Nonlinear Rheology of Unentangled Polymer Melts Reinforced with High Concentration of Rigid Nanoparticles

A scaling model is presented to analyze the nonlinear rheology of unentangled polymer melts filled with high concentration of small spherical particles. Assuming the majority of chains to be reversibly adsorbed to the surface of the particles, we show that the emergence of nonlinearity in the viscoelastic response of the composite system subjected to a 2D shear flow results from stretching of the adsorbed chains and increasing desorption rate of the adsorbed segments due to the imposed deformation. The steady-state shear viscosity of the mixture in nonlinear shear thinning regime follows the power lawwhereis the applied shear rate. At large strain amplitude γ 0, the storage and loss moduli in strain sweep tests scale asandrespectively

Dynamic Modeling of Cell Migration and Spreading Behaviors on Fibronectin Coated Planar Substrates and Micropatterned Geometries

An integrative cell migration model incorporating focal adhesion (FA) dynamics, cytoskeleton and nucleus remodeling, actin motor activity, and lamellipodia protrusion is developed for predicting cell spreading and migration behaviors. This work is motivated by two experimental works: (1) cell migration on 2-D substrates under various fibronectin concentrations and (2) cell spreading on 2-D micropatterned geometries. These works suggest (1) cell migration speed takes a maximum at a particular ligand density (~1140 molecules/µm2) and (2) that strong traction forces at the corners of the patterns may exist due to combined effects exerted by actin stress fibers (SFs). The integrative model of this paper successfully reproduced these experimental results and indicates the mechanism of cell migration and spreading. In this paper, the mechanical structure of the cell is modeled as having two elastic membranes: an outer cell membrane and an inner nuclear membrane. The two elastic membranes are connected by SFs, which are extended from focal adhesions on the cortical surface to the nuclear membrane. In addition, the model also includes ventral SFs bridging two focal adhesions on the cell surface. The cell deforms and gains traction as transmembrane integrins distributed over the outer cell membrane bond to ligands on the ECM surface, activate SFs, and form focal adhesions. The relationship between the cell migration speed and fibronectin concentration agrees with existing experimental data for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell migrations on fibronectin coated surfaces. In addition, the integrated model is validated by showing persistent high stress concentrations at sharp geometrically patterned edges. This model will be used as a predictive model to assist in design and data processing of upcoming microfluidic cell migration assays

A semi-stochastic cell-based formalism to model the dynamics of migration of cells in colonies

We consider the movement and viability of individual cells in cell colonies. Cell movement is assumed to take place as a result of sensing the strain energy density as a mechanical stimulus. The model is based on tracking the displacement and viability of each individual cell in a cell colony. Several applications are shown, such as the dynamics of filling a gap within a fibroblast colony and the invasion of a cell colony. Though based on simple principles, the model is qualitatively validated by experiments on living fibroblasts on a flat substrate.Delft Institute of Applied MathematicsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc

Magnetic nanoparticles sensitize MCF-7 breast cancer cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resistance of breast cancer cells to the available chemotherapeutics is a major obstacle to successful treatment. Recent studies have shown that magnetic nanoparticles might have significant application in different medical fields including cancer treatment. The goal of this study is to verify the ability of magnetic nanoparticles to sensitize cancer cells to the clinically available chemotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The role of iron oxide nanoparticles, static magnetic field, or a combination in the enhancement of the apoptotic potential of doxorubicin against the resistant breast cancer cells, MCF-7 was evaluated using the MTT assay and the propidium iodide method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, results revealed that pre-incubation of MCF-7 cells with iron oxide nanoparticles before the addition of doxorubicin did not enhance doxorubicin-induced growth inhibition. Pre-incubation of MCF-7 cells with iron oxide nanoparticles followed by a static magnetic field exposure significantly (<it>P</it> < 0.05) increased doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. Sensitization with pre-exposure to the magnetic field was dose-dependent where the highest cytotoxicity was seen at 1 tesla. Further experiments revealed that the anti-proliferative effect of this treatment procedure is due to induction of apoptotic cell death.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results might point to the importance of combining magnetic nanoparticles with a static magnetic field in treatment of doxorubicin-refractory breast cancer cells.</p

Synthesis of oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate)

This protocol describes the synthesis of oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) (1-35 kDa)(a polymer useful for tissue engineering applications) by a one-pot reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and fumaryl chloride. The procedure involves three parts: dichloromethane and PEG are first dried; the reaction step follows in which fumaryl chloride and triethylamine are added dropwise to a solution of PEG in dichloromethane; and finally the product solution is filtered to remove byproduct salt, and the OPF product is twice crystallized, washed, and dried under vacuum. The reaction is affected by PEG molecular weight and reactant molar ratio. The OPF product is cross-linked by radical polymerization by either a thermally induced or UV-induced radical initiator, and the physical properties of the OPF oligomer and resulting cross-linked hydrogel are easily tailored by varying PEG molecular weight. OPF hydrogels are injectable, polymerize in situ, and undergo biodegradation by hydrolysis of ester bonds. The expected time required to complete this protocol is 6 d