Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Preservation Of The Cell-Biomaterial Interface At The Ultrastructural Level, J. M. Schakenraad, J. A. Oosterbaan, E. H. Blaauw

Cells and Materials

Studying the tissue-biomaterial interface at the ultrastructural level is not without problems. Dissolution of the biomaterial in one of the dehydration or embedding media causes holes and shatter during sectioning or dislodgement of the biomaterial. The fine tuning of the hardness of both biomaterial and embedding medium, as well as the introduction of butyl-2,3- epoxypropylether as an intermediate between the dehydration series and the Epon resin , improving the impregnation , will solve many of the problems mentioned. With this improved technique good results were obtained with materials ranging from teflon, poly(Lactic acid) and polyurethanes to tissue culture polystyrene. No …

Deposition And Resorption Of Calcified Matrix In Vitro By Rat Marrow Cells, J. E. Davies, R. Chernecky, B. Lowenberg, A. Shiga

Cells and Materials

Rat bone marrow derived cells were cultured using a-Minimal Essential Medium supplemented with antibiotics, ascorbic acid and !3-glycerphosphate in the presence of 10-8M dexamethasone, on polystyrene and hydrophilic fluorocarbon substrata for periods of 2 - 4 weeks. During this time, a large yield of bone nodules was achieved and the elaborated tissue was examined by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The matrix produced by the cells contacting the underlying substratum was an afibrillar, globular, calcified material which formed a layer approximately 0.5μm thick. The calcium and phosphorus content of this material was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray dot mapping …

Analysis Of Protein Adsorption On Retrieved Human Vascular Grafts Using Immunogold Labelling With Silver Enhancement, N. P. Ziats, N. S. Topham, D. A. Pankowsky, J. M. Anderson

Cells and Materials

The adsorption of proteins on biomedical materials such as vascular grafts is important in modulating thrombosis, one eventual cause of vascular graft failure. We have identified proteins expressed on the surfaces of retrieved vascular grafts to determine if certain proteins were present at the end stage of vascular failure. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of protein adsorption on the surfaces of retrieved vascular prostheses was determined using antibodies to human blood proteins fibrinogen, fibronectin, Hageman factor (factor XII) and factor VIII/von Willebrand Factor. The detection of these proteins on the blood contacting surface was evaluated by immunogold labelling with protein A-gold …

Peripheral Nerve Bridges For Central Nervous System Regeneration, Silvio Varon, Theo Hagg, H. Lee Vahlsing, Marston Manthorpe

Cells and Materials

A neuronotrophic hypothesis for the adult central nervous system (CNS) has been increasingly supported by in vivo studies of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) impacts on adult rat CNS cholinergic neurons. We have extended these investigations to NGF effects on cholinergic axonal regeneration in an adult rat septo-hippocampal model. A fimbriafornix lesion deprives the dorsal hippocampal formation (HF) of its cholinergic afferents and provides a cavity into which sciatic nerve segments can be implanted to serve as regeneration bridges from septum to HF. Septa! cholinergic fibers enter and course through fresh cell-containing nerve bridges to attain a maximal number by the …

Evaluation Of The Images Of Specular Microscopy Of The Cells On Implanted Intraocular Lenses In Vivo, Kiyoshi Okada, Keiko Takahashi, Hiroaki Sagawa, Kuniomi Abe

Cells and Materials

Specular microscopy , an optical method to study the anterior segment of the eye, was applied to observe the cells on implanted intraocular lenses in vivo. The images from specular microscopy were evaluated by comparing the morphology of the same cells on intraocular lenses implanted in rabbit eyes by specular microscopy , light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The time lapse study in living human eyes and the optical evaluation of jts interference images were performed to elucidate its image formation.

The same giant cells, as observed in vivo by specular microscopy, proved to be multinucleated cells. It …

Interactions Of Bacteria And Amoebae With Ocular Biomaterials, Thomas John

Cells and Materials

The use of biomaterials in periocular and intraocular sites has resulted in some ocular inflammations and infections which can result in vision-threatening ocular disease. This review addresses bacterial interactions with, and adherence to ocular biomaterials such as soft contact lenses, surgical suture materials, and intraocular lenses. In addition, adherence of Acanthamoeba to soft contact lenses is described, and the role of these lenses in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis is discussed.

Dusts Produced During Cutting Of Modern Splinting Bandages, R. Wytch, D. W. Gregory, R. Clayton, D. Wardlaw

Cells and Materials

Previous work carried out by the authors (Wytch et al ., 1988a) has shown that airborne dust generated during removal of orthopaedic casts with a power saw could represent a respiratory hazard. Further work has been carried out on all types of splinting bandage currently available in the United Kingdom to assess the potential dust hazard when sawing these materials. It has been shown that although plaster of Paris bandage produces significant concentrations of airborne dust, most of the polyurethane-impregnated fabric bandages generate extremely low levels of dust and in the case of the non-glass fabrics, the level is insignificant. …

Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation Of The Fractured Surfaces Of Canine Calculi From Substrata With Different Surface Free Energy, H. M. W. Uyen, W. L. Jongebloed, H. J. Busscher

Cells and Materials

The strength of adhesion between dental calculus and enamel or dentin surfaces determines the ease with which the calculus can be removed by brushing or professional dental treatment. In this study, we examined the adhesion of canine calculi formed on substrata with different surface free energies (sfe) and roughness by means of scanning electron microscopy. In 4 beagle dogs fenestrated crowns were made on the upper fourth premolars. Subsequently, facings of glass (sfe = 120 mJ. m-2), bovine enamel (sfe = 85 mJ.m-2), bovine dentin (sfe = 92 mJ.m-2), polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA, sfe = 56 mJ.m-2) and polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE, sfe = …

Polylysine Stimulation Of Ectopic Cartilage Formation, Rocky S. Tuan, Dina M. Turchi, David S. Kreitzer

Cells and Materials

Cartilage development, or chondrogenesis, is a process which involves the condensation of prechondrogenic mesenchymal cells, followed by the expression of the cartilage phenotype characterized by the biosynthesis of cartilage-specific, extracellular matrix components. We have previously shown that the cationic biopolymer, polylysine (PL), is able to stimulate chondrogenesis by embryonic limb bud mesenchymal cells in vitro. In this study, we have evaluated the chondrogenesis-stimulating activity of PL in vivo using an experimental system consisting of chick embryonic muscle explants, which were grafted onto the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos maintained in long-term shell-less culture. The muscle grafts were treated with PL …

A Versatile, Low Toxicity Glycol Methacrylate Embedding Medium For Use In Biological Research, And For Recovered Biomaterials Prostheses, Peter O. Gerrits, Bernhard Eppinger, Harry Van Goor, Richard W. Horobin

Cells and Materials

Methods for preparing standardized glycol methacrylate (GMA) based embedding media for use in light microscopy in a rational, precise and reproducible manner are described. The application of these procedures resulted in a versatile, low toxicity GMA embedding medium.

GMA embedding medium and resin blocks were tested utilizing a variety of physico-chemical techniques, namely: gas chromatography, determination of the maximum temperature reached during polymerization, the time taken to reach the maximum temperature, hardness testing, determination of the glass transition temperature, and measurement of the dimensional changes following section stretching and mounting at various temperatures. Data obtained from these techniques enabled a …

Fracture Toughness And Fractography Of Dental Ceramics, H. J. Mueller

Cells and Materials

Chevron-notch short-rod fracture toughness (KIv) and scanning electron microscopy analyses of leucite-, tetrasilicic fluormica-, and alumina- reinforced dental ceramics and control materials were investigated. Short-rod fracture toughness is a measure of the bulk resistance to crack propagation but not of the surface resistance to crack initiation. Results indicated significant differences in KIv among the following six groups (from lowest to highest (a) Dicor and Optec, (b) Optec, Excelco's Incisal, Macor and Excelco's Gingival, (c) Excelco's Brush-O-Paque, (d) Vitadur-N core, (e) Coming's 9606 glass-ceramic, and (t) Vita Hi Ceram. Good agreement occurred with published data for Macor and 9606. Comparisons of …

Stereoscopic Analysis Of Trabecular Bone Orientation In Proximal Human Tibias, K. N. Bachus, M. K. Harman, R. D. Bloebaum

Cells and Materials

The three-dimensional orientation of trabeculae is a key factor in determining the load carrying capabilities of cancellous bone. Previous biomechanical studies have shown that proximal tibias resected parallel to the articulating surface are stronger and stiffer than the contralateral tibias resected perpendicular to the long axis of the bone. However, morphologic evidence was not provided to help explain the mechanical differences.

To determine the orientation of the trabeculae in the medial condyle for both parallel cut and perpendicular cut specimens, a scanning electron microscope and stereoscopic techniques were used. Data showed that tibias cut parallel to the articular surface had …

Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Within Tubular Prosthesis: Effects Of Laminin And Collagen Matrices On Cellular Ingrowth, Ivar J. Kljavin, Roger D. Madison

Cells and Materials

Bridging a severed peripheral nerve with a tubular conduit, "entubulation repair" , allows manipulation of the microenvironment encountered by regenerating axons. In the present study, we placed the ends of severed mouse sciatic nerves into nonpermeable Tygon tubes to bridge a 4 mm nerve gap. The tube lumen was filled with either a collagen or laminin matrix. The matrices formed a stable 3-D structure connecting both proximal and distal stumps, and provided a scaffolding for the regenerating axons and their supporting cells. We examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy, the initial events of …

Primary Bone Formation In Porous Hydroxyapatite Ceramic: A Light And Scanning Electron Microscopic Study, M. Okumura, H. Ohgushi, S. Tamai, E. C. Shors

Cells and Materials

Porous hydroxyapatite ceramics combined with rat marrow cells were implanted subcutaneously in the back of syngeneic Fischer rats . Fluorochrome-labeling (calcein, tetracycline) was performed post-operatively and the ceramics were harvested 4 weeks after implantation. Undecalcified thin sections of the implants were observed under light microscopy or fluoromicroscopy and the corresponding areas were also analyzed in a scanning electron microscope connected to an electron probe microanalyzer (SEM-EPMA). Many pore areas of the ceramics showed bone and osteoid formation together with active osteoblasts. The bone formation began directly on the surface of the ceramic and proceeded in a centripetal direction towards the …

A Simple Method For Ultrastructural Evaluation Of Fragile Collagenous Biomaterials, Arthur J. Wasserman, Yasushi P. Kato, Frederick H. Silver

Cells and Materials

No abstract provided.

Surface Modification Of Polymers To Permit Endothelial Cell Growth, C. James Kirkpatrick, Detlef Mueller-Schulte, Marc Roye, Guenter Hollweg, Claudia Gossen, Horst Richter, Christian Mittermayer

Cells and Materials

The interaction between endothelial cells (EC) and polymers has become relevant to medicine as a result of attempts to improve the biocompatibility of vascular prostheses. In man, endothelialization is minimal, so that vascular surgeons have attempted to pre-seed vascular grafts with autologous EC. The poor results of EC seeding of commonly used materials for vascular grafts, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) or woven polyester (Dacron) has led to attempts to modify the surface of these and other polymers. Three principal modification techniques have been employed : 1. adsorption of bioactive molecules from applied solutions. Examples are fibronectin, collagen types I …

Composite Filler Characterization By Scanning Electron Microscopy, Image Analysis And Thermogravimetry, J. Vaidyanathan, T. K. Vaidyanathan

Cells and Materials

The morphological and compositional characterization of the filler particles in selected dental composites has been accomplished by a combination of backscattered electron imaging, digital imaging , energy dispersive X-ray analysis and thermogravimetry. Backscattered electron images provide excellent composition contrast between the filler and the matrix in this analysis . Qualitative energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to classify the filler composition in the composites studied. The digital imaging technique of feature analysis was utilized to quantitatively characterize the particle morphological parameters and their distributions. Several parameters were determined of which the particle area, breadth, height and Waddel diameter are emphasized. Particle …

Adhesion Of Staphylococci To Breast Prosthesis Biomaterials: An Electron Microscopic Evaluation, T. A. Fassel, J. E. Van Over, C. C. Hauser, C. E. Edmiston, J. R. Sanger

Cells and Materials

Gram-positive coagulase-negative staphylococci have been implicated in breast prosthesis infection. Staphylococcus au re us, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus hominis strains were examined for adhesion and proliferation morphology to polyurethane foam and smooth silicone rubber prosthetic biomaterials. Ruthenium red, alcian blue and ruthenium red-lysine in en bloc procedures were applied to optimally visualize the polysaccharide slime. Ruthenium red processing resulted in observation of additional outer material close to the cell wall, more than seen in the absence of cationic reagent. Alcian blue preserved fibrous or netlike strands or meshworks of material. Ruthenium red-lysine preserved considerable amounts of slime covering the cocci …

Ultrastructural Study Of Bone Formation On Synthetic Hydroxyapatite In Osteoblast Cultures, J. M. Sautier, J. R. Nefussi, N. Forest

Cells and Materials

Collagenase isolated rat calvaria cells forming a mineralized matrix in vitro were cultured in the presence of synthetic hydroxyapatite. Interactions between bone cells and hydroxyapatite biomaterial were followed by transmission electron microscopy. The appearance of a granular, collagen free, electron-dense layer at the periphery of the material was noted initially. Progressively, an amorphous, granular material formed and extended between the hydroxyapatite aggregates. Osteoblastic cells then synthesized an osteoid matrix which mineralized on the first formed granular collagen free layer, following a classical pattern of calcification . Demineralization of ultrathin sections confirmed the presence of this interface between the material and …

A Comparative Study Of Bovine Pericardium Mineralization: A Basic And Practical Approach, Branko B. Tomazic, Chakwan Siew, Walter E. Brown

Cells and Materials

The biomineralization of bovine pericardium (BP) heart valve bioprostheses was investigated by simulation of the process under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The nature and composition of calcific deposits that formed in human heart valve bioprostheses were compared with the mineral formed on BP discs immersed in a calcifying medium or subcutaneously implanted into Sprague-Dawley rats. The early stage of experimental biomineralization in vitro took place on the surface only, while in vivo deposition appeared to be intrinsic, as documented by histological cross sections. The chemical composition of the initial mineral phase formed under in vitro conditions had a …

Adhesion And Spreading Of Human Fibroblasts On Superhydrophobic Fep-Teflon, H. J. Busscher, I. Stokroos, J. G. Golverdingen, J. M. Shakenraad

Cells and Materials

Adhesion and spreading of human fibroblasts was studied on hydrophobized and hydrophilized FEPTeflon, and compared with adhesion and spreading on untreated FEP-Teflon and Tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). Superhydrophobic FEP-Teflon was prepared by ion etching followed by oxygen glow-discharge. Hydrophilic PEP-Teflon was prepared by ion etching only. Water contact angles of the modified surfaces were 140- 1500 and 5-10° for the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic variant, respectively. (Untreated FEP-Teflon: 109°). Spreading of human skin fibroblasts significantly increased on hydrophilic FEP-Teflon (257 μm2 per cell), whereas a significant decrease was observed on superhydrophobic FEP-Teflon (158 μm2 per cell), as compared to untreated …

The Articular Cartilage Of The Rabbit Knee: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study, Daniel Levanon, Haim Stein

Cells and Materials

The surface morphology of eight sectors in the rabbit knee articular cartilage was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Cartilage surfaces showed wide variation in the shape, dimensions , and density of gaps and acellular processes. Patellas and load-bearing condyles revealed a relatively higher density of processes than did load-free condyles. Surface processes and gaps were abundant. They might represent a condensation product(s) of hyaluronic acid/protein complex that accrues during cycles of loading/weight bearing.