Engineering Commons^™

The Structure Of Urinary Catheter Encrusting Bacterial Biofilms, D. J. Stickler, J. King, J. Nettleton, C. Winters

Cells and Materials

A major complication of long-term urethral catheterization is catheter blockage by encrustation. We have examined 20 encrusted catheters and in each case crystal formation was associated with the presence of bacterial biofilms on the luminal surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis indicated the presence of struvite and hydroxyapatite in the biofilms. Urease producing bacteria were colonizing 16 of the catheters. Proteus mirabilis was the commonest species being recovered from ten of the catheters. These results support the hypothesis that catheter encrustation has a similar etiology to that of infection-induced urinary stones and confirm that the important target for any …

Mineralization Of An Axially Aligned Collagenous Matrix: A Morphological Study, D. L. Christiansen, F. H. Silver

Cells and Materials

Bone can be described as a highly ordered composite of type I collagen integrated with an inorganic mineral phase. In vitro models of bone mineralization using collagenous substrates have been reported in the literature. This study reports an in vitro system of mineralized reconstituted collagen fibers, with aligned fibrillar substructure. The collagen fibers were mineralized in a double diffusion chamber saturated with respect to calcium and phosphate. The morphology and ultrastructure of the mineral precipitate were evaluated as a function of the pH of the incubating media. Brushite crystal was observed at acidic pH. Large rectangular crystals formed at pH …

Morphological Characterization Of Maltodextrin Derivatives Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, K. K. Singh, D. J. Robison, Y. V. Pathak

Cells and Materials

This paper deals with the study of the significance of the morphological characteristics of some maltodextrin derivatives in the preparation of tablet dosage forms. Six maltodextrin derivatives, M-040, 100, 150, 180, 500, and 700, with varying dextrose equivalent (DE) values and varying degrees of agglomeration were studied for their suitability in the preparation of the tablets based on the morphological characteristics observed by scanning electron microscopy. A comparison of micromeritic properties, moisture absorption, and morphological characteristics of various maltodextrin derivatives is reported.

Immunocytochemical And Lectin-Gold Characterization Of The Interface Between Alveolar Bone And Implanted Hydroxyapatite In The Rat, H. Kawaguchi, M. D. Mckee, H. Okamoto, A. Nanci

Cells and Materials

The tissue response to implanted hydroxyapatite (HAP) in rat alveolar bone was investigated using morphological and cytochemical approaches. High-resolution immunogold labeling was used to examine the distribution of two non-collagenous bone proteins, osteopontin and osteocalcin, and two plasma proteins, a2HSglycoprotein (fetuin) and albumin. Glycoconjugates were characterized by lectin-gold cytochemistry using Ricinus communis I agglutinin and Wheat germ agglutinin. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of an electron-dense, lamina limitans-like layer at the HAP particle-bone interface and organic material within the micropores of the particles. Mineral was observed in relation to both these sites. The HAP particle-bone interface was strongly …

Organic Extracellular Matrix Components At The Bone Cell/Substratum Interface, X. Shen, E. Roberts, S. A. F. Peel, J. E. Davies

Cells and Materials

We have recently shown that differentiating bone cells are capable of elaborating, in vitro, a calcified matrix at the interface with several non-biological substrata which is similar to cement lines found in remodelling bone tissue. From previous morphological observations, this matrix appeared free of assembled collagen fibres which indicated that osteogenic cells produce an initial mineralized matrix before overt collagen fibre production. In the work reported herein, we used six antibodies to extracellular matrix components and two conjugates of secondary antibody, fluorescein and colloidal gold, to initiate a preliminary characterization of the organic components at the bone cell substratum …

The Peo/Pbt Copolymer-Mineralized Matrix Interface In Vitro, A. M. Radder, J. E. Davies, H. Leenders, C. A. Van Blitterswijk

Cells and Materials

Previous implantation experiments have investigated the interaction between a series of PEO/PBT copolymers (Polyactive®) and bone tissue, and shown the morphology of bone-bonding with several PEO/PBT ratios. However, the underlying mechanism of bone-bonding remains largely unknown. Therefore, an in-vitro approach was chosen to obtain more information on the events occurring at the PEO/PBT copolymer-bone interface. Rat marrow cells were cultured on two PEO/PBT copolymer proportions: a 60/40 ratio which is known to bond with bone tissue in-vivo and a 30170 ratio which, within one year of implantation, does not bond with bone. Evaluation was performed with light microscopy, scanning, backscatter …

In Vitro Studies Of Encrustations On Catheters, A Model Of Infection Stone Formation, W. Schmitz, A. Nolde, G. Marklein, A. Hesse

Cells and Materials

Deposition of infection-induced stone material on urinary catheters is a common problem in urological patients. Therefore, a crystallization model was developed in order to form this material in a reproducible manner. Furthermore, the dissolving potency of two solutions (Suby-G® and Solution-R®) was investigated with this model. The encrustations were examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, chemical encrustation analysis , scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis. In addition, the encrustations were calculated from the results of the urine analysis, before and after each experiment, as contents remaining in each artificial bladder. The model conditions changed during the experiment and led to …

A Simple Freeze Fracture Technique For Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Collagenous Biomaterials, David L. Christiansen, George Pins, Frederick H. Silver

Cells and Materials

A simple freeze fracture technique for the ultrastructural analysis of fragile collagenous biomaterials is presented. Following standard methods of preparation and dehydration, fragile biomaterials are fractured with a sharp blade attached to a modified slide hammer. The sliding mass imparts a sudden impact load on the frozen surface of the material , creating a distortion free cleavage plane across the material. More traditional methods including bending and cutting with scissors introduce artifacts indirectly associated with stress concentration produced by bending, and sample compression at the edges with cutting. The impact loading of the sample during fracture results in preservation of …

The Effect Of Peo Ratio On Degradation, Calcification And Bone Bonding Of Peo/Pbt Copolymer (Polyactive), C. A. Van Blitterswijk, J. V.D. Brink, H. Leenders, D. Baaker

Cells and Materials

In this study, we evaluated the effect of PEO/ PBT proportion on the behavior of a range of PEO/ PBT segmented copolymers (Polyactive) during subcutaneous and intrabony implantation in the rat. It was demonstrated that varying the PEO proportion affected degradation, calcification and bone-bonding. The PEO/PBT 70/30 and 60/40 showed extensive degradation after 1 year, PEO/PBT 55145 an intermediate degradation, and the 40/60 and 30170 copolymers showed little and hardly any degradation respectively. PEO content also affected the degree of calcification . PEO/PBT 70/30 showed extensive and early calcification whereas almost no calcification was seen with PEO/PBT 30170. Since calcified …

Characterization Of Bovine Osteoclasts On An Ionomeric Cement In Vitro, D. H. Szulczewski, U. Meyer, K. Moller, U. Stratmann, S. B. Doty, D. B. Jones

Cells and Materials

Primary bovine osteoclasts were obtained by an outgrowth method from bovine periosteum and cultured for 7 days on an ionomeric cement for biomaterial testing. Osteoclasts cultured on slices of bovine bone and on glass microscope cover-slides served as a control. The cells were characterised as osteoclasts by a number of tests. Osteoclasts showed positive staining for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and reactivity with the antibodies 13C2 and 23C6, which react with the alphachain of the vitronectin receptor. Addition of salmon calcitonin to the culture medium led to sudden cessation of lamellipodial activity. The cells resorbed bone by making pits. In …

A Scanning Electron Microscope Study Of The Ultrastructural Organization Of Bone Mineral, F. B. Bagambisa, U. Joos, W. Schilli

Cells and Materials

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study samples of lamellar bone at magnifications typical for the published transmission electron micrographs, to gain more insight into the three-dimensional ultrastructure of bone mineral. Untreated (whole bone) samples allowed an assessment of the degree of mineralization. Deproteinized samples revealed the ultrastructural form and organization of bone apatite to be a function of the extent to which collagen fibers were imbibed with mineral. Numerous parallel formations reminiscent of troughs, gutters, or furrows, pierced and traversed the mineralization front. These troughs showed varying diameters identifiable with collagen fibers, and were separated from one another …

The Effect Of Substratum Roughness On Osteoclast-Like Cells In Vitro, K. Gomi, J. D. De Bruijn, M. Ogura, J. E. Davies

Cells and Materials

Calcium phosphate powders were used to produce three groups of experimental substrata for the culture of primary rat bone marrow cells in conditions which permitted the survival and function of osteoclasts. Each of the three experimental groups were subdivided by differences in substratum surface roughness and following a culture period of 7 to 11 days, the culture units were stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity. In all samples both small, sometimes mononuclear, and large multinucleate cells stained positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and the numbers and types of cells were quantified and statistically analyzed. Following histochemical staining the samples …

Microstructural Enhancement Of Dental Composite And Ceramic Materials By Plasma Etching, H. J. Mueller, M. S. Bapna

Cells and Materials

Radio frequency plasma etching of a selected number of dental materials , including glass filled polymeric composites, alumina reinforced ceramic, glass ionomer, and zinc oxide eugenol enhanced microstructural detail for scanning electron microscopy analyses. All four plasmas, argon , oxygen, carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), and CF4 + 4% 0 2 , proved effective, but the latter was the most effective. The etching of all materials , except the ceramic, was accomplished by the selective removal of a polymeric component. For the glass filled composites , this involved removal of the Bis-GMA matrix resin, leaving the filler particles in relief. For a …

Pulpal Response To Calcium Phosphate Materials. In Vivo Study Of Calcium Phosphate Materials In Endodontics, A. H. Jean, J. A. Pouezat, G. Daculsi

Cells and Materials

The aim of this study was to determine if calcium phosphate (CaP) materials could be used to substitute for calcium hydroxide (CH) as a pulp capping agent. Especially prepared and characterized CaP materials with CH as the reference or control material were used for pulpcapping teeth of pigs, rats, and dogs. The CaP materials included: DCPD (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate), OCP (octacalcium phosphate), ß-TCP ({3-tricalcium phosphate), BCP (biphasic calcium phosphate mixture of 50150 HA and ß-TCP), and HA (hydroxyapatite) which were used in particle sizes of < 5 μm or < 150 μm. The animals were sacrificed after 21 days to …

Scanning Electron Microscopy Of The Osteoclast-Bone Interface In Vivo, H. Zhou, R. Chernecky, J. E. Davies

Cells and Materials

Rat femoral bones were studied by scanning electron microscopy to demonstrate the morphology of osteoclast- bone matrix interfacial relationships. Two general morphological types of actively resorbing osteoclasts were observed . One cell type was approximately ovoid with highly fimbriated borders, fully attached and closely adapted to the resorption surface. The ruffled border of such cells was composed of a number of individual filopodia which were of uniform , regular shape and approximately 2-3 μm in length and 150 nm in diameter. They were found to penetrate the bone matrix to a depth of 1 μm and interdigitated with the surrounding …

Attachment Kinetics And Differentiations Of Osteoblasts On Different Biomaterials, U. Meyer, D. H. Szulczewski, K Moller, H. Heide, D. B. Jones

Cells and Materials

Primary bovine osteoblast cell cultures were used to study the response of osteoblasts ton three different biomaterials, ionomeric cement (IC), tri-calcium phosphate poly-L-lactic acid composite foil (TCP) and poly-L-lactate-polycitric acid composite foil (PLA). The cells which grew on the materials produced all typical bone matrix proteins and were osteoblast-Iike as shown by immuno-staining. Analysis of the cell attachment kinetics revealed significant differences within the first 7 hours between the various materials. The best rate of cell attachment was found on the IC surface, followed by the TCP and then the PLA surface. The kinetics of attach ment appeared to be …

Cell-Degradation Of Calcium Phosphate Ceramics, P. Frayssinet, N. Rouquet, F. Tourenne, J. Fages, D. Hardy, G. Bonel

Cells and Materials

Calcium phosphate ceramics are used in bone surgery under different forms: dense or porous ceramic s as bone substitute, thin ceramic coatings on metallic implants as an osseointegration enhancer. Their degradation depends on their physico-chemical properties and particularly on their chemical composition. Natural calcium phosphates of bone are degraded by mononuclear or multinuclear cells and the extracellular matrix induces the differentiation of the degrading-cells. Hydroxyapatite, which is one of the most used calcium phosphates , is known as a low degradation material. However, the histological analysis of implanted HA-materials both in animals and in humans showed that a cellular degradation …

Analysis Of The Bony Interface With Various Types Of Hydroxyapatite In Vitro, J. D. De Bruijn, J. S. Flach, K. De Groot, C. A. Van Blitterswijk, J. E. Davies

Cells and Materials

Rat bone marrow cells, capable of forming bonelike tissue, were cultured on three types of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite that differed in degree of crystallinity from 15%, 43% to 69%. The interface between the mineralized extracellular matrix and the hydroxyapatite was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. At the onset of bone formation, calcium and phosphorous-rich afibrillar globules, with a diameter varying from 0.2 to 0.8 μm, were produced and deposited onto the different substrata. These globules subsequently fused to form a homogeneous layer to which collagen fibres became anchored. Individual globules could be distinguished on the non-degrading 69 % …

Intravital Microscopic Evidence That Polylactide-Polyglycolide (Plga) Delays Neo-Osteogenesis And Neo-Angiogenesis In Healing Bone, H. Winet, J. O. Hollinger

Cells and Materials

The bone chamber implant (BCI) has allowed monitoring a healing bone defect as well as the effect of an eroding implant on the healing process. The BCI is a useful tool and intravital microscopy a valuable technique for obtaining quantitative data chronicling osseous wound healing. The physiological parameters that form the initial data base documenting healing are neo-osteogenesis and neo-angiogenesis. This review compares and characterizes osseous wound healing in a BCI loaded with an erodible copolymer, PLGA (polylactide-polyglycolide). To determine if a statistically significant deviation from normal healing had occurred, the results were compared with present and historical controls. In …

Relative Humidity And Temperature Effects On Tensile Strength Of Edible Protein And Cellulose Ether Films, A. Gennadios, H. J. Park, Curtis L. Weller

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The effect of relative humidity and temperature on tensile strength of two types of protein-based [corn zein (CZ) and wheat gluten (WG)] and two types of cellulosic [methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)] hydrophilic edible films was investigated.

Property Modification Of Edible Wheat, Gluten-Based Films, A. Gennadios, Curtis L. Weller, R. F. Testin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Procedures were developed to produce edible wheat, gluten-based films. A film was produced as a standard. Five additional films were then produced by modifying the initial film-forming solution. Modifications included changing the plasticizer, partially substituting wheat gluten with soy protein isolate and corn zein, and incorporating two acetylated monoglyceride products. All films were characterized by measuring selected mechanical properties, and permeabilities to water vapor and to oxygen. Comparison of the films, in terms of their measured properties, indicates ways to improve the overall performance of the standard film as a potential packaging material. A main limitation of all of the …

Interposed Abdominal Compression Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Are We Missing The Mark In Clinical Trials?, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Straightforward considerations of abdominal anatomy in human beings set tight constraints on the theoretically optimal technique for abdominal compressions during interposed abdominal compression (IAC)-CPR. The location and extent of the abdominal aorta lead naturally to the recommendation that IAC be applied at a level corresponding to the lower two thirds of the sterno-umbilical line. The force vector required to achieve contact compression of the abdominal aorta is inclined in the transverse plane at an angle of 11 degrees from the vertical toward the left. Such slightly angled compression subjects the abdominal aorta to maximally flattening; while the inferior vena cava …

Interposed Abdominal Compression-Cpr: A Case Study In Cardiac Arrest Research, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

When the abdomen is compressed manually in counterpoint to the rhythm of chest compression, in the performance of interposed abdominal compression-CPR, artificial circulation is approximately doubled in animal experiments and in electronic models of the circulatory system. These studies suggest that external manual compression of the abdominal aorta acts like an intra-aortic balloon pump to increase aortic pressure, whereas external manual compression of the abdominal veins acts to prime the right heart and pulmonary vessels before the next chest compression. As a result, perfusion pressures and flows are increased. Several clinical studies of this technique have shown promising results, including …

Development Of A Rapidly Computable Descriptor Of Prostate Tissue Temperature During Transurethral Conductive Heat Therapy For Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, U H. Patel, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in older men in which the mass of tissue in the prostate gland gradually increases over the course of many years, ultimately leading to urinary outflow obstruction. Current treatment of this condition is to surgically remove the obstructing tissue. One novel alternative therapy being studied is transurethral thermocoagulation of excessive prostatic mass. In this approach, a heat emitting catheter is placed in the prostatic urethra, and the intraprostatic segment of the catheter is heated to temperatures above 60 oC for one hour. Two dimensional cylindrical coordinate computer simulations of this treatment modality were …

Drying Rate Constants For Yellow Dent Corn As Affected By Fatty Acid Ester Treatments, Curtis L. Weller, J. M. Bunn

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Ethyl oleate and ethyl stearate solutions at various concentrations were used to treat corn samples prior to drying.

Modification Of Physical And Barrier Properties Of Edible Wheat Gluten-Based Films, Aristippos Gennadios, Curtis L. Weller, Robert F. Testin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Edible films were produced from wheat gluten-based film-forming solutions. One film was produced as a control. Other types came from subjecting control films to three different soaking treatments. Three additional films were also produced by modifying the control film-forming solution. For all films, selected physical properties and permeability to water vapor and oxygen were measured. Comparisons indicated possible ways to improve the control film. All films were good oxygen barriers but limited water vapor barriers. Films containing hydrolyzed keratin had lower oxygen permeability (83%) and lower water vapor permeability (23%). Films containing mineral oil had lower water vapor permeability (25%). …

Chemical Tracing Techniques For Evaluating Rill Hydraulics, John E. Gilley, Eugene R. Kottwitz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Development of water erοsiοn and surface water quality control practices requires information concerning the hydraulic characteristics of upland areas. The relatively small flow rates normally found within rills make measurement of hydraulic parameters difficult. Chemical tracing procedures, originally developed for stream and river systems, have been successfully used to measure rill flow properties. A chemical tracer of known concentration is added to the rill and by knowing the degree of dilutiοn at a downstream sampling point, flow rate can be calculated. Rill flow velocity can be measured by determining the time required for a slug of tracer material to travel …

Design And Evaluation Of An Augmentative Communication Aid For Multiply Impaired Individuals, Mark S. Annett

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with sensory and multiple physical impairments, which may include the loss of the ability to speak, have very specialized communication needs. Based on the belief that the current technology does not fully meet these needs, a prototype communication aid was developed for an individual who is cortically blind, dysphonic, and motor impaired. Furthermore, the communication device has broader applications beyond the present individual.

The prototype system has a direct selection of "Yes" and "No" responses, scanning access to daily phrases, rate enhancement of all scans, prompted encoding for selection of letters, two letter codes for complete sentences, access to …

High-Level Expression Of A Heterologous Protein In The Milk Of Transgenic Swine Using The Cdna Encoding Human Protein C, William H. Velander, John L. Johnson, Raymond L. Page, Christopher G. Russell, Anuradha Subramanian, Tracy D. Wilkins, Francis C. Gwazdauskas, Christoph Pittius, William N. Drohan

William H. Velander Publications

Transgenic pigs were generated that produced human protein C in their milk at up to 1 g/liter. The gene construct was a fusion gene consisting of the cDNA for human protein C inserted into the first exon of the mouse whey acidic protein gene. These results demonstrate that the mouse whey acidic protein gene contains regulatory elements that can direct cDNA expression at high levels in the pig mammary gland. Recombinant human protein C that was produced at about 380 pg/ml per hr in transgenic pig milk possessed anticoagulant activity that was equivalent to that of protein C derived from …

A Toposcopic Investigation Of Brain Electrical Activity Induced By Motion Sickness, Dwight A. Roblyer

Theses and Dissertations

A toposcope was constructed as a new tool to study signal frequency and phase relationships in electroencephalogram (EEG) records collected while subjects were experiencing motion sickness. This new tool, named TOPOS, is a software-based, multi-featured version of Grey Walter and Harold Shipton's device which they first produced in the late 1940s. The TOPOS graphical display permits the study of instantaneous frequency relationships between the input channels and a reference signal of fixed or varying frequency. TOPOS adds a correlation grid to aid observers in detecting channel-to-reference correlation levels. Users can also vary several display parameters via menus to optimize the …