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PubMed2004

Nanoscale colloids in a freely adsorbing polymer solution: a Monte Carlo simulation study.

A key issue in nanoscale materials and chemical processing is the need for thermodynamic and kinetic models covering colloid-polymer systems over the mesoscopic length scale (approximately 1-100 nm). We have applied Monte Carlo simulations to attractive nanoscale colloid-polymer mixtures toward developing a molecular basis for models of these complex systems. The expanded ensemble Monte Carlo simulation method is applied to calculate colloid chemical potentials (micro(c)) and polymer adsorption (gamma) in the presence of freely adsorbing Lennard-Jones (LJ) homopolymers (surface modifiers). gamma and micro(c) are studied as a function of nanoparticle diameter (sigma(c)), modifier chain length (n) and concentration, and colloid-polymer attractive strength over 0.3 < Rg/sigma(c) < 6 (Rg is the polymer radius of gyration). In the attractive regime, nanocolloid chemical potential decreases and adsorbed amount increases as sigma(c), or n is increased. The scaling of gamma with n from the simulations agrees with the theory of Aubouy and Raphael (Macromolecules 1998, 31, 4357) in the extreme limits of Rg/sigma(c). When Rg/sigma(c) is large, the "colloid" approaches a molecular size and interacts only locally with a few polymer segments and gamma approximately n. When Rg/sigma(c) is small, the system approaches the conventional colloid-polymer size regime where multiple chains interact with a single particle, and gamma approximately sigma(c)2, independent of n. In contrast, adsorption in the mesoscopic range of Rg/sigma(c) investigated here is represented well by a power law gamma approximately n(p), with 0 < p < 1 depending on concentration and LJ attractive strength. Likewise, the chemical potential from our results is fitted well with micro(c) approximately n(q)sigma(c)3, where the cubic term results from the sigma(c) dependence of particle surface area (approximately sigma(c)2) and LJ attractive magnitude (approximately sigma(c)). The q-exponent for micro(c) (micro(c) approximately n(q)) varies with composition and LJ attractive strength but is always very close to the power exponent for gamma (gamma approximately n(p)). This result leads to the conclusion that in attractive systems, polymer adsorption (and thus polymer-colloid attraction) dominates the micro(c) dependence on n, providing a molecular interpretation of the effect of adsorbed organic layers on nanoparticle stability and self-assembly.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1980

Fibrinogen-fibrin conversion. The mechanism of fibrin-polymer formation in solution.

The fibrin polymers formed in solution during the earliest phase of the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion are shown to be stable soluble molecules at pH7.4 and 0.15m- or 0.3m-NaCl. The various sequential soluble fibrin polymers produced from the fibrinogen-thrombin reaction can be observed by gel chromatography and can be isolated for characterization. The mechanism of fibrin polymerization proposed from the present studies suggests that the initial event is the thrombin activation at only one of the Aalpha-chains in fibrinogen. The resulting highly reactive intermediate is the true fibrin monomer and it rapidly, and irreversibly, self-associates to form the stable fibrin dimer (s(20.w)=12S). Fibrin dimer possesses the N-terminal pattern alanine/glycine/tyrosine (1:1:2) per 340000 molecular weight, and possesses the chain structure [(alpha)Aalpha)(Bbeta)(2)(gamma)(2)](2). The fibrin dimer is a soluble inert molecule, but additional thrombin activation of its remaining intact Aalpha-chains leads to new associations into larger inert soluble fibrin polymers. In this manner progressively larger fibrin oligomers are constructed with thrombin continually in control of the process because of the necessity to repeatedly re-activate the various fibrin polymers in solution. The inert character of the soluble fibrin polymers can be explained by the reciprocal alignment of the associating molecules, which mutually consumes their active surfaces and leaves an intact Aalpha-chain at either end of each fibrin oligomer. The soluble fibrin polymers will proceed to further association only if thrombin activates these remaining Aalpha-chains, otherwise the fibrin molecules are stable indefinitely. The intermolecular associations within the soluble fibrin polymers are essentially irreversible under these nearly physiological conditions. However, the bonding is not covalent. This mechanism accounts for the clinical observations of stable fibrinogen-derived polymers in the plasma from patients undergoing thrombotic processes. Since it is shown that the intermediate fibrin polymers, themselves, are stable soluble molecules, it is no longer necessary, nor warranted, to invoke hypothetical ;fibrinogen-fibrin complexes' to explain observations of fibrin solubility.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2006

How does solvent molecular size affect the microscopic structure in polymer solutions?

Monte Carlo simulation has been used to investigate the effects of linear solvent molecular size on polymer chain conformation in solutions. Increasing the solvent molecular size leads to shrinkage of the polymer chains and increase of the critical overlap concentrations. The root-mean-square radius of gyration of polymer chains (R(g)) is less sensitive to the variation of polymer concentration in solutions of larger solvent molecules. In addition, the dependency of R(g) on polymer concentration under normal solvent conditions and solvent molecular size is in good agreement with scaling laws. When the solvent molecular size approaches the ideal end-to-end distance of the polymer chain, an extra aggregation of polymer chains occurs, and the solvent becomes the so-called medium-sized solvent. When the size of solvent molecules is smaller than the medium size, the polymer chains are swollen or partially swollen. However, when the size of solvent molecules is larger than the medium size, the polymer coils shrink and segregate, enwrapped by the large solvent molecules.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

L-arginine polymers inhibit the development of vein graft neointimal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether L -arginine polymer treatment of vein grafts enhances vascular production of nitric oxide and inhibits the development of neointimal hyperplasia. METHODS: External jugular veins of New Zealand White rabbits (n = 42) were harvested; treated intraluminally for 15 minutes with phosphate-buffered saline solution or L -arginine polymer 5, 7, or 9 at either 10 or 100 micromol/L; and then grafted into the contralateral carotid artery. Rabbits were killed after 28 days, and 5-microm sections of vessels were stained with hematoxylin and scored for intima/media ratio by using computerized morphometric analysis. Separate veins were treated in a similar fashion with biotinylated polymers and phosphate-buffered saline solution to assess for translocation efficiencies. Finally, vein segments pretreated with either phosphate-buffered saline solution or L -arginine polymers were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing lipopolysaccharide (100 microg/mL) and interferon gamma (200 U/mL) for 48 hours before measuring nitric oxide levels by means of the Griess reaction. RESULTS: Biotinylated L -arginine polymers demonstrated a dose- and length-dependent uptake into intimal and medial cells of treated vessels. Nitric oxide levels were significantly higher in vein segments treated with 100 micromol/L of L -arginine polymer 9 compared with control segments. Finally, the intima/media ratio also reflected both length- and concentration-dependent inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia.intima/media ratio PBS R5 R7 R9 10 micromol/L 0.909 +/- 0.072 0.920 +/- 0.073 0.861 +/- 0.138 0.710 +/- 0.122 100 micromol/L 0.924 +/- 0.061 0.581 +/- 0.089* 0.529 +/- 0.093* PBS, Phosphate-buffered saline solution; R, L -arginine polymer. *P <.001 versus phosphate-buffered saline solution and L -arginine polymer 5 controls (Bonferroni-corrected value). CONCLUSIONS: Arginine polymers of sufficient length and concentration were effective in increasing nitric oxide levels and reducing neointimal hyperplasia in this vein graft model.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase null mouse cells synthesize ADP-ribose polymers.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (EC 2.4.2.30), the only enzyme known to synthesize ADP-ribose polymers from NAD+, is activated in response to DNA strand breaks and functions in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Mice homozygous for a disrupted gene encoding PARP are viable but have severe sensitivity to gamma-radiation and alkylating agents. We demonstrate here that both 3T3 and primary embryo cells derived from PARP-/- mice synthesized ADP-ribose polymers following treatment with the DNA-damaging agent, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, despite the fact that no PARP protein was detected in these cells. ADP-ribose polymers isolated from PARP-/- cells were indistinguishable from that of PARP+/+ cells by several criteria. First, they bound to a boronate resin selective for ADP-ribose polymers. Second, treatment of polymers with snake venom phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphatase yielded ribosyladenosine, a nucleoside diagnostic for the unique ribosyl-ribosyl linkages of ADP-ribose polymers. Third, they were digested by treatment with recombinant poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, an enzyme highly specific for ADP-ribose polymers. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ADP-ribose polymers are formed in PARP-/- cells in a DNA damage-dependent manner. Because the PARP gene has been disrupted, these results suggest the presence of a previously unreported activity capable of synthesizing ADP-ribose polymers in PARP-/- cells.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1988

Characterization of a glucose polymer from PC12 cells and neuronal cells of rat embryo.

A large-sized glucose polymer was isolated by pronase digestion from line PC12 pheochromocytoma cells metabolically labeled with [1-3H]galactose. The polymer was included on a column of concanavalin A-Sepharose and could be eluted with 10 mM methyl-alpha-mannoside. Its slight retention in a column of Bio-Gel A-5m suggested that its molecular weight was in the several millions. Glucose was the component monosaccharide and there were two minor lipophilic components present. The polymer was digested with alpha-amylase into a series of oligosaccharides and was cleaved by glucoamylase into glucose residues. The disaccharide obtained by digestion with alpha-amylase was identified as maltose in several HPLC systems and by NMR spectroscopy. NMR measurement revealed the trisaccharide to be maltotriose. Susceptibility of the polymer molecule to alpha-amylase, and the digestion products obtained, indicated a resemblance to glycogen. An analysis for saccharide compositions before and after reduction of the polymer suggested the presence of an aglycon part. Contrary to expectations based on the presence of this moiety, the polymer displayed good solubility in neutral organic solvents. Two-thirds of the glucose polymer was also soluble in 10% TCA. A similar glucose polymer was isolated from neuronal cells of rat embryos metabolically labeled with [1-3H]galactose. Mouse neuroblastoma cells did not synthesize the polymer.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Structures of the two polymers present in the lipopolysaccharide of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia serogroup O4.

Like several other strains of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia, the reference strain for serogroup O4 in the French typing scheme [Heidt, A., Monteil, H. & Richard, C. (1983) J. Clin. Microbiol. 18, 738-740] produces a lipopolysaccharide containing two distinct polymers. Attempts to separate the polymers chromatographically were unsuccessful, but the periodate-resistant major polymer could be isolated by application of the Smith degradation technique to the mixture. By means of chemical and NMR spectroscopic analysis, the following structure could be assigned to the repeating unit of the major polymer: -->3)-alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->. The following structure of the repeating unit of the minor polymer was established from similar studies of its degradation product, resulting from the oxidation of L-rhamnose (Rha), and of the original mixture: -->3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-L-Rhap- (1-->. Individually, the polymers have recently been found in related strains of B. cepacia. The minor polymer was identified as the O-antigen in serotype A of a Canadian typing scheme [Beynon, L. M. & Perry, M. B. (1993) Biochem. Cell Biol. 71, 417-420], and the major polymer in serotype C of a Japanese typing scheme [Paramonov, N. A., Shashkov, A. S., Knirel, Y. A., Soldatkina, M. A. & Zakharova, I. Y. (1994) Bioorg. Khim. 20, 984-993]. In the case of the O4 strain studied here, both polymers were produced under a variety of growth conditions.

Biopolymers↗

PubMed1985

Production and Characterization of a Polymer from Arthrobacter sp.

An Arthrobacter sp. isolated from a glucose-sucrose agar plate was found to produce a neutral, extremely viscous, opalescent extracellular polymer. Growth, polymer production, and rheological properties and chemical composition of the isolated polymer were examined. The polymer was found to be substantially different from other arthrobacter polymers. Some unusual properties included irreversible loss of viscosity with high temperature and degradation of the polymer during fermentation and upon storage at 4 degrees C. Other characteristics included dependence on sucrose for polymer production, relative pH stability, increased viscosity with increased salt concentration, and pseudoplasticity. The polymer was found to be composed primarily (if not entirely) of d-fructose. The fructose content and other characteristics suggested that the polymer was a levan.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Effect of glucose polymer on the intercellular junctions of cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Glucose polymer is an active osmotic agent that is increasingly used as an alternative to glucose in peritoneal dialysis fluids. It was recently reported that the duration of peritoneal dialysis can be extended by using glucose polymer in patients with poor ultrafiltration. We previously demonstrated that high glucose levels damage the intercellular junctions of cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC), but little is known about the influence of glucose polymer. Therefore, we investigated the effects of glucose polymer on the intercellular junctions of HPMC. METHODS: HPMC were isolated, cultured, and identified according to the modified method of Stylianou. M199 medium was supplemented with peritoneal dialysis solutions containing 7.5% glucose polymer or 1.5, 2.5, and 4.25% glucose. After 6 h, cell viability was assessed, intercellular junction proteins were examined by immunofluorescence techniques, and the concentration of transforming growth factor-beta1 in the culture supernatant was determined. RESULTS: Glucose significantly suppressed cell viability and significantly increased transforming growth factor-beta1 production when compared with control or glucose polymer cultures. Peritoneal dialysis solutions containing 4.25% glucose caused the detachment of HPMC. Immunofluorescence of intercellular junction proteins (tight junctions: ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1; adherens junctions: beta-catenin) became weak and uneven after culture with glucose. On the other hand, glucose polymer caused little change in the immunofluorescence of these proteins when compared with control cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Glucose polymer seems to be less toxic to HPMC than glucose itself, suggesting that the glucose polymer may be better for peritoneal dialysis.

Adherens Junctions↗

PubMed2004

Volume relaxation in polymers and its effect on waveguide applications.

Volume relaxation in polymers and the effect intrinsic to glassy polymers can significantly affect their refractive index over time. Its beta rate has been found to be related only to relaxation temperature T and the glass transition temperature of the polymer Tg and not to the polymeric chemical structure. Universal values of beta have been obtained for polymers and were used to predict the minimum index change related to volume in polymers. The index change is in the range from 7.86 x 10(-5) to 5.26 x 10(-4) when the Tg - T value of polymers is between 90 and 350 degrees C. These volume-relaxation-induced changes can cause serious deterioration or even failure in corresponding polymer waveguide devices, such as arrayed waveguide gratings and variable optical attenuators, when the Tg of a polymer is not sufficiently high. A minimum requirement is therefore suggested for the Tg of polymers used to fabricate waveguide devices.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1983

Multiple nature of polymers of deoxyhemoglobin S prepared by different methods.

Studies on the aggregation of deoxy-Hb S in concentrated phosphate buffer revealed the formation of three types of polymers, the difference depending on the method employed for polymerization: 1) random or linear polymers without birefringence, 2) helical polymers with birefringence, and 3) crystals. Random or linear polymers were formed when oversaturated deoxy-Hb S was polymerized by the so-called salting out or isothermal method. Helical polymers were formed when oversaturated deoxy-Hb S (120% of the solubility) was polymerized by the temperature jump method. Crystals were formed preferentially by agitation of the sample during the polymerization below 12 degrees C. The solubilities of deoxy-Hb S measured after preparation of these three types of polymers were different, as were the activation energies for the formation of the three polymers. When a mixture of deoxy- and CO-Hb S was crystallized, the crystalline phase did not contain CO-Hb S molecules. To study the relationship among these three types of polymers and red cell sickling, the morphology of erythrocytes was studied after deoxygenation by several different methods. When erythrocytes were prepared by deoxygenation with 2% sodium dithionite at 30 degrees C, a condition similar to that for the isothermal method, red cells did not form the typical sickle shape but rather an irregular shape. In contrast, with the same experiments carried out by using the temperature jump method, typical sickle-shaped cells were formed. These data suggest that the morphological difference may be attributed to the different types of polymers formed inside erythrocytes.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

PubMed1994

Microfilters by laser processing of bio-polymers.

Thin films of bio-polymers, such as polymethylmetacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene-terephthalate and polyimide, are efficiently etched in air by UV laser pulses. A different sharp laser fluence threshold for significant etching is measured for each polymer. The thresholds are correlated to the chemical structure and to the wavelength-dependent absorption coefficient of the irradiated polymer. The polymers, having low absorption coefficients, show thresholds of the order of some J/cm2, about one magnitude higher than polymers having high absorption coefficients. Measurements on the polymer etching rates, in terms of removed molecules per eV at the used 347 nm wavelength, and a discussion on the laser-polymer interaction are presented. An interesting application of the laser ablation process to bio-polymers, concerning the ability to realize microfilters for the bio-medical field by irradiating the polymer surface through a perforated metal mask, is discussed.

Absorption↗

PubMed1999

In vitro and in vivo comparison of bulk and surface hydrolysis in absorbable polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering.

This article describes preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies comparing bulk and surface hydrolysis in absorbable polymer scaffolds proposed for tissue engineering of bone. The two polymers systems used were a bulk hydrolyzing 50:50 poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and a surface hydrolyzing self-catalytic poly(ortho ester) (POE). Polymer scaffolds were exposed to physiological saline at body temperature and changes in polymer mass loss and inherent viscosity were monitored over time. New bone formation and local tissue response were evaluated by implanting scaffold disks of both polymer systems into non-critical-size calvarial defects in rabbits. New bone formation was determined by bone mineral density measurements, and local tissue response was determined by qualitative histology. Preliminary results confirmed that one of the main design characteristics for absorbable polymers in tissue engineering of bone, coordination of controlled polymer mass loss with new tissue formation, appeared to be achieved better using a surface hydrolyzing POE, rather than with a bulk hydrolyzing 50:50 PLGA. Bone mineral density at 6 and 12 weeks was an average 25% higher in the surface hydrolyzing scaffold. Unfortunately, the amount of bone formed was so inconsequential that this observation is of little relevance. Use of a water-soluble signaling factor such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) failed to increase bone formation. The histological response of these two polymer systems was similar and unaffected by the presence or absence of bFGF. The persistence of structural integrity for self-catalytic POE scaffolds after 6 and 12 weeks implantation, while 50:50 PLGA scaffolds had partially collapsed after 6 weeks, suggests surface hydrolyzing scaffolds may have some advantage over bulk hydrolyzing scaffolds in resisting normal in vivo stresses when used in a calvarial defect.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Preliminary in vivo studies on the osteogenic potential of bone morphogenetic proteins delivered from an absorbable puttylike polymer matrix.

This article describes preliminary in vivo studies evaluating the osteogeneic potential of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) delivered from an absorbable puttylike polymer matrix. In the first study, bovine-derived bone morphogenetic proteins were incorporated in an polymer matrix consisting of 50:50 poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The matrix was implanted in an 8 mm critical-size calvarial defect created in the skull of adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5 per treatment group). After 28 days, the implant sites were removed and examined for new bone formation, polymer degradation, and tissue reaction. Gamma-irradiated polymer matrices appeared to give more bone formation than nonirradiated samples (histological analysis; 2. 76 + 1.34 mm(2) of bone versus 1.30 + 0.90 mm(2) of bone, respectively and x-ray analysis; 27.2 + 15.9 mm(2) of bone versus 20. 7 + 16.7 mm(2) of bone, respectively) and less residual polymer (0.0 + 0.0 versus 0.2 + 0.4, respectively). The polymer implants with bone morphogenetic protein also gave less inflammatory response than the polymer controls (gamma irradiated polymer/BMP = 1.8 + 0.4 and nonirradiated polymer/BMP = 1.2 + 0.4 versus polymer only = 3.0 + 1. 2, respectively). However, despite trends in both the x-ray and histological data there was no statistical difference in the amount of new bone formed among the four treatment groups (P > 0.05). This was most likely due to the large variance in the data scatter and the small number of animals per group. In the second animal study, bovine-derived BMPs and the polymeric carrier were gamma irradiated separately, at doses of 1.5 or 2.5 Mrad, and their ability to form bone in a rat skull onlay model was evaluated using Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5 per treatment group). Histomorphometry of skull caps harvested 28 days after implantation showed no significant differences as compared to non-irradiated samples, in implant area, new bone area, and percent new bone (P > 0.05). These results suggest gamma irradiation may be useful in sterilization of the bovine-derived BMPs and the polymeric carrier for potential bone repair and/or regeneration applications.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Surfactant polymers designed to suppress bacterial (Staphylococcus epidermidis) adhesion on biomaterials.

We describe a series of surfactant polymers designed as surface-modifying agents for the suppression of bacterial adhesion on biomaterials. The surfactant polymers consist of a poly(vinyl amine) backbone with hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and hydrophobic hexanal (Hex) side chains (PVAm/PEO:Hex). Surface modification is accomplished by simple dip coating from aqueous solution, from which surfactant polymers undergo spontaneous surface-induced assembly on hydrophobic biomaterials. The stability of PVAm/PEO:Hex on pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and polyethylene (PE) was demonstrated by the absence of detectable desorption under flow conditions of pure water over a 24-h period. PEO surfactant polymers with four different PEO:Hex ratios (1:1.4, 1:2.5, 1:4.6, and 1:10.7) and a dextran surfactant polymer were compared with respect to S. epidermidis adhesion under dynamic flow conditions. Suppression of S. epidermidis adhesion was achieved for all modified surfaces over the shear range 0-15 dyn/cm(2). The effectiveness depended on the surfactant polymer composition such that S. epidermidis adhesion to modified surfaces decreased significantly with increasing PEO packing density. Modified HOPG was more effective in reducing bacterial adhesion compared with the corresponding modification on PE, which we attribute to the presence of defects in surfactant polymer assembly on PE. Our results are discussed from the perspective of critical factors, such as optimal PEO packing density and hydration thickness, that contribute to the effectiveness of surfactant polymers to shield a biomaterial from adhesive bacterial interactions.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

PubMed2001

A new bioresorbable polymer for screw augmentation in the osteosynthesis of osteoporotic cancellous bone: a biomechanical evaluation.

The aim of the study was to assess the mechanical efficacy of a new resorbable polymer developed on the basis of alkylene bis(dilactoyl)-methacrylate to improve the anchorage of osteosynthesis material in cancellous bone. Cancellous bone screws were inserted in bovine as well as in human vertebrae and human femoral condyles and were augmented with the new polymer or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), respectively. Nonaugmented screws were used as controls. A removal torque test, a dynamic fatigue test, and a pullout test were performed. Augmentation with the new polymer increased the removal torque by 84% in human femoral bone. In the dynamic fatigue test of bovine vertebrae, the removal torque after cyclic loading was 115% higher for the new polymer compared to the nonaugmented controls. In the human vertebrae, the reinforcement with the new polymer increased the removal torque after dynamic loading by 114%. The augmentation with the new polymer increased the pullout force by 88% in bovine vertebrae and by 118% in human vertebrae in comparison to nonaugmented screws. It was concluded that augmentation by the new resorbable polymer significantly enhanced the anchorage of bone screws in cancellous bone. The mechanical efficiency of the new polymer was comparable to that of PMMA cement.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

DNA sequencing with hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers at elevated column temperatures.

Read length in DNA sequencing by capillary electrophoresis at elevated temperatures is shown to be greatly affected by the extent of hydrophobicity of the polymer separation matrix. At column temperatures of up to 80 degrees C, hydrophilic linear polyacrylamide (LPA) provides superior read length and separation speed compared to poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) and a 70:30 copolymer of N,N-dimethylacrylamide and N,N-diethylacrylamide (PDEA30). DNA-polymer and polymer intramolecular interactions are presumed to be a major cause of band broadening and the subsequent loss of separation efficiency with the more hydrophobic polymers at higher column temperatures. With LPA, these interactions were reduced, and a read length of 1000 bases at an optimum temperature of 70 degrees -75 degrees C was achieved in less than 59 min. By comparison, PDMA produced a read length of roughly 800 bases at 50 degrees C, which was close to the read length attained in LPA at the same temperature; however, the migration time was approximately 20% longer, mainly because of the higher polymer concentration required. At 60 degrees C, the maximum read length was 850 bases for PDMA, while at higher temperatures, read lengths for this polymer were substantially lower. With the copolymer DEA30, read length was 650 bases at the optimum temperature of 50 degrees C. Molecular masses of these polymers were determined by tandem gel permeation chromatography-multiangle laser light scattering method (GPC-MALLS). The results indicate that for long read, rapid DNA sequencing and analysis, hydrophilic polymers such as LPA provide the best overall performance.

Acrylamides↗

PubMed2005

Biocompatibility and functionality of the degradable polymer alkylene bis(dilactoyl)-methacrylate for screw augmentation in vivo.

Recently, a new degradable polymer has been developed on the basis of alkylene bis(dilactoyl)-methacrylate as an alternative material for screw augmentation. The polymer has been investigated in vitro and in a short-term experiment in rabbits exhibiting promising results. The aim of the present study was to investigate its long-term biocompatibility and mechanical functionality in a large animal model. The polymer was used for screw augmentation in the cancellous bone of the femoral condyle and tibia epiphysis of 12 sheep and was compared to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmented and nonaugmented screws. After an implantation period of 6 months, bone, regional lymph nodes, and several organs were histologically evaluated. The mechanical efficacy was investigated by a biomechanical pullout test. A lot of mononuclear macrophages and multinuclear foreign body giant cells with incorporated polymer particles indicate strong inflammatory reactions. Large osteolysis zones with osteoclasts were found in the surrounding polymer. The polymer was fragmented but not substantially degraded. Polymer particles were also found in the regional lymph nodes. Lung, liver, kidney, and spleen did not show any pathological signs. The pullout force of screws augmented with the new polymer was significantly reduced in comparison to PMMA augmented and nonaugmented screws, respectively. It was concluded that the material has poor biocompatibility and cannot be recommended for clinical application as screw augmentation material.

Animals↗