Vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell culture on NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films: a preliminary study for vascular graft development

Tissue engineering offers the potential of providing vessels that can be used to replace diseased and damaged native blood vessels. The endothelization of a synthetic vascular graft minimizes the failures associated with blood clotting and platelet activation. The aim of this study was to culture vascular-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells on both untreated and NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films, a biocompatible and bio-resorbable polymer, and to evaluate the behavior of both cell types as a preliminary study for vascular graft development. PCL films were prepared by hot pressing; characterized by DSC, IR, SEM, and scanning force microscopy; and treated with NaOH to increase the surface hydrophilicity before cell culture. Endothelial and smooth muscle cells, isolated from pig cava vein, were characterized by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Good adhesion, growth, viability and morphology of both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells on PCL films were obtained, but a light stimulation of mitochondrial activity was observed during short culture times. NaOH treatment improved the adhesion and enhanced the proliferation in both cell types. This verified the possible use of this modified polymer as a support in the preparation of a synthetic vascular graft. [Diagram: see text] SEM micrograph of smooth muscle cells cultured on NaOH-treated PCL film. (Original magnification: 1000x).     

Characterization of Mercury – Humic Acids Interaction by Potentiometric Titration with a Modified Carbon Paste Mercury Sensor

Stability constant for mercury binding by commercial and natural humic acids (HA) were determined using a new potentiometric mercury(II) sensor based on dithiosalicylic acid modified carbon paste electrode. The sensor present a high selective and sensitive response to mercury(II) ions, and a low detection limit of 1.8×10^?8 M. The potentiometric titrations curves of humic acids against mercury(II) ions were modeled. For 1.00×10^?7 to 3.00×10^?4 M mercury(II) ion concentration levels the results are consistent with the presence of two different binding sites in the humic acid macromolecule. The strongest binding sites (log K₁ ranging from 10.1 to 6.8) are probably due to interaction with carboxylic acid and amine groups in the molecule, whereas weakest binding sites (log K₂ ranging from 8.8 to 4.5) can be associated to phenolic groups.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal polycarboxylates constructed from lanthanides(iii) and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid

The complexes of yttrium(III) and lanthanides(III) with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid were prepared as crystalline solids of the general formula Ln₄(C₁₀H₂O₈)₃⋅14H₂O. They are insoluble in water. On heating in air or inert gas atmosphere all compounds lose water molecules; next anhydrous compounds decompose to oxides. The yttrium complex and heavy lanthanide (from Ho to Lu) ones crystallize in monoclinic crystal system. The dehydration does not change the crystal structure of the compounds.     

Supramolecular helical mesomorphic polymers. Chiral induction through H-bonding

The work described here concerns a challenge of general interest in supramolecular chemistry: the achievement of chiral helical organizations with controlled structures. This work provides a strategy to obtain supramolecular polymers in which a chiral helical conformation has been induced by a noncovalent association, that is, through hydrogen bonding. Polycatenar 2,4,6-triarylamino-1,3,5-triazines, which organize into columnar mesophases and are susceptible to H-bonding interactions, were chosen as a starting point to build up the chiral supramolecular structure. The stacking of these mesogens has been forced to wind in a helical way by means of H-bond association with (R)-3-methyladipic acid, within the mesophase. The optically active columnar organization has been studied in depth by optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, and circular dichroism. Formation of stable complexes between the triazine units and (R)-3-methyladipic acid has also been investigated by means of NMR diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) experiments in chloroform.     

Effect of the fibre-forming material structure and silica nanoparticles

The paper discusses the thermal properties of alginate fibres made from alginic acid or sodium alginate and from alginates substituted with divalent metal ions during the fibre-forming stage. Alginate fibres with an addition of silica nanoparticles have also been examined. The selection of fibre-forming parameters was intended to obtain the best either sorption or strength properties depending on the specific fibre application. Thermal curves of the fibres under investigations obtained by under air atmosphere and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under neutral gas atmosphere have been interpreted from the view of physical and chemical changes in the fibre-forming material. Based on thermogravimetric curves, the fibre thermal stability indices have been determined. It has been found that the addition of silica nanoparticles exerts a positive influence on the thermal properties of the examined fibres.     

Photogeneration and quenching of reactive oxygen species by urocanic acid

Urocanic acid, UCA, is characterized by two electronic transitions in the UV-B (280-320 nm) which comprise its broad absorption spectrum and give rise to wavelength-dependent isomerization quantum yields. The absorption spectrum of UCA extends into the UV-A (320-400 nm). Given the UV-A component of sunlight is significantly greater than the UV-B component it is hypothesized even weak UV-A photochemistry of UCA could be important for in vivo responses to UV radiation. Degenerate pump-probe experiments performed on t-UCA at several wavelengths in the UV-A reveal an excited-state absorption that undergoes a rapid, approximately 1 ps decay. Photoacoustic experiments performed on both the cis and trans isomers reveal the formation of a long-lived intermediate following UV-A excitation. The efficiency and action spectra for this latter photoactive process are presented and are similar for both isomers of UCA. Cholesterol hydroperoxide assays designed to investigate the nature of the UV-A photoreactivity of t-UCA confirm the production of reactive oxygen species. The bimolecular rate constant for the quenching of singlet oxygen by t-UCA is determined to be 3.5 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). Taking into consideration recent theoretical calculations and jet expansion studies of the electronic structure of gas-phase t-UCA, a model is proposed to explain the isomerization and photoreactivity of t-UCA in solution over the UV-A region.     

The polymorphic transformations of cobalt molybdate

Polymorphic transformations of CoMoO₄ were studied by means of high temperature X-ray measurements within the temperature range 25–1200°C. On heating phase a obtained from low temperature modification b a new modification a′ was discovered. Phase a obtained by thermal decomposition of solvated α-CoMoO₄ shows different behaviour. At 700–930°C depending on the conditions of preparation it transforms irreversibly into still another modification a″. On cooling, a mixture of phases a + a″ is obtained, the presence of a″ being responsible for the explosionwise transition into b, observed around the room temperature.     

Prediction of adsorption of organic component and water vapour mixture onto activated carbon

A simple isotherm equation is derived for the adsorption of an organic component onto activated carbon in presence of water vapour. The theoretical results are compared with experimental data for toluene-water vapour-activated carbon, which were published byRipperger andGermerdonk [10].

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Vorhersage der Adsorption einer organischen Komponente und Wasserdampf an Aktivkohle

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine einfache Adsorptionsisotherme abgeleitet, welche die gleichzeitige Adsorption eines organischen Stoffes und Wasser an Aktivkohle beschreibt. Die theoretischen Ergebnisse werden mit experimentellen Resultaten vonRipperger undGermerdonk [10] für Toluol-Wasser-Aktivkohle verglichen.

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Symbols a _i adsorbate concentration in adsorbent, kg/kg of carbon - a _0i monolayer capacity, kg/kg of carbon - b _i kinetic parameter of theLangmuir equation - E _j adsorption energy in thej-th layer - i i-th component (1 — water vapour, 2 — organic compound) - j j-th layer - m number of layers - n number of adsorbed components - p partial pressure, Pa - p* saturation partial pressure, Pa - p _C water vapour partial pressure at begining of capillary condensation, Pa - surface coverage     

Phase equilibria in the ternary system PbO−P2O5−PbCl2

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In the ternary system PbO?P2O5?PbCl2, the partial ternary system Pb5Cl2O4?Pb3Cl2O2?Pb10(PO4)6Cl2 was examined by thermal,...     

Über eine neue automatische Apparatur zur Zentigramm-Bestimmung von Kohlenstoff und Wasserstoff in organischen Substanzen

Zusammenfassung Das vom Verfasser undE. Sucharda schon 1928 angewandte Prinzip, die durch das Verhalten der Substanz beim Erhitzen bewirkten Druckschwankungen im Verbrennungsrohre zum Zwecke der automatischen Regulierung der Vergasungsgeschwindigkeit der Substanz bei der Elementaranalyse auszunutzen, wurde bei der Konstruktion einer neuen, elektrisch betriebenen, automatischen Apparatur angewandt. Hierbei wird das mit der Substanz gefüllte Mikroschiffchen mittels eines elektrischen Hochfrequenzgenerators erhitzt. Der Stromzufluß zu dem Hochfrequenzgenerator wird durch die erwähnten Druckschwankungen einoder ausgeschaltet. Die Verbrennung verläuft dann bei praktisch konstantem Druck im Verbrennungsrohre, also auch bei konstantem Sauerstoffüberschuß. Die neue Apparatur wird an Hand beigefügter Abbildungen beschrieben. Als Absorptionsmittel für Stickstoffoxyde werden 1 bis 2 g Bleidioxyd in einem 12 cm langen Porzellanschiffchen bei 190° angewandt. Die Absorption des Wassers erfolgt durch wasserfreies Kobaltchlorid, die der Kohlensäure ausschließlich durch Ascarit. Die Sauerstoffgeschwindigkeit im Verbrennungsrohre beträgt 8 ml pro Minute. Bei Substanzen, die mehr als 10% N enthalten, wird zwischen den Kohlensäureabsorptionsapparat und den Wasserabsorptionsapparat ein mit Mangandioxyd gefüllter Apparat eingeschaltet.

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Summary The principle used by the author andE. Sucharda as early as 1928, which employs the variations in pressure in the combustion tube resulting from the behavior of the substance when heated, for automatically regulating the rate of gasifying the substance was applied in the construction of a new electrically operated automatic apparatus. The micro boat charged with the sample is heated by means of a high frequency generator. The flow of current to the high frequency generator is switched on and off by the variations in pressure mentioned above. The combustion then proceeds at practically constant pressure in the combustion tube, and even when there is a constant excess of oxygen. The new apparatus is described in the accompanying figures. The nitrogen oxides are absorbed in 1 to 2 grams of lead dioxide contained in a porcelain boat (12 cm long) at 190°. The absorption of the water is by means of anhydrous cobalt chloride, while the carbon dioxide is taken up in ascarite. The speed of the oxygen in the combustion tube is 8 ml per minute. In the case of samples that contain more than 10% nitrogen, an apparatus filled with manganese dioxide is placed between the carbon dioxide absorber and the apparatus for taking up the water.

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Résumé Le principe de l'utilisation des variations de pression qui se produisent dans un tube à combustion en analyse élémentaire, lors du chauffage de la substance, a été utilisé dès 1928 par l'auteur etE. Sucharda pour la régulation automatique de la gazéification de cette substance. Il a été appliqué à la construction d'un nouvel appareil automatique commandé électriquement. La micronacelle qui contient la substance est chauffée électriquement à l'aide d'un générateur de courant de haute fréquence. Les variations de pression pendant la combustion provoquent l'ouverture ou la fermeture du circuit d'alimentation de ce générateur. Il en résulte que la combustion est effectuée à pression pratiquement constante ainsi qu'à excès d'oxygène constant. Ce nouvel appareil est décrit sur les figures de la publication.On utilise 1 à 2 grammes de bioxyde de plomb disposés dans une nacelle de porcelaine de 12 cm de longueur, portée à 190° pour absorber les oxydes de l'azote. L'eau est absorbée par du chlorure de cobalt anhydre et l'anhydride carbonique exclusivement par de l'ascarite. Le débit du courant d'oxygène dans le tube de combustion est de 8 ml par minute. Pour les substances contenant plus de 10% d'azote, on intercale un absorbeur à bioxyde de manganèse entre l'absorbeur à anhydride carbonique et l'absorbeur à eau.