Biomedical subjects

Ulrike Schulz

Publications and source records attributed to Ulrike Schulz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Review of modern techniques to generate antireflective properties on thermoplastic polymers.

Modern optical applications need solutions for providing polymer surfaces with antireflective properties. The problems involved in coating comprise thermal limitations, incompatible mechanical properties of coating and substrate materials, and interaction between polymers and plasma. As an alternative for coating, antireflective properties on polymers can also be obtained by hot embossing or by ion etching of surface structures. My objective is to provide the criteria for choosing suitable deposition or structuring methods based on an understanding of plasma-, radiation-, and ion-induced surface phenomena; material compatibility; mechanical and environmental performance; and cost issues. The potential to produce antireflective interference coatings is documented for plasma-enhanced physical- and chemical-vapor-deposition methods, including modern hybrid techniques, as well as for solgel wet-chemical processes. The review about state-of-the-art coatings focuses on the thermoplastic acrylic, polycarbonate, and cycloolefin polymers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Symmetrical periods in antireflective coatings for plastic optics.

Plastic optical parts require antireflective as well as hard coatings. A novel design concept for coating plastics combines both functions. Symmetrical three-layer periods with a phase thickness of 3/2pi are arranged in a multilayer to achieve a step-down refractive-index profile. It is shown mathematically that the equivalent index of symmetrical periods can be lower than the lowest refractive index of a material used in the design, if the phase thickness of the symmetrical period is set equal to 3/2pi instead of the usual pi/2. The straightforward application of the concept to the design of antireflection coatings in general is demonstrated by example.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Antireflection coating design for plastic optics.

The coating of plastics for optical applications is intended to improve the mechanical durability of soft polymers and to serve an antireflection function. Usually a classic four-layer antireflection system is added on top of a single-layer hard coating. With needle optimization, an alternative coating design has been developed. The design is characterized by thin high-refractive-index layers that are almost evenly distributed over the whole stack. Plasma ion-assisted deposition was used to deposit coatings upon poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, and cyclo-olefin copolymer. Uniform antireflection and high scratch resistance have been achieved.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma inhibit cell growth in malignant melanoma.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily involved in adipocyte differentiation and glucose homeostasis. There is evidence that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma may also act as a tumor suppressor. Here, we demonstrate expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in benign melanocytic naevi, different variants of primary cutaneous melanomas, and melanoma metastases. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma protein and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma1 mRNA were also detected in human melanoma cell lines. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma specific agonists 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2, troglitazone, and rosiglitazone dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in four melanoma cell lines, whereas a specific agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha had no such effect. At a concentration of 50 microM rosiglitazone, the most potent peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist tested suppressed cell growth by approximately 90%. Apoptosis could be induced in melanoma cell lines by incubation with tumor-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. In contrast, the growth inhibitory effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activation was independent of apoptosis and seemed to occur primarily through induction of cell cycle arrest. Our data indicate that melanoma cell growth may be modulated through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

Antineoplastic Agents↗