Surfactants can compete with microplastics for surfaces using adhesives as substrates for microplastic sequestration.

Experimental efforts supplemented by modeling gauged whether common additives found in soaps and laundry detergents interfered with polyacrylate adhesive-based capture of microplastics. On the experimental front, poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA) samples were evaluated using gravimetric analysis, probe tack, and functional assessments of adhesive-coated glass slides immersed into DI water solutions containing both microparticles and additives (solvents, softeners, and non-ionic surfactants). Nylon-6 spheres and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics were chosen for adsorption using a count-based method by ImageJ imaging analysis.

The effect of cisplatin on the nanoscale structure of aqueous PEO-PPO-PEO micelles of varying hydrophilicity observed using SAXS.

Aqueous solutions of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide (PEO-PPO-PEO) copolymers form micelles and cubic lattices as their temperature is raised. The presence of added solutes within the dispersions can also affect the kinetics of structure formation. Here, we investigate the structures formed in the amphiphiles P104, P105, and F108 solutions at 31% mass per v both neat and co-formulated with the drug cisplatin (0.

Agitation of amyloid proteins to speed aggregation measured by ThT fluorescence: a call for standardization.

This retrospective study of protein aggregation measured by Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay in published literature has assessed protein sensitivity to denaturing conditions that include elevated temperatures, fluctuations in pH, and concentration and, in particular, agitation to induce amyloid structure formation. The dynamic tracking of fluorescence shows a sigmoidal evolution as aggregates form; the resulting kinetics of association have been analyzed to explore the range of aggregation behavior which occurs based on environmental parameters. Comparisons between the experimental results of different groups have been historically difficult due to subtleties of experimental procedures including denaturing temperature, protein type and concentration, formulation differences, and how agitation is achieved.

Formation of platinum-coated templates of insulin nanowires used in reducing 4-nitrophenol.

Modern technology demands ever smaller and more efficient nanoparticles, wires and networks. The natural tendency for amyloid proteins to form fibrillar structures is leveraged in creating high aspect ratio, nano-sized protein fibers as scaffolds for metallized nanowires. The morphology of fibrils is influenced by induced strain during denaturing and early aggregation and subsequent fibril deposition with platinum leads to controlled catalyst surfaces based on the initial protein precipitate.

Thermodynamic properties of aqueous PEO-PPO-PEO micelles with added methylparaben determined by differential scanning calorimetry.

DSC experiments were performed on aqueous solutions of PEO-PPO-PEO (P105) amphiphiles in the low concentration regime (0-1%) to resolve the critical micelle concentration (cmc) both neat and co-formulated with methylparaben (MP). Further work was done at 10% amphiphilic copolymer concentrations and co-formulated with MP to resolve the variations in enthalpy. The compensation temperature, T(compensation), was determined from the analyses for neat P105 as 293.

In vitro evaluation of osteoblastic differentiation on amorphous calcium phosphate-decorated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds.

Calcium phosphate-decorated polyester matrices are promising scaffolds for bone tissue engineering that combine the tunable degradation of synthetic polymers and the osteoconductivity of calcium phosphate minerals. In this study, scaffolds decorated with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) minerals-which exhibit sustained dissolution and release of calcium and phosphate ions-were tested for their ability to support osteoblast proliferation and stimulate differentiation. The two ACPs tested were zirconia-hybridized ACP (ZrACP), which releases ions over a few days and converts in aqueous solution to hydroxyapatite (HAP), and zinc-hybridized ACP (ZnACP), which has a longer period of sustained ion release.

Fabrication and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microsphere/amorphous calcium phosphate scaffolds.

Although hydroxyapatite (HAP) and β-tricalcium phosphate have been used extensively as osteoconductive minerals in biomaterial scaffolds for bone regeneration, they lack the capacity to stimulate osteoblastic differentiation of progenitor cells. In contrast, amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs), which convert to HAP under aqueous conditions, have the potential to facilitate osteoblastic differentiation through the transient local release of calcium and phosphate ions. Therefore, in this study ACPs were synthesized using zinc and zirconia divalent cations as stabilizers (denoted ZnACP and ZrACP, respectively) and compared to HAP.

Design and application of an oscillatory compression device for cell constructs.

Mechanical compression has been shown to impact cell activity; however a need for a single device to perform a broader range of parametric studies exists. We have developed an oscillatory displacement controlled device to uniaxially strain cell constructs under both static and dynamic compression and used this device to investigate gene expression in cell constructs. The device has a wide stroke (0.

Effect of soluble zinc on differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells.

Amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs) are attractive fillers for osseous defects and are stabilized through the incorporation of transition metals such as zirconium and zinc. As ACP converts in solution to hydroxyapatite (HAP) in a manner marked by a transient release of calcium and phosphate ions, it is capable of stimulating osteoblastic differentiation. Zinc is known to retard ACP conversion to HAP, and--when incorporated into ceramic biomaterials--has been shown to stimulate osteoblastic differentiation.

Fabrication and characterization of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid)/zirconia-hybridized amorphous calcium phosphate composites.

Several minerals, such as hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate, have been incorporated into bioresorbable polyester bone scaffolds to increase the osteoconductivity both in vitro and in vivo. More soluble forms of calcium phosphate that release calcium and phosphate ions have been postulated as factors that increase osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. Recently, a zirconia-hybridized pyrophosphate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (Zr-ACP) has been synthesized allowing controlled release of calcium and phosphate ions.

Reduced transglutaminase-catalyzed protein aggregation is observed in the presence of creatine using sedimentation velocity.

Transglutaminases (TGases) are enzymes that catalyze covalent isopeptide crosslinks between reactive lysine and glutamine residues in proteins. Higher than normal local concentrations of TGase have been correlated with increased protein aggregation in vivo. These insoluble protein aggregates are the hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, although each aggregating protein involved is disease specific.

Osteoblast response to zirconia-hybridized pyrophosphate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate.

Calcium phosphate bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite, have long been used as bone substitutes because of their proven biocompatibility and bone binding properties in vivo. Recently, a zirconia-hybridized pyrophosphate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (Zr-ACP) has been synthesized, which is more soluble than hydroxyapatite and allows for controlled release of calcium and phosphate ions. These ions have been postulated to increase osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in vitro.