Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Highly sensitive gold-overoxidized polypyrrole nanocomposite immunosensor for antitransglutaminase antibody
In this study, an immunosensor for the electrochemical determination of antitransglutaminase antibody was constructed. The immunosensor architecture was based on the electrostatic deposition of transglutaminase antigen on a glassy carbon electrode modified with electrosynthetic overoxidized polypyrrole and gold nanoparticles and capped the transglutaminase layer with bovine serum albumin. As a result, good surface coverage of the gold nanoparticles (~100 nm) was achieved across the overoxidized polypyrrole film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy parameters of the gold nanoparticle–overoxidized polypyrrole electr...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - March 12, 2013 Category: Research Authors: West, N., Baker, P., Waryo, T., Ngece, F. R., Iwuoha, E. I., O'Sullivan, C., Katakis, I. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Functionalization of electrospun poly({varepsilon}-caprolactone) scaffold with heparin and vascular endothelial growth factors for potential application as vascular grafts
In this study, a heparin-conjugated poly(-caprolactone) electrospun fiber was constructed to develop a functional scaffold for controlled release of vascular endothelial growth factors. The immobilization of vascular endothelial growth factor was achieved through affinity binding between heparin and vascular endothelial growth factor molecules. The sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor from the scaffold was followed for up to 15 days. The endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation assay demonstrated that immobilized vascular endothelial growth factor maintained its activity. The blood compatibility of th...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - March 12, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Wang, Z., Sun, B., Zhang, M., Ou, L., Che, Y., Zhang, J., Kong, D. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/wool keratin fibrous composite scaffolds potential for bone tissue engineering applications
Biocomposite scaffolds consist of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and wool keratin were obtained by an electrospinning process. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/wool keratin fibers had relatively rougher surfaces and smaller diameters. Thermogravimetric analysis showed higher thermal stabilities of the developed biocomposites compared to neat poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). Mechanical tests showed that when the wool keratin content increased from 0% to 0.5% w/v, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/0.5% wool keratin scaffolds increas...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - March 12, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Zhang, H., Liu, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Self-cross-linkable hydrogels composed of partially oxidized alginate and gelatin for myocardial infarction repair
In this study, covalent cross-linking of partially oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel was developed for myocardial infarction treatment, as compared to cross-linked alginate hydrogel and saline. Specifically, the gelation process, mechanical properties, and biodegradation of both cross-linked alginate hydrogel and oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel were examined in vitro and in vivo; and a rat myocardial infarction model was developed by injecting hydrogel into hearts, and postinjection, echocardiography was performed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. Matrix metalloprotease-2/9 activity was also examined by in si...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - March 12, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Bai, X., Fang, R., Zhang, S., Shi, X., Wang, Z., Chen, X., Yang, J., Hou, X., Nie, Y., Li, Y., Tian, W. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Poly(D-lactide)/poly(caprolactone) nanofiber-thermogelling chitosan gel composite scaffolds for osteochondral tissue regeneration in a rat model
Macroporous nanostructured scaffolds that can be made to closely mimic skeletal tissue extracellular matrix as well as have the potential to support bone and cartilage tissue regeneration. Porous poly(d-lactide)/poly(caprolactone) nanofiber scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning respective polymer solutions along with salt crystals, which were sintered into fiber mats into cylindrical shape of 1.5 mm diameter and cut into 2–3 mm length followed by salt leaching in distilled water. The poly(d-lactide)/poly(caprolactone)–chitosan composite scaffolds were prepared by impregnating the porous structure of the el...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - March 12, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Cui, Z., Wright, L. D., Guzzo, R., Freeman, J. W., Drissi, H., Nair, L. S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Studies on the biocompatibility of bacterial cellulose
Bacterial cellulose was functionalized with a chimeric protein containing a cellulose-binding module and the adhesion peptide Arg-Gly-Asp. Small-diameter bacterial cellulose membranes were produced and subcutaneously implanted in sheep for 1–32 weeks. The implants triggered a biological response similar to other high surface-to-volume implants. There were no significant differences in the inflammation degree between the bacterial cellulose coated with the recombinant protein Arg-Gly-Asp–cellulose-binding module and the native bacterial cellulose. The implants were considered to be mildly irritating to the tissu...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Andrade, F. K., Alexandre, N., Amorim, I., Gartner, F., Mauricio, A. C., Luis, A. L., Gama, M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Rapid disinfection by N-halamine polyelectrolytes
Two new N-halamine polyelectrolytes were synthesized, characterized, and deposited onto cotton fabric from a water solution using a layer-by-layer assembly technique. The fabrics were rendered biocidal by a dilute household bleach solution and challenged with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The chlorinated swatches (five bilayer coated) inactivated ~106 Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 within only 2 min of contact time. Although the coatings were susceptible to hydrolysis when exposed to repeated washing, the stability of the system was improved by a posttreatment with a cross-l...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Cerkez, I. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-N,N-dimethyl acryl amide)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) amphiphilic block copolymer micelles for prednisone drug release
Novel amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of hydrophobic poly(D,L-lactide) segments and hydrophilic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N, N-dimethylacrylamide) blocks were designed and synthesized through a simple free radical copolymerization route based on a bifunctional initiator, followed by the ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide. The copolymers self-assembled into thermosensitive spherical-nanosized core–shell micelles in aqueous solution in the presence or the absence of the model drug prednisone. The chemical and physical characterizations of drug-loaded and unloaded micelles revealed a lower critical s...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Xu, F., Yan, T.-T., Luo, Y.-L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Polymer chains incorporating caprolactone and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid functionalities: Synthesis, characterization and biological response in vitro of the Schwann cell
This study describes a strategy for the covalent immobilization of active adhesion peptide moieties onto polymers through the intermediacy of itaconic acid. The arginine–glycine–aspartic acid peptide was grafted to a novel poly(caprolactone 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl ester)-co-itaconic acid bulk biomaterial, in order to improve the cell adhesion of the polymer. First, the arginine–glycine–aspartic acid sequence was grafted onto itaconic acid via an amidation reaction using N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide as activation complex. The itaconic acid–...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Perez, E. R., Garcia Cruz, D. M., Araque Monros, M. C., Gomez-Pinedo, U., Pradas, M. M., Escobar Ivirico, J. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

An extracellular matrix-like surface modification on titanium improves implant endothelialization through the reduction of platelet adhesion and the capture of endothelial progenitor cells
To address the problem of surface-induced thrombosis and restenosis, an extracellular matrix–like biological membrane was constructed from collagen, heparin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and an anti-CD34 antibody. This membrane was assembled on a titanium surface using a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique and induced the spontaneous endothelialization of synthetic cardiovascular implants in vivo. The multilayer growth process was carried out by first depositing a single layer of positively charged poly-L-lysine on the negatively charged NaOH-treated titanium substrate. This was followed by alternating depo...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Li, Q.-L., Huang, N., Chen, J.-L., Xiong, K.-Q., Chen, J.-Y., You, T.-X., Jin, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Influence of scaffold pore size on collagen I development: A new in vitro evaluation perspective
This study is targeted on the intermediate stage of the bone healing process, where a collagen network is beginning to develop by the growing osteoblasts representing the template for the ultimate stage of bone formation. Imaging analyses assessed by confocal laser microscopy were combined with gene expression measurements of the most common genes involved in the bone healing process. Furthermore, in vitro evaluations were carried out to investigate cell morphology, proliferation, and viability. It was found that the different pore size matrixes can affect extracellular matrix development and that cell organization, collag...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Stoppato, M., Carletti, E., Sidarovich, V., Quattrone, A., Unger, R. E., Kirkpatrick, C. J., Migliaresi, C., Motta, A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Chemical-physical and in vivo evaluations of a self-assembling amphiphilic peptide as an injectable hydrogel scaffold for biomedical applications
The self-aggregation and gelation of an amphiphilic peptide (C17H35CONH–A4G3ERGD, peptide amphiphile) were studied by light scattering, viscometry, nuclear magnetic resonance diffusometry, and atomic force microscopy. The peptide amphiphile critical aggregation concentration was evaluated to be 16 and 60 µM by light scattering and viscometry, respectively. The observed difference was attributed to the larger sensitivity of the latter technique to the presence of long fibrils. The addition of one equivalent or more of divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) to peptide amphiphile formed dense incoherent hydrogels. Based...
Source: Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers - January 15, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Solaro, R., Alderighi, M., Barsotti, M. C., Battisti, A., Cifelli, M., Losi, P., Di Stefano, R., Ghezzi, L., Tine, M. R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research