An in vitro biocompatibility evaluation of double-J stents

This double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial compared clindamycin/primaquine (Cm/Prq) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) as therapy for AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Forty-five patients received clindamycin (450 mg four times daily [q.i.d.]) and primaquine (15 mg of base/d); 42 received TMP-SMZ (320 mg/1,600 mg q.i.d. if weight of > or = 60 kg or 240 mg/1,200 mg q.i.d. if weight of < 60 kg) plus placebo primaquine. Overall, the efficacy of Cm/Prq was similar to that of TMP-SMZ (success rate, 76% vs. 79%, respectively); Cm/Prq was associated with fewer adverse events (P = .04), less steroid use (P = .18), and more rashes (P = .07). These differences were even greater for patients with PaO2 of > 70 mm Hg (P = .02, P = .04, and P = .02, respectively). For patients with PaO2 of < or = 70 mm Hg (23 Cm/Prq recipients and 21 TMP-SMZ recipients), the efficacy of Cm/Prq was similar to that of TMP-SMZ (success rate, 74% vs. 76%, respectively); Cm/Prq was associated with similar adverse events (P = .57), steroid use (P = .74), and rashes (P = .78). This trial confirms that Cm/Prq is a reasonable alternative therapy for mild and moderately severe PCP.     

In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility of experimental titanium alloys for dental restorations

Changes in energy phosphates of rabbit kidneys subjected to ischaemia-reperfusion have been measured in vivo with volume selective 31P NMR spectroscopy. The effects of pretreatment with a new lipid peroxidation inhibitor (indeno-indol derivate--code name H290/51) on the bioenergetic changes were analysed. The left kidney was moved to a subcutaneous pocket to facilitate exact positioning over the surface coil. A 1H NMR image was acquired and a 3.5-mL cube selected for 31P NMR spectra. 31P NMR spectra were recorded before occlusion of the left renal artery, during 1 h of ischaemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. Ischaemia induced drastic changes in the levels of inorganic phosphates and ATP as well as intracellular acidosis. A normalization was observed during reperfusion. Two hours after reperfusion significantly higher values for beta-ATP/Pi and intracellular pH were recorded in the animals pretreated with H290/51. The present technique allows quantitative analyses of changes in kidney bioenergetics in vivo during different experimental conditions. The importance of ischaemia-reperfusion induced lipid peroxidation for mitochondrial function is emphasized.     

Research progress on corrosion behaviors and biocompatibility of rare-earth magnesium alloys in vivo and in vitro

As yet,Mg alloys acting as the medical implants have drawn extensive attention,due to their spontaneous degrada bility,effective load-transmissibility and the excellent biocompatibility,particularly in bone tissue reconstruction and vascular radial-support.Regrettably,they were inevitably affected by the tension/compression-torsion,dynamic erosion and corrosion fatigue under complex service conditions,which lead to premature failure of implantation-materials.Micro-alloying addition is an effecti...     

DNA image cytometry and Ag-NORs-staining application in biocompatibility studies on human osteoblast cells in vitro

We report here the study of the biocompatibility of a bone graft material, the Pyrost, using a previously established in vitro model of human osteoblasts. The effect of this material on cell proliferation was evaluated by the MTS assay. Results indicated the absolute absence of cytotoxic or cytostatic effect of Pyrost on cultured osteoblasts. Viability rate was more than 90% in cells cultured with the material compared to the control. Morphological analysis, undertaken by scanning electron microscopy showed a good adhesion and a spreading of osteoblasts in contact with the material that was colonized by cultured cells. In the second part of this work, we have introduced two methods as complementary biocompatibility tests: DNA image cytometry and interphase Ag-NORs quantification. DNA content was measured in cells cultured with or without Pyrost for 3, 9, 15 and 30 days. The determination of DNA indicated that the majority of osteoblasts population was diploid without aneuploidy. The DNA index and cell distribution profile in DNA histograms were similar in all cell populations. The Ag-NORs amount was used as a parameter for cell kinetic evaluation. We have measured the Ag-NORs index like DNA quantification. The proliferation rate, evaluated by Ag-NORs counts in osteoblasts cultured with or without the material, was identical. However, a decrease in Ag-NORs index was observed from day 3 to day 15 of incubation. These results showed a satisfactory biocompatibility of the Pyrost in human osteoblasts culture. The material did not alter cell viability and had no inducing effect either on proliferation rate or on cell ploidy as demonstrated by DNA image cytometry and Ag-NORs proteins staining.     

Study of kinetic parameters of glucose oxidase and alpha-chymotrypsin, immobilized in polymeric matrices, using a light-addressable sensor]

Through their rapid periodic actions, the cilia of the human respiratory tract play an important role in clearing inhaled noxious particles. An automated method is developed, based on an image-processing technique, to measure and analyse objectively and quantitatively, ciliary beat frequency (CBF). Microscopic ciliary images are transformed into digitised grey images through an image grabber inside a PC, and signals are extracted from these, based on an image-subtraction algorithm, and are processed through power spectrum analysis using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). By means of the FFT power spectrum, maximum peak frequencies are detected as CBFs in each partitioned block for the entire digitised field. Using these CBFs, distribution maps are composed in various resolutions, showing visually the spatial distribution of CBFs through cells and in a single cell. To measure CBF variations quantitatively, phenylephrine hydrochloride is used, and the changes in CBF influenced by its concentration and duration are observed.     

In vitro evaluation of cell/biomaterial interaction by MTT assay

The nonlinear propagation of ultrasound was demonstrated using Doppler transducers on two commercial duplex machines. The influence of nonlinear propagation on Doppler measurements was studied on both a flow phantom and a string phantom. It was found that although the pulse waveforms showed clearly different degrees of nonlinear distortion, no effect due to the nonlinearity could be detected on the received Doppler spectrum both in terms of the maximum frequency or underlying Doppler spectral profile.     

Synthesis of sulfonylurea conjugated copolymer via PEO spacer and its in vitro short-term bioactivity in insulin secretion from islets of Langerhans

In order to reduce the number of immunoprotected islets required in xeno- or allogenic transplants for reversing diabetes, analogues of glyburide (a sulfonylurea), an extremely hydrophobic insulin secretagogue, were synthesized and used in an attempt to produce water soluble sulfonylurea (SU) grafted polymers. After synthesizing various polymers containing glyburide analogues, a poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-sulfonylurea succinyl PEO (Mw = 3000) acrylate) was found to be soluble in a cell culture medium at pH 7.4. However, solubility was only obtained by decreasing solution pH from 11 to 7.4. When the copolymer was added to the islet cell culture media at a concentration of 5 microg ml(-1) (based on the theoretical SU content of the copolymer), insulin secretion was enhanced by about 30% at low glucose concentrations of 50 and 100 mg dl(-1) compared to the control. This is equivalent to 40-60% bioactivity of glyburide. The polymer's effect on insulin secretion at a higher glucose concentration of 200 mg dl(-1) was not significant. Considering the previous results where a similar but insoluble polymer without a PEO spacer was used and the polymer showed SU bioactivity only at a glucose concentration of 50 mg dl(-1), the observations from this study indicates that the solubility of SU-grafted polymers may affect the binding of SU groups to SU receptors on the pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in improved pharmacodynamic effect of SU.     

Niosomes as carriers for ophthalmic drugs: in vitro/in vivo evaluation

This report provides X-ray diffraction and Raman spectral evidence that, when 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile is present in the culture medium, Acetobacter xylinum, which is a model system for investigation of the biosynthesis of native cellulose, produces cellulose II, as well as cellulose I. The significance of the observations with respect to the mechanism of biosynthesis of cellulose is discussed briefly.     

A hydrogel based on a polyaspartamide: characterization and evaluation of in-vivo biocompatibility and drug release in the rat

This paper deals with the characterization of a new microparticulate hydrogel obtained by gamma irradiation of alpha, beta-poly[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide] (PHEA). When enzymatic digestion of PHEA hydrogel was evaluated using various concentrations of pepsin and alpha-chymotrypsin no degradation occurred within 24 h. In-vivo studies showed that this new material is biocompatible after oral administration to rats. PHEA hydrogel was also studied as a system for delivery of diflunisal, an anti-inflammatory drug. In-vitro release studies in simulated gastrointestinal juice (pH 1 or 6.8) showed that most of the drug was released at pH 6.8. In-vivo studies indicated that diflunisal-loaded PHEA microparticles significantly improved the gastric tolerance and oral bioavailability of the drug in comparison with free diflunisal. These results suggest the potential application of PHEA hydrogel as a new delivery system for the oral administration of anti-inflammatory drugs.     

Thrombogenic properties of untreated and poly(ethylene oxide)-modified polymeric matrices useful for preparing intraarterial ion-selective electrodes

In vitro platelet adhesion studies are used to compare the thrombogenic properties of various polymer matrices useful for preparing implantable ion-selective membrane electrodes. Conventional plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) and alternate polyurethane materials (Tecoflex, Pellethane) doped with proton- (tridodecylamine) and potassium-selective (valinomycin) ionophores are shown to be potentially thrombogenic. Incorporation of high molecular weight block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) (e.g., Pluronic F108 and Tetronic 1508) within ion-selective membranes reduces platelet adhesion. A more marked decrease in platelet adhesion is, however, observed when the Tecoflex-based membranes are coated with a thin photo-cross-linked layer of poly(ethylene oxide). Such surface-modified membranes are shown to retain potentiometric ion response properties (i.e., selectivity, response times, response slopes, etc.) essentially equivalent to untreated membranes.     

In vitro peel/shear bond strength evaluation of orthodontic bracket base design

OBJECTIVES: The adhesive capacity of 17 different bracket types was evaluated in an in vitro peel/shear test. METHODS: Silane-treated metal bars were used as substrates with all bonding being performed using the orthodontic adhesive Concise. The effect of aluminium oxide air abrasion on the bonding performance of recycled metal bracket bases was evaluated. Morphological examination of the bracket bases was carried out under scanning electron microscopy. Statistics analysis included one-way ANOVA with Tukey's Studentized Range Test, two-way ANOVA and Weibull analysis. RESULTS: Mean peel/shear bond strength values range from 13.9 MPa for Allure Accu Arch, a ceramic bracket type, to 1.6 MPa for the plastic bracket CeramaFlex Advant Edge. Allure Accu Arch performed the best of all the ceramic brackets. However, bracket wing fracture was observed. The metal brackets Mini masters and Omni Arch showed no significant difference in bond strength compared with the ceramic bracket Allure Accu Arch (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The type of the bracket base determines its adhesive capacity. Sandblasting the base of recycled metal brackets had no uniform effect.     

Production of predominantly polymeric IgA by human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated in vitro with mitogens

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were cultured for various time periods (up to 8 d) in the presence of pokeweed mitogen (PWM), lipopolysaccharide, or Epstein-Barr virus. Cell-free supernates were fractionated on a standardized ultrogel AcA 22 column and the proportion of polymeric and monomeric IgA was determined by radioimmunoassay. The results demonstrate that PBL stimulated with these mitogens produce IgM and IgG with molecular characteristics identical to those found in serum, but that the IgA produced is predominantly of the polymeric type. To prove that this IgA represented disulfide bond-linked polymers rather than aggregated monomers, we have demonstrated that the high molecular weight IgA (a) maintains its polymeric form upon treatment with acidic buffers, (b) contains J chain, a glycoprotein associated only with polymeric immunoglobulins, and (c) dissociates to the monomeric form upon reduction of disulfide bonds. After 1 wk in culture, approximately 60% of the PWM-stimulated cells that contained IgA were positive for IgA2, whereas 40% were IgA1 positive as determined by immunofluorescence. Therefore, peripheral blood contains a population of lymphocytes with the potential to display, after appropriate stimulation and differentiation, characteristics similar to IgA cells found in external secretory tissues. The demonstration of the presence of such cells in the peripheral circulation suggests that these cells are precursors of IgA-producing plasma cells with the potential to populate mucosal tissues.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-acetylneuraminic acid-based affinity matrices for the purification of sialic acid-recognizing proteins

The synthesis of 2-S-(2-aminoethyl) 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosidonic acid (1) has been successfully achieved from the precursors methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-2-S-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-D-glyce ro-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosonate (2) and 2-bromo-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-ethylamine (5). Compounds 1 and 2 were coupled, via amino and thioglycosidic linkages, respectively, to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B. The resultant affinity adsorbents have proved efficient in purifying the sialic acid-recognizing enzyme Vibrio cholerae sialidase, in a one-step process with yields in the order of 60%.     

QSAR's from similarity matrices. Technique validation and application in the comparison of different similarity evaluation methods

It has recently been shown that good quantitative structure-activity relationships can be obtained through statistical analysis of molecular similarity matrices. Here we extend the technique to seven additional molecular series, previously studied using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) methodology. The results are used to confirm technique applicability across a wider range of QSAR problems and to compare quantitatively the ability of various similarity indices to describe biological systems. The relative merits of this technique in comparison to CoMFA are discussed.     

再增密对机械加工后的C/C复合材料力学性能与生物相容性的影响

采用化学气相渗透工艺对机械加工后的C/C复合材料进行再增密,对比研究再增密前后材料的力学性能、表面形貌和生物相容性。结果表明:经过再增密,材料的抗弯强度和抗压强度分别提高8%和51%,分别达到269.8 MPa和317.5 MPa,弯曲模量和压缩模量均接近人骨模量;材料表面粗糙度(Ra)由3.30μm下降到2.51μm,表面形貌由粗糙疏松状转变成光滑密实结构;细胞培养结果表明经再增密处理的C/C复合材料具有良好的细胞相容性。     

Degradation of double-walled polymer microspheres of PLLA and P(CPP:SA)20:80. I. In vitro degradation

Double-walled (DW) polymer microspheres with a core of poly(1,3-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy propane)-co-(sebacic anhydride)20:80 (P(CPP:SA)20:80) and an external coat of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) were degraded for up to 6 months in vitro. The effects of hydrolytic degradation on the polymers were studied by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The inner core of the polyanhydride copolymer (P(CPP:SA)20:80) degraded first, breaking down into oligomers during the first week and then into monomers which were trapped by the outer shell of PLLA, crystallized, and remained in the core for the duration of the study. As expected, the PLLA coat degraded at a slower rate due to the ester bonds between lactic acid monomers being more hydrolytically resistant than the anhydride bonds. The PLLA in the DW microspheres decreased from its original molecular weight (Mw) of 24,000 g mol(-1) to approximately 5,000 g mol(-1) over the 6 month study. The melting temperature of the PLLA decreased more than 30 degrees C during the study, but no changes were observed in the FTIR spectra. The 6 month samples were very brittle, showing the concomitant drop in mechanical strength with the decrease in Mw.     

In vivo and in vitro evaluation of marginal integrity in ceramic inlays

The marginal integrity is an important factor for the long-term success of ceramic inlays. The long term clinical performance of porcelain inlays depends on a number of factors of which the marginal adaptation is of significant interest. The aim of this study was to determine the margin quality of adhesively luted sintered porcelain inlays both in vivo and in vitro. MOD cavities without bevels were prepared on 10 extracted human mandibular molar teeth. Using the Ducera inlay system, inlays were fired on refractory dies and luted with a dual-curing composite resin. After polishing, each, tooth was sectioned in buccal/lingual and mesial/distal directions and marginal adaptation was assessed microscopically. The mean marginal gap of 78.77 +/- 14.85 microns recorded for occlusal margins was significantly smaller than that of 128.85 +/- 34.34 microns seen at the approximal margins. For in vivo evaluation, 25 fired porcelain inlays, including 7 onlays, were placed in Class II cavities. The assessment of the marginal adaptation of inlays was made according to the scaling system used by Aberg et al. (Acta Odontol Scand 1994; 52:140-149). In 19 of the clinical cases, the restoration was contiguous with the existing anatomic form. Both in vivo and in vitro evaluations showed the margin quality of porcelain inlays to be high.     

An in vitro evaluation of distractors used for osteogenesis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate and compare the mechanical behaviors of distractors used for osteogenesis under various conditions by means of common engineering standards. STUDY DESIGN: Five groups of 5 synthetic mandibles were used in this study (N = 25). The first portion of the investigation compared mandibles without intervention (group A [controls]; n = 5), mandibles that had uniform osteotomies stabilized with an external distractor (group B; n = 5), and mandibles that had simulated sagittal osteotomies rigidly fixated with 3 positional screws (group C; n = 5). The second portion of the investigation compared uniform osteotomies (group B; n = 5) and uniform corticotomies (group D; n = 5) that were stabilized with the same external distractor. The last portion of the investigation compared osteotomies stabilized with an external distractor (group B; n = 5) and osteotomies stabilized with an internal distractor (group E; n = 5). Each construct was subjected to vertical loads on a mechanical testing unit. Common engineering standards, including yield load, yield displacement, maximum load, displacement at maximum load, and stiffness, were measured, recorded, and compared by means of a 1-way analysis of variance and a Scheffé multiple comparison test or independent-samples t test. The means between groups were considered significant for P < .05. A polynomial best-fit curve was calculated for the load/displacement data for each group. RESULTS: During the first portion of the investigation, no significant differences were noted between the control, rigidly fixated sagittal osteotomy, and external distractor with osteotomy groups for displacement at maximum load (P = .19). Significant differences were noted between groups for yield displacement (P = .009), yield load (P < .001), maximum load (P < .001), and stiffness (P < .007). Failures occurred in the control and rigidly fixated groups with fractures of the synthetic mandibles. Failures occurred in the external distractor group with permanent deformation or torsion of the pins. During the second portion of the experiment, no statistically significant differences were noted between the corticotomy and osteotomy groups in stiffness (P = .363), maximum load (P = .207), or yield displacement (P = .940). Statistically significant differences were noted between groups for yield load (P = .036) and displacement at maximum load (P = .010). Failures occurred in both groups with permanent deformation or torsion of the pins. During the last portion of the investigation, statistically significant differences were noted between the external distractor and internal distractor groups in yield load (P < .001), yield displacement (P < .001), maximum load (P = .001), and displacement at maximum load (P = .01); no significant differences were noted in stiffness (P = .71). Failures occurred in the external distractor group with permanent deformation or torsion of the pins. Failures occurred in the internal distractor group with fracture of the model or displacement beyond 30.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of mechanical behavior were found between the control and rigidly fixated sagittal osteotomy groups and the external distractor group, between the corticotomy and osteotomy groups, and between the internal and external distractor groups.