer binder and two different acrylate monomers trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate (TPETA) and dipentaerythritol penta-/hexa-acrylate (DPPHA) are tested. PMMA-TPETA had a higher surface relief features. Biocompatibility is evaluated by culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on films of these photopolymer blends. PMMA with TPETA and PMMA-DPPHA films showed enhanced cell adhesion compared to PMMA. The cells also showed alignment on surface textured films with the highest degree of alignment on films with 20 μm pitch and 2 μm height. This study shows that photoembossing is a feasible method to produce surface textures on films that can be adopted in the field of tissue engineering to promote cell adhesion and alignment.

Enhanced performance in inverted polymer solar cells with D-π-A-type molecular dye incorporated on ZnO buffer layer

We report the superior characteristics of a ZnO buffer layer covered with a phenothiazine-based, π-conjugated donor-acceptor (D-π-A)-type organic dye (called "d-ZnO"). The use of this system for the performance enhancement of inverted bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) with the configuration of indium tin oxide/d-ZnO/polymer:PC71 BM/MoO3 /Ag (PC71 BM=[6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester) is investigated. The layer of organic dyes anchored on the ZnO surface through carboxylate bonding reduces the shunt path on bare ZnO surface and provides better interfacial contacts and energy level alignments between the ZnO layer and the photoactive layer. This phenomenon consequently leads to highly enhanced photovoltaic parameters (fill factor, open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current density) and power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Inverted solar cells containing the d-ZnO layer not only revealed about 34% (PCE: 4.37%) and 18% (PCE: 7.11%) improvement in the PCEs of the representative poly-3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and low-band-gap poly{[4,8-bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl-thiophene-5-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl]-alt-[2-(2'-ethylhexanoyl)-thieno[3,4-b]thiophen-4,6-diyl]} (PBDTTT-C-T) polymer systems, respectively, but also showed 2-4 times longer device lifetimes than their counterparts without the organic dye layer. These results demonstrate that this simple approach used in inverted PSCs with a metal oxide buffer layer could become a promising procedure to fabricate highly efficient and stable PSCs.

Evaluation of hemocompatibility and endothelialization of hybrid poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/gelatin polymer films

Engineered grafts are still needed for small diameter blood vessels reconstruction. Ideal materials would prevent thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia by displaying hemocompatibility and mechanical properties close to those of native vessels. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/gelatin blends were investigated as a potential vascular support scaffold. We modified a chemically crosslinked PVA hydrogel by incorporation of gelatin to improve endothelial cell attachment with a single-step method. A series of crosslinked PVA/gelatin films with specific ratios set at 100:0, 99:1, 95:5, and 90:10 (w/w) were prepared and their mechanical properties were examined by uniaxial tensile testing. Tubes, obtained from sutured films, were found highly compliant (3.1-4.6%) and exhibited sufficient mechanical strength to sustain hemodynamic strains. PVA-based hydrogels maintained low level of platelet adhesion and low thrombogenic potential. Endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation were drastically improved on PVA/gelatin films with a feed gelatin content as low as 1% (w/w), leading to the formation of a confluent endothelium. Hydrogels with higher gelatin content did not sustain complete endothelialization because of modifications of the film surface, including phase segregation and formation of microdomains. Thus, PVA/gelatin (99:1, w/w) hydrogels appear as promising materials for the design of endothelialized vascular materials with long-term patency.

Strong resistance of (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)triethoxysilane (TTS) nanofilm to protein adsorption

In this report, the properties of fluorocarbon-containing (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)triethoxysilane (TTS) (C14 H19 F13 O3 Si) nanofilm coated on silicon surface and its potential to resist protein adsorption were examined. Thickness and wettability of the silicon surface before and after TTS nanofilm coating were examined by ellipsometry and contact angle goniometry, respectively. The same techniques were used to examine protein layer on nonmodified and TTS-coated silicon surface. In addition, bright-field optical microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry were used to provide visual, qualitative description of adsorbed proteins and the specific signal of fluorescence-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA), respectively, on bare and TTS-coated silicon surface. Single-component protein solution of four model proteins, namely BSA, human fibrinogen, bovine serum immunoglobulin G, and fibronectin, was prepared, and the adsorption responses of these four proteins on TTS nanofilm were examined, using nonmodified silicon surface as comparison. TTS substantially reduces the adsorption of all four proteins tested. Our results indicate that fluorocarbon-containing TTS, once coated on surfaces, is an effective molecule for resisting protein adsorption. This will open up potential applications, particularly for silicon-containing implant devices such as glass.

Synthetic tracheal mucus with native rheological and surface tension properties

In this study, the development of a model tracheal mucus with chemical composition and physical properties (bulk viscoelasticity and surface tension) matched to that of native tracheal mucus is described. The mucus mimetics (MMs) were formulated using components that are abundant in tracheal mucus (glycoproteins, proteins, lipids, ions, and water) at concentrations similar to those found natively. Pure solutions were unable to achieve the gel behavior observed with native mucus. The addition of a bifunctional cross-linking agent enabled control over the viscoelastic properties of the MMs by tailoring the concentration of the cross-linking agent and the duration of cross-linking. Three MM formulations with different bulk viscoelastic properties, all within the normal range for nondiseased tracheal mucus, were chosen for investigation of surfactant spreading at the air-mimetic interface. Surfactant spread quickly and completely on the least viscoelastic mimetic surface, enabling the surface tension of the mimetic to be lowered to match native tracheal mucus. However, surfactant spreading on the more viscoelastic mimetics was hindered, suggesting that the bulk properties of the mimetics dictate the range of surface properties that can be achieved.

Cellular interaction and toxicity depend on physicochemical properties and surface modification of redox-active nanomaterials

The study of the chemical and biological properties of CeO2 nanoparticles (CNPs) has expanded recently due to its therapeutic potential, and the methods used to synthesize these materials are diverse. Moreover, conflicting reports exist regarding the toxicity of CNPs. To help resolve these discrepancies, we must first determine whether CNPs made by different methods are similar or different in their physicochemical and catalytic properties. In this paper, we have synthesized several forms of CNPs using identical precursors through a wet chemical process but using different oxidizer/reducer; H2O2 (CNP1), NH4OH (CNP2), or hexamethylenetetramine (HMT-CNP1). Physicochemical properties of these CNPs were extensively studied and found to be different depending on the preparation methods. Unlike CNP1 and CNP2, HMT-CNP1 was readily taken into endothelial cells and the aggregation can be visualized using light microscopy. Exposure to HMT-CNP1 also reduced cell viability at a 10-fold lower concentration than CNP1 or CNP2. Surprisingly, exposure to HMT-CNP1 led to substantial decreases in ATP levels. Mechanistic studies revealed that HMT-CNP1 exhibited substantial ATPase (phosphatase) activity. Though CNP2 also exhibits ATPase activity, CNP1 lacked ATPase activity. The difference in catalytic (ATPase) activity of different CNPs preparation may be due to differences in their morphology and oxygen extraction energy. These results suggest that the combination of increased uptake and ATPase activity of HMT-CNP1 may underlie the biomechanism of the toxicity of this preparation of CNPs and may suggest that ATPase activity should be considered when synthesizing CNPs for use in biomedical applications.

Resurfacing with chemically modified hyaluronic acid and lubricin for flexor tendon reconstruction

We assessed surface coating with carbodiimide derivatized hyaluronic acid combined with lubricin (cd-HA-Lubricin) as a way to improve extrasynovial tendon surface quality and, consequently, the functional results in flexor tendon reconstruction, using a canine in vivo model. The second and fifth flexor digitorum profundus tendons from 14 dogs were reconstructed with autologs peroneus longus (PL) tendons 6 weeks after a failed primary repair. One digit was treated with cd-HA-Lubricin, and the other was treated with saline as the control. Six weeks following grafting, the digits and graft tendons were functionally and histologically evaluated. Adhesion score, normalized work of flexion, graft friction in zone II, and adhesion breaking strength at the proximal repair site in zone III were all lower in the cd-HA-Lubricin treated group compared to the control group. The strength at the distal tendon/bone interface was decreased in the cd-HA-Lubricin treated grafts compared to the control grafts. Histology showed inferior healing in the cd-HA-Lubricin group at both proximal and distal repair sites. However, cd-HA-Lubricin treatment did not result in any gap or rupture at either the proximal or distal repair sites. These results demonstrate that cd-HA-Lubricin can eliminate graft adhesions and improve digit function, but that treatment may have an adverse effect on tendon healing.

Morphological changes of gel-type functional polymers after intermatrix synthesis of polymer stabilized silver nanoparticles

This paper reports the results of intermatrix synthesis (IMS) of silver metal nanoparticles (Ag-MNPs) in Purolite C100E sulfonic ion exchange polymer of the gel-type structure. It has been shown that the surface morphology of the initial MNP-free polymer is absolutely smooth, but it dramatically changes after the kinetic loading of Ag on the polymer and then IMS of Ag-MNPs. These morphological changes can be explained by the interaction of Ag-NPs with the polymer chains, leading to a sort of additional cross-linking of the polymer. As a result, the modification of the gel-type matrix with Ag-MNPs leads to the increase of the matrix cross-linking, which results in the increase of its surface area and the appearance of nanoporosity in the polymer gel. Ag-MNPs are located near the polymer surface and do not form any visible agglomerations. All these features of the nanocomposites obtained are important for their practical applications in catalysis, sensor applications, and bactericide water treatment.

Improved neural progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds coated with elastin-like polypeptide

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) have been widely used as a biodegradable scaffold and thermoresponsive matrix, respectively. However, little attention has focused on the combinatorial use of these biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. An ELP matrix TGPG[VGRGD(VGVPG)6]20WPC (referred to as REP) contains multiple Arg-Gly-Asp motifs. This study fabricated porous PLGA scaffolds coated with various concentration of matrix via thermally induced phase transition to improve adhesion-mediated proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells. Matrix-coated scaffolds were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and hematoxylin and eosin staining with respect to coating efficiency, porosity, and pore size and shape. On the matrix-coated scaffolds, cells grew as a single cell or associated each other to form a multicellular layer or cluster. In biological evaluations, cell adhesion and proliferation were significantly promoted in a matrix concentration-dependent manner. More importantly, in combination with retinoic acid, the differentiation of progenitor cells into neuronal and astroglial lineages was highly stimulated in the cells cultured on matrix-coated scaffolds than on untreated controls. Taken together, our results indicated that the REP matrix-functionalized PLGA scaffolds are suitable for improving neuronal cell functions, and thus applicable for neural tissue engineering.

Immobilization of pamidronic acids on the nanotube surface of titanium discs and their interaction with bone cells

Self-assembled layers of vertically aligned titanium nanotubes were fabricated on a Ti disc by anodization. Pamidronic acids (PDAs) were then immobilized on the nanotube surface to improve osseointegration. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the PDA-immobilized TiO2 nanotubes. The in vitro behavior of osteoblast and osteoclast cells cultured on an unmodified and surface-modified Ti disc was examined in terms of cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation were improved substantially by the topography of the TiO2 nanotubes, producing an interlocked cell structure. PDA immobilized on the TiO2 nanotube surface suppressed the viability of the osteoclasts and reduced their bone resorption activity.

Liquid crystal-based sensors for selective and quantitative detection of nitrogen dioxide

A highly sensitive nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) sensor based on orientational transition of a thin film of liquid crystal (LC) supported on a gold surface is reported. Transport of NO₂ molecules through the LC film to the LC-gold interface induces an orientation transition in the LC film. The dynamic behavior of the sensor response exhibits a concentration-dependent response rate that is employed to generate an algorithm for quantitative determination of unknown concentrations. Sensitive, selective and reversible detection with minimal effects of environmental fluctuations suggest that these sensors can be used for quantitative NO₂ detection for a number of applications.

Nanoparticles for Improving Cancer Diagnosis

Despite the progress in developing new therapeutic modalities, cancer remains one of the leading diseases causing human mortality. This is mainly attributed to the inability to diagnose tumors in their early stage. By the time the tumor is confirmed, the cancer may have already metastasized, thereby making therapies challenging or even impossible. It is therefore crucial to develop new or to improve existing diagnostic tools to enable diagnosis of cancer in its early or even pre-syndrome stage. The emergence of nanotechnology has provided such a possibility. Unique physical and physiochemical properties allow nanoparticles to be utilized as tags with excellent sensitivity. When coupled with the appropriate targeting molecules, nanoparticle-based probes can interact with a biological system and sense biological changes on the molecular level with unprecedented accuracy. In the past several years, much progress has been made in applying nanotechnology to clinical imaging and diagnostics, and interdisciplinary efforts have made an impact on clinical cancer management. This article aims to review the progress in this exciting area with emphases on the preparation and engineering techniques that have been developed to assemble "smart" nanoprobes.

Towards a biocompatible artificial lung: Covalent functionalization of poly(4-methylpent-1-ene) (TPX) with cRGD pentapeptide

Covalent multistep coating of poly(methylpentene), the membrane material in lung ventilators, by using a copper-free "click" approach with a modified cyclic RGD peptide, leads to a highly biocompatible poly(methylpentene) surface. The resulting modified membrane preserves the required excellent gas-flow properties while being densely seeded with lung endothelial cells.

Surface Chemistry Exchange of Alloyed Germanium Nanocrystals: A Pathway Toward Conductive Group IV Nanocrystal Films

We present an expansion of the mixed-valence iodide reduction method for the synthesis of Ge nanocrystals (NCs) to incorporate low levels (∼1 mol %) of groups III, IV, and V elements to yield main-group element-alloyed Ge NCs (Ge1-xEx NCs). Nearly every main-group element (E) that surrounds Ge on the periodic table (Al, P, Ga, As, In, Sn, and Sb) may be incorporated into Ge1-xEx NCs with remarkably high E incorporation into the product (>45% of E added to the reaction). Importantly, surface chemistry modification via ligand exchange allowed conductive films of Ge1-xEx NCs to be prepared, which exhibit conductivities over large distances (25 μm) relevant to optoelectronic device development of group IV NC thin films.

Controlled deposition and combing of DNA across lithographically defined patterns on silicon

We have developed a new procedure for efficient combing of DNA on a silicon substrate, which allows reproducible deposition and alignment of DNA molecules across lithographically defined patterns. The technique involves surface modification of Si/SiO(2) substrates with a hydrophobic silane by using gas-phase deposition. Thereafter, DNA molecules are aligned by dragging the droplet on the hydrophobic substrate with a pipette tip. Using this procedure, DNA molecules were stretched to an average value of 122% of their contour length. Furthermore, we demonstrated combing of ca. 900 nm long stretches of genomic DNA across nanofabricated electrodes, which was not possible by using other available combing methods. Similar results were also obtained for DNA-peptide conjugates. We suggest this method as a simple yet reliable technique for depositing and aligning DNA and DNA derivatives across nanofabricated patterns.

Magnetic resonance imaging using heparin-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for cell tracking in vivo

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a tremendous modality for noninvasive cell tracking. To this end, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO), one of the MRI contrast agents, should be labeled to the cells before transplantation. Currently, cellular labelling with SPIOs such as Feridex and Resovist is generally carried out through their engulfment into cytosol via endocytosis. However, the labelling efficacy via endocytosis is relatively low due to their non-specific random engulfment and degradation in the cytosol. To overcome these limitations, transfection agents such as poly-L-lysine and lipofectamine are complexed with SPIOs and treated to the cells. However, these strategies should be optimized due to the cytotoxicity of transfection agents themselves. Recently, there were developments of chemical conjugation of SPIOs onto cellular membrane. To this end, the surface of SPIOs was coated with heparin polysaccharide and chemically conjugated with collagen matrix layer of cell surface by using linker polymer, which was stably maintained in vivo. This new remedy can overcome the limitations of cell labelling via endocytosis. Collectively, these strategies could be applied for noninvasive imaging of MRI after cell transplantation in vivo.

Surface Modification of Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) Dendrimer as Antimicrobial Agents

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) (G3) dendrimer was modified into quaternary ammonium salts using tertiary amines with different chain lengths: dimethyldodecyl amine, dimethylhexyl amine, and dimethylbutyl amine using an efficient synthetic route. The antimicrobial activity of these dendrimer ammonium salts against Staphylococcus and E-coli bacteria was examined using the disc diffusion method. It was found that quaternary ammonium salt prepared with the dimethyldodecyl amine exhibits antimicrobial efficacy against Staphalococus and E.coli bacteria.

Preparation and biological evaluation of hydroxyapatite-coated nickel-free high-nitrogen stainless steel

Calcium phosphate was formed on nickel-free high-nitrogen stainless steel (HNS) by chemical solution deposition. The calcium phosphate deposition was enhanced by glutamic acid covalently immobilized on the surface of HNS with trisuccinimidyl citrate as a linker. X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that the material deposited on glutamic acid-immobilized HNS within 24 h was low-crystallinity calcium-deficient carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite (HAp). The biological activity of the resulting HAp-coated HNS was investigated by using a human osteoblast-like MG-63 cell culture. The HAp-coated HNS stimulated the alkaline-phosphate activity of the MG-63 culture after 7 days. Therefore, HAp-coated HNS is suitable for orthopedic devices and soft tissue adhesion materials.

Controllable fabrication of PS/Ag core-shell-shaped nanostructures

In this paper, based on the previous steps, a facile in situ reduction method was developed to controllably prepare polystyrene/Ag (PS/Ag) core-shell-shaped nanostructures. The crucial procedure includes surface treatment of polystyrene core particles by cationic polyelectrolyte polyethyleneimine, in situ formation of Ag nanoparticles, and immobilization of the Ag nanoparticles onto the surface of the polystyrene colloids via functional group NH from the polyethyleneimine. The experimental parameters, such as the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the silver precursors were optimized for improvement of dispersion and Ag coat coverage of the core-shell-shaped nanostructures. Ultimately, the optimum parameters were obtained through a series of experiments, and well-dispersed, uniformly coated PS/Ag core-shell-shaped nanostructures were successfully fabricated. The formation mechanism of the PS/Ag core-shell-shaped nanostructures was also explained.

In vivo effects of L1 coating on inflammation and neuronal health at the electrode-tissue interface in rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion

The spinal cord (SC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are target implantation regions for neural prosthetics, but the tissue-electrode interface in these regions is not well-studied. To improve understanding of these locations, the tissue reactions around implanted electrodes were characterized. L1, an adhesion molecule shown to maintain neuronal density and reduce gliosis in brain tissue, was then evaluated in SC and DRG implants. Following L1 immobilization onto neural electrodes, the bioactivities of the coatings were verified in vitro using neuron, astrocyte and microglia cultures. Non-modified and L1-coated electrodes were implanted into adult rats for 1 or 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining along with cell-type specific antibodies were used to characterize the tissue response. In the SC and DRG, cells aggregated at the electrode-tissue interface. Microglia staining was more intense around the implant site and decreased with distance from the interface. Neurofilament staining in both locations decreased or was absent around the implant, compared with surrounding tissue. With L1, neurofilament staining was significantly increased while neuronal cell death decreased. These results indicate that L1-modified electrodes may result in an improved chronic neural interface and will be evaluated in recording and stimulation studies.

A one-step electrospray-based technique for modulating morphology and surface properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles using Pluronics®

The influence of morphology and surface properties on the therapeutic efficacy of degradable polymeric microparticles has not been well understood. One of the primary reasons for this is the limited ability to fabricate microparticles with controlled morphology and surface properties. Here, we report the electrospraying of blends of Pluronic^® with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as a novel, one-step approach for the simultaneous modulation of morphology and surface properties of PLGA microparticles. Blending with Pluronic^® altered the morphology from doughnut-shaped to smooth, spherical-shaped microparticles, and variation in the type of Pluronic^® systematically modulated the surface properties of the microparticles. Hence, blending with Pluronic^® can be a facile technique for the modulation of morphology and surface properties of electrosprayed PLGA microparticles.

Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can provide multiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such as magnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles' surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality water-dispersible nanoparticles around 10 nm in size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11051-012-1100-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Silica nanoparticles functionalized via click chemistry and ATRP for enrichment of Pb(II) ion

Silica nanoparticles have been functionalized by click chemistry and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) simultaneously. First, the silanized silica nanoparticles were modified with bromine end group, and then the azide group was grafted onto the surface via covalent coupling. 3-Bromopropyl propiolate was synthesized, and then the synthesized materials were used to react with azide-modified silica nanoparticles via copper-mediated click chemistry and bromine surface-initiated ATRP. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to characterize the functionalized silica nanoparticles. We investigated the enrichment efficiency of bare silica and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA)-functionalized silica nanoparticles in Pb(II) aqueous solution. The results demonstrated that PEGMA-functionalized silica nanoparticles can enrich Pb(II) more quickly than pristine silica nanoparticles within 1 h.

Biofunctionalization of a titanium surface with a nano-sawtooth structure regulates the behavior of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

The topography of an implant surface can serve as a powerful signaling cue for attached cells and can enhance the quality of osseointegration. A series of improved implant surfaces functionalized with nanoscale structures have been fabricated using various methods.

METHODS

In this study, using an H(2)O(2) process, we fabricated two size-controllable sawtooth-like nanostructures with different dimensions on a titanium surface. The effects of the two nano-sawtooth structures on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were evaluated without the addition of osteoinductive chemical factors.

RESULTS

These new surface modifications did not adversely affect cell viability, and rat BMMSCs demonstrated a greater increase in proliferation ability on the surfaces of the nano-sawtooth structures than on a control plate. Furthermore, upregulated expression of osteogenic-related genes and proteins indicated that the nano-sawtooth structures promote osteoblastic differentiation of rat BMMSCs. Importantly, the large nano-sawtooth structure resulted in the greatest cell responses, including increased adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.

CONCLUSION

The enhanced adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation abilities of rat BMMSCs on the nano-sawtooth structures suggest the potential to induce improvements in bone-titanium integration in vivo. Our study reveals the key role played by the nano-sawtooth structures on a titanium surface for the fate of rat BMMSCs and provides insights into the study of stem cell-nanostructure relationships and the related design of improved biomedical implant surfaces.

Bone response to physical-vapour-deposited titanium dioxide coatings on titanium implants

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between coating thickness and the crystal structure of physical-vapour-deposited (PVD) titanium dioxide coatings, and to evaluate their in vivo biocompatibility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PVD TiO 2 coatings of different thickness were deposited on machined titanium grade 2 screw-shaped implants. Non-coated titanium implants were used as controls. Coating properties such as thickness, crystal structure, coating morphology and roughness were characterized. Forty-eight implants were placed randomly into both tibias of 16 rats. The animals were euthanized 7 and 28 days postsurgery and block biopsies were prepared for histology, histomorphometry and SEM analysis.

RESULTS

The thicknesses of the PVDTiO 2 coatings were 120 and 1430 nm respectively. Histologically, new bone formed on all implant surfaces. The mean percentage of newly formed bone in contact with the implant (BIC) was significantly higher at early healing time (7 days) for the 120 nm thick PVD coating (39 ± 14%) than for both the 1430 nm thick PVD coating (22 ± 10%) (P = 0.043) and the machined surface (22 ± 9%) (P = 0.028). This difference was no longer evident after 28 days (P = 0.867).

CONCLUSION

Bone formation and bone-to-implant contact are achieved to the same degree for TiO 2 surface modifications prepared by a PVD process as clinically used, machined titanium. Furthermore, a relatively thinner PVD coating promotes a higher degree of bone apposition shortly after implantation, thereby providing rationales for exploring the potential clinical use of these modifications.

A Polyurethane Surface Modifier: Contrasting Amphiphilic and Contraphilic Surfaces Driven by block and random Soft Blocks having Trifluoroethoxymethyl and PEG Side Chains

A conventional MDI-BD-PTMO polyurethane was modified using 2 wt.% polyurethanes (U) having copolyoxetane soft blocks with hydrophobic 3F, CF₃CH₂OCH₂- and hydrophilic MEn, CH₃O(CH₂CH₂O)_nCH₂-, n = 3, 7) side chains. In contrast to neat 3F-co-MEn-U, 2 wt.% 3F-co-MEn-U compositions have physically stable morphologies and wetting behavior. Surface composition (XPS) and amphiphilic or contraphilic wetting are controlled by the 3F-co-MEn polyoxetane soft block architecture and MEn side chain length. Importantly, θ_rec can be tuned for 2 wt.% 3F-co-MEn-U compositions independent of swelling, which is controlled by the bulk polyurethane. AFM imaging led to a new morphological model whereby fluorous/PEG-hard block nano-aggregates combine to form near surface features culminating in micron scale texturing.

Controlling assembly of mixed thiol monolayers on silver nanoparticles to tune their surface properties

Modifying the surfaces of metal nanoparticles with self-assembled monolayers of functionalized thiols provides a simple and direct method to alter their surface properties. Mixed self-assembled monolayers can extend this approach since, in principle, the surfaces can be tuned by altering the proportion of each modifier that is adsorbed. However, this works best if the composition and microstructure of the monolayers can be controlled. Here, we have modified preprepared silver colloids with binary mixtures of thiols at varying concentrations and modifier ratios. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy was then used to determine the effect of altering these parameters on the composition of the resulting mixed monolayers. The data could be explained using a new model based on a modified competitive Langmuir approach. It was found that the composition of the mixed monolayer only reflected the ratio of modifiers in the feedstock when the total amount of modifier was sufficient for approximately one monolayer coverage. At higher modifier concentrations the thermodynamically favored modifier dominated, but working at near monolayer concentrations allowed the surface composition to be controlled by changing the ratios of modifiers. Finally, a positively charged porphyrin probe molecule was used to investigate the microstructure of the mixed monolayers, i.e., homogeneous versus domains. In this case the modifier domains were found to be <2 nm.

Surface modification of biomaterials using plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition

Although remarkable progress has been made on biomaterial research, the ideal biomaterial that satisfies all the technical requirements and biological functions is not available up to now. Surface modification seems to be a more economic and efficient way to adjust existing conventional biomaterials to meet the current and ever-evolving clinical needs. From an industrial perspective, plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII&D) is an attractive method for biomaterials owing to its capability of treating objects with irregular shapes, as well as the control of coating composition. It is well acknowledged that the physico-chemical characteristics of biomaterials are the decisive factors greatly affecting the biological responses of biomaterials including bioactivity, haemocompatibility and antibacterial activity. Here, we mainly review the recent advances in surface modification of biomaterials via PIII&D technology, especially titanium alloys and polymers used for orthopaedic, dental and cardiovascular implants. Moreover, the variations of biological performances depending on the physico-chemical properties of modified biomaterials will be discussed.

Osseointegration of two different phosphate ion-containing titanium oxide surfaces in rabbit cancellous bone

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the osseointegration of grit-blasted titanium (Ti) implants with a hydrophilic phosphate ion-incorporated oxide surface in rabbit cancellous bone, and compared its bone healing with commercially available phosphate-incorporated clinical implants obtained by micro-arc oxidation (TiUnite, TU implant).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The hydrophilic phosphate-incorporated Ti surface (P implant) was produced by hydrothermal treatment on grit-blasted moderately rough-surfaced clinical implant. The TU surface was used as a control. The surface characteristics were evaluated by field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical profilometry, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Thirty-two threaded implants with lengths of 10 and 3.3 mm diameter (16 P implants and 16 TU implants) were placed in the femoral condyles of 16 New Zealand White rabbits. Histomorphometric analysis, removal torque tests, and surface analysis of the torque-tested implants were performed 4 weeks after implantation.

RESULTS

The P and TU implants displayed micro-rough surface features with similar Ra values at the micron-scale. ICP-AES analysis revealed that both the P and TU implants released phosphate ions into the solution. The torque-tested P and TU implants exhibited a considerable quantity of bone attached to the surface. The P implants exhibited significantly higher bone-implant contact percentages, both in terms of the all threads region and the total lateral length of implants compared with the TU implants (P < 0.01), but no statistical difference was found for the removal torque values.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the phosphate-incorporated Ti oxide surface obtained by hydrothermal treatment achieves rapid osseointegration in cancellous bone by increasing the degree of bone-implant contact.

Active screen plasma surface modification of polycaprolactone to improve cell attachment

To tailor polycaprolactone (PCL) surface properties for biomedical applications, film samples of PCL were surface modified by the active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) technique. The chemical composition and structure were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The wettability of the surface modified polymers was investigated by contact angle and surface energy methods. Biocompatibility of the prepared PCL samples was evaluated in vitro using MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. The degradability was assessed by determining the self-degradation rate (catalyzed by lipase). The results show that ASPN surface modification can effectively improve osteoblast cell adhesion and spreading on the surface of PCL. The main change in chemical composition is the exchange of some carboxyl groups on the surface for hydroxyl groups. The active-screen plasma nitriding technique has been found to be an effective and practical method to effectively improve osteoblast cell adhesion and spreading on the PCL surface. Such changes have been attributed to the increase in wettablity and generation of new hydroxyl groups by plasma treatment. After active-screen plasma treatment, the PCL film is still degradable, but the enzymatic degradation rate is slower compared with untreated PCL film.

Gold Micro-Flowers: One-Step Fabrication of Efficient, Highly Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Platform

We present a new method enabling simultaneous synthesis and deposition of gold micro-flowers (AuMFs) on solid substrates in a one-pot process that uses two reagents, auric acid and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, in aqueous reaction mixture. The AuMFs deposited onto the substrate form mechanically stable gold layer of expanded nanostructured surface. The morphology of the AuMFs depends on and can be controlled by the composition of the reaction solution as well as by the reaction time. The nanostructured metallic layers obtained with our method are employed as efficient platforms for chemical and biological sensing based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). SERS spectra recorded by such platforms for p-mercaptobenzoic acid and phage lambda exhibit enhancement factors above 10(6) and excellent reproducibility.

Coating and release of an anti-inflammatory hormone from PLGA microspheres for tissue engineering

Many biomaterials used in tissue engineering cause a foreign body response in vivo, which left untreated can severely reduce the effectiveness of tissue regeneration. In this study, an anti-inflammatory hormone α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) was physically adsorbed to the surface of biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres to reduce inflammatory responses to this material. The stability and adsorption isotherm of peptide binding were characterized. The peptide secondary structure was not perturbed by the adsorption and subsequent desorption process. The α-MSH payload was released over 72 h and reduced the expression of the inflammatory cytokine, Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, indicating that the biological activity of α-MSH was preserved. α-MSH coated PLGA microspheres also appeared to reduce the influx of inflammatory cells in a subcutaneous implantation model in rats. This study demonstrates the potential of α-MSH coatings for anti-inflammatory delivery and this approach may be applied to other tissue engineering applications.

Electrostatic self-assembly of multilayer copolymeric membranes on the surface of porous tantalum implants for sustained release of doxorubicin

Many studies in recent years have focused on surface engineering of implant materials in order to improve their biocompatibility and other performance. Porous tantalum implants have increasingly been used in implant surgeries, due to their biocompatibility, physical stability, and good mechanical strength. In this study we functionalized the porous tantalum implant for sustained drug delivery capability via electrostatic self-assembly of polyelectrolytes of hyaluronic acid, methylated collagen, and terpolymer on the surface of a porous tantalum implant. The anticancer drug doxorubicin was encapsulated into the multilayer copolymer membranes on the porous tantalum implants. Results showed the sustained released of doxorubicin from the functionalized porous tantalum implants for up to 1 month. The drug release solutions in 1 month all had inhibitory effects on the proliferation of chondrosarcoma cell line SW1353. These results suggest that this functionalized implant could be used in reconstructive surgery for the treatment of bone tumor as a local, sustained drug delivery system.