“
“The effect of saponin on the surface properties of banana fibres was studied by Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC). Parameters including the dispersive component of the surface energy, surface heterogeneity, surface area, as well as acid-base surface properties were determined for saponin modified banana micro and nanofibres. selleck screening library These parameters show a more extensive saponin coating on the nanofibres
with a network formation which is explained by the higher reactivity of nanofibres due to the higher surface energy, specific interaction and higher surface area presented by the nanofibres. The energetic profile indicates that both micro and nanofibres coated with saponin interact with the same, or similar, energy active sites. Saponin treatment reduces considerably the surface area of the fibres, with the consequent decrease in the monolayer capacity. The interaction with the polar probes
clearly indicates that saponin treatment creates new polar active sites for specific interactions in both samples. However, the treatment increases predominately the basicity of the fibre surface with more relevance to the nanofibres. This behaviour will lead to better polymer/fibre interaction during composite preparation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“In spite of commercially available products, the complete and sustained repair of damaged articular cartilage still presents various challenges. Among biomaterials proposed for cartilage repair, silk fibroin (SF) has been recently proposed as a material AZD8186 order template for porous scaffolds cultured click here with chondrocytes and investigated in static and dynamic conditions. In addition to fibroin-based constructs, literature has reported that the combination of hyaluronic acid (HA) with other scaffold materials can protect the chondral phenotype and the cells in vitro response to the scaffold. In
this study, the effect of the addition of HA on the physical properties of SF sponges, with and without cross-linking with genipin, was investigated. Salt-leached scaffolds were characterized in terms of morphology and structural and physical properties, as well as mechanical performance. Un-cross-linked sponges resulted in the physical separation of highly hydrophilic HA from the SF, while cross-linking prevented this phenomenon, resulting in a homogeneous blend. The presence of HA also influenced fibroin crystallinity and tended to decrease the cross-linking degree of the scaffolds when compared to the pure SF material.”
“Objectives: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has become much more common with monoclonal antibody treatment for multiple sclerosis and other immune-mediated disorders.\n\nMethods: We report 2 patients with severe psoriasis and fatal PML treated for >= 3 years with efalizumab, a neutralizing antibody to alpha L beta 2-leukointegrin (LFA-1).